On a serious note, I don't wanna sound like a mindless Cashman & Co. basher. Yeah, they only have a 1 in 1 trillion chance now, but it ain't over 'til it's over! Ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, (whoever that is).
In the hope that maybe Aaron Judge reads this blog, or maybe someone close to him can relate this to him, I'll give the Judge some advice. Relax, let your instincts take over, allow the muscle memory to get the job done. Stop trying to pull moonshots and just barrel up the ball and hit liners.
I see a lot of Aaron Judge bashing going on here right now and deservedly so, but I'll point out something that I don't ever see anywhere else.
In my decades of practice of Far Eastern martial arts and western boxing, fencing and knife fighting, I have noticed how much all physical sports have in common with one another. There is no sport more physical or "for all the marbles" than the martial arts, especially sword or knife fighting. The problem of how to channel your best at the final showdown has been studied for many centuries, probably thousands of years, and is well known to all martial artists, and especially to those who practice the blade fighting arts.
You can practice martial arts for many years, but the first time someone attacks you in the street, you can freeze or forget all your training. Similarly, a champion boxer can come out in the 1st round of a big fight and turn into a statue, unable to move fluidly or quickly because he is too "amped" up. It's well known that an adrenaline rush will destroy fine motor control. It turns you into a novice street fighter who relies only on brute force, who substitutes big heavy lumbering haymakers for quick effortless power and smart straight punching. Gone are the fine, "educated" jab and the smooth speed of the rear straight that was developed from countless hours of practice on the heavy bag. Instead of an adrenaline rush, you need to stay centered and calm.
These are all similar problems to what Judge is experiencing in the playoffs. Judge ain't the only one to experience these kinds of problems. It goes on all the time in all physical sports, martial arts, self-defense situations. You can only give 100% effort. King George was fond of talking about giving "110 percent", but that's nonsense. When a man is running as fast as he can, he should not feel that he should be running even faster. Therefore, Bruce Lee always said that the more you relax, the faster and more powerful you will be.
Judge has to relax. Stop caring about it. It's hard not to care when a fist is coming for your jaw, but you react best and the instincts drilled into your muscle memory from your training take over best when you just don't give a crap whether you live or die.
That was why the best martial artists would try to live only in the moment. The past is an illusion and so is the future. Whether you live or die does not matter and it never mattered and it never will matter.
The silly summer camp kids movie with the scene "it just doesn't matter"? Yeah, it's true: they got that right!
But that doesn't change anything, Hammer. A guy in his position should be aware of everything you said, but "not caring" is way easier said than done. Whatever psych problems are crippling him, he obviously can't overcome them. He could use a good sports shrink.
Certainly, "not caring" is not easy; if it was, everybody would be great athletes and great fighters. No boxer would ever come out for a big fight and turn into a statue. I don't know that Judge is aware of any of this. In baseball, they all talk about relaxing and letting your instincts take over and not trying too hard. Easier said than done, no question. But I wanted to point out that this kind of thing goes on in all physical competitive activity. So to that extent, I sympathize with Judge, but he does have to get his head out of his ass and get going.
Sports psychiatrists will tell an athlete to think positive and imagine himself exceling under pressure in the big spots. It's a way to deal with it. I'm not sure that it helps any more than dealing with it yourself. Practicing martial arts would surely help, which is why a lot of people practice martial arts. It has a lot of mental benefits.
There's an old apocryphal story about the archer who hits the bullseye every time in practice. Then when a prize is offered, and it turns into a tournament, his hands shake, he can't even hit the target, much less the bullseye.
In today's world, you hear all the time about how a marksman can hit the bullseye every time in practice at the shooting range, but when at home and he has a sudden self defense situation, he can't even hit the side of a barn, much less the attacker. Same thing as Judge. He hits during the regular season, which is just a practice run for the playoffs. When the playoffs come around, Judge tries too hard, turns into a statue. Gotta master your own mind first. Forget the pressure. Just let it happen and enjoy the ride.
