The Bronx Daily

Babe Ruth vs. Ty Cobb, who is better?

Here in Michigan if you ask who the greatest baseball player ever was they immediately say Ty Cobb.  Yeah, he hit a phenomenal .367 (.366 is the actual number according to new research) lifetime, stole 892 bases and was hated by everyone including his mother who by the way shot his father to death, but I digress.  Really?  He was a great player.. but the greatest?  Perhaps in the teens, but forever?  I am not so sure about that.  Perhaps the following will lay this dispute to rest.

Comparing Ruth and Cobb can be difficult for Cobb played most of his career with a dead ball, while Ruth pitched most of his dead ball years.  Cobb was getting past his prime in the live ball era while Ruth was hitting his.  There are statistics that now are claimed to overcome these differences, those being OPS and OPS+. That is of course disputed also. WE will get to those stats in a bit, but how else do we compare?  After all Ruth only had one full season in the dead ball era as a full-time hitter. 

If we just use the live ball era Cobb was 33 and over in age during that time.  Doesn't seem fair to compare the two here either since Ruth was only 25 and up during this era.  So, lets do this, compare lifetime stats and those stats divided up so we get a average season of 162 games.  Then we can comment on this as we progress.  162 game averages will be in (parentheses) below.  As we go through these numbers do remember this fact, Cobb played for 24 seasons, 18 of which he played 100 games or more.  Ruth played for 22 seasons, 15 of which he played in 100 games or more. 

Hits, Cobb wins this one with 4189 (224!) to Ruth's 2873 (186).  Runs scored has Cobb with 2246 (120) to Ruth's 2174 (141) which while Cobb because of longevity has the higher total Ruth actually wins because he was more productive in a 162 game average.  Hitting Doubles has Cobb at 724 (39) to Ruth's 506 (33) giving Cobb a 2-1 lead.  Legging it out for Triples has Cobb at 295 (16) with Ruth at 136 (9) putting Cobb up 3-1. 

Home Runs is no contest at all for not only did Ruth hits tons more, but he also hit 29 in his only full season in the dead ball era while Cobb could only muster 9 during the dead ball era and 12 in the live ball era.  Home Runs hit by Cobb were 117 (6) to Ruth's 714 (46!) making it Cobb 3, Ruth 2. 

RBIs has Cobb at 1937 (103) to Ruth's 2217 (143) making it 3-3.  Stolen Bases are next and we all know Cobb was a great base stealer with those razor sharp spikes slashing as he slid into the base.  One of the smartest base runners ever Cobb had 892 (48!) stolen bases to Ruth's 123 (8).  Cobb up 4-3.

Batting Average of course goes to Cobb who hit a phenomenal .366 to Ruth's fantastic .343.  Cobb up 5-3.  Next comes OBP which in my opinion shows more accurately how well a batter does at getting on base. Ruth walked more than Cobb but I don't include that stat since Walks are not controlled by a hitter, or are they?  But in OBP Cobb had .433 to Ruth's .474.  Cobb 5, Ruth 4.  SLG is a big number also and while Cobb had a .512 Ruth had a .690!  Tied up at 5.

Now we move on to the stats that will make or break this.  OPS when used usually has the best players over .900 and those who score around 1.000 usually, but not always lead their league.  OPS for Cobb is a .945 putting him in the best players category.  Ruth however has a OPS of 1.164 which by the way is the highest for any player lifetime ever.  Ruth 6-5. 

OPS+ now takes in adjustments for the park and the league.  This I feel is a much truer comparison and a score of 100 is considered average and 150 or more is considered to be great.  So how do these two fare here?  Cobb comes in at 168 which is excellent.  Ruth however blows by Cobb with a 207 the highest again ever recorded lifetime.  Ruth goes up 7-5. 

What does this all tell us?  First that Cobb was better at getting on base by hitting the ball and was a better base runner. It also tells us Cobb didn't hit with as much power and didn't hit the ball as far.  Cobb made things happen on the base paths. 

However it does tell us this also. Ruth got on base more often percentage wise (look at OBP) and was a much more productive hitter, look at RBIs, SLG, OPS, OPS+ and Runs.  He not only hit the ball further, when he did he had more of a impact with his bat. While Cobb was exciting and one heck of a hitter, he hit to get on and then made things happen on the base paths.  Ruth made things happen with his bat and didn't worry about making his impact in running the bases, he just drove the runs in and scored himself.

