Swishers 6 and 15 Unanswered Rings...I mean Runs

6 RBI for Swish  20 on Season.  Photo Credit: ESPN

I spent the entire afternoon mocking Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, who continue to prove that they absolutely hate the Yankees with every game they cover.  I had my first pint at 2:30, after believing it was a 3PM start.  Fortunately that mistake worked out as the Yankees fell behind 9-0 and Freddy Garcia clearly forgot how to pitch.  

Then something happened.  FOX cut to Philip 'Humber Games' perfect game.  27 up 27 down, giving me a good feeling inside after seeing an ump call a questionable strike 3.  Or maybe the good feeling was just from being away from Buck/McCarver for 10 minutes?  Who knows.  What I do know is, when they cut back I saw a 5 on the scoreboard.  Nick Swisher had hit a Grand Slam.  Then, Mark Teixeira hit an opposite field HR for the first time in 2 years, his second HR of the game, and just like that it was 9-8.  At that point, it became batting practice.  Swisher tacked on 2 more RBI, and Russ Martin crushed a double to center.  It all ended with the Yankees scoring 15 runs.  

In typical Boston fan fashion, Bobby Valentine got booed when removing his own pitcher.  I said yesterday I almost felt bad for this guy, and at some point that might be the case.  Right now, however, is not that time and karma is a bitch.  He's been running his mouth for weeks making poor decisions and Red Sox fans like to throw gasoline on the fire.  For some reason, people in Boston are consistently off on when and who they chose to boo.  Maybe it's the long winters?  Anyway, Bobby V. is going to take this square on the chin after his media circus began in spring training, and deservedly so.

All in, the Yanks are in first, and the Red Sox are the worst.  Freddy Garcia avoids being the goat today, and the starting pitching needs to pick it up.  Other than that,  all is well in Yankee Land.

NY Post Sports Cover and Pineda Scratch

When I first saw the NY Post Sports cover, I was a bit skeptical.  Something along the lines of 'Party Crashing' or something more clever would have probably been better.  It does, however, get the point across and gives me a lead in to Michael Pineda, who couldn't even manage 15 pitches today without getting scratched.  This young man needs to grow up fast.  The reason the NY Post can get away with something like the above image is because the Yankees are held to a different standard, they know it, and they have historically delivered.  27 Titles in just under one century speaks for itself.  George Steinbrenner would have already publicly shredded him and banished him to AAA for the whole season.  He's probably looking down from the bar with Mickey Mantle shaking his head in disbelief about the mental and physical softness of Michael Pineda. 

"Its what you do when no one is looking" should quickly become Pineda's motto.  This is not the Pacific Northwest.  This is New York City.  Arguably the center of the universe.  Frank Sinatra doesn't talk about making it in Seattle.  Not to knock the pacific northwest, but greatness comes out of NYC, while coffee and grunge music comes out of Seattle. There is a difference.  It's been frustrating since the get go with this young hurler who the Yanks gave up a potential all-star for.  There have been awkward media quotes, interviews near tears, and third person references.  He needs to buy into to the Work Hard, Play Harder, then Work Harder than Ever mindset New Yorkers have or he should be shipped to a smaller market club where he won't be mentioned in blogs like this.

And back to what's going on on the field, we have a 4PM start in Boston.  Should be perfect weather for baseball at the start and I'll be muting Joe Buck and Tim McGarver as they are officially the worst tandem of Yankee hating, consistently incorrect sports coverage in the business.  They're probably the only duo who could make a funeral more depressing.  Is this really the best FOX has to offer?  All that said, its a perfect day for the Yankees to put a second consecutive hurting on the Red Sox.  Time for another W...

Fenway Party Spoiler : Nova W

Nova Gets 15th Straight Win

Last night seemed seemed like a great win with Granderson's 3 HRs, but seeing a game like today's was really excellent.  Watching the Red Sox legends take the field and receive ovations was a great experience.  What was even better was Ivan Nova spoiling their party and pitching very well on the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park.  Nova continues to come up in big situations when the baseball is in his hands.  The Yankees, in 1912 Highlander attire, hit 5 HR's against Clay Bucholz en route to victory.  Bravo Yankees - a very well played game.

