Anniversaries and Ballots

Today, January 22nd is a big day in the baseball world. It's the day the Baseball Hall of Fame announces the enshrinement class of 2019. The ballots from the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) have all been tabulated and those players who have garnered a minimum of 75% of the votes will be headed to Cooperstown, NY this summer.

Back to that in one moment, but first...

This past December marked the 13th anniversary of the "My Pinstripes" blog. Once glance will show that I have not done much posting on here over the last few years due to the time I have spent writing for "Bronx Pinstripes".

The plan going forward is to continue to post at My Pinstripes here and there, hopefully in a new WordPress format. Blogger is not what it used to be. And, of course, I will continue at Bronx Pinstripes.

Now back to the ballot.

It didn't take long for controversy to start with this year's voting. One member of the BBWAA revealed that he had left Mariano Rivera off his ballot. He also didn't turn his ballot as to not be the one to keep Rivera from possibly being the first player to be on 100% of the ballots turned in (said writer will not get his name mentioned here since his whole premise was ridiculous).

I've noticed many of the writers voting for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, especially the former, but I still do not believe they should have the privilege of entering the Hall.

Fred McGriff must be voted in today or this whole thing is a farce. If not for the 1994 work stoppage, McGriff would have hit 500 home run (he finished with 493) and would have been an automatic to enter.

Mike Mussina won 270 games. It doesn't matter that he has no rings, that he won only 20 games once in his career, etc. He pitched in the toughest division in baseball his entire career. He also would have had that ring if not for Rivera's rare World Series meltdown in the 7th game in 2001.

Andy Pettitte will not get into the Hall because of his admitted PED use. His numbers might have been iffy anyway, but now we'll never know.

Edgar Martinez is one of the best pure hitters of all-time. But, because most of his time was at DH he has been overlooked. That might change this year.

If I had a vote, my ballot would include:

Mariano Rivera (1st time on ballot)
Roy Halladay (1st time on ballot)
Fred McGriff
Mike Mussina
Edgar Martinez
Jeff Kent
Larry Walker

I'm still not sure on Walker, especially since Todd Helton has similar numbers. However, Helton's entire career was spent in hitter-friendly Colorado, while Walker's was not. It will still be tough for Walker to make it since this is his last shot (10th time on ballot) and he only received 34% of the vote last year.

As for Kent, compare his numbers to other second basemen, not just other players and you will see why deserves to be selected.

The announcement will be at 6 pm EST this evening, with the MLB Network talking (way too long) about it beginning at 3 pm EST.

Mussina Makes One Hall of Fame

It took Mike Mussina until his final season to reach 20 wins in a single year, but the right-hander piled up 270 wins in an 18 year borderline Hall of Fame career spent with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. It's not borderline for the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame though.

The man called Moose was inducted Saturday evening for the team that was his minor league home in 1991. (Plus a couple of games in 1990.) The then-24-year old went 10-4, 2.87 in 19 starts and earned an August call up to the Baltimore Orioles.

This past Wednesday marked the 22nd anniversary of Mussina's first Major League win, an eight inning, 10 strikeout affair against the Texas Rangers. (Mussina's debut was a loss to Chicago despite 7.2 innings of one run, four-hit ball.) He finished the year 4-5, with the same 2.87 ERA.

Mussina's career was one of perseverance. He was drafted in the 11th round by the O's out of Montoursville High School in PA. Three years later the O's took him again, this time as the 20th overall pick out of Stanford University. He threw nine games between Double-A Hagerstown and Triple-A Rochester in his introduction to professional baseball. A year later he excelled for the Red Wings and never looked back.

Congratulations Moose!

Phelps Shows He Belongs

The Toronto Blue Jays haven't exactly been tearing the cover off of the baseball in a season in which many picked them to win or place in the AL East horse race. David Phelps' performance against them on Saturday should not be diminished by the fact that the Blue Jays record fell to 17-26 and they are the current owners of the AL East basement.

Phelps shook off some early inning control issues and threw a career high seven innings to improve to 2-2 on the season. Phelps will never be talked about in the same sentence with Stephen Strasburg or Justin Verlander, and that's all right. Phelps may get compared to a Mike Mussina; a guy that can dominate without firing upper 90s fastballs (He was around 90-91 mph all day Saturday) to the catcher's mitt.

While Robinson Cano (two) and Travis Hafner provided 2-run home runs in the 7-2 win, Phelps was steady and followed his plan just about to the letter. He's a guy that knows what he's doing on the mound, clearly a pitcher and not a thrower.

