THE EVIL EMPIRE STRIKES AGAIN!

The American and National Leagues have added a couple of booming bats to their bench Tuesday in Anaheim with the addition of Nick Swisher and Joey Votto, now that fans have spoken in the four-day All-Star Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint. Swisher, the Yankees' right-fielder and social-media titan, held off Kevin Youkilis of the rival Red Sox in the closest race in the nine-year history of the Final Vote to claim the 34th and final spot on the All-Star roster with a final tally of 9.8 million votes. Swisher and Youkilis were followed by Paul Konerko of the White Sox, Michael Young of the Rangers and Delmon Young of the Twins.

Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! I feel like a proud father today, and not because I voted for him at least 50 times. But your boy, Nick Swisher, made the final vote for the All-Star Game! That makes 8 All-Star selections for the Yankees this season. I’ll repeat that. THAT MAKES 8 ALL-STARS PEOPLE. They can practically field a whole line-up card at this point. And if it weren’t for Teixera’s yearly hibernation, we could have just watched the Yes Network instead of the All-Star Game. Not only that, but Swisher beat out Kevin “Usaless” Youkilis! The ugliest grill in the league next to Jorge Cantu. As John Sterling would say “Swishalicious” is the greatest thing that happened to the Yankees. He has single handedly loosened up the tight jocks of the front office as well as Arod’s ego. The guy genuinely loves the game of baseball and more importantly loves the Yankees. He respects the tradition of the Pine Stripes so much he knows his role. If it weren’t for Cano and Jeter he would be my favorite player. Regardless they are all beauties and the Yanks are looking like they are on their way to #28! Let’s go Yankees!

Oh, and Jeter is a true professional. At this point he should manage the All-Star squad. He’s been there enough times.

You Did What?!

A lifelong Yankees fan is suing his beloved Bronx Bombers after team officials lost a letter he received more than 40 years ago from slugger Mickey Mantle, according to court records. Retired cop and former minor leaguer Michael Kovalovsky said he noticed a hitch in Mantle’s swing, and sent the switch hitter a note when Mantle was slumping during the 1959 season. Mantle acknowledged the note in a letter to the fan, one of Kovalovsky’s most prized possessions. Kovalovsky, 78, said he voluntarily loaned the letter to the team along with other memorabilia for use at a museum at the new stadium, but officials told him personal items from fans were not being accepted. Then he never got them back. "I said if that’s the game they want to play, I’ll take them to court," said Kovalovsky who moved to Florida after retiring. "I’m tired of the runaround." Kovalovsky’s $100,000 lawsuit seeks damages and attorney costs for negligence and bad faith. Despite the legal issues, Kovalovsky insists that he is still a big fan, and plans to return to the Bronx this summer for a couple of games. "I’ll be a fan until the day I die," he said. "We believe the lawsuit is without merit and will be vigorously defended," said Alice McGillion, spokesperson for the Yankees.

Boo-hoo. If you gave me a letter signed by “The Mick” I would have done the same thing. Why did this guy give this letter up in the first place? So he can pay for a ticket to a game when he wants to see it again? This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard and now he’s heated because they “lost” it. News flash buddy, they didn’t lose it, they just don’t want to give it back to your dumb ass. It’s a sweet piece of history that is priceless. Mickey was one of the greatest players and personalities of all time. Next time you have some really cool shit to share, just keep it in a display case in your house so you can show people who won’t believe you at your cocktail parties instead of giving it to the wealthiest organization in the world. Unreal. Go Yankees!