Hangin’ On

The Red Sox lost tonight, meaning that they failed to clinch and we’re now 6 games out with 6 left to play. The Sox also have 6 games left to play. If the Sox can lose the next 6 games and if the Yanks can win the next 6 games, we’ll have a chance. It’ll be a tough task facing Toronto for 3 games (Halladay and Burnett), but the Red Sox will face Cliff Lee tomorrow, if that makes you feel better.

Heyman On CC, CF, Cano

Jon Heyman has an article out about next year’s Yankees and takes a look at a few of their rumored free agent/trade options. While we already know that the team will probably be very different come 2009, Heyman has a few specifics.

First, on CC Sabathia, Heyman notes that a Yankee insider believes it will be hard to get CC to play in pinstripes. Apparently, CC loves the NL and he has always wanted to play in California (his home state). At times, it has seemed as though signing CC was a foregone conclusion, however, it looks like the Yanks will have their work cut out for him. Heyman reminds us that money talks, and the Yankees can talk up a storm, so I obviously wouldn’t rule him out just yet.

Heyman also brings up our center field situation. Johnny Damon in center field, everyday, could hurt the Yankees a lot over the course of a season. With that in mind, Heyman states that the Yankees are looking to shore up center with a trade. Nate McLouth, David DeJesus and Matt Kemp are three names that have been “speculated on”, according to Heyman. All three names are very intriguing. If I had to speculate, I think the Yankees would make a run at David DeJesus. He’s a local boy (Brooklyn born, Rutgers graduate) that’s under 30 and he’d be a lot cheaper than McLouth or Kemp (he’s a solid player).

Now, in terms of McLouth and Kemp, both are very exciting talents with a combination of speed and power. McLouth may have overperformed in the power department, but his hitting talent is real. Kemp didn’t have the huge year that many expected him to have, but he still put up good numbers and should continue to blossom into a real star. I don’t know why the Dodgers would trade him since he’s supposed to be a future masher, but Heyman reminds us that the Dodgers, and specifically Joe Torre, have expressed some interest in Cano, so he could end up being a trading chip if such a deal were to occur (which would allow the Yankees to chase Orlando Hudson).

As I read Heyman’s piece, one thing is certainly clear—the Yankees are trying to get younger and are looking to ramp up their defense. If this is the case, I would expect Brian Cashman to stick around next year. This direction, pursuing younger, more athletic guys, would seem to have his fingerprints all over it.

Joel’s Gripes

Joel Sherman writes about what the Yankees “should” have done for last night’s ceremony. Some of his ideas are intriguing, although I don’t think having Kevin Kline read Lou Gehrig’s speech would have went over well (seriously).

At the end of the day, I think the ceremony was effective last night. It provided a sense of closure and it showcased history (well, some of it). That’s all you really need.

Ceremony Update

In early July, I posted about a possible closing ceremony at Yankee Stadium. The ceremony in question would be held in November (supposedly), and would likely feature a musical guest (or comedian), a video montage, and, according to Hal Steinbrenner “the old Yankees.” However, last night’s festivities seem to nix that idea, as the “old Yankees” were present for the home finale and the way it all played out (with Jeter’s speech) makes a separate ceremony unnecessary.

This is just an observation, but I would think that we’ve seen the last “ceremony” at Yankee Stadium. Last night was something special, so it’d be hard to top.

Glaring Omissions

Two former Yankee greats were noticeably absent last night. Those two were Joe Torre and Roger Clemens. Torre is doing his thing with LA, so he obviously couldn’t be there, but there really wasn’t any mention of Joe during the pre-game ceremony. ESPN and Michael Kay did talk about him, however, during the game and a graphic was pulled up to show what he had done for the team. Nonetheless, no mention of him or his legacy during the festivities proved to be somewhat awkward.

Also, what about Roger Clemens? I know Clemens has gone through his share of trials and tribulations this year, with the Mitchell Report, Brian McNamee, and so on and so forth, but his absence was still somewhat telling. He’s a tainted character that would bring a level of controversy to a night which focused on the entirety of a legacy (Yankee Stadium’s legacy) rather than on a single player. For this reason, it may have been strange to include Clemens, who is now a walking, talking news story. Still, he did help the team as recently as last year, and his place in Yankee history cannot be erased.

Should he have been included? A brief mention could have done the trick. I don’t know how to best answer that question. All I know is, last night seemed like one of those nights that should have transcended that which is petty and unforgiving (Bernie’s return did that). I think Joe and Roger both should have been mentioned, at least in some fashion.

Monday’s Bits: The Morning After

While reality has yet to sink in (is it really over?), there are quite a few stories and news items that may interest you as you collect yourself after a historic night.

