Three-Run Homeruns Are Good.

"Proud of his National League heritage, Joe Torre never has been content with Earl Weaver's theory on AL managing: Wait for a three-run homer."

Torre still thinks it's the NL and it's 1971. You know what else happened in 1971 in the NL? Torre won the MVP. Hit over .360 that year. With no infield hits, because he was a slow runner.

"So, with Giambi batting in the first inning, and runners at first and second, Torre put Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter in motion.

The Mets already were ahead in Saturday's game, 2-0.

Instead of walking or hacking, Giambi looked at a called strike three, and catcher Ramon Castro gunned down Damon at third -- with plenty of daylight to spare -- for a rally-killing double play."

If the Yankees get a runner on first base with no outs, and the pitcher gets an early strike, the best thing to do is to purposedly throw a couple of balls and get the count to 2-1. Then, throw a pitchout. I promise, Torre will call a hit and run on the 2-1 pitch. Even though the hit-and-run never works.

Because Torre is proud of his NL heritage.


"Ninety-nine percent of the time, we're running in that situation," Jeter said. "We just haven't been able to have that big inning."

Ninety-eight percent of the time, it doesn't work.

Best part about the hit-and-run is that it forces the batter to expand the strike zone. Because if the Yankees have one advantage over other teams, it's their patience at the plate. Wouldn't want to capitalize on that.

Because Torre is proud of his NL heritage.


"Before the game, Torre said that 'our personnel dictates that we need to do the little things.' But above all, 'We have to pitch and play defense and limit the other team to 27 outs.'"

Pitching and good defense are always good ideas, regardless of the team's personnel. Littee things are always a good idea, regardless of the team's personnel.

(Memo to Torre: Put some actions behind your words and teach Robinson Cano how to bunt.)

But it still doesn't explain why anybody would think "little" when Jason Giambi is batting against a right-handed batter, at Yankee Stadium, in the first inning, with Alex Rodriguez on deck.

I know stats are for losers, but Giambi has 51 homeruns in the past calendar year.