Sunday, September 10, 2023

Old Timers Day just made it painful to see how far the Yankees have fallen

Somewhere around the 8th inning yesterday, Jasson Dominguez may have realized the dark situation he and his fellow Yankee rookies have inherited:

A once-great organization, reduced to selling off its past in order to appear relevant.

As every former Yankee great marched out to take a bow, the magnitude of this season's disaster grew evermore glaring. When the game finally ended, the stadium was filled with boos, the echo of empty seats and the sour taste of David Wells' politics, spouted where nobody needed it. 

The Yankees have 20 games left in this dreadful season. I say, lose them all! It's time to tank. Restoring this roster to championship caliber will take years of development and hundreds of millions of dollars - and that's if The Martian turns out to be for real. 

Yesterday, watching him hold back on two catchable flies, you had to wonder if a) his future is in CF, and b) if stardom at age 20 will be the best thing for him? (It came out yesterday that several voices in the Yankee front office opposed bringing him up this month. Four quick HRs have spackled over shortcomings in his game. Yesterday, we caught a glimpse of those issues.)

Twenty games left. Our offense is dead. The bullpen is shot. We have one starter. Our batting leader is hitting .272. Our 2B has moments like Mitch McConnell. 

We used to be something. Now, we're just Jeter memories and Roger Maris bobbleheads. Damn, it's time to tank. 

100 comments:

Joe Formerlyof Brooklyn said...


I don't care about 2023. I don't care about the draft.

I would like to look forward to 2024, NYY-wise.

Can I do that? Can you?

el duque said...

My reality: The best way to aid 2024 is by tanking now.

Celerino Sanchez said...

Are Matt Krooks & Brooks Kriske the same person?

HoraceClarke66 said...

Anybody notice Derek sticking a couple of subtle shivs into Cashman at the press conference? Talking about how he wished his kids could've been there, but the game wasn't during the school break. And referring to it as, "The day formerly known as Old Timers' Day"...

Doug K. said...

Jasson is not a natural CF. Bad routes. Maybe he can learn. In the minors both the right and left fielders took more turf than normal for the positions so Jasson would have less to cover.

It is possible that he didn't realize how insanely slow Stanton is in the field. He's been playing with Judge in right who is a great fielder.

HoraceClarke66 said...

...But it won't matter. Even the weather conspires to bail Cashman out. With a bright, sunny day and no ridiculous, two-hour-plus rain delay, the Stadium is ROCKING with chants of "Fi-re Cash-man" and "Hi-re Der-ek."

Instead, this is how the Yankees' season ends, not with a bang but with a whimper.

Are you ready for the football? I sure am.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

The Martian was playing LF the game we watched him. Bad routes there as well. He'll learn. I hope.

Hoss, I missed everything about the game formerly known as old timers, but those Jeter quotes are gold. I hope someone puts them on loop for the owner's suite.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

duque,

The only glimmer of hope for 2024 is if Ca$hole gets fired. Otherwise, same as it ever was. More bad trades, more ruining prospects with ANALytics.

HoraceClarke66 said...

So, just to go over it one more time...

The 1998 New York Yankees won an all-time record, 125 games.

They led the AL in runs scored, walks, OBP, and OPS.

They led the AL in ERA, complete games, shutouts, and (fewest) hits, runs, earned runs, and home runs allowed.

They outscored their opponents by 965-656.

They went 11-3 against National League teams in the regular season, including 3-1 against the NL team (Atlanta) with the best regular-season record.

They went 11-2 in the playoffs, despite suffering one of the worst playoff calls ever made against them.

They played in an era that included Black players, Hispanic players, Asian players, and anybody and everybody else who wanted to play.

They played against what was already a heavily juiced major leagues, without having any apparent juicers themselves.

Say it loud and say it proud: The best there ever was.

edb said...

Let's not leave out throwing two balls away in one inning. As usual, few hits. The Yankees Yuts with the exceptions of Volpe and Dominguez hitting in the low 100's and looking completely overmatched.

ranger_lp said...

So I just got a text that I am eligible for early access to the 2024 Individual Game Ticket Presale on Sept. 12th at 11 AM. FFS...does that mean I get charged double for those tickets?

ranger_lp said...

Wells sounds like us...

https://nypost.com/2023/09/09/yankees-legend-david-wells-rips-woke-culture-nike-and-bud-light/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nypost

The Hammer of God said...

