OK, as a Yankee fan, it’s hard to really complain about much this season. Best record in baseball, winning most of the close games, a number of walk-off wins, no Todd Frazier or Chase Headley. But hey, it’s baseball so let’s complain.
Yesterday, the Yankees played a day/night doubleheader. Make-up games from back in April in Detroit. Now, due to recent rainouts, they hadn’t played last Thursday or Sunday in Baltimore, and there is an off day coming up this Thursday. The Yankees have one of the youngest rosters in baseball. Boone put out a normal line up for game 1. He sat Gardner but everything else was fairly normal except for Romine catching. Clint Frazier got a start which SU liked as well.
Now, for game #2, against another right-handed pitcher, all of a sudden there is no Bird, no Hicks, no Didi. What do they all have in common? Oh right, they are left-handed hitters. It was almost like Boone decided to do a math experiment and see if he could win a game with as few left-handed hitters as possible. On top of that, he knows Judge has been slumping, Sanchez has been terrible for at least 3 weeks and Stanton is always terrible. But let’s bat them consecutively 2 through 4. So, you lose 4-2 in what was really a winnable game against a mediocre starting pitcher. I know, it’s baseball, it’s one game, it’s a long season, blah, blah, blah. But SU says at least put out a line up that makes sense and if you are going to rest the left-handed hitters, space it out better across the 2 games. Being a manager is not that hard. I feel like I gave more thought to this in designing the substitution schedule for 4th grade rec girls basketball games vs. what Boone did yesterday.
SU did like Stanton’s reaction to getting hit by the pitcher who beaned him several years ago in the face. He homered the next time up, did a bat flip and then pointed at the pitcher as he crossed home plate. SU thought that was fair. I am sure the pitcher wasn’t trying to hit him but this was personal. Good to see some fire from Stanton there.
Finally, if you have a chance, google the video of LeBron in the Cavs’ huddle at the end of regulation in game 1 before overtime starts. This is just after the JR Smith bonehead play. He finds out that they had 1 timeout left and just covers his head in a towel and almost starts to cry. I mean, come on. SU says man up and show your teammates you are still in it. Not his best moment of the playoffs. Btw, I fully expect Cleveland to win game 3. After all, it’s the NBA playoffs and home court seems to mean so much.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Its very easy for you, me and all the commentators getting paid to dissect Labron or for that matter any player from any sport during the added intensity of a playoff game. I remember the intensity and pressure while pitching in a playoff game in high school. Of course this kind of dwarfs being in a situation like what Labron goes through day in and day out…..on the court and off the court.
OK… so he cried. He is giving it his all and then some. Taking a team, on paper would be 20 games under 500 without him and now playing in the Finals is beyond an amazing feat. BTW… he is on track in becoming a Top 5 in points scored and assists made for his career. NO ONE HAS EVER DONE THAT… As much as I have always felt Jordan is the greatest to have ever played the game…. I am now convinced more than ever that Labron is at the very least equal to Jordan. Just remember…. Jordan retired once. Why? Was it truly his love of baseball? Was it needing to get away from the intensity of playing basketball? Was it a combination of the two? People will always compare the two and deservingly. The only one who poo poo’s Labron is Kobe…. the greatest ball hog who has ever played the game. Most of his championships were because he had another top 50 player of the 21st century in Shaq… somewhat like Jordan’s partner in Scottie Pippin was as well. Both teams also had a couple of sharpshooters. Did LaBron ever have those luxuries? Yeah… maybe somewhat down in Miami, but Wade was past his peak, but he did win with them…. Besides Jordan and Ewing I have never seen someone leave so much on the court as Labron. I’m sure they also complained to the Ref’s plenty of times. as well.
I hope LaBron hooks up with another team or gets another star and a few dependable role players in a trade if he stays in Cleveland. He has earned it big time. Please get rid of JR Smith….
Press the reset button after the 2nd game against Detroit and continue winning series and a sweep or two along the way. The Yankees are allowed to have a clunker every so often. I do agree with you as to why there weren’t any lefties besides Walker in the game. Having Judge, Walker and Sanchez back to back to back was a stupid idea. We still had opportunities to win that game despite our lineup.
Yeah, but you had a helluva 4th grade rec girls basketball team.
Yankees just announced that Montgomery is having Tommy John surgery this week- time to pack up some prospects and get a starting pitcher.
Oh, that is truly bad news for the Yankees. Tough break for him. You can never have enough pitching that is for sure. This is when Cashman earns the big salary. Time to get to work.