Well, so far this season the Yankees pitching has had about the amount of bi-polarity as my ex-boyfriend - and he's my ex for a reason. Which is probably what Wang will be by the end of next week. He wants to pitch but it looks as if they'll pull him from his projected start Friday thanks to the off day Thursday. In the meantime, Girardi will try to analyze what went wrong and fix it before his next start. My guess is they give Wang one more shot and if the problem's not fixed they'll put him on the DL - where he can work on his velocity. As far as I can see, he's not throwing pitches out of the strike zone, it's just that he's throwing 5 - 10 miles slower then last year. Obviously not a small problem since he hasn't been able to get out of 4 innings yet this year and has given up atleast 7 runs in each of those 3 starts.

I think everyone was happy to take a split series with the Indians after the rocky start.....but do you want the bad news? Even so, we scored less then half the runs Cleveland did. Ouch. Thank god for Jorge or it could have ended up a very ugly series.

Better luck against the A's........

Just as my friends and I started to take bets on who would hit the first home run in the new Yankee Stadium - Jorge hit one out and who more fitting to do so. The only player as equally deserving to take that historic title would be the team captain. Strangely, the last home run in "The House that Ruth Built" was hit by Jorge's replacement - Jose Molina. The world works in mysterious ways......or maybe it's just that the ghost of Yankee Stadium has already made his way across the street.

I have to be honest, I was skeptical about even the thought of a new stadium - but from 3000 miles away, and through a blinking box, I can feel the magic and energy. From Bernie Williams singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", to Yogi scooping dirt off the pitchers mound - all the mystic was there for the opening ceremony. The stadium itself has taken the best of the classic feel - such as the manual scoreboard, and mixed it with the new - i.e. the ginormous HD screen which is 6 times larger then the old one.

As I write this, the score isn't working at all in our favour, as Grady Sizemore just hit another first --- a grand slam. But scores aren't really the main factor of the game this afternoon. I have to admit though,  it is amusing to hear the chants of "We want Swisher" as Marte gets lit up. No doubt, we would be faring better if that was the case but regardless, win or lose - this game is full of history and will go down in baseball eternity.

I think I have fallen in love. Yea, I know, spare the melodrama but what's not to love? The guy has a .458 average and 4 home runs. Not to mention he has the best ERA of any of our pitchers besides Mo. I know that's more a joke then anything else, but it is amusing you have to admit.....

I'm beginning to think not having A-Rod around is working for us. Cano's hitting the bat well, and Melky's beginning to make me think it's a good idea we didn't trade him. Jeter's off to a fantastic start with two homers so far -- the one tonight a 3 run homer that blew the game wide open. It may be alittle out of character for him, but it's a trend I wouldn't mind seeing continue. 

As far as pitching's concerned Burnett is proving to be well worth his money. Thoughts of a no-hitter were crossing everyones mind tonight until the 7th when the Ray's Carl Crawford knocked a single into left field. Still, Burnett picked up his second win in as many starts. C.C., looked more then shaky his first start, but came around his second - and picked up a win. Pettitte and Joba both look in tune, although the bullpen prevented Joba from picking up a win thus far. Andy starts tomorrow and looks to get his second.

All and all, the boys are shaping up nicely and by the time Arod swoops in for the slumping Cody Ransom - we will be a force to be reconed with.  

Finally, it has arrived. The day we have all been waiting for - and thanks to ESPN and MLB for scheduling the way they have, we have 12 hours of games. Who could ask for anything more?

Before I jump to the games in play today, I want to give you my take on the Cactus League which I checked out last week. Being in LA now, I have succumbed to being a Dodger fan - any Yanks fan on this coast knows that you must hate the Angels, but it's ok to be a Dodger fan. They are LA's family team, and it's more of a party to go to a Dodger game, then a sporting event. West coast folk don't think of baseball as a passion but more of a pastime. Interestingly enough, when I met Nomar Garciaparra last year at spring training, he backed me up - saying that in LA people might go to the game, or they might go to the beach - depending on their mood. But in Fenway, or Yankee Stadium - the fans are so intense and spirited. It is their livelyhood and there is no feeling like it. So from the mouth of one of the most recognized players of our time - we are the best fans. Be proud. Back to the Dodgers - I attended their last homegame of spring training and am posting a couple of the best pics for you all. Their stadium is brand new and is the largest stadium in the Cactus League seating 13,000. I have to admit, I wasn't that impressed with the attendence, but it was a Monday afternoon game.

