WHY THE 2012 YANKEES WILL LOOK DIFFERENT: PART 1

Should he stay or should he go? That is the question. Here is one man’s bitter opinion:
Brian Cashman: 13 Playoff appearances, 11 Division winners, 6 AL Pennants, 4 World Titles in 14 years. Well, you can’t argue with success. Cash seems to do well under the New York pressure and even though the checkbook is huge it's often the cheaper, less publicized
moves that pay off. Cash stays as long as he’s willing to master the circus.

Joe Girardi: The Yanks are 384-264 with 1 World Title in Girardi’s 4 seasons at the helm. Joe has done a decent job but there are times where he seems to over-manage. He seems to rely more on his binder and less on the flow of the game; which is strange for a former catcher. Girardi has shown he can handle the New York media but I wonder who is handling the egos in the clubhouse. Maybe it's time for a change…Luis Ayala: 2-2, 2.09 ERA in 52 games. Ayala was wasn’t too bad. He’s serviceable out of the bullpen; a place where good pitching is hard to come by. My gut was to let him go, it seemed like runners were always scoring on him, but after analyzing the numbers he fared quite well
with runners in scoring position. I have little doubt but to bring him back.

AJ Burnett: 11-11, 5.15 ERA, 173 Ks in 33 games. Do I really need to say it? As inconsistent as he was this year, it was actually an improvement over 2010. He’s the victim of his own mind. He can throw good stuff when he wants. It's all mental for this guy. Maybe the pressure is too much. He’s signed through 2013 so it doesn’t matter that I’d dump him quicker than it takes to say AJ.
(Photo: Getty)
Joba Chamberlain: 2-0, 2.83 ERA in 27 games. He was just starting to get it together before he got hurt. Clearly the Joba rules messed this kid up. I say trade him while he still get some value. He’s probably only worth a few prospects, but maybe he could have the same success
as his buddy Ian Kennedy is having elsewhere.

Bartolo Colon: 8-10, 4.00 ERA, 135 Ks in 29 games. At 38, Bartolo pitched better than anyone would have expected, and I thank him for his service and everything he did for the Yanks this year, but if the last 2 months are any indication, I wonder if there’s any gas left in the tank or is it time to head off to the scrap yard.Pedro Feliciano: He lost the entire season to injury. He’s signed for 2012 with a team option for 2013. Right now there’s no guarantee he’ll throw next year either. Looks like Hal will be eating this $8 million.

Freddy Garcia: 12-8, 3.62 ERA, 96 Ks in 26 games. Another guy with zero expectations but delivered mightily. While he is less overpowering than he used to be, he knows how to pitch and still be effective. The Yanks would be crazy not to give him another chance. He was quite the bargain at $1.5 million. Maybe he gets a bump next year!

Phil Hughes: 5-5, 5.79 ERA, 47 Ks in 17 games. While 2011 was another year of highs, lows, and injury; Hughes may not be the starter the Yanks thought he’d be. But as he showed late in the season he might be a bullpen threat. Casey even wrote about it with WHY THE PEN IS WHERE HUGHES BELONGS. I say trade him while he still has some value or
keep him and leave him in the pen.

Boone Logan: 5-3, 3.46 ERA in 64 games. I’m sorry but to be the only lefty in the bullpen you need to be a little more dominating. He gave up more hits than innings pitched and lefties had an OPS of .789. That’s way too high for the only lefty in the bullpen. There’s got to
be something better out there.
Damaso Marte: Marte is 2-6 with a 6.02 ERA in the 4 years he’s been here. He continues to be hampered by the injury bug, there’s nothing that says he’ll ever get back and be effective. The team holds an option for 2012 which should be declined without question.

Sergio Mitre: 11.81 ERA in 4 games. Why did he come back? And what is Girardi’s love affair with this guy. I wouldn’t even trust him to pitch peanuts in the stands. Get rid of him...now.

Hector Noesi: 2-2, 4.47 ERA in 30 games. I see a lot of promise in this guy. Over the last 2 seasons he’s been quite effective at Trenton and Scranton. Even at the major league level he had glimpses of effectiveness. If given the chance he could turn out to be a great # 2
or #3 starter in the rotation.

