Sweep! Yankees advances to ALCS

I have to admit I feel so frustrated to watching Pavano to throw a great game against us.

The biggest play of the game is Jeter throwing out that base runner at the bottom of 8th inning when Hughes is in trouble again.

I know most Yankees fans may still be in the heaven for advancing to second round of playoffs. But, be honest, I feel nervous about our bullpen. Joba, Hughes and even Mo look shaky. Another thing worries me is the lineup. It seems to me Jeter, A-Rod and Teixeria are the only persons hitting now. Hopefully, I just think too much.

The players of the game: Pettitte, Jeter and A-Rod.

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).

A.J. vs Tiger

8:54pm I just wake up and need to leave home soon for my sister's work pretty soon. I will try to watch this game as much as I can. When I turn on my television, I just saw A.J. struggling with his command at the top of 5th and 6th inning. However, the good thing is A.J. still somehow to keep Yankees in this game.

9:03pm Melky makes another great play in the center field second inning in a row. In the 5th inning, he gunned down Tiger Cabrera at the 2nd inning. In the 6th inning, he makes a great catch to complete double play.

9:06pm Great to see another Taiwanese player in the major league. I have mixed feeling because I want Yankees to win, but I don't want Yankees to hit Ni well.

9:15pm Man, If Posada is not the base runner at the 2nd base, we score that tie run.

9:43pm What a big hit from Teixeira. One more big hit from Swisher will win this game for Yankees.

9:48pm Now, it's up to Melky to give our bullpen more breathing room to work with.

9:49pm I will let Hughes pitch 8th inning. Let see what Girardi will do.

9:53pm I guess Girardi agree with me.

10:00pm Hughes, one more out, please. We will see Mo.

10:05pm What a performance by Hughes. YAH!

10:09pm Man, I hate this rain delay. Hopefully, Mo haven't warm iup. I probably won't be able to watch the ending.

Andy vs Rangers

Wang is back to rotation and Hughes is in the bullpen. Yankees need to find out whether old Wang is back or not. Eventually, Yankees need Wang to back in form. To keep messing around Wang physically and mentally is not a right thing to do. As for Hughes, Yankees should send Hughes back to minor as a start to make sure we have an insurance for injury to one of our starters. That being said, it won't be a bad idea to put Hughes in the bullpen before Bruney and Marte come back.

7:19pm Andy hasn't been able to command his pitches at low strike zone. Is his back ok? Hopefully, he is fine.

7:21pm Andy is in trouble immediately. first and third at 1 out.

7:28pm Andy is in bigger trouble. All things consider, it will be fine for Yankees if Andy only gives up 2 runs in this inning.

7:30pm Well, Three run is a little bit too much. But, as a starter, if this is only three runs Andy giving up, we will be fine. I just worry about Andy's back.

8:19pm What a turn around inning for Pettitte! After letting the first two guys to get on the base with no one out, he strike out the side to end the inning.

8:21pm Let us see if Swisher can get that run in with less than 2 outs.

9:25pm What a terrible game for A-Rod so far! Let see whether Yankees can come back to win this or not.

9:42pm Posada cut the deficit to 2 runs. There is the hope.

10:36pm Well. Big day for Wang tomorrow. If we can win tomorrow game, we will take another series which is fine. We can't win it all. But, I did concern about Pettitte's back. I believe Wang will perform well. However, Because the limit of pitching count(75-80), this game may be decided by the work from bullpen.

You win some and lose some

This is just the nature of baseball game. When we enjoy those walkoff wins so much, we will be the victim of walkoffs eventually one day. For me, it's about process. It's about how Yankees play this game. This is a great game to watch.

In the end, we know our bombers do their best to come back from 4 runs down to tie the game. I like their toughness. Our bombers are different than those other Yankees team we have watched the past few seasons. They may go down eventually, but they fight hard to make opponents earn their victory. I rather them lose this way than losing to Pavano.

