SANCHEZ TO THE SHELF & THAT'S NOT THE WORST PART!

Photo: Getty Images

Bad News Sunday....that's what I call it. Seriously, it sucks getting swept by the Rays, watching Domingo German tank in his start and then to make matters worse Gary Sanchez is down and out. This isn't the way I wanted to end my weekend but that really may not be the worst part of it.

If you missed it, Sanchez pulled his groin running to first yesterday. An MRI is scheduled for today sometime and we are all crossing our fingers hoping for the best but preparing for the worst (just in case). I'm sure Brian Cashman has a game plan in the works but either way this is pretty bad.

Photo: Getty Images

Hopefully some of the swelling goes down over night and tomorrow when they do the MRI it's not a bad as it looked. Groin strains are no joke, and the last thing the Yankees need is a bad Grade 2 strain which could mean he's out for more than eight weeks. I don't want to even imagine that right now.

Sanchez may be having a rough season so far, but he is still leading all catchers with 14 home runs and slump or not he has the ability to change a game with one swing. Too bad that didn't happen yesterday, but he's still a powerful bat that can do damage in the lineup, slump or not.

Photo: Getty Images

So now what do the Yankees do? Now that we will have Austin Romine as an every day catcher the Yankees need a backup. Kyle Higashioka is the third catcher on the Yankees 40-man roster so he is the obvious choice for a call-up. Higashioka knows the pitching staff well and he's been with the Yankees since 2008 but he's never been able to land a long term job in the Bronx. He made his major league debut as a defensive replacement in 2017 after Sanchez suffered an injury. He didn't stay up long after he batted 0-for-18 in nine games for the Yankees and was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in May when Sanchez returned. Nothing against Higashioka but even a slumping, healthy Sanchez is a stronger option for the Yankees.

Photo: Getty Images

Could the Yankees go out and get another catcher if Sanchez has a worst case scenario injury? Maybe. I've seen a couple names floating around on Twitter including J.T. Realmuto again. I mean, Derek Jeter is still holding onto him even after selling off everyone else. We've been waiting for him to get traded for a long time now. Or maybe, the Yankees go for a reunion with John Ryan Murphy? He's been nothing short of a revelation this season for the Diamondbacks.  They do have a ton of catching depth with Jeff Mathis and Alex Avila all sharing time so they have the ability to move him but considering how good he has been for them it would take some serious magic for Cashman to steal him from the Diamondbacks.

I don't want to think about other replacements right now. I'm hoping for the best case scenario here and instead of chasing after a catcher we continue to look for that starter we need and we see Sanchez sooner rather than later.

We need some good news here.....please. Stay tuned.

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

ARE AUSTIN ROMINE'S DAYS NUMBERED?

Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America

It's weird to think about right now but as the Yankees look to make improvements to their roster and managing staff they could look at the free agent market and make one more addition to the team. I'm just not sold that this would be a big upgrade BUT....could the Yankees also be looking for a new backup catcher?

I like Austin Romine, I think he's a good guy but truth is he is really just an okay defender with a lackluster bat. He actually barely cracks the top thirty in defensive stats and when you aren't a great defender and are a sub-par hitter that just makes it worse. Romine doesn't really stand out as having one great standout skill, which is a problem when you are on a rebuilding and young competitive team.

Photo: Getty Images

So I guess the question is....do the Yankees stick with Romine or look for someone else to backup Gary Sanchez? The Yankees know what they are getting with Romine, he's been around for six years now. He outlasted names like Jesus Montero and John Ryan Murphy and even looked like the more appealing option for catcher back in September when the Yankees were preparing for the Wild Card game against the Twins. Several media sources like NY Daily News and Newsday even wrote pieces calling for Joe Girardi to start Romine instead of Sanchez.

Source: Stacy Revere/Getty Images North America

So if media outlets had so much faith in Romine in a must win game, is there anyone else out there that could be considered an upgrade? There are two catchers that are free agents, Jonathan Lucroy and Alex Avila. I doubt Lucroy would sign with the Yankees for a backup catcher role but Alex Avila is used to a backup role already and could be intriguing.

