Saturday, June 27, 2009

TWO DIFFERENT TEAMS

***FIRST...THE METS***
They started the season with high hopes...and a different roster. They've lost their shortstop, centerfielder, 1st baseman, the heart of their bullpen and their confidence. The biggest cheers last night were for Castillo when he caught two pop-ups in a row. As often happens, when things are going bad, nothing goes right. It seemed that every Yankee bloop hit found a hole. A simple ground ball to first was handled like a hand grenade. A potential DP grounder was thrown into the right field corner. Every ball the Mets hit hard went into the glove of a Yankee. If it wasn't for Sheffield's homer, Sabbathia might have pitched a complete game 2-hit shutout. Very sad.

***AND THE YANKS***
They look a lot different from a week ago. A-Rod has awakened from a three week nap, two centerfielders are making it impossible for Girardi to pick one and Mariano looks completely dominating, in spite of what one "fan" described to Picasner as "an over-the-hill has-been, worth nothing."
Hang your head, Jamie.
The stadium radar gun had Sabbathia throwing at 96, 97 and 98 MPH, while YES network had him up to 99. Sorry, I don't believe it. None of the Mets looked like they were way behind the pitches, just confused as to location. Well, if that's the biggest problem Picasner has...

***GOODBYE, XAVIER***
Reports are that Nady needs Tommy John surgery on his bad elbow. Normally, this has a 12-14 month recovery time. We might not ever see him in pinstripes again.

***MILTON BRADLEY LOSES TWO***
After flying out in the 6th inning of a Cubs game, Bradley took on a water cooler, losing by a decision, followed by a TKO at the hands of manager Lou Piniella. Lou says he's been watching this go on for a while and he's sick of these tantrums. "Let he who is without sin...," Lou.

***THE 'NEW' STEINBRENNER?***
The Yanks struggle, Cashman shows up, the Yanks go on a tear. Coincidence or is the spector of King George still hanging heavy? We'll keep you posted.

***BUSTER SPOKE TOO SOON***
Buster Olney, normally an astute analyst, not over-reacting to situations, jumped the gun this week by suggesting that A-Rod was all done. He reasoned that between an unresolved hip problem, and reaction to coming off PEDs, that we have seen the end of the dominating play of A-Rod. He cites other scouts, who claim A-Rod is playing like an old man, can't run anymore and has a greatly reduced range at third. He hasn't looked like that the last two games. We'll see.

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