My (sports related) Hopes for the New Year

Recently, as I’m sure most of you have noticed, there have been many articles floating around about how bad 2007 was for New York and the Yankees, and how Boston has risen over New York and the Mecca of sports. As I sit here, feeling queasy at the thought of it, I’m hoping that 2008 will make all this nonsense disappear.

I hope the damn "perfect" Patriots lose in the AFC Championship game to the Colts again; that would be the most maddening way to go down for Patriots fans. Don’t you think? I hope the Giants can surprise everybody and make a run at the Super Bowl, setting up Manning Bowl 1. With the Giants winning of course.

I hope Knicks, despite Isiah Thomas and Charles Dolan’s futility, can somehow find their way back to respectability.

I'd also love to see the Celtics get knocked out of the NBA Playoffs in the first round, losing to the 8^th seed, maybe the Knicks… yeah right.

Most important of all, I hope the New York Yankees regain their rightful spot on top of the Baseball World, and win #27. That they can send the old Stadium to its (unnecessary) grave with a champagne bath, and a celebration that lasts deep into the wee-hours of a cool October night. Capping it all off a few weeks later with a victory parade down the Canyon of Heroes.

Yea I know, I’m dreaming, but that’s what the New Year is all about; new hopes, new dreams, and new opportunities. And, in this case new hopes for New York, and its sports teams (besides the Mets, they suck).

Happy New Year everybody!

Big Guy’s MINOR LEAGUE NOTES

WINTER LEAGUE NOTES: Robinson Cano was stopped from playing in the Dominican League playoffs by the Yankees this week. He was only scheduled to play in 6 games to test a late season leg injury, but played in 10 games. He hit .350 (14-40), 3 RBI, 2 doubles, 1 stolen base, with an OBP of .357...Alberto Gonzalez continues to hit well in the Venezuelan league. In his last 10 games he's hitting .410 with 5 RBI and 4 doubles. Overall he's at .336 (41-122), with 14 RBI, 4 HR, 6 doubles, 2 triples, and an OBP of .391...Jose Veras finished with at .000 ERA and 2 saves in 8.2 IP, allowing only 4 hits with 13 K's, 4 BB, and a BAA of .138...Wilson Betemit finished with .286 avg in 12 games, OBP .405, 7 rbi, 2 HR, but also had 13 K's ... Jonathan Albaladejo finished with 4 saves in 27 games, with 26IP, 23 hits allowed, 7 runs, 20 Ks, 8BB, and a BAA of .240.

J. BRENT COX UPDATE: The right handed reliever who had TJ surgery earlier this year is now throwing from the mound. He's expected to start pitching competitively at Tampa at the start of the season In 2006 Cox went 6-2 with a 1.75 ERA at AA Trenton.

SCOUNTING REPORT: Daniel McCutchen: 25 year old RHSP, 13th round 2006. Started at Tampa and ended at AA Trenton this year. At Tampa he was 11-2 in 16 games before being promoted to AA Trenton. He went 3-2 in 7 games at Trenton. Overall 2007 stats: 14-4, 2.47 ERA, 142 IP, 116 hits, 103 K---33 BB, BAA .227. He has great command of his 3 pitches. He throws a 4 seam fastball tops out in the mid 90's, a hard sinking 2-seamer and sinking splitter he uses as a changeup. As well as a hard sinking curve that he has great command of which is his out pitch. His name has been mentioned for a possible switch to the bullpen and could be a good setup guy. As a starter he’s rated mid to back of the rotation. Depending on rotation spots available at SWB, he could start the season at AA Trenton if he remains a starter. If switched to the bullpen, he should start at SWB.

NOTES: Yanks released 33 lower level minor leaguers last week including Gerardo Rodriquez who just turned 20 in Oct. career BA .274. He had nagging minor injury problems. RHP Johnny Cordoba, former Notre Dame pitcher Jon Axford, and Jeff Livek, a 2007 28th round draft pick who went 1-2 at Staten Island.

Baseball America print version recently rated the top Yankee Prospects:

(Thanks to Chad Jennings and River Ave. Blues for posting the list)

1. Joba Chamberlain, RHP
2. Austin Jackson, OF
3. Jose Tabata, OF
4. Ian Kennedy, RHP
5. Alan Horne, RHP
6. Jesus Montero, C
7. Jeff Marquez, RHP
8. Brett Gardner, OF
9. Ross Ohlendorf, RHP
10. Andrew Brackman, RHP

About a month ago Baseball Prospectus posted their list of the Yankees top eleven prospects and also gave them star ratings:

Five-Star Prospects
1. Joba Chamberlain, RHP
Four-Star Prospects
2. Ian Kennedy, RHP
3. Austin Jackson, OF
4. Jose Tabata, OF
5. Alan Horne, RHP
Three-Star Prospects
6. Dellin Betances, RHP
7. Jesus Montero, C
8. Andrew Brackman, RHP
9. Edwar Ramirez RHP
10. Kelvin DeLeon, OF
Two-Star Prospects
11. Humberto Sanchez , RHP

(as alway I thank "BigGuy" for his great contributions)

Boras Still Hasn't Recovered From A-Rod's Pounding

From the NY Daily News:

Several weeks after Alex Rodriguez broke free from Scott Boras’ influence and personally talked Hank Steinbrenner into rethinking his Yankee opt-out ultimatum, a lingering media perception suggests that it was all some clever plan contrived to get A-Rod his $300 million and repair his battered image.

Perhaps A-Rod has only himself to blame for such cynicism that surrounds his every move. But baseball insiders insist the hard feelings on A-Rod’s part toward Boras are genuine, that in taking over the negotiations himself he accused his agent of betrayal by misleading him about the level of interest from the Yankees.

Likewise, they say that Boras is reeling from the ego blow A-Rod dealt him by telling the world on “60 Minutes” he’s not even speaking to his agent these days.

I was one of the people who felt all of this may have been concocted by Boras, but I'm glad I was wrong. Boras being humbled is good for baseball, maybe he won't be so greedy from now on... ehhh who am I kidding, he's an agent, it's his job to be greedy.

Also according to this article, Boras doesn't like dealing with Hank, and especially Hal Steinbrenner, because they are apparently "tough" with him. He liked their father a lot better.

Canseco to Pen 'Juiced' Sequel

From the NY Daily News:

It has been a most foul holiday season for Bud Selig and Major League Baseball in the wake of the Mitchell Report's release. But the 20-month investigation into the sport's steroid culture — which outed Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte as having used performance enhancers — may pale in comparison to what former Bash Brother Jose Canseco has in store for Opening Day, 2008.

According to his attorney, Canseco has finalized a deal to publish the sequel to his 2005 best-seller "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big," and is targeting the new book's release date to coincide with the start of next season. Happy New Year, Bud.

"We just signed the deal. ‘Vindicated' is still the working title. It's dependent on us delivering a manuscript by January 11. It's up to us now to finish up and get it to them," Robert Saunooke, Canseco's attorney, told the Daily News. Saunooke did not disclose the publisher, but said it would not be HarperCollins, which published "Juiced."

