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“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over”…

There is a reason that Mariano Rivera has been my favorite Yankee for a very long time.  I know that Derek Jeter is a quality guy and a favorite of many, but for me, Mariano Rivera has always been the premier player in my opinion.  It doesn’t mean that I feel Jeter’s not a great player…he is.  He is most likely a first ballot Hall of Famer and will go down as the greatest shortstop in Yankees history (with no disrespect to Phil Rizzuto).  But Rivera has always handled himself with dignity and class, and he’s always been accountable when things have gone wrong.  He has never disrespected another player or team, nor has he placed blame anywhere but with himself.  He

A foot apart…

Yes, I admit it.  I was genuinely concerned.  Yesterday, news broke that David Robertson had hurt his foot in a mishap at his home.  The Yankees sounded very concerned and of course they ordered a MRI and were making comments about the severity of the injury.  The immediate thought was the Lisfranc injury suffered by former Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang.  While Wang is pitching again, it took years and he is still not the same guy who won 19 games in successive seasons a few years back. 

Today, it was announced that Robertson had a deep bone bruise after missing a step on the stairs at his home.  The foot is a boot and he’s on crutches until Sunday, but it now sounds as though Robertson will be back sooner than initially

Isn’t this kind of like pulling my finger- and toe-nails?...

One thing I’ve learned with these extended A.J. Burnett trade talks, patience is not my middle name and it’s not one of my virtues!  While the Michael Pineda-for-Jesus Montero came very fast and furiously, the potential Burnett trade has been dragging for an eternity.  There’s no question the Yankees have identified the Pittsburgh Pirates as the prime target.  It’s been reported that the Yankees and Los Angeles Angels were willing to make a trade that would have brought the return of Bobby Abreu to the Bronx, but it was nixed by A.J. as the Angels were one of the ten teams on his no-trade list.  This actually blows my mind to think that he’d turn down the Angels, arguably

Once you’ve failed Boston, come to New York…

Okay, I admit it.  I am not overjoyed to see the Red Sox reunion on the Yankees roster.  First, there was former Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima, then reliever Manny Delcarmen, and now utility infielder Bill Hall.  Of the three, Okajima is actually the only who’s last team was the Red Sox but still, the three have served their time in Beantown and are now “enemies” in a friendly camp. 

If Okajima can win a job, that’s fine but I don’t really see him beating out Cesar Cabral unless the latter is a complete washout in camp.  Delcarmen, in my mind, is simply fodder for the spring with no hope of seeing the major league roster come Opening Day.  Hall is an interesting pickup. 

Thanks for the memories…

Although Prince Fielder had other ideas, today was Jorge Posada Day.  On a day when the Milwaukee Brewers’ talented free agent signed an unexpected 9-year, $214 million contract with his father’s former team, the Detroit Tigers, a Yankee Legend called it a career.  So, while Tigers fans are rejoicing, the Yankees Universe is united in sorrow to see the end of a tremendous career. 

It was time.  Although I knew that Posada could still hit, he was ill at ease at DH and he was no longer the consistent clutch hitter that he had once been.  He could have held on for a few more years in a more limited role, but I am grateful that he recognized that it’s best not to overstay your welcome.  It would have been awful

  I was watching Yankees Baseball Daily this past Friday night listening to Jack Curry discuss how the St. Louis Cardinals had two years to offer Albert Pujols a contract and both sides couldn’t come to terms with a deal and it occurred to me that the 2012 and 2013 seasons the Yankees currently have option years for Robinson Cano.

  A couple of blogs that I’ve read online refer to Robinson Cano is the future face of the Yankees franchise as well as Cano not happy that the Yankees are only taking options on him and not offering him a longer deal.  Cano is only 29 years old and currently he’s in his prime for hitting.  Cano also currently ranks among the top second basemen in all of MLB.  So what are the Yankees front office are waiting for? 

There was no question in my mind Justin Verlander was winning the AL Cy Young Award. In fact, Verlander drew all 28 first-place votes in balloting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and finished with 196 points.

Verlander was so good he has an excellent opportunity to become the first starter since Roger Clemens in 1986 to win league MVP (reliever Dennis Eckersley was the last pitcher to earn the honor in 1992). He’ll find out when the AL MVP is announced next Monday.

“Do I think it's possible? Yes. Would I like to win it? Of course,” Verlander said during a conference call. “It's kind of a weird scenario.”

The argument against starters is that they only work every five days, but Verlander indicated “the tremendous effect we

Next week the Baseball Writers Association of America will announce their annual MLB awards as voted on by selected writers around the country. The Yankees have viable candidates in each American League category, which I present in addition to who I view as the winner.

Monday, Nov. 14: AL & NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year
Yankees candidate: Ivan Nova
My winner: Mark Trumbo

Skinny: Nova went 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 165 1/3 innings -- and spent July in the Minor Leagues after he was demoted to make room for Phil Hughes. The Rays’ Jeremy Hellickson, however, trumped Nova in innings pitched (189) and ERA (2.95), and his two complete games were the only ones thrown by an AL rookie all season. The pick here goes to Trumbo, whose 29 home runs are the most by an AL rookie since Nomar

TAICHUNG, Taiwan -- Robinson Cano hopped out of a white van near one of the popular “night markets” here and the screeching started. Everyone on the bustling street seemingly recognized Cano so they scampered toward him to snap his picture. A group of fans quickly became a crowd that became a mob. There was a wall of 10 security guards surrounding the Yankees’ second baseman.

Cano took small steps during his shopping expedition. He had no choice. With so many people smothering him, Cano had to shuffle along at a sluggish pace. It didn’t matter to Cano, who stopped to pose for pictures and who appeared to enjoy the attention as much as the people enjoyed seeing him.

When Cano walked into a sneaker store, fans rushed toward the door and tried to get near him. Eventually,