Game 100: Yankees at Indians

So I came back in from my run, showered, turned on my TV at 7:15 and missed nothing. Turns out there was a rain delay. Looks like the tarp is off but apparently they're waiting an hour before starting. Here's the lineups:

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Brett Gardner LF

Indians
Trevor Crowe CF
Asdrubal Cabrera SS
Shin-Soo Choo RF
Carlos Santana C
Travis Hafner DH
Austin Kearns LF
Matt LaPorta 1B
Andy Marte 3BJ
ason Donald 2B

History in the Making....still: A-Rod's 22nd at bat since his last home run will pass Willie Mays' mark the longest time any player has taken to go from 599 to 600 home runs.
A.J. the Stopper: CC Sabathia lost his first game since May 23 so it's up to A.J. to right the ship and prevent the losing streak.

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This is the Curtis Granderson we traded for

Since Curtis Granderson's name is in the headline, that should make it fairly obvious that A-Rod didn't hit #600. So A-Rod Watch will go in to Day 6.

But Curtis is finally starting to pick it up. He's had a pretty crappy season so far, while missing most of May. But he's in the middle of a 6 game hitting streak and has 3 homers in the past 2 days. If Granderson and Teixeira can hit to their ability in the second half of the season, the Yankees can put a little breathing room between them and the Rays.

Speaking of the Rays, Matt Garza threw the first no-hitter in franchise history against the Tigers. That's the 5th no-no of the season (6th if you count the 28-batter perfect game by Armando Gallaraga). It also means the Mets and the Padres are the only teams with 0 no-hitters in team history. There was one point when I was about 14 that my dad grew his beard out and said he wasn't going to shave it off until the Mets threw a no-hitter. I think that was the year Tom Glavine had one going with 2 outs in the 8th before giving up a hit. Luckily the old man decided not to follow through on that, or I'd be living with Zach Galifianakis.



The Trading Deadline is also coming up at the end of the week, so we'll obviously have news on that if CashMoney pulls the trigger on any deals.

SEE YA!

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Game 98: Yankees at Indians- Game 5 of the A-Rod watch

YANKEES (62-35)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Brett Gardner LF

RHP Javy Vazquez (8-7, 4.68)

INDIANS (41-57)
Michael Brantley CF
Asdrubal Cabrera SS
Shin-Soo Choo RF
Carlos Santana C
Travis Hafner DH
Jhonny Peralta 3B
Matt LaPorta 1B
Trevor Crowe LF
Jason Donald 2B

RHP Jake Westbrook (6-6, 4.74)


History in the Making?: A-Rod has had past success against Jake Westbrook, so there's a good chance he could hit #600 tonight. Too bad only like 300 people will be in the stands to watch at Jacobs Field (I know it's not called that anymore, but I don't really care). Remember when the Indians used to sell out every game for years and years?

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Looooooong Day at Yankee Stadium

So today I was at the Yankees-Royals game to see A-Rod attempt to hit career home run 600. It was blistering hot outside but that didn't stop the fans from getting on their feet during every A-rod at bat. Unfortunately A-Rod was unable to come through, but the Yankees still put up a 'W' with a 12-6 win over the Royals behind two Curtis Granderson home runs.

There was also a two-and-a-half hour rain delay which caused many fans to leave. My friends and I sticked around and were able to move our seats from the bleachers to the second-deck level seats thanks because my friend's brother knew people who were leaving and gave us their tickets.

Not many fans stuck around, but we did with a chance to see history, however, it was to no avail. We did see Robinson Cano's 1,000th career hit, so we didn't go home milestone-less.

I'm absolutely exhausted so I'm sorry if you were expecting more but I'm just too tired to blog. Just going to watch Entourage and call it a night.

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A-Rod Still Stuck On 599

The Yankees loss 7-4 this afternoon to the Kansas City Royals and Alex Rodriguez is still sitting on 599 home runs. While Sergio Mitre struggled to keep the Yankees in the game, Mark Teixiera's bat was able to do enough damage to stay within striking distance. Down 6-0, Teixeira put the Yankees on the board with a solo shot to make it 6-1.

A couple batters later Jorge Posada hit a solo home run and narrowed the deficit to 6-2. After Jose Guillen hit a solo home run in the fifth, Mark Teixeira blasted a two-run shot to turn it into a 7-4 game.

In the ninth it came down to Teixeira again. With runners on first and second and two outs Teixiera was up with A-Rod looming on deck. Teixeira hit a soft grounder to short and replays show Tex may have been safe, but the ump ruled him out. Had the call gone the other way, it would have set the stage for A-Rod with the bases loaded and representing the game-winning run all with his 600th career homer on the line. But we never got to see that happen, boy would it have been something if he reached it in that kind of setting.

A-Rod will try and hit his 600th home run tomorrow as Phil Hughes takes the mound against Sean O'Sullivan, who faced the Yankees Tuesday as a member of the Angels.

I will be in attendance hoping to witness history tomorrow and will have a recap afterwards.

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Game 95: Yankees vs Royals (A-Rod 600 HR Watch)

Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Colin Curtis RF

Royals
TBD


Milestone watch: As many of you already know, A-Rod is on the brink of history to join an exclusive club as he is sitting on 599 career home runs, one shy of 600. Only 6 players have ever hit 600 home runs and A-Rod would be the seventh. While there's alot of controversy that has surrounded A-Rod over the last year-and-a-half expect the media coverage to be, well, Bonds-like.
Psycho: A.J. Burnett makes his first start since his Saturday afternoon meltdown in which he cut his hand smacking a glass window in the clubhouse and had to be taken out of the game for it. Burnett has had a dissapointing season (7-8, 4.99) and needs to pitch better.
Swish Scratched: Nick Swisher was scratched from the lineup with a sore achilles. Sounds like a precautionary thing to me.
Dejesus Out: Royals outfielder and a local Jersey Shore high school product David Dejesus is out for the season to undergo surgery on a torn ligament in his right thumb. DeJesus has been a topic of trade speculation lately, especially with the Yankees as a fourth outfielder.

