I've read so many pieces by writer's trying to capture the essence of Mark Teixeira, and all have left me ... well, unfulfilled as to who he is and what he's all about--until I read Ben Shipgil's piece in the Times.

Don't get me wrong. I think I'm much like anyone else when I sum up the switch-hitting Tex as a solid--but not quite top-tier player. But even more important to me than his expected .290 35 homer 110 rbi was the question "who is Mark Teixeira, and does he have the toughness--not just to play, but to thrive in New York?" The list of those who couldn't is long and impressive--from Ed Whitson to Randy Johnson and dozens in between, we need Tex to thrive here, and until I read Shipgil's piece I had no idea how he might do here.

But having read Shipgil's piece. I believe he understands the "Evil Empire" and what it means to don the pinstripes. Will he thrive? I wasn't so sure before when I knew little about him. But now I think he might. He'll certainly make us forget about Giambi.

This just in ... Yankees appear close to adding Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera.

Although I'm still abit giddy over the CC deal, adding a soon to be 36 year old right-handed hitting centerfielder who strikes out 140+ times a year, and sports a "robust" .331 OBP over a 23 year old, who had a poor showing last season smacks of a desperate and unnecessary move, in my opinion.

Melky may not be the centerfielder of the future for the Yankees, but it's hard to fathom that Cameron represents much--if any upgrade at all. Melky is demonstratively younger, a switch-hitter who makes more contact, is a base-stealing threat, and has a similar OBP.

I think giving up on Cabrera at 23 will come back to haunt the Yankees ...

According to MLB.com's Mike Scarr, the Yankees seem in better position than ever to land Jake Peavy, a 27 year-old Cy Young winner. According to the report, the Yankees are dangling Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Austin Jackson.

If true, I'd do this deal in a heartbeat on the condition that I could ink Peavy to an extension within 48 hours. This is a no-brainer--especially given the lost season's both Hughes and Kennedy endured in 2008. Jackson is the intrigue in this deal as I'm not sure I buy the same Yankee hype that had me seeing 15 wins from Hughes and Kennedy last season. Both washed out and frankly appear to be far less than spectacular. Should I believe Jackson is any different?

Can anyone say Jose Tabata?

We seem light on MLB ready position players, and we need proven starting pitching. Given the Yankees less than upfront approach to promoting their "stars" I have serious concerns and suspect Jackson is less Carl Crawford and more Willie Crawford.

Given the depth of our farm pitching, jettisoning two enigmatic starters to the left coast makes sense, and in fact might be just what the doctor ordered. We'd get a stud starter and the Padres would land two young pitchers with upside--who might thrive in the Southern CA sun.

Thoughts?

From the GM meetings in Florida, it is being reported that Jake Peavy would accept a trade to New York--although he would prefer National League teams first. According to the Star-Ledger, Peavy has identified "at least five National League teams - the Braves, Astros, Dodgers, Cardinals and Cubs," athough he has preference to Atlanta.

What does Peavy's addition of the Yankees mean to us?

Probably nothing other than it's one more blue chip pitcher to go after this winter. The Padres price for Peavy would be steep--perhaps too steep for the Yankees. But with CC, Burnett apparently not interested in the Yankees, Peavy might be the only blue-chip option, and Cashman might have to seriously mull it over.

Several sources are saying that Matt Holliday is available. This is one guy I wouldn't let the Red Sox grab. They have a need for a leftfielder, and whether we need one or not, we should make an effort. He'd be an upgrade over Matsui, Damon, or whomever else we stick out there.

Another move I'd pursue is Scott Olsen and Mike Jacobs. The Miami Sentinel is reporting that the Marlins are actively shopping both. Olsen is somewhat enigmatic, but he's young and has dynamite stuff. Jacobs' numbers are similar to Giambi's save for the salary. I think he made $375K last season. He's 28 has pop to all fields, and might be just coming into his prime.

With only a few games remaining, and big events planned for a final send off, I thought we at Pinstripe Alley should recount and relive some of our fondest, funniest, saddest, moments at the grande old house that Babe built, and King George remodeled.

