On the Yankees beat

id be embarrassed if I were a yankee fan.. Carrying on like that, Torre crying??

I know its been a tough season, but my God... we have to endure the Kay's and Francessa's of the world, sticking their arrogant chins in the air, when other teams carry on about clinching a playoff spot.. How about today? Id be interested in seeing what Yankee blowhards have to say today..
I thought they were all class? I thought they 'act like they've been there before'.. I guess not..
what an embarrassment

A-Rod top of the ninth 2 outs and he takes Papelface deep.

I don't know if that was "THE" turning point but it was where I began to feel better.

Good thing you're not a Yankee fan then Johnny.

On another note, just more proof of why I hate Bud Selig courtesy of FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal:

John Canning, a Chicago-based private-equity investor, is thought to be the front-runner to buy the Cubs. He is a friend of commissioner Bud Selig. He had a stake in the Brewers when Selig owned the team.

Selig generally handpicks owners with whom he is familiar — and whom he can trust to be fiscally conservative.

apology

i was calling for torre's head early and often and i have to admit i was wrong. i still think he gets outmanaged often tactics-wise, and should have a better bench coach next to him a-la zimmer, but his leadership and ability to rally the troops around him made the difference.

however, i still believe cashman should be fired. yes, over all his ideology is right - spend on the draft, don't trade top prospects etc. - but ironically he is not the guy best suited to apply this ideology. his FA signings are horrendous (just pavano & igawa is 86 million down the drain) and he always gets fleeced when trading.
i would love to see former minnesota GM ryan with the yanks. he has a tremendous eye for talent and is a great trader. he would maintain the youth movement with flare and ability that cashman doesn't have.
plus, ryan has shown an uncanny ability to amass quality bullpen arms - the complete opposite to cashman's feeble annual attempts of revamping the pen - which just keeps collapsing year after year.

and to answer the question - yes, i didn't believe the yanks would make it. hat's off.

No, I didn't doubt it. I just didn't believe that Abreu, Damon, Matsui got old as some people kept saying. I remember telling Nudge as a matter of fact that those guys just didn't get old overnight. The day after the all star game, i came on here and said that we're catching Boston and winning the division. Bomber saw that post and he was with me on that.
That being said, I did recant the division proclamation in August when we dropped 10 games behind Boston. We made that race exciting, but give the Red Sox credit in that they didn't fold. When we swept them at the Stadium at the end of August, they went on to win 8 in a row I think, while we dropped 2 out 3 to TB. Anyway...

The turning point for me was when the Yanks took 3 out of 4 from Minnesota then took 2 out of 3 from Anaheim before the All Star break. To me, that was the jump start they needed for the 2nd 1/2.

Johnny, you obviously have no idea about the joy of a team of men who have come through a tough campaign together.

Stick around here, you might learn something. Men who have been there before know what a great and rare thing it is, and are not afraid to show it.

You may also have failed to notice that the Yankees were courteous about their on-field celebrating, did nothing to show up their hosts, and saved the outbursts and emotion for the privacy of the clubhouse, not even letting the cameras in until after they had had some time to go nuts unobserved.

Watch and learn. Your time may come. If it does, you'll need the example of men who know how to win and to celebrate one another fittingly.

John G.

HAH

I REMEMBER THOSE NUDGE DEBATES!!!

I even remember fighting with him over the exact subject.

I wasn't sure about Damon but I couldn't believe Abreu and Matsui somehow aged 3 yrs in 8 months...

NUDGE WHERE YOU AT!!!

Phucker,

I remember you coming in on those as you were hopping mad.

If you go by logic, Nudge had all the facts on his side and he presented them flawlessly. He shot them out there "boom, boom, boom" and I basically had to reley on my emotional attachment to the Yanks as my one and only bullet. He had a gloc! I remember telling him I can't give up because I'm a fan. I had no facts to back me up.

It wasn't the type of arguement, and I use the word arguement because i can't think of another one, that was made to be antagonistic. he wasn't like that at all so let me be clear on that. He was just stating the facts. In fact, he complimented me for being a fan and sticking to my guns so to speak.

I'm just glad that we got in. Now let's see what we can do with the invitation.

yeah nudge, where you at?
you were close with your 88 win predicition for the year. cant remember if you declared yanks would make playoffs or not. and i know u are glued to the tv, anxiously awaiting bunting bobby to lay one down the 1st base line

nudge...where you at?