They don't charge you until the tickets are actually sold. I had many ticket reservations for games 6 and 7 in 1998. There was no game 6 or 7 in that WS.
The Yankees need at least two runs this inning, preferably coming on a Judge home run. If that doesn’t happen, I have a feeling Yankee Stadium will be as silent as we’ve ever heard it for the rest of this game.
More unbelievable baserunning, this time by Volpe. They need to bring in baserunning coaches next spring and run drills. I’m sure the spoiled, entitled millionaires will hate it, which means the ass-kissin’ Boone won’t want it either.
Oh Great Spirit, put us out of our Yankee misery quickly, so that we may rest and prepare for the bottomless tortures of the Hot Stove season and the excruciating agonies of pitchers&catchers, early spring false hopes and then Opening Day, upon which the Groundhog Day nightmare of "Life with Brian and Boonie" resumes. We know, Great Spirit, that we will never be whole again while Hal walks the Earth, but please preserve the seed of those of us who breed so that they can one day root for the Yankees after a new owner has taken the reins of power. Please grant us that one wish, Great One.
Oh, and you Juju Gods, thanks for a good ass-whupping. I, for one, knew it was coming and you didn't fool me this time. You'll have to do better in the future if you want me to really believe these assholes have a heart. Sorry, JuJuBees, but you need to work harder if you want to make me believe in these assholes again.
LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!!
I hate the fakiness of their cancer ceremony. If MLB or the Players' Union wants to give a bunch of money to cancer care and research, great. Don't force people to share about loved ones they have lost.
Stroman will come in with with the Yankees still up by 2, but with 2 on & no outs in the 9th. He’ll walk 2 on 8 pitches before giving up a grand slam to Freeman. Boone will later say he really liked the matchup in that situation & that “Stro had good stuff for a guy who hasn’t pitched in a month. This will help him come out strong in his next game, in April. It’s all in front of him.”
While Gleyber's HR was nice, I believe that should the Yankees be lucky enough to hold on tonight (not assuming anything, Juju Gods ...) tonight will be forever referred to as "The Volpe Game."
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My condolences, Alphonso!
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, I don't wanna sound like a mindless Cashman & Co. basher. Yeah, they only have a 1 in 1 trillion chance now, but it ain't over 'til it's over! Ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, (whoever that is).
ReplyDeleteIn the hope that maybe Aaron Judge reads this blog, or maybe someone close to him can relate this to him, I'll give the Judge some advice. Relax, let your instincts take over, allow the muscle memory to get the job done. Stop trying to pull moonshots and just barrel up the ball and hit liners.
ReplyDeleteI see a lot of Aaron Judge bashing going on here right now and deservedly so, but I'll point out something that I don't ever see anywhere else.
In my decades of practice of Far Eastern martial arts and western boxing, fencing and knife fighting, I have noticed how much all physical sports have in common with one another. There is no sport more physical or "for all the marbles" than the martial arts, especially sword or knife fighting. The problem of how to channel your best at the final showdown has been studied for many centuries, probably thousands of years, and is well known to all martial artists, and especially to those who practice the blade fighting arts.
You can practice martial arts for many years, but the first time someone attacks you in the street, you can freeze or forget all your training. Similarly, a champion boxer can come out in the 1st round of a big fight and turn into a statue, unable to move fluidly or quickly because he is too "amped" up. It's well known that an adrenaline rush will destroy fine motor control. It turns you into a novice street fighter who relies only on brute force, who substitutes big heavy lumbering haymakers for quick effortless power and smart straight punching. Gone are the fine, "educated" jab and the smooth speed of the rear straight that was developed from countless hours of practice on the heavy bag. Instead of an adrenaline rush, you need to stay centered and calm.
These are all similar problems to what Judge is experiencing in the playoffs. Judge ain't the only one to experience these kinds of problems. It goes on all the time in all physical sports, martial arts, self-defense situations. You can only give 100% effort. King George was fond of talking about giving "110 percent", but that's nonsense. When a man is running as fast as he can, he should not feel that he should be running even faster. Therefore, Bruce Lee always said that the more you relax, the faster and more powerful you will be.