The University of Notre Dame product started out by facing five hitters in the first inning without one putting the ball in play. He struck out lead off hitter Melky Cabrera on a curveball that broke so hard in on the former Yankee, that it hit Cabrera in the ankle as he couldn't check his swing. His curveball and slider broke too much for right-handed hitters Jose Bautista and Edward Encarnacion, both of whom he walked.

Phelps came back and struck out catcher J.P. Arencibia, then spun around to pick Bautista off a second base with Adam Lind in the batter's box. Phelps scattered six hits the rest of the way, walked just one more hitter and finished with eight strikeouts.

The Yankees didn't take Phelps until the 14th round of the 2008 MLB amateur draft, and while some of the top tier prospects in the organization have been slow to rise up through the ranks, Phelps has quietly gone about his business and succeeded.

Yesterday was his fourth straight start since Ivan Nova was put on the disabled list. The two competed in Spring Training for the fifth spot in the rotation and though Phelps performed better, Nova won the job based on his track record and Phelps' ability to fill the Ramiro Mendoza swing man role.  Nova has been fragile and inconsistent the last two years though and Phelps is doing his best to stake a claim in the rotation. With Andy Pettitte out, Nova should join Phelps in the once he returns from the DL. What happens when Pettitte returns will be determined at that time.

In the meantime Phelps will just keep trying to get better as he has done with each of his four starts. He allowed four runs in 5.2 innings against a weak hitting Houston Astros team, but didn't figure in the decision as the Yankees won. He didn't come out with a win his next time out either in the Yankees 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies, but he limited the opposition to two runs and three hits in six innings.

Phelps was a hard luck loser when the Cleveland Indians won the opener of this past Monday's twinbill, 2-1. The five walks Phelps issued were unusual, but he struck out seven and allowed one run in 6.2 innings. The Yankees will certainly take three wins out of every four of Phelps' starts. (His other win came in a four inning relief apperance, also against the Blue Jays.) Now they just need to let him take the ball every fifth day.

The Daily Yankeeland - 3/11

The Yankees style is buttoned up corporate; Nick Swisher has other ideas.

Johnny Damon, who dresses next to Swisher, says Swisher “knows that this is a short part of our lives, and he is going to enjoy it to the fullest.”

George King of the Post has a piece on the Yankees current third baseman. That would be Cody Ransom.

Mike Mussina and his family visited the Yankees yesterday and watched last night's game.

The Yankees travel to Lakeland today to take on the Tigers in a 1:05 start. CC Sabathia gets the start for the Yanks.

Peter Abraham has a live video chat scheduled for Noon EDT today.

Mariano Rivera threw a BP session today and felt good afterwards. Jesus Montero and John Rodriguez were the guinea pigs.

Investigators found evidence of steroids on the needles that Brian McNamee allegedly injected Roger Clemens with. The Rocket's DNA had already been found on the same needles. Clemens' attorney, Rusty Hardin, was quick to dismiss the test, stating in not so many words that McNamee had tamperedwith the evidence.

Andy Pettitte was in D.C. last week to meet with investigators on the Clemens' perjury case.

The Yankees are being proactive in killing germs in the new digs.

A new autobiography of George Steinbrenner, says the Yankees owner and olympic backer, supported skaters Tanya Harding, Nicole Bobek, and Ron Karnaugh in the early '90s. Yes, that would be when Harding's goons "laid the pipe" to Nancy Kerrigan. The Steinbrenner camp says they don't remember funding Harding at all. King George doesn't have good taste in picking out skaters though. Bobek was arrested for home invasion in 1994.

Moose not Fearing Fall Out

Not that he'll be a part of it, but Mike Mussina, for one, doesn't think Joe Torre's book will cause any problems in the Yankees' clubhouse.

"He's the best player that I've had a chance to play with," Mussina told the paper. "And he works hard at it, and if he sat around and worried about everything that happened, he wouldn't be able to be the player that he is. I was in that clubhouse for eight years. I've seen a lot of stuff go on. A lot of stories go out. I've seen Alex deal with a lot of things, this past year and in other years. I don't foresee this as being a major issue."

"What goes on in the clubhouse and teammates razzing or giving each other a hard time doesn't necessarily mean we're cutting into people," Mussina told the Post. "Did I ever hear anybody call him ['A-Fraud']? It's possible. But that doesn't mean it's meant in a harsh way. We're stuck together for six months, and we're trying to have fun with each other and get people motivated. I don't look at that as something that's nasty."

source: MLB.com

Top 10 of 2008

These are top 10 Yankees stories for the year MMVIII (it's not just used for Super Bowls ya know). We could have ordered 7-10 differently, but this is what we came up with.

