Yankee Fans Should Be Thankful

As someone who uses Twitter a lot – it’s basically my main form of communication with the outside world these days – I’ve noticed lately that a lot of Yankee fans complain just for the sake of complaining.

Are people that bored by the team’s performance that they need to stir things up or be contrarian?

Case in point: Last night’s game and more specifically Derek Lowe‘s performance. Instead of being happy about it, I noticed a lot of negativity.

So my question is, why?

Why must people always see the negate the good things in certain situations? And I’m asking this as a naturally pessimistic person. You couldn’t find someone more pessimistic than me most days so when I think people are being too negative, they probably are.

The Yankees signed Lowe for nothing so what’s the big deal? They didn’t have to give up anyone for him, he’s a fresh arm in the bullpen and he pitched well last night.

“It’s only one game and he was bad for Cleveland.”

I realize that but again, why be so glum after a big win against the best offense in baseball?

“They could have called someone up from the Minors to pitch instead.”

Sure, they could have but they didn’t.

Those negative, unhappy about everything, glum Yankee fans need to realize that things could be a lot worse. With all of the injuries this team has suffered this season – Michael Pineda, Brett Gardner, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez. Not to mention CC’s second stint on the DL – the fact that they are still in first place and that they, once again, have the best record in the American League is a minor miracle.

An example of things being worse? The Boston Red Sox.

Today, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports penned an exclusive piece about a Red Sox mutiny of sorts. It seems the players aren’t happy with manager Bobby Valentine.

Now, this is not a shocking revelation at all. The amusing thing about this particular story is that pretty much everyone on Planet Earth knew this sort of thing was going to happen. Everyone knew that the Bobby V signing was a mistake from the start and now the Sox have become the joke of the American League East.

Of course, that’s not to say the current state of their season entirely Bobby Valentine’s fault. The players themselves – especially guys like the underachieving Josh Beckett and Jon Lester – need to be culpable. This season seems to still have a bit of the 2011 collapse carrying over into it.  That clubhouse has also been dealt a lot of major injuries as well.

Another example of things being worse? The Toronto Blue Jays.

Here’s a list of injuries to key players to illustrate how their 2012 season has gone so far:

• RHP Brandon Morrow (strained left oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list June 12, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 17. He threw on flat ground for the first time June 25. He threw his first bullpen session July 13. He made rehab starts for Class A Dunedin on July 29 and Aug. 3. He made the first of three scheduled starts for Class AA New Hampshire on Aug. 9. He could rejoin the Blue Jays in late August.
• 3B Brett Lawrie (strained right oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 4. He might be able to return as soon as he’s eligible.
• 1B/DH Adam Lind (mid-back tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 26. An exam found no structural damage.
• C J.P. Arencibia (broken right hand) went on the 15-day disabled list July 26. He is expected to be out until early September.
• RHP Jason Frasor (right forearm tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 17. He was shut down from throwing until early August.
• RF Jose Bautista (left wrist inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list July 17. He began swinging a bat July 28. He started swinging drills involving a tee on Aug. 13, but there is no timetable for his return.
• RHP Drew Hutchison (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list June 16, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 25. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery Aug. 9.
• RHP Dustin McGowan (plantar fasciitis in right foot, right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26 due to the foot injury, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 25. He never made it into a game this season, and he had exploratory shoulder surgery Aug. 9.
• RHP Jesse Litsch (right shoulder tendinitis, right shoulder infection) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 20. He had season-ending biceps tendon surgery in June.
• RHP Sergio Santos (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 24. He resumed throwing in mid-May, and he threw a 25-pitch bullpen session June 1. He threw his third bullpen session June 7 but then experienced a setback in late June. He underwent season-ending surgery July 24.
• LHP Luis Perez (torn left elbow ligament) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to July 9. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery July 17.
• RHP Kyle Drabek (sprained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 14, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 22. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery June 19.

Did you notice all of the pitchers they’ve lost this year? And did you notice how many times the phrase “season-ending surgery” was used?

So, what is the point of this rambling post? It’s pretty simple. Things could be a lot worse for the Yankees. Luckily for us, they aren’t. (Knock on wood)

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