Judge has to relax. Stop caring about it. It's hard not to care when a fist is coming for your jaw, but you react best and the instincts drilled into your muscle memory from your training take over best when you just don't give a crap whether you live or die.
That was why the best martial artists would try to live only in the moment. The past is an illusion and so is the future. Whether you live or die does not matter and it never mattered and it never will matter.
The silly summer camp kids movie with the scene "it just doesn't matter"? Yeah, it's true: they got that right!
But that doesn't change anything, Hammer. A guy in his position should be aware of everything you said, but "not caring" is way easier said than done. Whatever psych problems are crippling him, he obviously can't overcome them. He could use a good sports shrink.
DeleteCertainly, "not caring" is not easy; if it was, everybody would be great athletes and great fighters. No boxer would ever come out for a big fight and turn into a statue. I don't know that Judge is aware of any of this. In baseball, they all talk about relaxing and letting your instincts take over and not trying too hard. Easier said than done, no question. But I wanted to point out that this kind of thing goes on in all physical competitive activity. So to that extent, I sympathize with Judge, but he does have to get his head out of his ass and get going.
DeleteSports psychiatrists will tell an athlete to think positive and imagine himself exceling under pressure in the big spots. It's a way to deal with it. I'm not sure that it helps any more than dealing with it yourself. Practicing martial arts would surely help, which is why a lot of people practice martial arts. It has a lot of mental benefits.
There's an old apocryphal story about the archer who hits the bullseye every time in practice. Then when a prize is offered, and it turns into a tournament, his hands shake, he can't even hit the target, much less the bullseye.
DeleteIn today's world, you hear all the time about how a marksman can hit the bullseye every time in practice at the shooting range, but when at home and he has a sudden self defense situation, he can't even hit the side of a barn, much less the attacker. Same thing as Judge. He hits during the regular season, which is just a practice run for the playoffs. When the playoffs come around, Judge tries too hard, turns into a statue. Gotta master your own mind first. Forget the pressure. Just let it happen and enjoy the ride.
Relevant, insightful, and beautifully articulated.
DeleteWhat does happen if you buy tickets to a game that isn't played?
ReplyDeletePretty sure it's a refund.
DeleteSomeone, anyone, please sedate Hammer?
ReplyDeletetwenty twenty twenty four hours to go
Deletei wanna be sedated
nothing to do nowhere to go oh
i wanna be sedated
Only a few minutes to go.
DeleteI STILL want to be sedated.
Got any mollies?
They don't charge you until the tickets are actually sold. I had many ticket reservations for games 6 and 7 in 1998. There was no game 6 or 7 in that WS.
ReplyDeleteHoping for a early blowout so I can watch the Joanie loves Chachi marathon.
ReplyDeleteWho's pitching?
Nevermind, I don't care -- Bonehead is still the manager. Makes no difference.
Is Grisham starting in center and Judge getting a "much needed day off"?
BOOS settle like silt
ReplyDeleteUhm, you know, like, "CONVICTED"
Say NOTHING.......just GO!
ALERT, ALERT, ALERT,
ReplyDeleteThis could be the Master's last game!
The ONLY reason I will be listening tonight. The Yankees are dead to me until Bonehead and Ca$hole are gone.
Joanie love Chachi is on channel 666 on your dish. Enjoy the evening.
ReplyDeleteStart spreading the news
ReplyDeleteI’m leaving today…
Start spewing the spews....
DeleteOf course. Of fucking course.
ReplyDeleteThe Yankees need at least two runs this inning, preferably coming on a Judge home run. If that doesn’t happen, I have a feeling Yankee Stadium will be as silent as we’ve ever heard it for the rest of this game.
ReplyDeleteDid the fuckin scouting report stop at how to get ohtani out cuz gahdamn
ReplyDeleteBoone is an idiot. Jazz cleanup? Insane.