So, Ruth won the stats score.  But, who is the greatest?  Well, if your looking for a great lead-off hitter Cobb is your guy. He would make things happen.  If your looking for a guy to make it happen when he comes to the plate, a guy who will win it in one swing of the bat, a guy who will get the most production out of at-bat offensive wise, Ruth is your guy!  Who would you choose?  I choose Ruth!

 

Who was the greatest? Ruth or Gehrig?

Most people consider the greatest hitter of all-time to be Babe Ruth.  However, some at the time argued that Gehrig was the superior bat of the two.  So, why not compare I thought. Which player will come out on top when all of the stats are compared?  We shall see!

To compare I will take three different levels of statistics.  One is lifetime totals, one is the average season numbers for a 162 game season and the other the team records they hold with the bat.  Hopefully we can draw some conclusions by using these numbers.

Here are the lifetime totals for Ruth and Gehrig, now remember these numbers are skewed a bit for Ruth played 22 seasons and Gehrig 17. However, Ruth spent  his first 5 years as a pitcher so perhaps it evens out?  In (Parentheses) below will be the 162 game season average to give us a season comparison.

Ruth had 2174 Runs lifetime (141)  compared to Gehrig's 1888 (141).  While Ruth has a higher lifetime total if you divide their totals by 162 game season their averages are a tie!  Gehrig scored as often as Ruth!   Next is hits, Ruth 2873 (186), Gehrig 2721 (204). While Ruth has more lifetime hits the average is a clear win for Gehrig!  Doubles has Ruth at 506 (33), Gehrig with 534 (40) giving Gehrig another win!  Triples have Ruth at 136 (9) and Gehrig 163 (12) for another Gehrig win!  Surprised? I know I am.

  Now we come to Home Runs with Ruth at 714 (46!) and Gehrig 493 (37) for a clear cut win for the Babe.  With RBIs Ruth has 2217 (143!) to Gehrig's 1995 (149!!) giving Ruth the higher lifetime totals but Gehrig the better 162 game average!  Perhaps those claiming Gehrig was a better hitter had it right?  Well, lets continue. 

With Stolen Bases Ruth had 123 (8) compared to Gehrig's  102 (8) for a 162 game average tie and a Ruth higher lifetime total.  Next is Batting Average with Ruth hitting .342 lifetime, Gehrig .340 for a edge by the Babe.  Slugging pct. has Ruth with a lifetime average of .690 to Lou's .632. 

OPS has Ruth at a 1.164 compared to Gehrig's  1.080 for a Ruth victory in this category.  OPS+ has Ruth at 207 to Gehrig's 179 for another Ruth win.  In Total Bases Ruth had 5793 (375) to Gehrig's  5060 (379) for a Ruth lifetime win but a Gehrig better 162 game average. 

So where does this leave us?  Well if you take the 12 categories and just look at lifetime stats Ruth wins 10 of the 12 categories.  However, if you take the 12 categories for the best 162 game season averages it comes out with Ruth with 5 wins, Gehrig with 5 wins and 2 ties!!! 

So, they tie in statistics for a average season!  I know this came as a surprise to me.  But, what does it prove?  Well, if Gehrig had only played 10 years I would challenge his comparison to Ruth. However, he played 17 seasons.  So, that argument is out the window.  Here is what I found by the numbers.

First Ruth was a better Home Run hitter by far. That drove up his OPS and OPS+ numbers significantly and also his slugging pct. also. His batting average was .002 better than Gehrig's but does that prove he was the better hitter? 

The two were tied in the 162 game average in Runs and Stolen Bases.  So, both were prolific Runs scorers.   However, Gehrig had better 162 game averages with Hits, 2bs, 3bs, RbIs and Total Bases.  So, it would appear while Ruth was the better home run hitter, Gehrig was the better all around hitter.

But, lets throw this into the mix.  Ruth batter third in the lineup and Gehrig batted 4th.  Ruth cleared the bases many times leaving Gehrig less runners to drive in.  Or did he?  Ruth also walked a ton leaving him on base many times for Gehrig. He also walked a lot with runners already on. Did this make Gehrig a luckier hitter with all those base runners or a unluckier hitter with the lack of all those base runners.  My opinion is it evened out in the wash during their careers.

