Game 1 of ALDS_Twins at Yankees

8pm It's 8am in the morning in Taiwan. I wake up on time to see A-Rod come through with a big RBI single. And then Matsui hit another home run against lefty. Of course, I miss the big two-run home run by Captain.

8:20pm At the same time, a well rest CC with run support keep putting on zero on the scoreboard.

8:35pm Well, It starts making everyone nervous, doesn't it? Come on, CC.

8:40pm A job well done by CC. Let's go Hughes. We need this big out.

8:48pm Guess what? Hughes get that big out by throwing fastball right by Cabrera

9:03pm A-Rod likes to face Twins in the post season, right?

9:21pm It's good to get everyone in the game to feel the pressure of playoff.

9:47pm It's hard for me to get nervous when Mo is on the mound. Congrats to Yanks for game 1 win(7-2).

Posada will be out at least 2 weeks

I know most Yankees fans know this news by now. I just want to say one thing. I hope this doesn't change the way Yankees handles A-Rod's injury and decide to rush A-Rod back. I know we need A-Rod, but we need him healthy the rest of season and playoffs(if we have). The last thing Yankees need is to rush him back few days earlier and then lost him again.

New Yankees stadium=homerun park?

I am not going to come to the conclusion New Yankees stadium is definitely a homerun park because it is too early to make this judgement. This post is not about figuring out the reasons for that. I have three thoughts regard of this issue.

First of all, it looks like it starts affecting the way Yankees pitchers pitch because they are afraid of any fly ball flying out the ball park. The obvious evidence is how many walks Yankees pitchers have given up during Indians series because they want to throw perfect pitch to avoid that problem.

Secondly, it may have impact on getting good pitchers to sign with Yankees in the future. For example, it may increase the odd CC leaves Yankees after three years. Does it mean Yankees should sign more groundball pitchers than flyball/strikeout pitchers in the future? If this is true, Yankees definitely need to do everything to get Wang right.

Thirdly, it looks like it increases the odd that A-Rod will live up to his contract and end up with new Home-Run King.

Find someone can hit and play 1B/3B decently

Cashman really has to think about upgrading bench. The depth of outfield is fine. When you consider the way Cano plays defensively and offensively, I think Cashman needs to find someone who can hit and play corner infielder(1B/3B) decently to give A-Rod and Teixeira some breaks because A-Rod will need that after coming back from hip injury and Teixeira will need that after Swisher becomes everyday right fielder.

Updated: Peter said Teixeira got a cortisone shot in his left wrist on his blog, it only increases the needs to my point.

I am not good at coming out names. Who do you guys think who will be ideal candidate?

Wang vs Orioles

7:13pm I have been busy these past few days and miss the opening game started by CC. I get a little bit time for this game, but I am not sure I can finish watching this game or not. Let us see.

7:16pm Let see Matsui can delivery a RBI or not. So, we need to wait....

7:22pm Hopefully, Wang has pressure free first inning because it seems he always has troubles in the first inning.

7:26pm So, I guess he won't have a easy first inning. It seems to me Wang don't have command of his sinkers yet. But, surprising, changeup is working. However, This doesn't surprise me Wang's sinkers haven't worked yet based on the interviews from Wang during spring training.

7:38pm Here comes a sort of better second inning from Wang

7:59pm Well, Matsui fails to delivery a RBI second time in a row.

8:22pm Who needs A-Rod if we get Ransom?

It sounds like a good choice

There is always risk invloving with surgery no matter which one Yankees choose. I trust professionism. If everything goes according to plan, we should be able to get A-Rod back around the beginning of May.

When we make mistakes, we try to learn something from that and make an improvement. There is no need to point fingers for that. Just like Yankees let pitchers to practice bunting this spring training. I believe Yankees should learn how to deal with injury better after A-Rod's injury.

We need to upgrade bench

I know not only there are a lot of rumors flying around regard of what exactly happen to A-Rod right now but also there are different opinons regard what Yankees should let A-Rod to have surgery now or not.

I can't make up my mind. On one hand, We often want to avoid surgery at all cost. The same thing may apply to baseball players. On top of that, there is no doubt A-Rod is a tough player. If Jeter can play through a broken wrist and Mo can play through a painful shoulder injury most of last season, A-Rod may be able to do it as well. Not to mention, Ultey and Lowell did the same thing last season when they have similar injury.

On the other hand, why not do it now if A-Rod will need surgery eventually. Not to mention, playing through this hip injury may lead to another injury. When you consider A-Rod was signed through until age 42 and Utley and Lowell were not the same player last season, we may just let A-Rod have that surgery now. If we do it now, we have a free March for rehab. If A-Rod needs 5 months to recover, we still can get him back in August for playoff run.

So, I trust any decision Yankees make because they certainly have more information on hand than us. If I have to guess now, Yankees will let A-Rod play through it if this happen during season. Because we still have a month of spring training, some options on trade or free agent market on this bad economy and long term commitment to A-Rod, A-Rod will have his surgery. Right now, Cashman may just try to play game to gain some time in order to get a player to replace A-Rod.

