Controversy makes the world go 'round, whether it involves politics (Did Hillary Clinton really have hay fever while watching the raid on bin Laden's compound?); pop culture (Why was Lady Gaga wearing penis-shaped shoes while singing on "American Idol?"); or religion (Is the world really going to end this coming Saturday?). Baseball has had its share of controversy too - did George Brett have too much pine tar on his bat that one time? Did "Shoeless" Joe Jackson really help his teammates throw games back in 1919? Should Pete Rose be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame? These are all topics of lively debate among baseball fans, but the latest controversy involves the Yankees. I don't know if it would be such a big deal if it involved a player from the Toronto Blue Jays or Oakland A's, but because it's the Yankees, we are all forced to care and pay attention. I am referring to the reaction of Yankees' Designated Hitter, Jorge Posada, when noticing that he was listed to bat ninth in the lineup against the Red Sox in yesterday's game. Yankees management says that Posada saw his name listed as ninth and said if he was going to bat ninth, he didn't want to play. Posada himself says that he felt some "back stiffness" and told manager Joe Girardi that he wanted the day off but not because he was supposed to bat ninth. Now, I don't know what the real story is, but Posada has been doing lousy this year, batting only .167. Posada is 39 years old (same age as me!), so I don't want to say he's an old man. However, after squatting behind the plate as the Yankees' catcher for the past 16 years, his body has taken quite a toll and he has suffered many injuries. I think Jorge should be grateful to have been given the opportunity to extend his career by becoming a DH, and if he wants to move up in the lineup, he should try hitting better. Yes, maybe his "back stiffness" is contributing to his poor performance at the bat; but don't make it look like if they don't move you up in the lineup you don't want to play, because that's childish. If I was Girardi, I wouldn't put you in the lineup neither today nor tomorrow, because both pitchers that the Yankees will be facing in the next two games are lefties, and I believe you've gone something like 0 for 24 against lefties this year. So take a few days off, Jorge; get your back looked at, and be happy if they put you back in the lineup sometime next week - no matter where that is in the batting order.
So, changing the topic...my Nationals are now officially in last place, tied with the Mets. Not a big surprise, since they haven't been hitting worth squat, but I really did have hopes that they wouldn't follow the same path as last year and the year before that. We need to get Ryan Zimmerman back from his injury (that won't be happening for another couple of weeks), and the bullpen needs to stop blowing games in the later innings. Yesterday's 1-0 loss to the Marlins was just sad! But on the bright side, the Orioles shut out the Rays, with Brad Bergesen getting the win. And how 'bout those Phillies? Well they lost to the Braves 5-3. Ha ha! :-)
Tonight's prime time game is the matchup between the Yankees and visiting Red Sox. I hope to get a chance to watch as I fold laundry, and I hope to go to another Frederick Keys game later on this week. And please keep Harmon Killebrew in your prayers - he has moved into hospice care after doctors have said that there are no further treatments that can help his esophageal cancer. May he rest comfortably and live out his last days with the grace and dignity that he deserves.
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