Ivan Nova: 16-4, 3.70 ERA, 98 Ks in 28 games. What a future this kid will have if he keeps this up. He definitely stepped it up this year. He was a big reason why the Yanks won the division this year. Nova was 12-0 in 16 starts from June 10th on. It's clear this kid will be here
for years to come.
Mariano Rivera: 1-2, 1.91 ERA, 44 Saves. He’s 41 and still doing it with just one pitch. The greatest closer ever can stay as long as he wants.

David Robertson: 4-0, 1.08 ERA, 100 Ks in 70 games. How many times did he come in with a runner on 3rd and nobody out and got out of it without giving up a run? He is the bonafide setup guy to Mariano and the heir-apparent for the closer role.CC Sabathia: 19-8, 3.00 ERA, 230 Ks in 33 starts. CC is the ace of this staff and was a workhorse. Maybe he tired during the stretch which led to his less than stellar performance in the playoffs. He’s owed $92 mil over the next 4 years but can opt-out now. After the
A-Rod drama from a few years back, I fully believe CC is opting out. The big question is, then what? I’m thinking with few viable #1 starter options out there, the Yanks will pay and pay big for Sabathia to come back.

Rafael Soriano: 2-3, 4.12 ERA in 42 games. I never liked this signing. Soriano is selfish and does not seem to be happy in the setup role. Bruised egos are a clubhouse cancer. He’s signed through 2013, but has an opt-out clause and I sure hope he uses it.
(Photo: Getty)
Cory Wade: 6-1, 2.04 ERA in 40 games. Wade signed with the Yanks midway through the season after being released by the Rays AAA team. He joined the bullpen and was an instant success. Hopefully Girardi didn’t overuse him and his arm holds up next year and he can become a cornerstone of the Yanks pen.

More is coming... look for Part 2 soon.

-- Lem Allen, BYB Freelance Writer
bybcurmudgeon@gmail.com




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WHY THE YANKEES FELL SHORT

The Yankees started off aggressive in the Motor City. Not knowing what to expect from CC Sabathia tonight, we needed to strike early and we did. Yankees had a 2 -0 by the end of the first, but it was clear that CC Sabathia wasn't doing his best CC impersonation. Instead he was doing his best AJ Burnett. Not good and walks galore.

By the bottom of the 3rd, the game was tied at 2. It was the second time around in the Tigers order and CC clearly didn't have it. Luckily for us, he did what he does best... fake it and get through the innings, not giving up a ton of runs and he kepy his team in it. On the other side Justin Verlander started out not looking great either. But that's what makes baseball great... you never know what's going to happen. In what was billed as a pitching duel, it wasn't. 2 pitchers on short rest, but only one would look good. It wasn't CC. Michael Kay said that the umpire was calling the same game for CC and Justin Verlander. I disagree. Clearly I wanted CC on top, but I tell you what, the strike zone for CC Sabathia was mysteriously small tonight, no doubt. I noticed several pitches that were strikes, were never called strikes for the Yankees. I'm not saying Verlander wasn't throwing them in the zone, he was, but so was CC. Bottom line.

In the 5th, it was clear that CC was laboring. Ramon Santiago put the Tigers in the lead 3-2. Both he and Brandon Inge were 2 for 2. You know, it was strange, Verlander appeared better than CC later, like he had something in reserve, striking out the side in the top of the 5th inning, making Brett Gardner and Russell Martin look silly. To me, I felt terrible. Yes, CC was doing his best dance, but the stuff wasn't there. But say what you will about CC, the guy showed heart and never gave up and never let the runs get out of hand. He did his best under the circumstances, I give him that.In the 6th, Derek Jeter got his second hit of the night. Granderson struck out and was clearly over-matched. He looked like a Little Leaguer up there. ARod struck out and looked ridiculous. To be honest, back to calling balls and strikes, 2 pitches to ARod both were the same pitch, one was a ball, one was a called strike three. I don't get it.(Photo: Getty)
CC Sabathia got knocked out in the bottom of the 6th and Rafael Soriano came in and took care of business. At this point it was 4-2 Tigers and I felt confidence again, my stomach wasn't in knots. I know that if we have stability on the mound, we can get some runs... or can we? We've done nothing since the first inning.

