Exciting, Exciting, Exciting

For the post season, I think I want to switch up the approach on how we review games just a tad. We will do this by adding a new category to our Good, Bad, and Ugly sections called Series MVP. We will make a ranking of the top performing players after each game, and keep track of who we think should be the MVP for each series. Of course this won't be of much consequence for the short ALDS, but should be fun in the ALCS and World Series.

Also, although Johnny Damon's homerun club ended when the season closed, we at the RJG believe that sharing means caring. Its third in the depth chart of our company mottos behind "C's Get Degrees", and "Commiting a Felony and Being Convicted of a Felony are Two Different Things". Those three basically guide our company stock. Anyways, to make a long story short, we're going to continue to donate $1 for each Yankee homerun hit throughout the post season. Feel free to do the same, I'm sure they can use it!

And without further ado...

The Good

Though Sabathia looked shaky early on, he straightened himself out and finished with 6.2 innings of 2 run ball. That was his best post season start since, well, ever.

The captain continued to show that he was genetically constructed specifically for the post season. He went 2-2 with a 2-run homerun that tied the game early on, and 2 walks. He also scored 3 of the Yankees 7 runs.

A-Rod picked up where he left off in his 2004 slamming of the Twins going 2-4 with 2 RBI's of his own. I think this is a different strand of A-Rod than ever before.

Matsui hit two weak grounders, and the Twins were all like "This guy hits like an old lady!" and Mauer was like "I'm going to horse kick this guy!", and right then he stood up and hit a monster 2-run blast. Kudos to the 35 year old man, with 84 year old knees.

The bullpen was pretty much what we've grown to expect of it. Hughes recorded 2 outs to end the 7th, and begin the 8th, both by strikeout. Then, for reasons outside of the realm of sobriety, Girardi had Coke record one out, and Chamberlain record another. Then Mariano came to finish it off in the 9th. My guess is that since the Yankees have been sitting idle for a couple days, Girardi wanted to get as many relievers to shake off the rust, so with the off day tomorrow, they don't go into Fridays game with a bunch of guys who haven't thrown a ball. Then again, I just ate 18 wings and don't feel really good, so take it for what its worth.

The Bad

A hit and a walk off Mo! There will be trouble to pay! Also, Marky T needs to step his game up!

The Ugly

It looked like Posada and Sabathia had some trouble early on in the game communicating, and one passed ball led to a run scoring. That won't fly against better teams in the ALCS and World Series. I suggest either walkie talkies or a complex series of eye blinks.

ALDS MVP

The number one vote has to go to Jeter. He had an amazing game as stated above, and was the spark that got the offense going. In one swing, he eliminated the entire Minnesota lead.

The runner up is CC Sabathia who had his post season jitters under control, and pitched the best post season start of his career. Did I mention he struck out 8?

A strong third place vote goes to Alex Rodriguez who showed that he can hit in the post season, just not when everyone's booing him.

For those keeping track in their RJG Scoring Manual:

1. Derek Jeter
2. CC Sabathia
3. Alex Rodriguez

Respect Jeter's Gangster is for the Children

We will continue our Joe Dimaggio-like streak of charitable giving through the post season. We believe that our $1.00 donations builds just enough good will to push the Yankees into their next World Series title. Tonight, much love to Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui for the extra $2.00 they will have made us donate to children's health.

Post Season Homeruns:

Derek Jeter 1hr = $1.00
Hideki Matsui 1hr = $1.00
Total = $2.00

Regular Season Total = $244.00

RJG Donation Total = $246.00

If you are interested in Johnny Damon's Homerun Club or the Children's Health Fund you can find links to both at the top right hand corner of our page. Live it. Love it. RJG.