Tex in the Mix

What a month it's been. The Yanks throw all that money at C.C. and A.J., then fill the void at first with the all-around Texeira for an eye-popping $180 million. Plus Wang gets a 1-year deal for a measly $5 million. Can Hank & Hal value anyone properly?

What recession?

Well, now that the Yanks completely overpaid for the husky Sabathia, they turn their attention to overpaying for Lowe and Burnett. Should be a nice Christmas for a slew of free agents this year.

No Secrets

Hank Steinbrenner just wants to tell everyone the Yanks' plans. They're pursuing Sabathia, Lowe, and Burnett, and he makes sure everyone knows about it. Good way to hide your hand, Hank.

Phinally

The Phillies finally won Game 5 and are the new champs. Met fans are feeling the salt in the wounds as we speak.

Maddon made some questionable moves and non-moves in tonight's three and a half innings and the post-season. First, he could've brought in a lefty to face Geoff Jenkins to start the 6th and he wound up with a double. Then, he let J.P. Howell hit with the game tied. He bunted a runner over to second, but it's late in the game and you're the road team. You should put a pinch hitter. Howell was the second out, not the first. The likely AL Manager of the Year was not the Manager of the Playoffs.

Phew!

The Rays win the pennant! Long live the Curse of Manny!

Joba the Dult

So driving under the influence is illegal in Nebraska? Who knew. I didn't even think they had cops there.

Seen This One

Once again, the Red Sox force a Game 7. This has gone to the point of insanity. The third time in five years? C'mon, this team is beatable. Plus, I don't trust the Phillies to take the World Series. Their perfect bullpen is due for some blown games.

I don't know how the Rays blew Game 5 (though my blame goes to Maddon for not bringing in a lefty to face Ortiz before he homered), and that could be haunting this young team already. If the Red Sox are in their heads then it's already over.

Let's hope Lester gets hammered and the Rays coast to the pennant.

Familiar Hole

The Red Sox are once again down 3-1 in the ALCS and the Rays have crushed them two straight in their own park. While it doesn't look good for Boston, I won't start celebrating just yet. They've proven they can come back, though it'll be especially tough without Manny and Lowell, and a sub-par Beckett.

That being said, I still think the Rays will advance to the World Series. I can't believe I'm writing that. A year ago they were nowhere.

That's All, Folks

Well, at least Moose got his 20th win. This was a disappointing year, but shooting for number 20 made Sunday's first game watchable.

If he wants to play for the Yanks next year, great. I'll take a 20-game winner back.

Watching the Mets throw away a playoff spot almost exactly as they did last year was more entertaining, though. There's a comedic value to watching them attempt to win with a feeble bullpen and cold hitters. And as soon as it was over the fans had to sit there and watch them close the place for good! Talk about salt in the five-minute-old wound.

Farewell to a Friend

A sad day for Yankee fans. Our beloved stadium of 85 years will see it's last game tonight. ESPN has all day coverage, complete with countdown to the final contest. Doors opened at 1 PM and fans are allowed on the warning track.

It feels like a funeral is going on. Everyone is sharing memories and looking at pictures. The Yankees' black armbands are for Bobby Murcer, but today they're also for the Stadium.

On Life Support

Jeter tied Lou Gehrig for hits all-time at Yankee Stadium and more than likely will break it sometime this week. The Yanks managed to win today, 8-4, though it was a long and drama-free game with nothing for the team to play for. Jeter's pursuit of the record made it something to pay attention to, but I was mainly flipping over to the NY Football Giants game.

Carl Pavano left the game with some sort of hip injury, which seems like a fitting way to end his Yankees career.

Watching the Yankees games now is like watching someone die a very slow death, like from starvation or rolling down a craggy mountain. You just want it to be over. You know they're not going to pull through.

Playoff Contenders Don't Lose 2 out of 3 to Seattle

Good thing it's football season, because the Yanks' is all but over. They lost today to the lowly Mariners and gave back the game they gained yesterday in the wild card race.

They're done, unless the league designates a fifth playoff spot just for the Yankees.

Dead in the Water

The Yanks' chances of making the playoffs look pretty slim at this point. Not that they look like a team that deserves to play in October. There have been too many games, like yesterday's, where at this time in the season the team should be winning. Playoff contenders pull out close games and need that consistent comeback ability, and this team just doesn't have it.

O Thank Heaven

Wow, the Yanks swept a series. They blew a five run lead, but managed to take the final game thanks to Robbie Cano's go-ahead homer.

Now if they can just sweep the twelve games left against Boston and Tampa they might even make the playoffs.

The Carl Pavano health watch has begun and stands at a solid 1 game.

No October?

The Yanks are losing a lot of close games and it's killing their playoff chances. Tonight they lose 2-1 in Toronto, while Boston and Tampa won. Most of their games left are against tough opponents (including Anaheim, unfortunately), and they don't have it together.

Wake up!

Rocky Road Trip

After their awful 3-7 road trip, a lot of people are counting the Yankees out. Are they? No, but they can't keep playing this way, and it feels like every starter is destined to go down with an injury. They've even got Victor Zambrano in their minor league system now, so they're looking rather desperate.

A week or so ago they were in the hunt, but they're running out of games and need to string some wins together. The schedule gods have cast some light upon them in the form of Kansas City.

Manny Goes to Hollywood

I can't believe they finally did it. The Red Sox actually traded Manny to the Dodgers in a three-way deal that landed them Jason Bay from the Pirates, who in turn got Adam LaRoche and some minor leaguers. (I've come to the conclusion here that Pittsburgh does not want to ever have a good, mature team, but just has Peter Pan syndrome and will continue to trade younger until they can get some five-tool fetuses.)

So after putting up with his shenanigans over the years, and giving it the cutesy-pie name "Manny Being Manny," Boston drops the gauntlet and sends him to LA. This ends a big portion of the Yanks/Sux rivalry that I doubt Jason Bay can ever fill. Manny brought some personality along with great hitting ability, and there isn't anyone else in baseball like him. He will be missed (sort of).

Pudge Factor

Adios, Farnsy!

The Yanks swapped Kyle Farnsworth for Pudge Rodriguez today, responding to Jorge's injury and getting rid of a guy who throws hard. Though he was showing improvement this year, I don't think anyone was comfortable when Farnsworth came into a game. In return, the Yanks get a future Hall-of-Famer, a clutch hitter with a gun. As long as he stays healthy, this should work out nicely.

All the Wrong Moves

With 2 out and the tying run on second n the 9th, Girardi lets Bettemit hit for himself? The result is obvious - he makes out. Should've sent up Sexson.

This streakiness is all too familiar. They win 8 straight, then lose one and it's no biggie. However, the slide continues and before you know it, the team is on a losing streak. Losing to the O's is bad enough.

Posada's having season-ending surgery. That's the reason you don't give a 36-year-old catcher a four year deal.

No Bull

So far, so good for Marte. He struck out Ortiz on three pitches with two on at a crucial point in the game before the Yanks widened their lead, which is never big enough at Fenway.

This bullpen is loaded even without Joba.