Memory Lane

Today I experienced the perfect way to celebrate Memorial Day: heading to Yankee Stadium with great weather and witnessing a dominant victory. We were reminded of the brave men and women who gave their lives for our great nation, and we were reminded of how great the Yankees have the potential to be this season. Andy Pettitte continued his Renaissance-like season, Alex Rodriguez made another team pay after a poor decision, and the Yankees did what they had to do: take 3 out of 4 from the hapless Cleveland Indians.

Andy Pettitte has had some great moments and some great seasons as a New York Yankee. Everyone remembers Game 5 in 1996, and the three clinching victories during last year's title run, but this year is shaping up to be the finest of his career. The guy is a Yankee, and hopefully, a future Hall of Famer. If not for his three year stint with the Houston Astros, he'd be the franchise leader in victories. Andy mowed down the Tribe with ease for seven innings today, retiring the side at one point on five pitches. It really is a pleasant experience at Yankee Stadium when Andy takes the hill. Not only does it bring back memories of a great left-hander, but you're also watching one of the great starts to a season in Yankee history: 37 years old, 7-1, 2.48 ERA.

The bats were a little bit quiet in the early going today, similar to yesterday's game. And just like yesterday, the place erupted in the bottom of the seventh inning. Mark Teixeira was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out, and a statistic popped up on the video board: "Alex is 4-4 with 14 RBI's and two grand slams when Mark Teixeira is intentionally walked in front of him to load the bases." I guess Manny Acta wasn't paying attention, as A-Rod cracked home run number 590 into Monument Park, where he will one day be enshrined. It was also his 20th grand slam, just 3 behind Larrupin' Lou Gehrig for the all-time record.

Robbie Cano continued his MVP-like season with a solo homer after A-Rod's salami, and Curtis Granderson is fitting right in the number two hole as he added yet another extra base hit. One cause for concern emerged as Derek Jeter left the game with a hamstring injury. As much as I like Ramiro Pena and Kevin Russo, the Yankees cannot afford to have Jeter on the shelf at all.

The Yankees took 3 out of 4 from the Cleveland Indians in this holiday weekend's wrap-around series. Anything less would have been inexcusable. They now play host to the last place Baltimore Orioles for 3, and based on the fact that the bats appear to be waking up, I'm calling it a "must-sweep" series. Javier Vazquez needs to have a good start tomorrow, and the Orioles' pitching should be no match for the Yankee offense, with or without Derek Jeter. With Tampa floundering atop the AL East, the Yankees have plenty of opportunities to gain ground as they take on Baltimore, Toronto, Baltimore, and Houston over their next four series.