WHAT WAS THAT?

Can anybody explain to me what happened today? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? What happened today was unexplainable. The New York Yankees, the most storied franchise in sports history, the twenty-six time world champions got rolled by the Minnesota Twins. The Twins you ask? Are these the same Minnesota Twins the Yankees have beaten the last 13 times they've played them? The same team they beat all 7 times they faced them this year? The answer is YES and NO!

The "Yes" answer points to the name of the team the Yankees' had beaten 13 times out of 13 times over the past two seasons. The "No" answer points to a team that is clearly not the same one the Yankees faced at the beginning of the 2003 season. The Minnesota Twins team the Yankees saw today appeared more determined and had a stronger will to win than their pinstriped counterparts. They collectively outpitched, out-defensed and outhit the Bronx Bummers.

Case in point. The Yankees' numbers 2, 4 and 5 hitters (i.e. Nick Johnson, Jason Giambi and MVP wannabe Jorge Posada) combined for an 0 for 12 afternoon at Yankee Stadium. The number 1 and 3 hitters (i.e. Alfonso Soriano and Derek Jeter) combined for 4 for 8. What can you conclude from this? How about no timely hitting and no runs scored. Basically, missed opportunities. The Yankees were 0 for 10 with RISP. Now that we know the offense stunk, let's look the defense?

Although, the official line says the Yankees only committed one error those who either listened to or watched the game know different. The Yankees sloppy offense cost Mike Mussina 3 earned runs. Three runs that, personally, I don't think should have been scored as "earned." In the 3rd inning the Twins' Shannon Stewart singled to left field. OF Hideki Matsui gathered up the ball and fired it to 3B Aaron Boone who was waiting to tag an approaching Cristian Guzman. As replays, photos and satellite images showed Matsui's throw was clearly ahead of Guzman. So what happened? Boone allowed Guzman to slide into 3B under his tag. Guzman was safe. It was a terrible play by Boone. It wasn't scored as an error, but that is exactly what it was. As sure as Murphy's Law exists Cristian Guzman scored to put the Twins ahead 1-0.

The Yankees weren't done with their (cough, cough) stellar play. With one on in the sixth inning Torii Hunter smacked a ball to center field where Bernie Williams used to reign supreme. The old Bernie, the one that could fly like the wind, would have kept Hunter's knock down to a single. However, the new Bernie, the one with a reconstructed knee, took a bad angle to the ball and looked on helplessly as the ball skirted by him. Hunter was given a gift triple. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that Minnesota had a runner on who scored. Although, not officially an error it was a mistake by Williams just the same.

The play wasn't finished. As Hunter approached third base Alfonso Soriano, whose glove the ball ended up in, threw wildly to Boone and the ball went into foul territory. Soriano's poor throw allowed Hunter to score. Officially, that was the only error the Yankees had all day, but we know different. The Yankees know different. Everyone in the known world knows different. The Yankees' mental mistakes and lack of offense cost them the game.

Game 2 is back in the Bronx on Thursday, October 2nd, and the Yankees cannot give this game away. Clearly, they cannot afford to go to Minnesota down 0-2. The Bombers need this game in the worst way. It is the most important game of their 2003 season. If the Yankees lose Thursday, don't expect a miracle comeback like the one they had against Oakland in 2001 when Derek Jeter's unbelievable play to get Jeremy Giambi out at the plate turned around New York's fortunes.

Simply put, the Yankees are behind the 8-ball. They had better win or resign themselves to lose. Minnesota is a team that relishes the underdog role. It is their battle cry. They love beating the bully of the block. The Yankees have less than 48 hours to prove they belong in the playoffs. Minnesota has drawn the line in the sand.

PLAY BALL!