ANDY IS READY - IT'S GO TIME

The night Andy Pettitte takes the mound, for the first time since 2010, the New York Yankees fans will be collectively holding their breath. Because after the hoopla wound down over the announcement if Andy's return, the next question everyone had was "Can he?". Can return at the age of 39 (almost 40) and pitch again after sitting out all of last season? Can he be the same "Andy Pettitte" we knew for all these years. Can he still have the same great pick off move and strike out pitches he had before? There is only one way to find out. Put him on the 25 man roster and hand him the ball. As Nike says "Just do it".

Andy has made about 5-6 starts in the minors. Numbers have been decent. I think fans thought he would be lights out. After all he's pitching in the minors. It's not that simple. Everyone has to remember that these minor league players, especially those in triple A, are good. They are there because their team feels they have what it takes to be a major league player someday. He's not pitching to high school kids. Second, these minor leaguers know who Andy is. They want nothing more to get hits off him. If nothing else they can say "I got double off Andy Pettitte". I don't think the numbers are as important as how Andy feels after his starts. How strong his legs feel and if he has any soreness in his arm. According to Andy his legs and arm both feel good. He's ready. It's go time.

I want Andy to succeed. I have loved him as a player and admired him for the man he is since he first came up in 1996. But I also trust him. If you believe IN Andy then you have to believe what he says. So when he says "I'm ready" then that's all I need to hear.

I picture his first start like a scene from a movie. On that night (hopefully this week) Andy will take the mound, crowd roaring and screaming like it's the seventh game of the Workd Series. He throws a couple of warm up tosses. The lead off hitter steps into the batters box. Andy sets into the wind up, fans hold their breath and.....fade to black.

LET'S GO YANKEES

It was another ugly game last night.  The Yankees scored 1 run on 8 hits.  Kuroda pitched ok.  He went 4.1 innings and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits.  Kuroda was followed by Rapada, Epply, Logan and Garcia (sounds like a law firm).  Collectively the relievers gave up only 1 run on 2 hits.  The ugly part of this game was the hitting, once again.  The Yankees left 9 guys on base.  At one point the Yankees had bases loaded with two out and Jeter grounded out of the inning.  Jeter is doing some amazing hitting - but he cannot be expected to get a hit at every single at bat.  There so many times during these games, the bats look lifeless.  I cannot pretend to know what the problem or the answers are. 

When you mix the injuries, the poor pitching and lack of hitting together, you get exactly what we have right now - a team that is 4 1/2 games out of first place.  I believe in this team.  I believe they can turn this around.  But it really does have to start right now, today. 

On the upside, Andy Pettitte makes his last minor league start against, of all teams, Pawtucket (Red Sox minor league team).  If all goes well, Andy should be back home hopefully next week.  That day Andy starts his first game at Yankee Stadium, Andy will be reminded by the fans why he is doing this. 

The dust has settled on the Mariano Rivera injury.  However, if I see one more article on if Mo can come back or why he shouldn't have been shagging fly balls, I will scream.   I love how even former players are weighing in on Mo.  "It's going to be a long road, he is having major surgery" said one former big leaguer.  To which I would like to respond "No Sh*t".   I'm not a doctor, nor are most people saying that they doubt he can comeback.  What I am is a fan of Mariano and my money is always on him.  Faith and determination are two things you can't take away from anyone.  Mo has both. 

Today is a new day and time to turn the page.  Maybe today is the day they turn it around.  That's the beauty of both life and baseball.  You never know what is coming around the corner.

As always, GO YANKEES!!!

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!