N.Y. Yankees ~ Ichiro; The Wizard Comes Home

From the desk of:   BLAME CARLOS MAY

New York YANKEES:  Ichiro Suzuki Finally Debuts in The Bronx.


The first thing that comes to mind is, can the Yankees retain Ichiro long enough, and can he play well enough for a few more years, in order for him to get his 3.000th major league hit in a Yankees uniform?  He is 464 away and seems a cinch to achieve the feat.  The only real question is where will he do it?


For now, he gets to partake in Yankees~Red Sox.  I'm sure once tonight's game is through, Ichiro will be describing the differences between this game, and most other games he's played in.  Too bad he's getting short changed though.  For the moment, the Rivalry isn't what it could be.  The Red Sox haven't exactly played up to snuff this season.  As far as the A.L. East is concerned, Boston is a last place club.  Not good by any stretch, they are just a game under the .500 mark.  That's something that probably no one saw coming.  But once Bobby-V donned his Sox for the first time in Spring, even Sweet Caroline was copping an attitude.  Then incredulously; at least to me; Boston traded Kevin Youkilis away to Kenny Williams and the ChiSox.  That was all Bobby Valentine folks.  Trust me on that one.  Take it from a Mets fan.


Change is upon the Red Sox.  And in most cases, popular players do not exit the Sawx on the greatest terms.  The Lansdowne Street Pilgrims maintain a system of casting players out of the colony when you're on the verge on no longer serving the greater good.  Nomar Garciapara, Pedro Martinez, Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, Jonathan Papelbon, Derek Lowe, (etc.) and Kevin Youkilis were all effectively, and unceremoniously, given their walking papers in one form or another.  Big Papi is next.  Everyone knows it.  And earlier in the season, he didn't exactly have good things to say over their treatment of him.  To be quite honest, I'm actually surprised he is still on the team; albeit on a one year deal.  If you're a big fan of his, take a good look this weekend, because after this season, David Ortiz be gone too.  But hopefully not before the notorious Yankees' killer unleashes some destruction against Bombers' pitching this weekend.


Make no mistake though, there's been a new sheriff in Boston for almost four full months now.  Changes to the Beer and Chicken Gang, and for the last playing member of The Idiots have only just begun.


The Yankees are tied with the Washington Nationals for the best record in Baseball.  Otherwise, I could could care less about what they are doing right now.  Maybe during this series, I'll actually deal with the Yankees in a fair manner.  No promises though.

THE RIVALRY

TONIGHT

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

BRONX BOMBERS

From,

161st Street and River Avenue

Bronx, New York City

Mike.BTB

N.Y. YANKEES ~ Big Papi Flips Out The Bombers

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY


NEW YORK YANKEES:  Who's Your PAPI?

So what are they gonna do, throw at him?  After the way the Red Sox have manhandled the Yankees this season, maybe they should.


Pffft.  In the immortal words of Yankees' announcer Michael Kay, "C'mon....  Really?  ....Really!?" 


From the words "Play Ball" and Jacoby Elsbury's lead-off home run last night, the Red Sox had the Yankees right where they wanted them; on the field with only one game separating the two teams.


For years, Big Papi has pounded the Yankees.  And for years he's flipped his bat (if not as dramatically as last night) after bashing a home run against them, yet again.  And for years, fans and said announcer have been begging for Papi to either get backed off the plate, or get plunked in the ribs; (Ribs; His words.  Not mine).  And finally, for years, the Yankees have failed to follow through with any overt, aggressive-type approach towards Big Papi.


So, if you're looking for A.J. Burnett to carry over a grudge, forget it.  He ain't going after Papi or anyone.  Number one; it's too late.  That should have been thought about last night.  Number two; He has enough trouble keeping his own game in check, much less curbing another player's appetite for show-boating.  If he does wind up plunking Papi or anyone else, I'm sure it will be because he's struggling and will therefore happen by accident. 


And if Joe Girardi didn't like it, I'd suggest he get a pitcher on the mound who can get him out.  Period.  The play of the game was made by Kevin Youkilis in the first inning when with two outs, the Yanks had the bases loaded.  Nick Swisher smashed one to the Hot Corner where Youk went to his left and made a fine play to retire the Yankees.  Failure to capitalize in that moment, when a base hit could have tied the game, is what did-in the Yanks last night; Not Papi.  Papi was just a punctuation mark on a season long statement the Red Sox are making.


The Yankees entered the game with a one game lead.  Today they are tied for first place.  And if my Spidey-sense serves me correctly, by tomorrow morning, the Yankees will be in second place.


So Flip This.  Who's your Papi?!

TONIGHT

(Red Sox Lead Series 1-0)

GAME TWO

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

new york Yankees

From

the House Across The Street From The Place Where

Sparky Used To Spit

161st Street and River Avenue

Bronx

Mike.BTB