“We just found another way to lose tonight.”

That's what Mark Teixiera said after last night's soaking wet debacle. The post-Paul O'Neill Yankees have specialized for nearly a decade now in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I know, I know. Think of all the 100 win seasons in there, and all the division titles. It's true. And it's all the more amazing, given the ingenuity for creative losing that has gradually encroached upon Yankeeland.

It's hard to say which is worse: the stranding of copious numbers of runners on base, or the semi-regular implosion of the bullpen. I will say this: as toxic a combination as it is, it's even worse when they DON'T happen at the same time, as in the case of last night's game. A good effort by the bullpen was wasted. Tonight, it could easily be the inverse. We'll just find another way to lose.

By the way, Tex, you've also captured an overall attitude problem with the Post-O'Neill Yankees. It's not that it's not an apt description of what happened. It's just that it sounds so resigned, so pathetic. Comments like those are supposed to be reserved for pessimistic bloggers like me. Players are supposed to expect better of themselves and their teammates. They're supposed to make T-shirts that say "We play today, we win today...Dassit!" Where have you gone, Mariano Duncan? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.