What just happened here? The Knicks made two trades in about 3 hours that just set the franchise up for possibly the biggest move/s in their history. Yesterday the Knicks shipped their top 2 leading scorers out of town so they can clear enough money to make a run at the NBA’s biggest name, Lebron James.

In one deal, the Knicks sent Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors for Al Harrington. The other trade, Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins were sent packing to the Los Angeles Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.

Knicks President Donnie Walsh is a big fan of Harrington, a man he drafted while with the Indiana Pacers.

“I drafted Al back in 1998, and I think his talents are a great fit for our style of play,” Donnie Walsh said. “This trade also gives us more long-term flexibility, while enabling us to remain competitive this season.”

What a bold move by Walsh, who put the foundation down on his vision for the Knicks. By the summer of 2010 the Knicks will be under the salary cap and have enough money to go after James. They might even be able to get Lebron and another superstar, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash anyone? The Knicks will take those names and would love to put any of those on the back of their jersey’s.

Clearly the direction of the Knicks has changed drastically within the last year. With Isiah Thomas out of the picture the Knicks are doing whatever they can to put a consistent winner on the court. They’ve benched superstar Stephon Marbury and big time bust Eddy Curry all season, perhaps waiting for another team to make an offer for both or maybe they just simply want to make their lives miserable, who knows. The new head coach Mike D’Antoni wants to win and doesn’t deal with drama, hence the benching of Marbury and Curry. His style is up-tempo and aggressive, Marbury and Curry don’t fit into his system so why waste everyone’s time and have them attempt to fit his mold. They won’t do it so let’s not bother thinking about it. Marbury and Curry are as good as dead in Knick uniforms.

The plan for the Knicks is in place and ready to go. Now, even after an era in which Madison Square Garden has never seen, the Knicks’ days as an NBA laughingstock appear to be coming to an end. The Knicks have played decent this season and gave fans a sense of hope for a competitive season, one that may still happen, but the sign from management indicates change is on the way to MSG and once it hits, the Garden will be rocking again, like the days of the 90’s.

“It’s always going to be a possibility that one day the face of this franchise is going to change,” Mike D’Antoni said early Friday. “(Walsh’s) plan is pretty clear… In a couple of years we’re going to be under the cap. Everything he will do will lead us to being under the cap in two years. And I’ll deal with making sure the team is competitive and we’ll try to make the playoffs this year.”

Optimism at its best. I like it. Wouldn’t it be great if New York had a championship contender in baseball, football and basketball? The Rangers have been inconsistent the last few years so it’s hard to call them a championship contender but New York is the sports capital of the world, it’s time it’s also the Championship Capital of the world. Could we ever see a year where New York could dominate the sports world, much like Boston has done in recent memory? The Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox all have won championships in the last few years and if it wasn’t for Eli Manning and David Tyree’s “greatest catch ever” Boston would’ve won the championship in 3 of the 4 major sports in 2007-08 season. Wow. 2010 looks like a good year for New York, I mean we have enough damn teams around here that we should be in contention every single year. Well, here’s to Donnie Walsh and his plan to resurrect MSG. Lebron is on his way to NYC!

What do the Yankees do with Andy Pettitte? Do they re-sign him, do they let him walk? It’s a tough call if you’re Yankee management but given Andy’s track record, why not give him another chance?

Pettitte went 2-7 with an ERA north of 6.00 last season in his last 11 starts and he missed his last start of the season because of elbow soreness. So does he really deserve a chance to rebound from that horrid second half? He does, because he’s Andy Pettitte. What does that mean? It means that despite Pettitte being on the downside of his career the Yanks should give hima 1-year deal worth around 10 or 11 million because he was their big game pitcher for so many years. Yes I realize those days were a long time ago but a lefty who can win 12-15 games surely deserves a chance in the rotation, a rotation that are full of question marks.

Mike Mussina is almost certain to retire, maybe as early as this week so bringing Andy back won’t cause an overflow of starting pitchers in the rotation. I believe Andy still has some juice (no pun intended) in that left arm of his and can help the Bombers make a run into October. He can be penciled in as the 4th starter assuming the Yankees accomplish their offseason wish list of obtaining CC Sabathia and another high end starter to go along with current ace Chien-Ming Wang.

