VT Stands for "Very Touching" (And Don't You Forget It)

As a preamble to the following post, let us first say that we think the fact that the Yankees have traveled up to Virginia Tech to play the baseball team in an exhibition game is awesome. Truly. It must be an absolute blast for the college boys (and their fans) to have the Bombers come in, play their regulars, and give a community that endured an indescribably horrible tragedy a thrill. It's a classy gesture that should be praised in all respects.

And this is what makes the YES Network coverage of the event all the more cringe-worthy.

I have watched a majority of the play-by-play and have opted to mute my television for the simple fact that the self-congratulatory genuflecting has begun to make me ill. At every possible turn, Michael Kay (YES' #1 Yankees broadcaster, in case you didn't know) has praised the Yankees for their selfless desire to play this game. Honestly, Kay seems to be one ball-out-of-play-moment-of-downtime away from suggesting that the Yankees be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

We've also been told that every one of these Va. Tech kids is giddy as a schoolgirl to be playing the same men they grew up watching on television. Every single one of them. Seriously. There is not one ballplayer on this team that slept last night. That's how excited they are. And do you know why? Because it's the fucking Yankees they're playing, that's why.

What I learned today by watching YES:

*Every member of the Yankees wanted to be here. They were passionate about being here. (Except Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Jose Molina. Those douchebags are playing in minor league games back in Florida.)

*One of the Virginia Tech pitchers is such a big Yankees fan that he has several Yankees hats. Different colors, and everything!

*Alex Rodriguez decided to sit in the Va. Tech dugout and mingle with the little peop...err...college club. And he's signing autographs! Can you believe it?!

*Shelley Duncan is not a good first baseman.

*The sight of a sold out VT stadium is nothing short of "moving."

*If the Va. Tech team looks a little sloppy, it's just because they're so gosh darn nervous to be playing the New York Yankees!

*The VT head coach is a Red Sox fan, but he's allowed his sons to don pinstriped uniforms and serve as Yankees bat boys! See? The Yankees are better!

*The Yankees presence is helping with "the healing."

*The result of every Va. Tech at-bat is not a hit, walk, error or out...it's a dream come true.

Let's be honest, folks. While we're sure the Yankees, collectively, considered it an honor to play a part in this game, and the VT boys will have stories to tell forever, there is something to be said for letting a moment breathe. Is it necessary to constantly remind us of how momentous an experience is, or, in this case, how wonderful the Yankees are?

Wait. What's that?

Michael Kay is telling me, "YES."