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| Photo Credit: New York Daily News |
Given the importance of this win, I thought I would share a few (admittedly belated) thoughts...
1.) Curtis Granderson is hot, hot, hot! He hit the ball hard every time up, going 4-5 with three singles, a double, an RBI, and scored two runs, including the game winner -- which wouldn't have occurred had Granderson not stolen second base to put himself in scoring position.
2.) Amazingly, this was Mark Teixeira's first regular-season walk-off hit as a Yankee. He previously hit a walk-off solo HR to beat the Minnesota Twins in Game 2 of the 2009 ALDS.
3.) CC Sabathia was the unsung hero of the game. After giving up a few dinky hits in the 4th inning to fall behind the Jays 4-1, the Yankees' ace got down to business. He didn't give up another hit the rest of the way, pitching a complete game on 103 pitches (77 for strikes!). By buckling down and keeping his team in the game, Sabathia did his job perfectly.
4.) What a huge confidence boost for Jorge Posada. He got the 9th inning rally started by drilling a pinch-hit line drive in the gap for a one-out double. He really needed that. After being replaced by pinch-runner Chris Dickerson, you could read Posada's lips in the dugout: "It's about time."
5.) Finally, I'd like to say something about Derek Jeter. The Captain went 0-5, lowering his season average to .253. But it's not just the oh-fer, it's how he did it:
1st at-bat (1st inning):
Scoreless, 0 outs. Weak groundout, 5-3.
2nd at-bat (3rd inning):
Tied at 1, 0 outs. K, swinging.
3rd at-bat (5th inning):
Losing 4-1, 1 out. Groundout, 1-3.
4th at-bat (7th inning):
Losing 4-1, 1 out. GIDP, 5-4-3. Ouch.
5th at-bat (9th inning):
Losing 4-3, 1 out. Groundout, 5-3, advanced runner from second to third.
Only Jeter and the slumping Nick Swisher failed to get on base. Not a single ball in the air or out of the infield. Yikes. But here's what really bothered me, much more than Jeter's wasted opportunities at the plate. My uncle pointed this out, and I rewound my DVR to confirm it. When Teixeira drove in Granderson from second base with the winning run, Jeter was the last Yankee out of the dugout to celebrate on the field. He actually hung back to finish sipping his drink. Only then did he climb over the fence to join his teammates. 1996-2004 Derek Jeter would've been the first player off the pine. 2004-2009 Derek Jeter would've been right in the middle of the throng. 2010-2011 Derek Jeter pulls up the rear. I don't know what's running through Jeter's head during these slumps, but whatever it is, it's making him act less and less like The Captain.
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Jeter is done. His days are numbered. I never played organized baseball but have been a pretty serious fan for over 30 years and have learned one important rule: when a guy can not catch up to the fastball his days are numbered. A hitter must be able to hit a curve ball or they dfon't go to the show. As a player ages and he is unable to catch up to the heater he is down. This is physics. He can cheat (start his swing early) which means he has to guess a lot more, or he can shorten his swing. Both solutions result in less power, less line drives etc. Over 1/4 of this season is over and Jeter continues to look foolish at times with no chance against serious fastballs--- one AB vs. Verlander sticks in my mind (he had zero chance and verlander knew it). If he wants to maintain his dignity his best course of action is to get #3,000 then get "hurt" and then at some point hang 'em up. If he is wise he can negotiate something to still get a lot of his cash. I do not see him suddenly become able to hit the heater again. It's been a nice run El Capitan!
ReplyDeleteNice work Mr. Hyne - I agree with Alex as we've talked about this, Jeter is done. I've been frustrated and screaming about how he should get more heat for his performance. I've been actually calling him a minor leaguer. Seriously, think about it - the Yankees are paying 15M for a REPLACEMENT level player. It' tough because I respect what he has done, and he is a lengendary player. I just think they should move him to 9th in the batting order. Then he can sacrifice bunt more to set up the top of the order and eventually Tex/A-rod.
ReplyDeleteI actually did notice his late celebration on to the field although this doesn't bother me as much. I'll give him a pass, this is only one time he's done this, maybe the slump is getting to him or its just coincidence. I guess if it happens again a couple more time it would be a potential issue. I'm just concerned over his overall play.