The Not So Odd Couple

Hideki Matsui receives his 2009 WS ring at Yankees 2010 home opener.

Despite a language barrier, it didn't take Hideki Matsui long to fit in with his New York Yankees teammates upon his arrival in 2003. He quickly became one of the favorite teammates of many of the players, including the captain, Derek Jeter.

So it comes as no surprise that the two are now working together to help the victims of Japan's devastating earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. Jeter, who recently held a major fund raising event for his Turn2 Foundation, will help aid the survivors of Japan's Tohoku region by participating in baseball clinics and a home run derby (move the right field fence in).

Jeter compared the victims' plight, especially the children, to those of 9/11.

''The kids will never forget what happened,'' Jeter said. ''But if they can come out and have fun and enjoy themselves through the sport of baseball, that's what we're trying to do here.''

15,000 people were killed when tragedy struck on March 11, 2011. Among other fund raising events will be a baseball game Sunday at the Tokyo Dome. The teams will be made up of players from the Tohoku region. In non-related news, Jeter said he needed "a break from the game", but hopes to return at some point as an owner.

Yankees Get Their Man: Tanaka, 7 Years, $155MM

MLB.com photo of Tanaka visit to Yankee Stadium in 2006 in which he met Hideki Matsui

The YES Network reported yesterday that Masahiro Tanaka had narrowed his decision to two  teams- the Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal the Yankees are that team.

Tanaka and the Yankees have reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $155MM deal, the fifth highest amount for a starting pitcher.

Tanaka joins CC Sabathia, fellow countryman Hiroki Kuroda, Ivan Nova, and a pitcher to be determined in the Yankees starting rotation. After a miserable 2013 season and uncertainty of the effectiveness of the starting staff, the Yankees were determined to get Tanaka at any cost.

The Yankees beat out the Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and a surprise entry, the Houston Astros.

The Yankees were determined to get back to the playoffs after missing out two of the last six years. After the missed the post-season in 2008, the Yankees went out and signed Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, and dealt for Nick Swisher. All key ingredients to the Yankees winning their 27th World Championship in 2009.

As Jack Curry pointed out in the tweet below, the Yankees spent plenty this off-season to try to recapture that 2009 excitement.

Jack Curry @ JackCurryYES1m

Yanks determined 2 return 2 playoffs. Deals w Tanaka, Ellsbury, McCann, Beltran, Kuroda, Jeter, Thornton, Roberts, Johnson, Ryan cost $ 503M.

ようこそ、ニューヨーク・ヤンキースに = Welcome to the New York Yankees (I tweeted this to him this morning. Thanks freetranslation.com)

Soriano is Back, Back in a New York Groove

You can clap for yourself when you win the game.

Alfonso Soriano said he felt like he was back home and the Yankees fans greeted him that way when he came to bat in the 2nd inning of Friday night's series opener with the Tampa Bay Rays. Unfortunately, he went 0-5 with an RBI ground out as the Yankees and CC Sabathia got pummeled by the Tampa Bay Rays 10-6. Things were no better on Saturday when the Yankees got shut out on two hits by rookie Chris Archer.

But on Sunday those little town blues melted away. It was like old times in the Bronx. Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and even Hideki Matsui were wearing pinstripes. Jeter, playing in just his second game of the season, swung at the first pitch he saw from Rays starter Matt Moore and deposited it in the first row in right-center field for a solo home run. Soriano went 4-5 on the day, with the final hit a single up the middle that scored Brett Gardner in the bottom of the 9th to win it, 6-5.

Soriano arrived despite the protestations of GM Brian Cashman, who was against dealing a young pitcher (Corey Black) for the 37-year old. Soriano had begun to establish a legacy in the Bronx when he was dealt for Alex Rodriguez prior to the 2004 season.  Had it not been for a rare meltdown by Mariano Rivera in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, Soriano would have had a toehold in Yankees history forever.

It was Soriano's 7th inning home run off of Curt Schilling that gave the Yankees a 2-1, but the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied against Rivera to win the World Series.  Soriano also had the game winning single in the 12th inning of Game 5 after Scott Brosius had tied the game with a home run in the 9th.