Sadly, I'm probably going to buy the book. Yes, Canseco is a dirt bag, but most of names he mentioned in 'Juiced' turned out to be steroid users, and just because some of the names haven't been verified yet doesn't mean they aren't users. So there's no reason to believe that this book will be filled with lies being that the first book wasn't.

As reported by ESPN, Canseco mentioned on Boston's WEEI a few months ago that in his next book he would be revealing dirt on A-Rod.

Canseco told WEEI-Radio in Boston on Friday that he has "other stuff" on the Yankees slugger, who he called a "hypocrite" who "was not all he appeared to be."

When asked if A-Rod had used steroids, Canseco told WEEI, "Wait and see."

"Jose has information about A-Rod and the Yankees that will be in the book. But, I am not sure if Jose is willing to disclose it at this point," Canseco's lawyer, Robert O. Saunooke, told The New York Times.

I'm hoping it's not steroid related and it just turns out that Alex cheats on his wife a lot. Not that cheating on your wife is a good thing, because it's not, but for A-Rod and the Yankees it would be better if there was nothing linking A-Rod to steroids in this book.

Does anyone else think that MLB regrets black-balling this guy?


By the way, the working title for the book is 'Vindicated'.

This Week In Yankees History

December 30th- January 5th

December 30th

1927- Yankees released INF Ray Morehardt and P Joe Giard, they both retired.

1930- Former Yankees minor league INF Milt Graff was born. Graff was traded by the Yankees in February of 1957 in the Bobby Shantz trade with the A’s. He was unable to break into the crowded Yankee INF.

1940- The Yankees swap P Monte Pearson (1936-1940) to the Reds for INF Dan Lang and $20,000 cash. Lang will never play for the Yankees.

1995- Free agent P Kenny Rogers is signed by the Yankees to a 4-yr contract. The Gambler went 18-15 in 62 games for the Yankees. On November 7, 1997 he was traded by the Yankees, along with cash to the A’s for a player to be named later. The Oakland sent INF Scott Brosius to the Yankees to complete the trade in November.

2002- Citing this will probably be his last MLB season, 40-year old P Roger Clemens agrees to a $10.1 million, 1-yr deal with the Yankees. The 19-season veteran, who has won the Cy Young Award 6 times, is 7 victories shy of 300 career wins mark.

December 31st

1914- Ban Johnson's efforts to strengthen the Yankees succeed when he arranges the purchase of the team by Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Captain Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Houston for $460,000 from Bill Devery and Frank Farrell. After Detroit owner Frank Navin refuses to let manager Hugh Jennings go, the new Yankee owners will name longtime Detroit P William “Wild Bill” Donovan to managing the team. Under the new regime, the Yankees will make the most important trade in franchise history when they purchase Babe Ruth from the Red Sox in December of 1919.

1919- Former Yankee P Tommy Byrne (1943, 1946-1951, 1954-57) was born. (1919-2007) Before 1940 AL Season, Tommy was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent. Tommy went 73-50 in 249 games in 10 seasons with the Yankees. He won 15 games each in the1949 and 1950 seasons. He was named to the 1950 AL All Star team. On June 15, 1951, he was traded by the Yankees along with $25,000 to the Browns for P Stubby Overmire. Tommy was re-obtained by the Yanks in September, 1954 from Seattle (PCL). In 1955, he won the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award by going 16-5. He would pitch 2 seasons before retiring in 1957. He later became the Mayor and Owner of the Wake Forrest, NC Country Club. Tommy passed away on December 20, 2007.

1924- Former Yankee P Ted Gray (1955) was born. On June 30, 1955, Ted was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. He will appear in 1 game with no decisions before being released in July by the Yankees.

1940 -The Yankees send P Bump Hadley to the Giants for the waiver price and traded INF Bill Knickerbocker to the White Sox for C Ken Silvestri. The military will claim Silvestri for the next 4 years.

1974- Free agent P James “Catfish” Hunter, who posted a 25-12 record with the Athletics, signs with the Yankees ending an unprecedented bidding war when he inks a 5-year, $3.75 million dollar contract. This is triple the salary of any other MLB player. His Yankee pitching record was 63-53. He won 23 (1975) and 17 games (1976) for the Yankees. He will retire at the age of 33 in 1979 after a 15- year ML career. He will win election to the HOF in 1987.

1980- Former Yankee P and Manager (1930) Robert “Sailor Bob” Shawkey (1915-1927) passed away. (1890-1980) Bob Shawkey finished his Yankee pitching career with a record of 168-131, a 4-time 20 game winner after being obtained from the A’s for $85,000 in 1915. Bob will manage the Yankees in 1930 to 86-68 record before being replaced by veteran NL manager Joe McCarthy.

2004- After the Devil Rays decline his 2005 $8 million contract option, Free agent 1B Tino Martinez, who hit .262 with 23 HRs and 76 RBIs for the Tampa, signs a 1-yr, $3 million contract to rejoin the Yankees. Martinez played in New York from 1996 through 2001 and was replaced by Jason Giambi. This time, he is acquired as insurance in the event Giambi's fragile health due to steroid use continues to fail.

January 1^st, Happy New Year!!!

1874- Former Yankee P Ned Garvin (1904) was born. Ned appeared in 2 games with a 0-1 record in September 1904.

1910- Former Yankee P Charles Devens (1932-34) was born. Charlie went 5-3 in 16 games for the Yankees.

1923- Former Yankee HOF OF William “Wee Willie” Keeler dies in Brooklyn, NY, at age of 50. In 19 ML seasons, Keller hit .341, amassed 2,932 hits, and won consecutive batting titles in 1897-98. He played for the Yankees from 1903-09. He hit over .300, 3 times for the Yankees including .343 in 1904.

1924- Former Yankee 1B and Coach, Earl Torgeson (1961) was born. On June 17, 1961, Earl was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. He hit .111 in 22 games before becoming a coach on September 2, 1961.

1942- Former Yankee INF Bill Bethea was born. Bill was obtained from the Twins on waivers in 1965, but never played for the Yankees at the MLB level.

1955- Former Yankee farmhand P LaMarr Hoyt was born. He was drafted by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 1973 amateur player draft. Hoyt never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On April 5, 1977, he was traded by the Yankees along with P Bob Polinsky, OF/DH Oscar Gamble, and $200,000 cash to the White Sox for Shortstop Bucky Dent.

2006- Former Yankees P Paul Linbald (1978) passed away. He appeared in 7 games with no decisions after being purchase from the Rangers. The Yanks will send him to Seattle after the 1978 season.

January 2nd

1963- Former Yankee P David Cone (1995-2000) was born. On July 28, 1995, Dave was traded by the Blue Jays to the Yankees for P Marty Janzen, Jason Jarvis and Mike Gordon. Dave went 64-40 as a Yankee starter. He was 2-0 in 4 World Series with the Yankees.

1973- Rumors appeared nationwide in the media that the Yankees were being purchased from CBS by a Cleveland group of investors.

1977- Former Yankees P Scott Proctor (2004-2007) was born. On July 31, 2003, Scott was traded by the Dodgers along with OF Bubba Crosby to the Yankees for INF Robin Ventura. Scott went 11-10 with 1 save in 190 games with the Yanks before being traded back to the Dodgers on July 31, 2007, for INF Wilson Betemit.

