The Yankees have scored 34 runs through their first 11 games.
That's the fewest to open a season since 1977 when they scored 33 runs in their first 11 games.
Of course, that 1977 team turned it around: finishing as a top-5 offense and winning 100 games and the World Series. So I guess that's good news.
But that 1977 lineup was much sturdier.
CF Mickey Rivers LF Roy White C Thurman Munson RF Reggie Jackson 1B Chris Chambliss 3B Graig Nettles DH Carlos May/Cliff Johnson 2B Willie Randolph SS Bucky Dent
That roster had: five qualified players with a .280 BA or better five qualified players with .350 OBP or better four qualified players with a .450 SLG or better eight players with double-digit homers four players with double-digit steals eight players with an above-average OPS+ four players with 50+ XBH three players with 100+ RBI six players with 150+ hits seven players with 140+ games played
That's an offensive depth and variety I just don't see with the current roster no matter how much I squint.
Indeed, Zach! I remember that team very well, and they had tremendous depth and could beat you in all sorts of ways. The home run, a barrage of singles and doubles, etc.
The poor hitting start was probably due in good part to the increasing derangement of the manager, and his decision to start a major feud with the team's new, free-agent star.
Little-known fact: the day Jackson and Martin nearly came to blows in the dugout in Fenway, Bucky Dent nearly jumped the team, so frustrated was he by being pulled for a pinch-hitter by Billy.
Another little-known fact: Martin's daughter was in jail in South America at the time, having been caught serving as a drug mule. Martin was getting constant communications from people down there, saying they would get her out if he only sent money.
The 2022 Yankees have been enduring similar stresses. After all, Joey Gallo had to look for housing in New Jersey last summer.
Bosch, I’ve run out of expletives, and I feel terrible.
The worst part of this season is that I’m actually rooting for them to lose. I’ve never had this feeling in my life. Every year when February rolled around I was gearing up for spring training, getting stoked for opening day - even setting aside opening day as a special occasion - no work, only Yankees baseball. I’d even get fired up to keep track of the farm teams. Arizona Fall League too.
And now it feels all dead to me. I look ahead to the next six months and I see a repeat of last year. Which wasn’t bad except it wasn’t good. The players look like they’re sleepwalking. Even if they were to pull off a miracle and rise from the dead, I’m not sure I’d put any trust in it. Or care. The lockout took a lot away from me. Maybe from the players too.
There’s a nursing home not far from where I live where the EMS ambulances make regular stops and now Yankee Stadium reminds me of that place - a place where unwanted ballplayers go to die.
Even in the Yankees worst years there was energy. Guys looked like they cared about results and wonder if they’ve all swallowed the corporate analytics Kool-Aid and it’s got them all depressed. I just can’t imagine any of them being happy with the strikeouts as a new way of life. There doesn’t feel like any pride in the pinstripes anymore and I feel terrible. Wearing pinstripes used to mean something, and now…
I want so much to care and maybe I’m being a whiny little old bitch, but I want my Yankees back. Someone has hijacked the pinstripes and I want so much to care again and I fear the excitement and the pride of being a Yankees fan is over for my lifetime.
And I have found the same solution as you. I call it being an " anti-Yankee" fan.
I watch them in comfort, hoping for immortal failure and fuck-ups. Can be player performance or coaching.
My theory is that it will take total collapse for Hal to ever move on Cashman or Boone. Money is not at issue here. The Yankees just add endlessly to the their expanding pile of cash. Even if no one goes to the games, only the vendors will get fired.
But complete failure might motivate Hal. When even he cannot lie to himself in the mirror and say, " I've done my job. I am upholding the family tradition."
We must find the day when his over-privileged offspring say, " Daddy, why are the Yankees such a joke?"
As an "anti-fan" I am not a Yankee hater. I can watch the games in peace. I am a Yankee failure lover.
Today's shut-out loss was comforting. It had it all. Which is, of course, nothing.
(Though I did resent Gallo getting a sharp single in the ninth ).
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Some research I did this morning:
ReplyDeleteThe Yankees have scored 34 runs through their first 11 games.
That's the fewest to open a season since 1977 when they scored 33 runs in their first 11 games.
Of course, that 1977 team turned it around: finishing as a top-5 offense and winning 100 games and the World Series. So I guess that's good news.
But that 1977 lineup was much sturdier.