Sunday's series finale with the Rays was a battle- twice Phil Hughes, the home run pitching machine, had Wil Myers go deep off of him to blow leads. Soriano was there to save the day though. He belted a 2-run home run in the 3rd inning( yes, Yankees right-handed hitters actually hit home runs), singled twice, earned a Gatorade shower from Brett Gardner for his 9th inning heroics.

One of the first to greet Soriano was his old double play partner Jeter. According to @YestoResearch (YES' Jeff Quagliata) it was the first time since July 17, 2003 that pair homered in the same game together as teammates.

Even though Soriano was never a Yankee in the new Yankee Stadium, he said Friday that he felt he was home again and YS was his home. Slated to wear #22, he even got Vernon Wells to give him #12 in an undisclosed transaction. Wells will wear 22 from now on.

Ichiro Suzuki also had four hits in the game to become the 6th player in MLB history with at least 50 4-hit games.

Hideki Back For A Day

When I saw my timeline filled with the "Yankees are signing Hideki Matsui", I thought Brian Cashman had gone 'round the bend. "Where will he play?", I thought.

In fact, Godzilla is going to return for just one day, an inactive one at that. The great Matsui will officially retire as a member of the New York Yankees.

Matsui came to the Yankees in 2003 and spent seven seasons in the pinstripes. He was the the MVP of the 2009 World Series when the Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies for their first championship since 2000.

A prodigious slugger in Japan, Matsui never approached the home run totals he put up in the Far East, but Matsui hit 140 in his seven seasons in the Bronx, topped the 100 RBI mark four times, and had an .852 OPS. He was widely popular with the Asian community throughout the US, with Yankees fans, and with his teammates.

Godzilla spent 2010 with the Los Angeles Angels and put up decent numbers - 21 HR, 84 RBI, an .820 OPS - but his production fell off drastically with Oakland in 2011 and he was released after 34 games with Tampa Bay in 2012.

Among his memorable moments in NY:

• A grand slam in his first home game in 2003.
• Delivered the game tying double off Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS.
• Drove in six runs in the World Series clinching Game 6 in 2009, including a 3-run home run off Martinez.

He's a player that will always be beloved in the Big Apple. As John Sterling says, "He's the Hideki, you know."

Sayonara Godzilla: Matsui to Retire

Hideki Matsui showed nothing but class since he joined the New York Yankees in 2003 after a long career in Japan. He became as beloved in the Big Apple, especially by fans of Japanese descent, as he was in his native country and was the World Series MVP when the Yankees captured their 27th title in 2009. Now 38-years old, Matsui has decided it's time to hang up his cleats for good.

No official announcement will be made until tomorrow, Friday, at a press conference in New York City, but Matsui indicated he is retiring from baseball.

Matsui debuted as a 19-year old third baseman for the Yomiuri Giants in 1993 and though his numbers were nothing spectacular, his 11 home runs in 57 games was a portend of things to come. He would average 35 home runs over the next nine years in Japan's Central League and hit a career high 50 home runs the season before his move to New York. His OPS topped 1.000 five of his 10 seasons for Yomiuri.

The Yankees and Yomiuri agreed to a scouting and minor league non-player personnel deal in 2002 that was the first of its kind between Major League Baseball and a Japanese team.¹

Exchange of general baseball information, including scouting reports on professional baseball players in the U.S. and Japan.

Exchange baseball rules and regulations active in the U.S. and Japan.

Hold at least one meeting annually about the above mentioned topics.

Exchange of minor league personnel, such as coaches and staff, but not including players.

The Yankees will support the Giants in scouting and player development in Latin America.

The Giants will support the Yankees in scouting and player development of Asia and the Asian Pacific rim.

The two teams will exchange technology and information on player rehabilitation and conditioning.

Though the Yankees denied the agreement had anything to do with Matsui, the Japanese star signed a three-year, $21MM deal in December, 2002. His first season in New York didn't produce the power that some were expecting (Baseball Tonight's Bobby Valentine said he would hit 50 home runs his first year), but Matsui did drive in 106 runs, hit .287, and got adjusted to the spacious confines of left field in the old Yankee Stadium.

He made a huge splash in his first game at the Stadium with an opening day grand slam against the Minnesota Twins. A year later the Yankees and Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays toured Japan for the opening of the regular season. Matsui was greeted by throngs of fans who were ecstatic to see their countryman home, even if it was in a Yankees uniform.

