You Say You Want a Resolution

New Year's is a time for resolutions. We think these are some of the ones the Yankees family came up with this year.

Alex Rodriguez
I will not "Vogue" while play third base.
If we make the playoffs, I'll get more than 2 hits. Either way I'll have fun out there.

CC Sabathia
I will leave some of the post game spread for my teammates.

A.J. Burnett
I will stay off the disabled list.

John Sterling
I will not refer to CC Sabathia as Chubby Checkers or Coca Cola. Anyone know what rhymes with Teixeira?

Joe Girardi
I won't lie to the media about injuries. Last week Brian Bruney got a paper cut reading the Sunday paper. I don't know any more, I swear. Get off my back.

Brian Cashman
I will try to cut down on how much I use the word "process". It will take some doing though, because it is a process. Damn.

Melky Cabrera
If I'm not traded, I promise to eat more low fat foods and get more than 2 hits a month.

Mariano Rivera
I'll cut down on losing tie games.

Chien-Ming Wang
I will appear on the post-game show.

Robinson Cano
I will be consistent.

Derek Jeter
I'll date Marissa Miller.
I won't pose as a car salesman.

Michael Kay
I'll continue to make every ball sound like it's hit to the warning track.
I'll continue to use street terms. Are you down with that?
I won't laugh at everything Paul O'Neill and Al Leiter say.

Suzyn Waldman
I will not cry at opening day's first pitch.

John Flaherty
I will try not to be so white bread. Pass the mayo.

Andy Pettitte
I will be a Yankee.

Hank Steinbrenner
I will say something outrageous at least once. Look ma, top of the world!!! See?

George Steinbrenner
I will have a Paul O'Neill day at the new Stadium.

The New Yankee Stadium
I'll watch the Yankees raise the World Series championship banner on opening day, 2010. Okay, that's next year, but you catch my drift.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 11/20

Plenty of praise and a few shots coming in today for Mike Mussina after word came out yesterday he would be calling it a career. Here's some of what's being said by the area writers:

Pete Abraham

Mike Lupica

Joel Sherman

George King

Mark Feinsand

Tyler Kepner


Moose held a press conference today in which he apologized to reporters for misleading them. He had intended 2008 to be his last season from the first day of Spring Training.

Nick Swisher was on with Mike Francesa the other day. He's quite a character. You can take a listen for yourself on WFAN's website.

Joe Girardi and Michael Kay were among the honorees at Tuesday night's "Remember When, Remember Now" fundraiser for Alzheimer's Disease. Girardi's dad suffers from the hideous disease. MLB.com's Bryan Hoch had a chance to talk to the manager about the 2009 season.

Phil Coke was named to the Topp's Double-A All Star team. Do you get free baseball cards?

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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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89-73

What an incredibly underwhelming season. The Yankees dropped game #162 last night, 4-3, to the Red Sox in 10 innings. The Yankees rallied to tie the game in the ninth, but Jose Veras couldn't get out of a bases loaded jam in the tenth. Jonathan Van Every singled home the game winner, some 48 hours, OK, not that long on, after the day began.

Sidney Ponson was impressive in his final start, allowing a run on four hits through six innings. Boston went ahead 3-1 in the eighth, against Darrell Rasner, on Sean Casey's 2-run single. But a sac fly by Juan Miranda (his first major league RBI) and a 2-out single by Robinson Cano tied the game in the ninth against David Aardsma. Red Sox pitcher Devern Hansack picked up his second major league win, and his first in two years.

One of the biggest story this season was of course, the transformation of Joba Chamberlain from reliever to starter and then back again due to injury. Looks like more of the same for next year.

Joe Girardi is already talking about next year's goals as if we didn't know what they were already.

Mike Mussina's 20th win yesterday, and number 270 all-time, could be his last. Speculation is that he'll retire.

Prior to yesterday's game the Red Sox retired #6 in honor of long time player and coach Johnny Pesky. He may be the first person to hit an opening fungo.

The 89 wins was the least since the Yankees won just 87 in taking the AL East in 2000 (something tells us Hank Steinbrenner didn't complain back then). The last non-strike, non-post season team of 1993 won 88 games.

Hard to argue with those who said Robinson Cano should have been sent a message earlier. Since being pulled out of September 14th's game and a subsequent one game benching, Cano went on a 19-46 (.413) tear to finish the season.

