Bronx, N.Y., August 11, 2002 — Yes, I know the Yankees were just away on their longest road trip of the season (14 days, with 15 days between games at the Stadium), but they’re off on the road again after a week here, and honestly, despite a huge win today that evened the homestand at 3-3, my question is, “What took you so long?” Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., August 8, 2002 — I’ve attended hundreds of these parties the Yankees have been throwing the last few years. And even though most of the time I have been seated in the boxes that are home to my two partial plans (Sundays in the Tier Section 3, Weeknights — and days — in Tier Section 12), over the years I have sat in pretty much every area in the Stadium. I was perhaps 14 when my oldest brother took us first, and we sat behind home plate a little down the first base side. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., August 7, 2002 — Yes, I think it is. We have just returned the favor to Kansas City on a pair of 6-2 games, and moments ago, in as thrilling an in-season non-Yankee (specifically, anyway) highlight as I have ever seen, Terrence Long robbed Manny of a three-run, game-winning bomb. I feel for the Red Sox and their fans, 34,000 of which must have been devastated by the near miss almost into Fenway’s low-walled right-centerfield bullpen. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., August 5 — The Yankees outscored their opposition 58-45 on this recently concluded road trip. We have a 69-41 record, computing to a winning percentage of .627, tops in the American League and trailing only Atlanta in all of major league baseball. We are celebrating our 100th year during this 2002 season, along with our unprecedented achievements of 38 American League Championships and 26 World Championships. So how come I can’t think of anything but the number 12? Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., August 4, 2002 — Although I freely paraphrased from the title of a classic Rolling Stones hit from 1969 for the title (and the theme) of this column, it could have been just as aptly named, “Be careful what you wish for…” Of course, you’ll notice I replaced (or transposed) the last word I show of the Stones title with want (did you know that “You can get anything you want” in 1969’s movie [and song] Alice’s Restaurant?). The point is, I guess, it can be kind of dicey when you’re rooting in a game that, to be complete, generally has at least 51 individual outcomes (outs — and hundreds of pitches) choosing which verb (need, wish, want) to utilize, and when. Continue reading →