What a long strange week its been. But before we can look ahead, we have to look back, so let's start with last Friday night and move forward.
It's been a long time since the New York Yankees have had a week this good. And it's not very often you can say that after a team lost five of its eight games.
The last time had any period of time comparable to the last eight days was their five game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway in 2006. And that's where this week started as well.
Taking two out of three from the Sox in Boston was huge, no doubt. A dominant performance by Joba Chamberlain erased the last of the doubts about moving the right-hander to the bullpen. And even before the last out was recorded news just as big broke.
The acquisition of Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte for four players who had no impact on the team in the considerable future was a steal. And the trade paid off immidiately as Marte recorded a criticial strike-out of David Ortiz the very next day in another Yankee win.
Sunday's loss was, for the most part, irrelevant. It was expected because nobody could see the legendary Sidney Ponson shutting down the Sox that night, the defending champions wouldn't allow it.
The series loss to the Orioles was disheartening to NY fans but it was quickly erased from all minds shortly after 4pm Thursday afternoon. That's when word got out that the Red Sox had dealt Manny Ramirez to the LA Dodgers. That Jason Bay was coming back was of no importance. The hitter most feared by Bronx pitchers wouldn't be seen in the Bronx again in 2008. It seemed that the Sox were taking away from their championship chances just to get rid of a player that teammates had had enough of.
And thats how five losses compared to one big loss turned it into a winning week for Yankee fans everywhere.
Getting Pudge doesnt hurt either.
Things to look forward to this weekend:
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks- See Manny. See Manny in LA. See Manny tee off against Yusmiero Petit and Doug Davis. See Manny, it's so much easier in the NL.
Tigers at Tampa Bay (Sunday)- Armando Galarrago takes on James Shields in a premier pitching matchup as two teams try to keep hot in two close division races.
USA vs Russia (Sunday)- These games are essentially useless, but if America blows out another potential Olympic medal competitor it will lend more credence that the USA is back! We'll see.
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