Isn’t It Ironic, Don’t You Think?

For those of you who have been living under a rock this weekend, Sunday Major League Baseball celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball after debuting with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  To commemorate the event, many major league players, including the entire Los Angeles Dodgers, wore #42 to celebrate what Robinson had achieved both socially and as a player as well.

Some Yankees who decided to wear #42 included Derek Jeter, and Robinson Cano, who was named after Jackie Robinson. 

So how ironic is it that the person who had the worst day in the majors was the same person who had worn #42 since his career began in 1995.  No, not Mo Vaughn.  Yep, Mariano Rivera.

Rivera blew a save and a two-run lead in the bottom of the 9th against the Oakland Athletics after giving up a three-run home run to the ever so clutch Marco Scutaro with two outs, giving Oakland the 5-4 victory.  Making the entire three game series decided by 5-4 contests.

Up until then the Yankees had a lot to smile about.  It had appeared as if the Yankees were able to take 2/3 from three of the best pitchers in the American League (Oakland’s New “Big Three” of Haren, Blanton, Harden) despite playing some of the worst defense seen from the Yankees in over 6 months *joke*.

Also the Yankees were able to produce runs when the opportunities came up.  Sac fly after sac fly drove in runs.  Such a display was contrary to the popular Yankee action of striking out, popping up in the infield, or grounding to the pitcher with a runner on third and less than 2 outs.  After being a little overworked, both Kyle Farnsworth and Scott Proctor regained their composure from out of the bullpen and pitched two scoreless innings.

And who could forget my main man Andy Pettitte?  While every Yankee is whining about their hamstrings and toenails and whatever else, Pettitte is sticking around and pitched his second good game in a row, or as people in the bigs call it, a quality start (6 in or more with 3 or less earned runs).

And when it all came down to #42, Mr. reliable for the Yankees, he just couldn’t hold a candle to Minor League Hall of Famer Marco Scutaro….baseball is a funny sport.

Perhaps it was rust, or jitters from not being in a save situation all season.  Or maybe Jackie Robinson bleeds Dodger blue so much, he just couldn’t stand to see the Yankees win on his special day.