As Clint Eastwood Would Say: “Get. Off. My. Yankees.”
I can’t pretend to be inside Josh Beckett’s head. (The thought of going anywhere near his head is highly unappealing.) So I can’t say with any certainty that he hit anybody on purpose in tonight’s 10-3 massacre at Fenway. But here’s what I think. He was cruising along with pinpoint control, striking out batter after batter. Then Swisher drove one out of the park for three runs. And the Beckster wasn’t amused. Or, as MLB’s Bryan Hoch put it, he became unhinged.
He pitched inside to Cano, hit him on the knee and knocked him out of the game. Just what we needed: another injury. Actually, not just another injury but an injury to our hottest hitter. The Beckster threw in the vicinity of Cervelli’s head twice, including once after Cisco had the nerve to step out of the batter’s box. And then we get to Jeter, who was plunked squarely on the #2 on his back. I was watching via the NESN feed (thanks, MLB Network), but it was easy to see how angry some of the Yankees were — CC, A-Rod, even Mo. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mo mad, because normally he looks like this.
Anyhow, the Beckster basically handed the Yankees the ball game, but we did get timely hits too. (You go, Randy Winn.) And even better, we got another great performance by Huuughes. He got into trouble here and there but always managed to get himself out of it, and gave us seven strong innings. Kudos. I wish D-Rob would recapture his 2009 form, but maybe he needs some time in Scranton to work things out. Dunno. What I also don’t know is why the ump didn’t warn Beckett….and whether the Yankees will retaliate tomorrow with CC on the mound. If I were a Red Sock and CC plunked me, I sure wouldn’t charge the mound and risk looking at this.
On one hand, I want to see the Yankees send a message. On the other, we don’t need any ejections or suspensions, and we certainly don’t need more injuries. I mean, Nick Johnson. Wow. When I heard he had a sore wrist and was on his way to NY for an MRI, all I could think of was that he’s becoming this guy, only with a better attitude.
To sum up, in yesterday’s post I speculated that The Rivalry might be getting a little stale. Now? Not so much.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
You called it Jane, the rivalry seemed a little ho-hum, but with a ball to the knee and ball to the kidney, the Yanks/Bosox series never seems like any other series. What is annoying is if any of our pitcher retaliate an immediate warning will be put on. Can’t hit Pedroia right? Can’t hit him anyway since he’s four feet tall. JoPo looked pretty irked too, and Mo the Monk, like you said, was there with them. It was fun reading Arod’s lips. And Robertson did pretty well actually, striking out Pedroia (on a nasty curveball) and Big Mami XD The YES network crew ripped Beckster (I love how you’re calling him that now), saying he lost command and interest in the game, like a little kid http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2007/09/01/amd_kid.jpg
This shirt is smelling like 6 day old milk, but Swisher’s home run just makes it worth it ;D 20-8!
I’m telling you, seindsfeld. That shirt is money. You can’t take it off until the Yanks lose, smelly or no smelly! When the ump didn’t warn Beckett, I was surprised but realized it meant we could retaliate without penalty. And then we didn’t. So now I bet both benches will be warned before the first pitch, which would be so unfair to CC, who would lose the ability to go inside to hitters.
This was kind of a bittersweet win. I was so happy to smoosh Boston, yet I couldn’t help but be angry with Josh Beckett. I really think he was acting like a sore loser.
And I agree Jane, I’d love to see one of their guys get hit tomorrow; CC is normally the most professional guy there is, but after he got into it w/ the ump in the last game (and showed that mean streak) who knows. But like you said, at the same time we can’t risk any suspensions or losing anymore guys. We’re short-handed as it is.
http://martelli.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/05/yankees-vs-red-sox-thoughts-and-notes.html
I was only kidding yesterday when I said we needed a hit batter or a brawl. You know I’m not happy about it.
Jen
http://faithful.mlblogs.com
Lets just call it like it is. Beckett is a bush league punk and Francona is his pimp for allowing his antics! Some Manager! If I were twirp Pedroia today I would wear full shin guards and if I was Yuckolis I would wear a “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” diving helmet today! I usually don’t condone headhunting but last night was a real travesty. CC, do your thing.
