We HAD to Fire Somebody...

I'm not entirely sure this plot wasn't stolen from an episode of Seinfeld.

The Yankees are in last place in the AL East.

Clearly, something must be done.

I know! Fire the trainer strength and conditioning coach.

SI's John Heyman reports that the axe has fallen on Marty Miller, the Yankees' controversial first-year strength and conditioning coach. While this sounds like a typical unreasonable reaction from the Bronx Zoo, consider:

• Last night Phil Hughes became the fourth key Yankee to suffer a hamstring pull this season. The others: Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Hideki Matsui.
• Several other Yankees have missed time due to a variety of strains, including Johnny Damon (back) and Carl Pavano (forearm/elbow).

His unorthodox training program didn't endear Miller to Yankee veterans; it reportedly de-emphasizes running as a way to build leg strength. That's not unlike ruling out breathing as a way to increase lung capacity.