New York

It is clear to me now, as if it wasn't before that the Mets ace, Johan Santana was using steroids in the early portion of his career. How do you go from being a Rule V draft pick in 1999 to getting a contract that pays about $23 million per season? How did he go from being a mediocre reliever to an All-Star caliber pitcher who won two Cy Young Awards? Please don't tell me it was because he watched game-tape.

The Yankee left-hander has started 40 postseason games in his Major League career. In those games, Andy Pettitte is 18-9 with a 3.90 ERA. He also has five World Series rings.

How could a pitcher with that résumé feel a responsibility to a minor league team?

Well, it’s simple. Andy Pettitte needed to pitch a rehab assignment. The Yankees' Double-A affiliate, Trenton Thunder, is in the playoffs.

After winning seven of 10 games in the Bronx, the New York Yankees start a nine-game road trip with a weekend series against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

Could this be a possible ALDS preview?

Yes, if the Yankees get through the last 22 regular season games, which is not as easy as it sounds.

If you can remember back to April 5th, you'll recall a beautiful Monday afternoon when the New York Mets defeated the Florida Marlins 7-1 and everything in Mets Land was perfect. Nothing is better than a 1-0 record.

The New York Yankees announced yesterday that right-handed Phil Hughes will be skipped in his next turn in the rotation.

His command has been observably terrible over his last several outings, as he's allowed 11 earned runs, six walks, and 13 hits in 9.2 innings pitched in his last two starts against Toronto (Aug. 25, Sept. 5), while against Oakland he allowed only two runs but still walked five batters in only five innings pitched on Aug. 31.

Yesterday, reaction to all but three Mets visiting the Walter Reed Medical Center to meet with wounded military personnel was abundant.

Many communicated their disappointment towards Oliver Perez, Carlos Beltran, and Luis Castillo—some rather vehemently.

The Yankees have an off day after finishing up a 10-game home stand with a victory against the Orioles to avoid their first sweep at the new Yankee Stadium. They were 7-3 during the home stand.

They will fly into Texas, with Jorge Posada, to start a nine-game road trip.

Here are some notes:

Former New York Mets’ pitcher and all-around phenom Dwight Gooden was recently inducted into the Mets' Hall of Fame. Earlier this year he was also arrested by Franklin Lakes Township police in New Jersey for driving under the influence with his 5-year-old son in the car, among other charges and is awaiting his day in court.

About a week into the 2010 season, Curtis Granderson looked like a terrific addition to the Yankees.

He homered in his first at-bat as a Yankee and then hit a game-winning home run against Boston two days later. He put up a .357/.419/.607 triple slash line with two homers, five RBI's, and three stolen bases in his first week in pinstripes.

Yankee fans everywhere celebrated. They had their first true center fielder since Bernie Williams' heyday.

As the title says, my question is, is it possible for Yankee fans to hate CC Sabathia?