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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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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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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Breaking News: Mussina Calls it a Career

It's official, Mike Mussina has come to a decision and that decision is to hang up his cleats after an illustrious 18-year career. That according to ESPN. Mussina had a revival this past season, winning 20 games for the first time in his career and finished with 270 wins, good for 33rd on the all-time list. He struck out 2,813 batters (19th) in over 3,500 innings pitched.

Mussina made a name for himself in Baltimore where he pitched for the first 10 years of his career before leaving as a free agent after the 2000 season. He spent the last 8 seasons in Pinstripes, signing a second contract after his initial 6-year deal. Mussina won at least 10 games for 17 straight seasons, including the strike shortened 1994 season.

He twice fell short of winning 20 games before beating the Red Sox this past September 28 to finally get the monkey off his back. The soon to be 40-yr old also saw playoff action in 9 seasons. He was the pitcher when Derek Jeter made "The Play" in 2001 and recorded 15 strikeout games as a member of the Orioles in 1997.

Thanks for the memories Moose and good luck!

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The Daily Yankeeland - 11/17

Hey! The Daily Yankeeland is back. Hope you missed it!

The Yankees aren't sure if they'll land CC Sabathia, but the Cleveland Cavs forward, and Yankees fan, LeBron James thinks it'll happen. "We're gonna get him. Absolutely."

Meanwhile Brewers GM Doug Melvin can't understand the reported $140 million the Yankees offered his left-hander.

"If the speculation is true that we've offered CC $100 million," Melvin wondered out loud in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "why would you offer $140 million? Why wouldn't you offer $110 million?

With all due respect to Doug Melvin, why would the Yankees want to get into a bidding war? They know Sabathia wants Johan Santana money ($137.5 million), so why should they bid $105 million and allow Sabathia to think they really aren't serious? The Steinbrenners and Brian Cashman want to wow the 2007 AL CY Young winner and this offer will certainly do just that.


Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
Darrell Rasner is thanking his lucky stars and Japanese ownership for some financial security. The Yankees sold Rasner's contract to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for $1 million. Rasner will make a guaranteed $1.2 million next season and could make as much as $3.5 million if his option is picked up for 2010.

"I'm going to, most of all, remember the last year," Rasner said. "This year was a special year with the closing of [Yankee Stadium]. To be a part of that was special for me, getting to start quite a few games. I wish I could have been better and a lot of things could have happened, but I know I did my best every time I went out there."

Really Peavy'ed
Despite the fact that Jake Peavy really doesn't want to pitch in New York, Brian Cashman has continued talks with Padres GM Kevin Towers in an attempt to swing a deal for the star right-hander. During the GM meetings, Towers said he was going to concentrate on the NL teams for the moment, but told Cashman he would come back to him. He's done just that. After a deal for Atlanta, that would have included young star shortstop Yuniel Escobar, fell through Towers expanded his search.

Without knowing all the details of the Braves talks, one would imagine the Padres would want Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano for starters. Of course, how much of Peavy's contract is picked up by the Yankees could alter what players would change hands.


Oldies but Goodies
Still no word from Mike Mussina on whether or not he'll return to the major leagues next season or call it a career. Meanwhile Andy Pettitte has not yet received an official offer from the Yankees, though it appears the two sides are far apart on what they think Pettitte should make. The left-hander reportedly is looking for money in the neighborhood of last year's $16 million, while the Yankees would like him to take a pay cut. "Hey Andy, here's $8 mill, take it or leave it."

Cubs Play, Cubs Play
It's official, the Chicago Cubs are coming to the city so nice they named it twice. The Cubs and Yankees will open the new Yankee Stadium with a pair of exhibition games April 3 and 4. The Cubs have only come to Yankee Stadium once, a 2005 interleague series, since the two teams met in the 1938 World Series.

"The Yankees organization is excited and honored to host the Chicago Cubs in two exhibition games to be played at the new Yankee Stadium," Yankees co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said in a release. "As we welcome our fans into the ballpark for the first time, it is fitting to showcase two of baseball's greatest and most historic franchises."

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Lee Cruises to AL CY Young

To no one's surprise, the Cleveland Indians' Cliff Lee captured the 2008 AL CY Young Award announced today by the Baseball Writer's Association (BBWA). Lee, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his career, blew away the competition in '08. He compiled a 22-3 mark, a league best 2.54 ERA, and had the third highest winning percentage for a 20-game winner.

