WHY THE YANKEES WILL BURY THE SOX

The beast is unleashed and it's about to get good for the Yankees. As they approach their final week the regular season, momentum will build and lead them into the playoffs. But I'm getting ahead of myself. The Yankees played the Red Sox tonight and it is clear watching them play, this is a ball club that is on a mission... 28.Freddy Garcia was on the mound against Jon Lester tonight. On paper, Lester wins that battle. But in real life, Lester got wrecked and in only 2.2 innings pitched, and he allowed 8 runs. Freddy on the other hand went 6 innings today, allowed 6 hits and 0 runs. Freddy, a seasoned veteran is ready for the playoffs. You can just tell.The star of the game in my eyes is the kid, Jesus Montero. Again Montero is an animal. Tonight he was 3 for 4, had 4 RBIs, and 2 runs. He had a home run and a double. If Girardi needed to bring anyone to the playoffs, it's Jesus Montero, no doubt.

The Captain cranked out a 3 run home run tonight. Who said this guy is old and can't play baseball anymore? Ladies and Gentlemen, Derek Jeter is batting .297. I'd say, he still has it.
Russell Martin had a 2 RBI single tonight. That's the way to contribute after you verbally destroy the Red Sox saying that you hate them. 2 more games and 2 more wins will put the final nail in the Sox coffin. You gotta love it.

Strangely, there was silence in the order tonight. Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano went 1-16 and had 5 strikeouts. Let's call it a bad day and hopefully that's all if is.

Boone Logan had a strong outing getting 2 big batters, David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez out to end the 8th inning. He looks good, real good and if Logan can keep it up, we'll have the lefty specialist we've wanted all year and finally, in the post season, he'll be ready to roll.

Final Score: Yankees 9 - Red Sox 1

Interesting stat... The Red Sox are 5-17 in September and have lost 6 of their last 7.

Tomorrow, AJ Burnett faces Tim Wakefield in the early game of the doubleheader. In the night game, it's Ivan Nova vs. John Lackey.

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WHY DOES CLASS HAVE TO TURN CRASS

When Ted Williams was still alive, do you remember when Major League Baseball was celebrating the All-Century team back in 1999? Williams was driven out on a golf cart for the world the see and every top ball player in history came over to give the old man a hug. Now, you know me, I hate the evil Red Sox more than anything, and Ted Williams was one of them, but for the love of baseball, the world rejoiced, including us Yankee fans and many who understood what baseball was doing tipped their hats to an incredible ballplayer and war veteran.

I watched Jon Lester come back from cancer and pitch a no-hitter in 2008, it was a story for the ages, and again, I hate the Red Sox. But anyone with a heart and a love for baseball got it and again you tip your cap.

When Josh Hamilton cranked out 28 home runs at Yankee Stadium in 2008 at the Home run derby, while I hate the Rangers, I respected this feat. It was pretty damn incredible and I got it... it was good for baseball, the best sport in the world.

So, to my surprise, or maybe not, some ridiculous blogger decided that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim really did a stupid thing honoring a living legend in Derek Jeter with a painting last Friday night at Angels Stadium. I wrote WHY IT’S BIZARRO WORLD last month because yes, even I was confused by the honor, but the more I thought about it, I found it to be true class. Wow, another ball club other than the Yankees was going to honor Jeter. To me, it was pretty damn unselfish and respectful, plus, it’s great for baseball.

The Angels gave Derek Jeter a painting commemorating his 3000^th hit. There wasn’t a party, there wasn’t a parade, there was just a gift and a photo op and that’s it. I stated in my piece last month:

"...you have to wonder how baseball fans and Angels fans in Angels Stadium will react. I would expect fans will get it and a standing ovation would take place, but to tell you the truth, with that stupid rally monkey all over Angels Stadium and the rivalry that has developed over the years between the 2 teams, there will be plenty of booing and aggravation..."

I was hopeful however that baseball traditionalists would understand and tip their cap, out of respect for Jeter and for the game. I think more did than didn’t, and one guy, uses his blog as a hate site and found this generous deed by the Angels "outrageous." He wrote:

“LA Times fossil Bill Dwyre was sniffing Jeter’s jock in public on the pages of the rag he blogs for and mentioned the fact that the Angels were planning a tribute to Jeter. Is Carpino hoping to be hired away by the Yankees organization?”

He goes further: “Someone must pay for this rubbing of our noses in East Coast dogshit in our own town kennel.”

Wow. Look, I get the frustration, but I find this to be crass. He is however entitled to his opinion and clearly I am to mine. Derek Jeter has 5 championships under his belt. True, it’s a team effort, but he contributed to every one. Derek Jeter is on a hit list with players who are long retired from the game of baseball. Currently he stands at #20 at 3073. Derek Jeter is the most clean cut ballplayer I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime, a role model. What happened to a tip of the cap and you move on? No? Too soon? I’m not getting it.

True, if David Ortiz can into Yankee Stadium and the Yankees gave Papi a painting, I’d be furious. If the Angels’ Ervin Santana was honored at Yankee Stadium with a painting, it wouldn’t make sense. The difference between them and Jeter is simple, he’s a living legend, a baseball icon, and they are not. Longevity, presentation and championships define Jeter.

Jeter is on the most “overrated” players list every year… yeah, that’s because he’s good and jealousy runs that poll. Just look at his numbers. No one likes a winner, no one likes the Yankees but everyone likes baseball. The point is, you may not care for the team or the athlete, but respect the game and the achievement, that's all.

Bottom line, I feel like before you run your fat mouth off on your blog, you should think. It's all about the game. I'm not saying we have to hold hands with opposing fans, I'm saying decipher between respecting someone and being annoyed by someone... the game's more fun that way.

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YANKEES GRIND OUT SOLE POSSESSION OF 1ST

They came into Boston to win, and at first, against a very good Jon Lester, it didn't look like they had it in them. Sure, Bartolo Colon was bound the give up a run or 2, but the key was holding the Red Sox down once the Yankees scored and they did... and life is good.
(Photo: Getty)
The 6th inning was big for the Yankees tonight as they did what I asked them to do. I specifically asked Curtis Granderson to continue to lead the Yankees in THE YANKEES RALLY CRY...WIN, and, thank goodness, he did. I wrote:

"Look, I love a Yankees win but I love a Red Sox loss more, especially this time of year. Keep the hot hitting coming; Do you hear me Mr. Granderson? You have proven to be a true leader of this Yankee team and your leadership is needed more than ever right now."
Grandy got a key hit to tie it. Nick Swisher got a key double and pulled us ahead, Grandy scored, 3-2 Yankees. It was huge, you have to love that.

Bartolo went 5 innings tonight, and while he wasn't lights out, he was respectable. I really can't ever get angry at Colon. He doesn't show much emotion, but he knows he role and does it well. Tonight he pitched 4.2 innings, gave up 6 hits and 2 runs striking out 2.

Eduardo Nunez was on base 3 times tonight, the second time he was on base, it was on a walk and he scored the first Yankee run... it was the beginning of the rally of the 6th inning.

4 names stand out tonight:

• Nick Swisher: He's not the greatest outfielder in the world, but he looked like a gazelle the way he sprinted to that ball that Crawford hit in the bottom of the 6th inning. Nick grabbed it on a bounce and was able to cut down Crawford to only a double. If it goes past Swish, that's an inside the park home run, to echo what the great Ken Singleton said. He's right, Crawford's got speed.
  

(Photo: Getty)

• Boone Logan: It kills me to say... but you have to give credit where credit is due. Boone Logan did a great job tonight, and for that I'm thankful. Getting Gonzalez on 3 pitches was huge and he deserves credit. I'm not going to lie, he was borderline Mitre in my book, but tonight he gets a pass. Good job.
  

• Rafael Soriano: RaSo pitched an excellent 7th inning. He looked relaxed and he looked ready to play. To me, that was the key to his return. If he came back with attitude, he'd poison the whole clubhouse, but if he came back willing to do whatever it took to win, the Yankees momentum would not be tainted. Attitude is huge during a winning streak, let's hope it sticks.

• Mariano Rivera: Mo just locked down the Sox tonight. He looked great and pitched like he was 20 years old again. No doubt, he's the greatest.

Final Score tonight: Yankees 3 - Red Sox 2. The Yankees are in first place, alone. The time is now, 8 game winning streak and more to come. 1 games in the bag. Let's get more... I'm greedy.

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