Congrats to the Yankees on their 27th World Series Championship.  But everyone knows as a Yankees fan that is not a reason to be satisfied.  In the words of the Boss "the quest for 28 begins."  The Yankees have some issues to address this offseason.  Once again starting pitching is at the forefront of these decisions.  The biggest hole will be if Andy Pettitte decides to retire.  Andy was huge for us this October and it would be a large loss if he doesn't come back.  Will Wang be back and if so will he be the dominate Wang or last years awful Wang?  Does Joba stay in the pen or is he a starter in 2010?  Where does Phil Hughes figure into things?  Does he start or remain Mo's setup man?  Will the Bombers jump into the free agent pool and snatch up Lackey?  Will they surprise everyone and sign Ben Sheets?  After pitching Damon and Matsui must be addressed.  Damon is rumored to be looking for a 4 year contract and the Yanks are unlikely to give him more than 2.  Will they be able to come to an agreement?  Damon was awfully big for the Yanks down the stretch.  Matsui the World Series MVP also must be addressed.  Will they be able to come to terms on money that makes sense for a guy with bad knees?  I tend to think Matsui will be back and Damon will be gone.  That leaves a big hole in left field but one that could be solved with my "Holiday" wish.  Bring Matt Holiday to the Bronx.  Could you imagine pitching to Jeter, Holiday, Tex, A-Rod, Matsui, Cano, Posada, Swisher, and Cabrera?  Who would you pitch around?  Holiday would make the Yanks solid lineup a dynasty line up a Murderer's Row type lineup.  No one could match up with that.  And to think we have Austin Jackson in the lineup as our Center Fielder of the future who hit .300 with 24 SB, 65 RBI, and 67 runs scored at AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barro this year.  Its good to be a Yankees fan.

 

The Yanks took a 2-1 lead in the Series led by long balls by Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher, and Hideki Matsui and the Cole Hamels of 2009 didn't look anything like the Hamels of 2008 as the Yanks won 8-5.  The bullpen with the exception of Phil Hughes was much better tonight as Joba and Marte pitched scoreless innings in relief of Andy Pettitte.  The Bombers stormed back after falling behind 3-0 in the 2nd inning on an A Bomb from A-Rod that had to be reviewed that cut the lead to 3-2.  The Yanks went on to lead 5-3 and eventually led 8-4 before Hughes allowed a solo shot in the bottom of the 9th inning with 1 out.  Big Mo came on and recorded 2 outs on 5 pitches as the Yanks took game 3.  Game 4 is tomorrow night and will feature CC vs. Blanton.  

Thank you A.J. for reminding me just why we paid you in the first place because after game 5 of the ALCS I wasn't quite sure I remembered.  Another two inning save for Big Mo in the Series gotta love that guy I sure do.  The Sand Man does it again.  All tied up headed to Philly for the weekend.  I like our chances with Andy going up against the struggling Hamels.  I think the Yankee bats should be able to get to Hamels in a big way.  Another big game for Andy Pettite but I wouldn't have it any other way.  What is going on with the umpiring again today?  This is getting rediculous, I know the economy is bad and all but getting umpires from the school for the blind sure isn't the answer.  And in closing to Pedro Martinez thank you for showing once again WHO'S YOUR DADDY!!!  Go Yanks lets get game 3!!!    

2 home runs by Chase Utley was all Cliff Lee needed as he cruised to a complete game shut out in game 1.  Lee was loose as loose can be on the mound and dominated the Bombers whose lineup looked more like tiny fire crackers that fizzled on this evening.  The bull pen struggled again allowing 4 runs.  Burnett is going to have to have a great game tonight if the Yanks don't want to head to Philly down 2-0 and lets face it at some point in time the pen is going to have to start recording some outs and put up some zeros on the board or this series won't last past Sunday.

I like most Yankees fans have been waiting since 2003 for this moment Game 1 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.  What a match up between the defending World Series Champion Phillies and their AL style lineup going up against the Bombers who are 4 wins away from World Series Ring #27.  CC against Cliff Lee in game one should produce a low scoring, strikeout fest which will be won by the team that blinks first.  I see the Yanks winning game 1 2-1 and the Series 4-2.  Lets hope A Rod can stay hot and keep launching A Bombs.  We need to not let Ryan Howard beat us on the flip side of the coin.  This could be a Series for the ages.  Lets Go Yanks!!! 

