Bronx, N.Y., August 31, 2004 — Another huge crowd at Yankee Stadium was “treated” to a strange sight, something never witnessed there before, on Tuesday night, but it was not a joyful apparition. While nine New York batters went down meekly on just 36 pitches to ex-Yank Jake Westbrook through three, 21 Indians batters had already fashioned a 9-0 lead on totally ineffective Yankee starter Javier Vazquez and Tanyon Sturtze in relief. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., August 8, 2004 — To read the headlines in the New York papers all summer you could be excused for thinking that this Yankee team has been an unwieldy machine with a decided need for fixing. The two-headed centerfielder is too old (whatever his number); they have no second baseman; their pen is overworked; injury and illness at first base will kill their chances; the starters are old and prone to injury. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., August 3, 2004 — Things looked very good for the Yankees after Jorge Posada’s three-run, opposite-field, first-inning home run off Mark Mulder in Yankee Stadium Tuesday night. The Oakland ace came in steaming like the unbearably still sky that enveloped the ballpark, with a 14-3 record, despite the manhandling he received at the hands of the Yankees back in April. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., August 1, 2004 — Yankee bats seemed to struggle under the same malaise that had many believing there would be no game in the Bronx on Sunday afternoon. West, south, north, and east of Yankee Stadium the skies filled with rain in the morning, and even when most of the visible precipitation dwindled after noon, 90 percent humidity dampened brows and spirits, and fans searched for cover as much as they would under a deluge. Continue reading →