Plum Crazy

I read today that the Marlins fired Joe Girardi. I have to say that I love Joe Girardi. He was a big part of the Yankees World Series wins in the late 90s. Which got me thinking about how I do have fondness for many former Yankees. I think it's fair to say that if you played well for the Yankees and aren't Roger Clemens, I will always love you. I have to add that "and aren't Roger Clemens" part, because I never liked Roger Clemens. I fully recognize that he may well be the best pitcher ever, but I do not like him. I was at many games where he was pitching and Mike Piazza was batting, and damned if it didn't look to me like Clemens was targeting Piazza. I don't even like Piazza, but that's besides the point. Roger Clemens - Great pitcher. Classless jerk.

Aside from Roger, though, there are many former Yankees that I love.

Willie Randolph. Oh man, I adore Willie Randolph. He was one of the Yankees players of my youth. I can still name the starting line-up of that team. Thurman Munson. Chris Chambliss. Willie Randolph. Bucky Dent (OK, I do not love Bucky Dent; mediocrity, thy name is Bucky Dent). Graig Nettles. Reggie Jackson. Mickey Rivers. Lou Piniella. And, yes, I love all of them except Bucky Dent. One homerun in a playoff game in a career of mediocrity does not earn my undying love. Even if that homerun did knock the Red Sox out of the post-season. I'm totally not that cheap. See also Aaron Boone. I do not love Aaron Boone. I have a mild fondness for Aaron Boone, but not love.

Luis Tiant. Come on, who could not love Luis Tiant? Sure he played most of his career with the Red Sox. Sure he played only two years with the Yankees. But, dude, he's Luis Tiant!

Tino Martinez. Nuff said.

Paul O'Neill. He and I share a birthday. He is the warrior. Plus, he loves the Ramones. Birthday + Warrior + Ramones = I love Pauly!

Scott Brosius. Scotty Brosius, MVP!

Andy Pettitte. I curse whoever for ever letting Andy go to Houston. Whoever might well be Roger Clemens, and that would be yet one more reason for me to hate Roger Clemens.

David Wells. Come on. The man is New York. Drunk. Loud. Obnoxious. What's not to love?

Rickey Henderson. Best.Leadoff.Hitter.Ever. "If you split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers." - Bill James.

Current Yankees whom I will always love:

Bernie Williams. Bern baby Bern. This will be his last season, and he will get a huge standing ovation at his last at bat.

Derek Jeter. Because what's not to love about the Captain?

Mariano "Mo" Rivera. Best.Closer.Ever.

Jorge Posada. Hip hip Jorge!

Hideki Matsui. He's like a rockstar in Japan, and he's like a rockstar to me. If I had a plane, I'd paint his face on it too.

Mike Mussina. The Moose is loose!

Hey, who said that baseball fans don't have loyalty to the players? What? Nobody. Yeah, okay, whatever.