Bud Light sucks. Why would anyone ever want to drink a light beer? Real men drink real beer! Leave light beer to the girls!

The Hammer of God said...

@ Doug K. "...possible that he didn't realize how insanely slow Stanton is in the field."

Good point, Doug. Could very well be. I had previously been for playing Arch Stanton in the field until he got hurt, but he's taking the very intelligent strategic move of moving so slowly that he can't possibly get hurt. Any moves in the off season would have to start with getting rid of this statue. But I know, I know, it ain't happening.

The Hammer of God said...

Did anyone notice that Judge, hitting #2, came up in the 9th inning with two outs in that 9-2 loss? He got one more at bat that he wouldn't have if hitting #3!

Whupppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have to come up with a moniker for that. Maybe #2 hitter F.A.B.? (Final at bat) 'Tis a mouthful, whether you say it all or use a moniker.

ranger_lp said...

Rortvedt is catching today...guaranteed tank loss...

The Hammer of God said...

Yep, I agree, ranger. Not even worth watching this one.

The Hammer of God said...

Hey, did y'all hear about Cashman and Minaya in Japan to check out Yoshinobu Yamamoto? And the guy threw a no-hitter! The Yankee front office bozos must have been googly-eyed ga ga.

25 year old Japanese phenom pitching ace. Expected to be "posted" this winter. Man alive, if we get this guy, can you believe the hype, the nick names, all the fun we could have? I hope we get him just so we can have a whole lotta fun here.

Us thick Americans won't be able to remember his whole name. So we can just call him "Yo Ya" or "The Moto Man". I like The Moto Man. Has a ring to it.

And we're covered whenever he loses. The Yamato was the largest battleship in the world during it's brief time in WWII. Yeah, the guy's name is Yamamoto, but close enough. Because even if he loses, we'll all be entitled to scream "YOU SANK MY BATTLESHIP!!!"

The Hammer of God said...

OMG!!!! According to Susyn, Jasson Dominguez has been scratched today with right elbow inflammation! Can you say "Tommy John surgery"?

Doug K. said...

Hammer : Yammy.

Jasson - oy!

The Hammer of God said...

I can just see it already. Every time Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches, we can all show up at Yankee Stadium wearing our Schott motorcycle jackets, like a biker convention. We can wear denim with "The Moto Man" ironed on the back. Maybe HAL can sell the other shoulder patch to Schott. Hell, that wouldn't be so bad. I'd be proud to wear a Yankee jersey with the Schott logo! Don't have a Schott jacket? Get one, what the hell are you waiting for? It'll be fall riding season soon!

We could all show up at the Stadium and have a beer drinking, bar brawling ruckus. As Peter Fonda pronounced in "The Wild Angels":

We wanna be free, man. We wanna be free to do what we wanna do. Without gettin' hassled by the man, Brian Cashman. We wanna be free to cheer for the Yankees! We wanna be free to ride. We wanna get loaded. We wanna have a good time. And WE WANT THE YANKEES TO WIN!

BREAK INTO BRIAN CASHMAN'S OFFICE AND TAR AND FEATHER THAT BASTARD!!!

AboveAverage said...

But Hammer - consider the following:

* Cole is pitching today and he’s due for one of those man-child-like, premadonna meltdowns that you and I just to talk about so many months before.

* Booo-ne is due for an epic meltdown as well. The season is officially over and he’s got cayenne infused vinegar pumping through his veins. 70% chance he gets tossed and does a Bob Fosse review down the baselines.

* RVedt is due for a “season ending” injury (likely in the sixth inning)

So there’s plenty to watch and root for!

BTR999 said...

Hard to judge Yankee injuries, since they lie and cover everything up. They’d be especially inclined to do so with JD, just to keep interest up among the lightweight fans. All I can say is what a goddam shame.

Don’t think I didn’t notice how lousy Stanton looked yesterday. That ball over his head would’ve been caught by Judge.

Goddam shame.

The Hammer of God said...

Great quote from Suzyn Waldman, "all change is not progress". I would add especially when change is made by the Keystone Kops.

The Hammer of God said...

Rortveldlt's throw almost took off Cole's head, per Suzyn, and it would have been a fitting end to this season.

Yankee radio booth is on fire today!

The Hammer of God said...

@ AA, I am amazed that our resident prima donna has not really thrown one of her hissy fits on the mound this year. This year, of all years, Cole has been really good. The wonders never cease. Sterling would say "you can't predict baseball, Suzyn".