Johnny Damon (.303), Alex Rodriguez (.302), and Derek Jeter (.300) were the only regulars to finish at .300 or above. It was the first time for Damon since he donned the Pinstripes in 2006. Damon also had his highest stolen base total in the three years with 29.

Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Albert Pujols are the only major leaguers to drive in 100 runs each of the last six seasons.

A-Rod led the clubs in HR (35), RBI (103), slugging (.573), and strikeouts (117).

Cody Ransom has the early inside for the 2009 utility position. Ransom hit .302 in 43 at-bats with 4 home runs and a 1.051 OPS.

Jason Giambi led the team in walks with 76, three more than Abreu. Abreu did lead the team with 39 doubles, while Damon topped in triples with 5.

Andy Pettitte (204.1) and Mike Mussina (200.1) were the only pitchers to top 200 innings. In addition to wins, Mussina led the starters with a 3.37 ERA. Pettitte's 158 strikeouts was 8 more than Mussina's total. Pettitte was second in wins (14) and had the most losses (14). Chien-Ming Wang owned the only complete game in '08.

In saving 39 games, Mariano Rivera appeared in the most games, 64, four more than Jose Veras.

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Girardi Loses it as Streak Ends

The Yankees seven game winning streak came to an end last night, 7-2 to the Blue Jays as Roy Halladay won his 20th game, but all anyone wanted to talk to Joe Girardi about was Mariano Rivera's possible injury.

Earlier in the day it was reported that Rivera, suffering from an "cranky" body, had gone to New York for his standard year end physical. Last night it turned out that Rivera's shoulder was bothering him and he was sent to New York to get it examined and have an MRI done. Even Mrs. MM said there was no way Mo would leave the team early unless he was hurt.

The media pounced on Girardi, who has had a habit all season of stretching the truth concerning the teams injuries, during his post-game press conference. Girardi lashed back, showing some of the attitude that the media in Florida complained about. Peter Abraham has audio of both the pre- and post-game press conferences. Tyler Kepner also discusses Girardi's propensity for lying about injuries.

Apparently the shoulder has been bothering Mo for a while, but he didn't want to say anything until the Yankees were eliminated. Hopefully, the MRI will show no structural damage. George King has more...

On another note, the Carl Pavano era has, thankfully, come to an end. Pavano was knocked out last (surprisingly, not literally). He was knocked out with two away in the fourth after allowing 5 runs. He finishes his 4-year, $39.95 million contract with a 9-8, 5.00 record in 26 starts. Almost half those wins came in the second half of this season.







"The price of 20 wins"

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Bobby Murcer, King George Immortalized in Paint

Bobby Murcer is now a permanent fixture in the Bronx as is George Steinbrenner. They are both now part of a commemorative mural that sits outside of Yankee Stadium. The portraits were unveiled this afternoon. Among the attendees were Bobby's widow, Kay, and their children, Todd and Tori, Joe Girardi, Rey Negron, Brian Cashman, and Willie Randolph. NY1 has some video of the event.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/19

"This was the place, the No. 1 place in baseball. The Stadium was like the Empire State Building or the Grand Canyon of baseball, and every time I stepped inside of it, I had to pinch myself!"

- Yankees broadcaster Mel Allen

Prior to last night's game, the Yankees honored 102-yr old (listed as 103 in some places) Emilio Navarro. Navarro was the first Puerto Rican born ball player to play in the Negro Leagues and is the oldest living major league player. It was the first time Navarro ever stepped inside Yankee Stadium.

Dan Graziano has more on this wonderful story.

The Yankees won the season series with the White Sox, 5 games to 2.

An Iraqi veteran's journey to the greatest Stadium on Earth.

Sunday is going to be emotional and the Yankees are lining up an amazing send off for the Stadium.

Joe Girardi has Andy Pettitte starting Sunday's finale and plans to take him out in mid-inning. He also plans on giving the ball to Mariano in the ninth.

Moose reflects on his final start at home. He's taking some dirt and baseballs with him.
Mariano Rivera can't wait to see the fans' reaction to Bernie Williams.

In case you missed it, and care, the A-Rods are now officially divorced.

A giant "Yankee Stadium" sign is to be hoisted into place today at the main entrance of the new Stadium.

SI's Tom Verducci says goodbye to baseball's cathedral.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/18

Chien-Ming Wang and, and...George King says The Wanger is the only guarantee for the '09 rotation.