1. First, while it was great seeing Tino, Wells, Guidry, Yogi, and all these former players before last night’s game, Bernie Williams’ return was another magic moment in the stadium’s storied history. I thought the house that Ruth built was literally going to collapse upon itself, as the fans cheered for the beloved center fielder. Bernie’s relationship with the Yankees has been a bit tumultuous since his departure (one that was not mutual), but everything seemed fine, at least for one night. While Bernie has never outwardly declared his retirement (and he has even made remarks about continuing to work out, just in case), assuming that his playing days are over is probably a safe bet.

2. A notable absence from last night’s game (other than Joe Torre, who obviously has other commitments) was none other than Mr. George Steinbrenner. The Boss chose to stay in Tampa with his wife and watch the game on television, however, I’m sure his health played a part in the decision. The entire ceremony was truly bittersweet since we were essentially honoring an amazing history, a history which owes a lot to its current owner. Hal was able to make it though, and that’s just fine. He spoke with the media after the game and reminded the fans that the team will work hard to better itself in the offseason.

3. Last night didn’t just signal the end of Yankee Stadium’s season, it also signaled the end for Hideki Matsui, as well. Matsui will finally have surgery today, after battling a bad knee for most of the year. With him out, I’d expect the Yanks to give the kids as many AB’s as possible, or we’ll primarily see Brett Gardner get his time in CF with Damon seeing more time as the DH.

4. Two big stars from last night’s game were Johnny Damon and Jose Molina. Both hit homers, but Molina’s blast was a bit more noteworthy since it will ultimately be the final home run at Yankee Stadium. Damon’s bat and Molina’s spikes will actually go to the HOF in order to commemorate their acts on what was an outstanding September night.

5. Speaking of “final” occurrences at Yankee Stadium, Peter Abraham and Tyler Kepner have run through a few of the final things that we witnessed this year, at the old stadium. One thing that stood out to me was Jeter’s distinction. Although he went 0-for-5 (and was clearly playing with some lingering pain in his hand), Jeter was the final Yankee batter. Who needs a hit, right?

6. In a totally unrelated note, the Yankees have rounded out their Arizona Fall League squad and Joba Chamberlain will not be a part of that group. Instead, Juan Miranda and Kevin Whelan have secured the final 2 roster spots.

7. Not to be a downer, but the Red Sox need one more win to clinch their playoff spot, and Josh Beckett will get the ball today. Get your black outfits ready. Last night was a wake and a celebration. Today, we could have less celebration and a lot more wake.

8. Finally, this isn’t news, really and is just a random comment, but did anyone think those camera shots of A-Rod last night were just awkward? I don’t know what it was, but he just didn’t look right as Jeter and Mariano led a victory lap around the stadium. Every time they showed A-Rod it was sort of depressing. It must have been a humbling experience for him. He’s been a great player for the Yankees and has put up otherworldly numbers, however in Yankee Stadium’s grand history, his failure to deliver in those “HUGE” moments almost puts him on the back burner. Last night was Jeter’s night as he has built a reputation within those confines, delivering a multitude of big hits for the ball club. Jeter (Mo, Posada, Pettitte) was on championship teams and that history is what the fans were celebrating last night.

A-Rod doesn’t have much of a resume in that department. He really hasn’t had those “BIG” hits or those WS rings that would have made him more relevant to the celebration. It’s really shocking when you think about it. Hopefully he’ll deliver in the new stadium and will really make it his own.

A Fitting End

The Yankees got this one right tonight. The pre-game ceremony was spectacular (Jeter’s speech and the subsequent victory lap at the end was pretty cool too) and the team played some solid baseball in order to get the win (which was, in this context, a must-win). With this win, Yankee Stadium has officially become the old Yankee Stadium, as the team can now look forward to making new and beautiful memories across the street (in their new home). Hopefully, the next ballpark will house an abundance of home runs, perfect games, legend-making moments and, of course, a few championship titles (yes sir).

Tonight was all about pride– Yankee pride. That was what we saw as it is definitive for this team (this is what the Yankees are about). Pride, it’s the Yankees’ central attribute and it’s important to the team’s identity, especially when you consider how the year has played out. The Yankees are on the brink of elimination (barring a BoSox collapse), and they’re essentially playing for pride as the season comes to a close. In light of the times, the display of pride that we all witnessed tonight was entirely appropriate. Ultimately, it reminds us what’s at stake and what the team is playing for (in case we forgot).

On a side note, with a lineup that features players like Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, and others, who knew that Jose Molina would hit the last homer at Yankee Stadium? When he rounded the bases he had a smile across his face that could light the city of New York.