Halfway Home

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The Yankees have been disappointing thus far in 2023. 

Yet, I’m more forgiving than a lot of Yankees fans on social media because I’ve seen 7 titles and they have been in the playoff conversation every year since well before I was married.

They earned a bit of a tolerance from me, but yesterday’s game was certainly a microcosm for what has been wrong all year.

They got a lot of hits…only scored one run that wasn’t on a homerun.

They had the lead and the starting pitcher, Domingo German, was in a groove.

He’d only given up a single hit, and had only thrown 74 pitches.

They took him out of the game because that’s how games are managed now…

…and then their second baseman booted a ball that would’ve ended the inning, and the relievers didn’t relieve.

So, what’s gone wrong?

1). Aaron Judge - the best player in the game has been out for a long while with a sprained toe, or some such nonsense.

If a Yankees player hits the ground he gets an MRI and a 2-4 week vacation.

They put one player on the injured list saying, “He wasn’t injured on the play, but we’re going to sit him down so it doesn’t turn into an injury.”

Every single player on the team has been out a week or more!

2). Starting pitchers - the pitchers have been good, but God help them if they approach 90 pitches in a start.

When I was a kid, the starter stayed in. I’m used to relievers being used more than they had been in the past, but every once in awhile the coaching staff should watch the game in front of them.

German should’ve stayed in the game yesterday.

3). Days off!

My Lord! I know they want to keep guys fresh but a player can’t play every game for say, a week straight?

Their shortstop is 19 years old!

He needs a day?

4). Play the kids!

There’s a huge push from Yankees fans to play their minor leaguers, but as soon as a kid makes 4 outs in a row…

…they want him shot to the moon.

Fans also want a superstar at every position and a few players have been booed off the stadium field.

Yankees fans are paying a lot for tickets. They don’t want to rebuild.

5). Put the ball in play!

The Marlins have a player hitting .388. 

Scouts don’t love him because he doesn’t hit homers.

But there isn’t anything more aggravating to me than watching a batter take 3 mighty hacks with a runner on 3rd - and striking out.

Put the ball in play!

Jeter had 20 bunt hits a year!

Anyway…

…wasn’t a great first half, but the team isn’t complete if Judge can’t play.

He comes back and they will make a run.

He doesn’t and they won’t.

I’ll be watching.

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