Winter Meetings

This week the Yankees big brass met in Tampa for the first time since winning the big prize.

Unlike last year the Yanks hit the meetings with not all the need they had last year. Lets take a look at a few.

The Yankees have $45 million coming off the payroll. Do they try to re sign the big free agents? Andy Pettitte is a no brainier. If he wants to come back bring him back and don't low ball him on money. If he retires I say thanks and he went out a winner just like
Mike Mussina did last year.

With Matsui and Damon I would bring them both back on a smaller contract. If I had to
choice just one Johnny Damon.

As far as spending the big bucks for Roy Halladay I say no. You would have to give
up to much and he would command a big contract. If Pettitte does retire I would go after Lackey who would fit in good in the Bronx.

Maybe the Bombers go after Chatman, the Cuban Left handier. Who Knows maybe the team stays put and does not open the check book. All of baseball hates the Yanks because they spend money on players and try to win.

With the bad economy they just might hold their cards. We will see.

Reflections Of A Season To Remember

In 1996 I went to my first Yankee Parade. It never gets old just better. And as all the celebrations wind down and all of baseball gets ready for the hot stove league I would like to look back at one of the best and a real fun season in Yankee History.

1. The free agent signings of CC Sabahtia Mark Teixeira AJ Burnett getting Nick Swisher in a trade for Wilson Bentimt. And most of all getting Andy Pettitte to come back as he almost retired could of been out of the plans.

2. The Yankees come home to a new stadium even with a loss on opening day... it's still a great park.

3. After a slow start in April and not able to beat Boston A-Rod comes back in mid May. And in first at bat he slams a big home run to put all the A Roid things to sleep showing that he can do it clean.

4. After struggling in the middle of the division and taking two out of three from the Mets in interleaue play. And the series that turned the season around: a big come back win in Atlanta where the team won 10 in a row after that.

5. CC Sabahta and Mark Teixeira having big second half's

6. Putting Phil Hughes in the pen in the second half of the season

7. Role pitchers like Sergio Mitres with great starts down the stretch. Also Alfredo Aceves,
Phil Coke, David Robertson and Chad Gaudin in the pen to help in key games.

8. Guys coming off the bench Like Brett Gardner and Freddy Guzman to steal a base.
Francisco Cevelli helping when Jorge and Molina went down behind the plate. And key mid season pick ups like Eric Hinske and Jerry Hairston Jr coming though with big hits.

9. Pie in your face after all the Yankee walk off wins at home. A lot of older fans did not like this
but it grew on you.

10. A big year out of Nick Swisher after Nady went down and took over the rightfield spot.

11. Melky with a great year in center.

12. Aug 9th sweep of the Red Sox, showing Boston you can beat them and taking over 1st place.

13. A big September by winning the east early and giving the big starters time off to get ready for the post season.

14. Sept 11th: Derek Jeter breaking Lou Gehrig's all time Yankee hit record at 2,722 to put him at #1.

15. Getting to the Postseason

16. Taking care of a tough Twins team with Teixeira and a big home run in Game 2 to
swing the series the Yankees way.

17. Getting the jinx of the Angels off their back with a 2nd round win against this team they could not beat in 2002 and 2005.

18. A Rod with big homers all post season long against Brian Fuentes in Game Two then again out in Anaheim.

19. Getting back to the World Series.

20. After a lose in Game One Hideki Matusi with a homer to beat Pedero in Game Two at the Stadium.

21. Halloween in Philadelphia: a big win after trailing to Cole Hamels. A Rod with the homer off the camera. that kind of put the Yanks back in the series.

22. The Game 4 big hit by A Rod and the team taking a 3-1 lead.

23. Joe Girardi making the right call with the pitching staff and the 3 man rotation

24. Mariano Rivera with a 5 saves and a .056 era in the postseason.

25. Andy Pettitte with a Game 6 clinching win with 5 innings and 3 runs shutting down the Phillies.

26. The Wednesday night hero in game 6, Hideki Matsui, with a big homer double and base hit to win MVP for the World series with a .615 average

27. # of World series titles in the Bronx. Let make it 28 next year. From this Yankees fan...thanks for the great year..

We Are The Champions, My Friend!

As a Yankee fan or a fan of any team you live for this. You are on top of the hill you are the best and my team is #1.

It started with the new stadium in April a slow start a big finish. Two great playoff runs with the Twins then the Angels . The third was the toughest; the Phillies played a great series. But is was our turn.

