Yankees Reliever Puts a Dark Cloud Over an Otherwise Uplifting Victory

Any worries of a sweep of the season series in baseball’s biggest rivalry was squelched with a convincing 13-6 Yankee triumph on Thursday night.

The Bronx Bombers emphatically reinforced their moniker by launching four home runs into the night sky—though two of which would have been doubles in any other ballpark.

It was a feel good night for all Yankee fans watching from the Bronx and around the country, as an old-fashioned beatdown was being delivered without rubbing it in or acting like it had never happened before.

Things quickly changed in the top of the eighth inning, however, when Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia strolled to the plate in a 13-4 game.

Yankees reliever Mark Melancon proceeded to throw a 94 MPH fastball directly over Pedroia’s head—successfully crossing one of the most respected lines in Major League Baseball.

To make matters worse, Melancon then reiterated and stressed his intent by drilling the Sox leadoff hitter with the next pitch in his shoulder blade.

Hitters can, in most cases, understand being buzzed off the plate or thrown at when riding a hot streak—so long as all fastballs are kept from the rib cage to the cleats.

Melancon not only abused that unwritten rule twice, but also did so in a blowout win. It added insult to injury, and attacked a respected hitter who has absolutely no previous incidents with the ball club.

Pedroia’s hit by pitch was unprovoked and unnecessary, and added a new wrinkle to the rest of the 2009 season (as if the Youkilis-Chamberlain angle wasn’t heated enough already).

Entering Thursday’s game, Pedroia was just 8-for-31 (.258) with 0 HR and 1 RBI against New York in eight games. Is one opposite field gift home run now worthy of a head-hunting heater?

An old adage clearly states that one should “let sleeping dogs lie,” which is exactly what the Red Sox were. They were a struggling team looking for a spark; looking for a catalyst for a rallying cry.

Josh Beckett and the Red Sox will be out for blood tonight in the series’ second game. A fiery and borderline psychotic competitor when toeing the rubber, Beckett will not allow his MVP to be head-hunted twice without retribution.

The rest of the team will undoubtedly rally behind their gutsy and hard-nosed sparkplug, ensuring that revenge is packaged and sent with a bow to the home team’s clubhouse.

How will Yankee fans respond if their captain and fellow “leader by example” is drilled in Friday’s contest—perhaps suffering a broken bone on his hand?

What if recent Red Sox killer and white hot slugger Mark Teixeira (.343 AVG, .477 OBP, 4 HR) is sent to the trainer’s room with an elbow swollen up like Angelina Jolie’s lips?

Yankees Universe could not spend even one second yelling at the television set or calling for a bench-clearing brawl, because the Red Sox sadly would have done nothing wrong.

The “eye for an eye” retaliation method in MLB has a history as storied as the game itself, and the Yankees unfortunately chose the wrong method of message-sending.

Before hopping onto the couch to watch Game Two tonight, or popping the first potato chip into your mouth, please remember to take a second to say a prayer for the Yankee lineup.

Repent for the bullpen’s actions and ask for forgiveness from the baseball gods. Request that retribution leaves a Yankee star bruised but not disabled—making sure that he does not miss any important games in order to heal.

First instincts may understandably promote slurs, yells, curses, and jeers, but we have to try to remember one important factor: Mark Melancon (and possibly Joe Girardi) asked for this.

Cross your fingers and hold your breath, because tonight might be a bumpy ride.

Yankees Provide Insufficient Power Source: Homers Pile Up Without Impact

Much has been made of the somewhat secretive process of decreasing fencing distance heading from the right field foul pole toward the bleacher seats in the new Yankee Stadium.

Many more whispers have carried through the Bronx on the same wind currents helping to transform doubles into home runs and lazy fly balls into heart-stopping warning track peril.

The Yankees, who have subsequently launched 132 home runs into the stands, have actually failed to take advantage of the offensive opportunity in front of them.

On the eve of tonight’s MLB Home Run Derby, it was important to take a closer look at the record-setting souvenirs delivered by Yankee sluggers.

While power stats have accumulated in rather impressive fashion, the impact of the pinstriped muscle-flexing has left much to be desired. In many cases, they have provided less “bang for their buck” than a seeing-eye single by Brett Gardner.

Yankee home runs have generally been as “solo” as a socially awkward teenager at the middle school winter formal. They are often quietly sitting alone in the corner watching a halfhearted edition of The Electric Slide—wondering if anyone is noticing their presence.

To illustrate this with a little statistical analysis, not even one member of the Yankee double-digit power contingent has hit more than half their home runs with a teammate manning the basepaths.

This list includes Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Johnny Damon, and Derek Jeter.

They have accounted for 116 of New York’s 132 home runs (88 percent), but have produced “socially awkward teenagers” 70 times. This means that three out of every five homers that they hit is no more damaging a result than a sacrifice fly.

To put this into perspective, Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay of the Boston Red Sox have hit just 36 percent of their round-trippers with nobody on base. Bay in particular has “gone solo” just five times out of 20 opportunities.

The Red Sox are so dangerous because they can truly change the game with one swing—always one hanging curveball away from a three-run homer. Their longballs provide damage, and help to shrivel opponent morale like a slug battling a salt shaker.

New York may be on an alarming power pace, but it needs to find a way to reserve its blasts for more destructive game situations.

Solo home runs can be quite dramatic when timed correctly, such as Johnny Damon’s walk-off in the 11th inning against Minnesota on May 17. The majority of the time, however, they are a minor bump in the road for an opposing starting pitcher.

In fact, many of the game’s great hurlers prided themselves on limiting teams to solo home runs, as they will nine times out of 10 not be the reason a team wins or loses a game.

Hitting well in key situations has been a problem for the Yankees, and even their home runs have been timed poorly during the flow of ball games.

They are currently sitting on a goldmine of power potential, and could soon be dishing out as many “grand slams” as Roger Federer and Denny’s Restaurants.

Yankee home runs need to stop acting like a socially awkward teenager, and much more like the captain of the football team.

After all, nobody likes to be left home alone on Saturday night.

Yankees Slugger of the Future Profile: Double-A Catcher Jesus Montero

The New York Yankees have had a much-maligned minor league talent pool for quite some time—and rightfully so.

General Manager Brian Cashman ignored the development of talented young prospects in favor of aging and overly priced veterans—which subsequently transformed an “Amazon River” into a “Sahara Desert.”

Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Alfonso Soriano, and Ted Lilly suddenly became Andy Phillips, Colter Bean, Jorge De Paula, Sean Henn, and Kevin Thompson.

Position player prospects have been even harder to come by—forcing fans to latch onto the prized arms of Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain for hopes of a farm system resurrection.

Luckily for New York, there is finally a prototypical slugger waiting in to wings of the Yankee minor league system. He’s big, strong, patient at the plate, hits for average, hits for power, and is a doubles machine.

Fans can officially raise the volume level on the buzz already circulating around hitting prospect Jesus Montero of the Double-A Trenton Thunder.

*It was important to highlight the potential of Montero in the wake of the public outcry of Yankee fans to acquire Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Montero began the season at Single-A Tampa, but has quickly risen to the Double-A ranks. In a combined 74 minor leagues games in 2009, he is hitting .336 with 13 HR, 52 RBI, 20 doubles, and a .391 OBP.

When these statistics are calculated over a full 162-game season, Montero would produce 28-29 HR, 114 RBI, and 44 doubles. To put this into perspective, Kevin Youkilis had 29 HR, 115 RBI, a .390 OBP, 43 doubles, and a .312 BA in 2008.

Before an unruly mob carrying torches approaches my front door, I am not at all comparing minor league success to an MVP-caliber season in MLB’s toughest division.

The numbers are so strikingly similar, however, that they could help to project what kind of hitter Montero has the potential to become.

What’s the best part about Montero? He was born in November 1989, which makes him a teenager at just 19 years old.

After a slow start in Double-A, Montero has been adjusting quite nicely. He launched five home runs in a four-game span last week, and is hitting .333 over his last 10 games.

The only problem with the slugger’s game occurs when he is squatting behind home plate—as opposed to standing next to it while wielding a bat.

Montero is an average catcher at best, and is likely to be forced out from behind the plate in order to appear at the major league level. The Yankees would also prefer being able to utilize his bat in the lineup more than 120-130 games per season.

This would not be an issue, aside from the fact that New York is set at most of the reasonable replacement positions.

The corner infield is secure for the better part of a decade with Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, and Jorge Posada will likely be a permanent clog of the DH role by the time Montero is ready to contribute in the Bronx.

Corner outfield becomes the only conceivable option remaining, and Montero’s 6’4” 230+ pound frame does not exactly scream “range.”

A name that jumps into mind when picturing Montero as a corner outfielder is Houston’s LF Carlos Lee. While he might not produce as many tape-measure shots as Lee, he could play LF and DH whenever Posada is able to catch.

This is clearly a bridge the Yankees will worry about crossing when they arrive at it, but it is a wonderful “problem” to have. For the first time in nearly a decade, New York will have to determine a way to plug a young star in the making into its lineup.

After all, wouldn’t it be ironic that a man named “Jesus” may be responsible for the resurrection of the Yankee position player prospects?

Power Outage: Alex Rodriguez Has Become a Liability in Yankees Lineup

The Yankees “hot corner” has begun to freeze up like a cameraman at the sight of former Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers.

A lengthy win streak once accredited to Rodriguez’s triumphant and energizing comeback has long since departed, and the Yankees are left wondering what to expect from the wealthiest slugger in baseball.

New York is just 6-8 in its last 14 games, which includes a recent three-game humiliation at the hands of the Washington Nationals—the worst team in Major League Baseball.

Rodriguez has become worse than a one-dimensional “all-or-nothing” slugger—destined to either strike out blindly or launch a pitch into the stands. He is essentially providing an “almost-nothing-or-nothing” dynamic to the center of the Yankees struggling lineup.

The numbers displaying A-Rod’s ineptitude are endless and staggering, and will be condensed in the interest of time. The Yankee slugger is 0-for-14 in his last four games, and just 3-for-34 (0.088) in his last 10.

On a broader scale, Rodriguez is hitting just .145 in the entire month of June, and is sporting an anemic .309 OBP during this time period. He has had just two multi-hit games since his return on May 8, and neither of those has occurred since May 25.

There has been a disconcerting power outage as well, as A-Rod has produced just two home runs in his last 23 games—a pace that would generate just 14 home runs over a 162 game season.

The Yankees and their frustrated fans were not naïve enough to expect the 2007 MVP version of their third baseman—but no one could have expected results this poor.

He looks completely lost and off-balance at the plate—uncomfortable in a batter’s box he once made his own personal sanctuary.

Unfortunately, even Kate Hudson has been unable to relax Rodriguez. Subsequently, he has been greeted with a chorus of boos as loud and persistent as any slump in years past.

Coaching staffs and pitchers have targeted A-Rod’s unquestionable weakness, and have consistently abused it. His hip surgery appears to have vastly limited his ability to rotate and drive the inside pitch—which has resulted in countless two-seam fastballs riding in on his hands.

Furthermore, he seems unable to lift the ball with authority to right field—once his trademark at the Major League level. Balls that once landed in the 15th row are now barely hitting the top of the wall—even while aided by closer fencing alignments, shorter walls, and possible wind assistance.

If he cheats on the inside pitch by opening up slightly early, pitchers are throwing sliders or four-seamers on the outside part of the plate—confident that a single likely represents the worst outcome.

The issue is not the length or timing of the slump, it is the concern that the underlying catalyst of A-Rod’s failures will persist through season’s end.

Unless continuous rehabilitation advances his flexibility, there will remain a rather simple formula to retiring him at the plate.

Mark Teixeira’s hot streak is beginning to tail off, and the Yankees desperately need Rodriguez to snap out of his slump in order to sustain success. If nothing else, they need him to become enough of a threat to adequately protect Teixeira hitting in front of him.

If A-Rod continues to creep closer and closer to the “Mendoza Line,” pitchers will not even take the chance of challenging Teixeira with a base open. This will pass the baton to a man seemingly unable to deliver a knockout punch.

The Yankees and hitting coach Kevin Long need to find a way to reset A-Rod’s circuit breaker, because a continued power outage at 3B could lead to the lights being turned off in Yankee Stadium before the postseason.

Teixeira, Cano Seek Hardware: Right Side of Yankee IF Has “Midas Touch”

It has been virtually impossible to overlook the offensive production supplied by Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano in the middle of the Yankee lineup.

