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!

TEARS - MARIANO'S AND MINE

Watching Mariano's post game interview last night brought me to tears. Although I don't know him personally, every Yankee fan will tell you, we feel like he is a friend or family member.

Derek Jeter and A-Rod looked devestated after the game. I know how they feel. When the news started hitting Twitter it was an ACL tear, my heart sank. The reason this hits everyone so hard was that Mo said in Spring Training this could be it for him, possibly retiring at the end of this season. Mo was going to take the season and soak in the moments that he had experienced over these last 17 seasons. He knew as the season wound down, whenever those last games at Yankee Stadium came, whether it be in Setember or late October, he would hear the fans chanting "Mar-i-ano" when he came in at bottom of the ninth. He deserves to still get his moment at Yankee Stadium. He deserves the standing ovation. The fans way of saying "Thank You", Fans truly want that chance as well.

I am stunned and sad. At this point no one knows how the season will turn out. Maybe this is the catalyst the team needs to start winning. It appears David Robertson will likely take over the role of closer. Many were already calling him the heir apparent. But no one wants that job this way. What I am almost certain of is Mo will tell David to go out there and make him proud. And David, I know you will.

When asked if he would ever pitch again, Mo said with tears in his eyes, in a whisper, "I don't know" My heart broke and his tears were my tears. But then when asked if he was immediately going back to NY, Mariano said he wanted to stay with the team to "make sure the boys are ok". That's Mo and that's why we love him.

#42 in your program, #1 in our hearts

ENTER SANDMAN

Isaiah 41:10 "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

My heart sunk when I saw Mariano Rivera go down in the outfield prior to tonight's game. The news only got worse.

I won't lie, I'm worried. Not that Mo won't eventually be alright, he will recover. What worries me is that depending on how severe the ACL tear is, we may never see Mariano pitch again. That thought breaks my heart.

Only a Yankee fan understands how I feel. Like Derek, Andy and Jorge; Mo is staple of this team's heart. I can't remember when "Enter Sandman" wasn't jogging from the bull pen in the 9th inning, throwing that cutter, getting three quick outs and like that the game is over. I really don't want to know what that's like-not yet.

I am saying a prayer for Mariano's speedy recovery and return to the Yankees - whether it be this season or next. I refuse to believe this is how his story ends. I only hope I am right.

DREAM WEAVER, OIL-COKE BOYD AND GETTING THE HELL OUT OF DODGE...

The Yankees played a terrible game last night. That is the only thing to say about last nights game.

With that said, I thought I would comment on some of the stories in and around baseball.

Last night LA Angels pitcher Jered Weaver pitched a no-hitter against the Twins. With the amount of struggles this team and specifically Albert Puljos have been dealing with lately, it was nice to see the team get a boost with this no-no. I like Weaver. What I like most about him is his loyalty. A good guy in baseball accomplished a great thing. That's what baseball is suppose to be about.

It was reported today that Don Zimmer has been hospitalized with Kidney problems. His son was quoted as saying Zim was expected to be released in a day or so, at which time he will begin dialysis. Zim was a Yankee bench coach under Joe Torre and is loved by so many guys that played on those Yankee teams. He is a smart, caring and devoted baseball guy. Who is proud of the fact that for over sixty something years, he has never made a living in anything but baseball. He will always be a Yankee in my heart and I wish him a speedy recovery and good health for years to come.

Yesterday Phillies ace Roy Halladay blew a 6 run lead, giving up 8 runs on 12 hits over 6 innings. Very un-Doc like. After the game, he told his manager and pitching coach he needed to leave the team to attend a family matter and would rejoin them on Friday. Which reminds us that these guys are human and have occassional personal or family struggles like everyone else does. Being paid a boat load of money does not immune anyone from that. I hope everything works out for Roy.

Did you ever wonder what players were thinking about when they were in the on deck circle? Apparently, Prince Fielder isn't thinking about his at-bat, but he's singing the "Chevrolet song". That answers that question.

Apparently Dennis "Oil-Can" Boyd, while pitching for the Red Sox in 1986, smoked crack cocaine everyday; including one time in the clubhouse just prior to pitching a game. Two things jump out at me when I heard this. First, this may give a better explanation to the Red Sox losing to the Mets in the World Series (after Buckner spent all those years being the goat), Second, makes the chicken and beer from last season seem pretty tame now. Some memories should be left in your head and not put on paper. TMI Oil Can.

So, I end with the Yankees. The team is in Kansas City for a four game series against the Royals. Maybe it will be good for the team to get the hell out of Dodge for few days. Because when they come back - it's to play the Ray, to that all I can say is....let us pray..

As always, Go Yankees!

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL...

Andy Pettitte has had long couple days. No he wasn't in Tampa or Trenton getting ready for his major league comeback. He was testifying against his former teammate, Roger Clemens. Andy was a witness for the prosecution in the government's case against Roger for perjury and obstruction. Andy had testifyied to Congress during the Mitchell Report investigation that Roger admitted to taking HGH, which then Andy said Roger later denied. Sometimes being friends with a person can complicate your life. So such is the case for Andy.

Andy, sworn under oath, answered a slew of questions ranging from his knowledge of Roger's HGH use (which was based on one conversation they had in 2000) to why he himself used HGH to explaining what the DL was or why pitchers don't pitch everyday (the last two were for the jurors who knew nothing about baseball). He recalled how in 2006, when stories were coming out about players who were using HGH, asking Roger how he would answer if he were ever asked. To which Roger replied "I never said I did that stuff. I told you Debbie (Roger's wife) did" The Prosecutor asked Andy why, if he knew that was not what Roger said in 2000, he didn't persue the topic. Andy's answer was "At that point, I knew I was on my own". That one sentence, for me, speaks volumes about Roger Clemens.

This whole saga started to play out publically in 2008 with the release of the Mitchell Report to Andy admitting to taking HGH to now testifying against Clemens. For Andy this personal drama started that first time he took HGH, knowing he was probably not doing the right thing, to sitting his four kids down and telling them what he had done, to testifying against Clemens. I really hope this whole thing has come full circle for Andy both personally and publically.

I still have the highest respect and admiration for Andy Pettitte. He is a fierce competitor, a great pitcher and above all a fine man.

Hurry home to the Bronx, Andy!

MLB ON FOX AND CAPTAIN OBVIOUS

I hate when the Yankee games are broadcast on Fox Sports Saturday. Not because I necessarily like the YES broadcast better, but becauae I have come to really dislike Tim McCarver.

Tim had his time as a player and even as a color commentary man about a million years ago, but his time has passed. Aside from the fact he makes constant flubs (eg: “Kevin Long had been working with Curtis and Granderson” – HUH?), I can do without the pointing out the obvious during a game. I KNOW what a pitch count clicker looks like. I don’t need Tim to not only tell me what one looks like but how it works. Hey McCarver it’s called a CLICKER – the name really says it all. I also don’t need to be reminded the wall in left field of Fenway is really big – that’s why they call it the Monster. Lastly, I don’t need you to tell me some long winded story about how Bob Gibson pitched 50 years ago.

Frankly, unless it’s a Yankee game or post season baseball, I try to avoid watching Captain Obvious on Fox.
Here is the one thing Captain Obvious has seemed to have overlooked – he has turned into Ralph Kiner!

For the record, I am not too thrilled about his sidekick Joe “do you know who my Dad was” Buck either.