Can anyone who saw the games give a review of Sheffield's progress at the plate?

On a lighter note, they loved Abreu's and Matsui's home runs. Damn, Bobby put a fine swing on his shot. That was gorgeous.

He's still finding his way at the plate (timing wise) and in the field (footing wise), but is progressing pretty quickly in my opinion. Still, I think it's dangerous to count on him at first in the playoffs. I think he's a better DH/PH option.

All season I've maintained a Forest Gump, life is like a box a' chocklits thinking about Unit. You never know whacher gonna git, and all that.

If anything, Unit's balky back reenforces my thinking that Lidle and Villone should not be on the postseason roster, and I doubt those guys can do anything at this point to change my perception of them as dangerous to the Yankees cause. Villone's arm is burnt toast, and Lidle is a shaky number five. Rasner and even Karstens are better options for long relief/spot start/garbage time at this point, in my opinion.

And I guess you're right about him progressing more slowly, than quickly as I wrote in 3. He's been facing Devil Rays pitching, not exactly the stuff he'll be up against next week.

Glad to see that Wang is going to be the #1 starter in the post season. Good duel between him and Santana.

re: Unit. Does his suddenly (revealed) creaky back really change who the '06 Yanks are? If he pitches 12 days from now, as he says he will -- if he just shows up for Game 3, the Yanks are in the same situation they've been in all season long, not knowing which Unit is going to appear.

The addition of Abreu may not stop the Yanks recent trend of getting shut down in the postseason, (as you state) but the additional, er, additions of Damon, improved Cano, improved Jeter, better Bernie, etc. make that less likely.

From the Providence Journal:

Francona's remarks [about the coaching staff] have set off speculation about the job security of some of the existing coaches. In particular, given some growing disenchantment on the part of some vereran players with hitting coach Ron "Papa Jack" Jackson, it will be interesting to see if Jackson is invited back for a fourth season in the Red Sox' dugout... A number of Red Sox veterans have complained about Jackson's inability to break them out of slumps.

For as good as Oakland's pitching is, their lineup leaves much to be desired.

His bat is too awesome to be on the bench as a pinch hitter. I know we all ove Melky, but the Yankees do not have as good a chance to win with him getting regular AB's over Sheff.

Honestly, I hope Cash doesn't re-sign him because we've seen that Joe will use him all wrong. I more excited by the following OF:

Damon
Matsui
Abreu
Melky
Thompson

And if they went with that I'm cool with Shef as a 1B/DH/OF. Then they would have gotten younger and faster and with solid OF defense. Plus, if they suffer another injury they have lots of redundancy. Thompson taking the 5th OF is an upgrade from Bubba to start this year and Bernie as more valuable than simply a RH hitter off the bench.

The tough decision for Bernie is whether he thinks he has something left. I'm sure another team would take a chance, especially at 2 million. But it will be up to him on whether to take it. A championship would also help him retire a Yankee, I'm sure

I always wonder how much finances play into this. Like, did the guy blow all his money and he's just sticking around so he can keep getting the big league check?

Okay, that I made up.

I don't think it has anything to do with money either, mostly competitive pride, and wanting to add to his MLB leading postseason RBI/HR resume.

IMO, Bernie just loves the game, and loves being around this team. He's been through too many good times and great moments just to walk away. Unlike guys like Paul O'Neill & Brosius, Bernie was here when things were at their worst - he was here for Stump Merrill, nuff said.

If I was Bernie, I'd be sticking around for as long as they'd allow me to.

Unit's problem, to me, demonstrate the upside of having Rasner on the PS roster, but why do I still think Torre will have Lidle instead?

13 I think Bernie's decision will be based on how they do in the PS. He will retire with another ring. It's always better to leave on the high note, the Yankees fans will forever remember and love him fondly. Let's just cross our fingers and hope they'd do it! ......I saw Sliced's post in 14 after I finished typing...

The real issue, at this point, in my opinion, is not Sheff or Bernie but that Unit will be here for another year.

The reason I have mixed feelings about his comeback is that I would like to see a youngster get the 5th outfield spot. I think one of the reasons the vets on the team showed such life and professionalism this year was the presence of the youngsters on the team. If KT is the 5th that's great as it would be if Sardinah, Christian, Duncan (Shelley) or Gardner were given a chance to fill that role.

If he does retire I see a glorious May afternoon in 2007 on which we hold Bernie Williams Day at Yankee Stadium. There'll be Whole Lota Love that day.

Gardner I see as another year away. S.Duncan and Christian I'm not convinced can hit enough.

As for Bernie Williams Day, I'm surprised he haven't had a Paul O'Neil Day yet. I think they've held #21 out of circulation but maybe I'm wrong.

With Mauer and Morneau's bats in the line up, I think that Twins will be a challenge for the Yankees. However, I am confident that the Yankees can win the pennant.

I'm pleased that the White Sox missed the playoffs. I was tired of them the day after they won the World Series.

I think you're right. I wonder who makes those decisions. No doubt the equipment manager has a great view of Yankee history. But at some point I have to imagine someone makes the final calls on whether/when to release iconic numbers (#21 and #45) for circulation.

This year, the team is rested and younger (sparkplug Melky, a seasoned Cano, Cy Wang, Everyday Proctor, and fireballer Bruney), plus deeper offensively (thank you Bobby Abreu).

Where as last year we couldn't rely on a tired starting offense to carry the team, I think this year we may see a very different post season Yankees team -- rested, more focussed, and seemingly driven to win it all this time.

I have a lot more faith in the 2006 Yanks then I have had in any Yankee team since 2001.

I saw Sardinah a couple of times this year in June. His swing looked really loooong. I read in Pinstripes Plus that he had shortened it up and that he had raised his concentration level which may be code for "he got his ass in gear". In any event he put himself in the picture with his late season run.

#2
#20
#42
#51

#21 make it? Anyone else?

(And sorry meant #46 in 31)

34 Of course, let me add #6 too. No doubt.

Amen to that...Amen to that...

34 You don't think #6 will make it?

The day when someone chose that #2 for Jeter, man, wasn't that person wise?

Anyone know the story of how Jeter ended up with #2? Did he ask for it? If so, wow was that presumptuous! If not, how insightful! I mean he's the guy that restarted the Old Clipper magic on and off the field. He ends up with a single digit which perfect represents that, especially because his best years have been in the 2 hole just like the way the original numbers were set.

Yankees are going to need to go to triple digits in about 10 years, I guarantee it.

I don't see any problem with giving 24 or 46 to any player where it seems appropriate. Neither number is all that hallowed.

I doubt that 20 will be retired, but 6 will be.

They didn't do too well with #51 or #42 though, no? Jorge's taken #20 and made it his Yankee bitch.

Torre must have had a say with #6 though. Me, that would have been a great Jorge number. Too bad Martin got #1 - overated as a manager and as a player. That would have been a great CF Henderson type if he ever comes along.

Jorge isn't a particularly beloved Yankee and that's probably what holds him back. But in his time with the team he's consistently been in the top three of catchers. Another ring or two could certainly help.

I agree that it was a mistake to retire #1; also #9, #10, and #32.

45 Jorge's got more of a personality, I guess. I've always been one of Jorge's big fans regardless of his number. While Bernie's # 50 is a bit strange, Mo's #42 turned out to be interesting since he's the only who's allowed to carry that number in MLB.

48 Excellent!