-Maybe it hasnt been echoed before but there really is a huge difference between how the Yankees and Mets go about their business on the field.  In the past, the Yanks were always looked up to as the model franchise doing things the right way and having success on the field making the postseason 13 straight years. It was during last year that we saw the Queens club come apart at the seams in colossal fashion losing the division to the Phillies with key players not performing up to capabilities leading to heavy criticism.
Fast forward a year later and its the Mets who are now the primary example of what the Yanks used to be not making excuses after a poor first three months along with injuries. Instead, under new manager Jerry Manuel, they have fought back from seven down and are playing a crisp brand of ball continuing to lead the Phils by a game and a half after rallying for five runs with five outs to go in a 7-4 win over the Braves at Shea last night. Carlos Delgado delivered the big hit with a go-ahead two-run double followed by a Damion Easley two-run hit and then a Ramon Castro base knock as they maintained their lead in the NL East.
Even if Jose Reyes celebrations can be a little over the top in the dugout, whens the last time you saw that sort of fire from the Bronx club? One New York ballclub has heart and edge while the other lacks it which once again rared its ugly head last night in a crushing 2-1 loss in Toronto. This time, Joe Girardis Yankees couldnt support Darrell Rasner, who pitched splendidly matching Yankee killer A.J. Burnett, who as usual had the Yankee lineup baffled due to his blazing heater and wicked curve which froze batters all night to the tune of a season high 13 strikeouts. The ex-Marlin also tossed a season best 120 pitches but never looked worn down in winning his 16th thanks to the Jays pushing across a run in the home eighth on a two out Marco Scutaro gift run scoring two-base hit which center fielder Johnny Damon couldnt haul in for the final out letting it go off his glove near the wall allowing the run to come in from first. It was Damons second bugaboo of the night as he also dropped a routine deep fly in the first putting runners in scoring position with one out but Rasner pitched around it.
You have to question why Girardi chose to keep Damon in center that late in a game which was tied an inning prior on Rasners only mistake resulting in an Adam Lind tying blast to right. Especially with Melky Cabrera down with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Still, the first-year Yankee skipper had two defensive choices at his disposal in Brett Gardner and Justin Christian but opted not to make a defensive change. It was Hideki Matsuis first game back. He DHd and hit seventh taking the collar in three at bats with a strikeout. Xavier Nady was in left and it forced Damon to center where hes not as fleet of foot since his injury crashing into a wall.
Every move or non-decision Girardi makes in which his team falls short will continue to be magnified here in NYC. He just hasnt had the magic touch. Say what you will about all the injuries to the rotation along with the disappointments of Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy but he still had enough in his arsenal to do a better job. You just dont get that vibe from this veteran-laden club. The middle of the order continues to fail in big spots with A-Rod and Jason Giambi striking out while leaving Bobby Abreu at second after he ledoff the fourth with his second double of the night. It was the No.3 hitter who back in the first on a hit and run drove a Burnett high outside fastball down the left field line for the Yanks only run. Then with him on second and one out, Alex Rodriguez was frozen on a curve and Giambi was overmatched on a 2-2 heater.
Speaking of which, how in the world does Girardi get away without explaining why he continued to hit that dynamic dud 4-5 when they rarely deliver big hits with runners on base? If theyre both stinking it up in those spots, isnt it time to make a lineup change and perhaps move up Xavier Nady, who has torn the cover off the ball since coming over from the Pirates? Sometimes, you wonder if the bulb will go off in Girardis head. Just amazing.
As for A-Rod getting nailed trying to get the extra base on a perfect defensive play by Lyle Overbay to start the ninth, what can ya do? Initially, I yelled probably just like every other Yankee fan. But really, it was the right play on what was a dunker just over the first basemans head and rolling to the wall before Overbay dove and then in one motion made a perfect throw to get Rodriguez. Chalk it up to just bad luck which sums things up. Not surprisingly, the Yanks went out with a whimper as B.J. Ryan Kd Giambi and then got Nady to harmlessly fly out to right putting them six and a half behind the Red Sox, who got Kevin Youkilis 24th dinger in a 7-2 win over the Orioles extending their lead.