Teixeira is currently on pace for 53 HR, 145 RBI, 119 R, and .618 SLG. These would all be career highs for the new pinstriped addition, as he has become as likely an MVP candidate as any player in MLB.

Cano has rebounded fantastically from a nightmare 2008 campaign—on pace for 28 HR, 104 RBI, 111 R, 41 2B, and just 51 K. All of these production statistics would set or tie career highs for him, and the 51 strikeouts would represent his all-time low.

The way the two stars are producing in other ways, however, could lead to very high praise after the season’s end.

It is how these men are handling the leather—as opposed to the lumber—that is earning them recognition across Major League Baseball. Teixeira and Cano’s “Midas touch” on the defensive end could spell a pair of Gold Gloves in their immediate future.

Already a proud owner of the award, Teixeira has somehow elevated his defensive prowess to new heights.

The new Yankees 1B has erased the clumsy years of Jason Giambi from fans’ minds, helping to reminisce about Don Mattingly and Tino Martinez playing next to flawless at the position.

Teixeira has yet to make an error in 60 games played at first base—of course producing a 1.000 fielding percentage.

His aerial acrobatics and controlled dives have seemingly saved as many runs as he has produced, and he has shown a knack for throwing with accuracy and strength from his knees—or even his stomach.

Teixeira saves a teammate’s errant throw nearly every single night, whether with a perfectly timed stretch or a scoop even Yankees sponsor Turkey Hill would be proud of.

While “Big Tex” has been jaw-dropping at first base, he has been far from alone on the right side of the infield. Cano has partnered with Teixeira in creating the most dynamic defensive combination that New York has seen in quite some time.

It appears the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry has added yet another wrinkle, as they will have to wrestle the awards away from Kevin Youkilis and reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia.

While Youkilis has played equally as well at the position thus far in 2009, he has also played 15 fewer games at 1B than Teixeira—putting “Big Tex” slightly ahead in terms of deservingness.

In the second base war, however, Cano has actually out-defended Pedroia. Cano has just three errors, a .989 fielding percentage, and has turned 41 double plays. Pedroia has committed four errors, turned just 36 double plays, and has a .985 fielding percentage.

By no means has it been a stark contrast in skill, as Pedroia is as consistently good as anyone in the league. To this point in the season, Cano has simply supplied a few more karats of gold.

Though I believe Bill James’ new statistical analysis to be a farce along with the rest of sabermetrics, Cano does also have a better “range factor” at 4.50 than Pedroia’s 4.40.

No players were more responsible for New York’s record-breaking errorless streak than Cano and Teixeira, and the publicity generated from the accomplishment should shift Gold Glove votes in their favor.

It remains to be seen if the consistency and impact can continue for 162 games, but it is undeniable how important their glove work has been to the Yankees success.

Every ball lifted into the air to the right side of the stadium may be ending up in the seats, but any ball on the ground is ending up in Cano or Teixeira’s glove.

Yankees Turn the Page: Top 5 Reasons This Trip to Fenway Won’t be Déjà Vu

The calendar reads June 9, and the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are once again prepared to battle over a three game series.

New York will certainly be looking for payback after a Fenway sweep the last time around from April 24-26, and come in playing much more consistent baseball.

Terry Francona’s Sox are far from slumping, however, and should pose as challenging an opponent as is always expected of them—especially in a home ball park they seemingly never lose in.

This time around, the Yankees are determined to prevent a repeat of recent history. Luckily for them, there are at least five reasons why they can begin to calm their nerves.

The countdown will run readers through a quick list of extenuating circumstances from the first Fenway series that should no longer be factors over the next few days.

Any feedback and suggestions are always welcomed and requested, especially from the always confident members of Red Sox Nation. Enjoy the list, and I hope to talk to all of you soon.

5. The Presence of CC Sabathia

While the Red Sox have been able to deploy Josh Beckett and Jon Lester a combined four times in five games against New York this year, the Yankees have yet to release ace CC Sabathia into the rivalry.

Boston will not miss Sabathia during this trip, and will likely have a much tougher time scoring runs. A matchup with Brad Penny should also benefit the Yankees, and could provide a nice end to the three-game set.

Even is Sabathia has faced Boston in their April series, they would still be seeing an entirely different pitcher on Thursday night.

He was 1-3 with a 4.85 ERA on May 2, but has since gone 4-0 with a stellar ERA—returning to the dominant pitcher New York thought they had signed this offseason.

Sabathia was coaxed into the Bronx to win games exactly like this one, and Boston should provide the first test as to whether or not the Yankees made the right decision.

4. Red Sox No Longer Aided By “The Streak”

The last time New York visited Fenway Park, Boston was in the midst of one of the more impressive win streaks in recent memory.

They had just finished winning seven games in a row before the Yankees arrived, and stretched the overall streak to 11 before it was said and done.

Momentum and confidence are as important to baseball as balls and strikes, and winning does wonders for a team’s overall play. Instead of wondering who is going to deliver a clutch hit, each player begins to expect it to occur.

Boston has recently lost two of three against the Texas Rangers coming into the series—a team New York has handled rather easily thus far this season.

By no means are the Red Sox lacking in confidence or swagger, but there is a stark difference between a seven-game win streak and losing a series at home.

3. No Jon Lester:

The Red Sox are not armed with their talented young lefthander for the series with New York, and the Yankees could not be happier.

The hard throwing southpaw is 3-0 with a 2.02 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over the last two seasons against them. Lester also boasts a remarkable 41:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 35 2/3 IP.

In 2009 alone, the Red Sox are 2-0 in Lester’s starts against the Yankees, and he managed to shut down their lineup even without his best stuff for the majority of the games.

To further emphasize the relief of avoiding Lester, he is currently 16-2 with a 3.30 ERA in his career at home.

When coupling his tremendous home success with the Red Sox 18-8 record in Fenway in 2009, it will be comforting to instead stare out at Tim Wakefield or Brad Penny.

2. The Cooling of the “Jason Bay Factor”

Shortly after the last Yankees-Red Sox series in Fenway, Jason Bay peaked at a .523 OBP and .359 AVG on April 28.

Bay hit the biggest home run of the 2009 rivalry to this date—a two out home run off of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. It clearly shook New York’s confidence, and provided the fuel needed to finish the April massacre.

