Not sure if everyone heard - but this was all over the wire today:

From ESPN by Wallace Matthews (Pure Yankee Hater): 

The CEO of the Texas Rangers called New York Yankees fans "violent," "apathetic" and "an embarrassment" for their behavior during the American League Championship Series in an interview on Monday with ESPN Radio in Dallas.

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Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg bashes Yankees fans on The Ben & Skin Show.

Responding to a question about Rangers fans' demeanor during the postseason, Chuck Greenberg digressed into a critique of Yankees fans which included an unflattering characterization.

"I think our fans have been great," Greenberg said on The Ben and Skin Show on 103.3 KESN. "I think particularly in Game 3 of the World Series they just blew away anything I've seen in any venue during the postseason. I thought Yankee fans, frankly, were awful. They were either violent or apathetic, neither of which is good. So I thought Yankee fans were by far the worst of any I've seen in the postseason. I thought they were an embarrassment."

Later Monday, Greenberg issued a statement apologizing for his comments.

"Earlier today, in the course of praising the extraordinary support and enthusiasm of Texas Rangers fans, I unfairly and inaccurately disparaged fans of the New York Yankees," he said in a statement. "Those remarks were inappropriate. Yankees fans are among the most passionate and supportive in all of baseball.

"I have spoken directly to Hal Steinbrenner and Randy Levine to apologize for my intemperate comments."

Before Greenberg's apology, Levine had declined to comment in a statement issued through a spokesperson: "At this time, we are honoring the commissioner's policy regarding respecting and not distracting from the World Series."

Greenberg praised Rangers fans for backing their team in Game 2 of the ALCS after the Rangers blew Game 1 at home, in which they took a 5-0 lead only to lose to the Yankees 6-5.

"I thought where our fans were really amazing was in Game 2 against the Yankees," he said. "Because Game 1 was a real gut wrencher, you know, it was a tough way to lose. I thought our fans were spectacular and you'd be amazed how much our players picked up on that passion and enthusiasm."

<!-- end sidebar table --><!-- end inline 1 -->Previously, Kristin Lee, the wife of Rangers pitcher Cliff Lee, had said that Yankees fans cursed her, spat at her and threw beer at her while her husband was shutting down the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium.

The Rangers went on to win the series in six games and currently trail the San Francisco Giants, three games to one, in the World Series with Lee pitching in Game 5 Monday night in Arlington.


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What an idiot. Seriously? I don't even know where to start with this. We're are one of the most - if not THE most - passionate baseball fans. I love the Yanks - they are part of who I am. They go to the postseason once in their lives - and then they have the greatest fan base on the planet? Why - because they actually packed that lowly Stadium in Arlington once their team had a chance?

Complete moron.

The latest Robertson scare vs. KC got me thinking......how spoiled have we become that we've had the greatest closer ever to play the game closing out games these last 10+ years?

These last couple of years - the TB Rays last season and Papelbon's implosion last night (to my delight) show us how vital it is to have a clutch closer....What happens when he retires? Who takes over? Joba? Do we shop the open market?

Just read an article on how Lee's agent is already thinking free agency. Obviously going to be the most coveted pitcher this offseason. I say 5 year deal.

Totally think the Yanks should go full bore and get him. We could have the following rotation:

C.C., A.J., Lee, Pettitte (I hope he has one more year in him), Hughes.

Javy gone - definately. Totally left off from 2004.....he's terrible.

But the above rotation....wow.

My thought are that a Damon deal will get done....

He wants back…..we want him back……and his choices out there are really limited. The Johnson deal really is somewhat of a replacement for Eric Hinske off the bench….and also a gut check to Boras.

He tasted being part of a first class organization committed to winning. With his career coming to a close – why go anywhere else? Take the pay cut – and stay in pinstripes for 2 years. He is a great fit in the line up in that number 2 spot – nevermind .

No way Swish goes – they’ll move Melky or Gardner if something happens...

Come on Johnny - come on back!

That heat pad wasn't to keep loose - it was because he was hurt! Obviously - he didn't want anyone outside the Yanks to know...and he pitched hurt last night! Just watch the candid interview on ESPN with Berman, Singleton, Gammons, and Winfield shortly after the clincher. Mo - can't say enough about him. Can't say enough about this team..... F anyone who says our team has no heart. 27 TIME WORLD SERIES CHAMPION NEW YORK YANKEES!!!!!

Eat it Fox......

Eat it Jimmy Rollins......eat a BIG FAT ONE......

Eat it Philly Inquirer.....

Eat it Howard Bryant....

Eat it John Kruk.....

Eat it Red Sox fans hoping Pedro would represent the Sox somehow.....

Eat it to everyone who said we can't close it out like in 2004.....

EAT IT HATERS..................EAT A HUGE ONE. NUMBER 27!!!!!

I've been waiting quite some time for this. Time to grab our championship gear.

