Top 10 of 2008

These are top 10 Yankees stories for the year MMVIII (it's not just used for Super Bowls ya know). We could have ordered 7-10 differently, but this is what we came up with.

1. Goodbye, old friend
There's no question that the number one story was the final season in the storied Yankee Stadium that we all grew up with. Yes, there have been different manifestations of the current park, but the games were all played on the same hallowed ground.

The Yankees did a pretty great job, (player replicas not withstanding), of commemorating the year with patches on their uniforms, a somewhat cheesy Stadium countdown meter, a spectacular Old Timer's Day, and a great final night ceremony.

As for the final game itself, the Yankees won 7-3. Andy Pettitte picked up what could be his final win in a Yankees uniform. Derek Jeter gave a heartfelt speech to the crowd after the game and the Yankees took a farewell lap around the Stadium.

The new place will be great, but we'll miss the old one too.

2. I'm in Charge Here
With his health not what it once was, George Steinbrenner turned over the day-to-day operations of the ball club to his sons, Hank and Hal. Hank emerged as the mouthpiece, often shooting from the hip without thinking, but as the year progressed, it became obvious that Hal was the son who was really running the show.

3. Show me the money!
This holiday season was, hopefully, highlighted by the gifts that keep on giving. The Yankees played Santa Claus for CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, giving them contracts that will help them to form the nucleus of the ball club for years to come.

4. Seeing Stars
The Yankees hosted their first All-Star game in 31 years on July 15. Mariano Rivera recorded the final outs of the 9th inning, but it took extra innings before the AL won. The big story, though, was Josh Hamilton's incredible display in the prior night's home run derby.

5. A Different Joe
It was a new year all around, as Joe Girardi became the first manager other than Joe Torre to take the helm of the Yankees since 1995. Girardi had his ups and downs. He admittedly made a number of mistakes, particularly in his reporting of team injuries to the press and his lack of rapport with the veterans on the team.

6. A Big Loss
Bigger than any game, was the loss of long-time Yankees player and broadcaster Bobby Murcer to brain cancer. Bobby was our man growing up, and proved to be an even better person off the field than on. His courage during his illness was inspiring.

7. Bernie Comes Home
After being disappointed by not being offered a guaranteed contract for 2007, Bernie Williams disappeared from sight. He still showed up at various fund raisers from time to time, but he was nowhere to be found when it came to anything basebal-l related.

But that all changed on September 22, when as part of the pre-game hoopla for the final Stadium contest, Bernie Williams emerged, in uniform, from the dugout to a raucous reception from the crowd.

8. Big Trouble for American League Hitters
It took Mike Mussina 18 seasons and it came down to the final game of 2008, but Moose finally got his first 20-win season. Defeating the Red Sox in Fenway Park, Moose finished off a renaissance year that turned out to be his last. It took him a while to make the official announcement, but Moose had already decided this season would be his last before the season had even started.

9. CashMoney
Brian Cashman said he wanted to be back. The Steinbrenner boys said they wanted him back. But the Yankees played the entire season with a lame duck GM. Then on the final day of the season, Cashman signed a new 3-year deal that will keep him on as GM through 2011.

10. Voiceless
The final season in Yankee Stadium was not the same, because its longtime voice was not there. Bob Sheppard had taken ill at the end of the 2007 season and was too weak to work any of the Yankees games in 2008. He did make a pre-recorded announcement for the final home game and Derek Jeter used a tape of the "Voice of God" to announce all of his at-bats. Here's hoping Mr. Sheppard returns in 2009.

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Vegas Update - Day 3 - 2:00 EST

Ok, this is crazy. It's 53 degrees in Las Vegas and 60 in New Jersey. But alas it's back to normal tomorrow in the Garden State.

Fox Sports' Gerry Fraley was told by a source that the Braves surpassed the Yankees offer to A.J. Burnett. The new proposal is reportedly 5 years for $80 million. As much money as the Yankees may have they may opt to go with Lowe rather than give Burnett upwards of $80 million. Then again, this could influence Derek Lowe's demands as well. Lowe is a much more proven pitcher than Burnett.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the White Sox and Reds continue to discuss Jermaine Dye, but aren't aggressively trying to get something done.

