I hope the censors don't catch this one because ESPN has become the worst four-letter word in sports.  If Wayne Gretzky called the Disney owned company a "mickey mouse" organization, you'd never know about it because let's face it they never cover hockey.  What was once the great "Big Show" with the likes of Keith Olbermann and Dan Patrick has turned into a "Big Soap Opera," so much so that Vince McMahon should sue for copyright infringement. 

Here is a bevy of reasons why I cannot stand ESPN:

1.) Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre.  Oh sure they've done this before with Michael Jordan and Roger Clemens, but I don't need to hear  from everyone from Chris Mortensen to Joe Beercan from Madison, Wisconsin on every single angle possible.  Here's something that takes ten seconds boys and girls, if he's not playing he's retired, if he's playing, he's playing, just let me know that and I'm fine ok.

2.) Gimmicks.  What do I mean by gimmicks?  Does "Title Town" come to mind?  How about "Who's Now?"  Remember what a doozie that one was?

3.) The so-called "experts."  You know the self-aggrandizing ex-jocks and or execs. who think that since they played the game that they know everything and that you're too stupid to know anything because you never played the game.  Steve Phillips has to be the worst, John Kruk is pretty awful and Sean Salisbury a scrub quarterback and self-proclaimed know-it-all, Mel Kiper Jr. and I can keep going on and on and on. 

4.) The Rush Limbaugh wannabees.  In fact ESPN even went so far as to hire Rush awhile back, while I don't agree ideologically with Mr. Limbaugh, he at least is an expert at his craft.  However a lot of these personalities on ESPN are trying to be edgy and opinionated and in your face just for the sake doing it.  Names that come to mind are Stephen A. "everything I have to say is important," Jemele "racist" Hill, Skip "clueless" Bayless, etc.

5.) Virtually no hockey highlights.  I understand you don't cover the sport ESPN, but show me some highlights.

6.) Same old story, same old song and dance.  Favre, T.O., Barry Bonds, A-Rod, Manny, Spygate, Steroids.  Can a man get some sports highlights please?

7.) Poker all the time, even on ESPN Classic.  Remember when ESPN Classic (formerly classic sports) used to actually show classic games and events?

8.) They even managed to ruin ESPN News!  I used to flip over there to get away from the garbage, apparently someone found out because I can't escape it there either.

9.) Kobe and Shaq soap opera.  Fine so the Shaq rapping video was funny, but I don't need 20 minutes of analysis on it.  Heck as a Celtics fan it almost cost me a championship, because Paul Pierce almost blew out his knee slipping on all of that drool they were foistering on Kobe.

10.) ESPN2 has become irrelevant.

11.) ESPN original entertainment.  Memo to ESPN, you are not HBO and you never will be.

12.) Showing 20 minutes of NFL Live in June instead of an hour of Baseball Tonight.

13.) My wish segments.  Great captivating stories, very well done packages, but does it belong on an "all sports network?"

14.) Firing Harold Reynolds over nothing.  He must've been too good and too knowledgeable for that network. 

15.) The Outdoor Games.  Stop trying to force people to like stuff and stop pretending that they actually do or care.

16.) Fake news conferences, especially using that fake baseball GM Steve Phillips.

17.) ESPN deportes on SportsCenter.  If ESPN deportes was so great, I'd be watching it right now.  But oh yeah funny thing is, I never do!

18.) The fact that they still cover the WNBA as if someone other than lesbians are still watching.

19.) Their eye candy isn't hot enough to be that stupid.  If you're going to have attractive people on that don't know what they're talking about that's fine, just make sure that they can at least hack it in the SI Swimsuit Issue ok? 

20.) Disney owns them and Disney is evil, need I say more?

Ok so I realize we're just hours away from the HR Derby at Yankee Stadium, but here's an interesting thought.  Since there are no Yankees competing with A-Rod declining and Jason Giambi not being selected, why not Derek Jeter? 

I believe the Stadium crowd would get a kick out of their favorite son taking part in the last HR Derby in The House That Ruth Built.  Who cares if he hasn't hit for power this season despite connecting for his 200th career HR on Saturday in Toronto, I believe it would be something really fun to see, especially since Jeter has never done it before.

Contrary to other sluggers like Rodriguez, I can't see how it would mess up Jeter's swing, especially his power stroke.  Heck if anything maybe it'll get his bat jumping with some more pop in the 2nd half? 

In any event does it sound any more or less insane than NL HR and RBI leader Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies not even making the NL All-Star team?  And MLB wonders why it has such problems maketing the sport to the African American community.

Let Jeet compete!

As someone who was an advocate for the hiring of Joe Girardi as Yankees manager it pains me to write this.  There needs to be some accountability in the Bronx and a change of culture.  For far too long dating mostly back to the end of the 2004 season, there has been far too much of a prevailing "fat-cat" attitude in which veteran players would stroll into town looking to gravy train a ride to a championship on the backs of the guys who've done it four times before.  Except there's only four guys left from that run and they're getting older and their backs are breaking with nobody else picking up the water.

