Differences and Similarities

Now that the season is well underway, I thought it might be time to reflect on how this year's team compares with the 2008 version of Yankees.

Please be advised, that the report below results from a day long " back-and-forth between me,the Cantina's bartender, and three fig farmers who serve as umpires in the Independent Dirt Field League, which opens in a month, give or take.

Similarities:

1. The 2009 team has already shown an inability to hit in the clutch.

We had numerous occasions yesterday when a key Yankee hit could have given us the lead, and maybe a change in attitude.

2. Brian Bruney may have lost weight, but he still can't find the strike zone unless he delivers a fast ball down the middle, with no movement whatsoever on the pitch.

His favorite trick is to show terrific effectiveness until he needs the last out of an inning. He always starts out 1-2 on the third out before throwing about 9 more pitches and either walking the guy, or giving up the big hit. He has no out pitch when it matters.

3. The aging Yankee stars ( Derek, Jorge, Hideki ) are still the best hitters on the team.

4. The starting pitching is over-rated and the relief pitching is blech.

5. Marte cannot get out left-handed hitters.

Note to front office; just because a guy is left-handed does not mean he can pitch.

6. Some of us still rue the day the Yankees gave up all hope at a 27th World Series ring when Cashman re-signed A-Rod, but the Yankees have no replacement for him.

Cody, let's face it, choked all day long. Most importantly, he failed with his glove which is what earned him the job.

7. The team has no reliable bridge to Mariano.

Differences :

1. At least Mark Teixeira has a golden glove. He saved Bruney from at least two pick-off throws into the right field corner. Otherwise, Shelly Duncan gave us better clutch hitting.

2. We have added how much incremental cost to the payroll? $450 million?

3. We have a new stadium and far more expensive seats and amenities. And soon, there will be a new Yankee Stadium stop on Metro-North.

4. Last year, the Yanks finished in third place. Now, we are striving to get out of the cellar.

5. Robbie Cano might as well start eating sliders again; he still flails at pitches as though they were a swarm of attacking midges and, as a result, he will not help us score runs.

6. We have better relief pitchers in Scranton than we do in the Bronx ( or is that a similarity? ).

I am telling you: David Robertson is better than anyone in the Yankee's current bullpen except MO.

7. Johnny Damon has lost a step and about 6 inches of vertical leap.

8. Brett Gardner is in CF. Though even he wasn't fast enough to make a spectacular catch that might have saved the Yankees several runs.

Prediction: It is already getting late early.

Most people think Baltimore is putrid. What does that make us?