The Squirrel Tips His Fuzzy Cap to the Sox

Even though I did not really think we had a series going, in the true sense of the word, I have to say that the better team did win. The pitching was brilliant, the offense unrelenting, Francona managed and strategized like General Patton. They were perfect... and they didn't have a neurotic and narcisstic owner(s) breathing down their necks. That helps too.

Congrats to Mike Lowell for World Series MVP... nice cars they gave you.

Big snaps to you Sox... you deserve them... this year.

Snooze Series

Maybe it's just me... being a Yankees fan and all that. However I can't seem to fight the overwhelming bouts of narcolepsy that have fallen on me during these World Series. Sorry, but I just don't feel that championship rush that should be there. It felt like I was watching a game during July before the All-Star break.

First off... has anyone noticed that the crowds at Fenway are unusally quiet... especially now for the home stretch? Not for nothing... but I have felt more excitement during a regular season Yankees/Sox game. The Rox seemed to be completely over their head in these series, and have not been able to combat the Sox formidable defense. Last night Schilling opened the game well (it wasn't exactly pretty, but he got the job done), and Papelbaum closed it out with a 99/mph fastball. Rox offense just layed their like possums acting like roadkill.

Another thing is... how is it possible... I mean how... to play a 2-1 game for almost 4 hours? If people are getting striked out like that, it should be boom, boom, boom game over. Strange.

Were there that many commericals?

Joe Says Goodbye... for now.

I really had a hard time bringing myself to post this entry... the words are hard to come by. Just watching Joe go to the podium for his last press conference as Yankee manager was a little surreal. But there he was, calm and steady as always. The room was packed.

He confirmed that the deal was what it was, and that it was non-negotiable on their side. He alluded that he knew what was on the table, and maybe there would be some wiggle room. He couldn't accept the deal, and their so-called incentives, and he was right for rejecting it. As he said, "I've been here for twelve years, and I didn't think motivation was needed". His voice gave way a couple of times, especially when he spoke of his players and his coaches... and the fans.

However, he admitted that he felt that the deal was "an insult". For Joe to say this to the public... well it's a big deal for him to say. He spoke well of the boss, and he spoke well of Cashman ... well, he said Cashman stuck up for him last year. And that spoke volumes also.

I didn't want him to get off that podium. I wanted him to stay, at least until first season of the new stadium opening. I want him back next year.

If this organization has one working brain cell left, they will go to him and apologize for their short-sightedness (and stupidity) and give him a deal he truly deserves.

Because this is what's going to happen: they'll get another manager... maybe even a good manager. But he won't be experienced enough or ready to deal with the magnitude of this team, it's bone-headed organization and the media hell he will face every single day. And it won't matter what they do or how they play all year...162 games ultimately don't matter to them, or how packed the stadium is without exception. Because all they care about is post-season. So, this is what I predict (and I'm sure I'm not alone in this) ... when this team and it's coaching staff fall apart, they will go to Joe on their knees... their knees I tell you... and they better be wearing really good knee-pads.

A Sad, Sad Night

Joe Torre did not accept the offer that the Yankees put on the table today. It was a crazy moment, because first I hear on Mike and the Mad Dog that he did accept (which is what one newspaper reported), then literally two minutes later, it was disclosed that Joe refused. It was a bad deal... and there's speculation that it was put together that way on purpose... in other words, that Joe was pushed out. The deal was $5 Million for one year (a 331/2 percent pay cut), and "incentives": $1 Million if he made the playoffs, another mil if he got the ACLS championship, and then another million if he got to the World Series. At first, it seems like a good deal... but it's not. It's a slap in the face. Why would someone of Joe Torre's legacy and caliber need to be enticed with incentive money... as to say that he's not doing 110 percent to win all along? It's ludricrous.

My first reaction when I heard the news, besides disbelief, was anger... and I couldn't pinpoint it to who. To the Yankees, to that buffoon Steinbrenner, Cashman, Joe himself... I was devastated. Like many fans are tonight, of course.

There is a tiny little shred of hope (maybe it's denial) that maybe they will put together a better deal for Joe, and lure him back. And a very big and public apology. And a promise that Steinbrenner will not open his big fat mouth again. Which is a physical impossibility.

