The Yankees in September – Part One – At the Plate

The New York Yankees have had substantial problems in 2013 both with their batting and their pitching. If we add this into the amazingly high number of injuries they have suffered throughout the season, it is so surprising that they stayed in contention for a wild card place until the last week of the season. They cannot possibly suffer as many injuries next year. There should be huge plaudits to the management team for keeping them in the reckoning so long. All of this makes it very apparent why the owners and general manager were keen to make sure Joe Girardi was offered a new contract ASAP and why they can look forward to 2014 with some optimism. Nevertheless, it is true that in the last month of the season, only two players who played in the majority of the games batted over .250. Let’s look at that final month……….

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The Yankees in August – Part One – At the Plate

The Yankees had a better month in August going 16-12 over the 28 games they played. Improvements in batting and pitching and some notable returns kept them in the frame for a wildcard and a possible backdoor entrance into the post-season…..

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The Yankees in July – Part One – At the Plate

After going fast out of the gate in April, the Yankees had fallen off the pace. July was another disappointing month – only achieving a 14-12 record in the period. However, some of the guys with the bats began to step up and produce so maybe there was the promise of a better August…….

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All’s well but oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises

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What: All’s Well That Ends Well

Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon

When: 1st August 2013

Last time out for me, with the Royal Shakespeare Company, was to see their outstanding, remarkable and bloody production of Titus Andronicus in the Swan Theatre. This time I’m in the main Royal Shakespeare Theatre watching a solid but not quite as remarkable version of All’s Well That Ends Well.

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…..Unless the gods delight in tragedies……

What: Titus Andronicus

Where: Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon

When: 30th May 2013

Perhaps, before I begin this review, I have to make a confession, Titus Andronicus is one of my favourite plays in Shakespeare’s oeuvre. Whilst other reviewers see it as being out of step with contemporary tastes, I have written quite extensively about its resonance with contemporary mores and issues. So whilst others were surprised to see it included in the RSC’s current season, I was pleased and excited to see it there. And I have to say that this production did not disappoint but lived up to all my hopes and expectations.

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The Yankees in April – Part One – At the Plate

The Yankees had the most unlikely start to the season, especially if you listened to those who assessed their chances in the pre-season. In fact, as their injury list got longer, the impressiveness of their remaining amongst the teams with the highest winning percentage in major league baseball, just became more evident. Let’s see who led the way in April and who were amongst the few who failed to reach the necessary mark. Batters up first!

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