THE MAKING OF SONNY GRAY'S FINAL DAYS

Teams DO like reformation projects. It's hard to imagine Sonny Gray as an Oakland A ever becoming a reformation project, but now that is what he will most likely be. As bad as Gray was in a Yankees uniform teams are still interested and we might be getting the first look at trade partners.

It sucks that Gray didn't work out for us. In retrospect though, I don't regret the move. The dominant Gray as an Oakland A was worth the gamble. If Gray would've had that dominance for us that pickup would've been epic. Now another team is going to take that same chance and odds are.....they will get the better Gray.

Teams out there are going to recognize how good Gray was on the road with his 3.17 ERA on the road. Sure, he sucked at home and his 6.98 ERA doesn't hide that but outside of Yankee stadium that can be salvaged. As ineffective as Gray was, the Yankees could get more in return for him than you think especially if you think he's only worth a bucket of balls.

According to Mark Feinsand here AT LEAST five teams have reached out to Brian Cashman about Gray. That's a lot of attention for a guy that was a big disappointment for us. So far, we know two specific teams who have Gray in their sights and I wouldn't be surprised if we hear more are interested as we get deeper into the offseason.

Oakland A's

No surprise here. The A's think their former ace could bounce back in familiar territory and less pressure. Who knows how much they would be willing to give up on a reformation project, but either way, the A's have a few starting pitchers that will miss considerable time at the start of the season thanks to injuries so he makes a lot of sense for them. He's a low risk but potential high reward especially going back to an environment he thrived in. At least we can assume Billy Beane didn't write a clause for no trade backs, right?

San Diego Padres

I am intrigued by the less obvious choice here. Do the Padres look at Gray to be a big piece to their rotation needs or just a piece to compliment another name they also go after? Either way the Padres are probably counting on Gray's ability to help a young staff grow. They have a lot of young talent who could be contenders within the next couple of years. A guy like Gray can help solidify their rotation now while giving their young talent time to season and would be an affordable option compared to other big names like Patrick Corbin or Nathan Eovaldi.

It's encouraging to hear the Gray's trade market may finally be coming together. I think Cashman was right, Gray is going to be a great pitcher just not with us. I wish him the best. Sometimes things just don't work out but this could be the best thing for him and for us. I wonder who the other three teams are....I'm sure we will find out soon enough.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

"I hate losing more than I love winning" - Billy Beane in Moneyball

Photo: Getty Images

And I really do. I hate the word "hate" but it's so true. I'm too competitive for my own good. In a lot of ways I think I identify with Billy Beane in Moneyball. We came so close. We were almost there, but sadly 'almost' only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades so as good as this ear was I am ready for 2018 to finish what we started. To come this close and not win it all hurts but the future is bright. As bright as it may be, there are still a lot of unknowns.

1) Are Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman coming back to the Yankees in 2018?

I think Cashman is a more obvious "YES" here. The Steinbrenner's trust him and believe in his judgment. If they didn't, we wouldn't have sold off our big assets at the end of last season. Not only that, what other GM is out there that can do what Cashman has done for this team? He has been the mastermind behind the "rebuild" phase that has paid off for us so far. I can't think of another GM that can so what Cashman has done and be as successful.

But what about Joe Girardi? Some fans really like him and some may think it is time for the Yankees to find someone new. No matter how the fans feel, the Yankees may go a different direction but not be their choice. Girardi is the third longest tenured manager since October of 2007 behind Mike Scioscia (1999, Los Angeles Angels) and Bruce Bochy (2006, San Francisco Giants). Who knows exactly what his plans are going forward but Girardi as much as he loves baseball, he is a family man. That comes first, read HERE and he may decide he is ready to be a family man. It's too soon to tell at this point but it is hard to imagine the Yankees without Girardi.

2) Should the Yankees bring CC Sabathia back?