Nudge will be back if/when Yankees get eliminated, mark my words on that buddy.

Michael, you see on the other string I answered your question about facing the Indians?

Joe T always gets emotional. It makes me feel good that we have him on board and he cares so much being with us for (correct me if im wrong) 11 Straight years.. Since 95, this team is his family.

You dont see willie R. getting like that.. oh wait.. never mind... they dont see the playoffs too often...oops. :-)

On a lighter note. I always have faith in our boys, my favorite saying IT AINT OVER TILL ITS OVER.... I always support them until the end because a major turn of events could happen just like ours. Be blessed everyone

Making a quick celebratory visit to high-five old die-hards.

My guess would be that if Nudge gets over being convincingly outed as a Mets fan and comes back here, it will be when the agony of the Mets is over, one way or the other.

Archangel,

Miss you too.

And no, I didn't doubt.

But I have no rational defense for that.

This my take on Nudge:

I found him to be a though-provoking guy. He wanted debates; intelligent debates and he's a smart person. He made me think, that's for sure. If he shot something out at me I wanted to give him an intelligent response and get a real good discussion going. For me, I like when he's here and quite frankly, I miss him.

If he was attacked on a personal level he fought back. He can handle himself quite nicely. I wish that i was that quick and that good, but I'm not.

You guys can feel anyway that you want to.

For me, a blog is a public forum to express ideas, opinions and to have fun and make friends. Who cares if people here were met fans, Red Sox fans and of course, Yankee fans. Different opinions, thoughts, ideas are what provoke good discussions and make blogs fun.

If we all had the same opinions, well, that would suck and it wouldn't be fun.

Hi Diane!!! :-)

Glad you dropped in.

Come back more often!

Thanks, John G.

Today's a day to share the joy, relief -- and nostalgia for all the agita we went through this year.

As for when things turned around: I'll go with the "HA" game in Toronto.

Diane,

You mention agita. I had to take some pretty strong stuff for some of the games that we played this season, that's for sure. They ruined my dinner on many an occasion and my wife had to "yell" at me quite a few times because i was still complaining long after the games were over.

Chip,

I was going to mention that game first, then I changed my mind because after we got on a hot streak starting with that game winning 14 out of 17, we went on the road and proceeded to lose 8 out of 9. Then we came home and Oakland took 2 out of 3. We then played Minnesota and Anaheim before the break and took off from there.

No I never doubted.

I was just in complete despair ...

But they pulled it out.

Why?

Abreu turned around. Cano too. A Rod was consistent. Melky developed. Igawa went away for a time to get better, the of late Mr. Mussina transformed, August was carried by Matsui and Andy Pettitte, Phillips did well and most of all, bringing up Joba and Duncan gave the team life.

Also the squirrel really helped.

Where would we be without the squirrel.

And hey, I found out about the Playoff tickets ... they are very expensive but I am sure the fans will think they are worth the price.

Nudge come back,

Don't let Michael scare you off, when he's not having sex with farm animals he is not a bad guy, for the "devil" as he calls himself.

Nudge we love you!!!!

John G -

I remember that real well when you said we wa s catching Boston. Jim A was the rock on here he defended this team from the start. John G was the confidant , Me and Mike Ptrs and Lucy and Diane was the loyalist's beating our heads against the PC, while Chip offered logical solutions. When I really knew this team could do it was when I realized that Nudge was "created" to get under our skins. but enoff of nudgy. I really took notice when Chip and that poster knowledge began stating ways on how the team can win by blending the youth by sitting the vets to let them know there are hungry players out there who will gladly take your spot. That right there lit a fire within the team

John G. - Next time you need "facts" for an arguement, feel free to contact your resident stat guy. I can always come up with something. In fact, I posted something on the previous thread that I'm going to repost because that thread is now dead.

As far as ever doubting, no. In fact, I can remember being at Irish Night at the Trenton Thunder ballpark. This is when ESPN pundits were saying that the Yanks had a better chance at the division than the wildcard because it would be hard to pass 5 teams (Cleveland, Minnesota, Seattle, Oakland, Toronto - note Detroit was leading the division at this time).

