The Yankees Unobstructed — August 23

The Yankees, Unobstructed is back after a long hiatus, and — wouldn't ya know it — it's returned just in time to acknowledge yesterday's 10-0 massacre of a certain Norwood News Managing Editor's favorite team (the Seattle Mariners).

Indeed, on a day when the Yanks needed score only one run to get by, they piled it on against the West Coast's Cleveland Indians. But alas, one blowout victory against the squad from Major League 3: Back to the Minors does not a championship make, and thus despite their win, the Yankees are facing their first major crisis of this season.

Tonight Ivan Nova, 23, will make the first start of his major league career. The Yankees have all but acknowledged that they're unsure whether the AAA ace is ready for the bigs, but what choice do they have?

The Yankees starting rotation:

C.C. Sabathia - Great

Phil Hughes - Fine

A.J. Burnett - The bane of everyone's existence

Javier Vazquez - Has foresaken confidence

Andy Pettitte - 'Ol Yeller hasn't pitched in over a month

Dustin Moseley - A reasonable facsimile of a Seattle-quality starter (dissed!)

Ivan Nova - TBA

So there ya go. Leading the division by only one game with 38 left to play, the Yankees have two quality starters, four posers and a rookie with great expectations.

So how are they supposed to hold onto that one game lead? The answer is Robinson Cano.

Say it with me: MVP! MVP! MVP!

Over the last seven games, when the Yankees have needed an offensive superhero most, Robbie has hit four home runs for 13 RBI, with a .333 avg.

Combine that with surprising hit-machine/trade-deadline acquisition Austin Kearns (14 hits in 11 games), and the Yankees have barely noticed the on-again off-again absence of Alex Rodriguez, who's struggling with a calf injury.

The Yankees will be fine as a team relying on two pitchers and two hitters until September 10, after which 16 of their final 22 games are against the Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox.

NOTE: Make sure to check back every week for The Yankees, Unobstructed, BNN's Yankees opinion column.

The Yankees Unobstructed — July 12

It's All-Star week, which can only mean two things — 1. A hefty chunk of Yankees are playing for a national audience, and 2. It's time for the BxNN Mid-Summer Yankee awards!

Let's start with the good stuff....

MVP: Robinson Cano may very well be the American League's MVP, and he's certainly the best player on the Yankees. He's at or near the top of several statistical indicators of greatness, including (but not limited to) Gracefulness (11.83 GPS), the Nice Hair Index (98th percentile) and Brightest Smile.

Best Run Campaign: When the race for the final American League All-Star spot came down to Yankee outfielder Nick Swisher and Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis, you knew things would get dirty. Swisher took the lead after he released a campaign video (if anyone can find a link to this, please let me know), but you knew Swisher was a lock when Kevin Youkilis got an unexpected campaign plea from John Kerry.

Most Exciting Contributor: Out of nowhere, Francisco Cervelli has become everyone's favorite sparkplug. Thrust into the spotlight when Jorge Posada was injured early on, Cervelli has become one of the most reliable hitters in the lineup.

Ageless Glory: Nothing feels more like 1998 than watching Andy Pettitte start a game and Mariano Rivera close it out. And that's been happening a lot this year. Sure, they're balding and they need to walk around almost all day long with ice on their arms, but those guys are holding this team together.

Now it's time for the not so good stuff....

Biggest Disappointment: Seriously, Joba Chamberlain has sucked. The setup man leads the team in several statistical indicators of terribleness, including Cowardliness and Awkward Smiles. Oh, and he's also given up two or more runs in a single inning six times this season.

LVP: When Chan Ho Park is summoned from the bullpen, you can hear the entire stadium groan. At one point this season, the $1.2 million reliever surrendered runs in five straight outings. In fact, he's had fewer scoreless appearances (10) than ones in which he's given up runs (11).

The Apology: Once again, I'm sorry David Robertson. I really am. After I told everyone I know that Robertson was the second coming of Mariano, he proceeded to blow every single close game he could get his hands on.

NOTE: Make sure to check back every week for The Yankees, Unobstructed, BNN's Yankees opinion column.

The Yankees, Unobstructed — June 13

In the bottom of the fifth inning, when everyone around you is eating $6 hot dogs and savoring their $3 soda, that’s when you whip out your heaping $6.00 portion of curried goat.

The smell alone will be enough to let fellow fans know that you planned your evening with the World Champions better than anyone.

Yankee Stadium is notoriously expensive, and the food — with its hints of cardboard and soggy heat lamp-condensation textures — is rarely worth the asking price. Fortunately, good eating abounds in the surrounding Concourse Village area, and can be brought into the Stadium in a plastic bag.

