Kuzul

It felt like a heat wave in New York City on that October 8 night back in 2007.

Fans were funneling into Yankee Stadium extra early for Game 4 of the ALDS .

The prior evening, I had watched my Yankees pull out a win to avoid getting swept.

Which, was all thanks to a home run hit by Johnny Damon in the seventh inning. I remember how I jumped on my stadium seat as my Yankees dreams of the post-season were not over yet.

Now, the Cleveland Indians were up 2-1 over the New York Yankees . Losing meant the season would end, but there was a lot more on the line that year for the Yankees.

Fans were just as aware as the players, but no one wanted to believe it. It broke my heart to think of being in the Bronx without Joe Torre , as he had become such a figure and was a father to an entire city.

In my life, I have never been to a baseball game with such tense and ardent fans, which made it difficult to imagine how the players were handling it.

By the end of the seventh inning, the Yankees chances were bleak. The Yankees were playing as hard as they could, but the Indians were the better team and the fans knew it.

As the eighth inning began, low chants of “JOE TORRE, JOE TORRE, JOE TORRE, JOE….” were becoming louder every moment, as fans started to rise and join in a slow, chaotic wave that took over Yankee Stadium.

It continued well after the last pitch because the team’s loss was incomparable to losing our skipper. For 12 years, Joe Torre lead the Yankees to four World Series titles, six AL Pennants, and a record of 1173-767 in games. More than all the baseball accomplishments, Torre was admired by Yankees fans for his everyday demeanor and were so proud to call him our leader.

As I dried my tears and exited the Stadium , it was hard to let go of never seeing Mr. Torre in pinstripes again. That is why I bought a photo from a stadium vendor of Torre with Mariano Rivera . Early the next morning I had my ticket and the image professionally framed, so I would never have to forget it.

No one knew this would be the last post-season ever played in the Old Yankees Stadium that night, as well. Crazy.The days right after October 8 were filled with Yankees fans fighting for Torre. To describe it as an uproar would be an understatement, as protests, newspaper ads and innumerable letters were sent to the Boss all pleading to keep Torre here forever.

Now it is 2010, and numerous adverse events have come between my feelings about Joe Torre. Sadly, it eventually led me to taking down my Joe Torre collage from my wall. Today was the first time in nearly two years I took it out of my closet to look at it again. I was not angry anymore, but still cannot forgive Torre for taking cheap shots at players who still play with the Yankees. Overall, it is the former impression that came to the forefront of my mind.

As I literally wipe the tears from my face, I can finally remember Mr. Torre this way again. No hard feelings but still not worthy enough to hang on my wall ever again.

Now I can say it was a much needed separation, and the Yankees have a new Joe. Girardi embodies all I loved about Torre, and then some.

In the end this worked out for the best, but back in 2007 it tore me apart.

The Yankees will be at Dodger Stadium tomorrow for a three-game series against Joe Torre and his Los Angeles Dodgers . It is still business as usual, with the desire to win.

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With inter-league play concluding this weekend, the New York Yankees head into Dodger Stadium for three-games.

It’s an unfamiliar place, as the Bombers last visit was in 2004. The two franchises have a torrid history. They have faced each other 11 times in the World Series in which the most recent dates back to 1981.

On the other hand, there will be no shortage of familiar faces, as Joe Torre , Don Mattingly , and Larry Bowa all traded their Yankee Pinstripes for Dodger Blue.

It is sure to be a celebrity filled affair, as it is the hottest ticket in Hollywood right now.

Internally, the Dodgers ball-club is a mess, as owners Frank and Jamie McCourt are in the middle of a nasty divorce. Add injuries to insult, which is now just frustrating for a team who wants to contend as they did in 2008 and 2009. Fan cries have been pouring out for the Dodgers to get Cliff Lee from the Mariners in order for the team to survive. However, it is unlikely to happen with owners divorce still unresolved.

