I’ve taken quite a few breaks this summer and I’m fresh off another. So is the life of a first-year teacher (lucky enough to teach sports journalism)…

But that’s not to say I haven’t been following the Yanks and their red-hot run. So much to cover when you take a couple weeks away, where to start? Joba-Mania, the Flying Squirrel, Moose Returns, Rocket in Boston one last time (again), the Yanks making you live and die with every win and loss. Today, Yankee fans are living big with Detroit and Boston losing making it 3.5 up and 3.5 back, respectively.

As the Yanks fight and claw to get in, so many questions arise: Who are the starting five and who would pitch on a playoff roster? Are Joba’s rules going to apply to the post-season? Will Mike Lupica once again call for Joe Torre’s job if the Yankees don’t win? Will Torre retire anyway (I doubt it)?

A lot to chew on. As for tonight’s game, I think Doug Mien-whatever just took another chunk out of Jason Giambi’s future playing time. Doug’s line: 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI. So he can’t leg out a double. Neither can Giambi. We all know what Dougie can do with a glove…and that will shove Jason Giambi a little further down the bench as Torre prefers having Hideki Matsui at DH. Interesting saga on this one…we’ll see what plays out.

Back with more soon, I swear.