WHY GOD IS SMILING ON YANKEELAND

I feel like I'm getting Punk'd. I feel like I'm being watched, and I keep containing myself, not to get too giddy, like someone's about to jump out from behind a door in my house and point their finger at me and laugh hysterically. Then Ashton Kutcher will come out and tell me it's all a joke, that the Red Sox really aren't this bad. But the reality is... they are. Couple that with the Yankees just looking so good right now and it's the perfect recipe for Yankeeland.
David Ortiz said it best a few weeks ago and believe me, all of Red Sox Nation heard him and groaned. "Hell yeah, you've got to panic." To me, that's giving up. You never show your hand and never show doubt in your club publicly. That statement did both. Remember when I wrote WHY RUSSELL MARTIN HAS BALLS? That statement by Ortiz demonstrates no balls.
Today was a beautiful day in the Bronx. Seeing the number 61 on the field to honor Roger Maris, with no asterisk by the way, was awesome. I've always read about and appreciated Roger Maris for all he did in pinstripes and I'm so glad he's honored in the Bronx.

Let's start with AJ Burnett today. The guy looked good. They guy looked like he can handle another game and he looked like he's the "good" AJ right now. Although, I noticed a "look" while he was coming off the field today. It wasn't a look of a dominant pitcher. It was a look of a pitcher who was still uncertain with himself. A pitcher who clearly still has confidence issues. Look at it, tell me what you think:This was after the 4th inning.

2 stories today, the Yankees offense continues to be great and AJ Burnett. Burnett will give Girardi a headache I'm sure, now Joe must decide who follows Ivan Nova in the rotation; AJ Burnett, Freddy Garcia or Bartolo Colon.

Today Burnett went 7.2 innings, he allowed 5 hits and only 2 runs. He had 6 strikeouts and allowed 2 homers today. Ultimately, he did good. Enough to think maybe he'd be in the running for the 3rd man in the rotation in the ALDS. Personally though, if it came down to me deciding, I'm choosing Freddy Garcia because of his veteran grittiness and that Burnett picture doesn't excite me. That's my bottom line.Jorge Posada had his 14th homer today and 2 RBIs. I love Posada at DH from the left side and it's clear, Jesus Montero will be in against lefties, so that DH platoon seems to be working out nicely, wouldn't you say?

Derek Jeter was 3 for 4 today and is batting .300 Ladies and Gentlemen. I'm just saying. Oh Captain, my Captain...lead us.

One play stood out and spoke volumes today. There was nothing better than watching Carl Crawford miss a ball he should have caught off of Jeter's bat today. But this is what was really telling; As the ball bounced, he swatted at it and missed, and as the ball continued to the wall, he actually looked at his glove like someone put a hole in it. I'm not kidding. I had to take a picture of this play because it was laughable. This is a guy that has a monster contract and he can't do a thing right right now. So why is this play significant to me? Because Jeter came around to score on an Alex Rodriguez hit. Runs win ballgames.

David Robertson came in and closed out the game nicely. Houdini does it again. The future New York Yankees closer? I don't mean to sound like I'm pushing Mariano out, I'm not. I'm just saying, the future's exciting.

Final Score: Yankees 6 - Red Sox 2

Game 2 tonight, keep rolling Yankees!

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WE'RE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Hurricane Irene has hit and BYB Headquarters is temporarily closed. As part of our vow to you, we will get back to work as soon as we can, but of course, family comes first. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite posts on Bleeding Yankee Blue...enjoy:



EXCLUSIVE: WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT PHIL RIZZUTO



WHY MANTLE & MARIS ARE STILL INTRIGUING TODAY



WHAT CASHMAN WAS REALLY SAYING



WHY I SMELL A TREND



EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: KIMBERLY JONES



WHY GOD MADE YOGI A YANKEE



WHAT GARDNER TRUMPS CRAWFORD



WHY IT'S MONTERO'S TURN



WHY JETER IS EPIC FOR 1 GOOD REASON



QUEST FOR TURKEY LEGS!



2000's MOST EXCITING PLAYER: CANO OR SORIANO?



WHY IT'S JUST BASEBALL SUZYN



WHY THE 2011 AL MVP PLAYS IN THE BRONX



WHY G.G.S. IS A.O.K



EXCLUSIVE INTERVEW: HIGH SOCKS FOR HOPE



Back soon.



