(Editor’s Note) I have had the pleasure to work with the great Cecilia M. Tan on many occasions, first as an editor with Gotham Baseball from the birth of the magazine’s print and online days, then as a writer for the Yankee Annual, which Cecilia puts together each year for the Maple Street Press. She’s an incredible writer, and author, and her story below, originally published in the Fall 2006 print editon, is one of the reasons why Gotham Baseball is in Cooperstown. – MH

I went to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend this year, which is a pilgrimage every baseball-loving fanatic should make at least once. While patrolling the main street of shops, I happened into a used bookstore. There a tiny, red-bound volume caught my eye.

The book, entitled “The Powder of Sympathy,” is from 1927, published by Doubleday, Page & Co., and appears to be a collection of essays by one Christopher Morley. Morley was something of a literary fixture in New York City during his lifetime. He was a founder of the Baker Street Irregulars, took on the revision of Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, and was chums with Don Marquis of “Archy and Mehitabel” fame.

READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE AND MORE! DOWNLOAD THE NEW GOTHAM BASEBALL – FALL 2011 ISSUE – HERE

Tune in to  Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio’s  “Fantasy Recap” tonight at 12:05pm ET to hear Jay Ferraro talk fantasy baseball with Justin Termine.

Jay will be joining the program every Tuesday night at 11:30pm ET as a fantasy insider.

You can also hear Jay on Gotham Baseball LIVE every Thursday from 11am-2pm ET,  TGIFantasy Baseball & Football every Friday from 11am-1pm ET, and Waiver Wire Abyss every Monday from 11am-1pm ET.

Click here to listen to archived episodes of Gotham Baseball LIVE.

Jay Ferraro is the Executive Producer of Baseball Digest LIVE and Gotham Baseball LIVE.  He is also the Fantasy Editor for Baseballdigest.com as well as a columnist for Baseball Digest Magazine and Assignment Editor for Gothambaseball.com. You can reach him at Jay_Ferraro@Juno.com , follow him on Twitter , add him on Facebook and check out his Official Website.

The month of June has been unkind to A.J Burnett and his ERA. Coming into the month the Yankee righty was sporting a 3.72 earned run average, but after his last start on June 26 it had ballooned to 5.25. Many Yankee brass have written off A.J’s performance as solely a one month ordeal because of his recent pitching history. In the previous three seasons, Burnett endured extended struggles in April in ’07 & ’08, as well as in May last season. Even though the inconsistent fireballer hasn’t looked sharp, his track record suggests he should turn it around.

A.J Burnett hasn’t gotten past the 7th inning in his five June starts, a feat he had reached in 5 of his first 10 starts. One of the biggest reasons for the demise of the Yankee starter can be traced to his inability to strike batters out. Burnett’s biggest asset as a pitcher, especially when he gets into trouble, always has been the strikeout. In June, A.J has not been able to consistently ‘K hitters, as evidenced by his strikingly low K/9 (7.0) compared to his career average of 8.3.

The lack of strikeouts Burnett has rung up can be attributed to two correlating factors, throwing strikes and getting his pitches over for called strikes. The Yankee starter is at his best, like in his April 29th and May 30th starts where he went 8 strong innings with one run or less, when he is not only throwing strikes, but getting his pitches over for called strikes.

In those two specific starts, Burnett had 22 StL (Strikes Looking), his season high, which helped contribute to his low walk total. In June, A.J’s numbers were down, with an average of 15 Stl per start, as he fell behind more hitters and began to press.

Burnett’s first start in July has eased the Yankees concerns slightly. After allowing only 8 baserunners in 6.2 innings, Burnett looked in top form on Friday night. Even though he didn’t throw strikes consistently, A.J never gave up the big inning and as he said “I thought I was able to make pitches when I needed to.” With a rise in called strikes back to 20, Burnett stayed in front of hitters and was able to make his pitch in pressure situations.

With cautious optimism, the Yankees look forward to Burnett’s resurgence. With the return of pitching coach Dave Eiland, which may be the biggest intangible factor in the pitcher’s struggles, A.J Burnett should right the ship and helped push the Yankees to the next level.

Two Yankees who have made memorable contributions to the Yankees’ World Series title defense in 2010 took some time on Monday evening to greet fans at an “open house” hosted by Steiner Sports in New Rochelle, N.Y.  Francisco Cervelli, who has excelled as the team’s starting catcher, and Marcus Thames, a part-time outfielder whose season highlight was a walk-off, game-winning home run against the Red Sox on May 17, discussed their respective careers and the 2010 Yankees in an energetic, playful Q&A session moderated by Steiner Sports founder Brandon Steiner.

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Jay Ferraro & Dan “Hawk” Drobnis explore the world of New York City baseball on a brand new edition of Gotham Baseball LIVE.