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A-Rod on #599

Alex Rodriguez moved another step closer to baseball history with his 599th homer. If he had hit number 600 tonight, I would have been SO angry. I went to a Texas Rangers vs. Chicago Cubs game on June 19, 2007. I was sitting in the right field seats about 10 feet left of the foul pole. It was about a million degrees (which is a cool day in Texas) but I stuck it out for the entire game to hopefully see Sosa hit #600. (A little context here: I lived 45 minutes outside of Chicago from 1997-2000, so I was a big Sosa fan, as well as wanting to see baseball history.) When I turned ESPN on the next day, I saw on the bottom line that he had hit number 600. Then I saw the replay. Sosa hits one right down the right field line in the aisle next to the section I was sitting in. Right place, wrong time. There are currently only 6 hitters in MLB history to slug 600 homers, and I don't think I could handle it if I missed seeing 2 of them in person by one day.

A-Rod hit homers number 1 and 500 against the Royals, too. He's got three more chances to hit 600 against them at Yankee Stadium. John will be in the stands on Sunday to see his last chance.

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Offense slugs Yanks to victory

I took in today's game in the Bronx. First things first, it was hot. Like really really hot. I was loving it when the Yankees were up 5-0 and Javy was dealing. It was going to be an easy Yankee win and take about two and a half hours. Then the 5th inning happened.

But the Yanks offense was able to help Javy out and get him over the .500 mark. But I'll tell you some of the stories that you wouldn't get from watching on TV.

First of all, I was sitting in Section 203, home of the Bleacher Creatures. The roll call that takes place at the beginning of every game is cool when you hear it from another part of the Stadium but it's another thing to actually participate in it. I recommend doing it at least once.

Funny story about Colin Curtis's home run. After we were done trying to figure out why Gardner had been thrown out, I turned to my dad and said, "Now Curtis is gonna step up and hit a three run homer." Four pitches later, and Curtis is taking a curtain call after belting his first Major League home run. I'm not on the level of Paul the Octopus, but you know, baby steps.

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Hughes Hit Hard

It's been a tough few days for the Yanks starting rotation. First Burnett gets hit hard and hurts his hand on a clubhouse door. Then Andy Pettitte is out for about a month with a groin strain. And now Hughes gives up 6 runs in 5 innings in what is probably his worst outing of the season. I know the Yanks have been doing really well so far, but the Rays are only 2 games behind in the AL East. This race is going to get really tight in August and September if the Yankee pitching starts falling apart.

I'll be at the game tomorrow afternoon. And if I can get UberTwitter on my BlackBerry to work, I'll be tweeting @jgeant.

SEE YA!

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For the Boss and Bob

Nick Swisher hits the walk-off single to win the game 5-4 in the ninth. What an emotional, dramatic, and key win for the Yankees tonight. They distance themselves to 3 games ahead of the Rays in the AL East and Mr. Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard are looking down at Yankee Stadium with a smile on their faces.

I'm going to have to admit, I'm still disappointed Derek Jeter didn't come through for the storybook ending in the ninth. He probably had the closest relationship with both the Boss and Sheppard out of all the Yankees. Nonetheless, all the Boss would have wanted is a win, no matter how it got done or who got it done.

Mariano Rivera had an impressive ninth inning where he picked off B.J. Upton and struck out Evan Longoria. David Robertson also had an impressive outing, striking out the side in the eighth inning.

Down 3-1, Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada hit back-to-back homers to tie the game. The Rays were able to take the lead thanks to some misplays by Nick Swisher, but he made up for it tying the game with a monster shot to right field. He later got the big hit winning the game in the ninth.

This game kind of reminded me of the game after Thurman Munson died. Very emotional. Back and forth contest. 5-4 final score, both games won in the ninth. I thought the ceremony was well done, the Bleacher Creature silent roll call, and the PA address system shutdown for the game were go ideas remembering Bob Sheppard and the Boss.

No question it will be an Instant Yankee Classic...probably Monday.

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Game 89: Yankees vs Rays

Pre Game ceremonies going on now (6:45). Here's the lineups. Remember this is an important series too, not just remembering Steinbrenner and Sheppard.

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Juan Miranda DH
Brett Gardner LF

Rays

*Got the lineup from RiverAveBlues.

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First Half Report Cards

Here are our grades for the individual players dfirst half performances of the Yankees.

Starting Pitchers
CC Sabathia: A. After a rough start, Sabathia finished the first half winning his last eight starts and has returned to the CC we can count and rely on.

Andy Pettitte: A+: Is there anything more you could ask for? The guy is at the end of his career and proved to be the most consistent pitcher on the staff and his ERA is 2.70, top five in the AL.

Phil Hughes: A-: Hughes had a great start to the season winning 10 of his first 11 decisions, but hit a rocky road at the end of the first half.

A.J. Burnett: D: Probably the most disappointing starter the first half. He went winless the month of June and was atrocious during the absence of Dave Eiland.

Javier Vazquez: C+: After a rough start to the season and questions about overcoming his last New York stint, Vazquez turned it around and has had the lowest ERA on the staff since mid-May.

Infield
Mark Teixeira: C: Teixeira's bat was disappointing much of the first half, but he has began to heat up and turn things around and his defense has remained flawless.

