1989 - 1991 were some pretty shitty years.

Sure us Yankee Fans like the pennants and the post-season and that stuff, but as long as the team is TRYING, and the administration is showing that they are TRYING to put the best team out there, then its OK if the playoff chase dies by the end of August.

Now, from a business standpoint, I understand that there is a HUGE revenue bump from post-season play, but in the grand scheme of things, the way the Yankees have been run the past decade, a season like this was BOUND to happen. I'm only shocked it didn't happen sooner.

Not that it'll ever get that bad, god forbid. I'd jump off a bridge before I'd see it get that bad.

12 i'm not sure the ratings will go up the next few weeks. maybe the last series in yankee standing will bring viewers in, bt i don't think some random series will.

I still like watching. It's not painful. I always hate losing, but that doesn't mean I hate watching the loss.

I now think there's a very good chance that neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox make the playoffs. Beckett is hurting, and the symptoms are consistent with a Tommy John injury. Clay Buchholz kind of stinks. Dice-K is bound to run out of luck (he's walking guys by the dozens). And their bullpen is doubtful.

Or Kohoutek, maybe.

But I'll keep watching and following the development of the up and comers. And rooting like hell for the Sox to get knocked out along with the Yanks.

I will say, though, that I'm very thankful for the Olympics for distracting me the last couple of weeks. I don't know how well I could have handled just dealing with the Yankees given the atrocious play.

Bottom line, we all knew this day was going to come - where our team was going to disappoint. I actually thought it was going to come a lot sooner after the 2004 ALCS, the fact that it has lasted this long makes me appreciate everything they've done up to this point.

As the roster starts to change, the faces start to change, then I look at as an opportunity to develop some new relationships with incoming players. For me it's all part of the process. Embrace the chaos.

This team obviously isn't as bad as 1991 or 1967, but it's more disappointing. It's easier to pull for bad players playing badly than good players underperforming. Either way, though, I still turn the game on every night - I just flip away from it more easily.

Testify.

I do agree with the general sentiment that it doesn't always go your way, but I can appreciate that those in charge will do everything in their power to keep that from happening.

As long as they don't do anything stupid, I'll be happy.

Really though, the Steinbrenners (and Cashman and the other execs) in some ways have to be pleased. If there was ever a two-year period to go through a down phase, nothing will guarantee big bucks in the revenue dept. despite the downturn like the closing of the Stadium v1.2 and the opening of the Stadium v2.0.

I will not miss the bandwagon jumpers, and their "Brosius was the bestest ever!1!!1!" and similar foolishness. In fact, good riddance. I hear Red Sox Nation is always looking for new citizens!

Personally speaking, if my Dad hadn't been a cop in the 46th precinct at the time (and buddies with many of the officers on Stadium detail), I imagine we wouldn't have attended as many games as we did.

I never had problem with fair weather fans. It means the weather is fair.

I really don't see what's the big deal if the team misses the playoffs. Is it any different than losing in the playoffs?

To me, yes, it's different. Losing in the playoffs is better than missing the playoffs entirely. But most Yankee fans have fallen victim to high expectations. The '08 Yankees are compared to the '96-'00 Yankees every day. It's ancient history and it's impossible to live up to.

But I will also say that I'm actually happy in a way that the phantom hand of Babe Ruth won't reach down and save the team in His House's last season. Because, when the Yankees win, it's not because of the pinstripes or monument park or the ghosts of the past. It's because of hitting, pitching, and fielding.

I can think of ways to an 85-win team this year that didn't involve more or less disappointing outcomes from EVERY YOUNG PLAYER.

After years in which the Yanks treated guys under 30 like cannon fodder, to see the changed approach meet this kind of result is frustrating....

This team has to get a lot more offensive talent in the 26-30 age range fast, if we want the dynasty to persist--and I don't see how that happens in the current contract environment. Right now we have Betemit and Nady in that category: nice peripheral players, no more. Even if both Melky and Cano are above-average at the positions next year, things could be tough....

You haven't been to was watching recently, have you?

http://tinyurl.com/6o8763