The Twins also won and remained a game behind both Boston and the White Sox. And the Rays won again despite not having certain AL Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford rallying for three to get past the Angels for a second straight day. Want to know why? Cause they got plenty of heart.
Sadly, the Yanks have morphed into a bunch of Tinmen. A word I once used to describe Peyton Manning before he stood up and rallied the Colts past the Patriots and then won a Super Bowl MVP. Thats how a once proud franchise rich in history and tradition looks like it will bow out in the final season at the House That Ruth Built. They now trail Tampa by 11. And really, whats the point of even tracking it? Theyre deader than the people who were on The Titanic.
Ya know what also gets me. How a Girardi managed team could be so unclutch despite whats supposed to be a tougher manager. You wouldve thought hed lace into them and theyd snap out of it. But thats never been the case. Apparently, all they had was that strong second half start where they even got within three of the Rays making us believe they could again turn it on and make a 14th straight October. But that was all. Even if you point to Joba Chamberlain on the DL, the Yanks have gotten plenty from retread Sidney Ponson and even Rasner gave them every opportunity to win last night. But again, the offense came up small which has been the broken record all season.
When they write the obituary for this team, it should mention how an offense led by a three-time MVP fizzled and not talk much about a banged up staff which for the most part kept them in games. Whoever wouldve believed it? Not even the biggest Yankee hater.
-Whatever happened to Pudge Rodriguez putting the Yankees over the top?!?!?!?!?!?! They shouldve just kept Kyle Farnsworth. Guess the message never got through that Pudge is done as a productive player now that hes off the juice.
-Ive seen more intensity from Brett Favre in his press conferences with the Jets than the Yankees.
-Considering how shaky their pen remains without closer Billy Wagner, perhaps the Mets should dial up 1986 hero Jesse Orosco.
-It was nice to see the USA gymnastics tandem of Shawn Johnson and all-around champion Nastia Liukin finish 1-2 in the final competition on the balance beam. Both were terrific as usual and for once, the scoring was about right with the 16 year-old Johnson taking home her first ever Olympic gold while Liukin added another silver to an impressive list making it five total medals. Congrats to both!
-Speaking of Liukin, we came across an interesting piece featuring former NFL star corner Deion Sanders swinging by her family house in Texas to follow a day in the life of her Olympic training which included two gym workouts over three hours between four half hour sessions at school. Talk about dedication. Definitely worth the watch.
-Whoever thought it was a novel idea to roast Bob Saget and why? The mans never been funny even if he did star on Full House with Dave Coulier and John Stamos. Its also just a tad weird for them to be cracking jokes about the Olsen twins all these years later. Still, if theyre roasting the guy who hosted Americas Funniest Home Videos and is just very dull, then you know its completely gone to Hell in Hollywood.
-Im not a big NFL preseason guy but that was quite a first half performance by Domenik Hixon the other night in Big Blues 37-34 home win over the Browns. Speaking of which, should Cleveland be concerned when former Heisman candidate Ken Dorsey is outperforming Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn?!?!?!?!?!?! Just saying.
-I have to admit that its still a little odd seeing Roger Federers name as the No.2 seed at the upcoming U.S. Open while Rafa Nadal assumes No.1. And when you see a No.8 next to former 2003 champ Andy Roddick, this isnt quite how you pictured it five years later.
-I like how those quirky NBC announcers stole my Usain Bolt nickname before the 200 M semi-heat. Its my opinion that this time, he could be pushed by defending Olympic champion Shawn Crawford and Churandy Martina in the final. Well just have to anxiously wait and see later today.
-I like Method Man but what the hecks he doing on a SC set for a stupid fantasy football draft discussion? Talk about a wasted segment. Click.
-If you havent caught Little Children, see it.

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