Robinson Cano: A+: The first-half MVP of the Yankees. He led the majors most of the first half in batting average, though it has dropped to .336. He has taken over the fifth spot nicely, coming up with big hits and hitting with RISP. His defense has also been superb.

Derek Jeter: B: After a terrific start, Jeter has struggled through the month of June and early July. His defense has been shaky as well, not making plays he used to.

Alex Rodriguez: B+: Just when it seemed his power numbers were down, he came out the last two-three weeks of season crushing the ball and returning to his old self.

Jorge Posada: C+: Posada spent some time on the DL and has been banged up most of the first half. However he's been productive wihle in the lineup, but age and injuries is catching up to him.

Francisco Cervelli: B: Numbers with RISP are ridiculous, cooled off after long playing time exposed him as just a backup. Still brings lots of energy, especially defensively.

Outfield
Brett Gardner: A: Who would have thought Gardner would be hitting over .300 and had a handful of home runs by the All Star Break? Not to mention his tremendous defense.

Nick Swisher: A-: Swisher has finally putting up power numbers while hitting for average which garnered him his first All Star appearance. His defense has looked to improve too.

Curtis Granderson: C: His numbers against lefties have not improved much and has been average so far. Spent time on DL, but has had some big moments.

Marcus Thames: C: Thames filled in nicely for Granderson against lefties until he got hurt. His defense is awful, but has only two walk-off hits this year for Yanks.

Relievers
Mariano Rivera: A: Still the best at 40. Couple of bumps here and there, but can't be perfect all the time.

Joba Chamberlain: D: Dominant at times, but an ERA above 5.00 is not what you want from your setup man.

David Robertson: C: Inconsistent season so far.But 3.09 ERA since May 7 shows some promise and improvement.

Damaso Marte: C+: Has held lefties to a .146 batting average, but 4.06 ERA is not good. However, it's a bit inflated since he's usually in for 1/3 of an inning.

Chan Ho Park: F-: His pitching is diarhea. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GIEHPGj9sI

Sergio Mitre: B-: Effective early in season as long reliever. But struggled at times when Aceves went down on the DL. Finished last five weeks on season on DL with oblique injury.

Other
Ramiro Pena: C: Has filled in nicely on the bench, but has no bat whatsoever.

Kevin Russo: C: Did a good job playing out of position and had an awesome debut. But since then has not been hitting ball well, but I still take him over Randy Winn.

Nick Johnson: Incomplete: Almost forgot he was on the team, spent basically whole season on DL.

Alfredo Aceves: Incomplete: Too much time on DL. May not return this season.

Joe Girardi: A: You can't argue with the best record in the majors, but sometimes bullpen management has been frustrating. Then again, there's nobody you can trust in the pen.

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NL Gets World Series Home Field

Yeah yeah, I know this is late but I feel obligated to make a post on the All-Star Game. Yesterday the NL All Stars defeated the AL All Stars 3-1 behind Brian McCann's bases loaded double off Matt Thornton. Phil Hughes was charged with the loss while Matt Capps earned the win and Jonathan Broxton closed it out for the NL's first victory since 1996.

As for the Yankee All Stars, Robinson Cano had the AL's only RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Derek Jeter walked against Ubaldo Jimenez, struck out against Josh Johnson, and singled off Roy Halladay. Nick Swisher struck out against Adam Wainwright.

Andy Pettitte pitched a scoreless third inning, striking out two batters and inducing a groundout to Jeter who flipped to Cano for a force at second (very familiar).

Phil Hughes recorded one out and allowed two singles before being relieved by Thornton. Thornton could not get out of the jam and the runs he allowed were charged to Hughes, hence whyHughes picks up the loss.

Alex Rodriguez did not enter the game at all. Now, this seems to be the subject of debate today, and I found it a little surprising but here is what I think. First, it seemed Girardi wanted to give guys who were in their first All Star Game a chance to play, hence why Adrian Beltre, Ty Wigginton, and Nick Swisher got in the game ahead of A-Rod. Secondly, I think maybe he didn't want to use A-Rod unless necessary so he can give him full rest these four days. But with home-field advantage on the line, I think you need to find a way to get A-Rod an at bat late in the game.

Either way, the NL was due. I've been expecting them to win for the last five years. It's just the law of averages. The Yankees have won World Series titles without home field advantage before, I'm sure they can do it again if they get back there this year.

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"Began with Horace Clarke and died World Champion" Remembering The Boss(Updated with more reaction)

There are many quotes I could use as the headline, but the above is what MLB analyst Peter Gammons wrote on his twitter and I thought that speaks volumes of how far Steinbrenner has come when he first bought the Yankees, and how appropriate it is that he leaves us as a reigning World Series Champion. Here are some more reactions from players, writers, coaches, and friends of Steinbrenner:

"Steinbrenner was a fascinating figure: Charitable and cruel at the same time, stubborn yet visionary. He changed all of sports. In my 1st year covering the Yankees, most of spring training was spent chasing George down hallways. He was bigger than any player." Peter Abraham, Boston Globe. Former Yankees beat writer.

"George Steinbrenner was one of the most giving n generous person I ever met-he had a special fire in his belly to win and a Big HEART!...In my years in sports I have met many winners- the 3 people I knew that hated losing more than most were Steinbrenner ,Knight, n Bo Schem." Dick Vitale, NCAA Basketball Analyst, Baseball Fan.

"George was The Boss, make no mistake. He built the Yankees into champions and that’s something nobody can ever deny. He was a very generous, caring, passionate man. George and I had our differences, but who didn’t? We became great friends over the last decade and I will miss him very much." Yogi Berra, former Yankee catcher, manager under Steinbrenner.