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WHY IT'S JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR IVAN NOVA

(Photo: Getty)

Ivan Nova needed only one run from his teammates today but to play it safe the offense went out and gave him 3. The "2011 AL Rookie-of-the-Year" was absolutely spectacular today as he pitched 7 innings of shut out ball to help the Yankees take 3-out-of-4 from the Minnesota Twins.



Bouncing back from that rough outing earlier this week in Kansas City, Nova made the pitches when he needed them the most and was in total control from the start. Even when the Yankees did their best imitation of the Bad News Bears in the field, Nova picked up his teammates and shut down any chance of the Twins scoring. Nova mixed up his pitches and had the Twin hitters off balance for most of the afternoon. His final line today was 7 IP's - 5 Hits - 0 ER - 5 K's - 1 BB. The best part? Nova earned his 13th win of 2011 and lowered his ERA to 3.96.



The Yankee's bullpen combination of David Robertson and Mariano Rivera has quickly become the most dominant 8-9 combo in MLB this year. DRob did what DRob does in the 8th. Despite giving up two infield singles, both of which could have been outs, and a walk to Jim Thome, "Houdini" closed the door on any hope the Twins had. And then it was Mo time in the 9th: 1-2-3 went the Twins and Mariano gets his 33rd save of the year.Ivan Nova continues to show amazing composure despite his age. I mentioned it a couple weeks ago in this piece, WHY IVAN NOVA IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED. This 2010/2011 Ivan Nova reminds me so much of the 1995/1996 Andy Pettitte. I remember when Pettitte became a full time starter for the Yankees. What stood out for me was the way he handled himself on the mound. It seemed no matter what the game situation was, Pettitte kept his composure and showed so much heart. When you turned on a Yankee game and Pettitte was on the mound, when you looked at him you couldn't tell if the Yankees were up 3-0 or down 7-0. Pettitte literally threw one pitch at a time. That is exactly what Ivan Nova is showing to me now. I believe we are truly watching a pitching phenom develop right before our eyes and it goes way back to how much we've supported Nova here at BYB. This piece, WHY HE'S SUPER NOVA is from March, but it just shows that there were early signs, this kid was bound to have a great year. So, enjoy it Yankee fans, I know I am!

For the first 6 innings today the Yankee bats were pretty much sleeping. They managed to manufacture a run in the 6th inning to break the scoreless game. Even though Nova and the bullpen only needed that one run today, the Bronx Bombers tacked on a couple more in the 7th inning with back-to-back, and a belly-to-belly home runs by the "2011 AL MVP" Curtis Granderson and his shadow, Mark Teixiera. (Photo: AP)

For Grandy it was home run #35 of the year and he is now tied with Jose Bautista of Toronto. And for Tex, it was his 34th HR of the season. Can anyone say Maris & Mantle, 1961? Here at BYB, we began seeing the Maris/Mantle & Granderson/Teixeira similarities early on. Check out

WHY ITS 1961 ALL OVER AGAIN and WHY MANTLE & MARIS ARE STILL INTRIGUING TODAY. Casey's been pounding that drum all year.

Other Game Highlights today:

• In addition to Granderson's inside the park homer, it gives him 98 RBIs on the year and Grandy also stole his 24th base of the year.

• Teixeira's solo blast gives him 95 RBI.

• David Robertson continues to dazzle, particularly against lefty hitters. Robertson pitched an inning striking out two more left handed hitters. Robertson has now faced 96 left handed hitters, striking out 47 of them! Can anyone say CY Young? I can... read WHY DAVID ROBERTSON IS CY YOUNG WORTHY.

• Cano hit his 33rd double of the season. Nice.
  
  

FINAL SCORE: New York Yankees 3 - Minnesota Twins 0.





--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer

Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com

Twitter: @MikeyBlu23





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WHY MANTLE & MARIS ARE STILL INTRIGUING TODAY

When I was a kid, my dad told me a story about the 1961 home run race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. When he told the story, it was the greatest event of his lifetime, and you could tell. His eyes would get big describing the tension and how Yankee fans took sides. many loved Mickey Mantle and wanted him to win it all because he was a fan favorite before Roger Maris ever put on pinstripes. Others, and there were far less, were rooting for the underdog, Roger Maris to win the crown. Ultimately though, there were many that just didn’t want the Babe to be knocked from the top. After all, 60 home runs in a single season was a huge accomplishment, but to have anyone else do it would almost be unheard of. After all, it was the Babe’s record and it wasn’t meant to be broken.