The 7th was nerve racking but there was hope. Posada walked and Martin got hit by a pitch and suddenly Verlander didn't look so good. Of course we needed a base hit for Brett Gardner just to keep the rally going with 2 outs and take the Detroit crowd out of it. Gardy delivered big, 2 RBI double and the game was knotted at 4. I was screaming in my basement at that point, Detroit was silent. But, you know what ticks me off? The announcers sounded sad about it. What the hell is that all about? I thought maybe I'd blow it off,
then Rafael Soriano made a pitch that Delmon Young drove into the right field seats and Brain Anderson, the announcer, was overjoyed. What a dick. At this point, it's 5-4 and I am longing for Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling. I can't stand the way TBS does baseball.

The top of the 8th, Granderson gave one a ride, but it was an out. Cano struck out on a crappy high called third strike. Alex Rodriguez came up and walked. But he looked slow and disoriented the whole at bat. Teixeira came up with 2 outs and a man on first and popped out weakly to Inge. Again Brian Anderson, the announcer sounded thrilled. John Smoltz actually made a comparison of Justin Verlander to hall of famer Nolan Ryan saying he's never seen anything like "this" since Nolan. Are you kidding me? The guys pitching a good game, can't we just we just leave it there?
David Robertson came in in the bottom of the 8th inning. Robertson struck out the first batter but then nails Peralta. It happens.

Then, Valverde came out to try and close out the 9th against the Yankees. Nick Swisher came up and popped out. Unbelievable. One out and Jorge Posada stepped into the box. He's 4-8 at this point. Posada worked a walk. Man on first and 1 out. Running for Posada was Eduardo Nunez and when Russell Martin came up, he gave the pitch a ride, but it was caught in right and Nunez could not advance. 2 outs and Gardy came to the plate. Nunez stole second and now he's in scoring position. Next thing you know, Gardner works a walk and men are on 1st and 2nd for Derek Jeter. The table is set. But there was not joy in Yankeeland... Derek Jeter had struck out.

Final Score: Tigers 5 - Yankees 4

Tomorrow IS do or die.

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WHY IT'S "THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHT THESE EYES HAVE EVER SEEN!"

The Yankees in the playoffs! I stole that line from Ned Beatty who played the role of Rudy Ruettiger’s father in the film Rudy, a film that still makes me cry like a little bitch. I like that line because while it’s simple, yet says so much.

Emotionally, I watched the mountain the Yankees had to climb this year and when you looked at that opening day Pitching rotation, there is no way in hell that you believed that the New York Yankees would win the American League Eastern division. But’s exactly what's happened.

Seeing Jesus Montero and Eduardo Nunez pouring champagne on Robinson Cano is truly extraordinary. Seeing Curtis Granderson and Rafael Soriano smiling ear to ear actually makes me really happy. And thinking about Brian Cashman’s patience rule come into play, it’s almost like he was Biff, using the Delorean to get the Sports Almanac and bringing it back with all the solutions to bring the Yankees yet another postseason berth.

Admit it, you believed in your Yankees, but did you REALLY BELIEVE when Phil Hughes went down and Bartolo Colon suddenly filled the void? Did you believe that Curtis Granderson was going to have a season for the ages? Did you truly believe that DRob would emerge as the greatest 8^th inning guy you’ve ever seen? Yankee fans believe in their team, but you just never know how 25 individuals will come together. When AJ Burnett started falling apart, the bullpen and offense lifted him up. When Rafael Soriano lost his 8^th inning job, he accepted anything to help his team win, and checked his attitude at the door. And when Jorge Posada was called upon to pinch hit, he never complained and he delivered.

These are my New York Yankees. And while they are terrific this season, you have to also give some created to Joe Girardi. Yes, sometimes the Girardi binder pokes in it’s head and tries to lead Joe, but Joe’s less dependant lately, and he’s developed into a pretty damn good manager I’d say. Maybe Manager of the Year and I’m impressed.

One things for sure though, it’s not over. Not only do we need to keep winning, we’ve achieved 2 goals but we need to achieve 3 more:

WINNING THE ALDS: A short series win is more important now because it tests our pitching. We’ve seen the Yankees win plenty of Series’ this season and I’ve always preached that winning every series will get the Yanks to the playoffs, but now we’re going and it starts all over. We need to strike early and often and never lose the focus. We need to play hard until the end of the season and keep momentum going into the playoffs.