"Few people have had a bigger impact on New York over the past four decades than George Steinbrenner. George had a deep love for New York, and his steely determination to succeed – combined with his deep respect and appreciation for talent and hard work – made him a quintessential New Yorker." NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg


Mark Feinsand of the Daily News also has more reactions. It seems nobody has any current player reactions right now. Once I find some I'll add them to this post.

"He was bigger than baseball. Everybody knew who The Boss was. Anywhere you went with him, people wanted his autograph or to talk to him." Gene Michael, former Yankees GM.

"I will always remember George Steinbrenner as a passionate man, a tough boss, a true visionary, a great humanitarian, and a dear friend. I will be forever grateful that he trusted me with his Yankees for 12 years. My heart goes out to his entire family. He will be deeply missed in New York, Tampa and throughout the world of baseball. It’s only fitting that he went out as a world champ." Joe Torre, former Yankees manager.

"George redefined professional sports ownership with his vision, his ability to build a champion and a passionate approach that lifted the visibility and popularity of his franchise and his sport. From an interest level, baseball was always better when the profile and the performance of the New York Yankees was at a high level, and George always made sure that was the case." Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys

"He expected to win every day. I remember my first or second year I got doubled off third base on a line drive, but we won the game. Afterward he’s yelling at me, ‘Don’t get doubled off again.’ I said, ‘We won the game.’ But he expected perfection.” Derek Jeter, Yankees shortstop

"Winning the World Series meant a lot to him, but the next day he was back to work – ‘OK, how are we going to win next year? He loved winning the World Series, thought it was a huge accomplishment, but never rested after it." Joe Girardi, Yankees manager

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George Steinbrenner Dies at age 80

More sad news to Yankees fans this week. George Steinbrenner died this morning in Tampa after suffering a massive heart attack at the age of 80. Just days after the passing of legendary PA announcer Bob Sheppard, Steinbrenner follows. While the last couple of years Steinbrenner has given control of the team to his sons and has disappeared from public view due to his health, it still comes somewhat of a shock, especially after one Yankee legend just passed.

The Boss revolutionized the free agency of baseball and is largely responsible for the way it is today due to his belief of handing out unprecedented contracts to superstar players. Steinbrenner won seven World Series and 11 pennants during his ownership of the Yankees. He took over the Yankees after they had some awful years in the late sixties and early seventies, and returned them to greatness by the end of the seventies.

Steinbrenner was a colorful, controversial owner, who wanted nothing more than to just win. He had an up-and-down relationship with the Yankee fans and players, but in the end, it is the great things he did for the franchise and the players and coaches under him that will be remembered.

Steinbrenner, in my mind, is unquestionably the greatest owner in sports, and today will be one of the saddest days in the sports world. I am sure today's All Star Game will be a tribute to the Boss, and the Yankees will continue to honor him the rest of the season.

Last year, the Yankees World Series mantra was to "Win it for The Boss." This year, I'm sure it will be "Win it for The Boss, Again." Because we all know Steinbrenner doesn't settle for just one championship.

We'll have more and Yankee player reactions as well throughout the day.

RIP George M. Steinbrenner III. 1930-2010.

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Game 88 Yankees at Mariners

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Marcus Thames DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF
LHP CC Sabathia

Mariners
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chone Figgins 2B
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Jose Lopez 3B
Casey Kotchman 1B
Justin Smoak DH
Josh Bard C
Jack Wilson SS
Michael Saunders LF
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith

Remembering Sheppard: As most have heard, Bob Sheppard passed away early this morning, and it would be nice to see the Yankees win this one for him.
CC If You Can Hit It: CC Sabathia is going for his eighth straight win today as he heads into the All-Star break as the hottest Yankee pitcher next to... Javier Vazquez? Yes.
First Half Winners: Yankees are garunteed the best record in the majors heading into the All Star break. First time this has happened since 04. That is all I will speak of about 04.

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Bob Sheppard dies at age of 99

Sad news in not only the Yankees community, but in the sports world as well. Longtime legendary Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard passed away at the age of 99. Sheppard called his first game as PA announcer in Yankee Stadium in 1950 and his last in 2007, after he left citing health reason. He was also the New York Giants PA annoucner from 1956-2006. Sheppard was a huge part of the Yankee Stadium experience. Everytime he would greet the fans, "Hello everybody, and welcome to Yankee Stadium" goosebumps had to run down everyone's back. I know I had them. Sheppard was honored by the Yankees in 2000 when they gave him a monument alongside the Yankee greats in Monument Park and it reads, "Voice of the Yankees." Other nicknames of Sheppard included the "Voice of God."

Honestly, anyone who has ever been to Yankee Stadium, probably played baseball in their backyard as a kid, picturing and imitating Bob Sheppard calling your name as you stepped to the plate. His voice will still echo off the walls in Yankee Stadium, because thanks to Derek Jeter, we will always hear him say, "Now batting, Numbah two, Derek (Derek) Jeetah (Jeetah)...Numbah two."

Bob Sheppard will be greatly missed in the Yankee and baseball community. RIP.

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Wanted: 8th Inning Guy

Joba gives up a grand slam in a 1-0 game where Javier Vazquez pitched brilliantly in a pitcher's duel with Felix Hernandez. But thanks to Joba, King Felix goes the distance and pitches another complete game victory to beat the Yankees, striking out the side (with some help from the umpire) in the ninth inning.

Who should be out 8th inning guy? Because this guy aint working.

