Jeremy Guthrie dug himself an early hole. What would normally be considered almost an insurmountable lead to overcome, visitors are learning that with mediocre pitching and a hitter friendly ballpark, no lead during the late spring and summertime of 2009 is safe. The Yankees jumped all over Guthrie Wednesday night at Cathedral 2.0, taking an early 5-0 lead, and all Phil Hughes had to do what pitch HIS game. Yes, he struck out a boatload of hitters...but was he dominant? I would say anything but.

Hughes barely lasted 5 innings, giving up 3 earned, and 2 home runs. Hughes should've cruised to an easy victory, going 6 or 7 solid, and making a case for his staying in the starting rotation. Instead it appeared to be another in a long line of immature outings for the former top pick of the Bombers, and he's more than likely punched his own ticket back to AAA-Scranton. Chien Ming Wang has looked great in his handful of rehab starts, and is ready to come back to New York for his next scheduled start this weekend.

What saved Hughes and the pitching staff, was that the Yankees' offense came alive. They became the Bronx Bombers of old, crushing everything that appeared to be near the strike zone. Swisher, Cano, and Melky all went yard with Jimmy Jacks, and the contest became one-sided very quickly. It was as close as 5-3 in the 8th inning, before the Yankees broke it open to finish off the Orioles once again, winning 11-4.

The standings are taking on a bit of a change in the AL East. The getting healthy Red Sox have handled the Toronto Blue Jays in the first two matchups, cutting their lead in the East to 1 1/2 games, while the Yankees having won 8 in a row with Wednesday night's victory, are within 2 1/2. Many people still question whether or not Toronto can hang throughout the season, but as I've told fellow competitors in my fantasy league..."It's a long season, and just about anything can happen."

So what happend tomorrow night during the Orioles/Yankees finale in the New Boogey Down? Joba Chamberlain gets another shot at revenge at Aubrey Huff, who took Joba deep during their last matchup, and made sure he knew that he was being mocked, as he did the Joba fist pump while circling the bases. Had it been me, I would've done one of two things...either taken my medicine, and shut my mouth, or I would've earholed Huff the next time he came to the plate. It was right around that time that the Yankees began this streak...perhaps it motivated all of them to shut their mouths and simply win games. We shall see what happens tomorrow night the first time Huff comes to the plate against Joba in the Bronx.

As always, take care, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

I just want to say that Julia and Joe did a wonderful job going back and forth...spewing anger and love for their teams...that's the passion I love to see not just from baseball fans, but fans of any team, so thank you both very much for your recent contributions!

Now, on with baseball business. I know this entry is coming as the Yankees and Orioles are on the field warming up, but I just wanted to make a quick entry so as to not let my loyal readers down. The last place Baltimore Orioles come into the Bronx attempting to snap the momentum of the highest payroll in baseball, a team that has actually been playing above average. Teixiera is appearing to be snapping out of his season starting slump, the starting pitching is keeping the team in the game, and the bullpen has been serviceable.

Young Oriole rookie Brad Bergensen who has shown flashes of dominance takes on the giant man and contract of C.C. Sabathia in the series opener. The Yankees need to keep the winning up to surpass the injured Red Sox, and to gain precious ground on the upstart Toronto Blue Jays. The Bombers shoot for win number 8 in a row tonight, and 9 of their last 11. Baltimore is the type of team that contenders need to get fat on, because the top third of the division will be a blood and guts battle everytime teams matchup.

I do really like the young Oriole lineup...Roberts, Markakis, Scott, Huff, etc. Perhaps Baltimore will quit playing the small market card and bring up their top prospect, Matt Wieters to get his feet wet at the big league level so by the time the young pitching comes together, the everyday lineup will be gelled and hitting stride. The Yankees continue to try and get healthy, as Chien Ming Wang looked dominant in his last rehab outing, and he along with Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, and most importantly, Jorge Posada find their way back to the big club. I personally think that young 23-year old Francisco Cervelli has done enough to keep the backup job to Posada once Jose Molina comes off the disabled list. He is hitting almost .400, shown a rifle for a right arm, and the pitching staff loves working with him. Use Posada 4 days a week, DHing him the other 3 to get Matsui and Nady rest, and continue to let the young Cervelli develop. Send Molina packing.

Check back in tomorrow as I preview Game #2 of the series between the O's and the Bombers, highlighted by the Guthrie/Hughes matchup.

As always, take care, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

Again, as stated before, this is something off the topic of the Yankees and Major League Baseball, yet I find it entertaining and interesting to allow people to voice their thoughts and ideas...here is my friend, Mr. Joe Riccio and his response to loyal reader Julia and his thoughts on the elimination of the Celtics yesterday at the hands of the Orlando Magic, and the advancement of his beloved Lakers into the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets...