I'm encouraging everyone to weigh-in and share some memories. I think it will help take the sting out of this season, and really give people who haven't experienced Yankee Stadium a portal that they wouldn't otherwise have...

That said, I'll begin.

I have many great stories from meeting Phil Rizzuto, to trying on Mrs. Berra's World Series ring, stealing a baseball from Wilbur Wood and Vada Pinson to having Ken Phelps back into my car after a game ...

But my biggest moment came way back in 1971 when my dad took me to my very first Yankees game. It was Os vs. Yankees, and Danny Cater singled past Marcelino Lopez to win the game. I must tell you I was hooked from the moment I walked through the tunnel and saw the green grass. All these many years later, I can close my eyes and drift back to that special night--my dad completely blitzed to the heavens by the fourth inning; me at 9, smoking some ganga with a latino friend, Luis.
Good times!

What's your greatest memories. We want to hear them!

Derek Jeter's  assault on Lou Gehrig's all-time Yankee Stadium hit record has rekindled an interest in the Iron Horse who died in 1941. Back in the 20s, 30s and 40s, everyone knew of Lou Gehrig and his exploits with the bat. But today, those who do know of him usually reference the 1942 Gary Cooper film Pride of the Yankees, that also starred Teresa Wright, Walter Brennan and numerous cameos by former Yankees, including the Babe, and Gehrig's closest friend Bill Dickey.

Although a great film (it was nominated for 10 Academy Awards) it was the Hollywood version of what happened to Lou, and loaded with inaccuracies, and didn't really bring the disease to life. I wanted to know how this great hero dealt with the disease and the knowledge that he was dying.

I've told you that I've been reading Jonathan Eig's outstanding book Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig. This is the true story of Lou Gehrig--his rise from poverty in NY row houses through his glory days and tragic end. It really should be required reading for ALL Yankee fans.

I stumbled across a piece by Eig in the Wall Street Journal In the Bronx, a Parting Shot that ran on Sept. 4. Eig whets readers appettite with his brilliant writing about Lou, the disease and the times. 

Before watching Derek break Lou's record tonight, take a few moments to read Eig's article, and consider getting the book.

Easy, everyone. I know the fat lady hasn't spontaneously broken out in a death-dirge, just yet, but she is certainly warming up her pipes in the basement--right next to my crazy aunt.

Like so many fans, this has been a real yo-yo diet of a year. The Yankees take two steps forward, and then three back; one step forward, one step back. This edition of the Yankees has touched all of my emotions--many times in the same game. But when it's all over, and the fat lady does sing, I'm hoping we do the right thing--evaluate the talent pool free from pennant fever.

To this end, Tim Marchman of the NY Sun wrote an article this morning that puts into words my thoughts for the rest of the season. Fat Lady Singing the Pinstripe Blues.

Let's be realistic about 2008, and take a careful look at what we have, what we need and what we need to get rid of before Spring Training.

You win, SKII, now please contact me at rodejo22@yahoo.com asap with contact information including name, address, phone, and we'll hook you up.

We have a deadline, so if we don't hear from you within the next couple of hours, we'll have to award the prize pack to someone else. Thanks for playing, and I hope you do get to enjoy the prizes--they sound fabulous.

I'll be at the game on Friday, and I'll admit that I'm abit jealous.

Hey Everyone,

The upcoming series in Baltimore is always a huge hit for fans traveling down from the tri-state area as well as folks like me traveling up from NC/VA and DC.

               Well for anyone planning on making the trip, PA is authorized to
               make it just alittle sweeter for someone. The National Aquarium
               in Baltimore is offering some great prizes, including:

               --A family four-pack of tickets to the National Aquarium
               --An overnight stay at one of three Harbor Magic Hotels

PA's highly qualified braintrust has put together a trivia contest and will randomly choose a winner from those submitting a correct answer. Note: The contest ends at 10am ET Thursday morning. We are asking only those on PA who are planning on attending the series to play.

Here's the question: Name the only Yankee to steal home twice in the same game? We need the player, and the date.