The story of the game is Chien-Ming Wang. He takes another big step to prove the world he is ready. I know Yankees lose the game, but getting a proven winner with back to back 19 wins is so important to Yankees' championship run. As I keep saying, we need Wang back to his oldself. Right now, it is just matter of time for Wang to get back to rotation. When he builds up his arm strengths and pitching counts, he will be back.

Now, Phil Hughes doesn't pitch badly. I actually think he pitches better than his line. But, it is about result in the end. You can't say he pitches decently when he gives up 4 runs in 5IP, when you consider Indians lose their three best hitters in their lineup.

I understand Hughes and Joba are going through their expected growing pain. As I keep saying, Hughes and Joba will be sucessful starters in the big league one day. However, those back to back short outing will kill Yankees eventually when we get deeper in the summer for playoff run. that is the reason we need Wang back to this rotation. The deeper starters go, the better bullpen we will have.

Not to mention Yankees has a not so good bullpen now. Cashman really needs to bring more capable arms from our farm system while he tries to make a trade at the same time.

I know many people blaming Gardner, Coke and Robertson for this lost. Rookies make mistakes. If one of A-Rod, Cano and Posada can do their job they are supposed to do, we may win this one.

The reality between Yankees and Wang

Since MJB(one of my loyal readers) was wondering about how Taiwanese react to Cashman's comments regard of Wang in the comment section, I am going to talk about that issue now.

According to Taiwanese news, Cashman called Wang's agent immediately right after Andrew Marchand's report comes out. Cashman apologies for his improper comments regard of Wang. He says he loses control and then leads to those improper comments because Andrew Marchand keep questioning the moves Yankees make regard of Wang. Andrew Marchand pushes so hard that leads Cashman to says something he shouldn't say. Cashman says Yankees still view Wang as a starting pitcher and hope Wang can regain the form as soon as possible in order to go back to rotation.

Here is my take regard of Yankees with Wang. Yankees never thought Wang would succeed. Let alone think he will have long term success. In Yankees' prospect, Wang is a fragile pitcher(a bad shoulder+ a bad foot) with one good pitch(sinker) and so few strikeouts. Yankees think Wang will lose the ability to get big league hitters out at any moment. Every time Wang shows any red flag, Yankees will immediately think "Is he done?"

Therefore, Yankees will try to get out of Wang as much as they can at the cost as low as possible. They never think to re-sign Wang once he hits free agent market. Let alone sign him a long term contract before he becomes free agent. They may be ready to trade him away once Wang rebuild his trade value.

I guess this is also what most Yankees fans think. That's why Yankees are not afraid of making Wang angry and don't take care of his feeling because they don't think Wang can come back to bite them. On top of that, how Hughes and Joba perform impacts how people view Cashman's legacy directly. Cashman certainly will give them every chance to succeed.

Don't get me wrong. I agree with Yankees not giving rotation spot back to Wang solely based on his track record. Yankees may bring Wang back too early, but there is only so much Wang can do against minor league hitters. Wang needs to face major league hitters little by little in order to rebuild his confidence. Wang has to show he can throw the ball any place he wants consistently before going back to rotation. To blame whose fault won't do anyone good.

However, Yankees should set up the whole plan before they activate Wang and then Yankees has to do a better job to communicate with Wang in order to make him comfortable and ease his concern. That is what get most Taiwanese upset during the whole process, not losing rotation spot.

Eventually, Yankees will need Wang in the rotation because innings limit of Hughes and Joba and the potential injury to one of starters.

I know Yankees don't think Wang will come back to haunt them, but no one can predict the future and no one know what kind of career any player will have. I know Wang is under Yankees control, but it won't hurt Yankees to make him happy and comfortable as much as possible when it won't hurt Yankees' chance of winning. By the way, Yankees may need Wang more than expected if new Yankees stadium turnout to be a homerun happy place for hitters.

I am always a Yankees fan no matter Wang is on the Yankees team or not. However, as a Taiwanese, I always have a soft spot for Wang. Don't blame me to have a different view regard of any issue related to Wang. Taiwanese expect so much out of Wang. You guys can't image how much pressure Wang has from his native country.

