with the configuration of the Angels lineup it makes all the sense in the worldto have Marte in the pen. You guys are exagerating how “awful” he was in the ALDS i mean for christ’s sake he gave up 2 ground ball singles to two of the best hitters the Twins have in Mauer and Kubel….relax!

as far as the Angels only having 1 “true” lefty bat in Abreu their switch hitters are all better from the left side and i think late in the game particularly at the House that George built you’ll want to turn Morales,Figgins,Aybar around with the short porch in rf….Marte could come back and in the few oppurtunities that he’s given pitch great for the next week and that could very well be the “x-factor” that gets us back to the dance

No one is really suggesting replacing Damon with Gardner, though that Damon feels the need for extra BP is more cause for worry than hope that he’ll pull out of his slump anytime soon.

I was just defending Gardner by pointing out that the Yankees wouldn’t have done any worse if he had played instead of Damon in the ALDS. You have to give Damon the benefit of the doubt that he’ll start to hit.

The obvious scenario to get Gardner in the game is to replace Melky, which as someone arrogantly pointed out, is not a case of Girardi doing something differently for the playoffs. For much of the season, Gardner was getting steady playing time, mostly against righties.

I’m a fan of Gardner’s mostly because I’m not a fan of Melky’s. I think he’s marginal at best and he’ll never be the solid centerfielder that the Yankees have always had during their championship runs. He had one month early this year in which he hit well, since then he’s been the same inconsistent hitter that he always has been. I wish I had a dollar for every time he tapped back to the pitcher. On the days when Melky and Molina are at the bottom of the order, you’re handing the other team two near-automatic outs.

Just make sure you do the DVR installation WAY before the start of the game. Do not wait for the last minute. It took mine about 30 minutes to boot up the first time when I did it and I missed the first 15 minutes of the Greys Anatomy season premiere.

Please let me know you love it!

that is a ridiculous statement.

are you equating aROD TO swisher?

not I, my friend.

Were most of the successful running teams of the past based in temperate, low rain cities? I’m thinking for example the Dodgers of the early 60s. Can you think of more cases – or recent exceptions to this hypothesis?

Any thoughts?

the one that got gomez rounding the bag also was alert but not a great play. if anything jeter deked him into thinking there was no throw.

SJ44 -

I love the idea that the Yankees are “mudders!”

Not much to say or to add. Until they start to play, it’s all academic, right? I’m glad I’ve had a few things to take care of that kept me away. Because it just gives me a dizzy headache, you know???

Erica -

I’m loving the countdowns!!!!

AND –

I just picked up my DVR and it’ll be in by tomorrow before game time. Yay!!!