Second Half kicks off...

It's was a solid first half for the Sox despite their average June. The good news is that pitching is the strongest it's been in a long time, despite the shoulder injury to Schill. His replacement in Gabbard has been OK and Lester (just pitched a 2H CG) still awaits a call-up. Manny Delcarmen is starting to emerge as their 7th / 8th inning guy, and they boast the third best ERA in the MAJORS. Guess what wins in Oct? While batting seems to be an issue, they still rank in the top 5 of runs per game. Crisp seems to be out of his funk, JD Drew is showing some life finally, but Lugo remains awful. Manny has always been a second half guy, and lets hope Ortiz can survive the nagging leg injuries.

The Yanks have had their worst half of baseball since the early 90's. There was way too much off field nonsense surrounding this team as well. Giambi, Stray-Rod, F-Rod (classic), was all just embarassing for the once mighty bombers. The NY papers haven't been kind, and many columnists have already printed their obituary. No argument here...

If not for A-Rod's amazing statistical season, they'd be much further under .500. Other than Jeter and Posada, none of the regulars are hitting over .275. Pitching has been an issue all season. Outside of Wang and the most recent performances of Clemens, it's been horrible. Pettite has been terrible of late and Mussina still has an Era hovering in the high 4's. It doesn't really matter who is in the 5 spot at this point.

It's true the Yanks have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the second half. But guess who has the easiest? The Sox. They only have 30 games against teams over .500, with the Yanks having 33. Heck, the Sox only played doormat Tampa Bay 4 times, with 15 to go...

Trading deadline? Not much going on for either squad. Even if the Yanks really turn it on quickly, who would they get? Is Cashman willing to sacrifice his youth for a shot at the wildcard? Gagne isn't enough. What starter is avaliable? The Sox will probably dabble in a few minor league deals or just unload Wily Mo.

So it begins... The Yanks try once again to reach the .500 plateau... See you in late Aug boys...

Burning down the House (that Ruth built)...

Things are getting just plain strange in the Bronx. The reeling Yanks and their bullpen have now resorted to lighting the stadium on fire. Well, at least one of their relievers has.

Scott Proctor literally lit his equipment on fire outside of the Yankee dugout after his 4th straight poor outing. Torre has commented that he doesn't know what to expect from his pen and Guidry thinks they are just "dead tired". Proctor himself stated; "I wouldn't trust myself right now the way I am throwing". "It's pretty pathetic."

The Yanks have fallen 4 games back under .500 and into 3rd place. It's July now and it doesn't look good despite the cream puff schedule after the break.

Just ask Posada. "I'm not talking about unlucky; luck comes when you go after it". And it seems like at times we just go through the motions and today was one of those cases. That's the way it is, I think everybody knows what I'm talking about." Apparently we're not the only ones that think most of the Yanks have already mailed it in.

Or how about NY Daily News Bill Madden? His latest column "Pity the pinstripes -
Future looks even worse than present" pretty much says it all. Wow!(http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/07/01/2007-07-01_pity_the_pinstripes.html) Not only is he talking about this year, but also 2008 & 2009. This guy should be writing in Boston. It's a harsh look at reality if you're a Yanks fan. He chronicles failure at every level of the organization and how it will extend into the near future. Apparently 1965 was a bleak time for your Bombers, and it appears history is about to repeat itself.

Just plain embarassing for such a proud franchise. We almost feel bad for you...