Ok - I need to vent here...and it might be a stream of consciousness....but I got to go off. I just read Howard Bryant's article on espn.com (by the way - I am certain he was contracted to write this article by the Red Sox.....). The premise - Phils won Game 5 - and all of a sudden things have changed in WS - massive momentum shift.....these Yanks have a similar feel to the 2004 Yanks - same situation - losing a pivotal Game 5 and we're on our way out. Howard - are you f^&**(*& serious???

So let me get this straight - anytime we get to 3 games and anything - if we win it all - will it go away? Or will haters go on and on about 2004?

I mean - Howard Bryant's got to be right - our pitching staff looks exactly like the one in 2004 - our frontline guy named Kevin "I'm a beaten man" Brown going to the mound followed by Javy "I'm still finding myself" Vasquez in a must win Game 7? I don't know about you - but I knew it when I saw Kevin Brown on the mound during the first inning during that game - I knew we were beat. Here's the difference people - we ain't the same team. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

Much respect to the Phils team and their fans before I go off here......Here's the stats on Game 5 - it Girardi didn't air out the pen and let some of our guys get their work in - that game would have been TIED in the later innings. AJ holds it down to a respectable performance - and chances are we're done there.  As everyone knows - our offense can come back at you in a hurry.....just ask Charlie Manual - and his decision to "rest" Lidge (code word for we need this game and....we know YOU can F^&* him up).

Phils - your lineup is dangerous - much respect there. We've seen the power. But last night wasn't a decisive win - wasn't a we're back in the saddle of this thing - we're dialed in now - here we come. In those late innings - you were running scared - and we smelled it. You could see it all over Jimmy "We're done in 5.....6 if we're nice" Rollins' face when he was being interviewed........fear.  

Anyone check the stats on when we played the Phils during the regular season? The Phils played our Yankee team PRIOR to the All Star break - BEFORE WE GOT LOCKED IN. Two close games - and one won by 3 runs. We ain't the same team then boys......just ask the Red Sox - they'll tell you all about it after starting out a cocky 8-0 against us and securely in first place....ask them how THAT scenario turned out....

Back to the 2004 comparison - the 04 Sox had the advantage of playing us 19 times during the regular season - seeing Mariano how many UMPTEEN times during our years together. Hey JRoll - they can really say they had a plan against him.  Hey Howard - here's one for you. 2004 Yanks were playing in the ALCS - not in the WS in a national ball park where they lose the DH and Posada until the late innings - DUMBASS. And it was against a team we've been battling for YEARS. In the end - here's the most important difference between the 2004 Yanks and these 2009 Yanks - they got something to prove. They have fun together, they are a TEAM, and most important difference - they got HEART.  

NOBODY expected us to go in there and sweep the Phils at home. Sorry - wasn't expected - that team is very good. But we did EXACTLY what we were supposed to - go and get 2 at Citizen's bank and come home to the confines of our house and look to get it done.  We're EXACTLY were we're supposed to be - in command of the series with TWO chances to close this out - not with our backs against the wall desperation. 

Game 6 - Andy vs. Pedro - anyone see the perfect irony here? It'll be battle - and I'll be nervous as hell - but deep down - this team feels like the Yanks team of old....they just got to prove it. 1 to go - with our horse with the biggest heart on the hill - a duel away from a championship with an old foe who was part of the epic 2004 collapse and a key cog to the Red Sox 2004 road to series.....almost as if this is the necessary road to prove it.

Alright Andy - get locked in. A-Rod et all......get it done. 1 to go........    

Finally.....Howard Bryant....respectfully - you are a complete idiot.

P.S. Thanks to Philly Inquirer for the disrespect to the Yankees...good luck with the karma on that one :).

Congratulations to all my fellow Yankee fans! 2009 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPS!!!!!

We're back in it!!!!!! 2009 WORLD SERIES - PHILLIES HERE WE COME!

To the Angels and their fans - great series - hard fought.

Now to it - huge win tonight - allows us to set up our rotation properly. CC is well rested. Game 1 starter for the Phillies is Cliff Lee - and he is FILTHY. They have a very tough line up and they are playing HOT baseball at the moment. I think it's going to be a tough battle.

While the media will do EVERYTHING possible to bring up 2004.....and get into the psyche of every player and fan....I simply won't believe it. This is different......feels familiar again. 

Trust me....I've had my share of disappointments - that collapse in 2004 - those stupid midges in Cleveland - unceremoniously being bounced by the Angels and Tigers in the playoffs - and not making it last year.

But I just feel something different this year. The comeback wins, the all of a sudden explosion of offense....creating that fear that no lead is safe until the final out with this team....a true ACE at the front of the staff... Even with this last game - we scared the CRAP out of the Angels tonight. Yep - they lived to see another day - true - but Fuentes CRACKED...hitting batters and having the bases loaded. He got lucky.

We knew this was going to be a dog fight. Their plan was to split the first two and then head home and try to take us out. Instead we took the first two and then beat them at home at their stadium....putting them up against the wall with our hands on their throats...and we almost killed them tonight. We know it ...and more importantly....they know it.

Now we're heading back to our house...... different year - different team. Let's go boys.......