Well...then.... I can truly say, because it is backed up on your response via this blog, that I called this one. This was the best thing Celtic fan... I mean...did I want to see your team go to Cleveland and lose by 40+ like you did in April? I, at the very least, want Cleveland to be tested and worn out a little before the real contender extends their cities curse another year. That contender would be the L.A. Lakers a.k.a. we're bored until we get to the Finals.

Boston was a pretender both in the regular season, and in the playoffs this year and I will tell you why. Yeah, they were favored to win it again this year when the 2008-2009 season commenced. Yeah, they actually started 27-2 or something like that. HOWEVER, as the season script wrote itself, so did Boston as they lost something each month (whether a player, their mantra, team identity, or defensive intensity). They were clearly not the same team as they were a year ago even when KG was playing. As I stated on your blog last week, the fire was gone, they missed Posey and PJ Brown, and (you said it) they aged like fine wine - except, wine ages over time - Boston aged a decade in 11 months. Point here - Even with KG, it was NOT happening. Sure, they beat Orlando. Maybe, and I stress maybe, they beat Cleveland (a team that has lost 4 games since the All-star break)... then what? You really think you can stand toe to toe with us? We dispelled your crazy dreams twice already this year, trust me, we would have had no problem doing it again.

Actually, the sick part of me wanted Boston to go all the way to the Finals so we could beat them up some more. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until next year for that.

The question for the Boston fan is not what to say to me right now.... Oh no... The real question is what are you going to do with your team next year. Now, let's get this straight, I don't like you Celtic fan, never have and never will...but did anyone over there consider chopping the contracts of the Big 3 to bring in a Boozer or Milsap type player? Now... let's see which member of the Big 3 is a team playa????

I'm doing fine these days, despite the recent shake up in LALA land. Look...I don't mind being wrong, but I believe LA has this in 5 games. I just don't see it, and have never been a bandwagon junkie (plus the Lakers are my team), but to those who think Denver legitimately has a chance - I'm sorry... don't go putting your house on it (none of you will and something tells me you all know why too) - it ain't happening. It may be sexy for you to say Denver, but let me tell you what I know is fact:

1. Kobe owns the Nuggets and the State of Colorado itself for that matter (hence him going off on the Nuggets averaging 33 ppg this year... not to mention getting off in Colorado District Court, thank god for lawyers);

2. Gasol + Bynum + Odom does not = NeNe + BirdSh*t + Martin (sorry folks);

3. Kobe or Melo? Thank you.

4. L.A. Bench v. Nugget Bench? Thank you.

5. Billups v. Fisher? You got me there.... But guess what? That ain't enough to beat us; and

6. Shane Battier is not on Denver, he's on Houston, and is the best defender Kobe has ever faced (and will face) going forward.

Note: I won't even mention home court.

Oh yeah, I am supposed to be talking about the Celtic's right now. But as I think about it, there is nothing else to say but I hope Paul Pierce can get down to the retirement community in Florida and compare the rims on his wheel chair to his old man's. Listen, I also saw Rondo getting carried off against the Bulls only to laugh it about in a press conference after the game when asked - shenanigans folks.

In closing, it will be nice to hoist another banner in tinsel town, without Shaq and without the site of green anywhere for miles....

(as written by Joe Riccio)

Please feel free to contribute your comments, good or bad to this blog or through my e-mail at westcoastyankees@yahoo.com

As always, take care of yourself, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

Before I start in with today's blog, I just want to let everyone know that in October of 2009, my wife Karri and I will be welcoming our baby boy into the world. This past weekend we went to a place called the Miracle in Progress 3D/4D Ultrasound Studio. My wife and I wanted to know the sex of our little one long before he or she arrived. About 10 minutes into the scan, the technician had to keep trying to wake the baby up, simply because his/her legs were propped up, and crossed. The child was in full chill out mode, and had no desire to assist us in our quest to know the sex. However, after more prodding, the baby finally starting moving around, and just like that, the legs spread, and we could see without a doubt his little junk! Below are a couple of the photos from the scan...

So, with all of that said, the next little Yankee fan is en route and due October 17th! Until then, I must contiune writing about the current incarnation of the Bombers, and what has occurred in the Bronx over the last few days. Three walkoff wins after being down late in all three contests shows that these Yankees sometimes can have some fight in them...and it also continues to frustrate me as to how and why they wait until they are on the ropes before they decide to start making things happen. Hughes, Chamberlain and Burnett all pitched well enough to win, yet the offense continues to sputter. Tonight, it's Andy Pettitte, as the Yankees go for the 4-game sweep and the knockout. It's important that the Yankees gain some momentum, having won 2 of 3, in each of the last two series, because the Blue Jays are still on a roll, and the BoSox are injured.

Brett Gardner pulled a Bambino and promised an ill little girl he'd do his best, and he did! The Baby Bombers continue to make progress as Wang, Bruney, Molina, Marte, Nady, and Posada work their way back towards a return. For once, I would love to see what this team could do healthy. The odds that we as Yankee fans see that in 2009 is marginal at best...keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned!

As always, take care of yourself, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

After the opening game of this vital three-game set with the first place Blue Jays, the Yankees appeared old and disinterested. They appeared as if this Blue Jays team might be last year's Rays. Perhaps they still will be, but after last night's 8-2 win, a win in which Jeter and Matsui were nowhere to be found due to injury, a win in which three less celebrated Baby Bombers not named Chamberlain, Hughes, or Kennedy came through.

These Baby Bombers went a combined 4-11 with several extra base hits, helping the Yankees and Andy Pettitte get back on the right track, winning last night 8-2. Brett Gardner in his return to the lineup, lashed his first big league bomb along with a triple, and Ramiro Pena and Francisco Cervelli filled in the rest-all from the lower third of the batting order.

Yes, Mark Teixiera finally showed some signs of life last night, getting two hits, but it was the young players, along with veteran (even though he too is still very young) Melky Cabrera who provided the spark in the victory last night. Pena has done better than average since filling in for both an injured A-Rod and Jeter. Is he the future at shortstop? Highly unlikely, but it is nice to see a young player come up from the farm and contribute against a division foe.

I still believe in Brett Gardner. I love his speed, I love the spark and enthusiasm he brings to what is normally an old, slow and business as usual group of players. He's hitting .250 as of last night, and even though he needs to get on base more consistently, once he does, he could end up manning centerfield in the Bronx for a dozen years. As for Francisco Cervelli, what else can you say except great job young man! The Yankees promote him to the big club from AA Trenton, and he not only throws out runners with a very strong arm, but he too is hitting right around .270. He could be the next Yankee backstop longterm. We don't know what his power stroke will be (if he even has one), but he drove in his first major league RBI last night. With the legend Jorge nearing the end of the road, the Yankees really have to start looking to the future for the next catcher and shortstop. Cervelli or young prospect picked up over the offseason from Milwaukee, Eric Fryer could end up being the answer.

Regardless, the Yankees got a much needed win last night against a first place team. Now it's time for Sabathia to let Toronto know that until they win the division, this is still a Red Sox/Yankees race. With a win tonight, that will be 4 of 6 heading home to face the Twins over the weekend. The Twins, who were involved in a marathon against Detroit last night, should be reeling and a little worn out by the time they reach the Bronx. Tune in tonight, and check back tomorrow as I review the Yankees/Blue Jays finale from Rogers Centre!

As always, take care, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

Could it have been over before it ever started last night? The Blue Jays fans in Toronto booing like they've never booed before. The feeling of betrayal, the feeling of disgust and anger, and the desire for sweet revenge...all contributing factors in the minds of Blue Jays fans everywhere last night as the Yankees invaded Rogers Centre for the first of three games. I previewed this series yesterday, and predicted that the Jays handle business quite easily, 5-1. And...yes, I know, the final score was 5-1, and the Jays led by early Cy Young favorite Roy Halladay were never challenged.

Halladay was dominant, going the distance, allowing only a handful of hits and one run, all the while picking up his seventh victory of the season. The Jays showed once again why they are in first place in the AL East, and the Yankees are fading quickly. Veteran leadership, timely hitting, and the desire to WIN-all factors in last night's win. The Yankees on the other hand, were without Derek Jeter who has an oblique pull, and the remainder of the team outside of Johnny Damon yet again, looked old and disinterested.

At some point, GM Brian Cashman and Manager Joe Girardi are going to be held accountable for what is going on out on the playing field. Cashman put this geriatric roster together, so he has to go. Girardi continues to make mistakes that Little League and Babe Ruth coaches make when it comes to strategy and basic baseball 101...he too has to go, unless the Steinbrenner's are happy watching another $200 million plus go down the toilet along with another wasted season for players whose sand is already running through the hourglass at breakneck speed.

A.J. Burnett didn't look scared. He just looked absent. He looked uncomfortable, and he like the rest of his Yankee teammates, looked less than interested. For some reason, these 2009 Yankees think they are the 2006 or 2007 Yankees. The ones that fell back in the standings early, only to go on a crazy second half run and secure their postseason birth at the last minute. I hate to be Captain Obvious here, but these aren't those Yankees, and these Yankees only care about the 1st and 15th of every month. Nothing more, nothing less. Yankee pride is dead and gone, and that includes the Captain, Derek Jeter. He is old, can't hit, and is pathetic at best playing shortstop. He needs to move to left, and be done with it. He wants his 3000 hits in pinstripes, then move positions, because Mr. Jeter, you are NOT A SHORTSTOP any longer.

For about 5 minutes coming into this season, I thought perhaps the lack of a postseason last year would remotivate this group to be hungry, to come into 2009 with something to prove, similar to what the '97 Yanks did after getting bounced by the Indians in the Divisional Series. The '98 Yankees, ahh the good old days. For a split second, I thought the 2009 Yankees might care just a little bit. Perhaps wanting to reestablish themselves in Cathedral 2.0, but I was wrong. As I've said in past entries, until this organization is gutted from top to bottom, Yankee fans can rejoice their Hot Stove victories each winter, because in October, they haven't a clue.

As always, take care, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

Okay, now that I'm back to writing about baseball, it's time to get down to business and discuss what could be considered one of the most important weeks thus far in the 2009 season for the Yankees. The Bombers begin a three game set with the AL East leading Blue Jays of Toronto. That's right, the Blue Jays are in first place for those of you that haven't been paying attention. Are they this year's Tampa Rays? Highly unlikely. Why? A lack of quality young pitching to last the entire season, and a group of hitters who are playing so far over their collective heads right now it's disgusting. Unlike the Rays of '08, the Blue Jays of '09 will come crashing back down to earth. Now, for the series preview...

Game #1; A.J. Burnett (2-0, 5.26 ERA) at Roy Halladay (6-1, 3.29 ERA)

This opening series matchup has been anticipated by Blue Jays fans since Burnett opted out of his contract with Toronto following last season, only to see him sign with the Yankees. Burnett credits Halladay for teaching him how to become a pitcher rather than a thrower. Well, tonight at Rogers Centre is the first test, as these two friends go head to head. The Blue Jays attempt to show the rest of baseball that they are for real, as the Yankees attempt to gain back some momentum following their longest losing streak of the Girardi era followed by taking two of three from the Orioles this past weekend.

Burnett has been up and down, showing flashes of dominance, and looking flat out lost in other outings. His downturn began (where else) in Fenway, as he came apart at the seams in a slugfest against Josh Beckett two weekends ago. His last two outings looked better, but not $82.5 million better. He was brought in as the A-2 to Sabathia's A-1, and neither has lived up to that so far in the '09 season. Okay, so Sabathia threw a complete game shutout in Baltimore over the weekend. I'll be happy when I see that against Tampa, Boston, or the Angels. Teams that matter. Not pretenders who are still several years away.

The Blue Jays know Burnett. He knows his former team. The crowd in Toronto should be more than happy to let A.J. know what they think of his defection to the Bronx, and things could get ugly in a hurry for the Bombers if Burnett struggles with this powerful Toronto lineup early. My guess, Halladay goes 8, Burnett 6, Blue Jays win the series opener 5-1.

Game #2; Andy Pettitte (2-1, 4.38 ERA) at Scott Richmond (4-1, 3.29 ERA)

This is where Toronto could have the upper hand. The Yankees have always, and I mean always struggled with pitchers they are unfamiliar with. They tend to be either too complacent, or too overaggressive, making the job easy for the newcomer. This time, the new kid is Scott Richmond, who has looked just as dominant as Halladay so far in 2009. The Yankees counter with Andy Pettitte, who after appearing to have found the circa 1996 fountain of youth in April, reverted back to the 2008 I'm a bum Pettitte that we have grown to hate.

Pettitte once again is walking too many hitters, and not getting that needed strikeout to end a rally. Instead, he allows sac flies and RBI groundouts to hurt his outings. Toronto likes to hit, so Pettitte and the boys could be in for a long night. The Yankee bats probably continue to struggle, as does the bullpen, Blue Jays 11, Yankees 2.

Game #3; C.C. Sabathia (2-3, 3.94 ERA) at Brian Tallet (2-1, 4.95 ERA)

The series finale is probably where the Yankees avoid the sweep. Which Sabathia will we see? Nobody knows at this point, as C.C. is coming off of his best performance not only of the season, but as a Yankee. The Jays counter with Brian Tallet, who had a perfecto going for a good portion of his last outing this past week. He is a reliever by trade, and the Yankees could smell blood in the water early if Tallet struggles with his command. When all is said and done, the Yankees leave Toronto having lost ground in their quest to move into contention in the AL East. Yankees 6, Blue Jays 4.

Game #1 Twins at Yankees
Francisco Liriano (2-4, 5.75 ERA) at Phil Hughes (1-2, 8.49 ERA)

As much as I hate saying it already, this opening game of the weekend series between the Twins and Yankees has quite a bit of importance for the future of young Phil Hughes. After getting the late April callup for the injured Chien Ming Wang, Hughes dominated the powerful Tigers in Detroit and showed some of the promise that has been attached to him since he was drafted out of Mission Viejo High School back in 2004.

However, since that first start, Hughes has looked anything but ready for the Big Leagues, getting overmatched by the Red Sox in the Bronx, and getting flat out bitchslapped by the Orioles this past weekend in Baltimore, giving up 8 earned runs in 1.2 innings of work. I have been loud and clear that I believe Hughes belongs in the rotation, while fat boy drunk Joba Chamberlain should be the 8th inning setup guy. I still believe that Joba should be setting up Mo, but perhaps Hughes needs to return to AAA for the remainder of the season and work on his command. Chien Ming Wang could be rushed back to service if his rehab assignment goes well tonight in Scranton. Hughes may get one possibly two more starts regardless, and the chance he has been given to put Joba back in the bullpen once and for all has been wasted again.

As for Francisco Liriano, he is still one of the most exciting young arms in the game. Yes, his 2009 stats are a reminder of the beginning of last season, but he has also shown flashes of his pre-Tommy John surgery self as well. Five years from now, this could be a marquee matchup, similar to the Burnett/Halladay matchup tonight, but for now, we just have to sit back, and hope that potential doesn't give way to reality on Friday night.

As always, take care of yourself, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

Any of you are more than welcome to e-mail additional comments or responses to any of the blog entries to westcoastyankees@yahoo.com.

Before I post this response, I want everyone to know that this is all in good fun, between a passionate Lakers fan, and a passionate Boston sports fan. I have given my friend Joe the opportunity to respond to Julia's take on my blog entry yesterday regarding indifference and who the true powerhouses in professional sports are. So with that...enjoy something a little different than baseball for the time being....

The Truth: by Joe Riccio

I admire your advocacy for "Your Celtics," and how they were on cruise control last year thanks to Kevin McHale - the real GM of the year in 2008 for making that move for his good old buddy Danny Ainge, but realize, just because Boston has managed to win one championship in the last 23 years, I'm not impressed nor should you be. You bought that team. And the fact that injuries have littered your bench, proves you had no money for anything else...oh wait... Stephon Marbury...no.... Mikki Moore!

The Past:

I appreciate you reminding us how excited you were last year when Boston was winning for the first time in two decades, but guess what? The Lakers have been winning while you have been watching the last 25 years. That is why the Lakers are in the NBA Finals 1 out every 2.5 years and won 3 Championships with 5 Finals appearances in the last decade.

Boston has a great tradition and has won more titles than L.A.; however, L.A. is determined to have a great team year in and year out - Boston is not. From 1987-2007 what did you see? Besides Rick Pitino, Dino Rhadja, Antoine Walker, Dana Barros, Raef Lafrentz, Joe Forte, Joe Johnson (woops) etc.... As for the Big 3 - I have a question for you, does Paul Pierce have a wheel chair perched by his bed at night, or is it by his bathroom?

Did you say Kobe does not make the Lakers? Don't hate on Kobe Bryant please.... the delusional Boston fan again thinking everyone outside of Tom Brady or Terry Francona does not matter.... I guess Tom Brady does not, and has not made the Patriots - Belichick does right? That's why the Patriots were so great despite such a sh@*ty schedule this year right? They couldn't even make the playoffs with that cup-cake schedule. Kobe is the Lakers and is the #1 selling NBA Jersey in the world per a recent update on NBA.com this month. Too bad you won't see it in the Finals this year when you're home in denial swearing the Celtic's would've won had it not been for the KG injury. Not even worth defending Kobe, no one on your team or in the entire league can-so why should I? That simple. Geez... Stick to the facts. One good year and they're back talking again.

The Present:

Did you forget to mention any of the events from this year? Or are you going to discuss last year only. If memory serves me right, we beat you with Bynum, and without Bynum - on your court, and on our court. I do not want to hear KG is out and blah blah blah.... Guess what? Last year, there was NO Bynum. Eye for an eye..... If you're lucky enough to limp by Orlando and miraculously beat Cleveland - we'll be waiting to feed on you.

The Future:

Boston = none. I hope the Boston fans of the world don't think that when KG (all 32 years of him) comes back that the Celtics will retake dominance. I got news for you all - they were far from dominant with him when he played this year. The hardest thing for a champion is to REPEAT. You want to know why? You have tasted it, You have felt it, You have held it - and now that fire has been turned down a notch. That was Boston this year, you know it and you can't defend against it. You have not repeated in over 20 years and as it looks right now, it will be another 20 years before it happens again.

Lakers = promise. Young, deep, best closer on the planet and proven historic motive to win no matter what year it is or what players they have. We have been active with trades, in the draft, and in worldwide competition with Pau and Kobe. The best #1 and #2 compliment there is. Despite their abysmal effort on Mother's Day.

P.S. I only talk trash when I see it...

~written by Joe Riccio

Again, I try to bring things to the blog that are interesting and provoke dicussion, whether it is heated, or laughable. I hope everyone enjoys this exchange, Julia, you are more than welcome to email me a response to Joe's views, and I will post your thoughts and feelings as well!

I will be back later today with a week that is coming preview between the Yankees and Blue Jays, and the Yankees and Twins!

As always, take care, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

Hello to everyone in Yankeeland, and baseball land for that matter. I took a few days away from the blogosphere to collect my thoughts, watch the Yankees/Orioles series this past weekend, and reviewed what exactly is wrong not only with the Yankees, but another proud franchise in another sport...the Los Angeles Lakers!

I had a discussion earlier today with a friend of mine, a guy who is as passionate about his team, as I am about mine. The difference is his team is now playing for their collective season lives, and mine continues to find ways to lose rather than find ways to win. My buddy Joe, he is a Los Angeles Lakers fan. Over the last few days, he has experienced the highs and lows that come with postseason play. Let's review: Lakers get manhandled in Game 1, come back, handle business in Games 2 and 3, not to mention the opposing team, the Houston Rockets, lose their best player Yao Ming for the remainder of the playoffs (what's new though right?).

My friend Joe stated today that for the first time, he is embarrassed to be a Lakers fan. I too have had many of those feelings, but as I told him today, the Lakers and the Yankees are not that much different. Both have arguably the best player in the sport on their roster (Kobe, A-Rod), the teams are both built to wins World Championships NOW, not later. Yet without Yao, the Lakers found yet another way NOT to WIN, similar to how the Yankees have played since Game 4, 2004 ALCS. The picture below could describe both Dr. Jerry Buss and Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak just as easily as it could describe Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi...

Joe and I are an awful lot alike as Laker and Yankee fans. We are both passionate not only about our teams, but the games of basketball and baseball respectively. We are both passionate about maximum effort guys, and care more about the logo on the front of the jerseys than we are the names and numbers on the back. For the Lakers, it's Lamar Odom, for the Yankees it's, well take your f***ing pick. Do you know what makes Joe and I want to jump out of a 10th story window? Indifference. That's right. Simply not caring. Collecting your paycheck, and going home. Not taking the fact that the last two times the Lakers have made the NBA Finals, they were less than impressive, same with the Yankees. Humiliated by far inferior talent in both championship round matchups, and two less rings and banners for the respective franchises.

Some might argue that the Celtics are more on par with the Yankees than the Lakers are. I disagree. The Lakers want to win, and will do whatever it takes not to make losing a habit. You might say, they try to buy titles, as is the argument for the Yankees. Yes, the Celtics bought Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to go along with Paul Pierce, but the Lake Show has not drafted all of their talent either. For the Lakers, it's lack of hustle and lockdown defense, both of which helped them lock up one of the best records in the league heading into the playoffs. For the Yankees, it's once again no bullpen, and failing to do what must be done to ensure long term success. Yes, that means putting the fat toad Chamberlain at the back end of the bullpen. That means guys who are paid to hit (A-Rod, Teixiera, Matsui, etc.) actually hit. It means using the power arms in the system to rebuild the Stanton/Nelson/Rivera/Wetteland bridge that began the run of 4 titles, and 6 pennants. The Lakers need someone besides Mr. Bryant to grow a set of stones and decide that winning really does matter.

For Laker fans, just as us Yankee fans, anything short of a World Championship is simply looked at as a failure. Making to the postseason, winning the division, making it to the Finals or the Series and losing-simply not an option in our worlds. Too much money and time has been dedicated to cause to accept anything else. Call us Laker and Yankee fans spoiled, call us the problem, rather than the examply. Call us what you want, but in reality, not many teams (outside of Boston anyways), aren't envious of our resources, our tradition, our expectations of success every season, and finally, the championship pedigree that each organization holds.