Blake Dewitt, after being brought in in the 8th. I spotted his talent last year at spring training and have since been a big fan.

Manny, after commiting a huge Mannyism and backwards summersaulting to try and catch a fly ball then failing miserably and losing the ball to score two runs by the A's. Oh Manny, lets try to leave the shannanigans in AZ......  

What did impress me was the Cubbie's stadium in Mesa. We saw them play the Indians in a soldout Sunday afternoon game. Apparently they have the highest attendence in the Cactus League and sell out most every game, despite the rather large 12,500 seating capacity. If you have a chance to check them out next year, don't forget to get a hot dog. Their dogs were the best I have had - and I am abit of a foodie - being that my real job is bartending in one of the most acclaimed restaurants in LA. So, take my word for it - the Mesa dog - with chili, cheese, fritos, and **** is sensational as well as the New york dog - with sauerkraut and mustard. We didn't get a chance to try the Chicago dog, but it looked just as great, with little cornichons on it. Delish...

Lastly, we caught a night game at the Padre's stadium in Peoria. It's a smaller, more intimate venue. For me, the highlight of that game was that I got my first baseball. Honestly, the amount of games I have been to, I don't know how this is the case, but nonetheless. The great thing about the Cactus League is that all the venues are so close together. Every stadium is less then an hour drive from the other, except for the Tuscon veune which the Rockies occupy. I haven't gotten a chance to get check it out yet - maybe next year.

Me and my girl Susy outside the Peoria Sports Complex with the ball we got at the game.  

So that's my spring training experience. So far, much better then the current Yankee opener I am watching. Yanks are down by 4 in the 5th with the bases loaded. I am hoping we are about to take C.C. out of the game because this is not looking pretty. Hopefully this is not a preview of things to come from him. I have my fingers crossed. The most interesting part of the game so far was the animosity from the O's fans toward Texiera. It's like I always say - everyone loves to hate the Yankees......hey, bad attention is better then no attention right? More later........ 

That is my horribly tasteless reference to New Kids On The Block. Please forgive me - I should stick to baseball.......

This WBC has proven to be way more interesting then I thought it would be. I didn't really have any interest in it but I have not been able to pull myself away from the TV whenever it's on. The Netherlands gave the pro leaguers quite a slap in the face earlier in the tournament, and then last night Team USA pulled off what no one thought they would. It brings me especially added pleasure because the final round is at Dodger Stadium which is a stones throw from my house. I like the spirit it brings to baseball.......never thought I would be rooting for Youk and Pedrioa - but I like to see the camaraderie amongst the players.

So, I am off to the WBC on Sunday. I encourage everyone that hasn't checked these games out to give it a shot. You won't be disappointed. It's also quite interesting to find out the history and origin of so many players you see everyday. I think that's the common misconception - that you won't know any of the players, but that's not the case. For example - team Venezuela has: Bobby Abreau, Maglio Ordonez, Melvin Mora, Endy Chavez, Marco Scutaro, Carlos Guillen, Miguel Cabrera, Feliz Hernandez, and K-Rod. Not bad right?  

Well, shocking - once again spring training opens not with the spotlight on the wonderful players we've acquired, but with A-Rod amidst the steroid scandal. Sadly, I have to admit - I wasn't too surprised. We all know that there is a plethera of other players on that list but with all the money that boy makes, of course they are going to go after exposing him. It's common sense. Plus, even the people that didn't love him - love to hate him so everyone wins right? Not that it gives me a sense of superiority -- actually it is quite the opposite -- but you have to admit that a team is almost in a godly status when every spring one of their players has their own catagory on the ticker on ESPN. I mean seriously: MLB NBA NFL NCAA NASCAR A-ROD......or MLB NBA NFL NCAA NASCAR CLEMENS. I am sick to death of hearing about it and taking punch after punch for being a Yankee fan so that's all you'll hear out of me about this season. On to the IMPORTANT part of the game......

I know every season we say that our rotation is going to be unstoppable and then some unforseen catastrophy happens. I still have my fingers crossed but we do seem to be in pretty good shape. Chamberlain, Sabathia, Pettitte, Wang, and Burnett. Then we have Hughes and Kennedy as backup -- which will take some of the pressure off. Too bad they couldn't have been in that situation last year.....

Joba's started out shaky but seems to be settling in -- which is opposite from C.C., who got banged around alittle in yesterday's start. Burnett, whom we acquired from the Blue Jay's, looked healthy on Sunday with 2 scoreless innings. The addition of Texiera was momumental as well, as we needed the power after losing Abreau and Giambi. We will need Texiera's bat especially until May when A-Rod comes back from his hip surgery.

