On the Yankees beat

Nothing like having to bring the bullpen in early.

William Bendix (1950s Comedy Series "The Life of Riley") said it best:

"What a revoltin' development this is!"

We need to use our young starters and trade Pavano. The longer Pavano stays, the tougher it is to "shake up" the rotation by trading him. Time to give the "young guns" the opportunity to show what they got. Pavano going on "Opening Day", has got to really be a "downer" for the other 24 guys going North. Just think how depressing it will be for the fans in attendance. I wonder who will get booed more, Pavano or A-ROD?

That would be a great way to open the season. Having a loser who hasn't pitched in 2 years for us is the same one that would be looked upon to get the ball rolling? No Thanks I rather see Karstens,Rasner or anybody else for that matter besides Pavano.

so down on this team right now.

Wang is injured.. the ace is injured. We had pitching problems BEFORE the injury.. now we're going to be without the ace of this staff.. and possibly andy pettitte to with the back spasms.... not to mention Mike Mussina has looked horrible this spring and he's barely throwing 84 mph... In past years the Yankees would always have that 6th start ready just in case whether it was a Jon Lieber or Jose Contreras.. the staff is so thin.. Pavano has to be healthy now or we're dead.... I knew we should have went harder after a Zito or Matzuska.. or heck.. even Freddy Garcia would have been an excellent addition.. I'm really dissapointed in Brian Cashman.. he seems so obssessed with making the minor league system better and reducing payroll, that he's completely ignored what's important.. THE NEW YORK YANKEES MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM. What did we do in the off-season really? We barely made any improvements.

Pettitte is not an upgrade over Randy during the reg season... he's only an upgrade in the playoffs.. if we get there.
Igawa and Wright are honestly probably around the same.. no upgrade there.

so what have the Yankees done? They lost Sheffield......... I don't expect as many comebacks this year if we fall behind early... 4-0 deficits... 6-0 deficits.. we may have come back in past years, I'm not expecting that this eyar.... especially with 2 automatic outs in the order on some days.. Mienkiwtz and the back up catcher... HORRIBLE HORRRIBLE HORRIBBBLE... it's like having a pitcher hitting 8th and 9th.

which brings me to my next point.. the bench! it's a freakin disaster. have you ever seen a worst bench in your life... ? and why isn't cashman more embarassed? cashman! you said when you took back the organization that you would take the heat for all that goes wrong.. WELL SO TAKE THE HEAT!!!! your bench is disgusting.... I think the Devil Rays have a better back up catcher with a payroll that is 1/8th of the Yankees. Melky Cabrera is too young to be in the role he's in.....had Cashman used his noggin he would have relized Melky has already reached his highest potential... last off-season was the time to trade him... for somebody decent... we should be stocking the bench with experienced professionals like we had during the dynasty years.. not 22 year olds!

why was Miguel Cairo re-signed? He can't field and he can't hit.. and he's done neither of those things since 2004.

The fact remains, the guy stinks. If the Yankees sign me, I'll be great in the clubhouse, christ, I will even shine the guys shoes for them between innings, that doesn't warrant me getting a paycheck from the Yankees. Joe Torre loves the guy, the guy is going to play all the time just like last year.

He has NEVER played catcher in his career, he stinks at third (can he ever throw the ball that far?), he stinks at first, he can't throw from the hole at SS, and he is beyond awful in the OF.

The guy just stinks, there is NOTHING about his game that is good. I would compare him to Bubba Crosby, but at least Bubba could run, and play his position above league average.

now on to the first base situation...signing mienkiwitz was a horrible decision and I am suprised by Cashman.. because I frankly think Cashman has alot of potential... but has done a terrible job this past off-season.

His D can't make up for his awful hitting now matter how many ways you slice it.

This signing is going to be a complete disaster. There is NO WAY the yankees should have the worst 1B in baseball in ANY situation.

and mark my words.. once the season starts Josh Phelps will return right back into what he was before.. . a guy with a long swing who has trouble recognizing pitches... and is strikeout prone.

now on to the bullpen.

