Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

Monday, July 6, 2009

7/6 Demolition Update

Sorry, I hate doing these after a loss, but I just found these a few minutes ago. They come from WCBS 880's Tom Kaminski.

(click to enlarge)

For the main demolition page click here.

Game 82: Yanks vs. Jays

Regular Season Game 82

Yankees vs. Blue Jays
New Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY
Game Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES | Radio: WCBS 880

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (48-33)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher 1B
Mark Teixeira DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera LF
Eric Hinske RF
Brett Gardner CF

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (8-3, 4.25 ERA)

BLUE JAYS (42-41)
Marco Scutaro SS
Aaron Hill DH
Vernon Wells CF
Scott Rolen 3B
Alex Rios RF
Kevin Millar 1B
Jose Bautista LF
Rod Barajas C
John McDonald 2B

Pitching: LHP Ricky Romero (6-3, 2.85 ERA)

Yanks vs. Romero

Romero has not face any Yankees batters.

Jays vs. Pettitte

	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
V. Wells	38	15	4	0	1	8	3	6	.395	.439	.579	1.018
S. Rolen	36	12	4	0	3	6	2	7	.333	.368	.694	1.063
K. Millar	34	9	2	0	0	1	3	8	.265	.324	.324	.648
L. Overbay	24	2	0	0	0	0	0	6	.083	.083	.083	.167
A. Rios	21	7	1	0	0	1	1	2	.333	.364	.381	.745
M. Barrett	20	6	1	0	2	4	6	5	.300	.462	.650	1.112
J. Bautista	19	6	1	0	1	2	0	3	.316	.316	.526	.842
J. McDonald	18	6	2	0	0	2	1	2	.333	.368	.444	.813
R. Barajas	17	4	1	0	0	4	0	2	.235	.235	.294	.529
M. Scutaro	14	4	2	0	1	3	2	4	.286	.375	.643	1.018
A. Hill	14	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	.214	.214	.214	.429
A. Lind	12	2	1	0	0	0	3	3	.167	.333	.250	.583
J. Inglett	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	270	76	19	0	8	31	21	52	.281	.333	.441	.774

News & Notes

- Andy Pettitte is 18-11 with a 4.12 ERA in 37 career appearances (36 starts) against the Jays. He faced them once so far this season and in six innings held the Jays to just one earned run on five hits, walked four and struck out two, on his was to a win.

- Ricky Romero has next faced the Yankees in his career. This will be just his 11th start in the big leagues.

- The Yankees have won 10 of their last 11, and a currently one game behind the Red Sox for first in the division. They're also 2.5 games ahead of the Rangers and Angels for first in the Wild Card.

- Derek Jeter has a 10-game hitting streak.

- Jays' third baseman Scott Rolen has a career-high 22-game hitting streak.

Stick around and discuss the game
as it happens in the comments section

Yanks Win Despite Poor Performance From Joba

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
TOR	0	0	3	5	0	0	0	0	0	8	12	1
NYY	2	2	0	3	3	0	0	0	X	10	14	2

Winning pitcher - Jonathan Albaladejo (3-1)
Losing pitcher - B.J. Ryan (1-1)
SV - Alfredo Aceves (1)

It was pretty but the Yankees were able to battle their way back from a fourth inning 8-4 deficit to win 10-8. For the Yanks, it was comeback win number 25 on the year.

Early on today it looked like it was going to be an easy game for the Yanks. They spotted Joba Chamberlain an early 4-0 lead and it appeared that he was throwing the ball pretty well. But then with one out in the third things the Jays mounted a quick rally. Raul Chavez doubled, Marco Scutaro grounded out for out number two, then Aaron Hill hit an RBI single, and Adam Lind hit a two-run homer, and just like that a 4-0 lead had shrunk to 4-3. Things got much worse for Joba in the fourth.

Lyle Overbay led off with a single and Vernon Wells flied out, one on one out for the Jays. Alex Rios then his a rocket right to Cody Ransom at third, but he couldn't handle it and it ended up going in the books at an E5. David Dellucci then flew out for what should have been the third out of the inning, but was only out number two thanks to Ransom's error. That would be the last out Joba would record on the day.

Chaves doubled to drive in Overbay with tying run. Scutaro then gave Toronto their first lead with a two-run single, 6-4 Jays. Hill then came up and lined a two-run homer to extend the lead to 8-4. Joba allowed one more single to Lind before leaving the game.

In 3.2 innings Joba allowed 8 runs - 3 earned thanks to the Ransom error - on 9 hits, walked 1, struck out 1, and threw just 53 of his 86 pitches for strikes. He didn't have command of anything, and at times he once again looked like he was afraid to throw strikes. And even when he did throw strikes he was still missing his spots.

With Chien-Ming Wang on the DL there is no option but to keep Joba in the rotation, so let's end that debate before it starts. But what the Yanks do need to do is figure out what is going on with this kid. These bumps in the road happen, just look at David Price's start on Saturday, but Joba hasn't been the same pitcher since he got injured in Texas last August and it's starting to worry me.

Back to the game... In his first day back from Scranton, Jonathan Albaladejo was immediately called into a big spot, relieving the ineffective Chamberlain with one on and two out in the fourth. He allowed a single to put runners on the corners, but was then able to get the next man out to end the inning.

Then in the bottom of the fourth the Yanks got two men on with one out, when Mark Teixeira walked and Jorge Posada singled. Hideki Mastui then got the Yanks right back in the game with a three-run homer to right. To me, this was clearly the biggest hit in the ballgame.

Albaladejo then got into a little trouble in the fifth, with a man on third and one out, but was able to get out of it without allowing a run.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth the Yanks regained the lead with a two-run homer off the bat of Derek Jeter, and opposite field shot over the WB Mason sign in right. It was The Captain's tenth homer of the year. Later in the inning the Yanks added their tenth run on a Jorge Posada RBI double.

From that point on the story of the game was Alfredo Aceves. He came in to start the sixth and never left. He allowed just one hit in four scoreless innings, did not walk a batter, and struck out five. He consistently pounded the zone, throwing 33 of his 43 pitches for strikes, and his breaking stuff had very good movement. On a day where the Yankees needed someone to step up and save the pen, Aceves did just that. For his efforts Aceves earned his first career save and POTG honors on this blog.

Some people are going to see today's performance and say he should go into the rotation for Wang. To me that's a mistake. Aceves is one of the reasons the Yankees bullpen has turned around. His versatility out of the bullpen is a great weapon to have, and the Yanks shouldn't mess with that. In fact they shouldn't mess with the bullpen at all right now because it has been great lately.

The Yanks look to make it a four-game sweep tomorrow afternoon at in The Bronx. It will be a battle of southpaws as Andy Pettitte faces off against rookie Ricky Romero.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Jeter, SS	5	3	4	2	0	0	1	.316
Damon, LF	3	1	0	0	2	2	3	.284
Teixeira, 1B	2	1	0	0	3	0	3	.278
Posada, C	5	2	4	3	0	0	2	.284
Matsui, H, DH	4	1	2	4	1	1	0	.264
Swisher, RF	5	0	1	1	0	2	3	.234
Gardner, CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.277
Cano, 2B	5	0	2	0	0	0	2	.302
Cabrera, Me, CF-RF	3	1	1	0	1	0	1	.281
Ransom, 3B	3	1	0	0	1	2	3	.180
Totals	35	10	14	10	8	7	18
BATTING 2B: Posada (9, Hayhurst). HR: Matsui, H (13, 4th inning off Cecil, 2 on, 1 out), Jeter (10, 5th inning off Ryan, B, 1 on, 1 out). TB: Jeter 7; Posada 5; Matsui, H 5; Swisher; Cano 2; Cabrera, Me. RBI: Matsui, H 4 (36), Swisher (41), Posada 3 (38), Jeter 2 (34). 2-out RBI: Swisher; Posada 3. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano; Swisher 2. GIDP: Posada. Team RISP: 6-for-12. Team LOB: 9. BASERUNNING CS: Cano (4, 2nd base by Ryan, B/Chavez, R). FIELDING E: Ransom (3, fielding), Swisher (5, fielding).

