All the money in the world (according to all other fans and GM's) and Brian Cashman has become a "scavenger" in the words of the NY Daily News. And I guess that's pretty spot on. During the winter at least it was Major Leaguers like Colon, Garcia, Chavez who have all made contributions; I am still wondering when Mark Prior will show up in the bullpen and when Carlos Silva makes a start. But of very recent late, the Yankees have had this odd little bullpen rotation of career minor leaguers, cast-offs, waiver wire pick-ups and now, the opt-outs. Last night's starter, making his 1st ML start at the ripe, ol' age of 32, wasn't even signed much before game time. Brian Gordon (who pitched very well but got a ND) had to throw with strangers on the ball field across the street from where Yankee Stadium sits. The field that he threw on? Oh, that-- used to be the OLD Yankee Stadium.

When Cashman was asked if he thought the Phillies would get angry for him plucking this guy who had been pitching great for their AAA squad he said that since the Phils got Cliff Lee he could take Brian Gordon. Makes sense to me...

Yanks can't beat the 1st place team in their division, but seemingly don't have the same issues with the leaders in the other two divisions; taking 3 out of 4 from Cleveland earlier this week and knocking them out of the Central division lead was the first part; sweeping the AL West leading Rangers out of the Bronx and very nearly out of 1st (they're a 1/2 game up over the suddenly-surprising Seattle Mariners) completed the 6-4 home-stand that began 0-3 vs the Bosox.

The Yanks head to the North Side of Chicago to face the Cubs and then on to Cincinnati for the next round of inter-league play. If MLB re-aligns like it might, this whole inter-league scenario very well may change, but I'll write more on that some other time...

Personally, I had a visit a few days ago from a friend I hadn't seen for 28 years! Tsuguo Nishijima was my host when I was an exchange student to Japan when I was 15 years old. Tsuguo and his family live in Morioka City in the Northern prefecture of Iwate, Japan which was decimated by the earthquake and tsunami three months ago. Through the weird world that is Facebook, we re-connected earlier this year and he was in Minneapolis for a medical convention (he's an MD specializing in sleep medicine and disorders, which is ironic since that is pretty much the bane of my nighttime existence) and we got to go out for some drinks (Kampai!) and for some dinner (and more drinks: Kampai!!) and then on to Zuba's, the tree-house bar for more drinks (KAMPAI!!!) and to re-connect after so many years. He plans on returning with his wife and kids next year and that would be fantastic...

KAMPAI!!!

Brian

ps - If I was able to poach a picture from Facebook I would have posted a shot of me & Tsuguo, but I couldn't so you'll just have to use your imagination...