My Response To Michael Silverman Of The Boston Herald

Opinion

Micheal Silverman/BostonHerald.Com:

Touchy, touchy, touchy.

Like a colicky baby who’s also battling diaper rash, the 2008 Yankees can’t seem to stop bawling.

Besides a good burp, they also need to grow up.

As if sitting in last place in the AL East were not bad enough, the Bronx Bombers discovered on Thursday that after years of planning for this summer’s All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, they were the last to discover that a new “Call Your Shot” insurance-company promotion would feature the Red Sux David Ortiz mimicking Babe Ruth’s famous called-shot home run from the 1932 World Series.

The Yankees are only 5.5 games back. Remember last year when we were 14.5 back and the Red Sux almost blew their lead in the division??? I do.

It is almost June. The Yankees are an under-.500 club that has yet to show that its mix of veterans and youth can jell into a serious threat. Their feelings are hurt that a Red Sox known as one of the best sluggers in the game with one of the most winning personalities was chosen for an All-Star Game promotion?

Alex Rodriguez is a ten times better slugger AND player than David Ortiz. David Ortiz is a big floppy goofball.

How “sensitive” are things going to be come July, August and September if it turns out there will be no October for the Yankees?

No October for the Yankees? Don't count your chickens before they hatch buddy. I am going to remember this article come October.

It used to be the Red Sox who had the inferiority complex about the Yankees. Now the insecurities are leaking from the Yankees faster than a Woody Allen monologue. It cannot help that the Sox have won two World Series championships in the last four years while the Yankees have been shooting blanks since 2000.

Haha. Two World Series' in the last four years is good for the Red Sux. But increase the sample size by just a few more years and the Yankees have won four. And to go along with those four World Series Championships, the Yankees won the East division title in '96, '98, '99, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, and '06. Notice the missing '97, and '07....those were years the Yankees won the wild card. Oh. And if you want to get historical...26 World Series Championships for the Yankees, 7 for the Red Sux. Way to go Boston!!!

As the Yankees found out right afterward, in the 2003 World Series, winning is not a birthright for any organization. It takes a mixture of luck, foresight, savvy front-office moves and an organization willing to open its wallet.

The Yankees are certainly capable of all of the above.

Well he got that right.

Just because they can’t do it yet is no excuse to cry about anything.

The Yankees aren't crying. They just don't want a schlub like Big Floppy trying to impersonate the Great Babe Ruth.

My Reactions To Pettite Press Conference

Opinion

First of all let me just say-- I do not believe what Andy Pettite did was right-- because it was far from it.

But I do feel that what just took place was the best way anyone could have possibly handled the situation he has found himself in. It took a lot of guts to get up and face one of the toughest media markets head on and tell the truth and admit his failures (without lawyers I might add).

Andy admitted what he did was wrong and never once tried to make excuses for it. I strongly believe Andy when he said that he did HGH to try and heal himself because he felt a strong obligation to contribute to his team after signing a contract worth millions of dollars. Andy could have easily gone into surgery and collected his check a la Carl Pavano, but he didn't. He chose to try something different under the advice of someone in whom he had trusted. Was it the right decision? Not even close. But can you blame him for wanting to be on the field and earn his money? I cannot.

And please, can we also remember that Andy Petitte was never accused of using anabolic steroids and only HGH. People who want to be gigantic and strong all while feeding their ego's do not take HGH; they take Winstrol, D-BOL and the numerous other designer steroids designed for that specific purpose . When people take these drugs they cycle with hormones designed to minimize the unwanted side effects that the anabolics cause, they research, they weight train and they do it for a lot longer than Andy Pettite ever did. Andy has never been a muscle head bent on gaining an entire new physique. He did it because he felt an obligation to his fans, his teammates, and the people signing his checks to do what he was getting paid to do-- throw strikes.

I can't blame Andy, but I also will never say what he did was right. We are all human--and we all make mistakes-- and if you don't believe me-- I challenge you to think of someone who hasn't. At least Andy was honest when he got caught.

He will make it through this. And we will still support him.

Peter Abraham has the audio from the entire press conference (Thanks, Pete):

The Dawn of A New Day.....

Opinion

The sun will come up over The Bronx, Midtown, Soho, and Queens tomorrow morning, much the same way it does every day. There will just be one significant difference for many die hard Yankee fans-- a blockbuster trade occurred and for once the farm system depleted by the monumental deal is wearing orange and blue-- not Pinstripes.

Many fans may have mixed feelings about the decision that the Yankees made not to pull the trigger on this deal, however, one fact remains; it appears to be the dawning of a new day over at East 161st Street.

With the new stadium seemingly appearing out of thin-air, and the Yankees farm system, which for years has been ridiculed and underestimated, now appears poised to make a significant impact in the coming years.

As a Yankee fan, this has been one the best days of the off season for me. Not only is Hughesie, Kennedy, Melky, and Jackson still in Pinstripes, but I believe this finally signals a change in philosophy for the Bronx Bombers. For once, the Yankees stuck to their guns and refused to be fleeced by the Minnesota Twins, of all teams.

It is now for sure, Phil Hughes will not be taking the hill on Opening Day in Minneapolis, as many Yankee die hards feared.

Now, this is not to say that the Bombers could not use one more veteran arm to anchor that young starting rotation, but there is still time to figure these things out and sometimes Spring Training has a way of doing this.

The NY fishwraps will be abuzz tomorrow morning with the news of a blockbuster trade involving Johann Santana, and for once we can be happy for the Mets; and in addition be happy for the future of New York Yankees baseball.

Go Bombers!