Saturday, July 02, 2011

A Happy 4th to All!

I haven’t dropped a hand grenade down Picasner’s shorts in a very long time so what better way to celebrate the July 4th weekend?

Never at a loss for inane decisions, the scions of MLB actually got one right with interleague play because it has proven, over time, to be good for baseball. If you’re not so sure, ask any NL owner, player, or fan lucky enough to get a home series with the Yankees or Red Sox how they feel about a guaranteed capacity crowd, the chance to play against the best in baseball, or attending a game with an electric atmosphere before making you’re decision.

Last night’s game in Citi Field, contrary to other reports posted here was a gem. After giving up three first inning runs Niese settled down and made the Yankee offense look less than ordinary. Nova, on the other hand, only gave up one run over five innings but threatened to blow up every time he took the mound.

What a pleasure to watch a game in a park that requires more than the three run, 320’ homer to win a game. I really enjoyed watching A-Rod’s I-hit-the-bejesus-out-of-that-pitch-home-run-bat-flip only to see the ball hit near the top of the wall in left center. I don’t want to see that every day but a little slice of humility for previously juiced sluggers is lovely.

And in the 6th!

I’m neither a psychotic Yankee fan (as is He Who Must Not Be Named) nor a Girardi apologist, but last night he got it all right, managing in a situation we never get to see in the DH dominated AL. Leading 3 – 1, getting Gardner in left for Jones is a no-brainer. Sending Posada up to pinch-hit right handed was a prayer and Jorge responded by watching three called strikes with the bases loaded. But it was interesting. Finally, Dickerson subbing late for Nick “The Dancing Bear” Swisher in right is hardly unusual. If that’s a case of using your entire team, I like it.

And the bullpen! Six Yankee relievers took a tour on the mound last night. Boone Logan got the one man he was intended to get and Robertson was, again, lights out. Ayala was wild, Wade was effective, and Noesi is not the guy I want to see on the mound in the 9th facing the heart of a hot hitting lineup. The fact that he got one out while only giving up one hit gave the Yankees and Mariano, who was already warm and ready to go, the chance to close this one out and still be available for Saturday. It took Mariano just eleven pitches to polish off Jose Reyes, a match up that every fan wanted to see, and Justin Turner who was 3 – 4 before facing Mo.

And there’s more! Gardner made two nice plays in right running down balls few others would reach. Robinson Cano turned a beautiful double play snagging a hot, short-hop stepping on 2nd and making a power throw to 1st. Mark Teixeira saved A-Rod from two throwing errors, flashing leather on A-Rod’s cruddy throws. And we saw a great dust-up at third when third base umpire Ted Barrett inexplicably took a stroll to left field and Jerry Lane had to run down the line to make the call on Reyes sliding into the bag. A call he missed, in part, because A-Rod sold the (missed) tag. A-Rod may not be able to throw but he sure can act. It’s nice to see the Jeter influence at work even as he rehabs.

Yeah, yeah, it was an interesting game. But what really sold me on interleague play? When the Yankees had Milwaukee at home while the Red Sox faced Cliff Lee in Philadelphia. How can you argue with that?

Have a great and safe 4th enjoying America's game in America's greatest city.

Vod

No comments: