Thursday, August 8, 2013

Brett Gardner Represents Yankees For An Award


Brett Gardner has been chosen along with 29 other winners for the Heart and Hustle award, an award that Brett himself won in 2010 as well. Basically 30 players win and then the field gets narrowed by fans, players, and alumni voting until an ultimate winner is chosen in November. Brett will be honored before tomorrow nights game by Tony Pena, the Yankees bench coach, and the Major League Baseball Alumni Association. You can read the entire write up HERE by Chad Jennings at Lohud if you're interested.

Brent Lillibridge Clears Waivers & Is Outrighted To AAA


Brent Lillibridge has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment to make room for Alex Rodriguez and has been outrighted to AAA. Lillibridge will join a talented Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders team with former teammate Alberto Gonzalez.

Michael Young Clears Waivers


Michael Young is once again available again after recently clearing waivers with the Philadelphia Phillies. If this were two weeks ago I think the Yankees are interested but not now because there really is not a place for Young. Alex Rodriguez is back and the Yankees have been working Vernon Wells and David Adams, both right handed bats, at first base. Not to mention that whole thing where we are behind too many teams, including the Kansas City Royals, for a playoff spot. Pass!

It Is Time To Sell: Joba Chamberlain


I know that we will not get much for Joba Chamberlain right now but at this point we need to start thinking ahead to 2014 and that begins with clearing up wasted roster spots and evaluating our own talent. Joba has been reduced to a mop up role and is a waste of a roster spot when we could be using that spot to bring up some guys from the minor league system to get their feet wet and their first cup of coffee. Guys like Dellin Betances, who is out of options after this season, would truly benefit from a couple months in the show before he is thrown into the bullpen next season as well as a Cesar Cabral who was a week away from the majors only to sit out the 2012 season and be stuck in the minors this season.

The only teams that would be a suitor for Joba would have to be one of those teams with a struggling bullpen that believe a change of scenery would help him. Joba has the velocity and the stuff is there but the guy just does not seem to have his head on his shoulders this season at all. Joba would easily clear waivers so that helps our options on any potential trade because we could trade him to anybody and he would be available and eligible for the post season. Joba is a free agent after this season so it would have to be with a team that is competing, looking to win now, and obviously are struggling in the bullpen department.


Like every one of these posts I cannot see the Yankees trading within the AL East so that eliminates those four teams, The Rangers, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Pirates, Nationals, Athletics, Rangers, Indians, and Royals would probably not want him but what about the Cincinnati Reds? I know, I know, the park is an absolute hitters dream and most would think that Joba would get lit up there but hear me out. Joba's stat line aside the guy still throws in the upper 90's, still has nice movement on his pitches, can go multiple innings, can get out lefties and righties both, and is better than most everyone currently in the Reds bullpen today. He seems like a good fit for the Reds and any A Ball power arm that they have seems like a good fit in return for us, make it happen Cash.

A Look At The 2014 Payroll

Yesterday I wrote an article about Austin Romine, and how he's really improved with the bat lately. Well, during that time, I had been thinking about the Yankees 2014 payroll. The reason being that if ARod is indeed suspended for the entire '14 season, then his contract is taken off of the books, and the team may be in better position to not only get under the Luxury Tax threshold, but also field a true contender.

Wouldn't it be great to see this again?

I'm going to list the possible active roster for Opening Day 2014, but before I do that I'm going to assume a few things. That can be scary, but here goes...

  • To reiterate... Alex Rodriguez's appeal fails, and he is indeed suspended for the entire 2014 season. Meaning his salary is off of the books.
  • The Yankees re-sign Robinson Cano to a contract with an average annual value of $25 million.
  • Derek Jeter exercises his player option, and therefore costs the team $9.5 million. Note that his original option was $8 million before earning a bonus for winning a Silver Slugger Award last season, worth another $1.5 million. Also, player options are looked at as one year deals, instead of being included in the rest of the contract.
  • Curtis Granderson decides to take the qualifying offer, in order to improve his stock for another free agency run after next season.
  • Hiroki Kuroda agrees to one more year with the Yankees, but after a great season the team needs to raise his salary by $2 million.
  • Michael Pineda is 100% recovered and ready to join the starting rotation.
  • Three of the bullpen spots are taken by pre-arbitration players, who will make the league minimum.

