ARod, Yankee bashing, Mattingly, and yes, Rivera...

Holy Christ this guy is relentless. This guy is more obsessed with the Yankees than I am with Lupica's height!

Now THAT is sad.

This week’s Shooting From The Lip is all about how Lupica thinks Arod is sad because he gave up being a shortstop so he could play for the Yankees.

Right.

I’m sure Arod was all broken up about winning that MVP in 2005.

You know, his second year as a 3rd baseman.

And I don’t really think moving from shortstop to third base is as devestating as, say, watching all your friends grow taller with age while you stay the same height.

It was like Peyton Manning offering to let somebody else play quarterback.

Yes, the shortstop on a baseball team is considered the quarterback, and the third baseman is considered the waterboy.

You learn something new every day with the great Mike Lupica.

You know what I think would make him happy, whether the Yankees win the World Series this year or not?

Being a shortstop again.

Yes, I’m sure Arod would be much happier playing shortstop for the Kansas City Royals than winning the world series with the Yankees - who can argue with that logic?

Being a shortstop won't be enough to make A-Rod completely happy, might not be enough because you wonder if he could ever be loved enough, because for all his talent, he has the insecurities of an actress.

You want to see insecurity?

Watch Mike Lupica read that quote to Arod in a dark alley.

Do Mike a favor and bring a fresh pair of pants for him.

Childrens size 10-12.

And now, on to more Yankee bashing...

I keep waiting for the Yankees to announce that Don Mattingly is in the mix at first base.

What? Oh I get it - the Yankees have a lot of guys in the mix for first base.

Funny stuff.

You know what's even funnier?

After Jose Lima, Chan Ho Park and Aaron Sele, I’m waiting for the Mets to announce that Emiliano Mercado del Toro is in the mix for starting pitcher.

And I don't want to sound cynical, because it's not my nature, but what is Plan B if Mo Rivera finally does begin to show his age this season?

Yankees Plan B?

You have GOT to be kidding me.

I think you should worry more about the Mets Plan A.

You know, Billy “8.71 Post Season ERA” Wagner?

And how about the Red Sox?

Plan A was Papelbon…Plan B is now…Joel Piniero???

Rivera will be just fine. Oh sure, he’ll have that annual one week stretch in June or July where he blows two or three saves, and then you’ll get to hear about all this crap again from Lupica.

Are you as excited as I am?