Yankees Derek Jeter is Sports Illustrated's 2009 'Sportsman of The Year'

Yankees captian Derek Jeter has been named the Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year." He is the first Yankee to ever win the award and it comes on the heels of him also winning the 2009 Hank Aaron Award and 2009 Roberto Clementa Award. He also won another Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger Award and a fifth Word Series ring. And of course, he also broke the Yankees all-time hits record this season and batted .344 in the postseason and .407 in the World Series. Here's a link to just one of the many stories hitting the newswires today about the SI Award:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/11/30/2009-11-30_jeter.html

Bob Sheppard officially retires

The great Bob Sheppard, 99, has officially retired as the public address anouncer of the New York Yankees. Bob, who was unable to announce any games at the new Yankee Stadium in 2009, says it's time for him to hang up the microphone for good. To many, this man was as much a part of going to Yankee Stadium as the game itself. Here's a link to a nice interview with Sheppard explaining his reasons:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/11/26/2009-11-26_bob_sheppard_officially_steps_aside.html

Bernie Williams brings his guitar to NEPA

Former Yankees star Bernie Williams, who is also a critically acclaimed musician, will perform in Northeastern Pennsylvania on Saturday, Nov. 21. To read an interview with Williams about his music, and how his time with the Yankees has somtimes influenced that music, click the link:

http://www.theweekender.com/music/Williams_an_All-Star_on_guitar_11-17-2009.html

Yankees 2009 World Series Championship trophy coming to Misericordia University

Alfred Santasiere III, an alumnus of Misericordia University and co-author of "Yankee Stadium: The Final Season, The Official Retrospective," will sign copies of the book at the Anderson Sports-Health Center on the campus of Misericordia University, Saturday, November 21 at 3 p.m. The 2009 World Series trophy will also be on display and fans will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with the trophy. "Yankee Stadium: The Final Season, The Official Retrospective," recounts the events that took place at Yankee Stadium in 2008.

Santasiere, 30, is the director of publications for the New York Yankees and serves as the editor-in-chief of Yankees Magazine and the New York Yankees annual yearbook.

Yankees: 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONS

The Yankees won the 2009 World Series tonight with an easy win over Philadelphia in Game 6. Andy was great. Pedro was not. The great and prideful Matsui - who hit .615 in the series and drove in six runs in Game 6 - is the series MVP. Jeter bats .407 and ties Ruth and Berra as the only players to hit over . 300 in five World Series. A-Rod carries team through postseason with huge hits. Damon was huge. Mo slams it down - again. Fifth ring for the "Core Four." #27 for the Yankees. #7 for "The Boss." Philadelphia fans - and even some of the players - kept saying how they wanted the Yankees. Well, there's an old saying: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Phillies are a great team. Much respect. But congrats to the Yankees - WORLD CHAMPIONS!

World Series Game 5: Phillies - 8, Yankees - 6

The Phillies got back into the World Series last night with a 8-6 win in Philadelphia. Burnett didn't have anything and was gone early. Girardi rolled the dice by throwing him on short rest, and some say he has greatly compromised the staff for the rest of the series. Some, however, are still saying it was the right move, and that he has always managed aggressively and was simply staying true to form. Throwing Gaudin - who hadn't pitched in a month - could have been viewed as the white flag vs. Cliff Lee. Joe went for the kill. It's one of those moves that if A.J. was on, would have been viewed as brilliant. The good news is that they did get to Lee and also managed to put a real scare into them in the 9th. The Phillies are the best opponent the Yankees have faced in a long time, but the Yankees are also the best opponent the Phillies have faced in a long time. They are not used to people punching them right back. In the American League, it happens all the time. This is how we play. This is what we do. This is hardball.
My goal was to split two in New York, go down to Philly and get one, and then come home and try and win two. We're in even better shape than that. And we are the best home team in baseball. And Andy says he feels great.
LET'S GO !!!

World Series Game 4: Yankees - 7, Phillies - 4

The Yankees took a 3-1 lead in the World Series last night with an incredibly gutsy win in Philadelphia. Yanks take the crowd of the game early by scoring two in the first. CC, on short rest, again battles like a man and leaves the game with the lead. Game tied in the 9th. Two outs. Damon has one of the best and most important at-bats of his life and then gets what could end up being the most important stolen base in Yankees history. Then, on a heads-up play, immediately dashes to third where no one is covering. A-Rod gets what he later calls the biggest hit of his life (and he's has quite a few huge hits this postseason) and Jorge adds some insurance. Mo slams the door. A great, great win.

World Series Game 3: Yankees - 8, Phillies - 5

The Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the World Series last night with a thumping come-from-behind win in Philadelphia. Huge home run from A-Rod woke the team up and got them back in the game. Girardi's loyalty to Swisher pays off with another bomb, and Matsui - pinch-hitting - also goes yard. There were also big hits from Damon and even an RBI single from Andy Pettite. You have to love the way Andy battled and never got unglued after giving up a few early runs, including two shots from Jayson Werth. Yanks have now hit 18 home runs this postseason and Pettite now has 17 career postseason wins. The win guarantees that no matter what happens in Game 4 or 5, this baby is going back to New York.