Klapisch: I want a scapegoat!

Bob Klapsich writes a post-series analysis for the Yankees, and demands someone to step forward and take the blame: "One by one, the Yankees voiced their regret, although not one of them took responsibility."

Just like in politics; whenever a scandal or tragedy of some kind occurs, Washington appeases the peasantry by (a) firing someone and (b) passing a new law increasing regulations. Does Klapisch really think that the series collapse is the responsibility of ONE guy? Maybe not, but he does the best he can to find the scapegoat. The above quote continues:

Not Alex Rodriguez, who closed out the series going 2-for-17. Not Gary Sheffield, who was 1-for-17 after being quoted calling the Red Sox "a walking disaster." Not Kevin Brown or Javier Vazquez, who combined to put the Yankees in a 6-0 crisis in the second inning in Game 7.

As SRAM pointed out yesterday, it's a 7-game series, and both A-Rod and Shef out-hit The Winner during said series. The Yanks would have been swept if the whole team had hit like their lead-off man. But of course Jeter is untouchable.

Klapisch spends most of the rest of the column torching Torre, including this model of sports reporter second-guessing:

Later, in the 13th inning [of Game 5], the Yankees were strangely passive after Sheffield reached base on a strikeout-passed ball. Torre never gave Sheffield the chance to take advantage of Jason Varitek's unfamiliarity with Tim Wakefield's knuckleball. Had Sheffield stolen second, instead of being erased on Matsui's subsequent fielder's choice, he might've been on third and scored on another Varitek passed ball later in the inning.

Yes, and Sheffield might have been caught stealing, too. After all, the man was an impressive 5-for-11 in stolen bases during the season. Somebody give Klapisch a clipboard!