A New Post from 26 Going On 27!

With the All-Star game less than a week away, the season has almost reached its halfway point, and we have reached a good point to evaluate our 2008 New York Yankees. First the obvious, the Yankees are 49-42, 7 games above .500, 6.5 games out of first and 4.5 games out of the wildcard. The good news with regard to their record is that they are trailing Tampa Bay and Boston, respectively, they have plenty of games left against both teams and will have an opportunity to make up ground. This was evidenced this past weekend when the Bombers split a 4 game series with Boston, then took 2 from Tampa (of course, as I write this the Yanks are down 2-0 to the freakin' Pirates - aaaaargggggghhhhh!).

Now let to let the bloodletting begin. This is a maddeningly inconsistent team. The offense has been disappointing to say the least. It would be easy to say that some of this is bad luck, after all, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez have all made extended trips to the disabled list. However, luck is the residue of design, and going into the season everyone knew that this was an old Yankee team. And the one thing we all know about the elderly is that they break down, so it is hardly shocking that 4 expected starters, all in their thirties, missed time with injuries. Age may also be a contributing factor to Bobby Abreu's sudden inability to discern the strike zone. Abreu's On Base Percentage is a lowly .345, he stopped hitting homers a couple of years ago, if he stops walking, he's pretty much useless. (Abreu just tied up the game, but it was with a single - not a walk or homer - the trend continues.) Robinson Cano was simply atrocious in the first half, however, he seems to have rediscovered his stroke of late and his defense is spectacular.

Perhaps the two biggest turds in the lineup are Melky Cabrera and dare I say it, the Captain. First, the Captain. I have no doubt that Derek Jeter will turn things around, for fuck's sake he's hitting .280 and having his worst season ever, but he has been terrible lately. Like Abreu, Jeter has stopped hitting for power and stopped walking - not a good pairing. Furthermore, teams are shading their right fielders down the line to take away Jeter's ability to slice the ball the other way - hopefully he will adjust. The reality with Melky is that he is simply not that good. So far Melky has demonstrated, in quite spectacular fashion, that there is no pitch, no matter how high over his head, that he will not swing at, and that he cannot bunt, no matter how hard he tries. El Leche is young enough to turn it around, but he needs to stop approaching every at bat as if he were Vlad Guererro, he simply does not have that kind of plate coverage.

There are bright spots of course. Jason "the Stache" Giambi has been a beast. Useless the first month of the season, Giambi is now slugging .534 with a .394 on base percentage, his 18 homers are tied with A-Rod for the team lead and his 54 RBIs are 3 behind Abreu. Left for dead at the beginning of the season, Giambi is now making a convincing argument for the team to re-sign him. A-Rod is doing his usual thing, giving opposing pitcher's bad dreams, hitting balls to un-Godly heights, stealing with abandon and generally knocking the crap out of the ball. The final bright spot in the line up has been Johnny Damon who, like his pal Giambi, was showing that he wasn't quite done, before heading to the DL.

The bench has not been good. Shelly Duncan flamed out, Morgan Ensberg was dropped, somehow Jose Molina is starting (more on that over the weekend) and Wilson Betemit hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire either. The two latest call ups are Brett Gardner and Justin Christian - Christian is your standard Quadruple A player and has no business being on the team. Gardner is interesting - he is really fast and had a good eye in the minors, while he's demonstrated the wheels, he has struggled to get on base in the bigs. Given the injuries this team has suffered, it would have been nice to have some young blood behind the old horses.

Over the weekend - the pitchers and what we think of Joe Girardi so far.

Interleague Play!!! or not....The New York Mess

So I just wake up and get this email informing me that last night's game will not be made up this weekend, parenthesis, Sat, Sun, Mon. More annoying news from Yankeeland. In case you don't really know what I'm referring to, let me rewind about 13 hours for you.

It rained yesterday. A lot. In reality, deep down inside, despite email blasts and the FAN proclaiming that our beloved New York Yankees were going to soldier on and 'make every effort to play tonight's game), I knew it was going to be a rain out. Spare me the Iwo Jima visuals of our #2 shirt taking the field with his head held high in the pouring rain.

