Well, I think we are all a little antsy to get this season up and going. Here is my recap of what the haps are around the clubhouse. Alright so good news first........Matsui surprised the world and decided to get married as you can read about it here. Quite the funny story actually. Then you have the slew of great young pitchers for us to be excited about. Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Joba Chamberlain have really surpassed any expectations we had for them this spring. For us Yankee fans you know that pitching is our Achilles tendon, and if we can have that one in the bag, we are one up on everyone else......

Now the bad. Of course Pettitte's case of back spasms is not making any of us jump for joy. He will pitch in a minor league game Sunday, in which I think we will all have our fingers crossed. Then there's the flu bug that's been going around the clubhouse that has caught Johnny Damon, Shelly Duncan, and Jeff Karstens. Although Karstens has bigger problems to worry about with the groin injury he sustained last week in a game against the Pirates. That will probably open the door for Igawa. I don't think I am the only one who has reservations about that.....especially with the way he pitched yesterday.

All and all, things are shaping up nicely and with just two games left before showtime, I think we have a lot to look forward to. If you want to see all my baseball picks for the season go to http://www.aroundtheballpark.blogspot.com

Let me know if you think I am crazy or not. Now, let the games begin!

I know I have been absent this spring training, but that doesn't mean I have been absent minded. I had set my mind upon visiting the Tampa area this season, but due to the marriage I have to my job, those plans didn't work as planned. Fortunately, I was able to make the much shorter trip from LA to Phoenix last weekend and it was iotas better then I have could have imagined. My 2nd fav. team, the Dodgers, were in town and I was lucky enough to catch the Dodgers/Angels game. I wasn't expecting my first spring training game to be sold out but it was. Thankfully, I bought some tix off a nice lady outside for - get this - $3 dollars. Can you imagine? $3? Insane......Of course bumping into a couple of the players that night out in Scottsdale didn't hurt my overall impression of AZ. Next year, I will be doing a tour of both sides of the country, most definitely......

Enough about me, back to my boys......we have a lot to look forward this season. First and foremost, the young pitching staff is a huge step up from last year. It wasn't until the end of last season that we started seeing the amazing potential in Joba, Phil, and Ian. Of course we have had our setbacks, such as Pettitte's back problems as of late, and Moose's slow start. All in all, everyone's looking tight and in shape (especially Giambi I might add), and I think our boys are more then ready to get the season started.....

In the bad news column......apparently Jose Conseco's new book - which is about to be released - makes accusations of A-Rod and steroid use. He claims he never actually saw him using, but says he "did everything but inject the guy himself". Really bro, how can you make such a monumental accusation without proof? A-Rod apparently is keeping his mouth shut for the moment. Probably a wise decision....

I expect to be back blogging full time now, and look forward to many weeks of baseball in front of us. So, until next time - go Yanks!!!

Here we are again. Another season of great baseball has begun and I don't think I am the only one who can feel the excitement. Joe Girardi is going to bring a new blood to the team that they needed........as much as we love Torre, I think change is good. Staying in the same routine gets too comfortable and that's not always a good thing.....

The boys didn't waste any time today, hitting 4 homers. Youngster Shelly Duncan had 5 RBI's including a 3 run homer. A-Rod started out the pre-season with the first of many home runs, as did Betimit and 18 year old Jesus Montero. It will be interesting to see what else is to come from this young catcher during spring training. My favorite part of the pre-season is to see these kids fight to prove their worth with such a legendary team.

At any rate, we all have a reason to get up in the morning again......especially for us west coasters who have to get up early to watch these games. I know I might be slightly dramatic, but that's what happens when you move to Hollywood.........