His success in the States continued. His second and third seasons again produced more than 100 RBI and he averaged 27 home runs (with a US career high of 31 in 2004) over the final two years of his original contract. Prior to the 2006 season, Matsui and the Yankees agreed to a new four-year, $52MM deal.

In the final year of his contract, with free agency looming and the likelihood of him not returning to the Bronx for another year, Matsui went out with a bang. He produced an .876 OPS, 28 HR and 90 RBI in the regular season, but it was in the post-season that Matsui saved his best for last in New York.

After going a combined 7-30 (.233) in the division and league championship series, Matsui unloaded against the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. He homered in Game 2 against Pedro Martinez as the Yankees evened the series at a game apiece. He added some insurance with a pinch-hit home run in the Yankees Game 3 victory, and in the Game 6 finale he drove in six runs in the Yankees clinching 7-3 triumph.

Matsui homered again off Martinez and added a single and double. He became the first Japanese born player to win the World Series MVP Award.

Matsui signed with the Los Angeles Angels for 2010 and got a hero's welcome when he returned to Yankee Stadium for Opening Day. This time it wasn't only the fans that greeted him joyously; in presenting him with his World Series ring, Matsui's former teammates mobbed him with hugs and handshakes.

Matsui spent one year in LA, before playing for a season in Oakland, and a brief spell in Tampa in 2012 before he was released on August 1.

Between Japan and the US, the man who became known as Godzilla hit 507 career home runs. He was already missed in New York, but now he will be missed by all of Major League Baseball.

Good luck Godzilla!

"He's the Hideki you know." - John Sterling

Update 7:30 PM - Yankees General Partner Hal Steinbrenner released the following statement:

"Hideki Matsui, in many ways, embodied what this organization stands for. He was dedicated to his craft, embraced his responsibilities to his team and fans, and elevated his play when he was needed the most. He did all these things with a humility that was distinctly his own, which is why he was such a big part of our success and why he will always be a cherished member of the Yankees family." 

1 - mlb.com

FullCountPitch | July Trades Bring August Gambles

Wandy Rodriguez will be among those dangled on waivers

With the trade deadline concluded a week ago Sunday, teams must now pass players through waivers to deal with any team. All waivers are revocable, so general managers can dangle any players out there and not worry about automatically losing them.

Just to quickly recap the rules…if a player is claimed by one team on waivers, that is the only team the orginal team can try to make a trade with. If more than one team makes a claim, the team with the worst record is the only team that can make a deal. If the player’s team pulls him back off waivers, he can still be put on waivers again in September. However, if anyone claims the player at that time, he is all their’s, free and clear.

Teams will pick up players as late as September even if it means said player isn’t eligible for the post-season. The 1977 Yankees were a powerhouse, but still grabbed Dave Kingman for the stretch run. “Kong” hit four home runs in eight games and slugged his way to an 1.167 OPS. (Imagine if Kingman and Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui ever had the chance to oppose each other.)

Then there are the gamblers, like White Sox GM Kenny Williams who claimed Alex Rios and his over the top contract. Rios’ current employer, the Toronto Blue Jays, said “He’s all yours”. It used to be no one would be claimed on waivers, effectively allowing any trades to be worked out. But then teams started saying the hell with that and blocked deals by claiming players to prevent the competition from getting him. The Yankees got saddled with Jose Canseco in 2000 when they claimed him just to keep him away from the Red Sox.

Other players have had a major impact on their new team. Outfielder Cody Ross was a key component to the Giants World Series title after being picked up on August 21. So who might be dealt post-deadline in 2011, or outright grabbed on waivers? Who might a team take a chance on?

Read the rest of this free article at FullCountPitch.com.

Omedetou Hideki Matsui

Omedetou is Japanese for "congratulations" and a big congrats is in order tonight for Hideki Matsui. The former Yankee, hit his 500th career home run for the Oakland A's. It was his 168th MLB blast, added to the 332 he hit in Japan.

Go Go Godzilla..still a fan favorite in the Bronx. "He's the Hideki you know."

FullCountPitch - The Full Count: Susan Slusser

Susan Slusser talks about the stumbling A's

Susan Slusser has been on the Oakland A’s beat for 13 years for the San Francisco Chronicle. Who better to talk to about Bob Geren’s firing, Brett Anderson’s clipped wing, and more? You can also follow Susan and the A’s on Twitter.