While a shouting Hank Steinbrenner is much better than an empty missive from "The Boss" via a publicist, those words need to be followed up with action, pronto.  It's not enough to tell A-Rod to go jump in a lake when he opts-out, only to come back and reward him with $300 million, especially when your captain starts talking like the Yankees won before without him and with gamers like say perhaps a Mike Lowell type at 3rd.  You can't complain or should take action if your GM didn't want Johan Santana and you did, you're the new boss, you have the final say to sign off on it.

This Yankees team should've unloaded some fat contracts along with Torre and Cashman after the 2004 ALCS debacle.  The problem here is when you scream at these guys (especially the hitters) they realize that the Yankees can't move 'em because of their contracts and there's no competition off the joke of a bench (somewhere Bernie Williams is laughing) and nobody but the likes of Brett "freaking" Gardner to pressure them from the minors.  And why if you're pegging Ian Kennedy as a big part of your future or you have guys in the minors touted as the next "Joba" or "Mo" such as Mark Melancon, J.B. Cox or Daniel McCutchen are you stunting their growth with stop gaps like Sidney Ponson, Darrell Rasner and LaTroy Hawkins?

In my view if the Yankees after playing the next five games against Boston and Tampa, end up ten games out of a playoff spot at the All-Star break, I would advocate making some serious changes.  This team can't have it both ways, either trade for some big ticket guys who'll help your squad for the next 3-5 years or rip it all down and start getting rid of the old overpaid guys. 

So far there have not been any high expectations held on Girardi like there were on Torre, whose contract renewal was dependent upon incentives such as say reaching the ALCS in 2008.  And why was Girardi chosen?  The same reason Lou Pinella was not: Brian Cashman wanted all the power and Lou Pinella with his popularity, track record and high regard from The Boss, would've usurped Cashman's power with the Yankees in wanting his own players in his clubhouse. 

So if the Yankees are ten out at the All-Star break or trading deadline, I say start making changes at the top.  Hence my new GM would be Gene "Stick" Michael and my new Manager would be Buck Showalter and if A-Rod doesn't like it, tough he can leave just like Roberto Kelly, Mel Hall and the like of the early 90's.

Following that I would try to make some deals to bring back some younger players.  For example the Yankees have a few guys in the last year of their contracts.  Thus I might try and deal a guy like Jason Giambi to a team that needs a bopper and is in contention like his old team the A's, his old manager Joe Torre and the Dodgers or even the Giants who are incredibly still alive in the sorry NL West. 

After that I'd try to flip a guy like Mike Mussina who is having a fine season to a contender where he'd get a shot at a ring.  Moose lives in Pennsylvania and the Phillies with Brett Myers blowing up, could use a vet to help bolster a post-season run and team him up with the guy he was compared with, "slow and slower" Jamie Moyer.

Though he is a quality character guy in the clubhouse and has won in New York before, would be good with the young pitchers and they would risk him not returning next season, they might be able to get something back for Andy Pettitte.  If Texas continues to hover around .500, they need pitching.  Perhaps if Arizona (closer to home) or old skipper Joe Torre comes calling in L.A. Pettitte would be open to it if for just a 2-3 month playoff run. 

Maybe a team with closer issues such as the Tigers or Cardinals takes a bite on either Kyle Farnsworth or LaTroy Hawkins.

Finally, both Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon are swinging the bats well enough this season to warrant some interest.  Perhaps a team with the need of a veteran presence comes knocking, like Oakland, Minnesota, Florida or Milwaukee.

Of course I could be way off here and the Yankees wheel off 15 wins in a row.  But in any event someone has to stand up and be accountable or held accountable and decide where the Yankees are headed in 2008 or start getting ready for 2009 and beyond.  Because you can't have your cake and eat it for too long, or else you risk getting really fat and imploding all together.

It sounds odd to say just days after Friday afternoon's debacle, but when one takes a step back and looks the the 2008 New York Yankees after 81 games (44-37) they are much improved compared to the 2007 version (40-41) at this point.  Which not to slight Torre, but makes me wonder with the kind of talent he had if Buck Showalter wouldn't have done as good if not better or if Don Zimmer really was the "man behind the curtain" whom Torre had little post-season success without from 2004-2007.  In any event the Joe Girardi Yankees aren't perfect but they are better.

Jorge Posada (A): I know Jorge hasn't had a huge sample given injuries, but he can still flat out hit and his presence alone on this team really shows. 

Jason Giambi (B+): Who says the ghosts don't still come alive at Yankee Stadium?  This guy was dead in April, but now leads the team in homers and is in the top five in the American League and probably should be an All-Star.  Contract year sure, but Girardi really cracked the whip on him in Spring Training and it shows.

Robinson Cano (F): I know that Robbie has picked it up the last two weeks or so, but given his new contract he has just looked lethargic this season.  Terrible on base percentage.

Derek Jeter (B-): Ok its a bit of a pass but Jeter is a gamer, coming back quickly from a strained quad and playing regularly after getting hit on the hand.  Jeter like Cano has picked it up in the average department the last couple of weeks, but it would be nice to see some more power output.

Alex Rodriguez (A): Sure Mike Lowell would've plugged in nicely, but like with Posada and Kobe and Shaq, the Yankees couldn't do without A-Rod.  A-Rod has been blazing a trail since his return and is still near the top of the A.L. with 15 homers and a .327 batting average.

Johnny Damon (A): Another guy who looked almost completely lost but has been burning up the basepaths of late.  Damon has been the consumate table setter, leading the team in hits with 93, doubles with 20, steals with 13 and is sporting a .322 batting average.

Melky Cabrera: (C): Melky got off to a hot start which really raised expectations in a hurry.  No he's not Bernie Williams yet (if ever) but he does give the Yankees a plethora of contributions either in the field or on the bases even when he's not hitting.

Bobby Abreu (A): Probably the most consistent of all Yankees hitters to date.  Abreu leads the team with 53 RBI, is second in hits and third with 10 homers.

Hideki Matsui (A): Was tearing it up, now his knee might be torn up, again.  Helped to carry the team in the early going, but with all of these knee injuries I really have to start wondering about steroids with this guy.

Bench (D): The bench pretty much gets a D.  Duncan didn't play enough, Betemit was hurt too much and Ensberg was a Josh Phelps-esque bust.  Moeller and Molina have provided some stout defense as well as Gonzalez but this group just can't hack it.  Bring back Bernie anyone?

Mike Mussina (A): Speaking of those ghosts at Yankee Stadium, Mussina has been flying around New York but instead with a super-hero's cape.  Moose was being counted on as a 4th/5th starter to win 10-11 games.  In order to keep the Yankees in the race he's had to pitch like a 3rd starter and has already won 10 to lead the staff before the All-Star break.  He would've probably tied last year's total had the Yankees game in Pittsburgh not been rained out.  Who would've thunk Mussina would be the leader in wins and Giambi the leader in homers at this point? 

Andy Pettitte (B+): After a rocky start Andy looked a little tired from all of the off-season circus that was the Mitchell Report.  But with 9 wins and a recently concluded 20.2 scoreless innings streak, Pettitte looks primed for another huge 2nd half.  Pettitte is the best 2nd half pitcher in baseball and who wouldn't rather have him at $16 million for this year than Johan Santana for $150 million minus your best prospects? 

Chien-Ming Wang (B+): Wang looked as if he'd put those doubters to bed with a rapid 6-0 start.  He tailed off a tad and was just starting to get back into a groove before his freak injury.

Darrell Rasner (C): Some of his early starts Rasner got no run support.  In some of his more recent starts he's gotten knocked around.  But Rasner is what he is, an adequate back of the rotation guy who can eat up innings and keep you in the game.

Phil Hughes & Ian Kennedy (F): It should probably be an incomplete because of injuries but a combined record of 0-7 doesn't cut it boys.

Joba Chamberlain (A): Last year contrary to popular belief, he not Roger Clemens spurred this team onto the post-season.  Joba was lights out again in the pen and will try to save the Yankees bacon again, this time as a starter.  One can tell already just how mentally tough those late inning situations out of the pen have helped in Joba's progression.

Mariano Rivera (A+): You can tell I don't throw around A+'s lightly.  Think the Yankees may have wanted to give MO a 4th year on that contract?  Rivera an ERA under 1.00 and perfect in saves with 22, enough said.

Kyle Farnsworth (C+): Has been better than most in the Yanks pen which isn't saying a lot, but he does seem a little more confident with Girardi at the helm.

LaTroy Hawkins (F): I'm sorry but did anyone mention to Brian Cashman that this guy has the worst ERA of any pitcher at Yankee Stadium?  Forget O'Neill or Clemente, why does this guy have anyone's jersey number? 

Ross Ohlendorf (F): Maybe the Yankees should groom his as a starter because his confidence looks shot.

Edwar Ramirez (C+): If this guy could learn a pitch to compliment his change-up he might really turn out to be something good.

Jose Veras (B-): Sometimes he's lights out, sometimes he's lit up.  Effectively wild with some great velocity.

Bullpen etc: Bruney and Albaladejo were solid early before getting hurt, Giese was decent in long relief, but Traber and Igawa have looked like flops as lefties out of the pen.

All in all Joe Girardi has navigated this group fairly well in the early going.  He's done a much better job of balancing the bullpen and seems to have instilled more aggressiveness into this squad.  Given injuries to A-Rod, Posada, Wang, Jeter, Matsui, Hughes, Kennedy, Bruney and Albaladejo, considering the Yankees are only four games back in the loss column to Boston speaks volumes about Girardi.  No Girardi hasn't been as "rah-rah" in public as say Billy Martin, and sometimes he does look like a 2nd year manager still learning the ropes, but he does know and uphold the principle of the "Yankee-way" of the late 1990's. 

