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and we have one hand tied behind our backs.

DETROIT (AP) -- Three years ago, they lost 119 games and were a punchline. You know, the Detroit Tigers ... ha, ha, ha. Funny game, baseball. The Tigers are the ones laughing loudest now -- and dancing their way to the AL championship series. And the New York Yankees? Well, they're the joke. Jeremy Bonderman was perfect for five innings and sublime for 8 1-3 in leading Detroit to an 8-3 victory in Game 4 on Saturday to win the AL playoff series and eliminate A-Rod, Jeter and the other high-priced, high-profile Yankees. Days removed from being swept by Kansas...

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Rocket returned with a win. Roger Clemens shook off some early rust and gave the surging New York Yankees the lift they were looking for, leading them to a 9-3 victory Saturday over the Pittsburgh Pirates in his long-awaited season debut. Pitching in pinstripes for the first time in four years, Clemens labored through the first few innings but got more effective as the afternoon wore on. He struck out seven in six solid innings and retired his final seven batters, leaving with a signature fist pump just before receiving a playful tap on the...

NEW YORK (AP) -- One chance left. Otherwise, infamy. On the brink of the biggest collapse in postseason history, the New York Yankees have one opportunity remaining to pull themselves together and finally finish off Boston. If not, this storied team with 26 World Series titles also will be remembered for the biggest October choke ever. Against its bitter rival, no less. Talk about a painful winter of wondering what if. Talk about an angry George Steinbrenner. Time to panic in pinstripe city. ``If you've got nerves, you shouldn't be there,'' star closer Mariano Rivera said. Curt Schilling shut down...

CLEVELAND -- While the debate rages among Yankees followers, the same discussions take place behind closed executive doors. What's needed most, an impact hitter or another significant starting pitcher? Tuesday night at Jacobs Field, the Indians only stoked the argument on both sides during an historic 19-1 thrashing on owner George Steinbrenner's 76th birthday. Cleveland launched six homers on the Fourth of July -- three off starter Shawn Chacon -- and handed the Yankees their worst defeat since a 22-0 loss to the Indians on Aug. 31, 2004 at the Stadium. The ugliest necktie The Boss ever received couldn't match...

Who here is a Yankee fan? Yankees have gotten off to somewhat of a rocky start but the starting pitching has been generally fantastic and once the offense stops coming in spurs, they will do some solid damage. This is the year that they finally break through and win the World Series.

The Toronto Blue Jays went toe-to-toe with the mighty New York Yankees, withstood a big first shot and then beat up their ace. Alex Rios and Troy Glaus clubbed two-run homers off an ineffective Randy Johnson while Gustavo Chacin recovered from a terrible first inning to pitch into the seventh as the Blue Jays whipped the Yankees 10-5 Tuesday night. Rios also hit a run-scoring double in the first and a sacrifice fly in the sixth to match his career-high with four RBIs while Glaus added a solo shot in the seventh for the Blue Jays (7-6), who remain scorching...

Cursed art thou, Johnny Iscariot!

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees grabbed center fielder Johnny Damon away from the rival Boston Red Sox, reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday night on a $52 million, four-year contract.

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Yankees grabbed center fielder Johnny Damon away from the rival Boston Red Sox, reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday night on a $52 million, four-year contract. Details of the deal were still being negotiated and Damon must pass a physical, a baseball official said on condition of anonymity because negotiations were not yet final. Moving from Fenway Park to Yankee Stadium will mean a change of style and scenery for the long-haired, bearded Damon - New York owner George Steinbrenner has rules governing the length of hair and bans beards. "Sad to say bye...

I'll bet that cellar smells! Regular Standings  |  Expanded Standings  American League  East W L Pct GB Home Road East Cent West Streak L10  Baltimore 18 9 .667 -- 9-7 9-2 16-6 1-1 1-2 Won 1 8-2  Boston 16 12 .571 2.5 6-4 10-8 11-10 3-1 2-1 Won 3 6-4  Toronto 16 13 .552 3.0 5-6 11-7 12-10 0-0 4-3 Lost 1 7-3  NY Yankees 11 18 .379 8.0 7-10 4-8 9-14 0-0 2-4 Lost 3 3-7  Tampa Bay 11 18 .379 8.0 10-8 1-10 8-16 0-0 3-2 Won 3 3-7 Go RED SOX!