New York Yankees Vs. Minnesota Twins, ALDS Game 2: Still Peeved At Carl Pavano

The New York Yankees earned an uplifting 6-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins Wednesday night in Game 1 of their American League Championship Series.

Yet, as tonight's 6:07 p.m. ET first pitch of Game 2 approaches, I find myself in a foul mood as I look toward the game.

That is because Carl Pavano pitches tonight for the Minnesota Twins. Carl 'Friggin' Pavano! No matter what happens the rest of the playoffs, losing a game to Pavano would make me sick.

It has been two full seasons now since Pavano finished stealing $40 million from the Yankees. I should be over it by now. But, looking at him last night in the Minnesota dugout with that stupid porn 'stache and thinking about him pitching against the Yankees today in a playoff game, just ticked me off. I can't help it.

Pavano is a good pitcher. Since leaving New York he has won 31 games in two seasons, including going 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA this season. He was Minnesota's winningest pitcher.

Watching him pitch well now still makes my blood boil. He has done this after what basically amounted to a four-year all-expenses paid vacation with the Yankees. From 2005-2008 with New York the guy won a grand total of nine games, and pitched just 26 times.

I'm pretty sure that if Pavano had pitched as well for the Yankees during that stretch as he did for the Twins this season the Yankees would likely be playing this season in search of World Series title No. 20. Or, maybe No. 30.

The thought of that still burns me.

Maybe some of Pavano's injuries were legit, but it was obvious during his entire time with the Yankees that the last place he wanted to be was on the mound in pinstripes. He wanted the money, but not the pressure. Minnesota fans and players seem to like the guy, and it amazes me after the Pavano experience in New York.

Our friends at SB Nations Twins website, Twinkie Town, call him 'the Pavstache.'

Yankee fans have other names for him.

• The American Idle
• The Rajah of Rehab
• Carl Pane of Glass
• The Bronx Buttocks

There are others, but you get the point.

How I would feel after losing a playoff game to Pavano is something I really don't want to think about. C'mon, Andy Pettitte! Don't make me go there.