NEWS ITEM- JOE GIRARDI PINCH HITS FOR AROD AND IBANEZ BASHES ORIOLES WITH 2 HRS

By now everyone knows I am not Yankees Manager Joe Girardi's best fan. But, I must say it took a lot of guts and IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

In Wednesday Night's American League Divisional Playoff Game in the crucial 9th inning, he benched the non-productive Alex Rodriguez and sent Raul Ibanez to pinch hit.  Girardi was rewarded for his genius as Ibanez hit a game-tying home run in the 9th and then capped off the night with a game winning 12th inning smash into the second deck in right. Yankees win, Yankees win...etc.

Great nite for the Bombers and Girardi as Aura and Mystique made the walk from across the street into the Cathedral of baseball.

I think Mike F from afternoon radio has just started watching baseball.  We have been saying for most of the summer that AROD appears to be done. He simply cannot hit ANYONE'S fastball anymore and as a result has been reduced to guessing at the plate. 

He has been way too ineffective for way too long for this to be a slump. We recognize his great stats and the great role he played in the 2009 championship but he can no longer be relied on as the 3rd or 4th place hitter on this team.

NEWS ITEM 2-GIANTS AT NINERS AGAIN...AN 80S RIVALRY REVIVED

49ER Fans on the west coast view this week's tilt as payback for last year's NFC Championship upset win for Big Blue at Candlestick. 

While the game does not have anywhere near the same significance for the Giants, it is clear that they need to step up their play as they begin a brutal part of their NFL sked. 

Not many people are picking the Giants this weekend, no doubt influenced by the Niners 78 points in the last 2 weeks vs the Bills and Jets. It says here that the Giants will raise their game significantly on defense. Big Blue plays better when:

1. they are on the road,

2. they respect the competition, and

3. no one thinks they can win. 

While the Giants remain a battered bunch, especially in the secondary at press time, it appears that Hakim Nicks will return this week to enhance the best offense in football. We like the Giants to keep this game close again...and I am not betting against Eli - the best Manning qb when its late in the game.....GIANTS 31 NINERS 27