FCP: With Bob Geren fired, are there any names being mentioned to take over in 2012 and does Bob Melvin have a legitimate shot to get the full time job?

Susan Slusser: I believe the A’s would give Melvin every opportunity to show he’s the man for the job; indications were that this was the guy they wanted and the front office believes Melvin to be a good fit. He’d probably have to really fall flat on his face not to come back, especially considering how well the players speak of him. Player relations and communications seemed to drive some of the managerial switch, and Melvin’s reputatution as a players’ manager was mentioned numerous times.

Don Wakamatsu was very highly regarded when he was Oakland’s bench coach, so I’d have to think in the unlikely chance that the A’s don’t retain Melvin that he’d be among those considered. Like Melvin, he’s a former Seattle manager and a Bay Area native; Wakamatsu is from Hayward and Melvin from Menlo Park. But I’m fairly certain the A’s have their man.

Read the rest of this free article at FullCountPitch.com

David DeJesus Brett Anderson Trevor Cahill Andrew Bailey Hideki Matsui Cliff Pennington Kurt Suzuki

BD Hot Stove: Mystery Never Repeats | Baseball Digest

The Phillies emerge as the mystery team for Cliff Lee. Hideki Matsui close to new team.

BD Hot Stove: Mystery Never Repeats | Baseball Digest

Time to Call It A Day

There are a number of teams still in the MLB playoff race, but there are a number of teams that should be calling it quits by September 1. That's the day rosters expand and must include players that are to be part of a playoff squad.

A number of teams were buyers at the trade deadline when they clearly shouldn't have been. Between now and 9/1, some of those teams should be looking to waive dead weight and/or trade players to true contenders.

Johnny Damon - The Tigers are dead in the AL Central (9) and Wildcard (14) races. Damon signed a 1 year, $8 million deal in the off-season and is an ideal candidate for the Tigers to move. After a great start in April, Damon absolutely stunk over the next two months before a semi-revival in July. He's started August just 4-22, but perhaps all that could change if he is into a pennant race. Then again he's hitting just .268 against right-handers.

Manny Ramirez - The Dodgers were aggressive at the deadline, getting Ted Lilly among others. But LA is going nowhere. They're 8 back in the NL West and 7 back of division rival San Fran in the Wildcard. Time to throw Manny out there and see if there are takers. The downside of course is that he's on the DL right now with a bad calf. He then aggravated it this past week, but delayed an MRI after feeling claustrophobic. (Not sure why he would have to go in head first for a calf?) Because of the uncertainty, Manny being Nuthead is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed, allowing the Dodgers to move him to his next port of call.

Adam Dunn - The Nats were never in it, but if a team has claimed (as rumored) Dunn, Washington is crazy not to move the big slugger. You can always bring him back, but getting nothing for him other than draft picks is absurd. Dunn blasted a pair of 3-run blasts last night, causing GMs everywhere to salivate.

The Mets - Sorry Mets fans, but you know better than anyone that this team is finished. Some minor moves today- released Alex Cora, sent down Jesus Feliciano, called up Fernando Martinez and Ruben Tejada. It's time for the Mets to start making major moves, most likely in the off-season. But if you can move Jose Reyes with good results, go for it. The Mets need a change and it should start with their oft-injured, oft-under performing shortstop. Someone would probably take Jeff Francoeur. Unfortunately, no wants Luis Castillo.

Hideki Matsui - Oh beloved Godzilla; World Series hero; poor 2010 performer. Sorry for that last one, but so true. With the Angels getting further and further behind in the AL West and Wildcard races (10, 12 respectively), Tony Reagins should be moving "The Hideki" to a contender. Juan Rivera too. Torii Hunter too. The once proud centerfielder said he can't handle the position any more. With two years left on Hunter's deal, Reagins should look for a taker.

The Daily Yankeeland

Some interesting discussion this afternoon between Brandon Tierney and Jody McDonald on 1050ESPN radio. Most of it centered around whether or not the Yankees needed to do anything at the trade deadline.

Tierney said he was fine going to the post-season as is, which is completely nuts. Everyone knows they need an improved bench and a better bullpen. A starting pitcher is not a must, especially since most of the better ones are taken.

