DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

As far back as the sinking of the Titanic when Fenway Park first opened, long before the wall boxes, long before they were known as the idiots, even before they traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees. There have always been games like this in this historic ballpark and it won't be the last one.

You doubters that second guessed Joe Torre for bring Mariano Rivera to pitch two innings got your wish, he only had to pitch one. Mo needs work and he needs lot of it or he'll be proving Brian Cashman right by not giving him a contract extension.

You can talk all day about what should have and what could have. Despite only being game 15 of the season the Friday night game can set the pace for the whole weekend. If Mariano came in mowed down the next five outs Joe would have looked like a genius.

On a high note Alex Rodriguez continued his 2007 tour with another 2 home runs and figured in all 6 of the Yankee runs. It up to the Baby Bombers now.

MARIANO PRESSES THE PRESS

Mariano Rivera hadn't been get much action prior to Saturday's game so he had much too much time hanging out in the bullpen.

So Mo got the Yankee media agent to gather all the press available around his locker after Friday's game. The press were baffled and could not guess why Rivera called them together. When the media arrived Mariano was stone faced and solemn. Then he began to speak.

He went on to announce "I just call you all to let you know that I too will be wearing #42 on Sunday." Mo went on and laughed hysterically, seeming to enjoy his joke more than anyone present. So uncharacteristic of him, way to go Mo!

For those of you who don't know, Mariano Rivera is the last player allowed to wear #42 since MLB retired the number in all of baseball. April 15th to celebrate Jackie Robinson's anniversary of breaking the color line in MLB players from all teams will be allowed to wear the number. In addition to Mariano, the keystone combo of the Yankees, Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano (who was named after Jackie) will be wearing #42. A making of a great trivia question down the road.

AN ARM, AN ARM, MY KINGDOM FOR AN ARM

The plane just about landed in Oakland and Carl Pavano came up with tighness in his arm. This will push his next start back to Tuesday against the Indians. Meanwhile Moose Mussina is hoping to avoid the DL after tweking his hammy in last night finally in the homer-dome. Mussina remains day-to-day, but Brian Cashman said Mussina will start doing some "functional work" today. Never a dull moment in the Bronx.

Kei Igawa get a chance to redeem himself in Oakland tonight as he starts for the Yankees.

THERE IS NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS

What a strange season so far. Alex Rodriguez is leading the leagues in home runs, Carl Pavano is leading Yankee starters in victories with 1 and the Cleveland Indians are hosting the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Miller field in Milwaukee.

Rather than move the series to Anaheim being the Angels head to Boston after this series the Indians (or should we say baseball) have moved their series against the Angels to Milwaukee's Miller Park after a spring snowstorm wiped out Cleveland's entire series against Seattle for the fourth straight day Monday. With inter-league play this was suppose to be Seattle's only visit to Cleveland this year.

With all the nippy weather across the country Injuries have been on the rise. The cold weather has been indirectly responsible for DLing our own Hideki Matsui.

Promoted Mascot? Scooter the Holy Cow who resided on Staten Island since the Baby Bomber were created in 1999 has been spotted, well he had the spots already, in the new home of the AAA Yankee affiliate in Scranton Wilkes Barre. Hmmmm, first there were multiple Lassies, could there now be two Scooters? Or have Red and Huck going to work without the elder Mascot on Staten Island this season? Stay tuned Scooter fans.

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER dg

Alex Rodriguez-- Before starting my mini-rant, I should point out that EVERY team has it's share of idiotic fans. That being said, the booing of A-Rod in 2006 was inexcusable. Let me see if I understand the motive..... as long as A-Rod hits .350 with 50+ HR's every season, he'll be cut some slack?? .290 BA 113 R 35 HR 121 RBI is DISAPPOINTING?? WHERE IN THE HELL DOES THIS NONSENSE COME FROM?? My boyhood idol, Graig Nettles, was a long-time Yankees 3B. His glove was the best at 3B I've ever seen (though it shouldn't be forgotten that A-Rod is a natural SS), but let's look at his career bests as a Yankee: 37 HR 107 RBI .276 BA 99 R .No.... I don't want to hear any whining about his contract. A-Rod is a 1st-ballot HOF'er. The Yankees will pay Jason Giambi $21.5 mil. in 2007...... and will pay A-Rod $16 mil. Don't worry..... I know how much of A-Rod's deal the Rangers are paying, though, with all the booing, I sometimes wondered if I was the only one.I guess Yankees fans can do what they want...... go ahead and boo a 1st ballot HOF'er out of town, but don't cry when his replacement hits .270 with 25 HR.

Newsflash, idiots : THE YANKEES LACK OF STARTING PITCHING PREVENTED THEM FROM WINNING A TITLE SINCE 2000. Blame A-Rod if you must, but, last I checked, he doesn't pitch. Sure, sure...... the likes of Kevin Brown, Jeff Weaver, Javier Vazquez and Jaret Wright have performed WONDERFULLY over the past few seasons...... Carl Pavano has been well worth his 4-year $40 mil. investment..... Randy Johnson was the true ace the team needed (never, ever, ever count on a SP in his 40's to be your ace..... I said that at the time the Yankees traded for RJ..... seems to have proven my theory true. No....not much of a "theory".... it's simply common sense). I respect the red sox 3B more than some Yankees fans respect A-Rod. Pathetic. Exit mini-rant ...........

A-Rod will improve on his 2006 #'s. Trained harder than ever this past off-season and dropped 13 # to help improve his defensive flexibility. The addition of High School teammate Doug Mientkiewicz will help, not only in the clubhouse, but because few, if any, 1B are better at scooping low throws (this, of course, will help Derek Jeter and Robbie Cano a lot as well). Look for another MVP run for A-Rod.

YANKEES WASHED OUT

Game two of the young 2007 season was postphoned. The Yankees called the game at 11 AM. It would be nice if they could announce this on the Subways, Metro North, LIRR and Ferries. Are your reading this Mayor Bloomy?

YANKEES WIN OPENER

Bernie Williams phoned Joe Torre Monday morning and wished his former team luck. It was the first Bernieless Opener since 1990. He also got to talk to (Jorge) Posada and (Derek) Jeter.

Rudy Guiliani and Bobby Murcer were in the house for the festivities. The widow and son of Corey Lidle were on hand to throw out the forst pitches. Corey's son is southpaw. Lidle's parents and twin brother also stood near the Yankees' dugout during the pregame tribute. The family stayed for the game and watched from a suite. ... The average age of players in Tampa Bay's lineup was 24.

STILL IN THE BOMBER FAMILY

Andy Phillips who was waived by the Yankees on Thursday has passed through waivers and will be returning to AAA to play for the Scranton Yankees. Welcome Home Andy!!

JUST A LIDLE BIT LONGER

I want to start out this blog by saying I have the ultimate respect for the Lidle Family and continue to offer my condolences on their tragic loss.

As you remember last October when I originally wrote about Corey Lidle's accident I said he was a great friend and a great teammate to whomever he played with. Well that was 100% true. I also mentioned he probably wouldn't get more than a moment of silence on Opening Day. Well the Yankees obviously thinks more of him than I do as his wife and kids will be throwing out the first ball while his twin brother will be in attendance. In addition the Yankees will be wearing a black armband all season in his honor.

My problem is that a lot of Yankees have passed over the years, many with larger ties to the Pinstripes that have virtually been ignored outside of a proverbial moment of silence. Corey Lidle may have been the perfect teammate but he didn't even play with the Yankees for a whole season and there was no guarantee that he would be wearing Pinstripes this Spring had he survived.

Do I think it was a nice gesture on the Yankees part? Sure I do! But what about the Jim Spencers' and the Shane Rawleys' that have played as much if not more than Lidle? All they got was a mention on Old Timers Day, which is great, I wonder what effect this will have on Mrs Lidle's lawsuit?

