Thursday Lunch Time Linkapalooza

A short work week is almost over for me.  For the rest of you suckers, here's some stuff to help fill your break time and beyond:

- Via twitpic, here's the ball that A-Rod hit for 600 yesterday.  Something tells me he used his centaurian powers to hit it to deep center knowing it was his best chance to get the ball back without having to sign tons of shit and take some schmuck out to eat with him and Cameron.

- Ian O'Conner at ESPN NY acts as the turd in the punch bowl on A-Rod's home run with his 'wah-wah, why did he have to take steroids?  Now the number is meaningless' column.  I knew this would happen, I predicted this would happen, and that's why I don't care about 600.  But if you do, then read this and nod your head like a drone.

- Joe Paw at RAB examines Phil Hughes' recent resurgence over his last 2 starts and points to his improvement with his fastball as the major cause for Hughes' improved outings.  The big question is still whether or not Hughes can keep this up as he approaches his innings limit.  Fatigue is a bitch.

- Kevin at ...Baby Joba moves on to wondering why Chad Gaudin is still on the roster while J-Alba continues to waste away at Triple-A.  Now that Chan Ho is gone, Gaudin is the last of the bullpen dead weight.  I'm fully on board with Kevin here; it's time for Gaudin to just gau (see what I did there?)

- Josh W. at Pending Pinstripes takes a look at some of Brett Gardner's seasonal batting breakdowns to determine if pitchers are changing their approach against him.  The numbers certainly suggest they are, and I would have to say that's a smart move given what Gardner has done this year.  Fear Brett Gardner, FEAR HIM!!!

- It's not like we need any reminders of how great Mariano is, but just in case you wanted one, SJK at NoMass compiled some insane numbers showing just how great Mo has been this year and over the last 3 years.  I just hope I'm still alive at 38, 39, or 40, let alone being as good at something as Mo is.  Way to set the bar high for the rest of us, Mo.

- Joel Sherman at the Post has a column today about how A-Rod still has time to alter his image in the eyes of the public as he continues forward in his career with his new approach to the game.  Awwww, sounds like The Horse finally won Joel over.

- It has nothing to do with the Yankees, or even baseball for that matter, but Patrick Hruby at ESPN has a huge story on the the history of the Madden video games.  It's scary to think about how big that franchise has become and even scarier is the fact that I have always completely sucked at Madden.  This is still a great read though, so check it out.