[NYY #23]

I'm feeling pretty down today. Practice didn't go well, and it seems like we've got too many guys that just don't care. I miss my wife and family, and I'm thinking this "managing" career was a mistake. None of the guys on our team seem to have that fire, and determination to succeed that you see in real good players. My coaches used to tell me I had it, and I've seen it in guys I played with, like Grady Sizemore, when we played together in the minors.

There are days when it hurts to walk, and it really hurts to see these guys out here playing, and not giving it their all. I don't know if it was my feeling down, or my frustration over how we play, but I called my first team meeting before today's game. One of those closed door ones, where I just lit into my team. I used to hate when we needed one of those team meetings, but it just had to be done.

I don't know if it worked or it was just coincidence, but it looked like everyone was playing a little bit better today. Casey Daigle got the ball today, and made his second start for us. He actually looked pretty sharp out there today, and threw 5 2/3 innings, and struck out 9 batters without giving up a run. He left us in pretty good shape, and our bullpen came threw today to hold the lead. When things got tough in the sixth inning I brought in my closer, Takechi Hara to get out of a jam. Not only did he do that, but he pitched another scoreless inning.

Our offense added a couple insurance runs to make it 4-0 going into the eighth. Jose Alvarado hit a home run. We gave up one, and scored one more, but left with a 5-1 win.

Season record: 3-5