My dad was an usher at Yankee Stadium starting at 15 years old. He’d hop on a subway alone to get to work in the Bronx everyday for a few years. It was the way it was back then and for my dad, a Yankee fan, it was a dream come true.

The 60’s were an interesting time in the Bronx. The Yankees were still very good, but things went downhill after the 1964 season. He was there for a lot of it and learned from the best at the stadium, his peers, the other ushers. They were men much older than 15 and they’d been ushering since before he was born and probably saw the Babe Ruth play. They taught my dad the tricks of the trade. “Once you get the people to their seat. Stand there for a minute and shake your pocket so the change rattles around in there,” they’d tell him. “The people will HAVE to tip you then.” And they did. Before that tip, he wasn’t making any tips, after that, he was rich, a $10 week was huge.

Not to get off track, but to make my point, it was a simpler time back then, less to watch, less to do, which is why the Mantle and Maris home run race was so exciting in 1961. It was bigger than anything coming out of New York and it spread fast.

Once Mantle started to fall short and Maris started picking up steam, the whole Yankee Universe started to back their new hero collectively. Sure, there were many traditionalists that didn’t think Roger Maris had any business snagging the home run record from the greatest Yankee player of all time, Babe Ruth, but everything happens for a reason, and in that 1961 season, it was time for change.

The home run was deep to right field and Maris’s swing looked like slow motion, but it sailed into the stands and at that moment in 1961, so many emotions ran through people’s minds. Many were sad, but the majority of Yankee fans rejoiced. After all, once it was clear Roger Maris was the guy, you had to respect the feat. Besides, it was another Yankee breaking the record, not a Red Sock...not a Cub… it was Roger Maris, another New York Yankee, not only did the record stay in the family, but it put Roger Maris on the map. Once a quiet kid out of the Indians organization, this kid had a new home, the Bronx, with new fans, all of Yankeeland.

My dad talks about that moment fondly, because the whole summer made sense after that especially after winning the 1961 World Series as well. It’s the Yankee way. After that, there were so many other great moments that just made sense too after that, Bucky Dent’s home run, Aaron Boone, the Derek Jeter flip play,even Jim Abbott’s perfect game and Reggie Jackson cranking out 3 home runs in 1 game in 1977… all Yankee moments through baseball history, all that were supposed to happen to no other team but the a New York Yankees. That's why Derek Jeter finally recorded 3000 hits and that's why Mariano Rivera is now charging closer and closer to the all time Saves record of 601 currently held by Trevor Hoffman. Not because he's Mariano Rivera, but because he is the Great Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees. All of these moments are truly beautiful. It’s tradition that runs so deep, it’s tremendous. And not only that… it’s our Yankees destiny.

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WHAT I'D DO WITH THE JETER BALL... I THINK

(Photo: New York Times)
2 of my friends asked me what I’d do with the Jeter baseball if I caught it. I looked at them and said I’d return it. Immediately, I was attacked with their own valid points, but the big point was money. For those few moments, I felt like an idiot. The more I thought about it, there would be nothing better than to make a few extra bucks for my kids college or hell, a really nice vacation. So, needless to say, I was confused. But then I thought about it more and I stuck with my gut; If I actually had the ball in my hands, it would be about the game, not greed.

I'm a baseball fanatic and you’ve heard me say that dozens of times on BYB. I love Cooperstown, the different ballparks, the players and the history. I love everything about it. Over the many years that I've been a fan, there is always something that has tarnished or stopped the game for fans for a short amount of time. Fans eventually come back, but then history repeats itself and it happens again.

For me, it all started with the loss of Thurman Munson. His death was a shot in the heart of every baseball fan. Baseball stopped. Then, we all came together on the Nationally televised "Munson game" when Bobby Murcer won the game for Thurman and his family by hitting a home run.

In the 80's, I watched Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader beat Ty Cobb to become number 1. Then suddenly, we watched Rose be banned from the game for life because he bet on his own team. Baseball finally got back to normal and then came the 1994 baseball strike. All the fans walked away from the game this time and it took a while to get the fans back, but we came back only to be disappointed by the steroids scandal. Luckily, the true baseball fans stick around through the tragedies of the game, but that brings me back to today.