INSIDE SKINNY: My insiders say Chien-Ming Wang is progressing much faster than scheduled, that is mainly because his actual problem stemmed from a tired arm and not a hammy.

Opening Day is Monday, Go Yanks!

SPRING, BASEBALL, Squirrels and NUTS...

Fellow webmasters and admins. Baseball is just around the corner. There have been a rash (of at least 2) spammers on the team forums either spamming or putting up some tasteless stuff. Just be on the lookout, many of you have banned them already.

As the Daily Snooze (among others) reported the Opening Day pitcher for our beloved Bronx Bombers is none other than Carl Pavano. The right hander sttod healthy all the way through Spring and thanks to some injuries to Chien Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte and Jeff Karstens, Pavano will be given the ball on Monday afternoon. Mark Feinsand also reported that Josh Phelps has the inside track to make the 2007 squad. The writer also wonders what will happen to Andy Phillips.

Over at The Post George King looks into his cracked crystal ball and shares with us what he sees in store for the Yankees in 2007. And as if we had nothing else to worry about King also reads between the lines and reports that Joe Torre want to return for the Stadium's Swan Song in 2008.

Who Can't Live On $81 Million?

Brian Cashman came out today in the NY Post as well as well as many other media outlets and said point blank that there will be no extension for Alex Rodriguez. I mean, how much is too much? After this season Alex can opt out of the remaining three years on his contract, which is for $81 Million over the period. Will he get more from someone else? I don't see how. Worse case we find someone else to choke in the post season. This has Scott Boras stinking all over it. This comes just days after A-Rod said to the press that he want to remain in NY. I guess he means the Mets. This can only add to the boo-birds for Pay-Rod. Mark Finesand of the Daily Snooze had his own takes on the situation.

The Yankees are asking Melanie Lidle, the widow of late pitcher Cory Lidle, to throw out the first pitch on Opening Day.... Andy Pettitte may throw a bullpen session today, though it could be pushed back based on how his back feels. Pettitte, who was scheduled to make a minor-league start Friday, has been battling back spasms for a few days. Chances are he will miss at least his next start. ... Bobby Abreu, who had his first game since injuring his oblique muscle on Tuesday, is scheduled to play right field in today's game against the Reds in Sarasota. Carl Pavano starts for the Yankees, Kyle Lohse is on the hill for Cincinnati's . ... Andy Phillips is playing with sore hands as he has blisters all over them. Normally they are calluses by now and tough enough to play.

Lastly take a trip over to Sports Illustrated and vote for Behindthebombers.com as your favorite website/Blog. There is some tough competition up there as LoHud is one of my favorite blogs as well.

NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T

If this was anyone else it would be no big deal but since it is the everlucient Carl Pavano the press will have a field day with it.

It seem Carl was scratched right before game time becuase of personal reasons. The Yankee insisted it had absolutely nothing to do with the lawsuit stemming from a 2006 accident he was involved in. The only thing they said it was personal. LoHud reports what Brian Cashman told the press.

Andy Phillips returned to camp yesterday, back from visiting his injured mother in a hospital near her Alabama home after she was in a serious car accident. We here at BTB wish Andy's mom a speed recovery.

WHAT'S IN A NUMBER?

What does it mean to wear a number in the 50s or 60's? Most of the time it means you are fighting for a job on the Yankees but in Japan it is a different story. It is an honor for a starting pitcher in Japan to have a number in the teens with 18 being most coveted.

In Boo Boo's (Hideki Irabu) first season with us he wore 35 and that did play head games with him. The next season he wore 14 which was more to his honor.So where am I going with this you may ask?

That brings me to Kei Igawa, he was issued number 29 upon arrival. As a matter of fact you can buy his 29 Jersey already. So you must be thinking, ahhh he must have had a number in the teens in Japan. Heck Dmat wore 18. Wrong again, he wore the same number 29 in Japan.

Was he always a starter in his home country? Or was he a swing man? I don't know alot about him. (Where is Zbi when I need him?) So as Jerry Seinfeld would say "What's Up With That?" Or better yet "How Good Is He?"

BOOMER IN ISRAEL

Former Yankees Ken Holtzman and Ron Blomberg along with ex Met Art Shamsky will manage three of the teams that will compete in the inaugural season of the six-team Israel Baseball League. The announcement of the three managers was made by the league commissioner Daniel M. Kurtzer, the former U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

Boss George's Son-In Law, Stephen Swindal, who is also the Yankees' general partner, was arrested for DUI before dawn yesterday after St Petersburg Police spotted him speeding and weaving along a road not far from the Tampa Complex. Swindal was driving 61 mph in a 35 mph zone in his Mercedes-Benz black two-seater sports car, about 20 miles from the Yankees' Legends Field in Tampa, police said. Daddy must be fuming.

Maybe 27 is in the cards as heartship again has hit the Yankee family. Frank Torre, a star in his own right and elder brother of the Yankees' skipper Joe Torre needs a kidney transplant. Frank received a heart transplant between Games 5 and 6 of the Fall Classic, making a speedy recovery that allowed him to watch Joe hoist the World Series trophy for the first time in his lengthy career.

Meanwhile in Tampa Joe Torre said yesterday that he had spoken with Bernie Williams on Wednesday, making a push for the veteran outfielder to come to camp as a non-roster player. The manager made no promises to Williams, who has played his entire 16-year career with the Yankees, and the two plan to speak again Friday or Saturday.

The Yankees will wear a black armband on both their home and road jerseys this season to honor the memory of Cory Lidle, who died last Oct. 11 in a plane crash on the upper East Side.
The team also has not issued jersey number No. 30, which Lidle wore during his two-month stint with the Yankees last season. But don't look for it hanging in Monument Park any time soon, at least not for Cory.

Mike Mussina is guilty of only one thing, going to the press sinstead of confronting Carl Pavano directly. Moose however did the right thing by apologizing for having comments relayed to Pavano through the press, and Pavano said he understood his teammates' frustration stemming from the right-hander's continued injury woes. So all is happy on the Yankee staff (so far) this Spring.

BOMBER BRIEFS

Roger Clemens was in town for some hoaky St John's University event. So naturally the press made a whole big thing about it hinting he is coming back to the Yankees. Believe me, Roger won't be back in Pinstripes unless his son comes too.

Bernie Williams was offered an invite to Spring Training. Sources close to BTB say Bernie will accept it and come to camp. Many of the press mongrels were hinting that it is an insult to Bernie but Bernie is the class guy he is won't say that even if he feels that way down deep. Scott Boras, Bernie's agent, told the AP that he's waiting to hear from his client before pursuing any other options.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced at City Hall this week that the All Star Game is coming back to the Bronx in 2008. Now this time it is for real.

Any of you have a tough time buying Yankee tickets this week? Well you are not alone, the Bombers already sold over 3 Million tickets. "Nobody goes there anymore it's too crowded."

And lastly Staten Island Chuck (no truth to the rumor that he is the former Yankee 2B/LF) did not see his shadow this today, so we are ready for an early spring. The bad news is Barry Bonds did see his.

BERNIE'S FUTURE UP IN THE AIR

There comes a time in a players career when the start thinking about retiring. Then there comes a time when Mother Nature decides it is time to retire that player. Neither is the case for Bernie Williams,, who had been roaming the OF of Yankee Stadium for the last 16 years, but the Yankees may not agree with him.

Every newspaper including John Harper of the Daily Snooze has his own opinion of the deal. Poor Bernie is confused. He won't lead on to the press one way or another. Maybe he is preparing himself for a career in politics? Bernie wants to come back, he doesn't know baseball without pinstripes. He won't say if he would continue his career elsewhere if the Bombers don't invest that phone call and invite him to Spring Training. Is Bernie finished I say no, he could help several teams out there.

