Bronx, N.Y., June 26, 2006 — The Yankees seemed intent on erasing any trace of Sunday night’s listless 5-0 shutout at the hands of the Florida Marlins as they stormed out to an early 5-0 lead Monday against Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves. Buoyed by the unexpected cool breeze that kept the ugly rain-soaked clouds at bay all evening, many fans seemed to be there to celebrate Captain Derek Jeter’s birthday. And even though most of the hitting stopped early, this was a game that allowed the Bombers to put a few bad things temporarity behind them. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 13, 2006 — Although the whispers questioning the Yankee offense continued apace Tuesday night in the Bronx, the doomsayers trumpeting the decline of the 2006 pitching staff were forced to take a game off. Not only did righthander Chien-Ming Wang turn in a splendid performance, the big crowd at the Stadium got a peek at a pretty decent pen, once it was asked to post five outs, rather than the all-too-often 10 or 12. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 11, 2006 — Having made constant headlines with potentially season-ending injuries to two star outfielders and minor scrapes and bruises galore, the Yankees and their fans were surprised the team was playing the best ball in the League just a few days ago. But they came crashing back to earth during a three-game sweep at the hands of the Athletics this weekend. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 8, 2006 — I think it’s fair to say that most Yankee fans were unhappy with Wednesday’s rainout because the team had been playing so well. It was no time to stop. Tuesday’s 2-1 victory was the first game in more than a week in which they failed to amass double-digit hits (they got nine). They managed just four in Thursday’s 9-3 loss, even if three of them (all four actually) were loud ones. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 6, 2006 — Yankee fans were licking their chops as the Tuesday 7:00 pm game time approached. No matter how many times we learn to never assume anything about this crazy game, we keep falling into that trap, building hopes and expectations based on the numbers, on what ballplayers have done in the past. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., June 5, 2006 — When the Yankees made the decision to promote Melky Cabrera to play in their injury-filled outfield, one supposes they felt that he would benefit from watching the vets, and absorbing their advice like a sponge. But Melky stubbornly ignored Jason Giambi when he signaled that the 1-2 pitch to him had not rolled far enough from the plate last night, and bolted for second. Thus began the bizzaro world that was Monday night in the Bronx. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., May 29, 2006 — Even in gorgeous weather, it can be depressing watching the Yanks play on getaway day, knowing they’ll typically be out of town longer than I would like. But it’s even more challenging when the offense leaves town before the rest of the team. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., May 16, 2006 — Sue and I held the same debate we often do when Bubba Crosby came in as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning of the Yankees/Rangers game in the Stadium Tuesday night. As one who eagerly and loudly lends his voice to supporting the team when they’re home, I consider “Bubba” one of the best names to yell, and I said so. She likes him too, but claims his name is “all about football.” All I can reply after the scintillating, comeback, 14-13 Yankee win is, “Point taken.” Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., May 14, 2006 — I got greedy Sunday afternoon, deciding the Yanks would play their third straight game under semi-pleasant skies in a weekend that seemed doomed to bring to the fore the title of Julia Roberts’ first Broadway show running some 90 blocks south, “Three Days of Rain.” So I showed up clad in shorts, and ready to lend support, with my no. 41 Randy Johnson Pinstriped home jersey fluttering in the breeze. I guess the only good news is that the weather disappointed more than Johnson did. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., May 12, 2006 — I’ll chalk it up to a rainy Friday with a weekend forecast for more, but it’s a rare day when I’m not eager to attend a ballgame in Yankee Stadium. The disappointing Thursday loss to the Red Sox contributed to my malaise, I’m sure, as did a tough week at work. And the experience of witnessing Hideki Matsui’s horrific accident first hand figured in as well. But bottom line, I was reluctant to train and subway it to the Bronx among the crowds because I suspected the game would be rained out. Continue reading →