The Hammer of God said...

Back to next year, when The Moto Man pitches, we could have Mad Max night at the Stadium. Everyone could come dressed as one of the characters. Hell, I'd love to go as the Toecutter!

Grab someone's face and say "The Night Rider, that is his name. Remember him when you look up at the night sky."

13bit said...

I used to be disgusted. Now I'm just amused...

apologies to Elvis Costello

Fuck Hal, Fuck Brian, Fuck Randy and Blitzen...

HoraceClarke66 said...

"Now I TRY to be amused," bitty. And boy, I'm tryin' hard!

NO hits through 7. Only 7 hits on the series.

And The Martian is already hurt.

Wow. Just...wow.

HoraceClarke66 said...

And hey, you guys are forgetting that Isoroku Yamamoto was the great Japanese admiral who plotted the attack on Pearl Harbor—much against his own wishes. He was shot down in an airplane, later in the war.

The Hammer of God said...

Yamamoto, Yamato, close enough. I'd just love to stand up and roar in an empty Yankee Stadium "YOU SANK MY BATTLESHIP!"

BernBabyBern said...

Oh, it’s the eighth inning and the Starr Insurance Yankees don’t have a hit.

I, for one, am SHOCKED! Shocked, I tell you.

The Hammer of God said...

It certainly appears that this Yankee team is going to be no-hit today. Wow, won't that be a fitting end to this sorry ass season.

HoraceClarke66 said...

They seem absolutely baffled by this guy, whose unwavering plan seems to be to throw a pitch low and outside, then another one low and inside, then one just down low.

These guys cannot or will not lay off any of them, save for the few that are right over the plate.

Unbelievable.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Yankees have not been TRULY no-hit—no hit by one pitcher—since Hoyt Wilhelm did it in 1958.

Doug K. said...

Three outs away!

But in other news crack open the champagne in the owner's box. The Yankees went over 3,000,000 in attendance!!!!!

Mission accomplished!

JM said...

Another wasted effort by Cole.

Jesus, no hits.

German TV is showing the Cincy- Cleveland NFL game. With German announcers, using the CBS video feed.

JM said...

The Yankees no hit so far, but Milwaukee is still being shut out. Pitcher's duel.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

In order to make it more painful, the mlb feed is not syncing the Master with the video.

Doug K. said...

They took him out!

Rufus T. Firefly said...

I have a feeling they would have left him in if they had already scored.

Doug K. said...

I hope it goes 14. Has a team ever been no hit for 14?

ranger_lp said...

Kahnle brought into the game to lose it for us…

ranger_lp said...

FFS KAHNLE…

Rufus T. Firefly said...

The Master forgot about Harvey Haddix. Just asked if a team had been no hit through nine and won.

The Hammer of God said...

So if the Yankees get no-hit through 9 innings (and shut out too), but the Brewers have not scored a run either, will they call it a no-hitter?

I think they've said that a no-hitter is not a no-hitter, unless your team wins the game.

That's how a Yankee (was it Andy Hawkins?) pitched a no-hitter through 8 innings and lost the game and didn't get credit for a no-hitter.

The Hammer of God said...

Judge was up as the #2 hitter with two outs in the 9th inning of a 0-0 game! Whuppppppeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But he made out. Into the 10th inning rode the 600! Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do and die.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

If Judge were batting third, he'd be up now with a runner on second.

The Hammer of God said...

Excellent point, Rufus! But they're married to Judge as the #2 hitter.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Stanton is dumber than he looks.

Maybe he should take up cricket. He likes to swing at pitches that bounce before they get to him.

The Hammer of God said...

Stanton took off all his clothes when he thought he walked. Then he had to put everything back on again. Does that count against the pitch clock/batter's clock?

Well, he walked anyway on the next pitch.

The Hammer of God said...

Can Volpe get a hit and end this torture?

The Hammer of God said...

No, I guess not.

Doug K. said...

Yankees can win without getting a hit. Two walks would have gotten it done.

Angel Hernandez just fucked them

And a great catch saved the game for Milwaukee.

Doug K. said...

I guess we have to wait for a passed ball and a sac fly.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Isn't Hernandez the guy that messed up the perfect game?

The Hammer of God said...

There goes the no-hitter!

ranger_lp said...

UNBELIEVABLE…

The Hammer of God said...

Always liked Oswaldo Cabrera, even when he was sucking it up.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Hernandez must have a hot date.

