I understand the desire for optimism, but this is roughly the same team as last year (slightly better bullpen, upgrade in CF, full year of Cano, everyone’s a year older), with the same tired manager making the same ill-advised on-field moves. All I’m saying is, get ready for another roller-coaster.

//But, are the last 5 games any different from the 162 and the ALDS that came before it? (162+5+5 =172.)//

I’d say that they are different. As corny and cliche as it is, I like to believe that each season is a new beginning. No sense in bringing last year’s baggage along with you.

I just mean, everyone says “It’s only 5 games.” But, are the last 5 games any different from the 162 and the ALDS that came before it? (162+5+5 =172.)

“baileywalk – it really 5 games or 172 games?”

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Sorry, Steve, I’m not sure what you mean. Anyway, my simple point was this: you’re not always going to be facing Harden and Haren. On most nights, Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina going six or seven and giving up one or three runs is going to get it done.

Hop, I still prefer Goldman’s explanation (the shaky green tea serving hand)…at least it’d be something concrete. This new age-y “energy” and “cheerleading” stuff is as convincing as the claim that, 2 games into the season, the offense was “flat.” Personally, he’d be better off extending his explanation for the post-season failures of late to every regular season game. Pure luck. Sometimes the ball bounces your way and sometimes it bounces into Derek’s forehead. And, honestly, could anyone have predicted that Rivera wouldn’t even pitch until a meaningless 9th inning on Sunday? See what I mean? It’s kismet.

So your contention is that they told him he’d play even though he’s not very good, and he should be happy with sitting on the bench while he could be enjoying a perfectly viable career and life outside of baseball if they hadn’t jerked him around? And that Cairo, meanwhile, with his career -94 RCAA, should be in there, because he’s proven himself?

2005….they were 11-19 in May….I’m not worried, especially since the pitching looks strong.

I assure you- Andy Phillips ain’t texting noone and he ain’t asking to be traded, he’s just happy to be there…last I checked Andy Phillips hasn’t done much at the pro level

Haven’t you been paying attention, JohnnyC? Torre’s strength isn’t in managing the game. It’s in the much more important factor of making sure all the players get along so they can produce at the same level they produced everywhere else without him. That’s why everybody does get along, knows their role on the team, and feels confident in their standing.

Sure, Cano had to be reassured that Torre didn’t hate him. But, you know, he’s just one malcontent. And Phillips? Sure Cash and Torre played up Phillips all ST as _the_ backup 1B/DH guy. And after a strong ST, he now has 2AB in 6 games, while Torre is busy bending over (backwards) for his boys.

The Phillips situation is particularly irksome to me, because he’s a good guy by all accounts, he’s played well when given the opportunity, and the Yankees need him more than he needs them. I have a good friend who goes to the same church as Phillips in Tuscaloosa. He and his wife are apparently accomplished singers. Torre had instilled so much confidence in him over the offseason that they had made backup plans to tour with their choral group if he didn’t make the team. Then, the team spent all ST telling him he’s the prime DH/1B only to bench him for the first two series. But at least he’s a good in-game manager.

baileywalk – it really 5 games or 172 games?

JohnnyC – I see your points, but, hope springs external, I guess……

“I don’t want his head on a stick. I just want him to do better. Is that possible?”

Steve, if we’re consigning Bernie to the scrap heap based on an undeniable downtrend in his skills and 99% of all observers think it’s impossible, short of PEDs, for him to regain his late ’90s form…then how in the heck do you expect a 66 year old man, whose best managing skill as admitted by even his staunchest supporters is fending off George’s senile barbs, to “do better?” Strategy-wise he is lost without Zimmer, his handling of the pitching staff now hinges on the inexperienced Guidry, his pre-game preparation is hampered by the fact that Gene Michael is not advance-scouting 24/7 due to being 67 years old, and he doesn’t trust using the farm talent his “good friend and ally” Cashman offers him. How would any of that change?