Anybody who went to Opening Day 2008 knows the deal here. The old...."hmm...here's a big ticket game, a sellout if you wiil. Let's get them in the lots at $17 dollars a motor, then pack them in the stadium to swill a few $37 cups of beer and buy a few $90 foam #1 fingers, and then drop the bad news that....OH..SORRY GUYS, IT'S RAINING AND WE JUST CAN'T PLAY"

I mean, who is the the asshole behind the doppler up there? I'm so sick of showing up to these rainouts so they can make their money off of one-game-a-year, big-ticket-goers Brent and Ross, from Stamford who 'don't really follow one team, they just follow New York sports'. I was smart enough to not go in, and remain in the carnivalesque secret location #5 drinking $4 Presidente beers and making fun of Frank Cattalonotto baseball cards in a room with no air conditioning. I've learned that lesson over the years.

Technically, the team didn't make any money off of me last night. So I can't really go there. They just robbed me of my time. You know what? Let's not go there either.

So what do we have to look forward to? Oh...I dunno, a folded subway series ticket from May, taking up space in my wallet until they decide to play this game one day in I dunno...June, if they feel like it? A subway series home/away extravaganza when the team is away at Shea next month? Who cares?...I'm so over it already.

Give me my Tuesday night vs the Orioles. Oh wait, that's next week. Thank goodness.
Nick Markakis never looked to appealing.

GFK39

Lowest of the Low

I first thought the low point came when it was obvious that Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were either hurt or not ready. Then I thought the low point came when King Jorge got hurt. Then I though the low point came when Alex Rodriguez got hurt. Then I really hought the low point came when I realized Shelly Duncan was batting clean up for the Bombers when they played the Mariners a couple of weekends ago. But I have to say the absolute low point has come in this series against the Devil Rays. The Yankees look like an old, uninspired team. They play station to station baseball, they don't force the issue, they never get a big hit and I can't remember the last time they made an impressive defensive player. Although Mike Mussina and Darrel Rasner have been pitching well, it is only when CHien Ming Wang takes that mound that I feel comfortable. In stark contrast are the Tampa Bay Devil Rays - talk about excitement, it boggles my mind that no one in the entire state of Florida cares about that team. Not only, are the Rays stacked with young talent like Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, BJ Upton, they play excellent defense, run the bases aggressively and with Scott Kazmir, James Shields and maybe Matt Garza and Edwin Jackson they have an emerging starting rotation. I'd rather watch those guys then the bloated corpses of Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu pound ground ball after ground ball into the ground - god this team is uninspiring.

He's Alive!!

Robinson Cano shows signs of life with 2 hits and a home run. Cano has a modest 4 game hitting streak going, and is beginning to resemble a major league hitter for the first time this year. Meanwhile, after finally giving up an earned run in Yankee Stadium the other night, Joba put down the Tribe 1-2-3 with a strikeout this afternoon. Guess he's going to be alright after all.

Its So Sad

Despite the best efforts of Brian Cashman, he has been unsuccessful in removing all traces of the human Joba Chamberlain once was. Apparently, watching his nose light up repeatedly as Yankee doctors tried to remove the last strain of homosapien was too much for the weak-stomached Cashman. "I just couldn't take it... and that buzzing noise, well, it still haunts my dreams," Cashman muttered as his eyes glazed, almost transfixed by a specter of the glowing red nose. Joba seemed optomistic, "No, they haven't (removed all the human). But I like knowing there's still something human about me. Living with giving up 2 homeruns in 30 innings will be rough, but I like that I can still vote".

The shear selfishness of Joba overwhelms this reporter. The right to vote!? Son, you are a Yankee and as a Yankee fan I demand perfection! I mean, Farnsworth didn't give up a run.

Holy %**&#@!!!!

The Yankees win 2 games in a row and Chien Ming Wang doesn't pitch in either of them! Today's start was huge as Darrel Rasner did something Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy could not, throw a quality start for the Bombers. Given it was against Seattle, not exactly the West Coast Bombers, but I'll take 6 innings, 5 hits, 4 Ks, and 2 runs any day of the week. With Mike Mussina showing a wily veteran side and Chien Ming continuing to slice up opposing hitters, if the Yanks can get quality out of the 4 and 5 spots this season may be not be a total loss. Imagine if Phil Hughes can get past his Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn moment and be the guy we thought he was when the season started, there may even be cause for optimism.