Pettitte filed for free agency today thus for the time being ending his tenure with the Yankees. He has stated on more than one occasiont that he would only return to play for the Yankees and not any other team.

“I let them know a few weeks ago I’d like to come back and play,” Pettitte said at Joe Torre’s annual Safe At Home Foundation dinner, which honored the 1998 World Champion Yankees. “My agent said he would call me if he had heard anything and he hasn’t heard anything.”

What are the Yankees waiting for? I think this really is a no brainer unless they are mulling what kind of deal they’re going to offer the lefty.

“I don’t want a multiyear deal. I only want one year,” he said. “I would love to hear if they wanted me back or not. I’m not even thinking money. I think I’ve made it perfectly clear what my intentions are and where I’d like to play baseball. Other than that I’ll have to wait and see what they’d like to do.”

Looks like Andy is making this very easy for GM Brian Cashman. He wants to play for the Yankees, 1 year, money isn’t an issue, so why the wait? I’m sure a deal will get done, I’ll be highly surprised if the Yanks turn the other cheek on this. It’s better than throwing the likes of Sidney Ponson and company out there. Maybe with the new stadium opening this year they want to go in a different direction, which could be a possiblity but I think the idea of having Andy in pinstripes is too strong to deny. I want to him back and I’m sure many guys on the team and many fans want to see him back, so I hope this ends well for Pettitte and we see him back in the Bronx for 2009.

I don’t know if I’m late on this or not but I saw this for the first time last night. Did I really see Alex Rodriguez in a Guitar Hero commercial? Yes, I did. Are you kidding me?? Wow.

The $275 million dollar man is in a commercial that will further tarnish his reputation. There are so many reasons why I can see how this just wont make life easier for A-Rod. Here’s a list of reasons based on this commercial:

1- He has those damn blond frost tips again.
2- He’s wearing a pink shirt.
3- He’s in tighty whitey underwear.
4- His performance on the couch in this commercial is a little ridiculous.

This is the almighty Alex Rodriguez in his underwear. Now of course he’s joined by Tony Hawk, Michael Phelps, and Kobe Bryant. This commercial is a spoof off Tom Cruise and “Risky Buisness” but this is absurd. Kobe was the only logical one who decided to wear basketball shorts in the 30 second spot. Hawk is at least wearing his helmet, Phelps is wearing more than he did at the Olympics but A-Rod?…couldn’t you wear a hat or eye black or something manly? Nope, pink shirt, frost tips and tighty whiteys. Yep and he’s suppose to be the face of the Yankees? Ha! You would never see Derek Jeter doing anything questionable like this.

Just for the record, I am a fan of A-Rod but it’s things like this that hurt his rep and thus goes and hurts the rep of the Yankees. This kind of stuff gets talked about with him tanning in Central Park, going around Toronto with a blond stripper and having a fling with Madonna. I am aware that it’s none of my business nor anyone else’s but come on, when you see this commercial you got to be thinking to yourself “What the (blank) is this?” My roommate and I shared a good laugh over it but could already see the taunting of Rodriguez based on this commercial. Please Alex no more of this. Just stay clear of anything controversial, it’s not like you need the money. Just enjoy your time off and get ready for next year. Please! We’re only day 3 into the baseball off-season and it already feels like the Yankees haven’t played in months. Next year I expect a big year from A-Rod and the Yanks, but until then just stay under the radar.

Here’s the link to the commercial… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCyfKWu4YQ0

While the World Series is being played out in “Tampa” and Philly, the New York Yankees are making their offseason plans in Tampa, Florida this week. Yes, their offices are actually in Tampa, unlike the Rays who don’t actually play there, but that’s a story for another day. According to Mike Lupica of the Daily News the Yankees are ready to break the bank open to get back to the promised land. With about $80 million coming off the books this winter, it’s almost certain that they will add that right back and may even surpass that.