It's impossible to replace A-Rod's production. I won't trade good prospects for a star 3B for this 4 months rental with potential of eating another bad contract. I won't think about moving someone on Yankees now to play 3B(Teixeira, Cano, Nady and Swisher) because it is hard enough for them to step up their games in order to make up A-Rod's absence.

The more I think about it, the more I think the thing Yankees need to do now is upgrading their bench. In the past few years, We have a bad bench because no one wants to sit on Yankees bench when they know they won't have much playing time. Even if we go with Cody Ransom at 3B, we still need another utility infielder. Even if we let A-Rod play through this hip injury, he need to rest more. That's why we difinitely need to upgrade the bench.

I like Mark Grudzielanek or Chone Figgins if we can get them. Because Chone Figgins was signed to almost 6 million and we need to trade prospects for him, it may be better to get Grudzielanek. However, Chone is younger, can play many positions and can do a lot of different things for us when Grudzielanek haven't play at 3B.

P.S After hearing few games in spring training, it seems Berroa's defense is very terrible. It further proves we need to upgrade our bench.

oh,No.No.No. 10 weeks out for A-Rod?

I just post a post regard of A-Rod's injury and wish he is fine. And then I get this terrible news regard of A-Rod. Image that we hear this news when Teixeira is on Red Sox. So, if this news is true, all we do now is thinking about the solution. The good news is this happens in March. If we have to have injury, it's better to have sooner than later in the season.

Cashman may need to work out a trade to bring someone who is capable 3B. How about an internal candidate or a free agent? Swisher? any prospect down the farm? Eric Duncan? I don't know. Any good suggestion? If we have Cody Ransom to play 3B, we need to bring in another utility infielder. This certainly puts more pressure on newcomers(A.J., C.C, Teixeira) or other players on the team(Cano, Gardner, etc.) to perform.

By the way, Anyone feel happy about any players' injury should feel shame on yourself.

I guess it's hard for A-Rod not to make news

Someone sometimes can't live without getting attention. That's why I sometimes wonder it's better off for Yankees without this drama king. However, I think most A-Rod's teammates start to realize what kind of person A-Rod is and get used to him. That being said, Hopefully, A-Rod's injury is fine and he can get some rest he may need.

How bad it can be for A-Rod?

I was reading a news from a Taiwanese website regard of Yankees' clubhouse yesterday.

Nick Swisher was playing rap music loudly after practice in the clubhouse. Swisher was dancing with music and certainly loosing up Yankees' clubhouse and his teammates. After a while, when A-Rod entered the clubhouse, someone lowered the volume of music and everyone suddenly was silent.

A-Rod really has a long way to repair his relationship with his teammates even though we all know they say all the right thing in front of media.

Not to mention, there are more news revealing and coming for him and Yankees. That being said, Yankees will be fine as long as there are no evidences to prove A-Rod use steroids after 2003. The worst case scenario is A-Rod being suspended for 50 games if there are evidences to show A-Rod use steroids after 2003.

As Yankees fans, we can care less about A-Rod's legacy and his place in HOF as long as he can contribute to our Yankees team and help us to win champions.

Don't get me wrong. Of course, I have been very disappointed at A-Rod's behaviour and I will be extremely disappointed if A-Rod use steroids after 2003 and before 2001. I don't care how and where he gets steroids and how often he uses.

Too much distractions?

Even though I believe, want to believe the most of what A-Rod says and will support him, I am wondering is it possible to trade away this drama King? I know A-Rod is a great player and we need his production, but at what point those distractions become too much for his teammates and hurt Yankees' image?

I know it's very difficult to trade him. If Yankees need to eat a lot of money to trade him(like Manny), why not keep him? However, I have a funny feeling this morning. A-Rod may not end up to retire as a Yankee.

Teammates

Hopefully, A-Rod tells the truth and doesn't waste the support he gets from so many teammates.
(photo from Newsday.com)

I believe what A-Rod says

If you want to believe him, you will come away with great reaction. If you don't like him and don't want to believe him, you will find many holes in his answers.

Everyone is different and handles things differently. A-Rod will handle things who he is. As a Yankees fan, I want to give him every opportunity to lead me to believe him. And I did. I believe him and hopefully he tells the true story. At least, most of them are true. I know many people feel many answers from him are not logical.

But, I believe him because I know how hard for anyone to admit his own mistakes. We always come up with million of excuses for our own mistakes. It's very easy to point fingers to others when they make mistakes. But, when you make mistakes, you realize how hard it is to admit.

A-Rod Press Conference

12pm: I heard Jeter will talk to media tomorrow. I guess Jeter wants to hear what A-Rod says first before saying anything. I think this is a smart move.

1:30pm: We are waiting A-Rod now.

1:50pm: A-Rod brings a huge note with him.

1:59pm: Wow. an emotional A-Rod. A huge pause and say "thank you" to his teammates.

2:01pm: He answers great so far in my opinion.