All year we've been handing out the Minky, well this week I'd like to give out the anti-Minky to Melky Cabrera. Where would this team be without Leche? Not only is he playing lights out in centerfield, he is hitting .293, getting on base at a .363 clip and slugging .485, to go with 5 homers, 15 RBIs and 15 runs scored. While Damon is hotter right now and Bob Abreu has been solid, I'd argue that the Milk Man is our MVP so far. And all you Boston white hats who think Jacoby Ellsbury is better - you can only grab the sack because even Joe Sheehan, editor of Baseball Prospectus, says that Melky's the man (read here http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=454). Melky could finally be the guy who holds down center since the almighty Bernie Williams retired, he's of to a great start this season.

Wanginator

This team blows!

It's that simple. They don't hit, don't walk, don't work the count, haven't had an extra base hit with runners on base all season, can't field, can't steal bases, and can't pitch.

And, since Ian Kennedy is pitching tomorrow, they are about to get swept by the Tigers.

Oh, and while we are discussing sending Phil Hughes down, any chance we can send Giambi and Cano down as well?

The Yanks are taking a page from Dyson vacuums, neither one loses their suck.

Hughes Can't See, but the Opposing Offense Sure Can

Another night, another brutal start by Phil Hughes (and of course another 100 runners left on base - Cano makes me want to fucking puke everytime he steps in the box, but I digress). Over the past year, we've been flying the Phil Hughes flag pretty hard. I'll even admit to arguing that he could be a better starter than the almighty Joba. Well, I'm not too big a man to admit when I'm wrong and as of April 29, 2008 Phil Hughes is flat out terrible. Tonight's line - 3.2 innings pitches, 8 hits, 6 runs, 2 home runs, 3 walks and only two strike outs, is another representative of the problem Hughes is having: namely, that when opposing batters step into the batter's box they're getting busy on the salad and staying through dessert. Unfortunately, Hughes is not fooling anyone, guys are teeing off him. It is not just the amount of hits, it is the lack of strike outs and the fact that almost every hit Hughes gives up is smoked, the kid is not getting beat on seeing eye singles.

So what do we do? Hughes is only 21 and just months removed from looking awfully good in the playoffs against Cleveland. Hughes has talent, it is just a matter of whether or not he is ready for the majors. Interestingly, the new Yankees pitching coach is Dave Eiland who was also Hughes pitching coach in the minors. I'd love to know what Eiland is saying on the bench. Is he looking out and wondering, "gee, these same pitches got an awful lot of minor league batters out." Or is he going "Hughes is just missing, it is a matter of time." Some have suggested that Hughes has lost something off his fastball, if he has, then Eiland should step up and either fix his motion or perhaps send him down to develop another pitch. But something has to give.

The bottom line is that the Yankees are struggling to score runs, I'm pretty sure they lead the world in making bad pitchers look good and they are in the bottom 5 in batting avg with runners on base; the defense is dreadful, Jorge and A-Rod are hurting, Cano swings at every pitch regardless of how close to the strike zone it actually is, and Hideki Matsui is playing with giant chopsticks sticking out of his back. The team cannot afford to only be able to rely on Wang, Andy Pettitte and perhaps Mike Mussina again for quality starts. If Hughes and Kennedy are going to continue to set the ball on a tee for opposing hitters then Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi has to make a change. Ross Ohlendorf, especially after striking out 5 in 3.1 innings tonight, is starting to make a case for starting and there other arms in the minors. Oh, and there is that Joba guy only pitching an inning a game.

Aces High!

Wang gets Bruce Lee on Cleveland, using his Kung Fu grip to strike out 9.

We just wish we really had slept for a week...

We admit, we here at 26goingon27 have been asleep at the wheel this week. We'd like to say it was because we were zipping around the globe in our private jets, sipping Crystal smoothies and smoking ten foot cigars. Unfortunately, we were rocking around town in our worn out Kangaroos (pocket on the side, of course) and were just too tired/lazy to post about all the late night happenings in Chicago. But, because we are dedicated to our readers, here's what went down:

First the bad news, Brian Bruney, who has been outstanding this year, may be lost for the year after tearing some tendons in his foot. We'd like to think his tendons weakened after giving up beer, but it turns out to just be plain old bad luck. The Yanks bullpen took a major hit here.

Now, the good news, the Bombers took 2 out of 3 from the White Sox, a good start to the road trip. More importantly, Jason Giambi, sufficiently shamed by last weeks Minky is showing signs of life. The artist formerly known as the Giambino hit 3 home runs this week, a few deep doubles, and took a couple of walks, providing a huge boost to the lineup. Additionally, Alex Rodriguez is back, but because the Yanks actually have quality instead of shite on their bench, Morgan Ensberg did a decent job filling in. Still, we'd rather have the reigning MVP hitting bombs to right field in our lineup, then a guy named Morgan. Meanwhile, Bobby Abreu continues to carry the team with clutch hits, considering how he's hitting this year, the Yankees should sign him to a series of one year contracts.