“I’m not saying (the huge spending) won’t happen,” Brian Cashman said. “I know people expect us to go crazy. Even when we don’t go crazy, people still look at whatever we do and say, ‘There’s the Yankees being the Yankees.’ We’re the Evil Empire even when we’re not.”

This is true. The one MUST this winter is getting C.C. Sabathia no matter the cost. We learned that not going after Johan Santana last year didn’t help the Yankees in 2008. They certainly don’t want an encore performance in ‘09 of their disappointing ‘08 so Sabathia is a must. It’s just a matter of signing that check to C.C.’s liking. Objective 1 done.

Manny Ramirez in pinstripes? No way. It doesn’t matter how Manny played the last few months in L.A., he will be 37 next season and you have to remember the way he sat out his final days in Boston because he didn’t feel like playing. Besides, him and A-Rod in the same clubhouse?? OMG, the possibility of things that can happen there can only lead to trouble and backpage headlines, none of which would be good for the Bombers. Another factor in this is that the Yanks don’t need hitting, they need desperately to fix their pitching. Manny would just be his own sideshow.

Objective 2, First Base. What’s wrong with a guy like Doug Mientkiewicz? He was a solid defender and uhh well “decent” bat. Why do we need an all-star first baseman? Mark Teixiera would be a great bat in the lineup and a good guy to have on the team but if his asking price is too high why bother? Well he is switch-hitting and can put up .300 35 115 easily. Ok, so we give him a run for his money and see where we end up. So is signing Tex a must? That may depend on wheter the Yanks bring back Bobby Abreu, who looks to be on the way out. Figures, the only consistent guy with the bat is on his way out. Good job by the Yanks, you should keep this guy until his arms fall off because you know he will give you production. More production that Jorge Posada might give you the rest of his contract. Smart move by the Yanks…NOT!

Objective 3, another starting pitcher. Get Oliver Perez, while he also might be a little high in his asking price, he might fit into the rotation just fine being the 4th starter behind *Sabathia, Wang, and Joba. Yes this is how the rotation should look coming into opening day next year. If Perez isn’t an option I do NOT like AJ Burnett. Reason behind that? He’ll be Carl Pavano II, and we sure as hell don’t want another one of those. So I don’t even consider Burnett, unless he lowers his price dramatically. Derek Lowe? Hey why not? He pitched well down the stretch and is an experienced pitcher with postseason success. Take a gamble with him, he might be that workhouse the rotation needs, especially if the Yanks choose to part ways with Andy Pettitte.

Objective 4, centerfield? I question that because do we really need a CF? The answer is no. Do we want a stud out there? The answer is yes. Melky Cabrera wasn’t the answer in ‘08, we thought he was. Brett Gardner can’t hit yet and we don’t know if he ever will. Austin Jackson? Ehh, let’s not rush him up just yet. He looks to be your guy in center in the future but right now what is the right answer? I say leave Damon out there another year until his contract is up and give Melky and/or Gardner the other starts. Then evaluate this again next winter where more options could open up. But right now it makes sense for the Yanks to keep their trading chips and their money on getting a new CF for ‘09. Unless you can get a guy like Matt Kemp from the Dodgers, then CF shouldn’t be addressed. Damon can still hit and produce, yes he has a weak arm but so did Bernie Williams and we were fine when he was roaming center.

Again, the need this winter is pitching. Worry first and foremost on pitching and upgrading it, not just taking leftovers off the free agent bum list. No more Ponsons, Rasners, or anyone else like that. No more! I don’t want to see it. Those guys combined for 35 starts this year, that is NO GOOD. This is your 2009 rotation if things work out right.

1- CC Sabathia
2- Chien-Ming Wang
3- Joba Chamberlain
4- Oliver Perez
5- Phil Hughes/ Andy Pettitte

Not a bad staff there. Gives you a little depth towards the end if Andy comes back. Each guy could give you at least 10 wins with the exception of Hughes who we have no idea what to expect. Mike Mussina is almost a sure lock to retire. Once the World Series is done and over with next week, then the “hot stove” will heat up. If my rotation isn’t what the Yankees are looking for then what are they going for?

“We’re always trying to push to get better,” Cashman said.