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Chamberlain	3.2	9	8	3	1	1	2	4.04
Albaladejo (W, 3-1)	1.1	2	0	0	0	2	0	5.64
Aceves, A (S, 1)	4.0	1	0	0	0	5	0	2.02

JAYS STATS

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Alfredo Aceves (S, 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: Derek Jeter (4-for-5, GW 2-run homer, 3 R)

Tomorrow's Game

Yankees vs. Blue Jays
Game Time: 1:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS

LHP Andy Pettitte (8-3, 4.25) vs. LHP Ricky Romero (6-3, 2.85)

Sunday, July 5, 2009

7/5 Minor League Report

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(Triple-A) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (45-33) against Pawtucket (42-37) was once again postponed due to a wet field. The doubleheader was pushed back until tomorrow. Ivan Nova will start the game the openers, with Kei Igawa going in game two.

(Double-A) Trenton (40-41) lost to New Britain (42-39) 5-0: Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New Britain	1	0	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	5	10	0
Trenton	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1

W: Mullins (6-8, 4.59); L: Bleich (0-2, 6.35)
HR: None.

Offense:
Jose Molina: 0-for-3, 2 strikeouts - the Yanks expect to activate him Tuesday in Minnesota.
Eduardo Nunez: 3-for-4, 2B
Jesus Montero: 0-for-4, two strikeouts
Chris Malec: 1-for-3
Richie Robnett: 1-for-3
Austin Krum: 1-for-3, 2B

Pitching:
Jeremy Bleich (L, 0-2): 6 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (6.35 ERA)
Micheal Dunn: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K (4.07 ERA)
Jose Valdez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (3.31 ERA)

(High-A) Tampa (Overall 36-40, Second Half 6-3) lost to Brevard County (Overall 46-28, Second Half 6-4) 3-1 : Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Brevard County	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	3	8	0
Tampa	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	1

W: Rapoza (2-1, 2.50); L: Mitchell, D. (3-4, 4.03); SV: Aguilar, O (2)
HR: None.

Offense:
Daniel Brewer: 1-for-5, SB (2)
Matthew Cussick: 3-for-3, BB, SB (2)
Austin Romine: 1-for-3, BB
Brandon Laird: 2-for-4, 3B, R
Seth Fortenberry: 0-for-3, RBI, BB
David Adams: 0-for-2, 2 BB

Pitching:
D.J. Mitchell (L, 3-4): 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (4.03 ERA)
Grant Duff: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (3.82 ERA)
Noel Castillo: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (5.40 ERA)

(Low-A) Charleston (Overall 45-36, second half 6-5) lost to Asheville (Overall 32-47, second half 6-4) 7-6: Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Charleston	0	0	0	0	5	0	1	0	0	6	8	1
Asheville	2	1	1	0	1	2	0	0	X	7	13	1

W: Houston (4-6, 4.29); L: Braboy (2-2, 3.75); SV: Jorgenson (14)
HR: CSC: Mesa (18), Kruml (1). ASH: Christensen (12), Pacheco (9), Cesario (4).

Offense:
Jose Pirela: 1-for-5, RBI, R
Raymond Kruml: 2-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 R
Melky Mesa: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB, R
Corban Joseph: 1-for-4
Abraham Almonte: 1-for-4
Taylor Grote: 0-for-3, BB
Garrison Lassiter: 1-for-4, R
Mike Lyon: 1-for-4, R
Chase Weems: 0-for-3, RBI

Pitching:
Brett Marshall: 4.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (5.59 ERA)
Brandon Braboy (L, 2-2): 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (3.75 ERA)

(Single-A Short-Season) Staten Island (7-9) beat Lowell (8-8) 7-3: Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Lowell	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	3	11	1
Staten Island	0	0	0	1	2	0	4	0	X	7	13	1

W: Watkins, B (1-0, 2.00); L: Povich (0-1, 5.68)
HR: SI: Medchill (3).

Offense:
Jimmy Paredes: 2-for-5, 2 R
Hector Rabago: 2-for-3, BB
Zolio Almonte: 2-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI, R
Kyle Higashioka: 0-for-3, BB, R
Neil Medchill: 2-for-4, HR, RBI, R
Robert Lyerly: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
Kelvin Castro: 1-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI
Luke Murton: 1-for-4
Francisco Santana: 1-for-4, R

Pitching:
Arodys Vizcaino: 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (3.31 ERA)
Gavin Brooks: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (0.00 ERA)
Benjamin Watkins (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K (2.00 ERA)
Ryan Flannery: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (1.59 ERA)
Michael Solbach: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (2.19 ERA)

(Rookie) GCL Yanks (7-1) had an off day today.

First for the American League: Chone Figgins, 3B, Angels; Brandon Inge, 3B, Tigers; Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers; Adam Lind, DH, Blue Jays; Carlos Pena, 1B, Rays.

And the National League: Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals; Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers; Mark Reynolds, 3B, D-backs; Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants; Shane Victorino, OF, Phillies.

For those of you who were wondering, Mark Teixeira won't participate in the home run derby.

"I'm just not a Home Run Derby guy," Teixeira said. "It doesn't fit well for me. If I go out there and just hit two or three home runs, I'd rather let someone else go out and do it."

"I was terrible and embarrassed myself, so I'm not going to do that again," Teixeira said.

7/5 Demolition Update

These pictures come from Demolition of Yankee Stadium dot com, Baseball-Fever.com, and Peter Abraham.

(click to enlarge)

For the main demolition page click here.

This Week in Yankees History (7/5-7/11)

This Week in Yankees History

July 5th - July 11th

July 5th

1884 - Former Yankees P John “Jack” Quinn (1909-12, 1919-21) was born. John went 81-65 in 228 games for the Yankees. He won 18 games in a season twice for the Yankees in 1910 and 1921. On August 12, 1912, he was traded by the Highlanders along with Jack Martin to Rochester (IL) for Tommy McMillan. On December 20, 1921, Jack was traded by the Yankees along with P Rip Collins, INF Roger Peckinpaugh and Bill Piercy to the Red Sox for P Joe Bush, P Sam Jones and INF Everett Scott. Jack pitched in MLB until 1933.

1896 - Former Yankees P Herbert “Lefty” Thormahlen (1917-20). He went 28-20 in 76 games for the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1919, when he went 12-10 in 30 games. On December 15,1920, he was traded by the Yankees along with 2B Del Pratt, C Muddy Ruel and OF Sammy Vick to the Red Sox for P Harry Harper, P Waite Hoyt, INF Mike McNally and C Wally Schang.

1904 - Former Yankees P Bump Hadley (1936-40) was born (1904-1963). Bump went 47-31 in 140 games for the Yankees. He went 2-1 in 3 World Series with the Yankees. His best Yankees season was in 1936, going 14-4. During the AL 1937 season, Bump Hadley threw a pitch that struck Tigers C Mickey Cochrane, leaving him unconscious for 10 days and ending his MLB playing career. In 1939, he posted 12-6 mark for the Yankees. In 1940, he will be sold to the A’s. He later became a baseball TV announcer.

1906 - The Yankees exploit 9 Boston errors to beat the Red Sox by a score of 8-3 at Fenway Park.

1917 - In the 1st of 2 games at the Polo Grounds, Frank “Home Run” Baker hits a 13th inning inside the park HR off of Senators starter Walter Johnson to give the Yankees, a 5-4 win. It is Baker's 5th HR off of Senators Ace Walter Johnson.

1934 - Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hits an inside-the-park grand slam HR, as the Yankees beat the Senators by a score of 8-3. It is his 4th grand slam HR of the 1934 AL season, his 17th MLB career GS overall, passing Babe Ruth's MLB career total. Lou Gehrig will eventually set a MLB career record of 23 grand slams. Lou Gehrig now has 321 MLB career HRs to Babe Ruth's 698 MLB Career HRs.