In fact, since the move to the new ballpark. It's actually gotten easier to grab a quick bite before the game. Vendors in the area say that police shepherd fans from the subway towards the stadium, which means that at the restaurants nearby, there are shorter lines and better deals.

From West Indian, to Subway sandwiches and pizza, the $9 most fans spend on a hot dog and soda can produce much better fare from just a block or two away.

Here's a map of the spots from this video. FEEL FREE TO SUGGEST OTHER NEAR-YANKEE STADIUM EATS BY LEAVING A COMMENT BELOW.

In Yankee News:

We're back in first place! With this weekend's sweep of the Houston Astros, the Yankees have pulled even with the Tampa Bay Rays for the best record in baseball. Both teams sit four games ahead of the Boston Red Sox.

Jorge Posada has hit grand slams in each of the last two games.

Robinson Cano leads the MLB with a .371 avg. and is third with a .418 obp.

NOTE: Make sure to check back every weekend for The Yankees, Unobstructed, BNN's weekly Yankees opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (http://trueslant.com/grahamkates).

The Yankees, Unobstructed — May 2

April is such a sloppy month for baseball. It's hard to gauge how good/bad any individual will be as the entire season plays out. Strange and crazy things happen, like the Mets and Athletics finding their way to first place, or Paul Konerko hitting 11 home runs in 23 games.

Basically, baseball looks different in April. So when the calendar turns to May, I like to reflect on what we saw in the last month. Presenting...

The Second Annual Bronx News Network April Yankee Awards

Hitting MVP: Last year — Nick Swisher. This year — Robinson Cano.

It's an understatement to say that Cano has been the best hitter in baseball so far this season. At the end of April, he was batting .400, with a .436 OBP. He's also had eight homers and 18 RBI. I don't know that Cano will be around .400 all season long, but this is looking like it will be the season Yankee fans have been waiting for from Cano for quite some time. He's shown us power, and he's shown us hitting acumen, but he's really never put it all together before now. It's nice to see.

Hitting LVP: Last year — Mark Teixeira. This year — Nick Johnson.

It's great that Nick Johnson gets on base a lot (his .378 OBP is fifth on the team), but if you don't complement your walks (21, which leads the team) with hits (8, fewest among regular starters), you're not going to produce very much. Johnson is batting an atrociously low .136 and has only contributed a measly 5 RBI during the month of April. I do think he'll turn it around.

Pitching MVP: Last year — Andy Pettitte. This year — Mariano Rivera.

It's tough choosing just one this April. The Yanks have three pitchers with three wins (Pettitte, Burnett and Sabathia), three with ERAs below 3.00 (Pettitte, Burnett and Hughes) and four starters with WHIPs of 1.20 or lower (the four mentioned already). But Mariano Rivera is phenomenal. He's had seven saves in seven opportunities....oh, and zero runs surrendered. That's right, Mariano's ERA is 0.00, he's also got an unheard of 0.56 WHIP. Like an Obama commencement speech, Rivera's been inspiring.

Pitching LVP: Last year — Chien Ming Wang. This year — Javier Vazquez.

Every April features at least one starter who just can't perform. This year it's Javy. With an ERA near 10.00 and more earned runs (and almost as many walks) than strikeouts, Vazquez has been ugly to watch. Remember that scene in the "Animal Farm" movie, when the horse looks through the window and sees the pigs that kinda look like pig-human cyborgs? Yeah, that's how ugly Vazquez's starts have been.

Biggest Letdown: Last year — Tie - Yankees Front Office, City Hall and the new Yankee Stadium. This year — Turner Construction.

You really couldn't demolish the old stadium during the off-season? Really? You couldn't work that out at all? Instead there's just this thing standing there, for some reason.

Best Baseball-Related Political Movement (new category): The decision by the Player's Assocation to protest the All-Star Game being held in Arizona.

Good job guys. Star San Diego first-baseman Adrian Gonzalez, a Tijuana native, said he won't play in next year's All-Star Game — set to be played in Arizona — if the state's new immigration law is still in effect.

Biggest Chump: Last year — Me. This year — Me.

If I were a betting man (which I am), I would bet against myself every time (still trying to figure out how to do that legally).

So far this season I've heralded the additions of Nick Johnson (LVP hitting) and Javier Vazquez (LVP pitching). In addition, I said David Robertson might challenge Joba Chamberlain for the eight inning job...he's since given up six runs in 3 innings.

I also, in confidence, told a certain Bronx News Network Seattle-area native that I expected "big things" from the Mariners this season. They're in last place in the AL West right now.

DON'T EVER LISTEN TO ANYTHING I SAY.

Got some of your own April awards? Feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

NOTE: Make sure to check back every weekend for The Yankees, Unobstructed, BNN's weekly Yankees opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (http://trueslant.com/grahamkates).