They got the money, make it happen. If Hank Steinbrenner has his way, the bank will be shattered and the Yanks will get their wants, but I hope that means they got their needs too.

Nobody does it better than the New York Yankees. No one puts on a show like the Yankees. No one closes out one of the greatest places in American history better than the Bronx Bombers. It was truly an amazing experience to witness history last night.

Before the game we saw legend after legend come out. Each one with their own share of Yankee Stadium magic and they all stood there for the world to see. If you were in the Bronx last night, you will never forget what you saw. If you watched on TV, you will never forget what you saw. If you are a Yankees fan, how could you miss last night’s events? It was surreal, it sent chills up and down your spine, it made you shed a tear or two in you eyes, it was the last call at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees won the game 7-3 over the Baltimore Orioles. Andy Pettitte got the start in the last game ever…he also got the win and a curtain call for all he’s accomplished at 161st and River. Mariano Rivera came in one last time to “Enter Sandman.” Derek Jeter left the game with two outs in the 9th inning so the fans could address him properly and shower him with love and another curtain call. Then the game was over and the last game ever at Yankee Stadium was in the books. Cue up Frank Sinatra and “New York, New York” and the rest really was history. Jeter and the entire Yankee roster went out to the mound and saluted the fans. Jeter’s speech was one that will be remembered forever. Then Jeter led his teammates around the field one last time a la 1996, when they did the same thing after winning the World Series.

Here’s a transcript of Jeter’s speech:

“Every member of this organization, past and present, has been calling this place home for 85 years. There’s a lot of tradition, a lot of history and a lot of memories. Now the great thing about memories is you’re able to pass it along from generation to generation.

“Although things are going to change next year, we’re going to move across the street. There are a few things about the New York Yankees that never change. That’s pride, tradition and, most of all, we have the greatest fans in the world.

We want you to take the memories from this stadium, add them to the new memories that come at the new Yankee Stadium and continue to pass them along from generation to generation. So on behalf of the entire organization, we want to take this moment to salute you, the greatest fans in the world.”

Last night felt like those October nights in the 90’s, it felt like the Yankees won it all one more time. The fans didn’t want to leave, the players didn’t either. You didn’t want to shut off the TV because you thought you were going to miss something special, some more history being made. I made use of my DVR yesterday recording everything Yankees in sight and recording the game and postgame ceremonies both on ESPN and on YES.

I stood in front of my TV as everything started to hit me, this really was the last game in Yankee Stadium history. It’s not like the season is over and we’ll just resume everything in 7 months.  This was the last night the Yankees were the Yankees I knew. As I saw the montages put together by ESPN and YES it got to me how much the Yankees have meant to me and how much the moments they show are apart of my life and so many other people out there. I remember where I was for every single moment shown 90’s and on. I’ll always remember where I was and how I felt the night Yankee Stadium closed its doors. It’s too bad these Yankees couldn’t reach October this year but at least we knew for sure when the last game was going to be.

Last night was the House That Jeter Closed. All the talk about how Alex Rodriguez may be the greatest player ever and I certainly can side for that, but this will always be Jeter’s team and last night showed you why. He always knows how to handle himself in big spots. How classy was it to salute the fans? Incredible moment and one I appreciated. Jeter is my favorite player so I always enjoy anything he does because he just adds an element of greatness.

I’ve been to many Yankee games over the years and have worked right across the street for the last 5 years and I can say there is no place like Yankee Stadium. It’s not an overstatement, if you’ve never been to the Stadium you wouldn’t understand. The October nights in the 90’s of starring at my TV waiting for another great Yankee moment is priceless. Every pitch, every hit, every homerun meant something and it meant something big. That’s how the Yankees do business. Every night going to be bed knowing that your team is the best in the league and continues the tradition of being the best in sports history is something you can never forget. At least, that’s how the recent Yankees dynasty felt. Now those days are gone and so is Yankee Stadium. It’s time to start letting go and getting back to the reality the Yankees aren’t good enough this year to play for a championship and there will be a new place next season for my favorite team.  Time to let go but I will never forget the memories Yankee Stadium gave me.

