HOW CAN THIS BE?

After going 2-8 in their last ten games, the Yankees are still in first place in the AL East. Granted, it's only by 2 percentage points, but as my bookie says, "Two points are enough."
The Yankee offense hasn't stalled, it has flamed out. The only one who is producing any runs is Aaron Judge. As the Yankee Stadium crowd says when Judge comes up is, "ALL RISE." But when the rest of team hits, it's "Remain Seated." 

Cashman finally bit the bullet and released Chris Carter and brought up rookie Tyler Austin. Before the game, Austin told a reporter he intended to stay within himself and not get too excited about being called up. Somebody forgot to tell him he was there to play first base because he gave a good impersonation of Carter by striking out twice and hitting into a double play. Now, no one is excited about him being called up. By the way, the Yanks also called up Tyler Webb, bringing the Tyler boys count to three: Austin, Clippard and Webb.

New York brought in  Clippard to pitch batting practice in the ninth. Three hits,two walks and four runs later, Girardi finally realized it wasn't batting practice, but a real game. Sunday is the annual Old-Timers game at the stadium. Some of the "old-timers" may end up in the actual game at 2:00 PM.

The Dodgers have now won nine in a row, lead the NL West by two and a half games and have the 2nd best record in baseball. Two months ago, the Yanks were doing great and the Dodgers were struggling. I lamented that after losing a bet to my west coast sister-in-law over which team has the better season three years in a row, I am now thrilled that there is no bet. Thank you, Pauline.

The Red Sox retired David Ortiz' number in a ceremony at Fenway yesterday. They also named a street after him. The Yanks were thrilled, too, because it means that now there is little chance that David will decide to rescind his retirement.

Here's a headline I thought I'd never see: "Derek Jeter does not have enough money to buy the Miami Marlins."  I thought Jeter had enough money to buy Montana.

There is some excitement building by fans looking forward to watching Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge square off in the Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star break. There is a history of sluggers participating in this event, screwing up their swing and having a bad 2nd half of the season. I believe that happens because hitters over-swing trying to hit balls a long way. I don't think this will happen with these two guys since neither of them have to try harder to hit homers. Their normal swing will do the trick. They might need a bigger park just for these two, like maybe Yellowstone? 

***THEY SAID IT***
"During the first Husker football Fan Fest free pizza and Chick-fil-A was served. Husker football, free pizza, free Chick-fil-A. I believe the unofficial attendance was 13 million."  -- Brad Dickson
"The Giants are advertising July 9 “Slumber Party on the Field” for fans. Alas team has been having a slumber party on field all season."  -- Janice Hough 

"United Airlines is about to unveil the world’s longest flight, 8,700 miles from L.A. to Singapore — nearly 18 hours. To help pass all that air time, the in-flight movie will be replays of three Yankees-Red Sox games."  -- Dwight Perry

"The best thing about having kidney stones:  It takes your mind off Stephen A. Smith."  -- Norman Chad

" Quote heard on CBC: "Manitobans who buy crafts want to meet their maker." "See?" I said to my wife. "Shopping is dangerous."  -- RJ Currie

"A pair of game-worn Michael Jordan basketball shoes were auctioned for $190,372.80. I believe the Michael Jordan baseball shoes went for $2.11."  -- Brad Dickson

" Verdun Hayes made skydiving history. At 101 years old, he is the oldest man ever to jump out of an airplane voluntarily. That was United Airlines’ story, and they’re sticking to it."  -- Argus Hamilton

"So did they schedule a preseason Redskins -  Bengals game in DC and not warn us? Final score was  18-3 Washington over Cincinnati."  -- Janice Hough

"Cornerback Shareece Wright took a 450-mile Uber ride from Chicago to Buffalo — at a cost of $932.08, including a $300 tip — to make it there in time for his team’s voluntary offseason workout.

In keeping with Bills tradition, at the end of the drive he punted."  -- Dwight Perry
"The U.S. Open scores are pretty good this year. Erin Hills isn’t just playing easy, it’s more forgiving than the Tallahassee Police Department."  -- Mike Bianchi
"The University of Hawaii offered a football scholarship to an 11-year-old, fifth-grade quarterback. What was his signing bonus? A PlayStation 4 Pro?"  -- RJ Currie
"Last week former Husker Richie Incognito held a clinic at Beatrice High School. Now the young offensive linemen know the proper way of administering a knee to the groin."  -- Brad Dickson

CP-