This is What I Come Back To?

5 Days on the left coast and this is what I return to?  A 2-2 split with the Kansas City Royals?  Billy Butler hitting the ball like he's Matt Kemp?  Players admitting they are happy with the split?  A paltry +12 run differential, with Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano generating the same amount of HRs and RBI as the hobbled Nick Swisher on the season?

Not happy.  The starting rotation is still searching for an identity like a lost college student studying abroad in Europe.  Phil Hughes, despite an average outing, is definitely lost in Amsterdam somewhere.  And obviously there's the 900 lb gorilla in the room in losing Mariano Rivera.

In all honesty, I thought the man had died or someone had assassinated him.   Yes, he is a living legend.  No, this is not what anyone wants to see happen.  As we've now learned, Greatness refuses to go out like this.  What's left to say here?  Nothing, because every writer in existence already penned Mo's obituary.  You're not going to get that from me. ARod's Oh My God face was the biggest girly man move I've come across when dealing with a teammates injury.  DJ had to set the record straight, as he continues to carry the team both on and off the field.  The show must go on.  David Robertson is a more than adequate replacement.  He absolutely doesn't carry the same aura, but he sure as hell gets people out. Did you even know his ERA is 0.00?  Mo's ERA ever been that low after 12 appearances in a season?

The Yankees need a spark.  They need a youthful thirst.  That feeling that this could be their last day playing baseball.  If anything, Mariano's unfortunate circumstances should provide that.  The Bar needs to be higher.  Where are the Steinbrenners? Big George would hang someone after losing 2 of 3 to the Orioles and splitting with KC.  The Yankees NEED wins against these teams with the strength of the AL East.  Teams like KC and Baltimore need to be buried in April and early May.  That's just the way it is.

Finally - how the hell do the Yankees have the same record as the Mets?  The same Mets who are broke, can't put people in the seats, and have a single recognizable player?  Their GM mailed it in during the preseason yet they are on pace with the Yankees?  That is UNACCEPTABLE.

Damn Straight you will be!