TEAM COMPETITION BRINGS THE BEST OUT OF AN ATHLETE

(Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)

Nothing should ever be handed to you. Many times a spot needs to be earned. More on that in a moment.

Love this article from Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record.  He has that nugget that everyone wants to know about when it comes to Greg Bird. Is he frustrated with his performance? 

As you all know, Birdman is struggling... big time. We all see it... we all know it. Many of us are getting fed up with Bird. For me personally... I like Bird, but they need to fix him, and in the meantime, I keep thinking about Tyler Austin and how maybe the Yankees shouldn't have traded him away but instead had him stick around, and show that playful competition between 2 teammates at one position and may the best player win the spot.

Robby Sabo, ESNY Graphic, Getty Images

Sometimes that lights a fire under an athlete's ass and for Bird... I honestly think it would have helped him.  They'd push each other... but no.  We have Austin on the Twins now, free from living in the Bird shadow and kicking butt. And then we have Bird... given a spot that he can't deliver in and by the way... DID NOT EARN.  It all kind of sucks.

Caldera writes:

Photo: NorthJersey.com

"Greg Bird’s two homers last weekend – including a grand slam – felt as if it happened a month ago. That’s what an off day and an 0-for-10 with four strikeouts against the Marlins can do to a hitter who has been searching all season to find his A-swing. 

'It’s frustrating. It (stinks) to (stink),’ the Yankees first baseman said bluntly after the Marlins’ 9-3 win on Wednesday night, earning Derek Jeter’s club a two-game split of the interleague series. 

Even the large contingent of Yankees fans at Marlins Park took to booing Bird, which really made the place sound like Yankee Stadium South. Bird’s seasonal average is down to .202 in 72 games (247 at-bats) with a flat .689 OPS."

But what happens in a situation like this? Do we bench Bird? Do we let him work through it? How long will this take?

The whole thing's frustrating, but no one is more frustrated than Greg Bird.  Meanwhile... Tyler Austin?

10-30, 3 home runs, .333 and a 1.049 OPS in Minnesota.

All very interesting.