I understand their motivation too: When are you gonna see another guy hit a round number like 600 homeruns again? Not for a while though there are some people on with a great chance to do so. But I hate them as the people I’m sharing my baseball experience with because I am a temperamental crazy sorta snobby baseball fan.

Last night there were throngs of people wearing brand new A-Rod jerseys who seemed to have no idea what a baseball is. The rows around me in the bleachers emptied out between A-Rod at bats. People who were familiar with this baseball thing complained a lot about Lance Berkman being the the most horrible acquisition the Yankees have ever made. Apparently he is a terrible baseball player, maybe even the worst in MLB and it’s not close.

In 2007 when Alex was closing in on 500 homeruns a lot of the same idiocy was around, of course. Much like now whenever he hit a ball into the air, thousands of people went nuts even if it didn’t leave the infield. I was aggravated then too but wasn’t going to as many games. The game before he hit 500, I actually was driven nearly insane by the yell at all fly balls crowd. It was not pretty.

If the team could harness the alleged wind tunnel and just push a lazy fly ball over the wall tonight at some point, I would appreciate it. Not because I’m going to be there but because I’m tired of hearing about it, and being exposed to people who think every pop up is outta here, and because if I stab someone I’m probably going to jail which I don’t really want to do.

1. Danny Tartabull – For some reason when I was 12 or so I thought Danny Tartabull was the worst player on the face of the earth. I attribute this to being a kid. I’ve learned my lesson and I felt really bad the first time I looked at his baseball-reference page and realize he was a really good offensive player in his three full years with the team.
2. Kyle Farnsworth – In 2007 I’d about had my fill of Rowdy Kyle, as had pretty much everyone who watched him pitch for the Yankees. In the middle of the year, people were booing when it was announced he was simply warming up in the bullpen. In late September in a game against the Orioles he came in with a big lead (and probably because it was a big lead) and was so bad that Mariano had to come in and record a save. I also managed to start a “We Want Proctor!” cheer in the very empty Tier Box/Tier Reserve.
3. Mike Mussina – I put this here because I think I might have booed him in a blind fit of rage at some point 2007 but I can’t remember. If I did, I’m sure I felt terrible afterward.
4. Bobby Abreu – In 2008 he made about three horrible plays in right field in a row in cold wet weather and after the third I (and most of the 10,000 other people suffering in the weather) just sort of let out “BOOOOOOOOOOO“. I don’t feel bad. Bobby is/was a wonder at the plate but his atrocious defense in 2008 is a big reason why he was let go.

As you can see I don’t really boo people much, and never if I’m with my mother because she’d hit me. I’m afraid I’ll never be a part of the in crowd.

So imagine my surprise when the count to Jose Lopez hit 1-2 and some girl a few rows down yelled out “I’m going to start the wave!”

If you are over the age of 8 or so you should never do the wave at a close Major League baseball game. If you are accompanying someone of the proper age to do the wave, you should probably encourage them not to and teach them proper ballpark etiquette. I suggest taking them to a minor league game where anything goes for things like the wave and tossing beach balls around. Basically, if you are not a small child do not do the wave.

Seriously, don’t do it. It’s rude and interferes with people who are actually at the baseball game to watch the baseball game. Yes we actually exist, I know it’s amazing. I’ll give you that there are certain times when it’s not a crime against humanity to do the wave (you can read about all that over here if you’re confused and need guidance), but I promise you that Mariano Rivera closing out a game at Yankee Stadium is never one of those times.

And so, if you try to do the wave and block my view when Mariano is pitching, especially on a two strike count, don’t act surprised/offended/upset when I yell at you to cease blocking my view. Because I am watching the game. Funny how that works.

The crowd on Tuesday (at least in my section) was hands down one of the most annoying I have dealt with, ever, at a Yankee game. Now I admit that I am a fairly grouchy person, but as long as I can see what is going on in the game I am excellent at just bitching about it and continuing to watch the game. This was made very hard at times on Tuesday as there was a very large block of very drunk people (they didn’t appear to all be together, which made it even more frightening) who just stood up constantly no matter what was going on.

Yankees have a runner on base? STAND UP
Orioles have a runner on base? STAND UP
Pitcher is about to throw a pitch? STAND UP

In Old Yankee Stadium, this wasn’t really that annoying as you could see anyway because of the steep incline. In New Yankee Stadium, it can sometimes be hard to see if there is a big guy four rows in front of you sitting down.

This got too long but if I think too hard about it, I get annoyed all over again. In short: If you are at a game, please be considerate of the people around you. Don’t stand up and block the view during the action, and if you do, don’t be surprised when people yell at you to sit down because you are…blocking the view.

These annoyances were all washed away by the performance of the Yankees pitchers and hitters. CC Sabathia is really looking like the guy we thought he was, and Phil Hughes put together a very solid 5 innings (could have pitched 6, but I don’t disagree with the decision to pull him out on a high note). Many baseballs left the park, including Nick Swisher’s first at home. Good times all around.

The back-to-back-to-back homeruns from Swisher-Robinson Cano-Melky Cabrera was just ridiculous. The first two of that trio, not a big deal. But Melky joining in on the action? It will never happen again. Ever. Especially bizarre because Melky’s was a monster that ended up in the Main level of the stadium.

And as usual, some pictures.