January 3rd

1920- The secret deal made on December 26 to sell Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $125,000 (twice the amount ever paid previously for a player) is announced publicly. Red Sox owner Harry Frazee also secures a $350,000 loan from the Yankees as part of the deal.

1923- The Yankees pluck 2 rookies from the Red Sox, P George Pipgras and OF Harvey Hendrick, in exchange for backup C Al DeVormer. George Pipgras would win 93 games for the Yankees.

1965- Former Yankees INF and Coach, Louis Sojo (1996-99, 2001, 2003) was born. On August 22, 1996, Louis was selected off waivers by the Yankees from the Mariners. He would prove to a valuable reserve INF for the Yankees. His best season was in 1997, when he hit .307 in 77 games. After leaving the Yankees thru free agency, he returned on August 7, 2000, when he was traded by the Pirates for P Chris Spurling. After retiring as an active player in 2003, he was minor league manager and later a ML coach for the Yankees.

1973- A group of investors, headed by Cleveland, Ohio shipbuilder George Steinbrenner, purchases the Yankees from CBS for $10 million. Mike Burke and Gabe Paul are among the limited partners in the group; Paul would replace Burke as President of the Yankees.

1974-The Yankees sign former farmhand OF Bill Virdon as manager. Although the former Pirates skipper will manage for 2 years in New York, he will never win a game at Yankee Stadium because the Yankees will play home games at Shea Stadium due to renovations of their stadium. Bill was originally signed by the Yankees but was traded to the Cardinals in the Enos Slaughter trade in 1954. Bill went 142-123 as Yankee Manager before being replaced by Billy Martin in 1975.

2003- Former Yankee P Joe “Professor” Ostrowski (1950-52) passed away (1916-2003) On June 15, 1950, Joe was traded by the Browns along with pitchers Tom Ferrick, Sid Schacht and 3B Leo Thomas to the Yankees for OF Jim Delsing, Pitchers Don Johnson, Duane Pillette, INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss, and $50,000. Joe went 9-7 in 75 games with 10 saves for the Yankees.

2005- Commissioner Bud Selig approves the potential trade of the Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson to the Yankees in exchange for pitchers Javier Vazquez, Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro, and $9 million dollars

January 4th

1904- The New York Highlanders announce plans to play on Sundays at Ridgewood Park in Queens, NY, but the Brooklyn Superbas objects. Sunday baseball games are legal in Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati.

1908- Former Yankee All Star OF and MLB Executive George “Twinkle Toes” Selkirk (1908-1987) was born. Selkirk played for 9 seasons with the Yanks, and finished with lifetime BA of .290. He was a member of AL All Star team twice (1936 and 1939). George hit .265 in 6 World Series. He served in the military during WWII. He was released by the Yankees in May, 1946. He would become minor league manager. Then he would become the GM of new Washington Senators in 1961.

1910-Former Yankees President and GM, Gabe Paul (1973-1977) was born. (1910-1998) Gabe's trades in the mid 1970’s, helped rebuild the Yankees into championship teams.

1925- Former Yankees P Tom Gorman (1952-54) was born. (1925-1992) Tom went 10-7 in 75 games with 9 saves for the Yankees before being sold to the Kansas City A’s in 1955.

1928-The Yankees buy shortstop Lyn Lary and INF Jimmie Reese from the Oakland Oaks (PCL) for a reported $150,000 in cash. Lary would give the Yanks 3 strong seasons before slipping in 1934; Reese would be shipped off to Cardinals in 1931.

1940- In a trade of pitchers, the Reds send Lee Grissom to the Yankees for Joe Beggs, who had to clear waivers from all 7 AL teams. This is due to the new rule voted last month barring the AL

1943- A wartime tone for the 1943 season is set when Yankees P Red Ruffing, just months short of his 38th birthday, and minus 4 toes, is drafted into the Army Air Corps.

1966- Yankees obtain OF Lou Clinton from the Indians for C Doc Edwards. Lou batted .220 for the Yanks, as a reserve OF in 1966.

1976- Former Yankee P Ted Lilly (2000-01) was born. Ted came to the Yankees from Expos in the Hideki Irabu trade in the winter of 1999. He went 8-12 as a Yankee in 38 games. He had trouble throwing strikes. On July 5, 2002, he was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Yankees along with P Jason Arnold and OF John-Ford Griffin to the Oakland. The A’s sent a player to be named later, 1B Carlos Pena, and P Franklyn German to the Detroit. The Tigers sent P Jeff Weaver to the Yankees. The Tigers sent cash to the Oakland. The Athletics sent P Jeremy Bonderman to the Tigers to complete the trade.
pennant winner from any trades within the league. Beggs will go 1 -3 for the Reds, while Grissom will be sold to the Dodgers on May 15.

January 5th

1914-The Yankees buy P Boardwalk Brown from the A’s for cash. He went 3-6 and was released.

1934- The Yankees released veteran P Herb Pennock and 3rd Baseman Joe Sewell. Their HOF MLB careers were over.

1943- MLB Teams agree to start the season later than usual and prepare to train in northern areas because of World War II. Resorts, armories, and university facilities are chosen for training sites. The New York Yankees will try the seashore resort city of Atlantic City, NJ.

1951- Former Yankees P Ed Ricks (1977) was born. Ed Ricks was drafted in the 6th round of the 1972 amateur draft by the Yankees. He led the 1972 Appalachian League with 97 IP, 100 H, 72 R, and 56 ER. Ricks spent 1975-1976 seasons with the Syracuse Chiefs (IL). He was on the Yankees 1977 spring roster, but never appeared in a game at the ML level. However, he appeared on the Yankees active ML roster in September of 1977.

1958- Former Yankee OF/DH Ron Kittle (1986-87) was born. On July 30, 1986, he was traded by White Sox along with C Joel Skinner and INF Wayne Tolleson to the Yankees for a player to be named later, C Ron Hassey, and OF Carlos Martinez. The Yankees sent C Bill Lindsey to the White Sox to complete the trade. Ron hit .277 in 1987 before leaving for free agency, signing with the Indians.

1961- Former Yankees reserve OF Henry Cotto (1985-87) was born. On December 4, 1984, Henry was traded by the Cubs with Pitchers Porfi Altamirano, Rich Bordi, and C Ron Hassey to the Yankees for P Ray Fontenot and OF/INF Brian Dayett. Henry would be a back up OF for the Yankees. On December 22, 1987, Henry was traded by the Yankees along with P Steve Trout to the Mariners for pitchers Lee Guetterman, Clay Parker, and Wade Taylor.

1984- The Yankees sign future Hall of Fame P Phil Niekro to a 2-yr contract. Niekro, who went 11-10 with a 3.97 ERA for the Braves in 1983, will fill a void in New York rotation and allow the team to move starter Dave Righetti to the bullpen to be a closer.

1993- Former Yankees OF Reggie Jackson is the lone player elected by the BWAA to the HOF. Jackson, whose .262 lifetime batting average is the lowest of any outfielder in the Hall, receives 93.6 percent of the vote. His 563 career HRs make him a hit with voters in his 1st year of eligibility.