The Yanks won their game that night while the Thunder lost to the Binghamton Mets. Can't remember who the Yanks were playing since I didn't get to watch the game.

Anyway, I was talking to some fans who were talking about how great the farm was and how the Yanks are ok to not make it this year because they'll get a better draft pick, etc.

Well, I said that I'd put my money where my mouth was and that a $100 bet was in order. That unlike the ESPNG pundits, I thought the Yankees would win 93 games and the wild card. Looks like I might be right on both accounts. 3 people took my bet that night, so it was a nice win for me. Yankee fans betting against the Yanks. It was crazy, but that's part of why I drank my face off last night.

Since when do lefties neutralize Robbie Cano? He's batting .324 vs lefties in almost 200 ABs compared to .288 vs righties. More stats in the format lefty stats/right stats:

OBP: .372/.342
SLG: .484/.488

Giambi will be on the bench with Sabathia pitching, no doubt, so why worry?

Matsui's stats in the same format:
BA: .280/.290
OBP: .369/.365
SLG: .460/.507

So, those are a BIT more neutralized.

Damon:
BA:.271/.262
OBP:.349/.348
SLG:.341/.396 (that's the difference for him)

Abreu
BA: .264/.289
OBP: .321/.381
SLG: .354/.476

Is Torre smart enough to rest Abreu against Sabathia? Suggested line-up:

LF Damon
CF Melky
SS Jeter
3b ARod
DH Matsui
C Posada
2b Cano
RF Duncan
1b Minky (granted he's a lefty, but whoever said that Betemit was actually a switch hitter was kidding themself)

Posted by: Hughes Your Daddy | September 27, 2007 2:49 PM

And yes John G., there will be a quiz. 5 multiple choice questions, 3 short answers, 2 "math" questions, and 1 essay.

Maybe I'll let Ant write the test. I mean, one of his personas is some sort of teacher.

HYD,

You're hired!

I don't think thatyou were here on the blog back in May, but I could be wrong.

I hope that you enjoy the money that earned from the ahem "yankee fans".

Bomber,

It's never over until the math says that it's over.

It's just too long a season to give up in May.

Unless you root for KC or TB.

HYD:

I like your proposed line-up against Sabathia. No way in sam hell should Abreu be in there. I agree with you 100%

We need Doug's defense in their too, when every play in the playoffs is critical

Sabatthia AND Camona are enfuego lately....Yanks will have their hands full.

Nudge defended himself but the fact is He was a site instigator he only appeared in our downfall and after his Predictions blew up like a fat kid and cake he vanished, his inten to me was to rile up people on here and be critical of the intellect of the average Yankee fan on here and abroad.

The strange part about this is the fact Iwas'nt mad with him for people played into his hand. It was only when Chip after months of back and fourth finally really got at this charactor and read him his rights on facts. then I noticed as we won we saw less of him. then when we lose here he is. But chip then the YANKEES SHUTTED that a$$ up.

as we say in NYC

GET DA F****K OUTTA HERE!!!
Yeah I DRAGGED THE "U" You filthy animal. haha joke

but in all he was a challenge until common sense figured it all out.

Good Job Chip,

I think the "turning point" was the A-OPT "Boo Game". He was showing he would do everything he could to help this team win. The team rallied to his defense, and became a "unit". I'm no A-OPT guy, but that 1 "Boo" united this team of millionaires and newbes.

Nope, I wasn't here in May, at least not on a regular basis. I used a couple of different handles back then on some rare posts, but usually just "Bill". I blog all over the place depending on if I like the people and topics. This blog has same regulars that are consistent regulars and I like that aspect of it.

Does anyone collect cards, autographs, or any other memorabilia?

I'll be prepared HYD.

I like your lineup against CC. Meintkeiwicz is swinging a good bat and in no way shape or form should Betemit start over him.

Ant is an international correspondant and he's now teaching at the University of St Louis I think.

Chip was the guy who said all year long about mixing in the kids with the vets. He stuck to his guns and he was right.

HYD,

I don't collect any stuff. My wife is yelling at me to get rid of the stuff that I have now.

Cas,

You're right. We will have our hands full with the Tribe. I don't anticipate an easy series, that's for sure. But I don't believe that they're good enough to beat us.
It will depend on our starters doing the job and shutting them down. We have to keep Hafner in the yard.