The Red Sox slugger remained hot for many more weeks, but has since cooled drastically on the heels on the Yankees return to New England.

Bay is just 19-for-86 since May 14, which calculated to an anemic .221 batting average. His power numbers have sustained themselves throughout the decline, eerily similar to Teixeira’s April struggles.

The Yankees will be facing a lineup without a healthy David Ortiz and a struggling Jason Bay, which should help to somewhat reduce the potency of an always dangerous Red Sox offensive attack.

1. The Return of Alex Rodriguez

The Yankee lineup that faced the Red Sox in April was struggling, and was forced to battle without their best hitter.

Furthermore, the absence of Alex Rodriguez helped to spiral new acquisition Mark Teixeira into an unimaginable slump.

When the final out was recorded in April’s three-game sweep, “Big Tex” was hitting just .218—representing a virtual automatic out in most games. He was as susceptible to the strikeout as any point in his entire career.

Rodriguez’s return has reenergized the entire lineup, as well as placing a true “fear factor” back into the middle of the batting order.

Since A-Rod’s return on May 8, Teixeira is hitting .374, and now leads the American League with 18 home runs. He has undoubtedly entered the MVP discussion, and truly appears as though he has been reborn in pinstripes.

The domino effect resulting from A-Rod’s return has finally delivered a feeling of self-assurance to the Yankee clubhouse, which should help to erase the current 0-5 head-to-head record from their minds.

The Melky Cabrera Tale: How A Failed Trade Was the Move of the Offseason

A baby-faced ball of energy burst onto the Bronx scene in 2006 and 2007, capturing the hearts of fans eager to find the next homegrown hero.

The player was Yankees CF Melky Cabrera, asked to fill a defensive hole left by an oft-injured and rapidly aging Johnny Damon.

An awkward shot put release was replaced by an intimidating laser arm, and Cabrera completely changed the way opposing teams ran the bases.

In just 247 games in CF during this time, Cabrera generated an impressive 26 outfield assists. He nearly saved as many runs as he was originally expected to drive in at home plate.

The “Melk Man” love affair quickly eroded in 2008, however, as Cabrera instigated many more groans, boos, and expletives than magical moments.

Defensive lapses, a .249 AVG, and an anemic .301 OBP eventually forced New York’s hand.

There were now at least four to five names surfacing as potential starting CFs in the Bronx, and Cabrera’s name was no longer among them.

Speedy youngster Brett Gardner would likely replace him coming out of spring training, and any GM with access to technology could begin courting his services.

Trade proposals subsequently began to flow into Brian Cashman’s cell phone, and one in particular piqued his interest.

The Milwaukee Brewers were on the line, offering 36 year old CF Mike Cameron in exchange for the suddenly lactose intolerant “Melk Man.”

Some fans entertained images of the once Gold Glove caliber defense Cameron played in the past, while others accepted the reality of his age, career .250 AVG, and astronomical strikeout totals.

After a period of flirting and counter-offers regarding the portion of Cameron’s contract that New York would be obligated to pay, the trade interest eventually dissolved.

The Yankees have discovered that not trading away Cabrera may have been the smartest move they made all offseason.

While the calendar only reads June 6, Cabrera has already provided three walk-off hits to go along with a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning of Thursday’s game.

Cabrera has resurrected his career and the “fan favorite” nature of his play, currently supplying stellar outfield defense while hitting .311 with a .360 OBP.

He helped to stabilize a Yankees lineup without Alex Rodriguez, Xavier Nady, and Jorge Posada, and has clearly risen to the occasion during clutch scenarios.

Cabrera has also performed at the highest of levels against New York’s toughest opponents, hitting 16-for-41 (.390) against the Red Sox, Angels, and Phillies.

Cameron, meanwhile, has failed miserably with runners in scoring position—going just 6-for-40 (.150) with two extra base hits.

Though his overall AVG and OBP are far above his career averages, he is making seven times the salary of Cabrera in 2009.

The Yankees already have a bevy of overpriced and aging outfielders with limited range (Damon, Matsui), and yet another would have prevented the athleticism of Cabrera and Gardner to be implemented.

It would have been especially debilitating as a result of Cameron’s propensity to kill rallies by not making contact.

Cameron is currently on pace for 143 strikeouts, which also destroys any ability for manager Joe Girardi to use the hit and run when he is at the plate.

In contrast, the “Melk Man” is hitting over .300 from both sides of the plate, and is on pace for just 65 strikeouts—proving to be very reliable in the aggressive elements of Girardi’s game plan.

Other offseason moves have come up roses, as C.C. Sabathia has begun to present himself as a true ace, and Mark Teixeira has been the unquestionable offensive MVP of the Yankees through June.

However, it may be maintaining Cabrera that has been as important an offseason move as any that Cashman made during the winter months.

It is a good thing most households in New York City are equipped with refrigerators, because the Melk Man continues to deliver—seemingly on a daily basis.

What A Difference an A-Rod Makes: Teixeira Thanks Lucky Star for Slugger

Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira had heard all of the boos cascading onto the field from every corner of the new Yankee Stadium.

The team was struggling mightily, and so was the man signed to replace Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi’s production and “fear factor” in the middle of the lineup.

Once the April nightmare finally concluded, Teixeira was left staring at a .200 AVG, 3 HR, and just 10 RBI on the stat sheet.

Former Yankees hero Tino Martinez must have sympathized for the new addition, as he suffered the wrath of identical fan frustration in 1996.

Though he hit .244 with 13 RBI in April 1996, he was also forced to swap places with Yankee captain and hero Don Mattingly.

Needless to say, fans were not quite so eager to accept him into their hearts.

An instant connection was formed between the two slick-fielding first basemen, and Martinez’s experienced advice was just what the doctor ordered for the slumping “Tex.”

"[He told me] just to be yourself, have fun," Teixeira said. "Maybe just seeing him and seeing his smiling face put a little pep in my step, I don't know. It seemed like from that point on, I started seeing the ball real well and putting some good swings on it."

Martinez began to relax Teixeira, allowing the addition of one more key ingredient to set off a chain reaction that left nothing but long balls and Yankee victories in its wake.

Enter the man that everyone loves to hate and hates to admit that they love—Yankees 3B and chemically-assisted superstar Alex Rodriguez.

