Will Leitch, today, takes a look at the return of Jorge Posada – over at New York Magazine.

It will be an interesting catching study in Yankeeland this year – with Posada and Jose Molina.

Posada should provide above average offense with limited defensive value. On the other hand, Molina is off-the-charts in terms of providing a positive defensive contribution – via his receiving, throwing, and game calling – but Jose has one of the worst bats in big league history.

Which one will “net” more value to the Yankees this season? Will Posada’s runs created above average offset his defensive runs allowed? Will Molina’s runs saved total offset his runs created below average? As a catching tag-team, will the stats for the two of them “net” out to one big “zero” contribution – even with Posada getting twice as much playing time as Molina?

So many questions…but we’ll soon get to see some answers.

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Via Joel Sherman -

On a suggestion from A.J. Burnett before a Feb. 28 game at Steinbrenner Field, the members of the Yankees’ projected rotation went to watch Joba Chamberlain warm up. And a habit was born.

“We have Five Musketeers,” manager Joe Girardi said.

One for all, all for one.

Pettitte and Wang are the rotation holdovers. Chamberlain, now a full-time starter, brings his Red Bull enthusiasm daily to the group. Sabathia arrived with the reputation as one of the game’s best teammates and has only burnished that image. He has, for example, bought four courtside tickets to six Orlando Magic home games and has been taking a variety of teammates with him. He has become quick pals with Burnett, a mentor to Chamberlain and a guy already unafraid to good-naturedly get on a fellow pitcher he feels has gone astray.

But the surprise of the group has been Burnett. His reputation was as prickly and different. However, he has belied that, so far. He has opened up his boat on nearby Lake Tarpon to teammates for fishing jaunts, and is planning to rent a second boat this week for a full-out bass fishing competition for any Yankee who wants to participate.

As for attending other starters’ bullpen sessions, Burnett said that was a habit ingrained in previous stops with the Marlins and Blue Jays. But around the Yankees this is unique. Girardi went as far as to say, “I have never seen it before.” The idea is for the starters to learn from each other, pick up or share tips, and offer support.

Is A.J. the anti-Pavano?

Hey, at the least, the guy deserves props for trying. Although, maybe something like Mike Mussina’s white board would be a safer choice in terms of a unifying vehicle?

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I recently had a chance to check out Talmage Boston’s new book “Baseball and the Baby Boomer: A History, Commentary, and Memoir.”

For those not aware, “Baby Boomers” are the generation born between the years 1946 and 1964. So, in general, Baby Boomers are those who got their first taste of major league baseball, in terms of being a fan, somewhere between the 1950 and 1975 seasons.

With “Baseball and the Baby Boomer,” Talmage Boston focus on men from baseball’s history – who Baby Boomers are well aware of, or should be – such as (but limited to) Mickey Mantle, Jimmy Piersall, Carl Yastrzemski, Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickey, Nolan Ryan, Bart Giamatti, Roger Maris, Lou Brock, Dr. Bobby Brown, and Bobby Bragan – and tells us their story.

Now, this is where it gets interesting. The narrative in “Baseball and the Baby Boomer” is, indeed, presented as “History, Commentary, And Memoir.” Talmage Boston consistently weaves through those approaches as he details each hero featured in the book.

And, it’s the combination of this book being “History, Commentary, And Memoir” which makes it very entertaining.

For example, as a Yankees fan, I know the story of Mickey Mantle, backwards and forwards. And, reading the facts and figures about Mantle is “been there, done that” for me. But, in his chapter on Mantle, in addition to providing all the biographical details, the author combines the Mantle story with the story of Jimmy Piersall – and links them in how they were driven by the fathers. At the same time, Boston tees off this storying by mentioning how his own father didn’t push him towards baseball – but did provide some things that the fathers for Mantle and Piersall could have been better at providing.

Basically, with “Baseball and the Baby Boomer,” Talmage Boston, as a baseball fan and historian, shares some stories about baseball heroes who could be found from the 1950′s through the 1990′s – combining facts, opinion and personal connections. And, he does it in a very entertaining manner.