1937 - Joe DiMaggio hits his 1st MLB career grand slam HR, in the 6th inning off of Red Sox hurlerr Rube Walberg to lead the Yankees to an 8-4 win in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. The Yankees won the 1st game by a score of 15-0.

1939 - Yankees rookie starter Atley Donald wins his 10th game of the 1939 AL season without a loss. He will finish the 1939 AL season with a 13-3 record with .813 WP.

1943 - Former Yankees OF/DH/1B/3B/C Curt Blefrey (1970-71) was born (1943-2001). Before the 1962 AL Season, the Yankees signed Curt as an MLB amateur free agent. Curt was removed from the 40-man Yankees roster, when they acquired veteran INF Harry Bright from the Reds during April of 1963. The Orioles immediately claimed him. He would play for the Orioles, Astros, A’s and Yankees during his MLB playing career.

1948 - Despite a hitless day by slugger Ted Williams, the Red Sox sweep doubleheader from the Yankees, winning by scores of 6-5 and 8-7. Denny Galehouse wins the opener for the Red Sox; he saves the win in game two. But his 9th inning sac bunt results in his tripping over 1B, he will be out of action for 3 weeks.

1950 - In a sloppy game that features 18 walks, Cliff Mapes drives in 5 runs with a HR and single to pace the Yankees to an 11-8 win over the A’s. Tommy Byrne (9-3) is the winner despite giving up 6 hits and 6 walks in 5 innings (he walks 2 in the 6th inning). He also hits 4 batters to tie the MLB record. A’s starter Alex Kellner pitched 4 innings, and gave up 6 runs in the loss. The A's lose INF Eddie Joost, who tears ligaments in his left knee in a collision with Cliff Mapes at 2B in the 7th inning.

1951 - Former Yankees HOF closer Rich “Goose” Gossage (1978-1983, 1989) was born. Goose went 53-37 with 151 saves for the Yankees. Gossage was signed as a free agent in the winter of 1977. Goose won the 1978 AL Rolaids Award. His arrival and success mad the Yankees current closer expendable, leading to the 1978 trade of Lyle to the Rangers. Rich was named to the AL All Star teams in 1978, 1980, ,1981, and 1982 seasons. Rich left the Yankees after the 1983 AL season, signing with the Padres. He pitched for several MLB teams and in Japan before returning to the Yankees during the 1989 season.

1961 - At Yankee Stadium, Roger Maris cracks a 7th inning solo HR against the Indians, and also is credited erroneously, as it turns out with a 3rd inning RBI on a single. The 2 RBIs are officially recorded, though just 1 appears in the game's box score, and the error will not be noted until 1995. With the correction, Roger Maris and the Orioles 1B Jim Gentile become co-leaders in RBIs for the 1961 AL season.

1966 - Former Yankees P (1988, 1991, 1995) and Current MLB Pitching Coach Dave Eiland was born. The Yankees in the 7th round of the 1987 MLB player amateur player draft drafted Dave. Dave went 6-10 in 36 games for the Yankees.

1971 - The Yankees and Red Sox each collect 16 hits, but for the 2nd day in a row the Red Sox hit 4 HRs to win, by a score of 12-7. The Red Sox score 6 runs in the 6th inning, when Rico Petrocelli hits a bases loaded triple, the next 2 Red Sox batters George Scott and Joe Lahoud follow up with HRs.

1998 - After defeating the Orioles by the score of 1-0, the 1998 Yankees improve their record to 61-20 equaling the best 81-game start in MLB history. The mark matches the MLB record of the 1902 Pirates and the 1907 Cubs.

2002 - The Yankees obtained starter Jeff Weaver from the Tigers in a 3-team deal. Yankees send P Ted Lilly to the A's, while the A’s send INF Carlos Pena to Detroit. The Tigers also acquired P Franklin German and a player to be named from A’s, while the A's get minor league players: OF John Ford Griffin and P Jason Arnold from Yankees. The A’s sent minor league P Jeremy Bonderman on August 22, 2002 to the Tigers to complete the trade.

July 6th

1881 - Former Yankees INF/OF Roy Hartzell (1911-1916) was born. On February 11, 1911, Roy was traded by the Browns with cash to the Highlanders for 3B Jimmy Austin and INF/OF Frank La Porte.

1891 - Former Yankees reserve C and MLB Manager Steve O’Neill (1925) was born. On December 15, 1924, Steve was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Red Sox. Steve appeared in 36 games, hitting .296 for the Yankees, before being released on July 31, 1925. After retiring as an active MLB player, he will become an MLB Manager.

1914 - The A's sell P Boardwalk Brown, who had a 17-13 record last season, to the Yankees. New York also brings back OF Birdie Cree by sending Bill Holden and cash to Baltimore Orioles (IL). Birdie hit .348 in 1911 and .332 (1912) before injuring his leg. He slumped to .272 in 1913, he was sold to Baltimore (IL), but he will hit .309 in 77 games for the Yankees this season.

1917 - Former Yankees reserve C Kenneth “Ziggy” Sears (1943) was born. Ken hit .278 in 60 games for the Yankees in 1943.

1920 - The Yankees score 14 runs in the 5th inning beating the Senators by a final score of 17-0. It's the biggest inning ever until the Red Sox score 17 runs in a 1953 AL season game.

1928 - Veteran Yankees hurler Urban Shocker (1916-1917, 1925-28) who is in very poor health, resulting from a swollen heart condition; is released by the team after 1 appearance on the mound. He retires as a MLB player. He will pass away on September 9, 1928, at the age of 38. His Yankees pitching career record is 61-37 in 152 games. His overall MLB career record was 187-117 in 13 seasons with the Yankees and Browns. His trade in 1918 by the Yankees to the Browns was considered to be one of the worst mistakes made by the Yankees front office in club history.

1932 - Yankees C Bill Dickey is suspended for 30 days and fined $1,000 for assaulting Senators OF Carl Reynolds and breaking his jaw. Reynolds has bowled over on a successful squeeze play to score the tying run in 2nd game of a doubleheader. Dickey got up and attacked Reynolds, breaking his jaw with 1 punch. Technically, the suspension was until Reynolds recovered. The Yankees lose the doubleheader to the Senators by scores of 5-3 and 12-6.

1933 - The 1st MLB All-Star Game is played at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Yankees OF Babe Ruth is the star for the AL team. His 2-run HR is the margin of victory in the AL squad’s 4-2 win over the NL team.

1938- At Crosley Field, Yankees' hurler Lefty Gomez is defeated for the 1st time in 4 All-Star game starts as the NL wins the All-Star game by a score of 4-1. NL shortstop and former Yankee Leo Durocher becomes the 1st Dodger to start in an All-Star Game and gets a 'bunt' home run.

1941 - A Center Field monument dedicated to Lou Gehrig is unveiled by the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The memorial is a tribute by his teammates of their beloved team captain who died last month of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease.

1944 - The Yankees sell reserve OF Larry Rosenthal (1944) to the A’s for cash. Larry hit .198 in 36 games for the Yankees.

1954 - Former Yankees All Star 2B, MLB Coach and Manager Willie Randolph (1976-88) was born. Willie was obtained on December 11, 1975, from the Pirates along with hurlers Ken Brett and Dock Ellis to the Yankees for P George “ Doc” Medich. Willie was the Yankees regular starting 2B until 1988. Willie appeared in 1.694 games with a Yankee lifetime BA of .275. He appeared on 5 AL All Star teams as 2B for the Yankees. He left the Yankees for free agency in 1988, signing with the Dodgers. Willie would spend 18 seasons in ML staring with Pirates, followed by the Yankees, Dodgers, A’s, Brewers and finishing up with the Mets. He was the recent manager of the New York Mets until his firing in June of 2008.

1962 - The Yankees edge the Twins by a score of 7-5 in Bloomington, Minnesota, as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, each hit a pair of HRs. The M&M boys hit back-to-back HRs in the 1st inning, off of Twins veteran starter Camilo Pascual (12-4), the 3rd time in 4 games that they've hit back-to-back HR shots. Yankees are now, a half-game in back of Indians.