When and if Kerry Wood passes a physical, he'll sign a 2-year, $20 million deal with the Indians.

Jon Heyman is reporting that Hank Steinbrenner is still pushing for Manny Ramirez. Someone better tell Hank he's not running the show. Heyman is also hearing that Mark Teixeira has received two offers of at least $160 million.

Rangers honcho Nolan Ryan thinks his team has a real shot of landing Ben Sheets.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 11/21

It's a TGIF edition of The Daily Yankeeland. We can't wait to go home. Speaking of homes, the Yankees' new one is nearly ready. Workers are feverishly going at it so the players and front office will have access to the new digs beginning February 17.

Infield grass was trimmed this week, the dirt turned over. Almost all of the seats have been installed. Overall the new place is nearly 90% complete.

Goodbye to You
One of our faves, Mike Vaccaro, has his take on King George's departure.

Goodbye to You II
Nice piece in today's Ledger from another of our faves, Dan Graziano, on the retirement of Mike Mussina.

The Captain, Derek Jeter released an official statement (posted here via Pete Abraham):

“It was a great pleasure playing against – and even more so with – Mike Mussina since I entered the league in 1995. He was a true professional both on and off the field. Moose’s accomplishments in the game over the last 18 years represent a Hall of Fame player.”

Show Me the Money
Hal Steinbrenner may not be the mouthpiece his brother Hank is, but he has made sure that everyone knows the Yankees will not wait forever for CC Sabathia to accept or reject the Yankees contract offer.

Man Up
The Yankees have added Anthony Claggett, Christian Garcia, Steven Jackson, and Michael Dunn to their 40-man roster, to protect them from December's Rule V Draft. It does mean that players like Alan Horne, Kevin Whelan, and J.B. Cox can be selected, though they would have to remain on a team's MLB roster for an entire year or the Yankees would have the opportunity to get them back.

Like a Rock
Former Yankee, Tim "Rock" Raines has been named the manager of the newly re-formed (Atlantic League) Newark Bears.

Make Room for Daddy
Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica welcomed their first child, a boy named Hunter, into the world on Wednesday.

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Hal Takes the Reins

We have thought it for a while, but now George Steinbrenner has made it official. His son Hal Steinbrenner, not Hank the mouth, is in charge of the ball club. George and his wife Joan met with the Mr. and Mrs. Bud Seligs back in October to discuss the transition to Hal. Selig made the official announcement earlier today.

"I appreciate the confidence that commissioner Selig and the other owners have in me," Hal Steinbrenner said. "My dad left big shoes to fill, but I'm going to do my best.

"He's been slowing down the last couple of years," Hal Steinbrenner said of his father, 78, who still reports occasionally to the Yankees' Tampa offices.

Source: Newsday

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The Weekend Yankeeland - 11/2

Welcome to the end of Daylight Savings Time. :( We're now in that dark, cold section of time until Spring Training. We imagine though that the Hot Stove league should be pretty hot in the metro area like it was last week.

Bobby Abreu filed for free agency this week and the NY Post reports that the Yankees will probably offer him arbitration. The Post also reports that the Yankees will not likely pick up Damaso Marte's $6 million option, opting for the quarter-million buyout instead. This doesn't mean the Yankees won't be interested in bringing Marte back.

Hank Steinbrenner confirmed that the Yankees will take a look at Manny Ramirez as an option for next year and beyond. It's unlikely though that the Yankees would be willing to give Manny the contract length (5 years?) and money ($100 million?) he is looking for.

The Yankees have add Wil De La Rosa and Eric Hacker to the 40-man roster.

Brett Gardner told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch that he's ready to compete for the starting center field job in '09.

Jack Curry says there are other big free agents besides CC Sabathia, Manny, and Mark Teixeira.