What to do with Wang?

Lohud's blog confirms the news that Wang gets called back. However, it will be interesting to see how Yankees deal with Wang's situation.

I think Jonathan Albaladejo will be the one to get sent down. After Aceves pitches multi innings two games in a row and many relief pitchers pitch many games in a row, Tomko and Bruney are only two fresh relief pitchers left in the bullpen.(Updated: Bruney is injured) On top of that, Coke may be available for Phillies those left handed batters. If A.J has another short outing, Yankees will simply burn their bullpen and leads to a disaster weekend series against Phillies.

As far as I know, many Taiwanese fans are so mad at how Yankees handle Wang's situation. I agree with them to some certain degree, not all of them. Before going into the details how I feel, I have to say this first. I understand the concerns Yankees have over Wang in term of his velocity. I understand every player needs to prove he can stay in the major league no matter how great his track record is and how much money he makes. I also understand the superstition baseball players have, especially Yankees are on a winning streak. I tell you guys most Taiwanese fans are mad and I don't like the way Yankees handle Wang's situation because there is high possibility that Wang feels the same way. We all come from the same culture. There is huge difference between American culture and Taiwanese culture. Wang is not going to express how he really feels.

Yankees front office and coach staff have done few things wrong in terms of handling with Wang's situation.

First of all, Yankees medical staff and front office misjudge the aftereffect of Wang's foot injury and then don't allow Wang to run until Wang blows out three games in a row. They didn't admit this fault at all.

Secondly, Yankees should discuss with Wang before making any kind of decision given his track record. It seems to me Yankees jerk Wang around and only "inform" Wang decision, not "discuss" with him. Yankees should treat Wang more like a veteran, not a rookie.

Thirdly, coach staff don't tell Wang their decisions in person before telling media. That happened many time that Wang was caught by surprise for news when Taiwanese reporters told him and asked his opinion on that. Girardi needs to at least tell Wang first before telling media.

Finally, Yankees should just say what they really think regard of Wang's situation. They should just say they have concerns regard of Wang's velocity. Until he gets his strengths back, they are going to put him in the minor league. Obviously, how Hughes pitches has impact on how Yankees deals with Wang. That gives Yankees more time to get Wang right. But, they claim how Hughes pitch has nothing to do with Wang's spot in the rotation. Yankees also say they will simply put Wang back to rotation once he is ready. That is also the reason they send him to another minor league start as original plan because he is not ready yet. If they tell the truth, why bring him back because of Joba's short outing? If they tell the truth, why say they need to know the condition of Joba before making decision on Wang's next step? Yankees just jerk him around and don't treat him as a veteran.

Ok, let us go back to the decision Yankees makes which brings Wang back. I know Yankees are doing great right now. It seems to me many Yankees fans feel we don't need Wang and we can live without him. I can't disagree with this notion more. Yankees need Wang and need to get him right because Yankees need his long outing he regularly delivery when he is right. Even though Joba and Hughes pitch well, they are 6 inning pitchers at best at this point of their career. They more likely put up those 5 inning outings which eventually will catch up Yankees later in the season. Not to mention both have innings limit.

On top of that, A.J hasn't pitched that great so far and he is an injury prone as well. Pettitte is an old pitcher with a bad shoulder he suffered last season. Finally, are you really to put heavy workload on CC three years in a row when you consider 7 years contract Yankees hand out to him?

That is what I think how Yankees should handle Wang. Before I say it, I want to say one thing. Yankees need to have that no.6 starting pitcher ready in the minor league when there is an injured or ineffective starting pitcher from rotation going down. Not to mention, Joba will hit his inning limit eventually. Yankees should not put Hughes in the bullpen once Wang proves he is ready.

I agree with Yankees bring Wang back to major league. They can't hide him on the DL forever. They need to find out Wang is right or not one way or the other. Pitchers can only pitch at minor league for rehabilitation assignment for 30 days. There are only so much Wang gain from minor league starts. Wang doesn't put on 13 scoreless innings at AAA by accident.

