OK, now, I no longer stand corrected!

http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2006/06/using_many_good.html

Just drop Erickson in the lost & found section of Camden Yards. He used to pitch for the O’s, maybe they’ll take him back.

Whoops – I stand corrected on the number of players contributing thing:

http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2006/06/using_many_play.html

I love rooting for this team. Well ok, I always love rooting for the Yankees, but this team is a lot of fun to root for. I think it might be because for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like the Yankees are the clear favorites. Ok, logically looking at it, they are still one of the best, if not the best, team in the AL, but they are scrappy and…erm…fun.

And ok, I’m a sap, but I love rooting for a lineup that is 2/3 home grown. I think some sports’ writers need to note that.

“this current team (minus a few superstars) feel more like the teams of the late ’90s?”

Ditto.

I think both Smith and perhaps Beam should both be brought up with Erickson and Small sent down. You might even be doing Erickson a favor because some team might actually claim him on waivers. The Yankees have a boatload of relievers in AA and High A that they should be looking to promote quickly.

I’m going to say something that’s probably going to piss people off — and maybe it’s not one hundred percent accurate — but doesn’t this current team (minus a few superstars) feel more like the teams of the late ’90s? Teams that had guys like Shane Spencer and Chad Curtis coming up big. One of the amazing things about those teams is that it seemed a different guy each night stepped up and won the game — and it didn’t matter if he was a star or a role player.

It’s good having guys who aren’t superstars IF THEY’RE GOOD PLAYERS. Which is why I love seeing Melky and Andy out there (what a shock, Clueless Joe — let him play and he hits! — what a concept!) but Cairo needs to be strictly off the bench and Long and Erickson have to be cut NOW.

I don’t know what makes me angrier — that a bum like Erickson is on the team, or that Torre brings him into the eighth inning. What, Villone can’t get out a righty? What happened the other day to the “I will trust Villone more in more important situations” statement?

I hope A-Rod gets back soon, because Cairo can’t play third base. Jeter picked him up in the ninth, but Cairo butchered a double play ball that should have ended the inning.

Nice game for Farnsworth. I’m glad he didn’t break down mentally the way I assumed he would. I think, in a way, it was almost good that he got thrown into that based loaded jam.

The Yankees are loaded with relief talent down in the minors. Matt Smith, T.J. Beam, J.B. Cox, even Charlie Manning (people see him more as a lefty specialist, but he’s getting everyone out in AA). We need to get rid of Erickson. By keeping him around, they are shortening the bullpen. They don’t need him if Rasner is here. Rasner is the longman. And when Chacon gets back, Small goes into that role. Erickson’s presence on this team makes no sense. Just bring up Smith or Beam and be done with it already.