This Yankees squad, somewhat in transition is in almost the same place as another pioneer Yankee team.  The 1993 Yankees under 2nd year manager Buck Showlater posted a record of 46-35 after 81 games.  That was the last Yankees team in a non-strike year to miss the playoffs, however had there been a Wild Card back then they would've made it.  This Yankees squad is better than that one talent wise and this time around there is a Wild Card, but the division is still very much within reach.

So apparently in Spring Training Yankees Manager Joe Girardi asked his players to drop and give him 15. And they did so accordingly, dropping right onto the 15 day DL. So now the Yankees try to figure out just what condition their condition is in. Thus far one really has to wonder what the impact was of all that.

When looking at the Yankees roster from top to bottom there has been a plethora of injuries. Jorge Posada will be put on the 15 day DL for the first time in his career with a potential shoulder tear.

Jason Giambi had groin issues in the early going. Andy Pettitte was pushed back in the rotation at the beginning of the season with back spasms. After losing about 20 pounds in the off-season, reliever Brian Bruney may be done for the season with surgery on his right foot. Kyle Farnsworth felt a twinge in his elbow, throwing off the mound in Chicago. The Yankees are without a lefty in their bullpen because Sean Henn developed shoulder tendonitis this spring.

Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have both suffered quad injuries. Pitcher Jeff Karstens is on the DL with a groin injury. The Yankees other catcher Jose Molina was beset by a hamstring injury. Infielder Wilson Betemit is also on the 15 day DL with corneal ulcers. Even Joba Chamberlain tweaked his hamstring while slipping on the mound in Chicago.

And Mike Mussina's renewed commitment to a more rigorous regiment hasn't exactly translated to quality outings or increased velocity on the hill.

So while I applaud Girardi's philosophy of really pushing his players to bust it and get in great shape, I do find it to be a precarious situation to have evolved this far to this point with these injuries.

Are they too old or were they just pushed too hard? Well here's my take, playing in the cold weather is horrible for older clubs and it takes them longer to get loose and comfortable. Discounting the steroid allegations, even an old 46 year old workout freak like Roger Clemens broke down on numerous occasions for the Yankees last season, so it does happen to old guys. I also believe that more than anything else Girardi was simply trying to foster a different, more focused mindset so that his players would know to be ready from day one.

The Yankees final game in Kansas City before they head off to Boston, showed just how different this team is at the start of this year compared to the 2007 Bombers.  Well ok, so Andy Pettitte is still back to being the stopper again, but it goes much deeper than that.

Pettitte who shut down the American League in the 2nd half of 2007 to win 15 games overall, still could've won much more.  In fact had Pettitte had this type of run support and bullpen help early last season he could've easily gotten himself around 21-22 wins.

Pettitte and his efficient outing of 6/2/3 innings of one run ball were aided by a couple of guys who weren't in the mix this early last season.  Melky Cabrera the Yankees now starting Centerfielder batting in the two hole for the injured Derek Jeter, went 2-5 with a solo HR, two RBI and a run scored, raising his average to .320 on the season.  Remember folks, Melky was being used as the 4th outfielder at this time last year and got off to a slow start, not this time around. 

Morgan Ensberg also had his best game as a Yankee, filling in for Mr. .056, going 2-4 with a run scored.  Jose Molina was also 2-4, brilliantly continuing his play for Posada.  Additionally chipping in for the Yanks were two guys who were hot last April and are hopefully breaking out of it just in time for Boston in A-Rod who hit his 520th career HR while passing Mickey Mantle on the RBI list and tying Bobby Murcer on the Yankees HR list and Jorge Posada who went 2-4 with a HR as well.

Finally the Yankees got some Mo-Jo out of their bullpen to pick up Pettitte and keep the lead.  Joba Chamerlain was just dominant, there's just no other way around it, as he worked 1/1/3 fanning two on 98 MPH fastballs.  And of course Mariano Rivera was as sharp as ever in his one inning of work, sending the Yankees off to Boston with a 5-5 record.  

Apparently that brand new HD scoreboard in Kansas City didn't come with a quality drainage system, though the Yankees bats seemed to go right down it on Wednesday night.  If we're going to have a Northeast team that can't hit in the cold weather, be it April or October, perhaps they may want to add a retractable roof on the new digs across the street.

Honestly though in all fairness, this was a game that only "Mr. Slip 'n Slide" former catcher Rick Dempsey could love.  No there weren't any "Lake Erie Midges" out there this time, though there may have been termites.

While I understand it is early and some guys are hitting .700, I still can't understand how Jason Giambi is batting .056, Robinson Cano .194 and Johnny Damon .212.  And before everyone jumps on me about there being no such thing as "clutch hitting," there is such a thing as timely hitting and this group leaves a lot of people on base, 14 to be exact, scoring no runs against the Kansas City Royals! 