1999- HOF Yankees catcher Yogi Berra received an apology from Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner about his dismissal as Yankees manager in 1985 after only 16 games. Berra says he will end his self-exile from Yankee Stadium and the Yankees organization. He is expected to
participate in future Opening Day and Old Timer's Day ceremonies.

previous week

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

McNamee Adds Prominent Lawyer to Legal Team

From the NY Times:

Richard D. Emery is a prominent New York lawyer who has made his mark in the area of civil liberties. Two months ago, he prevailed in a case against New York City’s Department of Correction, which agreed to settle a lawsuit that Emery had filed on behalf of tens of thousands of nonviolent inmates who had been wrongly strip-searched.

On Friday, Emery revealed he was preparing to take on a new, and quite different, opponent — Roger Clemens, the 45-year-old pitcher who now finds his once-certain Hall of Fame career jeopardized by the Mitchell report. The report directly links Clemens to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Emery has been asked by the lawyer for Brian McNamee, Clemens’s accuser and former trainer, to assist in defending McNamee against allegations that he lied to Mitchell’s investigators about Clemens’s use of steroids and human growth hormone.

The lawyer for McNamee, Earl Ward, said Emery had been recruited because he has particular experience in libel and defamation cases and would be in a position to bring a lawsuit against Clemens if the pitcher and his lawyer continue to insist that McNamee did not tell the truth about Clemens.

Jim Leyritz Arrested on Suspicion of DUI and Vehicular Homicide

From WPLG Miami:

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A former major league baseball player left the Broward County Jail Friday after an 11-hour stay after being arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular homicide.

Police said Jim Leyritz was behind the wheel of a Ford SUV that collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Southwest Seventh Avenue and Second Street in the Himmarshee area of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The impact caused the other car to roll over. Police identified the female driver as Fredia Ann Veitch of Plantation. She was ejected from the vehicle and died after being taken to Broward General Medical Center, police said. Veitch was returning from her job at the Original Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale. Police said she is the mother of two children, ages 5 and 13 years old.

I always liked Leyritz, very sad story. My best wishes go out to the family of the victim.

The Squirrel Has A Baseball Card...

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the 2007 Topps "Poley Walnuts" card:




















This is not a joke, this is a real Topps baseball card, it's card number SQ1. You can buy it on Ebay, just search for "Poley Walnuts"... Sadly, I want one.

Can The Yanks Get Santana Without Giving Up Hughes?

From MSNBC:

Part of the problem is the size of Santana’s soon-to-be-negotiated contract extension. When you pay that kind of price, you don’t want to surrender the elite of your farm system, too. The Twins also find themselves in a position where they need big-league-ready talent, and not prospects who will pay off a few years down the road. So the right match has yet to be struck, although it will be soon enough. (It says here the Twins should grab a Yankees’ package of Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera if Phil Hughes is off the table.)

But the fact is, the Twins are backed into a corner and have to deal — and it is up to new general manager/longtime Ryan assistant Bill Smith to maximize the return. But Smith has a tough act to follow, as Ryan constructed rosters that posted four 90-win seasons and four division titles in five years 2002-2006.

It may just be speculation on the part of the writer, but if the Yankees can somehow acquire Santana without giving up Hughes it will be a great day in Yankee Land, and Cashman will deserve an extension immediately.

Yankees To Cano: No More Winter Ball

Thanks to Ben K. at River Ave. Blues for posting this.

From ESPN:

ORLANDO -- The New York Yankees told second baseman Robinson Cano to stop playing winter ball, his Dominican Republic team told ESPNdeportes.com on Thursday.

"The Yankees sent a letter to Cano to stop playing, but they didn't offer many details or reasons," said Alfredo Griffin, the Estrellas Orientales general manager.

Cano told Estrellas teammates, however, that the Yankees didn't want him to aggravate a calf injury that is still healing.

I like this move by the Yankees, the last thing you want is your starting second baseman injuring himself in a meaningless winter ball game, especially if he has nagging injury.

My Top 10 Moments Of 2007

10. May 1st at Arlington Stadium: Phil Hughes “No-Hitter" vs The Rangers – Yankees rookie-phenom Phil Hughes throws 6.1 innings of no-hit baseball, while striking out six and walking three. Hughes was forced to leave early, when he pulled his hamstring in the 7th. The Yankees went on to win the game 10-1.

9. September 26th at Tropicana Field: Yankees Clinch The Wild Card - The Yankees beat the Devil Rays 12-4 behind six strong innings on the mound from Chien Ming-Wang who won his 19th game of the season. The Yankee bats were led by Robinson Cano who was 2 for 5 with a homer and five runs batted in.

8. September 5th vs. the Mariners at the Stadium: Alex Rodriguez Hits Two Home Runs In The 7th Inning - The first homer was hit off Mariner’s starter Jarrod Washburn, and tied the game at two. The second, off relief pitcher Brandon Morrow, extended the Yankee 7-2 lead to 9-2. Another significant part of this night was that it was Joba Chamberlain’s first Major League win.

7. October 7th vs. the Indians at the Stadium: Johnny Damon’s 3-Run Playoff Homer - Down 3-2 with one out in the fifth inning of game three, Damon hits a 3-run homer off Jake Westbrook to give the Yankee a 5-3 lead. The Yankees go on to win the game 8-4.

6. August 4th vs. the Royals at the Stadium: Alex Rodriguez Hits HR Number 500 - In the first inning of a scoreless game, with two on and one out, Rodriguez connects for number 500 off Royals pitcher Kyle Davies. The Yankees go on to win the game 16-8.

5. April 7th vs. the Orioles at the Stadium: Alex Rodriguez Walk-Off Grand Slam - Down 7-6 with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning with O’s closer Chris Ray on the mound, Rodriguez takes a 1-2 fastball deep into the black seats in dead center, giving the Yankees a 10-7 win.

4. September 16th at Fenway Park: Jeter Game Winning 3-Run Home Run Off Schilling - On a night when Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens were facing off in a classic pitcher’s duel, it was Captain Clutch who stole the show. In a 1-1 game in the top of the 8th Derek Jeter stepped up to the plate to face Schilling with two on and two out. After fouling off several pitches, Jeter took Schilling’s two-two offering deep into the monster seats in left, giving the Yankees a 4-1 lead, they would eventually win 4-3.

3. April 19th vs. the Indians at the Stadium: Yankees Six Run 9th Inning Rally To Beat Cleveland Capped Off By Alex Rodriguez’s Second Walk-Off Homer In Two Weeks - The Yankees entered the 9th losing by a score of 6-2. The Indians brought in closer Joe Borowski who quickly retired the first two batters he faced. Then Josh Phelps hit a solo home run to cut the lead to 6-3. The next batter was Jorge Posada, who singled. Damon followed with a walk and then Jeter singled scoring Posada. Then Abreu was up, and he also singled, driving in Johnny Damon and cutting the Indians lead to one. This set the stage for Rodriguez, and on a 1-0 pitch he drove a fastball deep into the Yankee bullpen, giving the Yankees an 8-6 win.

2. June 3rd at Fenway Park: Alex Rodriguez Hits Game Winner Off Papelbon -In the 9th inning of a tie game the Sox brought in closer Jonathan Papelbon to face the Yankees 2-3-4 hitters. Jeter was the first batter of the inning, and grounded out to first. The next batter was Bobby Abreu who struck out. Rodriguez then quickly fell behind in the count 0-2. The third pitch of the at bat was a 95MPH fastball on the outside corner, which ARod hit into the Red Sox bullpen to give the Yankees the lead, and the win, 6-5.