Big pitching with CC AJ Burnett in game two and Pettitte in game 3 and 6 were key. Andy came up big a real strong post season pitcher and I hope he is back in the Bronx next year. Series MVP Hideki Matsui was great throughout the Series, especially in Game 6 with
a homer, a double, a base hit and 6 RBI's.

For the first time in a few years the Yankees had a real chemistry. Most people and
fans who hate the Yankees always say the Yankees buy their championships but you have to have a great chemistry and you have to go through 3 rounds of playoffs and it is not easy. Sure we spend a lot of money but who would not want their team to put the money back in to the club and that is what the Yankees do. They are just playing by the rules.

That story is for another day and who is coming back and who is not is for another day. Today is for the greatest franchise in sports to celebrate championship #27. It seems like a long time since 2000 but the drought is over.

As Joe Buck said on the final out of the game, the New York Yankees are back on top. Hats off to the Yankees. The New York Yankees 2009 World Champs. it great to be a Yankee fan.

Back To The Bronx

AJ Burnett did not have it from the beginning as he got rough up by the cheesesteaks.

The move by Girardi backfired to have Burnett go on three days rest. The Philly bats woke up against him, especially Chase Utley who is having a great Series.

The Yankees bats again did not wake up; they had Lee on the ropes in the first but only scored one run after Burnett left. The bullpen was shaky as they gave up another 4 runs.

Teixeira, A Rod and Canos bats fell a sleep again even with the late comeback
it still was not enough. Now its up to Andy Pettitte who will be on three days rest.

At least they will be in the Bronx away from the dirtbag Phillie fans. Lets see what happens. This series is far from over.

Lidge, A-Rod Put Yankees One Away

Johnny Damon had one of the biggest at bats of the year in the top of ninth.

With two outs against Brad Lidge he got a big base hit after stealing a base and with the shift on against Texiera got to third. A Rod came through with a big double. Jorge followed then Mo in the bottom of the ninth lights out we are up 3-1.

It would of been a tough loss. The Yanks had a 4-2 lead and gave them back with two Philly homers. The worst was Joba who had two quick outs in the eighth and then hung one to Pedro Feliez. CC was good not great.

Jeter had another big game. The Yanks had Blanton on the ropes but did not put him away.

This is so big because if the Yanks lose to Cliff Lee on Monday they still come back to the Bronx with a 3-2 lead. I hope so bad they win on Monday in Philly.

To All the Yankees fans like myself we would love to win in Philly.

Rain Delay Win

After a long rain delay and a day of trick or treating we got some baseball about 920pm.

The start of game 3 Cole Hamels looked like Whitey Ford though the first few innings. Andy Pettitte was on the ropes but he led on. When the umps made the right call on A Rod's opposite field homer we were back in the game.

Then the offense took over and Girardi's move to keep Nick Swisher in there paid off with his first big game of the post season. And with a Matsui homer off the bench and great bull pen work the Bombers took game 3 8-5.

It's far from over but with the win that means this series has to come back to the Bronx. As Yankee fans we will take that but we would love to take the next two down there, case closed.

Heading Down The Turnpike

As a Yankee fan your worse nightmare would be if Pedro Martinez pitched well and AJ Burnett got rocked.

Pedro did pitch well but AJ was lights out as he out dueled Martinez 3-1 with a 7 inning 1 run 4 hit ball for on of best outings as a Yankee. His fastball was great and his curve ball was lights out. AJ pitched like an ace Thursday night .They needed a great outing because the bats did not come alive again. Tex and Matsui had homers but not a lot of hits. A Rod has not got going yet.

But still after a big loss in game one we will take a split as they head to Philly for game three on Saturday night. The Yanks have the upper had with the pitchers as they have
Pettite and CC back to back .

Philly is a tough team and they grind things out. In the 8th they almost got to Mariano. And their bullpen looked good tonight. One of the big questions will be if they can play
Matsui in the field in Philly or is he coming off the bench. This series is heating up.

The 105th World Series moves to the city of Brotherly Love where they will be no love for the Yankees.

Bring On The Phillies!

It was the first year in the new stadium. After a tough first couple of months the Yanks took off and end the regular season with a 5-2 win.

Mo struck out Gary Matthews JR for flag #40 it sunk in. The Pennant still means a lot. You are champs of your league and you are playing for all the marbles.

Hats off to the Angels; the series went 6 games and could of went 7. Give the Halos some credit. A great club.

Unlike years ago to get to the World Series you now have to win two rounds. That is the way I feel when you win the pennant that means a lot. CC was on A Rod had a big series and the old guard came through

Andy Pettitte picthced 1 run ball though 8. Jeter,Posada and Rivera to close it out. Like all my fellow Yankee fans this is our team and congratulations to the bombers on winning the Pennant. Bring on the Phillies.