Is “Baseball and the Baby Boomer: A History, Commentary, and Memoir” one of the best baseball books that I’ve ever read? No. But, it’s a well researched, somewhat uniquely constructed and a very pleasant reading experience – whether you’re a Baby Boomer or not. If you’re a baseball fan, and enjoy reading about it, I recommend that you consider checking out this book.

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Ben Reiter talks about the magic that Nick Swisher brings to the Yankees clubhouse. (A hat tip to the G.F.O.Y.B. – Godfather of Yankees Blogs – Al B. for the find.) Here’s a snip from what Ben had to say:

The first thing one perceives upon walking into the home clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is the mid-90s hip-hop music — stuff like Warren G’s Regulate and Skee-Lo’s I Wish — blasting from an iPod speaker in the back of the room. The iPod belongs to Nick Swisher. Swisher’s role on the field is still to be determined (he’ll probably play mainly right field, a little left and a little first base), and Cashman says that while his unusually gregarious and enthusiastic nature wasn’t a factor in the decision to acquire him from the White Sox in November, his impact on the team’s dynamic has already been deeply felt. “We’re a little sterile now and then, and we need to be livened up,” the G.M. said. “Swish is just the guy to do it. He’s got a great personality.”

The New York clubhouse has, at times, seemed businesslike to the point of somberness in recent years, but with Swisher aboard, it’s hard to see that being the case in ’09.

This quote from Brian Cashman cracks me up: “We’re a little sterile now and then, and we need to be livened up. Swish is just the guy to do it. He’s got a great personality.”

This all rings a bell…

Let’s flashback to March of 2002. Via the Daily News -

[Jason] Giambi’s clubhouse impact should be interesting to watch. He was the leader of the frat-house A’s before signing as a free agent with the Yankees. That A’s clubhouse was noted for remote control cars zipping around in it and how everyone looked up to Giambi.

“If Jason was smiling after a game, it was OK to smile,” said F.P. Santangelo, who was Giambi’s teammate last year and is in the Yanks’ minor-league camp now. “If he was upset, then everyone else was upset.”

Giambi has been mostly quiet this spring, probably because Joe Torre told him over the winter not to take too much on his shoulders.

“There’s a little bit of pressure for him,” Pettitte said. “Tino had the same, coming in after Cap (Don Mattingly). But Jason’s got to be Jason. He’s a superstar. He’s not going to fail and he doesn’t have to take over. I feel like we all take it upon ourselves; we all look for opportunities.”

Still, there are clubhouse cavities that Giambi or others could slip into, players say.

“One of the things we’ll have to find – and maybe Giambi will be the guy – is to find the intensity we got every day from Paul O’Neill,” Mike Stanton said. “People never think that we can come to the ballpark and it’s not our best day. But of course that happens. But that’s one thing that Paul had every day, intensity.

“Jason seems to be the same kind of guy. You can feel his intensity on the field. Another is Tino. He was a quiet leader. Robin is like that, too.

“The thing that we always had that other teams don’t is that we weren’t getting all of our leadership and intensity from just one person.”

Ventura said he didn’t arrive in February thinking, “This is what I’m going to do.”

“If it happens, it happens,” he said. “Sometimes when you don’t say much, people give you credit for stuff you don’t say.”

And, now, let’s flashback to December 2005. Also via the Daily News –

[Johnny] Damon is no rebel, his old hairstyle notwithstanding, but as a ballplayer and teammate he is indeed lovable, and in a Yankee clubhouse full of superstars who often seem to live on their own islands, his new team could use a galvanizing social force.

Maybe a little bonding could be the intangible to get them over the championship hump again. On a team where the all-or-nothing expectations have weighed heavily in recent years, maybe Damon is the right guy to help lighten the load.