Bernie almost made it to the majors right from single A. Dallass Greene to over the helm of the Yankees in 1989. Bernie despite his inexperience was having a great spring and Greene had him penciled in for a trip to Da Bronx. Fortunately Bernie got hurt at the end of Spring Training and never made the trip. If Bernie didn't get hurt it may have just ended ended his career (at least in pinstripes) due to the ever so many players that were rushed into the show.

Bernie Williams is the ultimate in class and will always have a job in the organization. His time may have come. No matter what he does I am sure we will be seeing that number 51 beyond the Center Field fence. Maybe he can devote full time to his music for a while.

SPRING TRAINING INVITEES

Jeff Nelson, 40, retired 1/12/07 was a member of four World Championship teams with the Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. He was originally acquired by the Yankees from the Seattle Mariners along with INF Tino Martinez and RHP Jim Mecir in exchange for LHP Sterling Hitchcock and INF Russ Davis on December 7, 1995. After being re-signed by the Mariners as a free agent in 2000, he joined the Yankees for a second stint in 2003 in a trade that sent RHP Armando Benitez to Seattle. In 331 career appearances with the Yankees, he posted a 23-19 record with a 3.47 ERA from 1996-2000 and in 2003. A Major-League veteran with 798 career appearances, Nelson has played in the postseason eight times and ranks second among all pitchers in Major League history with 53 postseason appearances, behind only Mariano Rivera (73). He appeared in six games for the Chicago White Sox in 2006 and was 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA before having his season cut short with a right elbow injury.

INF Andy Cannizaro, 28, batted .276 (115-for-416) with three home runs and 32 RBI in 116 games with Triple-A Columbus in 2006. He led all Columbus hitters with a .361 batting average vs. left-handed pitchers and led the team with 32 doubles. Cannizaro made his Major League debut with the Yankees on September 5, 2006 at Kansas City and appeared in a total of 13 Major League games, batting .250 (2-for-8) with one home run and one RBI. He was selected by the Yankees in the seventh round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft. Had brief call up in 2006.

C Francisco Cervelli, 20, batted .309 (42-for-136) in 42 games with the Class-A Staten Island Yankees in 2006. He was named to the American League team for the NY-Penn League All-Star Game and helped lead the team to their second consecutive NY-Penn League Championship. The Venezuela native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on March 1, 2003.

INF Angel Chavez, 25, split time between three different teams in two different Major League organizations in 2006. He batted .255 in 63 games with Double-A Reading (Phillies) and batted .276 in 60 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles on August 30. In four games with Double-A Bowie (Orioles), he batted .267 (4-for-15). A native of Panama, Chavez made his Major League debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2005, going 5-for-19 (.263) in 10 games played.

C Raul Chavez, 33, spent most of the season with Double-A Bowie (Orioles), batting .255 (50-for-196) with two home runs and 21 RBI in 52 games. He made three stints with Baltimore in 2006, appearing in 16 games and batting .179 (5-for-28). Originally signed by the Houston Astros as a non-drafted free agent in 1990, Chavez has appeared in 170 Major League games during his career with four different teams (Montreal Expos, 1996-'97; Seattle Mariners, 1998; Houston Astros, 2000-'05 and Baltimore, 2006).

RHP Tyler Clippard, 21, led all Yankees' minor-leaguers with 175 strikeouts while posting a 12-10 record with a 3.35 ERA in 28 starts with Double-A Trenton in 2006. He was named E.L. "Pitcher of the Week" three times in 2006, marking the first time a Trenton player has ever won the honor more than twice in a single season. On August 17, 2006, Clippard became the first Trenton pitcher in the 13-year history of the franchise to toss a no-hitter in a 9-0 win vs. Harrisburg. Ranked by Baseball American as the seventh-best prospect in the Yankees' organization, Clippard was selected by the Yankees in the ninth round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

C Ben Davis, 29, was signed to a minor-league contract prior to the 2006 season and appeared in three games with the Yankees during Spring Training. He missed the first two months of the season while on the disabled list recovering from elbow surgery that he underwent in 2005. Once reinstated, he played in four games with Class-A Tampa before returning to action with Triple-A Columbus. In 48 games with the Clippers, he batted .222 (36-for-162) with four home runs and 20 RBI. Originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1995, Davis has played in 486 Major League games and owns a .237 career average.
INF Eric Duncan, 22, split time between Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Trenton in 2006. He began the season with the Clippers and batted .209 (23-for-110) in 31 games before being transferred to Trenton. In 57 games with the Thunder, he batted .248 (51-for-206) with 10 home runs and 29 RBI before being placed on the disabled list with a back strain. After coming off the disabled list, Duncan played in 26 games with the Peoria Saguaros in the 2006 Arizona Fall League, batting .257 with two home runs and 18 RBI. OF Brett Gardner, 23, ranked second among all Yankees' minor-leaguers with a combined .298 batting average and 58 stolen bases in 2006. He began the 2006 season with Class-A Tampa and was selected to participate in the Florida State League All-Star Game after batting .323 with 30 stolen bases in 63 games. He was promoted to Double-A Trenton in June and batted .272 with 28 stolen bases in 55 games with the Thunder. In December, Baseball American named Gardner the 10th-best prospect in the Yankees' organization as well as the "Fastest Baserunner" and the player with the "Best Strike-Zone Discipline." He was the Yankees' third-round selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of the College of Charleston.

RHP Philip Hughes, 20, was named the Yankees' "Top Prospect" by Baseball American for the second consecutive year after posting a combined 12-6 record with a 2.16 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 26 starts with Class-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton in 2006. He began the season with Tampa and was 2-3 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts before being promoted to Trenton in May. In 21 starts with the Thunder, Hughes posted a 10-3 record with a league-best 2.25 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 116.0 innings of work. He won his final eight decisions of the season and was named to the United States Team for the 2006 "Futures" All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. Hughes was the Yankees' number one selection in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of Foothill H.S. in Santa Ana, California.

RHP Steven Jackson, 24, posted an 8-11 record with a 2.65 ERA in 24 starts with Double-A Tennessee in 2006 (149.2IP, 131H, 52R, 44ER, 45BB, 125K). He ranked second among all Southern League pitchers with his 2.65 ERA and he limited right-handed batters to a .204 batting average (68-for-333). Originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004, Jackson was acquired by the Yankees from Arizona along with right-handed pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Luis Vizcaino and infielder Alberto Gonzalez in exchange for Randy Johnson on January 9.

LHP Ben Kozlowski, 26, began the 2006 season with Triple-A Louisville (Reds) and was 0-2 in seven appearances before being transferred to Double-A Chattanooga. In 10 games with Chattanooga, he was 2-1 with a 1.17 ERA before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 1. In 23 games (seven starts) with Double-A Jacksonville, Kozlowski was 1-2 with a 2.85 ERA. He made one start with Triple-A Las Vegas and suffered the loss at Colorado Springs on August 31. Originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 12th round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Kozlowski made his Major League debut and appeared in two games with the Texas Rangers in 2002. He was signed by the Yankees to a one-year minor league contract on November 2, 2006.

INF Ramiro Pena, 21, will be making his second consecutive appearance in Spring Training with the Yankees in 2007. He endured an injury-plagued season in 2006, batting a combined .257 (78-for-304) in 80 games with Class-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton despite three stints on the disabled list. A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Pena was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on February 18, 2005. RHP Ross Ohlendorf, 24, was acquired by the Yankees from the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of the trade for Randy Johnson on January 9. He spent most of the 2006 season with Double-A Tennessee, going 10-8 with a 3.29 ERA in 27 starts. He led all Southern League pitchers with four complete games, ranked second in innings pitched and shutouts (two), ranked fourth in wins and fifth in games started. Selected by the Diamondbacks in the fourth round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of Princeton University, Ohlendorf was chosen by Baseball American as one of the Northwest League's Top Prospects in 2004 and was named to the Midwest League All-Star Team in 2005.