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Joba's Blood Alcohol Level Nearly Twice Legal Limit

Word out of Lincoln, Nebraska today is that Joba Chamberlain's blood alcohol level was 0.134 at the time of his arrest early Saturday morning, nearly double the state's legal limit of 0.08. A court date of December 17 has been set for the right-hander, who apologized over the weekend.

"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the fans for an error in judgment and for putting myself in a difficult situation," said Chamberlain in a statement released by his agent, Randy Hendricks. "I intend to properly resolve this situation, and do not intend to be in such a situation again. My goal is to focus on pitching for the Yankees in the 2009 season."

Perhaps Joba should be concentrating on driving drunk or having an open container in his car. You would think after seeing the Jim Leyritz tragedy unfold earlier this year, some brains would be used.

Hank Steinbrenner, for one, is behind is star pitcher.

“He knows he made a mistake, and he’s come out and said that,” Steinbrenner said Monday in New York. “We’ve always said we’re an extended family, the Yankee family, and will support him 100 percent.”

Wonder if Hank would feel the same way if it were Melky Cabrera or Cody Ransom.

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Hank: Joba to Start

The Yankees began their annual post-season meetings today and the big news out of it wasn't really that big. Joba Chamberlain will probably start the 2009 season in the starting rotation. That per Hank Steinbrenner:

“The plan as of right now is Chamberlain is going to be a starter,” the Yankees co-chairman said Thursday after five hours of organizational meetings at the team’s spring training complex. “Everybody’s pretty much in agreement with that.”

“It was a productive day,” Hank Steinbrenner said. “We didn’t make any decisions today. We just covered all the things we need to fix. Everything is open. We’re willing to do anything that will improve us. It was more of a summary and quite a lot of discussion.”

In addition to the Steinbrenner boys and Brian Cashman, the meetings were also attended by Jean Afterman, Mark Newman, Lon Trost, Randy Levine, Gene Michael, Felix Lopez, Reggie Jackson, and Tino Martinez.

Why no Joe Girardi?

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Yankees Shake up the Staff

Bobby Meacham stunk as a player and we didn't think much of him as a third base coach. Apparently, the Steinbrenner boys didn't think much of him either. Meacham, along with special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone, were let go from the organization this afternoon.

It was thought that the S boys and Brian Cashman didn't like how much Girardi leaned on Meacham and bullpen coach Mike Harkey for advise and strategy, while ignoring the experienced Tony Pena. Word is they also felt players like Robinson Cano were not getting enough individual attention as they had when Larry Bowa was on the coaching staff.

"Whenever you lose a friend on your staff it's going to be tough," Girardi said in a statement. "However, as an organization, it was time to make a change. Bobby is a good baseball man, but moving forward we realize changes are going to have to be made in various areas of the club." Si.com

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Cashman Re-Ups

Brian Cashman said he still has a job to do. He's got three years to do it. The Yankees general manager signed a new, three year contract that will keep as the head honcho through 2011.

"I know I've said it before, but it's an incredible opportunity and honor to hold the title of general manager for the New York Yankees," Cashman said. "With it comes a great responsibility to ownership, the people who wear the uniform and our fan base. I've got a job to finish here. That's the bottom line."

The Steinbrenner boys were happy to have Cashman back in the fold.

"Before we could move forward as an organization this offseason, we needed to come to a resolution on the person who would hold the important position of general manager and allow us to make another run at a 27th world championship," Hal and Hank Steinbrenner said in a joint statement released through the team.

"We are thrilled that Brian has accepted to renew his commitment to this organization for at least three more years."

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Hot Air from the South

Can someone please tell Hank Steinbrenner to stop trying to be like his Dad back in the latter's heyday? Seriously. The clown prince is just making a fool of himself and the organization with his hollow statements.

Hank's latest bit of hot air takes a shot at MLB and Joe Torre. He blames the divisional set up for the Yankees not making the playoffs, and also uses it as an excuse as to why the Torre-led Dodgers, in all likelihood, will make it to the post-season.

