An article from the Herald's Michael Silverman.

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Even if she could, the fat lady hasn’t gotten up off the couch yet.

So as the Red Sox enter the Bronx beast’s belly tonight for the start of a four-game series, here’s one fun morsel to chew on: The Yankees are better.

Forget about the AL East standings, which show the Sox a half-game up on NY. With two-thirds of the season still left to play, the Red Sox have no business saying what team is better, nor do their fans, who are too emotionally invested in the subject to see clearly.

With that said, it takes no special powers to observe that despite all of their injuries, the Yankees have sustained a higher overall level of play than the Sox this season.

Even without Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, their lineup is better and deeper, with their overall run production, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, batting average, stolen bases and total bases topping those of the Red Sox.

Pitching-wise, the Yanks’ overall ERA and opponents’ batting average rule the Red Sox’, and that’s despite Randy Johnson’s struggles.

Yes, the Red Sox have the edge defensively, certainly not an insignificant factor.

But when you look at how the Yankees have played against the better teams in the AL, their record speaks for itself.

Against Toronto, AL Central-leading Detroit and AL West-leading Texas, the Yankees are a combined 11-5. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are 8-10 against those same three opponents.

The Yankees have played less AL East team than the Red Sox -- who are 15-4 against Tampa Bay and Baltimore -- meaning they have more gimme games against those cellar dwellers remaining.

Go ahead and point to the close to $200 million owner George Steinbrenner is paying his soldiers this season, but this does not qualify as news, only whining. The Yankees’ payroll is what it is -- and has been forever. Their ability to absorb blows better than others is a fact of life.When adversity has struck them, they’ve responded quite well.

The Yanks have talent, and they showed the Red Sox a thing or two at Fenway Park two weeks ago. Battered and bruised then as well, they took two games out of three and now trail the season series, 4-3. The Yankees have issues, no doubt, but it’s hard to look at their response to adversity and say their situation is more dire than anyone else’s, including the Sox.

The depth of Boston’s rotation beyond tonight’s starter, Josh Beckett, and Wednesday’s starter, Curt Schilling, is a real worry. The loss of reliever Mike Timlin (shoulder) for two weeks is a big deal. And no matter how wonderful rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon continues to be, getting to him often enough poses a tall task.

It’s not all doom, gloom and incessant negativity, of course. The Red Sox are far better than most teams in the AL, and their offense is good enough to beat up on the inferior pitching they’ll likely face against the Nationals and Marlins in interleague games before the All-Star break.

Most likely, the Red Sox and Yankees will engage in another full-nelson of a four-game series this week, take 10 weeks off before meeting up again in August and wind up with a close-to-.500 regular-season record against each other, one that mirrors the 38-38 clip in their series the previous four seasons.

But unless the Red Sox and Yankees meet again in the American League Championship Series, these regular-season meetings mean a lot less than the ones against everyone else.

And so far this season, that reality has the Yankees topping the Red Sox.

Sheff, Matsui, a watered-down (stomach virus) Giambi and A-Rod (who looked absolutely ill yesterday, he should not have played). Add in Jeter and Riveria.

Bosox - Timlin, Wells (no real loss there, no matter how you cut it) and Pena.

Yeah, the Yankees are better. Maybe the AA Yankees.:rolleyes:

Sheff, Matsui, a watered-down (stomach virus) Giambi and A-Rod (who looked absolutely ill yesterday, he should not have played). Add in Jeter and Riveria.

Bosox - Timlin, Wells (no real loss there, no matter how you cut it) and Pena.

Yeah, the Yankees are better. Maybe the AA Yankees.:rolleyes:

Hopefully you are talking today MBn007 cause it's funny how you missed the Crisp injury yet include stomach viruses and day to day minor tweaks as injuries for the Yanks.

Wells and Timlin would both be major parts of the Yankees if they were in pinstripes so making light of their actual DL time injuries yet metioning stomach viruses and sore fingers as prominent problems is somewhat hypocritical.

Hopefully you are talking today MBn007 cause it's funny how you missed the Crisp injury yet include stomach viruses and day to day minor tweaks as injuries for the Yanks.

Wells and Timlin would both be major parts of the Yankees if they were in pinstripes so making light of their actual DL time injuries yet metioning stomach viruses and sore fingers as prominent problems is somewhat hypocritical.

Missed Crisp, you are so correct about that.

Believe me, you guys are way better off without Wells there. Old, fat, and a rotten attitude. Otherwise, he's OK.

