Jet Fan Beaten Outside MetLife Stadium After Being Mocked About 9/11

In what seems like an unlikely scenario, a die-hard New York Jets fan was severely beaten by a pack of drunken Kansas City Chiefs fans on the home turf parking lot of MetLife Stadium after the Jets routed the visiting team on Sunday.

The whole incident began—reported the New York Post— after one of the Chiefs fans screamed "F--k you New York" then "You all deserved what happened on 9/11!" claims the victim's family.

James Mohr, 23, was set upon by up to seven of the goons as he walked through Parking Lot J of the Jets home stadium after the 37-10 victory.

The incident is being compared to the brutal beating of a San Francisco Giants fan outside Dodger Stadium at an opening day game last March 31.

In that attack, Giants fan Brian Stowe suffered brain damage.

Mohr, a Bronx physical-education teacher was wearing  Jets gear in the parking lot when a woman hanging out with a pack of men started screaming the tauts at him.

Any reference to 9/11 might have a deeper meaning to New York and New Jersey residents and this one did.

According to Mohr's sister Anna, her brother was offended by the nasty remarks and called them "disrespectful."

"Our brother is a fireman, and my father is retired FDNY, so you can understand why a 9/11 comment would especially irk him," she said.  "He was shocked anyone would actually say something like that."

Mohr was jumped by the thugs as he was walking alone after leaving a group of his own friends.  One of the cowardly muggers was wearing a Chiefs football jersey a police source reported.

The lifelong Gang Green fan suffered a fractured jaw, cheekbone and eye socket and also has bleeding on the brain due to the attack.  Mohr underwent hours of surgery to repair his battered face.

"He's hanging in there and he's scheduled for surgery," said his sister.  "We won't know too much until that's done."

New Jersey state troopers arrested one of the alleged attackers—who is, surprisingly, from New Jersey—and charged him with simple assault, but a police spokesperson said the investigation will continue.

The similarity between Sunday's attack at MetLife Stadium and the preseason fights at San Francisco's Candlestick Park during a 49er's/Raiders game are glaring.  The NFL declared war on drunken fans after numerous people were pummeled inside and outside that stadium last summer.

Mohr's father Dan said attendants in the hospital ER where they took his son were not surprised by another beating.

"When we go to the hospital, the people in the ER said, 'Oh, not another one,' and told us this happens all the time," said the father.

A MetLife Stadium representative had this statement, "This is an unacceptable attack on one of our guests and we  have been working with the  New Jersey State Police to make sure the man arrested is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

The Jets fans have long had a reputation for rowdiness and brawling.  Anyone who has been to a few Jets games over the years can attest to the fact that beefed-up stadium security has curbed the hell-raising.

It's apparent that there is still more to be done.

Showalter Fires Back at Girardi's Lack of Compassion

Buck Showalter wasn't too happy with his former team, the New York Yankees, complaining about how this weekend's games were rescheduled due to Hurricane Irene.  The Baltimore Orioles head coach was making a reference to the O's plan of refusing to play a double-header on Friday.  Showwalter directed most of his anger at Yankees head coach Joe Girardi for his lack of compassion.

The Orioles had scheduled a Friday night tribute to former-Orioles pitcher, team executive and broadcaster Mike Flanagan who took his own life last Wednesday.

Girardi was puzzled buy the Orioles decision not to squeeze in the make-up game the same night and said their final say was "silly to me."

This remark steamed Showalter and the Orioles organization, who were still reeling from Flanagan's sudden death.

"First of all, I felt that some of the stuff was a little disrespectful to Flanny, quite frankly," Showalter said when told about the Yankees condemnation of this weekend's scheduling.  "That didn't sit well with me very well.  I can tell you that.  We didn't say much-- I think we had an April rainout there-- and they just told us we were playing.  We were OK with that.  Like I told you the other day, you tell us when we're playing, we'll play."

The Orioles had a moment of silence and a video tribute to Flanagan on Friday which highlighted his career.  A large #46 (his number) adorned the visiting scoreboard instead of the out-of-town scores and the Baltimore players wore a patch on the right arm of their jerseys.

It was a nice ceremony-- even the Yankees team came out of their dugout, but didn't exactly take up a lot of time. 

Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson also expressed his frustration at the O's decision by issuing a prepared statement to the press criticizing the Orioles handling of the schedule  and saying the solution was inadequate.

Girardi wasn't quiet about not playing a double-header on Friday after Saturday's game was already considered a wash-out due to the hurricane.

Showalter said the Yankees called Orioles president of operations Andy McPhail only 24 hours before the series started-- asking to play two on Friday.  The O's declined for a list of reasons -- including the short notice and loss of money in playing a Friday afternoon game.

The Yankees were not pleased with the outcome-- using a Sept 8 off-day to make up one of Saturday's double-header games.

Asked if there was any way avoid using the Sept. 8 off-day-- which is one of two remaining off-days for New York,  Girardi opened up the idea of playing the game as part of a split-doubleheader in New York instead of Baltimore in a move that would help the Yankees because they travel cross-country to Anaheim to play the Angels on Sept. 9. while they are in the middle of a playoff race.  I've got my own team to worry about says Bucky.

"We hope we can be as competitive as they are," said Showalter.  "I respect where they are in the season and what their people are saying about the competitive part of it, but it means something to us too."

Girardi might want to stop whining and start winning.  The Yankees Bartolo Colon was outdueled by the Orioles Zach Britton, 2-0, in the first game of the night-day doubleheader on Sunday.  

The Yankees are 14-10 so far this August and head to Boston on Tuesday.

Mariano Rivera Has Another 'Uh-Oh' Moment; Yankees Beat Angels, 6-5

Today, under the brilliant blue skies over Yankee Stadium, hot-hitting Robinson Cano made the Los Angeles Angels pay dearly for an error by Macier Izturis, after the second baseman muffed an easy ground ball that should have ended the seventh inning.  The goof led to the winning margin of a Yankees victory.  The only grey cloud in sight, on this sunny day, was the one hovering Izturis' head the rest of the game. 

With the score tied, 2-2, and two outs,  Mark Teixeira squibbed a soft blooper towards second.  Izturis bobbled, then dropped the ball after it hit him in the chest.  Teixeira was safe at first and the Yankees had the bases loaded.  Hot hitting Cano came to the plate and sent the next pitch from Scott Downs over the right field fence for the fifth grand slam of his career and a 6-2 Yankees lead. 

The Yankees held on to win the game and the series, 2-1, from the Angels but the 6-5 victory didn't come without any trepidation about Mariano Rivera.  The Yankees closer had another "blip" in the ninth inning after another fine start from starter Bartolo Colon.

Colon went six strong innings although he ended up with his second straight no-decision. The rotund righty continues to build on one of the great comeback stories in the major leagues this season.

The only slip-up in Colon's day was giving up a two-run to Alberto Callaspo in the fifth inning which gave the Angels a 2-0 lead.  Fourteen of Colon's 18 outs came from strikeouts or infield outs.  Colon finished the day going six innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out three.

The Yankees once again called on the smoking bat of Curtis Granderson.  The Yankees centerfielder skied--and I mean sent into orbit-- his 32nd home run of the season off Angels starter, Tyler Chatwood.  The homer knocked in Derek Jeter to tie the score.  It was Granderson's fourth dinger in three games.

Everything looked good for the Yankees after Robinson's curtain call.  That was until Rivera was called in to bail out an ineffective Cory Wade with one out in the ninth.

Rivera came in after Wade struck out Vernon Wells and allowed two hits which put two men on base. The Hall of Fame closer was coming off a blown save and a loss-- "a blip" as manager Joe Girardi calls them-- and a lot of hand-wringing by Yankees fans.  Rivera only needed to get the final two outs.

Digging in at the plate was the Angels pinch-hitter Russell Branyan.  Branyan-- who had eight home-runs in 47 at-bats at Yankee Stadium-- immediately sent Rivera's first pitch into the right field stands to close the score to 6-5.

Rivera did a half-snarl/half-grin as he watched the ball sail over his head and into the hushed crowd.  Uh-oh.  Could what was once called a blip, now be an epidemic many anxious fans were probably wondering.  Things were getting interesting-- and too close.

Not to worry.  The usually reliable Rivera got the next batter to ground out and the final out was a short fly to left which Brett Gardner gathered in as he crashed into the box-seat wall.

Game over and Rivera picks up his 30th save of the season for a record-extending 14th time.

It's been a long time since Yankees fans held their breath when Rivera was on the mound, if ever.

It was the ninth straight home series the Yankees have won and gave the Yankees a comfortable eight game lead over the Angels in the wild-card race.

Except for Wade, the bullpen was nearly perfect.  Rafael Soriano continued to play like the 45-save closer the Yankees spent $35 million for.  He handled the seventh inning handily but gave up his first hit in five appearances since coming off the DL on July 30.

Dave Robertson was perfect in the eighth.

After the game, Girardi was asked if he was worried about Rivera.  The manager joked, "If it happened for a month."

Girardi continued to downplay the anxiety surrounding Rivera and believes hitters are just being more aggressive with Rivera so they don't fall behind.

"He's close to the perfect closer as we'll ever see," said the manager.  "[But] He's not perfect"

Rivera said he wasn't concerned about his weapon of choice-- the cutter.

"I didn't lose velocity, " said the 41 year-old Rivera.  "I put the ball where I want it, that's about it."

Asked if he sees any trend to his last three outings, Rivera shook his head.

"It's always only one pitch, stressed the closer.  "It's one pitch, but it can't be like that."

Ivan Nova Makes Case For Permanent Spot In Rotation; Yankees Win, 9-3

Ivan Nova pitched six strong innings tonight and has made it almost impossible for the Yankees to send the pitcher back down to Triple-A.  Nova's workman-like performance guided the Yankees to a 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels and snapped New York's three-game skid.  It was Nova's seventh straight win.

You can add the word "stopper' to the 24 year-old Nova's  resume.  He is 3-0 this season in games after a Yankees loss.  The only problem with Nova's victory, it didn't do anything to clear up the six man logjam in the team's rotation.

Nova was consistent, if not as overpowering as in recent games, through the first six innings.  He gave up a couple of harmless singles and a hanging fifth-inning slider cost him a solo home-run to Peter Bourjos.

In the seventh, Nova started to lose his fastball.  Up until then, it was clocked in the mid-90's and his slider was mostly good.

Vernon Wells' RBI single knocked in a run in the seventh, leading to Nova's exit with the bases loaded and no outs.  He received a warm ovation from the fans in Yankee Stadium as he exited the diamond.

Enter Rafael Soriano into the precarious situation.  The former-closer has been lights out since returning from the DL.  Soriano didn't disappoint.  He got the first batter to hit into a run-scoring double-play and the next batter, Jeff Mathis, popped up to end the threat.  He threw a total of four pitches

Since returning from the DL, Soriano hasn't allowed a single base runner in four appearances.  He pitched a critical inning in last Friday's win against the Red Sox and tonight, quite possibly, saved a trip to the minors for Nova.

"He's back to himself," said manager Joe Girardi when asked about the difference in Soriano at the beginning of the season and his appearance tonight.  "Sometimes, coming here could be an adjustment.  What he did tonight was huge for us."

Nova's final line read:  six innings, three runs, three walks and no strikeouts.  In his last outing, Nova dominated the White Sox and struck out 10.  Still, since returning from the minors on July 30, Nova (11-4) has three quality starts under his belt but Girardi did notice a slight change from Nova's last outing.

"He [Nova] had to work a little harder tonight," said Girardi of his pitcher's adjustments.  "It's a sign of maturity.  He's made great strides as a starter since last year.  He's more consistent and developed another pitch."

Nova agreed.  "My fastball wasn't there, my slider wasn't there," he told the YES Network.  "I battled to the end and got the win."

Luis Ayala came in to pitch the eighth and ninth innings.  He allowed three hits and struck out three.

Offensively, the Yankees didn't make Angels pitcher Garrett Richard's major league debut a red carpet affair.  The newbie walked the first two Yankees batters he faced,  before Curtis Granderson hit the first of his two home-runs on the evening.  Welcome to the big leagues Garrett.  It could be Grandy was trying to atone for his base-running gaff which ended the game last night.   Robinson Cano came up one single short of hitting for the cycle.  He had a double, triple and home-run.

The Yankees victory was the first against a pitcher making his debut in seven years.  Oddly, the team has lost the last six meetings to starters making their debut.

Nova's victory-- with Soriano's assist-- is sure to keep Girardi awake at night thinking about how to slim down his six-man rotation.  Or at least until Saturday, when Phil Hughes goes to the mound.

How can the manager send Nova-- who has the second most wins (11) on the team, behind CC Sabathia (16)-- back to the minors?

 Hughes got rocked by the Red Sox, in a relief role, last Sunday, and hopes to rebound this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.  The righthander needs a good outing to keep him from returning to the bullpen.

Meanwhile, Sabathia has been grumbling about the over-stocked rotation, and the extra day between his starts, and wants Girardi to "make a decision on who to pitch."

Tonight, Nova didn't make it any easier.

Separated at Birth: A.J. Burnett and Elroy Jetson

It's hard to know if New York Yankees A.J. Burnett was going for the Elroy Jetson look on purpose but, it's safe to say the original spaceboy 'do didn't improve his game.

Burnett's newly bleached locks and 'his boy Elroy' cut did little to disguise the fact that it's the same old A.J. and his "I have to find a way to have fun" on the mound attitude has changed nothing either.

After throwing five strong shut-out innings last night against the Los Angeles Angels, Burnett turned into Rosie the Robot.  He gave up four runs on two hits during the ugly sixth inning-- including two walks, a wild pitch a two-run double to a .181 hitter.

Burnett hasn't won a game since June 29 and the crowd at Yankee Stadium gave him a loud reminder of that fact as he walked to the dugout.  The Yankees lost, 6-4.

Here's some fun facts.  It was  Burnett's league-leading 15th wild pitch, he has a winless streak of seven games and, not surprisingly,  the righthander has not won an August start during three seasons in pinstripes.

It beginning to look like Joe Girardi has a better chance of seeing flying cars and the Little Dipper school on a pole before a Burnett win, but he refuses to bench his $16.5 million hurler.

To a frustrated Yankees fan, it feels like George Jetson walking Astro on that out-of-control treadmill (remember when treadmills were considered futuristic?)

Joe!  Stop this crazy thing!!

Fan Offers Cash Reward To Angels Torii Hunter During Game At Yankee Stadium

Los Angeles Angels rightfielder, Torii Hunter picked up a pair of glasses that fell onto the field at Yankee Stadium during last night's game, and handed them back to the man in the stands who then dangles a ten-dollar bill at the player as a reward.  If it was a bribe for something, it was way too small.

The funny exchange took place during the bottom of the fourth inning of the Yankees/Angels game after Nick Swisher jacked a long fly ball that headed towards the man and what looks like his family (they're all wearing the same type of brand-new Yankees gear).

Hunter catches the ball but also catches a glimpse of the glasses below the right-field stands where the man is hanging over the rail.

Hunter hands the the specs back to the guy, but refuses to take the bill as a reward.

Does this guy know that Hunter is in the fourth year of a five-year, $90 million contract?

Anyway, ten bucks won't even get you a beer and a hot dog in the House That Ruth Built.

If the guy was trying to bribe him to drop the next ball, the Angels won, 6-4.

A.J. Burnett Still Not Having Fun; Yankees Lose, 6-4

A.J. Burnett appeared on the mound tonight sporting a new bleach-blonde hair color and, for five innings, it looked like he was finally having as much fun as his care-free hair style.  Then, using the pitcher's usual modus operandi, he unravelled in his inimitable style.  The much-maligned New York Yankees righthander was coasting through the Los Angeles Angels line-up until the wheels came off  once again.

Up until the fateful sixth inning, Burnett had confidence, control and his fastball was working like a charm.  He allowed three hits and it looked like his "I have to find a way to have fun" theory on winning was working.  For a pitcher who hadn't won a game since June 29, all signs looked positive and Burnett had finally turned the corner on his losing ways.

Then he turned into Bad-A.J..  In the sixth, Burnett gave up a home-run to former-Yankee Bobby Abreu, which tied the score, 1-1, then he walked Mark Trumbo on a 4-0 count.  The slow-footed Trumbo tagged up to second on a long Vernon Wells fly to centerfield.  Manager Joe Girardi then had Burnett intentionally walk the next batter, Maicer Izturis, and, like a premonition, had his bullpen start getting busy.