The pitching was decent, but not great. Some people were celebrating the resurrection of Mike Mussina, but even Michael Kay, the homer's homer, pointed out that the Pale Hosers hit a few deep flys that probably would have gone out, had it not been for the cold weather. The Wanger had a decent start, getting a win when he pitched liked doo-doo. Phil Hughes looked great for 2 innings, but the rain delay wiped out his start. Props to Joe Girardi for not putting Hughes at risk by letting him go back to the mound after a 45 minute rain delay.

On another note, Kyle Farnsworth became a 26goingon27 favorite by throwing at Manny's head. Well, this morning I nearly ran out and bought a Farnsworth t-shirt after reading in the NY Times that Farnsworth is a fan of the arcade game Big Buck Hunter. Based on those two actions, we at 26goingon27 are offering an open invitation to Kyle to meet us anywhere in NY for a Big Buck Hunter tournament. We'll supply the quarters, Kyle just has to supply the beers.

Everyone Gets a Minky!

This weeks Minky goes to the entire Yankees offense. Watching this team hit is about as fun as getting a tongue scraping from a great white shark. The only saving grace is that no one on this team, other than Bobby Abreu and A-Rod, wants to take a pitch or try and actually get on base by taking a walk, so the innings are short and painful.

Yeah, I know, they kicked the shit out of Boston on Wednesday. Since then however, they've been shut down by the immortal Daniel Cabrera and some guy who won a pitch for the Orioles radio contest – Brian Buress. This past Friday the supposed Bronx Bomblets were held to 2 runs by Daniel Cabrera, the same Daniel Cabrera who sports a nifty 5.16 ERA and couldn't throw a strike if the ump used Dwight Howard's strike zone. The team followed up that sterling effort with an amazing ZERO runs against some dude name Brian Burres, I have no idea how disgusting this effort actually was because I have no idea who Brian Burres is. Given the Yanks did manage to win on Sunday, but no one should lose site of the fact that Steve Trachsel held the team to 3 runs in 6.1 innings. Getting only 3 runs against Trachsel is like only getting to third base against the drunk girl at the party who just broke up with her boyfriend and was throwing up from all the shots of Jaeger she did with her sorority sisters five minutes before you met her.

The golden turd in the lineup is Jason Giambi who is batting .109 with a .288 on base percentage and .283 slugging percentage. Even better his 2 home runs are both off the corpse of Mike Timlin and probably shouldn't be counted. Robinson Cano is doing all he can to kill any rally by batting .169, slugging .234 and getting on base at .200 clip. If those two weren't enough to make you puke on your notebook, Johnny Damon is hitting .215/.342/.400, although those numbers look nasty compared to the wonder twins Giambi and Cano. So, if you want to do the math – 9 batters, 3 automatic outs = Cabrera and Burres looking like major league pitchers.

Fortunately, fans shouldn't have to watch this abortion all summer, the offense should get better. Even though Giambi and Damon might be done (Cano will hit, just give him time) – Morgan Ensberg and Shelly Duncan can play DH/1B and the Yanks could get by with Bob Abreu, Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera in the outfield. (Hey guys who miss Torre – do you miss having Nick Green and Miguel Cairo on the bench?). Of course, even if Giambi returns to his pre-Balco form and Damon turns back into sasquatch, unless Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes can start making it past 4 innings and the defense can make it through 9 innings without an error, the Yanks are going to struggle to keep up with Boston this year.

NOTE: We at 26goingon27 think Joba Chamberlain should have been in the starting rotation all along. If the Brian Cashman is truly planning on bringing him along the way the Twins brought Johan Santana then things are all good. However, if the plan is to really keep Joba in the bullpen for his career, then Hank was right – that plan is idiotic.

15 Runs in 1yr 3mos 18days and 33minutes

It may have taken all night, but the Yankees bats undo Wang's mess.

Cano Comes Through in the 8th

It was buy one, get a home run for free at the Trop tonight. Fortunately for the Bombers, it was Robbie Cano's bomb that counted most. Damon, A-Rod and Morgan Ensberg went deep for the Yanks; Carl Crawford, BJ Upton, and Evan Longoria went yard for the Rays. Ian Kennedy was solid till he took a liner off the hip. Fortunately, Mo Rivera came in and put an end to the madness by treating the opposing hitters like the chumps that they are.