Photo: New York Post

It seems like CC has been on the team forever now. Some fans may be ready to move on but he has been invaluable both on and off the field. He has been a consistent innings eater for the past two seasons and he has shown us he still has that competitive drive. I still think he has enough left in the tank. As the Yankees continue their rebuilding they are going to need a good veteran leader in the clubhouse and he can still be a good arm for the back of the rotation. CC says he still has unfinished business with this team. When I think about the current state of the rotation for 2018 he could still be a big asset and help guys like Jordan Montgomery, Luis Severino and Sonny Gray out. If Chance Adams makes his way on the team he could be that veteran leader for another new group of young kids. CC says this is his home, and he wants to finish what he started. I am on board with giving him a one year deal, maybe an option for a second. We know he wants to stay here.

3) Will Masahiro Tanaka opt out of his deal?

Photo: MLB.com

Unlike CC, we don't know if Tanaka wants to stay he and be part of this team's future. He's been inconsistent this season but he really showed everyone that he is a postseason pitcher with a 2-1 record and a 0.90 ERA that can be trusted. Some people say his regular season stats like his wins and ERA would be a turn off for some teams. However, the free agent pitching class this season isn't very deep. Aside from Johnny Cueto, Jake Arrieta, and Yu Darvish there aren't many other attractive names out there. Who knows if another team wants to offer more money than we are paying him now or if he wants to stay with the Yankees who have a legitimate chance at winning a ring for years to come. If he wants to win he should stay but his answer was a little cold toward the media on Saturday. He sounded a little eager to find out if there were other options out there.

There is a lot to figure out now. As we move past the burn of just falling short it's time to start thinking about improving this team and making it stronger for seasons to come. Will any of these guys be a part of it going forward? I sure hope so.




--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

THE CLOCK WINDS DOWN & SO DOES MY PATIENCE

Wake me up when the clock strikes 4:01pm.....

I am not sure if it is the high level of anticipation or anxiety that has me ready for the trade deadline to finally come to a close. This season has been packed with all kinds of rumors. I love rumor season, but some of them this year made me point and laugh. I just want it to be over and done with. July needs to go away and it's time to focus on August and a push for the postseason.

Photo: UPI

The bullpen has been reinforced, and the starting rotation got a band-aid fix. I can't call it an upgrade exactly but, whatever. Jaime Garcia is a veteran lefty that adds some stability to the back of the rotation. Now the question is.....can Billy Beane and Brian Cashman finally get this Sonny Gray deal done?

Credit: USA Today Sports

So again, my anticipation and anxiety are heightened. Would it be cool to have Sonny Gray? Sure. I like the idea of young, controlled starting pitching. But, I like the idea of keeping our farm in tact more. Some people call Gray an "Ace" and I disagree. To those who do, that's fine. On some teams Gray is an ace but on the Yankees he just isn't. If I had my way I would continue to hold to my "Prospect hugging" ways (that comes from readers here at BYB) and hold firm.

Photo: Newsday

I was having a friendly debate with some fellow baseball fans this week. Quite a few made the argument that the Yankees have "an army of up and coming outfielders" to which I agreed. We do. Because of that the Yankees should get rid of some of them and go "all out" and trade them for Gray which I again disagree. The name that kept being tossed around was Clint Frazier and like Cashman I say he is "untouchable" and is worth a lot more than Gray is. Pitching wins baseball games, but the Yankees can still win a bunch of baseball games with other less costly pitchers. Not for nothing, Gray would pitch once every five days while Frazier is an EVERYDAY guy and he is a FIVE TOOL player. I'm not trading him for an injury prone pitcher. Frazier is a guy you build an entire team around and he is the guy that helps gets fans to the ballpark EVERY game.

Photo: Jason O. Watson, Getty Images 

Cashman and Beane should and will continue to talk about Gray. He is a difference maker but Cashman already showed he wasn't giving up top prospects TWICE with the Chicago White Sox. He said no to not only Jose Quintana, but to Chris Sale prior to that why would he do it for Gray now? The market may be very soft for starters but he doesn't command a better package then Sale does.

Something tells me this will be a nail bitter to the last few minutes. There has to be a limit here for Gray, because he comes with some risk and the Yankees have a lot of promising talent. So who gives in first?

Please don't let it be Cashman. I can't wait until this is finally OVER!



--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

ARE THE YANKEES LOSING FAITH IN TYLER AUSTIN?

