Let 'Em Enjoy It

Last night's Yankee win will ultimately be viewed in one of two ways: (a) the momentum-changing win that started an improbable comeback, or (b) an isolated highlight for Yankee fans in an otherwise very disappointing season.

As the Despiser discussed yesterday, my money is on "(b)."

What's funny is how, in years past, when A-Rod had a moment like this, the media would proclaim it as his coming of age as a Yankee. Whether it was the fight with Varitek in '04 or the homer off a rehabbing Schilling in '05, we heard all about it. At least the media has finally realized what we've known all along: until A-Rod does anything in October, he'll leave New York with the same legacy as Randy Johnson: a future Hall-of-Famer who came to the Yanks to lead them to a championship, but left the fans disappointed.

A-Rod deserves credit for the homer last night. Papelbon threw a very good pitch, and A-Rod went the other way. As much as we rip the guy, and deservedly so, he's still one of the most talented on the diamond today. Once in a while, he lets us know why he gets paid $25 million.

- Is Pettitte injured? And what is it? If he is, then the Yanks and Cashman have another excuse. Never mind the fact that Pettitte's health issues were part of the reason the Yanks weren't interested in bringing him back after 2003.

Your $18 Million At Work

I know it's Yankees-Red Sox this weekend, but I'm gonna talk about Clemens first. The injury issues are already acting up, and is anyone really surprised? The guy is 44 years old, and has had the occasional groin and hammy issues. On Friday, Mike and the Mad Dog ripped the guy for not wanting to pitch in this weekend's series. I guess now we know why. So for all you Yankee fans who thought Clemens would bridge that 14.5 game gap, think again.

- I don't know what it is, but the Yankees have killed Tim Wakefield this year. Wake has a 10.93 ERA against the Yanks this year. Yanks batted .191 against him from '04-'06.

- Today's game was fun. Mussina had another lousy start, and Proctor was lousy, as he's been lately. And 19 BB in 29 IP is just awful.

But the big story today was Captain Clutch, Derek Jeter, making a couple of errors to lose the game for New York. Abreu botched a fly ball, too. Sloppy plays.

- Credit where credit is due to Joe Torre, for calling Mike Lowell's taking out Cano at second in the 4th a "clean play." Can't remember the last time I've seen Torre act like that.