Poll 'o the Week Results

One person voted and that person was wrong.

And this Weeks Minky Award Winner is....

Originally, this weeks Minky was going to go to the Yankees offense. However, over the past 4 games, the offense has exhibited a faint pulse. Unfortunately, the ability to drive in runs when runs are most needed, aka - anytime last night (I'm talking to you Damon, Mr. 2 on, no out, down by 3, hitting into a double play - son of a sasquatch), has yet to be seen.
With the offense coming around, it was clear that there was another deserving recipient of the Minky. The award goes to Phil "Youngblood" Hughes. Admittedly, this is the toughest Minky we've had to give out. Initially, I only envisioned Minkys going to the obvious targets, however, it is painfully clear that Hughes plain stunk this week.

Hughes made 2 starts, lasted 3 and 2 innings, gave up 10 runs, 12 hits and 5 walks - that is just garbage. Hughes is young, 21 years old, and most likely has a long bright future ahead of him. Yet for him to reach his considerable potential, he must develop another pitch. Against the Royals and Boston, it was fastball, fastball, curve - he needs to mix in that change up we've heard about if for nothing else than to keep the batters off balance. Major league hitters are simply too good to go after with 2 pitches. The good news is Hughes youth, he is just as likely to reel off 3 shutouts in a row as he is to continue to stink. Therefore, this Minky is intended as a wake up call to Hughes- hopefully he will never receive the golden turd again.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(14) Our goal was to blog throughout this game, however, given the fact that it is 10:40 and the game is only in the 5th inning - we'll kill the live feed and re-cap tomorrow.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(13) Although he may get the win dice-k has been awful. Fortunately for frat boys throughout New England, Hughes was worse and the Yanks keep letting him off the hook by not not getting the big hit. Dice-K is doing his best to let the Yanks back in this game.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(12) Longest game ever. I thought Varietk only took his helmet off when he hit home runs, I guess he does it when he grounds into double plays too.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(11) According to Joe Morgan, Sean Casey doesn't hit home runs because of his swing - we thought it was because he blows. Apparently we were wrong, it is because he swings like a girl.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(10) Bombers put up 3 and Russ Ohlendorf knocks the Predator on his ass - things are getting interesting.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(9)We hoped, that unlike in the movies, the predator would lose. Unfortunately, this games about as shitty as the actual Alien Verse Predator movies.

Lets go Rangers!

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(8) Hughes aint great but neither is our defense.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(7) Despite being "flumoxed" by Dice-K, Bobby drives in Damon by knocking one off the Green Monster.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(6) Julio Lugo makes a nice catch - Harvard Square is burnd to the ground.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(5) Dustin Pedroia shows his scrapiness by throwing a hissy fit. Is there a single Boston player who will strike out without crying? How does anyone root for this team?

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(4) Bombers get right back into things with a walk, a foul out to the catcher, a can of corn to right field and a worm burner to third - woo fucking hoo. Dice-K is wild and Giambi, Posada and Molina all bailed him out by reaching for pitchers so that when the bat made contact their asses were hanging out and they were reaching across the plate. Considering this is our first live blog, they better do something to keep our attention or we're heading for internet porn.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(3) Yanks down 3-0, Rangers down 3-2, if I didn't have to be up for work tomorrow, I'd start doing shots every time the cameras show a Boston fan wearing a white hat and rocking the coolest facial hair in Kap Sig.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(2) Jon Miller reminds us that Hughes is only 21 and that he is the youngest Yankee pitcher to make a start in Fenway - this is worth remembering when the inevitable articles about how the Yanks could have had Johan Santana if they would have parted with Hughes are published tomorrow. On another, note this might become a blog about the Rangers playoff game. Hughes strikes Varitek out on a filthy curve - Varitek was going to fight the umpire, but he didn't have his mask or catching gear on.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(1) 1st Inning - Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu walk, perhaps the patience has returned. Joe Morgan adds that Abreu no longer steals bases - he stole 25 last year. Damon steals second, the Yanks first of the year. A-Rod lets Dice-K off the hook by bouncing into a double play.
Phil Hughes sets the tone by walking Jacoby Ellsbury. Blown pitch out allows Ellsbury to go o 3rd, might as well give him the run now. ESPN informs us that Hughes played 3B until he was a sophomore in high school. Being under the impression that all pitchers began in 8th grade, the fact that Hughes has made it to the majors as a pitcher is stunning. Hughes sends Dustin Pedroia to the bench with a nasty curve. Hughes walks JD Drew to face Manny Ramirez - not a good idea. Manny Delivers, 1-0 Boston. Sac fly - 2-0 Boston. Hughes has thrown a million pitches and given up a deep double to Sean "The weakest hitting 1b in the American League" Casey - I just threw up my dinner.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

April 13. Yankees at Boston.