If the Yankees want to improve their offensive production in their backup role Avila would give more of that then Romine. This season in 376 plate appearances he had a .236 BA, hit 14 home runs with 49 RBI's. It certainly beats Romine's 80 plate appearances and .218 BA with 2 home runs and 21 RBI's. His left handed bat would also come in handy at Yankee stadium. Offensively, he has more to offer than Romine does. Defensively though, he's not a significant upgrade over Romine and his bat outshines his defensive skills.

Could the Yankees make the call and try to sign Avila? Maybe, but he is going to want a lot more playing time and behind Sanchez that's not likely. Honestly who wants to be stuck behind one of the games most exciting young catchers? I am willing to bet it's not Avila.


--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

BYB Posada Original
This is a wonderful image I took of Jorge Posada, available on Laptop cases and Phone cases.

THE YANKS HAVE NO GOLD GLOVERS... KICK US WHILE WE'RE DOWN

I found this alittle unusual, only because we have a guy like Mark Teixeira manning first with one of the best gloves in the game as well as Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner. The word is, that there are no Yankees in the finalists of Rawlings Gold Gloves this year.  Son of a ....

Anyway.

Here are the list of finalists brought to us by CBSSports.com. Check it out:

AL Pitcher
Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays (4)
Felix Hernandez, Mariners (0)
Dallas Keuchel, Astros (0)
 

NL Pitcher
Zack Greinke, Dodgers (0)
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (1)
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (2)

AL Catcher
Alex Avila, Tigers (0)
Yan Gomes, Indians (0)
Salvador Perez, Royals (1)

NL Catcher
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers (0)
Russell Martin, Pirates (1)
Yadier Molina, Cardinals (6)

AL First Base
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (0)
Eric Hosmer, Royals (1)
Albert Pujols, Angels (2)

NL First Base
Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers (3)
Adam LaRoche, Nationals (1)
Justin Morneau, Rockies (0)

AL Second Base
Robinson Cano, Mariners (2)
Ian Kinsler, Tigers (0)
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox (3)

NL Second Base
DJ LeMahieu, Rockies (0)
Brandon Phillips, Reds (4)
Chase Utley, Phillies (0)

AL Shortstop
Alcides Escobar, Royals (0)
J.J. Hardy, Orioles (2)
Alexei Ramirez, White Sox (0)

NL Shortstop
Zack Cozart, Reds (0)
Adeiny Hechavarria, Marlins (0)
Andrelton Simmons, Braves (1)
 

AL Third Base
Adrian Beltre, Rangers (4)
Josh Donaldson, Athletics (0)
Kyle Seager, Mariners (0)

NL Third Base
Nolan Arenado, Rockies (1)
Pablo Sandoval, Giants (0)
Juan Uribe, Dodgers (0)

AL Left Field
Michael Brantley, Indians (0)
Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics/Red Sox (0)
Alex Gordon, Royals (3)

NL Left Field
Starling Marte, Pirates (0)
Justin Upton, Braves (0)
Christian Yelich, Marlins (0)

AL Center Field
Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox (0)
Adam Eaton, White Sox (0)
Adam Jones, Orioles (3)

NL Center Field
Billy Hamilton, Reds (0)
Juan Lagares, Mets (0)
Denard Span, Nationals (0)

AL Right Field
Kole Calhoun, Angels (0)
Kevin Kiermaier, Rays (0)
Nick Markakis, Orioles (1)

NL Right Field
Jason Heyward, Braves (1)
Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks/Brewers (2)
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins (0)

Winners will be announced on November 11th.

Just a quick opinion.  I am shocked a guy like Yasiel Puig didn't make the finals, as well as Ellsbury and Gardner.  I am also shocked that Pujols made the finals.  Really?

Anyway, congrats to the finalists.



You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

MOTOWN WALK-OFF & THE YANKEE FIZZLE

Damn those Motown Cats! Damn you Yankees! We were close to going extra innings, maybe even winning this game today... but we didn't. We didn't because it's what I call Yankee Fizzle.  It's that offense that dies, just when you think we have a shot.

In the bottom of the 9th, with Shawn Kelley on the mound, Alex Avila singled on a fly ball and the winning run came home.  Not the game I wanted to see, but it is what it is. 