One more step to climb. AL Champs tonight a big win.

The Bull Pen Blew It.

After scoring six runs in the 7th inning in a big comeback the Yanks could not put away the Angels in game 5 with a 7-6 loss. Now its back to the Bronx for game 6.

AJ Burnett could not get anyone out off the first inning hung around and could have got a W. But in the bottom of the inning after getting the first two runners on Girardi pulled him for Phil Hughes who did not have anything.

Girardi has made some questionable moves this whole series. It was not a good one to stay with Hughes who did not have it. What gets me mad in the ninth the Yanks rallied but with two outs and a 3-2 count to Nick Swisher he popped out to end the game. Instead of stepping out a few time he let Brian Fuentes get him in his trap. I think Nick Swisher, who is doing nothing but making outs this whole series is a one hit wonder.

What I mean is he has been on 3 diff rent teams in three diff rent years and I think the Yanks might have got the most out him.

Its one to the Bronx for game 6. This series is far from over.

Game 3 ALCS: Angels

Manager Joe Girardi got out managed in a 5-4 loss.

David Roberson was pitching well in extra innings. Bottom of 11th 2 outs. Girardi pulled Roberson to pitch to Howie Kendrick. In come Alfrado Aceves..a walk and a game winning hit to Jeff Mathis.

Everybody and his brother is asking why did Girardi pull Robertson. You do have to give the bullpen credit for holding the Angels in check for 4 innings.

The Yanks again did not get any clutch hitting. Nick Swisher...all he had to do is get a fly ball but no. Cano has done nothing in the series. Texiera, who is having an outstanding series with
his glove is hitting around .100. Not acceptable.

If CC does not have it and the Yanks don't hit we will be tied. Its a series now.

Game 2 ALCS: Yankees

Any time you play 13 innings you want to win and the luck was with the Bombers tonight.

AJ Burnett pitched great 3 hits and 2 runs over 6. Then the Yankees used 7 relievers over five
hours and ten minutes. A Rod with a big fly tiedup the game in the 9th.

For the first time in the playoffs the Yanks played bad defense. Robinson Cano looked horrible but when you win a game like nobody cares. Now it is out to the west coast and the Yanks have not played well out there. But the way the team is pitching and with Andy going and with the bull pen with a day off just maybe the series wont be conning back to the Bronx.

Like most Yankees fans you fear going to Anaheim but with this team and the 2-0 lead you feel a little better.

Game One ALCS: Yankees

In 2002 and 2005 the Yankees won the first game in there division series against the Angels.The Yanks one game on this year in the ALCS.

Unlike those other years the Yanks did not have a big ace like CC Sabathia who was great tonight. He went 8 Innings 4 hits 1 run and 7 strikeouts. He did what he was suppose to do was keep the Halos off the bases.

The Yankees have not lost in the postseason and like the Twins series they are not hitting the cover off the ball. The team played their game with got small hits from Jeter, A Rod and Johnny Damon who came through with two hits. Only Posada and Cano did not hit.

If the Yanks play there game and play the little ball things will be all right. Mariano finished it up and the bullpen was not used.Only two pitchers where used I thought that was a good move by Girardi. The Angels, who had great numbers against CC this year, can exploded any time hopefully its not in game two against AJ Burnett. 4-1 Yanks Game two Sat night in the Bronx.

Close The Dome

It was the last game at the Metrodome as the Yanks took game three of the ALDS and the series with a 4-1 victory.

Andy Pettitte pick up his 15th post season win as he outdueled Carl Pavano who pitched well for the win. A Rod, who was clutch all series along with Jorge who went deep lead the Yanks to the win. Like most Yankee fans I wanted the Twins in the first round and thought they would win this series.

The next series will be real tough; the Angels are for real . The one thing is that the Yanks have that extra home game and will have a 7 game series. I like the way they played there last series out there and CC will get the Game One start. If the Yankees can pitch and play defense like they did in this series maybe that's enough.

Game 2 Some Pie

As a Yankee fan or a fantic fan of any team you hate when your team is in a big game and cant watch all of it. That happened to me on Friday night but my night was better by around 10pm with a Yankee victory.

I thought AJ Burnett pitched good but was not around at the end. But Mark Teixeira was with a big walk off homer in the bottom of the 10th in a 4-3 win. A-Rod, who is having a big series hit the homer that tied the game in the 9th. He's had has this bad burden of not doing in the post season but may on the way to big postseason numbers.