Joe Girardi knows he has to make adjustments for next year.

"He's definitely adjusting," Damon said. "In Florida he had a whole bunch of little kids. He's finding his way around with us veteran guys. I like the way he manages; the game's not too fast for him. He has a game plan, and that's a start; unfortunately, the horses didn't come through for him this year. He mixed and matched as well as he could. I like him at the post.

"I hope we can go out and get some big players in the free-agent market to see what we can do."

Bobby Murcer will be immortalized on the Graffiti Wall of Fame (at the corner of 158th St. and River Ave) tomorrow by local residents.

The Yankees called up first baseman Juan Miranda prior to yesterday's game.

Bobby Richardson to speak for the United Fund in South Carolina tonight.

A look back at Lou Gehrig's remarkable speech.

The new Stadium makes its debut on April 16 with the Cleveland Indians in town.

Dan Graziano longs for the press box to shake again.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/17

Phil Hughes tries to make an impression for 2009 tonight. Could he maybe win a game for a change?

Joe Girardi talked to Robinson Cano about his benching and then put him back in the lineup last night. Missed this one yesterday. Ken Davidoff knows it will take a team effort to get to Cano.

Good guy Bobby Abreu made a kid's wish come true.

Larry Brooks compares the Stadium to a museum.

More on the reported tax violations for the new Stadium.

Tony LaRussa talks about his visit to the Stadium on Monday night.

Sacramento beat Scranton in the one game Triple-A showdown in Oklahoma City. The game's MVP award was named after Bobby Murcer :)

A reminder - if you do the crime, you will pay the time. A warning against ripping off Stadium mementos.

Reginald Martinez Jackson talks about the House that Ruth Built and Reggie "Octoberized".

The YES announcers got screwed out of working the season finale, but Giants and ESPN announcer Jon Miller is ecstatic. Guess we'll hear Joe Morgan say "Bernie Wheelyums"

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/15

The Yankees open a four game series this evening with the Chicago White Sox at the Stadium tonight. The pale hose swept the Tigers in a doubleheader on Sunday to extend their AL Central lead to 1.5 games over the Twins.

Pitching match ups for the series:
Monday: Mark Buehrle (13-11, 3.88) vs. Al Aceves (1-0, 1.29)
Tuesday: Gavin Floyd (15-7, 3.77) vs. Andy Pettitte (13-13, 4.52)
Wednesday: Lance Broadway (1-0, 8.49) vs. Phil Hughes (0-4, 9.00)
Thursday: Javier Vazquez (12-13, 4.15) vs. Mike Mussina (17-9, 3.63)

Jorge Posada is a team leader in the Yankees clubhouse, but it will be interesting to see the reaction to comments he made on a taping of Centerstage, with Michael Kay. When Kay played word association and said, "Joba Chamberlain", Posada answered quite bluntly.

"Leave him in the bullpen," Posada replied flatly, before being asked to expand on his answer. "If you start him and he pitches 200 innings, he won't be able to (last).

"You're going to lose him. He's going to get hurt . . . I don't see him as a starter. I'd leave him in the bullpen."

We hadn't realized that Jorge was a pitching expert/coach. Posada expects to be ready by spring training and in not so many words, said Ivan Rodriguez has to go.

"Pudge, he's my friend, but he's going to have to go somewhere else."

There was no real likelihood of the Yankees bringing back I-Rod anyway.


The Journal Star has a profile on Joba Chamberlain's mom.

Unfortunately, Bob Sheppard will be unable to attend the Stadium finale on Sunday.

Newsday's Anthony Rieber thinks the Stadium farewell is "falling flat".

More on Derek Jeter's record tying Sunday.

Joe Girardi talked with Jack Curry about this year's disappointments.

The Scranton Yankees, winners of the International League championship, will face the Sacramento RiverCats, the A's triple-A affiliate and Pacific League champions, in a one game showdown on Tuesday. The game will be televised at 8 PM EDT on ESPN2.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/14

The Yankees split a day-night doubleheader with the Rays yesterday. Unfortunately Mike Mussina was not the winning pitcher for the Yankees. Moose was off his game, allowing 5 runs in five innings, and dropped his ninth game of the season. He'll likely have three starts remaining with no room for error. The Yankees dropped the opener 7-1, with a ninth inning Bobby Abreu home run the only thing that kept them from being shut out. Moose did pass Cy Young for 19th place on the all-time strikeout list.