It was a big turn around for Lee who spent part of the '07 season in the minor leagues. He's the first Indians pitcher to win the CY Young since Gaylord Perry took home the hardware in 1974.

Lee garnered 24 of the 28 first place votes, with Toronto's Roy Halladay picking up the other four votes to help him finish in second place. Mariano Rivera finished in fourth place with 3 votes and Mike Mussina finished tied for fifth with 2 votes.

2008 AL Cy Young Award Voting
Pitcher, Club	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
Cliff Lee, CLE	24	4		132
Roy Halladay, TOR	4	15	6	71
Francisco Rodriguez, LAA		7	11	32
Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS		2	4	10
Mariano Rivera, NYY			3	3
Mike Mussina, NYY			2	2
Ervin Santana, LAA			2	2

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The Daily Yankeeland - 10/28

Needless to say the conclusion of the World Series was put off until Wednesday night due to more crappy weather in Philly. And even that is in doubt, with a 20-30% chance of rain all day and a game time temperature expected to be 33 degrees.

Yahoo's Jeff Passan takes Bud Selig and MLB to task.


Meanwhile back on the Yankees, and ex-Yankees beat...

Brian Cashman spoke to MLB's Anthony DiComo about Joba Chamberlain's DUI arrest.

Ken Davidoff sat down with former Yankees coach Don Zimmer to discuss the surprising success of the Rays.

Mike Mussina's agent Arn Tellem says his client still has not decided whether or not to continue his career.


And around the rest of MLB:

The Cubs hot corner man Aramis Ramirez has won the Hank Aaron Award.

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols garnered the Roberto Clemente Award.

The Angels picked up their 2009 options on Vlad Guerrero and John Lackey.

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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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Mussina Wins 20th

It took Mike Mussina 18 seasons, but he can finally say he's a 20-game winner. The 39-year old became the oldest pitcher to earn 20 wins for the first time in his career when the Yankees downed the Red Sox 6-2. Mussina tossed six scoreless innings to extend his season-ending streak to 11.1 innings, leaving after 73 pitches were thrown.

An Xavier Nady 3-run home run off of Daisuke Matsuzaka in the fourth inning snapped a 0-0 tie. The win didn't come easily, however, as the Red Sox rallied in the eighth inning. Joba Chamberlain issued a lead-off walk to Jason Bay, and Mark Kotsay followed with a ground rule double to right. With the tieing run at the plate, Joe Girardi sent for Brian Bruney.

The right-hander, who missed much of the season with a torn Lisfranc ligament, struck out Jed Lowrie looking and retired Chris Carter on an RBI ground out. With Jacoby Ellsbury due up, Girardi went to left-hander Damaso Marte, but it was for naught, as Ellsbury singled to left field to cut the lead to 3-2.

Mariano Rivera went to New York earlier this week and has been contemplating surgery for his sore right shoulder, but he came back for the final series knowing that Mussina had a chance for 20 wins. With base stealing threat Ellsbury on base, Rivera blew three fastballs past Dustin Pedroia to retire the side.

The Yankees added three insurance runs in the ninth off of Jon Papelbon to increase the lead to 6-2, and then it was up to Rivera. David Ortiz reached on an error by Cody Ransom at short, but Rivera retired Kevin Youkilis, Jon Van Every, and Bay, on a ground-out to Ransom, for his 39th save in 40 tries. A jubilant Mussina sat on the bench and was greeted by the Yankees coaches, before joining his teammates on the field. Rivera gave him the game ball for career win number 270.

September 28, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	3		6	10	1
Boston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0		2	5	0