1. Goodbye, old friend
There's no question that the number one story was the final season in the storied Yankee Stadium that we all grew up with. Yes, there have been different manifestations of the current park, but the games were all played on the same hallowed ground.

The Yankees did a pretty great job, (player replicas not withstanding), of commemorating the year with patches on their uniforms, a somewhat cheesy Stadium countdown meter, a spectacular Old Timer's Day, and a great final night ceremony.

As for the final game itself, the Yankees won 7-3. Andy Pettitte picked up what could be his final win in a Yankees uniform. Derek Jeter gave a heartfelt speech to the crowd after the game and the Yankees took a farewell lap around the Stadium.

The new place will be great, but we'll miss the old one too.

2. I'm in Charge Here
With his health not what it once was, George Steinbrenner turned over the day-to-day operations of the ball club to his sons, Hank and Hal. Hank emerged as the mouthpiece, often shooting from the hip without thinking, but as the year progressed, it became obvious that Hal was the son who was really running the show.

3. Show me the money!
This holiday season was, hopefully, highlighted by the gifts that keep on giving. The Yankees played Santa Claus for CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, giving them contracts that will help them to form the nucleus of the ball club for years to come.

4. Seeing Stars
The Yankees hosted their first All-Star game in 31 years on July 15. Mariano Rivera recorded the final outs of the 9th inning, but it took extra innings before the AL won. The big story, though, was Josh Hamilton's incredible display in the prior night's home run derby.

5. A Different Joe
It was a new year all around, as Joe Girardi became the first manager other than Joe Torre to take the helm of the Yankees since 1995. Girardi had his ups and downs. He admittedly made a number of mistakes, particularly in his reporting of team injuries to the press and his lack of rapport with the veterans on the team.

6. A Big Loss
Bigger than any game, was the loss of long-time Yankees player and broadcaster Bobby Murcer to brain cancer. Bobby was our man growing up, and proved to be an even better person off the field than on. His courage during his illness was inspiring.

7. Bernie Comes Home
After being disappointed by not being offered a guaranteed contract for 2007, Bernie Williams disappeared from sight. He still showed up at various fund raisers from time to time, but he was nowhere to be found when it came to anything basebal-l related.

But that all changed on September 22, when as part of the pre-game hoopla for the final Stadium contest, Bernie Williams emerged, in uniform, from the dugout to a raucous reception from the crowd.

8. Big Trouble for American League Hitters
It took Mike Mussina 18 seasons and it came down to the final game of 2008, but Moose finally got his first 20-win season. Defeating the Red Sox in Fenway Park, Moose finished off a renaissance year that turned out to be his last. It took him a while to make the official announcement, but Moose had already decided this season would be his last before the season had even started.

9. CashMoney
Brian Cashman said he wanted to be back. The Steinbrenner boys said they wanted him back. But the Yankees played the entire season with a lame duck GM. Then on the final day of the season, Cashman signed a new 3-year deal that will keep him on as GM through 2011.

10. Voiceless
The final season in Yankee Stadium was not the same, because its longtime voice was not there. Bob Sheppard had taken ill at the end of the 2007 season and was too weak to work any of the Yankees games in 2008. He did make a pre-recorded announcement for the final home game and Derek Jeter used a tape of the "Voice of God" to announce all of his at-bats. Here's hoping Mr. Sheppard returns in 2009.

Top 10 of 2008

These are top 10 Yankees stories for the year MMVIII (it's not just used for Super Bowls ya know). We could have ordered 7-10 differently, but this is what we came up with.

1. Goodbye, old friend
There's no question that the number one story was the final season in the storied Yankee Stadium that we all grew up with. Yes, there have been different manifestations of the current park, but the games were all played on the same hallowed ground.

The Yankees did a pretty great job, (player replicas not withstanding), of commemorating the year with patches on their uniforms, a somewhat cheesy Stadium countdown meter, a spectacular Old Timer's Day, and a great final night ceremony.

As for the final game itself, the Yankees won 7-3. Andy Pettitte picked up what could be his final win in a Yankees uniform. Derek Jeter gave a heartfelt speech to the crowd after the game and the Yankees took a farewell lap around the Stadium.

The new place will be great, but we'll miss the old one too.

2. I'm in Charge Here
With his health not what it once was, George Steinbrenner turned over the day-to-day operations of the ball club to his sons, Hank and Hal. Hank emerged as the mouthpiece, often shooting from the hip without thinking, but as the year progressed, it became obvious that Hal was the son who was really running the show.

