Yankees Announce 2016 Promotional Schedule Including Mariano Rivera Day?

The New York Yankees know how to throw a party and the organization knows how to honor their own no matter how big the stage. We've seen it recently with Derek Jeter day, Jorge Posada day, Joe Torre day, Bernie Williams day and even Mariano Rivera day but one of these men is going to get another day all to himself in 2016. That man is the Sandman, Mariano Rivera. The Yankees announced their promotional schedule for the upcoming season and Rivera will be honored on Sunday, August 14th with a "Mariano Rivera Monument Park Plaque Dedication." Cool!

See below for the entire list of upcoming giveaways and promotions from the Yankees.

TGP Daily Poll: Bernie Williams Night Loss

Yankees lost on Derek Jeter Day, Paul O'Neill Day and Mariano Rivera Day in recent years so why would you think the Yankees would win on Bernie Williams Day? The team tends to lose when it matters most to the fans lately.

Vote in our prediction poll on Knoda.com

Mo's Magical Day Ends With A Helpless Look Into The Future

Come on...don't lie. You thought...no...you KNEW the Yankees were going to win yesterday, right? It was the only way for Mariano Rivera Day to finish up at Yankee Stadium. Many people thought it wouldn't just be a win, but that it would be re-aired on YES for years to come, with a graphic overlaid on the top-right corner that reads, "Yankees Classics".

It certainly had the makings of one, for sure. After all the emotional, incredible moments of a 50-minute long ceremony honoring Mo, his fellow Core Four brother Andy Pettitte jogged out to the Stadium mound for the final time in his career. With a white number 42 painted along each baseline, it reminded me of David Cone's perfect game (with a white number 8 on the field in the same fashion) on Yogi Berra Day, especially when Andy breezed through a perfect top of half of the first inning. And the second. And the third. And the fourth.

That's right, as apropos as possible, #46 was perfect through four innings. Thanks to a solo shot into the Giants' bullpen by Mark Reynolds, the Yanks had a 1-0 lead as Andy went back out for the fifth. It started to approach "call your friends and tell them to shut off the ugly Giants football game" time, especially when he got the next two outs.

A walk to Pablo Sandoval ended his chance for a perfecto, but Andy got the final out of the fifth and personally, I thought a no-no was imminent. It had to happen. Perhaps it was a bit late, but the mystique and aura of the New York Yankees had finally found its way back to the Bronx.

Ol' reliable had the 8-9-1 hitters due up for the sixth, convincing me he'd at least take his no-hit bid to the seventh. He got Tony Abreu to ground out, and now up was Ehire Adrianza, whose unique name caught my eye when I saw it on the lineup card.

And wouldn't you know it, it was the rookie shortstop, batting ninth, who zapped the magic out of the afternoon when he got the best of an inside pitch and drove it over the left field wall for a home run.

Still, it was a tie-game, and the Yanks were well-equipped to come away with the win that was rightfully theirs. Yusmeiro Petit was showing signs of vulnerability, and the Yankees had him on the ropes in the seventh. There were runners on first and second with one out, and Petit was pulled for left-hander Javier Lopez. But, he promptly struck out the Vernon Wells and Ichiro Suzuki, ending the threat.

Andy Pettitte left to a huge ovation after surrendering a lead-off double in the eighth, and in came future closer David Robertson to try and keep the San Francisco Giants at bay. And, he simply didn't get the job done. Abreu laced a double down the right field line that scored pinch-runner Nick Noonan and gave the Gigantes a 2-1 lead. The Stadium, as loud and jam-packed as it was hours prior, was now emptying and as silent as it's ever been.

However, the Bombers muscled up another rally in the bottom half. A-Rod singled and Robinson Cano doubled, putting runners at second and third with no one out. This was it. Here was the moment of the game. The Yanks would take the lead, and hand the ball to Mo in the ninth. He'd pick up the save and beautifully end a majestic day in the Bronx.

If only it happened that way.

Soriano grounded into a fielder's choice, as Noonan threw out a clueless Zoilo Almonte at the plate. Curtis Granderson struck out, and then...wait, what?!?! Eduardo Nunez got a hit! Coming home was Cano and the Yankees were gonna tie the game!

Then, Juan Perez fired a bullet. Cano was easily tagged out for the third out of the inning. It was that abrupt, and it was that moment, more than any other this season, that made me realize that the era of Yankee baseball that started in the mid-1990s had ended.

Although Mariano fired 1 2/3 of scoreless baseball, the Yankees went down without a fight in the bottom of the ninth. It was the team's 74th loss of the year, guaranteeing them of their worst finish since 1993 when they went 88-74 - and it's safe to say they won't get to 88 wins either.

Sunday's game was the Yankees' past, present, and future in a nutshell. It started off as magical as any night in the Bronx from 1995-2001, with Andy throwing 4.2 perfect innings. Then the Yankees were hampered by numerous RISP fails, as was the case in each of their championship-less seasons from 2002-2008. Then, the never-say-die mentality of the 2009 team showed through in the late innings, but then shattered into a million pieces as it did with heart-breaking playoff loses in the 2010, 2011, and 2012 postseasons.