So, who is the greatest?  I think Ruth wins the Home Run title for sure.  However, I think Gehrig was the better all-around hitter.  I can hear the hollering now, but think about it.  Gehrig may not have had some of the unbelievable numbers in a season like Ruth, but then he didn't have some of the bad seasons either. He was remarkably steady in his production.  He was a equal to Ruth or better in all things except power!  I know one thing, having one of these guys on a team would be a big bonus for a team, but having these two on the same team hitting back-to-back would a dream for a team and a nightmare for any other team to pitch too.  Whoever you choose as the greatest please share your thoughts here. There is really no right or wrong answer, but it sure is interesting to contemplate isn;t it?

Ruth played 15 years for the Yankees and Gehrig 17.  Here are the comparisons on lifetime numbers as  members of the Yankees.  Does this change your opinion any on who is the greatest?
BA- Ruth .349, Gehrig .340.
Hits-Gehrig 2721, Ruth 2518.
HR-Ruth 659, Gehrig 493
RBI-Gehrig 1995, Ruth 1971
2B-Gehrig 534, Ruth 424
3B-Gehrig 163, Ruth 106
Runs-Ruth 1959, Gehrig 1888
SLG-Ruth .711, Gehrig .632
OBP-Ruth .484, Gehrig .447
OPS-Ruth 1.195, Gehrig 1.080

Ruth has 6 of the 10 Yankees categories.....
So, who do you choose as the Greatest?  Ruth or Gehrig?  Let us know.  Ruth's top seasons were phenomenal! Gehrig was more steady. Both were great.  But, which one was the greatest?

Thanks for reading and I hope you found this interesting and thought provoking.

Babe Ruth the Greatest or....

Lou Gehrig?

Let us know!

The Babe Ruth Era, part 2

The 1921 season dawned with the Yankee faithful's hopes high for their first pennant. Manager Miller Huggins had the team to do it with too and they didn't disappoint taking their first pennant with a 98-55 .641 +4.5 record.  The Yankees as a team led the AL with 948 Runs, 134 HR, 861 RBI, .464 SA and a .300 BA. 

It was a dynamo year for the Babe as he led the AL with 177 Runs, 59 HR, 171 RBI and a .846 SA.  He also led the Yankees with 204 hits, 44 2B, 16 3B and tied with 2 others with 17 SB.  Bob Meusel and Wally Pipp were those two who also stole 17 bases.  Bob Meusel also had 16 3B to tie Babe for the lead of the team.

But, the Bombers weren't just a hitting team.  Their pitching was very good with the staff leading the AL in CG with 92, a 3.79 ERA and 481 Ks.  Leading the Yankee staff was Carl Mays who was 27-9 3.04 on the year. His 27 wins led the AL as well as his 49 G and his 337 IP.  Mays led the Yankees with 38 GS, 30 CG and a 3.04 ERA. Bob Shawkey led the team with 126 Ks.

1921 also saw the New York Giants take the NL pennant with their manager John McGraw making them the complete opposite of the Yankees They played inside baseball and scraped and clawed for each run.  The biggest irony of all is that the Yankees played at the Polo Grounds, the park owned by the Giants.  So, the Subway Series was played not only in NYC but in the same ballpark.

The 1921 Series was a best of nine affair and when the dust had settled the Giants had taken the Series 5 games to 3 to become World Champions.  The Babe only played in 6 games as he hurt his arm. He did hit .313 scoring 3 runs, hitting 1 homer and driving in 4.  Not a bad Series for the Babe.  However, the Yankees fell short of their goal of winning it all this season.  However, the Yankee faithful were looking forward to 1922 for this team they knew would be back.  Thank you for reading and please check back for part 3 soon.

The Babe Ruth Era, part 1

As we settle into the euphoric post-season as Yankee fans we spend the off-season reliving the past season and sometimes the more distant glorious past of the Yanks.  I thought we would begin the off-season going over the Babe Ruth Era of the New York Yankees....

1920 dawned with the Baseball world moving into a world of turmoil.  The  powerhouse White Sox had just lost the Series to the huge underdog Cincinnati Reds and in a few short month it would be learned the Series was fixed.  A baseball Commissioner was elected who would rule baseball with an iron fist till the 1940's and the Boston Red Sox traded a great pitching-great hitting outfielder named George Herman Ruth to the New York Yankees.  Each of these items would change the face of baseball forever.