You never know when Wang's velocity will be back. I think the more Wang pitches, the quicker his velocity will be back as long as he is healthy. I believe his velocity will be back to normal when summer comes. Yankees need to find out how Wang pitch against major league hitters anyway. Stop being that superstition.

I will skip Joba next start to make sure he is right. Yankees can limit his innings by doing this. Putting Wang in Joba's spot and let him pitch few innings out of pen to keep him sharp. Yankees also can get an idea when Wang pitches against major league hitters.

After burnig through bullpen on Hughes' and Joba's starts, Yankees need a fresh arm in the bullpen anyway. When Joba feels right and comes back, Yankees can put Joba in Hughes' spot. Of course, Let Hughes keeps pitching at AAA to practice his changeup more.

If Yankees ends up with pitching Wang more innings than they would like to tonight, they can rest Aceves for next few days and prepare for that start. Or they can simply let Joba makes that start if he feels right.

Again, I understand the concerns Yankees have on Wang's velocity, accidents forces Yankees to make adjustments on the fly and three terrible outings Wang put on earlier season. But, Yankees really should communicate and deal with this situation better to show Wang more respect.

Some Random Spring Training thoughts

*I know spring training records don't count. Most of time, many minor league players play at the end of game who end up affecting the score of game. However, I do think it means something while Yankees wins 9 straight and 11 of last 12 because there are only 2 weeks away from regular season.

During the end of spring training, many major league players stay in the game. Hitters may try to execute some game plans from coach staff once a while based on game situations, but they want to get a hit no matter in spring training, regular season or playoffs.

Starters may try to practice their secondary pitches more, but they still need to get their primary weapons ready for regular season. At this stage of spring training, a lot of relief pitchers are fighting for spots on the major league teams, so they need to pitch as well as possible.

Do you know why Yankees wins 9 straight? Pitching. The last 12 games, Yankees pitching gives up 0-3 runs most of games.

*It's good and bad to hear Hughes being sent down to minor league. It's good because it means we have a great pitching staff and no spot is open to Hughes. It's bad because he really pitches well. That being said, Hughes is only 22 year old and he will turn 23 this june. Hughes certainly can use this opportunity to make sure his new curveball, cutter and changeup ready. I hope Yankees call him up when Joba gets to his innings limit, not because of injury.

*Things just like what I say about Joba during live-blogging. He uses spring training to practice his curveball which is his third best pitch. He will need that pitch once season starts. We all know Joba has fastball and slider to go to. Every starters use spring training to practice their secondary pitches. Wang practices his slider and changeup.

Hughes looks great so far this spring

I hear three innings Hughes pitched yesterday. Based on what I saw the game he pitched against USA team and what I hear so far, I am glad Hughes has pitched great this spring. I am one of believers Hughes will be at least a good no.3 starting pitcher when all said and done. Don't forget one thing, Hughes is 22 year old this season.

By the way, Burnett sounds good as well.

My first game of 2009

YES. This second spring training officially opens 2009 season for me. If "most" people stay healthy, we are going to have a fantastic 2009 season. I will try to liveblog this game as much as I can.

1:10pm Watching a introduction clip of free agents signing get me to feel exciting for 2009 season.

1:22pm Does Hughes hit batters because he throws cutters?

1:27pm Not a bad first inning for Hughes,right?

1:33pm I am a little bit disappointed at Teixeira's first at bat. Ha! I think I expect too much. This is just a spring training game. However, his defense is certainly great.

1:39pm Hughes has better command at second inning. I think we should stop looking at radar gun reading at this stage of spring training.

1:46pm Is it possible for Yankees broadcasting crew not to talking about steroids? I am just tired of hearing the same thing again and again.

1:48pm The first two innings of this game let us know what AL East will look like. Pitching & Defense.

1:50pm Hughes is done after 2 innings. In my opinion, as first outing of spring training, it's good performance for him. Coke is up now.

