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.