Bookworm

Tigers 4, Yankees 2

"Sabathia pitched well enough to win, but the offense was helpless against Verlander, the Tigers’ revitalized ace. He struck out nine with no walks, permitting no runners past second in his first victory this season. “This is one of those games where he beat us, that’s the bottom line,” said Derek Jeter, who rarely praises a pitcher so emphatically. “There are games throughout the year where you felt like you lost it, actually. But he was better than us. He deserved to win today.” Verlander carved up the Yankees with biting curveballs and fastballs up to 99 miles an hour. It is a speed few starters can reach, even Sabathia, though he pumped 96 m.p.h. and was far more aggressive than he has usually been this season. “He pitched a great game,” Sabathia said of Verlander, “and I was trying to match him.” [NYTimes.com]

Orioles 10, Yankees 5 - Rough Start for Sabathia as Yanks Fall to Orioles - NYTimes.com

"An eight-year veteran, Sabathia had never thrown two wild pitches in the same inning until his first inning as a Yankee. It was his first start in 110 without a strikeout. And while durability is his hallmark, Sabathia seemed to pick up where he left off last October." [NYTimes.com]

It would have been nice for the team to win its first game with Sabathia on the mound.  Oh, well.  161 more games to go in the season!

Bob Herbert: More Than Charisma

Op-Ed Columnist - NYTimes.com.

"We’ve been watching that something this week, and it’s called leadership. Mr. Obama has been feeding the almost desperate hunger in this country for mature leadership, for someone who is not reckless and clownish, shortsighted and self-absorbed.

However you feel about his policies, and there are people grumbling on the right and on the left, Mr. Obama has signaled loudly and clearly that the era of irresponsible behavior in public office is over."