In typical Burnett fashion, the pitcher walks Peter Bourjus, loading the bases, and the Yankees bullpen really got into full gear.

Next, facing Jeff Mathis, a .181 hitter, Burnett abandoned his 94 mph fastball and threw a slider.  Mathis bouces the ball over the outfield fence for a ground-rule double and the Angels take a 3-1 lead.  Burnett wasn't through making his life miserable just yet.  For an encore, his next pitch goes into the dirt in front of catcher Russell Martin and Bourjus scores from third to give the Angels a 4-1 advantage.

It was a league-leading 15th wild pitch for Burnett and it continued the struggling pitcher's 0-8 record in August as a Yankee.  Amazingly, that makes it three August moons without a victory in pinstripes.

More groans than boos filled Yankee Stadium for about the umpteenth time and Burnett was through for the night.

His final line was six innings, six hits, four earned runs, three walks and six strikeouts, but the most glaring stat was the four runs in one inning on two hits.

Cody Wade came into  mop up for Burnett in the seventh and struck out the Angels side and gave up one hit.

Meanwhile, Angels starter Dan Haren was mowing down the flat Yankees until Derek Jeter's two-out double knocked in Eduardo Nunez and Brett Gardner to tie the game at 4-4.

Mariano Rivera began the ninth inning by allowing a two out hit and then faced a patient Abreu, who drove a flat cutter from Rivera into the seats for his second home-run of the night and a 6-4 Angels lead.

The Yankees threatened in the ninth, but with two outs and Curtis Granderson  on first, the Yankees centerfielder-- in a what-were-you-thinking moment--  inexplicably got caught in a run-down to end the game with slugger Mark Teixeira at the plate.

For Rivera, it was his second blown game in a row.  On Sunday, he got his fifth blown save of the season against the Red Sox and tonight he got his second loss.

After the game, Burnett was asked why he switched from his fastball, which was clocked at 95 mph, to an irregular slider after the third inning.

"I wouldn't change a thing," said Burnett.  "But I'll get upset about it later.  It's frustrating, but I kept my team in it as best I could."

Asked to evaluate his performance, Burnett said, "I just want to keep the zeroes up.  That double was a big hit."

Girardi has a lot of evaluating to do himself.  The Yankees manager has to wonder if his "No. 2 starter" is ever going to get through a game without imploding.

Fans are also going to be asking Girardi 'why is it alright to bench Jorge Posada and his large contract and lousy play but, sitting Burnett and his huge paycheck, unless he gets better, is out of the question.'

Is A.J. Burnett the Villian of Yankees Six-Man Soap Opera

For all the baseball fans who have been following the soap opera which is the New York Yankees six-man rotation saga-- otherwise known as Search For Tomorrow's Starter-- tonight's episode brings us another cliffhanger.

A.J. Burnett, who is the the Yankees' version of Susan Lucci at the Emmys-- because it seems like he has one win in 23 tries-- faces the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium tonight.  The struggling righthander is winless in his last six starts and the fan's cries for rookie Ivan Nova to take Burnett's spot in the rotation are getting ominous.  Now, they're basically just screaming.  Tonight's game is Burnett's version of One Life to Live.

For all the fans of the soaps and the impending disappearance of the dying format from television, the Yankees can always be counted on some bring drama in to your mundane lives.  Even if you think Peyton Place plays for the Colts or  Lever Brothers are the Jewish siblings who played on the 1950 Brooklyn Dodgers, things are never dull in Dallas--I mean the Bronx.

The spirit of Jock Ewing (played by George Steinbrenner) has been passed down to the unscrupulous J.R. (Brian Cashman) and earnest Bobby (Joe Girardi).  TV Guide says tonight's episode should be a good one:

'Burnett is trying to rebound from an almost disastrous last outing, when he didn't get a win after the Yankees batters fronted him with a 12-run lead against the weak hitting Chicago White Sox.  Burnett proceeded to allow seven run and didn't qualify for the win because he was pulled from the game before five innings.  He was last seen ripping the jersey off his body while hitting the locker room.'

Yesterday, Burnett told the New York Post he vowed to reverse his fortunes on the mound and said, " I have to find a way to have fun."

Wait...did he just say, " I have to find a way to win one?"  What?