Yankee Stadium 1923-2008
The House That Became A Home

The day is finally here, September 21st, 2008. To most people, it’s just another day but to Yankee fans,players, coaches and anyone ever associated with baseball, it’s the end of an era. An era that can not possibly be replicated. There’s no way to replace the memories and moments that this Yankee Stadium gave everyone since being opened in 1923. Now, tonight will be the last game ever played at Yankee Stadium. I can’t believe it.

I, for now am against the idea of the new Yankee Stadium because one of the reasons why I love the Yankees is for the tradition that comes along with the franchise. That includes Yankee Stadium, the greatest place in the world. If you ever been to a Yankee game in October or been around the Stadium in the postseason you know how it is, nothing tops that feeling. Now, with the disappointing season the Yankees will not be going to the playoffs this year and there will be nothing to cheer about beyond tonight. While I’m sure many of you may have alot more memories of Yankee Stadium than I do, the recent Yankee dynasty gave me so many in so little time it’s hard to remember them all. Here’s a look at my top moments (in no particular order) Yankee Stadium moments.

- Red Sox Redemption: Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS
Yes, this is an anti-Yankee moment but it’s still apart of Yankee Stadium history. I was working across the street that night and will never forget how quickly the Stadium emptied out from the disgust of Yankee fans who were witnessing the worse collapse in sports history. To see Red Sox fans celebrate that night all over 161st was disgusting and made me sick to my stomach. Nonetheless it was a memorable moment,

- Alex Rodriguez Magical Month of April 2007
On two seperate occasions last season Alex Rodriguez answered the critics of not being able to hit in the clutch. April 7th he hit a walk off grand slam against the Balitmore Orioles to win the game. A week and a half later he hit another walk off homerun, this time a three-run homer against the Cleveland Indians. When he hit the homerun you couldn’t believe what you were seeing, neither did the broadcasters, the players or A-Rod himself. We were witnessing something truly amazing happening and something you could never forget.

– October Delight:2001 World Series Games 4 and 5
In a time when New York needed a pick me up the Yankees gave everyone two of the most memorable nights in the history of baseball. With the Yankees down 2 games to 1, Tino Martinez came to the plate on October 31 2001 in Game 4. With two outs in the 9th inning and the Yankees trailing by 2 runs, Martinez with a runner on hit a home run to right center off Arizona Diamondbacks closer Byung-Hyun Kim. Derek Jeter followed a few innings later to win the game, the feat got Jeter the name of Mr. November. The very next night Scott Brosius hit a game tying two-run home run off of Kim with two outs in the 9th inning again. Announcers Joe Buck and Tim McCarver in shock at what they saw as deja vu hit Yankee Stadium. This was one of the most amazing feats considering they were done on back to back nights under the same exact circumstances.

- Aaron Bleeping Boone: Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS
This is probably the last real special and memorable moment in October for the House That Ruth Built. In a game that will forever be remembered for the second guessing of Grady Little and Pedro Martinez, Aaron Boone hit the first pitch he saw from Tim Wakefield into the left field seats to send the Yankees to the World Series. No one will ever forget this moment as it was one of the most unexpected occurrences in Yankee Stadium history.

– Postseason Baseball in July
July 1, 2004 was what I say was the best regular season game I ever saw. The Yanks and Red Sox played a true classic. Back and forth they went, the Yankees scored, the Red Sox answered. The Red Sox scored, the Yankees answered. A near triple play by A-Rod, Jeter diving into the stands to save the game in the 12th inning and coming up bloody, Manny Ramirez hit a monsterous homerun off of Tanyon Sturtze in the top of the 13th inning to put the Sox ahead, but in the bottom of the inning the Yanks were down to their last strike and started a rally. Ruben Sierra got a base hit up the middle, Miguel Cario delivered a clutch double that scored Sierra who never ran so fast in his life to tie the game and then John Flaherty got the game winning hit that bounced into the left field seats. Michael Kay called it the greatest game you’ll ever see. I agree.