You may see Soriano's and Well's salaries and think, "what the hell?" Well, keep in mind that thanks to some fancy accounting tricks while trading for them, their hit against the Luxury Tax will fall well short of their actual salaries for the year. Actually, Vernon's would be a tax credit if it weren't for a rule against such a thing.

So without any more adieu what-so-ever, here we go...

"Finally!"

Catcher - Austin Romine $500,000
First Base - Mark Teixeira $22.5 million
Second Base - Robinson Cano $25 million
Third Base -
Shortstop - Derek Jeter $9.5 million
Left Field - Curtis Granderson $15 million
Center Field - Brett Gardner $6 million (arbitration 3)
Right Field - Ichiro Suzuki $6.5 million
Designated Hitter - Alfonso Soriano $4 million

Bench - Jayson Nix $1.5 million (arbitration 1)
Bench - Francisco Cervelli $1.5 million (arbitration 1)
Bench - Vernon Wells $0
Bench - Eduardo Nunez $600,000 (pre-arbitration)

Starting Pitcher - CC Sabathia $24.4 million
Starting Pitcher - Hiroki Kuroda $17 million
Starting Pitcher - Michael Pineda $750,000 (arbitration 1)
Starting Pitcher - Ivan Nova $2.5 million (arbitration 1)
Starting Pitcher - David Phelps $500,000 (pre-arbitration)

Closer - David Robertson $5 million (arbitration 3)
Relief Pitcher - Shawn Kelley $1.5 million (arbitration 2)
Relief Pitcher - Adam Warren $500,000 (pre-arbitration)
Relief Pitcher - Preston Claiborne $500,000 (pre-arbitration)
Relief Pitcher - ??? $500,000 (pre-arbitration)
Relief Pitcher - ??? $500,000 (pre-arbitration)
Relief Pitcher - ??? $500,000 (pre-arbitration)

Before you get too excited over having about $42 million for a third baseman, there are some other issues to go over.

Derek Jeter is still eligible to receive bonuses of $4 million for winning the 2013 AL MVP, $2 million for finishing between 2nd and 6th in 2013 MVP voting, $1.5 million for winning the 2013 Silver Slugger Award, and $500,000 for each of the 2013 Gold Glove, 2013 ALCS MVP, and 2013 World Series MVP. Being out as much as he has in 2013, I don't see any of the individual achievements happening. Nor do I see the team even making the playoffs, let alone Jeter getting any postseason MVP awards. Thankfully, the team will know what they're getting into here before going shopping.

The Yankees may want to get a stronger reliever to pair with David Robertson. Even though Preston Claiborne has looked really good, and the team has others in the minors that could step up, Robertson himself has shown us how much a good set-up man can matter. Not to mention that the Yankees may want to get a proven lefty specialist, seeing as how Boone Logan will be a free agent.

"You're not going to miss me, are you?"

We have to remember that the Luxury Tax uses the 40-man roster... not the active/25-man roster. That means that there are 15 more players to account for. However, those players will be minor leaguers and will make less than the league minimum. They usually cost no more than $5 million.

The last thing we need to go over is the fact that the true Luxury Tax threshold is $177 million, due to the team's portion of the league's player bonuses being raised to around $12 million next season.

So add in that $5 million for the minor leaguers that fill out the 40-man roster, and the total comes to $151.75 million. Which leaves about $25 million to spend on a third baseman and a reliever or two.

So you see that Austin Romine's development, and ARod being suspended, can make the difference between fielding a playoff contender and a team that would be on the outside looking in.

New York Yankees Off Day Music Recommendation


This is how I feel right about now... hope you all enjoy the off day as much as I am. I am taking a much needed day off. Enjoy guys and be safe and we'll be back to work tomorrow against the Detroit Tigers.

It Is Time To Sell: Brett Gardner


Writing this article really hurts me as a fan of not only the Yankees but of Brett Gardner as well. Gardner has never gotten the respect he deserved since breaking in with the Yankees from having to split time with Melky Cabrera to getting booted out of center field for a lesser defender in Curtis Granderson. Now for him to be included in any kind of trade rumor at his age, salary, and performance is a travesty to him but it makes too much sense not to at this point. Again, much like Hiroki Kuroda's post from yesterday, I realize that this is a pipe dream and I realize that Brett Gardner probably gets claimed and does not clear waivers. It's a pipe dream but, again, so are the Yankees playoff hopes these days so bear with me.