"The biggest problem is the divisional setup in major league baseball. I didn't like it in the 1970s, and I hate it now," Steinbrenner wrote in the Sporting News. "Baseball went to a multidivision setup to create more races, rivalries and excitement. But it isn't fair. You see it this season, with plenty of people in the media pointing out that Joe Torre and the Dodgers are going to the playoffs while we're not. This is by no means a knock on Torre - let me make that clear-but look at the division they're in. If L.A. were in the AL East, it wouldn't be in the playoff discussion. The AL East is never weak."

Hank, grow a set, please.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/28

The Yankees will try to salvage the finale of the three game series this afternoon when Mike Mussina faces Jon Lester. Yankees aren't going anywhere but downward, but they owe it to Mussina to show up today.

Hank says things will change!

Ken Davidoff thinks Joe Girardi needs to loosen up.

Pavano is on waivers and available. Yankees couldn't possibly be that lucky to get someone worthwhile back for him.

Like the rest of us, Joel Sherman says it's time to look towards '09.

Too little, too late for A-Rod.

Girardi defends the middle of the lineup.

Viedo of the fan ejected for trying to blow off God Bless America.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/22

We woke up this morning and it was still true: Carl Pavano is pitching tomorrow. The Yankees should just run Phil Hughes out there and stop treating him with kid gloves.

"I'm not asking him to make amends," Manager Joe Girardi said. "I'm just asking him to come and compete. I tell every player when they come here, it's a clean slate. I'm just expecting him to do his thing."

That was what Joe Girardi told Tyler Kepner about Pavano's comeback.

Joba Chamberlain is expected to throw 35 pitches in his Saturday bullpen session.

Phil Mushnick takes a dig at some of Michael Kay's hypocrisy.

The Steinbrenner boys are reportedly in negotiations with Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney for a farewell concert at Yankee Stadium. Can't be outdone by the Wilpons, ya know?

Hal Steinbrenner used Derek Jeter as a conduit last week. As several beat writers have pointed out, Hal- and not Hank- is the Steinbrenner son who is really running the show. Hank may be making the headlines, but he never goes to games, wasn't at Bobby Murcer's Memorial service, etc..

Mike Ashmore reports on the Trenton Thunder's playoff-clinching win last night.

The Staten Island Yankees have won 8 straight.

What a difference a year makes. One year ago today, 8/22/07, the Orioles got lambasted by the Rangers, 30-3. The Yankees can't score 30 runs in a month.

Forgot to mention this the other day: Craig Biggio joined Mickey Mantle as the only MLB player to have number 7 retired.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/19

The debate continues: Hughes or Pavano for this Saturday? Nobody outside of Pavano's family wants to see him back in the Bronx (and maybe not even them), but we get the sickening feeling it may happen.

The Bronx is still getting screwed out of park areas due to the new Stadium.

A Toronto columnist basically reiterates what Bill Madden said about Hank Steinbrenner.

Andy Pettitte discusses this season.

The Daily Astorian (Oregon) takes a look at one of its native sons, Brian Bruney.

Mike Ashmore talks to George Kontos, who was nearly a Pirate.

This is apparently real since we've seen it several times. The Trenton Thunder's new GM is Will Smith (no- not that one). And his wife's name is Jada.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/17

Joel Sherman wonders if Derek Jeter won't be a lifetime Yankee after all. (link fixed!)

The NY Post is counting down the 25 greatest Yankee Stadium moments. Today is #6 - Reggie's World Series trifecta.

Bill Madden thinks Hank Steinbrenner is a whiner.

The '78 Yankees and Red Sox reunited in Scranton yesterday. Here's another take on it.

It's a week old, but here's an article we just stumbled on having to do with Oscar Gamble's incredible '70s 'fro.

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Breathe In Breath Out

No Yankees baseball today. No chance to lose and drop another game in the standings. Woo hoo!

Go to the park, read a bike, wash the car, play with your pets.

For tomorrow they play again.


Derek Jeter says he will play in tomorrow's series opener with the Royals.

Anthony McCarron knows that Hank is the kinder, gentler Steinbrenner.