– Perfect Strangers
David Wells threw a perfect game on on May 17, 1998 being hungover against the Minnesota Twins. A year later on July 18, 1999 on “Yogi Berra Day” at the Stadium, David Cone pitched a perfect game against the Montréal Expos. What made it even more amazing, Don Larsen threw out the first pitch that day to Yogi Berra in memory of the perfect game Larsen threw in the 1956 World Series.

- Happy Days Are Here Again: 1996
After years of chasing the rest of the league and trying to restore the Yankee name, this Yankee team led by rookie Derek Jeter, set up man Mariano Rivera, superstar Bernie Williams and ace David Cone, the Yankees were the toast of baseball again. They brought pride back to the pinstripes as they won their 23rd World Series on October 26th 1996 when Mark Lemke’s popup landed in Charlie Hayes’ glove. The celebration with John Wettland’s hand in the air signaling no. 1 and Paul O’Neill jumping on the mound of players and cartwheeling his way to the ground. As a 12-year old kid, I remember jumping so high I almost hit the ceiling and remember calling all my friends to share the glory of what I had saw. I never felt so prideful as I did that night. That night turned me into the huge Yankee fan that I am now.

Another 12 years later I am still the huge fan that jumped and screamed back in ‘96. With the Stadium closing down, it’s a huge loss for me as well. I loved that place for so many reasons and tonight I will come to the reality that it’s time to move on and start anew with the place across the street. It’s going to beautiful there but it won’t be the same. I hope Yankee Stadium can give me one more magical moment tonight before it closes the book on it’s baseball history. It has to, it’s Yankee Bleeping Stadium. If it doesn’t I will still see it as the greatest place in the world, the way it’s suppose to be seen by all.

As I’ve stated before there are many factors that led to this disappointing 2008 season. Offense, defense, pitching, manager, general manager. Today we focus on Joe Girardi.

“I take responsibility for it, that’s the only way I know how to do it,” Girardi said. “Obviously, my job is to get the most out of everyone.”

Well it appears he didn’t. Somewhere along the way I believe he lost his players. Melky Cabrera had a good April, then disappeared. Robinson Cano forgot that he was the second coming of Rod Carew in the first half, and even at times in the second half. Those are two players that played well under Joe Torre, oops, I shouldn’t have mentioned that name. More on him later. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were absolute busts. Kennedy didn’t seem bothered by his last performance in Anahiem where he was rocked again and thought he pitched well. That got him a first class ticket back to the minors. Even through the let downs, Girardi has done well with the hand he was dealt.

Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Mike Mussina and Brian Bruney were asked about Girardi’s performance and praised him. Others on the team chose not to comment. Hmm. Not good. That right there shows you how the clubhouse seems divided. That was never the case under Mr Torre. Girardi’s biggest mistakes might’ve been trying to mix and match the lineup too much. Also his always optimistic attitude has come off as a joke. He’s told the media his players were fine and then those players magically got hurt within days, if not hours.

That guy in L.A. Joe Torre is sitting pretty at the top of the NL West while Girardi’s Yanks sit in fourth place. Had Torre delivered a fourth place team in September he would surely be out the door by now, but since Girardi is handpicked by Brain Cashman and given the ok by the Steinbrenner family, his job is safe…..for now.

“Joe has done a good job, he had to deal with a lot,” Cashman said of the Yankees losing Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui and Chien-Ming Wang for extended stretches. “He never used excuses and has always looked to solve the problem. He has handled our pitchers very well, he and (pitching coach) Dave Eiland have done a good job.”

I agree but I also think if Torre was here the Yankees wouldn’t be in this position. It’s a debate that will linger all winter long because the bottom line is this: Torre got the Yanks to the playoffs every year he was here. Girardi failed in his first try. Can’t blame Girardi for it, but it does show how effortless Torre made the job seem. Now that the Dodgers look to be playing in October while the Yanks sit at home, Torre’s laughable State Farm commerical about his new life in L.A. isn’t so funny. He looks like a genius for walking away from the Yankees. What happens if the Dodgers win the World Series? How will that affect Girardi’s job? Time will tell.

