THE YANKEES GREAT WHITE HOPE

AJ Burnett gets the ball tonight in what is being called do-or-die for the New York Yankees. It is... it really is do-or-die and the most ironic thing about it is the guy we've slammed all year... the guy we all told Yankees management to dump, to trade, to bench is our great hope. Funny how things take a turn like this.

All of Yankeeland will be focused in on AJ Burnett. HE, my friends is who we all need to depend on. He, a Yankee fans nightmare, a punching bag and now, we are putting our faith in this guy to win a game to tie the series and bring the ALDS back to New York. I have news for you, don't give up yet.
AJ wants the ball. This is the biggest stage of his life and he knows if he fails, well, then it's over for him in pinstripes. The Detroit Tigers are not a great ball club, but their a damn good, feisty ball club and they can get to AJ. So, whatever head games and issues AJ has had in the past, he needs to dig deep, focus and know that the Yankees need him now more than ever. Everything we've said and did with AJ is in the past. Everything he's down lousy is long gone. We have a clean slate tonight and AJ is our leader. So instead of thinking it's the end Ladies and Gentlemen, let's turn the page and suggest it's the beginning.

We tried our best guy in CC Sabathia last night, and with the help of lousy calls of balls and strikes, and a not so grand CC, the Yankees lost last night. Forget it. You have to. Now it's go time, and it's a MUST WIN.

But let's back up for a moment. It's not just AJ that all of Yankeeland should be depending on. What about the Yankee bats? It hasn't only been about pitching, it's been about missing perfect pitches and popping them up. It's about becoming TOO dependant on the walk. There's a formula in the batter's box and you need to have a balance. Something's a miss. Where are my Bombers?

Earlier this weekend, I posted something about Nick Swisher referring to his “over amped” anxiousness at the plate during the playoffs. He even stated that he needed to channel his energy so he’d be able to perform. Yes, in the late innings of Game 2 in the Bronx, he was finally able to relax a bit and crank out a solo shot and I thought hopefully that would start a little run for Nick. But it didn't, Swisher looked stupid in Detroit last night. If he's hoping to stick around in the Bronx after this season, that's no way to do it.

Then I started thinking about Alex Rodriguez, and Mark Teixeira. Yes, Girardi pointed out that ARod had 2 RBIs and walked last night, but look, let's face it, even Ramon Santiago is playing bigger than ARod. What the hell is going on with my New York Yankees?

Alex and Mark and just a few examples. These guys are some of the top hitters in the league and I know Alex was out for nearly 63 games with injury and surgery, but you have to think something’s coming. Right? Look, sometimes I think I’m being unfair. I reminisce about 2009 and how hot Alex and Teixeira were. Then I get annoyed because I realize expecting too much from these guys is exactly what I’m supposed to do. I’m a fan, these guys need to perform, it’s the playoffs!

The biggest problem we are having right now are “Ducks on the pond.” That’s a baseball expression that has to do with men on base. The Yankees need to get those ducks OFF the pond… and bring them home. It has to do with timely hitting. A perfect example is Game 1 and Game 3… Brett Gardner got a 2 run hit in both games at the right time to put the Yankees ahead or in last night's case, we tied it. He understands... get the Ducks OFF the pond. I hate to sound like an angry fan, but I am. Runs need to score or the Yankees don’t win. Long balls are great, but they need to happen when men are on base.

Jorge Posada, the guy everyone told me was too old for the playoffs has done his job. Yet, Robinson Cano hasn't shown up since Game 1. You know what I mean? Where’s the small ball, better yet, where’s the baseball? You need to move the runners over and I almost feel like the Yankees have forgotten that.

Now, we’re in Detroit, a place I don’t like, plus we're down 2 games to 1. There are feisty fans and when the Tigers are on, they will drown out any potential Yankees rally. So, there are keys to a Yankee victory. We really need to deliver now…we need to take the Detroit crowd out of it. That only happens if there is timely Yankee hitting and AJ, our sweet AJ does his job tonight. If not, it's over.

So pray to the Yankee Gods tonight, rally, put on your lucky jersey, kiss your Jeter poster, whatever you need to do, but most importantly put your support behind the guy who needs us now more than ever. AJ Burnett. It's time to dig deep AJ. This game's for you.

Go Yanks!

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