Phil Hughes will have a 100 pitch count when he takes the mound for Scranton on Sunday. Carl Pavano will go again for Trenton then as well.

Hideki Matsui is scheduled to start a rehab assignment today.

Tomorrow is the deadline for signing 2008 amateur draftees. The Yankees top two picks, pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jeremy Bleich, remain unsigned. Scott Boras(s) is their agent.

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Hank Gives Yankees a Pass

With with the way the Yankees have been playing, everyone was waiting for a missive from Mt. Steinbrenner. It finally arrived yesterday, but was nothing like what anyone would have expected. Hank Steinbrenner spoke up, defending his team, and blaming injuries for the Yankees struggles. He even went on to guarantee the Yankees would win it all next season. "Wait'll next year" kind of rings hollow with us, though.

"It's not making excuses. It's reality. That's part of the game. That's clearly our problem," Steinbrenner said of the injuries. "We're going to win it next year. If we need to add a top veteran pitcher, we'll do that. We'll do whatever we need to do. Next year we'll be extremely dangerous."

"I'm not writing off this season. They're trying hard to win. There's only so much you can do. They're not supermen," Steinbrenner said. "No team I've ever seen in baseball has been decimated like this. It would kill any team.

"Imagine the Red Sox without (Josh) Beckett and (Jon) Lester. Pitching is 70 percent of the game. Wang won 19 games two straight years. Chamberlain became the most dominating pitcher in baseball. You can't lose two guys like that."

Joe Girardi didn't disagree with his boss, but still feels the Yankees can win this year.

"I know we have had a lot of injuries to deal with," said Girardi, who lost Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui for extended time. "But I still believe this team can win."

In the good ol' days, or bad ol' days, Kevin Long, and possibly Dave Eiland, would have definitely lost his job by now.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 7/25

The Boston Globe got Tim McCarver's take on the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry and how things have changed since the Sox finally brought home some championships. McCarver and Joe Buck will do their best to annoy us on Saturday's broadcast (what's the over under on how many minutes before Buck mentions payroll?).

Hank Steinbrenner said that he would bring up Barry Bonds name in Thursday's internal meetings. Whether it was Prince Hank or someone else, Bonds' name was brought up, and Anthony McCarron reports that one official stated "(we) aren't ready to jump on that. We're sure this will rile up all the idiots, you heard us, who think that a 44-yr old that hasn't faced major league pitching in 10 months can still be a viable hitter. We won't bother to regurgitate all the other names that were mentioned.

Ian Kennedy hasn't had the 2008 season that he, or the Yankees, expected. Last night, pitching for Triple-A Scranton, Kennedy was one out away from a 7 inning no-hitter against the Richmond Braves when Chris Basak made an error on a potential game ender. Scott Thorman then broke up the no-no with a double that tied the game at 1-1. The Yankees won an inning later on Ben Broussard's 3-run home run.

Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe wrote an interesting piece in yesterday's paper. A lifelong, diehard Red Sox fan, Cullen is imploring the Fenway faithful to drop the "Yankees Suck" chant. Though he knows his words will fall on deaf ears (ok, deaf drunken ears), he makes some valid points.

UPDATE 12:07 PM EDT

From SI's Jon Heyman:

The Yankees are the most serious player for Jarrod Washburn and would take him as a salary dump (his 2009 pay will be $10.35 million). But Seattle is asking now for Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner, a non-starter for the Yankees.

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Hump Day Rumors - 7/23 Edition

Things are starting to heat up as we get closer to the July 31st trade deadline. Locally the Yankees are taking a look at Seattle's Jarrod Washburn, Pirates' lefties Damaso Marte and John Grabow, the Reds' Bronson Arroyo (yech), and the Rockies' Brian Fuentes. The Denver Post reports that a team source said the Rockies have asked for Rays Double-A starter Wade Hendrickson, the Yankees' Ian Kennedy, the Red Sox's Clay Buchholz or Mets minor-leaguer Jon Niese. The Yankees have even talked about the Jays A.J. Burnett.