Why is Mike Myers still on this team???? if you polled 1000 Yankees fans, 900 of them would tell you.. MIKE MYERS HAS WORN OUT HIS WELCOME ON THIS TEAM... yet he's still here... he's old... ineffective since the all star break last year (including spring training this year)...and is pretty much useless on a roster that has better candidates in its farm system.

Same goes for Ron Villone who again is suffering from the Tanya Sturtze, Paul Quantrill disease... era over 7 in the 2nd half last year.... horrible spring training.. and yet somehow I think Torre is going to pick him because of loyality..

meanwhile Henn, Bruney, Rasner, Karstens continue to put up ZERO's in spring training... they have all earned a spot yet thanks to Torre and Cashman.. have no spot on this team. I am so dissapointed in Brian Cashman... he's done alot of good this off-season improving the farm system.. but you know what? HE HAS TO TAKE THE HEAT FOR HIS MISTAKES.

now on to Arod..

Arod is as good as gone and the yankees made a HUGE mistake not trading him this past off season.

A-Rod said himself he will leave if he has another year like last year.

They had to go to him and tell him we want you out of town. If that was done the right way he would've probably accepted a trade. If not at least you tried...
the yankees should've gotten value for him while they could.

-1st base- a DISASTER
-the bench
-back upcatcher- a DISASTER
-utility infield- a DISASTER
-utility outfielder- AN UNKNOWN.. but I'm expected Melky to have a bad year in a role he's not comfortable with.

-the starting rotation- VERY SHAKY.. and injury prone.
-and AROD.. a pending disaster.

Hey guys, I love the Yankees I am just disgusted with their off-season and saying what's on my mind because I believe in it.. no mnatter how much it hurts.. I am telling the truth!

Why am I not surprised? If it was Pavano and not Wang the bloviating jackasses would be all over this blog with their empty-headed childish remarks.Will they still spend more energy insulting Pavano or will they be real yankee fans and get behind him.

Oops, I made the above comments when there were only two postings.
Nitwits AJ and Snoring just answered my question.
Hey Snoring,remember when the Mets went with their young starters Pulsipher,Wilson and Isringhauser?

Gloomy-Tell me how you really feel

I'm not that upset Pavano will be taking the hill on opening day-As long as we get Pettitte and Wang back 100% for the grind of the real season. Maybe an Opening Day start will get Pavano's juices flowing-Who Know's?

Sounds as if some of us didn't get our nap out today.

Maybe those who were so anxious to have the young pitchers go north with the team will lead us in a song now?

Well, I'm just thrilled that the likes of you gloomy, defeatists, naysaying bloggers aren't playing on the Yankees and that you have absolutely nothing to do with managing them. If you did, we'd be in the same boat as those teams that win once a century. As a matter of fact, there are a few flights leaving right now for Boston and Chicago. Maybe you'd like to run and catch one before the season begins.

Well, hopefully Wang comes back as soon as possible and has another great season, and in the mean time, someone steps up.

Hopefully our offense can take the pressure off of some of the young pitchers we have.

Let's pray for rain when Pavano pitches

Here'a little poem dedicated to Carl Pavano.

Pray for Rain

When you look out and see the grass
has burnt up to an orange-tan crisp,
you look to the sky and
pray for rain.

When you look out and see anger
in the face of the farmer as he looks over
his crops in the mid-day sun…you
pray for rain.

When the soil under your feet
swirls into miniature dirt devils
that won’t hold root nor seed,
pray for rain.

When you look into your circle
silent and void of voices,
laughter and the cry of a child—
pray for rain

I look up into your brown eyes
longing for a long, strong storm
of nourishing moisture, I clench my muscles and
pray for rain.

Laying there drenched, after the rain,
legs clenched tightly closed
against the flood, I
pray for rain
to get the job done.

If Wang misses 4 starts this April I'm sure Karstens is up to the challenge.More than likely Pettitte will be ready to go ,if not we have Rasner to step in...not the end of the world ...

Wow...all the panicking is pretty funny. As I said earlier, the Yanks will just have to slug their way through April and they will be fine.

Jim A : May cooler heads prevail !