Does it surprise me? Not really. The Yankees have broken my heart alot this season.  I'll just accept it... and it sucks!

The Yankees had 5 hits and 2 runs today.  Hiroki Kuroda went 7 innings, and gave up only 2 runs on 4 hits.  He did his job. Once again, the Yankee offense could not help Kuroda or themselves out.  We left 4 on base. 

In the 3rd, Jacoby Ellsbury singled knocking in Zelous Wheeler.  In the 4th, it was Brian McCann grounding out, but in the process, knocked in Martin Prado.  For the most part, the runs we had were grinded out, but we needed a big rally.  We needed to be smarter and we needed to give the team a chance.  We couldn't break the Tigers pitching today and it was a real eye opener.  Trust me, if we can't do it now, what makes you think we can do it in the playoffs? Wait... did I say playoffs? Hell no... not with this team.

The way this Yankee offense fizzles is a big problem and had been all season. It's disappointing.  I hope to God we can fix it... I just don't think we can't, not now... it's just too late.

Final: Tigers 3 - Yankees 2

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

MOTOWN CATS TAKE LAST BITE

The Tigers are the Motown Cats here on BYB.  Enjoy that, and thank Mike O'Hara when you see him.

The Yanks were in it until the end tonight... literally.  We lost on an Alex Aliva homer in the 12th... we couldn't come back after that.

In fact, the Yankees only were able to score 3 runs off of David Price and company.  Price has always been a tough nut to crack and now, with the rotation the Tigers have, they are a tricky group.  That being said, we held our own until the very end.

Hiroki Kuroda started and pitched well tonight.  7 innings pitched, 6 hits allowed, 3 runs given up.  After that the Yankee pen was pure dominance holding the Tigers bats silent until Matt Daley gave up the Avila homer in the 12th.  It was a true disappointment.

The Yankees runs happened like this:

In the bottom of the 2nd, Brian McCann homered.  Jacoby Ellsbury doubled in the 3rd and Brendan Ryan scored.

In the 5th, Martin Prado homered. Then, nothing... the well went dry.

It was a nice game, but not the ending we wanted.  There's only one thing to do... win tomorrow.  Forget this one, come back tomorrow.. and win.  That's it.

Final: Motown Cats 4 - Yankees 3

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO CATCHERS IN THE GOOD OL' DAYS?

Are we turning into a bunch of wimps? Seriously. I am a baseball fan, not a football fan, not a hockey fan, but a baseball fan.  While baseball is a lot of waiting around, you teach your players very early on to be moving on any and every play. You back up third base on a throw to 3^rd if you’re the left fielder. The second baseman should back up the pitcher in case there’s an over throw from the catcher to the pitcher, and if you have an opportunity to steal, even home plate, you go in hard, and if someone gets in your way, you barrel through them to get to the base.  That’s baseball. It's always has been that way.

Now, Major League Baseball is considering changing that, and yes, I get the safety reasons for why, but it will literally change everything about the catcher's role of protecting his territory…home plate.

Erica Morales, one of our top writers here at Bleeding Yankee Blue wrote a great piece Tuesday in reference to the “no more collision” idea in Major League Baseball.  If you haven’t seen it yet, I suggest you do. Read I GUESS CATCHERS CAN'T PROTECT THE PLATE ANYMORE? It’s spot on and we had a ton of feedback because of it.  The bottom line here is, Players need to play.

What would happen if Thurman Munson was told about this ban when he was playing? He’d probably tell Major League Baseball to “shove it.”  You can’t take the warrior out of a ball player. He would probably never change his approach, still waiting for the runner, still happy to try and hammer him back as he was attempting to run through his “zone.”  It’s what a catcher does… it’s a 1 on 1 battle that could literally change the momentum of the game. That 1 run can be crucial and the catcher knows that.  That also goes for the runner.

I remember reading a few years ago that Jorge Posada considered home plate "his" territory.  Then I remember seeing the picture Laura Posada posted on her Instagram of Jorge behind home plate, preparing his territory for battle.  

A catcher's role is critical and that’s why catchers become successful managers. They know more than many on the field.  But they also know that, much like a goalie in hockey or soccer, that if someone gets through them, they could blow the game.

