Horse

0 Responses to Horse

1. Charles Thompson says:

   October 21, 2010 at 12:45 am

   Well, if you're like me and you blame Joe Girardi for every loss, you need to tip your cap to the man for a desperately needed victory. Amazing how well things work out when you get hits with runners on while keeping the other team from doing so. Great point about the tough ABs put together by the Rangers, they kept things uncomfortable all game despite the early deficit. It really wasn't until Grandy's shot that I really began to think about Game 6. Great sign that the Yanks could put together this kind of effort after all those poor losses and the injury to Tex.

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2. Larry Koestler says:

   October 21, 2010 at 8:53 am

   While I agree that it was wonderful to see this kind of game from the Yankees — a game we knew they were certainly capable of having — I am curious as to just what kind of effect you believe the manager actually has on the outcome of a game.

   I don't mean it in a snide or snarky way at all; I'm genuinely interested in your viewpoint. You seem like a bright guy, Charles, and I don't see how you could blame the manager for every loss, unless you were being hyperbolic.

   Sure, we can crush Girardi for bad decisions, but ultimately it's up to the players to execute. There were several cases to be made that Girardi lost Game 4, but I don't see how you could blame him for Games 2 and 3 — he didn't go out and give up seven runs in Game 2, not did he take any at-bats while the Yankees got shutout in Game 3.

   And similarly, you can't really credit him for yesterday's win. He had one of the best pitchers in baseball on the mound, and his best-offense-in-the-Majors finally woke up. It happens; that's baseball.

   Anyway, please don't misinterpret this as trying to pick a fight for no reason — we don't get a ton of commenters and I greatly appreciate that you've been coming by regularly. I guess I just don't quite understand fans' willingness to credit/debit the manager when a player does or doesn't perform, and I'd like to hear different opinions on it.

   While I've certainly had my issues with Girardi (if I ever see him try to have a guy bunt with a 2-0 count, or god forbid 3-0 count ever again I might destroy my TV), I actually can't think of a single manager in the game right now I'd rather have at the helm. Girardi's progressive, understands stats and (usually) manages the bullpen quite well, this most recent series notwithstanding. Who would you replace him with?

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3. Dangerous Dean says:

   October 21, 2010 at 11:18 am

   Congrats on a clutch win. I had hoped that Texas could continue the hot streak and put your boys away yesterday, but the roles were reversed.

   On the Rangers board where I usually hang out there were a lot of optomistic fans who were sure Texas would sweep in NY but I tried to tell them that this Yankee team is just too talented and confident to fold the tent this soon.

   I don't know what is going to happen Friday night, but I had predicted Rangers in six before the series and I hope they can do it. Though your Yanks are banged up, I am not proud. I will take ANY kind of series victory over you guys.

   Keep up the good work.

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4. Larry Koestler says:

   October 21, 2010 at 11:21 am

   Thanks Dean. Crazy how this game works sometimes, eh? I have no idea what to expect for Game 6 at this point, other than that I'm just glad I get to watch my team play one more game.

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5. Matt Warden says:

   October 21, 2010 at 11:41 am

   Dean – Just out of curiosity, is there a primary Ranger beat blog? If so, what's the URL?

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6. Charles Thompson says:

   October 21, 2010 at 2:59 pm

   Larry – I am actually in total agreement that Girardi is the right man for the Yankees and it is hardly fair to blame the manager for his players' failures all the time. That being said, I'll try to explain how I view the manager's role and how it affects the team's performance.

   Obviously game 5 was won by a strong outing by our ace, who was awesome despite not having his best stuff, backed by an offensive reawakening. I can't really point to any single tactical or strategic decision that Girardi made that really affected the outcome of the game, although I did like the fact that he sent Kerry Wood out for the 8th after his strong 7th. I do however give him credit for not letting his team throw in the towel after going down 3-1 while losing Tex. It think lesser teams would have folded. While this likely has as much to do with having a veteran clubhouse with insane amounts of postseason experience, I believe that more than anything else, the manager sets the emotional tone for the club. Despite being harangued by people like me after game 4, Joe kept his cool and his team executed last night.

   On the flip side of the coin, I think he gave up on game 3 when it became clear Lee had unreal stuff, and that attitude trickled down to the players. Despite Lee's dominance, the yanks still had a puncher's chance by the 8th inning. I think Joe was content to let the game run away from him. Obviously our chances of beating Lee that night were slim, but it was tough watching Joe let Robertson implode like that.

   I just hope that Joe has figured out that Boone Logan is not going to get Josh Hamilton out.

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7. Larry Koestler says:

   October 21, 2010 at 3:04 pm

   Charles,

   Well put, and I agree with much of what you say.

   However, be prepared to see Logan face Hamilton again. As frustrating as it's been to have Hamilton take Logan deep, Logan's still far more likely to retire Hamilton than Hamilton is to take Logan deep again in any given at-bat. As good as Hamilton is, no one bats 1.000 against anyone. Logan will have to retire him soon enough.

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8. Charles Thompson says:

   October 21, 2010 at 5:04 pm

   You're probably right. And I can't say that I feel comfortable with Joba/Robertson/Wood vs. Hamilton either. However, if/when the dreaded Logan-Hamilton matchup takes place I might need to take a walk around the block.

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