Bronx, N.Y., September 21, 2008 — At the end of a full day packed with time-consuming activity, hours of circumspection, and symbolic representations of heroism and excellence, the south Bronx was treated to a dazzling view Sunday night. The half moon rose above the left field outfield facade right after Mariano Rivera had put the finishing touches on a 7-3 Yankee win. The metaphor could hardly have been more apt: Five days removed from an almost blinding harvest moon, the orb was bathed in otherwordly colors, but the fact that half the show was missing from view spoke volumes as well. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., September 14, 2008 — Despite the fact that the Yanks cashed in a rollicking 8-4 victory over the Tampa Rays Sunday afternoon under steamy skies, the hot and humid weather was not the only unpleasent presence wafting over the Stadium. Alex Rodriguez was lustily booed just two innings after he homered for 100 rbi’s, and starter Carl Pavano received mostly derision after he tweaked his hip in the sixth, even though he left the game as the pitcher of record on the winning side. Further, Joe Girardi pulled Robbie Cano after he made a nice play to escape an ugly fourth inning, even if was the second baseman’s particularly lackadaisical play that set it all up. Continue reading →