But it does matter because Damon’s personality, as well as his performance in the high-pressure atmosphere in Boston, make him one big-ticket free agent who should make a seamless transition to New York.

It matters because Damon’s personality is what makes him so popular. On the field he’s full-throttle at all times; off it he’s peace, love, and let’s go have a beer.

And while Cashman disputes the notion of the corporate Yankees, he told Damon while courting him that he doesn’t want him to change a thing. Except the hair, of course.

“I told him I want the Johnny they had in Boston,” Cashman said yesterday. “I don’t want him to conform to what the perception is here. When he shows up for work, he has an infectious impact on other guys, from what I understand.

“I want the real guy. There’s a reason he’s likeable. I want that.”

It appears he got it. Good thing. The Yankees need it.

Is it just me, or, is it every three of fours years, nowadays, where we’re hearing about some fun-loving import who’s going to change the culture of the Yankees clubhouse?

Well, if Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon couldn’t do it, what makes anyone think that Nick Swisher can do it?

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My game-plan was to comment on this two days ago. But, then, the whole Friday the 13th thing happened. In any event, better late than never…first, some insight on Joba Chamberlain via a recent Bob Klapisch article -

For now, it appears the Joba-Must-Start army has prevailed, and his No. 4 spot in the rotation is safe. Chamberlain delivered three scoreless innings against Cincinnati on Tuesday night, quieting the murmurs about his velocity and mechanics.

But is Joba’s mini-crisis really over? Of the 29 pitches he threw, Reds’ hitters swung and missed just once – and made contact every time they sized up Chamberlain’s famed four-seam fastball.

Yes, Joba hit 96 mph once, but in doing so nearly threw the ball over Jose Molina’s head. Joba made it to 95 one other time, otherwise there were plenty of fastballs that slogged along at 91 mph.

Obviously, it’s still early in spring training. Chamberlain has plenty of time to build arm strength. But he’s not the pitcher he was in 2008; even while blanking the Reds, something seemed amiss.

“I didn’t see the same explosiveness out of his hand, and I’m factoring in that it’s March,” said one talent evaluator. Remember, this is the same reliever-turned-starter who was injured not once, but twice last year, including the final week of the season.

Clearly, Chamberlain isn’t the horse the Yankees projected while he was crushing the competition in the minor leagues. Joba might have the unbreakable mentality of a latter-day Goose Gossage, but he’s fragile. His violent delivery ends with a stiff front leg — a recipe for long-term trouble that’s already reared its head. It’s a mechanical flaw Chamberlain will spend the rest of his career trying to fix.

I had a chance to see a little bit of that Chamberlain start against the Reds. Now, I’m a big believer that you cannot dig your heels into early Spring Training performances. So, when Joba was getting some outs on liners early in that game, I did not get too concerned – just as I didn’t get too excited when the Reds got a broken-bat blop hit or when Chamberlain got some guys looking. It’s all about getting the work in, at this stage, of the exhibition games…after all.

However, I will say this: I thought that Joba Chamberlain looked a little heavy when I saw him on the mound. Don’t get me wrong…we’re not talking “CC Sabathia or David Wells heavy” here. More so, if I had to guess, I would offer that Chamberlain looked about 10 to 15 pounds heftier than he appeared in 2008. If I had to label it, in terms of conditioning, Joba reminded me of a “Brian Bruney circa 2007″ – by no means fat – but, someone who you could call a “Husky Hurler” and not be stretching it, at all.

Further, let me be clear, when it comes to maintaining a healthy body weight, many times it doesn’t matter to baseball pitchers. Roger Clemens, Curt Schillling, and Carlos Zambrano are recent pitchers who have done well being somewhat beefy. However, sometimes, carrying an exta dozen pounds or so doesn’t help a baseball player. Also, remember, Joba had to lose 50 pounds after high school – because the weight impacted his pitching effectiveness.

I’m not looking to play Chicken Little on this one. More so, I’m just raising the tiniest of yellow caution flags here. And, I suggesting that it’s something worth keeping on our radar, as Yankees fans. Let’s wait and see – and, of course, hope for the best.

