SB Nation User Blog: dzawaki

Enough already.

dzawaki — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:34:03 -0000

Those of you who are suddenly tuning out or rooting for another team or rhetorically fellating the Red Sox need to get off the damn mat and stop whining. We all complain about bandwagon fans jumping on when and only when the team is rolling—this is your opportunity to demonstrate that you're better than those fair-weather fans. Chin up, show some pride. We root for the greatest team in the history of sports, and you want to sulk because some pissant team from Boston embarrassed us for a couple of series? Please.

Yeah, it stings, and especially because it's the Red Sox. Now get on with it and root even harder for a win today. And tomorrow. And the next day. For us Yankee fans, these are the instances in which we show our dedication to the players, to the team, to the city. If you can't do such a miniscule thing as root for a team that's lost a few games, then you're just as bad as those "Red Sox Nation" tools who think organized baseball began in 2004.

The Yankees are two games behind the Red Sox. It's June. New York has a pretty soft schedule over the next two weeks. You honestly don't think they're capable of making up the deficit? Yes, there are problems, including timely hitting and dependable pitching. But if you've watched the team for any of the other series this season, you should know that they're entirely capable of doing what it takes to win, and win often.

Still don't think so? Fine. Go ahead and root for some other team or some other sport. But when the Yankees start clicking again and make their big run down the stretch this year, you'd better not come back gloating. We'll remember what you were saying back in June, and we'll hold you to it.

From yesterday. Lulz. Full-sized image is here.

dzawaki — Sun, 24 May 2009 12:15:56 -0000

From yesterday. Lulz. Full-sized image is here.

Enough with the Joba thing already.

dzawaki — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:17:31 -0000

I just thought I'd put this out there—Tyler Kepner (New York Times) makes an excellent point over at the Bats blog about the Joba debate:

To me — and to the Yankees, from what I can tell — there’s really no debate anymore about Joba Chamberlain’s role. Look, the Yankees already have a lights-out setup man: Brian Bruney. In 31 games from the bullpen last season, Bruney’s earned run average was 1.95, and opponents hit .153. In 30 games from the bullpen last season, Chamberlain’s E.R.A. was 2.31, and opponents hit .211. So, Bruney was actually better. Besides, if the Yankees make the playoffs, Chamberlain will probably have thrown so many innings as a starter that he’ll have to be a reliever in October, anyway. Chamberlain has the stuff to be an elite starter, and Bruney has the stuff to be an elite setup man — with the top prospect Mark Melancon poised to contribute as well. To me, it’s really pretty simple.

It is important to note that Bruney wasn't a designated setup man like Joba was last year, and that the pressures of that role are different from pitching in other situations. But still, Bruney's bullpen performance last year in addition to Joba's doozy on July 25th at Boston should make it clear to everybody that Joba belongs in the rotation to begin the season.

And that's where the debate should end. Right?