Ruse,
If we start a panic over short term injuries, we'll be just like Red Sox fans, don't you think?

Everyone take a deep breath and picture the fact that the Yanks open the season against the Devil Rays...we'll be okay!

Getting to be the starting pitcher on Opening Day is supposed to be a "reward" for having pitched well for your team, either short or long term. What has Pavano done to merit this reward? He is flat out guilty of "dereliction of duty", and should not be given this "plum" assignment. I would start a rookie before setting this type of "horrible precedent". We have several young pitchers, that merit this assignment because of their ability, and their willingness to "take the ball" every 5th day. To overlook them, and reward a "lollygager", does not contribute to the attitude necessary to win a World Series Chanpionship.

Roy,
Perhaps it is all part of the plan to not only build Pavano's belief that the Yankees have complete faith in him (if they really do) or it could also be to inflate his trade value.
If some team like the Cards were interested in Pavano, don't you think the news that he may start opening day for this team would give them pause to reconsider their last offer, and maybe increase it?

After opening Day, there are 161 games to play, plenty of time to make up for this castrophic event. If, Carl Pavano is the choice of Joe Torre to start then all true yankee fans will root for him. All true Yankee fans will cheer or refrain from booing Arod if he doesn't go 4 for 4 all home runs. And if Rasner gets 4 or 5 starts . So be it. The AL East will be a dog fight. You want a championship then support who is wearing the pinstripes.

Gloomy, how would you feel if you were a Red Sox fan. Their rotation is quite suspect.

I don't care who pitches Opening Day, but I do care who pitches in October. I would, however, hold off Judgment Day for several more months. Shortsighted panic does not reflect the winning spirit inherent in the Dynasty known as the New York Yankees.

From Rob Neyer Espn Blog

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2811098&name=Neyer_Rob

Jeff Karstens, who probably gets Wang's spot if he doesn't get blasted next time out, has decent credentials, except his projected ERA in the majors this season is 5.58 (courtesy of Baseball Prospectus).

Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus also picked the Tigers to finish 4th last season.

We all remember last year when the Yanks were supposed to disappear forever when Sheff and Matsui went down, yet they fought through it like champs and they will overcome this setback as well.

Here's maybe a bright side to Wang missing a month or so. A lot of us worried that he would get worn down this season because he pitched so many innings last year, which he'd never done before.
Now we shouldn't worry about that! :)

How could anyone predict a pitchers ERA ? What nonsense !

OH MR GLOOMY
YOUR POSITIVE PROOF
THAT YOUR FATHER
HAD SEX WITH A FLOWER POT
AND HAD A BLOOMIN---FOOL

Can someone here give me a good reason as to why Doug Mientkiewicz is automatically given the other half of the first base job despite such a poor showing?

If his lefthanded bat is worst than either Phelps or Phillips batting righthanded against righties, what's the point in having him?

His best asset is suppose to be his glove but I have yet to be convinced that it's any better than Phillips'.

What's the Yankees' logic here with him, or is there none?

Eric: Its called reputation and a contract! Doug M.'s has better resume than Andy Phillips thou most folks lie on their resume.

Going along with Neyer's logic we might as well fold our tents and not play the season. The computers have spoken. Call ups such as Aaron Small can't possibly win 10 games in a season. Now can they, the computers will project a 6.66 ERA for a guy with his resume.

There is nothing wrong with stats but the game is played with skills possessed by talentd athletes.

I Blame Damon for jinxing the Yankees. Johnny Damon told the New York Post last week -- "We're the best team" -- is no different from what he said after the Tigers eliminated the Yankees in four games in the American League Division Series: "The best teams don't always win."

Now Chien Ming Wang is out till mid April. Worst Case Scenario Pavano's opening day starter.

I still don't really see the problem. The Yankees have how many arms just waiting to come in here. Karstens and Rasner both have proven they can pitch well in the majors. Olendorph, Clippard and Hughes are just salivating at the chance to make their Yankee debuts. Thats potentially 5 average to excellent pitchers in the wings. Not to mention, this team will score more runs than last year when you had a guy with a 5.00 ERA w/ 17 wins. Chill, the yankees will be fine.

