What was he thinking?

The Yankees have the division wrapped up as well as the best record in the American League. This is their opportunity and privilege to rest up and coast a little.

However, on Sunday night Joe Torre made one of the dumbest managerial moves I have ever seen (or rather, heard).

Here's the situation:
- Yankees vs. Red Sox.
- Second game of a doubleheader.
- Red Sox have a half-game lead for the Wild Card.
- Tie game, bottom of the 9th inning, bases loaded, two outs.
- Rivera pitched the top of the 9th.
- Red Sox bring in their closer Jonathan Papelbon.
- Teixeira and Posada were removed for pinch runners that inning.
- Austin Romine, a rookie catcher recently called up from the minor leagues is due up.
- Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Russell Martin, and Andruw Jones have yet to play and are available on the bench.

The only question was who would pinch hit.

Here's what happened:
- No pinch hitter was used.
- Romine struck out.
- The game lasted five more innings.
- Joe Girardi got ejected in the 13th inning.
- Red Sox won.

There is a reason you are paying Alex Rodriguez $32 million and it is not to sit on the bench in the 9th inning against the Red Sox. Derek Jeter is the captain and hitting about .350 since mid-July. Austin Romine had had 13 major league at-bats. He wasn't going to be on the playoff roster. He is a fill in because of the roster expansion.

In the words of the great Herm Edwards: "You play to win the game!"

This is Red Sox vs. Yankees! This was an opportunity to bury Boston. You have to give your team the best chance to win, and that was not with Romine getting the most important at-bat of the game.

They had already played 18 innings that day and everybody wanted to go home. If the Yankees get a hit (or walk) the game is over. Worst case scenerio: if A-Rod or Jeter made an out and ended the inning, Girardi could bring in Russell Martin to catch. Or have Jesus Montero (who was already in the game) catch. Instead, Romine swung on a bad pitch and they had to play 14 innings. It made no sense, especially since Girardi took the game serious enough to argue a play at second and get tossed a little later.

I know Joe wanted to rest his aging stars after playing earlier in the day but come on, it's one at-bat! Give your team a chance to win! This is the Yankees!