1966 - Former Yankees P Sam “Sad Sam” Jones (1922-1926) passed away. On December 20, 1921, Sam was traded by the Red Sox along with P Joe Bush and INF Everett Scott to the Yankees for P Rip Collins, P Jack Quinn, INF Roger Peckinpaugh and Bill Piercy Sam went 67-56 in 130 games for the Yankees. His best Yankee season was in 1923, when he posted a 21-8 mark. On February 8, 1927, Sam was traded by the Yankees to the Browns for OF Cedric Durst and P Joe Giard.

1966 - The Red Sox sweep a pair from the Yankees, with veteran reliever Don McMahon picking up both wins. He pitches 1 2/3 innings in the opener and another 2 innings in game 2. The only other pitcher to win a doubleheader from the Yankees was the Browns Dave Davenport in 1916, who had threw 2 complete game victories.

1971 - At Detroit, the Tigers 1B Norm Cash belts a pair of 3-run HRs to power the Tigers to a 12-7 win over the Yankees. Tiger’s starter Mickey Lolich goes all the way for the win, for his 13th victory of the 1971 AL season. Yankees starter Stan Bahnsen gave up 7 runs in 1st inning. Roy White and Ron Hansen hit HRs for the Yankees

1990 - In his 1st start since losing a no-hitter in Chicago, Yankees starter Andy Hawkins pitches 11 2/3 innings of shutout ball only to lose in the 12th inning by a score of 2-0 to the Twins. Hawkins is now 1-6 as a Yankees starter.

1996 - During the Yankees 2-0 win over the Brewers, the team announces the purchasing of veteran OF Darryl Strawberry's contract from Columbus Clippers (AAA). Yankees closer John Wetteland preserves starter Jimmy Key's win with a save in his 20th consecutive appearance, breaking Lee Smith's MLB record.

1997 - Blue Jays starter Roger Clemens becomes the AL 1st 13-game winner, pitching a 4-hitter as the Blue Jays beat the Yankees, by a score of 2-0. Clemens has 10 strikeouts and 1 walk in his 1st shutout of the year. Ramiro Mendoza takes the loss for the Yankees.

2002 - The Yankees clip the Orioles, by a score of 13-9, scoring 8 runs in the 2nd inning to come back from a 7-run deficit. Oriole’s starter Sidney Ponson helps with 4 straight walks in the inning. The Yankees 3B Scott Brosius ties the MLB record for 3B by starting 4 DP’s in the game.

July 7th

1884 - Former Yankees INF/OF George Moriarty (1906-08) was born. On August 8, 1905, George was purchased by the Highlanders from the Toledo Mud Hens (American Association). He hit .249 in 290 games for the Yankees. On January 14, 1909, George was purchased by the Tigers from the Highlanders.

1903 - In a game with the Highlanders, White Sox OF Danny Green is called out at 1B by Umpire John Sheridan, and after returning to the bench, he continues to yell at the umpire. Sheridan finally rushes the White Sox bench and hits Green with his mask, who in return belts the umpire. The umpire is taken from the grounds and locked up on charges of disorderly conduct. An hour later, he is released after Highlander’s President Joseph Gordon posts his bail.

1904 - Highlander’s starter Jack Chesbro's winning streak of 14 games comes to an end as the Red Sox beat the Highlanders by a score of 4-1. Jack Chesbro will win 41 games this year, to set a MLB record and Yankees team record. Newly acquired Kip Selbach drives in 3 runs for the Red Sox.

1913 - On August 20, 1908, INF John Knight was purchased by the Highlanders from Baltimore Orioles (IL). John played for the Yankees from 1909 to 1911, then spending 1 season with the Senators returning to the Yankees in 1913. On February 17, 1912, he was traded by the Highlanders along with a player to be named later to the Senators for a player to be named later and Gabby Street. The Highlanders sent Rip Williams on February 22, 1912 to the n Senators to complete the trade. He played in 435 games hitting .267 for the Yankees.

1915 - Owner Connie Mack of the A's continues to dismantle his team, by shipping front line starter Bob Shawkey to the Yankees for $85,000.

1936 - The NL after having losing the 1st three All-Star Games, wins 4-3 at Boston's Braves Field with 4 different Cub players (Galan, Herman, Hartnett, and Demaree) scoring runs. After NL pitchers Dizzy Dean and Carl Hubbell, each pitch scoreless 3-inning stints, Curt Davis is hammered by the AL, including Lou Gehrig's HR, but then Lon Warneke shuts the door on the AL squad. Meanwhile, the NL team is helped by the Yankees rookie OF Joe DiMaggio's loose fielding and error and Augie Galan's HR. Yankees OF Joe DiMaggio is the 1st MLB rookie to play in an All-Star game.

1936 - Former Yankees hurler and AL umpire Bill Kunkel (1963) was born (1936-1985). Bill went 3-2 in 22 games for the Yankees in 1963, working out of the bullpen. After retiring as an active MLB player, Bill became a MLB umpire in the AL in 1965. He was the father of former Rangers shortstop Jeff Kunkel. Sadly Bill died from cancer in 1985.

1937 - With President Franklin D. Roosevelt in attendance at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig drives in 4 runs with a HR and a double to lead the AL team to an 8-3 victory over the NL in All-Star action.

1948 - The Indians stun the baseball world by signing Satchel Paige, veteran Negro League pitcher. The move is ridiculed by some as a Bill Veeck publicity stunt, and A.G. Spink in The Sporting News editorializes, "Veeck has gone too far in his quest for publicity . . . . To sign a hurler at Paige's age is to demean the standards of baseball in the big circuits." The 42-year-old Paige will answer the critics in tomorrow, getting a relief decision in an 8-6 win over Yankees in a DH sweep. He will finish the 1948 AL season at 6-1. Paige is the oldest player to debut in the majors, but not the 1st 40-year-old: Chuck Hostetler in 1944 was 40.

1951 - At Fenway Park, the Yankees lose to Boston, by a score of 10-4 with the Red Sox attack being led by Clyde Vollmer's grand slam HR in the 1st inning. Vollmer had a 2-run triple in yesterday's 6-2 win over the New York. Yankees Rookie OF Mickey Mantle, a late inning defensive replacement, hits a 9th inning HR off of Red Sox starter Ellis Kinder, who pitches a complete game for the win.

1966 - At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees scores 2 runs to tie the Red Sox at 2-2 in the bottom of the 9th inning. Then with 2 on and 2 outs, Mickey Mantle breaks a 1-for-17 slump with a 3-run HR shot into the Yankee Stadium RF stands.

1968 - Former Yankees 2B/OF Chuck Knoblauch (1998-2001) was born. On February 6, 1998, he was traded by the Twins to the Yankees for OF/1B Brian Buchanan, INF Christian Guzman, pitchers Eric Milton, Danny Mota, and cash. Throwing problem at 2B forced Chuck to move to the outfield, playing LF for the Yankees. He finished his MLB career with Royals.

1970 - AL All Star 3B Brooks Robinson cracks a 10th inning grand slam HR off of Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel to give the Orioles, a 6-2 win.

1977 - The Yankees completes a 3-game sweep of Indians behind the 4-hit pitching of starter Catfish Hunter. The Yankees win the game by a score of 8-2.

1978 - The Brewers Ace Mike Caldwell beats the Yankees Ace Ron Guidry by a score of 6-0. For Guidry (13-1), it is his 1st loss of the 1978 AL season. Caldwell had shut out the Yankees 9 days earlier, and will shut them out again on September 19th.

1982 - Former Yankees 3B/ 2B “Jumping “Joe Dugan (1922-28) passed away. (1897-1982) On July 23,1922, Joe was traded by the Red Sox along with Elmer Smith to the Yankees for Chick Fewster, Elmer Miller, Johnny Mitchell, Lefty O'Doul, and $50,000. Joe had a Yankee career BA of .286. In 1923, he led AL 3B in fielding.

