The Banter is saying Johnson has been hiding a back injury and will miss his next start but will be available for the post-season. Ugh.

Rich – because he didn’t quit performing at his high level just because it appeared that the DIV chase was over.

Note, that’s different from under-performing and then high-performing when the chase was over.

- yes but there were tons of heroes for this team this year.

- yes … it wasn’t really a hughe question to begin with unless Melky somehow had an unbelivalbe September or Matsui really struggles.

- Yes and no, he’s still doing fairly well. and the power strokes begining to return lately.

- Depends on the situation with Giambi/Sheffield, if either of them are in doubt, then yes.

- i hope so too… Cano was pretty big for us last year in the first couple games of the ALDS, i think he can be again.

- Damon’s probably just banged up. Damon/Melky/Abreu have all been starting A LOT, you really need to give Damon and Abreu a few more days off now. I wan them to start only half the games of so from now till the plaoffs.

My answers are:

*no, but we wouldn’t be anywhere without the August production from Abreu and Cano.
*yes – I think many of us forgot what an offensive threat Matsui is
*yes – but Abreu has adjusted as well. He’s become more of a run producer than the table setter he was in early August.
*Bernie should absolutely get time at DH. He’s a better offensive contributor than Cabrera, Wilson, etc.
*Cano yes – Posada maybe
*Damon had a rough couple weeks, but he’ll be fine.

If the numbers are for after the Boston series, when they had a 6 1/2 game lead, why does Jeter’s excellent numbers make him the Yankee’s MVP? You can make the argument for his entire year’s performance but why are the post-Boston numbers so significant?