Jody Mac's idea for a new DH is an old DH...Hideki Matsui. It's not a bad move and you would think he could be acquired pretty cheaply from the Halos. Godzilla is only working on a one year deal so you don't have to worry about keeping him around next year. It would also make me laugh since it's a signature "bring a guy back" George Steinbrenner move.

The other idea Jody Mac had, however, was totally bananas. Trevor Hoffman for the bullpen. Wow. Jody must have been hanging out at Shea too much back in the day and it affected his brain. Tierney called him crazy and he's right. Jody thought that Hoffman hadn't blown that many big games. Apparently he hasn't been paying attention, because Hoffman has been horrible in big regular season games, not just playoffs.

* * *

Adam Dunn is a popular topic for discussion. I would love to see him as a DH rental for the rest of the season, but not at the price that the Nationals are reportedly asking. I don't know specifics, but they are basically asking for the proverbial moon.

Dunn is said not to want to DH, but perhaps going from the cellar to a contender will change all that. ESPN's Buster Olney said this evening that the Nats will take one more shot at a new deal for the big first baseman before dealing him. Olney expects the Yankees and Rays to get into a trade war to keep the other from landing Dunn.

That would not be a wise move for a rental player, even if Dunn is a dangerous addition to any lineup.

* * *

Speaking of bench strength, the Star Ledger's Marc Carig tweeted earlier that the Yankees have backed off of Ty Wigginton as a possible role player.

Just pondering rosters there is not a lot of veteran guys possibly available. Maybe the Cubs Ryan Theriot? I would be interested in Marlins outfielder Cody Ross.

Phil Could Hughes Some Command

Another rough outing for Phil Hughes in the Bronx last night. A lack of command and a couple of home runs allowed helped the LA Angels coast to a 10-2 win over the Yankees. No harm, no foul in the standings as the Rays and Red Sox both blew leads and lost.

There is concern though about Hughes' output in his last half dozen starts. The 23-yr old has allowed 26 earned runs in his last 36.1 innings, and that includes a seven inning, one run performance in his prior start.

Hughes has attributed his lack of success to a lack of command. For most of an All-Star first half, Hughes put the ball where he wanted to. Now those same pitches are staying up and opponents are hammering them.

Nick Swisher helped give the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the 1st with a solo home run, but the Angels tied it up with single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings and Maicer Izturis put them ahead for good with a 2-run home run in the 4th. Mike Napoli's 2-run shot with no out in the 6th ended Hughes' night early.

It didn't help that the Yankees offense, which averaged nearly 9 runs a game in Hughes' prior starts, fell asleep after the first inning. 22-yr old right Sean O'Sullivan won his first start of the season filling for the injured Scott Kazmir. After allowing a pair of runs, hits, and walks in the 1st, O'Sullivan no-hit the Yankees for the next five innings.

The Yankees bullpen then let the game get out of hands as the Angels tacked on four more runs, including a Hideki Matsui home run, against Jonathan Albaladejo, Chan Ho Park, and Chad Gaudin.

Box Score

Notes

Derek Jeter's 0-4 night left him at .268 for the season. It's his lowest batting average at this point of the season since he was hitting .278 in 2004.

CC Sabathia turns 30 today.

There is obviously going to much talk about how tainted A-Rod's 600th home run will be, and rightfully so, but USA Today also feels some money can be made off of it.

Some Vintage Matsui

With tonight's rainout in Detorit, it's time to take a look back at some early Hideki Matsui. I don't mean Yankee rookie Hideki Matsui, but Japanese All-Star Godzilla. Here goes deep against Al Leiter in a 1998 All-Star game in Japan.



A young guy named Kei Igawa strikes out Godzilla, not once, but twice. Like that would happen today.

Yankees Fans Come in Off the Ledge

photo courtesy of NY Daily News

Despite a 21-10 start there are a number of Yankees fans acting like Red Sox fans. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, the other leg to break, the other game to lose. STOP.

Last night's loss to the Detroit (5-4) was obviously frustrating. Spot starter Sergio Mitre was far from fantastic, but he wasn't horrendous either. An Alex Rodriguez throwing error led to two early runs, one of which was earned. Mitre is not part of the regular rotation and does all right as a long man in the pen. He's not going to be the guy to make or break the team.

Boone Logan was crap. There's no excuse for walks to guys who don't deserve to be pitched around. If he continues in that vein, he'll be gone.