I think Girardi did what he could this season and I don’t hold him accountable. I wanted him as the manager so I have to accept the fate that came along with it. He showed me some fire this season and I liked it. The night he got thrown out and threw his hat to the ground and put on a Lou Pinella like tantrum I got all fired up. It was what I wanted to see, it’s what many fans wanted to see. For that night it worked as the Yankees made a 9th inning comeback. Since then, we’ve got a toned down Girardi, that I don’t like. Let the man do his job the way he sees fit. I think he’s trying too much to be a media’s manager. Let him scream, curse, shove. Whatever gets the job done. Maybe then, ALL of his players will respect him and then ALL of them will play with some pride. While I can’t say poor Joe, I can certainly say shame on those players who gave up on him and the team. The lesson we learned here….Joe Torre is a sure genius!

The end of September is nearing and so is the end of the Yankees’ season. It’s a shame we didn’t get more out of this team than we did. Currently, they stand 9.5 games out of the wild card and are in FOURTH place. My goodness! The Yankees are in fourth place in September. What the heck happened?

There isn’t really one thing you can put to blame on this season. The bullpen was ineffective at times, so was the starting rotation, so was the offense, so was the defense. Injuries also plagued the Yanks this season. Ace Chien-Ming Wang, catcher Jorge Posada, Joba Chamberlain, Hideki Matsui, and Alex Rodriguez all missed significant time this season. Manager Joe Girardi did his best with the hand he was dealt this season but it ultimately wasn’t enough as the Yanks season will end on September 28th in Fenway Park. How fitting.

The Yankees will move into the offseason with questions surrounding their GM, their first baseman, their centerfielder, their bullpen and starting rotation. Who goes, who stays? Let’s take a quick look at who I think needs to go and who needs to stay.

Gone:
Jason Giambi: Still provides some pop and average defense but age will get to him sooner than later.
Carl Pavano: Hasn’t pitched bad since returning but it’s time to get rid of a bad investment.
Melky Cabrera: He may still have an upside but I think his glory days in the Bronx are over. Excellent arm but you need to deal him to get at least a 5th starter or a reliever.
Ivan Rodriguez: Age is catching up with Pudge and he hasn’t brought anything to the table since his arrival at the trade deadline.
Ian Kennedy: Cant pitch in New York, ‘nough said.
Hideki Matsui: Still a valuable and solid player but age is creeping up on him as well. It’s time to deal him before his value plummets.

Keep:
Bobby Abreu: Still a solid ballplayer. Still hits .300 and drives in around 90 runs. Still a solid defender and a cannon for an arm. This is a no brainer.
Andy Pettitte: This one is 50-50. Depending on Andy and if he wants to return or retire, the Yanks have to bring him back, not for $16 million but something respectable as he can still be a #3 starter, at worst #4. Plus he’s better than sending out Sidney Ponson, Darrell Rasner, or Ian Kennedy.
Mike Mussina: Here’s your wild card. At 39 Moose is your Yankees 2008 MVP. Just as a reward for his work this year he deserves another shot with the team. #5 starter or more, he can prove to be a reliable guy in the rotation, a rotation that might need him more next season than they do right now.

That’s just a quick peek at what the Yankees need to do this offseason. At season’s end I will go further in-depth. But there is no reason to place blame on one part of the team. This was a teamwide letdown this season all across the board. So let’s just address the needs of the team this winter and move forward into the new Stadium and get ready to reclaim the top of the AL East.

20 games to go, 7.5 games out of the wild card and the Yankees still think they have a shot at making the postseason. That shipped has sailed. The season ended the night Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedoria hit a grand slam to break open a “close” game. At the end of that grand slam Jonathan Papelbon stood with his arms opened as if he stood there in victory. Boy was he right. The Yankees haven’t recovered from that onslaught.