Way to go Brian Cashman!  A-Rod's not going to duplicate last year's totals, nor is Posada who is a year older.  And then you are naieve enough to think that Jason Giambi is going to play first and be productive for 130-140 games a whole year older?  Thus with no power in center or at first you neglect to sign either Torii Hunter or Aaron Rowand?  Having Cabrera-Hunter/Rowand-Abreu in the outfield seems like a much more solid configuration to me!

And oh what you couldn't afford these guys or decided not to sign off on a Johan Santana deal because of lack of "payroll flexibility."  And yet YOU sir signed our vaunted Triple-A "ace" Kei Igawa for $46 million and gave A-Rod a "hardball offer" of $300 million (yeah you guys really show him huh?) and somehow with the four-million plus migrating to the final year of Yankee Stadium and the flood rush of revenue coming in next year from the new ball park, you were having issues with "payroll flexibility?"  OH COME ON PALLY!

To be fair for the record I was for getting Santana, but not for getting ripped off by the Twins in order to get him, just as they were by the Mets.  But really YOUR "genious" robbed us of another year from Bernie Williams, because you said Jason Giambi couldn't play first base a year ago and so you decided to give him the boot, sign Josh Phelps who didn't even last through June and Doug Mientkiewicz who is now history.  And yet now again Giambi is somehow capable of playing first and you have no true defensive first baseman off the bench.  Oh and the Yankees could've used Bernie off the bench to DH when Giambi was hobbling around last October in the playoff and Matsui was having knee issues hitting into double-plays!

Bomber Bites: Can't say I blame manager Joe Girardi too much on his pitching strategy, except for when it comes to using another brilliant Brian Cashman signing, Kyle Farnsworthless.  FARNSWORTHLESS SHOULD NEVER EVER EVER BE USED AGAIN PERIOD!

While Girardi said he was sure he could straighten out his old battery mate from Chicago, its too bad he couldn't coax Cashman into bringing back another one of his old Cubbie teammates, Jon Lieber.  Lieber who pitched pretty decent with the Yankees in 2004, is the long-man/spot-starter for the Cubs this year (something the Yankees don't have) and is 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA pitching in two games striking out three in five innings of work.

The Yankees had won two in a row with Giambi out of the lineup, they've lost two in a row since his return.  Well ain't that a co'inkie'dink!

Mr. Matsui, Johnny Gomes and Ross Gload thank you for contributing to their hit totals on this young season.  I guess it always was King Kong who was more prone to scaling large buildings than Godzilla.

Memo to Cashman, I applaud your willingness to cultivate the farm system, but I'm starting to believe that the Yankees need their own version of the "football Giants" Jerry Reese. 

The offense exploded and Mike Mussina never imploded as the Yankees cruised on by the Tampa Bay Rays by a final of 6-1 Monday.  The win gained the Yankees a split in the series and finished off their first homestand with a record of 4-3 as they head off to play the Kansas City Royals.

Mussina was superb, going six strong allowing only one run on two hits.  Moose, who also had three K's was dialed in enough to tie Hall of Famer Bob Gibson with 251 career wins.

The offense struck early as Bobby Abreu who finished a double away from the cycle, continued his barrage of hitting heroics with an early 2nd inning HR, a two-run shot to put New York out in front 2-0.  Abreu is hitting .400 on the young season.

Flashing ahead to the 6th, Abreu tripled, Alex Rodriguez singled him in and Hideki Matsui doubled in A-Rod, increasing the lead to 4-1.  The Yankees tacked on two more in the 7th on hits by Matsui and Cano, making the final 6-1.

Finally Brian Bruney, Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins pitched brilliantly, thus saving the arms of Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera for the next series in KC.

Bomber Bites: Should the Yankees have hung on to Doug Mientkiewicz or Andy Phillips instead of signing Morgan Ensberg?  I'm getting the feeling he might be this year's version of Josh Phelps.

Brian Bruney is making me feel a lot better about the Yankees trading away Scott Proctor.  The guy who was the "2006 version of Joba" has looked sharp thus far, velocity wise and with his control.

Hey Joe Girardi, with Derek Jeter out can I please see A-Rod at SS, if only for a few games?

Phil Hughes faces former Mets pitcher Brian Bannister in KC and they wonder why people decry the "Los Mets" philosophy, this guy for Ambiorix Burgoss?

Jose Molina, what a steal!

Well at least the Yankees won't be getting swept by the Rays.  The Yanks used some "Asian Persuasion" to turn away the Rays on Sunday afternoon, winning 2-0. 

It was vitrually the same formula the Yankees used on Opening Night against Toronto, pitching, defense and timely hitting.  Ok so there wasn't a ton of timely hitting, but as I've said before, what a difference it is to have a healthy Chien-Ming Wang along with Joba Chamberlain, two cogs they didn't have this time around last season.

Wang set the tone against Tampa, having held the Rays hitless through 4/1/3.  Additionally, Wang who improved to 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA, threw six innings of scoreless ball striking out six along the way.  Is anyone worried about Wang now?