If Martinez was the baking soda in Teixeira’s eruption of success, then A-Rod was certainly the vinegar.

Since May 9, the day after A-Rod’s return, Teixeira has accumulated 11 HR, 32 RBI, 22 R, and a .379 AVG in just 24 games played.

To truly emphasize how smoldering “Tex” has become, this statistical pace would equate to 74 HR, 216 RBI, and 149 R when stretched over a full season.

A-Rod’s mere presence in the lineup has supplied Tex with better stress reduction than a week of tai chi or yoga techniques, and a chorus of boos have quickly transformed into curtain calls and jersey sales.

New York is 19-7 since A-Rod’s name was once again penciled into the lineup, skyrocketing the team from a distant third place to a first place tie.

While A-Rod’s name will always be the topic of headlines and the answer to trivia questions, it has been Tex who has ignited a fire under a previously inept offensive attack.

A virtual automatic out has now thrown his hat into the American League’s MVP discussion, and the Yankees have rallied around his resurrection.

Additionally, Tex has played nothing short of Gold Glove defense at first, making every check he cashes throughout the season suddenly seem like a discount.

The Yankees knew it was important to pluck Tex from the Red Sox’s grasp this offseason, but no one could have predicted exactly how important.

Early struggles with an injury epidemic left New York in desperate need of a power threat, and David Ortiz’s failures have created a gaping hole in a once horrifying lineup.

We all knew that Tex was far too good to continue to struggle, but it is nice to see his problems fail to linger into the summer months.

Yankees Universe would now like to say something in the direction of GM Brian Cashman that they have not gotten to say very often in recent years.

Thank you.

Alex Rodriguez Does NOT Hit Homer: Yankees Fans Given Reason to Rejoice

The New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers on Monday afternoon, and Alex Rodriguez did something he had not done in a very long time.

A-Rod generated a multi-hit game for just the second time in 17 games, going 5-for-5 while driving in four runs.

However, it was something that A-Rod didn’t do that should have the baseball world stirring this morning.

His five hits including three singles and two doubles, without any balls landing beyond Arlington’s tiny walls.

Perhaps A-Rod just did not want to provide a souvenir for a fan base sending more “boos” his way than a haunted house attraction during Halloween.

Either way, he was able to raise his average 70 points in just one day, moving from anemia to respectability in just five swings.

We all know that A-Rod still has power, as some of his seven early home runs have yet to return from orbiting the Earth.

Hitting a home run on the first pitch he saw following extensive hip rehabilitation was enough evidence that mistakes will be punished; especially those located on the inner half of the plate.

A-Rod proved that he is no longer a one-dimensional weapon in the batter’s box, and pitchers now need to worry about more than watching him walk to first or job around the bases.

Rodriguez hit fastballs, breaking balls, change-ups, high pitches, low pitches, inside and out. He shots the gaps, yet was also able to drive the ball through the middle of the infield.

For the first time in 2009, Rodriguez’s balance at the plate rivaled Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson on the beam in Beijing.

Previously, he appeared more like a baby attempting to take his or her first steps, or a drunk collegiate encountering an unexpected patch of black ice.

The Yankees finally have a middle of the order that provokes nightmares, as A-Rod and partner in crime Mark Teixeira have heated up simultaneously—is anyone surprised?

Teixeira has collected five straight multi-hit games, raising his average to .273. Even after a putrid beginning, he is currently on pace for 49 HR, 136 RBI, and 117 R.

A-Rod’s multifaceted impact on the Yankees lineup has resulted in a 13-4 record since his return. He has been every bit as important as fans had hoped, and he has sparked a return of success to the Bronx.

The key to the lineup moving forward will be figuring out who will drive in Teixeira and A-Rod once they reach base.

Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera have done solid jobs thus far, but the health of Jorge Posada or Xavier Nady will allow for a more consistent power threat from the five hole in the batting order.

There are numerous holes to be filled on the Yankees roster, including figuring out the bullpen woes that worsened with the continued discomfort in Brian Bruney’s elbow.

The team still stands at 26-19, however, just one game behind Boston and two and a half games up in the AL Wild Card landscape.

A-Rod is beginning to once again become a force on the baseball diamond in 2009, and is just one hot streak away from boasting statistics worthy of an All-Star selection—even after missing the season’s first 6 weeks.

Rodriguez has also begun to absorb the looseness and youthful enthusiasm on the Yankee clubhouse, as cameras have even caught a multitude of smiles on his face.

He is no longer a distant and alienated “A-Droid,” and may finally be able to relax when pressure begins to crescendo.

Yankees Universe is beginning to develop a swagger and expectation for positive outcomes, as opposed to waiting impatiently for what will go wrong next.

As Toronto and Tampa have faded back to normalcy, it appears as though yet another Yankees-Red Sox battle is beginning to unfold in the AL East.

Stayed tuned, it could be a very interesting summer.

In a Weekend Filled with Heroic Yankees, Alfredo Aceves Goes Unnoticed

Amidst a sea of heroes and inspiration in the Bronx over the weekend, one quiet and unsung hero was left unnoticed.

Yankees pitcher Alfredo Aceves helped to stabilize a bullpen recently diagnosed as bi-polar, ensuring that a tie score would carry over into the bottom half of the inning.

Without Aceves, New York likely would have stepped to the plate with its tail between its legs, having just allowed a horde of base runners to score.

Aceves pitched a scoreless and uneventful inning in consecutive games, lowering his ERA to 2.16. He has collected 9 K while surrendering just 2 BB, and currently displays a 0.84 WHIP in 8 1/3 IP.

While Brett Gardner, Mark Teixeira, Melky Cabrera, Alex Rodriguez, and Johnny Damon allocated the role of hero over the weekend, Aceves quietly earned back-to-back victories on Sat. and Sun.

A.J. Burnett covered the faces of Cabrera, A-Rod, and Damon with a celebratory whipped cream pie, but it was Aceves who prevented New York from being left with the proverbial “pie in the face.”

Aceves has been the model of consistency is his time with the Yankees, holding hitters to a .214 BAA in 38 1/3 innings pitched. His 1.09 WHIP and 2.35 ERA help too further uncover the secret of his covert successes.

Though he is a rather unassuming man, do not be fooled by his lack of unbridled emotion.