3. Show me the money!
This holiday season was, hopefully, highlighted by the gifts that keep on giving. The Yankees played Santa Claus for CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, giving them contracts that will help them to form the nucleus of the ball club for years to come.

4. Seeing Stars
The Yankees hosted their first All-Star game in 31 years on July 15. Mariano Rivera recorded the final outs of the 9th inning, but it took extra innings before the AL won. The big story, though, was Josh Hamilton's incredible display in the prior night's home run derby.

5. A Different Joe
It was a new year all around, as Joe Girardi became the first manager other than Joe Torre to take the helm of the Yankees since 1995. Girardi had his ups and downs. He admittedly made a number of mistakes, particularly in his reporting of team injuries to the press and his lack of rapport with the veterans on the team.

6. A Big Loss
Bigger than any game, was the loss of long-time Yankees player and broadcaster Bobby Murcer to brain cancer. Bobby was our man growing up, and proved to be an even better person off the field than on. His courage during his illness was inspiring.

7. Bernie Comes Home
After being disappointed by not being offered a guaranteed contract for 2007, Bernie Williams disappeared from sight. He still showed up at various fund raisers from time to time, but he was nowhere to be found when it came to anything basebal-l related.

But that all changed on September 22, when as part of the pre-game hoopla for the final Stadium contest, Bernie Williams emerged, in uniform, from the dugout to a raucous reception from the crowd.

8. Big Trouble for American League Hitters
It took Mike Mussina 18 seasons and it came down to the final game of 2008, but Moose finally got his first 20-win season. Defeating the Red Sox in Fenway Park, Moose finished off a renaissance year that turned out to be his last. It took him a while to make the official announcement, but Moose had already decided this season would be his last before the season had even started.

9. CashMoney
Brian Cashman said he wanted to be back. The Steinbrenner boys said they wanted him back. But the Yankees played the entire season with a lame duck GM. Then on the final day of the season, Cashman signed a new 3-year deal that will keep him on as GM through 2011.

10. Voiceless
The final season in Yankee Stadium was not the same, because its longtime voice was not there. Bob Sheppard had taken ill at the end of the 2007 season and was too weak to work any of the Yankees games in 2008. He did make a pre-recorded announcement for the final home game and Derek Jeter used a tape of the "Voice of God" to announce all of his at-bats. Here's hoping Mr. Sheppard returns in 2009.

The Daily Yankeeland - 11/21

It's a TGIF edition of The Daily Yankeeland. We can't wait to go home. Speaking of homes, the Yankees' new one is nearly ready. Workers are feverishly going at it so the players and front office will have access to the new digs beginning February 17.

Infield grass was trimmed this week, the dirt turned over. Almost all of the seats have been installed. Overall the new place is nearly 90% complete.

Goodbye to You
One of our faves, Mike Vaccaro, has his take on King George's departure.

Goodbye to You II
Nice piece in today's Ledger from another of our faves, Dan Graziano, on the retirement of Mike Mussina.

The Captain, Derek Jeter released an official statement (posted here via Pete Abraham):

“It was a great pleasure playing against – and even more so with – Mike Mussina since I entered the league in 1995. He was a true professional both on and off the field. Moose’s accomplishments in the game over the last 18 years represent a Hall of Fame player.”

Show Me the Money
Hal Steinbrenner may not be the mouthpiece his brother Hank is, but he has made sure that everyone knows the Yankees will not wait forever for CC Sabathia to accept or reject the Yankees contract offer.

Man Up
The Yankees have added Anthony Claggett, Christian Garcia, Steven Jackson, and Michael Dunn to their 40-man roster, to protect them from December's Rule V Draft. It does mean that players like Alan Horne, Kevin Whelan, and J.B. Cox can be selected, though they would have to remain on a team's MLB roster for an entire year or the Yankees would have the opportunity to get them back.

Like a Rock
Former Yankee, Tim "Rock" Raines has been named the manager of the newly re-formed (Atlantic League) Newark Bears.

Make Room for Daddy
Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica welcomed their first child, a boy named Hunter, into the world on Wednesday.

The Daily Yankeeland - 11/21

It's a TGIF edition of The Daily Yankeeland. We can't wait to go home. Speaking of homes, the Yankees' new one is nearly ready. Workers are feverishly going at it so the players and front office will have access to the new digs beginning February 17.

Infield grass was trimmed this week, the dirt turned over. Almost all of the seats have been installed. Overall the new place is nearly 90% complete.

