I say all of that in part because, like Emma, I'm speechless about the rest. Just incredible, Phelps, Posada, Damon, Jeter, Abreu should get their props, but Rodriguez . . . he's a folk hero now (who'da thunk it just three weeks ago?). We'll be telling our kids/grandkids about this. Just the two walk-off shots within the span of a week and a half alone . . .

Move over Papi, here comes Alex . . .

http://podcast.wfan.com/wfan/412133.mp3

Posada, with Rodriguez, has been carrying this team this year.

How can you say enough about the 2007 Cacillac Abreu? Smooth. Powerful. Comfortable. Quiet.

A-Rod. Good God, I'm truly more happy for him than anything else. More than the win, which was very much needed and appreciated, I'm happy for him. Fu#k yeah, Alex Rodriguez!

Another injured Yankees pitcher, right-hander Humberto Sanchez, had
elbow ligament-replacement surgery Wednesday and will miss the rest of
the season.

Cashman said Dr. James Andrews operated Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala.
While three scans didn't show ligament damage, Cashman said the need
for ligament replacement became clear when Andrews operated
Wednesday.

Sanchez was among the prospects obtained from Detroit in November's
trade of Gary Sheffield to the Tigers.

We'll see. Should be a fun weekend, in any case. Once more into the breach.

Chance of winning? 0.2%
http://xrl.us/vt64

Awesome, awesome win.

Is Allen Barra still worried?

I've been teaching my 16-month-old daughter to give me a high five everytime a Yankee hits a home run, or makes a good play in the field, or comes through in 'the clutch', whether we're watching the game live or the highlights. She loves giving high fives, so I think its safe to say A-Rod is her favorite player. =)

I think he's become my favorite, too.

The site also said: games: 1971
1977-2006 (inclusive) is 30 years
30 years x 81 Homes games = 2,430 games.

3 wins in 2430 games = approx 0.0012
or once every 810 games
Now that its happened 4 times =
4 / 2430 = 0.00166
or once every 607 games.

When I ran it for the visiting team, it said ZERO wins... so the odds are actually half of whats stated above?

Maybe I'm wrong, but that sites numbers look off.

It also shows that when the visiting team has 2 outs, bases empty, down by 4 in the top of the ninth, they've apparently never won.

It was amazing: A-Rod has truly been given another chance by the fans. They cheer him more loudly than any Yankee, they don't boo at all. When he missed a fly in the stands because of a fan, the rest of the fans wanted the interferer's throat. All for A-Rod. The guy is something else right now, but the fans love him. Had it been him who hit the homer Giambi hit, a curtain call woulda come around. No such call for Giambi.

I'm going to bed now. My throat hurts from screaming during the game. Good night.

http://tinyurl.com/23j2tl

This may be blasphemy, but I feel more love for ARod here now, then I did for Jetes at his highest point last year. Is it just because ARod hits HRs, or has this guy wormed his way into our hearts?

I think we are happier for ARod then for the Yankees winning. (Don't get me wrong, I love it when the Yanks win, but you get my drift).
It's almost like there is Karmic balance now.

I rally like the guy. I did also when he was doing poorly, but it was painful to watch. This is a guy who's biggest crime is having his foot in his mouth.

We are witnessing history here.
We are watching a real star.
I don't think I've ever looked forward to the next Yankees game as much as I do now.

37 I was 10, in 1965 when I became a Yanks fan. (So I'm an OldYanksFan as opposed to an AcientYanksFan). 1964 was the last year Mick hit .300 and over 30 HRs. He couldn't overcome injuries after that, and I think basically played out the last years simply to reach 500+ HRs. So I never really saw the great ballplayer, but I did get to witness the legend.

I came across this and was surprised at some of the names.
All-time Career OPS

Barry Bonds ------ 1.051 4
Todd Helton ------ 1.023 6
Manny Ramirez --- 1.011 8
Frank Thomas ---- 0.990 10
Lance Berkman --- 0.983 11
Mark McGwire ----- 0.982 12
Jim Thome -------- 0.974 16
Vladimir Guerrero- 0.972 17
Alex Rodriguez --- 0.958 20
Jason Giambi ----- 0.954 21
Carlos Delgado --- 0.948 22

Todd Helton 6th? Manny is 8th. Didn't know Berkman was THAT good (at 11th) and ARod at 20th.

Seamus and I were certainly on the same wagon train when A-Rod did his thing. Wowzers. Well, I got a root beer out of the deal from 3GYF, so I'm content. Plus A-Rod has proven me so right thus far: "Hit the ball, catch the ball, throw the ball, eat the ball, tell 'em to kiss your behind if necessary, play the game." Copyright 2006 by Chyll Will, you have my permission to quote me in the morning news. Yummy...

Berkman is one that creeps up on you, but he is awe-inspiring in long stretches. The thing that boosts half of those guys is the incredible walks that they take every year. A-Rod walks "a lot" while Bonds, Thomas, Giambi, and others walk "A LOT". Guerrero is just that good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF-O0f4lWSo

To my eyes, Manny's hitting star burned a bit brighter, but Arod's will burn much longer.