While baseball isn’t about the viciousness that football is, it’s still important to play hard.  If you are standing on third with an opportunity to score gracefully, like maybe Ichiro in the ALDS last year against Matt Wieters and the Orioles, then do it.  After all, Ichiro can maneuver smoothly.  He’s tiny and he’s not busting past Wieters who looks like a wall in comparison, so you do it your way… I respect that.  

But do you ever think that Jackie Robinson was worried about hurting Yogi Berra? Do you think that David Ross saw a person when he rammed through Alex Avila? No, he saw the goal… get there, get home... win.

I’m not a mean spirited person, I don’t like when players get hurt.  But ironically, Avila did the exact same thing to Russell Martin in the ALCS in 2012 and no one said a thing.

Pete Rose ripped through Ray Fosse… it’s the game, and while it may not always be pretty, and while players sometimes get hurt… that’s what the player signed up for.  Catchers aren’t wimps… that’s why they’re catchers. 

Major League Baseball needs to stop acting like the dictator and start acting like Major League Baseball.  You want to protect the player? Come up with protect gear for pitchers so they don’t get concussions if they get whacked in the head on a comebacker.  Maybe enforce a stricter steroids fine instead of the one that’s currently NOT working.  Don’t strip the balls from the greatest sport on earth.  Players come to play… not to be told that they “can’t play hard.” 

This isn’t tee ball… this is the pros… can we get back to it please?

 The Bleeding Yankee Blue store is opened! CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Also, follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

I GUESS CATCHERS CAN'T PROTECT THE PLATE ANYMORE?

 

Above is a photo of the famous home plate collision between Pete Rose and Ray Fosse back in the All-Star game in 1970.  The difference was it was an All-Star game, not the regular season and in a game like that, the debate continues as to whether or not Rose went in too hard. But Rose was a competitor and that's how players are made. Ray Fosse is still bitter about the collision, read HERE.  But now, years later, something is changing in major league baseball. Not following? Keep reading...

With two home plate collisions during the ALCS, one that resulted in Alex Avila suffering a strained patellar tendon, the topic of safety has come to the forefront. More specifically the topic of home-plate collisions. Safety has been a big issue in the NFL in recent years. With information on concussions, and the cost of lawsuits they are now facing, it seems the safety conscience approach has trickled down to baseball.

In a report in ESPN (HERE), Tigers team official commented on the David Ross/Avila collision that resulted in injury for Avila saying "Ross did nothing wrong, because that's how everybody expects that play to go. But there is no place [in the game] to be raising an elbow into somebody's head or neck to knock the ball out. It's just dumb [for baseball]." I understand the sentiment. Home-plate collisions are dangerous. The result is injuries to catcher, including harmful concussions. It's serious, and scary, and we want our players to be safe, healthy, and uninjured. But the truth is, it is part of the game.

 

Most of these collisions are due to a runner trying to beat out a throw, and a catcher protecting the game. It's unfortunate, but it happens. Granted, purposely elbowing a catcher is unacceptable. You should never purposely put another athletes safety on the line. There is no reason for it. But to ban collisions? It leaves me to question what the rule will be. Are catchers expected to sit back and allow runs to score in order to avoid being injured? What happens in those cases where that one run does make the difference between a win, and a loss? The general idea is that one saved run is not worth the money invested on the players involved. Several people, including Jim Leyland, who sits on Bud Selig's advisory committee, think the play is unnecessary. They are calling for a change.

Do I think there needs to be rules against purposely taking actions that result in an injury? Of course I do! It's bad sportsmanship. But baseball is a sport. It is physical, and injuries are inevitable. That is why athletes have such strict work out routines. To build up muscle to be able to handle the physicality of their careers. And yes, that sometimes includes collisions, especially in the catchers position. It should have never been a matter of "if" a player gets injured, but "when" a player gets injured. We cannot wrap athletes up in bubble wrap.

