With the exception of Kei Igawa's frightening performance on Friday (4 IP, 9 hits, 8 ER... come on now), the Yankees have had an amazing week in the way of pitching. Phil Hughes took a no-hitter into the 7th on Tuesday - and if he hadn't busted his hammy he very well may have completed that game, both Pettitte and Moose did well during the double-header on Thursday, and of course we all watched Wang's 7+ perfect innings yesterday. Today brought even better news from the Bronx, as the one and only Rocket announced that he will be returning to the Yanks and hopefully salvaging the decrepit rotation.

Clemens made the announcement from the owner's box right after the 7th inning stretch, saying afterwards that the deal had just been worked out over the past 2 days and that none of the Yanks knew until the moment he let us all know (after the game Jeter said that he "knew", but it is unclear if he meant he had been told or if he just had a good old-fashioned hunch about it). The details of the deal, including his salary (I'm guessing it is in the neighborhood of $230892348092309) and whether he will be going on road trips or only pitching at home, have not been released just yet, but he did say that his first game will be in "about a month". If that timetable is accurate and he does make the effort to pitch a few road games like a normal person, his first start could feasibly take place at Fenway during the Yanks-Sox series on June 1-3.

With the way April went for the Yanks, I am hesitant to start making grand predictions of victory at this point, but the state of the union team is certainly looking up! I will be on the radio twice this evening (at 6:20 on Yankee Fan Club Radio and 10:30 on Free the Fan) to discuss the excitement and rebuff any and all anti-Yankees sentiments. You can listen to both broadcasts right here on YankeesChick in the media player on the sidebar, and don't forget that you can call in and chat with me during tonight's Free the Fan broadcast!