May 19th

May 20th

Bill Madden: No Longer Content With Being The Second Worst Writer at the Daily News

When the Yankees re-signed Alex Rodriguez in the fall of 2007, they envisioned the “clean” alternative to Barry Bonds – the knight in shining armor who would erase the stain of steroids from the all-time home run record, and they would bask in the glory of it with their brand.

Now that A-Rod’s pursuit looks as counterfeit as Bonds’, they should do what’s best for the organization:

Cut him loose – no matter the cost.

As difficult as it is to imagine eating $270 million, the Bombers will be making a statement, not just for the Yankee brand but for baseball as a whole.

They will be applauded for it.

1) No, they “envisioned” signing a guy who does an excellent job getting butts in seats, not some idealistic crap that you imagine in your head where you think old time baseball was glorious and everybody was beautiful (did you vote for Gaylord Perry, Bill Madden?).

2) Cutting the best player on your team is never what’s best for the organization.

3) Even the Yankees can’t just eat $300 million you moron.

In summary, Bill Madden’s plan is: Cut the best player on the team, eat $300 million, sign Aaron Boone or something. Genius, I don’t see how it could fail.

From Jon Heyman:

The Yankees are exploring a possible bid for free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, and are intrigued enough by Hudson’s talent and reputation as an excellent clubhouse influence to bat around the possibilities of trading talented young second baseman Robinson Cano or even signing Hudson with the idea of moving him to centerfield.

I can’t even start to address this it’s just such an unbelievably ridiculous scenario. There are so many things wrong with it. Plus, I am pretty sure the Yankees don’t sign people for their “excellent clubhouse influence”.

From Ken Davidoff who considers Jon Heyman to be his mentor:

While the Yankees will stay in the loop with Boras on both Ramirez and Teixeira, they’re likely to go with lower-budget options to find a new first baseman. Casey Blake and Kevin Millar will be among the available free agents.

Yes I’m sure the Yankees will sign Casey Blake or Kevin Millar because what the team needs is old broken down guys who can’t hit or field. At that point you may as well just plug in Juan Miranda and platoon him with someone who can even moderately hit left-handed pitching.

From Buster Olney, always good for some crazy:

If the Red Sox were to sign Teixeira, they would have a glut of slugger/corner guys, with Kevin Youkilis, Lowell, Ortiz and Teixeira; if the Red Sox were to sign Teixeira, Boston might move Youkilis to left field, Jason Bay to right and J.D. Drew to center, with Jacoby Ellsbury working into the rotation in the way that Coco Crisp did in 2008, through injury and planned rest.

At least there are insane crazy ideas being floated around for teams other than the Yankees. J.D. Drew in center field, really?? Really??

And here’s Joe Posanski’s take as well.

61% of people who replied said no. If you are one of these people you are insane. He is a jerk, he is stupid, he does whatever Scott Boras tells him to but he is a truly great baseball player. Unless Miguel Cabrera or Aramis Ramirez is your third basemen there’s no way he wouldn’t improve the team. In fact, in this land where Miguel Cabrera is your third basemen (I guess that’s Florida but who knows how long that will last) you should probably move him to first before he explodes trying to catch a ball and stick Rodriguez there.

I think the Yankees should hold their ground, but if these rumors circulating are correct and ARod himself has approached the organization I think it’s safe to throw that all out of the window as long as they…stand their new ground. What is that new ground? According to the Daily News it means Boras cannot be involved in the negotiations. If that’s true, and it happens, I’m cool with it.

Yes, it’s strange for a guy to negotiate without his agent but it’s happened before. The last time Andruw Jones’ contract was up, he and his father cut Boras out of the equation and dealt directly with the Braves. They gave the team the “hometown discount” which Boras would never have allowed.

I don’t think the Yankees would give or expect ARod to take any kind of discount (except maybe the “We are not insane like Brian Sabean” discount but that is standard across Major League Baseball), they just don’t want to deal with Boras and whatever crazy statistics he makes up to prove the thing that everyone knows: ARod should get paid a lot of money.

In other news, Mariano Rivera please accept your ridiculous contract already so that the team can concentrate on wooing Andy back.

Talk about sore winners.

“It was cool to get his autograph,” Griffin said. “It didn’t make me feel happy when he wrote that.”

Not having a sense of humor is a terrible thing for a child.

Also if you want to keep your sanity, make sure to not read the comments on the Herald website.

In his little post-main body wrap-up, Lupica brings up the same thing I keep saying which is: Why can’t we groom Joba to be the next Mo? Jesse Smith says the same thing, except we should do it now. I don’t really agree with Smith’s position, however, as Mo isn’t really capable of pitching as many innings as he used to. It isn’t 1996 anymore and his fastball isn’t magic for as long. Let Mo be Mr. 9th Inning for a few more years (because there really isn’t any reason not to yet) and then hand over Enter Sandman to Joba. I am especially in favor of this if it means Mo doesn’t have to pitch any more 4 and 5 out saves.

Tidbit from the The Daily News:

Roger Clemens was scheduled to throw a side session in Houston on Saturday, but neither Torre nor trainer Gene Monahan ever heard back from Clemens to find out if he had done so. “I hope that’s a good sign,” the manager said. “I can’t be sure, but I hope it is.”

I guess Roger really is above the Yankee Law.

Scott Miller thinks C.C. Sabathia should be the AL Cy Young. My homer vote goes to Wang, but Sabathia has been amazing this season and he is not Josh Beckett so I support this.

More Joba sap for Yankees fans.

At last, an answer for those wondering why Jeremy Bonderman has been so inconsistent. Hiding injuries: never a good idea.