Someone told me it's all happening at the Zoo: your 2011 New York Yankees

HIGH AND TIGHT

After about 15 years in hibernation, the drama of "The Bronx Zoo" has returned. On the heels of my post last week regarding the travails of Derek Jeter, another ageding member of the "Core Four" has staked their claim.

Jorge Posada, current DH and former catcher, sporting a batting average of .160, and by all appearances and contradictory claims feels "disrespected" over finding that he was the 9th place hitter for Saturday's game versus Boston. It has now been chalked up to being a "bad day", but there is clearly something not right with him.

Baseball is a very tough game, and it will tell you when you are good, when you are bad, and when you are finished. In Wednesday's game against Kansas City, the Royals chose to walk Nick Swisher, himself not having a good year, to load the bases and pitch to Posada with 2 out.

Michael Kay noted the "dis", and proclaimed that this would gall the "proud veteran". What was that about pride again? Posada got to a full count, and then flailed feebly at an off speed pitch in the dirt. The move made by KC Manager Ned Yost was correct, and a bit sad as well, devestating in its reality.

In my Jeter post, I referred to the joyless, dour nature of the Yankee Clubhouse. Jorge Posada is one of the ringmasters in that regard. And I sense that tension is coming back.

Picture life at this stage for Jorge Posada. His extremely productive Major League career is winding down, and its course is being dictated by nemesis Joe Girardi, who did not "mentor" him, but as a "tools" catcher still in is his prime, blocked him from having a regular job in the Majors. The 2 year delay probably will be the difference in his not making the Hall of Fame.

He does not have a hit yet from the right side of the plate, and seems to be indicating that he is having issues with the transition from catcher to DH. Message to Jorge: you are in the last year of a very generous contract, and your offense no longer justifies your defense, so learn to DH, or be prepared for what's next. That would be retirement.

The last point I want to make is that I'm not thrilled about the "kumbaya" support he has received for this behavior. The makeshift starting rotation the Yankees have assembled has performed fairly well, yet they aren't scoring runs, supposedly their strong suit. I will address this in detail in my next post.