I'm intrigued by the idea of giving Pavano a kick in the ass like being the opening day starter. Makes him an essential part of the team, which is something that he hasn't experienced in a long time. Oh Wang being out for 3-4 starts will probably help him, take 25-30 innings off his arm so he won't tire out later on.

btw anyone who is getting depressed about first base.... its one slot in the batting order and if meinkeiwitz doesnt start hitting his typical 280 then he will lose his job. Personally i think Phillips earned that slot, can't do much more than show average defence, hitting for power, patience at the place and hit for over 450...

I think its great ! i say bring on Pavano. Mussina & Pettite are great options but lets be realistic. in all likelihood either one will go out & give us a great one-sided win(not definite but likely).I'd love to see Pavano get out there & prove he's got what it takes,that will make an exciting ballgame.that is after all what i'd like to see.

With a temporary loss of Wang, all it does is show through all the depth this Yankee team has which hasn't been the case for several years. Get used to the Clemens rumors. Karstens, and Rasner will step up and make further cases for themselves. It's their time to shine.

lets not forget pavano will be pitching to the devilrays not the redsux.so lets not panic!!!

Meanwhile Boston Herald Tony Massaroti says The Redsox can repeat their success in 2004 by signing Roger.

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=190663&format=&page=1

QUOTE
Rocket fuel: With a sudden opening in the Red Sox’ otherwise-loaded starting rotation, Rogers Clemens would look awfully good back in a Red Sox uniform

It will be a nightmare if Redsox sign Roger and return to Boston...

lets not forget pavano will be pitching to the devilrays not the redsux.so lets not panic!!!

Sox vs Yanks

SP #1 Sox Schilling vs Yanks Mussina Obviously this one is very close but I'm going to have to give it to Mussina because he had a slightly better year last year--> Edge Yankees

SP#2 Beckett vs Andy Pettite Beckett has looked downright dominant at times but prone at others Pettite is generally solid though never as dominant as Beckett so--> Edge Red Sox

SP #3 Datsuke Matsuzaka vs Chien Meng-Wang This one's not even close--> Edge Red Sox

SP#4 Tim Wakefield vs Kei Igawa A proven veteran starter vs a well a clearly below average MLB starter --> Edge Red Sox

SP#5 Julian Tavarez vs Jeff Karstons Both of these guys are terrible but Julian Tavarez finished up very nicely for the sox last year as a starter --> Edge Red Sox

Set up Man- Brendan Donnely vs Kyle Farnsworth I dont think there's much question here Donnelly was great with the Angels and he's a proven veteran Kyle Farnsworth is just awful --> Edge Red Sox

Closer- Papelbon vs Rivera Obviously Papelbon was amazing for the Red Sox last year but Rivera has been amazing for the Yankees year after year after year although never quite as dominant as the beginning to the season for papelbon last year --> Edge Yankees

Catcher Jason Varitek vs Jorge Posada Both of these guys are great catchers both will be in the running for the all star game --> Edge Draw

1B- Kevin Youkilis vs Doug MentkiewiczYoukilis is a solid defensive first basemen with a great average and OBP Mentkiewicz just is great defensively with little offensive upside --> Edge Red Sox

2B- Dustin Pedroia vs Robinson Cano Pedroia has not looked great.. he struggled at the end of last season and is struggling this spring.. Cano has been great for the Yanks from the get go he just needs to keep his error count down --> Edge Yankees

SS- Julio Lugo vs Derek Jeter Obviously Lugo is solid in his own right but Jeter was in the running for MVP last year and should be just as amazingly good this year --> Edge Yankees

3B- Mike Lowell vs Alex Rodriguez Lowell was solid the first half of last year and has a great glove but A-Rod is still A-Rod and even if he chokes whenever it matters those numbers still are amazing --> Edge Yankees

LF- Manny Ramirez vs Hideki Matsui Ramirez is a future hall of famer who will put up 40 HR and 110 RBI's every year.... Matsui is an average MLB starter in left field --> Edge Red Sox

CF- Coco Crisp vs Johnny Damon Both of these guys have amazing speed... Crisp struggled last season with injuries and Damon was great so --> Edge Yankees