All signs point to possibly, maybe. Once a top prospect in the Yankees farm system Tyler Austin is now on his third attempt to impress the organization and they appear to be losing faith and getting impatient. The clock may be ticking on Austin and this could be his final chance.

In a recent statement by Brian Cashman, confidence in Austin could be hitting rock bottom. Read that HERE. In September, the Yankees designated Austin for assignment after a sub par 2015 season. I have always admired this kid's work ethic. I have seen him two previous times at the Arizona Fall League and I have always noticed how he always seems to be working. He's on the field early, he is engaged and in the zone. I have never felt like he has received enough credit for that. This year though, he lost his potent bat and after a lot of inconsistency was even demoted to AA Trenton which is a long road back from when he was named a player in the 2012 futures game AND breakout player of the year.

It sucks to see Austin struggle so much. The Yankees have always envisioned him in the outfield for us someday, but something seems off. This Austin is different than the Austin I have watched for the past few years, and Cashman notices it too. Maybe he is trying too hard. Maybe the pressure is getting to him, I am not sure. All I know is....I see struggles in him that I have not seen before.

I do believe the Yankees are starting to lose hope in this kid. One of my friends said that right now, Austin sounds like Billy Beane's story in Moneyball. Once a top prospect phenomenon that fell apart who looks like the confidence is gone. You can draft a player based on his abilities, but getting in their mindset and fostering that confidence and determination is another story. He needs to do that part, and I believe that he can.

(In Photo: Eric Jagielo)
As much as I have seen Austin struggle, I still believe in this kid! He may have earned himself another shot to impress and turn things around here due to the unfortunate injury to Eric Jagielo who lost his spot in the Arizona Fall League. So now, he returns a third time and I believe that he will seize the opportunity. It isn't even a full week into the season and he already has some multi-hit games and is proving that he can play at first base in addition to the outfield. He is versatile, and he is determined and that is why I will continue to be his cheerleader.

I feel uneasy reading some of Cashman's comments. We need our kids in the organization to succeed so we can become a more successful organization. The Yankees know this, too. If they become impatient then it is hard to give the chance to bring that change. We need our kids to be successful. The fact that Austin was designated for assignment and not claimed by another team not only shows the Yankees lack of confidence, but other teams as well. They were once interested, but this time they let him go unclaimed. This is where Austin can change all of these opinions.

I do believe that Austin can control his own destiny here, and I want to see him get there. I know he works hard so now it is just time to put everything together and do it. They say opportunity doesn't usually knock twice. In this case, it has knocked three times. I believe that this kid still has what it takes. We are still in your corner here at BYB, Austin. Now it is just time to GRIND IT!

Cashman, you may be losing faith and patience.....but this prospect hugger hasn't. Let's prove him wrong, Austin!


   

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ 




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DAD KNOWS BEST

My dad and I have our traditions and I look forward to them every year. One of the most important events would have to be Spring Training. Every year, we try to squeeze two games in and usually I pick one game and he picks the other. This year though, we are only able to see one game together. My dad is recovering from shoulder surgery and as uncomfortable as I know he has been lately, he really has handled it well. This year, I am just thankful that he was feeling well enough to go at all.

It amazes me just how different yet alike my dad and I are. When it comes to baseball, we are very different. We like opposite teams and he likes the National League more and I am an American League girl all the way. We are lucky enough to be so close to five teams here that practice within a short 20 minute drive from where we live so we both get to see what we want.

One of my dad's favorite Spring Training facilities is Hohokam Stadium. Up until last year, it was home to the Chicago Cubs. Now they have moved into a new stadium, and the A's have traveled across town, and renovated the Park. It is an older stadium, but my dad seems to like it the most.

When we were trying to figure out which game to see this year, it was a no-brainer for me. My dad loved Hohokam Stadium and he thinks Billy Beane is a genius. So naturally, we went to go see the Oakland A's play at home against the Cincinnati Reds. My dad and I can talk about baseball all the time, but it's amazing to me that he knows sometimes what I am thinking without even saying a word....

