These are the days that I look back at the time when Mrs. Freeman, my 9th grade math teacher, called me to her desk after school. I was anxious to get out of there that day. It was a Friday, and I had the weekend before me. She said my record thus far into the semester was behind all the others. She also said that I was doing very poorly, and could do much better.

“What would it take from me?”

“Hard work and determination.”

I thought to myself, well that can’t be. I can’t be as bad as she says that I am. I’ve always excelled at math. I mean, I won the math club competition at school 4 out of 5 years. I think it must be her fault. Or perhaps it’s the schools fault.

I think of the Yankee season the same way. The time has come where the players themselves must be accountable for their miserable record thus far into the season.

What is it going to take from the Yankee players?

Hard Work. Take nothing for granted. Play each game as if you are playing the Sox in game 7. Determination.