The Yankees struck at yesterday’s trade deadline.  They picked up reliever Kerry Wood, Austin Kearns, and Lance Berkman.  I like all deals as they fill needs.  Wood helps with bull pen pitching.  Kearns is a good outfielder.  Berkman gave Teixeira a much needed day off, especially on the tough Tampa turf. 

 

I heard a tweet on ESPN 1050’s Seth Everett that the Mets replaced the ketchup at the Shack Shack at Citi Field.  I wish the Mets replaced the ketchup dispenser near the left field foul pole  I tried to use last night.  More on that later.

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: I think the deals will help the Yankees.  Wood could have lots of upside if he can stay healthy.  Berkman and Kearns are good bats off the bench.

 

Posted by The Tank.

The Phillies traded for Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt yesterday.  Oswalt has been with the Astros for ten seasons.  The trade was held up because Oswalt wanted his 2012 option excercised for $16 million.  He finally caved and agreed to a $2 million buyout.  Oswalt gets to go to a contender and the Astros get some prospects, especially Happ.

 

As for the local teams, the Yankees and Mets haven’t done much.  The Yankees haven’t done much since losing out on Cliff Lee.  The Mets don’t have much to trade.  We’ll see if the pull a surprise before Saturday’s noon deadline. 

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: Oswalt isn’t an ace like Cliff Lee but is enough to help the Phillies win the division and the pennant.  Just in line with my pre-season prediction. 

 

Posted by The Tank. 

There were many rumors over the weekend about the D-backs wanting to deal Dan Haren for SATT Buddy Joba.  I know many Yankees fans are upset at Joba and want to deal him.  Yes, even I was upset at Joba while he blew a Seattle game a few weeks ago while hanging out during Jack and Michelle's Farewell Party at Gaf.  We'll miss you Jack and Michelle!

I think the Yankees did the right thing by NOT trading Joba because:

(1) There is too much money left on Haren's contract.  Yes, the Yankees have the money but I would rather see us use it to go after Cliff Lee in the off season.  Remember, we’re going to need the money to re-sign Jeter and Mariano.

(2) Haren is good but not as dominant as he was from 2005 to 2007.

(3) Give Joba more time to work out his issues.  He is the pitching version of Billy Martin's "You're hired, you're fired!"  Joba has been a reliever, starter, reliever, starter, and reliever.  He needs as much mental time to catch up with the physical time.  That said, Joba hasn't been the same since landing his shoulder a couple of years ago.

 

Posted by The Tank.

Today is my buddy A-Rod’s 35th birthday.  I wish he hit his 600th home run but got shutdown at the Indians.  It always happens against someone they haven’t faced before like the rookie Josh Tomlin.  They’ll get a book on him and hopefully hit him the next time. 

 

A-Rod is now homerless in five games since hitting his 599th home run. 

 

Posted by a disappointed Tank.

The Yankees lost former player, manager, and general manager Ralph Houk on Wednesday at the age of 90.  He was a hero every sense of the word.  He earned a battlefield commission in WWII.  He returned home and was a leader even though he didn’t play much behind fellow catcher Yogi Berra.  Tommy Lasorda called him the best handler of men.  He was a fiery old school soldier in even sense of the word.

 

Posted by a mourning Tank.

My buddy A-Rod hit his 599th home run against Kansas City last night at the Stadium.  He was 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs.  Fans were hungry for his 600th late in the game but he didn’t hit it out.  The Yankees won 10-4. 

 

Thursday’s win was important because CC didn’t have his best stuff and the Royals had an early lead.  The Yankees had great hustle players and the Captain didn’t stop running for his second career inside the park home run.  His first was when he was a rookie which drove in current manager Joe Girardi. 

 

Maybe Kai will get to see his 600th home run tonight at the Stadium.

 

Posted by The Tank.

Andy Pettitte injured his groin on Sunday.  I unfortunately can relate to the injury as I have a slight tear in my adductor in my left groin.  Because of it, I haven’t run in about four months.  The injury hurts and is frustrating.  You have to avoid stretching which eliminates yoga.  Some helpful healing hints are to sleep with a pillow between the legs.  It takes pressure off the injured adductor. 

 

A good exercise is to lay on your injured side.  Put the healthy leg up on a bed or a side of a park bench.  Slow lift the injured leg ten times.  Work but to three to five times a week.  You also have to be careful how you sleep.

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: Andy is scheduled to be out up to five weeks.  The better news for Andy (than for me) is that he only has a grade one strain, NOT a slight tear like me.  He needs to be careful in his rehab and be ready for the stretch run.

 

Posted by The Tank on the mend in body and spirit with Andy Pettitte.

AJ Burnett has some of the best stuff in the game.  He also has one of the worst tempers in the game.  AJ came out of the game after only 2+ innings in front of dozens of Old Timers, a packed Yankee Stadium, and a nationally televised game.

Why?  The original report was that he fell down.  The truth came out later.  He slammed his hand and got lacerations on his hand.  I couldn't believe when he came out.  An already hot day became even hotter and longer.  AJ is thankfully not expected to miss his next start.  Let's hope it doesn't have any long term effects.

The Tank's Bottom Line: AJ still has some equity in the bank after a great job in the playoffs last year.  But, his bank account is drawing thin.  The Yankees must get Cliff Lee in the off season, especially if Andy Pettitte retires.  AJ would then be the fourth or fifth starter (CC, Lee, Andy (maybe), Hughes, and then AJ).

Posted by a concerned Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium.

Part 1 on Friday night focused on Mr. Steinbrenner.  Saturday afternoon was more focused on Mr. Sheppard.  The first words I heard on Saturday were Mr. Sheppard’s “Welcome to Yankee Stadium”. 

 

 

 

Saturday was also Old Timer’s Day with a special tribute to the 1950 Championship Team featuring Jerry Coleman. 

 

 

Yogi Berra was also honored but fell down at his nearby home.  He is okay and will hopefully be back at the Stadium soon.  Get better soon Yogi!

 

 

The Yankees also honored the widows of past greats including Mrs. Munson and Mrs. Sheppard.  Members of the 1950 Championship team are in the foreground. 

 

 

There were photos of the in between innings of the statue of Mr. Steinbrenner.  I went to Gate 2 and took this photo.

 

 

 

Posted by a grieving Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx. 

I rushed out of work on Friday to get to the Stadium on time for the George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard tributes.  The tributes were many and heartfelt.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, especially mine, as it was like mourning the loss of an uncle and grandfather.  I’ll divide this tribute into two, one for Friday’s game which was the first game back since their passing and the second for Saturday’s Old Timer’s Day.  Since pictures tell a thousand words, I’ll let photos tell the story.

 

All flags throughout the Stadium flew at half staff.

 

 

The Yankees tried to lighten the moment with this Saturday Night Live moment clip.

 

 

The Captain Derek Jeter spoke on behalf of the team. 

 

 

Military service was a part of Mr. Steinbrenner’s life.  Soldiers based at West Point presented the colors.

 

 

The playing of “Taps” summed up the sadness of day. 

 

 

Flowers and “Taps” equal sadness.

 

 

Fans showed their appreciation to the Boss and Mr. Sheppard.

 

 

After the draining pre-game ceremony, the Yankees and Rays played.  CC didn’t have his best stuff but the Yankees rallied to win.  Swisher singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning.  He ran out to right field and the team followed him there to celebrate. 

 

  

 

Posted by an emotional Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.