C PJ (Peter) Pilittere, 25, batted .302 (88-for-291) with five home runs and 38 RBI in 87 games with Class-A Tampa in 2006. He led all Florida State League catchers with a .998 fielding percentage and committed just one error in 587 total chances. In 12 games with the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League, Pilittere batted .394 (13-for-33) with eight RBI in 2006. Originally selected in the 13th round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, he was named team captain at Cal State Fullerton and helped lead his team to the College World Series in 2004.

C Todd Pratt, 39, batted .207 (28-for-135) with four home runs and 19 RBI in 65 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2006. He has appeared in 662 career games since making his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1992 and owns a .251 career batting average and a .993 fielding percentage as a catcher.

C Omir Santos, 25, appeared in 101 games with Double-A Trenton in 2006, batting .269 (87-for-324) with four home runs and 38 RBI and leading all Eastern League catchers with a .996 fielding percentage. Since making his professional debut with Class-A Staten Island in 2001, Santos has played 516 games and owns a .259 career batting average. This will be his third consecutive Spring Training appearance with the Yankees.

OF Jose Tabata, 18, batted .298 (95-for-319) in 86 games with Class-A Charleston in 2006, earning a nomination to the South Atlantic League All-Star team in his sophomore campaign. He began the season by batting .356 (32-for-90) during the month of April and was batting .340 (33-for-97) with runners in scoring position before ending his season early with a left thumb injury. He played in 18 games and posted a .288 batting average with Caribe in the Venezuelan Winter League. Named the second-best prospect in the Yankees' organization by Baseball American, Tabata was selected to participate in the 2006 "Futures" All-Star Game in Pittsburgh.

INF Marcos Vechionacci, 20, batted a combined .235 (118-for-503) in 134 games with Class-A Charleston and Tampa in 2006. In 12 games with Navegentes of the Venezuelan Winter League, he batted .292 (7-for-24) with one home run and five RBI. Previously ranked among the Yankees' Top-10 prospects by Baseball American, Vechionacci was recently lauded by the magazine as having the "Best Infield Arm" in the Yankees' player development system. Originally from Valencia, Venezuela, he was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on August 26, 2002. This will be his second Spring Training appearance with the Yankees.

RHP Kevin Whelan, 23, ranked third among all Detroit Tigers' minor-league pitchers with 27 saves in 2006, going 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 51 games for the Class-A Lakeland Tigers. He limited opposing hitters to a .178 batting average (33-for-185) and held right-handed hitters to a .158 average (18-for-114). In addition to being named a top prospect in the NY-Penn League following the 2005 season, Whelan also ranked as the 10th-best prospect in the entire Tigers' organization according to Baseball American. Originally selected by the Tigers in the fourth round of the 2005 draft out of Texas A&M University, he was acquired by the Yankees on November 10, 2006 as part of the trade for outfielder Gary Sheffield.

RHP Steven White, 25, started 28 games in 2006, posting an 8-10 record a combined 3.70 ERA in a season split between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Columbus. He began the season with Trenton, going 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .217 batting average in 11 outings before being promoted to Columbus in June. In 17 starts with the Clippers, White went 4-9 with a 4.71 ERA. Originally selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft out of Baylor University, White was previously ranked among the Yankees' best prospects by Baseball America.

FULL NELSON

I never thought of Jeff Nelson in the same terms as like Thurman Munson or Paul O'Neill but what Jeff did yesterday shows me a whole other side of Jeff Nelson.

There are players and there are players. Some players play for the fame and money and others like O'Neill play with heart and the love of game. Nelson was a big part of the 90s championship teams, but I always felt he could have been so much better. I felt he never had enough confidence in his fast ball and use to try tp pick on the corners too much. When it worked it was awsome, but when it didn't it was shower time.

What Jeff did on Friday made me realize that he understands the meaning of Pinstripe Pride. Nelson accepted an invitation to spiring training and yesterday announced his retirement just so he could be retired as a Yankee. For this Jeff Nelson I salute you!! What is in store for you future, I really don't know. We wish you luck in whatever it may be.

BOBBY MURCER TELLS IT STRAIGHT

I am afraid the news is not the best for Bobby Murcer. The former Yankee, current announcer who needs no introduction made this statement to the press today.

"As we begin a new year, I find myself facing a new challenge-the biggest of my life so far. Pathology reports have revealed that the brain tumor removed was malignant. "I'm not having to battle this alone, but am fortified with the most loving family, an abundance of wonderful friends and fans and the very best class of physicians. "I'm gaining confidence that with God and my faith leading the way, we will as a team put up an incredible fight. Please continue to send up prayers. That's all I can really ask of you at this time."

Once again our prayers go out to Bobby. Pete Abraham mentions the YES address as a place to send cards to Bobby Murcer: Yankees Entertainment & Sports, 405 Lexington Ave., 36th floorNew York, New York 10174-3699

Bobby was one of my boyhood heros and a Yankee in every sense of the word. Here's to one of the best.

Prayers For Bobby

Prayers go outto Bobby Murcer as he is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove a brain tumor. Murcer was to be treated at the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, one of the top cancer facilities in the nation, the newspaper said. Good Luck Bobby Get Well Soon.

Merry Christmas To My Bomber Buddies

It's Christmas (and Chanukah) in New York once again. There may not be snow and it may not even be cold but the signs are out there. The stores are crowded, the sidewalk Santas are out in force but the biggest sign that it is Christmas in Great Kills Staten Island is that the Cutting Family is selling their Holly.

Forget the White Christmas, forget the shopping, growing up here on Staten Island the sign that Christmas was here was when the Cutting Family with their two big Scooter Pie Giant type sons were out there making that extra Christmas cash selling Holly.

Andy Pettitte return to pinstripes was officially announced this week after he passed the physical. And the rumors are running rampant about a three way deal that will land Melky Cabrera in Altlanta. Japanese hurler Kei Igawa is rumored to be announced any day now as well. To add to the international flair Cuban infielder Juan Miranda agreed Friday to a $2.07 million, four-year contract. He played with Pinar Del Rio in Cuba from 2002-04, where he hit .303 there with 27 homers, 73 walks and 87 strikeouts. I hope he fairs better than the prrevious Cuban bat we signed.

So Bomber Buddies it is time to wish you the proverbial Happy Holidays. And here's to all your base hits going for extra bases.

Andy Comes Home

They all come home again. If you work for George Steinbrenner you have a job for life. They all come back. Bobby Murcer came back, Tino Came back, Rueben Sierra came back. Billy Martin came back and back and back and back. From Rob Gardenhire to Mike Stanton they all came back. It may not be as a player but if you want to come back George will take you back in some capacity. He is even considering letting Dwight Gooden come back after his alcohol problems, hey it's only one of those Steve Howe MLB second chances.

Out of all the players who returned not many have succeeded to their abilities of their first time around. Players like Rueben Sierra exceeded them. Most of them came up short.

Now marks Andy Pettitte the sequel, a Texan by birth and a Yankee by choice. Andy once again has the opportunity to bail us out in the games 2 and 7 of the playoffs. He has the chance to be the stopper in Da Bronx once again. Will he have problems returning to the American League? Will he be the same old Yankee Doodle Andy? Will The Rocket follow his good buddy back north at least for parts of the season? Only time will tell, but this publisher is happy.

Morneau Beats Jeet

The Yankee bashing continues as Justin Morneau takes the the 2006 MVP for the American League by a vote of 320 to 306 over the second place Derek Jeter. While Morneau had some impressive offensive numbers Derek was a more all around player. I have seen people arguing that if the Twins didn't have Justin they wouldn't have made the post season. Well, if Jeter went down the Yankees wouldn't have had a cake walk either. And besides this is the same argument that was used to justify MVP coming from losing teams. The MVP should be the best all around player. It can be argued that Jermaine Dye had a better year than Morneau.