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	5	1	1	0	0	1	1	.228
Damon, LF	4	0	0	0	1	0	0	.303
Abreu, RF	2	1	0	0	2	1	0	.296
Cabrera, RF	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	.244
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	1	2	1	1	1	0	.302
Giambi, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	3	4	.247
Miranda, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.375
Nady, DH	4	1	2	3	0	1	0	.307
Cano, 2B	4	1	3	0	0	0	1	.270
Ransom, SS	3	1	2	0	1	1	1	.325
Molina, C	3	0	0	1	0	1	5	.216
Totals	35	6	10	6	5	10	16
BATTING 2B: Cano (35, Matsuzaka). HR: Nady (25, 4th inning off Matsuzaka, 2 on, 2 out). TB: Gardner; Rodriguez, A 2; Nady 5; Cano 4; Ransom 2. RBI: Nady 3 (96), Molina (18), Cabrera (37), Rodriguez, A (103). 2-out RBI: Nady 3; Rodriguez, A. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gardner; Molina; Giambi; Miranda. SF: Molina. GIDP: Molina. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Abreu (22, 2nd base off Matsuzaka/Varitek), Cano (2, 3rd base off Matsuzaka/Varitek). FIELDING E: Ransom (3, fielding). Outfield assists: Damon (Pedroia at 2nd base). DP: 2 (Cano-Ransom-Giambi 2).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 20-9)	6.0	3	0	0	2	3	0	3.37
Coke (H, 5)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0.61
Chamberlain	0.0	1	2	2	1	0	0	2.60
Bruney (H, 12)	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.83
Marte	0.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4.02
Rivera (S, 39)	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.40

Boston	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Ellsbury, CF	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	.280
Pedroia, 2B	4	0	2	0	0	1	2	.326
Ortiz, DH	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.264
2-Bailey, PR-DH	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.283
Youkilis, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	1	3	.312
Drew, RF	2	0	0	0	1	1	2	.280
Van Every, J, RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.231
Bay, LF	3	1	0	0	1	2	2	.286
Kotsay, 1B	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	.276
Lowrie, SS	3	0	0	0	0	2	2	.256
Varitek, C	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.220
1-Kottaras, G, PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200
Ross, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.230
a-Carter, PH	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	.429
Cash, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.232
Totals	30	2	5	2	3	7	15
a-Grounded out for Ross in the 8th. 1-Ran for Varitek in the 6th. 2-Ran for Ortiz in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Kotsay (25, Chamberlain). TB: Ellsbury; Pedroia 2; Ortiz; Kotsay 2. RBI: Carter (2), Ellsbury (47). 2-out RBI: Ellsbury. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Bay. GIDP: Drew; Pedroia. Team LOB: 4. FIELDING DP: (Youkilis-Pedroia-Kotsay).

Boston IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Matsuzaka (L, 18-3) 4.0 4 3 3 2 5 1 2.90 Lopez 1.0 1 0 0 1 2 0 2.43 Delcarmen 2.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3.27 Okajima 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.61 Papelbon 1.0 4 3 3 1 1 0 2.34

Chamberlain pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. Marte pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. WP: Lopez. Pitches-strikes: Mussina 73-48, Coke 13-9, Chamberlain 10-4, Bruney 10-7, Marte 6-5, Rivera 23-16, Matsuzaka 73-46, Lopez 29-17, Delcarmen 23-16, Okajima 11-8, Papelbon 33-18. Groundouts-flyouts: Mussina 9-5, Coke 1-0, Chamberlain 0-0, Bruney 1-0, Marte 0-0, Rivera 2-1, Matsuzaka 4-3, Lopez 1-0, Delcarmen 4-2, Okajima 0-1, Papelbon 1-1. Batters faced: Mussina 20, Coke 3, Chamberlain 2, Bruney 2, Marte 1, Rivera 5, Matsuzaka 18, Lopez 5, Delcarmen 7, Okajima 3, Papelbon 8. Inherited runners-scored: Bruney 2-1, Marte 1-1, Rivera 1-0. Umpires: HP: Phil Cuzzi. 1B: James Hoye. 2B: Jerry Layne. 3B: Randy Marsh. Weather: 67 degrees, drizzle. Wind: 3 mph, Out to LF. T: 3:16 (:00 delay). Att: 37,091.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/24

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Steinbrenner boys have given Brian Cashman until next to decide if he wants to return to the Bronx.

Wade Boggs is among those are still very disappointed that Roger Clemens and Joe Torre were not part of Sunday's farewell festivities.

"When you look at what Joe Torre did with the Yankees - being a part of four championships - he was a part of it and so was Roger Clemens," said Boggs, who was signing copies of the 232-page "Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective" book for fans at Mickey Mantle's restaurant on Central Park South yesterday. "For what reason, I have no idea why they left them out. I don't know the mind-set of why they were left out. I did notice that Clemens wasn't in the collage of pictures and I don't know the speculation or reason behind it."

Read more...