Marcus Winn, Randy Thames, Winn Thames...no matter how you combine their names, you really can't put a good ball player together between them. Thames has good power, but has never hit for average and his outfield skills..well, outfield and skills should not be used in the same sentence when it comes to Marcus Thames.

Winn was a good player. He is still a decent outfielder, but the speed left his bat a long time ago. Obviously, neither one of them would be getting many at-bats if not for the injuries to Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson. But the lineup and defense is still deep enough even with them.

Johnny Damon hits a home run last night and immediately there is an outpouring of "why didn't we keep him?" Because he was a pig when it came to money and it was time to move on. The same with Hideki Matsui (not the pig part). You can bet that if Matsui was still a Yankee and was hitting the .230 he's currently hitting with the Halos, Yankees fans would be screaming about how the team shouldn't have re-signed him.

The Yankee fan base has quickly forgotten how quickly a team can age. The 1996-2001 run ended with a sharp decline and even though the team made the 2003 World Series, there was some very obvious holes that took a long time to fill. 20/20 hindsight is easy, but looking back do you think it was smart to re-sign Scott Brosius or should the Yankees have made Mike Lowell their third baseman?

The Yankees have won 9 of 10 series, but apparently that isn't good enough for some people. Now, there's no question that the Nick Johnson signing was probably not the most well thought out plan. But most likely it was to go cheap for one year to make a run after Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth for next season.

Seriously, how do some of you people last through a 162 game season? Losses bother me. I was bitching and moaning last night. But I'll have moved on when tonight's game is played. Some of you won't have. Some losses hurt more than others. Losing to Boston always sucks, but the Yankees still took 2 of 3..that's all that matters. It's a marathon not a sprint, so chill.

On the Up side

There were some positives last night. Another home run for Mark Teixeira. A much better outing for David Robertson. Alex Rodriguez had a couple of solid hits. And a dominating performance by Joba Chamberlain, who hit the upper 90's with his fastball and struck out the side in the 8th inning.

The Grand Godzilla

Holy oversight Batman. How could I miss this? Didn't realize until watching the MLB Network a short time ago that Hideki Matsui picked up his 1,000th career MLB hit last night.

Congrats to the Great Godzilla.

Ring-A-Ling-A-Ling

It was a very festive opening day in the Bronx yesterday. That's what you get when you hoist another championship banner and hand out World Series rings to the winning participants. Just another day in Yankee Stadium, albeit the first time in the House that George (and the city) built.


No part of the day may have been more poignant or worth celebrating more than the return of Yankees long time trainer Gene Monahan. We were told during Spring Training, which Monahan missed for the first time since 1972, that the man known as Geno was battling a serious illness. Mariano Rivera apparently let it slip during interviews yesterday that it is indeed some form of cancer. Monahan was very emotional, but in good spirits as he came out to accept his ring from manager Joe Girardi and special guests Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford. The YS crowd gave a well deserved standing ovation.

The biggest ovation of the day though went to a member of the Los Angeles Angels. "He's the Hideki you know"...Hideki Matsui, of course, got a huge standing, thank you ovation from the fans and got a group hug from his former teammates. He also got pranked. Derek Jeter orchestrated it all - fake rings given (a Spring Training promotion) to Godzilla and Nick Swisher. Neither even realized what was going on until Jeter and Rivera gave them the real rings.


Bernie Williams threw out the first pitch, though the YES Network nearly missed it coming back from commercial breaks. There was a military fly over and broadway star Kristen Chenoweth (who looked like she was trying to be Carrie Underwood's doppelganger) sang the National Anthem. Then it was time for baseball.


Starter Andy Pettitte was the perfect pick to pitch opening day. After all, he had been on the mound for the clinching win in each round of the 2009 post-season. He also quickly gave Matsui a reminder that he's no longer a Yankee. A first inning strikeout was part of an oh-fer for Godzilla on the day.

Nick Johnson smacked his first Stadium home run in the bottom of the 1st off Ervin Santana and Derek Jeter went deep in the third. The Captain added an RBI single in the 4th (hit #2757) and Alex Rodriguez's brought home two more in the sixth.

The Yankees would need every run they could get, because leading 7-1 in the 9th, David Robertson surrendered a grand slam to former Yankee Bobby Abreu. At least that way Rivera got to be part of the opener by picking up his 3rd save.

photos courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Notes

Jorge Posada is off to a hot start. He was 3-4 yesterday to raise his average to .429 and had a pair of doubles to move past Mickey Mantle for 7th place on the team's all-time doubles list. In typical Jorgie fashion, he also got thrown out at the plate.

