The Emergence of Shelley Duncan

At a time when the Yankees needed that extra something to arrive, they found their answer in Shelley Duncan. Recently brought up from the minors to provide some added relief for the everyday players, Duncan displayed his massive power and intense eagerness to become a permanent component of Torre’s squad. After three homers in his first too games, albeit versus a sub-par Devil Ray pitching staff, he made the case for yankee management to keep him in the big leagues a little while longer. More importantly, he’s an older guy who has paid his dues, so the Yankees squad has been very receptive to his maturity, likeable personality, and immediate production.

Although Kevin Thompson has shown sparks of talent as a utility player, however since the teams is already flooded with outfielder talent (sans Abreu’s wall incidents and Damon’s mediocre arm), the Yankees will really benefit more with Duncan’s bat if he continues at this pace, or something close to it.

The disposal of Wil Nieves was a slight upgrade with Molina as the new backup. Hopefully, Mussina isn’t thrown off with a new catcher or having to return to work with Posada. Regardless of who is catching for him, he’s missing his command of the plate.

Nathan's 2007 Hot Dog Eating Contest

This year’s Nathan’s Famous Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest was nothing short of the hype surrounding the big event. After downing 59 ½ hot dogs in a previous qualifying contest, Joey Chestnut evolved from a sleeper to a favored contender. During the warm-ups, it appeared that Kobayashi came in focused as usual, knowing he would have to break his personal best to continue his reign as top dog.



As the race got underway, it was amazing to witness the pace of about 12 hot dogs downed on the first minute. To any normal person with a regular digestive tract - can you imagine eating 12 hot dogs in one minute??? Equally amazing by both contestants (and even the “poor” performers who “only” downed 30 or so dawgs), is that self control and tricking their mind not to gag or vomit. Kobayashi did vomit at the end, but can you really blame him after 60 hot dogs? It was an extremely repulsive scene to watch, and certainly worse than watching Chestnut painfully wriggle and try to shove hot dogs down his pipe while he appears to strain in sheer agony with veins about to pierce through his forehead.

Chestnut emerged as the new champion filling up to his esophagus with an astounding 66 hot dogs. Kobayashi puked and swallowed his own vomit to maintain at an honorable standing. Organizers made him wave the American flag, all of a sudden making this a patriotic contest as opposed to the previously freakish event filled with admiration for gluttony. All of a sudden, the contest had a hero and villain, while past contests those same spectators looked upon Kobayashi with amazement and delight.

Yanks are Heating Up

It has been a good run lately. The Yanks bats are hot and the pitching is almost at a decent level. But hey, we just swept the Pirates and won 3 out of 4 against a slumping White Sox team.

Torre is starting to realize that Melky is a better centerfielder than Damon and should continue to remember that for the rest of the season. He's also leaning on Bruney more each day, which is a good thing because the guy is a hungry beast. The Abreu and ARod phenomenom can only last so long, so its time for Cano and Matsui to begin stepping it up.

I would not mind working Kevin Thompson into the lineup every now and then, just to keep the other outfielders honest and let them know there's another guy with high potential gunning for their spot.

The bat momentum has to keep up, but consistent pitching will be our only hope of catching Boston.

A-Rods Bush League Play

This weeks series versus the Blue Jays generated plenty of buzz for the Yankees when A-Rod shouted out "mine" or "ha" (he claims yelling the later, so we'll give him the benefit of the doubt) to Toronto's Howie Clark. The stunt worked and he dropped the ball.

Many ballplayers are against it, but many are also backing A-Rod. It seems like NY is against it, including Yankee fans. It's really the result of two factors: 1) Its just not how the Yankees play baseball; and 2) New Yorkers will not stick up for A-Rod until he shows them he's deserving of it.



If Jeter performed the same act I think the reaction would have been a much more accepting mood. Media and fans alike might even say how smart Jeter was for having read the situation so quickly (recognizing that it was Clark's first major league game) and doing what it takes to win. But instead, since the action stems from a player who has yet to demonstrate his superior skills when it counts, meaning the playoffs, he will receive no such accolades.

New Strategy for the Yankees

I like Torre's philosophy that the Yankees have to "fight their way out of this hole". It's a great solution that has guts, character and confidence in his players. But how consistent is that with the way he manages? How many times has Torre really showed faith in his pitching staff? You know the scenario. Starting pitcher gets tatooed after 5 runs by the 5th inning. Next pitcher comes in, gives up a homer, and in comes Torre again. Then he makes 3 more trips to the mound before the game ends.



Hey, I'm not saying that taking pitchers out is a mistake, but the key is which pitchers should Torre allow to fight their way out of and which should be cut? I have the answer: Torre, stop putting Vizcaino in! He's horrible! And take Farnsworth out the minute he loses command, because he never gains it back. And once our starting pitchers are healthy and Roger is on board, start rotating those new guys into the bullpen more often. Try DeSalvo and Clippard for a few innings. Proctor and Bruney have shown consistency and this battle back mentality. They're good in my book.

Oh, and somebody please find a way to play Cabrera. The bats are really suffering.

Dancing with the Stars

This season of Dancing with the Stars, the couple that deserved to win actually did. From the very beginning, Apolo Anton Ohno demonstrated his natural ability and potential. Then after witnessing Joey Fatone's first dance, the core question became: can Apolo surpass Fatone over the course of weeks given his demanding schedule and lack of experience?

