There is playing good, hard baseball. Then there is out-of-control vengeance like Yankee enforcer Shelley Duncan opted to go for last week. Duncan’s spikes-high slide very late into Tampa Bay second baseman Akinori Iwamura — a retaliatory strike against Tampa Bay for a home-plate collision four days before that left Yankee catching prospect Francisco Cervelli with a broken wrist — was embarrassing to those who still vigorously defend the sagging Yankees for their class. (Like me.)
Because take away that class — the Yankees’ highly professional clean-cut approach to our pastime — and not much is really special about the Bombers anymore.
In recent years, their front office has been outthought and their team outplayed by a Boston franchise that for a century had merely been a pesky mosquito to the Bronx Colossus. The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2000. Their string of 13 consecutive playoff appearances will end this year unless young phenoms Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain mature immediately into Vic Raschi and Allie Reynolds, and Alex Rodriguez clubs 83 home runs. Hank Steinbrenner (Boss II), who says he is out to properly realign a Yankee Universe, insulted classy manager Joe Torre with a one-year contract offer and turned to fiery Joe Girardi after Torre turned it down.
Girardi’s fire apparently goes out during spring training games — unless, of course, he first becomes riled by a division doormat failing to adhere to some unwritten rule against playing all out in games that don’t count. You have to be careful, after all. Billy Crystal might get hurt.
Manager Joe Maddon’s Rays maybe have their own unwritten rule (since they are not written down, just follow only those you believe), a timeless one which Girardi’s Yankees would be wise to heed: You practice like you play.
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Comments (4)
The amazing part of this, to me, is that Girardi was a catcher for a long time and I thought always appreciated hard-nosed play.
The kid for the Rays was just trying to do all he could to make the team and make an impression by hustling and doing all he could to try to score knowing that he was going to be out for sure if he didn't do what he did.
The Duncan play was a ridiculous retaliation- he's a huge guy and Iwamura, still learning 2nd base, is much smaller than him. Didn't one of the Yankees already plunk one of the Rays earlier on in subsequent game vs the Rays? I thought that once your pitcher "made up" for one of your own guys going down that yet another unwritten baseball rule (the feud is now over) took over??
Posted by dboisver | March 18, 2008 10:48 AM
Posted on March 18, 2008 10:48
Being a diehard redsox fan it is always so much Fun to play and beat the Yankees in the playoffs or for that matter anytime. That being said it would give me Great Pleasure as I am sure it would to most Sox fans for the Bronx Bombers to Finally NOT make the Playoffs this season. So I say the RedSox will win the division and Cleveland will win the wild card and lose in the ALCS to the sox again... Hang on for another great and exciting season of RedSox baseball...
Posted by Shappy | March 19, 2008 3:49 PM
Posted on March 19, 2008 15:49
as a Red Sox fan for many, many years I will watch and support them whether they win or loose.
I'm always there for them...they never disappoint me. Even when they play those "damn yankees". You have to love the excitement they create!!!!
Posted by Candy | March 20, 2008 10:28 AM
Posted on March 20, 2008 10:28
I laugh at the whole CLASSY YANKEES mantra. Was Steinbrenner CLASSY when he was convicted for making illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon? Or when After signing Jeter to his last contract, The Boss cancelled the Dental Plan for some 100 Yankee EMployees? Or Steve Howe? Or After Luis Polonia was arrested for raping a 13 year old girl, he was signed by the CLASSY YANKEES as a free agent. Or Karim Garcia BITING (in the police report) a Red Sox Groundskeeper?
Or Doc Gooden beating his wife, and Darryl Strawberry beating his PREGNANT girlfriend? Jeter not paying his taxes? Bernie Williams starting a foundation and has yet to give ONE PENNY to any Charity?
Or Mickey Mantle using his fame and fortune to buy his way up the Liver Recipients list while deserving candidates died? THOSE CLASSY YANKEES?
Ask Marilyn Monroe how classy Joltin' Joe was with each closed fist swing he threw in her direction. CLASSY !!!!!
Posted by Legend Killer | March 20, 2008 6:34 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 18:34