Yet another playoff defeat

I had an epiphany Friday night. After smashing my television remote on the ground twice, I realized that if the Yankees were supposed to win, they would win. If they weren't supposed to win, nothing I could do would change that. It doesn't matter what song I listen to, it doesn't matter where I sit and it doesn't matter what time I showered.

That helped me get through yesterday. When Chien-Ming Wang gave up those runs early, I got the impression that the Yankees weren't interested in winning. I was able to watch the game without being nervous. I was sort of in a numb state. And it was a great feeling.

When the bugs came Friday night, the Yankees weren't destined to win this series. I'm starting to get the feeling that the Yankees are cursed in some way. It's rather fitting that something so silly as a swarm of gnats would derail a comeback season and series.

Anyway, onto Games 3 and 4.

I was at Game 3 in Tier Reserved Section 34 (where the real fans sit). The game was pretty much amazing. The atmosphere was fantastic - the fans wouldn't let the Yankees lose, despite falling into an early 3-0 hole. I've been to playoff games before and this was the loudest I've ever heard a crowd.

The fans booed Kyle Farnsworth during player introductions and Roger Clemens was partially booed when he left the mound for perhaps the final time. Phil Hughes will be a fan favorite after his performance Sunday night. He allowed the Yankees to come back. Johnny Damon got a tremendous ovation when he took left field after hitting his go-ahead three-run home run.

The Yankees won this game by a score an 8-4. There was an intense feeling of optimism in the Stadium as we were walking to the Subway. That feeling was quickly crushed.

Wang was awful once again. He gave up four runs in one inning of work, relinquishing any momentum the Yankees had after their from the night before.

Alex Rodriguez homered in what could have been his last penultimate as a Yankee. Jorge Posada struck out to end the game in what could have been his last at-bat as a Yankee.

Derek Jeter grounded into yet another double play.

If and when it is announced that Joe Torre, Jeter and Posada have no right to say anything. They will be the first to defend Torre. However, they had an awful series. With Torre managing for his job, the two team "leaders" failed to show up. Posada was 2-15 with three strikeouts and Jeter was 3-17 with four strikeouts and three double plays.

After Wang, these two were most responsible for another early-October exit.

In the coming days, weeks and months, there will be many changes made to this team and coaching staff. Change, in this situation, will be a good thing. Stay tuned: only a little more than 100 days left until pitchers and catchers. Go figure.