At the end of the day, I want to see fewer injuries, but to ban home plate collisions are a little excessive to me. Yes, make it so that you cannot purposely injure the player. But a catchers job is to protect that plate, the way a runners job is to score that run. Why penalize these guys for doing their jobs? What is next? Banning outfielders from making jump catches at the wall, because the impact against the wall is dangerous? That padding isn't nearly enough to keep those guys safe. Or maybe we should ban running the bases altogether. You know running isn't really safe. One of those guys can trip and fall. Everyone should just walk from third to home, and positional players should just walk to catch the ball for an out.

Find a way to make players safer, that isn't ridiculous, and doesn't ruin the game.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804



The Bleeding Yankee Blue store is opened! CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Also, follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

CHAVEZ CARRIES YANKEES OUT OF DETROIT IN SERIES SPLIT

Yesterday the Yankee offense produced a season high 18 hits and scored 12 runs on that hit production.  The goal today was win today and get out of Detroit with a split of the series. We did and all was right in Yankeeland.

Hiroki Kuroda held the hot Tiger offense at bay, meanwhile the Yankee hitters worked.

After the 29 minute rain delay, the Yanks struck first with two runs in the second inning.  Red hot Eric Chavez, singled to center and Raul Ibanez tripled to drive Chavez home.  Ichiro Suzuki followed with a single to left to score Ibanez and the Yankees had the 2-0 lead.

In the 5th, the Tigers erupted for three.  Jhonny Peralta led off the fifth with a double to center, and Alex Avila followed immediately with a two-run home run to right to tie the game. Then suddenly, the Tigers went up 3-2.

On the Andy Dirks double, umpire Bill Welke appeared to call the ball foul as it hit very near the left field line.  He changed his call to fair, but Ibanez seemed to hesitate on the Welke foul signal and the crowd reaction.  He had difficulty recovering the ball and that's when it became 3-2.

Girardi rushed from the dugout to argue and  protested the call and the placement of the runner.  Girardi argued that Berry should be sent back to third rather than being allowed to score on the play.  Lip readers could see that Girardi also intended to protest the game, but the run scored.  Girardi was ejected by Welke, and the game continued.


Then in the 8th, things changed again.  Joaquin Benoit entered and allowed to the next two Yankee batters, Mark Teixeira and Chavez to do damage. Tex hit a one-out homer to right and then super hero Eric Chavez  ripped an opposite field home run to left that was a no doubter!  That quickly the Yankees had a 4-3 lead.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Yankees inserted David Phelps to bridge the gap to Soriano.  Phelps got 2 outs but also allowed a single to center by Prince Fielder.  Phelps balked and Fielder went to 2nd when his right foot slipped of the pitching rubber.

RaSo came in for the 4 out save despite things getting slightly hairy when Alex Avila got a double and Omar Infante hit a single.  with a sharp single to right.  Ichiro pounced on the ball so. The Tigers couldn't tie it.  Then, after a Dirks fly out, it was untuck and game over...Yankees win.

 The final, New York 4 - Detroit 3. 

The Yanks leave town with a much more mellow Motown mood as they head for Toronto!

--Frank Gentry, BYB Writer

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WHY IT'S THE FIRST YANKEE WALKOFF OF 2012

Friday night’s game was a wild one. It had big hits, big homers, poor pitching, awful fielding, awful umpiring, but most importantly, a Yankees win. Walkoff style, 7-6.

Let’s get to the most important part of the game first: The walkoff win. It was tied at six in the ninth and with one out Derek Jeter, who was trying to extend his 15-game hit streak, worked a walk to set up the meat of the order. After a wild pitch, Jeter advanced from first to third (he was going on the 3-2 pitch) with one out and ARod at the plate. Moments later a passed ball by Alex Avila allowed Derek Jeter to score the winning run. Happy day. Oh, and there was no pie after the walkoff, so boo-hoo to that, I guess.

The pitching matchup of Ivan Nova versus Justin Verlander looked great on paper, but baseball’s not played on paper, it’s played on a field and anything can happen. Instead, both starters struggled in this one. Nova went 5.1, allowing six runs on 11 hits while striking out five and walking three. Verlander went 6 while allowing four runs while striking out four and not walking anyone.