Jane-
A win at Fenway is a win at Fenway. Agree with you that Beckett became unraveled after Swish homered. Agree with you in suprise that there was no bench warning. I suspect there will be more plunking tonight. If I had a vote, I’d vote to plunk Pedroia. It would be amusing to see 120 pounds charge 390 pounds (kidding….kind of).
Personally, I think the Sawx always lose in those red jerseys. Does Elias Sports have a stat on that?
Wendy
You know, Jane, at first I was hoping that Hughes would respond, but then I remembered that the Yankees have too much class to stoop to Boston’s level. Still, it’ll be interesting to see if CC or AJ do anything this weekend…
–Ryan
Wow, while I was watching the Sharks and Jets rumble on Broadway the Yanks and Sox were rumbling in Fenway! I want to go on record as saying I now officially hate Josh Beckett. Hate, hate, hate him. Despise him, loathe him, abhor him. I’ll have to go to thesaurus.com for any more verbs. And this is coming from Little Miss Sunshine herself!
Good news is the Yanks continue to do well despite injuries. And the bottom of the order is on fire!
CC sent his mom this e-postcard. It’s on yankees.com
“Mom-
Thank you for everything you sacrificed and gave up for me to have a good childhood, being there every day and instilling within me to stay humble and work hard. You were always there for me; you never missed a game. I knew you were going to be there and be supportive. It’s good to see you relax and enjoy life. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day.
Love,
-CC”
I had a great time in the city. As the bus was driving I saw a sign to Yankee Stadium and got so happy! We met one of my college Yankee buddies for dinner and he gave me a Posada t-shirt for my birthday. Jorge is not my favorite Yankee, but I’m happy to have the shirt. Now if I can just stop my husband from saying “hip, hip . . .” every time he sees it.
And my friend texted me after the show to tell me the score of the game. That was great to hear!
Melissa
good morning- i waited till today to respond so i could cool off a bit and not go on a tirade here. so it will be a wee tirade. i guess i’d like to start by saying that for a total beatdown and @$$ whoopin’ we gave them, it really was never any fun after Cano left the game. I absolutely believe that Beckett lost all perspective and just decided to throw not only the game but his team under the bus by buzzing Cisco and then there is NO doubt in my mind that he hit Jeter on purpose. I hope Tito ripped him a new one in his office. anyway- very proud of Phil Hughes- All Star Pitcher!
It was definitely bittersweet, A.J. It’s always nice to get a win at Fenway (or anywhere else, for that matter), but to lose Cano and Johnson in the process? Not fun. We have a lot of depth on this team, but how much depth is enough? If CC has to plunk somebody, I hope it’s just a minor plunking, that the batter trots to first base without so much as a look, and that will be that. We can ill afford any more players going down.
I know, Jen. I think things have gotten fired up enough as it is. We don’t need a brawl!
I don’t want to see any headhunting, John. As I wrote above, if CC feels he has to send a message, he should do it in the proper way – just throw one at somebody’s back, like Beckett did to Jeter. But given how the Yankees, including CC, were all backing off Beckett after the game, I’m not sure we’ll see any kind of retaliation. Mostly, I just want CC to pitch well. He’s been known to get beaten up at Fenway. I want to see the dominant CC. And I want Tex and A-Rod to pick up the offense!
The Red Sox always lose in the red jerseys, Wendy? That can’t be true or they’d never wear them. lol. On the bench warning, I did see the ump talking to Girardi after the game, so I’m wondering if he didn’t warn both benches that there’d better not be any hanky panky in today’s game.
You’re right, Ryan, and Hughes was pitching a beauty so why let himself get distracted. I’m sure he was focused on getting through seven innings, rather than creating more animosity.
MELISSA! It was your birthday and you didn’t tell us when you mentioned going to NYC for the show? Bad, bad girl. Well, now the cat’s out of the bag, so here we go:
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday Dear Melissa.
Happy Birthday to you.
That’s better. Now, about the game. Yes, you missed an interesting one, but glad you had fun and got the T-shirt. Tell your husband he must stop saying “Hip Hip..” because it’s just not cool! Nice ecard by CC. His mom must be so proud of him.
