The World Series was kind of a yawner, wasn’t it?

A-Rod and Scott Boras tried to be the news Sunday night when they announced the superstar would opt out of his contract. The MLB got mad and Boras apologized.

So where does that leave A-Rod?

Well, his new contract will probably be as big as his old one — if someone will pay that much. The Angels seem like a top contender for Rodriguez, seeing as they’re a big market, AL team with the bankroll to support him.

Plus they could use a power hitting third baseman.

Frankly, I’m not all that interested in where A-Rod ends up. I’m more interested in the dumb articles that will soon be coming about his horrible tenure in New York.

On to Girardi. I could have told you after Joe applied for the Orioles’ open spot and then declined their offer that he was waiting for the Yankees’ spot to open up.

I wish Girardi all the luck, but he’s going to get the blame when the Yanks aren’t as good without A-Rod. And all the fans that booed him will have a lot to own up to.

Just, out.

On June 9, 2007, the Yankees signed Roger Clemens to a pro-rated, one year $28,000,000 contract.

The Yankees milked 17 starts out of Clemens, who finished with a 6-6 record. So I ask you: Is this the worst contract ever given out in baseball?

The only way redemption can come is if Clemens pitches the Yankees through he postseason and to a World Series.

Just, out.

Probably not. Maybe. Probably not. In that order.

Of course, the Yankees have already punched their ticket to the postseason regardless of whether they catch the Red Sox or not. And, let me tell you, I am so excited about seeing the Yankees play the Red Sox in the postseason. Forget about the 18 times they’ve faced each other this season. This is playoff time! Sigh.

In Queens, however, the Mets are holding on to their division lead by 2.5 games as of Thursday morning. On September 12 the Mets were 7 games up on the Phillies. If the Phillies somehow manage to pull this off it would be the greatest story of the year (sorry, Rick Ankiel).

And then there’s the NL Central. The Brewers probably won’t get any more starts from Ben Sheets, which, considering his recent performance (probably still injury-induced) wasn’t all that good anyway. His ERA went from a quality 3.30 the day after he returned to a dreadfully pedestrian 3.82. At least he’ll be on the cheap in next year’s fantasy auctions/drafts.

The Cubs are the better team when not starting Steve Trachsel or Jason Kendall, and the 84-85 wins they’re on pace for ought to be enough to take the division.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the races. I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to post because 1) I’ll be immersed in watching the games and 2) I have a very busy work week ahead.

I did want to talk about Howie Kendrick still batting 7th or 8th in the Angels lineup, though. We’ll get to that another time. Maybe.

Just, out.

The Onion, America’s Finest News Source, recently printed this brief which I found to be too funny not to share. I’ll stop talking and let you read it, then we’ll discuss:

REPORT: Another baseball team almost does something as interesting as the Yankees, Red Sox

NOT BOSTON OR NEW YORK—Something nearly worth reporting occurred either Saturday or Sunday—although no written records of the event exist, analysts claim it was the same day the Yankees beat the Mets to take the Subway Series—when the Minnesota Twins squandered a large late-game lead to the Brewers, but then won the game when Jason [sic] Morneau hit a walkoff home run in a manner eerily reminiscent of Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. “Manny Ramirez has really started heating up at the plate as of late, and you know what that means—opposing pitchers had better watch out,” ESPN’s Sean McAdam said when asked about Corey Hart’s eighth-inning homer that cut the Twins’ lead to two. “But if the Yankees rotation stays healthy and Abreu keeps swinging a big stick, it will be a tight race down the stretch. Should be a fun summer.” Prince Fielder, Torii Hunter, Jeff Suppan, and Joe Nathan were unavailable for comment, as they are not Derek Jeter, Curt Schilling, Johnny Damon, or Alex Rodriguez.

You know, it sounds ridiculous but it’s so true, too.

Flipping through channels Monday I found ESPN airing their usual Monday Night Baseball game. I watched for a few minutes with little shock that the game was the Yankees versus the Twins. Ah, nothing like baseball between two teams a combined 19.5 games out first.

Aren’t their more exciting games to watch? How about the Cubs? Aren’t they hot right now? How about Mark Buehrle’s potential last start as a White Sox? I know that sounds like a stubborn Chicago fan talking, but I assure you it’s a coincidence that both teams are located in Chicago.

I know that I’m probably preaching to the choir, too. It’s not really a debate as to whether ESPN always shows East coast teams. They do. It’s a fact. And they’re not really wrong to, either, considering the ratings.

So we just have to live with it, and enjoy terrific stories like this Onion brief.

Just, out.

The Yankees have won eight straight on nine of their last 10. It was only a matter of time.

The Mets, meanwhile, have lost four straight and eight of 10. They now hold only a 2.5 game lead over the Braves and Phillies, who just swept the dreadful White Sox.

The Yankees’ revival can be attributed, in part, to the teams they’ve played. They, too, have beat up on the White Sox, taking three of four from them. Since the opening game of that series, the Yankees haven’t allowed more than six runs in a game.

Their starters have been going longer into games and giving their bullpen a chance. Bobby Abreu is also doing his part, hitting .488 in the month of June.