John G.: If you're looking to sell off your collection, I might be interested. Let me know.

HYD,

Sorry for the confusion Bro; it's not baseball stuff.

It's just a lot of junk.

The only baseball things that i have are some books and some newspaper clippings that I kept from past years.

I'm looking forward more to the BIG celebration at Fenway tonight for the AL East Champs!

Dear Scott Kazmir,

Could you have your no-hitter finished up before Beckett wins his 21st, just so we can all celebrate together with the BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL with the BEST RECORD IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES (okay we're tied there, but it's still the best!!!!!! Yes it is!)

and Chip,

Definitely it turned around that night in Toronto. And you can bet that bush league play from A-Rod fired up the Jays to take 2 out of 4 last week and ran you so ragged that now your gasp'in for air (love that 7-6 comeback at the Trop!). Carmona & CC will be saying CC ya later when they take you 3 zip and another year down the drain. Seven years and counting and nothing. Safely we can say that even with a $200 million dollar payroll. This team is just an average team!

It's nice to see!

Maybe we should buy the champagne for the BIG celebration at Fenway tonight for the AL East Divison Champions.

You know, that AL East banner that will be hung at Fenway next season will look mighty nice.

But the World Series Champion flag will be hoisted up the flag pole at Yankee Stadium.

I consider that a fair trade-off Devil.

Don't you?

I'd like to see an AL East celebration... I'm more concerned about getting home field for the first round. With the Red Sox up 3 games in the loss collumn over the Angels with 4 to play, it looks pretty good.

Either way, I think it is safe to say all four AL teams deserve a tip of the hat and should rest the broken down for the weekend.

And laugh at the NL...
At this writing the D'Backs have the best record in the NL... and could still MISS the playoffs.

That's insane.

I love how idiot Red Sox fans are still trying to rub the whole "2004 thing" in our faces for three years now.

That's like Ricky Martin laughing in the face of Mick Jagger because he's had a big hit on the pop charts since the Stones.

Last time I checked, 26 is greater than 1 since the Bambino was sent packing about 88 years ago.

What is RSN going to do when the Yanks win the WS and they are at home crying about the MFY again?

It's also hilarious how these punks consistently chastise the Yanks for their payroll when they spent $70M on a career underachiever like Nancy Drew and another $100M+ for a guy whp has already fizzled out this season.

Sorry, the Yanks don't have an owner who purchased a $16M mansion just to tear it down like John Henry just did.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/sports/14200469/detail.html

Enough of the poverty crap, hypocrites.

It was a few people who stated the Mix up was needed that is a fact. I remember Chip and the others being laughed at by Nudge and the cronies in regard to this matter.

somebody else was saying on how the Vets need to be shown that they can be replaced. Subbing Damon was also discussed then along with Hideki.

Roy, the "turning point" must have "been" around "when" i stopped "checking" this "blog" and forgot about how "incessent" quotations can "annoy" me.

Jim, thanks for picking up the slack in my absence.

Please, please spare us about how the Red Sox fans still rub in 2004. Yankees fans constantly remind EVERYONE about their 26 rings (although none in recent years..) so I'd say it goes both ways. Who says the Yankees are winning the WS? That remains to be seen. And there are lots of qualified teams this year, certainly in the AL. And don't even go there with comparing salary busts...might I remind you of people like Pavano, Igawa, and frankly this season, Giambi and Damon. And I would imagine that Steinbrenner has spent millions more on stuff than John Henry. Who cares if he rips down the house and builds another one. You don't think Steinbrenner would do that? Dream on! No one says the Sox don't spend money, and sometimes foolishly on players, but the Yankees lead the pack in spending. And remember, money doesn't necessarily buy happiness, as you well know by now.

I guess RSN has to feel extra good this season since they finished in 3rd Place last season.

By the way, who won the season series again?

What team damn near blew a 14.5 game lead and had their fans crapping their collective Depends just a few days ago?

I'll give you a hint. It wasn't the Yanks.

Whether you want to admit it or not, RSN does not want to face the Yanks again in the ALCS.

Unfortunately, p*ssies like you won't come back to this board when the Red Sox get bounced.

Jeesh...I leave for awhile and the mice come scurrying out to beat their chest....

