Who ARE These People Anyway?
The Yankees looked so robust, so enthusiastic, so good in spring training. They even looked good as recently as yesterday. And yet, after tonight’s 12-5 loss to the Orioles at Camden Yards, they reminded me of them.
For those too young to remember, there was a 1963 sci-fi movie called “Children of the Damned” about a group of highly talented youngsters who had no ability to control their destiny.
Seriously. Am I supposed to believe that Phil Hughes has any idea how to pitch at the major league level? Was his outing in Detroit a fluke? Is he hurt again? What. Is. Wrong.
I know. The Daily News didn’t capture Phil in a very flattering pose. But he gave up eight runs in less than two innings!
Not that he had much help. Swisher’s throw to the backstop was amusing, but I wasn’t interested in watching a comedy show. Tex couldn’t stab Markakis’ line drive. And Cano didn’t even bend over on Scott’s “single.”
Then came Edwar Ramirez, who gave up homers to Markakis and Montanez. When did he become the change-up-throwing version of this guy?
Whatever. The Yankees might very well have chipped away against Eaton, who was staked to a 9-0 lead and nevertheless walked the first three batters in the fourth and served up back-to-back homers to Damon and Tex in the fifth.
As an aside, doesn’t Dave Trembly…
…have a slight resemblance to him?
Back to the game. For some reason, Girardi waited until the eighth inning to use the Yankees’ new “long man.”
Bombko had a great spring and an equally great stint in Scranton. But he lived up to his nickname when he threw one right down the middle to Jones. I nearly lost it when Jim Palmer (I was forced to listen to MASN, the Orioles’ feed) suggested that Brett might be groomed as our eighth-inning setup man. Over my this.
Oh, well. Tomorrow’s another day, and this one worked out much better than I thought. I woke up to fog and humidity and light winds – perfect conditions for getting the wildfires under control. Even though 8,700 acres have burned since Tuesday and there’s only 30% containment, I didn’t have to evacuate. The warning for my area is still in effect as a precaution and I’m not unpacking just yet, but things are definitely looking up.
I went for a beach walk this afternoon and it felt so good to resume normal activities. There were fire trucks everywhere, which was a little disconcerting, but I waved at each one and gave the guys the thumbs-up and said thanks. God, they’ve worked hard. Here’s a photo from the Santa Barbara News-Press showing them catching a much-deserved nap.
Surveying the damage (80+ residences were destroyed) has to be extremely tough for them.
I can’t imagine what it must be like to evacuate and then come home to this.
For now I don’t have to. To say I feel fortunate is an understatement.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
Jane,
I’m glad things are looking better in your neck of the woods!! We actually talked a lot about your situation today over lunch.
I’m surprised Palmer said that, but he is very sarcastic.
By the way, after Jeremy Guthrie grooved that fastball to A-Roid and lost himself the game, I got so disgusted that I immediately turned off the game and went to the mall. I have given him a new nickname, Jeremy Disgusts-me!
Both he and Chad Moeller are complete idiots for thinking that he wouldn’t be sitting dead-red and waiting to take a home-run swing!!! I would have gone to the mound and chewed them out immediately. I guess Disgusts-me got an academic waiver to Stanford or something.
Also, I’m not sure if you are a Mom, but it if you are, I want to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day!
Ken
Great to know you’re ok!
I did not go to the game in Friday, yet, I watched it on TV through MASN (which I hate) and I screamed like I haven’t screamed in years when i saw the A-bomb from A-Rod… I was jumping up and down, screaming my lungs off, waiting for any minute police would barge into my apartment think I was being robbed or something… so I think I would have literally lost my voice and cried if I had been there when he made that home run.
I did not see the beginning of the game today, I saw the end of it…I started watching when at the 4th inning… and oh well.. they reacted late.
OMG i thought I was the only one who thought that the O’s manager was William Shatner’s twin, I actually mentioned that to the people I was with watching the game and they started laughing…
Well, I’m supposed to be going to tomorrows game but my boss hasn’t called to tell me were is the meet-up and what time. Cross your fingers so that he calls me!!! I bought this really cute sandals to wear to the game tomorrow, with my jersey, so I better go! LOL
I can understand why you turned off the game and went to the mall, Ken. Except for that pitch, Guthrie was pretty good though, wouldn’t you say? No, I’m not a mom, but I’ll pass your good wishes on to MY mom. You would love her, even though she’s a Yankee fan.
Your description of your reaction to A-Rod’s homer is hilarious, Latinyankeerebel. You’re lucky the cops didn’t break down your door. I hope you get to go to Sunday’s game. We need you to be there cheering in your new sandals!
ha! i was thinking about Krazy Kyle myself tonight. what a total disaster. remember your article about divorcing the Yankees? can you give me your lawyer’s #?
I’m glad you’re safe!!
http://www.michaelfierman.net/_/Blog/Blog.html
Jane, my son is also keeping up with the Santa Barbara fires so he told me he heard that things were better. That is definitely good news for Mothers Day.
Sorry about that Yankees loss. I felt that way a couple of days ago with the two Dodger losses. The win yesterday gave all us Dodger faithful a boost. I really have been bleeding Dodger blue since the Manny stuff.
I still am praying for your safety. I will only feel better when the fires are 100% contained. The fire fighters are heroes and they do their job well.
Your Yankees will snap out of it. They have a great team. The season is long and things happen.
http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com
Jane, I was go glad when I heard yesterday that the firefighters & the weather were getting the fire under control. The property damage is terrible but thankfully there has been no lose of life. I hope that Joba Chamberlain will be up to pitching today; I read that he broke a blood vessel in his finger.