Best wishes to the DiMaggio family, as the last surviving brother of the Yankee Clipper, Dom, passed away this past weekend. He was a great player, a great Red Sox, and a great example of a true professional baseball player when professional and personal pride mattered everytime they stepped on the field.

As always, be good, take care of yourself, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

That's right! I said it. Be excited Yankee fans. You are the ones who kept emailing me and telling me that I was overreacting the the Yankees' performance over the last season plus and that Girardi and Cashman would get everything straightened out. It finally dawned on me last night, that this organization is as rotten to core from top to bottom as a 10 year old corpse. Hey wait, the Yankees are a 9 year old dead corpse. Okay, I was close.

Listening to Michael Kay, Ken Singleton and David Cone piss their collective pants over the fact that Joba Chamberlain was so "dominant" last night made me want to throw my remote through the television set. Dominant? I did see Joba get slammed for 4 runs and 5 hits in that first frame didn't I? Wasn't that enough to WIN THE BALLGAME after only 1/2 of an inning? Yeah, it was. Granted, Joba bounced back and looked good. Not great, good.

Kay, Singleton and the rest of YES need to stop the ******** now. I know they are the Yankees' bought and paid for network, but enough already. When are the Yankees going to get it through their collective heads that Joba Chamberlain will NEVER BE a dominant starter. I don't care that since his and I quote Kay on this "...first start last season, he has the 5th best E.R.A. in baseball, and the rest of those guys ahead of him are pretty darn good." You know why those guys are good? They've done it over and over and over. In the regular season and the postseason. Does the fact that Nationals lefty Joe Beimel having a 1.53 E.R.A. qualify him as an elite closer in the National League? Hell no. Joba is the same way. Again, he is an adrenaline junkie who thrives on being pumped. He is worth far more to the YANKEES as the 8th inning setup guy to Rivera than he is once every 5th day, 30-35 times per season.

Last night, the Yankees' broadcasters were discussing how Joba and his Dad have it in their hearts that Joba is going to be a starting pitcher because that's what he's always done. What is this? The Dalles Little League circa 1989? I remember another guy not so long ago that really, really wanted to be a starting pitcher. The team he played for was a World Series contender, and their rotation was good, not great, and the only hole on the roster was as a closer. This young man kept insisting that he be in the rotation. The manager simply explained that his talents would serve the team better as the closer. The young man reluctantly agreed, and here we sit a couple of years later, and this guy is arguably one of the most dominant closers in all of baseball. The team? The Boston Red Sox. The guy? Jonathan Papelbon. As I said yesterday, the Yankees need to take a page, hell the entire book and remake the Yankees from top to bottom in the likeness of their hated rivals, who are now 5-0 against them this season.

 The Yankees knew coming into this season, that the bullpen could be a problem spot. What did they do to correct it? Put Joba in the rotation, and told Bruney that he was the 8th inning setup guy. Ooops, Bruney is hurt, again! I like a bullpen of Veras, Coke, Ramirez, Chamberlain, Alfredo Aceves, and Rivera. I like a rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettitte, and Hughes. It isn't rocket science here Yankee fans. It's common sense, and until the powers that be (whoever the hell that might be in Yankeeland now) grow a set of stones and say enough is enough, and clean house from top to bottom, bring in qualified baseball people to remake this once proud franchise, overhaul the minor league and scouting departments, and shed the aging contracts in favor of "baseball players", the Yankees will continue to sit in limbo, while teams like Boston and Tampa and Toronto, and yes, very soon Baltimore figure things out and continue improving.

As always, take care of yourself, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!

It seems alot longer than 9 years. 9 long years since the Yankees last hoisted the World Series Trophy high above and claimed it as their own. The Yankees were on top of the baseball world for the 4th time in 6 seasons, and the latest dynasty showed no signs of slowing down. Then a funny thing happened along the way. The transition from Gene Michael to Bob Watson to Brian Cashman began to show the signs of a rotted out core.

The players that the last dynasty were built upon had gotten old for the most part. Paul O'Neill would leave after the '01 disaster, as would Tino Martinez, the steady Scott Brosius. All gone. Replaced with the latest and greatest high priced talent Cashman could buy. What Stick Michael and Watson understood, was that you didn't have to have the best player at each position to win a World Series. You only needed to have the best TEAM.