This is our first liveblog. Excuse spelling errors, typos, crappy postings and poor formatting. Otherwise, enjoy the show.

Rainy, Muddy... Not so much fun overall

Do games played in 3 inches of mud count? Did you see what happened when someone tried to slide? It was like watching a fat kid trying to get pulled on rollerblades by his 10 pound labradoodle. Some things just don't mix.

Well, except Brian Bruney and long hair. He has found new powers in his new locks. Farnsworth on the other hand, has not.

Break up the Royals!

After sweeping the Tigers, the Royals bounce the Bombers in game one. Not much to write about here, A-Rod turned into K-Rod rocking the golden sombrero for his season debut on the road, Phil Hughes couldn't find the strike zone - walking 4 in 3 innings, and the offense stranded 7 runners on base, and the team committed an error.

Moose Finds the Fountain of Youth

Great night for the Bombers. Mike Mussina turned the clock back with 6 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 BB, 1 ER, and 3 Ks. If Mike Mussina can be merely above average this is a huge boost for the staff. The Yanks offense, led by Bobby "Walk Year" Abreu, showed signs of life as Abreu nearly hit for the cycle. Kyle Farnsworth threw a whole shutout inning - given it was in a low leverage situation and even Mr. Head for the Exits himself managed not to blow a five run lead, heck he even managed to strike someone out (after giving up a hit and a walk of course).

On a down note, Derek Jeter was taken out of the game with a strained quad. However, unlike years past instead of having to watch suckers like Miguel Cairo and Nick Green trot out, Girardi was able to slide Morgan Ensberg and Wilson Betemit in without the Yanks taking a major hit - happy days indeed.

Biggest Loser Poll

According to our fans, Josh Beckett, you are the biggest loser

The winner of the first 26 Going on 27 Minky Award goes to (drum roll please)...LaTroy "Head for the Exits" Hawkins. What really makes Hawkins amazing is that Ian Kennedy was atrocious, the defense has been less than stellar, Johnny Damon is playing with a giant fork sticking out of his back, and the offense is non-existent, and yet this pick was a no-brainer. To understand just how awful Hawkins has been take a look at what Mr. Head for the Exits has done in his 2 appearances: he's pitched 2 innings, given up 8 hits, 7 earned runs, 1 HR, has struck no one out, and is sporting a 31.50 ERA. The only positive is that Hawkins hasn't walked anyone, although that is probably because hitters can't wait to swing at his pitches.

On a serious note, the combined awfulness of Hawkins and Farnsworth stands to be Joe Girardi's first test. So far, Girardi has not used either in a high-leverage situation. Girardi's reluctance to use either when the game is on the line is a good sign considering that Mo and Joba have been lights out, while Brian Bruney and Russ Ohlendorf, and Jonathan Albaladejo have all been effective. It will be interesting to see if Girardi has the courage to use the younger, cheaper guys who are pitching well, over the higher paid, longer in the tooth, and sure to give up a home run duo of Hawkins and Farnsworth. Unfortunately, Albaladejo was sent down to make room for Pettitte, when the wiser move would have been to eat the money and cut Hawkins. If Joe Torre were here, we know that he'd go to Farnsworth and Hawkins because of their names, let's see if Girardi has the balls to use guys who less people have heard of, but get far better results.

Thank you Godzilla

Matsui: 3 for 4 , 2 Run HR
Wang: 6Ks in 6 innings
Joba and Mo combined to make the Rays pray to the Devil

Hughes V Santana

Phil Hughes - 6 IP, 4 Ks, 4 Hits, 2 Earned Runs, 1 BB - Is 21 years old and makes the major league minimum
Johan Santana - 7 IP, 8 Ks, 3 Hits, 2 Earned Runs, 2 BB - Is 29 years old and makes 13 million dollars

Any questions?

