Still another reason to hate the Yankees - The Orange Mane

Crushaholic · 09-07-2004, 01:00 PM

cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/7651376

NEW YORK -- Tampa Bay's hurricane-delayed trip from Florida had fans waiting up to eight hours for a day doubleheader that became a single night game and had the New York Yankees asking unsuccessfully for the commissioner's office to award them a forfeit victory.

Gates at Yankee Stadium opened at 11 a.m for what had been a doubleheader first set to start at 1 p.m. On Sunday, the start time was pushed back to 3 p.m., and because the Devil Rays were late leaving Tropicana Field on Monday due to Hurricane Frances, the commissioner's office told the teams to play one game at 7 p.m. and said it would decide later on when to reschedule the second game.

The Devil Rays arrived at 6:05 p.m., and the Yankees won 7-4 as Alex Rodriguez, moved to the No. 2 slot for the first time since October 1999, hit a three-run double for his first bases-loaded hit since July 2003. New York remained 2½ games ahead of second-place Boston in the AL East.

While the Yankees asked to be given a forfeit win for the unplayed game, commissioner Bud Selig has no intention of doing so.

"Given the stage of the season we are in, and the exciting pennant races, it is critical that we do everything to decide the championship on the field," he said in a statement.

About 20,000 fans appeared to be on hand when Orlando Hernandez (7-0) finally threw the first pitch to Julio Lugo at 7:02 p.m., and about 30,000 appeared to fill the seats later on. The Yankees said 44,422 tickets were sold.

"The rule states that if your team is here and ready to play, and the other team isn't here and not ready to play, there should be a forfeit, and we believe there should be a forfeit," Yankees president Randy Levine said.

Tampa Bay's home games against Detroit on Saturday and Sunday were postponed, and the Tigers returned home after Friday night's game. Bob DuPuy, chief operating officer of the commissioner's office, said the Devil Rays were asked to investigate leaving Friday night or Saturday.

"There were plenty of opportunities to get out of Tampa on Saturday. The airports were open until 3 or 4 o'clock," Levine said after Yankees officials checked with airlines.

Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said the team never intended to leave for New York until Sunday night or Monday.

"We decided, and we made the right decision, we'll stick by that decision, to stay with our families," he said. "We wanted to stay in the Tampa Bay area, wait out the storm with our families."

DuPuy said Devil Rays owner Vincent Naimoli had told the commissioner's office over the weekend that his team was trying to make arrangements to leave Florida but couldn't.

__________________________________________________ __

Do the Yankees have no shame or compassion for Florida residents?

Clockwork Orange · 09-08-2004, 06:49 PM

Begging for a forfeit from the Devil Rays? What's next? Someone gonna break a hand having a hissy fit in the clubhouse? Someone gonna make a jackass of themself by whining about a 15 minute ceremony to honor a long time announcer who's been diagnosed with cancer?

Oh wait.....nevermind.

All of this and the Red Sox are on an absolute tear right now and sit just 2 1/2 games back. 6 more meetings between the arch rivals before the end of the season, looking to be a very interesting finish.

-Slap- · 09-08-2004, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

All of this and the Red Sox are on an absolute tear right now and sit just 2 1/2 games back. 6 more meetings between the arch rivals before the end of the season, looking to be a very interesting finish.

The Red Sox look like they're finally ready to break the Curse of the Bambino.

Of course, its supposed to look that way to maximize the eventual pain for their fans.

FADERPROOF · 09-09-2004, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

The Red Sox look like they're finally ready to break the Curse of the Bambino.

Of course, its supposed to look that way to maximize the eventual pain for their fans.

And I'll love every bit of it.

-Slap- · 09-10-2004, 09:18 PM

Javier Vazquez is a steaming pile of monkey crap.

09-07-2004, 01:00 PM	#1
Crushaholic Armchair Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 22,043	Still another reason to hate the Yankees cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/7651376 NEW YORK -- Tampa Bay's hurricane-delayed trip from Florida had fans waiting up to eight hours for a day doubleheader that became a single night game and had the New York Yankees asking unsuccessfully for the commissioner's office to award them a forfeit victory. Gates at Yankee Stadium opened at 11 a.m for what had been a doubleheader first set to start at 1 p.m. On Sunday, the start time was pushed back to 3 p.m., and because the Devil Rays were late leaving Tropicana Field on Monday due to Hurricane Frances, the commissioner's office told the teams to play one game at 7 p.m. and said it would decide later on when to reschedule the second game. The Devil Rays arrived at 6:05 p.m., and the Yankees won 7-4 as Alex Rodriguez, moved to the No. 2 slot for the first time since October 1999, hit a three-run double for his first bases-loaded hit since July 2003. New York remained 2½ games ahead of second-place Boston in the AL East. While the Yankees asked to be given a forfeit win for the unplayed game, commissioner Bud Selig has no intention of doing so. "Given the stage of the season we are in, and the exciting pennant races, it is critical that we do everything to decide the championship on the field," he said in a statement. About 20,000 fans appeared to be on hand when Orlando Hernandez (7-0) finally threw the first pitch to Julio Lugo at 7:02 p.m., and about 30,000 appeared to fill the seats later on. The Yankees said 44,422 tickets were sold. "The rule states that if your team is here and ready to play, and the other team isn't here and not ready to play, there should be a forfeit, and we believe there should be a forfeit," Yankees president Randy Levine said. Tampa Bay's home games against Detroit on Saturday and Sunday were postponed, and the Tigers returned home after Friday night's game. Bob DuPuy, chief operating officer of the commissioner's office, said the Devil Rays were asked to investigate leaving Friday night or Saturday. "There were plenty of opportunities to get out of Tampa on Saturday. The airports were open until 3 or 4 o'clock," Levine said after Yankees officials checked with airlines. Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said the team never intended to leave for New York until Sunday night or Monday. "We decided, and we made the right decision, we'll stick by that decision, to stay with our families," he said. "We wanted to stay in the Tampa Bay area, wait out the storm with our families." DuPuy said Devil Rays owner Vincent Naimoli had told the commissioner's office over the weekend that his team was trying to make arrangements to leave Florida but couldn't. __________________________________________________ __ Do the Yankees have no shame or compassion for Florida residents?

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09-08-2004, 06:49 PM	#2
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	Begging for a forfeit from the Devil Rays? What's next? Someone gonna break a hand having a hissy fit in the clubhouse? Someone gonna make a jackass of themself by whining about a 15 minute ceremony to honor a long time announcer who's been diagnosed with cancer? Oh wait.....nevermind. All of this and the Red Sox are on an absolute tear right now and sit just 2 1/2 games back. 6 more meetings between the arch rivals before the end of the season, looking to be a very interesting finish.

09-10-2004, 09:18 PM	#5
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	Javier Vazquez is a steaming pile of monkey crap.