Ooh, I would have loved it if you’d gone on your tirade last night, Mike. I have a feeling it would have been priceless. I, too, felt the air go out after Cano left the game. Just so upsetting. The Yankees all said the right things about Beckett – How could he be hitting us on purpose with the bases loaded? – but when a guy looses mental control the way he did, it’s more than possible. VERY proud of Huuuuughes.
I guess the ump felt the pitches weren’t on purpose, wirishrose. That’s the only explanation I can come up with about the non-warning. But I’ve seen pitchers thrown out of the game for less. Beckett did have an awfully petulant look on his face – a scowl even. I just don’t like the guy, I really don’t.
Beckett is, has been, and will always be a big baby. He behaves like a spoiled brat on the field when things don’t go his way. While I am extremely happy that we creamed him and the rest of the Sox yesterday, I can’t be as ecstatic as I normally am. I really hope Robbie is ok and am glad that no one else was badly hurt by Beckett’s antics. I still can’t believe that he wasn’t even issued a warning by the umps. Very interested to see how CC and AJ react to this…
Somebody (my guess is Pedroia) is gonna get drilled.
http://www.paullebowitz.com/
http://princeofny.blogspot.com/
Paul, if Pedroia gets drilled, then gets to second base (or in the vicinity of shortstop), Jeter will come over and pat him on the butt, and it’ll be oh-so-friendly.
the umps did us a favor by not issuing warnings and i hope they don’t today either. they pretty much have to know that a sox player needs to get plunked- i suspect warnings after the first drilling. i say CC does it in the 1st inning and gets it done with. the mighty mite does seem a good choice. or youk…
I think the umps will warn both benches before the game, Mike. But maybe you’re right and they’ll understand the situation. If it’s the latter, I, too, hope CC gets it over with in the first. (The mighty mite is fine with me.) But as of now, it’s raining at Fenway and who knows if they’ll even play.
Francona, in my opinion, was playing with fire. Why wasn’t Beckett yanked after walking/beaning three straight? He looked awful, unlike Beckett, something out of a horror flick. If I were the Yanks I’d be upset at Tito. And he would know it. Bring on the fireworks!
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
I don’t know why Francona didn’t pull Beckett, Jeff. It was curious – particularly after Beckett plunked his own catcher! I have to hand it to Wakefield though; he took one for the team in relief.
I definitely think that Nick Johnson is rapidly becoming the next American Idle. 😦 It was just a one-year deal, right? At this rate, I doubt Nick makes a return to Yankee Stadium next year. It gets harder and harder to watch Johnny Damon do well in Detroit with each passing day. I am concerned about today’s game in Boston with Robby Cano out of the lineup. It would be nice if the guys in front of him in the lineup, outside of DJ, would start hitting with some consistency. I don’t know anything about Romulo Sanchez, but I don’t think I would want to charge him on the mound either! (6’5″, 260 lbs).
–
Scott
http://fotr.mlblogs.com
Who knows when Nick Johnson will be back, Scott, now that he’s been diagnosed with a torn tendon. Cano is in the lineup today, btw. He said he felt well enough after taking batting practice, so he’s DH-ing. Damon’s hurt too, so don’t feel bad about not having him!
Wow Jane, I had no idea. I only look at the scoreboard and listen to Dodger Talk on my way home after a game. Based on what you said here, I don’t understand why the ump did not warn Beckett. Let’s hope is a cleaner game today.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com
I’m watching today’s game now, Emma, and McCarver said, “Why issue a warning because bases were loaded when Jeter got hit.” His opinion, not mine.
Sounds like just another day in the rivalry to me. I’m a big fan of watching things unfold. Jane ya ever get the feeling the reason why the Yanks don’t retaliate is because it’s a matter of policy? Do you think Cashman, Levine or Trost has ever said – don’t engage, because we pay too much money for you guy$ to get in any bench clearing brawl$?…especially with the long term deals they’ve historically engaged in? Just a thought…not a rip.
mike
No, I never get that feeling, Mike. The Yankees have been in plenty of brawls over the years, particularly with the Red Sox. You know that. And CC retaliated in today’s game by plunking Pedroia on the butt. Hopefully, that will be the end of this little chapter. We have too many injured right now for anyone else to get hurt.