As a Yankee fan I am ashamed of this team. Such promise and so talented, injuries or no injuries, they still had the pieces to make this thing interesting down to the last day but I feel like most of the team has given up. A-Rod can’t hit the clutch again, Cano makes dumb mistakes a player of his caliber shouldn’t be making, Jeter isn’t himself this year, Pettitte seems to be down to his last few breaths, Melky Cabrera should be playing in some Independent League, Giambi is all or nothing, Veras is no modern day Jeff Nelson, Ramirez is no modern day Ramiro Mendoza. I’ve had enough of Girardi and his positive outlooks. That’s not what he was brought here for. He was brought here to institute passion into the players who essentially need a good kick in their rear. Cano cost the Yankees a game last week by being nonchalant and when asked about it you compare him to being as smooth as Roberto Alomar?! Are you serious? I guess he was talking about the Roberto Alomar that couldn’t buy a hit in his last days as a Met. That kind of stuff gets me pi***d.

Then you get quotes like:

“We’re not out of it yet, All we can do is go out there and play hard.” – Johnny Damon

“I look at this team and I look at our lineup and I feel like this team should win….I feel like this team should beat up on people. That’s how I feel.” – Andy Pettitte

“How many games do we have left?” Told there were 22, Rodriguez’s eyes grew wide and he muttered an expletive. “You have to do what you can do,” he said. “We have to take it one game at a time and look up after 15 games and see where we stand. Crazier things have happened.” – Alex Rodriguez

I mean why is there a sense of urgency now and why wasn’t there any in August? I have to question the leadership of this team. They’re in crisis mode now and need to win now at any costs. The Rockies did it last year, so did the Phillies. So you can’t tell me the almighty New York Yankees can’t make miracles happen. It just seems unlikely. What a shame. The Yankees will go home on September 28th once the final out is made in Fenway Park. Money can’t buy you happiness or a championship these days. Not only that but now it doesn’t even buy you a pass to the postseason. That’s pathetic. 20 games to go, 10 more at the Stadium, why bother playing themnd ? Oh yea, it’s the last year of Yankee Stadium, apparently the memo never got to the Yanks. Instead of playing for a championship to close out the most historic stadium of all time, they’re closing it out against the Batimore Orioles on ESPN, oh joy, what excitement, I can’t wait!

Yanks 2nd Half Record:26-21
My Yanks 2nd Half Prediction: 39-28

The Yankees are finding new ways to lose. This time, they found a way to blow a four run lead on an afternoon where the offense showed up and scored some runs, not to mention a decent outing by their starting pitcher Darrell Rasner.

The game slipped away from the Yanks in the top of the 7th.With the Yanks up 6-3 and Toronto had a man on first base and no outs. A groundball was hit to Robinson Cano, he fielded it, and flipped it Derek Jeter at second. Problem was, Cano’s flip was erratic and got away from Jeter. This puts runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs. A walk later loaded the bases, and Joe Inglett singled to center. This shaved the Yankee lead down to 6-5. In the top of the 8th Brian Bruney gave up a single to Vernon Wells, next up Adam Lind facing Damaso Marte. Lind gets a base hit to right. Edwar Ramirez then comes in to try and calm things down. He gives up a hit to Jose Bautista and the game is now tied at 6. Next batter Greg Zaun hits a slow grounder that went all of about 75 feet got the go ahead run in for the Blue Jays. Rasner left with a 6-3 lead, now going into the bottom of the 9th the Yanks were down 7-6.

Jeter leads off with a single and Bobby Abreu walks to start the 9th. Here comes Alex Rodriguez, chance to the hero but he failed in another late inning spot. He grounded into a double play, his 11th this month! Next up Cody Ransom flew out to left leaving Abreu at second and the game was over. Heartbreaking loss to say the least for the Yankees.

The bullpen that had been so good last night, let the Yanks down today. Bruney, Marte, and Ramirez all pitched in Friday’s 2-1 win. The difference between last night and today was Mariano Rivera. Girardi could’ve gone to his closer today but it would’ve marked the 3rd straight day in which Joe would’ve called upon Rivera to get more than 3 outs. At some point you got to let the guy rest. Now we see why Rivera is so valuable to this team. Maybe if he comes in in the 8th inning, the Yanks don’t give the game away.

Up 6-2 in this game, the Yanks MUST win this game. It’s just another bad result in a season full of them. At some point the Yanks will be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs if things keep going this way. Time is running out, 27 games left and 6 out. Time is not on the Yankees side.