The Dodgers 2010 season has been rocky to say the least. This team is in third place in the AL West, with a 38-33 record. Currently, Torre’s Dodgers have lost their last six games. Now, what could be called a slump has become a concern.

Not the best timing for the reigning 2009 World Series Champions to arrive, if you’re a Dodger fan. Let’s not give too much credit, as the Yankees have been playing sloppily lately.

Yankee players are aware that they need to play better, because there is no breathing room in the AL East . Both the Red Sox and Rays won yesterday on the Yankees off-day, cutting their 2.5 game lead by a half-game.

Translation is both teams need to win for more than just personal vendetta, unless your name is Alex Rodriguez .

Arod played four seasons with Torre in New York and the two seemed to get along okay. So, understand Arod’s shock when Torre’s book ‘Yankee Years ‘ ripped him apart, stating his teammates called him A-Fraud behind his back and made Torre’s dislike pretty evident.

Yankees fans could not believe what Torre wrote. It was a complete betrayal by a man who left New York with dignity and the complete respect of a city. The Joe Torre that New Yorkers knew would never quote teammates trashing each other, who still play together.

Speaking as a Yankees’ fan, I hope Arod goes for blood at the plate. It was rotten of Torre, especially knowing Arod’s struggles with insecurity personally.

PREDICTION:

Yankees will take 2 of 3 games over the Dodgers.

Alex Rodriguez will have two more home-runs when the weekend series ends.

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As a fan of the New York Yankees, an American League East team, it is easy to forget about the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The last time the two faced each other was back in 2007, at the old Yankee Stadium.

Looking at the bigger picture, the D-backs pose no real threat to the Yankees, whose hopes are to repeat as World Series Champions.

Even last night’s win against the Yankees does not change this fact for Arizona.

The D-backs are currently in last place in the NL West with a 27-43 record. It is not entirely finished, but the chances of the D-backs making the postseason are pretty grim. Still, Arizona has a budding, talented ballclub with an average age of 27.

The D-backs possess one player in particular that could potentially become the best player in baseball. If this player’s progress continues, he could be one of greatest ever.

He is only 23 years old but is already in his fourth season in the majors. He has a brother who is 25 and plays for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Do you know who I am talking about?

If you guessed D-backs right fielder Justin Upton, you would be correct.

Any true baseball fan has heard of the Upton brothers.

Justin and his brother B.J. are both ridiculously talented. They are the first pair of brothers who have been drafted first and second in the first round of their respective drafts.

The obvious difference between the Upton boys is that Justin has filled out more, making him more powerful than his older brother. His biggest downfall is at the plate. Justin lacks consistency, as it is either feast or famine—he already has 92 strikeouts in 2010.

Regardless, this kid is as natural a baseball player as Robinson Cano. Remember, Cano used to swing at everything and could not hit with runners in scoring position to save his life.

Now look at Cano, the leading hitter in the majors, with talks of a batting title and MVP Award swirling everywhere. Fans have to be patient with Upton because the hints of greatness make his future surreal. It was the same with Cano.

Watching Upton hit against the Yankees last night made me drool. Then the dreams of how beneficial this kid would be in pinstripes were dancing in my head.

In 2010, Upton has 10 doubles, two triples, 13 home-runs, 38 RBIs and 30 walks. Upton is fast on the bases, as he already stolen 11 this season.

His .256 batting average is a refection of the 92 strikeouts. Looking back at 2009, Upton racked up 137 strikeouts, making this clearly the main problem.

Last night, Upton feasted on the World Champion Yankees, hitting two home runs with four RBIs. It was an absolute delight to watch, as Arizona games are rarely nationally televised and non-Diamondbacks fans do not care that much.

My guess is that baseball fans are witnessing rarefied air, as Upton continues to expand into a mega-star right before our eyes.

On the Yankee side, A.J. Burnett was a problem once again, Teixeira was broken, and once again Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher saved the team from total embarrassment.

The Yankees should not have lost this game, as first place will be gone so fast because not only the Rays, but the Red Sox, too, are ready to pounce.

Andy Pettitte will do his job, as he has all season, but the Yankee hitters have to drive in runs to win. Pettitte deserves it after his last start, which he should have won easily but lost due to cold bats.

Yankee fans deserve first place for longer than 48 hours, thank you.

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The New York Yankees beat the New York Mets for the second game in a row to win the series, but this weekend a lot more changed for the Bombers.

• Yankees take first place in the AL East.
• The Empire State Building is wearing pinstripes.
• The real Mark Teixeira finally showed up.
• CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera never looked better.

The Yankees knew what the possibilities of winning this series could do, and the team made it happen.

As great as winning the Subway Series and being in first place feels, it doesn’t hold a candle to getting Mark Teixeira back.

Yankees fans held their breath through April and May, finding comfort in knowing Teixeira’s career struggles were part of the deal.

That comfort became concerning, as days became weeks and looking back Teixeira’s past seasons stats were not ever this bad. The Yankees new hero was a complete zero at the plate.

Rightly so, Yankees fans had enough because the reality was costing the team games. The media finally joined in, wondering when Joe Girardi would move Teixeira out of the three-hole.

Girardi seemed to be contemplating a viable replacement, but not acknowledging that this was not the same hitter player from 2009. This was no shock, as Girardi is very generous when it comes to giving struggling player’s extended chances.

As noble as Girardi’s theory sounds, he was not managing a junior high-school softball team. By now, Girardi should have a tattoo of the Yankees motto of winning now and doing whatever it takes to get there.

Teixeira was slowly killing that dream because his power took such a nose-dive.

Maybe Girardi should be deemed a genius, but I was starting to question his sanity. At the same time, my dislike for Teixeira was on the rise.

Fact is, Teixeira is a vital component to the Yankees success. So in terms of the the bigger picture, getting Teixeira back means more than being in first place or beating the Mets.

When Teixeira is at his best all the above would eventually come about as the season moves forward.

Teixeira’s grand-slam, along with CC Sabathia’s dominate pitching on Sunday beat the Mets and won the Subway Series for the team.

Personally, both my dad and I started jumping up and down, cheering loud as can be because we were genuinely happy for Teixeira.

Now, I am confident that I am not speaking too soon when I say,

‘Welcome Back Mark Teixeira!’

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Lady Gaga, please stay away from baseball games and don’t come back to Yankee Stadium or Citi-Field again.

Hasn’t she embarrassed her family and friends enough?

Fondling herself and dressing with no pants at a Mets game, and then at a Yankees game is just impolite. Gaga seems to think this behavior is acceptable because of her fame, when the effects are actually making her a joke.

Here is a little personal information, Lady Gaga and I both attended the same school in NYC. In the beginning, it seemed so cool that this pop star walked the same halls I did.

That sentiment has completely changed.

As time went on, Gaga’s behavior and fashion sense continued to get worse. Hearing that she went to a bar on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in her underwear is just gross.

Also, Gaga lies about our school, a place that is so dear to my heart.

This Roman Catholic School is the most loving place to grow as a lady. The rules were not much different when compared to my friends at the non-denominational private schools. The faculty implemented manners and students were expected to conduct themselves accordingly.

Gaga needs to get her head out of her ass because her behavior would be unacceptable anywhere.   She loves to talk about the bible-beating nuns who didn’t allow her to express herself.  This caused her to hide her creative side and her true self. What a bunch of Gaga!

FYI, I am about 10 grades above Gaga and the nun population was at a two when I left. So, unless some influx of nuns were flown in it is just another load of Gaga.

Now, Gaga is attending Mets and Yankees games. Once again, showing no respect for the game of baseball, or anyone for that matter.  Not only is she making a fool of herself, but she is doing it around kids who are there to watch their heroes.

The Yankees and Mets don’t need any distractions. Not only does Gaga take away from the game, but she hogs the media’s attention away from the teams playing. Other fans are there to watch the game, not gag cause Gaga is so repulsive.