Can't say enough about Nova's performance.  In front of so many great baseball players and Red Sox ownership he took over the game and they never really had a chance.  This guy is the Honey Badger for a reason.  Hearing him talk about being the best is a good thing.  He walked into Fenway and shutdown the Red Sox.  Props to Eric Chavez as well, going deep twice.  He was always a good hitter in Oakland.  As is becoming the norm, David Robertson and Mariano Rivera closed out the game. The Yankees looked good today on the road on low rest, clearly playing better baseball against a Red Sox team that seems to have lost it's edge.

On the uniform front, the Red Sox white hat look was terrible, overall not bad.  The Yanks old logo is pretty legit and I would expect to see some more of it.

Overall what a great Friday.  Sun out in NYC and the Yankees are up north spoiling the Red Sox celebration.  Excellent baseball to be played in the next two days.  Let's get a couple more W's.  Have a great Friday.

3 HRs and Rivalry Weekend

What a day, what a day.  Curtis Granderson went 5-5 last night with 3, yes 3 HRs.  On what should have been just another normal Yankees over Twins victory, the Grandyman came up big, becoming the first Yankee since ARod to go deep 3 times in  game.  To add to it, he picked up 2 additional hits in pacing the Yankees to the win.  Big Joe said it best in the postgame, as a pull hitter, Curtis is built for Yankee stadium.  He's a tremendous asset to the Yankees and a true gamer.  He's electric both at the plate and in the field and it's great having him in center.  In case you missed it - Mark Texeira went yard (good), Eduardo Nunez made a costly error (bad), Phil Hughes managed to battle for the W (ok), and Mo looked like the assassin of the 9^th that he always has been (normal).  All of these things mean all is well in Yankee Land. 

Today we get the 100^th anniversary of Fenway and the Yankees/Sox in throwback 1912 uniforms and a weekend of rivalry baseball.  The Honey Badger, Ivan Nova, gets the ball.  Another big time game for this guy.  I guarantee he don’t care.  The media circus/soap opera going on in Boston is out of control at this point and is really just covering up a mediocre baseball team.  Hopefully the Yankee bats, which have been getting hotter and hotter, will pound the Red Sox deeper down the rankings and get Bobby V booed a little bit more.  If he were ever to keep his mouth shut, I’d probably feel bad for him.  Fortunately I know that will never happen.   

In the end, there’s really no better way to muzzle the Red Sox then putting a hurting on them on the 100^th anniversary of their ballpark.  I’m thinking this will be a special Friday for the Yanks, and getting home in time to have a beer(s) and catch the later innings of what will no doubt be a 4 hour plus game already has me in weekend mode.  Just need to sit here and pretend to do work for the next 7 hours…

Giants Schedule Reaction

Now that the dust has settled and everyone is done explaining the incredible difficulty factor of the Giants schedule, here's my take.  At the end of the day, if you want to win Super Bowls, you need to beat the best and the hottest teams in late December and January.  Period.  We know the Giants are going to play in division rivals twice.  That means a double dose of Vick, Romo, and what looks like RG3.  Thats a given, and there's no changing that.  Can't beat them?  You don't go to the playoffs.  As for the other games, getting a sophomore season of Cam Newton, a rematch with the Niners, Big Ben, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton, Drew Brees, Mr. Discount Double Check, and Matty Ryan is going to be difficult.  But why not play these guys in the regular season?  Every single one of them was in the playoffs last year, except Newton, who is going to be a playmaker for years to come.  These are the guys you want to play and get film against.  If you lose?  That's fine.  It's much more difficult to beat a team twice in the same season.  Especially in a playoff game against a team like the Giants.  Will this season be difficult?  Absolutely.  Will the Giants win 10 games?  It will be a tough road.  As we all know, this team just needs to get to the playoffs.  They did go a mediocre 9-7 last season, and every fan, myself included, was borderline ready to mail it in at the end of November.  Bottom line is, they have a core group of guys now that can go into any stadium confidently and win on the road.  When all is said and done, these difficult games will only make the Giants a better team.  The most important thing will be having a succesful draft and fighting the injury bug. 

