Simply the Best! Yanks Take 2, Now in First

It was a good weekend for the Yankees as they took 2 of 3 from their crosstown rivals. The Yanks and Mets finish the 2010 Subway Series 3-3.

Friday night the Yankee offense didnt show up, but Saturday and Sunday they awoke. Saturday Mark Teixeria and Curtis Granderson homered for the Yanks in support of Phil Hughes who improved to 10-1 and is surely going to be on his to Anahiem for the All-Star Game next month.

Sunday Teixeria homered again,this it was a grand slam off Mets ace Johan Santana and it was all the Bombers needed as CC Sabathia was lights out and won his 4th straight start. It looks like Sabathia and Teixeria are finally hitting their stride.

The Yankees lead the bigs with 7 grand slams (Alex Rodriguez, 2; Jorge Posada, 2; Teixeira; Granderson; Robinson Cano). The all-time Yankee record is 10 (1987).

The big thing out of this series was Teixeria production. Hopefully this is a sign of the MVP-like Tex we saw last year.

“It’s a daily grind. It’s never easy. You’re always working, especially both
ways,” Teixeira said. “It’s tough for me sometimes. But when I can hit a home
run left-handed yesterday, a home run right-handed today, hopefully that’ll get
some things rolling for me personally.”


The win puts the Yanks in 1st place for just the 3rd day this season. But no complaining here. I really hope Hughes not onlymakes the All-Star team but is the AL starter. How cool would that be? He'll surely be there as he is tied for the most wins in the AL.

Now that the Subway Series is done and over with, the Yanks can focus on the rest of the AL and make thier push towars the All-Star break and then the team usually heats up in the 2nd half so it's definately worth watching. Yanks, best record in baseball...let the haters begin to speak but it wont change the fact, the best team in baseball resides in the Bronx!

C800 Asks You: Should Phil Hughes start the All-Star Game? Are you hyped about the Subway Series? Share your thoughts on The Forum!
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Player Profile: Mark Teixeria

Mark Teixeria is in his 8th major league season, 2nd with the New York Yankees. The Yankees are his 4th team since entering the league in 2003. He also played for the Texas Rangers,Atlanta Braves, and Anahiem Angels.

Teixeira grew up in Severna Park, Maryland. He played varisty baseball for his high school. When Mark finished high school he was attended Georgia Tech. He was orginally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1998 but turned them down to attend college.

In 2001, won the Dick Howser Trophy as the national collegiate baseball player of the year. After that, Teixeira re-entered the draft and was selected by the Texas Rangers with the fifth overall pick.

In 2005, Teixeira became the third switch-hitter in MLB history to hit at least 20 home runs in each of his first three seasons. Eddie Murray and Chipper Jones are the others to accomplish the feat. His total of 144 RBI for that season is a Major League record for a switch-hitter.

In July of 2007 Teixeria was dealt to the Braves after rejecting a long term contract offer from the Rangers. His stay in Atlanta was short lived as he was only there for one calendar year as he was traded to the Angels at the trade deadline in 2008.

After the 2008 season Teixeria became a free agent and was being pursued by many teams as he was the elite hitter of the free agent class. The Angels and Red Sox were thought to be front runners in the Teixeria sweepstakes but the Yankees seemingly out of nowhere came in and swooped Mark and offered him the contract he was looking for. He ultimately signed with the Yanks and the rest is history.

In his 1st season in pinstripes Teixeria was worth every penny the Yanks gave him. He gave them an MVP worthy performance both at the plate and on the field. He finished 2nd in the AL MVP voting and won a Gold Glove. But the biggest accomplish was winning the World Series in his first year in the Bronx. Something his predecessor, Jason Giambi failed to do in his 7 years with the Yanks.

In 2010 Mark looks to repeat the success of 2009. Although as of writing he is still struggling to find his rthymn at the plate, he is still a force in the Yankee lineup on an everyday basis. He desire to win and gritty approach will get him to high places in the Bronx in the remaining years of his contract. I expect to see the same old Tex we're use to seeing, .300 average, 30 home runs, 100 RBI..that'll be there. Hopefully so will another World Series championship, when it's all said and done.
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October Rematch in the Bronx

Being the defending World Champions isn't easy. Everyone puts a bullseye on your back and does anything they can to take you out and make sure you don't repeat as champs. The Philadelphia Phillies know all about that, they were defending champs last season until they lost the World Series to the Yanks in 6 games. Guess who's back in the Bronx this week, yep..the former World Champs.

In a rematch of the 2009 World Series the Yanks and Phillies sent out their aces, CC Sabathia vs Roy Halladay. This had Game 7 of the World Series written all over it. Too bad it's only the middle of June and it's just another game on the schedule. Yankee fans wished it was Game 7 of the Series because the Yanks lit up Halladay by hitting 3 home runs and going on to win 8-3 at the Stadium. Home runs by Mark Teixeria, Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson led the charge offensively for New York. Sabathia wasn't his dominant self but was good enough to get the win over Halladay.