Our First Message from Secret Agent GFK39

So here, we are....2 games in looking at the old proverbial '7-10 split' in the W-L column, and I've had the pleasure of experiencing the highest of the high, and sadly the lowest of the low.

After Mondays dress rehearsal, we got right down to business on Tuesday night where a good friend of mine secured me a Legends Suite ticket about 4 feet from Vernon Wells and the Toronto on-Deck circle. Easily, the best seat I've ever had in Yankee Stadium. Vernon joked with us after we asked him if Eckstein was able to see the top of his locker, we drank a few $8 beers, and then passed by Christopher Walken and Lorne Michaels to take a piss. Ahh...how the other half lives.

There was a game too. Wang did the business vs the BlueBirds and Joba came on and stroked every Yankee fans hard-on that's been raging for the past 6 months. Then of course, Mo came in with the Marlboro light and baseball in the Bronx as we know it, was officially underway, TAKE 2!!

So back to reality, after a few cans of Miller Lite at secret location #3, I was back in the bleachers last night...you know...that little shoebox in right field where they don't serve beer and basically anyone who comes up the stairs in a Mutts shirt is an asshole?? Gosh, it was cold last night and my pal from the night before, Vernon Wells, who has had a special relationship with section 39 the last few years, made up for his goofs and blunders the night before and smashed a 2 run shot to left. I was secretly happy for him, because, he is not only the coolest non-Yankee there is, but also because maybe it will convince people that Mussina really does suck now.

It was magnetic schedule night last night...wow, I love those things. That's the third best giveaway at the stadium aside from luggage tag night and mouse pad night, if you have to know (All of you 'hog-four-tickets for-Delusso-Deli-Meats-statuettes-then-put them-on-ebay-douchebags' can suck on that. I hate you and you need to get a life).

I think the highlight of last night, apart from LaTroy Hawkins embarassing debut, was when I saw a severely overweight guy in 39 who looked like a combination of Shrek and genetically enhanced Chicken McNugget. "HEY...YOUR U.F.O. IS DOUBLE PARKED!!!" we yelled...and all we got back was a smile and a wave. He seemed to be travelling with a pubescent Mets fans who had a moustache and a uni-brow, who was escorted away by the police after flipping the middle finger at someone a few rows back. Somehow, Shrek managed to stay a few minutes longer, without his little buddy, and then disappear to what looked like section 41.

It's good to be back. Cold, rain, and all.....See you this year at the stadium

"GFK39"

Another View on the Loss

LaTroy Hawkins, just as crappy as we thought.
Other than that, Mike Mussina pitched well enough to win most times out, but AJ Burnett was better. Hopefully, Phil Hughes will flip the script tonight and we won't need to see Hawkins or Kyle Farnsworth tonight.

A Loss...

Moose clearly didn't have it tonight, but I just can't watch A-Rod strike out on that same damn pitch on the outside corner, EVERY TIME. It really looked like we were going to have some late inning heroics but I guess not. Then again, it is only the second game of the season and it already looks like the Mets are screwed so things aren't that bad. But please, we are 100% A-Rod supporters, but I swear I just can't take him getting struck out on that pitch all season.

Yanks Drop the Method for a Successful Season

Here's how it works:
Combine 7 quality innings from Wang with 1 inning, 2ks from Joba plus 1 shutout inning from Mo. Then mix 2 spectacular catches by Melky with a pinch of big hitting from A-Rod. Stir in a large bowl till thoroughly combined and you have a recipe for a winning season.

One More Time, From the Top

So a little rain does scare us.

Hopefully tonights 7 o'clock start won't be delayed also. Come on Bombers its just the Blue Jays.

We’re back………

26goingon27 is back with a ton of new features and, hopefully, fresher and more frequently updated content.

First, the new content:

1. We have a new man on the street who will be contributing to the site. As of right now, his identity cannot be revealed, but he is a frequent attendee of home and away games and will be offering a unique insight into the psyche of Yankee fans.
2. We are going to have more photos from the games and of the fans. We are also going to set up a Flickr account that will allow readers to post up pics from games or anything Yankee related. These photos should be anything a real fan would enjoy, from a Red Sox fan getting hit by a car to a burnt piece of toast that resembles Derek Jeter, feel free to add them to the pool. They will be included in our Flickr Feed or to accompany posts or because the photos just that good and they get highlighted. http://www.flickr.com/groups/26-goingon-27/
3. We’re going to respond to one reader post a week – so Red Sox and Met fans prepare to feel the pain.
4. We are introducing the Minky award in honor of our favorite punching bag Doug Mientkiewicz. Each week we are going to select the player, writer, announcer who shits the bed the most and give him a bloggified tar and feathering – should be fun for the kids.
5. The new mission statement: This is a very pro-Yankee site, while we will attempt to be objective we are first and foremost Yankee fans and make no apologies for it. While we hope that readers will find a fresh and unique perspective on this site, we also want readers to know that we think Shelly Duncan is the best player ever, Jorge Posada is a potential Hall of Famer, that Phil Hughes and Joba will be competing for Cy Young awards for the next ten years, Derek Jeter and Mo Rivera are gods amongst men, and that A-Rod actually deserves the money he’s getting paid.

Now, our predictions

AL East

1. NY Yankees – duh
2. Boston Red Sox – This team is over-hyped. The pitching is thin (Josh Beckett is already hurting, Curt Schilling is out, Dice-K is inconsistent, Jon Lester walks too many hitters and Clay Bucholz is unproven, although Tim Wakefield remains the man as the only Red Sock who gets the 26goingon27 seal of approval), their three best hitters David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Mike Lowell while dangerous are old, and until I see otherwise Jacoby Ellsbury is Juan Pierre with a better eye, not an MVP candidate.
3. Tampa Bay Rays – They’re young, they’re oozing with talent, the offense could be scary and for the first time they have pitchers who can get hitters out – Scott Kazmir, James Shields and Matt Garza (plus their minors are loaded with arms). They did however remove the word Devil from their name, and pissing off the devil could earn them a demotion to 4^th place.
4. Toronto Blue Jays – this team bores the shit out of us. I can’t think of one player Blue Jay, other than AJ Burnett, who I’d pay to see. They could win 90 games and I still won’t care – you shouldn’t either.
5. Baltimore Orioles – MLB should be like English Soccer, with the worst 3 teams demoted to the minors each season. The Orioles would be a double A team.

AL Central

1. Detroit Tigers – This team is going to score a ton of runs. Justin Verlander might win the Cy Young with Johan in the NL, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis are decent, Jeremy Bonderman could finally live up to the hype, and besides, they could all have ERAs in the high-4s and win 15-20 games because of the offense. Although the bullpen makes me nervous, and the lineup is mostly on the wrong side of 30, they should win the Central.
2. Cleveland Indians – They simply didn’t do enough in the off-season to improve the few holes they had. They should still win 90 games though.
3. Chicago White Sox – Just because KC has no pitching and the Twins have no hitting. This team is old, injury prone, and has no pitching depth, but if Paul Konerko, Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye remain healthy they will score runs.
4. Kansas City Royals – still 2 years away, even if Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, and Zach Grienke bust out this year. However, given what a train wreck this organization has been for the last ten years, those 3 guys are cause to rejoice for this moribund franchise.
5. Minnesota Twins – this team can’t hit. Justin Morneau could hit 45 homeruns and not drive in 100 runs. Plus, I love how they have no money for the best starter in baseball, Johan Santana, but just signed their closer, Joe Nathan, to a big time contract.

AL West - This whole division blows, but here goes.

1. Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels - The Angels suck and Mike Sciosca is a fat whinny fuck – there I said it. I absolutely loathe every member of this team, except Vlad and Howie Kendrick, and have no way to rationally evaluate this team. But here goes, their two best pitchers, Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey, are hurt, they sign free agent centerfielders like its going out of style, and they think they’re fans are dumb enough to root for them because they added Los Angeles to their name – come on, not even Californians are that dumb – all that adds up to 1^st place in the AL West and another first round playoff exit.
2. Seattle Mariners – Seattle is my second favorite city in the world, the food is great, the city itself is beautiful, the people are nice and the coffee and beer are flavorful. So going on that, they are the second best team in the AL West. No, they should finish second because Felix Hernandez and Erik Bedard are both nasty, JJ Putz is great, and the AL West is terrible – they’d finish no higher than 4^th in the East or Central.
3. Oakland Athletics – I have a sneaking suspicion the A’s could surprise people. This could be the year Rich Harden is healthy, Joe Blanton is solid, as is Huston Street. Mark Ellis is criminally overlooked, Daric Barton can hit, though the outfield is awful. To be clear when I say surprise people, I mean approach 80 wins.
4. Texas Rangers – see the Orioles comment, these guys should be relegated too.