My knee jerk reaction would be to give Derek Jeter’s 3000^th hit ball back to Derek Jeter asking for nothing in return. I’d like to think I’d do that, only to be celebrated with gifts from the New York Yankees, Jeter himself, Steiner sports, thanks from the fans, hell, maybe the Mayor would give me the key to the city. Then, at least at that point I’d have my own piece of history in Yankeeland and my name would be Gold in the Bronx. Hell, with whatever memorabilia I received, I could probably make a profit on ebay any way, or just keep it for myself or for my sons. Believe me, I'd be OK.

Then again I thought to myself , "If I really had the ball, would I be that kind? Would greed take over? Would I negotiate a ridiculous price and act like a total prick only to be hated by fans and Major League baseball alike?" Think about it, I would in fact have the control. I could ask for a high price because I would be the only one with the ball. I could ask for enough money to put my kids through school or buy front row seats at the stadium for quite a while. But I would also be criticized, abused and probably be branded an A-hole by the game I love the most.

When push comes to shove, I believe in karma and I believe in Yankee history. Not that I would expect good things to follow, but I would hope that doing the right thing, returning the ball as to not tarnish baseball history, would eventually get me something in return, Thanks. Thanks from the fans for not blowing it like Pete Rose did or the Steroid offenders did, but rather keep the game entact and at the same time having my moment. I think that’s what I’d do, because I love the game, plain and simple.

Back in 1961 Roger Maris didn’t want his ball back from the guy who caught his 61^st home run. Instead, Maris told Sal Durante to try to get some money for it. Now, Jeter could have done that I guess, but he didn’t. You can’t blame Jeter or call him selfish though. You have to understand something; Roger Maris probably didn’t want that 1961 baseball. While it was a huge accomplishment, he was stressed to the max that year; his hair fell out, he was abused by the fans because they didn't want Babe Ruth's record broken. Even looking at that ball would probably have brought back memories of a grouling season. Derek Jeter accomplished something in Yankee history that no Yankee ever did ever, but it’s a different ball with different memories attached to it. To Derek, it's a career, not a stressful season. Put yourself in Jeet’s shoes, you’d want it too. Jeter did the right thing, he gave Christian Lopez memorabilia, jerseys, a photo op, a handshake and thanks. Plus, you have to realize in this day and age, baseball is a bigger business than ever. Every pebble of dirt, base, bat and God knows what else is about to be sliced up and sold as the "Official game" materials that were at the 3000^th hit game. This isn’t 1961, this is big business.

To me, at the end of the day, I think that baseball goes on Jeter’s shelf for a bit, then to Cooperstown and is displayed for the world to see whenever they want to see it and to me, if I was the one who caught it, I’d be thrilled by that. I could go up to Cooperstown, probably with a free pass, walk up to the display and look at the exhibit. In it would be a set of Jeter’s cleats, maybe his jersey, the baseball and a description that reads, "This ball was caught by Casey of BYB. He caught it and gave it back to Derek Jeter... not for greed, but to preserve the game of baseball.”

That’s how I see it anyway.

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WHY JETER GETS CLOSER, BUT YANKEES LOSE

(Photo: NY Times)
The Yankees just had nothing in the tank tonight until the 9th and by then, it was too late. The Indians pitching was brilliant and the Yankees were flat. Is this any way to treat the Captain as he is about to embark on 3000 hits? Hmm. That's me dripping with sarcasm.

Look bottom line, the Yankees didn't have anything tonight based on great pitching by Cleveland and that's that. Turn the page. You can harp on this game all you want, but you shouldn't because it's over.(Photo: Reuters)
Tonight was Phil Hughes big night. To tell you the truth, if Justin Masterson wasn't pitching, Hughes may have gotten his first win of the year. The trouble was the Yankees just couldn't get it together, Masterson was lights out. Hughes had a tough first inning but it changed. He pitched 5 innings, held the Indians to 2 runs on 5 hits and walked 2. His fastball was between 92 and 93 MPH. He settled down and his velocity was up, that's what was important.(Photo: US Presswire)
The Captain is now 3 hits away from 3000. His hit tonight, a double, was a beautiful shot to right field and the world is watching Derek, so Derek, do your thing. I feel just as nervous as Derek must feel right now. Mikey Blue and I collected his rookie cards before Jeter ever stepped foot in Yankee Stadium back in 1992 and 1993. I have watched him his entire career, I love the guy and I love his leadership. Believe me, I watch him every at bat and while he looks cool as a cucumber, his nerves are going crazy, believe me. Now I understand why Roger Maris said he was losing hair during his run for 61. It must be nuts.