Sounds like the erratic No. 2 pitcher, Burnett, is living in Another World  because he hasn't seen a 'W' in 40 days, after starting the season 4-0.  The only thing bigger than Burnett's ever-growing ERA is his $82.5 million contract and, as every one who follows their daytime stories knows, the rich always get away with murder.

Right now, if Joe Girardi had to fill out his rotation in a five-game playoff series, Burnett would be lucky to be throwing out of the bullpen in a game five.

In reality, Girardi would open with CC Sabathia, then Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Nova-- with Phil Hughes waiting in the wings.

Tomorrow, 24 year-old Nova gets the start against the Angels and a chance to make a statement.  Call him The Young and the Restless.

The rookie is having a breakout year, since his return from the minors to make room for Hughes in July.  Nova's last outing was an outstanding 7.2 inning, 10-strikeout win.  He gave up one run and no walks and has won six straight.  Nova is 10-4 with a 3.81 ERA this season.

Only on the sound stage that is called Yankee Stadium could a pitcher with Nova's fine stats be fighting for a job in the rotation against a pitcher with Burnett's losing numbers.

Hughes and Nova are like the Luke and Laura of this whole drama-- two young faces the fans really want to see together in the rotation.  Will they, or won't they.  It's been a long and heartbreaking journey.

The 25 year-old Hughes looked like future ace they Yankees protected from trades since his arrival.  Last year's breakout 18-8 season put him in the rotation until-- cue the downward-turn-of-fate music-- an undiagnosed and debilitating "dead arm" injury (it even sounds like a soap opera ailment) put him on the DL after losing his fastball early in the season. He has lowered his ERA to 7.11 from a sky-high 13.94  before going on the DL.

Hughes' comeback had been slow and steady until, finally, a brilliant (six innings, three hits, no runs) outing last week brought his recovery full circle.  Cue triumphant music.  But then, a failed relief appearance and game-winning hit against rivals, the Boston Red Sox, made his future unsettled again.  Cue doom-and-gloom music then cut to commercial.

Hughes thirteen-pitch outing cost him a start this week and, now, Nova is the pitcher who takes his place.

The irony.  Wow, General Hospital couldn't have scripted it any better?

As a sub-plot, there is the resurrection of Bartolo Colon in some sort of Dark Shadows theme. We're talking about Barnabas Collins-like mystical shoulder and elbow treatments in the Dominican Republic and Colon's incredible resurgence.  He even has a goth haircut.

The 38 year-old Colon made a miraculous return to the majors, after missing two years and still,  no one knows the circumstances.  Spooky stuff.

Now Girardi has to solve the mystery of getting six pitchers into five rotation slots or risk upsetting Sabathia's rigid five-day throwing schedule.

Cue announcer Macdonald Carey:  "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives."

Stay tuned for The Bold and the Beautiful starring Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly.

Could Ivan Nova Knock A.J. Burnett From Yankees Rotation?

If Ivan Nova is super tonight, does the young right-hander deserve a spot in the New York Yankees rotation?  After A.J. Burnett's implosion last night, it might be a credible thought; although Yankees manager Joe Girardi confirmed Burnett would make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels.

When last seen last night, Burnett was headed to the locker room, popping buttons all over the dugout as he ripped off his Yankees jersey.

Burnett's seven-run debacle against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field had to concern Girardi. 

The Yankees pounded out 23 hits--five players had at least  three apiece-- and handed the struggling Burnett a 12-run lead and he still couldn't get a win.  It would have been his first W since June 29.



The Yankees were ahead, 13-1, and Burnett allowed five runs in the fourth-inning.  In the fifth, Girardi made the decision to yank his inefficient starter with two men on the corners.  He gave up seven earned runs in all.

Girardi did the exact thing with Phil Hughes a couple of weeks ago when the Oakland A's started to chip away at a big Yankee lead.

This four-game series against the White Sox was originally an audition for the No. 5 slot in the rotation between Hughes and Nova but now, with Burnett's flame-out, it could now be a rotation casting call.

Hughes passed his screen test with flying colors.  His six-inning, three-hit, no runs, rain-shortened gem probably secured the slot for Hughes handily. 

Tonight is Nova's turn to be seen.  In what was essentially a go-see could possibly turn into something more important-- a spot on the roster.

