New York Stories #1: Yankees Humiliation Brings Smile to Red Sox Fan

It rained most of the day in New York.  But I knew there would be a game.  The game marked Alex Rodriguez's return from the DL.  Yankees fans had little else to cheer about.  Mike Mussina had what was arguably the worst start of his major league career.  The veteran righty lasted only two thirds of an inning surrendering seven runs to the Baltimore Orioles.  In fairness, only one of the runs was earned as Derek Jeter committed a throwing error.  But the bottom line is that the Orioles had a 7-0 lead before the Yankees came to bat.  Yes, I heard a Bronx Cheer in the Bronx.  It marked only the 4th time in Yankee Stadium history that they surrendered seven or more runs in the 1st inning.

 The O's added two more runs in the 2nd, one of them on an error by that Judas Johnny Damon.  By the 4th, former Red Sox great Kevin Millar hit a home run to make it 10-0.  The add insult to injury, Jeter had to leave the game in the 3rd when he was on the wrist by a pitch from Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera.   However, X-rays turned up negative and Jeter is day to day.

  The benches cleared in the 6th when Yankees reliever La Troy Hawkins threw a couple of pitches behind Luke Scott.  Hawkins and Yankee skipper Joe Girardi would be ejected from the game.  Scott would get even in his next at bat when he hit a two run home run.  The Yankees only bright spot was a two run home run by A-Rod in the 6th.  It was the only mistake Cabrera made in his seven inning start.

Because of the rain, there was a small crowd in the first place.  Not surprisingly, the blowout prompted the Yankees not so faithful to leave as early as the 4th inning.  Although there was one spirited Yankees fan who was trying to get fans in the outfield stands to start a 'Let's Go Yankees' chant it was to no avail.  Orioles won 12-2.  And yes, I wore my Red Sox cap to see the last place Yankees.

Still, I was pleased to attend Yankee Stadium one last time.  I also saw the New Yankee Stadium across the street.  It looks magnificent from the outside.  I'm sure I'll be there in the years to come.  But nothing beats Fenway.