The Yankees trailed 9-4 heading into the bottom of the 8th inning in the Bronx Friday night.  The Yankees put up a 4 spot in the 8th to come within one run.  In the bottom of the 9th Mark Teixeira led off with a walk.  Hideki Matsui lined a base hit to left to put the tying run in scoring position and the winning run on first base.  That brought up the Yankees hottest hitter Robinson Cano who ripped a line drive up the middle to load the bases.  Jorge Posada then drove a 3-2 fastball off Angels closer Brian Fuentes into left center to plate 2 and cap off a sensational comeback victory.  This is the type of win that can really get a ball club on a roll.  This Yanks fan is excited as hell about this one.  I have Sinatra playing, and a cold Budweiser in my hand savoring this one.  Start spreading the news...   

The Yanks took a 4-2 lead to the 9th and were one out away from a game 1 victory when Mariano Rivera served up a 2 run bomb to Jason Bay.  Kevin Youkilis ended it with a bomb of his own in the bottom of the 11th against Damaso Marte.  The Yanks left 31 on base and blew two opportunites to blow the game open which cost them in the end.  Game 2 Saturday afternoon will be a showdown of former Marlins as A.J. Burnett will go up against Josh Beckett.  Should be a pitchers duel.  

A.J. Burnett was not stellar but only allowed 3 hits and 3 runs to keep the Yanks close.  Jorge Posada delivered with a 7th inning pinch hit home run that put the Yanks ahead 4-3.  Cody Ransom cleared the bases with a bases loaded double in the 8th to put the Yanks ahead 7-3.  Mariano Rivera nailed it down in the 9th and the Yanks won.  Oakland comes to town tomorrow for a three game set before the Yanks take off for Boston.  

After another miserable outing on Saturday in which Wang gave up 8 runs on 8 hits and didn't get out of the 2nd inning for the second straight game Wangs ERA now sits at a ridiculous 34.50.  He is 0-3 and has pitched just 6 innings in 3 starts allowing 23 runs and 23 hits.  To make matters worse, Wang is out of options so the Yanks can't send him to the minors to figure things out.  What I have figured out is that Wang's stuff absolutely stinks and is getting hit from the Bronx to LA in every outing.  His next scheduled start is Friday night at Fenway.  One would have to think that the Yanks will skip his start in the rotation with an off day on Thursday.  Something has to give here.  Not being able to get through the 2nd two games in a row is extremely taxing on the bullpen.  There is not much more to say about that stinker.  Lets hope the Yanks can even the series in the Bronx this afternoon.  A.J. Burnett will take the ball against former Yanks bust Carl Pavano who drew the most boos on opening day.  A.J. has been sharp in his first season in pin stripes going 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA.  Pavano is 0-2 with a 16.71 ERA.  Lets hope Pavano pitches like he did with the Yanks today and we could have a reverse of yesterdays pathetic game.  Go Yanks!!! 

Starting pitching once again was not very spectacular.  Joba Chamberlain went only 4 and 2/3 giving up 5 runs on 6 hits and walking 5.  Walks seem to be the theme for Yankees starting pitching so far in 2009.  The Yanks were able to overcome the weak effort with 5 home runs.  Damon, Teixeira, Cabrera, Cano, and Jeter all hit solo shots and another run scored on a throwing error to help the Bombers edge the Tribe 6-5 and get their first win at the new Stadium.  Jeter continued his display of clutch hitting in 2009 by putting the Yanks ahead for good with an 8th inning home run to right field off Jensen Lewis.  Mariano Rivera nailed it down in the 9th to earn his 3rd save of the season.  Chien-Ming Wang will take the ball for the Yankees today and hope to improve on his 0-2 start and robust 28.93 ERA.  Wang has been rocked in his first two starts and didn't get out of the 2nd inning against Tampa.  Fausto Carmona will take an 0-2 start and 9.00 ERA to the mound for the Tribe.  This looks to be an offensive type day as neither pitcher has started out well at all.  Lets hope for some more Yankee long balls today and as always Go Yanks!!!