A Terrible Job All Around
I disagree with the sentiment that off the field distractions will doom the Yankees in 2011. Anyone who lived through the 1978 season knows better than that. But, last night's drama didn't need to happen.
Girardi made a huge mistake in the way he handled Posada last night. He never should have dropped him to 9th for this particular game and I got the sense in his press conference that he realized the enormity of his screw up as he tried to tone things down. If Girardi had done this Thursday against KC or Monday against Tampa, it would not have been a story. But picking a National TV game against Boston, the day after Posada got a hit was just plain stupid. And worst of all, this will definitely impact the way the Yankees handle Jeter. Expect him at the top of the lineup for the entire season.
Cashman didn't help things by eliminating the most attractive lie the Yankees and Jorge had as an explanation. When he went on FOX and proclaimed that Jorge was healthy before the game, he increased the story tenfold. Cashman has exhibited a tendency to spout off at the mouth this year. I am not sure if it is because of his expiring contract or internal factors, but if he comes back it needs to stop.
Posada blew it twice last night. Asking out of a game is inexcusable and Jorge should have known better. But, I almost think his claim of a back injury after the game was worse. Lying is always the easier road, but it also dishonors you. I wish Jorge had stood at his locker, admitted to being pissed off about hitting 9th and admitted to making a huge mistake. Making up a phantom injury doesn't do anything for him outside or inside the clubhouse.
I suspect that phantom injury will carry over to tonight. The Yankees will announce this afternoon that Jorge is too banged up to play. Then, they will put him in the 9th spot tomorrow when the Yankees play a "regular" game. The problem is, you can't put the cork back into this bottle.
Comments
I just read that Cashman told Posada and his agent exactly what he planned to say to the media, as is his custom mid-game on a late scratch. Posada was with Cashman and on the phone with the agent when he told them he was going to let the media know he was healthy.
So the lie about his back was either a really bad idea from the wife without Posada knowing or a really bad idea from Posada given he knew Cash was going to say he was healthy.
I posted on the other post while you were posting this Peter, I think it is a great example of a truly beloved player being a "ME" first athlete.
Another article worth reading:
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/columns/story?columnist=matthews_wallace&id=6551248
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 15, 2011 09:43 AM
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BL
As the adage goes, "It's not the crime, it's the cover up"
Interesting read that Matthews article, but I disagree about A-Rod and Sabathia. Neither one of them has the stature of Jeter or Posada. It will probably not end well with either of them, but it also won't have the same impact that this had or Jeter's eventual demotion will have.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 15, 2011 11:04 AM
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Steve, I think that what we're seeing is a classic mid-life crisis played out in front of an audience of a few million people. A very proud player who has been among the elite of a very special game is being forced to face his inability to win "games" in the battter's box and is being told he can never squat behind home plate working as the on-field general. IT IS NOT EASY FACING ALL OF THAT ENDING and to think that he should feel nothing and ignore this great life crisis is simplistic and cruel in its insensitivity. This should be played out to a resolution behind a manger's door with the business guy being told to zip and stay out of the meeting.
I don't view Jorge as a ME player, that, to me, is a put down and I think it misses completely what is going on.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 15, 2011 01:29 PM
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I get the mid-life analogy, I get that it could have been handled better in-house.
I do not give a pass on the "ME". I really believe most professional athletes develop it due to the amount of money etc. thrown at them.
He should have begged out of the lineup long before being put at #9. There's really not any precedent for this quick a drop unless you think he has the ability to hit .250-.260 when the season is all in. If you think the drop is more significant than there isn't really much the manager has to apologize for other than not benching him (and putting him at #9).
So where do you guys think he is?
a) done, under .200
b) .200-.250
c) .250-.260
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 15, 2011 05:35 PM
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BL
I would pick "B".
I wasn't expecting much from him average-wise, but I thought his OPS would be higher than .750. .240/.330/.430 didn't seem unreasonable when he put up a .248/.357/.454 line last year.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 15, 2011 10:10 PM
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