Sheff, Matsui, a watered-down (stomach virus) Giambi and A-Rod (who looked absolutely ill yesterday, he should not have played). Add in Jeter and Riveria.

Bosox - Timlin, Wells (no real loss there, no matter how you cut it) and Pena.

Yeah, the Yankees are better. Maybe the AA Yankees.:rolleyes:

I have to concur with GS.

Minimizing the loss of Wells is disengenuious. Wells was suppossed to be the 5th starter at the very least. That is why Arroyo was traded to the Reds for Willy Mo.

As the article pointed out, despite your injuries, the team is still leading the AL in runs, 2nd in batting, third in ERA and doing this with an AA team as you put it. Since May 1st, you have played 10 series and won 7 and tied one. Your two losses could have easily gone the other way with a few more plays versus the Mets and Sox.

The bottomline is the Yanks are probably better off with the injuries as Max pointed out in GJH's thread. Your defense improves and the remaining 100+ million of the roster bears down to overcome the losses of Matsui and Shef.

Always remember, "there is no crying in baseball."

The bottomline is the Yanks are probably better off with the injuries as Max pointed out in GJH's thread. Your defense improves and the remaining 100+ million of the roster bears down to overcome the losses of Matsui and Shef.

Always remember, "there is no crying in baseball."

They are playing with heart right now. They are actually fun to watch. I can't say that for the team they started the season with. If Sheff is out for the whole year so be it. His me first attitude should never have been brought here.

They are playing with heart right now. They are actually fun to watch. I can't say that for the team they started the season with. If Sheff is out for the whole year so be it. His me first attitude should never have been brought here.

Excactly. The Patriots 'no respect' angle was beaten to death as a rallying cry, but if it motivates them so be it.

You would like to think the Yankees do not need motivation, but the injuries are an angle to use for a championship season.

It's actually refreshing to see guys like Cano, Cairo and Cabrera bust tail and move guys over. It's still a tough sell, but better that than pissing away the farm on Doyle Alexander-type retreads.

Only complaint-send Long and Erickson packing. There's no point. Auditioning Single A Staten Island Yankees would be better. And the one thing that kills me is why they passed over Hansen. It's as if it was too simple and the FO overthought the whole thing.

This guy is Boston's version of Mike Lupica

I'm really enjoying the way the Yankees are winning lately. Stealing bases, Sac flies, etc. This is what wins championships. I hope George is taking notes. Screw the injuries. Leave Melky in left for the season! Don't swap him out with Bubba when he comes back. I love Matsui, but Matsui can't make some of the catches in left like Melky has been doing.

These injuries are just what the Yanks needed. A long overdue look at youth and the Yankees future.

I'm really enjoying the way the Yankees are winning lately. Stealing bases, Sac flies, etc. This is what wins championships. I hope George is taking notes. Screw the injuries. Leave Melky in left for the season! Don't swap him out with Bubba when he comes back. I love Matsui, but Matsui can't make some of the catches in left like Melky has been doing.

These injuries are just what the Yanks needed. A long overdue look at youth and the Yankees future.

YES. Take the 1996 Yankee team and compare it on paper to the 2005 Yankee team. Which one would you take? I would have picked the 2005 team. i.e. the one that didn't win the World Championship.

Plus Joe does seem more interested. Most days his mid inning nap is only the 4th inning now. Having Joe available for the 5th and 6th innings has taken some of the pressure off the other coaches! :rolleyes:

Plus Joe does seem more interested. Most days his mid inning nap is only the 4th inning now. Having Joe available for the 5th and 6th innings has taken some of the pressure off the other coaches! :rolleyes:

LOL.

Didn't Stengel actually fall asleep in the middle of games during the hot summer days in the late 1950s? I remember reading in one of the books about the Stengel era that Billy Martin used to light matches at the tip of his shoes when he fell asleep.:D

I've got a bad feeling that Boston is going to roll us this week. Damn, I hope I'm wrong.

I've got a bad feeling that Boston is going to roll us this week. Damn, I hope I'm wrong.

I've a bad feeling that the Yankees are going to roll us this week. I really don't like the pitching matchups.

What a crazy season it's been so far.

I've a bad feeling that the Yankees are going to roll us this week. I really don't like the pitching matchups.

What a crazy season it's been so far.

Excellent matchup tonight though. Which of the others has you most concerned? Thursday?

Excellent matchup tonight though. Which of the others has you most concerned? Thursday?

