Well, I'm feeling okay over the fact that I have the book tour to distract me from what's been going on in the Bronx and wherever else, the New York Yankees drag their anemic offense this month. But, we'll get back to that after this paid endorsement from "A Rose by any Other Name."

After starting in Wisconsin, and following an appearance in St. Paul and the tour legs in Los Angeles and New York City, I am finally presenting Rose as the "home team." Wednesday, June 26th will be my Minneapolis debut. I am lining up some supporting artists for the event to be held in an art studio in the Nordeast section of Minneapolis.

Details for the event can be found right here and there will be some more upcoming news on other Twin Cities events in July before I drag this pony out to the Bay Area for some appearances in early August. Or, at least, that's the scheme.

There's a benefit this evening here in the 612 for a dear friend who aided me with the Rose IndieGoGo campaign who is fighting *(@&(#&ing cancer. So in honor of that I will throwing 50% of the $14 purchase price of Rose into the kitty for Reverend Zed. Paypal me at 26tales@gmail.com for ordering and shipping info. Thanks!

So, the Yankees...

All that went right through April and parts of May have gone the way of the beta-player since then. The plan to have the castoffs hold down the fort til the regulars came back from the disabled list actually worked for a while especially when Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner and Lyle Overbay were playing/hitting like it was Turn Back the Clock Night, err, Month. But Wells lovely start has grown colder than __________ (as it's finally Summer I am loathe to even think of something actually that cold) and no one has really picked up the slack offensively.

And then there's the guys returning from the DL. Curtis Granderson came back, got hit again and went right back to the DL for an extended time. Mark Texeira came back, hit some big dingers and then the wrist flared up again and he, too, is back on the DL -- perhaps requiring surgery.

Surgery, you say? Youkilis,we hardly knew ya' -- maybe that big mouth was right about you -- but also: came back, re-injured his balky back and looks like his recovery may take him to the end of the year and to end of his career in pinstripes. Yes, yes. We know A-Rod is taking swings, but I'd almost field a blank spot at the hot corner than see ol' #13 dragging his sorry ass out there at first pitch.

Jeter and Cervelli and even Nunez could be back soon which will help, but the team from the Bronx needs some bombers and unless Granderson and Tex can come back and provide that? Well, there's always the book tour...

I am looking forward to finally getting to see Michael Pineda pitch for the Yankees. Shoulder surgery recovery notwithstanding, there's now the mentions of his proclivity toward giving up fly balls which, much like we now know with Phil Hughes, doesn't necessarily play well in Yankee Stadium. Still- I want to see him throw.

Go read a book. This one here.

Thanks,
Brian