Nova is making his second appearance after being sent down to Triple-A to make room on the roster for Hughes.  He has won his past five decisions by sporting a 3.26 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks in 38 2/3 innings.  Nova has been the beneficiary of a robust Yankees offense.  The team has averaged nine runs during those starts while Nova has given up six home-runs and 34 hits during that span.  Amazingly, the 9-4 pitcher is fighting a demotion back to Triple-A.

Burnett is going in the opposite direction.  His ERA has steadily climbed every month since April and his 4-0 start.  He was 0-4 with a 7.80 ERA in July and is now 8-9 with a 4.56 ERA for the season.

A couple of things keep Burnett in the rotation .  One, his huge contract ($16.5 mil-a year with two more to go) and two, the underlying hope (and capability) that the Sybil-like righty can throw a brilliant game.  Still, Burnett is untradeable and will never see the bullpen for that price.

When Burnett is on, he is great but when he is alternately off, he is horrible.  It's not uncommon for Burnett to strike out a side one inning then, in the next, throw a wild pitch, hit a batter and walk in a run.  I'm not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's done all three at the same time.  Baseball's first Triple-Bobble.

Girardi has said all the right things regarding his overstocked starting rotation.  He didn't pass judgement on Hughes until Tuesday night and it looks like the manager's support paid off.  He's showing the same respect for Burnett.

"His day will be on Wednesday," said Girardi, putting the kibosh on any talk that Burnett's position is in jeopardy. "His numbers aren't that bad.  We look at the whole year, and A.J.'s been decent for us.  He's starting on Wednesday."

Girardi had that same 'look at the past' outlook with Hughes the past few weeks until Hughes came through.  The Yankees are winning, even with the rotation distraction, and are only one game behind the division leading Boston Red Sox and have an eight game lead in the wild card race.  So Girardi doesn't want to rock the boat.

As for last night's benching, Burnett was already off the mound when Girardi came out to relieve him.  The embarrassed pitcher slapped the ball into his manager's hand and stormed off-- only two outs from a win.  Girardi didn't take it personally but, didn't take chances either.

"I'm frustrated for him," said Girardi.  "Because that's a night that he should be able to go out and get a win."

Burnett meanwhile, knew what was coming.

"I was a little upset, but then again, you got to look at how I'm pitching too," said Burnett.  "I wasn't exactly doing anything out there.  You've got to stop the bleeding somehow."

If Nova picks up his 10th win tonight, he may be the tourniquet the Yankees need.

15 Year-Old Refuses To Return Hideki Matsui's 500th Home Run Ball

Reversing a chapter from Christian Lopez's book on what to do after you catch a historic ball hit by a professional baseball player, a 15 year-old kid refused to hand over Hideki Matsui's 500th career home run ball back to the player.

Maybe this kid is still holding a grudge against the Japanese because the of the women's soccer team shocker over every teenage boy's fantasy pin-up Hope Solo and the American team in the World Cup.

More likely, he is holding out for some sort of huge payday.

Lopez was the young cell phone sales man who caught Derek Jeter's milestone, and long awaited, 3,000th hit.  After Lopez snagged the home run ball in the centerfield stands, he immediately handed it over to the New York Yankees organization.  In return he was rewarded with signed memorabilia, season suite tickets and a $15,000 IRS bill.  Experts claim the ball could have been worth up to $250,000.  Cynics called Lopez a sucker.

Matsui homered for the Oakland A's on Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers, giving him 500 home runs between the majors and Japan's Central League.  The A's DH hit 332 homers in 10 seasons with the the Yomuri Giants and 168 in the majors playing for the Yankees, Angels and A's.  140 of those dingers came in pinstripes.

A's first base coach, Tye Waller tried to fetch Matsui's ball after it sailed into the Comerica Park stands, but it looked like he ended up in a public negotiation with the Detroit youngster and his father instead.

The ball probably has more sentimental value to Matsui than any real financial worth on the baseball collectibles market.  So dad shouldn't be planning on an early retirement.

The quiet Matsui downplayed his feat even more.

"I guess you can say I'm happy to get it out of the way," said Matsui through an interpreter.  "To add to that, winning the game just made it even better."