Xavier Nady's RBI single in the seventh inning snapped a 4-4 tie in the nightcap. Damaso Marte picked up the win, with Mariano Rivera, pitching for only the second time in two weeks, earning his 34th save in 35 tries.

Derek Jeter went 6-7 in the twinbill, putting him within three hits of Lou Gehrig's career hit record at Yankee Stadium. Being that we're going to the game tie, we would love a 3- or 4-hit performance. The last September game we went to was 10 years ago when David Cone beat the then Devil Rays for his 20th win of the season. That was team win number 113.

Lack of amenities doom the old ballparks.

Kevin Kernan says the Yankees need smart moves in the off-season. Of course he's the guy who said last year the Yankees should sign Scot Schoenweis.

Joel Sherman has his 5 critical fixes for '09.

For some reason the LA Times is talking about A-Rod's need for a ring.

Trenton has taken a 2-1 lead on Akron in the Eastern League championship series. George Kontos, Anthony Claggett, Mike Dunn, and Jhonny Nunez combined on a 4-hitter in the Thunder's 4-1 triumph. Claggett picked up the victory after Kontos was removed with two outs in the fifth inning.

Austin Jackson had a big night with a home run and two tremendous catches in centerfield. Mike Ashmore has more on the game.

The Thunder can close things out tonight in a 6:05 start.

The Daily News has another goodbye to Yankee Stadium.


Joe Girardi says Kevin Long shouldn't be a scape goat.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/12

What's left of the season? Finger pointing of course, by those who hadn't done it as of yet. Bob Raissman says it only took Michael Kay and company 144 games to rip the Yankees a new one. Neil Best has his take on this new twist on the YES Network.

Mike Lupica says it's the "House that Ruth Built", but the Yankees are bringing it down.

Joe Girardi says he'll take the blame. Tyler Kepner says you can blame the offense.

On the bright side, Bernie Williams has confirmed he will be attending the Yankee Stadium closing ceremonies. Bernie Baseball was performing at Robinson Cano's Foundation Fundraiser at Frankie & Johnny's Pine Restaurant in the Bronx.

Scott Patterson, who we thought would be a major contributor to the Yankees this season, started out well in the minors and then was mediocre. The Yankees released him to make room on the 40-man roster for Humberto Sanchez, and he's already pitching for the San Diego Padres.

Hank is trying to play George again. He's going to put a "committee" (baseball people?) together and Cashman could lose power. Here's a look at it from the Post, the News, and Peter Abraham have to say. PeteAbe also has a look at the final homestand.

Whether he'll be a Yankee next season remains to be seen, but either way, Robinson Cano will be working with Kevin Long this season after a very disappointing 2008. Long is planning on making major changes to Cano's swing.

"You're going to see a huge difference visually," Long said. "You'll see less movement, an explosive, compact swing, and you'll probably see more home runs. I think his average will go way up and I think his walks will go way up."

Kat O'Brien takes a look at next season's starting rotation.

Bill Madden spoke with Yogi Berra about his favorite Stadium moments.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/10

Just in case you haven't heard already heard, Schitbag is at it again.

Ivan Rodriguez and Torii Hunter both received a two game suspension for their tango on Monday night.

Kat O'Brien has more on Al Aceves and Phil Coke.

Hank said Joe will be back next year. Was that ever in doubt? Dan Graziano knows that Joe Girardi has to take blame too though.

FOX Sports has a piece on the Iron Horse's famous farewell.

Former Yankee Mike Pagliarulo has his take on a possibly Manny Ramirez-Yankees future.

Mark Feinsand looks at Andy Pettitte's future.

Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown looks at the two Joe's, Torre and Girardi.

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The Labor Day Weekend Yankeeland

We'll be travelling for the next couple of days, so there's won't be much posting until Monday. Enjo your Labor Day weekend and don't drink and drive!

Okay, maybe Victor Zambrano won't be getting a call up.

Joe Girardi backs instant replay.

Joba to be in the pen next week.

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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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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 - 8/12

As the losses mount, Joe Girardi is starting to get a bit testy with the press. He was clearly not pleased with yesterday's questions regarding why Johnny Damon, a .322 hitter, was riding the pines.

George King has the Yankees' "Death Watch" going.

Things are not going right for the Yankees, but not due to the effort of Sidney Ponson.