That was a big Yankee win; now it's on to the Metordome and are old friend Carl Pavano. A lot older fans of the Yanks don't like the looseness of guys like Nick Swisher and the Pie throwing of AJ Burnett. But I do I think this is the most loose Yankee clubs I ever watched. And I want to see more pies in the face and 9 more victories.

Game One: Bombers

The Twins took any early lead. As a Yankee fan you can't get two worried. But When Derek Jeter hit a long homer and then A Rod (above) came through with a big hit you had to think it was going to be your night.

CC was not sharp at first but pitched good enough for a post season win. Matsui, who had a big second half, had a big homer.

Phil Hughes and Joba out of the pen and Mariano to close.This is how the 2009
Yankee team got it done. And as a Yankee fan you need 10 more.

We Want The Twins

Most Yankee fans like myself would rather play The Twins in the first round instead of Detroit.

We beat them 6 times.

It does not really matter... you have to beat all the good teams in October. CC Sabathia did not look good in has last outing of the regular season as Tampa denied him of his 20 th win. CC is the man for game one. As I look at it I would start AJ Burnett in game 2 at Yankee Stadium where he pitches well and go with Andy Pettitte on the road in game 3.

We should find out by the end of the weekend what the rotation and roster is and who the Bombers play in round one. Bring on October baseball!

Yankees East Champs

I know most people were watching football today. I was watching baseball.

The American League Eastern division race ended today and the Yanks are champs. It was coming for a long time but it still feels good to see your team celebrate at home against there arc rivals.

There are three more steps but today was the first leap. Lets get ready for the first round.

Next Stop: Playoffs

The weeks are winding down and the Yanks are getting ready for the post season.

Two good signs: two out of three against the Angels in Anaheim. And on Friday night for the first time in a while Joba looked good as a starter against the Sox .6 innings, 5 hits and 3 runs. Any team will take that.

If Joba was putting on an audition for the post season he passed this one. I'm sure a fan of any team you tries to pull for guys that came out of your farm system and Joba Chamberlain is one of them. I hope he gets a post season start. but I think the Yankees need
one more start from him later in the week to see.

West Coast Not The Best Coast For Yankees

On Friday night it looked like a road win for the Bombers. AJ pitched well and Phil Hughes looked lights out in the 8th. In the bottom of the 9th Mo was throwing BB's and got the first two outs. Then the Yankees caved in.

Mo gave up a double to Mike Sweeny. Then on the first pitch the great Ichiro Suzuki took Rivera deep. It was just another case on how the Yanks do on the west coast.

The team has three in Anaheim this week. It will be big as the team hits the Big A for a three game set. Here is why, if the post season started today, the Yanks will play the Central winner in the first round.

But if the Yanks have to play the Halos in the second round you want the best record so you get the extra home game. As we found out in other series the Yanks don't fair well in postseason games in the Big A.

I know I am just nit picking but as a fan of a team you want to go all the way this
could be a big fork in the road come playoff time.

Derek's the Man

All the headlines read #2 is now #1. And as a Yankee fan I love it.

My daughter and I were watching the game on the TV. She was screaming...my wife told her to shut up but I did not. This was real big and just watching it I think Jeter handed it with grace just like every thing else he does.

2.722 is great. Cant wait for another 278 hits. 3000 will be even better. Lou Gehrig would be proud; all Yankee and most baseball fans are.

What goes up must go down

That is a 1969 song from Blood, Sweat and Tears. It is also the way the Yankees 7 game win streak went.

I can't complain the way the Yanks are playing its all good. But on Friday the Yankees got one hit by Roy Halladay.That comes to mind that good pitching beats good hitting and even with the Yanks with CC going in game one.

If you meet Justin Verlander and he out pitches CC in round one anything can happen. That is the way the Yanks went out the last few years. The playoffs are a whole new game. But the
Yanks are on their way to home field advantage.

Cano In The Clutch

Robbie Cano goes deep late the Yankees come back and win late. This was the 12th time the team has had a walk off win.

The 1978 Yankees have done it 13 times. Hopefully like the '78 team this team will go the distance.

Yankees by a touchdown and safety

The Yanks won for the first time at Fenway this year. Very sloppy...theywere lucky the hit parade came out.

One negative was in the first when Johnny Damon got hit on the knee and could be out indefinitely. Another was that Andy Pettitte gave up 7 runs.

Some good things: we beat Boston again! Hideki Matsui (pictured above) had a big Yankee night with 2 homers and 7 RBI. Also Damaso Marte rejoined the team as the Yankees need another lefty in the pen with Phil Coke.

Marte got both batters he faced.I am sure the team will look for some more pitching help by the Aug 31 wavier deadline...stay tuned.