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Bob Ruffolo from The Voice of Yankees Universe recently got inside the new Yankee Stadium and took some pitcures. Click here to see them. It’s really must see stuff. Great job Bob!

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Via Bob Raissman -

The MLB Network is looking to open the new Yankee Stadium in style, unleashing a formidable trio of voices who have never shared the same broadcast booth.

When the Bombers crack the regular-season seal on the new joint, April 16 against Cleveland, Bob (Rapping Roberto) Costas will handle the play-by-play, joined by analysts Harold Reynolds and Jim Kaat.

The surprise here is Kitty’s return to the Bronx. The other surprise is that Kaat wanted to return to the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network booth, but YES suits put the kibosh on it.

Kaat “retired” from broadcasting following the 2006 campaign after 12 consecutive seasons (13 overall) behind a Yankees’ TV microphone. In July of 2008, his wife, Mary Ann, died after suffering complications from bladder cancer.

In an interview last November, Kaat expressed displeasure with the state of the game. Watching a game as a “civilian” revealed warts he didn’t see as a broadcaster.

The fact that he’s headed back to broadcasting likely means Kaat became tired of being just a “viewer.” Kaat’s first return engagement was with MLB International during its coverage of the World Baseball Classic. Spies say Kaat is also likely to work more games for MLB Network and pop up in the studio on select occasions.

Acquiring Kaat, even on a part-time basis, is a coup for MLBN suits. Already recognized as one of the top analysts in the game, a rejuvenated Kaat, during the WBC, had plenty to say.

Although he is back in the mix, Kaat won’t be returning to YES’ Yankees booth. MLB sources said Kaat reached out to YES suits, offering his services on a limited basis at a reasonable price.

Sources said Kaat, who was not looking for major dough or a monster schedule, was told YES had no room for him because of budgetary constraints and scheduling.

Budgetary constraints? Sounds like a whitewash job to me. Sure, its an economic downturn. But, there’s no way to squeeze Kitty in? Really?

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	1 2 3 4	5 6 7 8	9 10 11	12 13 14 15 16  R  H E
Royals	0 0 0 0	1 0 0 4	3  0  0	 0  0  0  0  0  8 14 1
Yankees	0 2 2 1	0 0 1 0	2  0  0	 0  0  0  0  1  9 26 2

Now, this is one that I would love to see on Yankees Classics.

August 27, 1972 – second game of a double-header at the original Yankee Stadium. Here’s the boxscore.

Not exactly Sparky Lyle’s best day as a Yankee. Then again, Lyle did pitch in the first game that day and got the win.

Actually, August 27, 1972 was a special day in the Bronx. The Yankees won that first game that afternoon in the bottom of the 9th, 7-6, scoring two runs in the 8th to tie and one run in the 9th to win. And, that second game…well…what a game!

The Yanks were winning, 6-1, after seven. The Royals scored four in the 8th and three in the 9th to go ahead, 8-6. New York rallied in the 9th – including a two-out, pinch-hit, single from Thurman Munson to knot the score at eight.

And, it stayed that way until the sixteenth inning when Celerino Sanchez, Jerry Kenney, and Stick Michael reached base – and then Horace Clarke provided the walk-off sac-fly to win it for the Yankees.

I didn’t go to my first Yankees game until the next year in August 1973. And, that one was a great game too.

But, man…oh, man…those lucky Yankees fans who were at the ballpark on August 27, 1972. They had themselves about 8 hours of one heckuva time at the Stadium. If you were one of the some-25,000 that were there…hey…tell us about it!

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Back in January, I was convinced to give Facebook a try. At first, I thought “What good can come from this?” But, actually, I have caught up with some old friends since joining. And, the other day, via Facebook, I got a message from someone who I haven’t seen for over 28 years. And, to be candid, for sure, it’s probably been over 20 years since I even thought of him. And, I would bet credits to navy beans that this person hasn’t thought about me since the 1980′s (until he found me on Facebook now).