Matsui-debunkers claim the 500 home run total is tainted because most of the four-baggers happened while he was playing overseas.  The former World Series MVP always maintained winning a World Championship was always his proudest achievement.

"It's not like I was aiming for 500 or anything like that in my career," he said.  "Honestly speaking, the way I look at the record in Japan and the numbers here are completely different."

Matsui came to the New York Yankees in 2003, as a 29 year-old "rookie," and played his first seven seasons in the Bronx before playing with the Los Angeles Angels and A's.

Wednesday's home run was Matsui's seventh of the year.  He is batting .223 with 43 RBI's this season.

Tonight he is visiting Hell-- otherwise known as Yankee Stadium in 100 degree July heat-- and the home of some of his greatest major league accomplishments.

Asked if getting No. 500 would have been sweeter at Yankee Stadium Matsui replied," It doesn't matter to me.  I have so many great memories in New York.  I think it would have been asking too much to have it happen here."

One thing is for sure, with Christian Lopez in his Champions Suite seats, fan-favorite Matsui's chances of getting the home run ball back would have been better too.

Bartolo Colon: Yankees' Pound-for-Pound Most Valuable Pitcher

The New York Yankees might have lost Phil Hughes' fastball to "dead arm" but his replacement, Bartolo Colon's right arm is screaming 'It's alive!'

Last night, Colon--who's best years seemed to be over six years ago--continued his unlikely run as the Yankees best comeback story by tossing a beautiful eight-inning gem against the Chicago White Sox.  The hefty righthander allowed one run on seven hits and struck out six lead the Yankees to a 3-1 win and snapping their first two-game losing streak.

The hefty pitcher has been the Yankees most reliable pitcher and the pound-for-pound most valuable starter--literally. 

The big steer of the Yankees staff is still CC Sabathia who--even after slimming down this off-season-- rolls in at a conservative 290 lbs.  Colon, who was never physically mistaken for Randy Johnson even with a blazing fastball and slimming pinstripes, thunders in at 270.  Divide Sabathia's $23 million per year to Colon's $900,000 by their weight and you get $79,310 per pound to $3,333, respectively.  That's a kobe steak at Nobu next to ground chuck; only this hamburger is now being served on a silver platter.

Colon may have found some way to turn back the clock, but it remains to be seen if he can maintain his early season success.  So far this year, he is 2-1with 26 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.77 in 26 innings but there is still a long way to go.

The 37 year-old Colon--who would use skinny jeans as gloves-- had great years through 2005 when he went 21-8 and picked up the Cy Young award as a Los Angeles Angel.  He has been plagued by injuries and trying to pick up the pieces since that fantastic season.

Colon was an off-season pick-up by Brian Cashman's for the Yankees' scrap heap along with Freddy Garcia for minor-league contracts and corned-beef hash-like money.

Colon battled Garcia for the fifth spot in the rotation, but started the year in the bullpen.  Now both pitchers have become more than fill-ins through the first month of the season--especially with Hughes' problems looking more serious than at first thought.  Time will only tell if the two veteran pitchers can hold up for the rest of the season.

If last night was any indication of Colon's rebirth,  things look good for the Yankees.  Colon's fastball reached 96 mph in the eighth inning and he battled a game Mark Buehrle (1-3) for seven innings.  Even White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen--who managed an injured Colon in 2009--was impressed

"Amazing," said Guillen.  "Wow, I can't remember seeing him like this since he was in Cleveland or with the Angels.  His ball was moving great.  I feel proud of him, especially after knowing all the arm issues that he has gone through.  Buehrle was good tonight, but Colon was better."

Except for a few singles by the Sox in the sixth, they could not hit Colon's heater.  The last time the big guy went eight innings was in 2007.

"It's been huge for us," said Joe Girardi.  "Every time he's taken the mound, he's pitched well and given us a real good chance to win--even in games where he came in in long relief and held the other clubs down for us, he's given us a chance to win.  His production has been huge."

Now with Hughes looking at a possible long downtime, the Yankees will be counting on Colon to uphold his end of the rotation for as long as he can.

"I felt pretty happy, my first [start] at Yankee stadium," Colon said through an interpreter.  He believes he is better than ever even if his fastball probably won't reach 98 mph again.  "I can throw more strikes than when I won 21 games," he said.

Those words ain't chopped liver.