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Game 87 Yankees at Mariners

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Colin Curtis RF
Brett Gardner LF
RHP Javier Vazquez

Mariners
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chone Figgins 2B
Russell Branyan DH
Jose Lopez 3B
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Justin Smoak 1B
Michael Saunders LF
Rob Johnson C
Jack Wilson SS
RHP Felix Hernandez

Stacking Lefties: Joe Girardi is batting three lefties in a row tonight. Girardi usually likes to split them up.
The Only King I Know: King Felix Hernandez is on the mound tonight. In his last appearance against the Bombers he absolutely dominated them pitching a complete game two-hit shutout.
YES3D: Tonight's game will be the first MLB game to be broadcasted in 3D. Who has a 3D TV anyway, and do you really have to wear stupid glasses to watch that tv?

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Swisher to Compete in HR Derby

Nick Swisher will be competing in the Home Run Derby on Monday July 12. His announcement comes two days after the fans selected him as the final All Star for the American League team. Obviously, this will become an issue inside the Yankees clubhouse after the coaches already expressed dismay when Robinson Cano was going to compete in it before a minor back injury caused him to pull out. (I think they faked it). Now Girarde and Kevin Long will be getting questions on whether Swisher should compete or not.

I think they'll have less of a problem with Swisher competing than with Cano. I know I do. The Yankees coaching staff has put so much work and effort into making Cano a complete hitter over the last two years, they did not want to see it all go away because of the Home Run Derby. Swisher, on the other hand, is a born power hitter. That's what he's done his entire career up until this year, when the Yankees finally got him to start hitting for average. The only thing I'm worried about is if this will cause Swish get in a habit of swinging for the fences every at bat. Hopefully not, and if he's quickly eliminated we won't have to worry.

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Lee to Rangers, Not Yankees

Joel Sherman and Ken Rosenthal are both reporting that the Seattle Mariners stepped away from an agreement with the New York Yankees to trade Cliff Lee and instead are trading him to the Texas Rangers for Justin Smoak, Mark Lowe, three others and cash.

So the good news, Cliff Lee is probably not pitching against the Yankees tonight. The bad news, is the Yankees appeared to have Lee in their hands, only for the Mariners to back out the last second and now he's on the NL West-leading Texas Rangers.

I really do not think it was necessary for the Yankees to acquire Lee. They still have the best record in the majors and one of the best pitching rotations without Lee, and will probably sign him in the offseason.

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Cliff Lee To Yanks Nearly Done Deal (UPDATE)

ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that a deal is near done and in agreement to send Cliff Lee to the Yankees in a deal setup around Yankees prospect Jesus Montero. The deal would mean somebody, most likely Javier Vazquez, will be dealt as well. Or, maybe the Yankees push Phil Hughes back into the bullpen to limit his innings. Yet that doesn't seem to make much sense.

In fact, I'm not sure if I can make much sense out of any of this. The Yankees pitching has been doing very well lately, they have the best record in baseball, and they haven't even hit their stride yet in terms of how good they can be, and if Cashman trades Montero it goes against every reason why he wouldn't deal for Johan Santana, CC Sabathia, and Roy Halladay.

So it's a little puzzling and I want to hear more about this trade, but that Queen from Cleveland is taking over ESPN so I just have to keep refreshing MLB trade rumors. And if Lee does in fact come to New York, well, we may just take a break from the blog until October when things really start to heat up.

UPDATE: It now appears that talks have stalled and that the deal looks to have died when Mariners became concerned about David Adams's health, the second baseman who the Yankees were offering in the Montero package. ESPN also reports it's possible another team has came in with a better offer. But right now, Lee is a Mariner.

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Game 85 Yankees at Mariners

All this madness about basketball almsot made me forget to make a post. Anyway back to baseball season.

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF
Ramiro Pena 3B
LHP Andy Pettitte (10-2, 2.82)

Mariners
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chone Figgins 2B
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Russell Branyan DH
Jose Lopez
Kotchman 1B
Josh Bard C
Josh Wilson SS
Michael Saunders LF
LHP Jason Vargas (6-4, 3.22)

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We Did It!

The announcement everyone in New York has been waiting for all day has just been final. Nick Swisher is going to the All Star Game! Nick tweeted thank you to all the fans for voting. The Yankees fans came through and did it, and more importanty we beat out Red Sox Nation by voting Swisher in over Youkilis. Where's that "Nation" now?

Joey Votto was voted in as the last man for the NL roster. But if you weren't voting for Joey Votto what the heck were you doing? He's like top five in every offensive category I have no idea why he wasn't on to begin with.

Maybe next year the fans won't vote a Yankee in over you...ha!

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The sport with the most parity...is baseball?

Since it's impossible to even watch the Weather Channel without hearing about NBA free agency, I'm going to promote the MLB a little bit right now.

John and I were talking about the salary cap in the NBA and how impossible it is to understand. And when you think about it, does it really work? Isn't the point of the salary cap to give teams an equal chance to win? Let's take a look.

NBA Championships since the 1999-2000 season

1. LA Lakers- 5 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)
2. San Antonio Spurs- 3 (2003, 2005, 2007)
3. 3 Teams tied with 1- Detroit Pistons (2004), Miami Heat (2006), Boston Celtics (2008)
   

Now take a look at the World Series Champs since 2000

1. 2 teams tied with 2- NY Yankees (2000, 2009), Boston Red Sox (2004, 2007)
2. 6 teams tied with 1- Arizona Diamondbacks (2001), Anaheim Angels (2002), Florida Marlins (2003), Chicago White Sox (2005), St. Louis Cardinals (2006), Philadelphia Phillies (2008)

So whenever the Yankees "buy a World Series" everyone complains that the MLB needs a salary cap. But is it worth overhauling the entire system if it's not even working in other sports?

