IT ISN'T ALL JUST INJURIES

***ANOTHER LOSS***
Losses to the Mets are even more painful than losses to the Red Sox. At least you expect the Sox to have a good team (or used to, anyways). The pitching staff looks like they're trying to throw shutouts because they don't trust the offense to hit when it's needed. ...and they're right. Last night, A-Rod had 2 hits, Cano had 2 hits, Swisher had 3 hits & Cervelli had 2 hits. That's 9 hits from the 4, 5, 6 & 7 hitters and the the Yanks scored only 3 runs and, in the words of Bob Eucker, stranded a small village on the bases.
Tonight's game is on ESPN, so I'll be getting the 'Joe Morgan Earplugs' out.

***EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES, SOME PAY FOR THEM***
Buck Showalter is considered to be a very smart baseball man. Ever wonder why the Yanks fired him & hired Joe Torre, a move everybody laughed at? Well, this might give you some idea. Phil Rizzuto was not the brightest bulb in the marquee, but he knew a little something about playing shortstop. During the 1995 September call-ups, he suggested to Showalter that Derek Jeter ought to be the full-time shortstop. Showalter told him to "mind your own [bleeping] business." That winter, it was bye-bye, Buck. Rizzuto was still in the booth.

***I SAID I WAS DONE***
Responding to suggestions that he was going to play again, Kurt Warner said, "I said I was retired, and I am. It is a final decision." To which Brett Farve said, "Big deal. I've made that one 3 times, already."

***WHEN MEN WERE MEN AND BATTERS WERE NERVOUS***
From Dwight Perry's Sideline Chatter column:
Former St. Louis Cardinal pitcher, Bob Gibson, was not always nice on the mound.
"Hard-nosed Hall of Famer Bob Gibson threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday night's Cardinals game. ....Bet it was high and tight."
I would have used more from his latest column, but I was afraid he'd ask for money.

Short posting today. Annie-O is cooking one of her rare meals and I'm on fire watch. Don't laugh; her best dish is Blackened Corn Flakes.

CP-