On the Yankees beat

That can be possible Jim but maybe he wants sheff to see more fastball as well as having the protection of Giambi behind him. Mind you robertson is a hard throwing pitcher and who's the hitter most capable of hitting fastballs? AROD will be AROD nonetheless... I also thought of something considering the trials and tribulations of AROD in the playoffs why have him hit clean-up which he hasn't shown he can hit clutch.

That is truly brilliant. The less pressure he has to perform the better he will - I think that's the best spot they've moved him to all year. Hopefully it'll work!

Lineup for game 1:

Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
*Sheff 1B
Giambi DH
*AROD 3B
Matsui LF
Posada C
Cano 2B

*Anyway you look at it even with the switch, it still looks dangerous.

What could you not like about the lineup except its defensive liability at first and left field. Having watched Sheffield and Matsui, respectively in the field. I would want some improvement at both positions. As far as speed, there are four guys who can motor or steel a base, Damon, Jeter, Abreu and Cano which will give us four guys in order after the second inning.

This is our best shot at it and unless a total meltdown occurs against a very good pitching staff or unless we match up against a hot hitting club. We should not be out hit but pitching is suspect in my eyes.

Jim are you sure? That would put Andy Phillips in the 4 hole late in the game. I think they want to de-pressurize A-Rod for the first couple of games and hope if he gets on a roll, his head will survive. If he freezes up in the 6 hole, Sheff still should get some RBI's.

It could be to prevent pitching changes or create a need for more pitching changes by going right- left, right-left throughout the order. (Posada switch hitting). Plus he could pinch hit Bernie in the four hole or the five hole and still get Phillips on the field.

This lineup is more of the "Clueless Joe" left-right-left-right, batting order that Torre has always loved. Batting Sheff 4th also means that should the Yanks replace him with Phillips, we now have a very weak stick in the cleanup spot. This makes me think that Sheff would only come out after batting in the 7th or 8th with a lead. By batting A-ROD 6th, the Yanks appear to be trying to protect the heart of the batting order, embarrass A-ROD publicly, and set the stage for his off-season trade. A-Rod is a very proud man. The question is will he go out with a whimper or a roar.

Obviously this is directed to AROD.. he cant get mad because he hasn't produce for the yanks. He should just keep quite and show that he got it, enough said.

Doesn't make a who le lot of sense to me...Sheffield has only been back 10 games...can't see how he possibly could be at full strength...which makes me wonder why he is the cleanup hitter in one of the great all-time lineups. And say what you will about A-Rod in the post season...but Sheffield has pulled a pretty good disappearing act himself in the Octobers that he has been here. If they replace Sheff with Phillips and then Phillips has to hit in a big spot they can always pinch hit Bernie and put Cairo at first.

Wouldn't it be ironic if Sheffield goes 0 for 3 with 7 LOB, while Phillips gets a big, bases-clearing double late in the game.

Will that shut you people up about Phillips?

Shouldn't every Yankees fan's post just start out with the words, "Wow, that lineup rocks!"? Alex Rodriguez will hit, or Alex Rodriguez will not hit. If Joe was putting himself in the 4 hole instead of Sheffield or Rodriguez, I would totally question that. Isn't that like sitting here arguing back and forth about Bill Gates driving his Lamborghini into the office on Wednesdays instead of his Ferrari? Whichever way you go, you have an awesome right-handed hitter up. If Phillips comes up in the 4 hole or the 6 hole...it is THAT much of a difference? If the game hinges on this, the Yankees have already lost.

Phillips should only come into a game if the Yanks have the lead late in the game. He should never bat in a game where the outcome is in question. But if the bullpen blows a lead, and his spot in the batting order does come up at a crucial point, his batting 4th is huge. If we hit for Phillips, then we have weakened the defense at 1st base and lost Sheff's bat. The only way Sheff hits 4th, is if he is in the game till it's a "blow-out".

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT CLUELESS JOE COULDN'T SCREW UP THIS LINE-UP, HE DOES JUST THAT. WHAT THE HELL IS HIS LOGIC. TO CLOG UP THE BASES FOR A-ROD?

It's been repeatedly said this year that "the Yankees wouldn't be in this position without Melky." Let's hope they can find a way to get him in there, especially since he showed more heart than a lot of the souless mercinaries that he replaced. Oh, and that defensive play of his ...

Does ANYONE know anything about baseball, here?

Phillips isn't going to replace Sheff in the game until the 8th or 9th inning.

Torre probably won't take him out unless the Yanks have a lead and Sheff's slot in the order isn't coming up for 7 or 8 slots.

I know Torre doesn't have much success as Yankee manager with 11-straight playoff appearances, 9-straight division titles, and 4 rings and all, but I don't think he's forgotten how to manage this ballclub.

Give the guy a break. He's not an idiot.

I agree with you Don. This is the best line-up in the history of the Yankees. Yes, I said HISTORY. Joe has thought this one through I'm sure.
He has won an MYP and Four rings, and worked for the Boss for 11 years. I think he might know just a little more than us! He could take spots 4-9 and let them choose, and still not be wrong! It is still up to the guys swinging the bats, no matter where they hit in the line-up.

I agree. Phillips will be in at 8-9, bernie will PH for his first at bat anyway and he is a great defender. He also is a very good hitter overall. Dont think Mattingly isnt involved in these decisions either. Maybe they have evaluated the Tiger pen and Leylands tendencies and want the L-R, L-R just to get their best relievers in and out early.

I totally agree with Torre for a drop in the order. My question is, Why is May-Rod hitting in front of Matsui? With a runner on 3B & Oh yeah, Shaun Powell is a moron. Boycott all his columns & write a letter to the editor. He calls Yankee fans "idiots" in his column.

The Yankees can win, but they've got to hit a hell of a lot of runs, and early. How often do I watch in agony as they leave man after man in scoring position, inning after inning? It's a crap shoot as to whether a base hit will equal a run with these guys. I love 'em to death, but they can't hit with men on base.

The BEST lineup was the one we played with all summer !!!! That is the one that got us here and that is the one we should be playing now!!!! Hello Bernie and Melky, have a seat Matsui (sure wish you could play 3B), and adios Sheffield. Wake up Torre.

eres uu ser muy especial y te admiro muchisimo cuidate mucho alex eres el mejor ATT sthefany s.