62 1 leading after 8.

A big part of the Yanks success this year is the back end of the bull pen.

Enter Mr Sandman. Mariano is having one of his best seasons in pinstripes. After a Wednesday night win in Oakland 3-2 over the A's Rivera got save #36. He has a outside shot a 50 saves and is in the running for Cy Young.

And how about Alfredo Aceves out of the pen at 8-1. The Yanks have a 7 game lead as they head to Fenway.

Tex for MVP

Like most Yankee fans when our team is on the west coast I hate to stay up late to watch our team lose. The last two nights I was not disappointed.

The team won big in Seattle on Thursday and last night the team won coming back on a Mark Teixeira go ahead home run. And how about this guy! He is everything and a bag of
chips. His stats 30 home runs, .280 with 86 RBIs and playing a Gold Glove first base. How about Tex for MVP?

There is a lot of baseball to be played but if it ended today this guy has to be the MVP as he is leading the Yanks to the top of the division. If Tex and the Yanks can keep this up now 30 games over .500 he should be the front runner for AL MVP.

Oh What A Night!

Dateline: the Bronx. Friday Aug 7 2007. A classic game between two classic teams. Like a 15 round fight someone had to go down. Both pitchers were beyond great. AJ Burnett 7.2 innings pitched and Josh Beckett 7 innings pitched. 4 hits for each with no runs.

A lot of other fans say the Yankee Red Sox rivalry ain't what it use to be. After last night's classic I say its better than ever. We wound up on the the good side of the street with a 2-0, 15th inning walk off win.

Some new members off this long story . Young Japanese rightly Jinichi Tazawa who gave up the big blow with two outs in the 15th to A Rod . If we lost it would of hurt. But either way it was a great game between the two teams that still hold the title of Baseball's Best Rivalry

Get Ready For The Sox

Two wins in Toronto and two Red Sox losses in Tampa give the Yanks a 2 1/2 game lead as Boston invades the Bronx for a four game series.

This is more than a big series it is a real big series. The Yanks must show some muscle and take at least three games from the Sox. This could show what the team is a about. And don't look now but Tampa is back in the race. Its going to be a three team race and Thursday its starts for real.

Don't Trade Joba

After the Phillies got Cliff Lee from The Indians the talk is now that the Yanks and Red Sox could get in a bidding war over Roy Halliday.

Joba pitched 8 innings of 2 hit, no run ball on Wednesday night and looked great in his last few starts. Chamberlain has been coming around; he is only 23 and getting better as a starter. Don't put him in the deal.

Life Is Good

9 and 1 on the homestand. Maybe they would slip on the road....no way. 11-4 win in Tampa and AJ is sharp; he's now 10 and 4. Not to mention Nick Swisher (pictured) who hit two homers against the Rays. The Yanks are 61-38 and first in the east.

The big thing here is that they moved Tampa one back in the standings. The team is playing better than it has in years. The hitting, the bullpen and the starters...keep it coming. Boston in two weeks.

Stay Out Of Anaheim

The Yanks are doing great and I should not complain about anything. But...I am getting sick of losing to the Halos out west.

With a 5 to 1 lead Friday night and after sweeping the Twins and playing real good ball the curse of Anaheim came to life. A few bloop hits, some errors, a three-run homer from Kendry Morales (pictured) and Joba not having it gave the Angels a 10-6 come back win.

The Yanks, with one of the best records in baseball, should get in the post season one way or another. But two of the biggest problems are not winning one game vs the Red Sox and not being able to win in Anaheim in years. And if the cards fall right the Bombers will have to go though both those clubs in October. If you do not beat them during the regular season they will have that in their corner in the playoffs. And the Angels and Sox will be at full strength.

Future Closer?

The more I see Phil Hughes I think are the Yankees wasting him in the bullpen...or maybe there is a long term plan. Just maybe the Yankees are doing what the Sox did with Jonathan Papelbon.
Joba was suppose to be the closer off the future but as a starter he is doing just fine. It is a tough call; maybe Hughes has the toughness for the bullpen. Brian Bruney lost his set up role and now the way both Phils are pitching (Coke and Hughes) they have been taking that 8th inning role.

It is a long season and a can happen you might need him to start. But he keeps this up keep him in the pen...lights out.

Keep Winning Series

After a Friday night win at Citi field the Yanks have won three in a row and are now 41-32 and 11 games over .500, their high mark of the year.

Most fans of any team thinks it is important to win series; the Yanks must try to keep winning series after losing their sets with Washington and Florida. The yanks won one in Atlanta; now with A Rod starting to hit the pitching has been good.