I think the Yanks are up a game and half when things are all said and done.

I think Moose, Wang and Randy post victories.

I've a bad feeling that the Yankees are going to roll us this week. I really don't like the pitching matchups.

What a crazy season it's been so far.


you guys don't have Clement going against us, what's there not to like?

I think both teams split. It's impossible to guess which games however, which is the beauty of baseball.

Pauley, the Sacrificial Lamb, is pitching for the Sox Tuesday nite. Get your Vbet in early. If Yanks lose this game, you 'outta be ashamed. :)

Sawx win 3 of 4


Yanks have too many injuries

I love listening to everyone hedging their bets.

I'm gonna be bold! Yankees sweep!!! :-D

I love listening to everyone hedging their bets.

I'm gonna be bold! Yankees sweep!!! :-D

Possible, but I think Curt wins one versus Wright.

agreed, no way Wright gets through the Sox lineup twice.

I'm really enjoying the way the Yankees are winning lately. Stealing bases, Sac flies, etc. This is what wins championships. I hope George is taking notes. Screw the injuries. Leave Melky in left for the season! Don't swap him out with Bubba when he comes back. I love Matsui, but Matsui can't make some of the catches in left like Melky has been doing.

These injuries are just what the Yanks needed. A long overdue look at youth and the Yankees future.

And the future looks bright!!!

Its called lowering the expectations so you can zing them based on the final outcome of the games by Sox and Yankee fans here

Excellent matchup tonight though. Which of the others has you most concerned? Thursday?

Monday: Moose v. Beckett
Obviously, Moose is the front-runner for the CY so far this year, and Beckett has looked awesome one time out, and shaky next time out.

Tuesday: Wang v. Pauley
Who? Seriously, Pauley did an okay job last week, but this is the Yankees.

Wednesday: Wright v. Schilling
This seems to be the best matchup for the Sox, but which Schilling will show up? And Wright, while not a world beater, has been serviceable. 3-3 with a 4.12 ERA

Thursday: Johnson v. Wakefield
Unit seems to have gotten himself on track, and Yankee fans have an unwarranted fear of Wakefield.


The Yankees are playing better team ball right now, I could see them easily sweeping the Sox.

Monday: Moose v. Beckett
Obviously, Moose is the front-runner for the CY so far this year, and Beckett has looked awesome one time out, and shaky next time out.

Tuesday: Wang v. Pauley
Who? Seriously, Pauley did an okay job last week, but this is the Yankees.

Wednesday: Wright v. Schilling
This seems to be the best matchup for the Sox, but which Schilling will show up? And Wright, while not a world beater, has been serviceable. 3-3 with a 4.12 ERA

Thursday: Johnson v. Wakefield
Unit seems to have gotten himself on track, and Yankee fans have an unwarranted fear of Wakefield.


The Yankees are playing better team ball right now, I could see them easily sweeping the Sox.

Moose has indeed been awesome this season (something like 12 for 12 so far, meaning all his starts have been "quality"). Several of his starts have been beyond description, lik ethe last one against the Tigers, where teh Yankees needed him to go 7 or 8, and he went all 9. But Beckett handled the Yankees fairly well his time against them. Giambi smacked one in the first, and basically the Yankees did nothing after that. So, if Moose gives up 3 runs, I can see the Yankees losing. But I agree that the pitching advantage is in NYs favor, albeit by a slight margin.

Wang vs. Pauley is the one matchup which heavily favors the Yankees. Wang has usually been good this season, but struggled last Thursday against the Tigers though. He has also had rough games this season, although not many. So which Wang shows up, same question you ask regarding Beckett.

Wright vs. Schilling is interesting, as Schilling absorbed a beating by the Yankees, then turned the trick back on them the next week. He has pitched very well for most of the year, except for a 4-5 start run at the end of April, into May. Wright has been fairly useful his last 4-5 times out, basically going 6, and giving up 3 or less runs. Not dominating, but useful. This favors the Bosox.

Randy vs. Wakefield. Wakefield has usually handled the Yankees. He has had some really spectacular games against them. He also has gotten his head handed to him, like his last time out against the Yankees. Randy pitched very well against the Tigers, then had a poor first inning, and was almost unhittable after inning #1. Has he returned to form? I am still not convinced. But we shall see.

So I grade it 2-1-1, in the Yankees favor.