In the bottom half of the 4th, Hideki Matsui continued his handling of Rays pitching by smacking a two-run homer to right, driving in A-Rod who had doubled.  The hot hitting Matsui batted in the five hole for the injured (suprise!) Jason Giambi, and went 3-4 raising his early season average to .350. 

When Wang got in trouble, Manager Joe Girardi called on Joba Chamberlain to keep Tampa at bay.  In the 7th Chamberlain after striking out Willy Aybar, with runners at the corners got Shawn Riggans to line out to Robinson Cano who then doubled off Eric Hinske at first on a nice scoop by Wilson Betemit to end the frame. 

After Chamberlain worked a perfect 8th, Mariano Rivera kept his excellent start going by striking out two and closing out the Rays for his 3rd save of the season, the Yankees 3rd win of the season.

Bomber Bites: If calling Chien-Ming our ace is Wang, then I don't want to be Jaret Wright.

Ok so let's be honest here, when did you have Jason Giambi getting injured in your office pool? 

So Alex Rodriguez is praying for young Alexa Rodriguez who was attacked by a hawk at Fenway Park eh?  Too bad she didn't pray for Dave Winfield!

What a suprise, its up to Andy Pettitte fresh off the DL to be the Yankees stopper once again.  Though Pettitte couldn't have rounded up enough leeches to place on LaTroy Hawkins right arm to stop the bleeding on Friday night as the Rays spanked the Yanks 13-4.

It all started when Ian Kennedy walked the ballpark, allowing six runs and four walks in just 2/1/3 innings of work. 

 With the Rays out in front 6-0, the Yankees bats came alive in the bottom half of the 3rd, cutting the deficit to 6-4.  Hideki Matsui homered to get the Yanks on the board, then Jose Molina singled, Derek Jeter tripled him in with a booming fly ball off the wall in center, Bobby Abreu grounded to 2nd scoring Jeter, A-Rod then singled up the middle and Jason Giambi smacked a double off the wall in right to score Rodriguez making it 6-4.

While Johnathan Albaladejo, Ross Ohlendorf and Billy Traber were able to hold the game in check, LaTroy Hawkins became gasoline man in the 8th getting torched for six runs including a HR to Cliff Floyd.  Not to be outdone Kyle Farnsworth then came on and gave up a solo shot to Carlos Pena.

Bomber Bites: Yes it is early, but if the Yankees have to keep dipping into the bullpen in the 4th or 5th inning, these once valuable relievers not named Hawkins and Farnsworthless are going to become very worn out very quickly.

What was so wrong with Luis Vizciano?  If Torre hadn't blown him out he'd have been fine to bring back.  Certainly better than LaTroy "I have an 8.64 ERA at Yankee Stadium" Hawkins!  Additionally if Joe Girardi was so convinced that he could fix Kyle Fransworthless, then why is a 23 year old kid named Joba Chamberlain setting up Mariano Rivera instead of pitching in the Yanks starting rotation?

And another thing... why with a weak bullpen did the Yankees trade Scott Proctor for Wilson Betemit?  You know the same Wilson Betemit who hasn't seen the field at all this year?  Just wonderful!

Andy Pettitte must be the stopper once again, suprise, suprise!

No folks, contrary to popular belief the sky is not falling.  But one would have to say that the New York Yankees looked a little long in the tooth in game number two.  I'm sure you were all waiting for it too, you know the post-game comments from Mike Mussina about how the initial rain out somehow had a negative influence on his pitching even though he was slated to go on Wednesday regardless? 

 Aside from pitching 5/2/3 of four run eight hit ball, Mussina could've been virtually perfect but it wouldn't have mattered much considering the Yankees couldn't hit.  However if I'm the Yankees, I desperately try to avoid starting this guy against teams not named the A's, Royals, Rays, Orioles, Twins and Rangers.  And while given the state of the Yankees bullpen at the outset of the season, this is the reason why I clamored all off-season to get Joba Chamberlain into that starting rotation.

Alas the only guy to really do much of anything last night was Alex Rodriguez, who delivered a two-run shot off of A.J. Burnett, for his 1st HR of the season and the 519th of his career. 

 Bomber Bites: Watching LaTroy Hawkins wearing # 21 ranked right up there with being as odd as seeing Ruben Sierra wearing # 24 and Donovan Osborne with # 46. 

Yes he is a young phenom, but can Phil Hughes live blog and pitch at the same time?

For the first time since October 4, 1995, (Game 2 of the ALDS to be exact) a Yankee manager not named Joe Torre led the Bronx Bombers to a victory.  That man was Buck Showalter and just as Buck had a young up and coming star centerfielder in Bernie Williams, so too does the Yanks new skipper Joe Girardi in Melky Cabrera.

And as we embark on a change from this Yankee Stadium to a "new Yankee Stadium" it is evidently clear that change is a good thing (and no I'm not an Obama supporter).  That change in philosophy, brought on by Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman should put the minds of Yankee fans at ease.  When we wonder if we'll ever see the next "Bernie Baseball" we get a young switch hitting kid with speed and a rocket arm, making diving grabs and catches up against the wall with a new confidence and swagger.  That confidence with a little help from the "Ghosts" hanging out on the Bambino's short porch, allowed Melky to take Toronto ace Roy Halladay deep.

