Every March for the past couple years I am reminded that Kei Igawa is not only still alive (don't the Japanese have some tradition of committing suicide if they cause dishonor to themselves and their families) but apparently still employed by the New York Yankees organization. I have several questions some are hard to answer some are easy: 1) What was his original contract? 2) Is he in fact the richest man in the greater Scranton Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan Area? 3) Does he in fact have a different Ferrari for every day of the week, and does he drive such Ferrari/Ferraris on road trips and forgo the team bus? 4) Will he ever pitch in the majors ever again? 

I like trading for Granderson, because it makes the outfield better. But besides that I have a lot of questions about the other moves. Signing Nick Johnson for 6 million dollars, when I think almost everyone would agree that either Matsui or Damon is a far better option for D.H. is at the very least questionable. Add to that the fact that Damon is still a threat to steal and I would say that I'd rather have him in my lineup at DH. That being said I do not like him as an outfielder. They still need a left fielder. They traded Melky who, like it or not, was their best outfielder for Javy Vasquez, a guy who pitched here a couple of years ago and was unimpressive to say the least. Maybe Vasquez will be alright, but it doesnt change the fact they still only have 1 outfielder (Granderson). Nick Swisher is unpredictable because he never really played the outfield for a whole season until last year. Every fly ball in right field was an adventure, but he does have a pretty good arm. Some people are high on Garner but he doesn't look like an everyday player. In light of the moves they've made so far the only thing I'm sure of is we can expect more moves to come.  

For as much criticism as Joe Girardi gets from Yankee fans on this sight and all over I think its about time we gave him credit for an absolutely brilliant job managing game 2. From starting Molina at catcher and Hairston in the outfield to knowing when to pitch run Gardner and pinch hit Posada and going straight to Mo for the six out save. I mean that was managing perfection last night. C'mon people give the man some props.

The Yankees won the first two games at home. Girardi has a way of managing the bullpen that is what can I say? He likes to get a little too cute. However, he's been doing this all year. One thing that has bothered me is this constant use of pinch runners. Its a good thing A-rod hit that home run in the bottom of the ninth cause they had Gardner and Guzman hitting behind him. That decision could of bit Girardi in the ass, but it didn't. In game 3 Robertson was getting people out and Girardi took him out and Aceves gave up the winning run. In game 5 after the Yankees took the lead Girardi left Burnett in the game instead of going to the bullpen right away. People crucified him for that move, but what would you have him do? Bring in Joba? Joba's been getting lit up recently. Bring in Mariano for the nine out save? Ridiculous! He did bring in Phil Hughes and he Hughes wound up giving up the winning run? What would the naysayers have Girardi do? Bring in Robertson? He has been successful in the playoffs but he's never been put in a situation like that much. Phil Coke? I mean I don't know. Since I don't know, I guess I cant criticize. It's amazing though this team has won 109 games this year and people want to make crazy changes just because they lose a game in the ALCS. People want to make Robertson the set up man even though Phil Hughes was nothing short of brilliant in that role the whole season. People want to change A-Rods spot in the batting order even though he's having his best post season ever. People want to bench Swisher, even though he hit 29 home runs this season, and replace him with a utility player. A lot of people are talking about firing a manager who has this team one game away from the world series. Everybody needs to chill. Aceves, Hughes, Swisher, Girardi, these are all people who got the Yankees to this point you have to stick with them, and finally to all you Girardi bashers. There is no way he's not coming back next year as the Yankee manager so deal with it. Yankees win tonight and end this thing. Go for # 27 this week, nuff said. 

