Sunday, June 30, 2013
Revelation 2013
I don't think this had any influence on my revelation, but I started drinking at noon yesterday.
That's not any big ideal because it was Saturday, right?
So as I watch Phellps leave the game, trailing by nine runs, I felt this " sense of " awakening" come over me. True, I was still drinking, but I had popcorn and a spicy meat stick as sustenance.
As the game wore on, and I watched Romine kill off yet another potential run-scoring situation by hitting into inning ending double play( another potential "big" at bat for the struggling rookie ) it suddenly hit me:
THIS YANKEE TEAM IS WORSE THAN THE METS.
True, our overall record has not yet slipped to their level, but that is only because we had a mirage of a start to the season, and they were revealed as a flawed, re-building team from day one. And they had the guts to announce it.
But we have descended toward them at a faster rate than they have scratched toward mediocrity.
Let's take a look at some team by team "macro's":
1. They have the best young pitcher in the national league ( Harvey ). He is a true ace, even though he has 9 no-decisions to go with his 7-1 record.
2. We have no ace. CC Sabathia has become a shaky number two starter or, more realistically, a quality number three. What is he now, 6-5?
3. The Mets number two starter is the hot shot rookie they just activated ( my hangover causes me to blank on his name and I am too lazy to search their roster ). We have a pretty decent number two in Kuroda but, like most of the team, he is pitching on fumes at age 37+.
4. They have Neise and Dillon Gee ( I think these are their names ), both legit number fours with upside potential.
5. We have Hughes, Phellps, Nova, Warren and Pettitte. Who can assign numbers to these masters of inconsistency?
Revelatory Note: Andy is having a sad end to a brilliant Yankee career. He is living the classic story of the kid who won't give up. The iconic player who stays in the game too long. Baseball may have to embarrass him to get him to , "spend more time with his family"....again).
6. The Mets can often score a lot of runs and get some big hits. Anyone want to compare Cano's numbers ( our star ) to David Wright's numbers ( their star )? Don't do it because you will lose confidence in Cano.
7. We have about six, starting position players hitting below .200. If you want to see a big hit at a big moment, in a big game, watch the Cardinals.
Last night, our latest rookie sensation call-up from Cashman's well of failures ( Almonte ) flies out with the bases loaded in the first inning; our "trade-bait" young catcher later nubs a charity hop grounder into a double play with two on and one out . David Adams finally singles when it doesn't matter ( his first hit since May, I think ). Al Gonzales is the only latin player in the majors who can't hit or field.
8. And oh, yes, the Mets did sweep us earlier didn't they. We wrote that off as a "bad spell," but now I see that it was a harbinger.
IF WE HAVE ANOTHER FOUR GAME SERIES WITH THE METS TOMORROW, WE LOSE ALL FOUR AGAIN.
Revelation 2013: we are, as you read this, worse than the worst team in the national league. The Mets are a team with young talent to draw upon and to develop. They made a great trade ( Dickey ) earlier to secure more, highly praised prospects. We trade people like Mark Melancon who is now becoming a leading closer for someone else. In return, we have nothing.
Okay, none of this is a surprise. It isn't even a revelation. It is just pathetic. It is Cashman's folly.
Oh yeah, Alphonso? At least I can PITCH! I still have the best ERA on the team. Look it up, hombre.
ReplyDeleteBring on the Astros. We can take that series.
ReplyDeleteYep. We are focused on defeating the Astros, taking at least one game of that series. To prepare for the mighty Astros I have the entire roster doing "sim-games" and "dry-swings" against a surprisingly tenacious team made up of cranky Cub Scouts and disenchanted software engineers. That match up should get us in fighting trim for those Astros! Plenty of seats available, fans!
ReplyDeleteDon't get too confident, Joe. Last time I saw your boys take on the Astros, they were no-hit. very odd game that was...
ReplyDelete