1. September 14th at Fenway Park: The Yankees Come Back From 7-2 Down In The 8th Inning To Beat The Sox 8-7 - With lefty Hideki Okajima on the mound Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano, two lefties, hit back-to-back home runs cutting the Sox lead to 7-4. Melky Cabrera then walked, and Johnny Damon doubled, moving Cabrera to third. The Red Sox then brought in their closer Jonathan Papelbon in to face Derek Jeter. Jeter lined the first pitch he saw into right field for a single scoring Cabrera and cutting the lead to 7-5. Bobby Abreu then stepped up and tied the game with a 2-run double high off the wall in deep center. This rally, like so many others in 2007, was capped off by Alex Rodriguez, who singled to center scoring Abreu, and giving the Yankees an 8-7 lead. The Yankees would go on to win the game by the same score.


Post your favorite memories of this past season in the comments section.

Dayn Perry 10 Impact Rookies For The 2008 Season

The only Yankee on the list was Joba Chamberlain, he was number two. People may be wondering where Phil Hughes is on this list, he apparently threw too many innings to be considered a rookie next season.

2. Joba Chamberlain, SP, Yankees, 22

Chamberlain's already made a splash at the highest level, but his rookie status is still intact. Down the stretch he was a highly valuable reliever for the Yankees, but in 2008 he'll be in the rotation. He boasts a devastating fastball and one of the filthiest sliders you'll ever see. The concerns are his injury history and that, after pitching in relief for so long, he may have lost his feel for his changeup. He'll need to refine that third pitch if he's to thrive as a starter, but he should do that in time. The Yanks need Chamberlain to transition in a hurry, and he's got the stuff and makeup to do just that.

For the rest of the list go here.

Prior Signs With Padres

Buster Olney reports:

Mark Prior, cut loose by the Cubs earlier this month, has agreed to terms with the San Diego Padres.

Prior receives a one-year major league deal with a $1 million base salary. The contract, which doesn't include an option, contains incentive clauses that could take the total value of the deal to over $3 million.

I really don't understand why the Yankees didn't sign Prior to a similar deal. I well aware of his history of injury problems, but for a million bucks it was worth the risk. If Mike Mussina, or one of the rookies, turn out to be ineffective this season the Yankees will have to go out and trade for a starting pitcher, a starting pitcher they could have locked up for only $1M.

Yanks Recieve $24M Luxury Tax Bill

From the NY Daily News

After receiving a $24 million luxury tax bill at the end of last week, the Bombers really were a $232 million letdown.

Major League Baseball clubs adopted a team payroll threshold during the collective bargaining sessions in 2002 in an effort to contain costs; each time a team exceeds the league-wide figure, its tax rate increases as punishment.

The Yankees have been over the limit all five seasons and this year paid a 40% tax on all salary above $148 million. That means that when the club gave Roger Clemens a prorated $28 million deal at midseason - that equaled about $18 million in salary - the Bombers actually ended up paying him $25 million for the 18 starts during which he went 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA. Clemens then lasted only 2-1/3 innings in his lone playoff start before being named in the Mitchell Report.

"I can't imagine that was the return they were looking for on that deal," said one executive from another AL club who requested anonymity. "If his postseason - and theirs - had gone better, it might have been a different story."

The archrival Red Sox were over the tax threshold for the fourth straight season, bringing their rate to 40% as well. They owed $6 million on their team salary of $163 million. The Angels were the only other team over the limit - a first for the franchise - and owed $927,000. The bills are to be paid by the end of January.

I hope some of these cheapskate owners use this money for their teams instead of just pocketing it like a lot of them usually do.

The Yankees did bring their luxury tax bill down from $26M last year, and $33.98M in '05.

Clemens' Attoney To Launch Probe

From ESPN

Roger Clemens' lead attorney told The New York Times that his firm is launching its own investigation into allegations the seven-time Cy Young winner used steroids and human growth hormone.

"We are convinced the conclusions in Mitchell's report are wrong and are investigating the findings ourselves," Rusty Hardin told The Times. "At this stage we have uncovered a lot of logical people who we thought Mitchell was going to talk to but never talked to him or his investigators. That's troubling."

Hardin declined to tell The Times the names of the individuals he was referring to.

Clemens will tell his side of the story in a CBS "60 Minutes" interview with Mike Wallace that will air Jan. 6. Hardin told The Times that Clemens will answer other reporters' questions after that interview.

"After 60 Minutes airs he will be sitting down to answer questions directly to members of the media," Hardin told the newspaper. "We haven't figured out where it will happen but he will answer questions that night."

The saga continues...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I hope Roger is innocent. More importantly, I hope he can prove his innocence, because that's the only way he can save his name. All baseball fans should hope that he can, baseball has already had the best hitter of this generation(Barry Bonds), and his records, tarnished forever by steroid use, it doesn't need the best pitcher of this generation to join him on the * list.

I'm very interested to see his '60 Minutes' interview; I hope it's better than ARod's. It will air on January 6th.

McNamee responds to Clemens

From the NY Daily News:

Brian McNamee hasn't talked to Roger Clemens since the personal trainer's explosive testimony in the Mitchell Report fingered the Rocket as an abuser of steroids and human growth hormone.

But McNamee, whose work Clemens credited for years as one of the reasons he was able to dominate into his 40s, would like to one day discuss the matter with Clemens, McNamee's lawyer, Earl Ward, said Sunday.

"Brian would be open to it, certainly," Ward said in a telephone interview. "I don't know if Roger would. But Brian would be open to it because he knows what he's been saying all along is honest and truthful and he'd want Roger to understand he was obligated to tell the truth.

"The bottom line is he did not want to implicate a friend and a baseball icon in a steroid scandal," Ward added. "He was asked to tell the truth and he has. That's always been his position since Day 1."

This soap opera just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it? Sadly this is a story that isn't going to go away any time soon, whether Clemens did use PED's or not. The problem is that this is a classic he said-she said case. There is no way for either side to prove what they are saying is true, that's why no matter what happens Clemens' reputation will be tarnished forever.

Remember Dan Naulty?

You probably don’t, I don't. He pitched for the Yankees during the 1999 season, and was 1-0 with a 4.38 ERA in 33 games. He also is a former steroid, HGH, and amphetamine user, and was one of the few players who spoke to George Mitchell for the Mitchell Report. Today in the Daily News he describes the story of his road to the Majors, his PED use, and struggles he faced. Here's the article.

Clemens Issues Video Denial

The article about the video is can be found here

Here's the video



Nothing earth-shattering, but he seemed sincere. Although anyone could seem like they were telling the truth when they know their legacy is on the line. I just hope he's innocent.

Yankees Plan To Use Joba As A Stater

... most of the time.

Kat O'Brien reports:

An ESPN.com report Friday said, "Chamberlain is likely to start next season in the Yankees' bullpen as part of the team's effort to limit his innings" if the other five starters are healthy and performing. However, Cashman, Newman, senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner and pitching coach Dave Eiland said Friday that the plan is to have Chamberlain in the rotation.

