Bronx, N.Y., July 2, 2002 — “Because all you of Earth are idiots!”

These words of the alien Eros from the sci-fi classic film that shares the title of this column will have to do if you’re going to ask me why. I’m quite aware it took the Yankees fully one half their season, 81 games, to achieve more than a fleeting glance from the top of our division on the one hand. And it took us just as long to decide that our “Position Nine,” right field, needed fixing, on the other. I think it’s fitting that Raul Mondesi took his place in right, and in the five spot in the order, on July 2, 44 years from the date of the release of that Ed Wood “thriller.” Having teamed with Raul (and Derek, Ramiro, Roger, Robin and Jorge) to ensure that Raul’s debut, and the beginning of the season’s second half, got off without a hitch by the way, we (the entire takehimdowntown.com family) will be having our batteries musically recharged the rest of this week, and hope to climb back into the fan, observer and reporter of all things Yankee seat five days from today, Sunday, July 7. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 30, 2002 — If you’ve been reading here for the last week, I apologize right off the bat for using this musical reference in conjunction with the fabulous “Tales of Brave Ulysses” by Cream and The Who’s “The Punk and the Godfather,” mentioned in recent columns. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 28, 2002 — The line has a double meaning for me. First, I couldn’t let the day pass without paying homage to the Who’s John Entwistle, who passed away earlier today (or perhaps last night) at the age of 57. I was even pleased when showing up at the Stadium to see that not only was the newest Yankee, outfielder Karim Garcia, wearing the number 57, but that he would be playing tonight. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 26, 2002 — It’s been a strange trip, this latest one, but I’m close to quoting the wrong musician there. My title is inspired by today being the birthday (1942) of Larry Taylor of Canned Heat, most famous for the Woodstock-era song of the same title. And that’s not the only birthday today. Most Yankee fans can tell you that it’s Derek Jeter’s birthday too. And with whom would Derek share a birthday? Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 24, 2002 — One of my father’s proudest moments, I’m sure, was when he bought the house in Central Jersey and moved us out of the Bronx when I was five. But my father and mother had seven sisters between them, all good Irish Catholic girls with families like ours, so we spent much of my formative years traveling back and forth between the City and Jersey visiting, driving through oil-refinery-congested Northern Jersey. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 22, 2002 — And frankly, it wasn’t particularly loud when the eastern team came up to the plate either. The bleary-eyed Yanks had escaped the unearthly din in Colorado and wanted nothing more, I’m sure, than to return to what former President Herbert Hoover called “normalcy.” And they got it, in a sense, Friday night, as scoring a lone run was certainly a more familiar experience than the 41 they had posted in three days in the mountains. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 20, 2002 — I could almost see our hitters fall under the spell of Coors Field. Moose could have told them after the Tuesday game (and may have tried to). And Andy may have been briefly fooled himself into believing that this was a good (or even acceptable) place to play America’s pastime on Wednesday, until the unending seven-run fourth snapped him back to reality. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 19, 2002 — It’s no surprise really. Anyone checking out the whole industry, looking up and down their lineups, witnessing the pitches they can afford to throw out there, isn’t really surprised that it comes down to this. And of course we can hope — and expect — that the rivalry as it plays out will bring lots of goodies and benefits to the fans. These guys are swinging from their heels, and neither intends to come in second place. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 16, 2002 — Don’t get me wrong. I never seriously considered attending the Mets Yankees game in Shea tonight. Sportscasters, and most Yankee fans, can tell you that when we have interleague series against the Mets, it’s more often than not a happy experience for a Yankee fan. And had I known way back when I could have purchased tickets for this game that David Wells would take the mound for us, I might have reconsidered, but don’t bet on it. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 12, 2002 — We’ve all lived through steamy days like this one. I built up a good sweat walking to the car. No matter how much ice I had the helpful local concession person cram in with my $4.00 diet coke, it was all gone by the third inning. Sue and I were smearing on spf300 sunscreen during the first inning, but covering valuables from the ever-growing drops in the eighth. Continue reading →