Goodbye to You
One of our faves, Mike Vaccaro, has his take on King George's departure.

Goodbye to You II
Nice piece in today's Ledger from another of our faves, Dan Graziano, on the retirement of Mike Mussina.

The Captain, Derek Jeter released an official statement (posted here via Pete Abraham):

“It was a great pleasure playing against – and even more so with – Mike Mussina since I entered the league in 1995. He was a true professional both on and off the field. Moose’s accomplishments in the game over the last 18 years represent a Hall of Fame player.”

Show Me the Money
Hal Steinbrenner may not be the mouthpiece his brother Hank is, but he has made sure that everyone knows the Yankees will not wait forever for CC Sabathia to accept or reject the Yankees contract offer.

Man Up
The Yankees have added Anthony Claggett, Christian Garcia, Steven Jackson, and Michael Dunn to their 40-man roster, to protect them from December's Rule V Draft. It does mean that players like Alan Horne, Kevin Whelan, and J.B. Cox can be selected, though they would have to remain on a team's MLB roster for an entire year or the Yankees would have the opportunity to get them back.

Like a Rock
Former Yankee, Tim "Rock" Raines has been named the manager of the newly re-formed (Atlantic League) Newark Bears.

Make Room for Daddy
Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica welcomed their first child, a boy named Hunter, into the world on Wednesday.

The Daily Yankeeland - 11/20

Plenty of praise and a few shots coming in today for Mike Mussina after word came out yesterday he would be calling it a career. Here's some of what's being said by the area writers:

Pete Abraham

Mike Lupica

Joel Sherman

George King

Mark Feinsand

Tyler Kepner


Moose held a press conference today in which he apologized to reporters for misleading them. He had intended 2008 to be his last season from the first day of Spring Training.

Nick Swisher was on with Mike Francesa the other day. He's quite a character. You can take a listen for yourself on WFAN's website.

Joe Girardi and Michael Kay were among the honorees at Tuesday night's "Remember When, Remember Now" fundraiser for Alzheimer's Disease. Girardi's dad suffers from the hideous disease. MLB.com's Bryan Hoch had a chance to talk to the manager about the 2009 season.

Phil Coke was named to the Topp's Double-A All Star team. Do you get free baseball cards?

The Daily Yankeeland - 11/20

Plenty of praise and a few shots coming in today for Mike Mussina after word came out yesterday he would be calling it a career. Here's some of what's being said by the area writers:

Pete Abraham

Mike Lupica

Joel Sherman

George King

Mark Feinsand

Tyler Kepner


Moose held a press conference today in which he apologized to reporters for misleading them. He had intended 2008 to be his last season from the first day of Spring Training.

Nick Swisher was on with Mike Francesa the other day. He's quite a character. You can take a listen for yourself on WFAN's website.

Joe Girardi and Michael Kay were among the honorees at Tuesday night's "Remember When, Remember Now" fundraiser for Alzheimer's Disease. Girardi's dad suffers from the hideous disease. MLB.com's Bryan Hoch had a chance to talk to the manager about the 2009 season.

Phil Coke was named to the Topp's Double-A All Star team. Do you get free baseball cards?

Breaking News: Mussina Calls it a Career

It's official, Mike Mussina has come to a decision and that decision is to hang up his cleats after an illustrious 18-year career. That according to ESPN. Mussina had a revival this past season, winning 20 games for the first time in his career and finished with 270 wins, good for 33rd on the all-time list. He struck out 2,813 batters (19th) in over 3,500 innings pitched.

Mussina made a name for himself in Baltimore where he pitched for the first 10 years of his career before leaving as a free agent after the 2000 season. He spent the last 8 seasons in Pinstripes, signing a second contract after his initial 6-year deal. Mussina won at least 10 games for 17 straight seasons, including the strike shortened 1994 season.

He twice fell short of winning 20 games before beating the Red Sox this past September 28 to finally get the monkey off his back. The soon to be 40-yr old also saw playoff action in 9 seasons. He was the pitcher when Derek Jeter made "The Play" in 2001 and recorded 15 strikeout games as a member of the Orioles in 1997.

Thanks for the memories Moose and good luck!

Breaking News: Mussina Calls it a Career

It's official, Mike Mussina has come to a decision and that decision is to hang up his cleats after an illustrious 18-year career. That according to ESPN. Mussina had a revival this past season, winning 20 games for the first time in his career and finished with 270 wins, good for 33rd on the all-time list. He struck out 2,813 batters (19th) in over 3,500 innings pitched.

