The "A" stands for arrogant, which describes the attitude of Alex Rodriguez during his time with the Yankees.  Shortly after the Red Sox made easy work of the Rockies, by winning their second championship since 2004, Rodriguez’s agent went public stating that A-Rod is opting out of his contract.

     Rodriguez said that not knowing where Jeter, Pettitte, or Posada will be, in years to come, influenced his decision.  For that reason, he’s giving up over $70M, which is what he would make in the final three years of his contract.  I think that he’s just making an excuse.  All he cares about is himself.

     Rodriguez didn’t play for any of the championship teams, so I would have no desire to keep him on the Yankees.  The Yankees have already said that they are not going to negotiate with Rodriguez, so he’s on his own.  There are no weak spots in the Yankee line up, so they should invest the money saved in some quality pitchers next season.

    Presidential Candidate Rudy Guiliani attracted the attention of Boston residents in a big way.  He stated that he would root for the Boston Red Sox in this year’s world series, against the Rockies, because he’s an "American League fan."

     Guiliani helped New Yorker’s through many tough times; including September 11th.  While serving as New York City Mayor and years after, Guiliani sat in the front row, next to the Yankee dugout for some of their most meaningful games.  He wore Yankee attire, while cheering on the team.  Guilani also participated in championship parades with the team.  The announcement of supporting the arch rivals comes as a big shock to New York baseball fans everywhere.

     I believe that his statement was just to draw the attention of Boston residents, during Guiliani’s quest for the white house in 2008, but was it worth it?  Met and Yankee fans alike share animosity towards the Boston Red Sox.  He may have gained the respect of Boston, but lost it from New York.

     Last week the Yankees offered Joe Torre a $5 million, one year deal for the 2008 season.  He also got incentives of $1 million extra for every round of next year’s post season that the Yankees compete in.  In addition, if they won the world series next year, Torre would secure a deal of $8M to open the new stadium in 2009.  It took ten days to determine the offer and Torre said that it wasn’t nearly good enough.  The manager got $7.5 million for this past season.

     Honestly, I agree with Torre.  No manager in Yankee history compares with Torre’s credentials.  Despite having quick post season exits in the last three years, this is truly not fair, because because no other manager has even lead the Yankees to a post season in recent days.  Players and fans are not happy with the news.  The team may lose A-Rod, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera, who have played a very instrumental role in the Yankees success.  In my opinion, no manager could ever fill the shoes of Torre.  It will be interesting to see what the 2008 season brings.

     Millions of the Yankee faithful gathered in Times Square today to support Joe Torre, who has been one of the most respected Yankee managers in recent days.  Since this year’s early post-season exit, last week, the Yankee front office holds the fate of Torre in their hands.

     During the on-going meetings, in Tampa, Fl., no decision has been made in regard to whether or not the team will offer Torre an opportunity to manage the 26-time world championship sports franchaise in 2008.  According to General Manager Brian Cashman, "Torre is very well respected, which is why the process is taking so long."  He continues to say, "We have to do what’s best for the Yankee organization."  The meetings resume, in New York, tomorrow.

     As each day goes by and Yankee fans everywhere await the nail biting decision, they can only imagine how things will be without Torre at the helm.  One thing is certain…. He would be truly missed.

     Twelve years, six trips to "The Fall Classic," and four chapionships.  Is Joe Torre’s reign as manager of the New York Yankees over?

     This past season, the Yankees overcame great odds to play October baseball, but their bid for another championship ended, in four games, against the Cleveland Indians.  I was confident before the series, because New York won the season series 6-0.

     The Indians had everything going their way.  The Yankees never had the pitching, hitting, or fielding to win the series.  In game one Chin Ming Wang surrendered 7 earned runs, while lasting one inning and giving up four runs in game 4.  In game 2, Joba Chamberlain gave up two wild pitches, which allowed Cleveland to tie the game and later win in the eleventh.  When the Yankees returned home, Principle Owner George Steinbrenner said that he would fire Torre if the Yanks didn’t make it out of the ALDS.  In game 3, the Yankees struggled early and Derek Jeter grounded into two double plays.  Johnny Damon gave them hope by hitting a three-run homerun, which proved to be the game winner.  Cleveland won the series 3-1.

     If Steinbrenner sticks to his word, the Bronx wont be the same without Torre.  He has had more success than any other Yankee manager and shouldn’t take the blame for the defeat to Cleveland.  Before the All-Star game, it was doubtful whether or not the Yankees would play any October baseball.  Torre turned the team around.  If this is the end of an era, he will be truly missed by players and fans.

     Yankee fans have waited for this day since April.  First stop…. Cleveland.  After a rocky beginning of the season, many fans wondered if this would be a reality.  At one time, the Yankees were trailing the division-leading Boston Red Sox by 14.5 games.

     The New York Yankees won the American League wild card and begin their best-of-five series with the Central Division winners, Cleveland Indians, tonight in Cleveland.  The Yankees send their ace Chin Ming Wang to the hill.  During the regular season, New York won the season series against Cleveland 6-0

     Last night, the Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim lost the first game of their series against the Boston Red Sox.  The winners of these two series’ will meet in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series.

     September 30, 2007, the New York Mets were destined to compete in this year’s post-season.  They faced an angry Florida Marlins team that put up a fight from the first pitch.  Tension from a 13-0 Mets win, and a bench-clearing brawl, carried over from the night before.

     The Marlin’s bats were hot early.  Veteran Mets Pitcher Tom Glavine tried to secure his 304th career win, but couldn’t even get out of the first inning.  In fact, he only got one batter out.  Glavine exited giving up seven runs, which were comprised of singles, doubles, and sloppy plays in the field.  Many believe that Glavine’s career may have ended.  New York Mets Third Baseman David Wright said, "We were one and six last homestand.  We don’t deserve to go to the post-season."  After Glavine’s departure, the Mets settled down and only gave up one more run, but lost the game 8-1 infront of over 54,000 disappointed fans staging the biggest collapse of a team in Major League history.

     The only thing that could save the Mets would be a Philies loss, but that wasn’t in the cards as they beat the Washington Nationals to capture the National League East title.  The fans at Shea sat in disbelief, as the final score of the Phillies game was posted, on the centerfield scoreboard, moments after the Mets game ended.

     The National League playoff schedule isn’t decided yet, because the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres are tied for the wild card.  They will play a one-game playoff in Colorado tonight.