Ivan Nova was able to wiggle out some jams, though he gave up six runs. In the first inning he overcame a lead off hit by Austin Jackson who then stole second with nobody out, though he was out, but the umpire called him safe anyway. In the second inning he overcame an awful gaffe by Raul Ibanez in left field when he inexplicably dove for a ball he had no business catching. Because of this, Don Kelly scored from first. Fortunately, Nova was able to retire the next three to limit the damage. But seriously, why is Joe Girardi still running Ibanez out there in the field? He’s an awful defender. Everyone and their mother knows about it, so why the hell is he still out there?

The Yankees offense was very good tonight, considering they faced arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball. ARod went 3-for-4 with a solo homer off Verlander in the fourth. The only out he made came on a deep fly ball to center in which looked like a homer off the bat. He was also at the plate when Jeter scored the winning run. Russell Martin also tagged Verlander for a home run, a two run wall-scraper in the fifth, for his only hit of the night. In total, the Yankees collected nine hits.

The umpiring in this game was pretty awful, though it shouldn’t surprise anyone because Joe West was behind the plate. Joe Girardi got ejected for arguing balls and strikes, considering the strike zone were brutally inconsistent, and he got his money’s worth out of it. Good for Girardi. But can someone tell me why Joe West still has a job? We’ve gone on with his charade for too long now. It’s time for Major League Baseball to “retire” him from his job. He seems to want to be the centerpiece of the game, though that’s the worst thing he can possibly do. Bud Selig, it’s time to cut him loose and move on. That's the end of my rant.

Final was 7-6, Yankees. Freddy Garcia opposes Drew Smyly in today’s game, so I hope you pack a lunch for that, it may end up being a four hour affair.



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse


ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WHY I'M IN AN EMPIRE STATE OF MIND

We’re going to be fine tonight. That’s right… The New York Yankees will win tonight and force a Game 5 back to the Bronx, to an Empire State of Mind. Why? Because today while I was on my way home, Jay Z’s Empire State of Mind came on my iPod. I had it on shuffle, so it wasn’t strategic, it just happened. And with that, I listened and smiled and looked around and saw a ton of Yankee fans in the city, wearing hats, shirts and jackets. It's Yankeeland, we’re all fans and we all have faith in our New York Yankees. I thought about our run in 2009 and how magical it was. Empire State of Mind was on a loop that World Series. So yes, when Jay Z came on the old iPod, it gave me chills.

Tonight, there are a few important things to think about. AJ Burnett could be a pleasant surprise. AJ Burnett could be the shining moment in our dim past 24 hours. And if he’s not, look for Joe Girardi to have a short leash. There is no way in hell this game gets out of hand. Look for the bats to explode because our backs are against the wall. While it’s not the last game in the series, we need to be smart about this, we need to play to win, but not play to blow our load. I found this on Youtube:

After all, we need to get back to the Bronx and we will, because everything happens for a reason and let’s face it, I haven’t hear Empire State of Mind in months. Why would that song just pop up on my iPod today? I know why… because it’s GO time New York!

I saw this story today from George King III of the New York Post. When the Yankees go to a 5^th game back in the Bronx, Joe Girardi had mentioned that CC Sabathia would not start, but would appear in the bullpen. I like that idea. I said “When” because there is no “If”. The Yankees have to go to a Game 5. We need to win this ALDS and we need to win it in the Bronx.

I also found these nuggets today I wanted to bring to your attention. Check them out:

Russell Martin: Anthony McCarron has a piece today titled Tigers catcher slipping nearly opened door for Yankees. In it, Martin is described as saying “This could be it…this could be the break.” In reference to Alex Avila slipping on the on deck circle in the Bronx in the 9^th inning of game 2. While at the moment it happened, I thought the same thing, I find a full story about this stuff silly. Bottom line, breaks help, but the Yankees need to win on their own, pitching, bats and defense. This is all much, much bigger than luck, the playoffs are about talent. The ALDS is too important to lose. That’s my take at least. You can read McCarron’s piece HERE.

Robinson Cano: Jim Leyland likes Robinson Cano. Newsday has this quote: “Well, I think Robinson Cano is a star, a superstar.” Read the Newsday piece HERE.

Finally, Curtis Granderson has been nominated for the 2011 Hank Aaron award. And dammit, I hope he gets it.

Go Yankees!!!

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.