And in conclusion, watching Tom Brady destroy the Jets on Thanksgiving this year will make a day of heavy drinking and stuffing my face only that much more enjoyable.  Sorry QB2, it's not a religious holiday and there won't be any upset in that game. 

Note: This is probably the only time I won't be rooting for a NY team, but the offseason shenanigans with the Jets has pushed me over the top.

Yankee Win and Throwback Uniforms

ESPN NY
To C or not to C Sabathia got roughed up at the start but settled in for a nice start covering 7-1/3 and letting up 3 runs.  A couple of different Yanks contributed to the win and Jeter continues to do good things.  Where is he in AL Player of the month voting?

Also, above are the uni's the Yankees will wear when they visit Boston for the 100th anniversary of Fenway.  At first, I was skeptical.  It was never George Steinbrenner's thing to change the uniforms or go to throw backs.  People have looked terrible in camo and other bizarre alt jerseys elsewhere.  But I'm actually a big fan of this.  One of the guys will probably go old school and rock the super baggy look and that will be a good thing.  Would love to get my hands on a #2 jersey and I'm sure that's what the Yanks are thinking.

Cromartie Kiddy Count : 12

Everyone's favorite multi-baby daddy got some crazy news today.  After having his 10th kid just a few days ago, one of Antonio Cromartie's ladies/wives/gf's whatevers is now expecting TWINS.  This is good for ol Cro, who at the ripe old age of 28 now will have 12 offspring wandering this planet.  This is, however, not good for one of his kids, as they will now have to be the sub whenever Team Cro is old enough to take the field.  Imagine how much that sucks?  You got your super athletic daddy, with 8 different baby mama's and you're the kid who has has to come off the brother and sister bench.  Proof is in the pudding that you were just a slow swimmer who got lucky.  Usually it's better to realize something like that in your 20's when you're stuck in a cubicle and haven't seen the sun in days.

Seriously though - 12 is impressive.  Smoking Octomom and catching up to Duggar status.  At $3500 a pop per month for child support you'd think ol' Cro would wrap it up or consider some other drastic measure like a vasectomy (gasp!) to prevent this from getting out of hand.  However, me thinks he's probably a few cans short of a sixer.  Me?  I'll laugh this one to the bank.  Poor Cro has no idea the world of hurt all 12 of these little (and someday big) suckers is going to put him through for the rest of his life.

It's only fitting he's on the Jets, and as always, in conclusion, keep up the Good Work in Jet Land!

Youkilis Feels the Wrath of SideShow Bobby

Kevin Youkilis - I feel for you bud.  You're the biggest teddy bear I've ever seen but god damnit you are also a Yankee Killer, and therefore I respect you.  First, you're team starts sucking. Then your favorite coach left and probably never thought he was the friend you thought he was.  Then this new Sideshow Bobby Valentine gets hired.  Next thing you know, you cant drink Miller Lite in the club house, you don't have your own personal KFC delivery man, and you're getting tossed under the bus for allegedly not caring.  I'm a Yankees fan, and you're the last person on the Red Sox that I would call out for not caring.  Literally - you're last.  There's no one behind you that I would question the effort of less.

This Bobby V. show is 9 games old and I'm sick of it.  I also cant think anyone in Boston is thrilled either.  People who think any of this is 'fire stoking' is good for the clubhouse are dead wrong.  No team, no matter how much spring cleaning you do, is going to snap back after last falls collapse and no one man is going to be responsible for it.  And therein lies the problem with Bobby Valentine.  Red Sox not playing well?  Blame the 2x ring holder and warrior.  Red Sox playing well?  Obviously great decision making by Bobby Valentine.

What people should be talking about was his terrible decision to leave his converted closer in after 7 solid inning.  Which only led to a 4 pitch walk with the bases loaded to Evan Longoria and a 1-0 loss.

As always, Keep Up the Good Work in Boston!

Also - I have no idea why I said Miller Lite.  Just seems like a beer someone like Youkilis would enjoy.

