This Day In New York Yankees History 7/29: Billy Martin Returns To Yankee Stadium For Old Timer's Day

The New York Yankees won a World Series championship in 1977 under then manager Billy Martin and before Martin could try and defend his title he resigned and was replace by Bob Lemon as manager. The Yankees would repeat as World Series champions in 1978 under Lemon but before that Martin made one more trip to Yankee Stadium. The trip was made on this day in 1978 when Martin returned to the Yankees on Old Timer's Day.

Martin couldn't stay away from New York and George Steinbrenner as he would be the Yankees manager once again in 1980.

Finally on this day in 1969 Joe DiMaggio was named the greatest living player in Major League Baseball by a group of sportwriters. A poll was taken to coincide with the centennial of professional baseball and DiMaggio was given the honor. DiMaggio proudly embraced the title until his death in 1999. Not bad for a guy that took four times to get into the Hall of Fame.

Phelps Falls Apart in Fifth as Yankees Drop Opener in Texas

Derek Jeter collected three hits to pass Carl Yastrzemski on the all-time list and Brett Gardner homered twice off Yu Darvish, but due to a memorable collapse by David Phelps in the bottom of the fifth the Yankees dissapointingly dropped tonight's series opener to the Rangers 4-2.

Going into that aforementioned fifth frame, somewhat surprisingly, New York led Texas 2-0 on those solo shots from Gardner, making a big W to begin the week seem likely.

Unfortunetaly, though, that wouldn't prove to be the case, with the Rangers beginning a tough-to-watch rally with two outs and a man on second.

To start things off, the ice-cold Elvis Andrus singled in Chris Gimenez, putting Texas on the board in a not-too-stressful way.

Nonetheless, following another knock up the middle from Alex Rios and a double down the left field line from Adrian Beltre that tied it, things became a lot more tough, with another two-run single by newest Yankee-killer J.P. Arencibia only acting as the icing on the cake.

Because from that point on, the punchless Yanks didn't do anything against Darvish (7 IP, 2 ER), causing Phelps and his six frames of four-run ball to eventually take the loss, his first since June 7.

Derek Jeter Ties Carl Yastrzemski On All Time Hit List

Derek Jeter has tied Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski for seventh all time on the all time hits list with his 3,419th hit of his career. Jeter led off the game two hits behind Yaz and promptly stroked a single through the shortstop and third base hole. Jeter came up again in the third inning and knocked a ground rule double to deep right center field to tie Yastrzemski.

Congratulations to Jeter and stay tuned for when he passes the Red Sox legend.

Open Game Thread 7/28: Yankees vs. Rangers

Welcome to tonight's open thread for the game between the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers in Arlington. The Rangers will host the Yankees for three games this week that will run into the July 31st trading deadline. The Yankees will send David Phelps to the mound in a rematch of last week's rain shortened game with Yu Darvish. The game will be played at 8:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Get your Yankee tickets for when the Yankees return home next week right here on the blog without all those fees or shipping costs. Also make sure you follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook by following @GreedyStripes or searching for The Greed Pinstripes to interact with us.

It's an open thread so if you're staying up to watch the game be sure to drop us a line in the comments section. Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your evening. Go Yankees.

Yu Darvish Upset About Rain Shortened Loss.... Meme

I don't believe Yu Darvish actually said this but you have to think he was probably thinking it. He couldn't have been happy about losing at Yankee Stadium after just five innings. Yu had never lost to the Yankees before last time out and with the help of mother nature is still looking for his 10th win of the season. Let's hope he keeps on looking for it tomorrow, go Yankees!

Trade Deadline 2014: Yankees Rumors Roundup 7/28

The July 31st trading deadline is fast approaching and the New York Yankees are seemingly in on anyone that can upgrade the team, even marginally, which makes for a lot of rumors. Here are the biggest ones from the day so far:

The Yankees are interested in Alex Rios of the Texas Rangers. Read why I think this is a good idea HERE.

Colorado is unlikely to move Troy Tulowitzki, even if he was at the Yankees game Sunday.

New York asked about the Cubs Jake Arrieta and were told they would have to be blown away to acquire him. Blown away means keep dreaming in Yankee terminology.

The Phillies have made Cole Hamels available. That's news in itself.

MLB.com: Severino & Sanchez Make Top 100

MLB.com has released their mid season Top 100 prospects list for all of Major League Baseball and two familiar Yankee faces made the list in Luis Severino and Gary Sanchez. The Twins Byron Buxton was listed in the top spot and was followed by the Cardinals Oscar Tavares list most prospects lists we have seen this season. The Astros prospect shortstop Carlos Correa comes in the third position and the Miami Marlins have three of the top seven prospects in all of baseball in Kris Bryant (#4), Javier Baez (#6), and Addison Russell (#7).

The Yankees make the list with Severino coming in at the 70th position and Sanchez coming in at the #76 position. In case you were wondering the Top Five Yankees prospects according to MLB.com right now are Severino, Sanchez, Eric Jagielo, Ian Clarkin, and Aaron Judge in that order. Robert Refsnyder is sixth and Jacob Lindgren rounds out the top 10.

Yankees Schedule Private Workout w/ Rusney Castillo

The next big thing in Cuban defecting stars is named Rusney Castillo and he is coming to an outfield near you very soon. Castillo is drawing comparisons to the Yankees Brett Gardners at this stage in his career and obviously New York is interested. They are so interested in fact that they are one of three teams to hold a private workout with the young outfielder. This comes after Castillo held a showcase for all teams in Miami over the weekend. 28 of the 30 MLB teams were in attendance which speaks volumes in my opinion.

Castillo is 27 years old and only listed at 5'7" and worked out at shortstop and center field over the weekend but is listed as an outfielder. Castillo is right handed and has above average speed, an average arm (hence why he will not remain a shortstop or play right field), and more power than the aforementioned Gardner.

Castillo is reportedly likely to sign within the next two weeks so stay tuned. The Yankees need an outfielder and Castillo seems primed and ready to go now.

Zoilo Almonte Called Up, Jeff Francis DFA'd

Zoilo Almonte has been called up for tonight's game with the Texas Rangers finally giving the Yankees another option off the bench. Jeff Francis was designated for assignment to make room on the 25 man roster for Zoilo. Finally the Yankees can give Ichiro a day off or two while going with a four man bench. Francis was stinking up the joint and a move was inevitable for the lefty.

Yankees Game Preview 7/28 vs. Texas Rangers

The New York Yankees are coming off an overall successful home stand and head out on the road to face off with the Texas Rangers tonight in the first of a three game set that will take us all the way to the July 31 trading deadline. The Yankees will send David Phelps to the mound to face off with the Rangers Yu Darvish. The game will be played at 8:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Phelps is coming off his first complete game of his career, although it was a cheap one with the Yankees winning a rain shortened 4.5 inning game in the Bronx. Phelps allowed one run on five hits and is now unbeaten in his last eight starts.

Darvish is still looking for his 10th win of the season as he was on the short side of a rain shortened five inning game in the Bronx last time out. Darvish lost to the Yankees 2-1 after giving up a game winning home run to Brett Gardner.

Remember to get your Yankees tickets for any game this season right here on the blog before the season is over. These are our last chances to see Derek Jeter in a Yankees uniform and we all need to take advantage of that so buy now!

Go Yankees!!