DownSwinging.com

The Red Sox have won all eight games they have played against the Yankees this season, and it has become quite the embarassment to the New York squad. Despite being just behind the Red Sox in the standings, being swept in all three series by the Sox is not something the Yankees want to make a habit. What’s worse though, is that when managers and executives act like the Major Leagues is some sort of little league matchup.

Friday, a day after the sweep, Yankees Manager Joe Girardi apparently requested that Brad Penny be suspended for an intentional ball thrown at Alex Rodriguez. Despite the fact that there were no more hit batters for the rest of the game, Girardi felt that they the pitch by Penny was intentional and was worthy of a suspension. Be sure to take note of the fact that the Yankees have hit nine Red Sox batters this season, as opposed to the Sox hitting only three Yankees.

Girardi should have really learned his lesson by now. The 2009 Baseball Prospectus said of Girardi last season, “Good at organizing a bullpen, bad at dealing with the press.” Clearly, he is continuing that trend. How bad does it look that after being completely embarassed by your hated rival, that you call up the Commissioner and whine about how their big, bad pitcher took a shot at your prized A-Rod? To be honest, it has to be demoralizing to the players. They want to just forget about the series and move on, and not deal with the press constantly bringing up the Red Sox. On top of this, I don’t know why Girardi was calling up complaining regardless of the opponent or outcome of the series, that sort of thing is up the commissioner’s office.

On the flip side, John Henry, Principal Owner of the Boston Red Sox, updated his twitter using the phrase, “the MT [Mark Teixeira] Curse?” Firstly, Henry, why you are using Twitter I have no idea. But secondly, this just reflects badly on the team. Probably not as bad as what Girardi did, but it looks like you’re still sour for missing on the Teixeira sweepstakes. Just let the Sox’ performance speak for itself. Teixeira, for his part, said, “There is no reason for me to get into any war of words with some 70-something-year-old man. It doesn’t make sense.” While that really is an insult, particularly since Henry is only 59, credit Teixeira for not responding with something that will cause the boys on PTI to be talking for days. Odd that it’s the players that are now the responsible ones.