D'Oh

Today was a bad day for running. Hog and I rolled up to Gantch at around 6:30 ready to rock some intervals on the indoor track. After about 50m of warmup a facilities dude told us they were closing down in about 10 minutes and that we had to leave. Crap. Well... no workout today, which sucks because I was really looking forward to running fast for the first time in a while. Not getting a chance to work out made me realize how much I miss running workouts in general. In high school and college we ran them so frequently that it became second nature. Now, not having done one in a long time (months?), I'm psyched to start again. Oh well, looks like I'll have to wait until next week. Nate and I ran Belmont from Tufts instead, which was 9 miles, and ate some delicious Anna's afterward.

So the Yankees signed Johnny Damon today. I don't really know how I feel about it. I hated Damon when he played for the Red Sox. I disliked everything he stood for.... the long hair, the "Idiot" attitude, etc etc. Now am I supposed to cheer when he gets a lead off hit and steals a base for us? I guess, but it feels wrong. I wish that the Yankees and Red Sox players felt more loyalty to thier teams. The Yankees now have Mike Myers, Johnny Damon, and Alan Embree. What? Cashman and Steinbrenner should make it a rule that we don't accept Red Sox players.

The whole Johnny Damon thing is indicitive of a problem the Yankees have that people criticize with good reason. I look at their lineup now, Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Sheff, Matsui, Giambi, Posada, Bernie, and Cano. That's not the Yankees. That's the AL All Star team. It seems like more and more we're playing with hired guns. Is Damon a true Yankee? Is Sheff? Is A-Rod? Not really. I think things might be looking up now that Cashman suppoosedly has more autonomy in the organization. That's a good thing, because I really think Cashman does a good job. Look at Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon from last year. Our pitching staff was in shambles, and Cashman signed two guys who basically saved our season for us. I'm really happy that we didn't deal Robinson Cano or Chien Ming Wang this offseason. These are talented, young players, who came from our farm system, and could be stars pretty soon. 3 or 4 years ago, these guys would have been gone in a second for some aging starter or position player that Steinbrenner had been coveting for 10 years (Randy Johnson anyone?). I hope we continue to stick with our younger players, becuase they are the ones who will really help us win consistently. And, perhaps more importantly, they'll be "real Yankees" (i.e. not hired guns). I hope Damon does well this year... I just hope Cano does better.

And, for something very funny... check this out.

Mr. Pibb plus Red Vines equals CRAZY DELICIOUS