The Yankees showed yet again last night why the Boston Red Sox are the model of consistency and success as the decade comes to a close. Everything from their steady, yet smart manager Terry Francona, to the gritty and never say die attitudes of Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis. What do the Yankees have? An aging captain who looked his age more than once last night with a little water on the ground...an over the hill can still hit but can't run or catch catcher who coincidentally, pulled up lame running the bases again last night. A backup catcher that made Bill Buckner look qualified to be fielding ground balls. A manager who did his best to fire up a bunch of overpaid pansies, yet he himself has no business being employed as the manager of this team.

The Red Sox are the model for which the Yankees need to look at, and become. Rather than allowing Johnny Damon to continue to embarrass himself out in left field, simply bench him. Bring up the next young outfielder and get him some experience. Yes, that would be Austin Jackson for those of you not in the know. It's time for management to make a decision about the future of there once great shortstop, and then have the balls and backbone to tell him HE is no longer capable of manning the position...even if that means simply switching he and A-Rod when he comes back from hip surgery. It means telling Joba Chamberlain this is not about him becoming the next great starter but the next great setup man to get the game to Mo Rivera. The answers are so obvious it's sickening. Why is recently acquired Eric Fryer not on the fast track to replace an old and brittle Jorge Posada?

This is the issue: The Yankees are more involved in their past than their future. It's about making sure Jeter gets to 3000 hits, that Posada's legacy is right there with Munson, Berra and Dickey. Here's an idea and a clue...it's not about any of those things! It's about winning world championships, and I am sick and tired of watching the Steinbrenner's throw their money at has beens, and then not have the stones to cut them loose when they no longer are productive (Damon, Molina, THE ENTIRE BULLPEN OUTSIDE OF RIVERA, Matsui). The Red Sox win a title, they make changes. They win another title, they incorporate the next up and coming stud from the farm. Don't believe me? Watch and see how much longer a guy like David Ortiz is wearing a Red Sox uniform if his production contiunes on it's current pace! Now, let's review what happened last night in the New Boogie Down...

During the 1st inning of last night's game, I swore we were back in Fenway Park, and Joba Chamberlain was on the mound again. Why? Hughes throws a pitch that should have been handled by the catcher (Molina yet again), and it gets by him, the pitcher (this time Hughes) forgets to cover the plate, and he looks like a moron trying to recover, only to let the run score. Just like last weekend, same song, this verse same as the first. Fundamentals are seriously lacking with this group of Yankees. How many times last night did Derek Jeter look about 50 years old instead of 34? Too many to count. Too many infield hits that a younger, more agile shortstop would've handled. The last time a team won the World Series with a shortstop as old as Jeter was back in 1980 and the guy was named Larry Bowa.

Hughes pitched well enough, giving up single runs in each of the first four innings. The Yankee bats were dead as usual. I was looking at the lineup last night and was simply sickened. Jeter still hitting leadoff? Really? Angel Berroa still playing third? Really? Molina behind the plate? Really? Again? What a joke. The one bright spot in the Yankees bullpen was the re-emergence of Alfredo Aceves, who appears to be the leading candidate to be the long man out of the pen. At least he should be. Red Sox starter Jon Lester looked good, but not great. He could've been had. Mark Teixiera finally performed somewhat up to par, hitting two bombs last night, but then again he did strike out when the Yankees had closer Papelbon on the ropes in the 9th inning.

The Yankees looked like who they are...a mediocre team that fails to do the simple things to win ball games. I know, they took 2 of 3 from the Angels this past weekend, which was great. But they are now 0-4 against the only team that really matters. I said before the season started that Tampa was a joke, and they are. Toronto doesn't have the pitching and hitting to keep going at the rate they are. It will come down to two teams...the Yankees, and the team that is 4-0 against the Yankees in 2009. A-Rod is reportedly close to a Friday return, but he has stuggled in his minor league rehab assignment. The rotation led by C.C. Sabathia is still one of the worst in the league. Burnett all of a sudden looks like C.C., and Pettitte has reverted back to the Pettitte of last year. Combine that along with Wang (injured and ineffective) and Chamberlain (fat and overrated), and the Yankees are in trouble. The bullpen is a mess. There is no bench depth. The lineup is piece meal at best, and there are no signs of things getting better anytime soon.

I said it last year, and I'm saying again for the umteenth time in 2009. Perhaps another missed postseason will be what it takes for the new boss (not nearly as impatient as the old boss) to lose his cool, fire Cashman and Girardi, and bring back the people that made the Yankees the once proud dynasty we have grown accustomed to seeing every decade or so. If the Steinbrenners need a user's guide on how to build a champion the right way, they need only to look to their rivals to the North in Boston...

As always, take care, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!