ReplyDeleteI hate Fox and their terrible graphics crap.
ReplyDeleteThey run the bases like drunks…
ReplyDeleteMore unbelievable baserunning, this time by Volpe. They need to bring in baserunning coaches next spring and run drills. I’m sure the spoiled, entitled millionaires will hate it, which means the ass-kissin’ Boone won’t want it either.
ReplyDeleteOr just close down the team…
DeleteJohnny Bench, in 1976 (4 games - last Yankees were swept in a WS)
ReplyDelete8-15 (.553), 1 2b, 1 3b, 2HR, 6 RBIs, 0 BB, 1 K, 4 runs, 1.667 OPS
Freddie Freeman, 2024 (3+ games)
5-14 (.357), 0 2b, 1 3b, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 1 BB, 0 K, 4 runs, 1.757 OPS
What’s been the highlight of your career? Not playing for Aaron Boone.
ReplyDeleteOh Great Spirit, put us out of our Yankee misery quickly, so that we may rest and prepare for the bottomless tortures of the Hot Stove season and the excruciating agonies of pitchers&catchers, early spring false hopes and then Opening Day, upon which the Groundhog Day nightmare of "Life with Brian and Boonie" resumes. We know, Great Spirit, that we will never be whole again while Hal walks the Earth, but please preserve the seed of those of us who breed so that they can one day root for the Yankees after a new owner has taken the reins of power. Please grant us that one wish, Great One.
ReplyDeletePreach, brother. Amen.
ReplyDeleteRizzO
ReplyDelete0
ReplyDeleteVolpe!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and you Juju Gods, thanks for a good ass-whupping. I, for one, knew it was coming and you didn't fool me this time. You'll have to do better in the future if you want me to really believe these assholes have a heart. Sorry, JuJuBees, but you need to work harder if you want to make me believe in these assholes again.
ReplyDeleteVolpe with redemption
ReplyDeleteLITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!! LITTLE TONY !!!
ReplyDeleteWe’ll need three more to win…
ReplyDeleteWe have a pulse…
ReplyDeleteBIG TIME HIT BY LITTLE TONY!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the 3 more, AA. Stupid damned 0-2 homer to Smith.
ReplyDeleteNow Hill reverting to regular season form.
ReplyDeleteTorres with the lazy feed to Volpe. Of course.
ReplyDeleteYet another stupid mental mistake by Gleyber at a crucial time. He CANNOT return to this team next year.
ReplyDeleteHe's been here five years too long.
DeleteOh Hoss, he should not, but he can and most likely will.
ReplyDeleteHe’ll be baaaaack….
DeleteHey, Judge with a 1.000 OBP tonight!
ReplyDeleteWhat's with Jazz and his eyes?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Jazz always step away and rub his eyes? Weird habit.
ReplyDeleteHoss, exactly.
ReplyDeleteWhy cannot any of them advance the runners?
ReplyDeleteSquandering opportunities…
ReplyDeleteBig missed opportunity. This is where Holmes gives back the lead.
ReplyDeleteWe’re back to normal: ineptitude with runners on base.
ReplyDeleteI hate the fakiness of their cancer ceremony. If MLB or the Players' Union wants to give a bunch of money to cancer care and research, great. Don't force people to share about loved ones they have lost.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteAye, there's nary a Yankee brave enough to throw good pitches to Max Muncy! But he got him ye maties!
ReplyDeleteWells!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWells!!!
ReplyDeleteThe gods toy with us
ReplyDeleteTwo more to win
ReplyDeleteI’m happy for him but I fear it’s too little, too late for this Series…
ReplyDeletePerhaps we can at least avoid the ignominy of a sweep.
ReplyDeleteAnd Lux, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, Wells!
ReplyDeleteLeiter Fluid. Uh oh.
ReplyDeleteBut Leiter? Oy.
ReplyDeleteNothing good now.
