My guess: The kids grew up watching their fathers battle the Yankees, and as soon as their testicles dropped, they sought revenge. Thus, here we are - facing generations of mutant offspring, each one seeking paternal vengeance over some long ago slight by Reggie, or Billy, or anybody in pinstripes. (Should we start worrying about KC's rookie, Bobby Witt Jr? His dad used to kill us.)
And so, here we are...
Listen: Reality comes in many ugly forms, usually uninvited. Last night, it came in a brief hallucination from John Sterling, who called Giancarlo Stanton's potential game-winning fly ball by shouting, "It is high, it is far, it is... GONE! But caught." (See masthead.)
But Yank fans were also confronted by a darker, colder reality than Sterling's cataracts. Basically, it goes like this:
The Yankees' talent curve crested three years ago, and it will take more than a pair of Zuckerburg's META goggles, or The Master's failing eyesight, to foresee this team winning the AL East, much less a world championship. Too many juniors on the way.
Last night, we faced a Toronto team full of juniors - a Guerrero, a Bichette, a Biggio - which seems to be peaking. The Jays lineup is scary enough without Vlad Jr - a looming Hall of Famer - entering what might be his career year. He could hit 50 HRs, or win an MVP, or challenge for a Triple Crown. Meanwhile, we must overtake the perpetually reborn Tampa Rays, and Boston, whose lineup is, at worst, evenly matched with ours.
Don't get me wrong: We must not become defeatist, six games into a long, grueling season. Just as Sterling's critics will mock last night's botched call, so will many of us imagine the worst for the 2022 Yankees. On that score, I'm as guilty as you.
Listen: With a few lucky breaks, the Yankees will certainly challenge for the newly expanded postseason. A .500 team could qualify, as uninspiring as that is to say.
By Sept. 1, we probably won't recognize the Yankee lineup - and maybe Toronto's.
Without becoming full-blown evil, we have to hope that Toronto tweaks a few hammies here and there - while we get lucky. Otherwise, I dunno...
There will be back doors into the playoffs. But to win anything, the Yankees must beat Toronto. And Tampa. And Boston. Every game will feel like it lasted a week. And somehow, somebody must figure out how to stop the guys named Junior.
Wait... we have someone. His name: Nestor Cortez Jr.
Hmmm.
El Deque,
ReplyDeleteThis reads like the script to a hostage video.
Ok, we know that you are alive but where has the YES Network stashed you?
You may be right, our All-star SS of the future, while not a Jr., will be our savior.
I'm sure that he will soon up that AA .150 BA that he currently sports
Fuckers.
ReplyDeleteWhy so pessimistic, Duque? Next year we have The Martian arriving. A sure-fire Hall of Famer. All is great in Yankees Land!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThis reads like the script to a hostage video.
LOL.
ESPN has an article about the offensive potential of Kyle.
ReplyDeleteWe're saved.
@ JM...Higgy? If so, at age 32, when does potential become never?
ReplyDeleteToronto is dominant but the close scores of these three games shows the Yankees could’ve made it an even race by actually bringing in an upgrade or two. Seager, Olson or Freeman could’ve made a nice difference so far
ReplyDeleteDantes - I was thinking. Last night. That if we only. Had a Short Stop that could hit. In those situations . . . .
ReplyDeleteAnthony Volpe 3-20 with 7 K in Double-A
ReplyDeleteJasson Dominguez 5-22 with 8 K in Single-A
At least the future is bright.
ReplyDeleteSo, let me see if I understand this correctly: in order for this team to win the AL East, the Blue Jays would basically have to die en masse, or at very least, wind up in the hospital for significant portions of the season.
OR...
The Yankees would have to reconstruct their entire roster to resemble a "championship-caliber" team.
It's going to be a long, painful summer.
Hilarious, Archie.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, the Blue Jays are now a super team? This is a bunch of amazing underachievers, guys who often seem as fit—and as motivated—as your average Sunday softball team, with a mediocre pitching staff to boot.
Any number of old editions of your New York Yankees would've handed them their heads.
You're certainly right, Dantes, et al: just a minimal upgrade this year would've put the Yanks well above them. Simply an effort to play every game with some urgency and strategy—maybe we shouldn't keep throwing their hottest hitter meatballs—would've pulled out one and maybe two more wins this series.
No go.
Fortunately, the Yanks' greedhead decision to play the getaway game tonight instead of on this gorgeous afternoon will help us avoid another loss this series. .500 pct. intact!
So what happens, over the next 15 games vs Baltimore, Detroit, Cleveland and Kansas City, and we go 11-4? This team is built to beat up on those teams...
ReplyDeleteduque, as you intimate above, the very title and concept of this blog is a criticism of Sterling's penchant for botched calls. Why try to have it both ways--mockery and adulation? The guy is a buffoon, about twenty years past his sell-by date.
ReplyDeleteBecause he's *OUR* buffoon.
ReplyDeleteSay what you wish about The Master, but he truly loves the Yankees.
ReplyDeleteHis heart is pure.
We have to hope that Genius Cashman goes away with Mike Fishman and his analytics. Maybe then the Yankees might develop some young talent. Instead of bringing in an old Donaldson and a haplees Gallo.
ReplyDelete