2:03pm: Don't answer about "cheating" question. First mistake.

2:06pm: Mark of Daily News asks a great question.

2:10pm: Apology to everyone, including Yankees organization.

2:12pm: Another great question. If you don't think you do something wrong, why keep so secret? Great question.

2:15pm: I should learn how to speak Spanish when I am in California.

Can we talk baseball now?

So, A-Rod admitted using steroids 2001-2003. I am sick of steroids topic. Can we talk about baseball now? Everyone has enough pressure in real life. We hope baseball offers us something to enjoy,right?

I just want to talk about baseball in Yankeeland. Part of reasons I am not a big fan of A-Rod because he brings so many drama on and off-field.

If you guys come to my blog to read about this, I am sorry about disappointing at you. I don't really want to talk about this. This just make me feel depressed.

I only can express my feeling. I have mixed feeling after hearing what A-Rod said. As a Yankees fan, I really want to believe him and support him. On top of that, I believe no one is perfect. We all have experiences of lying something to someone or making mistakes. It takes a lot of courages to admit what you have done.

However, I feel disappointed at hearing A-Rod using steroids. I remember what he said and lied to us in the past which makes it more difficult for me to believe what he said yesterday. There are few holes in the interview that is hard to believe. I can't stop wondering how many players use steroids.

In the end, I still believe some players don't use steroids. I am glad A-Rod admits his mistakes.

Another human being

It turns out A-Rod is just another human being.

Do you guys think this whole steroids scandal may help A-Rod in the long term? Of course. In the near future, there are many media going after this story. If A-Rod apologies for it, most Yankees fans may not treat A-Rod as the greatest player in the game anymore and think A-Rod is a another baseball player with some shortcomings. Does A-Rod relax more and perform better under pressure?

I don't know. Time will tell.

Things never are easy in Yankeeland

I am not a big fan of A-Rod, but I support any Yankees player and always respect how hard he works. I guess things never are easy in Yankeeland.

I just hope A-Rod can do something quickly and let this whole steroids things go away. Don't give Yankees and his teammates more troubles to deal with. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely. When A-Rod learned this story on Tursday, he didn't tell Yankees and Yankees knew this story on Satursday morning.

I don't want to make a judgement before listening to what A-Rod wants to say. At this points, only few players will surprise me if they use steroids. But, I still believe some players won't use steroids.

When I was in university, many classmates cheated during test. But, I didn't. I wasn't jealous about their high score and wasn't planning to join them because I know I am the one learning the most out of class.

When I worked at TV Station, many co-workers have so many bad habits. But, I didn't because I know what I should do and what I should not do in my life.

That's why I believe some players won't use steroids.

about Torre's new book

Before reading the book, I don't feel comfortable to comment on. I don't think Torre does this because of money. He wants to express his opinion which is nothing wrong with that. Everyone has freedom to say anything he wants and others can make their own judgment to decide what they think.

Just a gut feeling. I actually think this may help certain Yankees players, such us Joe Girardi and A-Rod because fans may embrace them more.

"l like fight"? Me too

I don't know what I can write about. I still watch or listen to Yankees games. It seems to me I have more interests on these games than players on the team. I don't like to think this way. Be honest with you guys, I have this feeling tonight.

The last 4 games, Yankees scored 1 run, 7 runs, 2 runs, 1 run. In fact, they score 2 runs or less in 40 games so far this season.

I know everyone will talk about the fight between Pudge and Hunter. I am not saying I don't feel Yankees fight as hard as they can because poor offense.

The one I care is Hunter stole third when Angels lead 6-1. Why Yankees don't show this kind of fight for me?

I know Brain Cashman has his meeting with Yankees players before the game. After the game, Girardi makes a interesting or meaningful comment.

He basically said, "I like fight. I don't mind my players showing their emotion on the field and showing they care about this game" when he was asked about the fight between Pudge and Hunter.

Does Girardi imply what he feel about the performance from his team in this game, even this seson? What do you think?

In fact, I don't remember exactly this happen in which inning. Abreu walked and A-Rod hit into another double play before Giambi hit a double. Think about that, If A-Rod just strike out, Yankees would be 2nd and 3rd with one out when Giambi hit that double.

This just shows Yankees' 2008 season. Everything goes wrong.

Yankees certainly make noise

A-Rod just can't avoid any controversy. It's so fitting for A-Rod and Yankees involved in first instant replay call. Anyway, I am glad to give Mo another day off. At this stage of Mo's career, We can't use him too often. I want to watch Mo pitching for many years to come.

I am impressed by Coke who has two great outing in a row. It will be huge if we can have two lefty in our bullpen. He certainly gets a good fastball which range around 92-94. It seems to me Girardi really know how to manage bullpen that you can't say that for a lot of managers in the big league.

Our bombers certainly have a disappointing season so far, but you never know what will happen next. Maybe we will have a magic comeback. At least, they play as hard as they can to make some noise and give our fans something to cheer for. One thing I know for sure, we certainly build a strong bullpen. Not to mention we have more arms down the farm system.