RF- JD Drew vs Bobby Abreu Bobby Abreu will have much better average but JD Drew will benefit from hitting behind Ortiz and Ramirez and post the best numbers of his career --> Edge Red Sox

DH- David Ortiz vs Jason Giambi Giambi may post some great numbers but Ortiz will always post better ones... He'll be in the running for MVP again with 45+ homeruns and 120+ RBI's --> Edge Red Sox

Final Tally Red Sox 9 vs Yankees 6

Red Sox win Division

Drew, those are excellent points. You hit the nail right on the head with your extremely insightful assessment.

Johnny Storm and Rico also make great points.

Thanks to comments like these, this is beginning to look more like a Yankees Forum. The "oh woe is me" sentiment is getting old and boring.

For the record, there are other great Yankees supporters here who are making this a great forum to visit (such as Ruse and Jim A, for example). My last comment was directed towards the last several comments. I didn't intend to exclude other realistic, optimistic Yankees fans in making that comment.

All joking aside, the pitching staff should be okay for a few weeks without The Wangster. "Mike fl" has a good point - we're facing the Devil Rays not the Red sux. However, Devil Ray's Kazmir is top flight lefty and runs may be hard to come by. That said, it may likely come down to the bullpens this early in the season, so you gotta like our chances.
My fears will come later in April when (without Wang) Pavano (at best, a No. 4 when healthy) will be used against Toronto and Boston.

red2thecore: if, your logic was the word. The Red Sox's would have won 10 divison titles in a row as the Yankees have but your logic is not word and the Red Sox's haven't won any. When someone tries too hard it usually ends up backfiring like most Red Sox fans who get on this blog. Try too hard to present their case. The game is not played on paper or in a computer.

This could be a blessing in disguise for the Yanks ,if Karstens and/or Rasner perform well during April ,it will continue to shed any doubt about their abilities to pitch in "real " competition ,which will help the Yanks to evaluate what they have and what they can trade .Showcase...I think this is something Jim A. suggested a few weeks ago .

The NJ Star-Ledger reports today that Phelps has made the 25. Another team asked about his availability and was told no.

Paper also reports that Villone pitched one inning in a minor league game, walking the first 2, giving up 2 runs and throwing 30 pitches.

Paper says 5 guys were cut: Sardinha, Canizzaro, Kozlowski and both of the Chavez brothers.

BTW, if anyone read my interview with Torre, let me know what you think.

It's under the "Yanks - Blue Jays Lineup".

red2thecore:
drew over abreu? i dont buy that one bit! drew needs to prove he can handle a city like boston.when he can do that and stay healthy and post better numbers then abreu then come talk to us yankee fans.and for the record posada is a better player then jason varitek!!!

For those of you watching basketball instead of something more important, namely a Yankee exhibition game, it's panic time. Karstens got shelled and came out with a bad elbow. Then Henn got knocked out. Two guys named Wordekemper and M. Martinez have pitched for the Bombers. What, are they pulling fans out of the grandstand to play in street clothes?? "Hey Joe, that guy in the 4th row looks like an athlete, wanna try him?"

Zander:
I watched the game and missed the word on Karsten's elbow. Who reported it and what is the diagnosis?
After watching today's ST game, I got the feeling that both Karstens and Henn have pitched their way on to the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Roster.

Karstens said he felt stiffness before the game but didn't tell anybody. Supposedly, removing him was "precautionary". You know the Yankees never tell the truth about injuries.

Medical reports are the only source of truth, and until we get one on Karstens, how can anyone cast any judgments concerning the potential degree of his potential injury?

I think the Yankees are wise to assume an injury is minor -- save the gushing of blood or unconsciousness -- until a bona fide medical report tells us otherwise. It's called being optimistic, for one. If the Yankees had Gloomy's mentality, we wouldn't be a Dynasty. We might be called the Royals instead.