The Post's George King reports that the Yankees have also sent a scout to watch the Dodgers' Derek Lowe, who becomes a free agent after this season. The Yankees are also looking at hitters Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, and others.

Many of the decisions regarding the Yankees plans will be made this Thursday when the front office meets in Tampa. According to the Daily News' Mark Feinsand, the Yankees will be going for it.

The meeting will include co-chairmen Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, special adviser Gene Michael, pro scouting director Billy Eppler and senior VP Felix Lopez. Manager Joe Girardi isn't expected to be at the meeting, but he is expected to have some input.

A source with knowledge of the situation said that the Steinbrenner brothers have been pleased with the team's recent play, so they want to show the players that they are committed to winning this year by making moves to bolster the roster.

"They're ready to do whatever they need to do at the deadline," the source said. "They want to make a run this year."

A couple of minor trades did go through yesterday. For some reason the Houston Astros acquired left-hander Randy Wolf from the San Diego Padres for minor league Chad Reineke. Perhaps the Astros will look to re-deal Wolf since they aren't coming close to sniffing a playoff spot.

The Diamondbacks strengthened their bullpen by getting setup man/part-time closer Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals for infielder Emilio Bonifacio. The Dbacks now have two of the tallest players in baseball in Rauch and Randy Johnson.

Okay, enough fact, back to rumor. The Cardinals, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch are looking for a left-hander. They've expressed interest in Orioles All-Star closer George Sherrill, who has 29 saves and a 3.83 ERA, Rangers set up man Eddie Guardado. The Brewers are said to be eyeing Sherrill as well.

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Brewers are close to signing former Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons to a minor league contract. The oft-injured outfielder couldn't find a major league job after being named in the Mitchell Report last Fall. He's been playing this season for the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League.


UPDATE 3:15 PM EDT

Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports is reporting that the Yankees are looking for an offensive upgrade at catcher with Jorge Posada not expected to be able to play the position the remainder of the season. The Yankees have reportedly contacted the Texas Rangers about Gerald Laird and the Kansas City Royals about Miguel Olivo.

The Rangers are looking for young pitching in return for Laird, who is signed through 2010. The Royals are working hard to move Olivo, who would come at a lower asking price.

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The Future's so Bright, Hal Wears Shades

Barry Bloom of MLB.com recently sat down with the understated Steinbrenner boy, Hal, to discuss the new stadium and the future of the team. Though the Yankees last home game will be September 21 against the Baltimore Orioles, plans are in the works for a Stadium send off in November.

"There's going to be things at the actual game, but we're also looking to have a closing ceremony in November," said the 39-year-old youngest son of George Steinbrenner, the team's patriarch and principal owner since 1973. "We're strongly considering it and it will be a very nice event.

"We're working on it right now. We're talking to people and some big names in terms of what they want to do. And it may be music, it may be a comedian, it may be an emcee (can you say Billy Crystal?). There will certainly be a lot of videos and things like that. And, of course, bringing back the old Yankees. That's something we've always done."

Hank discussed his current responsibilities...

"My job, my responsibility to the family, to the partners, to the banks and bondholders is to consider the financial aspect of it," he said. "But make no mistake, this season is no different than any other. We all felt going into this year, and we all feel now that we have a championship-caliber team and we are excited about it."

About the growing concern for pricing out fans:

• To waylay any misconception, Steinbrenner said that going to the new ballpark will be affordable for the typical fan. He expects approximately 35 percent of the 53,000 seats to be priced at $25 or less, 50 percent at $45 or less and 80 percent at $100 or less.

"I see in the papers all the time about the 180 Legends Seats that are so expensive," he said. "But they don't talk about the fact that half of the seats in the stadium are $45 or less; that the entire top level is $20-$25 seats, and the bleacher seats are $12. We wanted to make sure that the average family can afford to go there and that's the way it's going to be."

On Revenue Sharing:

"My concern with revenue sharing from day one was that it would not be used in the way it was supposed to be used. The teams were supposed to take every cent they got and reinvest it in their payroll or their farm system. That's always been my problem with it. But now it's at least getting better."

