Mark Teixeira

One of the best sidelines to the upcoming New York Yankee vs. Los Angeles Angels American League Championship is that each team will go against one of their former players. Mark Teixeira was traded for by the Angels last season, hoping that his acquisition will lead them to the World Series.

I waited a few days before writing this piece so I could read most of the reports on the great Friday night comeback for the Yankees. Most of the talk in the papers, on the sports talk radio stations and on television was about the missed call on the ball hit by Joe Mauer and how it cost the Twins the game.

As a Mets fan, this has been a long, terrible season, and yet, for me personally, it all came together with one blast off the bat of Alex Rodriguez.

I went to see the Mets on opening day, the first time all of the rivals came to Citi Field, and I was fortunate enough to see the team finish the season with a 10-7 record at my games.

"Start spreading the newsss, Im leaving todayyy
I want to be a part of it—New york, New yorkkkk...

These vagabond shoessss, are longing to strayyyy
Right through the very heart of it—New york, New yorkkkk..." - Frank Sinatra

There is nothing quite like the sound of Mr. Sinatra. There is nothing in baseball quite like a walk-off win. There is nothing in baseball quite like the Yankees. There is nothing in baseball quite like the playoffs in New York.

Ok, New York Yankees, you have the best record in baseball. You have 50 come-from-behind victories, you have a clubhouse full of likable players, who seem to enjoy playing with and for each other, and beginning next week what does it all mean? Absolutely nothing.

Here are a few thoughts that I had during the All-Star selection:

[11:59]

 Waiting for the All-Star selection show to start, flipping between the epic Wimbledon battle and TBS.

[12:01]

Wow. Boomer got skinnier, not skinny, just less fat. But who cares about David Wells highlights? Get to the selecting. How does Ernie Johnson have a job? Oh yeah, Daddy.

[12:03]

After reading one too many articles about trade ideas for the "desperate" Atlanta Braves, I figured it's time we took a journey back into franchise history and remembered the types of moves we've made in similar situations.

For every McGriff deal, there's been a Teixeira.

The deal may sound good at the time (finally!

Well, the fans and media that occupy Yankee-land have started to push the panic button.

After a two game sweep on Monday and Tuesday, the Yankees have now lost five in a row to the Boston Red Sox. Then after coming back from down three to the Rays on Wednesday, only to see that wasted by a Phil Coke fastball to Carlos Pena that went very far in the 10th, the Yankees last night saw the ultimate sign of the apocalypse.

There is no questioning it, C.C Sabathia was unstoppable last year for the Brewers. Through 17 starts, he only gave up more than three runs once and threw seven complete games. He was by far the most dominating pitcher in baseball.

Mark Teixeira had a superb year last year. He was aggressive and highly productive for both the Braves and Angels, batting .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBI. He also boasted a superb on-base percentage of .410. He was right up there with the best offensive players in the league.