Aceves uses his calm focus as a weapon, and is capable of handling pressure situations with poise. This is of course the most important section of the Yankees prospective player application.

Most importantly, he has the ability to—you might want to sit down for this—immediately throw strikes out of the bullpen. This is a skill the rest of his mound mates seem to purposely avoid.

Manager Joe Girardi seems to have finally granted Aceves the respect and trust that he deserved all along, and will look to place him into additional important situations down the road.

It is anyone’s guess why pitchers like Jonathan Albaladejo, Anthony Claggett, David Robertson, and Steven Jackson received shots on the 25-man roster before Aceves, but it is safe to say that he is here to stay.

New York has been waiting for six weeks to find a reliever not named Mariano Rivera willing to step up in clutch pitching scenarios.

Aceves has finally thrown his hat into the ring, and could provide a much needed emotional respite for a fan base steadily reaching for Xanax in the latter innings.

Continue to underestimate and disregard the inconspicuous Aceves, as it will further feed into his drive to succeed.

Don’t let his name confuse or mislead you…Alfredo is out to prove that he is anything but “chicken.”

Yankees Lineup Dissected, Evaluated: Where Do the Bronx Bombers Stand?

In the wake of countless college graduation ceremonies being performed across the Untied States, it is once again time to put the Yankees through the GPA gauntlet.

After giving out the individual April awards during a May 1 banquet, we will now focus on where New York stands after a 2-6 stretch following that date.

The issues surrounding New York’s starting rotation and middle relief have been well documented and assessed, and represent a major catalyst for the team’s 15-16 start to 2009.

This grading evaluation will instead focus on the Yankee lineup; a group of men that were anticipated to pummel opponents’ rotations until they cried in the corner of the dugout in the fetal position.

Before I hand out the A’s, C’s, and F’s, let’s first focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the offensive attack at this juncture of a marathon baseball season.

Offensive Strengths:

The Yankees currently stand at 8th in MLB with a .273 team batting average, as well as 6th with a .353 on-base percentage. Additionally, they are 2nd in the league in slugging (.468), 4th in OPS (.821), 2nd in home runs (48), and 5th in runs scored overall (172).

They have shown flashes of greatness, and have had a knack for hitting the long ball when they need it most in recent weeks. The bullpen has helped to mask this fact, but there is some reason to view the situation as “half full” moving forward.

New York sits near the top of baseball in a bevy of offensive categories, all while performing far below its expectations and skill set.

Offensive Weaknesses:

The season has produced many games that have been first round knockouts, as the starting rotation has left New York with seven and eight run deficits to overcome.

Many other games have come down to clutch performance, a skill once the lifeblood of any Bronx lineup. This season, however, the team is currently third to last in the AL with a .244 AVG with runners in scoring position (RISP).

The RISP number is also slightly skewed toward the positive, as many of these hits have occurred in convincing victories. The reality is even more dismal than the statistics indicate.

To make matters worse, the Yankees hit just .240 with RISP and two outs, a stat that truly encompasses the team’s struggles to produce with pressures magnified.

The inability to drives in back-breaking runs late in games has left the bullpen in a position to instead break the hearts of Yankees fans.

Semester One Grading Assessment

Valedictorian: Johnny Damon (A+)

After yet another clutch home run against the Orioles on Sunday, Damon now has 9 HR, 25 RBI, 23 R, and a .314 batting average.

Damon has had an incredible resurgence in 2009, and has helped to keep a struggling lineup afloat in recent weeks. In nine May games alone, he has produced 5 HR, 15 RBI, and a .350 average.

The Good:

1. Melky Cabrera (A)

Once left for dead within the Yankees organization, Cabrera was as much trade bait as he was a prospective starter. He has saved a center field situation that had become a black hole, hitting .333 in 81 at bats. He has also added 4 HR, 10 RBI, and a .407 OBP.

2. Robinson Cano (A-)

Cano has often been considered a lazy or nonchalant athlete, appearing to approach the task at hand without full dedication. His hard work during the offseason has paid off, as he is hitting .321 with 6 HR, 18 RBI, and 21 R. A recent homecoming of certain bad habits at the plate has caused Cano’s consistency to slip, preventing an A grade.

3. Nick Swisher (B+)

The true darling of the Yankees roster in 2009, Swisher had box scores treating him as kindly as fans during April. He ended the month at .312 with 7 HR, 19 RBI, and a stellar .430 OBP.

An ‘A’ grade has quickly fallen to a ‘B+’, as Swisher is just 3-for-23 in May (.130). The three hits have occurred in consecutive games, however, so perhaps he is ready to get back on track.

The Bad:

1. Derek Jeter (C+)
If Jeter’s stats were stretched over a full season, he would produce the lowest AVG, OBP, and RBI totals of his entire career. He had two 0-for-5 games in the last week alone, and has been rather pedestrian overall.

The Captain nearly climbed out of the “bad” category as a result of numerous clutch performances in the early weeks of April, helping to prevent an even more embarrassing start for the Yankees.

2. Hideki Matsui (C-)

“Godzilla” was counted on to provide pop from the middle of the lineup in order to compensate for the losses of Alex Rodriguez and Xavier Nady. In 98 at bats, he has produced just 2 HR and 12 RBI, offering nothing more than a keen eye to New York.

A .410 OBP for the month of April is the only thing saving Matsui from the “ugly” category, as he is just 7-for-33 in May (.212) with 3 RBI and a .250 OBP. He also has a propensity to clog up the bases due to his damaged knees.

The Ugly:

1. Mark Teixeira (D-)

Teixeira arrived in New York with a $180 million contract and lofty expectations. The subsequent injury to A-Rod then placed the lineup squarely onto his shoulders, and he couldn’t handle the responsibility. Still hitting an appalling .198, Teixeira has turned a “historically slow starter” moniker into fears of a never-ending train wreck.

While “Big Tex” is still on pace for 40 HR and 97 RBI, he has come up very small. He has resembled Pedro Cerrano from Major League, as he looks as though he has never seen a professional curveball before. Boos will turn into disownment is he does not turn it around with A-Rod hitting behind him.

2. Third Base (F)

The combination of Cody Ransom, Angel Berroa, and Alex Rodriguez collected just 1 HR, 9 RBI, .178 AVG, and .233 OBP in 25 games. Yankees 3B were also leading the league in errors at the point of A-Rod’s return. Ramiro Pena played admirably, but his individual moments cannot overcome the calamity of New York’s “frigid corner.”