Thing is, maybe Joe is really done with this stupid management. Maybe he's tired of placating this jerk. I know he loves this team, and he loves to manage it. But really, at what price.

Out Sick

Still under the weather, my dear Yankees readers. This is a really funky virus. The dog and cat are holding a vigil for me... as I am for Joe Torre.

Tomorrow Joe is at Tampa for meetings... let us pray.

Sam - Yankee Poodle

I am still under the weather, and feeling unmotivated today. So sorry.

But I thought I would take this opportunity to post one of my favorite pictures of the dog... to give him equal time, one can say. He's tres cute, no? Once I get more moolah, I will get a Yankees bomber jacket to go with his Yankees collar, and he will be one hot major league poodle.

Yay Big Papi ..Yay!

Now... I loves me my Yankees... and I am fiercely opposed to the Red Sox as much as any other red-blooded Yankee fan. But I have to say that what David Ortiz said yesterday about Joe Torre being a great manager, and how the team would feel it somehow next year if he left, is just pure class. This guy is a big ol' classy teddy bear.

And to top it off, Francona keeps trying to call Joe, finally gets through, and gives him his support.

Now, I ask you... to see compassion and support from the arch nemesis... now, doesn't that give you hope in a sometimes hopeless world?

What a week...

This has been one heck of a week that has gone by...

• the Yankees eliminated
• Torre's been hung out to dry
• Steinbrenner has been quiet
• Mo cleans out his locker and speaks out for Joe
• the GOP debate (a joke) was nothing more than a fist fight between Mitt and Rudy (and Mitt still evades Mormon issues while Rudy is getting slammered by the extreme right-Christians)
• it finally got cold this week
• I got a cold this week
• Torre gets asked to come to Tampa next week to meet with Management
• Big Papi sticks up for Joe (see post above)
• Al Gore wins the Nobel Peace Prize (yay for him!)

Yup... it's been quite a week.

Friday Cat Blogging

Yes... another Friday Cat Blogging entry to join the untold gazillion FCB's that are out there. For those of you who enjoy cute kits... well, enjoy. For those that don't... well, you have to deal with.

Here is a preliminary pic of Natalie (from her shelter... I will be posting new ones that really do her justice), who was adopted into this Yankees family in mid-August, and she was 10 months old here. She has grown fond of our Yanks... but I think mostly, when she heard the game was on at 7:00pm, she knew dinner time was not far off! As soon as she heard the YES channel, she came zooming down the stairs. Awwww.

I think she will start to worry now during the off-season. Will have to play a Yankee classic to reassure. Darn cat.

Suzyn Walden

I think folks are being too hard on Suzyn because of her crying while broadcasting from the clubhouse. I don't think she was crying because the Yankees lost... she's too professional for that. I think that it sincerely got to her that Joe could be leaving, and that this ballclub could fall apart because of it.

I heard that other coaches were crying too. People forget that when you work with and for people for many years, it's inevitable that you are going to form close ties. I for one think Suzyn is a very gutsy person, and a great broadcaster. I like her more than Sterling.

There I said it.

Joe Deserves More

Last night was tough. The Yankees were eliminated and all the optimism and momentum that was gained by the previous night's win seemed like a beautiful dream... the kind of dream that you think is real... you're sure it is. And you close your eyes and hope that you can go back to the dream because it feels so nice.

Instead here we are again. We just got to the first round. Yet I feel a lot of good was seen and done in this year, and yes ... even in this post-season. We got to see a broken and slumping team come back from an almost impossible trail behind the Red Sox. We got to see great men battling it out through 162 games, through injuries, through the inane gossip, through the relentless media scrutiny. And now there is a team being formed, finally cohesive... bonded with each other and forming a brotherhood that we have not seens since the late 90's in the age of Brocius, Martinez and Williams, Pettite and Jeter. This is not the time, Mr. Steinbrenner, to bail out.

Through all this, Joe Torre has been unflappble. Aways. Through the past 12 years, he has been the epitomy of class and cool. He has brought this team to the post season every single year since he's been manager. Every single year. To bring this team to the 2007 post-season has been nothing short of a miracle. He is has been this teams father-figure, and this team's heart.

George Steinbrenner should finally grow up in his old age. Doubt that he will. I am hoping for a miracle, though. Just like the miracle that has been the past 12 years.