Brett Gardner has been one of the few Yankees that has been in the lineup every day (for the most part) and healthy all season long. Gardner leads the teams in stolen bases, on base percentage, is probably our best defender in the outfield, and the catalyst at the top of the order with his gritty and grinding at bats. He is a lead off hitter and a center fielder and would be the perfect fit on almost any team looking for speed and stolen bases. Gardner is arbitration eligible for the final time next season as well so he would not exactly be a rental player either, which never hurts. What contender would be in the market for a Brett Gardner you say? I'm glad you asked...


First off I cannot see us ever trading to anyone within the division, especially for a guy of the caliber of Brett Gardner, so that is off the table automatically. The Cleveland Indians have a plethora of outfielders so they are out, the Washington Nationals got their man finally when they acquired Denard Span, the Diamondbacks were willing to move Jason Kubel which tells me they would not be in the market for Gardner, and the Cardinals once again seem content to stand pat with hat they have in the farm system. That leaves, as much as it pains me to say this, the Nelson Cruz-less Texas Rangers. An Elvis Andrus for Brett Gardner straight up trade makes a ton of sense for both teams because the Rangers get the outfielder they suddenly need while creating room for Jurickson Profar and the Yankees get their current and future short stop to replace Derek Jeter when he finally decided to hang them up.

Again this is probably a dream and extremely unrealistic but these are just for fun anyway so might as well go all out, no? How good would Andrus look in the pinstripes manning short stop on Opening Day in 2014 or 2015?

New York Yankees Off Day Look At Tattoos


I have tattoos, I love tattoos, and I know that tattoos are a big part of society these days. Now while I don't have a Yankees themed tattoo I have considered it because I cannot see it being something that I would regret having on my body when I'm 60 years old. Now I have one general rule of no tattoo I will ever get will be seen with a shirt or shorts on. That's just me and the way I am and the way I was brought up, not to mention the fact that I am sure my office environment type job would appreciate it as well which never hurts. I wanted to take advantage of this off day to show a few Yankees themed tattoos that I found on the internet while searching around. The one above is the one that I am considering getting without the pinstripes in the background. Would any of get a Yankees themed tattoo or do any of you have any? Drop a line in the comment box and let us know.


Hell.... NO!


Also probably a hell no!


Thought this was impressive although I do not think I would get it myself.


Dumb... ass


I'll finish it off with this one that I really really like as well but I don't consider myself to be a "skull" kind of guy.





An Underrated Era of Yankees Baseball


As a Yankees fan who grew up in the Yankees’ dynasty and early 2000 years this is the first bad Yankees team that I have experienced in my lifetime. Watching the team this year has been very painful at times and certainly not as fun as it was during those years. I would look forward to the Yankee game that night all day back then when I was in school. That has certainly not been the case this year. I have always said to spoiled Yankees fans how we should appreciate the Yankees teams from 2001-2012, and this year has cemented that.

Andrew Mearns of Pinstriped Bible, wrote an excellent piece on this topic that inspired me to write about this subject. The Yankees dynasty years from 1996-2000 put unreasonable expectations into the heads of many Yankees fans. Win the World Series or the season was a failure. That is just not the case.

This 2013 Yankees season is what you would call an utter failure, assuming it ends the way it looks like it's going to. The Yankees are 25th in MLB in home runs, 27th in runs, 29th in wOBA and 29th in wRC+. That is an utter disaster. A Yankees team that wins over 95 games and the AL East, but loses in the ALDS or ALCS is not.

For any other franchise making the playoffs 10 out of 11 seasons, with nine division championships, a World Series championship and two other World Series appearances would be considered one of the greatest decades in franchise history. Yet, somehow with the Yankees it is looked upon as a failure. The Yankees won over 95 games an incredible 10 times over that span and over 100 games four times. Those were some really fun teams to watch.

The 2002 Yankees are a great example of this. That team had one of the most dominant regular seasons in Yankees history. They scored almost 900 runs and hit 223 home runs.

They were lead by a near 40-40 season from Alfonso Soriano and Jason Giambi, who had an incredible 1.034 OPS that season. Nick Johnson and Rondell White, who were probably the two worst regular hitters that season, would be two of the better hitters on the 2013 Yankees for most of the year.