The Infirmary:

1. Jorge Posada (A-)

Before an injury placed him on the DL, Posada was also in the running for valedictorian. His .312 AVG, 5 HR, 20 RBI, and .402 OBP in just 23 games were numbers fit for an All-Star starter at the position. He reenergized the lineup, and had proven that a surgically repaired throwing shoulder would not at all affect his production in the batter’s box.

2. Xavier Nady (Incomplete)
Nady played just seven games before injuring his throwing arm, hitting .286 with 2 RBI. He is very important to New York’s second half success, but has not played enough to earn a grading evaluation.

3. Jose Molina (B)

Molina is potentially the best backup catcher in all of baseball. His defensive prowess is unquestioned, and he quickly became the biggest luxury on New York’s bench.

Not known for his offense, Molina’s .273 AVG is more than serviceable considering his expectations. Unfortunately, a recent quad injury has left the Yankees scrambling for a worthy and dependable backstop.

Cumulative GPA:

After calculating all of these grades on an even scale for each grade, the Yankees offense possesses a 2.74 GPA. This causes them to fall somewhere between a C+ and B- in terms of an overall grading evaluation.

Considering the consistent pitching struggles and strength of schedule, New York is going to have to hit closer to an A- in order to earn itself a playoff spot come October.

New York Yankees Star in Feature Film, Rip Van Winkle: A Baseball Tale

Steady and commanding rainfall attempted to halt the heartless nightmare of Yankees baseball on Wednesday night.

It almost appeared as though the dark sky was crying the tears of dejected Yankee gods unable to stomach watching another inning packed with emptiness.

Before the imposing cloud cover got its wish, Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira was seemingly able to revive a roster that had long since cashed in its chips.

His bases-clearing double in the eighth inning tied the game at 3-3.

Another bullpen cave in and RISP choke-job resulted in one more uncomfortable defeat, dropping the Yankees once again below the .500 mark.

As a result of the loss, New York had now become the leading role in Rip Van Winkle: A Baseball Tale.

The motion picture is about a weary ball club that suddenly slips in a comatose state. Worried spectators are left unsure of when—or if—its eyes will ever reopen.

After consulting a bevy of qualified baseball physicians, it is determined that brain activity is nominal, and the team’s weak heart makes an ultimate prognosis more complicated.

The heart in question is now pumping at just half its capacity; attributed to the removal of Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, and Bernie Williams from its moving parts.

Luckily for New York, its own vanity has stimulated the heart’s other half to continue functioning. Doctors feel this phenomenon is the only thing preventing an irreversible flat-line.

New York began to slip deeper and deeper into unconsciousness following the departure of Jorge Posada to visit his own series of medical personnel.

The emotional and vocal leader of the clubhouse had vanished, and New York’s heartbeat slowed to an even more perilous 30 beats per minute.

Though nowhere near the breaking point required to “pull the plug,” there is an indisputable need for daily monitoring and optimal care.

Requiring an expert opinion to help get a better grasp on the crisis, the Steinbrenners went to the only man they knew to turn to in times of medical need.

They flew to Birmingham, Alabama to visit Dr. James Andrews.

The Steinbrenners had Andrews’ number on speed-dial after signing Carl Pavano to a four-year contract, so he was rather easy to get in contact with.

Andrews was busy analyzing the brain function of Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, as well as determining the chemical composition of his “doctor-prescribed medication.”

After returning their call some time later, the two sides discuss every possibility resulting in a complete recovery. Andrews suggests an MRI at his world-renowned facilities, but the Steinbrenners fear what could be discovered.

At long last, Andrews supplies a six month prescription for “bullpen competency,” and a “clutch performance supplement” guaranteed to pass through MLB’s drug prevention and treatment program.

In an effort to avoid spoiling the film’s ending, I will pause the extended preview at this juncture.
After all, the movie’s conclusion could always be altered and transformed to reflect the happenings of the remainder of New York’s season.

The Farrelly Brothers performed a similar correction to the ending of Fever Pitch after a historic Red Sox curse was lifted forever.

Let’s hope that New York can realize a restoration and recovery process equally as miraculous.

There is plenty of time remaining, as we only have reached May 7 on the 2009 calendar. It is not time to panic, but I would suggest planning some summer vacations…just in case.

Positive News on the A-Rod Front

According to The Associated Press, today was an excellent and encouraging day in the comeback process of Alex Rodriguez.

A-Rod hit a home run, played seven innings in the field, and drew a walk off of J.C. Romero. The home run was already his second of the rehab assignment.

Romero is a bona fide reliever in the Major Leagues for the Phillies, but is currently serving a 50-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

The team would not put a concrete date on A-Rod's return, but it is believed to be within a week's time.

A-Rod will provide much needed protection for the struggling Mark Teixeira, while also adding right-handed power to a lineup dominated by lefties.

Yankees Awake to See May 1: Players Feel Differing Emotions

As the clock struck midnight on Friday morning, the calendar had officially flipped over to the month of May.

The Yankees awoke from a fulfilling night’s sleep, basking in the positivity of their recent three-game winning streak.

Currently sitting at 12-10 in the standings, New York has climbed back into striking distance of the leaders in the American League East.

The team’s record is rather remarkable considering the turmoil and misfortune that suffocated the Bronx during March and April.

The Yankees have won 54.5 percent of their games, on pace to finish 88-74 over a full 162-game season.

Virtually identical to New York’s 2008 finish of 89-73, it has done so without the luxury of even one at bat from Alex Rodriguez.

It seems more impressive when reflecting on the additional losses of Xavier Nady and Brian Bruney to elbow injuries, as well as the incompetence of the Yankees bullpen and high-priced free agent acquisitions. Chien-Ming Wang did not quite succeed as a No. 2 starter this season either.

Mark Teixeira, Damaso Marte, and Wang feared becoming the stars of their own version of Groundhog Day, unable to escape the nightmare of a never-ending April.

Many other Yankees, including Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, and Melky Cabrera, would have leaped at the opportunity to avoid the arrival of May 1.

Swisher and Cano combined for 12 HR, 35 RBI, 21 BB, and 39 R in just 22 April games. Cano had added 34 hits and a .366 AVG to his list of accolades.