So understand why I was overjoyed to hear that she was banned from Yankee Stadium, which is now said to be untrue. I am mortified that she attended the same school as me and I am really ashamed of her.

If Gaga wants to dress like fashion road-kill (I get it is fashion-forward-art but leave it to the runways models to wear), speak about bisexual relations with her parents watching and talk as if she has opened the world’s eyes via Gaga, go right ahead.

Please, leave my Yankees and our school alone. They are just innocent bystanders that have done nothing but be themselves, something you preach about so start to practice it.

I hope the Yankees and Mets ban her from games. If anyone else behaved like that they would be tossed.

No one wants Gaga there, it is a home for baseball fans.

If Gaga is too messed up to understand that, please come and find me. I would love to put her in her place.

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Pitching Preview: Champs vs. Phillies Game 3 will be looking at a pair of veterans on Thursday’s match-up, in this 2009 World Series revival between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees .

Game 3:

Southpaws Andy Pettitte vs. Jamie Moyer , is a battle of the veterans. They are two of only three active pitchers to throw for 3,000 innings (the third is Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox ). That is a combined 6,000+ innings between the two.

Considering Moyer has been in the majors for 24 seasons, and is 47 years young is incredible to begin with. Moyer allows Yankee fans to dream that their ace Pettitte could be around for 10 more seasons. Hey, you can always dream and you never know

Jamie Moyer is a risk. At times he looks 47 years old, but he still has thrown a few electric games this season that make him look brilliant. Moyer’s ERA is 5.03, but to be fair the Phillies bats have been dead lately, so he gets no help.

For the oldest starter in the majors, Moyer has defied odds already. He has already thrown two complete games and one shutout in 2010. Against, the Red Sox he got killed last week and I predict the Yankees will do the same.

Moyer pitches better in day games and in Citizens Bank Park , so that is two strikes against his odds already.

The third is the Yankees hitters are the most patient in baseball, and don’t swing for strikes from off-speed pitches.

Unfortunately, Moyer’s biggest strength this season is his off-speed pitches, but he won’t be confusing the Yankees to swing.

Andy Pettitte is not just having a lucky few games, but a career year in 2010. Maybe it’s his sons who always longed for Pettitte to be home, who now think he is the coolest thing ever. Who knows, but whatever it is it is magnificent for Yankees fans to watch.

Pettitte has a 2.46 ERA, with a record of 8-1 over 12 starts. He has 55 strikeouts on the season, but that number has gradually been slipping.

Pettitte is still an ace at home and killed the Phillies in the 2009 World Series. That Phillies team was much different, much better and played with swagger.

Maybe by Thursday night, the NL Champs will get their groove back again. Either way, Pettitte will be great.

Winner/Loser:

Andy Pettitte without question should win Thursday night. My score prediction is 7-2 in a Yankees win.

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The Yankees are back home, and not much has changed in regards to catching the Tampa Bay Rays , who have held onto first place in the AL East all season. The Yankees are still two games behind, but continue to keep themselves the wild card team.

As I predicted, the Toronto Blue Jays have fallen to behind the Red Sox to fourth place, and this is a trend that will continue for Toronto.

The Blue Jays don’t play small ball at all, which is what comes in handy when team is slumping. Hitting home runs alone isn’t enough, but the Blue Jays pitching has allowed them to look more dominant.

This weekend begins interleague play for all teams. Many feel it is unfair, as the American League has bullied the National League since these games were incorporated in 1997.

Why is the AL always better?

The AL is much more competitive because the designated hitter is a power bat, compared to having the pitchers bat.

NL pitchers almost get a break with every ninth batter being a pitcher, instead of facing the likes of a David Ortiz , Vladimir Guerrero , or Hideki Matsui.

Matsui was the World Series MVP as the Yankees DH last season, which clearly proves it is a significant position.

The two highest grossing teams in MLB are in the AL, the Red Sox and the Yankees. These two alone hog so much attention from fans, media, and anything baseball-related.

