February 21, 2005
SCATTERED PICTURES OF THE
SMILES WE LEFT BEHIND
If (when?) the New York Yankees lose to the Red Sox this year because of an inattention to pitching, you can blame Marvin "The Way We Were" Hamlisch.
Why?
Well, the bloated, pasty, irrelevant composer and Pittsburgh Pops conductor dropped by Sunday to the Yankees’ spring training home in Tampa, Legends Field, to distract manager Joe Torre from trying to capitalize on a gut-wrenching 2004 campaign.
Here’s how bad the Yankees have it: The Yankees picked up Randy Johnson in the off-season – one of the best acquisitions ever – and Torre and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre were observing pitchers on a side field a good 200 yards from where Johnson was practicing his pitching.
Or at least the Big Unit's coverage of first base on a ground ball.
"He looks like a giraffe running around out there,'' my friend Alan said.
Ahem.
Anyway, Hamlisch shows up midway through the workout...
...which drew Torre away from the mound, where he began walking toward the third-base side of the practice field.
They chatted for a bit.
Then they chatted a little longer.
Then Hamlisch follows him to a bullpen observation platform.
Then he weasels his way between Torre and Don Mattingly.
And. He. Just. Wouldn't. Leave.
He loitered at least an hour. You could tell by the uncomfortable body language Torre & Co. were giving off that Hamlisch was like a pervy uncle who lingered too long around his neice's bedtime.
Eh. Look at it this way:
When the Yankees fail to win the pennant because of Hamlisch's interference, Steinbrenner can save a little money by not having to update this banner.
For the second year in a row. Posted by Jeff at February 21, 2005 09:02 PM
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