As I was driving to Hohokam it got a little quiet in the car. My mind was wandering to not only how happy I was that baseball was finally back, but I feel like this is the world I fit in more than my job that I refer to as "the money making job." It's literally the job that pays my bills and keeps a roof over my head, but doesn't really challenge or satisfy me. My dad knows how much my writing means to me and how much I get out of it. It must've been that fatherly fifth sense that kicked in.

Next thing I knew, I am listening to my dad talk about how he has done well for himself in his life but he has some regrets because he didn't chase after his dreams. My dad's love of cars is my love of baseball and writing. I listened to him tell me how he went the safer route because it was more secure. He wishes he could be one of the classic car gurus, or someone who is the master at restoring cars but he didn't take the risk. He didn't chase after his dream.....and my heart broke a little. I can't imagine living life feeling that way and wondering what might have been. Then I heard him say "please don't be like your dad" and I think the hair on my body stood on end.

Am I taking the safe route?
Am I thinking like my dad was at my age?

I remember when I was younger, one time I told my dad I wanted to be a chef when I grew up. This was way before I realized just how much of a picky eater I was and I changed my mind every 10 minutes so obviously, that would never have worked. I remember him telling me that he wanted me to make sure I got the best education possible, and do something more stable and steady with my life. I remember I was at first disappointed with his reaction, but thought that this was a very "parent like" answer because they only want what is best for their kids. That seems like a very different version of my dad compared to now.

In my dad's eyes, I should have packed up, relocated everything back to Long Island, New York where we are originally from and I should have been a personal assistant to Derek Jeter or a famous beat writer.

My dad really was stuck on me working for Derek Jeter though. All kidding aside, he says I am missing my calling. My dad is a very smart man, and in my heart I know that he is right.

So dad, thank you for everything this weekend. Thank you for the company, wearing a Yankee shirt (for once) the Spring Training game I always look forward to every year, and the advice. I want you to know that I hear you loud and clear, and I love you.



 
 --Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ  





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THIS ORIOLES LOVEFEST MAKES ME WANT TO PUKE!

I am a woman on an island, and I am okay with that. A lot of people I know are completely over baseball now that the Yankees are off doing all things not baseball related. OK, fine but I am still watching.

Those that are watching like me have me completely confused. The overwhelming majority of people I know are rooting for Buck Showalter and the Orioles! I just don't get it....

I don't have any scientific data for this but since the Royals won the ALDS and are now up on the Orioles 2-0, that is all anyone wants to talk to me about. "Buck has a plan, don't worry" or "the Orioles can take this!" I can talk baseball all day long....but when it comes to cheering for the Orioles I am out. I can't do it, folks. Sorry.

It all started on last Sunday night. I was being the favorite daughter as my dad would put it (P.S. I am the ONLY daughter) and I stayed up super late to go pick my dad up from the airport. I am half asleep in the car and my dad starts to talk baseball. That perks me up a little. He had been gone for a week so he missed the Wild card game and didn't even know the outcome of that game. So I told him the Royals beat the Oakland A's....and he was a little sad. My dad thinks Billy Beane is a genius so he really didn't like hearing this.

Dad: So wait...the Kansas City Royals beat the Oakland A's? Get out of here!

Me: They did. They were winning at one point but they choked!

Dad: Say it aint so! Now who will I cheer for?

Me: Well....I know I am pulling for the Royals.

Dad: So the Royals are playing who now?

Me: They swept the Los Angeles Angels in 3 games so now they go to the ALCS and play the Orioles.

Dad: Oh, so they are taking on Buck Showalter?! Ok, I guess I am rooting for the O's!

Me: *mouth dropped and dumbfounded* You WHAT?!

I was suddenly very awake.

At work the next morning, I was more excited for the Royals than two of the guys in my office that are FROM Missouri. Ummm, hello?

Me: HEY, HEY, HEY....how 'bout them Royals?
Co-worker: Ehhhh, I can't get too excited. We have been bad for so long.
Me: Wait...you SWEPT the team with the best record in baseball. You were the underdog! How can you not be excited?
Co-worker: Honestly, I am following football more and the Orioles are probably gonna win, anyways.
Me: *dumbfounded*

Later, one of the managers hears me talking about the NLDS and chimes in.

Manager: HEY Jeana....you must be excited for Buck.
Me: Why would I be excited for Buck?