But then you need to remember that Matsui and Sheffield are not playing. And Giambi has missed a couple of gamnes, and we do not know if he is in tonight, as with Jeter and A-Rod. I suspect they all will be there. To me, it might be a question of is Mo really recovered from his back issues from last Thursday. I saw him run out to the OF yesterday before the game, and stretch and play catch. I am hoping he is recovered. If he is, then the pen will be a Yankee advantage, solely because Timlin, a Yankee killer the past 2-3 years, is not available this series.


Bottom line. Should be a real good series. Let the games begin!!:cheers:

Sox will take 3 out of 4, if not sweep. If there is a front-runner for Cy Young between these two teams his name is Papelbon. I fully expect an epic match tonight between Beckett and Mussina with the Sox coming out on top. Wang vs. Pauley seems a mismatch but it isn't really. Schilling vs. Wright isn't a giveaway to the Sox, but Schill has been pitching well and so has Wright. Johnson may seem to have gotten on track, but he still gave up 3 first inning runs to the O's. He does something like to a team like Boston and it could be over. Throw in the fact Wakefield has been pitching well and it is warming up and the matchup seems more even than it once was. I think the matchups favor Boston with the Sox taking at least 3. And if I'm wrong I will eat my crow.

Yanks will win the series if not sweep. Enough Said.

Papelbon has been amazing this year (27 innings, one earned run), but Moose, Beckett and even Fat Schill are more deserving of the Cy than he has been so far.

Sox will take 3 out of 4, if not sweep. If there is a front-runner for Cy Young between these two teams his name is Papelbon. I fully expect an epic match tonight between Beckett and Mussina with the Sox coming out on top. Wang vs. Pauley seems a mismatch but it isn't really. Schilling vs. Wright isn't a giveaway to the Sox, but Schill has been pitching well and so has Wright. Johnson may seem to have gotten on track, but he still gave up 3 first inning runs to the O's. He does something like to a team like Boston and it could be over. Throw in the fact Wakefield has been pitching well and it is warming up and the matchup seems more even than it once was. I think the matchups favor Boston with the Sox taking at least 3. And if I'm wrong I will eat my crow.


Leave it to CrazyCarl to call it a sweep.,lol

Leave it to CrazyCarl to call it a sweep.,lol


CrazyCarl hmm......could he be referencing Carl Mays, the former Red Sox pitcher who is notable for being the only pitcher in baseball history to cause a fatality during a game?

Yanks will win the series if not sweep. Enough Said.

Thanks for the in-depth analysis.

Well it wouldn't be the first time the Sox won 4 in a row against the Yanks.

Well it wouldn't be the first time the Sox won 4 in a row against the Yanks.

maybe the final score will be 8-5

85 is a familiar number for Sox fans, isn't it? ;)

CrazyCarl hmm......could he be referencing Carl Mays, the former Red Sox pitcher who is notable for being the only pitcher in baseball history to cause a fatality during a game?

Wasn't he pitching for the Yankees though, when he killed Ray Chapman, the Indians infielder?

Exactly what I was afraid of. Varitek needs to smack Beckett in the mouth and tell him to keep his friggin' pitches down.

What sucks, is that the Sox hit Moose enough to beat him.

Varitek needs to smack Beckett in the mouth and tell him to keep his friggin' pitches down.
He'll have to suit up, first. Tek doesn't challenge anybody, unless he has his suit of armor on.

Exactly what I was afraid of. Varitek needs to smack Beckett in the mouth and tell him to keep his friggin' pitches down.

What sucks, is that the Sox hit Moose enough to beat him.

Beckett was throwing gas, but was up in the zone. Especially on the HR that Phillips hit. That was a pure challenge, fastball pitcher vs. fastball hitter. But that pitch was not at all where Beckett wanted it. Maybe to a lightt-hitting middle infielder that would have been OK, but not to a guy who can hurt a fastball.

BTW - the pitch to Giambi was not all that bad. But Jason was able to get the bat-head on it, and drive it.

Varitek has some of his own problems, IMO. His throws to 2nd last night were horrible. Even when he grabbed Melky's weak bouncer and turned it into a force at 2nd (right before Giambi's HR), his throw was way off-line. But his throw to 2nd on the wild pitch in the 1st inning was pathetic. Lowell made a nice, albeit awkward looking, stretch at 2nd, but had no shot at catching it. Is Varitek hiding an injured shoulder?

BTW - you are correct regarding the way Moose pitched. He was laboring out there. That was obvious. He was working hard to not get clobbered. He easily had his worst start of the season out there, but picked a good time to have it, when his team scores 13 runs in 3 innings. He was cooked after 6, and the Yankee pen handled things over the last 3 innings.