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Grand Slam Season Continues

Ok, the game's not over but it's 6-1 in the ninth and I'm about to pass out so I'll make this quick.

A-Rod hit another grand slam today, that's 596th home run of his career, the ninth grand slam of the season for the Yankees, and his 21st of his career. Lou Gehrig has the record with 23.

CC Sabathia was magnicficent. He struck out 10 batters in eight innings and he's now won seven consecutive starts.

Ok that's it we apologize but West Coast Games after 7 hours of work will do that to you,

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Game 83: Yankees at A's

YANKEES (51-31)
Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher DH
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Colin Curtis RF

LHP CC Sabathia (10-3, 3.33)

ATHLETICS (41-43)
Coco Crisp CF
Daric Barton 1B
Kurt Suzuki C
Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B
Mark Ellis 2B
Jack Cust DH
Adam Rosales SS
Matt Carson RF
Rajai Davis LF

RHP Trevor Cahill (8-2, 2.74)

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Cano to be in HR Derby

MLB announced today that Robinson Cano will participate in the 2010 version of the Home Run Derby.

The other five players who have already committed are: Miguel Cabrera, David Ortiz, Vernon Wells, Corey Hart and Matt Holliday.

Now I guess it's cool to have Cano in the Derby but I don't really like it. A lot of guys screw their swing up trying to hit homers and there stats suffer in the second half of the season. Cano's on pace for an MVP season, and I don't think he should screw it up for the HR Derby. Cano isn't a Ken Griffey, Jr. type player who has a natural home run swing. He's more of a line drive hitter who lifts homers out. If he tries to uppercut homers during the Derby, it could affect him during the regular season.

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Send Swish to All-Star Game

Kevin Youkilis is leading the vote for the final spot on the AL team for the 2010 All-Star game. This is UNACCEPTABLE, so I'm gonna give you all the reasons why Swisher should be the last man voted on the team, and then I'm gonna tell you how to vote him in.

Why Swisher should be on the team.

1. If Swisher doesn't go to the ASG, Kevin Youkilis will.
2. Swisher's having a great season so far, with a .296/13/47 year.
3. If Swisher doesn't go to the ASG, Kevin Youkilis will.
4. If the game goes deep into extra innings, Swisher can pitch.
   
5. If Swisher doesn't go to the ASG, Kevin Youkilis will.
6. Ty Wiggington's already on the team. If a .251 hitter is gonna be on the All-Star team, Nick Swisher should be, too.
7. If Swisher doesn't go to the ASG, KEVIN YOUKILIS will.

Ok, I think I've proved my point, so now to tell you how to cheat the system.

First things first, you go here and fill out the ballot. For anyone concerned about giving out their email address, just make one up (more on that in a second). Then click Nick Swisher for the AL and anyone else for the NL (and if you don't vote for Joey Votto, your an idiot). Then you vote up to 25 times. Oh wait, once you reach the limit, you just make up a new email address and keep voting. And it keeps all your other info so all you need to put in is the validation key.

If Youkilis gets voted in over Swisher, I will be disappointed in Yankee fans everywhere.

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CashMoney: "LeBron will be a Knick"

Ever since NBA free agency started July 1st, everyone connected to either the NBA, sports in general, New York, or Cleveland. Last night Yanks GM Brian Cashman was asked his opinion.

LeBron James is going to be a Knick. I'm convinced of it. New York is the place that will allow LeBron to be the player and person he wants to be, and it's all coming together. Just listen, LeBron James will be a Knick.

Now when John first told me about this he added that "someone should explain what a salary cap is to Cashman." Cashman probably knows more about microbiology (which I'm assuming isn't a lot) than he does NBA free agency, so I don't really think that Cashman's the guy to ask.

John's a big Knicks fan, so he's been drinking the Kool Aid waiting for LeBron to make his decision. I watched exactly 5 minutes of NBA basketball this season (the end of Game 7 of the Finals) so I could really care less where LeBron ends up (which I'm still convinced is back to Cleveland). I was a Nets fan back in the days of Jason Kidd/Kenyon Martin/Richard Jefferson so if he goes to the Nets, I'll probably jump on that bandwagon.

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This is the Javy Vazquez we traded for

Yankees 3 8 0
A's 1 3 0

WP: Vazquez (7-7)
LP: Sheets (3-8)
S: Rivera (19)

Player of the Game: Javier Vazquez. Vazquez finally seems to have pulled himself together after being completely worthless in the first part of the season. I will sign up for 3 hits, 1 run and 7 innings every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Now if AJ decides to pitch like he did in April (3-0, 2.43 ERA) and not like he did in June (0-5, 11.35 ERA) the Yanks will wrap this thing up by the end of August.

Play of the Game: Mark Teixeira's homer in the 6th inning that gave Javy, Joba, and Mo some breathing room. Tex is another guy who started slow. Imagine where the Yankees would be right now if their #3 hitter wasn't hitting .243. He's gonna need a monster 2nd half to get the average anywhere near his .287 career average.

(Honorable mention to A-Rod's diving backhand catch and throw out of Kurt Suzuki. But, it was Kurt Suzuki [the same guy who hit into the triple play] so it wasn't really that impressive.)

Turning Point of the Game: The 2-run 2nd inning that gave Javy Vazquez all the run support he needed. When the 6-7-8 hitters in the lineup can put some hits together and score runs, things are good.