The starting pitching was also stellar, led by Mike Mussina, David Wells, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Orlando Hernandez. Despite all of this, they are remembered as chokers because they lost the ALDS to the eventual World Series champion Angels. Four games overruled 162. 


The 2003 season is remembered a little more fondly because of the epic Aaron Boone game winning home run in Game 7 of the ALCS vs. Boston. However, there are some fans who remember that year more for blowing the 2-1 World Series lead to the heavily underdog Marlins.

2004-2007 featured more really awesome teams that did not reach the ultimate goal of a championship. Those teams won three division titles and had some incredible moments and performances. They averaged 904 runs a year over those years, including approaching 1,000 in 2007, with an incredible 968 runs.

We witnessed two of the greatest seasons in Yankees history from Alex Rodriguez in 2005 (.321/.421/.610/1.031 with 48 home runs and 130 RBI) and 2007 (.314/.422/.645/ 1.067 with 54 home runs and 156 RBI. I remember being just mesmerized watching A-Rod in those years. We may never witness seasons like that from a player in a Yankees uniform ever again. Yet, they are just glossed over because A-Rod’s Yankees did not win championships.

In the 2005 season the Yankees made an incredible comeback from eight games under .500 to 29 over by season’s end. They had an incredible murderers row of Rodriguez (1.031 OPS), Giambi (.975 OPS), Gary Sheffield (.891 OPS) and Hideki Matsui (.863 OPS). Cano’s OPS of .860 this year would be fifth on that team! But, hey who cares right they lost in the ALDS.

The 2006 team won 97 games, had four hitters with an OPS over .890 (Jeter, Cano, Rodriguez and Giambi). Melky Cabrera, who had the lowest .OPS among regulars with a .752 OPS, would rank 2nd on the 2013 Yankees! Of course they are only remembered for the disaster against Detroit in the ALDS when Joe Torre hit Rodriguez 8th.

That dominant 2007 team that I mentioned is only remembered for Joba Chamberlain and the midges in the ALDS against Cleveland. Who cares that it was one of the greatest offenses in Yankees history and that it was eight games under .500 in late May and came back to win 97 games. Again, Cabrera was the least productive Yankee regular (.273/.327/.391.718), but his numbers would make him the third best hitter for the Yankees this year.

A playoff less 2008 season should have humbled fans, although an 89 win season with a mountain of injuries was not even a terrible season. Then, the championship in 2009 made everybody cocky again that nothing less would be expected.

2010-2012 was very similar to 2004-2007. They won 95 games all three years, won the AL East twice and advanced to the ALCS twice. Yet, it just wasn’t enough for some people.

Now, here we are in 2013 with a team that is an egregious offensive team, has only two starting pitchers performing well and they might not even finish above .500. There have been very few fun games and exciting moments, very few individual performances that wowed you and very few players that you have looked forward to watching. This team pales in comparison to those teams, yet those teams are somehow looked upon in a negative light?

Obviously, it sucked watching the Yankees lose in the playoffs all those times. That does not change the fact that those were excellent baseball teams, with some outstanding players, and they were an absolute joy to watch. They should be remembered upon as a great time in franchise history and not a time of disappointment.

Hopefully, this season will make those spoiled fans remember just how good those years were. With the current state of the franchise who knows how long it will take for them to get back to that level. I know that I am longing for those days right now.

Brett Gardner Appreciation Thread


Brett Gardner has silenced a lot of the doubters and his haters this season with a gritty performance after gritty performance day after day. Tons of fans speculated whether Gardner could be a lead off man or not but he has silenced the doubters leading the team in OBP this season, steals, and continues to grind out at bats and making the opposing pitchers work. A lot of fans thought he should be in left field and not center field and Gardner has responded by having the best UZR as a center field in the league covering a ton of ground in Yankees Stadium. Too many fans thought that Brett could not stay healthy for an entire season or be an every day player but if you check BaseballReference.com Brett has definitely done both of those. Thank you for playing every day, your 15 pitch at bats that result in a walk, and thank you for having your uniform dirty every single game. Thank you Brett!