Here’s the message that he sent to me:

Hey Steve – you still a huge Yankee fan after all these years? How’s it going?

You know, it’s funny. Everybody has a label – whether they want it or not. Really, if someone were to cut you off in traffic, and, then, later, you were out with someone else and you spotted the person who cut you off, but, they were among several other people, you would use a label to point them out to your companion. It would be something like “The tall guy” or “The fat dude” or “The bald one” or “The Asian kid.” Com’on, be honest, we do this – realizing it or not. We, at least most of us, use adjectives when we’re referring to people…sometimes.

I guess that my label is “Yankees fanatic.” Obviously, that’s the image that I left with the person who found me on Facebook. And, over a quarter-century later, when he found me, that’s the first thing that came to his head.

Funny, I know that I’m a Yankees fanatic; but, I don’t think of myself as being a Yankees fanatic.

It’s sorta the way it was when I was heavier. I knew how much I weighed. But, I never thought that I was fat – no matter what image may have been looking back at me in the mirror or in pictures. I was just a big guy – or so I thought. However, today, having lost the weight and having kept it off for years, I now know that I was fat back then…

Maybe it’s time for me to start realizing that I’m a Yankees fanatic – and that I’ve been one for the last 37 years? Better late than never, right?

As former Yankees manager Dallas Green once said to outfielder Stanley Jefferson back in 1989: “Look in the mirror, big boy.” Well, at least I’m not so big anymore…

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I just heard, for a few seconds, Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton, on X-M Radio, talk about this. More via Rob Bradford:

In case you were wondering … according to San Diego pitcher Jake Peavy, the Red Sox were never excluded from teams he would accept a trade to. Initially, Padres general manager Kevin Towers had said at the General Managers’ Meetings in November that the only two American League teams on Peavy’s list of acceptable trade destinations were the Angels and Yankees. Later in the offseason, Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod, said that his client would, indeed, be open to a deal with the Red Sox.

Monday, at the Team USA workout at the Rogers Centre, Peavy looked to clarify.

“Boston was a place that I told the Padres I would certainly be interested in playing,” the 28-year-old said. “I don’t know if there were any talks. I gave the Padres a list and Boston was on that list. Boston was a place I told the Padres I would be interested in playing at. Set that straight for sure.”

This is interesting. At this point, I would not expect the Yankees to have an interest in Peavy. But, maybe they should fake an interest just to make sure the Red Sox pay through the nose – if they get him. You know, sorta like how Boston played the Johan Santana thing when he was on the market…

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If anyone has some good photo/photoshop skills, I’m looking for some nice artwork to feature on the new look to this blog. I’m looking for images 1300×160. Something Yankees-related, baseball-related, statistics-related, scorecard-related – things like that. It was to be something you have the rights to use and something that you would be willing to donate to this blog. If you’re interested in helping out, let me know. Thanks!

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Via Marc Carig -

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and reliever Damaso Marte returned to camp from the World Baseball Classic on Friday, bringing with them injuries that may sideline them for a few days. Team doctors will examine both players on Saturday.

Cano said he felt some stiffness behind his right shoulder, which he said began bothering him even before he left Yankees camp for the WBC, though he said the team didn’t know. He played through the condition for his native Dominican Republic, finishing with three hits in a team-high 13 at-bats over three games, though the Dominicans failed to get past the first round.

“It never went away,” said Cano, who thought the stiffness in his right shoulder would subside with stretching.

Marte said he felt tightness in his left pectoral muscles while lifting weights on Tuesday morning. Later in the day, Marte pitched one inning with a two strikeouts in the Dominican Republic’s tournament-ending loss to the Netherlands.

“Hopefully it’s not much,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “Hopefully both of them bounce back quickly. But it’s not how you want them coming back.”

Hearing this, something tells me that Cano and Marte will never have to worry about what to wear to a Mensa meeting…

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I’ve never been a big fan of batters who strike out often, have a low batting average, and who walk a lot – even if they have some pop.