The Yankees were coming off a third place 80-59 .576 -8.5 finish.   So, hopes were high in NY for the 1920 season.  It turned out to be one heck of a season with the Yankees pounding the American League with a 95-59 . 617 -3 in 3rd place behind the Indians and White Sox.  Babe shattered the then HR single season record with 54 shots and also led the AL with 137 RBIs, 160 BB, 847 SLG  and 158 Runs.  He led the Bombers with 14 SB and a .376 BA.  Other batters who led the team were Pipp with 610 AB, Del Pratt with 180 hits and 37 doubles and Ping Bodie with 26 3bs. 

The pitching staff was led by Carl Mays with 26 wins, 45 games, 37 GS, 26 CG and 312 IP.  Bob Shawkey led the team with 126 Ks and a 2.48 ERA.

All in all it was a great season for the Yankees and while the 3rd place finish was disappointing little did the Yankee fans know that some of the greatest years were to begin in just another year.  Come back for part 2 very soon in this series...

 

WORLD CHAMPION NEW YORK YANKEES

The Tradition Continues At The New Yankee Stadium

Congratulations to the World Series MVP Hideki Matsui.

The season began with the new Yankee Stadium being opened and ended with its first Championship being brought home there.  What a ending to one heck of a season.  After a slow start the Yankees eventually caught fire and roared to a Eastern Division Title and then a Pennant.  Then, tonight on the great arm of Andy Pettite and the big bat of Hideki Matsui the Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 to take the Series 4 games to 2 and win their 27th World Championship!

This night was especially sweet to me for I have been a huge Matsui fan since he came to the Yankees and seeing him crush the ball was a fantastic thing to see.  Hats off to Johnny Damon who had a heck of a Series and had to leave tonight's game with a injury.  A big cheer for Mariano who once again came in and got the job done.  A big thumbs up for Joe Girardi, who despite his driving me crazy all season with his moves, really made me cheer this series for I thought he was brilliant!  Just keep it up Joe.

Seeing Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada celebrating brought back flashes of the Championships past. 1996 was special for it was the year my son was born and it made the third generation of sons in our family born in a year the Yanks won the Series. 1998 was special for that was one of the best, if not the best team in baseball history.  This one is special for its the first one in the New York Stadium. 

I have had people ask me if it ever gets old seeing the Yankees win the Series.  No, it doesn't.  I get just as excited as the end nears and the last outs are slowly.. and I mean slowly made.  I still hold my breath on each of the last few pitches.  I still cheer like crazy when they win it all... I always will for it is a special moment.  It is a moment that always brings back my first baseball memory.... a memory of seeing a old Mickey Mantle for a brief shining moment looking young again as he slammed a pitch into the upper deck.  I always cheer then pause and remember him and all the others who have worn the pinstripes.  After all, that is why they are the New York Yankees.

Before I end I take my hat off to the Philadelphia Phillies.  They are one classy, great team. They were great champions and they still are great NL Champions.  There will be those out there who will berate them for losing, others who will say how they are no good for they didn't win it all. I hear it every year about the teams that lose the big game.  However, I don't feel that way.  The Phillies are a great team and one I expect to see back in the Series this next year.  They have nothing to feel bad about for they made it to the World Series.  God Bless the Philadelphia Phillies and be proud of them Phillies phans, for they are a great team!

Well, I have a bottle of 50 year old scotch that I take a shot out of for big events to celebrate. It hasn't been drank out of in several years now.  Tonight it will be.... big smile. 
Thank you for reading and all I have to say now is...

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW YORK YANKEES, WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!

Matsui!!!!

At the time of this writing Hideki Matsui has driven in 6 of the 7 runs the Yankees have so far.  A two run homer in the 2nd, a 2 run single in the 3rd and a 2 run double in the 5th has been his production tonight. 
He is, at this moment hitting .667 with 3 homers and 8 RBIs .  A monster series for Godzilla and if the Yankees win the Series tonight we at THE BRONX DAILY believe Hideki Matsui should be the World Series MVP.  If they don't win tonight we want to honor him for his great effort tonight!

The score is 7-3 in the 6th.  Lets see what happens... GO YANKEES!!!!

picture by Keith Allison

The Yankees

As you know the Bombers are in their 40th World Series appearance and need only one more win to make it 27 World Championships.  Having made the playoffs 14 of the past 15 years and in their 4th World Series this decade and their 7th since 1996 the Yanks are continuing to roll along in the Success Express.