"We plan to have him go into spring training as a starter," Cashman said.

Said Steinbrenner: "At this point, we're all planning to ... it's everybody's plan to start him as a starter, and that's Joba's preference, too. He said it on ESPN. I know he'd do anything and give it his best, but that's his preference. As far as me and Cashman and Newman and [Damon] Oppenheimer, I think we all want him in the rotation."

It's possible that Chamberlain could spend some time in the bullpen to help cap his innings, Newman said. That's not in the early-season plans, though.

"I'm not even saying he's going to be in there at all," Newman said. "I can't say he'll be in there for a day or a minute. He could be at some point to limit the innings, but that's up to Joe [Girardi]."

So ESPN is wrong again... Shocking. I'm starting to think they are making things up as they go along. Every twenty minutes during the Winter Meetings ESPN was reporting Johan Santana was going to be traded very soon. It was hours, maybe minutes away. Well it's almost Christmas and he still hasn't been traded. Sadly the reports of Santana's imminent trade are still coming, just less frequently now. ESPN is a joke.

As for Joba; I like the way the Yankees are going to handle him. Limiting his inning, nobody wants a Francisco Liriano, Mark Prior, etc., situation here.

This is how I would set up Chamberlain's season if I were running the team. From Spring training thru the start of the season Joba would be in the starting rotation. This way if he struggles early as a starter, he can be moved to the bullpen for the remainder of the season. Better this, than starting him in the pen, and then making him a starter, only to have him struggle, and then have to move him back to the pen.

If he is effective as a starter, keep him there till August, and move him to the pen for the stretch run. This would also strengthen their bullpen greatly if they make the post season.

This Week in Yankees History

December 23rd - December 29th

-December 23rd

1929- Former Yankee pitcher AL “Bozo” Cicotte (1957) was born.(1929-1982) Al was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1948. He went 2-2 in 20 games with 2 saves for the Yankees in 1957. On May 14, 1958, he was purchased by the Washington Senators from the Yankees. Al was Great-nephew of HOF pitcher Eddie Cicotte.

1958- Former Yankee pitcher Tim Leary (1990-92) was born Tim was a former 1 draft pick by the Mets in 1979. On December 12, 1989: He was traded by the Cincinnati Reds along with OF Van Snider to the Yankees for OF/1B Hal Morris and pitcher Rodney Imes (minors). Tim went 9-19 in 31 games in 1990, 4-10 in 28 games in 1991 and 5-6 in 18 games before being traded by the Yankees on August 22, 1992, along with cash to the Seattle Mariners for Sean Twitty (minors).

1981-The Yankees sign free agent OF/1B Dave Collins for a reported $750,000 a year for at least 3 seasons. Collins, who stole 79 bases for the Cincinnati Reds in 1979, will end up a bust in New York and will be traded after 1 season to the Blue Jays.

2005- Former Red Sox AL All Star CF free agent Johnny Damon signs a 4-year contract with the Yankees.

-December 24th

1978- Former Yankee 1B George Mc Quinn (1947-48) passed away. (1910-1978) In 1947, George hit .304 with 80 RBIs after being signed by Yankees after being released by the Philadelphia A’s. In 1948 he slipped to .248, but recorded a .421 slugging percentage. He retired after the 1948 AL season.

1986- Free agent OF Gary Ward signs with the Yankees.

2002- In a deal which prompts a Boston Red Sox official to call the New York Yankees an "evil empire", Cuban defector Jose Contreras agree to terms on a 4-year contract with Yankees. Contreras, who was considered the top pitcher on Cuba's national team, was declared a free agent after gaining residency in Nicaragua.

-December 25th - Merry Christmas!!!

1908- Former Yankee Al All Star OF (1930-1936) and MLB Manager (Phillies 1945-1948) Ben Chapman was born. Ben was a .305 Lifetime hitter for the Yankees. He was a member of the AL All Star teams from 1933-35. On June 14, 1936, Ben was traded by the Yankees to the Washington Senators for OF Jake Powell. Ben was the Phillies Manager who gave Jackie Robinson problems in 1947; he was a racist, which is why the Yankees got rid of him in 1936.

1919- Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee makes a secret agreement to sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000 (one-fourth cash, plus $25,000 a year at 6 percent) plus guaranteeing a $300,000 loan with Fenway Park as collateral. The transaction will be announced publicly one week later.

1953- Former Yankee minor league pitcher Richard Anderson was born. Rick Anderson was the 1979 International League Pitcher of the Year. With the New York Yankees' Columbus farm club that season, he was 13-3 with a 1.63 ERA and 21 saves. He was unable to break into the Yankees bullpen with Rich Gossage and others around. After being traded to the Seattle Mariners, he was 6-0 with the Spokane Indians in 1980. However, he developed arm problems and was released by the club in 1982. Anderson weighed over 400 pounds at the time of his death. He was found dead with an autograph request in his hand.

1958- Former Yankee AL ALL Star LF Rickey Henderson (1985-1988) was born. On December 5, 1984, Rickey was traded by the Oakland Athletics along with Bert Bradley and cash to the Yankees for OF Stan Javier, Pitchers Jay Howell, Jose Rijo, Eric Plunk, and Tim Birtsas. As a Yankee, Rickey appeared on the 1985-1988 AL All Star teams. His best Yankee season was in 1985, when he hit .314 with 24 HRs and 72 RBIs. On June 21, 1989, Rickey was traded by the Yankees to the Oakland A’s for pitchers Greg Cadaret, Eric Plunk, and OF Luis Polonia.

1989- Billy Martin, an AL All-Star infielder with the Yankees (1950-1957) and former manager of the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Oakland A’s, dies in a car accident in Johnson City, NY, at the age of 61. Martin, a 5-time Yankees manager under owner George Steinbrenner, was rumored to be a candidate to replace current Yankees skipper Bucky Dent. During his 18-year managerial career in the AL, Martin posted a 1253-1013 record, led his teams to 5- AL Championship titles and guided the Yankees to the 1977 World Championship. He will be buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Westchester, NY, in a plot near Babe Ruth. Steinbrenner, who fired Billy Martin 4 times (he resigned the 5th time) purchases the plot for Martin.

1995- The Associated Press selects Cal Ripken, Jr. as the top sports story of the year, followed by the death of Yankee Hall Of Fame CF Mickey Mantle.

-December 26th

1948- Former Yankees 1st Baseman and Coach Chris Chambliss (1974-1979,1988) was born. On April 26, 1974, Chris was traded by the Cleveland Indians along with pitchers Richard Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw to the Yankees for pitchers Fritz Peterson, Steve Kline, Fred Beene, and Tom Buskey. Chis hit the game winning HR in the 1976 ALCS to bring the Yankees back into the World Series for the 1st time since 1964. He was an AL All Star 1B in 1976. In 1978, he won the AL Golden Glove for 1st basemen. In the post season for the Yankees Chris hit .281 with 3 HRs with 15 RBIs. He appeared in 3 World Series with the Yankees (1976-1978) hitting .275 with 1 HR, 5 RBIs. To get a replacement for the late Thurman Munson the Yankees traded Chris away after the 1979 AL season. On November 1, 1979, Chris was traded by the Yankees along with INF Damaso Garcia and pitcher Paul Mirabella to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Tom Underwood, catcher Rick Cerone, and OF Ted Wilborn. During the 1988 AL season, Chris had a brief 1 game comeback with the Yankees.