Yeah, I know, sabermetrically speaking, guys like Adam Dunn, Mickey Tettleton and Darrell Evans are “productive” players – because it’s all about not making “outs” and they reach base (via walks). And, again, sabermetrically speaking, strike outs are no different than any other out. Yet, there’s just something about the Jack Cust…and, yes, the Nick Swisher…type of batter that just rubs me the wrong way.

It’s hard to explain – but, it’s the way that I feel. Hey, just being honest here…

Related, this evening, playing around with the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia, I noticed that Nick Swisher’s batting career, to date, looks a lot like the overall batting career of Ken Phelps – in terms of getting hits and reaching base via walks as well as making contact:

BATTER	       AVGvLg    OBAvLg	SO/PA
Nick Swisher	-0.03	0.02	.215
Ken Phelps	-0.02	0.05	.196

AVGvLg = Career Batting Average vs. League Average
OBAvLge = Career On Base Average vs. League Average

Of course, there’s a difference between the two players – as Swisher is currently just 28-years old and Phelps posted those PA totals in the big leagues from the time he was age 25 until he was 35-years old. Nonetheless, in terms of taking pitches and making contact, is it a reach to say that Swisher and Phelps appear to have the same type of skill-level here?

Now, there’s also another difference between the two players here. Ken Phelps had a career slugging percentage 78 points above league average and an isolated power mark (over his career) that was 102 points above league average. Whereas Nick Swisher has a career slugging percentage 24 points above league average and an isolated power mark (over his career) that is 50 points above league average. This tells us that Swisher’s “pop” is no where near that of Phelps.

And, therefore, while Ken Phelps was a batter who would walk a lot and not get many hits – at least when he did get a hit it went a long way (more times than not). Can we say the same about Swisher? Or, is Nick the type of batter who will walk a lot, not get many hits, and when he does get a hit it will only go for extra bases some of the time? I think you can make a case for this being true…

Again, to me, this doesn’t make Swisher a terrible player. It just makes him look more like a Brad Wilkerson or Jon Nunnally type of player. Someone who probably should be a fourth outfielder rather than a starting outfielder. But, again, maybe it’s just me…

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This evening, I had a chance to review Derek Gentile’s new coffee-table book “New York Yankees and the Meaning of Life.”

Strike that – and make it “This evening, I had the great pleasure to review Derek Gentile’s new coffee-table book…”

Yes, indeed, “New York Yankees and the Meaning of Life” is a remarkable source of enjoyment – in more ways than one!

First, Gentile’s book is an awesome collection of great quotes, sayings, and quips from, and about, the Yankees – ranging from the likes of Miller Huggins to Hank Steinbrenner and just about everyone in between. Secondly, this book contains an unparalleled collection of photographs – with at least one for each quote, etc.

I’ve been a Yankees fan since 1973 and have read over forty books about the team – many of them illustrated with photos. Yet, there were numerous photographs in “New York Yankees and the Meaning of Life” that I had never seen before – and they’re all absolutely wonderful.

If there’s a Yankees fan in your life, I highly recommend that you pick them up a copy of “New York Yankees and the Meaning of Life” – it’s the perfect gift for them. There’s something in this one for Yankees fans of all ages.

Strike that – and make it “If you’re a Yankees fan, I highly recommend that you don’t wait for someone to get you a copy of ‘New York Yankees and the Meaning of Life‘ as a gift. You should run out now and get yourself a copy. This book is so much fun that you will not want to leave it up to chance that someone will give it to you. Make sure you get a copy. It’s that good.”

New York Yankees and the Meaning of Life
by Derek Gentile
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: MVP Books; First edition (April 15, 2009)
Length: 6.125 x 6.125
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99

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I have a few superstitions when it comes to being a Yankees fan. One of them involves clothing choices.