1983 - Former Yankees OF and MLB Manager Ben Chapman (1930-36) passed away (1908 - 1983). On June 14, 1936, he was traded by the Yankees to the Senators for OF Jake Powell. Ben finished his Yankee career with a .306 BA and stole 184 bases. Many people forget about his fine MLB playing career, only to remember him as the bigot manager of the Phillies in 1947, who taunted the Dodger’s Jackie Robinson.

July 8th

1904 - In the fight for 1st place in the AL, the Red Sox continue to roll, beating the Yankees by the score of 12-3, as Kip Selbach has a single and triple

1931 - Former Yankees P Zach Monroe (1958-1959) was born. The Yankees signed Zach Monroe as an MLB amateur free agent in 1952. He went 4-2 in 24 games with the Yankees. He appeared in 1 game in the 1958 World Series against the Braves. He was on the Richmond (AAA) roster in 1960, when he was sold to Jersey City (AAA-Reds). The transaction appears to be unofficial payment to the Reds for the Yankees buying veteran reliever Luis Arroyo, who was at the Reds AAA club in Jersey City (IL).

1935 - The AL All Star team winning streak reaches 3 games as the Junior Circuit beats the NL in All Star action at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, by the score of 4-1. The rule that no pitcher can throw more than 3 innings unless the game goes extra innings will be instituted after Yankees starter Lefty Gomez pitches 6 outstanding innings in the Mid-Summer Classic.

1939 - Prior to the 1st game of a doubleheader with the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, a wall of Japanese beetles form in front of the home dugout. Although over 5,000 insects will be captured, the beetle problem will return later in the month.

1946 - In a special meeting of MLB clubs deals with Mexican League defections and attempts by players to gain new rights. Some results: $5,000 minimum salary, $25-per-week training-camp expenses, a fixed period for spring training, 25 days for post-season barnstorming, maximum pay cut of 25 percent. A pension fund aimed at providing $100 a month for retired 10-year players will be funded by World Series broadcast rights and net proceeds from All-Star Games. Each league will have a player representative to baseball councils. The 1st player reps named are Yankees P Johnny Murphy and the Dodgers OF Dixie Walker.

1947 - Clutch pinch hits by Luke Appling and Stan Spence lead the AL to a 2-1 win over the NL in the All-Star Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Schoolboy Rowe pinch-hits for Johnny Sain, becoming the 1st player to appear for each side. Rowe pitched 3 innings for the AL in 1936. Yankees Frank “Spec” Shea is the 1st winning rookie pitcher in All Star game history.

1951 - The feud between Yankees All Star CF Joe DiMaggio and Manager Casey Stengel reaches a head in the 2nd inning in a game against the Red Sox. Because of a misplay in the 1st inning, Casey Stengel sends reserve OF Jackie Jensen out to CF to relieve the Yankee Clipper after he had already taken his position. The Red Sox clip the Yankees, by the score of 6-3, as the red-hot Clyde Vollmer belts a 2-run HR.

1958 - The AL Star team edges the NL squad by the score of 4-3 in the All-Star Game played at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. The Yankees Gil McDougald singles to score Red Sox 3B Frank Malzone with the deciding run. Billy O'Dell of the Orioles pitches perfect ball for 3 innings and gets the save. This is the 1st All-Star Game played without an extra-base hit.

1961 - At Yankee Stadium, Whitey Ford tops the Red Sox by a score of 8-5. Mickey Mantle hits a HR in the 4th inning, off of rookie starter Tracy Stallard, for his 10th HR this year in support of Ace starter Whitey Ford.

1962 - The Yankees complete a 3-game sweep of the Twins in Minnesota, winning by a score of 9-8 to regain 1st place in the AL. They will remain there the rest of the 1962 AL season finishing with a 96-66 record.

1966 - At Yankee Stadium, the Senators win the opener of a doubleheader, by the score of 7-6, then they blow a 4-run lead in the nightcap to lose the game by a score of 7-5. Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle is 5-for-8 in the doubleheader, including a HR in each game. The 2nd HR, off of P Jim Hannan, is a 461 FT sky shot over the monuments into the CF Stadium bleachers. Mickey follows with a sure double in the 5th inning, but tears a hamstring muscle rounding 1B and will be sidelined for 2 weeks.

1969 - Former Yankees All Star 3B and MLB Manager Red Rolfe (1931, 1934-42) passed away (1908-1969). Red Rolfe finished his 10-year Yankee career with a lifetime BA of .289. He led the AL 3B in fielding (1935-36). Red was named to AL All Star team, 4 times as a Yankee. He led the AL in hits (139) and runs (213) in 1939, posting his highest season BA of .329. After his MLB playing career was over, Red was an MLB Manager with the Tigers (1949-1952) in 539 games, with a record of 278 -256 with a WP of .521. His best season as a MLB Manager was in 1950, when he finished in 2nd place to the Yankees with a 95-59 mark. He was let go by the Tigers during the 1952 AL season. Also he was a MLB coach for the A’s during the 1950’s.

1970 - The Orioles again wait until the late innings to beat the Yankees, this time striking in the 9th inning on a Frank Robinson HR and a 2-out single by Don Buford. The O's overcome an 8-6 deficit to win the game by the score of 9-8.

1974 - Yankees shortstop Jim Mason ties the MLB record with 4 doubles in a 12-5 victory over the Rangers. Off the field, the Yankees purchased veteran INF Sandy Alomar Sr. from the Angels for cash to strength their bench defensive.

1977 - The Yankees led by HRs off the bats of Thurman Munson and Graig Nettles beat the Orioles by the score of 7-5. Yankees starter Don Gullett wins his 7th victory of the season.

1980 - At Dodger Stadium, the 51st All-Star Game features J.R. Richard (10-4) and Steve Stone (12-3) are starters, with Richard going just 2 innings because of various back and shoulder problems he's been having. The NL squad battles back to wins its 9th consecutive All-Star Game 4-2, pinning the loss on Yankees P Tommy John. Reds OF Ken Griffey Sr. goes 2-for-3 with a solo HR to win the game's MVP Award.

1982 - Billy Martin records his 1,000th MLB career win as a manager as the A's beat the Yankees by the score of 6-3.

2000 - The Yankees whip the Mets by identical 4-2 scores in both ends of an unusual day-night doubleheader. With the 1st game played at Shea Stadium and the nightcap at Yankee Stadium, it is the 1st time since 1903, that 2 teams played 2 games in different stadiums on the same day. Dwight Gooden wins the 1st game with a 6-inning effort in his 1st start since returning to the Yankees. Roger Clemens wins the nightcap and precipitate a near brawl when he drills Mets C Mike Piazza in the helmet with an inside fastball. Piazza suffers a concussion.

2002 - Yankees 1B Jason Giambi out-homers NL All Star OF Sammy Sosa, 7-1, in the final round to take the 2002 All-Star Game Home Run Derby crown.

July 9th

1874 - Former Yankees P John “Jack” Powell (1905-06) was born. On March 6, 1904, John was traded by the Browns to the Highlanders for Harry Howell and cash. John went 31-32 in 84 games before returning to the Browns in 1906.

1899 - Former Yankees hurler Walter Beall (1924-27) was born. On August 28, 1924, Walter was purchased by the Yankees from the Rochester (IL) for $50,000. Walter went 4-5 in 33 games for the Yankees.

1929 - Former Yankees INF/OF Hector Lopez (1959-1966) was born. In 1952, Hector Lopez was purchased by the A’s from the Drummondville (Provincial) for $1,500. With the A’s, he played 2B and 3B, and the OF. On May 26, 1959, Hector was traded by the A’s with along P Ralph Terry to the Yankees for P Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant, with INF Jerry Lumpe. Hector played 3B for the Yankees, before being moved to the OF in 1959. His best Yankees season was in 1960, when he appeared in 131 games, hitting .284. He appeared in 5 World Series with Yankees (1960-64), hitting .286 in 15 games. After only hitting .214 in 54 games during the 1966 AL season, Hector was released by the Yankees on October 19,1966. He would become a player-manager at Buffalo (AAA) in the minor leagues before hanging up his spikes for good.