C'mon idiots....the sox aint won nothing yet...they Yanks aint won nothing yet...but they both HAve won the right to keep playing...Kudo's to both orgs....and if you want to pass out a pre WS medal...it has to go to the Yanks...the Sox damn near had the division locked up by the end of April, and it aint over yet...they may NOT end up with the best record in the AL....on the other hand..the Yanks were dead..deader ..deadest..and yet here they are. So knuckledraggers....shut your yaps and let the boys play...then you can make all your noise.

Viper,

I 100% agree with you that Red Sox fans complaining about payroll are moronic.

It's like John Goodman calling William Shatner fat.

I WILL say that you can't claim the "almost blew a lead" in the plus column.

By that rationale I can brag that we ALMOST won the Bucky Dent game, the Aaron Boone game and the 1986 World Series for that matter.

2004 is as relevant as 26 rings this year.

Neither matter for squat.
2004 was great... but we don't have Pedro/Foulke/Damon nor Lowe.

26 rings are terrific, but last time I checked, DiMaggio/Ruth/Gehrig/Mantle and Berra won't be playing.

I was listening to the radio today and the local (SF) broadcaster was going on a typical "SCREW THE YANKEES AND RED SOX!" tirade.

Step beyond Lowell MA and Patterson NJ and you'll see the rest of the baseball world hates us both

Viper... if nobody else will admit it, I will.

I, Sully, Red Sox fan since as long as I can remember, do NOT want to face the Yankees in the playoffs because I think the Yankees have the Red Sox number.

Any "bring them on" bravado was satisfied with the collapse of 2004.

Now I'd love to be like a tourist and avoid the Bronx all together

I was just having a little fun with "Devils beat Johnny Damon"; whatever that moniker means.

They come in all of the time and I usually ignore them. But I had to take a crack this time around.

Sorry guys, sometimes it gets to me.

Crack away John G!

I knew the Yanks would get it together, but I thought a mid-season acquisition of a bullpen arm from outside the organization would do the trick, not the call ups. To me the turning point was the night they got humiliated by the Devil Rays 14-4 at the Stadium. They went on a tear after that and scored like 12 runs a game for the next week it seemed like. I think they finally got embarrassed and got it going. Who knows what happens in the locker room but I think some guys like Damon, Abreu, Cano and Melky may have been called out and told to get it together. I hate to say this as well, but the night Clemens retaliated and got suspended may have helped too, as the team finally took some action against a team that was throwing at them. (Ant- no need to comment on this, we know you believe in love, not war and we all know about Tony C. and Lilly hitting Scott Spiezio etc.)

I was an optimist on this board and tried to talk a few people off the ledge but privately I had my doubts, and I certainly had my moments of sheer frustration like whenever Moose was on the mound.

For the first time in a handful of years, this team seems to have some real grit to them, not such a corporate feel.
I'm also this board's resident worry wart and I'm always worried about something...like the starting rotation (still); Injuries (again) and I'm very anxious for A-Rod to get off to a good start so morons don't start booing him again.

HYD: Sorry I didn't answer your steals question, but I had some work to do while I thought it over and then I went ahead and peaked at the answer. You are the god of all numbers!

Roy is still calling him A-Opt? and still using the quote marks? Obviously, he's doing it because he gets a little "stiffy" whenenever anyone makes fun of him. It's the only contribution he has made since Baumbach started this blog. Betcha he's got a "stiffy" right now! What a pathetic tool.

There is a reason the four teams that make the playoffs, make the playoffs...because they are the teams that can sustain a 162 game season and have the best records (except, I guess, Arizona...go figure).

If I'm one of those teams...I dont want to face any of the others...because they aint pushovers...on the other hand, it isnt "bravado" to want to face the best, the toughest,or the team that "has your number", because if you beat them....you are truly champions.

Well -- I take my Mother out and all the old regulars pop in to celebrate while I'm out. Except Lucy and ruse ca??? Anyway atticus, Michael, the Bomber, Casual O, Diane and Chip all on one thread together with the still-faithful make it look like old (good) times. Maybe if we have a few more celebrations you'll get back in the habit!

HYD, thank you for the explanation, I see it's still okay if you're Johnny Damon or AR (seldom caught) to steal, just not if you're that Mets brat or one of his ilk (often caught). I appreciate it when those who 'get it' are willing to explain to me when I don't.