WINNING THE ALCS: A slightly longer series but important just the same. The prize is winning the World Series but you can’t do that until you win the ALCS. I believe that when we get through the ALDS, winning the ALCS will happen, again it's momentum. That’s the key.

WINNING THE WORLD SERIES: You can’t go to the World Series and lose. We’ve experienced that before and it sucks. The Marlins... the Diamondbacks... those losses still sting. We’ve learned our lesson. The World Series is a must win, and winning it all in our house is always better.

Yes, when the Yankees clinched and Soriano locked it down, followed by the Yankees having alittle celebration, it was in fact "The most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen." But let’s be honest, it's bigger than that now, seeing them in the playoffs is, and then going further will be as well. I want to have more of that. We’re almost there.

As Jeet says “One game at a time, one game at the time.”

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WHY THE YANKEES WILL LOSE ALDS WITHOUT MOMENTUM

The Yankees lost tonight and yes, they are Eastern division champs, but don't we want to win? We need momentum and we need to build momentum tomorrow, the final game of the season, just in time for the playoffs. Without it, we lose the ALDS.

Tonight Matt Joyce was the hero for the Rays, and when that happened, momentum changed...the Rays got hungry. Ben Zobrist homered tonight as well and the Wild Card race between the Sox and Rays is crazy right now...it's unbelievable.Rafael Soriano looked lost tonight when Joyce cranked out his home run. He didn't look too promising. Again, it's all about momentum and earlier in the game when Russell Martin hit into a triple play and blew a chance for the Yankees to break it wide opened, it changed momentum away from New York and toward Tampa Bay.

In addition to the triple play, Martin hit a solo shot off of Jeremy Hellickson. Nick Swisher hit an RBI double to give the Yankees their 3 runs.
Bartolo Colon, whom I have hammered as of late pitched decent tonight. Not outstanding and not shitty, but good. He allowed 2 runs and 7 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He finishes the season with a 4.00 ERA. Not too shabby for a guy we found on the scrap heap. Thank you Bartolo for your service. You did us proud.

Look, we lost tonight, I don't like losing...we lost.

Final Score: Rays 5 - Yankees 3

My only thought on the last few days is this; The Yankees may not need to win these games, but they should win them. I know they are playing games because they are on the schedule, but these are still regular season games and the goal is to win as many as you can, regardless of clinching an Eastern Division. Tomorrow, Ladies and Gentlemen I consider a must win, for tune up purposes, for momentum purposes... for rhythm. Here come the New York Yankees.

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WHY ARE THE YANKEES AL EAST CHAMPS?

Because we never give up!

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WHY THE YANKEES PEN IS THE BEST IN BASEBALL

Yeah, it’s early, we haven’t even made the playoffs, yet, with all the home runs by Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira and with all the well pitched games by CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova, many forget a true part of the New York Yankees that make them hum… the bullpen.

I remember the 1998 Yankees team and that bullpen made up of guys like Mike Stanton, Jeff Nelson, Graeme Lloyd, Ramiro Mendoza and Mariano Rivera. Back then, that bridge clearly was the best in baseball, mowing them down every opportunity they had. The passion was clear. I remember Jeff Nelson getting super excited over a strikeout and the calmness of Mariano when he closed out the game was equally awesome. He's exactly the same today. It was that drive that was a huge asset in their World Championship in 1998. Now, years later… I feel like it’s happening again. While the names are different, the mission is the same.

Hector Noesi: Noesi does what he’s told to do and he does it well for a kid. He’s learning more from the Yankee pen than he ever would down in AAA. The experience and talent in the pen is diverse and being on the biggest stage of Yankee Stadium, it's allowed this kid to develop. Noesi gets some crappy assignments sometimes, mop up work or even coming in in blowouts, but his expression is always the same. He’s happy to be there and happy to contribute to this New York Yankees team.

Cory Wade: Wade’s been a surprise, a real good one. With all the worry about his arm getting blown out by Joe Torre when he was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wade is back and is proving that his injury is a thing of the past. Wade is a terrific addition to our club. This season he’s 6-1 with a 2.06 ERA. Not too shabby pal.

Luis Ayala: A gamer and another guy that has found his niche. Ayala is also a great surprise to me and I consider Wade and he a great mid-game combo. Mix in Boone Logan and you can easily go 5 to 6 innings if needed. I like this kid and I’m happy for him.