If Jeter could win the Hank Aaron Award and the Silver Slugger, the hat trick should have all been locked up. All it took was one sixth place vote to do Jeter in. That vote was casted by Joe Cowley of the Sun Times. I ask any of you to name 5 players that deserved MVP before Jeter!! And why? Cowley was interviewed today by Mike and the Maddog, here is what he had to say to justify his vote. In all fairness to Morneau, he had a great year, but all around Jeter had a better one.

Derek may be #2 on the Yankees and #2 in the MVP voting but he is #1 in the eyes of the New York Fans.

O-WRIGHT

Jarad Wright is once again with his mentor Leo Mazzone in Baltimore as the Yankees today traded the right handed disappointment for right handed reliever Chris Britton. The Yanks also send $4 Million to the Birds in the deal. Wright who seldom made it out of the 6th inning last season for the Yankees will be trying his luck in Baltimore. Jarad Wright pitched well down the stretch in 2006, going 6-2 after the All-Star break and 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three September starts. But his final start for New York came in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, when he was hit for four runs (three earned) in just 2 2/3 innings against the Tigers. The Yankees lost that game, 8-3, ending their postseason run much earlier than expected.

Reagan-Omics

Special Guest Blogger Kyle Reagan

"THE SHEFFIELD TRADE"

WOW!!!!...I'll be honest I had never heard of any of these guys two days ago...but the more I surf around the net here and read about this guy I am thrilled with what (Brian) Cash(man) pulled off. I don't think we can talk or project the other guys just yet- although both have been great so far in young careers...but Humberto Sanchez is THE goods.

The pundits are SHOCKED the Yankees were able to get him...Baseball America is now calling 'Hughes and Sanchez as maybe the top 1 and 2 pitching prospects in ALL of baseball.

"Gadzooks!!!

Doesn't hurt that when you add their ages (21 and 22) together they are still younger than Randy Johnson!!!!!!!!!!Great job, Cash...now, keep Humberto out of barroom fights!

Bronx kid...welcome home!

Check this out...the Tigers really didn;t want to trade this guy...but they are GOING FOR IT

This season Sanchez has had the breakout year that everyone has been waiting on. His potential has come to fruitition dominating the Arizona Fall League and dominating in his return to the AA Eastern League. He has had two starts in AAA and has kept up his blazing stuff blowing away International hitters. He is now knocking on the door of the big club.

AA Erie:
1.76 ERA 71.2 ip 47 h 17 R
14 ER 2 HR 27 BB 86 K

AAA Toledo:
0.71 ERA 12.2 IP 9 H 1 R
1 ER 0 HR 3 BB 12 K

As is visable from these numbers Humberto has continued to keep the ball in the yard BUT has thrown more strikes and has in turn dominated hitters. That improved control has also lowered the rate of hits given up. Likely due to the fact that he has been in great pitchers counts this season. Sanchez is now sitting at a 10.58 K/9ip with a 3.24 BB/9ip between AA and AAA. That is a good sign of things to come as K/BB is often a great indicator of future success.

So what does the future hold for Sanchez? The sky is really the limit. With his stuff and with him seemingly figuring it all out this season he could become an anchor on a pitching staff in the majors. Sanchez could also become a dominating bullpen arm, at this point though it seems he should get every shot at starting. There is a chance that Sanchez will be used as trade bait to help push the current club over the top. Part of me doubts that move given the fact that Dombrowski and the Tigers love power arms and Sanchez certainly fits the bill since a 92-94 mph sinker is almost unfair.

By the way...if Humberto is 230 pounds...I'm 165, RJPinstripes is 140 and Knux is a svelte 155.230, my behind...that dude is 270 if he's a pound! 6-6, 270- if pitching doesn't work out he can go replace (Jeremy) Shockey in the swamps (football Giants).

Sanchez has to pan out...Whelan better, and Claggett? well that would be nice...all in exchange for a future hall of famer.I like it at face value...time will tell, always does.

FROM HITMAN TO SITMAN

Don Mattingly will soon be known as The Sitman as he gets promoted to Joe Torre's bench coach. (How much coaching does a bench really need?) He replaces Lee Mazzilli who may wind up as 1B Coach if Tony Pena takes the job with the Nationals.

Donnie is the fourth bench coach since the incumbent Don Zimmer retired after being tongue lashed by the boss. He follows Willie Randolph, Joe Girardi and Lee Mazzilli.

Donnie is known to some as a jinx being the Yankees never won with him at 1B and have yet to take it all since he returned as the Hitting Coach. Probably the only two people in the world who are bigger jinxes than Mattingly are my good buddies who stole my job, (not really) at SILive.com Dave & Aziz Nekoukar who write the Pride of the Yankees Weblog. You see for years they wrote the NY Rangers Weblog over there, (enough said?).

Anyway, this opens the door for Hitman to become Sitman and when Joe retires Donnie become Mangeman. New York Snoozeday mentions that Kevin Long, (WHO!!!) Columbus' highly regarded hitting coach, is a leading candidate to replace Mattingly in his old position. Other candidates could include former Yankee Chili Davis.

DON'T TAKE THE WORLD SERIOUS

With the World Series tied at a game a piece and all the sports shows trying to hang Kenny Rogers, one has to think what would have, could have, only if. . .

Was it the rain that done the Yankees in? Or if Moose could have held the Tigers down after Johnny's dinger in the rescheduled game two, would it have been me freezing my but off watching the Yankees take on the Cards for the first time in World Series play since 1964. Yes a year that marked the end of a dynasty for the Yankees and a new era in pop music as the Fab Four set foot on U.S. turf playing the largest concert to date in Shea Stadium.

I for one don't beleive teams should be aloud to make announcements until after the World Series is over. Wait for November to to fire your managers, to take up your options, to let the free agents be declared. That would only hold over the interest and extend the season as we know it. And we sure know we don't need the national pastime to be upstaged.

I won't say who Iam rooting for in the World Series but I am sitting here with my Abbey of Seal Beach cap on. Anyone remember the significance of that cap?

Well what do the Yankees need? There will be enough time to discuss that after the last out of game seven.

Cory Lidle 3/22/72 - 10/11/06

Cory Fulton Lidle...Cory was neither a superstar or a hero. He was not the Captain nor an everyday Player. Lidle won't get a day or a retired number or a place in Cooperstown. But playing on 7 teams in 9 years he had a place in many players hearts. He married Melanie Varela (1/7/97) and had one son, Christopher Taylor (9/18/00) that he left behind. Baseball lost a player but life has lost a man. He won't be remembered as a Yankee, maybe not even a Phillie. He won't get more than the moment of silence next opening day and Old Timers. Cory Lidle will not be forgotten. What marks he didn't make in the record books he has made in the hearts of many of teammate. A 1990 graduate of South Hills High School (CA), where he was a teammate of Jason Giambi...Was All-State his senior year...His twin brother, Kevin, played minor league baseball, first as a catcher and then as a pitcher...Is a relative of Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat. God Bless Cory and his family.

HOLD ON, JOE IS GOING NOWHERE

OK Press corps how does it feel to be out scooped by the New York Post? Joe Torre will be back on the helm in 2007. George Steinbrenner made it official today and Joe announced it at a 1PM press conference.

Steinbrenner, in a statement issued through spokesman Howard Rubenstein, said he told Torre: "'You're back for the year. I expect a great deal from you and the entire team. I have high expectations, and I want to see enthusiasm, a fighting spirit and a team that works together. Responsibility is yours, Joe, and all of the Yankees.'"Yes, I am deeply disappointed about our loss this year," Steinbrenner added. "We have to do better, and I deeply want a championship.