1971- Former Yankee pitcher Jay Tessmer (1998-2000, 2002) was born. Jay was drafted by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur player draft. Although he was very successful coming out the pen at Columbus, he couldn’t repeat that in pinstripes. He appeared in 22 games with 1-0 record. On January 3, 2001, Jay was traded by the Yankees along with Seth Taylor (minors) to the Colorado Rockies for David Lee. Jay would return to the Yankees as a free agent in 2002.

1992- Former Yankee pitcher Tom Gorman (1952-54) passed away. Tom went 10-7 in 75 games with 9 saves for the Yanks before being sold to the Kansas City A’s in 1955.

1994- Former Yankee HOF and AL All Star pitcher Allie “Super Chief “Reynolds (1947-1954) passed away. Allie was obtained from the Indians, he went 19-8 .704 in 1947. He was one of the mainstays of the Yankee starting rotation that won 5 straight World Championships (1949-1953) with Eddie Lopat, Vic Raschi, and later Whitey Ford. His World Series pitching record was 7-2. Allie went 131-60 in 8 seasons with the Yankees, including a 20-8 with an ERA 2.06 in 1952. During the 1951 season, he pitched 2- no-hitters, including one against the Red Sox. A back injury during a bus accident during the 1954 season forced Allie to retire at the end of the season. He later became the Baseball Commissioner of the American Association (AAA).

-December 27th

1943- Former Yankee OF and Coach Roy White (1965-79) was born. Roy was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1961.He was originally INF converted to OF. Roy played for 14 years for the Yankees finishing with a lifetime BA of .271 with 160 HRs and 758 RBIs in 1,881 games. He was a 2-time AL All Star team member (1969-70). His best Yankee season was in 1970, when Roy hit .292 with 22 HRS and 94 RBIs. He played in 3 World Series for the Yanks (76-78) hitting .244. After leaving the Yankees in 1979, Roy played with the Tokyo Giants.

1963- Former Yankees C/DH/INF Jim Leyritz (1990-96,1999-2000) was born. Jim was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1985. With the arrival of catcher Joe Gardli, Jim became expendable. On December 5, 1996, Jim was traded by the Yankees to the Angels for players to be named later. The Angels sent Jeremy Blevins (minors) (December 9, 1996) and Ryan Kane (minors) (December 9, 1996) to the Yankees to complete the trade. On July 31, 1999, Jim was traded by the San Diego Padres to the Yankees for Geraldo Padua (minors). Jim only batted .213 in the post season but that included 8 HRs and 20 RBIs. On June 20, 2000, he was traded by the Yankees to the Dodgers for INF Jose Vizcaino and cash.

1984- Free agent pitcher Ed Whitson, who went 14-8 for the NL champion San Diego Padres, begins a nightmarish association with the Yankees by signing a 5-year $4.4 million contract. By the middle of his 2nd year with the club, Whitson gets so rattled in Yankee Stadium that manager Lou Piniella will refuse to use him in Yankee Stadium games. He can only pitch on the road. His Yankee pitching record will be 15-10 in 44 games. The Yankees ship him back to San Diego, on July 9, 1986, for pitcher Tim Stoddard, where he will have 4 solid seasons.

2001- After 21 years being heard on WABC-AM radio, the Yankees will broadcast its spring training, regular-season and postseason games on all -news station WCBS-AM, which is owned by Infinity Broadcasting. The 5-year deal with the Yankees' YES Network, created earlier this year, is worth approximately about $50 million.

-December 28th

1947- Former Yankee reserve INF Aurelio Rodriguez (19801-81) was born. (1947-2000) On August 4, 1980, he was purchased by the Yankees from the San Diego Padres. Aurelio would play in 77 games for the Yankees, hitting .283. On November 17, 1981, he was traded by the Yankees to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later. The Blue Jays sent Mike Lebo (minors) (December 9, 1981) to the Yankees to complete the trade. In 2000, he passed away from injuries after being struck by car in Detriot.

1992- Former Yankee pitcher and long-time NL post-season rival (Dodgers and Giants) Sal “The Barber” Maglie (1957-58) passed away. (1917-1992) Sal was purchased by the Yankees from the Dodgers for $25,000 cash and 2 minor league players in September of 1957. Sal went 2-0 with 4 saves for the Yankees. In 1958, he faded going 1-1 in 7 games and was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals.

1995- The Chicago White Sox trade veteran OF Tim Raines to the Yankees in exchange for future considerations. The New York Yankees sent Blaise Kozeniewski (minors) (February 6, 1996) to the Chicago White Sox to complete the trade.

2001- Outgoing NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announces the Yankees and Mets have reached a tentative agreement with the city to build a pair of $800 million, retractable-roof stadiums. Mayor-elect Michael Bloomberg, who is concerned if the city can afford what is believed to be the largest private-public venture history, will have final word on the $1.6 billion cost of the proposed new ballparks agreements.

2005- Yankees LF Hideki Matsui has decided not to play for Japan at next year's World Baseball Classic games, so he can concentrate his efforts on winning a World Series with the Yankees.

-December 29th

1911- Former Yankee reserve INF Billy Knickerbocker (1938-40) was born. On February 15, 1938, Billy was traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Yankees for INF Don Heffner and $10,000. Billy took over Don Heffner’s role as Yankees reserve INF. On December 31, 1940, Billy was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Ken Silvestri.

1928- Yankees waived veteran 3rd Joe Dugan to the Boston Braves.

1933- New York Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert refuses to release All Star OF Slugger Babe Ruth from his contract, thus preventing him from becoming the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Ruth will never receive another chance to manage a MLB team.

1952- Former Yankee reserve INF Dennis Werth (1979-1981) was born. Dennis was drafted by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 1974 amateur player draft. He hit .222 in 76 games with the Yankees. His best Yankee season was in 1980, hitting .308 in 39 games On March 24, 1982, Dennis was traded by the Yankees to the Kansas City Royals for Scot Behan (minors).

1972 – Former Yankee Pitcher Jim Brower (2007) was born. Jim appeared in 3 games in 2007 with no record, before returning to Scranton (AAA).

1975- Former Yankee Pitcher Jaret Wright (2005-6) was born.December 28, 2004; he was Ssigned as a Free Agent with the Yankees. He went 16-12 in 43 games with the Yankees. November 12, 2006, he was traded by the Yankees with cash to the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Chris Britton.

1977- Melissa Ludtke, female Sports Illustrated sports writer, files suit against MLB, the Yankees and NYC officials for denying her access to the locker room to interview players during the 1977 World Series.