Scott Proctor: Proctor is a late addition this year, working his way back to the Yankees where he first started. Many don’t care for Proctor but this guy is tough. Proctor carries an arrogance about him that many pitchers don’t have on the Yankees. It’s almost considered not the "Yankee way." I say Proctor’s arrogance is actually confidence and I’d throw him out there against anyone in a 6^th inning situation. I’m glad Proctor’s back and I hope his contribution is huge down the stretch.

Boone Logan: Not perfect, and has good days and bad days. Lately though, he’s having more good than bad, and this is when we need that lefty most. It’s clear at this point that Brian Cashman is sticking with Boone Logan and we have to grin and bear it and maybe cross our fingers a bit when he comes out.

Rafael Soriano: Something's happened to Soriano when he came off the disabled list… reality happened. With David Robertson clearly taking over Rafael Soriano’s set up role, it was either do what Yankees needed him to do, or whine about it. Soriano choose to work and work he has bridging to Robertson and doing it beautifully and most important, without an attitude. I have seen a transformation in this angry guy that I love. He wants to be there to help his team and it doesn’t matter what the role is, he’s ready.

David Robertson: What can you say about this guy? Robertson is a BYB staple for sure, we love him here. He has proven to the world that he may just be the best 8^th inning guy, not only in baseball, but in history. I remember all the talk about Daniel Bard bridging to Jonathon Papelbon and how great that 1,2 punch was. Well, in the time it’s taken for the Red Sox to implode, the DRob, Mariano 1,2 punch has proven they are better. Look for DRob to continue his success now and in the future. I see this kid taking over for Mariano in 3 years and it’s about to get awesome.

Mariano Rivera: The King of Closing, Mariano Rivera is the best ever and it’s about to get better. How the hell do you compile 602 saves in a career? Longevity and talent. Mariano has both and you add heart in and there's no one better. Mariano Rivera has done something so great for not only the Yankees but for baseball, and it cannot and will not ever be denied.

The New York Yankees bullpen… better than the rest? Yes, without a doubt. While there were question marks early involving our Yankees bullpen, there is no question we now get a big pick me up from these guys, some young and some old, but ultimately, the perfect blend of youth and veteran grit. I’d pick these guys over any other bullpen in baseball…how about you?

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WHY MO'S SIMPLY THE BEST

(Photo: AP)
If I told you it was the most satisfying win in 2011 for me personally, would you believe me? Well, it was. This game had everything I wanted, it was like Christmas; Alex Rodriguez is hitting at the right time after an injury plagued season. Curtis Granderson may have broken out of his mini-slump and he's hitting homers again. Mariano Rivera has tied Trevor Hoffman for the most saves ever in Major League history. Oh, and the Yankees came back to win a big game today, just the way I like my Saturday, how about you?
(Photo: AP)
It didn't start well at all. In fact, it was a train wreck and Bartolo Colon was the conductor. My, how the mighty have fallen. This is a guy we were calling the Yankees 2nd ace back in July. This is a guy that I wanted the Yankees to start making merchandise with his name all over it. This guy was on the fast track to a "Rudy-esque" bio pic. But, let's face it... Bartolo Colon is no longer good enough to be in the Yankees rotation ladies and gentlemen. In short spurts, Colon could be valuable in the pen, but his starting days in New York are over. They have to be, because if the Yankees offense didn't explode today, We'd be looking at another loss and it would be all Colon's fault. Luckily, we had a comeback today. Colon went only 4 innings today, and he allowed 6 runs on 7 hits.Alex Rodriguez homered today and not only that, he started a big rally in the 6th inning when he cranked out a 3 run home run. the Yankees scored 4 in that inning. Alex today was 2-4 and according to Marc Carig of the Star Ledger, he felt good: “I definitely feel good, and I definitely feel energized,” Rodriguez said.

Curtis Granderson hit his 40th homer of the year today and he was the big bat of the game. Grandy gave the Yankees the lead in the 7th inning to top off the comeback. It was a 2 run shot over the center field fence.

The combination of Scott Proctor, Aaron Laffey, Hector Noesi and Rafael Soriano shut down the Jays today and did not allow a hit. When momentum takes over a team, you can see it in everyone. Hats off to these guys today, fantastic bullpen. More times than not, the Yankees pen kicks some ass, today was one of those days.

