Only on a Yankees Forum...
As I write this about 2 hours from the start of Game 4 I cannot help but wonder about the state of the Yankees fanbase these days...
Here we are Yankee fans...2 wins from the promised land. Two more victories to get back to the top of the mountain...a place we are accustomed to and a place we belong. No other fan base breathes the rare are that true Yankee fans breathe...the air has been stale for 9 long years.
Yet there are many Yankee fans here on the Yes forums and more on NYYFans.com, MLB.com and a host of other sites where Yankee "fans' congregate to discuss the greatest franchise the world has ever known and what do we read?
"Girardi needs to be fired..."
Granted last year was not a great year for the Bombers. Joe was tested in his first year in pinstripes and the Yankees did not make the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.
That was last year...and in no way could Joe be blamed for it all.
This year is just a bit different to those of us that have a clue. Girardi guided the team to 103 regular season wins, and as of this writing is 9-3 in the post season this year two wins away from the prize.
Sure he made a few moves that backfired...but all his moves were determined by scouting reports. That's what smart managers do...they consult all the tools available to them. Sometimes the numbers don't play out...that's why terms like "percentages" and "averages" exist.
Those fans that want Giradi fired fail to understand that his management of his starters and his bullpen this season allows him the luxury of using his starters on 3-days rest...a luxury that has put his team two wins away from the gold. Get a clue Girardi haters...you are off base.
"Hughes Sucks..."
He was the phenom...hardly anyone wanted to trade this guy for Santana a few years ago. He was a stud, a star the next Santana they said. He got injured, returned, reinjured and has not lived up to the hype. Imagine that...he is not Jesus Christ part II as so many of fans predicted.
The good news? He is only 23 years old and his stuff is electric. He proved that in his releif role this off season. He still has a chance to live up to the hype...
His stuff is electric..and you know what happens to electricity when it's not grounded? It flames out. He needs to know what the hell his long term role is so he can focus and relax...until then, expect a roller coaster,
Those fickle Yankee fans on his case fail to realize that he was far more effective all year than just the last few appearances...but because its the playoffs it's magnified. End of the world ****...for them.
When his pitching costs our boys a playoff series or a World Series then start your bitching...until then, enjoy the ride because I think this kid is going to be the ACE of the New York Yankees in the very near future. When the Yankees figure out what his role will be and he settles into it...your going to witness something special.
At least that's what is predicted...
"Swisher and A-Rod are costing us this series..."
Swisher has not exactly had a stellar post so far and I can understand the cat calls for his performance but was anyone really expecting him to light up the board every at bat after hitting .249 this year?
In other words...his batting average stats that he only gets a hit 24% of the time...do the math. He is hitting .286 in the post as of now...hmm, imagine that.
He defense has been excellent this post season...something people forget when he does not hit a home run every time he has men on base.
As for A-Rod...yes prior to last night's homer he went 0-8 with 6 k's. So far he is 1-13. However are we forgetting the Yankees would not even be in the WS without his play in the playoffs? Of course those of you that are the fickle fans forgot...he has to hit a home run every at bat or he sucks.
Oh and another point...The Yanks are up 2 games to 1 without Swisher and A-Rods production.
So I say to those that are bitchin' about these two...until their lack of production costs us a series of any kind...you have no point at all.
"Girardi is burning MO out...why did he bring him in again???"
If this was July 2nd I would agree.
It's November...there are only 7 games in the WS...
Mariano is not reserved for save situations...he is there to ensure the win, period.
When you got into battle vs. a team that has a formidable offense and you are on their turf, you don't play around and continue to fire weapons that run out of ammo...not when you have a tank ready and waiting. You bring in the tank...war over. Capeche?
Mariano used a total of 5 pitches to end game 3... find something more dramatic to waste an anuerism on.
Bottom Line...
The Yankees are back on top...Boston has been bitch slapped...and the boys in pinstripes are two games away from their long awaited 27th life is good for the true Yankee fan.
The Yankee forums should be a buzz with glee...Doomsayers should be shot on sight.
GO YANKEES!!!!!!
