What are the police going to do? Force you to wrap your lips around the straw and make you give a good breath sample?

YES. Ironically, the one team that has played Boston tough just about every series is the Yankees, even in this washout of a season. The Yankees are extremely familiar with the Red Sox and are not intimidated by them (and vice versa, of course). Maybe it’s a combination of having survived the realization of their greatest fears (October 2004) and playing Boston 18 or 19 times a year, not including the postseason. If the Yankees make the necessary moves to shore up their starting rotation, improve defense and revitalize their offense, they will be a formidable contender. This will make for a lot of exciting baseball, a scary-good AL East, and a Yankees team that will never let up for air any opponent that it knocks to the canvas.

Re the topic of this thread: What a pity. Thank God no one was injured or killed. IMHO, the best and only thing Joba can do is face the consequences with honesty and contrition. And also get whatever help he needs to address any personal issues involved. Josh Hamilton’s example comes to mind as a good way to address this kind of fall publicly – with candor, humility, and sincerity. How it is received by the public or treated in the press can’t be the concern, only accepting responsibility and doing the right thing. (Of course there is a presumption of innocence and a right to due process.) Facing the music, being up front, and getting one’s act together by any means necessary is a must for avoiding the downward spiral, satisfying the interests of justice, and regaining trust and goodwill. This also involves making amends to any others affected by one’s actions (family, friends, employers).

2008 – well, it was painful quite often – Wang’s freak injury being the most painful – and it ended up being a 3rd-place team, but the team was in it ’til almost the end. As a fan, it was entertaining. 1979/1989/1989 were not entertaining.