Nova Wins 14th Straight : Yanks Paced by Captain

Ivan Nova pitched well enough tonight to win his 14th consecutive start in pinstripes dating back to June of last year.  Given all of the rotation talk, the fact that he got sent to the minors, was then called on to be the #2 starter in the playoffs, and then didn't even have a spot until the last week of spring training, I'm about ready to dub him the Honey Badger.  This guy don't care what anybody thinks.  Stone cold facial expression no matter what.  Winning - no smile.  Demoted - no smile.  Battling cold and flue like symptoms on Sunday Night National TV?  Honey Badger Dont Care.  Just flat out performing. Yes, yes, I know having your offense average 6 runs a game in your starts helps, but he's been consistently good in important games and that goes a long way.  Tonight he was hit hard, but he also had 8 Ks.

As for Jeter, our fearless leader is looking sprightly - knocking the ball around the park and going deep for the second time this year.  El Capitan must have found himself a new lady friend because he's looking like 29 year old Derek.  It's great to see him proving everyone wrong about his age and declining skills.

One concern tonight was the outfielders.  A lot of balls were hit hard out there way and they looked like the kid in little league that gets to play 2 innings, gets 1 at bat, and everyone prays no one hits the ball their way.  Defensively, they gave up a couple extra bases by not playing the ball well off the wall or hitting cut off men.

And finally, Jets QB2 was booed when sitting next to Dwayne Wade and getting jumbotron time.  Your favorite blogger right here is lovin it.

Producer Wants ARod to Play Drag Queen : Come Again?

NY Post
File this under 'Only ARod'.  Looks like a movie producer has given a legitimate offer to the ARod Camp to play a flamboyant Cross Dressing assistant to Salvidore Dali in an upcoming film.  Really can't make this stuff up.  In all seriousness, this is what you get after dating Madonna, kissing yourself in the mirror, getting fed popcorn by Cameron Diaz at the super bowl, sunning in Central Park like a nancy boy, and having a Centaur image of yours truly above your own bed.  He's no doubt secretly honored to be considered for the job of 'stunning, leggy drag queen' but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say he turns it down to focus on winning a Championship.  I mean really, at this point, ARod cant take a walk without something taking offense to it or coming up with some outrageous claim.   I can only stick up for him for so much.  Just can't see any other athlete getting a look like this other than Alex.  On a good note though, I'm pretty sure he's A-OK with all of this.  He just knows his role, wants to pass Mays this year after hitting #630, and keeps on kickin while the press and apparently movie producers keep on lickin.

PS - Whoever made the Centaur image above really nailed it. Even got the batting gloves in there. Hysterical.  You'll probably see more of this one.

Eli Hosting SNL and a 100k to hang with a Backup QB

NY Post
Eli Manning hosting SNL with Rihanna as a guest star?  This should be a hit.  Eli's always played second fiddle to his big brother when it comes to comedy.  This will give him a shot to prove he's got a sense of humor and for SNL writer's to prove that they can make even the most down to earth person funny.  I did see Football Cops when it came out, and I was a fan.  Slightly overdone but overall pretty funny, so I definitely think Eli can pull of SNL.

In other news from JetLand, someone actually paid 100K to hang out with the worlds favorite backup quarterback. ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND.  If I could make a list of all the better things to do with that kinda cashola I'd be writing for the rest of my life.  Even if I wasn't selfish and keeping all the money for myself, the list of other people or charities I would rather help would be endless.  Seriously, this is the last guy I want to spend an evening with.  QB2 probably doesn't even drink and would just try to convert me into a born again.  Not exactly my idea of a good time or even time well spent.  We get it, God is good to you.  Your V-Card, girl crushes, and oddball behavior are all over the news, and you know what, eventually no one is going to care.  Maybe these people are going to mess with him and booze and smoke and preach atheism.  Probably not going to happen, but would be hysterical.  Honestly, I just don't get what rich people or the 15,000 people who showed up in Texas are thinking these days.

That said, I'm glad QB2 is focusing on writing sermons and hanging with delusional rich people instead of studying the playbook and working on his terrible mechanics.  Sounds like he's shipping it in as a legit QB.  Probably not the best idea.  Keep up the good work in JetLand!