SeaWolves Take Slugfest From Thunder, 9-7


(Erie, PA) – After trailing by two through four innings, the Erie SeaWovles scored six of the final eight runs to come from behind and defeat the Trenton Thunder for a second straight night, 9-7, Wednesday night at Jerry Uht Park. 
SeaWovles centerfielder Daniel Fields homered to lead of the seventh inning to snap a 5-5 tie and give his team the lead for good, part of his four-hit night that paced a 15-hit attack for Erie (61-53).  The SeaWolves have taken the first two games of the series and have now won 10 of their last 11 home games.
The Thunder (59-57) got five RBI from Ramon Flores including a three-run home run (5) in the third inning.   Trenton still maintains a three-game lead for the Eastern Division Wild Card spot over third-place Portland (lost to Richmond) and New Hampshire (defeated Bowie).
Trenton led 5-3 after four innings thanks to Flores’ three-run blast and RBI single in the fourth that chased Erie starter Victor Larez. But the SeaWolves tied the game with two runs in the fifth against reliever Graham Stoneburner highlighted by four consecutive one-out singles.
Erie then took the lead for good with three runs in the seventh against Aaron Dott (1-2), starting with Fields ninth home run of the season.  Later with a runner at second and two out, Wade Gaynor blooped an RBI single and came all the way around to score as Trenton botched a rundown and threw the ball into the vacant left field grass.
The Thunder plated two runs in the eighth against winning pitcher David Kopp (3-3) on Reegie Corona’s single and Flores’ bases-loaded walk.  Fields’ fourth hit of the game, a double off the left field fence against Zach Nuding, scored an insurance run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.
Trenton put two on with nobody out in the ninth against closer Melvin Mercedes, but Mercedes retired the next three hitters including Corona on a bloop to shortstop with the tying runner at second base.  Corona went 4-for-5 on the night.
Game three of the series is slated for a 7:05 pm first pitch on Thursday night as the SeaWolves go for the sweep. Thunder right-hander Mikey O’Brien (6-6, 4.02) will pitch against right-hander Warwick Saupold (6-4, 3.31). Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 6:50 pm.
--THUNDER--

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE

Charleston Swats the Sand Gnats


Charleston Swats the Sand Gnats
RiverDogs end season long seven game losing streak with offensive outburst

SAVANNAH, GA – The Charleston RiverDogs ended their forgettable road trip on a high note as they ended their season long seven game losing streak by outlasting the Savannah Sand Gnats 9-7 at Historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah in South Atlantic League action.

With the win, the RiverDogs improve to 23-23 in the second half and 62-52 overall. With the loss, Savannah falls to 23-19 in the second half and 66-45 overall.

Charleston got on the board first Wednesday evening on an RBI single by Cito Culver scoring Angelo Gumbs. Gumbs finished his night 1-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored and an RBI. On the same play, the RiverDogs also ran themselves out of the inning as Greg Bird tried going first to third on the single ending the top of the first.
Savannah then took it from there scoring a pair of runs in both the first and second innings to take a 4-1 lead.
Following a scoreless third, the RiverDogs offense came alive for two runs in the fourth inning, three in the fifth, and another three in the sixth. During that stretch Savannah added three runs of their own in the bottom half of the fifth inning but it wasn’t enough to match Charleston’s offensive output.

The RiverDogs offense struck for ten hits on the evening with three players recording multiple hits on the night. Cito Culver led all hitters as he went 3-for-5 with two RBI’s on the evening. Greg Bird finished 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and two runs scored. Ty Afenir was the only other RiverDog to record multiple hits as he went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Charleston starter Daniel Camarena had a rough go of it, as the lefty lasted just 4.2 innings and allowed seven runs, four earned, on eight hits with four strikeouts. Picking up the victory was reliever Tyler Webb (2-1) who was solid in relief of starter Daniel Camarena. Webb went 2.1 innings in relief and allowed just one hit with three strikeouts. Lefty James Pazos relieved Tyler Webb in the eighth and sat the Sand Gnats down 1-2-3 all via strikeouts on just 10 pitches. Nailing down the save for the ninth time this season was righty Ben Paullus.

Offensively for the Sand Gnats, Brandon Nimmo led the way. The #5 prospect within the New York Mets organization according to MLB.com went 3-for-5 on the night with a double, two RBI’s and a run scored.

Savannah starter Marcos Camarena struggled as he lasted just five innings and he allowed six runs, five earned on six hits with a strikeout and two walks. Taking the loss was reliever Tyler Vanderheiden (4-2) who tossed just one inning in relief and allowed three runs on two hits with a strikeout and a walk.