OK that rumor is quashed now be good boys and report on the games and worry about the Yankee moves when they happen. All announcements need to be made public after the World Series. It's bad enough the games are on after 75% of the kids (and me) are asleep. Don't distract from baseball.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the same writer that brought us the fact that Andy Pettitte signed with the Astros so his wife can keep an eye on him, can't be happy that Joe (Torre) is staying as he has to blame just about everything except the nuclear weapons in Korea on Joe Torre.

With the success of their Torre exclusive The Post also reports that the Yankees are not going to trade A-Rod.

ROGER's RANT

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER: ROGER
How humiliating !!! Well Friar, looks like Rogers and Bonderman did a better job of impersonating Koufax and Paige than our boys did of impersonating “Murderer’s Row plus Cano”.Even with an “All-Star” at every position, I was never comfortable with this team. Usually, the winning team has an unsung hero – on this team who would that be ??

One of the more analytical things that Jeter has uttered the last few Octobers is that the “current” group of players has not been through this. Forget the looooooooooooong Yankee tradition (you don’t win simply because the previous generation won !!), if you go back to the recent past, as in the last 10 years – it was the O’Neills, Brosius’, Tinos, Pettittes, Williams’ etc etc that started their own tradition from the bottom. They learned how to win and how to overcome adversity together as part of the team they were playing on then. The teams we have been putting out there the last few years, project a feeling of entitlement – THEY ARE THE YANKEES…THEY WON BEFORE…SO, THEY SHOULD WIN AGAIN. Jeter and Posada are about the only guys that seem to recognize that this is not true and that you have to go out and do things to win each and every day.I don’t have any pat answers to correct this mentality but I have my own biases:

1. Joe Torre – I see that people are already calling for his head. I used to be extremely impressed when his post-season moves turned golden. But doubts crept in from the day he brought in Weaver against Florida. And since then, those doubts have only gotten louder. A question that occurs to me (as probably to many of you) is why mess with a line-up that was responsible for sweeping and finally quieting the Sox for the season, a lineup that provided a 10-11 game cushion for several weeks ? Thank you Mr. Torre for all you have done but your magical decision-making process seems to have vanished. I for one, would not be too upset if Torre is let go. But why Pinella ? Why rehash an ex-manager ? Yes, Lou is fiery and hot-tempered but he can also humiliate a player in full view of a National audience. Maybe they should have hung on to the guy cross-town. He seems to have done a good job My preference would be Girardi. He was respected by his teammates and most importantly, by the pitchers.

2. Sheffield, Giambi, and Rodriguez – I know they represent billions of HRs and RBIs during the season, but it is time to get rid of them if at all possible. Gary has a vicious swing but he is also extremely selfish. I never endorsed getting the one-dimensional Giambi. I would have been happy with Nick all the same. Giambi is at the center of too much discussion come playoff time – should he DH, should he play the field ? It is time to let him go. Rodriguez, he is simply never going to be able to play on the same field as Jeter. Enough Said !!!

3. The Giambi Paradox– There is the “Cub Factor” and was the “Curse of the Bambino”. Great ball player maybe but Oakland did not win with him and neither have the Yankees. I would like to include Mussina here also because, even though his Oriole teams were not that good, he has not proven himself to be big game pitcher. He as much admitted it severely years ago when he just accepted that he would lose the first game and Andy would come in to win the second game of a series.

4. Who goes … now what ?? – from my comments above, the answer to the first part is clear. The second part is tougher: pitching - If possible get young starting arms for Rodriguez and bullpen arms for Giambi. Bring up the Hughes. Position players – find a way to make Melky a full-time player, possibly by letting Matsui be the full-time DH. Let Phillips play first and get a second tier 3rd baseman who can play good defense. Lets add some more youte (as Cousin Vinny might say) instead of all-stars.Well, I have ranted enough. Some of it comes from being incredibly frustrated and some from wishful-thinking. Some might agree and some (maybe most) will not, but it is MY rant.

It will definitely be a loooooong Winter AGAIN !!!!

FOR LOVE OF GAME

Well, it was exactly as it was in 1999 in the fiction world of Kevin Costner. In the movie For Love Of Game Costner plays Billy Chapel, an aging pitcher for the Detroit Tigers heading for the mound for may be his last time ever. The team owner has sold the organization to a corporation and they have plans to trade Billy. His arm continues to fail him more every time he steps up to thrown. And to top it all off, Billy must deal with his tempestuous relationship with Jane, a woman he met by a broken down car on the side of the road five years ago and has yet to fully commit to. With all these thoughts swirling inside Billy's head, he unknowingly begins pitching a perfect game. Unable to keep his mind clear, Billy thinks back on his life during the game and considers the mistakes he has made and the people he has met.

Saturday afternoon in Comerica Park in Detroit it was not an aging star working on a perfect game but the 24 year old Jeremy Bonderman doing the deed. Well he took it into the fifth inning before Robbie Cano broke it up. Bonderman was sublime for 8 1-3 in leading Detroit to an 8-3 victory in Game 4 eliminating the Yankees in the first round once again.

Two years ago this Tiger team lost 119 games. Last weekend the were swept by the last place Kansas City Royals. This weekend they beat the team with the best record in baseball and knocked them out of the post season. What a difference a week makes.

Just how did the Yankees get to the post season? During their drive to first there were numerous come from behind late inning victories. Just too many to count. In a short series, especially a short one of five games you can't win that way. Especially with our bullpen. Chein Ming Wang was tired and was winning with his head. Moose was hurt as well as the Unit. Jaret Wright couldn't get us past the fifth inning and Cory Lidle was iffy at best.

We were playing much better team ball when Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield were hurt. Melky Cabrera and Bobby Abreu broght new life to this team, "team" being the highlighted word there. The team actually looked like they enjoyed winning for the first time since Paul O'Neill retired.

The relief corps were shot. Scott Proctor and Ron Villone were burnt out. Villone not even being used in the post season. Kyle Farnsworth was damged goods. His back locked up every other time out. The only bright spot was Brian Bruney who proved he could pitch the big games if he wasn't overworked. Mariano Rivera was well rested and back but his future is uncertain. We didn't get much chance to use him anyway. We have to start grooming a replacement in the minors.

To wrap it up the hitters weren't hitting causing the starters to pitch like they have to pitch a shutout to win. What leads they did get were handed right back by the inconsistancy of Mariano's bridgemen.

What about next season? We have all winter to discuss that.

T IS FOR TUESDAY IS FOR TIGERS

Taking a page from the Hockey Rangers handbook the Detroit Tigers were knocked out of first place by the last place KC Royals. After jumping off to a 6-0 lead it looked as if the Tigers were destined to host the A's in Detroit this Tuesday but the scrappy Royals never said die and beat the Tigers in 12 innings handing our old friend Kenny Rogers the loss in relief.

The Yankees lost to the Blue Jays giving the Jays their first chance to finish ahead of the Red Sox and Behind the Bombers for the first time in 9 years.

Derek Jeter and and Robbie Cano came up short in the batting tittle race as the Yankees managed by Bernie Williams lost to the Jays 7-5 with "Four Eyes Farnsworth* taking the loss. With the game tied 5-5 in the ninth, Adam Lind hit a two-run, two-out homer off Kyle Farnsworth (3-6). Both Cano and Jeter collected hits but the Twins' Mauer got two hits to keep pace to become the first catcher to the the Batting Title in the American League.

*I also wear glasses so please don't anyone get insulted he just looked so different.

TIME TO WORRY?

The Big Unit is now a Big Uncertainy for the post season. Randy Johnson has a herniated disc in his lower back, Yankees manager Joe Torre announced on Friday. The ever optomistic Joe Torre said he still expected the Big Unit to make his scheduled Game 3 start next Friday. Many of us who have suffered disc problems will tend to differ. Time i s not something that can heal "all" wounds. The good news is nmany of us didn't expect him to make major contributions anyway.

