Yankees-Mets Subway Series 2009: "What Are These Guys Doing?"

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

DEER PARK, TEXAS (June 13, 2009) Sitting at my computer watching the first game of the Yankees-Mets series on MLB.TV last night, all I could think was "Oh My God."

The New York Yankees were facing their cross town rivals, the New York Mets. It was a game they should have won. In fact, it was a game they should have won easily.

The hitting was there. The fielding was there. Even the fans were there. The only thing that didn't show up was the pitching.

Joba Chamberlain started against the Mets and came into the game with a 3-1 record and a 3.79 ERA. He quickly showed what he can do when he doesn't put his mind into pitching.

He pitched 4 innings, gave up five walks and hit two batters. In face, two of the walks resulted in runs being scored for the Mets. He only threw 52 strikes out of 100 pitches and never seemed to get into the groove.

I know it is easy to sit at a computer and criticize professional athletes, but I cannot help think what are they paying this guy to do?

He has been quoted saying he has lost his aggressiveness.

WHAT DID HE SAY? I am going to repeat it.

He said he has lost his aggressiveness.

It may sound petty, but this is his job. For what he makes, he should be aggressive everyday.
I know he is only 23-years-old and only 2 years out of the University of Nebraska, but he is a professional athlete. He makes $432,575 a year. That is a ton of money for a 23-year-old. I think that is all the motivation he needs to get aggressive.

In reality, he did not get the job done last night. When a 23-year-old makes the kind of money he does, he needs to get the job done. None of the Yankees pitching staff did. Five pitchers gave up seven hits and eight runs, all of them earned, while only striking out nine. With that kind of "talent" on the mount, no wonder the Yankees are having problems.

If it had not been for the Mets' Luis Castillo bobbling a routine popup, the Yankees would have dropped another game.

As a result of a botched catch, the Yankees put one in the win column. They are now just two games behind Boston. But it is a long season and it is getting longer, at least from the fan's perspective.

Manager Joe Girardi needs to evaluate his pitching staff in general and Chamberlain in particular. Perhaps a trip down to the minors might help him get his aggressiveness back.
In any case, game two of the Subway Series is this afternoon. Perhaps things will look up with Andy Pettitte on the mount. I will not bet the rent money on it, but it could happen. After all, Pettitte is a good old Texas boy, and everyone knows how aggressive Texans can be.

NOTE: This article is also posted at "A Yankees Fan Deep in the Heart of Texas" and at "The Bleacher Report".