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"