Of course the Yankee haters are out in droves now.  Its sort of amusing to Yankee fans to watch these hippocrits scream about the Yankees and how much they hate them for... well for winning!  Imagine that.  Hating a team for doing what a team is supposed to do... win!  Of course we know its much more than that.  Its because their team isn't winning that they cry and whine.  For years I heard from various fans about how the Yanks were buying it all.. that is until their team started buying up free agents then amazingly it was okay to do so. 

Then we heard about how the Steinbrenners were idiots and ruining baseball by spending tons of money and firing managers and getting on their players when they didn't perform.  Hmmm.... seems like if ya spend money you should have a say in what goes on with your team.  If you pay a guy to lead your team and he isn't getting the job done you spend your money on someone else.  This of course was all horrendous to baseball "purists."  Again, that is till their teams started doing the same.

So, we hear we need a salary cap in baseball.  But, here's a fact for ya. In the last 20 years more different baseball teams have won the Series than different football teams have won the Super Bowl.  Hmmm.. that doesn't work so well either does it?  So, then they come up with baseball welfare.  Thats where you tax the snot out of teams who spend money to win (the name of the game in sports the last I looked) and give it to the "smaller market" (read cheapskate owners instead) like the piece of garbage Pittsburgh Pirates who have gotten tens of millions of dollars and have had a losing season for each of the eighteen years.  Of course, this year they had a chance to get there, but traded their young talent away to rebuild for the future.  What a laugh.  They don't have to put a winning product on the field for they get baseball welfare money to support them, get nice talent in the drafts they can sell for cash or trade for even cheaper labor.  Yeah, that worked really well also.  How about letting the market decide if a team succeeds or fails.  Can't make it in Pittsburgh with the garbage you put on the field, move the team to another city and find a decent owner who will spend the money on it.

All of the reasons above of course fans will use to hate the Yankees and root against them in the Series this year.  Of course, we won't mention the team they are facing is pretty much built in a similar fashion.  But, I ain't complaining for I admire how the Phillies went for it and spent to get to the Championship, just like the Angels and Red Sox did.  They didn't sit around and cry.. boo hoo... they went out and did the best they could do to get talent to their clubs so they could take on the Yankees.

You see, these clubs figured out what the Yankees figured out years ago.  If you win ppl will come to see your team whether they love you or hate you.  Lots of these whiny fans who hate the Yankees so bad should be grateful for the Yankees since their team's biggest gate receipts come when the Yanks come to town.

As for those "purists" out there whining about the Yankees here is some baseball history for ya.  The best team in baseball before MLB was the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1869.  Seems they spent money to get the best players.  Then, in 1871 when the National Association was formed a team called the Boston  Red Stockings who won all four NA pennants.  Get this, they bought up most of the Cincinnati players to win!  In 1876 the NL was formed and the Chicago White Stockings (today's Cubs) bought up most of the Boston players to win in the early years of the NL.  Guess what the Yankees are doing is pretty much the "purist" way to go history wise isn't it?

But, I am sure none of this phases the Yankee haters.  They just hate the Yankees because they win and their team doesn't.  Thats fine, but don't buy any of their other bullcrap excuses for hating the Yankees for they are false.  They hate the Yankees because they win and their team doesn't. They hate the Yankees for they do what a baseball team should do... WIN!  Thats the bottom line and in the end the joke is on them for their hatred brings as much money to the Yankees as those who love them does.  It is in fact the genius of the Yankee Dynasty that they figured out that if people love you or hate you they will tune in, turn out and spend money on I love Yankee or I hate Yankee team items that keep the money rolling in.  So, go ahead, keep hating the Yankees for winning for those like me, who love the Yankees laugh as we know it feeds the success express.

Whether the Yankees win or lose the Series the team will reap huge financial rewards.  Those rewards will go for even better players and bring more success.  So, a huge thank you for those loyal Yankee fans who support this team and an even bigger thank you to all you whiny Yankee haters who spend your money in various ways to express your hatred and still feed the bank account of the team you hate and we love.

GO YANKEES!!!!!

Yanks coming home to finish Series

As I figured the Phillies came out shooting last night and won game five by the score of 8-6 to make it 3-2 Yankees edge in the Series. Now the Yankees, who had MLB's best record at home get to try to win 1 out of the next 2 games to wrap up their 27th World Championship. 

