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 →

Bronx, N.Y., July 30, 2004 — The deafening drumbeat of the news about the wavering Yankee starting rotation has grown to a crescendo with the approaching non-waiver trading deadline. The party line of late has been that with two guys with quality arms like those of Kevin Brown and Mike Mussina lingering on the disabled list, the triumphant return of either, or both, would prove even more beneficial to the roster than a deadline trade. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., July 22, 2004 — When Mel Stottlemyre, John Flahery and Orlando Hernandez were all satisfied with the starting pitcher and catcher pregame warmups in deep left field before Thursday afternoon’s 1:00 pm tilt with the Blue Jays, Flaherty sprinted across the outfield to the dugout, with Mel and el duque opting to take the slow stroll back in the hot, steamy air. But after 10 or so steps, The Duke wheeled and gestured to someone in the pen, trotting back to the wall as he did. Mr. Hernandez, it appeared, had decided he would feel more comfortable taking this walk with a baseball in his hands. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., July 21, 2004 — It took reliever Bob File 27 pitches to negotiate his way through the Yankee fifth inning Wednesday night, and the 26 that followed Enrique Wilson’s first pitch home run to right resulted in no more runs for the home team, as Wilson’s blast topped their score off at 10 in the 10-3 win. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., July 11, 2004 — Baseball fans and enthusiasts checking their morning paper on Monday on the first day of the three-day All Star Break will see that the Yankees closed out the titular first half of the season with a 10-3 bashing of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with a barrage of five home runs, each one longer and more majestic than the last. Although the 53,000-plus in attendance thrilled to all that firepower, however, most would tell you that this contest was won on the heart of a returning hero, and a six-hit rally in the home third inning. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., July 8, 2004 — The most striking thing you notice when you look at Jose Contreras’s performance in a 7-1 win over Tampa Bay Thursday night is that the numbers are all so neat and tidy, and consistent. Exactly 100 pitches thrown, in seven innings, almost. (Because his last pitch was bounced to Alex Rodriguez for what should have been the third out, and A-Rod made the only Yankee miscue of the night on it, I’ll call it “seven.”) Continue reading →