With the New York Yankees alone in first place in the AL East today is another good day to be a Yankee fan. So, let's look around the very sunny Yankee Universe and see what stories are floating around the Inter-Google about the greatest franchise on the planet.
- As part of HOPE Week, several Yankee players paid a visit to a Little League team that includes a boy with Cerebral Palsy. I didn't think much of this whole HOPE Week deal when the team announced it, but it is turning out to be a pretty nice thing.
- The Yankees got pretty much exactly what they need from Sergio Mitre Tuesday night, for however long he remains part of the Yankee rotation. Here is Joe Girardi's summary.
"He did a nice job. He threw a lot of strikes, almost got through six. I was happy," said Girardi, who needs a fifth starter with Chien-Ming Wang sidelined by a strained right shoulder. "It was a big lift for us. He did what he needed to do. We're not asking him to do anything out of the ordinary."
- Brett Tomko, the guy who was let go to make room for Mitre, is not a happy camper.
"I threw four or five innings in the first month; I don't think that's a legit shot to really show what you can do," Tomko said. ... "I was barely ever pitching, and I don't want to be that guy that just hangs around. I still want to pitch, and not just once every nine days. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise."
- You know, if Mitre eventually fails Kei Igawa is next in line to get a shot. That would screw up a pretty good gig Igawa has going, since he just became the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre all-time wins leader by recording his 27th victory for the franchise Tuesday.
- Eric Hinske credits an adjustment made by hitting coach Kevin Long for his hot start as a Yankee.
- In an article detailing the best and worst fielders in the big leagues at each position, SI.com's Cliff Corcoran says Johnny Damon is one of the three worst outfielders in baseball. I'm not sure about that, but I do know I hold my breath every time the ball is hit in Damon's direction.