With the Yankees putting up 21 runs in the last 3 games they have found their lumber again.  With the Yankees coming home to where they have the best record in baseball they are looking to play just .500 in the next two games. Looking good so far.

I see the media playing up the short rest of the Yanks rotation.  Really?  I remember when this amount of days of rest was the norm.  Also with one of the best bullpens in baseball I don;t think its a big problem.

Tomorrow the old workhorse Pettitte takes the mound.  All year Andy had continued to find some gas left in the tank and he looks like he is on a mission this year as he defies those who claimed he was washed up (I was one of these ppl) and defies the Steinbrenners who acted like he was done.  Andy will be inspired to throw well tomorrow night to prove the world wrong.

The Yankees will be home, hungry for the Championship and going after Pedro "Who's your Daddy" Martinez.  The Phillies are tough and they will give it all they have tomorrow night, but the Yankees will be home, their bats hot and their bullpen ready to go.  The chances for the Yankees are good to win it all and it could very well be tomorrow night.  If not, CC takes the ball in game 7 and this is one guy who can throw on what many are calling "short rest." 

So, things are looking great for the Yankees coming home for game 6 of the Series.  Tune in tomorrow night at 7:57pm ET to see what happens! 

Go Yankees!!!

Wow!

Now that was one hard fought game last night.  CC did a great job on 3 days rest, Johnny Damon came through big time, Mariano came out blazing and the best thing of all was Girardi made all the right moves.  Fantastic!  Best part of all was the Yankees won 7-4 to take a 3-1 lead in this Series.

Last night is what I have been wanting to see in this Series.  A hard fought, close battle that was full of great plays and excitement!  The Yankees are gaining momentum now and looking like a true World's Championship team.  However, now is not the time for celebrating.

Tonight Lee takes the mound for the Phillies and the Bombers will have their hands full!  If he is like he was in game one this will be one heck of a battle tonight.  Burnett has every reason to be pumped up to go out and pitch the best game of his life and I believe he will.  But, the Phillies are one great team so don't expect them to go down without a battle royal.  What we have out there on the field are two best teams in baseball and they both have what it takes to win it all.  One wants the Crown and the other has their backs against the wall and want to defend their crown.

However, the Yankees have a 3-1 lead now.  The big question is do the Yankees have the killer instinct to put the Phillies away tonight?  I believe they do but the Phillies are not defending World's Champions by being rollovers.  The Phillies will come out fighting tonight and this is going to be one heck of a hard fought game.  The question is whether the Yankees will come out with the killer instinct and put the Phillies away. This may be the biggest test for Girardi yet. 

The bright side of all this is if the Yankees don't win tonight they have two more games, both at Yankee Stadium and they get to throw CC if a game 7 comes.  I am not celebrating yet.  I will when that last out is made. I believe the Yankees will win this Series and  I will be really impressed if they do so tonight against a team that has only one weakness, the bullpen. So, go get em Yanks!  Put this thing away and win it all...TONIGHT!

Go Yankees!!!!

Yanks finally find bats and take....

a 2 games to 1 lead in the Series after beating the Phillies 8-5 last night. The big bats erupted after a controversial home run call that gave A-Rod and the Yankees a home run. It opened up the flood gates finally and the Yankees took the first game in Philadelphia.

Matsui and Swisher both hit shots last night also as the big lumber of the Bombers opened up and came to life for the first time this series.  Even Pettitte got in on the act hitting a single and later scoring with Jeter almost running him over on the way to home. 

Speaking of Pettitte he now has 17 post-season wins, the most in MLB history.  I was personally really pleased to see Andy get in on the hitting action.  I wrote him off after last season and I am really glad he proved me and many others wrong. WAY TO GO ANDY!!!  Gotta love it when a player like Andy finds a bit more gas in the tank after we all thought it was empty.

So, the Yankees go into tonight with CC on the mound with short rest going against Blanton.  Girardi is going for the jugular tonight and I love it.  If CC pitches like he did in game one the Yanks could be up 3-1 after tonight and one win away from their 27th World Championship.   The lineup will be the same as last night's.  This is a move I find interesting. Girardi has the wheels moving going into tonight's game.  Will these be the right moves?  I believe so.  For once I am thrilled by what I see with Girardi!  This is what I've been waiting to see from him.  Could this be the night he finally becomes the manager I have hoped and prayed for him to be?  Tune in tonight and see!!!

GO YANKEES!!!