THE GOOD & BAD ABOUT THE YANKEE SEASON SO FAR

The Yankees are off to a hot start, and for many of us fans, it's pretty exciting. Juan Soto is as promised.  The Yankees starting pitching has been productive, solid.  I'm a big Carlos Rodon guy, so to see him performing the way we envisioned has been fantastic.  Marcus Stroman? What can I say, he's been fun to watch.  Nestor Cortes is unique and does it many games better than several top starters. It's just been cool. But here's what I don't like...

Why are we booing Aaron Judge?  I am a pretty passionate fan, but even I don't get the logic in that.  This is a guy that has been dominant for our Yankees, even though last season for the team wasn't really memorable.  The guy rakes... he has pride, a solid work ethic.  He's literally everything we love about this team and why so many kids wear #99 on their little league jerseys.  He's the example of what we want and love on this team.  And so, he strikes out 4 times the other day and we boo him. 

You ever play professional ball? Do you understand how much commitment is needed? No, you show up, pay way too much money and feed your face with chicken tenders and fries while sitting on your fat ass expecting perfection every time. Relax.  Even the greats have a bad game... even a bad start.  It happens, it's professional sports.  After the game, Judge was asked about the booing, and he was just being kind when he said "I'd probably do the same thing in their situation."  You know what? I doubt it.  He's saying that because the Yankees are paying him.  He's not gonna cause waves... he's not gonna make it a thing between him and fans.  What was he really thing? He was thinking "Yea, I suck today, but WTF."  Trust me fans, there ain't no room for that. And that disappointed me.  

You know what else bothers me?  That ya'll don't understand that Aaron Boone has a target on his back.  You know I think this guy may be the worst manager in Yankee history. That has been long documented here on Bleeding Yankee Blue.  Yesterday he was ejected for something he didn't do.  Not sure you're following this (I'm sure you are), but it was a fan that called out behind Aaron Boone after Boone was asked by the umpire to not say another word.  This time Boone said nothing, but the umpire thought he heard him and kicked Boone out.  It was embarrassing for being wrong.

The ump ejected Aaron Boone for something a fan in the crowd said pic.twitter.com/wMNejcBYNe

— Welcome to the Ump Show (@umpjob) April 22, 2024

Now here's the thing; Aaron Boone has a bad reputation among the umpires in the Major Leagues.  He runs out there to bitch and moan about balls and strikes and all other stupid stuff. He puts on a show, is a whiner, a complainer and literally thinks that if we see him "Fighting for the players", that's what managing is.  But that's the problem, Boone is no manager. He's awful. The umpires know this and are fed up with it. It's like crying wolf... sooner or later you have a reputation, and no one believes you or cares.  Now, while yesterday was a mistake big time by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt, I really believe that the seed has been plated.  Boone's a problem manager and now any time they hear anything from that dugout they're gonna go after him, assuming it's him and why not... he's annoying.

Now do I agree with the Wendelstedt's ejection of Boone? Absolutely not. What a stupid mistake.  Do I understand why it happened? 1000%.  It's a lesson to Boone, shut up and manage... stop being a showman and cry baby.

In the midst of that, the Yankees lost 2-0 to the Athletics.  Sears pitched well for the A's.  Rodon did too, but the bats were silent.  But let's keep it real, it's April 23rd. Much like the Yankees being on a hot streak early, it's nice to watch, but means nothing.  Things always level out.  The Yankees will go on a losing streak, guys like Stanton will get hurt, Pitching will pitter out and the debate about where or not we need better starting pitching will surface again and at the end of it we expect a championship, but ultimately, and I'm saying this again... we do not have a championship team here.  We have a fun April because baseball is back, and we have Soto... but that's about it.  

The Yankees cannot win 162 games in a season... yesterday was an example of that.  But we still come out and root hard and hope they can.  And that's what being a fan is. 

Let's hope they go on a winning streak. That would be great.