1932 - Former Yankees reliever Tex Clevenger (1961-62) was born. Tex appeared out of the Yankee bullpen in 42 games going 3-1 before retiring as a MLB player. On May 8, 1961, he was traded by the new expansion Los Angeles Angels along with veteran OF Bob Cerv to the Yankees for OF Lee Thomas, Pitchers Ryne Duren, and Johnny James. The Red Sox originally signed Tex, and then he played for the Senators, Twins and Angels, before being acquired by the Yankees.

1932 - Yankees OF Ben Chapman has 3 HRs in the 2nd game of a doubleheader with the Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Two HRs are inside the park homers, as the Yankees win the game by a score of 14-9. He finished the game with 3-HRs and 6 RBIs. In the opener, the Yankees beat the Tigers by a score of 7-6, with HRs by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe Swell.

1936 - The temperature is 106 degrees in Central Park, the hottest July 9th on record in New York City as the Indians take on the Yankees at the Stadium. The temperature at the ballpark is 102. The Yankees score 4 runs in the 1st inning, but the Indians come back to score 11 runs on 15 hits, including 5 HRs, to win the game by a score of 11-4. Hal Trosky, Roy Weatherly and Joe Vosmik, all homered in the 2nd inning to tie the MLB record. Trosky hits another HR to tie for the AL lead with 23 HRs. Also the Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig and Indians Earl Averill each hit HRs in the game.

1937 - Joe DiMaggio hits for the cycle, as he delivers 2-HRs, a triple, double and single helping the Yankees maul the Senators, by a score of 16-2. The “Yankee Clipper “ will accomplish this feat only once again in his MLB career during the 1948 AL season.

1939 - The Red Sox win a doubleheader by scores of 4-3 and 5-3 to sweep a 5-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees AL lead is now 6 1/2 games. Red Sox shortstop Joe Cronin drives in runs in both games, giving him 12 games in a row with RBI.

1947 - The Yankees sell P Mel Queen Sr. (1942, 1944, 1946-47) to the Pirates for cash. Mel went 8-4 in 43 games for the Yankees before being sold to the Pirates. He is the father of former MLB player Mel Queen Jr.

1947 - Yankees relief ace Joe Page hits his 2nd MLB game winning HR in the 9th inning to beat the Browns by the score of 4-3 at St. Louis Sportmans Park.

1955 - Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle goes 5-for-5, as Yankees starter Bob Turley tosses a
2-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Senators.

1958 - On Capitol Hill, Yankees Manager Casey Stengel and All Star CF Mickey Mantle appear in front of the Senate Anti-Trust and Monopoly Subcommittee which is investigating the baseball monopoly power in regards to sport's antitrust exemption. After “The Old Professor'” gives 45 minutes of rambling and confusing testimony, Senator Estes Kefauver laughs when Mickey Mantle's answers his inquiry about the topic with, "My views are just about the same as Casey's."

1959 - The Red Sox club the Yankees by a score of 14-6 before 30,253 fans; the largest crowd at Fenway Park, so far this 1959 AL season. Red Sox starter Frank Sullivan is the winner. Red Sox sluggers Vic Wertz, Ted Williams, and Bobby Avila club HRs. Williams and Avila, both drive in 6 runs in the game.

1960 - Yankees starter Jim Coates suffers his 1st loss after 9 straight wins, and 14 straight wins over 2 seasons, as the Red Sox beat the Yankees by a score of 6-5. The Red Sox are led by veteran 1B Vic Wertz, who slugs a HR, double and single to drive in 4 runs. Jim Coates' MLB career record is now 17-2.

1972 - The Twins lose to the Yankees, by a score of 9-6, despite Rich Reese's pinch-hit grand slam HR. For Reese, it is his 3rd pinch grand slam, tying Ron Northey's MLB record. Yankees starter Steve Kline picks up his 8th victory with relief help from Yankees closer Sparky Lyle, who gets his 19th save of the 1972 AL season.

1985 - Yankees starter Ron Guidry works 8 2/3 innings to win his 10th straight start, beating the Royals, by a score of 6-4. Guidry allows only 9 hits and strikes out 1 Royals batter.

1986 - The Padres traded P Tim Stoddard to the Yankees for P Ed Whitson, who had become the target of such fan abuse in New York City, that Yankees Manager Lou Piniella could no longer pitch him at Yankee Stadium.

1999 - The uniform Lou Gehrig wore when he made his famous "luckiest man on earth" speech on July 4, 1939 is sold for $451,541 at auction. Leland's spokesman Marty Appel says the flannel pinstripe uniform worn by the Hall of Fame 1B was purchased by a south Florida man who did not want his name made public. The winning bid was made over the telephone.

2000 - The Yankees lose to the Mets starter Mike Hampton, by the score of 2-0. Benitez closes for the Mets, while Yankee starter Andy Pettitte is the loser. The Yankees also lose regular LF Shane Spencer, who blows out his knee and ends his 2000 AL season. The game at Shea Stadium draws 54,283 fans, the largest regular season crowd for the Mets since the 1970 NL season. Newly acquired Dave Justice from the Indians will take over the regular LF position for the Yankees.

July 10th

1908 - The Red Sox purchased 1B Jake Stahl from the Highlanders.

1916 - Yankees sign free agent shortstop Rube Oldring (1905, 1916) again. Rube appeared in 43 games with the Yankees in 1916, hitting just .234.

1917 - Thanks to Ray Caldwell's 9-2/3 innings of no-hit relief, the Yankees beat the Browns in St. Louis, by a score of 7-5 in a 17- inning game.

1934 - The 2nd annual MLB All-Star Game produces Carl Hubbell's amazing feat of striking out 5 future HOF players in a row. Off to a shaky start with 2 men on base in the 1st inning, Hubbell uses his screwball to fan AL sluggers Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmy Foxx. He adds Al Simmons and Joe Cronin to start the second inning. After 3 scoreless innings, he leaves with the NL, ahead by a score of 4-0. The AL batting lineup rallies, scoring 9 runs off of NL pitchers Warneke, Mungo, and Dean, while Mel Harder pitches 5 shutout innings in relief of Yankees starter Red Ruffing to hold the lead. Frankie Frisch and Joe Medwick hit HRs for the NL squad. The Indian’s Earl Averill's 3-RBI are the decisive runs for the AL squad’s 9-7 victory.

1936 - The Yankees roll to an easy victory over the Indians, as Red Ruffing takes the shutout, winning by a score of 18-0. Lloyd Brown, the 1st of 3 Indians pitchers, is the loser. Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig has a pair of HRs to take over the 1936 AL HR lead with 23.

1956 - In the All-Star Game, Ken Boyer of the Cardinals makes 3 sparkling plays at 3B and gets 3 hits as the NL defeats the AL by a score of 7-3. All Stars Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Stan Musial hit HRs in the game. Willie Mays's pinch-hit 2-run HR off of Whitey Ford is his 7th straight hit against the Yankees lefty.

1965 - Former Yankee reliever Buddy Groom (2005) was born. On February 9, 2005, Buddy was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. He appeared in 24 games, posting a 1-0 mark. On July 31, 2005, Buddy was sent to the Diamondbacks by the Yankees as part of a conditional deal.

1977 - A 5-0 loss to the Orioles drops the Yankees into 2nd place in AL East, ½ game behind the Red Sox. The Yankees would not re-enter 1st place until August 23, 1977 and would soon fall 5 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.

1978 - Former Yankees P Sam Marsonek (2004) was born. On December 13, 1999, Sam was traded by the Rangers along with P Brandon Knight to the Yankees for OF/DH Chad Curtis. Sam appeared in 1 game with the Yankees with no record, before becoming a free agent.

1997 - Yankees rookie hurler Hideki Irabu strikes out 9 batters and gets the win in his MLB debut as the Yankees defeat the Tigers, by a score of 10-3.

1999 - The Yankees' winning streak of 124 consecutive games when they led entering the 9th inning ends as Mets pinch-hitter Matt Franco singles off of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera giving the Mets a dramatic come-from-behind Subway Series inter-league 9-8 victory.

