"Had they come back, it would have been just another chapter in the Yankees' dominance of the Twins. 'No lead is ever safe,' Hunter said of playing against the Yankees.'They have all the hitters in the world - all my favorite players are on that team. Just to see them hit is a joy. They're still the best club in major-league baseball . . . You see Alex Rodriguez, Sheffield, Posada, Jeter. Even John Olerud scares me.'

Then it was mentioned to Hunter that the Yankees and Twins could meet in the playoffs. They met in the American League Division Series last year, and the Twins took the first game before the Yankees won three straight and advanced behind strong outings by Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens and David Wells.

Hunter was asked if the Yankees' pitchers scare him. Then, for the first time, he paused to think. 'I ain't going to get caught up in that,' he said. 'I can't say that.'" [newsday]

quoth a guy known for his defensive prowess, not that other kind. torii my pretty, you could at least pretend.

the inconsistency is wearing thin. the air is already cooler, i'm starting to sense the first neurotic joyless creepy crawly worrisome aspects of the postseason itch coming slowly round the corner. duque excepted, this rotation's like having a supermodel boyfriend with terrible self-esteem. you'd like to help him love himself but mostly you just want to slap him around.