Manager: Seriously? He is a former Yankee Coach. It's the next best thing for you since your Yankees sucked again this year. *Mets fan laughs at me in the background*
Me: *in an outburst* I CAN'T STAND BUCK! I hope the Royals spank him and his O's.
Manager: Woah there. How can you say that? He's like your own kind.
Me: Oh no he's not. He is the past. Our own kind would not badmouth Derek Jeter, the face of baseball! Yet he did....
Manager: What are you talking about?

Me: *pulls out phone and instantly finds old news articles where Buck mocks Jeter, he skims them and laughs*
Manager: Really? There has to be some unwritten rule that it is not OK to like him, considering everything he has done for you.
Me: There has to be an unwritten rule that you don't mock a classy player like Derek Jeter. Out of all people to mock, not him. I don't see Joe Girardi throwing cheater Chris Davis under the bus.
Manager: *laughs at me* Oh and don't forget about how he helped build the Diamondbacks.
Me: I HATE THE DIAMONDBACKS!

OK, Seriously? What is with the Buck Showalter love fest? I get that the trash talk is part of the game and I like that but trash talk anyone else, not Jeter. If you are an Orioles fan then Yes....good for you! I can be happy for you. However, I cannot root for Buck, and for another thing I can't root for a division rival. It makes me downright sick! Call me old school.

Call me stubborn. I am OK with that. What I won't be OK with is Buck winning the World Series. Anyone else but the Orioles.....please!




 
 --Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ


   

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LOSING JEFF SAMARDZIJA JUST HURTS

After the fireworks ended in the Northeast, they were just beginning on the West Coast. I woke up to the buzzing noise of my Twitter early on July 5th to the worst news of the season- yes, for me, even worse than CC Sabathia’s earlier that day.

Headline: BRONX HEARTBREAK: SAMARDZIJA SHIPPED TO OAKLAND. And let me add the words, “for just about nothing!” How the heck did Billy Beane pull this one off?

According to an article by Bill Madden of the New York Daily News on July 5th, “You have to first start with the trade itself, which, on the surface and for the present, appears to be a fleecing for Beane of his Moneyball disciple, Theo Epstein. I say this because when you’re trading your two best pitchers, one of them a bona fide No. 1, don’t you have to get back at least one comparable top pitching prospect?” It seems crazy to me as well. The Cubs picked up some unproven prospects including a short stop but what they really needed was a catcher. And that is where the Yankees could have pulled off the win. 

“Being that one of the Cubs’ primary needs is a catcher, Yankee GM Brian Cashman thought offering his top-rated prospect, Gary Sanchez, would be a good starting point in a deal for Samardzija. But Epstein, according to the source, also wanted the Yankees’ top two pitching prospects, Luis Severino and Ian Clarkin. When Cashman balked at that and attempted to restructure his offer, even mentioning the more proven catcher, John Ryan Murphy, Epstein said he’d get back to him, but apparently never did. One has to believe Cashman is as stunned as anyone at how comparably little Epstein wound up getting back for not just Samardzija but Hammel as well.” Again, I say crazy! But is it really? Is Epstein still ticked off about how the Tanaka deal went down? I say, perhaps. Much like the Moneyball movie portrayed, there is a lot of “Son of a bitchin’” in the GM offices across baseball and perhaps, Cashman is a Son of a Bitch to Epstein.  I'm guessing there is some bad blood there.  Don't forget, Epstein is really a Red Sox in disguise.  

To pour salt in my wound, Samardzija looked fresh on the mound in his debut game on Sunday. Jeff “Shark” Samardzija is back to life in Oakland. “Jeff Samardzija pitched seven strong innings to win his Oakland debut and the Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Sunday to complete a four-game sweep. Samardzija, acquired a day earlier in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, received several standing ovations. He was cheered during pregame warm ups and again after striking out the side in the seventh,” reported ABC News following the game. And we signed pretty much a no name who has no better ERA than a 5th starter of a ball club’s rotation. As a matter of fact, if David Phelps is considered our 5th starter his ERA 4.01 and Brandon McCarthy has a 5.01 ERA. 