The Mets are having the exact opposite occur. Their brilliant starting pitching of April and May feels like it was a long time ago. To their credit, they’ve had to face the Phils, Tigers, and Dodgers in their last three series.

The Yankees will face the Mets this weekend and we’ll all get to watch on ESPN no doubt.

Just, out.

While on his way to third base during the ninth of inning against the Toronto Blue Jays, Alex Rodriguez shouted “Hah!” at third baseman Howie Clark to distract him from making the play.

Jorge Posada hit a pop up to third and replays clearly show A-Rod screaming one word to Clark on his way past. Clark backed off the ball and it fell between him and shortstop John McDonald.

Clark claims he heard someone shout “Mine!” and started arguing with A-Rod. Then Toronto manager John Gibbons came out to argue with the umps but to no avail. After the game, Gibbons called A-Rod’s sneaky play “bush league.”

Now, tricking players has been a part of the game since the dead ball era. Fielders try to pretend the ball went over their head to deke baserunners all the time. What about the hidden ball trick? We accept these as part of the game; they are a fun part of the game.

But I have a problem with baserunners pulling tricks. I have no argument to back that up except that it just seems plain unfair for runners to pretend they’re fielders. There’s really no way for them to know if it’s the runner or their teammate.

A-rod’s play seemed Pierzynski-esque. It was nothing that was against the rules, but certainly something that many frown upon.

Just, out.

Just 24 hours after explaining my distaste for all the Roger Clemens coverage, here’s a Clemens update.

Clemens is expected to make his first start June 4 against the White Sox.

“I’m not disappointed that he’s not pitching at Fenway,” Yankees manager Joe Torre told the Associated Press. “I don’t think that series needs any more hype than it gets every time we play it, whether it’s in Fenway or at the Stadium. You’d obviously be tempted if you had a kid pitching and you can replace him with Roger Clemens. When you have Wang, Moose and Andy, there’s really not the temptation to do that.”

In other Sox news, the Pale Hose gave up nine runs to the Twins on Tuesday to give Minnesota the series.

White Sox pitchers have allowed 47 hits and 30 runs in the last three games. That must be that regression thing everyone is talking about.

John Danks had his worst start of the season, lasting only 3 1/3 innings and allowing six runs. He struck out nobody.

The Sox are now tied with the Twins for third in the AL Central and are 24-23 on the season.

Lastly, the ESPN Rumor Mill reports that the White Sox might consider shopping Jermaine Dye and Mark Buehrle soon. If that progresses at all, I will keep you posted.

Got one in the mailbag today, and it’s a Sox question:

Vince (Champaign, IL): Although no Sox hitter has been productive at the plate until about the 2nd and 3rd games of the series at Wrigley, the bench lacks a power hitter who can put pressure on the opposing team in late-inning situations. Rumor has it that Boston’s ready to give up Wily Mo Pena, who is basically playing his way out of the park. He’s not the greatest fielder, but neither are Mackowiak or Ozuna, who have been spelling Scott Podsednik lately. Why not go out and grab Pena for, say, Andrew Sisco and see if that’ll up the production a little bit?

Well, the Sisco idea would have been good if I’d answered your question about three days ago. Sisco has since been optioned to the minors.

If the Sox can get Pena on the cheap, I say go for it.

Just, out.

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Definitely.

Look, I’m as excited as the next guy to watch Roger Clemens pitch for the Yankees this year, but aren’t we getting a little carried away?

ESPN cut away from SportsCenter on Monday to show the Rocket in action. But they didn’t show the whole game — only the half innings that Roger was pitching.

When he wasn’t, they went back to SportsCenter.

At the bottom of the screen was a running pitch count to remind us how fragile he is.

Clemens went six innings, allowing no runs and striking out six, for those that care.

Why doesn’t ESPN just broadcast the game? I have a problem with them showing half games. Isn’t it bad enough that Clemens is practically only playing half of a season — and only going to games he’s pitching? Apparently not. We have to broadcast the half of games that he’s pitching, too.

And when SportsCenter cut away from Roger, what did they talk about for the next five minutes?

Well, it wasn’t Roger McDowell, Rogers Hornsby, Roger Bossard, Roger Waters, Roger Daltrey or Mister Rogers.

Just, out.

Like Griffey in Slugfest, I’m back. (AP Photo)

The Yankees would have been stupid to let Roger Clemens go anywhere else. With the way their rotation has been going this season, it was a given that they’d land the Rocket.

Clemens bring a proven veteran to their rotation, and as great as he will be for them (and for fantasy owners who took a flier on him), I’m not sure we’ll necessarily get the Clemens of old.

Clemens turns 45 in August. That’s realllllly old. He’ll also get the Yankees maybe five more wins (max) than they would otherwise get. That could well be the differencemaker, but I have a feeling that the Yankees will right the ship with or without Clemens.

Their other pitchers are starting to get back to form and all they really need are pitchers that keep them in games.

How nice will it be for Phil Hughes to have Clemens in the dugout with him, though? That could be Clemens’ biggest contribution of all.

Just, out.

Roger Clemens announced during today’s New York Yankees game that he will be returning this season to pitch for the Yanks.

Clemens made his announcement directly to the fans at Yankee Stadium.

I will have a full Clemens report this evening.

Just, out.