Notes:

• You knew this was going to come up, and the A's are trying to do what all the other crappy teams in the league do: make money off the Yankees. While most teams do it through revenue sharing and the increased ticket sales from people actually wanting to watch a good team, the A's are selling "Get off my Mound" T-Shirts. To Braden's credit, he's decided to (finally) shut up about it.
  
• I love the Avis rental car commercials. I'm sure everyone's seen the original one by now, but there's a new one: Way better than those stupid W.B. Mason commercials. And am I the only one who has never seen a mention of W.B. Mason besides the YES Network? Not that I'm complaining. There's enough crap on all the rest of the channels that I don't need the commercials to suck too.
  

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Game 82: Yankees at A's

Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Colin Curtis RF

RHP Javier Vazquez

Athletics
Coco Crisp CF
Daric Barton 1B
Ryan Sweeney RF
Kurt Suzuki C
Jack Cust DH
Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B
Gabe Gross LF
Mark Ellis 2B
Cliff Pennington SS
RHP Ben Sheets

Get Off My Mound: The Yankees return to Dallas Braden's mound tonight, but the man from the 203 is on the DL. Thank goodness.
Gardner Leading Off: Brett Gardner is hitting in the leadoff spot with Jeter back in the two-hole. The reason is to split lefties in the lineup.
Send Swish: Although some other candidates may have better numbers, Swish has proven he is one of the best outfielders in the league this season so far, and he deserves the nod. Keep voting.

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Pettitte Named to All Star Team

Via Bryan Hoch's twitter, Joe Girardi has named Andy Pettitte to replace Clay Bucholz in the All-Star Game. I know Buchholz is injured, but it's kind of an awesome feeling to know a Yankee was named as his replacement.

Also,the first update of the final fan vote came out and Nick Swisher is in the lead for the AL while Joey Votto leads the NL. Which reminds us, Send Swish and keep voting!!!

Update: My bad, Joe Girardi did not make the selection, Andy Pettitte was next on the players ballot to get in. Girardi can still choose who to replace Sabathia since he will be pitching Sunday.

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What To Do About the All Star Game?

Ty Wigginton, Omar Infante, Jason Heyward, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Matt Capps, Fausto Carmona, Yadier Molina, Jose Reyes.

Joey Votto, Kevin Youkilis, Paul Konerko, Heath Bell, Matt Latos, Felix Hernandez, Jered Weaver, Andy Pettitte, Mike Pelfrey, Jamie Garcia, Miguel Olivo, Billy Wagner.

The difference between the two sets of names you see is that one group is on the All Star team and the others were left off. Obviously, regardless of how you select All-Stars, there will be some snubbed, but wow was it pathetic this year.

How in the world can you justify having Omar Infante on the team over first half NL MVP Joey Votto? And how can Ty Wigginton, who returned back to earth after a superb first six weeks, make the team over both Paul Konerko (who is tied for second in the AL with 20 HR) and Kevin Youkilis? (who leads the league in runs, is third in OBP, and also has 17 HR and a first half MVP candidate).

Then you have CC Sabathia and Fausto Carmona, who are both having good seasons, chosen over the likes of Andy Pettitte, Jered Weaver, and Felix Hernandez, who are all having great seasons.

The NL roster does not have a single pitcher from the San Diego Padres, who lead the majors in ERA. Meanwhile they have Matt Capps who has allowed 25 more hits this season than Billy Wagner, who was left off.

And even though this is a Yankees blog, we still recognize Alex Rodriguez has not had the greatest first half of a season and Youkilis and Konerko may be more deserving.

Due to injuries, the new rule where pitchers starting the Sunday before the All Star game cannot be eligible to pitch in the game, and the fans voting in the last roster spot, there will be some additions to each team. But in the meantime, if this game is going to "count," what can MLB do to fix it?

My first proposition is to eliminate the fan voting. I know many fans enjoy the voting even I like doing it, but it's become a joke over the last few years. The fans can't be dependable to put the best team on the field. Yadier Molina should not be the starting catcher over Brian McCann. Chase Utley has been injured and underperforming all year, and Jason Heyward's been hurt most of the season as well, and they are starting. Mark Teixeira was almost selected to the team and he's been a major disappointment this season. If it counts, then the fans shouldn't be voting, because it's just a popularity contest with the fans.

I also think they should eliminate the rule that every team needs to be represented. A lot of times this is the reason why players are snubbed. The Wigginton instead of Konerko/Youkilis is Evidence A. And maybe you can make a case Matt Latos or Heath Bell could be represented over the Pirates' Evan Meek (although he's having an excellent season as well). Basically, many players' hard work is not being recognized because they have to take someone else just to represent each team.

By fixing these two things, I think it is the right step in the direction of fixing the All Star Game. The game is meant to have the best players in the league playing against each other for home-field advantage in the World Series, and if the best players aren't out there, then it loses some of its integrity.

But hey, at least they didn't select Stephen Strasburg, who only has six starts in the majors. Imagine how much more ticked off Mike Pelfrey, Jamie Garcia, Mat Latos, Heath Bell, Billy Wagner, and Clayton Kershaw would be?

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Deja Vu All Over Again

On the Fourth of July 2009, the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays on a walk off single by Jorge Posada. On the Fourth of July 2010, the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays on a walk off single, this time it was Marcus Thames, who came through with the pinch-hit bloop single in the bottom of the eleventh.

It wasn't the prettiest game either. The Yankees had three baserunners thrown out at home plate, including Nick Swisher twice, they blew a 3-1 and 6-5 lead, and even the Blue Jays had trouble, as DeWayne Wise lost a ball in the sun that resulted in an "inside the park home run" for Brett Gardner. It should have been ruled an error, but, whatever.