 
Samardzija has half as many wins with Oakland in one day than he did all season with the Cubs. I just wonder if the Cubs just plan on losing all the rest of the games this season. Bonehead move, Epstein but again, he may just have something to prove. I guess this is a moment where I would rather Cashman than Epstein. Oh God help us!

For me personally, the Samardzija deal hurts because he could have been a great New Yorker. We have been following him all season. As a matter of fact, I wrote a tweet touting Samardzija looking lean and mean in his first game of the season. It was right then and there that I wanted him in the Bronx. And after all he had been through in Chicago with the fans hating on him in his early years for not performing with ERAs of 7.53 and 8.38 in 2009 and 2010 respectively, he got out on top. Good for you Jeff! My only gripe is that you were not pitching in Minnesota this weekend as the Yankees newest hurler.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @suzieprof


   
 
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THE BOSS IS ALIVE! MY DREAM & YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT

....Only in my dreams, but he is. If I had a nickel for how many times I heard "If the Boss was still alive..." or "I miss the Boss," then I would be a very rich woman. We all have our versions of how this would play out. Last night, I had my own as I was catching up on my Z's. It went a little something like this....I warn you, this is weird.

Losing to the Twins before the All-Star break was unacceptable and disgraceful at home. The Yankees have always had the Twins number, so to end the first half with that embarrassing performance made the Boss a little....cranky. Enter team meeting time.

It was time for someone to step up, but who? Derek Jeter was away from the team and Jorge Posada is off enjoying his retirement. His vocal voice is missing in the clubhouse. Someone had to give the Posada team meeting and right the ship. No one other than the Boss could do that. There he was, walking fast and tall down the clubhouse hallway. He was walking with authority and had a stone cold facial expression.

In the clubhouse, he sat everyone down. He reminded everyone how it was an honor to put the pinstripes on everyday and that everyone had high expectations for this team. That the team needed to work harder. They needed to score runs, play good fundamental baseball, support the pitching staff and swing the bat and make things happen. Being at the bottom of the barrel just wasn't acceptable. "How are we ranked 22nd in runs?!" He hollered. The 24th place in on base percentage, 26th place in batting average and 28th in slugging percentage are even worse. These are not stats that the Yankees should have.

The fans deserve more! Injuries are no excuse either because you have to win with who you have on the field and step up. It was a combination of the Billy Beane speach in Moneyball and a Jorge all in one.

Of course, in true boss style when the team doesn't live up to expectations someone has to take the fall. In this case, it was Kevin Long. It was time for a change, and the Boss knew that. Sure, Long has a reputation as one of the best hitting coaches in the game, but reputation will only take you so far. Eventually, it is time to put up or shut up. The Yankees have struggled with scoring runs for a long time now. The hitters have to take some accountability for that, but if the coach can't help identify the issues and help fix them....then it was time to find someone who could.

After a very quick, but loud meeting Kevin Long was sent packing and Jorge stepped in. Sure, it is a little unrealistic at this point to see Jorge in that role since he just retired but....a girl can dream, right?

Next on the agenda was the lack of offense. The Yankees just don't have enough "pop" in the bat. So to fix that, the Boss put an end to the crazy $189 million payroll cap and started bringing the dollar signs back into the Bronx. He finally put some power back into deflated Brian Cashman's hands and told him he expected some major upgrades by the deadline....or else. Of course, Cashman didn't want to be the next victim so he pulled a move similar to the R.A. Dickey move this past offseason.

He sent Phil Hughes packing to the Seattle Mariners who then offered him a lucrative 4 year deal and shipped Raul Ibanez back. Next, the Boss persuaded the Phillies to part ways with Michael Young and gave them Joba Chamberlain. It was a win-win scenario, so it was bound to happen! The story ended with a happily ever after. Hughes continued his fly ball performances in a more expansive, forgiving ballpark, Joba went to that National League and the Yankees got a couple sluggers in return. They all lived happily ever after.

The boss was cleaning house! We need someone to come in and restore order. I usually don't like it when people speculate about what George Steinbrenner would do if he was here. Fact of the matter is he is not. We wouldn't be here if he were. But....since we are going there tell us what you think!

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ

 


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