The story of the day goes to Mariano Rivera. Coming in today and getting save 601 was history and just fantastic. Mariano deserves every great thing that happens to him in life. He's an amazing teammate, a terrific pitcher and iconic in not only Yankeeland, but in baseball. Congrats to Mariano for tying the All-time save record. 601. Wow.Finally, Joe Girardi reads BYB. If he didn't he would have put Jorge Posada in to catch Mariano Rivera's 601st save and my theory in WHY SAVE 602 SHOULD BE MARIANO TO POSADA would have been watered down. Luckily, for save 601, Girardi used Russell Martin setting up what will ultimately be my dream come true, having Jorge Posada catch Mariano's 602nd save. Now, tomorrow is the 3rd game of the Blue Jays series in Toronto. Hopefully, Girardi does the right thing and let's David Robertson close out the game if needed so Mariano can close 602 at home. If he was to do that, and Posada caught it... well... let's just say I'll be a happy man.

Final Score: Yankees 7 - Blue Jays 6

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WHY YANKEE FANS NEED LEADERS NOT LOSERS

The Blue Jays played like champions tonight. The Yankees, well, that's another story. Yes, we started strong, but when you fold like a house of cards, there's really no excuse. I'm a broken record at this point, you can never, EVER lose to a division rival this close to the playoffs...but we did and now we have to move on and win tomorrow as well as the rest of this series without a doubt.
CC Sabathia is my guy, but one thing is happening right now, and this is just a hunch; too much rest for the big guy may not be a good thing. Look, this is simple for me to understand and I think I'm right. In the Yankees haste to make sure we have a 6 man rotation to give them time to figure out what pitchers are strong enough, we have left 1 very important pitcher's opinion out of the equation, and that's CC Sabathia. CC doesn't like a rest longer than normal and he's voiced his opinion. I found this nugget that I spoke about a week ago brought to you by the Bergen Record:

"Sabathia prefers to work on four days' rest, but manager Joe Girardi is mindful that his ace left-hander has thrown 239 pitches over his past two starts." Read the full piece HERE.

This may offer nothing to you, but it offers a lot to me. Joe, while trying to help CC may be hurting him. Yes, we need Sabathia strong for the playoffs, but if our ace is messed up with extra rest and he can't pitch effectively, hey, we'll be losing and won't be IN the playoffs. My suggestion? Joe needs to give CC what he wants and it's time to make a rotation decision so we can narrow it to 5. It's getting late early.

But enough about my educated guess, the Yankees lost tonight, and that does not make me happy. CC went 5.2 innings tonight. He allowed 10 hits, and 4 runs and struck out 8. Was he incredible? No, but he grinded hard, but again, you need to question his rest schedule. Sabathia left the game with the bases loaded in the 6th and Luis Ayala was able to get out of the inning. Thank God.(Photo: Getty)
Rafael Soriano pitched the 7th inning tonight and had 3 strikeouts. That, my friends was definitely the pitching highlight of the night for me.

Boone Logan got the loss tonight... what else is new? He left the game in the 9th inning after Adam Lind hit a double off of him. Adam Lind is a lefty. Boone Logan is a lefty. I'm just making a point here... this is ridiculous already. Anyway, Cory Wade came in. Jose Molina, the former Yankee was the guy who killed us all tonight. Molina drove in the winning run in the 9th off Wade, a heart breaker if you will.
(Photo: Getty)
Offensively, Nick Swisher and Eric Chavez did some great work tonight, but it wasn't enough. Swisher had a single and a double tonight with 2 RBIs. Chavez crushed a homer to center and had 2 RBIs.

Final Score: Blue Jays 5 - Yankees 4

I'm not happy, in fact, I'm aggravated. The Yankees need to win, especially against a 4th place team. Next up is Bartolo Colon and Lord knows, I am uneasy about him pitching. The last win Colon has is from July. That says a lot. I'm getting worried Ladies and Gentlemen, please soothe me.