The Red Sox are moving towards 20 games over to keep pace with them and to remain a top of the wild card. The Yankees must keep winning series.

Two Out Of 3 Ain't Bad

Friday night was a gift. On Saturday I went to the game surrounded by Met fans in my own Stadium.

But today I got a feeling that after they hit Santana hard in the first that we could score on him today. I guess my hunch was right: final score 15-0 Yankees . I am kind of tired of the 6 game Subway Series. I think 3 is enough.

But today was big. The Phils beat Boston 11-6 and now we're back to two games out. We won a series. And maybe this is the AJ Burnett who was in Toronto last year, going 7 strong giving up 4 hits and no runs.

The Yanks now play Washington, the worst team in baseball and have to win this series and move closer toward the Sox. Today was all good. Yankees 15 Mets 0.

Playing For Second

0-8. what a joke.

I remember in the mid 70s the Yanks could not win in Fenway. Now they can't win at all.

After a 4-3 loss Thurday as CC ran out of gas the bull pen caved in. The hitting: again 2-15 with runners in scoring position. I can go on and on.

But right now it looks like a wild card on the horizon. This was the toughest loss of the year.

Comeback Kings

The Yanks are doing good after a comeback win against Tampa on Sunday.It was their 20th comeback of the year. Nothing like that last year; the Bombers are back in first!

All good teams are judged by how many games over 500 they are and at 10 games over the Yanks next step is 15 then 20. But right now the pitching and the hitting are clicking.

But there is always a but.

The Yanks, who lost an earlier series to Tampa and have not beat Boston yet have to win series against these clubs. Most Yankee fans worry about the Mets series and that is ok . But we have the Sox this week and must put up a few wins against Boston to show them this Yankee team is not the team they saw in April.

25 17 On Memorial day

On Sunday the Yanks could not come back. A good home standhas brought the Bombers to 25-17 on Memorial Day. The Yanks head to Texas and, unlike this weekend, try to win a series in the Lone Star State and try to get 10 games over for the first time all year.

The team might miss the home cooking of 87 homers at the new Stadium. So far this year are 11-10 away from the Bronx and will try to bring some of that home magic on the road.

Crazy Eights

23-17... their best record all year.

In the last few games a few blowout wins at home. In this eight game winning streak every one is hitting and the pitching has been good not great. Texiera and Cano (hitting one of three in a row on Wednesday night) are red hot. A Rod has helped Texiera batting next to him.

The problem I see is the #5 spot. A Rod who walked twice tonight might be getting pitchedaround and not seeing fast balls in the zone.

Maybe if Posada comes back he can be slotted in the #5 slot or maybe move Cano in. Matsui, who has cooled off could, be moved up in the lineup. Just an idea keep winning and it wonit mater.

A Big Win Late

The Yanks got back over .500 it seems like they have been like that all year. Friday night would have been a tough loss. In the 7th, bases loaded one out no runs in. After a Brett Gardner inside the park homer the team keeps leaving runners on base. I got down and turned to the Farah Fawcett story...but I never really turn off a Yankee game.

So Friday night if the Bombers had lost it would be real tough because they left 13 runners left on base. But a big ninth off of one of baseballs best closers lead to 5-4. Milkey Cabrea had the big hit. And maybe let's not giveup on Brett Gardner who has made the best in his time back in the line up. Just keep winning series

Yanks Can't Beat East

One of the big problems this year is that maybe 3 of the best teams in baseball are all in the AL East: Toronto Boston and Tampa. The only problem is the Yanks can't beat any of them.

After a loss to Doc Halladay, who out pitched AJ Burnett for a 5-1 win, the Yanks can't get to .500 or beat the east teams except for Bailtimore. And if that wasn't bad enough Jeter was out due to a sore muscle, Matsui left the game early, and Posda Molina and Nady Wang Marte are all on the DL.

It not only looks a lot like last year but this team looks like a team getting old at once. It could be a long year.

A Rod Back! CC Sharp! But...

The Yankees ended there losing streak with a bang: 4-0 win vs the Birds. CC was on a complete game shut out. A Rod first pitch back hit a homer and the team got its first lead in 4 games and gave the team some energy.

Maybe for one night the team looked great in one of the biggest wins of the year. But you can't forget the past week when they got sweet by Boston and Tampa at home and looked real bad.

From the starters the bullpen even Mariano to not scoring any runs to leaving too many runners on base. Most of all just looking bad. Baseball is a marathon not a sprint so lets see if the team can put on a wining streak and forget last week.