As the eve of the Subway Series approaches both New York Teams find themselves with injuries and pitching issues. Roberto Clemente was a legend and hero. Today we are honored to be joined by his sons Roberto Clemente Jr. and Luis Clemente. Also joining us is Steve Pindar who works along side the Clemente’s spreading good will via the charity Roberto’s Kids(http://robertos-kids.org).

Jay and Hawk will also touch upon everything fantasy including who to “Pitch or Ditch” and prospects soon to be in the show. Jay is a Yankees Fan, Hawk is a Mets Fan, and neither can hit a curveball!

Please click the link to listen live or to past shows:  Gotham Baseball LIVE

Jay Ferraro & Dan “Hawk” Drobnis explore the world of New York City baseball on a brand new edition of Gotham Baseball LIVE.

Cathy Taylor of www.misschatter.com joins us to break down the National League East and explain why the Washington Nationals will remain in the hunt all summer.

Actor, filmmaker and good friend of the program Ben Nisman drops in to talk about baseball and his recently role in the film “Wall Street 2”.

Jay and Hawk will also touch upon everything fantasy baseball including who to “Pitch or Ditch” and prospects soon to be in the show. Jay is a YankeesFan, Hawk is a Mets Fan, and neither can hit a curveball!

Please click the link to listen live or to past shows: Gotham Baseball LIVE

Jay Ferraro & Dan “Hawk” Drobnis explore the world of New York City baseball on a brand new edition of Gotham Baseball LIVE. We will be joined by special surprise guests and Hawk has recently earned bragging rights over Jay for the rest of time!

And A’s top prospect, Eric Sogard, chats about minor league baseball and when he expects to be called “to the show”. Jay and Hawk will also touch upon everything fantasy baseball  including who to “Pitch or Ditch” and prospects soon to be in the show.Jay is a Yankees Fan, Hawk is a Mets Fan, and neither can hit a curveball!

Please click the link to listen live or to past shows:  Gotham Baseball LIVE

Jay Ferraro is the Executive Producer of Baseball Digest LIVE and Gotham Baseball LIVE.  He is also the Fantasy Editor for Baseballdigest.com as well as a columnist for Baseball Digest Magazine and Assignment Editor for Gothambaseball.com. You can reach him at Jay_Ferraro@Juno.com , follow him on Twitter , add him on Facebook and check out his Official Website.

Jay Ferraro & Dan “Hawk” Drobnis explore the world of New York City baseball on a brand new edition of Gotham Baseball LIVE. Ike Davis mania has arrived in New York and it’s about time! The Yankees steamroller visits the west coast(Damn, they’re good!). Clinical Associate Professor of Sports Management from New York University, Wayne McDonnell,  and John Delcos of www.newyorkmetsreport.com weigh in with their thoughts. Jay and Hawk will also touch upon everything fantasy baseball including who to “Pitch or Ditch”. Just another day at the ball park for Gotham Baseball LIVE!

Please click the link to listen live or to past shows: Gotham Baseball LIVE

Jay Ferraro is the Executive Producer of Baseball Digest LIVE and Gotham Baseball LIVE.  He is also the Fantasy Editor for Baseballdigest.com as well as a columnist for Baseball Digest Magazine and Gothambaseball.com. You can reach him at Jay_Ferraro@Juno.com , follow him on Twitter and add him on Facebook.

Jay Ferraro & Dan “Hawk” Drobnis explore the world of fantasy baseball on a Waiver Wire Abyss edition of Gotham Baseball LIVE. Jay and Hawk will touch upon everything fantasy baseball including who to “Pitch or Ditch” and who to fish out of the Abyss. Just another day at the ball park for Gotham Baseball LIVE!

Please click the link to listen live or to past shows: Gotham Baseball LIVE

Jay Ferraro is the Executive Producer of Baseball Digest LIVE and Gotham Baseball LIVE.  He is also the Fantasy Editor for Baseballdigest.com as well as a columnist for Baseball Digest Magazine and Gothambaseball.com. You can reach him at Jay_Ferraro@Juno.com , follow him on Twitter and add him on Facebook.

Jay Ferraro & Dan “Hawk” Drobnis explore the world of New York City baseball on a brand new edition of Gotham Baseball LIVE.  The guys will be joined by Matthew Cerrone of Metsblog.com to help make sense of a poor 2010 opening for the Mets and answer the question: Where the heck is Ike Davis?!?!

Darren Levine, director of the NYC Filmmaker’s Festival drops by to talk movies with us. Jay and Hawk will also touch upon everything fantasy baseball including who to “Pitch or Ditch”.

Just another day at the ball park for Gotham Baseball LIVE, lets play two!

Please follow the link to listen live or to past shows:  Gotham Baseball LIVE

Jay Ferraro is the Executive Producer of Baseball Digest LIVE and Gotham Baseball LIVE.  He is also the Fantasy Editor for Baseballdigest.com as well as a columnist for Baseball Digest Magazine and Gothambaseball.com. You can reach him at Jay_Ferraro@Juno.com , follow him on Twitter and add him on Facebook.