Bill Simmons, the self-proclaimed "Sports Guy" on ESPN.com wrote an interesting thought today in reference to the NBA Finals. He said that one of the only things the Pistons can do to win the series is to knock Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili every time they drive to the basket. Simmons believes that none of the other Spurs will stand up for them because they're "not that kind of team." Maybe that's true, maybe it isn't. I don't follow the Spurs close enough to know if that's the case or not.
The interesting thing about that comment is that he then took that analogy to the Yankees-Red Sox matchups. He correctly pointed out that the Yankees are often too "classy" to retaliate when one of their own is brushed back or plunked and that the Red Sox figured this out and have continued intimidating the Yanks because they know that the Pinstripers won't fight back. There's no doubt about that one. The Yanks are basically a bunch of wimps and pushovers with no spine and no heart. Where Simmons errs is in his example of Derek Jeter. The Red Sox have either beaned or brushed Jeter back more than any other Yankee. What I find odd is that Simmons would pick Jeter as his example. Jeter's about the only one that isn't intimidated by the brushbacks and beanings. If there's one Yankee that has no qualms about getting back in the batter's box and roping a line drive, it's our Captain.
Simmons is a good writer and an amusing and entertaining guy. This column's just not on the money. He should've picked Giambi. Now there's a big pussy if there ever was one.
4 comments:
No doubt that Jeter's not intimidated to get back in the box but just once I'd like to see him rush the mound and actually retaliate. I guess I can respect his class but I'd like to see our captain provide the same spark to his team that Varitek gave to his last July. And getting plunked and getting a basehit his next time up just isn't inspiring his team.
Agreed Beth... I'm so sick of the talk from last year about how the A-Rod/Varitek scuffle turned the Red Sox season around. The next time Jeter gets hit, I'd like to see him go ape shit on the Red Sox. That will be the Yankees' turning point, turning away from the giant pussies the team has collectively become (except, of course, for Tanyon Sturtze, who is quickly becoming one of the greatest Yankees ever).
Gamebreak, if the Yankees must pin their 2005 hopes on Tanyon Sturtze, it is a lost season indeed.
Hart, you don't watch enough Yankees games to accurately comment on this. Tanyon Sturtze IS a big part of the Yankees. His reputation as a crappy D-Rays starter may preceed him in other markets but Yankee fans who watch every night know that Sturdy Sturtze has a big role on our club and is an integral Yank.
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