Mariano's Mournful Month

My name is Jamie, and I'm a Yankees fan. I bleed pinstripes, which is even more impressive than it sounds. This means that I worship no Gods before Mariano Rivera. After all, Mo saves.

Or at least he usually does.

Just about every single season, Mo has a stretch of games we'd all rather forget ever happened. In fact, he had one yesterday. He had one last Monday, too - the last time he pitched. And he had one the day before that.

The sky isn't falling. Mo didn't forget how to pitch and his expected velocity is there, so I don't think there is an injury concern. He's just not locating right now. He'll get his control back; he always does. But that doesn't make this game log any easier to look at. The month of September has been a disaster for Mo: 6 earned runs in 10.2 innings pitched. That's a 5.06 ERA, which is not only astounding, but its all the more painful because of the pace he'd been on. Through July, his ERA was under 1. After August, it was barely over 1. Even now, it's .15 under 2, so it's still been a great year for Mo.

Mo will get his game back. He always does - the only question is, will he get it back in time? I say yes; nobody shines brighter in the spot light of October playoff baseball than Mo. Joe Girardi will make sure he gets enough work to tune up, and when the leaves call and a championship beckons, Mo will answer.

Cmon Girardi

Words cannot describe how I feel about Girardi and certain shitheads tonight. Yes, that means you Nick Swisher.

A note to Joe Girardi

This picture presents concrete evidence that, yes, Alex Rodriguez has the ability to run. Apparently you had no idea that this was possible, as he was stationary at first base through Robinson Cano's entire nine-pitch at bat in the ninth inning with the tying run at third and one out.

If A-Rod's hip is still that much of a concern (I can't believe I am about to say this) then maybe Angel Berroa should have replaced him at first base. The bottom line is that the double play was the Nats only way out of that jam, and you did nothing to attempt to eliminate that possibility.

Please be sure to remove your head from your rectum next time, it makes managing the game infinitly simpler.

XOXO,

Jimmy Dugan

Girardi: "Yo tengo el gatto en mi pantalones"

As I was on my ride in to work this morning, I flipped on Boomer and Carton on WFAN here in New York. Upon listening to audio of Joe Girardi's postgame interview after a rousing, 14-inning victory over the A's, he referred to a member of his bullpen as "Flaco".

By using my astute command of the Spanish language, I quickly realized that "Flaco" translates to "skinny", or "slim". Apparently, this is the nickname given to 96 pound relief pitcher Edwar Ramirez. It looks as though Joe Girardi went out and grew himself a personality this winter. No word on whether he calls CC Sabathia "Gordo".

Here you go

Since Joe Girardi had a brain fart yesterday, I figured I would throw up an image of what Yankee fans should have seen yesterday: Mariano Rivera pitching at Kauffman Stadium. Apparently General Joe doesn't think Mo can get a four-out save. What is he, K-Rod?