CF Mickey Rivers
LF Roy White
C Thurman Munson
RF Reggie Jackson
1B Chris Chambliss
3B Graig Nettles
DH Carlos May/Cliff Johnson
2B Willie Randolph
SS Bucky Dent
That roster had:
five qualified players with a .280 BA or better
five qualified players with .350 OBP or better
four qualified players with a .450 SLG or better
eight players with double-digit homers
four players with double-digit steals
eight players with an above-average OPS+
four players with 50+ XBH
three players with 100+ RBI
six players with 150+ hits
seven players with 140+ games played
That's an offensive depth and variety I just don't see with the current roster no matter how much I squint.
Joey Whiffs is odd man out in Rest Roulette…
ReplyDeleteJoey is a miserable depressing fuck.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Zach! I remember that team very well, and they had tremendous depth and could beat you in all sorts of ways. The home run, a barrage of singles and doubles, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe poor hitting start was probably due in good part to the increasing derangement of the manager, and his decision to start a major feud with the team's new, free-agent star.
Little-known fact: the day Jackson and Martin nearly came to blows in the dugout in Fenway, Bucky Dent nearly jumped the team, so frustrated was he by being pulled for a pinch-hitter by Billy.
Another little-known fact: Martin's daughter was in jail in South America at the time, having been caught serving as a drug mule. Martin was getting constant communications from people down there, saying they would get her out if he only sent money.
The 2022 Yankees have been enduring similar stresses. After all, Joey Gallo had to look for housing in New Jersey last summer.
Wow, does Cole suck or what?
ReplyDeleteHe certainly seems to be struggling without the tack. You know, that whole Clean Cole thing…
ReplyDeleteDickAllen,
ReplyDeleteDo we really have to? Personally I'd prefer an alternative approach to that suggestion.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you have in mind?
That Sir is a great question. I'll need to think about it.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBosch, I’ve run out of expletives, and I feel terrible.
The worst part of this season is that I’m actually rooting for them to lose. I’ve never had this feeling in my life. Every year when February rolled around I was gearing up for spring training, getting stoked for opening day - even setting aside opening day as a special occasion - no work, only Yankees baseball. I’d even get fired up to keep track of the farm teams. Arizona Fall League too.
And now it feels all dead to me. I look ahead to the next six months and I see a repeat of last year. Which wasn’t bad except it wasn’t good. The players look like they’re sleepwalking. Even if they were to pull off a miracle and rise from the dead, I’m not sure I’d put any trust in it. Or care. The lockout took a lot away from me. Maybe from the players too.
There’s a nursing home not far from where I live where the EMS ambulances make regular stops and now Yankee Stadium reminds me of that place - a place where unwanted ballplayers go to die.
Even in the Yankees worst years there was energy. Guys looked like they cared about results and wonder if they’ve all swallowed the corporate analytics Kool-Aid and it’s got them all depressed. I just can’t imagine any of them being happy with the strikeouts as a new way of life. There doesn’t feel like any pride in the pinstripes anymore and I feel terrible. Wearing pinstripes used to mean something, and now…
I want so much to care and maybe I’m being a whiny little old bitch, but I want my Yankees back. Someone has hijacked the pinstripes and I want so much to care again and I fear the excitement and the pride of being a Yankees fan is over for my lifetime.
Someone please tell me I’m wrong.
Boone is full of waste products.
ReplyDeleteDick...Y0u are not wrong.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have found the same solution as you. I call it being an " anti-Yankee" fan.
I watch them in comfort, hoping for immortal failure and fuck-ups. Can be player performance or coaching.
My theory is that it will take total collapse for Hal to ever move on Cashman or Boone. Money is not at issue here. The Yankees just add endlessly to the their expanding pile of cash. Even if no one goes to the games, only the vendors will get fired.
But complete failure might motivate Hal. When even he cannot lie to himself in the mirror and say, " I've done my job. I am upholding the family tradition."
We must find the day when his over-privileged offspring say, " Daddy, why are the Yankees such a joke?"
As an "anti-fan" I am not a Yankee hater. I can watch the games in peace. I am a Yankee failure lover.
Today's shut-out loss was comforting. It had it all. Which is, of course, nothing.
(Though I did resent Gallo getting a sharp single in the ninth ).
So raise a glass and enjoy.
You have found the path.