1:53pm Cano makes a great great play.

1:58pm Welcome back, Posada. Posada will play a huge role in 2009 season. By the way, what a contract between Posada and Molina in term of offense.

2:37pm I miss a little bit because of my computer, but come back on time for Posada's another RBI. By the way, Melky doesn't look so great at his first game of spring training. Burney looks good, especially his velocity at this stage of spring training.

2:40pm That's why Jeter is the captain who everyone wants him on his team. A great relay.

3:10pm Shelley Duncan certainly loves to hit Rays. I really think Shelley should be able to contribute to other major league team as a power righthand batter off bench. If he can somehow figure out breaking balls, he will become quite a player.

3:15pm Gardner makes a great catch and almost double up runner at second base. Gardner certainly has an edge over Melky right now.

3:16pm Melancon is up now. Most his pitches are at lower part of strike zone. He also changes speed quite well.

A rebound year from Hughes, Kennedy, Melky and Cano?

Accroding to RAB regard of Greg Maddux's retirement at winter meeting, the information to young pitcher:“the best way to learn is to screw up and not do it again.”

Immediately, I think about Hughes, Kennedy, Melky and Cano. I hope Yankees don't trade them and believe they may have a bound back year in 2009. Before 2008, they haven't actually failed in their professional baseball. I believe they all learn a lot from 2008 season and will do well in 2009.

Don't trade Phil Hughes

I am pretty sure Mets regret the decision to trade Kazmir to Rays.

I know Hughes just ended his terrible 2008 season when pitches not so well in Arizona Fall League. I am sure a lot of fans regret not to trade him for Santana when a lot of writers and experts say how terrible decision Cashman make past off-season. Not for me. I still believe Hughes will be a good no.3 pitcher at major.

I realize how impatient a lot of Yankees fans are. Guys, Hughes is 22 year old. The reason for Phil Hughes to pitch in Arizona Fall League is to gain more experience, use his secondary pitches more, fix his delivery and command and get more innings in. The same thing goes to Kennedy when he was sent back to minor league second time. They should not focus on putting great stats because it's impossible to allow them to practice other pitches at major league level.

A game all about future

I am not talking about A.J. Burnett. Just Kidding!

I am talking about Phil Hughes and Juan Miranda.

I know tons of people jump on Hughes' terrible year, but I still think it's right thing not to trade him for Santana. I wrote a post earlier regard of Hughes. I stick to my words. I have faith on him.

As for Juan Miranda, he had two good at bat against A.J. Burnett and a good lefty from Blue Jays' bullpen. I really think Yankees have to reconsider if they really think about going after Mark Teixeira for a extremely long term contract at a insane price, especially when you consider how many potential first basemen we are going to have in the near future.

By the way, If we can sign A.J. Burnett and Bobby Abreu at reasonable price for reasonable years, I don't mind. This means 2 years 13 million per year for Abreu and 4 years 11-13 million per year for A.J. Burnett. But, If they ask more than that, I won't do it.

I know Yankees have "some" money to spend this off-season. I still think Yankees should keep doing this young movement. I hope Yankees front office won't spend crazily this off-season and go back to the old way about signing all aging superstars because we miss the playoff this season. I don't mind they spend money, but make sure to be selective.

When you consider how many things went wrong this season and Yankees may still end up with 90 wins that is a record better than a lot of playoff teams, Yankees still have a decent season. I don't agree on some many people say about Yankees' terrible 2008 season.

It's over, but don't play blame game.

First of all, I am so happy for Moose for his 19th win. I really hope he can win 20 this season. When I was watching Yankees game yesterday, I can't help myself about keep tracking score of Red Sox-Indians game. I usually don't care much about what happen to Red Sox and only check boxscore. I was hoping Yankees was eliminated because of losing game, not because of Red Sox winning game.

I know there are tons of news about how poor Yankees have been played, how much Yankees should miss Joe Torre, how well Red Sox has played, how many players Red Sox raised from their farm system, how badly Yankees spend their money, how terrible job Brian Cashman does, how dreadful Yankees young players have been played and why Yankees should trade for Santana. Anything else?