All in all we look to be in good shape, or course there is always some curveball thrown to us in the early days of the season......wonder what it'll be this year...... 

Well, I suppose I have a lot to write about - and thankfully all good things. Baseball has been good for the city of New York the last few weeks.....not only having the All-star game there, but also having both teams slugging their way back into contention. I hope you all caught the ESPY's last night - where the NY Giants took 3 big awards......and Eli grinned and beared it while Justin Timberlake cracked some pretty hysterical jokes at his expense. If you missed it I suggest you catch the rerun which will undoubtedly be looped on ESPN for the next 3 months........

As for the Yankees - it's been very interesting as of late to see how the youngsters are proving their worth. I was at the game against Boston that Brett Gardner won on an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th - yes, I got extremely lucky being that that's the only game I have been to this year, and could very well be the last game I will ever see in the old Yankee Stadium. I am still torn about this new stadium.......I'm sure it will be spectacular - and for the 1.3 billion dollars it cost it better be, but riding the 4 train up to the stadium and seeing this huge architecturally sound, pristine, structure that reads Yankee Stadium in glistening gold letters, is a bit of a turn off for me.....

Back to baseball - looks like Johnny Damon will be back in the lineup soon. He wanted to play in Sunday's game against the A's but Girardi's being extra careful and waiting which is to be expected with Wang and Matsui out. Regardless, we swept the A's and are only 3.5 games behind Boston which is pretty amazing considering where we were last week. I'm sure you all remember that we were 14 games out of first last year at the all-star break and made the post season so if that's the way that we have to do it, let the trend continue. We also recently picked up some right handed slugging power with Richie Sexton, but only time will tell if he can fare better for us then for the Mariners.....

Today we start a series against the Twins with Ponson starting, whom we acquired on June 18th. So far, he has a 1-0 record and a 4.24 ERA in four games with the Yanks. He is matched up with rookie Nick Blackburn who has a killer sinker and a 5-7 record this season with a 3.65 ERA.   

Once again I apologize for my lack of current activity but seriously, can you really blame me? We have fallen to the bottom of the AL East, and have been ridiculously pummeled by the Mets. We got a break on that 3 run homer by Delgado, but couldn't even use that to our advantage. The ump went on to apologize for his mistake, as you can read HERE. I guess the silver lining is that I have David Wright and Jose Reyes on my fantasy team......

We have one thing to look forward to. The return of A-Rod tomorrow and thank God for that. He was 5 for 15 with a homer Sunday in a simulated game so hopefully that is a good sign. I mean, don't forget that last year at the All-star break we were 14 games back and still managed to make the playoffs. With the Yankees, anything is possible, as has been proved time and time again.

So, let's hope the boys take this off day to regroup and come back tomorrow with the added inspiration and strength of A-Rod. Mussina is pitching and has been a real asset to the team as of late with his smart, insightful technique. I think that the fact that he can't really throw a fastball anymore has really helped him more then hurt him. Let's hope he can pick up his sixth consecutive win tomorrow.......

Somebody pinch me. I might believe it if you told me the Marlins were in first place in their division, but the Ray's? Even more depressing is the way they got there tonight. When you fight such a long, tight battle as we did through 11 innings, it makes the defeat that much more draining. Even our fail-proof Mo couldn't save the day today. He gave up the game winning run in the 11th. Wang got a no decision but only because of Matsui's homer in the 9th to tie the game at 1. At what point will our all-star team start to hit? Besides Jeter and Matsui - we have no one batting over .300 and most everyone is batting way under it. When your line-up is full of veterans there are bound to be injuries, and we have definitely had our fair share to say the least.........

Now you have the Ray's in 1st - and 7 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history. The Red Sox fall into 2nd, and we still fall into 4th behind Baltimore. I know there are 162 games but still? A-Rod, hurry back!!!

I am sorry about the lack of posts lately. It's just that I am feeling slightly uninspired lately.....any ideas why? That all too familiar pang of disappointment has resettled in my stomach. There are talks of bringing up this 26 year old Thunder McCutchen from Trenton. I am sorry if I am skeptical, but after the Ian Kennedy's and Phil Hughes' of this season, I think it's understandable why.

This season has been as unpredictable as anyone could possibly imagine, and I am just hoping the Yanks don't get lost in the shuffle. The Rays are only .5 a game back from Boston and could potentially be in 1st at the end of the night. We need A-Rod back ASAP........