Meanwhile, I love O'Neill just laughing in the background of the YES clips. Fun times.

Well, except for the news on Sanchez. Another reason why young pitchers can't be counted on. Some would say that's why you acquire 16 of them - so four work out. Or you acquire 16 position players and watch 8 work out. Even a balance would have been nice. And me, I liked the Shef deal. Still wish we never saw Minky. But with all RHP in Boston, I'm afraid that it will be a few more weeks before Phelps gets a legit shot. That's just the Tea M.O.

3 IP and 7 K!? And he's 21 yo?

I was busy walking mine during the sixth run ninth. Mine's a big Ohio State fan -- because that's where they did his surgery, at a discount.

Woo hoo.
Pettitte for 8 tonight, save #1 for Mo.

One other interesting note was that three consecutive pitchers earned their first major league victory (Wright, Igawa and Henn). Sure it'd be nice to have the old guys back, but I think that's pretty neat.

35 I agree with you. It's not a slight on Jeter, but Arod's well documented "struggles" and the unfair treatment he has received could actually wind up catapulting him in popularity among "real" Yankees fans. As someone who has defended him throughout, it makes me very happy to see him actually reach a level of awesomeness that so many have unfairly expected and demanded. It's almost like Alex has said, "what do I need to do? Walk on water? Fine…I'll do it." In some weird way, the cathartic experience of rooting for Arod among the louts and bores who pour booze in and boos out has allowed me to vicariously enjoy his success in some small extra way. I am sure several other Yankee fans feel the same way.

As for Jeter, he is so steady, secure and stoic that he has become more of an object of admiration and less a cause for adulation. I don't think feeling "more love" for Arod is a knock on Jeter; it's just that the Captain doesn't really need it.

50 Losing Sanchez to TJ is a bummer, but back in 1992 the Yankees had this guy named Rivera who also underwent TJ surgery. After a season of rehab, this Rivera kid gained 10 mph on his fast ball and went on to have a pretty nice career. Perhaps a similar future is in the cards for Sanchez? Who knows, in 2009 the Yankees may have a pitcher waiting in the wings to take over as the team's closer?

You bet.

Re: Sanchez

Any of alot of kids could be the closer in 2009. But none will replace Mo. He's the greatest of all time.

Me, I would have just liked a decent 1B - last year even. I'll pray that Torre puts in Phelps tonight.

Meanwhile Jorge has played in every game so far. I suppose when Wil Nieves is the backup you don't have much of a choice if you're Tea.

Okay, I'll stop now.

Pretty sad that Minky is patrolling Gehrig's 1B.

What? I'm just sayin'.

I don't mean to get JD on another BUC rant, but it is amazing that Wil Nieves is the best option.

Tommy John was able to bounce back from his surgery, and helped the Yankees win a title. Let's wait & see what Sanchez does in spring training next year. Maybe he'll pull a John Smoltz and relieve for a couple of years to build back arm strength.

The Mets actually have a very good BUC in Ramon Castro. He is exactly what the Yankees need.

But Cairo has played the OF "everywhere he's been".

Meanwhile I've now fixated on Chris Carter as the obvious "why didn't the Yanks get him?" 1B:

http://tinyurl.com/yv6nfx

So he's 24, hit everywhere he's been, and stuck behind Conor Jackson in AAA. What's not to love? Even if his glove isn't great, he's still got an upside. Plus he absolutely crushes RHP - that's a platoon with Phelps.

60 Lieberthal was available. And if they were more on top of things they could have signed Zaun in a very brief window.

Still I agree with with 59. Cashman though doesn't.

Also, the socuting report on him is that he is a very poor defender who is slow and has a weak arm. Who does that sound like. There's no need to go out and get a Giambi-like defender when you already have the real thing!

Me, I'd rather have a 24 yo Hafner maybe than a 35 yo Minky definitely.

5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 8 K, 2 SV

7.1 IP 5 H 0 BB 5 K

That's what made the the Unit trade so disgusting in my mind. The D'backs had a few 1B's and two potential BUC's. To end up with more pitching was plain dumb, esp when not a month later they sign Minky and Cairo and later still Todd Pratt.

68 The two aren't mutually exclusive. Plus they gave Juan Miranda $1 million this off-season. Anyone think he'll amount to anything?

Jeff Mathis is still raking in AAA. Jeff Clement not so much.

The point is it's okay to make some moves to aniticpate needs. Not wait until they're blackholes (see again, CF 2003-2006). Now two years to find a 1B?

Meanwhile, Jorge gets run into the ground.

By the way, if you want to see mashing in the minors, check out Shelley Duncan's early numbers.

Still I think ALS Gehrig of '39 would be better option at 1B than Minky.

Sort of like a drunk Mantle would have been better than Crosby in 2005.

Pronk was also two years older at 25 when he had that season. If Carter has a similar year, he's one year ahead.

Meanwhile, how's this for a mL comp:

Pronk: 2343 AB .297 .407 .513
Carter: 1331 AB .307 .396 .526

Like I said, I rather a Hafner-maybe than a Minky-definitely.