If Mike Mussina wins his 20th on Sunday, he'll also tie Hall of Fame inductee Burleigh Grimes with 270 wins, 32nd base on the all-time list.

Phil Hughes will go after his first win once again this evening, in what has been a very disappointing season. The time off this season did allow Hughes to develop his cutter.

“It would be nice, but at the same time, I don’t think one win is really what I expected out of myself or anybody else expected,” said Hughes, who threw four innings in a no-decision last Wednesday. “I think it will still be, definitely, a negative year.”

Read more from Tyler Kepner and Michael S. Schmidt...

Another home run ball ownership controversy. This time it's Jose Molina's final Stadium blast.

"He couldn't get it through the net," Russo griped. "I'm the only one who had the ball."

Read more...

Mike Lupica throws some more dirt on the Yankees' grave.

Marty Noble of mlb.com looks back on a pair of players that had an affect on both New York stadiums - Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden.

Mariano Rivera was part of a contest, sponsored by Michael C. Fina, last week that gave a grand prize to a deserving recipient.

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Moose Wins 19th, but Yanks Eliminated

The Yankees hit a high and a low last night in Toronto as Mike Mussina won his 19th game, but the Yankees were officially eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 1993. While the Yankees were beating the Blue Jays, 3-1, the Red Sox were beating the Cleveland Indians, 5-4, in Boston.

It was almost entirely a night of lows when Mussina was hit on the right elbow by a line drive off the bat of Travis Snider. Moose was clearly in pain as he tried to walk it off, with a stressed Joe Girardi looking on. After a couple of warm up tosses, Mussina remained in the game and quickly got Joe Inglett to hit into an inning ending double play.

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead against Jay's starter Jesse Litsch in the second inning when Xavier Nady followed Jason Giambi's single with a double, and Robinson Cano grounded out, with the infield back conceding the run. Giambi made it a 2-0 game in the fourth when he crushed a pitch over the wall in right-center for his 32nd home run of the year, and the 396th of his career.

Mussina showed no ill effects in the fourth and fifth innings, retiring six of the seven hitters he faced, but his elbow stiffened up and Girardi removed him before the sixth inning.

The Yankees added a big insurance run in the seventh when Cano doubled, and came around on a pair of wild pitches. The play at the plate was a close one, and catcher Greg Zaun and manager Cito Gaston argued, to no avail, that Cano was out.

After Phil Coke and Brian Bruney combined for a scoreless sixth inning and the first out in the seventh, Girardi sent for Damaso Marte to face a pair of Blue Jays' lefties. But Adam Lind singled and Marte walked Lyle Overbay to bring the tying run to the plate. Girardi quickly went to Joba Chamberlain, who was greeted by a line drive RBI single off the bat of Scott Rolen to cut the lead to 3-1. Chamberlain struck out Zaun and then wild pitched the tying runs into scoring position. But the hard throwing right-hander struck out Snider swinging to end the threat.

Chamberlain got in trouble again with two out in the eighth after a single by Alex Rios and a throwing error by shortstop Cody Ransom on Vernon Wells' grounder. Chamberlain compounded the issue by walking Lind to load the bases, and went to a full count on Overbay. But a nasty slider froze Overbay for a called third strike and the Blue Jays' threat was done.

Mariano Rivera struck out two of three in the ninth, including Zaun, who got the "Golden Sombrero", for his 38th save in 39 tries.


News and Notes

Mike Mussina won his 19th game for the first time since 1996, when he his finished his second consecutive 19-win season. He also needs just 5.2 innings pitched this season to reach 200 innings for the first time since 2003. Elbow permitting, he's set to face the Red Sox in Boston on Sunday.
Derek Jeter was scratched from the starting lineup after not being able to effectively swing a bat, due to the fastball he took off his left hand on Saturday, during batting practice. He came in as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning, with Cody Ransom sliding over to first base to replace Jason Giambi.

Yankees pitching had 14 strikeouts in the game.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/23

What? There's a game tonight? Didn't the season end on Sunday? Oh wait, that's right, the MLB scheduler makers fecked up. The Yankees travel north of the border tonight to visit the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Tonight's game is huge and we're not talking about the fact that the Yankees aren't mathematically eliminated. Mike Mussina (18-9, 3.57) goes for win number 19 tonight. If he gets it, he'll go for number 20 in Fenway Park. Moose will be opposed by Jesse Litsch (12-8, 3.72).