Pettitte tossed six scoreless innings for his 1st win of the year and the 230th of his career and 193rd as a Yankee. It was also the 4th home opening win for Pettitte.

The loss had to be a minor thing for some of the Angels who had a tough day. Several of them witnessed a suicide from their hotel that morning. A former hotel employee jumped from the roof as the Angels were on their way out.

Not sure how long these will be up on Youtube, but a TOH to Zell's Pinstripe Blog for finding video of the ring ceremony.

We're On Our Way Home

Just a little over a half a day until the raising of the glorious 27th World Championship banner and the handing out of championship rings to the players, coaches, and front office personnel.

The Yankees arrived home after Sunday's 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The victory game the Bombers a 4-2 road trip that was comprised of series wins over both the Rays and the Boston Red Sox. Not a bad way to start the season.

Sunday's win was also big for A.J. Burnett, who had a rocky first outing in Boston and started out yesterday's game in shaky fashion. Burnett, the tattoed, pie smashing, right-hander allowed two first inning runs and admitted to not having confidence in his stuff. But Jorge Posada and pitching coach Dave Eiland helped settle him down and Burnett rewarded his teammates with six scoreless frames.

Alex Rodriguez hasn't homered yet, but he's getting darn close. A near miss in Boston, a near miss in Tampa. I expect him to break out any day now.

Posada and Nick Swisher both went deep on Sunday, with Posada's go-ahead shot coming against former teammate Randy Choate. Not the first time Yankees fans have witnessed a Choate failure.

In addition to the banner and ring presentations, one of tomorrow's highlight's will be Bernie Williams throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Now, Bernie hasn't offically ever announced a retirement date, but isn't time the Yankees front office set up a Bernie Williams Day? Retire #51, etc?
Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra (who I thought for sure would be throwing out the first pitch) will be on hand to present the rings. Ceremonies to kick off at 12:15. (thanks to the Star Ledger's Marc Carig for providing ceremony info. Click here to see the complete schedule of events).

An added bonus of tomorrow's opener is the opponent. Because the Yankees start their home schedule against the Los Angeles Angels, Hideki Matsui will be on hand to receive his ring. Godzilla is off to a great start in his new home. He's already had 2 game winning hits and is hitting .370 with a couple of home runs and 5 RBI.

Godzilla Switches Coasts

Hideki Matsui was a true professional in his seven years in Pinstripes. Now, he'll be bringing that professionalism to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Godzilla has reportedly signed a one year, $6.5 million deal to play for Mike Scioscia on the left coast.

Matsui reached the pinnacle of his Yankees career in his final season in the Bronx, winning the World Series MVP Award as the Bombers captured their 27th world championship.

Matsui had many big hits during his time in the Bronx and will be missed.

Old Guard Brings Home #27

17 players on the Yankees 25 man roster are first time World Series champions, but it was the "old timers" that helped bring home the New York Yankees' 27th championship, and first in nine years. Andy Pettitte jabbed and counter punched his way to his record 18 post-season win with 5-plus innings of work and Mariano Rivera came on to get the final five outs in the Yankees series clinching 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

But it was a first-timer that played a key role and took home the hardware as series MVP. Hideki Matsui, playing in what could be his last game as a Yankee tied a series record (also held by Yankee Bobby Richardson in 1960) with 6 RBI. His 2-run home run off Pedro Martinez gave the Yankees an early lead and increased the volume of the "Who's your daddy" chants from the crowd. Godzilla later added a 2-run double and a 2-run single to cap an amazing night.


Derek Jeter had three hits to finish the series with a .407 and scored twice. Though he went 0-3, it was Jorge Posada once again behind the plate for a big Pettitte performance. And though the native Texan didn't have his best stuff working on three days rest, he gave the Yankees just enough of what was needed.

Pettitte allowed just one run through the first five innings, getting Jimmy Rollins to hit into a key double play in the fifth before the Phillies' big bats came to the plate. He heard his name chanted throughout the night just as Paul O'Neill had in 2001. Pettitte finally exited, one batter after Ryan Howard finally hit a series home run, to a standing ovation.