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WHY SAVE 602 SHOULD BE RIVERA TO POSADA

What an exciting 24 hours for Austine Romine. He was called up by by the Yankees to play in Anaheim Sunday and then he caught 3 pretty damn important pitchers in the Yankee rotation. Steve Garrison was designated for assignment to make room for Romine. (Photo: Mariano Rivera with Austin Romine)
Yesterday in front of an Anaheim crowd, Romine caught Rafael Soriano, David Robertson and Mariano Rivera and is now in the record books for helping Mariano record his 599^th save.

But one thing needs to be considered and is it's really important to me... Shouldn't Jorge Posada catch Mariano Rivera's 602nd save game? Jorge Posada. That's right, I said it. To me, that’s Yankee history at it’s best. Nothing against Russell Martin, the guy is pure guts and after all, he is the Yankees starting catcher, but in line with every great Yankee moment, there’s a story and who better to catch Mariano ‘s 602^nd Save than Poe Poe himself.

Joe Girardi’s no dope. He knows the history of the Core Four and what it means to the Yankees and to the fans and while he may not be thinking big picture like me, he should. Not only is it good for baseball history, it’s great for marketing. Think about it… you could check out a baseball that has both Mariano and Posada’s signature on it with the number 602 sitting in Cooperstown or better yet, for sale. You may not like it but the Yankees are big business and they’d miss a huge opportunity to pull a stunt like this, after all, all of Yankeeland would like to see it and like I wrote in WHY POSADA SHOWED YOUTH IN YANKEES LOSS , Posada looked youthful and hungry the other night. Posada is chomping at the bit… this makes sense.

You're worried about Posada’s durability are ya? Well, he hasn’t caught all season, so I’d say he’d be OK for 1 game for crying out loud. But if you’re concerned, then I’m concerned; So you bring him in later in the game. The point is, you want to get him in there. It will be mad cool. Besides, Russell Martin just banged up his thumb so it’s a quick fix throwing Posada in, plus, you don’t disrupt Montero as the DH. Look, any way you slice it, you have the manpower now, so it lends itself to a Cinderella ending… 602 with the battery of Rivera and Posada. I can see the Topps baseball card now; Picture of Mariano and Posada hugging after the 602 record save is secured and a slice of both Rivera and Posada’s jerseys with #602 in the middle. That’s a card I’d like to own.

The Yankees are full of tradition, and to me, this screams it. Tradition, longevity, pride, Mo and Jorge. It’s the way it should be! After all, it’s the Yankee way. Don't you Agree?

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WHY THE YANKEES WILL BRING MOMENTUM TO BOSTON

(Photo: Getty)

It started out hard in Baltimore. The New York Yankees were never supposed to lose any games in Camden yards. After all, the Orioles are in last place and the ultimate goal is not only beating them, but also beating Buck Showalter. Read WHY BUCK FALLS SHORT if you haven't already.



The point is, the Yankees are a great ball club and the Orioles, while they have talent, were put on a false pedestal by a manager that has never won a championship, but instead, only came close. Flapping lip about the Yankees captain was a "No no" and he should never forget the mistake he made.

Freddy Garcia was great tonight, using 6 different kinds of pitches in his performance tonight. Wow. How does he do it? He's reinvented himself and Lord knows he's sticking around. He pitched 6 innings, gave up 2 hits and 1 run and had 4 strikeouts. Love it.

The offense was simple, Mark Teixeria doubled in Granderson to start off the runs in the game. Then, the dude who's been hot in this series...Nick Swisher. Damn, he's the man. Nick homered in 2 tonight. That's the Yankees 3.



Rafael Soriano looked great in the 7th and a very impressive strikeout to get out of the inning. David Robertson gave up a homer to JJ Hardy but while that was rare, it was 1 mistake and DRob got out of the 8th. That's the first home run he's given up in over a year. Amazing stat.



Overall, the Yankees gave up 2 runs to the Orioles, and yes, the O's were threatening, but the Orioles don't have what the Yankees have... Mariano Rivera.(Photo: Getty)

Mariano Rivera came in a closed the door on the Orioles and looked amazing. Look, if there is one thing you need to know, it's this; Rivera is the greatest closer ever in the history of closers. He's just incredible and I'm in awe every single time he's out there. Tonight was no different.

Read WHY MARIANO RIVERA DESERVES AN HBO DOC. he does, bottom line.



Final Score: Yankees 3 - Orioles 2.



Off to Boston where the Yankees have to take a stand... a stand for first place. Momentum brings confidence...here we go!



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