The NL has had less competitive teams overall for over a decade. This allows for the brutal beatings the NL takes in interleague play and the All-Star game.

Another weird observation is that the NL has mascots and fans who love to spin towels in the air, which drives me absolutely crazy.

Let’s be fair, the NL is home to the Philadelphia Phillies , who are about as good as a team can get. Also, viably the best player in baseball now and maybe ever is Albert Puljos, who has always been an NL player on the St. Louis Cardinals . Don’t forget the NL now has the best pitcher in baseball too, Roy Halladay , who moved from the Blue Jays to the Phillies.

My prediction is that the 2010 season is still owned by the American League, but not by much because the NL has been on the rise big time. I bet that in 2011 the National League will finally matchup.

Well, let the games begins, as interleague matchups start tonight.

Up in the Bronx, the Yankees host the Houston Astros for three games. Astros will be followed by the Phillies, Mets, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks, so this should be interesting to see how the Yankees fair against teams fans rarely get to see, but fans think it is a necessity to sweep the Dodgers! I think you know why…

What is your opinion on this subject?

Do you think both leagues should have the same rules regarding DH or no DH?

Why do you think the AL more competitive?

Please share your outlook in the comments box below.

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New York Yankees brought out their brooms in the Bronx, as they swept the Houston Astros over the weekend.

The Yankees were without Arod, but you wouldn’t know it by the way the team beat-on the Astros.

Jorge Posada actually brought two brooms; one broom was to hit two grand slams. The extra broom was to shut-up everyone who had doubted his abilities over the last two weeks.

Along with Jorge, the Captain came through big time. Jeter had two homers in Saturday’s game alone and seems to have found his swagger at the perfect time.

Ramiro Pena who is taking on Arod’s role, had two RBI ‘s; Brett Gardner continues to defy all odds driving in two runs and raising his batting average to .317; and rookie Chad Huffman got his first big league hit over this very productive weekend.

Also, Robinson Cano had a milestone, hitting his 100th home run in pinstripes. Cano has been ridiculous this season and it has been a treat to witness.

Actually, the whole Yankees team played like they were defending something again. It was refreshing to watch, as well as needed after an ugly May.

The Bombers are entering part two of not just the World Series , but the Subway Series as well.

Against the Phillies, both teams are playing for bragging rights. The Yankees for keeps, and the Phillies as proof.

As for the Mets, New York City street credit is at stake. This should be motivation enough. The Yankees cannot lose the series to the messy Mets from queens, again.

They know it, the fans know it, and the Mets will know it soon enough.

LATEST NEWS:

The New York Yankees have caught up with the Tampa Bay Rays for first place, both shares a record of 40-23.

Rays should be afraid because the Red Sox are playing well too.

It’s about time the two owners of the American League East gave the over confident and cocky Rays a good kick in the ass.

The Yankees are back; it’s in the air.

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Pitching Preview: Champs vs. Phillies Game 2 focuses on the game two match-up, in this 2009 World Series revival between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees .

Game 2:

The Yankees’ AJ Burnett will face the Phillies’ Kyle Kendrick on Wednesday night in the Bronx. Both pitchers are coming off horrible starts, so it’s safe to say both want to turn it around for this game.

Kyle Kendrick had a 2.79 ERA over his last six starts, until he bombed against the Marlins in his last start on June 8. Kendrick got moved in the roaster so Halladay could pitch against Sabathia on Tuesday, so Kendrick threw out of the bullpen for two innings on June 11th to keep his arm warm.

This youngster is a Yankees virgin, which is to his advantage, as the Yankees do not fair well against first-time pitching opponents. He has to figure out to rattle guys the Yankees from the start and keep them on their toes.

Kendrick’s main job is to locate his fastball well, because it lacks speed. Kendrick’s doom against the Yankee bats is if he becomes predictable. He has a solid sinker, a good change-up and a newly added cutter (thanks to Halladay).