Yes it is that same peace of mind we get as fans as we once pondered if we'd ever get an "Andy Pettitte type" pitcher out of the allegedly dry farm system until it produced Chien-Ming Wang.  Like Pettitte, Wang isn't flashy, but he's a workhorse and all the guy does is win and give the team an opportunity to win.

And it is that same pitching first philosophy on the farm which has given us a glimpse of hope that we may have the next Mariano Rivera in Joba Chamberlain.

Folks, Opening Night 2008 was certainly "night and day" in scope from Opening Day 2007.  Wang was on the hill, not Carl Pavano, Cabrera was in center, not Johnny Damon, in the 8th inning Chamberlain was on the mound, not Kyle Farnsworth and at first base it was Giambi, not Josh Phelps.

I know it's only the first game and that Melky is projected to hit 80 homers and Wang to win 30 games and the Yankees to go 162-0, but one can't help but notice the drastic change in preparedness in this ball club.  This team just looks primed, ready and in shape to win.  A lot of that credit goes to manager Joe Girardi

Change is good for these Yankees, especially if the "winning" refrain remains the same.

Bomber Bites: A-Rod looks very comfortable and motivated this season already.  It is obvious that he has taken to New York and the feeling is mutual.  The reassurance that he'll be a Yankee for life, makes him an even more likeable figure in the Bronx.

Anyone else thankful that Melky was doing that in our yard and not in the Metrodome?  Well that and thankful that one is allowed to appeal Spring Training suspensions.

Robbie Cano, slowly but surely creeping up to 6th in the batting order.

Jason Giambi flashes the leather.  Donnie Baseball left the building and apparently left his glove.  Well at least Giambi has a glove, unlike that Shreck character up in Boston.

And finally, though Jonathan Papelbon may be in his prime and the premiere closer over the length of the season in the American League, there's no question in my mind that when it comes down to getting one batter out with the game on the line I'm taking Mariano Rivera every time, hands down.

If the Minnesota Twins want Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain for Johan Santana, the New York Yankees should tell them to go fish.  In fact the Yanks may be just as wise to fish somewhere else, namely revisiting trade talks with the Florida Marlins.  While the Yanks have been virtually ruled out of the Miguel Cabrera sweepstakes since re-signing A-Rod, they may be better served to make a deal with the Marlins rather than the Twins.

First on the Santana front, for one thing if the Twins are asking for a king's ransom in the neighborhood of a five for one deal involving say either  Phil Hughes and or Joba Chamberlain, Robinson Cano and other prospects, then it's a bad deal.  Look I'm not saying the Yankees are entitled to Santana and should get him for Wilson Betemit, Shelley Duncan and Kyle Farnsworth, but to gut your farm system or core young players for one guy as great as he is doesn't make a lot of sense, especially given that the Twins have little to no leverage when it comes to keeping Santana.

If the Yankees made a reasonable package sending one of the big three in 2007 minor league pitcher of the year Ian Kennedy, centerfielder Melky Cabrera and perhaps a pitching prospect like Eastern League Double-A pitcher of the year Alan Horne and or outfield prospects Austin Jackson and Jose Tabata, then I'd say it's a pretty fair deal.  Especially considering even without Hughes, Chamberlain or Cano, that's still a better deal than anyone else is throwing out there, so why should the Yankees bid against themselves unless the Mets want to get crazy and throw in Jose Reyes or the Red Sox get in there with a package of Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Clay Bucholz, even though they've said Ellsbury is off limits.

Now onto what the Yankees could actually do to fill in more holes and that involves going back into talks with the Marlins.  Think about it, if the Yankees are going to give up a plethora of four to five players to get one in Santana, then why not make a multi-player deal with the Marlins and fill more holes in return? 

I'll preface this by saying I don't want to give up Phil Hughes in either deal, however giving Hughes to Florida makes more sense if you can get the Marlins to give you more back in return, rather than giving up Hughes along with other players to Minnesota for "just" Santana. 

Originally it had been bantered around that the Marlins would want Kennedy, Cabrera, Horne and one of the two minor league outfielders between Tabata and Jackson for Miguel Cabrera.  However, had they wanted Hughes in the deal instead of Kennedy, the Yankees could've easily asked back for not only Cabrera but Dontrelle Willis and a couple of the Marlins young bullpen arms such as Matt Lindstrom, Taylor Tankersley, Henry Owens etc. 

Now honestly given everything in the way of the number and value of prospects traded, you tell me what looks better?  Trading a bevy of prospects for one guy in Johan Santana who will cost a fortune.  Or filling 1st base for the next decade with Miguel Cabrera, adding a still young lefty workhorse starter in Dontrelle Willis and potentially filling a couple of bullpen spots with a possible successor to Mariano Rivera with a guy like Lindstrom, Owens and or Tankersley? 