For anyone that's interested, Torre will be on Mike and the mad Dog at 5 (2 on the coast) today.

I'm sure that they'll talk a bit about the post season roster.

John G.,

My rant was not directed at you my friend, more to concur with you.

The Red Sox haven't won a World Series in my children's lifetime! I WANT THAT TO CHANGE!

I know one thing for sure.

I wouldn't want to be an NL team facing either the Yanks, Sox, Tribe or the Mousketeers.

We thought that last year when the pathetic Cardinals stumbled into the series

I for one will be totally honest and say that I thought they had no chance of coming back following the disaster in Colorado and San Fran. I recently moved to FL and had come up that weekend to Jersey all excited at the chance to watch the pre and post game shows on YES - only to be crushed. I curesed the team all week, not ashamed to say it. One of the best things that came out of it is that I really began to closely follow the minor leagues around that time and actually found myslef rooting for the Thunder and SWB Yanks. My thoughts turned not even to 2008 but to 2009, but low and behold the youngsters grew up faster than anyone could have expected.

I said to my friend earlier this week that this has been my favorite year since 1996 because for the first time in 13 years this season was a surprise - and the Yankees took on an underdog role (as much of an underdog role as a 220 million dollar payroll can have)

Great season - I may have thought they had no chance, but I always clung to the hope they would come back even after reading all the articles throwing the numbers in our faces - the yankees have to play .750 ball if the tigers continue at their pace or .800 ball to catch the Sox.

In a game full of twists and turns that beats the hell out of any reality show this season ceratinly was entertaining to say the least --- it ceratinly had my blood pressure up pretty high

Sully,

The twins are what? 2?

LOL!

Thanks Cas!

Sully, What are the chances of that happening again, Huh?

DON'T ANSWER THAT!!!!

Okay, Torre is on now so Ill take notes.

Stay tuned.

I saw that one post about how Yankee fans were tired of Sox fans throwing 2004 in our faces. How quickly we forget that we enjoyed, even if we didn't participate in, all those "1918" chants and some even wore T-Shirts with that year printed on them.
My brother got me one of those...guess when? Yep, 2004. I never wore it and threw it away shortly after the WS ended that year.

The guy in the office next to me, who is a Sox fan, soiled the Mariano Rivera "Fathead" that is on my office wall with band aids after he blew a save early this year and he has gotten quite a bit of enjoyment out of that. Little does he know that about 9 months ago I put a little note on the bottom of his Red Sox Nation coffee cup that says "I really like the Yankees!". Every time he tips his mug to drink, people smirk at him and he STILL hasn't found it. Dude...wash the cup once in a while!
We have called a truce though as we will not talk trash to each other and we will not openly celebrate one team's victory over the other.

Like Casual says, the AL is wide open, I can picture any one of the teams that has clinched a playoff spot winning the whole thing.

Torre on what turned the team around:
The pitching got healthier
Damon getting healthy. Once he started feeling better in his legs, he really jumped in the fray. He volunteered to play left yesterday after the loss on Monday.
Getting Melky in the lineup everyday.

The lefties starting to hit.
Abreu coming around. he had the oblique injury and never got into shape. Once he did, he was Abreu of old again.
If it wasn't for A-Rod early in the season, we wouldn't have seem the light of day.

Getting more diversified in the pen. Too many guys who threw the same way (Bruney, Proctor, Farnsworth)

Joba will pitch tonight. They will bring him in the middle of an inning on Sunday also.

he's not worried about Clemens pitching in the post season. He feels that he will be fine.

Moose is the 4th starter. He's comfortable with where Moose is at this point in time.

He says that Hughes is not comfortable with his stuff right now so he's not starting.

Meintkeiwicz is starting at 1st.

Not sure if Betemit will start against CC. It's an option.

If Wang starts game 1, then he'll get a start at the Stadium. Right now, he's leaning towards Pettitte for game 1.

More to come...

THAT is a very funny story Jim A.

Sometimes we all are idiots, no?

Great info John G.
Thanks "dude" (that was for you "Roy" and "Atticas").

