I'm working on 2 new pieces for Bronx Baseball Daily right now which will cover me well enough for the two weeks I am on vacation. The first piece, and predicated on the Yankees burying the bosox in the Bronx this weekend, will be lambasting the entire boston team and fans for ruining the rivalry. The Yanks did their part in the opening game of the 3 game series last night, winning 6-4 behind a mostly stellar start by Phil Hughes.

Hughes pitched 6 strong innings in his 7 inning start; he gave up four unearned runs in the 2nd although it was his own throwing error -- on what really should have been a double-play, although you can never assume one -- and then shut down the sox the rest of the night. Robertson got the hold for his work in the 8th, Soriano notched another save pitching the ninth.

In between all of that, the Bombers hit 5 solo homeruns - 2 by Swish - and had the big hit, a two-out, rbi single by Nix to hold boston at bay.

Today's game is fox, which means I am blocked out of it; may listen to some on the radio. The finale is a Sunday night affair that I should be able to get to see.

The other piece is going to be a rant on pitch counts, innings limits, righty-lefty specialists and the managers who employ this kind of "cover your ass" mentality when it comes to pitching changes and for GMs the way to "protect their investments. I'll be writing about the "Joba Rules," Tommy John surgery AND Tommy John (he was a real pitcher; he was around this week flapping his gums), and the whole Stephen Strasburg innings limit, potential fiasco for the Nats.

I set a new personal high, and one I hope not to top anytime too soon, by riding my new/old Schwinn approximately 35 miles yesterday to/fro Fridley, MN from Minneapolis. Probably should have only been 30 miles, but between getting lost and the fact that the Lowery Ave. Bridge remains closed I had to do some serious circumventing, etc. on the way out. Funny thing is this is the second time that bridge has done me in; the first time could very well have been on the same exact day a year ago for what that is worth.

After today, I will be down to but 10 scant copies of "A Rose by Any Other Name" on my shelf. If you don't ask now, you will have wasted your entire summer and won't be able to get an inscribed copy from me until fall. If you look for me after Thursday, you will find me a dusty man, or not at all....

Cheers
B.