He'll have to suit up, first. Tek doesn't challenge anybody, unless he has his suit of armor on.

This argument always cracks me up. Posada did the same thing against the D-Rays a couple of years ago.

Beckett was throwing gas, but was up in the zone. Especially on the HR that Phillips hit. That was a pure challenge, fastball pitcher vs. fastball hitter. But that pitch was not at all where Beckett wanted it. Maybe to a lightt-hitting middle infielder that would have been OK, but not to a guy who can hurt a fastball.

BTW - the pitch to Giambi was not all that bad. But Jason was able to get the bat-head on it, and drive it.

Varitek has some of his own problems, IMO. His throws to 2nd last night were horrible. Even when he grabbed Melky's weak bouncer and turned it into a force at 2nd (right before Giambi's HR), his throw was way off-line. But his throw to 2nd on the wild pitch in the 1st inning was pathetic. Lowell made a nice, albeit awkward looking, stretch at 2nd, but had no shot at catching it. Is Varitek hiding an injured shoulder?

BTW - you are correct regarding the way Moose pitched. He was laboring out there. That was obvious. He was working hard to not get clobbered. He easily had his worst start of the season out there, but picked a good time to have it, when his team scores 13 runs in 3 innings. He was cooked after 6, and the Yankee pen handled things over the last 3 innings.


Yeah, I don't know what's up with Varitek, I'm hoping that it's not what I'm thinking it might be.

PFSIKH, I have to tell you, I'm shocked at how the Yankees are winning these games with the amount of all-stars who are sitting on any given nite ... Matsui and Shef every nite, some recent nites Arod and Giambi, sometimes Damon and Posada, few games Mariano, and last nite Derek Jeter

I Just cannot believe how this team is winning ... I'm stunned ... this should have been a three week run of, I don't know, 5-16, or at least that's what I would have suspected when you look at the lineup card on any given nite over the past few weeks ... but somehow the Yankees are winning

I have to admit I keep waiting for the wheels to fall off ... there's a big part of me that keeps thinking this cannot continue, at some point these injuries have to take their toll, DON'T THEY?????, but so far so good

I don't know what else to say ... I'm not gonna sit here and boast about the Yankees because I'm the most surprised guy in the room ... I really don't know what else to say ... I agree with Curt Schilling, right now Joe Torre should be viewed as a slam-dunk for manager of the year, and certainly if this continues, cause IMHO you are NOT supposed to suffer the amount of significant losses this team has suffered in recent weeks and continue to win at this pace ... I know it rings hollow, but this just has me dumbfounded, and of course happy, make that thrilled, but at the same time wondering if/when this magic carpet ride comes screeching to a hault ... or maybe not ... at this point I'm sort of at a loss?

PFSIKH, I have to tell you, I'm shocked at how the Yankees are winning these games with the amount of all-stars who are sitting on any given nite ... Matsui and Shef every nite, some recent nites Arod and Giambi, sometimes Damon and Posada, few games Mariano, and last nite Derek Jeter

I Just cannot believe how this team is winning ... I'm stunned ... this should have been a three week run of, I don't know, 5-16, or at least that's what I would have suspected when you look at the lineup card on any given nite over the past few weeks ... but somehow the Yankees are winning

I have to admit I keep waiting for the wheels to fall off ... there's a big part of me that keeps thinking this cannot continue, at some point these injuries have to take their toll, DON'T THEY?????, but so far so good

I don't know what else to say ... I'm not gonna sit here and boast about the Yankees because I'm the most surprised guy in the room ... I really don't know what else to say ... I agree with Curt Schilling, right now Joe Torre should be viewed as a slam-dunk for manager of the year, and certainly if this continues, cause IMHO you are NOT supposed to suffer the amount of significant losses this team has suffered in recent weeks and continue to win at this pace ... I know it rings hollow, but this just has me dumbfounded, and of course happy, make that thrilled, but at the same time wondering if/when this magic carpet ride comes screeching to a hault ... or maybe not ... at this point I'm sort of at a loss?

If the Yankees have been able to do it with their hurts, maybe the Dodgers should be stunned with what they have been able to withstand regarding injuries.

I can only chalk this up to one thing-The Yankee fans are learning what life is when you don't just throw money at problems and solve them internally.

What happens is you get a galvanized effort, a renewed vigor and a fresh approach that your team takes.