And with the bottom of the ninth's feeble comeback attempt led by Mark Reynolds, Brendan Ryan, and J.R. Murphy, it was a retrospective on this season and the impending changes - and not for the better - that our beloved Yankees will undergo starting this offseason.

On top of losing Mo and Andy, there are a ton of players whose days in pinstripes look numbered as well. Robinson Cano, Hiroki Kuroda, Curtis Granderson, Phil Hughes, Boone Logan, Joba Chamberlain, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Brendan Ryan, and Lyle Overbay are all impending free agents. While Cano will likely stay put and most of the other guys are expendable, their losses create a ton of holes on the roster. The Yankees will be have just two starters in place for 2014 - CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova - and have no clear-cut closer, set-up man, lefty specialist, left fielder, shortstop, and third baseman if Alex Rodriguez's suspension is not reduced significantly. Not to mention the catching position, which right now still looks to have Chris Stewart and Austin Romine serving as the dynamic duo for another season.

One could look at all those likely departures and say, "Well, the Yankees will have a ton of room on the payroll!" Which is very true. But, if last offseason was any indication, the team is not looking to spend the money to adequately field a "championship-caliber team" as Hal Steinbrenner claimed to strive for a few years ago.

That fact, coupled with the Yanks' barren farm system, points to 2014 being potentially even more disastrous than 2013.

This offseason will probably be the most intriguing one the Yanks have had in a very long time. It could be somewhat beneficial, but in all likelihood next season will make Mo and Andy's absences even more glaring.

And, to conclude, I'll add a personal prediction of mine - I think Joe Girardi will not return as manager. Not because the Yankees don't want him back, but because he doesn't want to be back with the Yankees. The Cubs, Nationals, and Angels all will likely have managerial openings, and they all have brighter futures than New York at this point. Joe likely realizes that this winter and bolts for one of those three clubs. It'll be tough, but it may be a move that makes even the most confident Yankees fan see that, as Bob Dylan sang, the Times They Are A-Changin'. And not for the better.

Today Is Andy Pettitte Day On The Greedy Pinstripes

The 18 year veteran Andy Pettitte has decided that his final season will be this season and that he wil be joining Mariano Rivera in retirement. Andy has been the rock for the Yankees pitching staff for so long, the stopper, the veteran presence, and everything the Yankees embody. With Andy not giving us much notice and his final Yankees Stadium start yesterday on Mariano Rivera Day I wanted to make today's off day Andy Pettitte Day on the site. Enjoy as we take a look back at his storied Yankees career.

Mariano Rivera Day Game Thread: Giants @ Yankees 9/22

The New York Yankees look to beat up on the San Francisco Giants for the final time this season at Yankees Stadium as the Yankees present Mariano Rivera Day. The pitching match up could not have been drawn up any better as Andy Pettitte will be on the mound for the Yankees to face off with Yusmeiro Petit for the Giants. Friday morning we learned that Andy Pettitte will join Mariano Rivera on the retirement boat after the 2013 season so it is fitting that one member of the Cour Four is starting on Mariano Rivera Day. The only way this day could go any better, well besides both players saying they were just kidding and that they will be back in 2014, is for Mariano to save just one more game for Andy Pettitte and the Yankees win.

Here is your Mariano Rivera Day lineup
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano LF
Curtis Granderson CF
Eduardo Nunez 3B
Mark Reynolds 1B
Brendan Ryan SS
Chris Stewart C

Follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes. With only three home games left for the Yankees it is imperative that if you want to see your hometown Yankees live you need to buy your Yankees tickets now.

Metallica's Stage Set Up At Monument Park

Courtesy of our friend on Twitter @MrWhtTrshAllStr who is attending Mariano Rivera Day at Yankees Stadium today. That is Metallica's stage set up in Monument Park. #EnterSandman

@GreedyStripes ready to hate me more... That's Metallica's stage set up at monument park pic.twitter.com/0iySIA7rV9
— ☠ Jim ☠ (@MrWhtTrshAllStr) September 22, 2013

San Francisco Giants @ New York Yankees 9/22

The New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants finish off their three game set today at Yankees Stadium as the New York Yankees present Mariano Rivera Day. This is going to be a bitter sweet day as we say goodbye to not only Mo but also to today's starting pitcher Andy Pettitte. Both Andy and Mariano will retire at the end of the season leaving the Cour Four up to Yankees short stop Derek Jeter to carry on. The Giants will send the undefeated and almost perfect game throwing Yusmeiro Petit to the mound to try and spoil Mariano Rivera's and Andy Pettitte's goodbye. The game can be seen at 1:05 pm ET on the YES Network and on TBS. You are running out of home games to buy Yankees tickets so buy yours now before the season is over.

You Say Goodbye [To Mo], And I Say Hello

I figured as The Greedy Pinstripes begins a new "era" merged with Yankees Fans Unite, I thought talking about the end of an era in Yankees history would be a fitting way to debut on the site.