2001 - In his final All-Star appearance, Orioles 3B Cal Ripken is named the MVP of the game. His HR, along with consecutive HRs from fellow AL teammates Derek Jeter and Magglio Ordonez power the AL team to its 5th victory in a row beating the NL squad at Seattle's Safeco Field, by a score of 4-1.

July 11th

1884 - Former Yankees OF Harold “Harry” Wolter (1910-13) was born. On January 18, 1910, Harry was selected off waivers by the Highlanders from the Red Sox for $1,500. Harry hit .317 in 496 games for the Yankees.

1904 - The Highlanders salvage the last game of the series with the Pilgrims (Red Sox); winning by the score of 10-1, but Boston leaves New York City with a 2 1/2 game lead in the AL. Patsy Dougherty has 4 of New York's 17 hits.

1911 - Former Yankees P Vitautis ‘Vito” Tamulis (1934-35) was born. Vito went 11-6 in 31 games for the Yankees. On December 4, 1937, Vito was traded by the Yankees to the Browns for Harry Davis.

1939 - With another Yankee-dominated lineup, the AL team defeats the NL by a score of 3-1 in the 7th All-Star Game, held at Yankee Stadium. Reds OF Ival Goodman fractures his shoulder diving for a ball. Yankees hurler Red Ruffing starts the game for the AL squad. Joe DiMaggio hits a HR for the AL team. The following Yankees were on the AL squad: INF Frank Crosetti, C Bill Dickey, P Lefty Gomez, 2B Joe Gordon, P Johnny Murphy, 3B Red Rolfe, P Red Ruffing and OF George Selkirk. The 1939 All Star game attendance at Yankee Stadium was 62,892 fans.

1945 - Aaron Robinson, a Yankees catcher, returns from the military. Yankees starter Red Ruffing is back too, and so are Hugh Mulcahy and Buddy Lewis. Yankees OF Charlie Keller will follow, and a couple of dozen former MLB players will be in MLB uniforms before the 1945 AL season is over.

1949 - Former Yankees P Stan Thomas (1977) was born. On August 2, 1977, Stan was sent to the Yankees by the Mariners as part of a conditional deal. Stan went 1-0 in 3 games for the Yankees. On December 12, 1977, Stan was traded by the Yankees along with P Ed Ricks (minors) and cash to the White Sox for 1B/DH Jim Spencer, OF Tommy Cruz, and P Bob Polinsky (minors).

1956 - Veteran minor league hurler Tom Lasorda was traded by the A’s to the Yankees for Wally Burnette. Tommy Lasorda will pitch for the Yankees AAA club at Denver. He never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level. He will return to the Dodgers organization in 1958. After retiring as an active player he will become a manager in the Dodgers farm system.

1959 - At Fenway Park, shortstop Don Buddin cracks a 10th inning grand slam HR, off of reliever Bob Turley, to give the Red Sox an 8-4 win over the Yankees. Bob Turley had replaced P Jim Bronstad, who took over when closer Ryne Duren and C Yogi Berra are tossed out of the game by Umpire Al Summers for arguing pitches.

1962 - The Senators send veteran 1B Dale Long to the Yankees for minor league OF Don Lock (Richmond AAA). This will be Dale Long’s 2nd tour with the Yankees; he will hit .298 in pinstripes this year.

1995 - Yankees HOF Mickey Mantle's final public appearance increases awareness of organ donation programs.

2000 - At Turner Field in Atlanta, the AL All Star squad beats the NL team, by a score of 6-3, in the 71st All-Star contest, dubbed the “All Scar” game due to the many stars absent from the both leagues lineups because of injuries. Yankees' shortstop Derek Jeter and the Braves' 3B Chipper Jones provide the offensive punch with both going 3-for-3.

previous week

(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)

...Full post

Game 81: Yanks vs. Jays - UPDATE: Tex and Jeter Voted in to Start ASG

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: The starters for the 2009 All-Star game were announced today. Derek Jeter was voted in as the starting SS, and Mark Teixeira just barely beat out Boston's Kevin Youkilis at first base. Jeter was the American League's top vote-getter with 4,851,889 votes. The complete starting lineups are posted below. Announcement of the reserves coming... UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: Mariano Rivera has also made the team.

Regular Season Game 81

Yankees vs. Blue Jays
New Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY
Game Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES | Radio: WCBS 880

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (47-33)
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Cody Ransom 3B

Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 3.89 ERA)

TORONTO (42-40)
Marco Scutaro SS
Aaron Hill 2B
Adam Lind LF
Scott Rolen 3B
Lyle Overbay 1B
Vernon Wells CF
Alex Rios RF
David Dellucci DH
Raul Chavez C

Pitching: LHP Brett Cecil (2-1, 5.09 ERA)

Yanks vs. Cecil

Brett Cecil has never faced any of the Yankees

Jays vs. Joba

	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
K. Millar	6	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.167	.286	.167	.452
M. Scutaro	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
A. Rios	6	2	0	0	0	1	2	1	.333	.500	.333	.833
S. Rolen	5	2	0	0	0	1	0	2	.400	.400	.400	.800
L. Overbay	5	2	0	0	0	1	2	2	.400	.571	.400	.971
A. Lind	5	2	1	0	0	0	1	2	.400	.500	.600	1.100
V. Wells	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.250	.250	.250	.500
R. Barajas	4	1	0	0	1	1	0	2	.250	.250	1.000	1.250
J. Inglett	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.250	.250	.250	.500
D. Dellucci	3	1	0	0	1	3	0	1	.333	.333	1.333	1.667
A. Hill	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
M. Barrett	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
J. Bautista	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000	.333	.000	.333
T. Snider	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	56	13	1	0	2	7	7	20	.232	.317	.357	.675

News & Notes

- The Yankees have won 9 of their last 10, and are just one game behind the Red Sox for first in the division.

- As was expected the Yanks placed Chien-Ming Wang on the DL. They've recalled Jonthan Albaladejo from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

- Joba Chamberlain has made nine appearances against the Blue Jays in his career, two of which were starts. In those games he's 1-1, with a 1.83 ERA. In 19.2 innings he's allowed four ER on 14 hits, walked 10 and struck out 29.

- Brett Cecil has never faced the Yankees. Today will be just his seventh start in the majors and eighth appearance.

- Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to ten games yesterday.

- Toronto third baseman Scott Rolen extended his streak to 21 games, it's the longest of his career.

- Robinson Cano is 0 for his last 20 with RISP.

- Here are the 2009 All-Star game starting lineups:

American League

C Joe Mauer, MIN
1B Mark Teixeira, NYY
2B Dustin Pedroia, BOS
SS Derek Jeter, NYY
3B Evan Longoria, TB
OF Jason Bay, BOS
OF Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
OF Josh Hamilton, TEX

National League

C Yadier Molina, STL
1B Albert Pujols, STL
2B Chase Utley, PHI
SS Hanley Ramirez, FLA
3B David Wright, NYM
OF Carlos Beltran, NYM
OF Ryan Braun, MIL
OF Raul Ibanez, PHI

Stick around and discuss the game
as it happens in the comments section

Yanks Interested In Grabow and Qualls?

First the report on Grabow from George A. King III:

Pittsburgh had two scouts at last night's game, Jim Benedict, a former Yankees scout, and Larry Corrigan. Their presence fueled speculation the Yankees have an interest in 30-year-old lefty reliever John Grabow.

With Damaso Marte's return from shoulder problems looking less likely by the day, the Yankees could use a second lefty to complement Phil Coke, who has done very well.

Grabow, who is making $2.3 million this year, is 3-0 with a 3.75 ERA in 35 games. Lefties are hitting .262 (11-for-42) against him and righties are at .255 (24-for-92).

The Dodgers and the Rockies also had scouts on hand.