2004- Former Yankee reserve catcher Gus Niarhos (1946, 1948-1950) passed away. (1920-2004). He was attending Auburn University on scholarship when he was signed by a scout for the Yankees. After World War II broke out, he served in the U.S. Navy. Gus spent his 1st 3-years in the ML with the Yankees. Yogi Berra was the up-and-coming catcher, and in 1948 Gus platooned at catcher with him while Yogi also played in the outfield. He appeared in 1 game in the 1949 World Series against the Dodgers, which the Yankees won. The Chicago White Sox picked him off waivers from the Yankees in 1950. Looking back at his start with the Yankees, “That was a tough organization, if you were a catcher. They had Bill Dickey. Then Yogi came up. From '49 on, it was just forget about being a catcher with the Yankees." – Gus Niarhos.

(This will be a weekly feature on this blog, we thank "Fw57Clipper51" for his great contributions)

George Vecsey NY Times Article

Go read it, it's great.

Seeking Role Models And Finding Human Beings

BigGuy's Minor League Notes - Dec. 12-22

WINTER LEAGUE NOTES: Robinson Cano continues to hit well in the Dominican League for Estrelles. In 7 games he's hitting .393 (11-28), 3 rbi, 1 double, OBP .400, Slg .429, 0K's and 1 walk...........Jonathan Albaladejo reliever picked up from the Nats gave up his 1st earned run in the last 10 games. In 27 games he has 4 saves, 26 IP, 7 earned runs, 23 hits, 20K's--8 BB, BAA--.240........Alberto Gonzalez in 29 games in the VWL is batting .336 (36-107), with 3hr and 12 rbi, he has a .388 OBP, and is slugging .495........Jose Veras could be finished for the winter. He hasn't pitched in a week. In 9 games, 2 saves, 8.2 IP, 1 earned run, 4 hits, 13 K's--4BB, BAA of .138 ........Edwar Ramirez after pitching in only 2 games in the middle of Nov., pitched in a game last week, giving up 1 run in .2 IP. Overall in 3 games, he’s thrown 2.2 IP, and given up 2 earned runs, 2 hits, while striking out 2 and walking 3.

SCOUTING REPORT: This week’s prospect is RHP Jeff Marquez. 1st round pick--2004. Marquez had a very good year at AA Trenton going 15-9, with 3.55ERA, a .270 BAA in 155 IP; he also struck out 94, while only walking 44 batters. Marquez throws a 2 seam fastball at 93 with good command and sink on it. He also throws a 4 seam fastball that can hit 95, but without the good command and sink of the 2 seam. He also has a plus change and developing curve. He's not a strikeout pitcher, more of a groundball pitcher.

NOTES: Yanks have signed Nick Green and Mike Woodward to minor league deals. Green has an opt-out clause at the end of March if he doesn't make the ML team as a utility infielder. Yanks also resigned Darrell Rasner to a minor league deal and are trying to resign outfielder Bronson Sardinha to a minor league deal. Chad Jennings over at SWB BLOG tells us that Yankee VP Mark Newmann recently said pitchers Mark Melancon and J B Cox, both recovering from TJ surgery, would be at ST, and expects them to start their minor league rehab at Single A Tampa. They could be in NY in a few months if they progress. Humberto Sanchez will not be ready, if at all, until late in the season. He had his surgery in April. The SWB coaching staff was announced. This years Manager of the Year, Dave Miley will return. Also returning to the staff is hitting coach Butch Wynegar and infield-3rd base coach Alvaro Espinoza. Replacing Dave Eiland as pitching coach will be Raphael Chavez.

(This will be a weekly feature on this blog, we thank "BigGuy" for his great contributions)

RIP Tommy Byrne

From George King of the New York Post -

December 22, 2007 -- When Tommy Byrne is buried in North Carolina on Thursday, the left-handed pitcher who was also a solid hitter will have a Yankees cap on his head.

"Being a Yankee was his lifelong dream," John Byrne, Tommy Byrne's son, said last night from North Carolina...

...Byrne, who had two stints with the Yankees (1943-51; 1954-57) died of congestive heart failure Thursday morning in the town of Wake Forest, N.C. He would have been 88 New Year's Eve.

Bill Madden of the Daily News described Byrne's wildness, as well as a quote from Yogi Berra -

"Tommy had a great curveball and after he came back from the minors, he had a slider," Yogi Berra said Friday. "He was a great guy, one of my first roommates, and loved to have fun. He used to yell at the hitters, telling them what pitch was coming and they never believed him. I remember the time he came into the game and was warming up when all of a sudden he hit Mickey Vernon in the on-deck circle with a pitch because he thought Mickey was watching his pitches."

Could you imagine if somebody did that today? The guy would be suspended, the league would hold a press conference, and there would be calls from parents all over the country about how this is bad for the children, how times have changed.

After his baseball career, Byrne returned to Wake Forest, NC, where he had attended college, and later became mayor from 1973 through 1987.

The House May Invite Players Mitchell Report Hearings

On Thursday Rep. Tom Davis told several media outlets that players weren't going to be invited to Congress. Today the Post is reporting

Phil Schiliro, chief of staff for Rep. Henry Waxman, the chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, said his boss is still considering whether to invite players, including Roger Clemens, to the Jan. 15 hearing on the Mitchell Report.

...A decision probably would not be made until early January. Congress began its year-end recess Wednesday night.

"We're not interested in having players here for the sake of having players here," Schiliro said. "If there's something constructive or important by having players here we'll do that."

I just hope these hearings aren't going to be as embarrassing for Major League Baseball as the first one was.

New Stadium Construction Updates (Page 2)

***I had to add a second page of New Stadium updates. The first one was taking too long to load. They are split up between years. The first page is the 2007-2008 pictures, and this one is just for the 2009 pictures.***

(Updated 4/16)
(Updated 3/31)

(Updated 3/29)

(Updated 3/26)

Trainer's Room

Weight Room

Indoor Batting CageClubhouse BathroomPlayer's LoungeCenter Field Food CourtThurman's Locker in the Museum

View From The Press Box

Gate 8: Bleachers Entrance

(Updated 3/23)

(Updated 3/21)
(Updated 3/19)
(Updated 3/18)

(Updated 3/16)

(Updated 3/15)

(Update 3/14)

(Updated 3/13)
(Updated 3/12)

(Updated 3/1)

(Updated 2/28)
(Updated 2/24)

(Updated 2/22)

(Updated 2/20)

(Updated 2/18)
(Updated 2/17)
(Updated 2/15)(Updated 2/13)

(Updated 2/8)
(Updated 2/6)
(Updated 1/30)
(Updated 1/29)
(Updated 1/28)
(Updated 1/27)(Updated 1/23)
(Updated 1/20)

(Yankees Dugout)

(Yankees Bullpen)

(View From Seats In Center)

(View From Restaurant In Center)

(Monument Park)

(The Great Hall)

(The Mick)

(Jeter's Locker)

(A-Rod's Locker)

(Posada's Locker)

(Visitor's Lockers)

(Trainer's Room)

(Showers)

(Indoor Batting Cage)

(I'm not sure where this is, but it has Joe D's "I would like to thank
the good lord for making me a Yankee" quote under the logo.)

(Carpet In Joe Girardi's Office)

(Carpet In Conference Room)

(The Boss's Suite)

(Food Court)

(Club Behind Home Plate)

(Video Control Room)

(Radio Booth)

(Press Box)

(Updated 1/15)
(Updated 1/13)
(Updated 1/10)
(Updated 1/9)

(Updated 1/8)

(Updated 1/7)For older pictures go here.