His career ERA against lefties is 7.02, so he has to be careful with switch hitters like hotter-than-hell Posada and Swisher. Kendrick has to keep his confidence in a very intimidating place, against a line-up that could be it’s own all-star roaster.

AJ Burnett, another pitcher whose cutter comes via Roy Halladay . Even Halladay admits that Burnett’s cutter is the best in the game, but only if he can maintain control.

This is the same old song for Burnett. It’s that one inning (usually the 3rd  or  4th) where the mound turns to complete chaos, as Burnett can throw hard and he tends to hit batters.This season he leads the majors with eight batters hit.

Burnett has struck out 60 batters in just 84 innings, which is insane. He has walked 29 batters, which is a big improvement compared to this time in his last two season. Burnett has to locate and control himself better, or Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will demolish him. It is in AJ’s hands, as he will control the game more so than any other pitcher.

Winner/Loser:

Burnett will win, as it’s time for AJ to have a kick-ass night, and pitching against the Phillies is just what the doctor ordered.

Kendrick will fair all right, but Posada will go yard once again. Yankees win 4-1.

I decided to make this a three post series, so up next is Pitching Preview: Champs vs. Phillies Game 3. It is a battle of the ageless veterans, Jamie Moyer vs. Andy Pettitte . Who knew Pettitte was so young?

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It’s the 2009 World Series all over again as the Yankees host the Phillies for three games in the Bronx.

The last time the Phillies were in town, the Yankees became world champions—a feeling Yankees fans hope to relive by beating the Phillies once again.

Both line-ups are stacked with power, from Utley to Posada.

Whether or not they decide to hit is the question both clubs can’t seem to figure out—a stark contrast to last season.

Pitching will decide the winner, so let’s break down all three match-ups:

Game One

Can we say pitching match up of the week?

Roy Halladay against CC Sabathia is a baseball dream—one which Phillies skipper Charlie Manual made sure would work by switching around the rotation.

Both Cy Young are winners and their respective staff’s ace but only one can win.

Roy Halladay is very familiar with the Yankees, playing for Toronto Blue Jays up until this season.

It was a very happy departure as Halladay wrecks havoc everywhere he goes. 

Halladay currently has made 15 starts, boasting an 1.96 ERA with 85 strikeouts, five complete games , one perfect game, and allowing only three home runs in 101 innings pitched.

His ERA against the Yankees is 2.84, but that includes A-Rod who is injured. A-Rod has had the most success by far against Halladay, batting just shy of .300.

Look for Robbie Cano to stir up trouble, as he has all season.

No doubt, the Yankees bats are hot but when Halladay is pitching no player is hot.

It’s Cliff Lee x2, yikes!

CC Sabathia has to bring his a-game to the mound or he will get eaten alive.

Sabathia seems to only be capable of beating the Orioles in 2010 but let’s not forget that CC is a second-half pitcher considering 14 of his 19 wins last season came after June 15.

This match-up is perfect for Sabathia to get back up to speed—the timing is right and he is a fierce competitor.

Just like Roy, CC has 13 starts with a 4.01 ERA with 69 strikeouts And although he has  allowed 12 home runs in 85 innings pitched, he has two complete games.

Not even comparable stats wise but CC is just as good and the Yankees hope this is his breakout game because once Sabathia gets on par he tears through batting line-ups.

Ibanez has fared well against CC but watch out for Jason Werth as this guy can hit.

Without their lead-off J-Roll, the Phillies are having major issues and are losing games.

For the first time in a long time, they trail the Mets and are in third place in the NL East .

The Phillies might be the wake-up call that Sabathia needs to shut batters down right from the start.

CC has the better team of the two to back him given the injuries to the Phils.

Winner/Loser:

Is A-Rod playing? And is Posada hurt again? Although these are big questions, it’s hard to bet against Doc.

Game Two and Game Three will be featured in Part 2 of this post because the above pitching match-up deserves to be on it’s own.

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