YANKEE STRONG

A few days ago I wrote about being Jersey Strong - tonight it was Yankee Strong from the Bronx Bombers.

In the last 24 hours they went from losing Mariano Rivera for the season and maybe forever to Mariano vowing to come back next season. The mood in the clubhouse went from morose to uplifted. All on Mo's three word statement - "I'll be back". If there is anyone I would put money on to do it - it's Mariano Rivera.

The Yankees had CC on the mound, who if anyone could, he's the guy who can stop the bleeding of the losing streak. CC gave up 2 runs on 7 hits. But even more an important the bats finally started to get going. Collectively the team got 6 runs off 11 hits and home runs from Tex and Jeet. Cano seems to have started to find his swing (hopefully). They miss Gardner and Swisher both at the plate and on defense, but that just means it's time for everyone else step up.

Speaking of Captain Jeter, his batting average is again over .400, acting as if he has put the team on his shoulders knowing they have the talent to win. He also is setting the mood for the team more than ever. He came to the clubhouse tonight determined to put what happened to Mo behind them. As if to say "ok guys enough being sad, we need to start winning, Mo or no Mo". That is not Derek being uncaring about his injured teammate. I saw Derek's post game interview last night. His heart was broken over what happened to his friend of 20 years. But he also knew that feeling down about it, wasn't going to do any good. He walked in with a "c'mon lets go" attitude. That's why he's the captain - it's just Jeter being Jeter, as simple as that.

The Yankees play two more in KC and come home and play three against Rays, who have been on fire. The Rays series will be the opportunity to show the baseball world that no matter how broken the Yankees are, they are Yankee Strong, Just like Mariano will show them these next 9 or 10 months. That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.

Win today - play tomorrow.

As always, Go Yankees!

AND THEN THE CLOUDS PARTED

When I got up this moring it was bleak and overcast. I am referring to both the weather and my mood. Co-workers who know my love for the Yankees didn't bother me. As the morning went by my mood and the weather subsided. But it was no longer raining and I realized that it is what it is and there was a possibility that we had seen Mo for the last time. We had good memories of him and he would always be a Yankee. Bottom line is life moves on and so will the season.

As the later afternoon came I noticed out my office window the sun had come out and the wind had died down. It seemed a little calmer than the morning. The same was true for Mariano Rivera. As he spoke to reporters again today in the clubhouse he told them, last night he went back to his hotel room and decided he was not going out this way. He then reiterated that point by saying "I will be back. Write it down in big letters. I don't care how long it takes or how hard it is, I will be back". That is the heart and mind of a champion.

He will be back, there is no doubt because there is no quit in Mariano Rivera. See you soon Mo!