Mussina made a name for himself in Baltimore where he pitched for the first 10 years of his career before leaving as a free agent after the 2000 season. He spent the last 8 seasons in Pinstripes, signing a second contract after his initial 6-year deal. Mussina won at least 10 games for 17 straight seasons, including the strike shortened 1994 season.

He twice fell short of winning 20 games before beating the Red Sox this past September 28 to finally get the monkey off his back. The soon to be 40-yr old also saw playoff action in 9 seasons. He was the pitcher when Derek Jeter made "The Play" in 2001 and recorded 15 strikeout games as a member of the Orioles in 1997.

Thanks for the memories Moose and good luck!

The Daily Yankeeland - 11/17

Hey! The Daily Yankeeland is back. Hope you missed it!

The Yankees aren't sure if they'll land CC Sabathia, but the Cleveland Cavs forward, and Yankees fan, LeBron James thinks it'll happen. "We're gonna get him. Absolutely."

Meanwhile Brewers GM Doug Melvin can't understand the reported $140 million the Yankees offered his left-hander.

"If the speculation is true that we've offered CC $100 million," Melvin wondered out loud in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "why would you offer $140 million? Why wouldn't you offer $110 million?

With all due respect to Doug Melvin, why would the Yankees want to get into a bidding war? They know Sabathia wants Johan Santana money ($137.5 million), so why should they bid $105 million and allow Sabathia to think they really aren't serious? The Steinbrenners and Brian Cashman want to wow the 2007 AL CY Young winner and this offer will certainly do just that.


Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
Darrell Rasner is thanking his lucky stars and Japanese ownership for some financial security. The Yankees sold Rasner's contract to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for $1 million. Rasner will make a guaranteed $1.2 million next season and could make as much as $3.5 million if his option is picked up for 2010.

"I'm going to, most of all, remember the last year," Rasner said. "This year was a special year with the closing of [Yankee Stadium]. To be a part of that was special for me, getting to start quite a few games. I wish I could have been better and a lot of things could have happened, but I know I did my best every time I went out there."

Really Peavy'ed
Despite the fact that Jake Peavy really doesn't want to pitch in New York, Brian Cashman has continued talks with Padres GM Kevin Towers in an attempt to swing a deal for the star right-hander. During the GM meetings, Towers said he was going to concentrate on the NL teams for the moment, but told Cashman he would come back to him. He's done just that. After a deal for Atlanta, that would have included young star shortstop Yuniel Escobar, fell through Towers expanded his search.

Without knowing all the details of the Braves talks, one would imagine the Padres would want Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano for starters. Of course, how much of Peavy's contract is picked up by the Yankees could alter what players would change hands.


Oldies but Goodies
Still no word from Mike Mussina on whether or not he'll return to the major leagues next season or call it a career. Meanwhile Andy Pettitte has not yet received an official offer from the Yankees, though it appears the two sides are far apart on what they think Pettitte should make. The left-hander reportedly is looking for money in the neighborhood of last year's $16 million, while the Yankees would like him to take a pay cut. "Hey Andy, here's $8 mill, take it or leave it."

Cubs Play, Cubs Play
It's official, the Chicago Cubs are coming to the city so nice they named it twice. The Cubs and Yankees will open the new Yankee Stadium with a pair of exhibition games April 3 and 4. The Cubs have only come to Yankee Stadium once, a 2005 interleague series, since the two teams met in the 1938 World Series.

"The Yankees organization is excited and honored to host the Chicago Cubs in two exhibition games to be played at the new Yankee Stadium," Yankees co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said in a release. "As we welcome our fans into the ballpark for the first time, it is fitting to showcase two of baseball's greatest and most historic franchises."

The Daily Yankeeland - 11/17

Hey! The Daily Yankeeland is back. Hope you missed it!

The Yankees aren't sure if they'll land CC Sabathia, but the Cleveland Cavs forward, and Yankees fan, LeBron James thinks it'll happen. "We're gonna get him. Absolutely."

Meanwhile Brewers GM Doug Melvin can't understand the reported $140 million the Yankees offered his left-hander.

"If the speculation is true that we've offered CC $100 million," Melvin wondered out loud in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "why would you offer $140 million? Why wouldn't you offer $110 million?

With all due respect to Doug Melvin, why would the Yankees want to get into a bidding war? They know Sabathia wants Johan Santana money ($137.5 million), so why should they bid $105 million and allow Sabathia to think they really aren't serious? The Steinbrenners and Brian Cashman want to wow the 2007 AL CY Young winner and this offer will certainly do just that.


Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
Darrell Rasner is thanking his lucky stars and Japanese ownership for some financial security. The Yankees sold Rasner's contract to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for $1 million. Rasner will make a guaranteed $1.2 million next season and could make as much as $3.5 million if his option is picked up for 2010.

"I'm going to, most of all, remember the last year," Rasner said. "This year was a special year with the closing of [Yankee Stadium]. To be a part of that was special for me, getting to start quite a few games. I wish I could have been better and a lot of things could have happened, but I know I did my best every time I went out there."

Really Peavy'ed
Despite the fact that Jake Peavy really doesn't want to pitch in New York, Brian Cashman has continued talks with Padres GM Kevin Towers in an attempt to swing a deal for the star right-hander. During the GM meetings, Towers said he was going to concentrate on the NL teams for the moment, but told Cashman he would come back to him. He's done just that. After a deal for Atlanta, that would have included young star shortstop Yuniel Escobar, fell through Towers expanded his search.

Without knowing all the details of the Braves talks, one would imagine the Padres would want Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano for starters. Of course, how much of Peavy's contract is picked up by the Yankees could alter what players would change hands.


Oldies but Goodies
Still no word from Mike Mussina on whether or not he'll return to the major leagues next season or call it a career. Meanwhile Andy Pettitte has not yet received an official offer from the Yankees, though it appears the two sides are far apart on what they think Pettitte should make. The left-hander reportedly is looking for money in the neighborhood of last year's $16 million, while the Yankees would like him to take a pay cut. "Hey Andy, here's $8 mill, take it or leave it."

Cubs Play, Cubs Play
It's official, the Chicago Cubs are coming to the city so nice they named it twice. The Cubs and Yankees will open the new Yankee Stadium with a pair of exhibition games April 3 and 4. The Cubs have only come to Yankee Stadium once, a 2005 interleague series, since the two teams met in the 1938 World Series.

"The Yankees organization is excited and honored to host the Chicago Cubs in two exhibition games to be played at the new Yankee Stadium," Yankees co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said in a release. "As we welcome our fans into the ballpark for the first time, it is fitting to showcase two of baseball's greatest and most historic franchises."

Lee Cruises to AL CY Young

To no one's surprise, the Cleveland Indians' Cliff Lee captured the 2008 AL CY Young Award announced today by the Baseball Writer's Association (BBWA). Lee, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his career, blew away the competition in '08. He compiled a 22-3 mark, a league best 2.54 ERA, and had the third highest winning percentage for a 20-game winner.

It was a big turn around for Lee who spent part of the '07 season in the minor leagues. He's the first Indians pitcher to win the CY Young since Gaylord Perry took home the hardware in 1974.

Lee garnered 24 of the 28 first place votes, with Toronto's Roy Halladay picking up the other four votes to help him finish in second place. Mariano Rivera finished in fourth place with 3 votes and Mike Mussina finished tied for fifth with 2 votes.

2008 AL Cy Young Award Voting
Pitcher, Club	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
Cliff Lee, CLE	24	4		132
Roy Halladay, TOR	4	15	6	71
Francisco Rodriguez, LAA		7	11	32
Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS		2	4	10
Mariano Rivera, NYY			3	3
Mike Mussina, NYY			2	2
Ervin Santana, LAA			2	2

Lee Cruises to AL CY Young

To no one's surprise, the Cleveland Indians' Cliff Lee captured the 2008 AL CY Young Award announced today by the Baseball Writer's Association (BBWA). Lee, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his career, blew away the competition in '08. He compiled a 22-3 mark, a league best 2.54 ERA, and had the third highest winning percentage for a 20-game winner.

It was a big turn around for Lee who spent part of the '07 season in the minor leagues. He's the first Indians pitcher to win the CY Young since Gaylord Perry took home the hardware in 1974.

Lee garnered 24 of the 28 first place votes, with Toronto's Roy Halladay picking up the other four votes to help him finish in second place. Mariano Rivera finished in fourth place with 3 votes and Mike Mussina finished tied for fifth with 2 votes.

2008 AL Cy Young Award Voting
Pitcher, Club	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
Cliff Lee, CLE	24	4		132
Roy Halladay, TOR	4	15	6	71
Francisco Rodriguez, LAA		7	11	32
Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS		2	4	10
Mariano Rivera, NYY			3	3
Mike Mussina, NYY			2	2
Ervin Santana, LAA			2	2

The Daily Yankeeland - 10/28

Needless to say the conclusion of the World Series was put off until Wednesday night due to more crappy weather in Philly. And even that is in doubt, with a 20-30% chance of rain all day and a game time temperature expected to be 33 degrees.