I can't take them anymore. They are so blatantly anti-Yankee. In game 1 when Tori Hunter was thrown out at first base it was such a close call. I've seen so many replays and to tell you the truth I still don't know what the call should have been. But McCarver was so adamant about Hunter being safe. He went on about it for a couple of minutes. But how about when Jeter was obviously safe in game 2 when he grounded into that double play that actually wasn't a double play I heard not a peep about it from either one of them. Then there was the so called "neighborhood play" last night when Aybar didn't touch 2nd base. These 2 jokers were crucifying the ump for making that call, but every other network I put on ESPN, MLB network all the commentators said that was the right call to make. And it was if you notice Scioscia didn't even argue too much about it. And they were just praising every Angel on every halfway decent play they made from Aybar, to Abreu, Darrin Oliver, and just had nothing good to say about any Yankee. I think at 1 point they said something halfway positive about Derek but that's about it. I hate these guys. I can't believe McCarver is still broadcasting cause he sucks I'd rather watch paint dry.

Dear P.A. bloggers it seems to me that the fans of certain other mlb teams, most notably the red sux, and mets, have the same arguments/gripes about the Yankees every year. Below I have started to compile a list please feel free to comment, add to, or share your  similar experiences:

The Yankees suck

 A-rod sucks

Posada sucks

Jeter is gay and he's on steroids

Joba is a baby

With that payroll you should win the world series every year

Your new stadium is a band box, little league field etc...

Yankee fans are front runners

I don't hate the Yankees I hate Yankee fans

If you don't win the world series you suck

I had the pleasure of being at the game last night and i sat through 10 innings of steady rain to see Robbie win it. Of course I'm glad I did stay it was all well worth it. I gotta tell you I was very impressed with the defense in the 7th inning especially. They really stepped it up out there. A-rod made a couple of great plays at third. The first he made a diving stop and stole an extra base hit and rbi from Chicago limiting the them to an infield hit. Then with runners on second and third on another shot to third he came right home to Molina and they were able to get the runner out at the plate. Then later on Nick Swisher actually looked like a major league right fielder throwing out the possible go ahead run out at the plate. If it wasn't for the defense in that inning Robbie would have never got a chance to win it in such dramatic fashion. Also the bullpen was awesome. All in all a great team win.  

An awesome time to be a yankee fan indeed. A sweep of the dreaded enemy. Andy Pettitte doing awesome even though he doesn't have the victories to show for it. 7 innings of shutout baseball (somebody please give him some credit). I am a little perplexed about Phil Hughes though. Is he your 8th inning guy or not? If he is he needs to be out there in the eighth inning in that game in that sitiuation. You need to go for the jugular in that situation. They're babying Joba and now it seems like they're babying Hughes. I really wish they would stop. Anyhow they won so all is well. Girardi or Cashman won't be called out on that decision eventhough Phil Coke gave up the lead on that 2 run shot by Victor Martinez. I'm not saying Phil Coke hasn't pitched well, but Hughes obviously has electric stuff and has been something special out of the bullpen. Did you see the way those idiots were carrying on after Martinez hit that homer? It was like they just won the world series or something. HEY! Asshole! You haven't won anything. Of course the back to back and belly to belly shots were nice but Bard was obviously pitching around A-Rod. It was nice to see Posada hit that double and then Swisher drive the both of them in. Things like that made the teams from the late nineties so great. Hey did you guys see on Saturday when Cotchman leaned into that pitch trying to get hit? What a vagine.

Is it just me or has Andy Pettitte been awesome this season? I mean with all the talk about CC, and Burnett, and Joba Andy has probably been the most consistent starter in this rotation. I feel he's never gotten the credit he deserves and this year is no different. You ever listen to talk radio and other media outlets they never give this guy any props I've heard them call him a question mark. Give this guy his due he's a champion he's a beast in the post season he's been solid year in and year out ever since he's been in the big leagues and he's a lefty which is another big plus. The Yankees especially George Steinbrenner, who I have a lot of respect for, have never treated this guy right. Remember back in the nineties they were always talking about trading him. They should have done everything in their power to keep him from going to the Astros. I don't think they did that. Now he's back he has a 1 year deal. I say if he want's to come back you sign him again. I think he's got a couple of good years left. The guy has a shot at 250 career wins. What an asset he would be in the middle or end of a rotation. I look forward to the day the yankees retire number 46.