April 2, 2007 – Bronx, New York – Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. This edition of opening would have been more poetic had it not been for the noteworthy items that occurred.  By the way, the new stadium is coming along.  Besides the big hole in the ground, you can see (from the parking garage the progress they have made over the winter, it’s pretty cool).  

1) A-Rod – Can we dispense with the gratuitous booing of this player?  Watching the game in the stands, the full weight of irony was unavoidable.  In the first inning, he gets booed for failing to catch a foul pop and while he should have made the catch, it wasn’t as easy a play as everyone makes out.  So, he gets booed.  Then, in the ninth inning this same man gets a curtain call for a centerfield blast to insure the Yankees win the game.  At least A-Rod was classy about it and acknowledged the fans.  More important than the HR, was A-Rod’s manufacturing of the lead run in the 8th.  He smashes a single which “eats up” the Devil Rays SS, then steals second (which is how you know a guy can steal bases – when it counts, not just to pad stats).  And scores on a single.  This is the kind of player A-Rod can be: One inning manufacturing a run, the next inning blasting a HR.  And, that was not a meaningless, “tack on” HR.  That HR made it a four run lead and gave the Yankees an opportunity to sit Rivera down (more on this below).  Enough with the booing already, it’s tedious.

2) Pavano, a.k.a., the “Big Ragu” – He wasn’t awful.  This outing amounts to an incomplete.  He was seriously betrayed by the defense.  Oh, anybody notice the error by Jeter?  Phelps’ pathetic throw into left field?  Pavano gave up a couple of hard hit balls, but deserved better.  He received a lukewarm applause when Torre took him out.  Hopefully he’ll make progress in his next start.  I’m looking forward to it.

3) Torre pinch hitting Phelps in the 6th – Interesting move.  For a man who hasn’t bunted since Zimmer was in pinstripes this was unexpected.  It would have taken the Devil Rays totally by surprise if it were any other player other than Mienkiewicz.  First and second with no one out, and Phelps gets pinch hit for?  I’m all in favor of bunting more, but I thought Phelps had earned the right to swing away there, anyway not a big deal.

4) Rivera.  Ok, I’ve saved the best for last and this is no second guess.  It’s a four run lead.  It’s not a save situation.  So why am I hearing the sounds of “Enter Sandman?”  Why?  Because Torre is a MORON!  WHY IS RIVERA IN THIS GAME!  HE HAS NO BUSINESS BEING IN THIS GAME!  That was 12 pitches we are never getting back.  I don’t want to hear we have an off day on Tuesday, or that he was already warming up.  Five years ago, I wouldn’t have cared – this man is 37 and he is not going to be around for much longer. What happened to taking care of Rivera?   Why can’t we use Rivera for more than one inning?  Because he’s wasted in games like this! We have got 6 games against the Red Sox this month, and I’m guessing, just guessing based on recent history that one of these contests may call for Rivera to be used for more than one inning!  Why is he being used against the Devil Rays at home, with a four run lead?  It’s unnecessary.  Read my lips: He doesn’t need to stay sharp – he’s Mariano Rivera, one of the greatest pitchers ever.  It’s ok to get him up in the bullpen and not use him.  He’ll understand.  Does anyone doubt that he is not going to be used alot this year!  Why do this now on the first day of the season?  Does anyone think there won’t be plenty of save opportunities?  Ridiculous, I almost had a stroke on what was otherwise a perfectly pleasant day with good friends, good food and what seemed like after A-Rod’s HR, an easy Yankee victory.  Â