Yahoo's Jeff Passan takes Bud Selig and MLB to task.


Meanwhile back on the Yankees, and ex-Yankees beat...

Brian Cashman spoke to MLB's Anthony DiComo about Joba Chamberlain's DUI arrest.

Ken Davidoff sat down with former Yankees coach Don Zimmer to discuss the surprising success of the Rays.

Mike Mussina's agent Arn Tellem says his client still has not decided whether or not to continue his career.


And around the rest of MLB:

The Cubs hot corner man Aramis Ramirez has won the Hank Aaron Award.

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols garnered the Roberto Clemente Award.

The Angels picked up their 2009 options on Vlad Guerrero and John Lackey.

The Daily Yankeeland - 10/28

Needless to say the conclusion of the World Series was put off until Wednesday night due to more crappy weather in Philly. And even that is in doubt, with a 20-30% chance of rain all day and a game time temperature expected to be 33 degrees.

Yahoo's Jeff Passan takes Bud Selig and MLB to task.


Meanwhile back on the Yankees, and ex-Yankees beat...

Brian Cashman spoke to MLB's Anthony DiComo about Joba Chamberlain's DUI arrest.

Ken Davidoff sat down with former Yankees coach Don Zimmer to discuss the surprising success of the Rays.

Mike Mussina's agent Arn Tellem says his client still has not decided whether or not to continue his career.


And around the rest of MLB:

The Cubs hot corner man Aramis Ramirez has won the Hank Aaron Award.

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols garnered the Roberto Clemente Award.

The Angels picked up their 2009 options on Vlad Guerrero and John Lackey.

89-73

What an incredibly underwhelming season. The Yankees dropped game #162 last night, 4-3, to the Red Sox in 10 innings. The Yankees rallied to tie the game in the ninth, but Jose Veras couldn't get out of a bases loaded jam in the tenth. Jonathan Van Every singled home the game winner, some 48 hours, OK, not that long on, after the day began.

Sidney Ponson was impressive in his final start, allowing a run on four hits through six innings. Boston went ahead 3-1 in the eighth, against Darrell Rasner, on Sean Casey's 2-run single. But a sac fly by Juan Miranda (his first major league RBI) and a 2-out single by Robinson Cano tied the game in the ninth against David Aardsma. Red Sox pitcher Devern Hansack picked up his second major league win, and his first in two years.

One of the biggest story this season was of course, the transformation of Joba Chamberlain from reliever to starter and then back again due to injury. Looks like more of the same for next year.

Joe Girardi is already talking about next year's goals as if we didn't know what they were already.

Mike Mussina's 20th win yesterday, and number 270 all-time, could be his last. Speculation is that he'll retire.

Prior to yesterday's game the Red Sox retired #6 in honor of long time player and coach Johnny Pesky. He may be the first person to hit an opening fungo.

The 89 wins was the least since the Yankees won just 87 in taking the AL East in 2000 (something tells us Hank Steinbrenner didn't complain back then). The last non-strike, non-post season team of 1993 won 88 games.

Hard to argue with those who said Robinson Cano should have been sent a message earlier. Since being pulled out of September 14th's game and a subsequent one game benching, Cano went on a 19-46 (.413) tear to finish the season.

Johnny Damon (.303), Alex Rodriguez (.302), and Derek Jeter (.300) were the only regulars to finish at .300 or above. It was the first time for Damon since he donned the Pinstripes in 2006. Damon also had his highest stolen base total in the three years with 29.

Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Albert Pujols are the only major leaguers to drive in 100 runs each of the last six seasons.

A-Rod led the clubs in HR (35), RBI (103), slugging (.573), and strikeouts (117).

Cody Ransom has the early inside for the 2009 utility position. Ransom hit .302 in 43 at-bats with 4 home runs and a 1.051 OPS.

Jason Giambi led the team in walks with 76, three more than Abreu. Abreu did lead the team with 39 doubles, while Damon topped in triples with 5.

Andy Pettitte (204.1) and Mike Mussina (200.1) were the only pitchers to top 200 innings. In addition to wins, Mussina led the starters with a 3.37 ERA. Pettitte's 158 strikeouts was 8 more than Mussina's total. Pettitte was second in wins (14) and had the most losses (14). Chien-Ming Wang owned the only complete game in '08.

In saving 39 games, Mariano Rivera appeared in the most games, 64, four more than Jose Veras.