And can I ask you a question? Why is Sergio Mitre pitching in any game for the Yankees? Why? Sergio Mitre is probably a great teammate and a real nice guy. But I think he's done. Girardi's man crush for Sergio Mitre is at this point about to break worldwide on TMZ. It's ridiculous, he doesn't belong in a game for the Yankees. The Yankees are a team made up of contenders, not mop up guys. Never pitch this guy Joe, ever. Hell, I'd rather pickup Chad Gaudin again... seriously, I would.

Final Score tonight: Indians 5 - Yankees 3. It's Rays time tomorrow, get ready New York.

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WHY WE'RE HURTING BUT HITTING

You can sit there and tell me that there is no home run chase going on in the Bronx this year, and I'll tell you you're full of crap. Do you realize that Curtis Granderson has 21 home runs and now so does Mark Teixeira? This may be the most excited I've been about baseball all year. I'm not kidding.(Photo: AP)
In my lifetime, I saw players use some type of drug enhancements to hit enough home runs to beat Roger Maris's 61 home runs in a single season. Both Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa did it in 1998 and then a few years later, Barry Bonds did it. But to me, those guys don't count. Like I've said before, my kids are getting older and they're asking questions. To me, I don't accept cheating in baseball, so when they ask me who the single season home run champ is, it's clear... it's Roger Maris and it always will be Roger Maris. Sorry, but this is Casey's House of Baseball, and that's the way it should be. That being said, I don't suspect wrongdoing with Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson, especially with the new drug testing we do in the MLB, so if a New York Yankee were to break that record clean, while I would be sad for Roger, it would be exciting for the Yankees and Casey's House of Baseball. Plus, I can teach the right way to play the game to my kids.

Tex tonight had 4 RBI's and scored 3 runs. He is on fire and you've got to love it. He's hot as hell.
(Photo: Getty)
But what else happened tonight you ask? Well, don't look now but Ivan Nova is 6-4. Nice record for a guy that we weren't sure about. Tonight he pitched 5.2 innings, gave up 7 hits and 4 runs. I'll take that from Ivan and run with it.There were home runs galore tonight. Robinson Cano cranked out a 3 run shot which was beautiful, plus, a couple home runs tonight for Eduardo Nunez and Ramiro Pena. Look, Pena is the kind of guy that just fills in when needed. He never seems to ever complain about anything, he's just happy to be there. So I'm happy for him.

Nunez on the other hand is on a mission and I love what he's doing right now at the plate. A solo homer tonight and 2 stolen bases. He ended up being 2 for 4. I like that. Hopefully it will translate on the field and his fielding will improve. Also, and not to get off track but just to make a point; Nunez is just so damn likeable. In his post game with Kim Jones, he's just smiling ear to ear. You've got to love that. Good for him.

Streaks are good and the Yankees are on a winning streak right now that makes them look like Champions, champions with injuries by the way. You guys realize that we are done some very important stars right? Derek Jeter, Bartolo Colon, Rafael Soriano, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Russell Martin. These are players that contribute every time they are on the field, yet, we are still producing and digging deep every time for the win without them. You have to respect it and you have to love what we're doing right now. Let's hope it keeps up. Ladies and Gentlemen, something is in the air. Can you smell it? I smell October.

Final Score tonight: Yankees 12 - Rangers 4. God Bless America, the Yankees are rolling.

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WHY IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE BRONX

Just a workman-like effort by our boys today. Awesome starting pitching by Bartolo Colon before he got hurt (I'll discuss that in just a bit), big home runs from A-Rod, Grandy, and Tex, and the tag team of David Robertson and Bonne Logan out of the bullpen combined to shutout the Cleveland Indians.

