Wednesday, May 25, 2022

On a team known for its giants, a diminutive Yankee saves the day

It's crazy to think of a "must win" game in May. 

Flat-out nuts. No such thing. 

Between now and the pumpkin patch, we'll see streaks and slumps, fantastical wins and indescribable losses - and so much turnover that we might barely recognize the Yankee lineup of October 1. 

So let's be clear: Last night was neither a season-saver nor a turning point. The Yankees beat Baltimore, a team with the 8th worst record in MLB, a certified tomato can, albeit one that looks to be ascending. By winning, they avoided: 

a) a four-game losing streak, worst of 2022

b) their second straight lost home series 

c) no longer possessing the best record in MLB. 

Still, last night, the Yankees enjoyed one of those unexpected moments that - when you look back - all great teams have during a fateful season. It came from Jose Trevino, a 29-year-old, stumpy, who looks like a miniature Jose Molina, with a dash of Luis Sojo - who - (keeping our train of obscure Yankee images going) - enjoyed his Jason Giambi arrival in NY moment. In two critical, late-inning at bats, Trevino singled in the tying run and then drove in the walk-off game-winner - flinging his hands into the air as he danced between first and second base. What a moment! Take his picture! Put it in his personal file! Someday, he will play in an Old-Timers Day, as that video appears on the Jumbotron. 

And make no mistake: Trevino did NOT save our season or rescue the Yankees from anything more than a no-good, very-bad, stinko, crapola week. 

But if Trevino failed - the way Gary Sanchez so often did, the way Kyle Higashioka has been doing - the Yankiverse today would be having - as they say on the list of side-effects during the TV drug ads - "irregular heartbeats, depression and suicidal thoughts." (But not an erection that lasts longer than four hours.) Even with the victory, our setbacks are mounting, as the Death Barge heads into the toughest part of the schedule.

Last night, a shoe dropped. Giancarlo Stanton tweaked a muscle. We know what comes next. Boonie will assure us it's a minor thingy, and that he'll soon be back. Then June will become July. Meanwhile, the spotlight glare of NYC will grow even hotter upon Aaron Judge, whose injury history is remarkably similar to Stanton's, and who has carried this team into first place, for now, in the AL East.

This came as DJ LeMahieu sat out with a bad wrist and Aroldis Chapman disappeared with a barking ankle. Neither had played well lately. Still, the Yankees will need them between now and the apocalypse. Jose Trevino won't have that many incredible nights. 

Still, we shall not bemoan the fates - not on Jose Trevino Day. 

For starters, let's NOT compare him to Gary - (hitting .216 with 4 HRs for Minnesota)- or Higgy - (.154 with 0 HRs, and out with Covid.) Or the two pitchers we traded to Texas for him. They are 26-year-old Albert Abreu - whom we came to call "Double A" - who currently has a 3.52 ERA with Texas - and a 22-year-old lottery ticket named Robbie Ahlstrom, currently in the low minors. 

Trevino, 29, last night raised his average to .246 with 2 HRs - fifth highest BA among Yankee regulars. For a team known for its giants, Trevino - at 5'11" - is tied with Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortez, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa for the honor of being the shortest Yankee. 

Here's to short Yankees. 

And JP Sears - 5'11" - today's starting pitcher, it's your turn. 

16 comments:

  1. Duque....I put the blame squarely on you! When the Yankees were whole a week ago, you wrote a story highlighting how lucky they were. That considering their recent history, they were in unchartered fortunate health waters. And that the Juju Gods were either sleeping or distracted. Satisfied? Look at what you hath wrought!!

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  2. Believe me...

    I have thought exactly what you have described.

    At the time, I wondered if I could be hexing the Yankees. But eleven straight wins... I couldn't stop myself.

    I failed the Yankees. I failed the Yankiverse. I have failed...

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  3. It's the mark of a peerless leader that you confess your own faults, Peerless Leader. We will still follow!

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  4. And...so we're already down to Sears & Roebuck? Oy, what depth!

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  5. I guess it's Marwin's turn next. Though I have doubts he'll ever have a Trevino moment.

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  6. What I remember most about last year was that the Yankees had a rash of injuries mid-season (or thereabouts) and several youngsters had to step up and for that short time, the team was actually fun to watch. Then the regulars came off the IL and (lo and behold) the team was losing and boring again.

    Maybe this spate of injuries will spark a similar uprising. Pray for disaster. May there be many more tweeks and herniated gonads. It might just confused the gods.

    And then next time anyone (and I mean ANYONE) is feeling *HOPEFUL*, keep it to yourself.

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  7. JP Sears starting tonight.

    Better to have him pitch against BLT rather than TB

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  8. Loaisiga going to the EL with shoulder issues...

    Along with Chapman, Gil, Green, our pitching staff is decimated...

    Stanton, LeMahieu, Locastro hurt...

    Donaldson and Gallo got COVIDs...

    This is all Josh's fault. He single-handedly has destroyed our juju...

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  9. We might be 10 games back by the end of June

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  10. There are a few guys they should bring up to fill the pen .

    Waldichuck and Wesneski are both in AAA now. But I'm not sure if they're on the 40. But there should be some spaces opening up because Green and Gil are done for the year.

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  11. waldichck is their number 5 prospect and Wesneski is their #7.

    To give perspective... tonight's pitcher Sears is #23

    plus, don't the Rays always use guys fresh out of AAA and kick our ass. Let's return the favor.

    Also, Chapman being out is addition by subtraction. Shame about Johnny Lasagna.

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  12. Manny B? Shelby Miller? So many great options for Cash.

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  13. I agree, Doug: Johnny Lasagna is a HUGE loss. Chad Green was a very big loss, but we knew his limitations, as a pretty good set-up man with an unfortunate tendency to give up the longball at times (pretty common in today's game.)

    Loiasiga...looked last year like he might just be able to step up and take that closer role right away from Torrents. Very sad.


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  14. I read somewhere that Jasson got pulled out of the game today but couldn't find why. Injury? Going up a level? Bad trade that we will regret?

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