I have on my home office wall this stupid poster of Manny in full Sox uni, grabbing his crotch (adjusting his junk I guess), and sticking his tongue out....the caption reads "Yank this!"...juvenile to be sure...even somewhat offensive, but I cant seem to get myself to take it down.

What can I say?

Only problem I have with this is (and long time bloggers will not be shocked by this) Mussina being in the mix. He has pitched well against horrible teams down the stretch. To me saying that he looks good and comfortable is trying to look for a silver lining during a monsoon. But, given all the off days I don't think he'll pitch much.

Cas-
Yep, my love of the Yankees has made me laugh, cry, throw temper tantrums that my 4 year old couldn't match, stomp through an entire day, smile through an entire day and it has cost me a couple of remote controls but I wouldn't trade it for anything I guess. The Yanks have been good to me.

Not going after the division. he's resting guys for the post season. he feels that they need a blow.

Has had no discussions about his future yet.

The Yanks haven't seen Sabathia in 4 years!

On other teams in post season:

Angels are what they are, Distracting, good pitching, them most important thing they do is if you give them an inch, they'll take the yard.

Red Sox - Like we are. It's like going into a ring and punching it out.

Indians: Explosive. Underated CF and martinez is having a career year. Westbrooke is a grinder who won't give in to you.

Don't know who will manage on Sunday. It may be A-Rod or Posada.

End of report.

You can tell listening to Torre, that he is thrilled with the way this is breaking down.

He sounds like he knows the Angels would kill the Yankees, but can't get by the Sox. And that against the Tribe or Sox the Yankees are even money.

Oh, I know Jim A.

Same here....everything in my office is Sox...bobblehead dolls on the windowsill..I have the Globe, Herald and local paper (Bangor Daily News) front pages from both the ALCS and WS wins framed and on the walls...and of course the afore-mentioned poster, along with other assorted useless Sox crap. My wife rolls her eyes at me every time she enters my "man-cave".

Thanks again John G. and I agree with Joe, and no wonder the guys love him- any manager that arranges for his guys to "get a blow" is my manager!

I've been married for 10 years....does anyone have Torre's cell phone number? I need him to hook me up.

I'd like to see Duncan manage on Sunday. That would be a riot!

LOL Jim A

GREAT COMEBACK!!!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Jim A.,

The problem I have is that Torre says he's "giving the guys a blow." He would not be my first, second, or 1 millionth choice.

I will not, however, frame and put Papelbon's SI cover on the office wall.....

That one is for you Phuck!

I'll tell you what Cas, I'll post pictures of what my friends call my "Yankees Shrine" on my website over the next few days. It'll probably make you barf.
I've been a collector for years. It all started when Thurman Munson autographed a ball for me when I was 12 and I instinctively (okay, my dad screamed at me) not to play with the ball. I still have it and it's my prized possession. I have tons of autographed photos, bats, helmets etc. I go to all kinds of shows and get players to sign stuff. I also send things to my uncle in Florida and he is "Dog the Yankee Hunter" because he can find a Yankee anywhere and he has no problem badgering them until they sign for him. His toughest victim? Willie Randolph, it took him years to get Willie to sign. Never understood that.

Gotta head home, will check in later gang.

For the record:

I said before the season, and again during the season that I think this should be Torre's last season. I stand by that opinion.

Torre is a very good manager, but as I have maintained, these next few years represent a huge turnover for the Yankees. I think every manager, no matter how good he is, faces a point where he has been with a team too long and Torre may have been here a year or two too long already. We saw it earlier this year where he was resistant to calling up the youngsters (Edwar, Shelly) in favor of sticking with some of his guys - As Russo is saying right now, with a young staff especially on the rise I just think it is time for a change.

I am not the first to suggest this but I would love to see JT take them all the way one more time and then gracefully 'retire' with a nice fat consultant contract from the Yanks (to keep him from being snapped up by some other team as manager), and ride in dignity into the sunset as an esteemed senior figure in the organization for which he has done so much. With a nice "JT day" next year the way the Yankees know how to do it.

Chip,

There are a few Yankees that may take issue with you on that, namely
Jeter
Posada
Mo
Damon
and A-Rod to name a few.

I feel that the job is Joe's until he doesn't want it any longer. Name me another manager since you guys were born, that has taken the Yanks to the playoffs every year that he's managed? He has 4 rings and 6 pennants in 12 years.