New York Yankees

The Yankees stumbled into the All-Star break by dropping three straight games at Anaheim and are now 2-12 against the Angels and Red Sox, two teams New York will need to beat this October if it wants to capture a 27th World Series title.

But the Bombers still have the third best record in baseball at 51-37, lead the wild card by 2.5 games, and are just three behind Boston for the AL East lead.

So who is making the grade and who could use some extra help after class as we enter the dog days of summer?

The Yankees need to rummage in their closet and find what does not fit in their life anymore and eject it...that old pair of shoes...that worn out coat...

And some pitchers and postion players who have outgrown their use.

Now that Roy Halladay confirmed last night at the All-Star festivities that he is, indeed, available and willing to be traded to a contender, the New York Yankees surely are a possible destination.

Widely considered the best pitcher in baseball (Derek Jeter said as much last night), Halladay has been seeking a trade to a contender to finally perform in meaningful games in August and September. Because Halladay is signed through 2010, a trade will give him two chances at the playoffs and a possible World Series.

The first half of the Major League Baseball season is over. For the first time since becoming a full time player, Alex Rodriguez will not be an all star.

Truth be told, he hasn't played like one either. Not for a long while.

OK, he missed the first month after hip surgery and still has 17 home runs on the season and got his average from a dismal .212 to around .257.

In the series against the Angels this weekend, he did slug three home runs and now has 570 career home runs, putting him 10th on the all-time list.

On balance, the Yankees had a successful first half.

They hit a bunch of home runs, had some nice comeback wins, received extended stretches of quality pitching, and managed to overcome injuries to key players. Because of that, they are comfortably above .500 heading into the All-Star break.

But things aren't exactly as they seem.

More struggles in Anaheim.

On July 10th, and 11th, the Yankees sent out Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte to the mound to counter the Angels lineup, who were missing Torii Hunter and Vladimir Gurrerro to injuries.

Both times the Yankees stormed out of the gates fast, holding 5-1 and 4-0 leads respectively. Joba, and Pettitte were on their way to quality starts, and the Yankees' reliable bullpen was set slam the door in the late innings. However, they started to wilt, and the Angels took advantage.

Gotta love the picture

At this time during the baseball season things are beginning to wind down before the All-Star break. The selections have largely been announced, and every team gets a much needed break, while a majority of the players get some time to ease off the tension and relax.

Jacoby Ellsbury, the young center fielder for the Boston Red Sox, is regarded around the league as one of the great young players in Major League Baseball today.

While Jacoby is still developing as a baseball player, his offensive repertoire currently consists of a swing that is prone towards contact, a batting average that generally hovers around .300, and the potential to develop legitimate power as he grows older.

Also, it should be noted that Jacoby is considered to be among the fastest players in the league, and his stolen base total is consistent with that notion.

Long gone are the days of being a plumber by day, baller by night. Whether that 'baller' be basket, foot, golf, or otherwise related, the players are paid too much.

Now, when someone sees an NFL player getting paid less than $1,000,000 per year, they say "wow, he's getting screwed."

It never should have come to this. The money and commercialized culture of sports will be the death of the selfless athlete.

Remember when all an athlete needed to be happy was a ring, trophy, or medal?

Neither do I.

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