Charleston will now head back to the friendly confines of The Joe. The RiverDogs will host the Rome Braves for four days followed by the Lexington Legends for three games. Starters for both Rome and Charleston are TBD for Thursday’s series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm and you can purchase tickets by visiting www.riverdogs.com. You may also listen to each and every game live locally on ESPN AM910 or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score:   http://atmilb.com/15cBLNY
--RIVERDOGS--

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original post can be seen HERE

Four-run sixth costly for Staten Island Yankees


Four-run sixth costly for Yanks

By Courtney Nunes

Staten Island, NY – August 7th – The Staten Island Yankees were hit for four runs in the sixth inning on Wednesday night and fell to an eventual 6-5 loss to the State College Spikes.

In the top of the first, Giovanny Gallegos walked Spikes’ second baseman Brett Wiley with the bases loaded to give State College an early 1-0 advantage.

The Yankees claimed the lead in the fourth. Eric Jagielo led things off with a line drive single to right. Yeicok Calderon then walked before Brandon Thomas popped out to third base. Following, Mike Ford singled to plate Jagielo and knot the game at 1-1. Up next, Bubba Jones grounded into a force out, allowing Calderon to score.

Two frames later, the Spikes rallied for four runs to take a 5-2 lead. David Washington walked before Carson Kelly and Brett Wiley hit back-to-back singles. Washington was out after being hit by a batted ball. Luke Voit and Michael Schulze then each hit RBI singles to plate Kelly and Wiley.  Later in the inning, Cesar Valera hit a two-run double to score Schulze and Bosco – who had walked.

Staten Island added one run in the bottom of the eighth when Derek Toadvine and Mike O’Neill hit back-to-back doubles.

Wiley hit a home run in the ninth on a 2-0 pitch to make it 6-3.

Toadvine and O’Neill both walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, allowing two runs to score.

Relief pitcher Jhonny Polanco earned the win for the Spikes after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. Cale Coshow, who pitched 2.0 frames of relief for Staten Island, suffered his second loss. He gave up four earned runs off five hits, walked two, and struck out one batter. Also, Jeff Rauh picked up his fourth save after going 0.2 hitless innings.


The Yankees will take on the State College Spikes again tomorrow at 11:00AM. RHP Rookie Davis (2-2, 2.48 ERA) will toe the mound for the Yankees, while RHP Juan Bautista (1-3, 3.89 ERA) is expected to get the ball for the Spikes. Tickets are on sale now by calling 718-720-9265, visiting the box office at Richmond County Bank Ballpark or www.siyanks.com.

Being posted with permission from the Staten Island Yankees organization. The original article can be seen HERE.  

Yankees blow two late leads in heartbreaking loss to White Sox, 6-5

Despite a solid 7.1 innings of three-run ball from CC Sabathia, the Yankees again lost to the White Sox last night in 12 innings, 6-5. With this loss, the Yankees have now lost 4 consecutive games to below .500 teams, lowering their overall record to an embarrassing, 57-56. 

This game started well for the Yankees, who had a 4-0 after the first 4 innings. Those 4 runs came on a two-run homer from Soriano, an RBI Single from Wells, and a solo homer from Nunez, his first of the season. After blowing that lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Yankees would retake the lead in the top of the twelfth, when Cano hit one over the wall. 

But in the bottom half of that twelfth inning, they would lose after Alejandro De Aza hit a walk-off, two-run triple off of Adam Warren. Yep, they actually managed to get swept this week. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/8


On this day in 1970 on Old Timer's Day the Yankees retired Casey Stengel's #37 jersey after Stengel won seven World Series championships in 12 seasons as the Yankees manager.


On this day in 1972 the Yankees signed a 30 year lease to continue playing at Yankees Stadium and begin plans to build the "new" Yankees Stadium. The Yankees would play their next two seasons playing their home games at Shea Stadium before entering the new Yankees Stadium for the 1976 season.


On this day in 2000 the Yankees went into the bottom of the 9th against the Oakland Athletics losing 3-2 and facing the A's closer Jason Isringhausen. Izzy threw just two pitches in the 9th inning with one going over the fence off of Bernie Williams bat and one going over the fence off of David Justice's bat. The Yankees would win the game 4-3.