So, rather than blaming poor play or anything of that nature, the Yankees have been blaming the bugs and the umps. Clemens gets into the action, saying that if it were up to him, the teams would've been off the field:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007...tory?id=3051642

SiAS's reaction to the bugs and umps:


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007...tory?id=3052904

Why can't we just tell the MLB that we don't want a certain ump at our games anymore? George sure is powerful!

I am enjoying the "put -gate on the end of every controversy/saga" era.

The era has been since 1979 or so.

I don't think the team as a whole has been blaming the bugs for anything. I don't recall any quotes from Joba blaming the bugs for his performance, and A-Rod just yesterday said the lineup as been atrocious (paraphrasing). Clemens's comments probably come closest, same with Steinbrenner. But George threatening Torre's job would hardly suggest the organization is blaming bugs and umpiring for the possibility of a first round exit.

I gotta tell ya, this sudden resurgence of the old Big Stein is kind of refreshing! I didn't think the old coot still had these sort of quotes in him.

Makes me feel young again.

Seems like everyone but the one’s on the field are blaming the bugs. “I am not going to make excuses” Chamberlain said, “I’ve got to do a better job of executing my pitches”.
“ They bugged me but you have to deal with it, I will never make an excuse”.
Cashman said, “It’s the same for both teams”
Mientkiewicz said, “ He had (the midges) all over his neck and back, but then again so did their guys".
So yeah, our owner has a big mouth and a tough loss usually equals him putting his foot in it. But by and large, the Yankees are not blaming the bugs. Neither is this Yankee fan.
Even implying the game should have been delayed is not necessarily blaming the bugs, it’s simply saying it should have been delayed.

i remember thinking that they should probably delay the game (an hour later the little devils were almost all gone)....if only to eliminate this kind of excuse, for either team, as the reason for losing a postseason game....

Amusing considering Buster Olney's report today that Froeming will be the crew chief of the World Series and have the plate in Game 1. Olney says that's terrible since at this stage Bruce sucks, and he's probably right, but...glad to know that George doesn't think his boys will be there.Maybe this Yankee fan isn't, but I can play you the 7 minute voicemail I got from my Yankee-fan buddy last night, as long as you're over 18 anyway. You may not be, but I'm guessing a lot of Yankee fans are echoing what my friend said.

Agreed..the fans likey are but the Yankees are not. I assume it's founded in frustration rather then logic. For about 8 seconds I felt that way...and as I usually point out, it's likely not a Yankee thing. My guess is a lot of fans of other teams would feel the same way. I wish they wouldn't, it's unbecoming of a team that had it's share of breaks along the way.

Very true. The owner should know better, but then again, I guess he knows what he's doing. He's probably trying to light a fire under his guys, and nothing else is working, so fine...but it demonstrates a lack of respect for Torre and a lack of class on the part of Steinbrenner, in my opinion, to be making those kinds of statements. I suppose he figures that if he wins, who cares about class.

If I were MLB I would try to get that ump into more Yankee games. I don't know how Georgie can say, "he'll never ump one of our games again".

Dude, he's retiring at the end of this year (the ump). And the playoff rotations I'm sure are already set.

Which is actually what makes Georgie's statements so funny. Its like watching Robert Byrd, he's totally lost it but nobody can say anything around him about it.

Damn, I didn't realize he was retiring. Maybe he'll try to DFA Reggie Jackson next?

Where were you during the All Star Game, dude???

Bruce did homeplate and Fox killed the story to death.

I usally just tune in about game time. I didn't pay attention to an ump retiring.

Bruce is the home plate ump for game one of the World Series, so I guess old man Steinbrenner just knows the Yanks won't be participating.

Caspir Posted Today, 08:23 PM
Bruce is the home plate ump for game one of the World Series, so I guess old man Steinbrenner just knows the Yanks won't be participating.





Uhh Caspir...that was a great point when I made it here, too....

(I know, you didn't read the thread...)

Great minds...or seriously twisted ones, in this case, do think alike.

Son of a bitch. You win this round.

i can see how caspir missed it.....it is unlike you to 'bury the lead' like that MF.....