And here's the info on Qualls from Jon Paul Morosi:

The Yankees' bullpen performed well during their recent seven-game winning streak, which ended Thursday night, but they are keeping a close eye on Arizona reliever Chad Qualls. He has converted 13 of 17 save opportunities this year but blew his latest opportunity Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati.
Brian Bruney has been inconsistent for New York since returning from the disabled list in mid-June; if that trend continues, the team's incentive to acquire Qualls would increase.

The Yankees could definitely use another left-hander in the pen, but I don't know is Grabow is the guy. First of all, he's another NL reliever. Second, throughout his entire career lefties (.269) have hit better against him than righties (.257). If they're going to trade for a lefty, at least get a guy who can get left-handed hitters out.

Qualls had a very good year last season but has struggled a bit this year, posting a 4.22 ERA in the NL West. He started off pretty well, but had gotten worse and worse as the season has gone on. The situation they have in Arizona could be part of the problem.

To be honest I don't really like the idea of either of these two. I'm just a little nervous when it comes to NL relievers. Can you blame me?

Yanks Walk-Off With Win, But Lose Their Wang

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
Toronto	0	2	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	10	0
NY Yankees	1	1	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	6	12	0

Winning pitcher - Brett Tomko (1-2)
Losing pitcher - Shawn Camp (0-4)

It was a nice win for the Yankees today in The Bronx, as they defeated Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in 12 innings. Today's no decision for Halladay broke a streak of of six straight wins for him over the Yanks, dating back to Opening Day last year. That's the good news, now for the bad.

After having a very solid first five innings, allowing two runs on four hits, Chien-Ming Wang got into some trouble in the sixth. He allowed a leadoff double to Marco Scutaro and two batters later Adam Lind gave the Jays 4-3 lead with a two-run homer. Wang them mysteriously was taken out of the game. It turned out that he strained his shoulder and is now headed for the DL. The Yankees are now eying an August return. It's really a shame, he was finally starting to look like himself again, and then in a blink of an eye he's back on the DL.

It's likely the Yanks will call on Sergio Mitre to replace Wang in the rotation. In 7 starts for Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Mirtre is 3-1, with a 2.95 ERA. He's allowed 13 ER 29 hits, struck out 31 and walked just 5 in 39.2 innings pitched.

David Robertson would replace Wang and the Jays would eventually score another run in the inning to extend their lead to 5-3.

Luckily for the Yankees today was not one of Roy Halladay's best days.

The Yanks scored their first run in the first. With Johnny Damon on second and two out in the first Alex Rodriguez came through with another clutch hit, an RBI single to right to give the Yanks a 1-0 lead. An inning later Hideki Matsui added another run with a solo homer, his 12th of the year. Jorge Posada added a solo homer in the fourth for the Yanks third run.

With the Jays leading 5-3 in the seventh, Derek Jeter led off with a single to bring Johnny Damon up as the tying run. Damon, who was hitting .345 agianst Halladay coming into today, took a 1-1 pitch a knocked it three rows into the seats in right for a game-tying two-run homer. It was definitely a new stadium homer, that ball doesn't go out in most parks, and probably wouldn't have gone out in the old place. But who cares, I'll take it.

The score would remain tied through the next four and a half innings as each team's bullpens held the offenses scoreless. On the Yankees side, Brian Bruney - who struggled a bit but found a way - Phil Hughes, Mariano Rivera, Phil Coke and Brett Tomko combined to pitch five scoreless, allowed just three hits and two walks.

Mark Teixeira led off the bottom of the 12th with a double off the first base bag, and then the Jays walked Alex Rodriguez to setup the double play. With the way Robinson Cano is swingning the bat with men on - 0 for his last 19 coming into the at-bat - Joe Girardi decided to have him bunt the runners over. But Jays' reliever Shawn Camp couldn't throw a strike and Cano worked a 3-0 count. At this point, the 44,000+ in the crowd, the millions at home, and everyone on the field, including Teixeira on second figured Cano would do the obvious thing and take a pitch. But no, not Cano. For some stupid reason he actually bunted the ball, Teixeira, too stunned to move at second, barely got halfway to third before catcher Raul Chavez fielded that ball and forced him out. Girardi said that since Cano has no sacrifice bunts this season he misunderstood the sign. If that's the case, isn't it the job of the manager and coached to make sure everyone knows the signs?

The mistake didn't end up costing the Yankees because Jorge Posada then lined a single into right-center scoring A-Rod from second, and the Yanks won the game 6-5. It was their eighth walk-off win, and 24th comeback win of the year. It was also Posada's second walk-off hit of the year. It was the Yanks ninth win in ten chances and combined with Boston's 3-2 loss to Seattle puts the Yanks just one game back in the AL East.

Now back to Cano. I never have been one to give Cano credit for his baseball intellegence. I think he's very talented, but he isn't a smart baseball player. He also doesn't run hard all the time, usually because he's too busy sulking as he gets out of the batters box when he thinks he's made an out, and for some reason he can't hit at all with runners on base all of a sudden. Today's stupid play in the ninth just adds to the frustration. But what really bothered me today is that after the game he hid from the media.

To see how a situation like this should be handled all we need to do is look at New York's other second baseman, the Mets' Luis Castillo. After dropping what should have been a game-ending pop up, and single-handedly losing the opener of this year's Subway Series, Castillo stood in front of the cameras and microphones and answered the questions. Cano, on the other hand, ran away like a baby. Some veteran on this team needs to get in his ear and teach him how to play this game and handle things properly. I've heard a lot of people say he should be benched, but I'm not sure if that's necessary. For now I'd drop him to sixth or seventh in the lineup and hope that works.

Anyway, the Yanks look to take the first three games of this four game set with a win tomorrow afternoon in The Bronx. Joba Chamberlain will make the start for the Yanks, and he will face left-hander Brett Cecil.

Also, check out the video tribute the Yankees did for L ou Gehrig. They have several players reading parts of his speech. It's pretty cool.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Jeter, SS	5	1	1	0	1	2	0	.308
Damon, LF	4	2	1	2	2	2	1	.287
Teixeira, 1B	6	0	3	0	0	0	2	.279
Rodriguez, A, 3B	3	1	2	1	3	0	2	.244
Cano, 2B	6	0	0	0	0	0	10	.300
Posada, C	6	1	2	2	0	1	0	.269
Matsui, H, DH	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	.259
1-Ransom, PR-DH	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.190
a-Swisher, PH-DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.235
Cabrera, Me, RF	5	0	1	0	0	2	1	.280
Gardner, CF	5	0	0	0	0	2	2	.277
Totals	45	6	12	6	6	9	18
a-Grounded out for Ransom in the 10th. 1-Ran for Matsui, H in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Matsui, H (15, League), Teixeira (23, Camp). HR: Matsui, H (12, 2nd inning off Halladay, 0 on, 1 out), Posada (11, 4th inning off Halladay, 0 on, 0 out), Damon (16, 7th inning off Halladay, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Jeter; Damon 4; Teixeira 4; Rodriguez, A 2; Posada 5; Matsui, H 6; Cabrera, Me. RBI: Rodriguez, A (43), Matsui, H (32), Posada 2 (35), Damon 2 (49). 2-out RBI: Rodriguez, A. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano 4; Gardner. GIDP: Cano. Team RISP: 2-for-10. Team LOB: 11. FIELDING DP: 3 (Cano-Jeter-Teixeira, Jeter-Cano-Teixeira, Wang-Jeter-Teixeira).

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Wang	5.1	6	4	4	1	1	1	9.64
Robertson, D	0.2	1	1	1	2	1	0	2.84
Bruney	1.0	2	0	0	1	0	0	3.68
Hughes, P	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.20
Rivera, Ma	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2.60
Coke	2.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	2.97
Tomko (W, 1-2)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	5.19

BLUE JAYS STATS

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jorge Posada (2-for-6, HR, 2 RBI, R, Walk-off single in 12th)

HONORABLE MENTION: Alex Rodriguez (2-for-3, RBI, 3 BB, R)

Tomorrow's Game

Yankees vs. Blue Jays
Game Time: 1:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS

RHP Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 3.89) vs. LHP Brett Cecil (2-1, 5.09)

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