Further, if Carter is really bad at defense, then the D'backs have even less use for him.

That's hogwash. Everybody is available for the right price. And if the D'backs were willing to send two AAA starting pitchers, a AAA starting SS, and a ML RHRP, they most certainly would have sent a AAA 1B and change.

What is with people? I know I'm an obsessive, but to assume the only solution was Minky and defend it?

Just dumb choices - really dumb. Now let me stew in my cave!

I presume that Cash brought up catchers when returning Unit to sender, but that the D-Backs, who maintained a much stronger negotiating position than the Yanks had two years ago, said no way.

Of course, the reality remains that the only reasonable catching prospect in the system is 16 years old, and unless Posada pulls an age-defying act of Carlton Fisk proportions, the team will need someone to fill the gap. I find it hard to believe that Cash isn't constantly monitoring the landscape for catcher opportunities. As he demonstrated with the Abreu trade, he can keep a good poker face.

It's love-hate with Rodruigez: Boos will become cheers in '08

The entire article is Gerry Callahan indulging in faux poetry, waxing eloquent about A-Rod's lips. Callahan is certain that A-Rod will opt out and sign with Boston, because clearly Boston is the place he wants to be.

The link (if you need a laugh).

http://tinyurl.com/ywvybw

Let's go Yanks.

I will say this about our current BUC, he has to be the worse in the Cashman-Torre era. I will not give Cashman any grief because, as Cliff stated, they had Zaun signed.

The worse is when Miekcizkeizkckdz and Nievas are in the lineup together. They have to be the exact opposite of Gehrig and Ruth.

But you can't give Cash props for an almost signing. Then they do nothing!? It's like signing Kelly Stinnett in November and calling it problem solved.

Me, the worse was Cairo in LF, Minky at 1b, and Nieves at C. Just ugly.

Meanwhile, Jorge has played every game. And Minky is 13 of 14.

At least everyone in the infield has stayed healthy.

Carter's numbers simply do not jump off the page to the point that he should have been targeted by Cashman. Also, let's wait and see what happens with Ohlendorf first. Maybe he'll wind up being traded as part of a package to Texas for Texiera? If that happens, then how would you feel about the deal?

I'd also be a little leery of Arizona 1B prospects...from Travis Lee to Jack Cust, they always seem to have great 1Bmen in the minors who never seem to adapt to the majors. Maybe playing in Tucson has something to do with it?

Finally, let's say that Carter has another great season in the minors and does become Travis Hafner? Well, it took Hafner until 27 to become Pronk. Assuming that Carter only needs one more year to emerge as a hitter good enough to carry his glove, then how does that solve the Yankees' Minky problem? They'd still need someone to play 1B this season and would have wasted a trading chip (RJ) on a potential all hit/no field 1B. That doesn't sound like a great strategy to me.

I understand what you are doing...Minky is such a weak option that almost anyone seems better. Still, it's a stretch to pick out a guy who is hot in the early going at AAA and think he is the answer.

-- Just joshing with you Jim. but I am a bit more worried about our starting rotation than a guy who's going to play once a week. Plus, if the Yanks 1-6/7 hitters don't get the job done against a pitcher, I don't see a Minky replacement making much of a difference.

Correction: Any other option would have been better.

I'm just fixating on one guy, but Carter could have been a platoon-mate for Phelps. A legit youngster with upside. None of this Andy Phillips at 28 yo crap. A legit youngster.

And more, he's just a reposnse the whole "Prove Conor Jackson was available!"

The point is: There are enough young, cheap, and decent 1B's that they only answer is Cashman didn't want one. He got his Minky.

Meanwhile, I'm not convinced that Teixeira isn't declining. And with Boras as his agent, they're going to trade a bunch to get him then give him a huge contract? That doesn't make much sense.

Sorry, but it makes every bit of a difference. Look at how many rallies Nieves and Minky have killed already - even just Minky.

You can't just throw away one slot in the order. Because you never know when a hitter there might be needed.

And it's not like I'm saying they should have gotten Sexson or Helton (though that would have solved the problem).

Just that anything would have been better than Minky. And we didn't need the last two and half weeks to see this.

Same goes for Nieves and Cairo. Just disgusting.

Hey ric, maybe Borowski should have tried something more like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df4G5Jx4Q_E

One word: vaporizer. It will be the best gift you ever bought yourself (preferably Vapor Bros).

Most home runs in April, AL - 13 (Ken Griffey, Jr., 1997)
Most home runs in April, MLB - 14 (Albert Pujols, 2006 -- we've forgotten already)
Most home runs in a month, Yankee RH - 15 (Joe Dimaggio, July 1937)
Most home runs in a month, Yankee - 17 (Babe Ruth, September 1927)
Most home runs in a month, AL - 18 (Rudy York, August 1937)
Most home runs in a month, MLB - 20 (Sammy Sosa, June 1998)

Sources: http://tinyurl.com/2jmars, http://tinyurl.com/3ynbqc

Sorry, I stopped drinking 40's.

The only thing that keeps me calm throughout a Red Sox-Yanks game is some good 420.

It is a different experience though. Much more intense effects but less social.