And of course what would an interview be without discussing his own "Big Papi":

"He comes in just about every day, probably four days a week. Sometimes he comes in later than others, but he's in here all the time," Steinbrenner said. "We'll try to get him up there for the All-Star Game. Certainly, he's slowed down, that's no surprise, but I guess he's earned it. It's just his age. It's been an interesting year or two. He's really started to do what he has said for many years that he was going to do, which has been leaving it to the family."

Click here to read the entire interview.

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Yankees Slam Brakes on Skid

Back in the day George Steinbrenner would fire off some garbage in the press as his way of motivating the Yankees. Then the Yankees would go out and win and George would take credit for motivating the troops. Yesterday Hank Steinbrenner said "we had better start scoring runs". Hopefully he's not as delusional as his Dad, because the Yankees went out and put forth their biggest run explosion of the season in an 18-7 pasting of the Texas Rangers.

The Yankees had lead 5-3 on Jason Giambi's 13th career grand slam, but Sidney Ponson served up 2-run home runs to Milton Bradley and Chris Davis in the 6th, so the Yankees trailed 7-6 entering the 7th. Rangers manager Ron Washington brought in Warner Madrigal, making his major league debut, to start the inning. It will be a debut that Madrigal will try to erase from his memory banks.

Bobby Abreu lead off the inning with a ground double to left and Alex Rodriguez followed with a walk. Giambi pushed his RBI total to six when he hit a pitch up the alley in left-center for a 2-run double to give the Yankees an 8-7 lead. Jorge Posada followed with an RBI double into the right field corner and advanced to 3rd base on Robinson Cano's single. Wilson Betemit's ground out to Ian Kinsler scored Posada, with Cano moving to 2nd base on the play. The first out of the inning, but the inning was far from over.

After Cano moved to third on a wild pitch, rookie Brett Gardner picked up his first major league hit and RBI when he singled through the right side. He received a huge ovation from the crowd, which included his parents and family. Gardner stole 2nd base and came around on Johnny Damon's single to left, easily beating the off-line throw from left fielder Brandon Boggs.

Washington left the kid in to take one for the team, and/or destroy him mentally. Two batters later Abreu walked and A-Rod followed with an opposite field, cherry on the sundae, 3-run home run. It was A-Rod's 535th career home run, putting him in sole possession of 14th place on the all-time list, one behind Mickey Mantle. The Yankees would add two more runs off of Jamey Wright in the 8th inning, showing that, at least for one night, the slumbering offense was back to life.

Ponson blew two leads in the game. After Cano's RBI double gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the 2nd, Ponson gave it right back in the top of the 3rd inning. Michael Young tied the game with an RBI double, and then he and Kinsler scored on Josh Hamilton's 2-run single.

Really Big Sid was charged with 7 runs on 9 hits over 5 innings, proving once again that he is NOT a long term solution.

News and Notes

Edwar Ramirez (2-0) picked up the win after pitching a stellar two innings, striking out three.

Derek Jeter singled in his final at-bat, but has just 5 hits in his last 25 at-bats.

As the temperatures rise, so does Robinson Cano's batting average. After hitting .151 in April, Cano surged late in May to hit .295, then .287 in June, and so far is 4-9 in 2 games in July. His average has climbed up to .248.

Prior to the game, Joe Girardi presented Alex Rodriguez and Jeter with their Silver Slugger awards, for having the highest average last season at their respective positions.

July 2, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Texas	0	0	3	0	0	4	0	0	0		7	9	2
NY Yankees	0	1	4	0	1	0	9	3	X		18	16	0