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
I never thought Trembley loks like Capt. Kirk.. I mean William Shatner, I’ve seen him up close though, he signed my hat, a very nice guy. Ignore the two ejections.
I have now have lucky routine, have a popsicle some time in the first inning!
We went to the mall to get Mommy’s Day Gift, a keychain that has pictures of me and my sister on it, like the one in the Best Buy ad.
You know maybe the Yankees should see how Pedro’s doing if they want pitching! I’m only 30% sarcastic.
Jordan
“Over my this.” I would have cracked up if I had a voice, but I don’t, so I mentally laughed.
That picture is awesome. Go firefighters. And I’m so glad the winds died down. Keep staying safe 🙂
Kylie — http://kylie.mlblogs.com
Hi, Jane –
So glad to hear that there was some containment yesterday. I saw on the news that there was some fog and possible wet weather to help the effort. I hope the big, black rain cloud gets there soon.
Love the comparison of Trembley and Shatner. That’s a good one! I always thought Trembley looked like a young version of Boris Yeltsin. (I know – it’s a stretch.)
As for your Yankees… I’m not sure what to say. I will go out on a limb and say that I think they need a change in ownership. I don’t think Torre/Girardi were the issue. They certainly have a lot of great players — and need to keep cultivating their younger players and their farm system. But it seems that ever since George turned the reins over to his sons, the Yankees have struggled mightily.
That is just my outside view. I know that for the Red Sox, once we got new ownership and new leadership (Epstein), everything started looking up. And I’m not just talking about the money. Obviously having the money to get the best players is a key component. The Yankees have that – we all know it. I think they are missing something in the leadership/management area…
I could be all wet. Wish you were! (Your house, I mean.)
Jen
http://faithful.mlblogs.com
Jane,
Hope you are doing better! My friend’s niece who goes to UCSB was able to hop on the train Friday evening so be with her mom this weekend. Some of those pictures look pretty bad. Glad that there are some containment to those fires and weather is better.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
I was thinking about the divorce too, Mike. It was in late May when I wrote that article. But I’m in this for better or worse. I’d just like a little less “worse.”
Cat, it will probably take a long time for 100% containment – the last fire of this size lasted for months – but as long as it stays in the unpopulated areas I’ll be happy.
Thanks, Julia. Joba seems to be OK. He’s out there right now at Camden Yards, although he just gave up three runs in the first. I know you’re crushed. 🙂
A popsicle in the first inning sounds like a fun lucky charm, Jordan. As for Pedro, I’d take him if he had anything left, but I think he’d get bombed in the AL.
Thanks, Kylie. Me too.
Trembly as Boris Yeltsin. Now that’s one I didn’t think of, Jen. I’ll take another look. I think you make a valid point about the Steinbrenner sons. Neither is as driven as their father or as baseball savvy. But I remember all too well how miserable the Yankees’ 2007 start was and how they ended up making the postseason in spite of it. Losing both catchers, a cleanup hitter and a 19-game winner is tough no matter who’s in charge. But we’ll see if they can get it together. I do agree that the farm system and scouting hasn’t been as good as it should be.
Thanks, Emma. Things are definitely better with the thick marine layer this morning. We’re very lucky. I heard a forecast that we’re getting more winds Mon and Tues, but I hope they’re wrong!
I have to agree with you that this is not your older brothers Yankees right now.
For all the money they put out in the off season you would have thought they would understand the reliever mentality. Endwar Ramirez is just going through that phase where reliever have to make pitch adjustments or they get hit like a punching bag.
I am not going to portray this as a ” Central or Southern Hemisphere” thing, but sometimes the language barrier can play tricks with simple words.
Just make sure you guys throw the Blue Jays off their game this upcoming series and show the world that Canada doesn’t have the best team in the AL East.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
Jane,
Glad to hear things are improved after those wildfires.
On to the Yanks: Nice win today, and is Johnny hot or what? Wow!
Good thing we won or the dramatic return of A-Rod would have meant nothing.
Hey Jane! I was at the game today!! yay me!!! I’m uploading the pics on facebook… I filmed Mo’s last out! 🙂
So glad you are ok!! Hope it was a Happy Mother’s Day today :O)
Jenn
http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/
We’ll do our best against the Jays for you, Renegade. But Tuesday’s match-up of Halladay versus Burnett is giving me nightmares already! Actually, it should be quite a game in Toronto. I’m really looking forward to it.
Johnny is so hot, Letsgoyankees. I know he’s in a contract year, but who cares? He’s hitting the ball like crazy and I love it.
So you did go, Latinyankeerebel! Can’t wait to see your pics and, of course, my beloved Mo.
Thanks, Jenn. Hope it was a good day for you too.
Hi Jane ! Life long Yankee Fan here, living in Santa Monica , Ca.
I just recently ran across your blog while searching for ” good ” media about my favorite team. I am very happy to have found you ! Your reactions to each game are mirror images of mine.
I moved from New York in 1992 to California. Oh boy do i miss going to games in the Bronx and chatting with “REAL” fans such as yourself.
Keep the Faith Jane ! Your Blog is a pleasure to read !
Welcome, nycbren. Great to “meet” another diehard. I understand completely what it’s like to be in CA instead of NY during baseball season. But I heard there’s a Yankees bar in Santa Monica called Rick’s Tavern on Main Street. Have you been there? I’ve been meaning to check it out. Thanks for stopping by!