ReplyDeleteMade Ohtani look bad.
ReplyDeleteYES!
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky he's injured.
ReplyDeleteThat walk to Edman was so dumb.
ReplyDeleteI like bringing Weaver in here.
ReplyDeleteDoes he stay to get seven outs?
ReplyDeleteI like it even more now.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on how many pitches he throws in the 8th. Or at least it should. But we still have Kahnle. And Stroman, of course.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is kind of a concession, leaving The Knack out there.
ReplyDeleteThe Master is laughing. Don't know why, but it's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMy Sharona!
ReplyDeleteBut...we can't take advantage. Sigh. Big inning coming up.
ReplyDeleteStroman will come in with with the Yankees still up by 2, but with 2 on & no outs in the 9th. He’ll walk 2 on 8 pitches before giving up a grand slam to Freeman. Boone will later say he really liked the matchup in that situation & that “Stro had good stuff for a guy who hasn’t pitched in a month. This will help him come out strong in his next game, in April. It’s all in front of him.”
ReplyDeleteFuCkInG yes!!!!
DeleteHinkey, that sounds frighteningly possible.
ReplyDeleteWeaver looks great.
More dumb base running, though it worked out.
ReplyDeleteVolpe!!!
ReplyDeleteNice speed.
ReplyDeleteVOLPE RUNS!!! HE RUNS!!!
ReplyDeleteTorres!!!
ReplyDeleteGame!
ReplyDeleteVery good at bat by Verdugo. Why can't he hit like that more often?
ReplyDeleteGleyber Day!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's Gleyber Day!
ReplyDeleteSleepers Awake!
ReplyDeleteIT'S FUCKIN' GLEYBER FUCKING DAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe contact play worked!! Nice to see the other guys’ second baseman blow a play.
ReplyDeleteAlphonso, the value of those seats may have gone up a bit.
ReplyDeleteWhile Gleyber's HR was nice, I believe that should the Yankees be lucky enough to hold on tonight (not assuming anything, Juju Gods ...) tonight will be forever referred to as "The Volpe Game."
ReplyDeleteSisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves [Ft. Aretha Franklin]
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drGx7JkFSp4 !!!!!!
The Volpe Game? Uh-oh. He's a Yankee for Life.
ReplyDeleteI guess Honeywell is taking one for his team now?
ReplyDeleteJudge, too!
ReplyDeleteJudge is CLUTCH.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Knack and then Honeywell, Jr.. They're giving up.
ReplyDeleteIt's ALIVE! IT'S ALIVE! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! IT'S ALIVE!
ReplyDeleteWhy have Judge steal second here? Seems a little silly, and risks injury. But I do like
ReplyDeleteWe call it Mayza.
ReplyDeleteAll right, smart move to pull Weaver. Volpe crazy pumped up.
ReplyDeleteYankees Win!!!
ReplyDeleteThuuuuuuuuh Yankees win!!
ReplyDeleteTHHHHUUUUUHHHHHHH...
ReplyDeleteThu-uhuhuh-uhuhuh-UHUH-AAAAAAAAAHHhhHH-Uh Yankees win!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Volpe Game.
ReplyDeleteJust think Mayza prolly coulda got the last out of Game one instead of tryna be cute with Nestor 😒
ReplyDeleteThat was a big Yankee win.
ReplyDeleteThe magic number is 3.
ReplyDeleteGreat. Volpe goes berserk creating an instant Yankee Classic. And now we can lose tomorrow with our heads held high.
ReplyDeleteEven Boone couldn't fuck that one up.
FUCK HAL CASHBRAIN AND BOONE.
It’s the beauty in the Yankees that brings out the beauty in all of us
ReplyDeleteA bit too late....it should have been game 1 or 2. Just prolonging the agony...
ReplyDeleteDodger fans, take those brooms and -
ReplyDeleteOh good night good night, you princes of New York, you kings of The Bronx.
ReplyDeleteDID YOU RETRACT THEM?
ReplyDelete