I’m somewhat “cautious” about wearing the colors of the Yankees opponent on a given day during big games. For example, if the Yankees are playing the Red Sox, say, in a big series in August, I’ll avoid wearing anything red those days. Or, if the Yankees are playing the A’s in the post-season, I’ll pass on wearing anything green – no matter what shade of green – during the series. Heck, even if the Yankees are playing the Orioles, and it’s a point in the season where New York may be struggling, I won’t wear anything with orange that day.

I’m not sure what I do this? It could be the result of not wanting to confuse the baseball gods into thinking that I’m supporting the Yankees opponent that day by featuring their colors? Or, maybe it’s the fear of giving off some “fan energy” that may be grabbed by the Yanks’ opponent instead of going to the “correct” team because I’m featuring the wrong color? Who knows? Then again, do superstitions need to make sense?

Related to all this, today I got a wild thought: What about having a Global Yankees Jersey Day?

By this, I mean, what if we had a day on the calendar where all Yankees fans agreed to wear their Yankees home-jersey – the white shirt with the pinstripes and the interlocking “N-Y” – at the same time? Doesn’t matter if it’s an actual field jersey or a replica. If you’re a Yankees fan, and you own some sort of Yankees home-jersey, on this day, you have to wear it – as a fan unity/team support thing.

Would that be a cool thing?

It would have to be on a Saturday – to be effective – since many fans cannot wear a Yankees jersey to work, etc. And, the date should have something about it that makes it easier to remember – so that people won’t forget. To that end, April 11th (of this year) seems to make sense – it’s a Saturday and it should be easy to remember….you know “411.”

April 11th is the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Come to think of it, if this idea gets legs and takes off, maybe “Global Yankees Jersey Day” can become an annual event? And, the rule can be that the date will always be the Saturday directly before Easter Sunday?

Too wild an idea? Maybe – then again, maybe not? Spread the word – see if it’s something that your fellow Yankees fans would be interesting in doing. If you’re a fellow Yankees blogger, and you’re reading this, please consider floating the idea by your readership – and see if they’re interested.

Again, it could be a cool thing. Imagine walking around on April 11th, Global Yankees Jersey Day, wearing your Yankees home-uni top, and seeing other Yankees fans doing the same. You may even want to give each other a nod, thumbs-up and/or some other high-sign as you acknowledge each other?

Whaddaya say?

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Via Hal McCoy -

“I’ve been in my office eight hours a day for days dealing with the A-Rod stuff. Now I need a doctor. A head doctor.” — Yankees GM Brian Cashman.

Good thing Dr. Jennifer Melfi is a Yankees fan.

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Via the Post -

THE notorious attack on skater Nancy Kerrigan was partially paid for with George Steinbrenner’s money, a new bio of the Yankees owner claims. In “George,” out in May, Peter Golenbock says the Boss generously supported young Olympians like swimmer Ron Karnaugh and figure skaters Nicole Bobek and Tonya Harding. It later emerged that Harding’s husband, Jeff Gillooly, hired a goon to smash Kerrigan’s knee to help his wife’s chances at the 1994 Winter Games. “After he gave money to Harding, it turned out that some of the money was used for the ‘hit,’ ” Golenbock writes. “When George heard that, he wanted to hunt down Harding and get his money back.” But Steinbrenner’s rep told us: “George’s people have no recollection of giving money to her and have found no records.”

Really, how hard could it be to “hunt down” Tonya Harding? All you have to do is go to any ice skating rink and follow the trail of pork rinds, squeeze cheese and empty cans of Schlitz Malt Liquor that leads out of the place until you find her…

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Via the UPI:

The New York Yankees announced Wednesday the new Yankee Stadium will become the first antimicrobial facility in Major League Baseball.

CSG, a provider of antimicrobial products, treatments and services, will treat the baseball stadium using the Sports Antimicrobial System, team officials said.

The system is a comprehensive process that kills illness-causing microorganisms, and continually inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and fungi on any surface for up to three years, officials said.