Joba Chamberlain wants to start throwing ASAP, but the Yankees are holding him off until Friday.

Twins closer Joe Nathan donated a half-million dollars to his alma mater, Long Island's Stony Brook University, for help in the construction of a new baseball facility. More funding is needed, but the new joint will be called, "Joe Nathan Field".

Former Yankees manager and tormentor, together in LA, are having a hairy disagreement.

A-Rod has apparently donated $500K to Madonna's charity (no, it does not pay for those cone bras).

Phil Hughes will get the start tonight when Scranton takes on the Pawtucket Red Sox. No word if the game will be rescheduled due to the death of manager Dave Miley's son.

Is this guy on a month's tape delay?

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/10

We're still disgusted from yesterday's game so we'll probably not be tuning in today. If you want to read more about yesterday's game, click here.

George King has a story on the tough return for Dan Giese to So Cal. Giese did everything he could to give the Yankees a win yesterday, but the team let him down big time.

The Yankees are hoping to develop some of their own left-handed relievers, so Phil Coke, who was in the original Nady-Marte deal, was promoted to Scranton to work out of the bullpen.

Mike Lupica agrees with us (we usually don't agree with him) that Joe Girardi has done a good job.

Chad Jennings has a look at prospect wannabe Matt Carson.

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Twin Killing

The Yankees offense has suddenly come to life, at the expense of the Minnesota Twins. One night after putting 12 runs on the board, the Bombers smacked the Twins 8-2 for 5th straight win and moved within 3.5 games of the AL East leading Tampa Rays. The win also kept the Yankees 3 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card race. The Yankees have also won 9 straight home games.

Darrell Rasner wasn't stupendous, but he kept his team in the game, exiting with a 2-1 deficit with two outs in the 6th. But the Yankees bats came to life in the bottom of the 6th at the expense of Twins starter Kevin Slowey.

Johnny Damon led off the inning with a single, and one batter later Bobby Abreu ripped a Slowey pitch into the right field seats for a go ahead 2-run home run. It was Abreu's first home run since June 25, a period covering 77 at-bats.

Alex Rodriguez followed Abreu's home run with a single, causing Ron Gardenhire to pull Slowey in favor of left-hander Dennis Reyes. But the move back fired when Reyes walked Jason Giambi and red hot Robinson Cano lined an RBI single to center field for a 4-2 Yankees lead.

The Yankees busted the game open an inning later against right-hander Jessie Crain. Brett Gardner drew a lead off walk and Damon reached on an error. Derek Jeter, who had been having a miserable game at the prior to that, was unable to put a sac bunt down. So instead he roped a 2-run double into the left field corner to push the lead to 6-2. Abreu picked up his third RBI with a double into the right field corner and he would come home on a Giambi single for an 8-2 lead.

The Yankees bullpen was outstanding again. David Robertson threw to just one batter to pick up his second win, and Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth, and Dan Giese finished things out. Farnsworth struck out the side in the 8th inning and has not allowed a hit in his last 9 innings pitched.

Rasner was decent, using a pair of double play grounders to get out of two jams. The Twins finally got to him in the 6th when Carlos Gomez doubled and scored on Denard Span's infield single to tie the game at 1-1. The Twins eventually loaded the bases and the go ahead run scored when Jason Kubel just beat an attempted 3-6-1 double play. In fact there were two instances in the inning where a good defensive 1st baseman could have turned two, but Giambi fielded both grounders like a hockey goalie and wasn't in position to make a good pivot on his throw to 2nd base.


News and Notes

Robinson Cano is hitting .522 sinec the break. His time off included some BP sessions with his Dad, former pitcher Jose Cano. Only Albert Pujols and Placido Polanco have better post All-Star averages among active players.

The Yankees hope to have information today to make a decision on Jorge Posada's immediate future.

Johnny Damon has made an immediate impact in his return to the lineup. He's reached base 4 times in 9 plate appearances with 3 runs scored and an RBI. Joe Girardi is hoping he can play the outfield this weekend in Boston.

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The First Pitches

Yankee Stadium is a million times greater than any other sports arena so it took 4 people to throw out the first pitch of tonight's All-Star game. Hall of Fame inductees Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, and Goose Gossage threw to Joe Girardi, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mariano Rivera. The baseballs were delivered to home plate by a very emotional George Steinbrenner.

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