Thursday, March 15, 2012

Yankeetorial: The Mitt Romneyization of the Yankees

Across the Yankiverse, you can feel the electricity, as Joe Girardi mulls that critical 25th roster slot. Who will it be: Chris Dickerson or Clay Rapado? Who can sleep! It's like having to decide between Tylenol and Aspirin.  We're all just standing in that elevator, waiting for the doors to close so that we can move. It's so... yawn... boring.

This spring, the only person earning a back page has been Brian Cashman.

Whatever happened to solar flares from the owner? Complaints about how much money the players are making? A demand to win at least one spring training game? Have we beaten anybody since South Florida? Does anybody care? Five years ago, Raul Ibanez's ears would be on fire for his woeful 2 for 21 opening. NO, let me rephrase: Five years ago, Raul Ibanez would not be here, because the owner would have shown loyalty to Johnny Damon.

What we are witnessing, I fear, is the Mitt Romneyization of the Yankees. Say nothing, smile, slowly plod forward, show no sign of humanity, be a corporation, just get to the post-season - and then lose. If you think of something funny, keep it to yourself. The whole franchise is becoming tiresome. We talk like Derek Jeter - and while we all love Jeet, has he ever said anything that was remotely interesting? Nope. He's The Good Captain - which means he's the good corporate spokesman. He's Mitt Jeter. Say nothing, smile, move on. After a while, nobody bothers to ask.

The other night on the YES-fest against Boston, Paul O'Neil was lamenting how in the old days, George would have popped a vessel by now. Loss upon loss. The Gammonites would have breathlessly covered it and then condemned George for posing a distraction, and then it would be forgotten - by everybody but the players. They would know their necks were on the line. And they would play harder.

Right now, two necks are on the line. Clay Rapado and Chris Dickerson. We've got another two months of primaries. Wake me, when Joe decides. And get ready to lose in the fall.

3 comments:

Gene "Stick" Michael said...

Melky for Vasquez: somehow that must be blamed on somebody so Romney seems like a good choice:
"Cabrera, 27, had 201 hits for the Royals last season, trailing only Adrian Gonzalez, Michael Young and Jacoby Ellsbury in the American League. He ranked seventh in the league in total bases and had 67 extra-base hits, including 44 doubles and 18 home runs, both career highs, while batting .305."

John Sterling said...

Suzy and I are the last bulwark against this. Did you listen to the broadcast the other night with O'Neill and Kay and Sweet Lou? What a snorefest. The most they got excited about was talking about food.
I'd rather be locked in a room reading SF's "One year ago" crap.
Let us praise Bobby V, not bury him.

Joe De Pastry said...

Melky had a career year last season, but with all those hits he had only 35 BB, leaving his OBP as a not much better than average.339.
[Ellsbury was .376.] I doubt he'll have another year as good in 2012, but if he does, is he getting close to being a free agent?