I am actually shocked that you never had to go through this before, because it is a fairly common occurence.

Now you see how the other 99% live.

If the Yankees have been able to do it with their hurts, maybe the Dodgers should be stunned with what they have been able to withstand regarding injuries.

I can only chalk this up to one thing-The Yankee fans are learning what life is when you don't just throw money at problems and solve them internally.

What happens is you get a galvanized effort, a renewed vigor and a fresh approach that your team takes.

I am actually shocked that you never had to go through this before, because it is a fairly common occurence.

Now you see how the other 99% live.
haha, well said,,,
its not a video game anymore

If the Yankees have been able to do it with their hurts, maybe the Dodgers should be stunned with what they have been able to withstand regarding injuries.

I can only chalk this up to one thing-The Yankee fans are learning what life is when you don't just throw money at problems and solve them internally.

What happens is you get a galvanized effort, a renewed vigor and a fresh approach that your team takes.

I am actually shocked that you never had to go through this before, because it is a fairly common occurence.

Now you see how the other 99% live.
You have a point, SD ... right now I'm in no position to argue otherwise ... thankfully the Yankees, THUS FAR, are doing a heck of a job despite losing Shef, Matsui, etc

PFSIKH, I have to tell you, I'm shocked at how the Yankees are winning these games with the amount of all-stars who are sitting on any given nite ... Matsui and Shef every nite, some recent nites Arod and Giambi, sometimes Damon and Posada, few games Mariano, and last nite Derek Jeter

I Just cannot believe how this team is winning ... I'm stunned ... this should have been a three week run of, I don't know, 5-16, or at least that's what I would have suspected when you look at the lineup card on any given nite over the past few weeks ... but somehow the Yankees are winning

I have to admit I keep waiting for the wheels to fall off ... there's a big part of me that keeps thinking this cannot continue, at some point these injuries have to take their toll, DON'T THEY?????, but so far so good

I don't know what else to say ... I'm not gonna sit here and boast about the Yankees because I'm the most surprised guy in the room ... I really don't know what else to say ... I agree with Curt Schilling, right now Joe Torre should be viewed as a slam-dunk for manager of the year, and certainly if this continues, cause IMHO you are NOT supposed to suffer the amount of significant losses this team has suffered in recent weeks and continue to win at this pace ... I know it rings hollow, but this just has me dumbfounded, and of course happy, make that thrilled, but at the same time wondering if/when this magic carpet ride comes screeching to a hault ... or maybe not ... at this point I'm sort of at a loss?

Losing Sheff has not hurt. It has helped. I have been saying this for awhile.

This Yankee team is playing baseball. They will win the WS because of these injuries. They have heart.

It is amazing how much motivation a few guys struggling at 300k can provide to a locker room on ten million plus guys.

You have a point, SD ... right now I'm in no position to argue otherwise ... thankfully the Yankees, THUS FAR, are doing a heck of a job despite losing Shef, Matsui, etc

GJH-Good teams, emphasize TEAMS can withstand this for a short period of time-usually up to a month.

Beyond that., and if they keep happening, it is a frustrating situation.

Again, good teams actually close ranks and play a tighter baseball wen faced with the adversity of big injuries. I have seen it happen a lot. I have also seen weak willed teams just totally tank.

I think you have seen a little bit of what your team is made of, which you didn't know was there. These things can be the best thing to happen to a club, in small and short doses, than anything else.

haha, well said,,,
its not a video game anymore

Yep gotta resolve one's self to the fact that it's MLB and not Fantasy Baseball. Sometimes it's sweeter to win when the deck isn't stacked.

Losing Sheff has not hurt. It has helped. I have been saying this for awhile.

This Yankee team is playing baseball. They will win the WS because of these injuries. They have heart.

It is amazing how much motivation a few guys struggling at 300k can provide to a locker room on ten million plus guys.

Truth be told, I think the Yankees "system" has as much to do with it as anything else. Maybe conformity brings team unity? Who knows. I do know that I thought is was VERY cool that Cashman/Steinbrenner would not give Clemens his desired "family provisions" when vying for his services - unlike the Red Sox - who claim they treat every one equally. No, JBF, this is not some self-loathing Sox fan rant. Just telling it like it is. The Yankees run a tighter ship.

Losing Sheff has not hurt. It has helped. I have been saying this for awhile.

I agree.

Hopefully now the option will not be picked up at the end of the season.

Matsui - Damon - Cabrera in 07.