Yesterday, for the first time, I actually watched the Joe Girardi Show on YES. I had seen it advertised, and caught bits here and there but never took in a whole show. And this week especially piqued my interest, being that it was such a rough week for the Yanks.

Now I am far from a Girardi apologist, and have scratched my head countless times this year wondering where he was coming from- but I have to say I was impressed. I liked his direct answers to a lot of "What were you thinking?" questions from PA favorite Michael Kay, and emails from the viewers.

At the end of the show, Kay basically asked of the Yankees were out of it, to which Girardi very succinctly said no they weren't. And waking up this morning 5 games out of the wild card, after all that's happened this season, I think you'd be a fool not to believe him.

Although I definitely believe his job is safe, this next month and a half will certainly go a long way as to deciding where Joe G stands in the eyes of Yankee fans.

As Natalya comented in this thread: Why so much love for John Beck? I gotta agree with that sentiment.

As much as I would love to give Beck the benefit of the doubt, he has done nothing to engender any feelings of attachment on my part. Be that because of how he was handled last year, or because of the current regime's opinions of him- it's how it is.

If Parcells & Co. do not feel he is the guy, better off to cut ties now- rather than keep running Beck out there to see if just maybe he can change their mind. They have a guy in Henne that they seem to think is the future at QB. I am no Pennington fan, but  he actually gives the Fins the best chance to have a consistent starting QB for the whole season- barring injury of course (And I know that's a big if.).

This gives the Fins the opportunity plug Henne into the 3rd spot and have McCown ready to go if Pennington goes down. I think it is important to keep Henne off the field as much as possible this year. And I actually think this scenario gives them the best chance to do this. Then next year, Henne can start the year as the number 2, and we'll see how the season transpires.

I truly believe that McCown is at best a back up- as shown by the multiple chances he has had in his career to grab a starter's role. And Penninton is a veteran starter- one whom Parcells has a certain amount of trust for. I joked when Favre landed in NY that I hoped the Fins didn't go after Pennington. After thinking about it though, it seems to make more sense to me than going into the season with the three guys they had. Unfortunately for Beck, that leaves him the odd man out (sorry Matty...ha). I wish him the best, but I've got no attachments to sever there to let him go. 

Many of us knew it would happen.

Buster Olney is reporting the Yankees and Richie Sexson have reached a tentative agreement.

Sexson fits in New York because the Yankees needed a right-handed slugger to match up against left-handed pitching -- and Sexson had a .344 average against lefties this year.

Assuming the deal is completed, he'll be in the lineup Saturday against Oakland.

I have said all along I think this a low risk, no lose situation. Worse thing that happens is he stinks and they cut him. A little more right handed pop should help though.

Did people see this? There will be a Hard Rock Cafe at the new Stadium.

The [Yankees] announced Wednesday that they have agreed to enter into a long-term agreement to open a 7,000 square-foot Hard Rock Cafe at the new Yankee Stadium.  

Now I am part of the faction that is actually looking forward to the new Stadium next year. But this rubs me the wrong way. Feels like they are turning it into a tourist draw rather than a cathedral of baseball. Now I understand everyone wants to make money here, but Hard Rock Cafe? It's cliche, and it's been done before.

I will say the thing I am looking forward to most about next year is the more wide-open concourses, and not taking forever to get in and out of the Stadium. But it looks like there's a bit of selling of the soul in order to get it.

ESPN.com's James Walker has written a great article  about this year's incoming class of rookies getting a chance to tour the Hall of Fame in Canton.

This offseason, the NFL is sending every incoming player for a special tour of the Hall of Fame. Former Dallas Cowboys receiver and 2007 Hall of Fame inductee Michael Irvin came up with the idea last summer to increase rookies' awareness and help them recognize the value of their opportunity.

With all the negative press about NFL players these days, it's nice to read an article about these guys coming in, humbled and feeling privileged. Our boys Jake Long and Chad Henne both get a nice mention in the article. 

That's it. Every once and awhile, it's nice to post something we can all agree on.

The Jayfiss Report 

Pretty shocking to me, the outrage of people here, and in the media, and throughout the blogosphere at Jason Taylor. All he has maintained is that he wants to win before it's too late for him, that he wants the best possible situation for himself. A little selfish? Perhaps. Monstrous and egotistical? Hardly. 
Now I don't think he deserves a free pass by any stretch of the imagination, but I think after all his time in Miami he deserves the benefit of the doubt. It's June 1. If he doesn't show up for training camp, by all means- fire away, people- be angry that he isn't on the field. But to sit there and call him a liar, to say he is no longer needed, to attack the character and question the loyalty of a guy who has given his heart and soul to this team and his community for so long is a bit much. And why the hell should he or any player these days feel the pull of loyalty? Yes he is under contract. But what does that mean in today's NFL, where that contract isn't even guaranteed? Everybody's hopping on the Parcells/ Sparano train before it has even left the station. As a fan I am pleased with what they have accomplished so far, but until wins are on the board- what have they done? JT has been a Dolphin, has led his team, has proven results. You want loyalty Fin Fans? How about showing a little but yourself, rather than jumping ship at the first sign of trouble.

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Cross-posted on my blog The Jayfiss Report .

Just watching ESPN here and they had won of their mid-day updates. They quoted Joe G as saying that Joba's next turn out of the bullpen could be his last, and that Joba could be a starter by next week in what would be a six man rotation.

Newsday has reported this as well, although not as a direct quote from Girardi. Too much too soon? Six man rotation?

I personally don't think it's a terrible idea, and it's built in way too keep the innings down on the younger guys, and keep the wear down on the older arms (just don"t tell Moose his schedule will be changing...ha)

Thoughts?

Mark Feinsand is reporting/guessing that something will be happening soon with Ian Kennedy:

Joe Girardi didn’t say it directly, but he and Brian Cashman will be discussing the young pitcher in the next day or two to “figure out what is the best plan” for Kennedy.

Read between the lines: Kennedy will either be skipped or sent down.

The Yankees have three off days to play around with this month, so they’ll only need a fifth starter three times. That means Kennedy could hang around, get skipped and work with Dave Eiland on his mechanics and whatever else ails him. Or he could be sent to Triple-A to pitch down there and get his act together.

This all complete speculation at this point. But how long before something happens? Do Yanks just plow forward and let him keep getting hammered, or do they step in and make some sort of change? I don't know if the minors is really the best option, but skipping him a couple of times and letting him work on his mechanics out of the bullpen doesn't sound terrible. And frankly, it'll keep his innings down and maybe he can get it together and be strong down the stretch.

Thoughts?

I would have put my money on Bxgrl and other's feeling that the whole "Sox shirt in the New Stadium" thing was a huge hoax. Apparently it really happened.

It took about five hours, but the Red Sox jersey that was embedded in the concrete of the Yankees' new stadium to place a curse on the New York franchise has been unearthed with jackhammers, according to a published report.

...

The [Post] reported Sunday that two workers approached a construction manager with what they thought was the location of the jersey. After digging a two-foot by three-foot hole, the jersey was found.

And even Prince Hal chimed in:

"I hope his co-workers kick the [expletive] out of him," Yankees co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said.

That could be a pay-per-view event waiting to happen.

I don't know what to think about all this. In a way, I kind of wish it was treated as a hoax and forgotten about. To tear up concrete to retrieve a piece of cotton, shows concern on the part of the Yankees about curses and the like. Which until now, the Yanks and their fans have been able laugh and scoff at. The other part of me is glad that it was retrieved and won't be part of the new digs (pardon the expression). Curse or no, we don't need the New Stadium built on a foundation of Ortiz shirts.