The Yankees, Unobstructed August 28

Doggin' it During the Dog Days of Summer

Just a short entry to post this week. A few observations....

The Yankees have hit a bit of a "blah" patch, which is not uncommon for teams in late August that are under little pressure to win each game. You can see it in the mannerisms of everyone on the team (except the ever-professional Hideki Matsui). They're just not into it right now.

Well snap out of it guys! You've got a light schedule for the next week and a half, and you can use that time to pull a little bit further ahead.

Robsinson Cano, kinda suckin' it up out there lately.

Remember when everyone was fawning over the Yankees' bullpen. Those days are long gone now. While the 'pen continues to be anchored strong in the 8th and 9th, any game requiring a substitute pitcher in the seventh inning or before has become a toss-up.

In the debate between Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira, for "most deserving of coming in a close-second to Joe Mauer in the MVP voting" this year, the answer is Teixeira. Sorry Captain, but Tex started carrying this team when it was in the dregs of the AL East. Jeter's late-season push is beautiful and inspiring, but ultimately, Tex is #1 on this team.

I expect that most Yankees fans would disagree with that sentiment.

NOTE: Make sure to check back on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, BNN's weekly (and usually longer) Yankees opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (www.trueslant.com/grahamkates).

Advice for the Yankees

The Yankees Unobstructed - July 17

I know what you're thinking, "Oh no! Not another 'How the Yankees can improve in the second half' column! How tired and cliche!"

Whatever dude. Since last week, all the Yankees have done is get swept by the Angels and fall from a tie for first place to three games behind. It's either this or crying with words, and I already spent my weekly allotment of tears on mourning the loss of $9 to "Public Enemies" (just an awful "movie").

Anyway, what the Yankees should and should not do in the second half:

Don't trade for Roy Halladay: More than anything, this is a personal plea. At times it can be tough to justify being a Yankee fan. The Yankees front office often seems to spend without any strategic direction (I'm looking at you Randy Johnson-signing), and then there's the ticket prices, the public bonds fiasco, the replacement parks, etc. But lately the whole Yankee tenor has been changing. While they still notch your big-name mega-contracts (C.C., A.J., Tex), the Yankees have expressed a renewed (or just plain new) interest in building from within. This year has seen the fruits of that labor sewn, in the success of Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner, Phil Hughes and even Robinson Cano.

If the Yankees front office decides that they want Roy Halladay, they can have him. Toronto has made it clear that they will deal him to whoever offers the best deal, and the Yankees are in a position, as always, to be that team. However, the best deal would probably include a couple of the youngeons mentioned above, as well as Jesus Montero, the Yankees top offensive prospect.

Even Roy Halladay might not be worth the talent necessary to secure him.

Split the rest of the Boston games: Easier said than done, ey? Against all teams not named "Red Sox," the Yankees are the best team in the American League. Meanwhile, against the Red Sox, the Yankees might as well be called the "Mets" (ZINGER!). Our hometown heroes are 0-8 against Boston this year, but only three games behind them in the standings...you do the math.  The two teams still have another eleven contests left, including three of the last six games of the season. They've gotta win sometime, right? Please? 

Win at least one of the three remaining Angels games: This is just one of those "exorcise the demons" things.

Brian Bruney needs to figure it out, soon: Imagine the power in having last year's Brian Bruney paired with Alfredo Aceves and the untouchable Phil Hughes, working to line up Mariano for saves. Suddenly Joba's weekly five-inning marathon wouldn't seem so taxing.

Robinson Cano: The Canodrum is as frustrating as any Yankee players since, well, Chuck Knoblauch. The numbers don't lie. Get Robbie up to bat to lead off an inning and his average is a Godly .416 (77 at-bats). If there's no one on base, but an out or two has been recorded, Cano still swings a .357 clip (187 at-bats). But as soon as you start giving him the opportunity to drive in runs, Cano falls apart.

Cano is batting with...

• runners on-base: .259 (170 at-bats)
• runners in scoring position: .211 (109 at-bats)
• runners in scoring position and two outs: .191 (68 at-bats)
• the bases loaded: .200 (15 at-bats)

If the Yankees are to overrun Boston, this good hitter will need to produce runs more efficiently.

Bring back error-less defense: The Yankees' 47 errors puts them in a tie for ninth in the Majors. That's not bad, but when you consider their record-setting 19 game error-less streak earlier this season, it seems surprising that they are not higher up on that list. During that streak the Yankees were 14-5. Also, four of baseball's six first place teams have less total errors than the Yankees. Good fielding is not necessarily the key to success, but most good teams are fielding-adept.

NOTE: Make sure to check back every Wednesday for Pinstripe Politics, your source for that gray area where the Yankees and society converge. Also, check in with the BNN on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, our weekly Yankee opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (www.trueslant.com/grahamkates).