Which is what I was tonight: a woman scorned by Major League Baseball. I know, I know. MLB hosts this blog and for that I’m very grateful. But come on. All I wanted was to watch the finale of the Yankees-Angels series – to see the special tribute to Jackie Robinson, the first start of the season by Phil Hughes and anything else that was going on in the Bronx. Was that too much to ask? Apparently.

I rushed home and turned on the MLB Network, which was supposedly televising the game.

No game. I checked the clock to make sure I had the correct time. Still no game.

I flipped over to the Extra Innings baseball package, which I purchase every year through my cable provider in order to get Yankees games.

No game. I browsed through every channel just in case I missed something. Still no game.

In a panic now, I turned to my computer and signed in to MLB.TV; I’d bought a premium subscription so I’d be absolutely, positively covered.

No game. What appeared on my screen instead was a black out message, along with an invitation to “watch” the game on Gameday Audio. Thanks anyway.

I ended up getting my visual images from my buddies on Twitter, while I listened to John and Suzyn via my iPhone – an exercise in futility since the audio is on about a 5-minute delay. Oh, and did I mention that when I called my cable company to complain, they said, “Have you tried KCOP-TV, the Fox affiliate that broadcasts the Angels?”

“Yes,” I said. “They’re showing ‘Dragnet.'”

I’ll stop whining except to say there was no reason for me to be blacked out. I don’t live in New York and I don’t live in Anaheim. I’m simply a fan who wants to see my team play baseball, which is why I ponied up for the MLB Network, the MLB Extra Innings Package and the MLB.TV Premium subscription. In other words, I was all MLB-ed up with nothing to show for it. (And no, I can’t get DirecTV; I live up in a canyon where a dish would blow off my roof on a regular basis.)

OK, about tonight’s game…What a wonderful tribute to Jackie Robinson and his legacy to have the Yankee named after him not only present Rachel Robinson with a dozen roses but to smack two homers off Scott Kazmir?

If Robinson Cano keeps up his torrid hitting, he’s in for a monster season – and so are the Yanks. It was great to see (sorry, I mean hear) Phil Huuuuughes notch his first win, only giving up two runs. The six strikeouts were sweet. The five walks? Not so much. Excellent offensive night for Jeter, Granderson (two triples!), A-Rod and Thames. Those zeroes for Tex? Not very thrilling. The relievers delivered after Hughes was pulled, but I was hoping Joba could finish the Angels off. Instead, Girardi called for Mo who got the save (naturally) but who shouldn’t have to clean up messes on a nightly basis.

The Yankees have now won every series they’ve played – each one against a contending team. Not a bad way to kick off 2010….which leads me to my last topic of this post.

I just got my copy of Paul (aka The Prince of NY) Lebowitz’s annual baseball guide. Paul may give our Yanks a hard time in his comments here on the blog, but he knows what he’s talking about. Somehow, he keeps track of every player, manager, coach and front office honcho in the major leagues and writes coherently about all of them. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense overview of the 2010 season, complete with predictions, his book is a must read. Take his remarks about the Yankees pitching staff. He’s a Mets fan and yet he still manages to say the following:

* “C.C. Sabathia is one of the best pitchers in baseball; he’s clutch and will be a big winner and Cy Young Award contender in pinstripes for years to come.”

* “It’s when the games are biggest on the large stage that Pettitte shines. No one can ever be concerned that Pettitte isn’t going to give his all at any point; nor do they need to worry that he won’t battle his way through the toughest situations.”

* “When ‘Enter Sandman’ comes blaring over the speakers at Yankee Stadium, the game’s over. The fans know it; the players know it; and most importantly, Rivera knows it. He’s the best. Ever. End of story.”

What does he predict for the Yankees as a team?

* “The Yankees are too good, too deep and too powerful to be anything less than a playoff team….The subtraction of Damon and Matsui will be mitigated by the presence of Johnson and Granderson and the continued rise of Cano….The Yankees will roll to the division title over the depleted Red Sox.”

Does Paul think the Yankees will win another championship in 2010? Well, I can’t give away the ending, can I? Check it out for yourself…if you dare.