“We feel the Sports Antimicrobial System will be critical to our operations in 2009,” Doug Behar, senior director of stadium operations, said in a statement.

Areas of the stadium to be treated include the home and visiting club houses, locker rooms, training rooms, dugouts, showers, managers and coaches offices, weight-training areas and family lounge. Additionally, the team’s washable fabrics will be treated with FabricAid, Behar said.

Now, if they can only get Derek Jeter to stop riding a tractor in his bathing suit.

Our eyes met across the crowded hat store. I, a customer, and she a coquettish haberdasher. Oh, I pursued and she withdrew, then she pursued and I withdrew, and so we danced. I burned for her…

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Brian McNamee says he stuck Roger Clemens in the Jacuzzi at Yankee Stadium (with some PEDs).

Reminds me of the 1977 episode of The Newlywed Game where Bob Eubanks asked a wife named Olga where was the weirdest place that she and her husband Hank had the urge to “make whoopee”…

After being prodded by Eubanks to give an answer, the wife responded with “In the ass.”

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The crew, yesterday on SNY’s WheelHouse, discuss the question. Here’s the video:

Brett Gardner…Young Whippersnapper?

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See, it’s not just the Red Sox who are trying to build something to defeat the Evil Empre…

(more…)

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Brian Cashman says he has not contacted any teams about trading for a third baseman. Meanwhile, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, another G.M. thinks a call from Cashman may be coming:

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he hadn’t heard from the New York Yankees, who are looking around at third-base candidates after losing Alex Rodriguez for at least two months to hip surgery.

“They’re probably still making their list (of possible replacements),” Melvin said. “They probably don’t want to seem too anxious.”

If the Yankees are looking for teams with an excess at third base, the Brewers would fit the bill. They still expect Bill Hall to recover from his calf injury in time to open the season at third, and have others there in camp such as Mike Lamb, Casey McGehee and Craig Counsell.

Third-base prospect Mat Gamel is out of the picture while recovering from a shoulder problem.

Currently, the Yankees have journeyman Cody Ransom to play third, so they’re bound to be looking. They probably wouldn’t be interested in Hall because he has $15.4 million and two years left on his contract, and Rodriguez is expected to be back before the all-star break.

The Yankees might have some interest in McGehee, a right-handed hitter who could have a difficult time making the Brewers’ roster out of camp. Melvin said New York probably would seek a right-handed hitter.

Who knows? Maybe the Yankees are nervous about having Cody Ransom play third for them over the first 40 games of the season – and they do want to pick someone up to sub for A-Rod while he’s out? But, is Casey McGehee really the answer? I…don’t…think…so…

Maybe someone like Greg Dobbs would become available because of a numbers game? I’d rather see the Yankees take a stab at picking up Dobbs, over McGehee, and then platoon Dobbs with Ransom until Rodriguez returns.

Maybe the Phillies would consider someone like J.B. Cox or Anthony Claggett in exchange for Greg Dobbs? It seems to be a trade that could be in the best interests of both teams, at this point.

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Via Anthony McCarron –

Afterward, [Francisco Cervelli] got several nice compliments from Mike Piazza, Italy’s hitting coach. Piazza praised Cervelli’s enthusiasm, noting that Roy Campanella had once told him when he was young that everyone’s eyes are on the catcher, so you’d better not be dragging back there. “You body language is so important because every fielder and the pitcher sees it,” Piazza said. “His enthusiasm from the start was sky high and he hustled.

“It’s really tough for me to watch him because he’s so talented back there,” Piazza said, adding, “I’m jealous – in a good way, not a bad way. He’s got an amazing arm. He’s got a great future ahead of him. He’s going to get better with the bat, quicker with the bat, so I think he’s got a bright future.”

Watch out Jose Molina…

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To watch SNY.tv’s New York Baseball Today, which features a rotating panel of experts, click play below:

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Jason at My Baseball Bias offers a link today to something that some may find funny. I laughed when I saw it.

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