In the second game of the series on Wednesday night the Phillies roughed up AJ Burnett for 6 runs and got a bit of revenge for Tuesday's loss. Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada homered in the losing effort for the Bombers, who were baffled by 47 year old Jamie Moyer.Moyer became the oldest pitcher ever to record a win against the Yankees. That's quite an accomplishment if you ask me.

The still remain with the best record in baseball despite the loss. They had their 9 game home winning streak snapped but there was a positive note coming out of the loss. Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup after missing the previous 4 games with his groin inujry. He had an RBI double in the 9th and appeared to show no ill effects from the injury as he was running to 2nd on the double.

Before the year began many people thought the 2010 World Series would be Yanks and Phils again, which is a pretty good pick but with the Phils recent struggles over the past few weeks, it puts that October rematch in doubt for the time being. Until then,we have this rematch. That's ok, it's still a series worth watching. Especially with Alex back in the lineup!

C800 Asks You: Do you think the Yankees and Phillies will meet again in the World Series this year? If not then who makes it to the Fall Classic? Share your thoughts on The Forum!
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Player Profile: Joba Chamberlain

Joba Chamberlain has made quite a name for himself in his brief time in the Major Leagues. He is currently in his 3rd full season with the New York Yankees.

Joba is from Lincoln Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old. Many different stories have circulated about Joba's parents and his upbringing. Joba was born Justin Chamberlain but his brother Joshua couldn't pronounce his name correctly. Joshua would call his brother Joba instead of Justin. Joba's dad Harlan liked it so much, he had Justin's name legally changed to Joba.

Chamberlain started his college career playing for theUniversity of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. He helped the Cornhuskers reach the 2005 College World Series and helped lead Nebraska to their first ever College World Series win going 10–2 with a 2.81 ERA.

Chamberlain was drafted as the 41st overall by the New York Yankees in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He didn't make his debut until August 7, 2007 when he pitched out of the bullpen. He had the radar guns going on 97 and 98 mph on the gun, which got the attention of the crowd at Yankee Stadium, scouts, tv announcers and Yankee officals and teammates. His colorful attitude brought life to a "professional" group of calm Joe Torre Yankee players. He instantly won the hearts of New Yorkers everywhere.

He was lights out as a reliever but in Game 2 of the ALDS against Cleveland a swarm of migets hit Chamberlain in the bottom of the 8th inning with the Yanks ahead 2-1. Because of the unsuspecting attack, Joba's control and demeanor were off and the Yanks lost the game and the series to Cleveland.

There has been much debate as to wheter Joba should be a starter or reliever. He's had the Joba Rules put in place, he's been labeled as the future ace of the Yankees, and heir apparent to Mariano Rivera as the closer. That's alot to handle for a 24 year old to handle, but Joba does what is asked of him. Personally, I like him in the bullpen as the set-up man for Mariano Rivera. His stuff is electric out of the 'pen and he brings a closer mentality to the mound. As a starter, he has shown he can be really good, but too often enough he's shown he's average.

In 2009, Joba was a starter but spent the playoffs in the bullpen where he got keys out. Thus, the Yanks won the World Series. That's all that matters in the Bronx. In 2010, Joba is the 8th inning guy and I look for him to excel in that role. What his role past this season remains to be seen and debated but again, I see him best suited for the late innings. Just go in there and blow away kid and that's all anyone will talk about! Of course help the bridge to Mariano be safer and let Mo close it out and we all go home happy....hopefully on to a 28th World Title!
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Cano, Hughes Stay Hot Against O's

Robinson Cano is hot! He's batting .360 and leads the Yankees in home runs and RBI. There's talk about him being the AL MVP! I have to agree, he's been that good this season.

Cano did it again Wednesday night as the Yanks beat the Orioles 9-1 at the Stadium. The Yanks are 18-3 against the Birds in their last 21 games. Cano had 3 hits, one was a long home run into the right centerfield bleachers, into the 2nd deck! Cano was the American League Player of the Week last week and he’s riding a 16-game hitting streak.

Phil Hughes is the other story. 7 innings, 7 strikeouts, and his 7 wins on the season now for Phil. He's been brillant for the Yanks as the no. 5 starter. He now is tied with Andy Pettitte for the team lead in wins.

The Yanks take the 1st 2 games against Baltimore, which is no surprise but what is how well Hughes and Cano have played this year. Not that we all didn't know the potential of both men but how quick they've turned into All-Stars. Hughes and Cano should make it to the Mid-Summer Classic next month but only time will tell. It's a joy to see Robbie hit. It seems as if every night he's getting 3 hits. As for Phil, well what can you say? He's been awesome. He's dominant, he's aggressive, he's got skills! Finally, he is the top tier starter the Yankees projected him out to be. Can't wait for his next outing.

C800 Asks You: What do you think of Cano and Hughes' performances up to this point in the season? Are they All-Star locks? Share your thoughts in The Forum!
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