The Hammer of God said...

He's going to Viscount Victoria's after the game.

The Hammer of God said...

Freaking Craig Counsel walking the bases loaded. Man, I hate that guy!

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Of course the Yankees only need a hit and Gleyber goes for the grand slam.

The Hammer of God said...

And the torture continues!

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Hammer, I was thinking more like Doris the Dominatrix.

ranger_lp said...

Michael Kay doesn’t even know what inning it is…

The Hammer of God said...

Oh hell, this one is over! Here comes the ceiling falling down.

Doug K. said...

Maybe the Yankees have a rally in their bones. Maybe they need a calcium supplement.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

shit!

ranger_lp said...

Giancarlo? Really?

The Hammer of God said...

The Statue corks one!

Doug K. said...

Actually Stanton has too much calcium that's why most of the time he looks calcified.

As I'm typing this he just tied the game with a HR. You just can't predict baseball...

The Hammer of God said...

I wish Volpe would cork one so we can all get ready for dinner.

The Hammer of God said...

Fuck, the torture continues!

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Stanton looked at that long enough for the three true glassman outcomes on a fly ball. HR, long out, or long single that would have been a double or triple for any player with a pulse.

BTR999 said...

I don’t usually side with Kay, but he has been very accurate in contrasting the difference in approach between the efficient Brewers and the undisciplined Yankees. Th3 Yankees approach, especially with 2 strikes, is appalling

The Hammer of God said...

They've been in a horrendous slump the last few days.

The Hammer of God said...

Yankee offense has been appalling for most of this season, slump or no slump.

Doug K. said...

who is mysawitz?

The Hammer of God said...

Misiewicz, an undercover Van Helsing plant. He's here to try to find the vampire who is sucking the life out of the Yankee hitters.

HoraceClarke66 said...

This whole game is like some funhouse nightmare.

Yankees trying to bunt. Oh, boy.

ranger_lp said...

Yankees Win…

HoraceClarke66 said...

Yay. Higgy.

3 hits, 3 runs, 10 hits on the series.

Paul O'Neill; "Oh, what a fun game to be part of!"

Paul, did you sleep during the first eight innings?

Doug K. said...

That's an insane win.

The Hammer of God said...

HIGASHIOKA, THE EXTRA INNING STROKA!!!!

Hinkey Haines said...

Corbin Burns throws 8 no-hit innings & all he gets out of it is an incrementally improved ERA. The Yankees can’t buy a hit for 19 innings & they manage a meaningless victory over a team fighting for a division title. What a weird game.

Hinkey Haines said...

Sorry, 11 innings. It just seemed like 19.

Scottish Yankee fan said...


The Martian torn UCL :(

ranger_lp said...

Worst season ever…

TheWinWarblist said...

Pretty bad, that is truth.

Oasisdave said...

Snake bitten, Cashole driven Juju gods cursed team. My friends.... could this be the curse in reverse?

Oasisdave said...

How many years till they win another WS? Will any of us be around to see it?

Celerino Sanchez said...

We went from Mars to Uranus in seconds

13bit said...

At this point, it’s a curse and baseball curses can last 100 years. Settle in for the long-haul, my fellow sufferers…

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Comment from an article in the Murdoch:
"
Sonny Corleone Esq
25 minutes ago

This has gone on far too long and has defied logic and any laws of probability that I understand. What we know now from multiple outlets and recent reporting is that the idiot cashman purged his entire minor league system of experienced coaches trainers scouts and development personnel and replacing them with analytic zombies bent on bat speed exit velocity and walk rate. How does this relate to what’s happening with the injuries? I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the idiot fired the entire medical staff 5 years ago and replaced them with a bunch of lobotomized psychics.
"

Sums up what we've been saying here for 5 years at least.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Oh, and they let him play, even though they knew he was injured.

Dr. Odu would do a better job.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Incredible. Truly. And we're still supposed to pretend that nothing is wrong.

Well, can't wait to see those ticket sales for next season.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Also, did I write that it was time to bring on the football? Scratch that. I meant "foosball." Or "soot hall." Time to get all that soot out of the hall. It would be more entertaining than watching any local sports...

HoraceClarke66 said...

Seriously, I feel bad for the kid. He has been misled by a lot of grown-ups who could not get out of the way of their own egos.

ranger_lp said...

Daniel Jones 4 years 160 million dollars…smh