Once again we had another pitcher beam one of our guys. This is the 6th Yankee to get hit in this home stand. Listening to the post game show on YES you can kind of pick up that most of the players and Girardi thought it was intentional. As Joe said he thought it was "a little fishy". And clearly the home plate umpire did as well because he immediately ejected Indians starter Mitch Talbot. I also believe it was intentional. Just to coincidental when the Yankees take a pitcher deep and the next guy, in this case A-Rod, gets plunked. I think the umpire made the right call. It has to stop. For me, my anger usually subsides when the Yankees go out and take it to the other guys, like they did today. Just a nice win, a business-as-usual like win for the Bronx Bombers today and lets hope we make it three in a row tomorrow afternoon.



Final score today: Yankees 4 - Indians 0



Some other game notes:

• So Colon pulled up lame after covering first in the 7th. Not a good sign that he was pulled and is on his way to hospital for an MRI. Too early to tell how severe the injury is but lets hope the magic in Colon's bottle hasn't run out!
• A-Rod is just on fire. Hitting some serious "A-bombs". He's locked in and we are loving it!
  
  

• Robertson continues his Houdini act. Comes in unexpectedly to relieve the injured Colon. In an inning-and-a-third worth of work today he gave up two hits and even balked but, once again, when the pressure is on, he shuts down the other side. Throwing gas (consistently hitting 95mph today) and with some sick breaking balls he fanned 4 Indians without giving up a run. Robertson has an outstanding ERA of 1.44 for the season.
• Jeter was hitless today so he remains just 9 hits shy of 3,000. Needs a few multiple hit games now for the remaining home stand if he wants to get that historic hit in the Bronx. Come on Jeets, you can do it!
  
  

• Granderson hit HR #20 and Tex followed suit with his 19th. Its getting interesting how their home run "chase" is really looking more and more like the Maris and Mantle historic "chase" 50 years ago. Casey wrote about this about a week ago. Stay tuned...
• Gardner caught stealing two more times today. Just a total mystery how a guy with that much speed cannot seem to run the bases. Can we get Tim Raines or Rickey Henderson on the phone? :)
  
  

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer

Twitter @MikeyBlu23





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WHY IT'S 1961 ALL OVER AGAIN

In 1961, I wasn't around yet, but Mickey Mantle was already quite established as one of the greatest Yankees of all time and Roger Maris was 5 years in as a Yankees outfielder. It was that magical season that Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth’s record of home runs by hitting 61. Years later, with the help of performance enhancing drugs, others would break that record, but to me, it still stands at 61 and that’s how I explain the history of baseball to my sons.

(Photo: AP)

I only tell you this only because Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira have slowly and silently crept into the home run race and many don’t even realize what’s happening right in front of them. When I see the power from Curtis and Tex, I’m reminded about the M&M boys. No, they are not larger than life like the stories my dad tells me about the fanfare and home run trots and the fans taking sides,but Grandy and Tex are loved and have proven themselves as true Yankees who have a passion for the game that is just as big as that 1961 season.

Back in 1961, after 43 games:

• Mickey Mantle had 14 home runs
• Roger Maris had 13 home runs
  
• In 1927, Babe Ruth had 15 home runs
  

Now, if there’s one thing I know about Yankee history, it’s been 50 years since that historic 1961 home run race and this year marks the anniversary. I can’t imagine any other way to celebrate Yankee greatness than discussing another potential Yankees home run race. This year, after 43 games:

• Curtis Granderson had 13 home runs
  
• Mark Teixeira had 11 home runs

Currently, after 54 games:

• Granderson has 17 home runs
• Teixeira has 16 home runs

The thought of what could happen this year gives me chills, because if we look back to 1961, at 54 games:

• Maris had 18 home runs
  
• Mantle had 17 home runs
  

One thing I know from history is the pressure. Mickey was a laid back party animal who knew his talent and didn’t cave to the pressure. Roger on the other hand had enormous pressure. He didn’t want to be thrown into this mess, he just loved playing baseball and the home run race was an accident, but hey, when your hot your hot and Roger Maris was hot in 1961, no doubt.

In 2011, I see a relaxed Curtis and Teixeira and that could make for an exciting race. My only wish is that this contest goes deep into the summer and brings true excitement to the Yankees this year.

My feelings on this is simple, we need the fans to rally, the boys to play hard and the fun to happen, after all, it can make for a truly exciting season and let the world know that history is about to be made, and yes, the Yankees are leading the charge, again...5o years later.

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