Torre said an MRI taken Wednesday or Thursday revealed the herniated disc. Johnson had an epidural shot on Friday to relieve his pain and discomfort. He was not at Yankee Stadium on Friday, but is expected to play catch on Saturday and throw a side session on Sunday. "Right now, he's gotten that epidural, and hopefully that will ease the discomfort," he said. "And if it doesn't ease the discomfort, I'm not sure he's going to be able to pitch, obviously." I just hope we know for sure by Tuesday so we don't waste a spot on the roster if he can't pitch.

In an answer to the title "Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah"

NOBODY GOES THERE ANYMORE, IT'S TOO CROWDED

Glad to see that the Yankees are still fighting away to gain home field advantage as the regular 2006 season draws to a close. Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi have all returned to the line up leaving less playing time for Bernie Williams and Melky Cabrera who both helped us get into the post season this year. I know Joe (Torre) will find a way to get them some at bats.

Randy Johnson will skip his next turn in the roration in an effort to get him healthy for the post season. Sam Bordem of the Daily Snooze explains it all. Peter Botte on the other hand clears the mystery of just what Robbie Cano needs to do to ge the 2006 Batting Title.

If the Twinkies win the central division are they going to celbrate again? Until next time.

Murcerized - Yes Network Commercial

YES Network broadcasters playing softball. * Al Leiter throws at a girl's head for winking at him * Bobby Murcer crushes a homer and says the ball was "Murcerized" * Jim Kaat (with the help of an obvious stuntman) does a double backflip to field a bunt * Paul O'Neill tells a furious Bob Lorenz to stop beating up the water cooler * Ken Singleton crushes a homer and just stands there at the plate doing his own game call and laughing evilly * David Justice just absolutely levels the opposing catcher

BOMBER ROUND UP

The weekend started out by the Yankees being washed out in the Bronx while jut 14 miles away on Staten Island the Baby Bombers captured their second straight NYPL Championship. The grounds crew really did as great job getting the field playable on the bitterly cold Friday night.

The rainout in the Bronx forced back to back split admission double headers which the Red Sox beat us 3 games to one. Those sawks were just determined not to let us clinch against them. I think we left about 200 runners on base this weekend. Mariano Rivera threw 26 pitches from the bullpen mound before Game 1 of Saturday's first game and said he felt fine. He will do another bullpen session on Tuesday. If all goes well, he could be back next weekend. I can't imagine going into the playoffs without him.

Cory "Chicken" Lidle will miss his next start because of inflammation on the inside of his right index finger, which he believes is from throwing his split-fingered fastball. He believes it's why he has struggled so much in his last two starts. He hopes to miss only one start and return with two starts to convince the Yankees he should be their fourth starter in the playoffs. Right now it's clearly Jaret Wright's job to lose.

Derek Jeter's 25-game hitting streak came to an end Sunday. It was the longest streak by a Yankee since Joe Gordon hit in 29 straight games in 1942. Jeter went 40-for-109 (.367) with eight doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs during the streak. It was the third longest Yankee streak ever. Gordon was #2 and we all know who #1 is.

Staten Island Yankees are in the House

Now is the time to come to the support of you Baby Bombers Staten Island Yankees as they defend their NYPL Championship against the Wild Card winning Brooklyn Psyclones (Mets SSA). Brooklyn has Mother Nature to thank for their playoff berth as they played fewer games than the Aberdeen Ironbirds due to rainouts, thus they had one fewer loss.

The Yankees will take their league best W-L record across the gang plank to KeySpan Park on Saturday night. Game two of the semi-final series will be played Sunday, September 10 at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark.

First pitch is set for 4:00 PM. If necessary, game three will be held on Staten Island at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 12. That game will begin at 7:00 PM.

Plenty of great seats are available, click here.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK

Taking a page out of Bob Raissman's book of the NY Daily Snooze, I wouldllike to nominate my own Dweeb of the Week.
I nominate Mid-Island Little League president, Bob Johnson for coming out and dissing the Yankees and the Mets for not contributing more to their Little League World Series trip. WHile the Yankees had contributed $5000 to the youngster he went on to ask for more, singling out Alex Rodriguez on the way.
The Yankees and the Mets contrubuted heavily to the 911 victims, Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes have their own charity foundations. Bernie Williams and Mariano Rivera and constantly helping out victims from their own countries disasters. I won't even touch upon New Orleans and it hurricane tragedy.
Mr. Johnson this is baseball, these kids are healthy (I am not so sure about the absent minded Smith), Get on the corners, at the malls, have a raffle, dance, anything. Stop your whinning and start setting an example for the league you run. Keep your mouth closed.

In other news the Yankees take on the Angels in Anaheim this weekend in a three game set. It is time to pay back for the way the halos treat us.

SWEEPIN' IT IN BEANTOWN

Most of us are too young to remember the Yankees play a five game series needless to say sweep it. Most of us would have been extatic to win three out of five of these games. But after we took the first three we wanted it all.

We swept out biggest rivals by no stretch of the imagination. We beat them on their home turf, in a Park, a beutiful one at that, where 5 runs is seldom enough. The New York Yankees completed an unimaginable five-game sweep at Fenway Park on Monday, extending their AL East lead to a season-high 6 1/2 games over the Red Sox.

Both teams limped into this series. The Bombers of the Bronx too it all and left no prisoners. We saw the Aflac Duck all weekend but Benifer was nowhere to be found. A series that had a slight hint of playoff aroma but even more of the emotion that goes with it. For the first time in two years the Yankees looked like a team, in and out of the dugout.

Was this series as good as the one in 1978? I say no. We had more to gain back then. In 2006 we have Big Papi, in 78 we had George "Boomer" Scott. In 78 we had Jim Rice in 06 we had Manny just being Manny. In 78 we had pitcher Ron Guidry in 06 we have pitching coach Ron Guidry. Not many of the players can even remember 78, I can! In 78 we had fun, in 06 we had more fun.

Am I still for a balanced schedule? You bet I am. But this was just a whole lot of fun. The sweep just made it sweeter.

FIVE FOR FIGHTING

Forget the Subway Series this weekend is the real thing. A weekend where 1 = 1, not 1/2 or 0. A loss equals a loss equals a loss. The Yankees and Red Sox square off in a series where anything can happen and yes it really Ain't over till it's over. A Stadium where 7 runs are not enough. With pitching staffs that are both crippled and overused.

The Yankee starters need to go the extra inning this weekend with 5 games in 4 days. A weekend where stars are born or die. A series where you wonder which A-Rod will show up. You have to wonder if you should pitch to Big Papi or walk him, even with bases loaded.

Is is overhyped? Yes, but it is fun so sit back and enjoy, or get agrivated.

MORE OR (FARNSWORTH)LESS

IMHO Joe Torre made a rare mistake last night which almost cost us the game after coming back.
Kyle Farnsworth was warming up prior to the eighth inning. For what ever reason, Farnsworth never came into the game. TJ Beam, who clearly wasn't warmed up enough was summoned to pitch the eighth. Needless to say TJ was not ready.
Torre should have started the frame with Farnsworth on the mound and then go out there with trainer Gene Monohan and pull Farnsworth due to injury. Then Beam would have had as much time as he needed to get ready.
As it went the tired Scott Proctor was summoned and relinquished the lead. Shawn Chacon was the luckiest man that night as he came in with bases loaded and nobody out trailing 7-6. He struck out the first batter he faced and got an inning ending double play which he started be nabbing a line drive.
The good guys won in the end and Jason Giambi homered with Derek Jeter aboard to bring home the bacon in the ninth as they won 8-7 with Mariano Rivera picking up the save.