13-10

The Yankees are 13 10. It's early May and after a not so bad April the Yanks, with a couple of wins in a row against the Halos look good.

Last night the Bombers had a 4 - zip lead and gave it back as Andy Pettite gave it right back. At one point the Yanks were down by 5, came back to one and in the bottom of the 9th came back to win 10-9. That's right a big comeback win.

Jorge Posada (above, center) who had a big homer in the first is playing well and got the big hit to give the Yanks the win. The problem I see is the middle relief but that is a story for another day. Now with May starting and Boston coming into the Bronx the Yanks have to keep winning series. And the last few games were a good start.

On the other side of a rompI

have always been a fan of Phillip Hughes a #1 draft pick pitch like it in Motown. As he stoped the Yankees losing streak Tuesday night at 4 with an 11-0 win Phil Hughes went 6 innings with 2 hit ball and zero runs...very good.

If Hughes pitches like this it will be though to send him down. Also over the last few days one bright spot has been another pitcher out of the Yankeees system, Mark Melancon, who has a 0.00 era in a week in the big leagues. Maybe Hughes in the rotation and Joba and Melacon in the pen that's pretty good.

Weekend In New England

On Friday night going into the 9th inning I said to myself, "This would be a great win to make a statement against the Sox."

In comes Mo. You think, "One in the win column."

But what happens? Jason Bey homerun, extra inning win for Red Sox.

After we find Wang, Bruney and Cody Ranson go on the DL. The only good news is that Bruney one of the Yanks best pitchers will only be out for 3 weeks tops, not the year.

Come Saturday..AJ Burnett, who never lost to the Sox, had a 6 run lead and gave it away. Sum total: the bullpen let up.Total 16 runs in a 16-11 loss.

The bullpen one of the strengths of the team has been bad. The team looks a lot worse than there 9-8 record.

Hope This Is Not A Pattern

It's kind of like it rained on your wedding day. Or a bad thing happened. That was the case as the Yanks opened there brand new ball park. It was good till Veras and Marte came in and the Tribe lit them up.

Go to game two...another day game...the Yanks came back and won a with a classic Derek Jeter homer. Too bad we could not reverse the days.

The only thing I am seeing is a lot of things I saw last year: stranding a lot of runners and not getting the key hit. Also the middle relief is struggling. Cody Ramson is not hitting at third and with Nady possibly out for the season the Yanks might have to get a right handed hitting outfielder.

I know its early but these things might have to be addressed

The season is not over yet

After the first two loses in Baltimore a lot of the Yankee fans were ready to throw in the towel. CC was bad and Teixeira was flat and was hearing the boos.

Game 3...AJ looked great, the offense woke up and Andy was Dandy in game 4. Two and two on the season.

CC will get another shot , Joba has not gone yet and the bats look good. I said this in past blogs: I really like Nick Swisher (sliding above) who said "I Really screwed that one up" on the ball he dropped to give KC a run. He told Pettitte he would get it back for him. He got a big double to give the Bombers the lead for good. I really like this guy's attitude. The team has not had a "fire player" like that in a long time. If his bat keeps up he might find more playing time

The House That George Built

I had mixed emotions as I watched the Yankee game on Friday night. As most fans you hate to see the past end but are interested in the future. I wont hit the Stadium for a few weeks but a buddy who went to the first game last night said it was great. A lot of the old and new.

Just a few things I wanted diffrent; I was hoping that they kept the monuments on the field and made center deeper than 408 ft to center. Also more than 52.000 seats but you cant have everything. A great team on the field will make everything go away and so far this spring the Bombers look great. I cant wait to go to my first game at the new stadium it should be an experience.

One Week To Go

Johnny Damon has moved from leadoff to the second hole. Jeter will lead off for now with Texieria and Matsui third and fourth. It will be right/left switchand left for the first part of the order.

It looks like Brett Gardner is going to be in center and bat ninth. The last cuts will come in the Bullpen, so a week to go it looks good. This is the time the Yankee fans and baseball fans love getting ready for the season to come.

The Yanks looking good in presason

Before Sunday's game against Tampa the Bombers had won seven in a row. I know its only spring training and they are just exhibition games but the team looks good.

AJ Burnett looks like an ace and Joba has pitched well as a starter. Pettitte and Mariano have looked great. And how about Kei Igawa, who is not even on the big league roster has done well Maybe the Yankees can shop him by the end of the spring.

The postion players look good too. Texiera is having a monster spring and Jorge looks good behind the plate. All we need is the Captain to come back from the World Baseball Classic healthy. I know its only spring but I like what I see.

Few spots for a long Reliever.