The most shocking thing was Mariano Rivera blowing his first save in his last 2o chances as he allowed three singles in the top of the ninth for the Blue Jays to tie the game 6-6. You rarely see that from Rivera and everytime he blows a save the talks of is he done usually rise. But after just being named to the All Star team and the fact the Yankees won, there probably won't be much talk of a declining Rivera, because he really isn't declining at all.

It was a hot day and probably frustrating for the fans who stuck out all 11 innings, but in the end the Yankees won and they got to witness the second pie in the face of the season, once again going to Marcus Thames.

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All-Star Team Announced

MLB announced the selection of the AL and NL All Star teams this afternoon. Six Yankees were selected, including Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano as starters. The first time a Yankee double play duo have started an All Star Game since Willie Randolph and Bucky Dent in 1981.

The rest of the Yankees include:
Alex Rodriguez
Mariano Rivera
CC Sabathia
Phil Hughes

Nick Swisher can get in with the final vote in ballot. WE WILL NOT LET YOUKILIS WIN THIS!

But the real news is that Andy Pettitte is missing from this list. Pettitte is having one of the best seasons of his career and it is shocking that he was not selected, especially when his manager and former teammate is picking the roster.

However, due to the new rules, a pitcher selected to the All Star Game that pitches on the Sunday before game cannot be eligible to pitch in the game. Sabathia will be pitching on that Sunday. The theory is that Andy Pettitte will be chosen as Sabathia's replacement since he cannot pitch in the game.

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Year of the Grand Slam?

I missed the game today, but here's a quick recap of what happened:

Brett Gardner hit a grand slam in the Yankees 11-run third inning offensive outburst to lead the Bronx Bombers to an 11-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Andy Pettitte earned his tenth win as he went six innings allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four.

Alex Rodriguez had an impressive day as well knocking in four runs.

And is it me, or is this the year of the grand slam? It was the eighth (yes EIGHTH!) grand slam of the season for the Yankees. While last year was the year of the walkoff, this year may just be the year of the grand slam.

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Well, That Sucked

As Brett Gardner leaped into the air and robbed Alex Gonzalez of an extra base hit in the eighth inning, it appeared that the Yankees were catching all the breaks to seal a 1-0 victory. But Joba Chamberlain allowed a two-out single to Aaron Hill, which knocked in Jose Bautista, who walked earlier in the inning to tie the game 1-1.

Gonzalez came up again in the eleventh, and this time singled off David Robertson with the bases loaded to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead, and eventually win the game, 6-1.

The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Blue Jays, but the loss for the Yankees makes it three losses in their last four days.

A.J. Burnett gave the Yankees what they were looking for, going seven innings without allowing a run, but it was the Yankees bats that were absent. After Alex Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning the Yankees couldn't muster up any offense the rest of the game.

Their best chance came in the bottom of the third when Brett Cecil loaded the bases with nobody out, but got out of the jam by striking out A-Rod, Robinson Cano, and getting Jorge Posada to groundout.

After Joba blew the game, the Yankees bullpen couldn't match the Blue Jays' pen's effort as Robertson gave up the go-ahead single and Chan Ho "white flag" Park gave up a bases loaded walk and triple to give the Jays a 6-1 lead.

Andy Pettitte takes the mound tomorrow, but the question is, will the Yankees offense finally show up this week?

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Get the Fireworks Out Early!

A.J. Burnett just threw two scoreless innings! That's the first time he's done that since May 30, wow! Let's see if he can make it three!!

Obviously I've been frustrated with A.J. so I'm being a bit facetious (I think that's the right word). Yankees lead 1-0 in the top of the third, we'll use this as our game post.

P.S. Any explanation for a 1:05 start on a Friday?

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Phew! Yanks Avoid Sweep

SEA 2 5 0
NYY 4 7 0

WP: Sabathia (10-3)
LP: Aardsma (0-5)
S: Rivera (18)

Player of the Game: Despite blowing a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning in large part to a wild pitch, CC Sabathia continued to show his dominance of late, striking out four and going eight strong to win his sixth consecutive start and earning his tenth win of the season almost three weeks earlier than last season when he won 19 games.
Turning Point/Play of the Game: I didn't see all of this game but Alex Rodriguez's two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth can account for each of these as he helped regain the lead for the Yanks. It was A-Rod's 595th career homer as he closes in on 600.

Notes:

• Robinson Cano hit a solo home run to continue his MVP-type season.
• You have to wonder if Girardi will take Sabathia or Phil Hughes along with Andy Pettitte for the All-Star game. Sabathia has been much more effective than Hughes of late and you can make a case he deserves it over Hughes.
• Speaking of the All Star Game, remember to help get Nick Swisher in by voting all day today until midnight.

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Game 78: Yankees vs Mariners

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF
Ramiro Pena 3B
LHP CC Sabathia

Mariners
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chone Figgins 2B
Milton Bradley DH
Jose Lopez 3B
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Josh Wilson SS
Josh Bard C
Michael Saunders LF
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith

No King in NY: No, not King James. The Yankees will be relieved to see King Felix oback in the dugout today after he dominated them last night. Instead they will be delighted to see Ryan Rowland-Smith, and is 1-7 record and a 6.18 ERA.
Carsten Charles in Charge: In the month of June Sabathia went 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA and 35 strikeouts. He looks to carry that over into July today.
Vote Swisher: Nick Swisher is having an amazing season and the All-Star voting ends tonight at midnight. Help vote Nick Swisher in because Girardi may not choose him in fear of being accused of taking his own players over others more deserving. Only thing is Swisher is deserving! So vote Swisher!

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