Subway Series Archives

Ortiz and More

June 10, 2019

Before I get to the state of the Yankees, I need to send out healing thoughts to David Ortiz after he was shot in the abdominal area yesterday in the Dominican Republic. Apparently, he underwent a six-hour operation, but is now in stable condition. It’s always a shock when a member – especially such a high-profile member – of the baseball community suffers a sudden injury or illness, and I was certainly shocked to learn about Ortiz last night. He was our nemesis for so many years, but he’s said to be one of the good guys. I hope he’s back on the MLB Network team soon.

As for our boys, good for them for salvaging the series in Cleveland with a late win, but now we’re deadlocked in a tie for first place with the Rays and seemingly falling apart – despite the welcome return of Didi. With German now joining the Injured List and Keuchel signing with the Braves, the need for a starter (or two) couldn’t be more essential. Get on it, would you, Cashman? (Tanaka is only on paternity leave; he’ll be back. But let’s hope he’ll be back in better shape than when he left. He hasn’t been all that great.)

The relievers have been spotty too. Betances isn’t coming back any time soon, and the others are hit and miss. Which puts pressure on the offense to overcompensate for runs given up.

On the plus side, the Yankees have done a remarkable job despite losing so many players to injury. I never dreamed we’d be near first place with so many stars out and yet here we are. So grateful to LeMahieu, Urshela, Maybin, etc. for filling in so admirably.

Looking forward to taking on the Mets. I think.

How Sweep It Is!

August 17, 2017

A four-game sweep against any team is a big deal at this critical time of the year, but a four-game Subway Series sweep is especially sweet. With the Red Sox having the night off, the Yanks are four games back with this weekend’s series at Fenway to come (weather permitting).

Of note…

Severino had a fun night tonight getting not only the win but his first major league hit. He looked as happy as a kid at Christmas.

Gary Sanchez is on fire at the plate. Whether he only heats up during the month of August or that lunch he had with A-Rod turned his head around, he’s been our power offense right now.

Didi is clutch. Period. He hardly ever disappoints.

Judge is hitting the occasional bomb, but he’s swinging at bad pitches and needs to finish strong.

Yet another player went on the DL: Garrett Cooper, who was hitting really well. But Tyler Austin is back, so maybe he’ll make the most of his turn in the majors.

Montgomery didn’t go on the DL despite getting hit on the ear during batting practice and pitched well in spite of what must have been a little scary.

What will happen this weekend? Beats me, but I’m eager to find out.

Post Subway Series, Now What?

August 5, 2016

We saw Gary Sanchez get his first major league hit and serve as DH. We saw the successful return of Luis Severino out of the bullpen. But the Yankees held fast to their tendency to play .500 baseball with a series split against the Mets. They’re a different team but their results are the same. And so be it.

The big question everyone’s asking going forward – and Girardi is getting peeved about being asked day after day, can’t blame him – is what’s to be done with A-Rod? He gets no playing time. He’s just….there. I read an article in the NYT the other day about what a great mentor he’s been to the younger players and how baseball-smart he is (we could see that from watching his commentary on the TV playoff coverage). So what happens to him?

My guess is the Yankees organization will retain him for the duration of this season and then release him (unless the Marlins are willing to take him). And then he’ll either play for another year (again, for the Marlins most likely) to reach his milestones, or settle into the broadcast booth. As I said, he’s good in front of the camera when talking about the game as opposed to himself.

Meanwhile, the Yanks take on the now-powerhouse Cleveland Indians this weekend and that means facing Andrew Miller. It’ll make me sad to see him in their uniform.

Happy Ending to the Subway Series

April 27, 2015

Game 3 was pretty sloppy in terms of the defense, but the Mets really played whoopsie with the ball. Yikes. Maybe they get nervous whenever they come to the Stadium or maybe it was the cold weather this time since the Yanks made their share of bonehead plays too. But in the end it was a Yankee victory, powered in part by the seemingly indestructible A-Rod. As everyone in the world knows by now, he’s one homer shy of Willie Mays’ milestone and the drama that’s getting front page news is will the Yankees pay him the bonus or won’t they? My guess is the two sides will reach some sort of settlement. I can’t see the Steinbrenners or A-Rod/Players Union wanting to drag this out during the season, nor can I see A-Rod wanting to ruin the good will he’s established with the fans and his teammates. But I’ve been wrong before. And when money’s involved, people act crazy so who knows.

The emergence of homer-happy Teixeira is also a nice story. Whether or not it’s his gluten-free diet that’s brought him back from last year’s mediocrity, it doesn’t matter. I’m just glad to see that swing again. Maybe Ellsbury should go gluten free so he doesn’t get injured so much. While he’s nursing his sore hip, Gardner’s been speedy. I’m just not wild about the mustache. Not on him or any of the others. They look like porn stars.

