FDA: Nick Johnson Made At Troubled McNeil Plant, Yankees Will Participate In Voluntary Recall

Nick Johnson Gets Upset, Begins To Cough Uncontrollably When Asked About Chase For Balboni, 84th Place On Yankee All-Time Homer List

Morningside House Nursing Home--BRONX, NY

In between takes for an upcoming Liberty Medical commercial, Yankees designated hitter Nick Johnson (pictured on set) grumbled about the pressures of a return to the Bronx that has been "mindboggling" for the 31 year old.

The interview went from bad to worse when this reporter asked Johnson whether he still has a chance to catch Steve Balboni for 84th place on the all-time Yankee home runs list, with 41. Johnson's 33 career home runs in pinstripes are good for 94th place. But everyone knows he is chasing Balboni, including Johnson himself.

"I don't want to be Steve Balboni," Johnson said. "He was a great ballplayer. I'm not trying to replace him. The record is there and damn right I want to break it, but that isn't replacing Steve Balboni."

Do Moldy HR Calls, Ancient B'Way References & Weak Warbles Spell... THE END OF JOHN?

You can't predict the game of baseball, and nobody -- but nobody -- predicted the year John Sterling is having.

Last week, he stunned his Yankees Radio Network listeners with  a musical theater reference dressed up as a home run call for Curtis Granderson.

On Sunday, he made the Yankees' fourth win sound like no big deal.

I know it's only the second week. I know it's too soon to hit the panic button. And I know that it's a big part of John's persona to always pull shit like this.

But today John unveiled his Nick Johnson home run call.

I shouldn't say "unveiled." How about "dug up?"

Because it's this:

"He's Jolly Old St. Nick!"

Sound familiar?

"He's Jolly Old St. Nick!"

It should sound familiar.

 "He's Jolly Old St. Nick!"

It should sound really familiar.

"He's Jolly Old St. Nick!"is the exact same call John used to use for Nick Swisher.

He couldn't even be bothered to think up a new one for Nick Johnson's return to pinstripes.

Nick Johnson, who came up through the Yankee system.

Nick Johnson, who endured several long seasons with the Washington Nationals.

Nick Johnson, who still looks  a little like Babe Ruth.

We have to think the Yankee brass is watching the Lowe's Broadcast Booth and listing their options.  The John Sterling who recycled Nick's call is not the John Sterling who impressed George Steinbrenner all those years ago.

And he's not the John Sterling we had in mind when we started this tribute blog.

That John Sterling wasn't afraid to do a little work now and then.

Help Wanted: Riflemen to Work Upstate as Yanks Prep to Sign Nick Johnson as DH

The Ghost of Moonlight Graham reports that the Yankees are about to sign DH/1B Nick Johnson, who probably won't be doing much first-basing in pinstripes.

Ken Davidoff of Newsday confirms a 1-year, $5.5 million deal.

Cigarette, El Duque?