But, I am not going to talk about this. As you guys know, this is a blog to talk about positive things. These are all second-guess. No one knows what would happen during any game. No one knows what would happen if Joe Torre was here. No one knows what would happen when you sign any free agent and draft any prospect. No one knows how young players would peform every year. No one knows what Hughes and Kennedy would do the rest of his career. No one knows what would happen if Santana was here. No one knows how Santana would perform the rest of his contract for Mets. No one knows if we really go after Santana, how many potential major league players or superstars we would give up. No one knows if we really go after Santana, he may end up in Boston.

The things I know for sure. We will have a great bullpen next season. Wang, Matsui, Posada, Hughes, Joba and Jeter will be back and healthy for us next season. A-Rod and the rest of position players will not hit worse when runners on base than this season. Joe Giradi will do his job better when he gets his feet wet this year, especially when you consider he well he manages the bullpen. All young players get one more year experience. We will have money to address our problems this off-season. What else?

Let's Go Yankees!

Hughes will be a good major league pitcher, but not now.

As you guys know, Yankees game was rained out. Luckily, I have a little free time to relax a little bit, so I decided to watch the clinch game Hughes pitched for SWB's playoffs.

When I watch Hughes pitching for six innings, I come up with this conclusion: Hughes will be a good major league pitcher, but not now. I think he need more time to improve the command on all his pitches, especially fast ball. How good he will be? Once Hughes getS the command he needs, I think he will be a good No.3 starting pitcher in the major league. ACE? I don't think so because Hughes don't have Josh Beckett-like fastball.

However, when you watch Hughes pitching, Hughes has a rising fastball usually sit around 90-92, two different kinds of curveball usually sit around 70-75, a slider sits around 85 and a developing changeup sits around 82-85.

I agree with Cashman's decision which is to keep Hughes and not trade him for Santana. Of course, I like to have Santana, but I am with Cashman with the idea that don't trade prospects for someone and pay him tons of money at the same time. I believe Hughes will be a good No.3 starting pitcher, may be even good No.2. The bottom line is he only 22. He just needs some time to refine his pitches.

need more to stay positively?

After reading the preview post, you may say, "Another psychological point of view? I don't believe from this. I need other stuff to stay positively"

What about this? Did you check minor league playoff score?

Shelley Duncan hit a two-run walk-off homer in the 10th as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre advanced past Pawtucket(Red Sox 3A team) when Phil Hughes pitches 8 scoreless innings to beat Colon of Pawtucket.

This is Phil Huges' line
8IP 4H 0R/BB 11SO

From Chad's SWB Yankees Blog,

75 of his 94 pitches were strikes(79%). He was sitting 92-93 with his fastball all night, occasionally dropping to 91 and touching 94

stiff right shoulder? Are you kidding me?

I believe most Yankees fans like me don't care about the result of this game. Only thing we care right now is Joba's shoulder. I just feel this is not a good sign about Joba's right shoulder injury when you consider what happened in 4th and 5th inning after Joba pitch so well for the first three innings. There must be something wrong. It seems to me pitchers' location will be the first thing to suffer when there is something wrong with them. To me, this explains the poor location of those home-run balls Joba gave up.

Hopefully, this is not a series injury.

Wang, Joba and Hughes present the future of New York Yankees. I don't care Yankees can get into playoffs this season or not. Don't rush Wang, Joba and Hughes back to save this season. We need them to be healthy for many years to come.

Some random thought...

****What Yankees fans are doing when they don't have Yankees games to watch? Well, we pay attention on Red Sox and Mets games, aren't we? We should just focus on our team, but it's hard to blame us when we have free time, right?

****After watching Red Sox-Diamondbacks game, I know one thing for sure, Joe Girardi is not the only manager in the major who decides to pitch to Manny when game is on the line even though I am fine with that decision. Why manager of Diamondback decide to pitch to Manny when you lead 2-1 in the 8th inning, second and third with 2 outs, first base open and Lowell on deck? Talk about crazy move. This one is true one than the one Joe Girardi has. How about taking Haren out when he hadn't pitched more than 100 pitches?

