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Yankee Panky #15: The Song Remains The Same
2007-06-27 09:56
by Will Weiss

If I was still working the editorial front on a full-time basis, an off-day like Monday would have been a great time to reflect on the recent 1-for-6 showing the Yankees posted in Denver and San Francisco and engage some of the broadcasters and freelance contributors to weigh the state of the team as the season draws closer to the non-waiver trade deadline. It also would have been a good time to put together a secondary package of how Derek Jeter has performed in games played on his birthday (he turned 33 yesterday).

I mention this because as I watched the Yankees return to Square One, I got to thinking about whether the overall coverage of the team was more complete, concise and analytical when it is middling or struggling as opposed to two weeks ago, when it steamrolled opponents and seemingly could do no wrong.

In other words, do the local and national media do a better job of being the eyes and ears of the fan in trying times?

The tabloid headlines are certainly funnier when the team is losing (I personally enjoyed the Post’s “ROCKIE III” marquee following Thursday afternoon’s sweep-inducing loss at Coors Field). I’ve found the tabloid headline humor to be a reflection of fan frustration. Despite how well the Rockies had been playing, did anyone believe the Yankees would get swept?

I usually found it easier to write about the team when it wasn’t playing well. Perhaps it’s just a function of my personality, but when the team is going well, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of writing in a fawning, admirable tone. That’s not good either.

The most noticeable bit about what’s being written and discussed now is that you could take stories from six weeks ago and find similar historical references (the Yankees haven’t been x many games below .500 this late in the season in Joe Torre’s 12 years as manager, for example), and similar quotes, especially from Torre in reference to Bob Abreu. “Lack of patience, pretty much on his heels,” is how he described Abreu’s current 4-for-28 slump following last night’s loss to the O’s. Figuring out what to write when the only stories are the same ones you’ve been writing all year are a beat writer’s greatest challenge. (Makes you wonder how the guys in Kansas City do it. They’re probably already looking ahead to Chiefs camp.)

In addition, paper space and air-time dedicated to off-field matters almost equals that of on-field events during hard times. Perhaps it was unfortunate timing that Jason Giambi acquiesced to Commissioner Selig’s demands to comply with the Mitchell investigation at the same time the Yankees were facing Baseball’s primary suspected steroid target, Barry Bonds, but the story could not be ignored.

Most of what I read or watched focused on Mitchell and MLB using Giambi to get to Bonds, but Harvey Araton of the New York Times openly questioned what Mitchell was trying to accomplish. In the form of an open letter without the greeting or closing (Araton uses this column form quite well), Araton opined that Mitchell should follow the same path he did when discussing the drug culture at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, and would be best served asking not only the players, but Commissioner Selig, similar questions.

Now’s the time to start eyeing the rumor mill. This portion of the season is where guys like Joel Sherman (Post), Bob Klapisch (Bergen Record), and Ken Davidoff (Newsday), make their money. Davidoff might be the best of the three in terms of newsgathering, but Sherman and Klapisch are excellent when it comes to player analysis.

Here’s to the Yankees hopefully putting some kind of a streak together to bring the deficit to single digits before our country's 231st birthday.

SMART MOVE OR DODGING THE ISSUE?
Joe Girardi was scheduled for analyst duties for this week’s series in Baltimore, but following his rejection of the Orioles’ managerial vacancy, the Network removed him from the booth to “avoid a hectic atmosphere,” as the New York Times reported. I don’t know about you, but while I respect the Network’s decision — it’s definitely the safe move from a public relations standpoint — I would have loved to hear him discuss the job and his reasons for not jumping at the first job that opened up.

Something tells me, though, that Girardi would have been smart enough to answer the question without really answering the question if and when the subject arose.

Comments
2007-06-27 10:00:59
1.   Alex Belth
Will, I agree with you about Girardi. I think he's professional enough to have handled any questions re: the Baltimore job. As it stands, that conversation would be more interesting than what is going on on the field...
2007-06-27 10:07:59
2.   Jim Dean
0 1 He did exactly that when it came up on the Fox broadcast Saturday.
2007-06-27 10:47:39
3.   Benjamin Kabak
In your lead: I think the Yanks posted a 1 for 6 showing in Colorado and San Fran this past week.
2007-06-27 10:56:39
4.   Shaun P
I've re-written this comment ten times now, and I still don't like how it reads. So if it comes out sounding bad, please assign that my lack of sleep due to the newborn son at home, and nothing else. =)

Let's presume that Girardi turned down the O's job, not just because working for Peter Angelos is a nightmare, and the O's really aren't going anywhere, but because he's waiting for a different managerial slot to open up. (Use your imagination.)

Let's then say that, going into Thursday, the O's are on the verge of sweeping the Yanks - and the calls for Torre to be fired spread from this here (and others blogs and places I'm sure) to the media.

Isn't that going to be pretty awkward, not just for Girardi, but maybe the entire organization?

Baltimore media person: "Joe, did you turn down the Orioles job because you knew the Yanks consider you a top candidate and Joe Torre might be out of a job soon?"

How does Girardi possibly answer that one? You know the wires (and the NY press) would jump all over it too.

2007-06-27 11:19:59
5.   Will Weiss
Thanks for the catch on the 1-for-6. The change has been made.
2007-06-27 11:30:46
6.   Benjamin Kabak
5 No prob, Will. It's too bad they weren't 2-for-6. Alas.
2007-06-27 12:05:38
7.   JL25and3
4 Girardi had to know that there's a chance Torre won't make it through the season. So if that was his thinking, he'd be painting himself into a corner, just as you suggest. I don't think Joe Girardi is a foolish man, so I assume he meant something like what he said.
2007-06-27 13:38:39
8.   yankz
There's a great discussion going on over at RLYW on what's "to blame." Some of the commenters have made pretty intelligent claims as to why Cash is less to blame than appears.

I kind of agree. Looking at the numbers, there was no way anybody could expect some of the players to under-perform to this degree. Cash is to be blamed for the horrendous bench, of course, and Torre partly for the record in 1 run games.

And for the dozens here who think they could do Cash's job better, take a look at RAB.

2007-06-27 14:01:53
9.   jkay
8 Cashman has a plan. He is rebuilding the farm system. There are enough live arms in the minors for a ray of hope. If they had this type of season a few years ago, there would have been no hope.

Torre on the other hand, seems to make the worst of any situation presented to him. 4 wins in 17 one run games clearly shows the lack of value added provided by Torre.

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