(New York, NY) – After 17 years, 4 World Series titles, many divisional titles  and countless innings squatted behind home plate, #20 hangs up his cleats.  He was a five-time All-Star and retires with a .273 batting average, 1,065 runs batted in and 275 home runs in 1,829 games.  He was an integral part of the ‘Core Four’ alongside of Jeter, Mariano and Andy Pettitte, who retired last year.  His passion will be sorely missed.

(New York, NY) – Jorge Posada was very vocal the other day saying it is highly unlikely he will return to the Yankees bringing to an end a great career in pinstripes for the catcher.    He also was not sure if he would pursue playing for another team and needed time to figure it all out.  He has reached out to Bernie Williams who went through the same process when he was not contacted by the Yanks a few years back and #51 gave Jorge his advice.  Cast your Vote if you think Posada will ‘retire’ or play for another team.

(New York, NY) – The Yanks have shown power in Games 1 and 4 while losing closer matches in Games 2 and 3 and it all comes down to Game 5.  Ivan Nova takes the ball but both managers are expected to have a quick hook and all stops are pulled to win this game to advance to the ALCS.  Texas has defeated Tampa already.  It is time to make it happen as they Yanks hope to get a shot at Texas and revenge for last year.

(New York, NY) – So the question for the Yanks (97-65) is can they turn it on now?  After posting the AL best record and 97 wins, their last 4 games were anything but special, losing them all including a 7-0 lead to allow Tampa to take the AL Wild card and bounce Boston out.  The opening match is a classic with the likely AL Cy Young winner for Detroit taking on the likely runner up in CC Sabathia.  A-Rod has been only 99 games all year so his impact in the playoffs remains a question mark but Cano and Jeter have played well down the stretch and Granderson won the AL RBI title while finishing second in home runs with 41.  Weather could also be a factor in Game 1 and Game 2 with rain a possibility for both matches.  Ivan Nova gets the Game 2 start followed by Freddy Garcia in Game 3.  In the other ALDS series the Texas Rangers will face the Tampa Rays.

(New York, NY) – In April it was all the talk on how Boston would win 100 games and easily take the division.  155 games later the Yanks (95-60) stand atop of the AL East and are in the playoffs for the 16th time in the last 17 years.  They won the first game of a doubleheader with the Rays by a 4-2 score with late inning drama and a tying solo shot from Eduardo Nunez and a 2-run double from Robbie Cano, with a Mariano save and then won the nightcap by the same 4-2 core.  This time it was Jorge Posada with the big hit in the 8th inning after CC Sabathia failed in his bid for win #20 and left a 2-2 game for David Robertson (4-0).  Rafael Soriano picked up his 2nd save of the season to close it out in the 9th.

The Yanks are in a groove and still have a game with Tampa before a 3-game set with a reeling Boston team.  The Yanks now have won 4 in a row and 5 of the last 6.

See Yanks-Rays Box score here.

(New York, NY) – In the end it was a vintage Mariano inning, with the last out coming on a classic cutter for strike 3 and the greatest closer in the history of the game made it even more official as he picked up the career save mark.  In a week of setting milestones, this was the one he wanted as he past Trevor Hoffman and got #602 in less attempts than the venerable Hoffman as well.

For the Yanks (92-60), they started out well with Granderson popping #41 on the year with Jeter on board and the Yanks got an early 2-0 lead.  They would build that to 5-0 before AJ started to give it back and by the 5th things unraveled, as is now common for Burnett, and the lead dwindle to 5-4.  A-Rod with single in an insurance run in the 6th and Soriano and Robertson did their thing and bridge to the historic moment for Mo.

Notes: With Boston continuing its slide the Yanks magic number has dropped to 5 with 10 to play.  A big series with the Rays and then Boston follows during the Yanks last home stand.  Jeter was 3-4 and sits at .295 BA on the year, a remarkable turnaround.

See Yanks-Twins box score here.
Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports.

Mariano Finally Set the MLB Saves Record - #602 and counting

(New York, NY) – After a taking solid 2 out of 3 in Boston, The Yanks (83-53) continued their winning ways with a tight 3-2 victory over the vistin Blue Jays.  Ivan Nova (15-4) continues his push for Rookie of The Year award with a 7 inning, 2 run, 3 hit effort.  Nova was shaky early but 2 fine catches but Gardner in left got him out of the first inning with only a few runs against and he then settled down for 6 more impressive innings. Speedy Brett had a big night at the plate getting the Yanks even with a 2-run blast in the 3rd and Robbie Cano would get the go-ahead RBI in the 5th.  Soriano completed the 8th in relief setting up the door for Mariano (S, 37) to finish the 9th off for his 596th lifetime save.  Mo moves to within 4 of the magic 600 and within 5 of tying the MLB career record.

On the night there were several other fine defensive plays by the outfield with Granderson and Andruw Jones making nice catches on the warning track a few times.

Notes:  Only the 3rd Friday night win of the year.  With Boston losing to Texas the Yanks are now in first by a game.

See Yanks-Toronto box score here.

(New York, NY) – Given their rich history it seems only fitting that the Yanks (78-50) would add another historical fact to the books.  With Cano, Martin and Granderson all going deep with the bases loaded the Bombers are now the only team in almost 200,000 major league games to ever do so in one.  And it came at Yankee Stadium on a day when they trailed 7-1 early.    All told there were 21 hits, Jeter moved into 21st place all time for career hits (passing Rickey Henderson) and Jorge Posada finished the game at 2nd base.  The Yanks took 2-3 from the A’s.  Boone Logan (4-2) got the win.

Notes:  A-Rod returned to action from the DL with 2 hits.  Phil Hughes was not sharp and was knocked out early.  The Yanks move on for 5-game set in Baltimore and have major rains to battle with Hurricane Irene scheduled to hit the area on Saturday night and Sunday.

See Yanks-Oakland box score here.
Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports.

The 3 Grand Slams in 1 game will likely stand a long time

Jorge Returns as DH and Gets 3 Hits with A Grand Slam

(New York, NY) – Responding in the true fashion of the veteran warrior he is, Posada’s return to the lineup after a week on the bench was dramatic.  He started with a 2-run RBI single in the 2nd inning, another single in the third and then put the game out of reach with a grand slam in the 5th, following a solo shot earlier that inning by Granderson (MLB-leading 33rd).  Phil Hughes was sharp enough as well with 5 K’s and only gave up 4 hits in 6 innings as the Yanks (72-46) avenged their Friday night loss.

See Yanks-Rays box score here.
Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports.

Jorge had a big day as he returned to the Lineup

(Boston, MA) – The slump against the Red Sox continues.  The Yanks (69-44) fall to 2-10 on the season against them, this time losing a tough one late on another blown save (5th) from Mariano.  Scutaro pounded a 2-2 pitch off the monster and would score on a Pedroia sac fly to tie it while Phil Hughes lost it in the 10th.   The Yanks wasted a very nice outing from Freddy Garcia who matched Josh Beckett.  The promising 3-2 win vs. Lester and the Sox on Friday lost some luster after CC got beat up in a 10-4 loss on Saturday and then falling on national TV again.  The Yanks are now 1 back in the AL East with 59 to play.

Notes:  Nunez and Gardner hit solo homers to account for the Yanks runs.  Girardi announced before the game that Posada was being removed as the everyday DH due to his .230 BA.

See Yanks-Boston box score here.