SI YANKS TO RETIRE WANG'S NUMBER

Chein Ming Wang who led the Staten Island Yankees to two NYPL Championships in three years will have his number retired this Thirsday at the Ballpark in St George (no relation to Boss George). They will be giving out Wang Bobble heads (with real hair) to the first 2000 fans in attendance. They will be taking on the Batavia Muckdogs (Phillies) They will retire his #41 which he wore in 2000. He did wear #17 in 2002. He missed 2001 due to shoulder surgery. He was know as Tiger Wang in 2000, but it was dropped in 2002 due to the fact that he disliked it. Wang will be there but don't expect a signing session. The Yanks are off so come on down and see Real Baseball Real Close. Right off the SI Ferry. You can buy tickets online.

CHEER ON A-ROD

OK Fans, and I know I am speaking to a minoroity, let's stop this booing of Alex Rodriguez crap alreay. A-Rod isn't going anywhere and why should he? We have one of the best players in baseball who is now one of the NY Press's favorite whipping boys.
Alex is guilty of one thing and only one thing, trying too hard. He worries too damn much about what the fans think, what the press thinks and what his peers think. Alex needs to be a little more like Manny. Manny (Ramirez) probably doesn't even know the score of the game. He zones out everything. Sure he makes too much but it was Texas who paid him that and it still paying a good portion. We got him at a discount price and we need to cheer him on. Nobody would take the contract on as is. We would have a player being paid by three teams. Heck he would be making more for not playing.
So forget about the boos and get behind him and bring him around. Hitting is contageous, let's start by rooting for A-Rod.

FIVE-OH BY FIVE

It took 5 pitchers but the Bombers extended their winning streak to 2 as the Yankees blanked the Phillies 5-0 in the City of Brotherly Love.

Octavio Dotel will travel to Alabama on Thursday to have his surgically repaired right elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews. Dotel has not pitched since Friday, when he went 1 1/3 innings for Triple-A Columbus in his latest minor league rehab game. He felt pain behind his elbow the next morning and has been shut down since. The Yankees diagnosed the problem as triceps tendinitis, a common post-operative occurrence.

MOOSE NOT SO LOOSE

Hopefully last night was the start of a new streak. The streak of wins that is, that will lead us to #27. Melky Cabrera was rested to try to get his head straightened out. The Yanks beat the Phillies 9-7.

Four Staten Island pitchers combined for an 18-0 shutout as the NYPL Champion Yankees beat the Brooklyn Cyclones in their 2006 Opener in Brooklyn. They meet again tonight at their home opener in St George. Rumor has it there will be an surprise announcement made at the game check out Baby-Bombers.com for complete coverage.

BIG UNIT DISMAL AGAIN

Randy Johnson looked bad again Friday night, this time he didn't have the Channel 9 curse on him. Aaron Small looked good in relief. GOOD NEWS Alex Rodriguez looked like he found his stroke again. Derek Jeter started as DH.

It was a differewnt team that returned after the rain delay. Alas we still came up short by a run in the hole the Bug Unit dug for us. At least nobody was added to the overcrowded DL.

Herb Pennock: The Good and the Ugly

By Special Guest Blogger Harvey Frommer

All the medical news these days coming out of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania aboutBarbaro gives that locale the most extensive news exposure since the days of Herbert Pennock, the man they called "The Knight of Kennett Square." One of the top hurlers of his time, Pennock went directly from high school to amajor league debut May 14, 1912 with the old Philadelphia Athletics. His final game was August 27, 1934.

Classy, he was a horticulturist, a breeder of red silver foxes at his countryhome near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Pennock was known for a flowingpitching motion punctuated by fidgety movements on the mound. He did not over-power batters. He let them hit the ball, giving up more than a hit an inningin his career. But he still was a big winner with this approach, notching 35 lifetime shutouts. Legendary sports writer Grantland Rice said Pennock pitched each game "with the ease and coolness of a practice session. "The loose southpaw was just another one of the talented players the Yankees stripped away from the Boston Red Sox.

He came to the Yanks in 1923 and led theleague in winning percentage (.760), the first of four over .700 seasons. Hefollowed with a 21-9 record in 1924, and was 59-25 in 1926-28. Yankee manager Miller Huggins called Herb Pennock the greatest lefthander inbaseball history, marveling at the "Squire's" World Series record: 5-0, 1.95lifetime ERA. In 11 Yankee seasons, Pennock was 162-90 for a .643 winningpercentage.In December of 1943 Bob Carpenter purchased the Philadelphia Phillies. Pennockhit it off with the new owner and was hired "for life" as General Manager.

Pennock did not hit it off with Branch Rickey in 1947, attempting to block Jackie Robinson's breaking of the color line. Pennock reportedly had a telephoneconversation with Rickey during which he said that the Phillies would not take the field if Jackie Robinson were in uniform for a series starting May 9. It was reported that Pennock told Rickey: that you "just can't bring the nigger here (to Philadelphia) with the rest of your team." The Dodgers came, and Jackie Robinson came, too. Racial hatred was on parade atthe ball park for four days. Robinson played on despite the horrid spewing ofracial epithets. It was so horrific that Dodger infielder Eddie Stanky, out of Alabama, challenged all those in the Philly dugout - this within earshot of Pennock and Carpenter. "The Knight of Kennett Square" had many marvelous and uplifting moments on the baseball field. His attitude towards Jackie Robison was not one of them.

=============================

Harvey Frommer is now in his 32nd consecutive year of writing sports books. He is the author of 38 sports books, including the classics: "New York CityBaseball," "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," "Rickey and Robinson," "A YankeeCentury," and Red Sox Vs. Yankees: The Great Rivalry" (with Frederic J.Frommer). His newest efforts are OLD TIME BASEBALL and WHERE HAVE ALL THE REDSOX GONE? Frommer sports books are available direct from the author - discounted andautographed.He is now at work on the definitive book on the 1927 Yankees to be published in 2007.

TOO MUCH, TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE . . .

I hope the Yankees are doing the right thing not disabling Jorge Posada. A catcher of his status doesn't need a knee injury of any kind.

The last two season Jorge has impressed me with his defensive improvements. He has made his locker worthy of the Thurman Munson baseball card he has hanging in there. For years Jorge was calling great games while wielding a potent bat but when it came to blocking the plate he was second rate. In the last two seasons Posada's defense was born. An infielder by trade Jorge all of a sudden got the knack of defensive catching.

My whole problem now is that if the Yankees don't rest him and let it heal several things can happen.

1. It could throw off his timing at the plate.
2. It could hamper his running .
3. It may make Posada shy when it comes to player contact.

I say unless you are 100% sure he can play through this without making any sacrifices then do it. If not it is time to DL Jorge before we lose him physically and mentally for the season.

OUTFIELDER ANYONE?

With the potential season ending injury to Iron-San Hideki Matsui, {who would believe he would be our second Hideki?} the tabloids are projecting deals for every available and not so available outfield arm from here to Anaheim or should I say Los Angeles of Anaheim?

Peter Botte of the Daily Snooze has a his suggestion list after praising Brian Cashman for being patient (for what one day?). Michael Morrisey of the Post contemplates his suggestions as well. While the gang over at BTB have their mixed emotions for your participation.

Anyway they brought up Kevin Reese who had a great spring and a good AAA year thus far to help fill the void. Oh what the heck let's trade for them all.

NOT A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

I know I have been complaining that we didn't have a 1-run victory yet but I didn't want one in a game we were leading 8-1. Aaron Small was brought in to hold the potent Ranger bats in check with a seven run lead in the 8th. After suffering his first regular season loss in his last outing Small looked to be well on his way to his second.

He left the game with bases loaded and two down in the eight. Mariano Rivera was summoned to get the 4 out save. The Sandman did it the hard way by giving up 2 hits and a hit batsman allowing the Texas team to within one. That's all she wrote as the Yankees drew first blood by a score of 8-7. Mike Mussina who is having a great year got the win despite the bullpen.

Carl Pavano is schedule to begin his 4 week rehab Sunday in Tampa