Kick it off With a Bang!

muchismas gracias to ESPN, from whom I procured this glorious pic

The Yanks are back in the Bronx, but things were a little different from the last time they played at home. No A-Rod, Tex-Mex at first, new pitchers in the clubhouse, and, oh yeah - a new stadium!

The new Yankee Stadium opened its doors to fans today at last as the Yanks played the Cubs (why?) in an exhibition game, the first of two to be held at the new stadium before the Yanks head to Baltimore to open the season (again: why?). The lineup was quite a bit different than last year, with the Jeet leading off, and Texixeixeioxioewxioa in the 3-spot (Abre-who?), but these kiddos were hitting as if they'd been batting this way for years. The bats were on fire: Jeter did exactly what you'd expect him to do by grabbing the first hit in the new stadium's history (Ken Burns has already filmed a lovely yet slightly creepy retrospective on the moment, I'm sure), Gardner and Melky each had a hit (I think Girardi was seriously onto something by forcing those two to compete for jobs; A+ to him for that stroke of genius), Matsui hit a homer, Cody Ransom did his best A-Rod impersonation with a homer of his own, and Cano continued his fabulous spring with a homer himself. The Wangster didn't do so hot - 5 IP, 6 hits, 4 ER - but we did get to see Mo, Veras, Ramirez, and Albaladejo each pitch hitless innings!

Today's game may not have "counted", but it sure did provide an excellent glimpse into what this team is capable of. As I said the other day about CC, I cannot fathom this team NOT succeeding - I'll bet a burrito on the division title right now. Let's get crazy.