Texas	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Kinsler, 2B	4	1	1	0	1	0	0	.323
Young, SS	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	.288
Vazquez, SS	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.314
Hamilton, CF	3	1	1	2	2	0	0	.308
Bradley, RF	4	1	1	2	0	1	2	.320
Catalanotto, DH	3	1	3	0	1	0	0	.291
Davis, C, 1B	4	1	1	2	0	0	3	.316
Ramirez, M, C	4	0	0	0	0	2	2	.150
Boggs, LF	2	1	1	0	2	0	0	.257
Duran, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	2	4	.188
Totals	33	7	9	7	6	5	13
BATTING 2B: Catalanotto (15, Ponson), Young (23, Ponson). HR: Bradley (17, 6th inning off Ponson, 1 on, 0 out), Davis, C (3, 6th inning off Ponson, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Kinsler; Young 2; Hamilton; Bradley 4; Catalanotto 4; Davis, C 4; Boggs. RBI: Young (45), Hamilton 2 (82), Bradley 2 (51), Davis, C 2 (7). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Ramirez, M; Duran. GIDP: Bradley; Davis, C. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING E: Kinsler (16, fielding), Duran (5, fielding). DP: (Kinsler-Vazquez-Davis, C).

Texas	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mendoza	4.2	4	6	1	2	0	1	4.64
Benoit	1.1	0	0	0	3	0	0	5.60
Madrigal (BS, 1)(L, 0-1)	0.1	5	6	6	1	0	0	162.00
Wright	1.2	7	6	6	1	0	1	4.63

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	6	3	3	2	0	0	2	.320
Jeter, SS	5	1	1	0	1	0	3	.279
Moeller, 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.254
Abreu, RF	5	3	2	2	1	0	3	.284
Rodriguez, 3B	3	4	2	3	2	0	0	.321
Gonzalez, 3B-SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.173
Giambi, DH	4	2	2	6	0	0	1	.268
Posada, C	3	1	1	2	1	0	1	.293
Molina, C	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.233
Cano, 2B	5	1	2	1	0	0	4	.248
Betemit, 1B-3B	4	0	1	1	1	0	2	.267
Gardner, CF	4	2	1	1	1	0	2	.100
Totals	41	18	16	18	7	0	20
BATTING 2B: Cano (18, Mendoza), Abreu (19, Madrigal), Giambi (13, Madrigal), Posada (12, Madrigal). HR: Giambi (18, 3rd inning off Mendoza, 3 on, 2 out), Rodriguez (17, 7th inning off Wright, 2 on, 2 out). TB: Damon 3; Jeter; Abreu 3; Rodriguez 5; Giambi 6; Posada 2; Molina; Cano 3; Betemit; Gardner. RBI: Cano (35), Giambi 6 (52), Posada 2 (22), Betemit (14), Gardner (1), Damon 2 (37), Rodriguez 3 (47), Abreu 2 (55). 2-out RBI: Cano; Giambi 4; Posada; Rodriguez 3; Damon; Abreu 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Betemit; Cano 2; Gonzalez. GIDP: Jeter. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Gardner (2, 2nd base off Wright/Ramirez, M). FIELDING DP: 3 (Cano-Betemit 2, Cano-Jeter-Betemit).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Ponson	5.0	9	7	7	3	1	2	4.18
Ramirez (W, 2-0)	2.0	0	0	0	1	3	0	3.10
Farnsworth	1.0	0	0	0	2	1	0	3.89
Hawkins	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5.86

Ponson pitched to 4 batters in the 6th.

WP: Madrigal.
HBP: Giambi (by Mendoza).
Pitches-strikes: Mendoza 88-49, Benoit 31-14, Madrigal 26-15,
Wright 42-24, Ponson 83-50, Ramirez 30-20, Farnsworth 24-13, Hawkins 9-7.
Ground outs-fly outs: Mendoza 10-4, Benoit 3-1, Madrigal 1-0,
Wright 3-2, Ponson 6-7, Ramirez 3-0, Farnsworth 1-1, Hawkins 1-2.
Batters faced: Mendoza 23, Benoit 6, Madrigal 7, Wright 13,
Ponson 24, Ramirez 7, Farnsworth 5, Hawkins 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Benoit 3-1, Wright 1-1.
Umpires: HP: Dale Scott. 1B: Ron Kulpa.
2B: Dan Iassogna. 3B: Bill Hohn.
Weather: 81 degrees, clear.
Wind: 12 mph, Out to RF.
T: 3:37.
Att: 52,659.

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