He rose to the challenge very quickly proving to be a quick study combined with his drive to win. Although at one point he stated that skating and dancing are two completely different activities, it became evident that his footwork was top notch may have given him that edge over Joey in the end. While the audience and judges appreciate good showmanship and facial expressions, they appear to be equally aware of the level of difficulty in the footwork required in Apolo's routine. And finally, the chemistry of Apolo and his partner was unlike any other couple in the competition.



Regardless of the winner, it appears that Joey may have re-ignited his career in some way, while Laila and Apolo may have launched career opportunities for themselves as they both shined on camera and displayed vibrant personalities of their own.

And thanks for the mullett dance, Billy Ray.

The Return of Roger

Like many yankee fans, I shared in the excitement today as Roger Clemens surprised everyone with his announcement of returning as a Yankee this season. I'm not thrilled but happy that we have achieved more stability in the lineup.

Clemens feels that he could help out the ballclub's pitching due to some of the injuries they've been having. To be frank, the existing pitching, healthy or not, is not up to speed. Kei Igawa or that Raznor? Are you kidding me? If you're a batter up at the plate and game is on the line, do you want to be facing Igawa or Clemens? Case closed. Clemens has always been a big game pitcher.



Another immediate benefit he'll bring is eliminating the need for these awful mid-relievers the yanks have had, namely Farnsworth, Myers and Vizcaino. Clemens will last a solid 6 innings at the very least, easing the toll on Proctor, Henn, Bruney and Rivera.

One last thing Clemens brings: leadership to the bullpen. Moose, Pettitte, and Wang are good pitchers but I don't see them providing any leadership for the bullpen. There is no sense of dominance and winning attitude. Clemens will be that guy, as he always has been. If one of the yanks batters gets pegged, Clemens will instill fear with retaliation the very next inning.

Now having said all of that, it may very well be the case that Clemens gets shelled on his first outting and doesn't go more than three innings. But probably not likely, due to his workout routine, he has built himself into a power pitcher with tree-trunk legs that will keep his velocity up.

I echo Jeter's reaction when he told the YES network that the Yanks can't rely on Roger and have to continue battling with the squad they have. Yet his weekly text messages requesting his comeback convey that Jeter is probably pumping his fists privately in the locker room. Welcome back Roger.

Can Jack Bauer Save 24?

This has been a disappointing season for 24 thus far. Three factors have really contributed to its sudden decline.

The first is the storyline with Jack’s family. We didn’t need to know about his family, never mind find out that his father and brother were indirectly working to help supply weapons to Russian terrorists.

The other frustration has to do with Wayne Palmer as president. Bottom line is, just like the last president, he’s a just plain bad. How credible is it that our nation’s leader is that indecisive? Or even if our president is, would they come off so ambivalent, and with such little charisma?

And lastly, the whole romantic side of Chloe is disturbing to watch. Nobody wants to see this side to her, and it really takes away from her awkward quirkiness about her. The only funny part of the show has been ruined. It would have been much better if they made Morris an admirer of hers and she just remained completely awkward about it.



Now we’re onto this awful plot with the Chinese government and Audrey Raines, who should have been dead and stayed that way. Hopefully Jack can rescue us viewers from this torture like he saves the world every week.

Underrated NY Jets going into 2007

Ok lets face it when it comes to baseball, the Yankees are the most overrated team by far in baseball, as evidenced by their early season collapse. But when we talk about football, especially going into next season, the Patriots have to be the most overrated team due to the hype of their off-season acquisition moves of Stallworth, Walker and Moss.



With the drafting of Darrelle Revis, combined with Kerry Rhodes and Erik Coleman the Jets secondary will improve immediately with potential for big plays. Speaking of big plays, the explosiveness of Cotchery, Coles, Washington and Thomas should more than dismantle strong defenses. Add Justin Miller and Mike Nugent to the mix and special teams should come up big.

With a healthy Pennington and established running game in Thomas Jones (sacrificing life and limb on every down), anchored by a solid offensive line, the jets defensive line should get a much needed rest this season as gang green controls more time possession.

Hey, New England looks great on paper, but with a hamstring ridden Stallworth and Moss coming off a horrendous season, I would venture to say that the Jets will matchup pretty well with them, similar to last season.

Why A-Rod is bad for New York

When I think about the Yankees roster, I see a group of hard-working, humble players who lead by example. Look at Jeter, Cano, Posada, Rivera. Even Damon has a genuine, good-natured sense about him.



Then I see A-Rod. I can’t help but make the analogy of an untamed streetdog who enters upon the gates of Cesar Milan’s loyal, disciplined pack and stirs up chaos with a different energy. I see the way other players look at him, slap him five or force a smile or reaction. They feel obligated to do such things maybe due to intimidation or maybe out of loyalty to keep the clubhouse in order by not rocking the boat. Either way, I know most of the team does not like A-rod. Do they feel that way with Jeter? No way. Jeter is like your best friend who you’ve hung out with for years.

I don’t think A-Rod is a bad person. I just think he’s put himself in a situation he wished he handled differently through his initial talk and cockiness. But similar to Iraq, his only viable strategy is to fight his way out of it, only his chances of success may be slightly better than our chances of resolving sectarian conflict and restoring order.

The weekend sweep at Boston

Despite what many say that this weekend sweep by Boston was a huge loss for the Yankees, I tend to agree, only that in my view the loss was the best thing that could have happened for this team. The biggest wakeup was the reinforcement that pitching wins ballgames. Yes we all know this, but how much more focused, or are I say obsessed are we about it after the monstrous four consecutive homeruns given up by Chase Wright. This embarrassment will cause a huge trickle down effect from management to pitching coach to player, treating the current pitching state at a much-needed crisis level.