Sox-Yanks coverage...

The Yankees complete a four-game sweep of the Red Sox. It just goes to show what's possible when you wisely spend half a billion dollars. While the Yankees were giving the Red Sox a beat-down over four days, the broadcasters following the team were less successful. Here's but a small sample:

1.) I hate to be Ned Negative here but why does the NY media consistently give Joba and his on-the-field antics a pass? Case in point was Thursday night when Joba was life and death to get through five innings. A Jpba strikeout ends the fifth and what do we get? A closeup of Joba acting all Tiger-draining-a-30-footer-at-Augusta ensues. Dude, relax. You were lucky to get the win. Be quiet, walk back to the dugout and look at your plate.

2.) Though he doesn't have the big league resume or shtick of his YES counterparts, analyst John Flaherty is consistently on point and insightful. I'd listen to the guy call the phone book. No corn-ball antics just straight ahead analysis.

3.) YES' Paul O'Neill is rapidly becoming this generation's Bobby Murcer: the beloved former ballplayer coming back as broadcaster. And O'Neill is also Murcer-like in the following: the next time he says something insightful or intelligent will be the first time.

4.) Shut-up-Suzyn moment: Saturday on WCBS-880, radiocasters John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman squeled in delight that the Yankees are undefeated on YES' Yankee Classics. Clever line. Only it was used by the YES crew the night before. I'm not sure if it's the tickle in her voice, but invariably I yell 'Shut-up-Suzyn' withing ten minutes of tuning in. Mrs. Del Franco Daily thinks I'm crazy.

5.) Speaking of the Friday night telecast, play-by-player Michael Kay was building the drama. Only it came off as forced and faked: "When we come back, Derek Jeter, who one won a game in November, will try to win one in August." Please. You get the feeling that some of the guys think they are never far away from their Al Michaels "Do-You-Believe-in-Miracles?" moment. Like pitching a perfect game, a great radio call maybe happens once in a career. Most guys don't have one.