Of course if the Yankees really didn't care at all for their minor league system, they could technically pull both deals off.  If they sent Kennedy, Cabrera, Jackson and Horne to Minnesota for Santana and then sent Hughes, Tabata and another couple of pitching prospects to Florida for Cabrera, Willis and either Lindstrom, Owens and or Tankersley, they'd have a pretty sick roster, especially if to replace Melky Cabrera as many are expecting, they sign Aaron Rowand.

So imagine a lineup of: Damon LF, Jeter SS, Cabrera 1B, Rodriguez 3B, Abreu RF, Posada C, Cano 2B, Rowand CF, Matsui DH.  Starting rotation: Santana, Pettitte, Wang, Chamberlain, Willis.  Bullpen: Rivera, Vizciano, Lindstrom, Tankersley, Owens, Mahay, Percival.

I'll admit Andy Pettitte has always been a favorite of mine.  A first class person and professional who personafies excellence.  Which is why the Yankees as A-Rod did to them, must go to Andy's doorstep and get on their knees and beg for him to come back to the Yankees.

If there's one lefty hurler the Yanks should focus their immediate attention on, that won't cost them as much money or any prized prospects it's Pettitte.  Thus with virtually every other Yankee being brought back and given a pay raise, there's no reason why the Yanks can't do the same for Pettitte.  If it means giving him $20 million + with an option an a "Roger Clemens family plan," then do it!

Granted the Yankees have stressed the importance of wanting, needing and having Pettitte in their rotation but one would think they would like to add an extra incentive to one of their own homegrown winners, a "true Yankee." 

Pettitte is a proven winner in New York, in the playoffs and in the clubhouse.  Pettitte is also a gamer, the ultimate stopper and would be an invaluable asset in mentoring the Yankees young trio of Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy.  Plus Pettitte is a lefty, the Yankees haven't won a World Series without a lefty in their rotation since 1958.

If not for poor run support and a shaky bullpen in the early going, Pettitte easily could've won 20+ games last season and won 15 as it was.  Pettitte also threw over 215 innings, his most in the Bronx since 1998.  With 14 playoff wins and 4 rings, one cannot begin to stress the importance of bringing back # 46.

When pitching ace Jimmy Key went down in 1995 a rookie by the name of Andy Pettitte stepped up and won 12 games.  In 1996 when another ace David Cone went down, Pettitte answered the call and won an AL best 21 games finishing 2nd in Cy Young voting.  In the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees basically had no game 7 starter, they then realized how much it hurt and how badly they needed Pettitte.  If only for one more year, please come back Andy!

Pay Pettitte or regret it.

If nothing else A-Rod certainly got Boston's attention during Game 4 of the World Series.  So enough with the posturing already, is A-Rod going to become a Boston Red Sox or what?  In a city that has seemingly gotten over the choker label as far as its baseball team is concerned, do they really even want to entertain bringing in a guy who embodies what they used to be?  A guy who wanted all of the riches and yet wound up all alone with nothing in the end?

For the Red Sox this could ultimately be a Randy Moss type deal where he enhances an already successful franchise like the Patriots or it could be as fatal as when the Yankees after the 2001 World Series chose to let Tino Martinez go and brought in Jason Giambi. 

Perhaps Red Sox management views this as what they really wanted all along since the Fall of 2003.  And maybe, just maybe they see it as this century's "Babe Ruth deal" in reverse.  It does make sense considering where the Red Sox are coming from financially over the next few seasons.  In fact the Red Sox higher-ups could be viewing this as a coup, grabbing the sport's best player away from their bitter rival to the already stacked defending World Champions.

There are many reasons for Red Sox Nation to both love and hate this potential signing of A-Rod.  For one thing, you really can't get around to love or hate A-Rod because he is such a talent but does bring along quite the hefty baggage.  With the Yankees essentially telling him to take a hike, he may very well return serve and join the BoSox without giving a single care to his "Yankee legacy." 

From a fantasy perspective however, one can't help but gush at what A-Rod would do in a batting order between Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz.  You're easily talking around 155 HR's just between those three.  Just think about this if you will, A-Rod did as a Yankee what no other right handed hitter including Joe DiMaggio could not, hit over 50 HR's.  Now just imagine what A-Rod would do that Joe D. almost did but could not, play all of his home games at Fenway Park with the Green Monster.

Oddly enough everything may come full circle for A-Rod, much like it did for Roger Clemens.  A sure fire Hall of Fame player who'd accomplished virtually everything as an individual in his career and cemented his legacy by joining a team he also once spurned, that was already good enough to win two championships without him while he piggybacked onto two more. 

Both A-Rod and Clemens know how to make the headlines and the big bucks.  They've both done the "Texas two-step."  While Clemens won a Cy Young and recorded his 300th win in New York, perhaps A-Rod picks up another MVP and his 800th HR in Boston.  Either way both players will have had that golden midas touch all the way to Cooperstown.