We’re always hearing that it’s a long season.  You hear it in many different variations.  “Don’t worry about losing opening day, there are 161 games left.”  “Sure we dropped 3 of 4 to Tampa Bay, but it’s just a blip.  They’ll straighten themselves out.”  “The pitching is struggling, but I’m sure the bats will carry them.”  How many times have you heard that?  How many times have you believed it?  On many occasions you realize you’re overreacting and acting like Chicken “Grady” Little, but this time I’m not.  I’m here to declare that the 2006 season is officially over.  We’re pulling a Toronto (after Toronto began their decline of corse) right now by painfully fading away while the Yankees and Twins run away from us.

Since the All-Star Break they have won two series.  TWO!!!!  They swept Kansas City and took 2 of 3 in Oakland (after Oakland took 3 of 4 at Fenway).  That is it.  In that same timeframe they have gone 2-5 versus Tampa Bay.  This sounds promising doesn’t it?  Well after blowing a very winnable game on Sunday I wanted to wait to see how they responded after a day of and against the worst team in baseball.  What did they do?  We all know they came out flat.  Ortiz hit another solo home run.  (Aside from the walk-off against the Indians it feels like Ortiz has hit 10 solo home runs in a row.) There is no such thing as clutch hitting and the pitching has been suspect, especially the bullpen.  If you’re struggling and Kansas City and Baltimore are on the schedule then you start acting like it’s Christmas morning.  Instead these guys are rolling over and playing dead. 

This is how bad it has become.  I fell asleep during Sunday’s game and when I woke up the lead was gone and Tavarez was in.  Aside from knowing the game was over, before it was actually over, Don Orsillo pulled a Joe Buck and continually repeated that Tavarez hadn’t allowed a run in his 3 previous appearances.  I wish that he and Jerry put their headsets down and said “Screw this, we’re getting a jump on the post game traffic.”  Then last night Rudy “Rudy, Rudy” Seanez couldn’t hold the fort down.  I only know this, because I watched the highlights.  After Lester walked his 20th batter of the night, by the second inning, I turned the game off in disgust.  What’s worse is that I was right.  I’m also right with my prediction.  Injury excuse?  Not when Sheffield and Matsui are down for most of the season and the Yankees have no depth.  Tired pitching?  Besides Mo Rivera who is actually good on that Yankees staff?  A-Rod being A-Rod?  That’s how good the Yankees are playing when they can treat Sir Suckalot like he’s another scrub.  RIP Red Sox.  You had it in your hands and you decided to hurl it off a cliff.