So far this spring none of the five starters are down on the shelf and that is good. Also great news for us Yankee fans is Mariano has been throwing good and should be in a game by mid week to make his spring debut.

With the set up men pretty well set it looks like the only pitching job to be won is to be a long reliever. So far Brent Tomko has been looking good. Other candidates are Dan Giese, Alfredo Aceves and Jason Johnson.

Johnson is guy who has bounced around the big leagues for years and is working his way back after being diagnosed with eye cancer. A guy like this you have to pull for.

I would think if Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy don't make the staff they will go back to the minors and not be put in long relief. With the World Baseball Classic coming to and end next week competition for this pitching job should heat up in Yankee camp...it should be interesting.

A-Rod Under The Knife

A Rod is going to be out 6 to 9 weeks after the they decided to go ahead with the surgery. Dr Marc Phlippon will perform the surgery in Vail, Colorado on Monday March 9th. It is probably a good call.

Positions Up For Grabs

It is early in the spring. But in Yankee camp this year there are some positions to be won.

The big fight is for centerfield and give the early lead to Brett Gardner. He has had a good first few games with the bat and is playing a solid game in the field. He is out of the Yankee system and is someone you can root for. Gardner is in a battle with Melky Cabrera and Nick Swisher for the job. But Swisher is more of a Conner guy with Texiera back up at first.

In right Xavier Nady and Swisher are up for that job which could wind up in a platoon. In 1996 there was a lot of platoon players and in worked out well. Maybe that is the way to go on a team with a lot of superstars. It is early and just the first week of exhibition games...just an idea, Joe.

The story that wont go awayWhen

When A Rod came to the Bronx after the disappointing World Series lost to Florida I never thought he would get this much attention. Maybe if he was the MVP of a Series win or broke the single season home run record.

No such luck. After a week long of steroids apologies and lies, now the news that A Rod worked out the Angel Presinal who is no Angel. He is banned by baseball for his association with steroids.

Rodriguez, who is getting ready for the World Baseball Classic, has been working out with this trainer last month and has ties with A Rod back to 2003. A Rod, who said he has been clean since 2003, traveled with Presinal during his 2007 MVP season according to the Daily News.

If this is the case and he took it then maybe he should get suspended. As a Yankee fan I am sick of this story and as of today I am not the biggest A Rod supporter. Maybe he should get 50 games . Then it is done once and for all.

I Don't Know What To Think.

I am one of many Yankee fans who gets upset when our team is on the back pages and the headlines for all the bad reasons. For Example Clemens with his steroids issue. Joba and his DWI, and the Torre book to name a few.

But I don't think anyone saw this coming. SI reports that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids in 2003. Curt Schilling, who a few years ago said that if A Rod breaks every major league he will respect him because he is clean. Today on Schillings blog 38 pitches it reads"Shocked you can't be anymore." I hate to agree with a Bosox but he is 100% right.

You want to root for this guy. Like most fans Ihave opened up to A Rod since his arrival in 2004 and was looking for a big year in 2009 and maybe a long postseason run. You have to wonder how many other players are on it. So far there a lot of Yankees who have had a connections to the steroids list.

What I would like to see Alex do is say, "I did not know the anabolic steroids teststerone and methonolone was wrong and say I am sorry. I have or not done that and won't do it again." Will he?

We will have to find out. He does not have to report to camp for over a week. Lets see if he does the right thing. Jose Canseco, who wrote the tell all book "Juiced," is not looking all that wrong right now.

Andy's Back...And Joe Many Never Be

11 days till pitchers and catchers....why not talk Yankee baseball?

First I am glad Andy Pettitte took the Yankees offerwith incentives. Last year Andy was 14-14 with 158 strike outs. This year he has a chance to make a lot of money iincentives and could make what he made last year with a good year. Plus if he is the fourth or fifth starter the pressure wont be all on him.

As for Joe Torre I would never bash him for what he did. In my book he should be up there with great Yankee managers and great Yankees. As I heard him speak on Larry King the other night about his book "The Yankee Years"he seemed like a man who was very hurt the way he was treated in New York and was wanted to get it all out.

I remember as a young boy there was a lot of controversy around the Jim Bouton book "Ball Four" where a lot of the old timers said he should of keep it in the clubhouse and never let out. Seems like Torre did the same thing where he is trying to hurt someone the way he was.

It is a tough call but I want to read the book. How often do you get that close to what goes on behind the screens straight from the horses mouth.

One of my favorite things is to see what numbers the players get issued in spring training. it will be something if someone...maybe a non roster player or a back up catcher...gets #6. Stay tuned