George Steinbrenner 1930-2010

Thank you, Boss, for 16 American League East titles, 11 American League Pennants and seven World Series Championships.
Thank you for a tireless and relentless commitment to winning, and for not being a cheap bastard like most owners in sports that are more concerned with their own bank accounts than the team they put on the field. Thank you for the new palace in the Bronx, the YES Network, and for restoring the New York Yankees to a position of greatness and prominence.
And thanks, specifically, for Reggie.
Hope Bob Sheppard gives you a big Yankee Stadium-style intro as you enter the Pearly Gates, and that you immediatley locate Billy Martin and re-hire him to do something. You can fire him again next year, and you can both laugh about it.
R.I.P, George.
There will never be another like you.

On to Facebook ...

After nearly two years of running this blog, we've decided to now take most of our Yankee discussions over to Facebook. We've found Facebook to be a very fast and easy way to post breaking news regarding the Yanks, as well as links to good Yankee-related newspaper and magazine articles. It also allows us to talk Yanks with each other in the "comments" section below each post. In fact, the nice thing about Facebook is that, should you post a comment on a topic, and others also post comments on that topic, you should get a notification, so it's an easier way to have discussions. We'll still post things here from time to time on the blog, but if you haven't yet done so, please join the "New York Yankees Fans of NEPA" page on Facebook. Thanks!

All is well in the world today ....

The Yankees won their home opener at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Andy Pettite pitches great. Jeter goes yard. Jorge gets three hits. Mo gets the save. The "core four" shine. The team gets its 2009 World Championship rings, which are handed out by Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford. Matsui, the World Series MVP, who happens to be there with the Angels, gets his ring, gets a huge ovation, and is greeted with hugs from his former teammates. Jeter and Girardi visit the owner's box and personally deliver a championship ring to The Boss. A new World Championship banner hangs over the new Yankee Stadium. A very good day in the Bronx.

Play Ball 2010! Yanks take 2 of 3 at Fenway ...

The World Champion New York Yankees opened the 2010 season by taking 2 of 3 at Fenway Park. Nice. At first, I was kind of ticked that they had to open the season in Boston. (Didn't they also do it a year or two ago?) But after watching the games, I think they should do it every year. As we all know, the Yanks often start the season off slow and seem like they're in a fog. Well, when you're playing the Sox, and 35,000 idiots are calling you every name in the book, that'll wake you up pretty fast. So, as far as I'm concerned, they can open at Fenway every year. I think it serves them well.

It's great to be back here on the blog for a third season. Looking forward to talking Yanks with everyone as the drive for #28 begins ...

Yankees trip to Camden Yards

For the past 20 years, a group of Yankee fans from NEPA has hit the road to see the Yankees play in their famous road grays. Over the years, they've visited Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Cleveland and Baltimore, and have even journeyed to Tampa Bay to see Yanks play the Rays and to Miami to see them play the Marlins. This year, for the first time in five years, they're heading back to Camden Yards in Baltimore. Here's some details on the trip:

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles
September 17, 18 and 19. (Friday-Sunday)
Trip includes:
1) Round trip bus transportation.
2) Beer, soda and food on the bus.
3) Tickets to the Friday and Saturday night games. Excellent seats in Section 61, near third base.
4) Hotel accommodations at at Mount Vernon Hotel for Friday and Saturday night. Rooms based on double occupancy. Two beds per room. Close to downtown attractions, eight blocks from Camden Yards, close to Inner Harbor.
Price is $320.00
All baseball fans are welcome! It's always a very nice, very well-run trip and a lot of fun.
Call John at (570) 287-9701.

Thank you, sir, may I have another ...

Another cool DVD has been released celebrating the Yankees 2009 season. This one was produced by the YES Network and takes a look at the highs and lows of the regular season, as well as some big personal milestones achieved by Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. It's a great companion piece to the World Series DVD, and if you own both of them, you'll really have a nice video keepsake of the first season at the new Yankee Stadium, all of the dramatic walk-off wins and, of course, a World Championship. Another "must have."

2009 World Series DVD: Fabulous

The 2009 World Series DVD has been out for a few weeks, and if you haven't seen it yet ... well, what the hell is wrong with you? You need to get this. Today. Seriously, log off of this blog right now and go out and buy it, or order it on-line. It's the perfect way to revel and bask in the continued glow of euphoric triumph.

Spoiler alert: The Yanks win in six.

Yankees trade Melky, acquire Vazquez

The Yankees have traded outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Braves in a deal that brings pitcher Javier Vazquez back to the Bronx. Arodys Vizcaino, one of the Yanks top pitching prospects, was also included in the deal. Vazquez, who pitched for the Yanks in 2004, won 15 games last year and will fill the No. 4 spot in the rotation. Could this reopen the door for the Yankees to talk to Damon? We'll see.

Sayonara to the great Matsui

Hideki Matsui has agreed to a one-year deal with the "whatever city they are calling themselves this year" Angels. Nothing but respect and well wishes for this great Yankee and class act. This guy drove in A LOT of runs for the Yankees from 2003-2009 and when he was hot, he was one of the toughest outs in the lineup. Lots of great memories of him, but I think what we'll all always remember the most is simply how totally locked in he was during the 2009 World Series. He seemed to be on a mission and I'm glad he got his ring with the Yankees. Sayonara, old friend. -------------
In another development, Roy Halladay goes to the Phillies in a big multi-team trade, yet they must part with Cliff Lee to get in done. Seems like an odd move, since Lee proved to be a big game pitcher in the postseason, is younger, and was willing to talk about an extension. It's all fine with me. Halladay is out of the AL and besides Seattle, nobody seems to have gotten any better. Nice.

Yanks aquire Granderson, resign Pettite

The Yankees made the biggest moves at the annual MLB winter meetings, pulling off a three-way trade with the Tigers and Diamondbacks in which the Yanks landed All-Star centerfielder Curtis Granderson. The biggest names the Yanks gave up were pitchers Phil Coke and Ian Kennedy and hot prospect Austin Jackson. In another move, the Yanks came to a one-year, $11 million dollar agreement with pitcher Andy Pettite. Your thoughts? Share them in the "comments" ...

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.

World Series Game 2: Yankees - 3, Phillies - 1

The Yankees evened the World Series last night at 1-1 with a great 3-1 win over the Phillies at Yankee Stadium. Pedro was very good, but A.J. Burnett was even better. This really felt like an old Yankees/Red Sox game with Pedro on the hill. Tight game. Yanks get a few runs off him in the middle innings and turn it over to Mo. We've all seen it many times. If we can somehow get 2 of 3 in Philly, we're in good shape. Huge win last night. A.J., Tex and Matsui may have saved the series.

World Series Game 1: Phillies - 6, Yankees - 1

Lee was lights out in Game 1. One of the best World Series pitching performances of all-time. CC was good - two runs through seven innings - but it wouldn't have mattered if he gave up 10 runs. The Yanks were not hitting. I'd hoped they'd win Game 1, so that even if they lost Game 2, they could go to Philadelphia just needing to win 1 of 3 games to make sure the series would go back to New York. Now, all of that is riding on Game 2 tonight. Don't really like the Burnett matchup against all of those good lefty hitters in the Phillies lineup. From an offensive standpoint, they are the best team the Yanks have faced in the World Series in a long time. Remind me a little of a left-handed Red Sox-type team. Hopefully, they'll get to Pedro tonight. I was hoping for a split at home. That's still possible. The whole thing is now in AJ's hands.