Baseball wasn't cool in the 1960s.

During the "Summer of Love" not many young people were talking about Carl Yastrzemski. No one at Woodstock wondered whether the Mets could really go all the way. Few among my friends were particularly impressed when I took a summer job answering Mickey Mantle's fan mail for the Yankees in 1968. And it was the same when I was offered, and accepted, a full-time position in the public relations department midway through my senior year in 1970.

I was one of two people in my college who subscribed to The Sporting News (my roommate was the other)--but I couldn't watch baseball on Sundays in the fall when the one TV in the dorm was tuned to the NFL--even during the World Series!

As Mantle, Banks, Clemente, Mays, Aaron, Mathews, Maris, Killebrew, Koufax, Drysdale, and Colavito moved toward the twilight of their careers, few stars appeared to replace them. The mid- to late sixties gave us Reggie Jackson, Johnny Bench, and Tom Seaver, but not many other attention-getters.

But then, in the midst of this decidedly uncool period of baseball, the once proud Yankees, now mediocre and dull, found a player named Thurman Lee Munson to proudly take them to their tomorrows.

Thurman was a throwback; a lunch-bucket kind of guy who was all jock and no rock. He wasn't going to win over New York by being Joe Namath or Clyde Frazier. He liked Wayne Newton music and, in what was arguably the worst-dressed decade of the twentieth century, the 1970s, he was the worst of the worst. His wardrobe featured clashing plaids and checks made of the finest polyester. Socks were optional.

Last night in Cleveland the New York Yankees made major league history. It's a record that takes place one game at a time - each game has its chances and for 18 consecutive the 2009 Yankees have performed flawlessly - surpassing the old mark of 17 by the 2007 REDSOX. There have been opportunities for muffs but with the pithers taking command of the game's pace, keeping up the pace - fielders are on their toes and ready for the ball to be put in play. Even the pitcher who becomesa a fielder once the ball leaves his hand .

Joba Chamberlain did a belly flop with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs as Kelly Shoppach bunted in the air.

It’s a summer day in 1960; the Brooklyn streets are quiet except for the chatter of Churchgoers on Humboldt Street as they are exiting St. Francis of Paola Sunday Services. It’s a little after 1 o’clock and we have just arrived at my Grandmothers for our traditional Sunday dinner. It’s the typical Italian gathering of relatives, uncles, aunts and cousins and the men as usual are raising glasses to acknowledge each other’s arrivals.

It doesn’t take long for the conversation to drift towards baseball. It’s been a few years now since O’Malley took the beloved Dodgers to La La Land and my father and his brother in laws are still seething from the blow. The talk slowly starts to drift towards the Yankees, one Yankee in particular Mickey Charles Mantle.

In those days speaking well about a Yankee in Brooklyn could and often did result in fisticuffs, however considering this was a family gathering that was not going to be the problem. As a 4 year old kid I would often listen to my Dad and uncles talk baseball but this time all I could remember was them speaking with such enthusiasm about the heroics of this guy Mickey Mantle. I thought what a great name Mickey my name was Mike that was like Mickey but not quite. However the seed was planted and I liked this Mantle guy sight unseen.

Though the Yankees failed to come up with another walk off win today - except for disappointment let's admit it - this one one hell of a 10-game homestand. Winning 8/10 honesstly 11 days ago how many of us were on board for that???? Four of the wins were walk offs. Today went into 11 for another nail biter. For the most part we have to be pleased with our boys. Biggest disappointment is Hideki Matsui's slump - it's a killer with runners on and he fails to advance them. Am seeing that the Jays have lost 6 in a row. tb

With the disappointment, anger, heartbreak of the game 1 disaster at Funkway fresh in our minds, we lost more than a game 1. First before the game even started Brian Bruney was not there - even Yankee broadcasters did not know and were (like most of us) watching for him to warm up for the 8th inning. After the game we learned that Brian had been sent back to New York - he has been experiencing elbow pain since Tuesday. Being close to our home, Cash sent him back to have it checked out by New York doctors. Brian didn't think it necessary so he could be back in Boston tonight. If not that's a big hole to fill even for a few games.

During the game Cody Ransom playing an aggressive game was taken out with a quad injury - he will be placed on the DL. Last year Jete and Alex both suffered this one and were out 2-3 weeks. Angel Berroa will most likely be called up from S/WB.

Chien Ming Wang has officially been placed on the DL - something about his hips which seems to be normal following the ankle injury. Dave Robertson will be in Boston today taking his place-a reliever makes sense until we know the status of Bruney. Tuesday in Detroit it could be Phil Hughes who makes the start-speculation on my part since they won't make that decision until Sunday or Monday.

The Yankees have an off day today while they travel to Beantown and FUnkway Park to take on the surging REDSOX One of the top (fan) rivalries in sports is on tap for this weekend, the first three of nineteen for the season. It might only be April but these games always get played up big - so why not. Going into this weekend both teams have identical records and are 1.5 games tied for second behind Toronto. The pitching matchups should be really good especially Saturday for FOX when AJ faces off against Beckett. While the Yankees have started off on a steady pace of mediocraty (not slamming them) - the Sux started off ice cold in the cellar but then then pulled a 180 and are the hottest team in the AL-not just winning but crushing their opponents in recent games.

The Yankees opened the 2009 season on the road-after losing the first two games in Baltimore, watching CC and Chien-Ming get hammered was not the way we expected to begin. After salvaging the finale game, the Team moved on to Kansas City winning the first two games and the series but then dropped the finale and made the journey to Tampa for three with the AL defending champions. After horrible loss Monday night, AJ Burnett once again came through as the stopper last night with 6 no-hit innings before settling for a 7-2 win. Once again Andy followed AJ to give the pen a breather-Andy gave us 7.1 solid innings leaving a 3-3 tie game. When the Captain drove in the go ahead run in the top of the 9th, it was what Yankee fans almost take for granted it's Mo-Time for the save and another series win for the Yankees.

AJ pitched like we know he can - maybe not quite as sharp but in control and good location to hold the Os to 2 runs. AJ sent electiricity through the dugout in the 3rd with a K of Aubrey AHuff with the bases loaded. Jose Molina called a good game behind the plate. The D backed him up and the pen held it in check while the Offense kept hammering through 9 innings for 11 runs. Hero of the bat honors go to Nick Swisher who collected 3 hits: a double , Homer and 5 rbis. Robbie had a super series with patience to take the walk-another homer and key in the late inning scoring. Phil Coke whiffed two in the 6th as the pen took over for 3 2/3 Veras, Bruney and Rivera wrapped up the final 3 with no runs, no hits and no walks - the bull pen is off to a good start.

When Yankee Stadium, the New Cathedral opened its gates for the debut season of 2009, Who took center stage playing the most prestigious position, center field for the New York Yankees? The answer was revealed by Manager Joe Girardi. Rookie Brett Gardner won the honors, beating out 24 year old Melky Cabrera. Girardi had high praise for both young men - reflecting on the solid spring both had.

Melky had a struggle in 2008, which included a demotion to AAA at one point but came to camp ready to fight for the starting spot. His numbers were impressive, his speed covers ground in the outfield; he even gave up a chance to play in the WBC to win a spot in the starting lineup.

We got a taste of Gardner's speed when he was called up at the end of 2008 - once on base he was a threat to go, creating possibilites with his speed; the threat of his going would cause opposing players to rush throws. The problem was getting on base, playing on an irregular basis, Brett had a problem finding his batting eye. Once ST started and he had the opportunity his manager and coaches had a chance to see what the Rookie was capable of doing.