Joba Chamberlain got the final out of the 6th before putting two aboard with two outs in the 7th. But unexpected World Series hero Damaso Marte struck out Chase Utley to end the inning and K'ed Howard to start the 8th. That's when skipper Joe Girardi went to his closer to finish out the night.

Rivera gave up a hit and a walk along the way, but after a long at-bat, induced Shane Victorino to bounce out to Robinson Cano for the 27th out. Rivera's teammates poured out of the dugout and bullpen to join in on the wild celebration taking place on the field.


Series Notes

Despite not starting the three games in Philadelphia and having only 14 plate appearances, Matsui finished with 3 HR and 8 RBI. Oh, and a .615 batting average.

It was the fifth championship for Jeter, Pettitte, Rivera, and Posada. It was the second time around for Johnny Damon, Marte, Eric Hinske, and Jose Molina.

Pettitte also picked up the clinching victory in 1998. He's the first pitcher to get two winners since Bob Gibson accomplished the feat for the St. Louis Cardinals in '64 and '67. Rivera has picked up the final outs in four of the five championships the Yankees have won since 1996.

Joe Girardi joined fellow managers Joe Torre, Bob Lemon, Billy Martin, Ralph Houk, Casey Stengel, Bucky Harris, Joe McCarthy, and Miller Huggins in winning a World Series title with the Yankees. Girardi, who wore number 27 this year, announced today that he will wear number 28 next season as a new incentive to the team.

Bats Wake Up For Series Lead

A-Rod, Swisher Come Alive For Series Lead

Written for Baseball Digest Online

Andy Pettitte has been on the big stage many times ni his career, but early on last night it looked like the Phillies were going to get the better of him and the Yankees. Then the Yankees bats woke up against the very human version of Cole Hamels and Pettitte bared down. The result was an 8-5 Yankees win that gave the Bronx Bombers a 2-1 World Series lead.

Down 3-0, Alex Rodriguez, hitless to that point, got the Yankees on the board in the 4th when he lined a 2-run home run off a televsion camera near the right field corner. Originally ruled as being in play, the umpires conferred and went to replay to confirm the call (Fox’s Joe Buck continued to call rhe replay inconclusive the rest of the night).

Pettitte helped out his own cause with a game tying single an inning later and Johnny Damon put the Yankees ahead for a good with a 2-run double in the same frame.

Nick Swisher, who snapped out of a 4-35 skid with a double, added a solo home run in the 6th and Hideki Matsui added some insurance with a pinch-hit solo shot in the 8th inning.

Pettitte started out shaky and the Phillies took advantage. Jayson Werth hit the first of two home runs in the 2nd inning and the Phillies added two more when Pettitte walked Jimmy Rollins with the bases loaded and Shane Victorino followed with a sac fly.

But Pettitte settled down through the middle innings. He dominated the dangerous left-handed trio of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Raul Ibanez. Howard, in fact, has gone 0-8 with seven strikeouts in the last two games.

Joba Chamberlain and Damaso Marte, of all people, retired all six batters they faced to build the bridge to the 9th. Joe Girardi decided to go with Phil Hughes, but after retiring the first batter, Hughes gave up a solo shot to Carlos Ruiz to make it a 3-run deficit. On came Mariano Rivera, who needed just five pitches to close the ball game out and give the Yankees their first series lead.
Series Notes

Pettitte’s RBI was the first game tying RBI by a Yankee pitcher since Jim Bouton during the 1964 series. Pettitte, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera became the first trio to play in a World Series together 13 years apart. Pretty cool.

Hideki Matsui’s home run was ironic in that it was the first one he hit to the opposite field all season.

People are still marveling over the performance by A.J. Burnett in Game 2. Burnett has heard all the praise – plus fastball, wicked movement on breaking pitches, among the bestcurveballs in the game. He’s also heard all the negative- no heart, empty head, bad attitude. Burnett shook off the latter and a slow start and dominated thePhillies hitters for seven innings. It was actually surprising that Girardi didn’t send him out for the 8th inning so that Rivera wouldn’t have to go for a six out save.

CC Sabathia faces Joe Blanton tonight in Game 4. Sabathia will be working on three days rest for the second time in the post-season. Burnett is scheduled to face Game 1 winner Cliff Lee in Monday night’s Game 5.