Lucy:

Not sure how long you've been a fan, but when George bought the team in 73-74 he and Gabe Paul instituted a strict policy of disinformation on injuries. The most famous incident was when the immortal SS Mickey Klutts (the name was appropriate) broke his wrist, the Yanks were desperately trying to trade for a SS before the news leaked out that it was a serious injury and that they needed a SS right now, the team issued a statement saying Klutts had a "jam-sprain" and would be OK in a week or so. Doctors were quoted as saying there's no such thing as a jam-sprain and the fun was on on the back sports pages. The Yanks feel they lose leverage if they reveal the true nature of injuries. Cashman has been a little more transparent, but you'll notice they said Wang's 30-day hammy was only a "cramp". We're a paranoid Empire.

Anybody got any idea who heck M. Martinez and Wordewhatsis are? Wealthy fantasy camp customers ?

Zander: Go to the most recent post,you'll find some info on these prospects.

Say what you want....slice it any way you want....come up with any perverted logic you want, but Carl Pavano is the Yanks opening day pitcher.

'Nuff said.

Hey...it's only one game of 162...right?

If you ask me this situation will prove to be a microcosm of the season.

Let's see the Sox have 3 "aces" with another coming in Lester...and Papelbon to nail down games, and the Yanks...well they have Pavano as their opening day pitcher.

Casual Observer, your observation is flawed and very un-Yankee-like. Are you trying to suggest that the Red Sox pitchers are IMMUNE to injury? That they are GUARANTEED to dominate the entire season? That their offense will ALWAYS come through all year long to back their pitching? That the Yankees can't stay healthy all year long? That their offense can't carry the team at times when the pitching staff can't? Are you suggesting that a repeat of last year's regular season is impossible?

Your attempt at logic is pitifully weak. It sounds like you're not a Yankees fan and I thank you for that.

I appreciate your point, Zander, where an incident 35 years ago branded the Yankees as the grand purveyor of medical misinformation. I still say, however, it's wise of them to minimize the nature of injuries until medical reports prove otherwise. Wang's injury was initially termed a "cramp," because that's what he was feeling. A "cramp" is a symptom, not a medical diagnosis. When the medical reports were finalized, the exact cause of the "cramp" was revealed as a pulled or strained hamstring, whatever. Yankees management consists of ball players, not doctors, and I strongly feel they should keep it that way.

Aw now come on Lucy...you know you find me irresistable.

I am not a Yankees fans darling....I am a Sox fan.

That is not to say I dont have immense respect for the Yanks...what an incredible line up. You have to admit however, that Pavano as the opening day pitcher is a bit humorous for us Sox fans. I couldnt resist tossing a little dig in.

In the end I dont think it will make alot of differance....I mean after-all Pavano IS a decent pitcher when healthy, and your boy Cashman has done a remarkable job rebuilding the Yanks farm system....especially with the bevy of young power arms. I see the Sox/Yanks rivalry continuing to accelerate as both teams continue to put talented players on their respective rosters.

As I said in my other post Lucy....I intend to enjoy the most beautiful game on earth...and enjoy the greatest sports rivalry ever. I hope both the Yanks and Sox are not plagued with injuries...may the season ome down to the final weekend...and may the Sox and Yanks meet in the ALCS.

Cheers....

Casual Observer, your screen name is a misnomer. You're not a "casual" observer, you're a Red Sox "observer." Red Sox fans don't generally "observe" the Yankees, they're more "obsessed" with the Yankees. I had you pegged as a non-Yankee fan from the get-go. It's all in the way of thinking, the "losing" vision, the defeatist attitude -- no offense, but that's just my Yankee-like observation. You can tell a Yankees fan a mile away and your attitude screams Red Sox.

Yes, you can toss your humorous "digs" in now because they're really worthless this time of the season. The true digs and LAST laughs only count at the end of the season. Come back then when you really have something concrete to "muse" about.

Tch tch tch Lucy...

I sense a bit of hostility from you.

Let's not get into who has laughed last....as I recall the Yanks have all those titles, but the Sox had a pretty magical season in 04 in which the Yanks played a huge part.

