Yanks Lose: More Grist for the Mill

Touch pearls, the Yankees lost. Although I would have preferred to see them win on Opening Day, I can't get too excited about yesterday's beat down. There are still 161 games to be played, and I like the Yankees' chances of winning more than their fair share. You wouldn't think that, though, judging from this morning's papers, which have all but eliminated the Yankees from playoff contention. Here are some of the more hysterical reactions from the press, both local and national. 

John Heyman, SI: 

Between Sabathia and Teixeira, the Yankees got zero return on their $341 million investment. 

Bill Madden, New York's Daily News: 

Game One of 2009 seemed all too familiar to 2008, beginning with the starting pitching. This wasn't what anyone envisioned.

Madden's colleague, Anthony McCarron: 

A few more games like this and the Joba Chamberlain-to-the-bullpen clamor will begin anew because the two relievers the Yankees are hoping take over the eighth-inning duties did not perform well.

Joel Sherman, New York Post: 

In a down economic climate, the Yanks invested $341 million on just [Sabathia and Teixeira]. They are not going to feel bad about those decisions at 0-1. However, no one wants to make a bad first impression as a Yankee because the hole is always a little deeper, so deep that many never truly escape.

Mike Celizic, nbcsports.com: 

It’s a good thing for the Yankees that you don’t draw broad conclusions from one game, because if you did, the conclusion would be expressed in two words: they stink [...] the first person whose backside is going to be on the line is the manager, Joe Girardi. This team, built at the Yankees’ customary obscene expense, is build to win now. And in the Yankee worldview, 'now' doesn’t apply just to full seasons. It applies to every game.

The Yankees will try to salvage their season tomorrow night. Until then, take a look here and here for a more reasonable take on yesterday's loss.