Enough about the Yankees
I've never done this before. But I've heard it's fun, so I'll try it. I'm going to Yankee bash.
Now I've always dismissed Yankee bashers, attributing their hatred to jealousy directed at a quality franchise. At least the Yankees' performance on the field, most years, justifies the inordinate attention.
But this season, with their record hovering around .500, the Bombers deserve the bombardment of disdain. At 48-42 -- only three games better than the uninspiring Orioles -- the Yankees fall short of relevancy as a mediocre, rebuilding team.
So why does Joba Chamberlain's transition from the bullpen warrant daily ongoing coverage? How can more Yankees make the All-Star team than the Rays, the team with the best record in baseball? Who at ESPN thinks everyone is so interested in a team that probably won't be a factor in the playoff hunt?
But don't expect it to stop any time soon. Not with Alex Rodriguez's divorce crossing the boundary of sports news into the frenzied world of Us Weekly. Granted, the story raises really important questions such as whether 'Stray'-Rod learning Kabbalah from Madonna might improve his concentration at the plate. But would anyone care if Rodriguez played for the Royals?
Standards are different for the Yankees, evidenced by Hank Steinbrenner's whining when Chien-Ming Wang injured himself on the basepaths. Pitchers shouldn't bat in interleague play, he complained. Well, other AL hurlers rounded the bases without incident. Why does your team deserve a special rule change? Especially this season, when your record's only six games better than the Pirates.
_ WADE MALCOLM