Phil Hughes makes his second start, since coming from the DL, tomorrow night against new Yankee killer, and maybe future Yankee, A.J. Burnett. The series finishes up on Thursday with Carl Pavano going against Roy Halladay, who will be looking for his 20th win.

We waded through many of the reviews of Sunday night's festivities and though most were favorable, there were some definite on-the-money criticisms. The ridiculous re-enactment of the 1923 lineup and of players like Joe D. The complete omission of Joe Torre from the highlights. The inclusion of Jesse Barfield in the highlights.

There was one thing we were quite curious about - who pulled the lever to set the countdown to zero. We saw no mention of it, so we asked Peter Abraham during his live chat yesterday - the answer? Michael Kay. Michael Kay??? WTF. Not even Hal or Jennifer Steinbrenner? By the way, nice of Hank not to show.

Here are some of the good columns we read concerning Sunday's ceremonies and some of the suggestions of what could have made the day better:

Richard Sandomir of the Times.

Joel Sherman of the Post.

Peter Abraham's video chat from yesterday. We asked what Pete would have added and taken away from Sunday's ceremony, how Jason Giambi felt about the possible end of his days in Pinstripes, and about the countdown lever.

Yankees spokesperson Jason Zillo claimed that Torre and Clemens were not intentionally skipped. Yeah, right.

Word has it that Roger Clemens was not invited. Duh. He was reportedly heartbroken over being left out of the montage. Ya reap what you sow.

You knew there were some people who were going to try to purloin some history on Sunday.

As for the business of rebuilding the Yankees. We're not happy about the Yankees considering bringing back Jason Giambi. Remember, this is about winning, and while the Big 'G' is a really likeable guy, it's time to go.

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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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Moose Grabs 18th With Two to Go

Mike Mussina still has a shot at his first 20 win season after defeating the Chicago White Sox last night, 9-2, at Yankee Stadium. Mussina must win each of his final two starts, but either way, he made his final Stadium start a memorable one. He got a big hand from Bobby Abreu, who hit a pair of home runs and drove in a season high 6 runs.

All eyes were on Mussina though, who is in his eighth, and possibly last, season in the Bronx. He started out shaky, loading the bases with just one out in the first, but escaped with just one run allowed. Abreu picked him right up though with a 2-run, upper deck blast off of ex-Yankee Javier Vazquez in the home half of the inning.

Two innings later Abreu struck again, this time with no one aboard, hitting a Vazquez delivery into the bleachers in right-center field (as far as we know that fan didn't make it three nights in a row). It was Abreu's 19th home run of the season, and he leaves one home run shy of becoming only the third player in MLB history with eight 20 home run, 20 steal seasons (The Bonds', Barry and Bobby, have 10 seasons.).

Mussina allowed just two more base runners until the seventh inning when, at Dave Eiland's suggestion, Joe Girardi sent him out to face one hitter. Mussina allowed a lead off double to Brian Anderson, but exited to the standing ovation Eiland had counted on.

The Yankees broke the game open in the fourth after Robinson Cano drew a one out walk, his first free pass since August 20. Vazquez struck out Juan Miranda, but then issued back to back walks to Jose Molina and Brett Gardner. Derek Jeter's infield single extended the score to 4-1 and knocked Vazquez from the game. Ozzie Guillen brought in left-hander Horacio Ramirez to face Abreu, but the Yankees right fielder delivered again, this time with a single to right field that plated two more runs. An Alexei Ramirez error on Alex Rodriguez's grounder allowed the final run of the inning to score and built the Yankees lead to 7-1.

Guillen then made a curious decision, ostensibly out of frustration, by pulling starters Orlando Cabrera, Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzynski, Ken Griffey Jr., and Ramirez from the ball game, despite it being only the fifth inning. The move had no effect. Jose Veras finished up the seventh for Mussina and then the much anticipated debut of Humberto Sanchez took place in the eighth inning. Francisco Cervelli also made his debut behind home plate.


News and Notes

Chris Britton allowed a solo home run to Paul Konerko in the ninth.

Johnny Damon missed the game due to the birth of his daughter Danica.

Mike Mussina won his 268th game, tying him for 33rd place on the all-time wins list with Jim Palmer. Winning the final two won't be easy, he has to face Toronto and Boston.

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