Andrew Miller, our closer for all intents and purposes, is doing a terrific job so far. Good signing, Cashman.

On to the Rays. I’m enjoying these games where the boys are playing better. There’s just one problem. Now that I’m on Eastern Standard Time, I’m going to sleep before the ESPN games are over, plus last night there was no way I was missing “Mad Men” for the end of Yankees-Mets.

Brett “Babe Ruth” Gardner to No Avail

May 12, 2014

It’s not every day that Gardy hits a grand slam, but he did tonight in the Subway Series opener at the Stadium – in a losing effort. It was an ugly loss too, thanks to the pitching.

Both sides slugged their way onto the scoreboard, but the Mets got their hits against a parade of Kuroda, Aceves, Thornton and Claiborne – the same Mets that had low batting averages and little success before they arrived in the Bronx. I know Joe couldn’t use Warren and Bettances and Kelley is still hurting, but are we really hitching our wagon to Aceves? I find that scary. And Claiborne hasn’t been effective since his first few months on the team last year.

Of greater concern is Beltran, who apparently has joined the ranks of the wounded with a hyper-extended elbow and is headed for the Carl Pavano MRI tube. Not good. And he got the injury swinging the bat in the cage? Sheesh. They’re all made of glass, I’m telling you. Watching Teixeira trying to leg out that pinch-hit single was painful.

So we turn our lonely eyes to Vidal Nuno tomorrow. Maybe he’ll throw a no-hitter.

Brett "Babe Ruth" Gardner to No Avail

May 12, 2014

It’s not every day that Gardy hits a grand slam, but he did tonight in the Subway Series opener at the Stadium – in a losing effort. It was an ugly loss too, thanks to the pitching.

So we turn our lonely eyes to Vidal Nuno tomorrow. Maybe he’ll throw a no-hitter.

This Is Alarming

May 29, 2013

I listened to most of the game on my At Bat app and I’m glad I didn’t have to actually watch the debacle. I didn’t need to see Phelps morph into a Bad Pitcher. I didn’t need to see the listless Yankees offense either. Good for Nova for pitching well, but this has been a very trying Subway Series.

With Tex and Youkilis due back for the weekend, I have to wonder….Have the injuries finally caught up with this team? Were the fill-ins playing over their heads and have they come back down to earth? Or are these four losses in a row just a fluke of the schedule, a natural lull over the course of a long season? Is it really up to Vidal Nuno to be our stopper tomorrow night?

Let’s just say I much prefer writing these posts after wins. This losing stuff isn’t a lot of fun.

I’m Emotionally Drained Right Now

June 24, 2012

Forget what I said about the lack of intensity in the Subway Series. The finale tonight was so stressful I resorted to doing laundry.

Our defense was sloppy, which always gets me mad, and CC wasn’t helped by his teammates – until Swisher did exactly what the ESPN crew was haranguing against: hit an evil home run. Ditto: Cano.

Dickey wasn’t Dickey-ish, so that was a relief. But speaking of relief, our guys nearly gave me a breakdown. I don’t know if Cory Wade is going through a dead arm phase or what, but he hasn’t been as effective. And Robertson….I’m sure I’m in the minority and I do like him, but I’m becoming weary of his “adventurous” innings; that balk was just stupid. Soriano, on the other hand, is growing on me in a big way. I adore that gangster stare of his; he looks like he wants to kill somebody – the anti-Mo.

I have to say it was an entertaining, very competitive series.

I'm Emotionally Drained Right Now

June 24, 2012

Forget what I said about the lack of intensity in the Subway Series. The finale tonight was so stressful I resorted to doing laundry.

Our defense was sloppy, which always gets me mad, and CC wasn’t helped by his teammates – until Swisher did exactly what the ESPN crew was haranguing against: hit an evil home run. Ditto: Cano.

I have to say it was an entertaining, very competitive series.

Yankees-Mets Go Another Round

June 21, 2012

As I thought about the upcoming Subway Series, following right on the heels of Clemens’ acquittal, I couldn’t help conjure up this.

There were a few things that struck me, having not seen the footage in a long time:

How violently Clemens threw that piece of the bat. (‘Roid rage, anyone?)
How angry he got when confronted. (“You talking to me?”)
How pathetic it was to have both benches empty during a World Series game. (But good for ratings.)
How much Yankees-Mets used to matter. (The rivalry just doesn’t have the same edge. At least not for me.)

I hope our pitching gets back on track and that our hitters won’t be thrown by the unfriendly dimensions of Citi Field.