"The Yankees are a run-scoring juggernaut, though at the middle of it all is a left-handed slugger, capable at any time of hitting a baseball out of the ballpark, and also just as capable of flailing helplessly at a pitch he doesn't expect. There are plenty of home runs — and strikeouts, too — though it's a trade-off the Yankees will gladly make.

At least, so long as the homers keep on coming.

Reggie Jackson knows the situation well. And a generation later, so does Curtis Granderson, whose breakout season in the Bronx looks like it was ripped from the back of Mr. October's baseball card. All the staples are there: Gaudy home run total (39), the accompanying RBI boost (111), ditto for runs (128), an average that could be higher (.265) and, of course, the strikeouts (159)."