A Rod's Return Lifts Yankees, Fans, and Record

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

DEER PARK, TEXAS (May 24, 2009) It has been a while since I made a post and things have been looking up for the Yankees.

First off, Alex Rodriguez returned to the Yankees' lineup on May 8 and quickly made his presence known. All he needed was one pitch and he knocked a three-run homer to lift the Bronx Bombers to a 4-0 win over Baltimore; snapping a five game losing streak.

Since his return, the Yankees are 12-4 are are currently one game behind the division leading Boston Red Sox. Today, the Yankees are headed for Texas and a three game series against the Rangers.

I got to see the Rangers in action in the third game of their series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The Rangers, who lead the AL West, swept all three games against the Astros, outscoring them 17-8.

This upcoming series should be a great match up for both the Yankees and the Rangers. The Yankees have a chance to gain on the Red Sox, who are currently 26-18. The BoSox will face Minnesota in a three-game series beginning May 25.

It really is a pain not being able to watch the Yankees here in Texas. I have AT&T U-verse, which has the YES Network, but most Yankees games are blacked out. During the Astros-Rangers game on Sunday, I found myself looking to the American League scoreboard more times that I can count to keep up with their progress.

When they tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, I was more interested in THEIR progress than the thumping the Astros were taking.

So goes it being a Yankees fan in Texas. I must get my live baseball fix at Minute Maid Park while wishing I was sitting in Yankee Stadium watching a real baseball team play.

Do not get me wrong. I love watching the Astros. But comparing them to the Yankees is like comparing a piece of hamburger meat to a t-bone steak. They both come from the same animal and they both are beef, but the quality of the product is not the same.

I would rather be in attendance at a losing Yankees game than a winning Astros game any day of the week. There is no comparison. The atmosphere, the ambiance and the enthusiasm of the fans in New York make baseball what it is.

Even in the new Yankee Stadium, the tradition of winning is present. I was able to attend a game in the original Yankee Stadium last season and that one experience made me a die hard Yankees fan for life.

But for now, I will have to get my Yankees fix over the Internet and ESPN. That is the only two opinions I have.

Finally, it is great to have A Rod back in the lineup. Things are looking up for true fans of the Yankees. Perhaps they will keep the success up and give many a reason to watch the post season in October. After all, if the Yankees are not in the playoffs, there is little reason to watch.