Cabrera, on the other hand, has entirely rejuvenated his Yankee career. In hitting .327 with 4 HR, he has won back the starting center field job in the Bronx, and subsequently rediscovered his confidence and swagger.

While assuming the reasonable statistical comebacks of Teixeira, Burnett, and Sabathia, it is easy to see why Yankees fans have reason for optimism and hope.

The ultimate success of Wang, A-Rod, and the bullpen are still in doubt. The simple return of A-Rod to the lineup, however, should help the team’s overall lineup depth. Teixeira should also feel more comfortable and assured at the plate with legitimate protection behind him.

If “April showers bring May flowers,” then perhaps the Yankees will be purged of their troubles; once again able to perform at the highest of levels.

May will almost certainly “come in like a lion” in terms of scheduled opponents, as the month’s first seven games are against the Angels, Red Sox, and Rays. A three-game series with the World Champion Phillies also looms later in the month.

The Yankees will be tested early and often in the season’s second month, but can feel very fortunate to be in their current position.

April “showered” the Bronx with controversy, injuries, underperformance, boos, and even a strange wind current dilemma.

I’m sure those players sad to see May’s arrival will be willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. I, for one, am not waiting until Cinco de Mayo on May 5 to start celebrating.

Tino Martinez Reincarnate: Mark Teixeira Has Bright Future in Pinstripes

Mainstream media and Yankees dissenters have made much ado about nothing with regards to Mark Teixeira’s slow start in Baltimore.

Some question his ability to embrace the spotlight of New York City after he seemed to be shaken by a boisterous Orioles fan base.

Others worry that his idolization of Yankees immortal Don Mattingly will create unfair comparisons between the two players; ones he will not live up to.

Does this story sound at all familiar to fans in New York and across baseball?

It should cause fans to recall a story about a special season in 1996 involving this same Yankees franchise and their newly acquired first baseman.

During a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Seattle Mariners in the league’s first ever ALDS, New York noticed a slick-fielding 1B in the opposing dugout.

The Yankees knew that Mattingly’s days in the Bronx were numbered, even after a heroic playoff performance.

How could they replace their captain and undeniable face of the franchise?

In December of 1995, the Yankees traded highly touted prospects Sterling Hitchcock and Russ Davis for Martinez, Jim Mecir, and quirky reliever Jeff Nelson.

Martinez experienced a wave of negative publicity in the midst of a horrendous start to the season. He was constantly compared to a Yankee hero, and the daily pressure was getting to him.

Through the first nine games of the 1996 season, Martinez was hitting .088 with 0 HR 0 RBI and a .118 slugging percentage.

We all know what happened next, as Martinez dove, scooped, and mashed his way into Yankees lore.

Perhaps his greatest moment in pinstripes occurred during the 1998 World Series. Martinez launched a grand slam into Yankee Stadium’s upper deck off Padres pitcher Mark Langston.

There can be many parallels constructed between the “rookie” seasons of Martinez and Teixeira in pinstripes.

Both were gold-glove caliber first basemen coming to New York at the age of 28. Each has an inescapable connection to legend Don Mattingly, who ultimately played their position.

Media personnel are scrambling to write stories about Teixeira’s 1-for-9 start, but he has a long way to go in order to amass Martinez’s 3-for-34 debut.

Teixeira and Martinez were also arriving after successful appearances in their first ever postseasons the year before.

Martinez posted 1 HR 5 RBI and a .360 OBP in 1995, while Teixeira had 7 hits 4 runs and a .550 OBP in his first series.

Teixeira is unquestionably the more highly skilled of the two players, but they posted similar statistics in the season prior to becoming a Yankee.

Martinez hit .293 with 31 HR and 111 RBI, and “Big Tex” produced .308 with 33 HR and 121 RBI.

While Teixeira has had a slightly disappointing start to his Yankee career, it is by no means time to compare him to chokers of the past.

He can handle the spotlight, and he will produce monster numbers by season’s end.

The absence of Alex Rodriguez may help to fuel the fire of his annually dreadful Aprils, but his bat will begin to smolder along with the “dog days of summer.”

Teixeira may be wearing No. 25, but do not confuse him with the 2007 version of Jason Giambi.

Yankees Victim of “Fowl” Play: Orioles Fly High on Opening Day

The 2009 season began with hopes and dreams of a deep October playoff run.

The Yankees hoped to turn back the clocks and recreate dominance reminiscent of the late 1990s.

Monday’s season opener was not quite the initial progress they had hoped for, as the Yankees were surprised by an upstart Oriole team with something to prove.

Prized pitching acquisition C.C. Sabathia had hoped to have a New York debut so successful that fans would think his initials stood for “Chevy Chase.”

Unfortunately for the hefty lefty, his pitching prowess reminded much more of the post-Friends acting career of “Courtney Cox.”

Though there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to hit the panic button after nine innings of baseball, the loss provides dissenters some early fuel for their Yankee-hater fire.

Even if you had not watched one pitch of yesterday’s game, a single statement could explain the day’s events for the Yankees.

Of all the high-priced free agents obtained by New York during the offseason, it was Nick Swisher (1-for-1, ground rule double) who had the most promising Opening Day performance.

Considering Swisher was not in the starting lineup, and managed to accumulate about 60 seconds of field time, it is clear that Sabathia and 1B Mark Teixeira struggled in game one.

When taking a much broader perspective on the game’s events, there were many positives to cling to.

Injury concerns Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui both hit mammoth home runs, and rookie CF Brett Gardner displayed the skills necessary to start in the league.

Additionally, the unveiling of the Derek Jeter leadoff experiment was a success. Both he and Johnny Damon had multi-hit games and helped to jumpstart a stagnant offensive attack.

The Yankees did nothing to quiet the voices of those who questioned their defensive abilities or bullpen depth.

They struggled mightily in each area, and will need to make adjustments quickly in order to keep pace in the league’s toughest division.

Luckily for New York, there are 161 games remaining on their schedule. It is only a matter of time before their talented roster straightens themselves out.

It could begin tomorrow night in Baltimore, as former Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang takes the mound to prevent an immediate 2009 losing streak.

Regardless of the Opening Day disappointments, it feels incredible to once again be talking about meaningful baseball.

Buckle your seatbelts. It is going to be a wild ride.