****After watching Mets-Mariners game and Dice-K's first game back from DL, I know one thing for sure, I am glad Brian Cashman is our GM who doesn't do everything without thinking. Santana will be a great pitcher in few years, but we won't miss him down the road. Giving up grand slam to a AL pitcher and blaming teammate about making error behind him after the game. How about his defense? Who gave him that gold glover last year? I also notice Dice-K's velocity is way down. We all know the command will be the problem for pitchers who just come back from DL. But when you see their velocity is not there, you know there is something you need to worry about, especially when you consider Dice-K comes back from shoulder injury and the long history of pitching crazily long back to Japan.

****I read couple of news about how well Yankees' starters have been since Wang's injury. Guys, Don't get too excited too soon, when you consider Wang's turn just comes up once and Yankees is on soft schedule which they faces a lot of weak hitting NL teams. Don't get me wrong. I am happy every one pitches so well and can't wait to have the happy problem which we have too many starters when Kennedy will be back in July, "Pavano" and Hughes in August and Wang in September.

****When you talk about crazy fans, I think Yankees fans can be included on the list. Don't forget Taiwanese fans as well. Some Taiwanese start dreaming that Wang does his rehab games for Taiwan national team in 2008 Olympic in Beijing. Crazy!

****I will keep updating Wang's news I get from Taiwanese news. Basically, Yankees teammates keep teasing Wang because he hurts himself by running bases. But, they all keep eyes on him when he is on the trainer's room the whole day. Trainer and Wang seems to have confidence in beating the time.

Crazy Yankees fan...

I just finish some works which are due to today without sleeping too much for two days. Of course, I somehow find some time to watch Yankees-Red Sox games. I know, I know. I am crazy, but I think most Yankees fans are the same as me.

I have two more works to do before Monday, so I really need to catch some sleep right now. If you were me who didn't sleep for two days and watched Yankees-Red Sox series, you would certainly feel frustrated at getting news that Yankees lost to Orioles when you just turned on the computer.

There is something wrong in that 6th inning, but it seems to me that Hughes has an improved decent outing. Because Yankees lost this game, I don't think a lot of yankees fans will have positive reaction. Patience, Yankees fans. This is only the 18th game of 2008 season. After sleeping for few hours, I will catch on Hughes' start and figure out what happened while I start doing my other works.

By the way, I catch some interesting news from Taiwanese website regard Wang. I will post them later.

Just my two cents, You can have yours as well...

I am a loyal reader and big fan of Peter's blog because of extra info we can get regard for our Yankees and some great analysis from his point of view, but sometimes I don't agree with what he say. There are two examples as follows.

First of all, This is Peter's take regard for Joba's renewed contract. I talked about this issue before and I stick to my words. You can say I am naive, but there is true story from my side which prove my belief that money is not everything for some people.

I change my jobs couple of times during my career so far because I want to face new challenge and participate more film/TV show productions, not for money for sure. I took less money for that job.

Secondly, This is another Peter's take about a small meeting called from Joe Girardi with Kennedy and Joba. Actually, According to NY Post, Alan Horne was at that meeting as well. This is the quote from Joe Girardi about what he said during meeting on NY Post,

"I enjoy that part of the game," Girarid said. ""I talked a little bit(yesterday). I talk to Ian and Joba and Alan Horne, just talked about things I saw and the importance of establishing the fastball and pitching in. It was just pitching strategy."

Yes, It's about throwing strikes, but I won't come up with that analysis Peter said. Being a former catcher who always try hard to get most out of pitchers, Joe Girardi just wants to teach kids about pitching and tries to get most out of pitchers.

Ha! What is wrong with that throwing-strikes message? I for one can't stand pitchers don't throw strikes. I rather see them giving up hits than free passes.

Don't worry, Peter. I still love your blog.