“Mixed feelings, Buddy. Like seeing Derek Jeter going off a cliff…in my new Maserati.”
By It’s Yankee elimination day! And, yet, it is for me a highly sour and unpleasant one, given that the Mariners have somehow managed to get outscored 42-10 — by the Astros and Blue Jays! — in four games with the season on the line. I must note in particular one historic accomplishment. For all the talk of St. Jeter’s wretched final season, Kendrys Morales has somehow managed to accumulate the most negative value in the major leagues in a mere 381 plate appearances. It’s not easy to be nearly two wins worse than a shortstop with .610 OPS in a hitter’s park and atrocious defense in 2/3rds the at bats, but Morales has pulled it off. A stunning achievement. (Was he DHing and hitting cleanup last night? I think you know the answer to that!) I wonder whether the Mariners’ regular DH next year will be Yuniesky Betancourt or Jeff Francoeur.
Anyway, congrats again to fans of the A’s and Royals; if two other teams had to win the wildcards, that’s the two I’d pick at least.
With the loss, Most Valuable Commenter Howard has also officially lost our charity Planned Parenthood bet, but everyone can still donate anyway…