the swinging at first pitches points to 2 things: 1) they’re tired, it’s been a long, long season, especially since they’ve been chasing instead of leading and 2) as much as I love Mattingly, it is never…never…never a good strategy to swing early because “they’re trying to stay ahead of the batters.” I’m sure much of this is in response to a counter-strategy of many pitchers against protracted at bats. But, it’s also emblematic of Mattingly’s own hitting style and the fact that he was a great 2-strike hitter is the only thing that prevented him from being an anti-Moneyball exemplar. Here’s a move by George that Yankees fans ought to have been more upset with. He’s simply not the right hitting coach for a team built on patience and power.

This team lacks. Lacks chemistry, ball$, whatever. Last years disgrace in the ALCS and this season all say the same thing. No leadership.
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Actually, last ALCS was “no hitting.” Sox pitching shut down the Yankee bats.

BTW, anyone as annoyed as I have been the last few days WRT Yankee at-bats? TAKE A PITCH dagnabit!

//How can a team in 2nd place & in the wild card race be between “almost good” and “terrible”? //

KJC – I’m going by the way they play, not the standings. They’re lucky that the Jays, O’s etc., stink. Or else they would be in 4th place, not 2nd.

Don – A-Rod can never be traded. And, I’m not sure that I would agree that he’s the problem.

As I said a week ago, division over.

Now a scramble for the WC, which I doubt they’ll achieve.

This team lacks. Lacks chemistry, ball$, whatever. Last years disgrace in the ALCS and this season all say the same thing. No leadership. Perhaps the acquisition of Alex Rodriguez cut a hole in Jeter’s lead role and has made this untenable. That and Sheffield’s bad persona are two factors, IMHO.

Trading Alex Rodriguez in the off season is a starting point.

How can a team in 2nd place & in the wild card race be between “almost good” and “terrible”? They’re at *least* a “good” team (though a $200+ MM payroll should buy you more than that). Yeah, they played liked crap today, but the Sox played worse on Friday…

Thanks – I hope to have more Cooperstown pictures up in the next few days.

I wish I shared the optimism of you guys. But, the way this team plays, tells me they’re a loser.

Welcome back, Steve! Sounds like you folks had a nice time in Cooperstown – glad to hear it!

Patrick, you’re right – its not over yet. But if Flaherty, Sierra, Lawton and Bernie keep showing up in the lineup at the same time – it will be over soon.

Not. Over. Yet.