So, I'm Brian Danuff, a 15-year old Yankees fan who has been blogging about them since I was nine. Yes, nine. I'm not sure where my passion for the team came from; my uncle, who's a die-hard fan, I rarely see, and my parents are more on the "casual" side of the fanbase. But nevertheless, since around 2006 I've tuned in each and every day to watch the Yankees play ball.

If you didn't do the math already (I don't blame you, I hate math), I was only a baby when the Dynasty took place in the late-1990s. This infuriates me very much, but God did make up for it by allowing me to see the Yankees win the 2009 World Series live.

Anyway, those late-90s teams were probably some of the best clubs ever assembled in Yankees history. They had everything - depth, heart, character, passion, experience, and most of all, youth, which was very uncommon for George Steinbrenner's Yankees. He loved him some mid-30 year-olds who he knew could get the job done,but upper management convinced the Boss to give the "kids" a shot.

Those kids' names were Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera.

It's almost like beating a dead horse, but it's too amazing to not bring up how these four youngsters came up and immediately made an impact. They all were integral parts of each championship team, aside from Jorge in '96 who of course didn't play his first full season until 1998.

Still, as young as they were they carried themselves as if they were seasoned veterans. In front of a packed house at Yankee Stadium in the middle of October, they stayed even-keeled and almost never cracked under pressure.

With four rings in their possession, these "core" Yankees went into the 21st century with new contracts and new roles - that of leaders. Derek Jeter was named the 11th official captain of the team in June of 2003, and Mo, Andy, and Jorge all became role models for incoming Bombers. They knew what it took to win, and handled the New York spotlight with class, something that is very difficult to do for even the most calm and collected player.

Amidst an offseason of turmoil, Andy Pettitte slipped through the cracks and signed with the Houston Astros in 2004. Still, GM Brian Cashman tried his hardest to surround the remaining three with talent capable of winning even more championships, but from 2002-2008 the team reached the World Series only once, in 2003, losing to the Florida Marlins in six games.

Andy did re-join the Yankees in 2007, so the band got back together in a sense, making a return to the top seem imminent. After spending over $400 million on free agent talent, the Yankees had a World Series-caliber team in 2009. And wouldn't you know it, led by an MVP-caliber season from Derek Jeter, a 14-win campaign from Andy Pettitte, 22 home runs from Jorge Posada, and 44 saves from Mariano Rivera, the Yankees reached the Fall Classic again, 14 years after the old guard's first World Series in 1996.

And like in '96, it took six games for the Yankees to win it. With Mo on the mound, Jorge behind the plate, Jeter at short, and Andy looking on after a gritty performance, the Phillies' Shane Victorino grounded out to second and as Joe Buck said, "The Yankees are back on top! World Champions for a 27th time!"

But for the Core Four, it was the fifth time they hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy. It had been nine years since their last championship, and yet it felt like a continuation of a Dynasty that realistically had ended. Now grizzled vets, they were all still at the top of their game, and that's just how it was way back when they were fresh-faced rookies.

Unfortunately, the Yankees reverted back to their mid-2000s stage, being good, but not good enough. On top of that was the retirement of Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada within the same calendar year. That left just Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, but they kept steam-rolling along as Jeet collected his 3,000th hit and Mo his 602nd save in 2011.

Years ago they made the jump from good, to great players, but #2 and #42 were now immortal, legendary figures in baseball history. Realizing this, and the fact that a chance for a 28th championship was there lured Andy Pettitte out of retirement for the 2012 season.

However, all three of them suffered tremendous blows to their careers. Mariano tore his ACL shagging a fly ball in Kansas City, ending his season in May. Andy made only a handful of starts before being hit in the leg by a line-drive which sidelined him for three months. And, finally, the Captain broke his ankle fielding a ground ball in the ALCS.

There was no longer a need to question their baseball mortality.

Now, it is September 22nd, 2013, and two of the remaining three Core Fourers are hanging up their spikes. This afternoon marks the final time Andy Pettitte will toe the rubber at the new Yankee Stadium, and also one of the final days Mariano sits in the bullpen awaiting "Enter Sandman" to blare from the Stadium's speakers. Derek Jeter will watch it all unfold from the bench, still tending to his ankle that was broken in October and re-broken in April.

It will be very emotional, and incredibly interesting to see how the Yankees will honor Mo and Andy. These two pitchers have stood the test of time, and probably could give it another go in 2014 if they so pleased. But, as my late grandpa perfectly said, "all good things must come to an end", and today is the end of a glorious era in Yankee history.

Derek Jeter will in all likelihood play next season, but his "brothers" will be gone. His ability to throw it back to the 90s with his teammates is gone. And the memories of fans showing up each year to cheer number 46 on, and then erupt when number 42 jogs in from the bullpen, become just that - memories.

Overall, will this be a sad day? Of course. But this should also be a day to reflect and think back to all the great moments that I witnessed while soiling myself in a playpen. It just goes to show how long these guys have been here, and how much longer their pinstriped legacy will live on through all current and future Yankees fans.

Long-live Andy Pettitte, and long-live the greatest closer of all time, number 42, Mariano Rivera. Number 42.