Like the Yankees Never Blow Things out of Proportion
For instance, when they missed on Lee, scribes took computers to laps to write things such as,
"The Philadelphia Phillies’ stealth snatching of super free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee from the New York Yankees is a reflection not just of the odd laissez-faire of the Yankees’ front office (General Manager Brian Cashman is truly lucky George Steinbrenner is not alive) but the city itself. What emerged from New Yorkers and local sportswriters was an amalgam of shock, disappointment, and disbelief. Just about all of it was rooted in arrogance—how could anybody turn down New York and the Yanks? What was wrong with Cliff Lee?"
I think that the “shock, disappointment, and disbelief” were more talked about outside of the city than felt by New Yorkers. Disappointment, yes; that is accurate, and perhaps emotions beyond that including a real sting of remorse. But shock? Disbelief?
However, it is only fair—when the big bad bullies on the block fail—to blow that failure out of proportion. That narrative lingered, as did the sting, for far too long.
Boo-Freakin’ Hoo
And that was happening again after Ohtani chose the not-Yankees. Joel Sherman wrote, in his piece entitled, Shohei Ohtani’s shocking snub leaves Yankees scrambling for Plan B:
"The Yankees, who shockingly made the ALCS in a year when they were supposed to be in some form of a rebuild, did not even make it to the second round of the Shohei Ohtani derby when they were perceived as favorites. They will maintain the brave public face that they are still a good team and they will now pivot in another direction. For there was such buildup and anticipation of this player coming to the Bronx that it actually feels like they lost the rights to someone who was never even in their employ."
I’m starting to think it might just be that Joel is easily shocked. But it did reflect the public reaction, as did this:
"Holy Smokes: Yankees Are *OUT* on Shohei Ohtani This is really wild stuff, as everyone thought the Yankees would be the frontrunner … and they don’t even get to full pitch him!"