Suffice to say the war continues. Doesnt mean we cant have friendly and civil exchanges...As you're probably aware I am not a regular commentor in these threads...but I do like to garner the perspective of knowledgable Yankee fans from time to time. This blog is the best Yankees blog for that that I have found in my limited search. I do spend more time in a Sox chat room, and occasionally visit a few Sox blogs as well. I will tell you there tends to be as many, if not more Yank fans in those forums. I'd say the Sox/Yanks relationships and "obsessions" clearly goes both ways. Why not....it IS the biggest and best rivalry in all of sports.

If, in october of this year my Sox win it all I will be very happy indeed. If the Yanks win it all, I'll tip my cap, recognize a great team, and promise I'll congratulate all you Yankee fans. For it will be deserved. If neither of our teams win, as has been the case over the past two seasons....well then we all can practice the ol' "wait til next year" routine. We Sox fans are pretty good at that.

Casual Observer/Red Sox fan, you're fooling no one. You're blogging your rear end off here in the Yankees Form, writing more than the Yankees fans, for one reason which you alluded to: You're gloating due to Yankees Opening Day situation. You wouldn't be here if it were the day after last year's Boston Massacre or if it were the day after any of our 26 World Series wins or our many dozens of division titles. (Oh, and congratulations on 2004 if that makes you feel better). Your act of pretending to be casual is as hilarious as it is phony. Just be honest with yourself, if nothing else.

So....let me get this straight.

You think I'm trying to fool someone? It appears my choice of monikers has your panties in a wad eh? And you think I'm gloating over Pavano as the opening day pitcher? That about it?

C'mon Lucy...lame...really.

Try and look beyond the moniker and consider what I say....and gee..sorry for the Pavano jab...get over it. You've thrown a few jabs yourself.

It's true I wasnt "here" after the Massacre, because I had never been "here" before. I can assure you however that I have no problem with discussing that pitiful series....you see Lucy...I dont play the game...I am a spectator. I really have little to do with the outcome of any game.

Let me ask you a question....which do you enjoy more...the day after the WS in which the Yanks have won....or the day by day journey of the season?

Just curious.

Casual Observer, get over yourself, please. Your attempt to justify the merits of the Red Sox in a Yankees Forum is a lot of things which I'll refrain from enumerating. Suffice it to say I would rather spend my time in a Yankees Forum and would not attempt to "rub elbows" trying to "comprehend" the Red Sox fans state of mind in their forum. It makes absolutely no common sense whatsoever. Think about it. Again, you're fooling no one but yourself.

Justifying the merits of a Sox fan being in a Yankee blog?? My Goodness, aren't we a little paranoid? I didnt realize that this blog was so exclusive...very classy Lucy.

So, even though you have no idea who I am, even though I have been respectful, have not resorted to name calling, chest thumping, or the really really lame crap like "26 titles", "Boston Massacre" and all the other tired and ridiculous meaningless jabs....I need to "get over myself".

Huh?...I'll have to think about that one for awhile.

Meanwhile Lucy...you should think about this...it really doesnt matter if one is a Sox fan or a Yank fan...they both come in all flavors. Some are reasonable, intelligent, and love the game.....others are idiotic, suspicious, classless, and childish.

I suggest that it is you who needs "to get over yourself".

In the meantime I will continue to occasionally browse this blog, and occasionally make a few post in the attempt to have an intelligent discussion with baseball fans who love their Yankees and are not intimidated or suspicious of a Sox fan who "would have the audacity" to "infiltrate" a Yankee blog.

How ridiculous.

Casual Observer, you should try reading your own posts (you might learn something about yourself). And you should try reading my responses in sequential order as I responded to your posts. Do you write and then forget what you write a few minutes later? Your defensive attitude is terribly unconvincing in light of those FACTS.

As to the name-calling, my posts speak for themselves and so do yours. Your rehashing our posts and trying to place your slanted commentary on them is worthless and meaningless. Our words speak clearly enough for themselves.

Oh, and here's a quote from you, which started our little "disagreement":

"You have to admit however, that Pavano as the opening day pitcher is a bit humorous for us Sox fans. I couldn't resist tossing a little dig in."

Very classy comment to make in a Yankees Forum to dedicated Yankees fans.
Time for your lessons from Miss Manners.

That last post was obviously from me.