Yankees Hit the Newstands with Force

When is this not the case?

However, the Yankees had a lot of headlines in the media this afternoon that are all very pertinent. First of all, Joe Girardi named CC Sabathia the official starter for both the regular season opener on April 6th at Baltimore and the Yankee Stadium home opener on April 16th. I think it was obvious he was gonna start opening day, but I like the idea of him starting the home opener. In a new stadium, the Yankees will be starting a new era for the team. CC's long-term contract makes him one of those player sof the new era, so to have him start the game is appropriate. The Yankee fans will surely cheer him loudly.

The next bit of news is that the Yankees will have a new-look line-up when they open the season...most likely. When Jorge Posada had to bat clean-up, the team moved Johnny Damon into the second hole, and he did a great job of hitting and advancing runners. Therefore, when Derek Jeter came back from the World Baseball Classic, Girardi decided to lead him off and bat Damon second.

I like this idea to start the season. While the team will tell you differently, the first few games do not matter in a 162-game season. Start off with this line-up and see if it works for you. I think both Jeter and Damon do a great job of getting on base. Damon can bunt the ball better at this point I think and could even pull of a drag bunt here and there. Jeter has a good eye to work walks and clean up the bases if the bottom of the order starts off an inning. Start the season with this new look and see where it takes you. If both struggle, switch it back.

Unfortunately, there was some sadder news. Bob Sheppard, long-time public address announcer for the Yankees, will most likely not be at the new Yankee Stadium for opening day. While he would love to be there, his stamina apparently is not at the point it needs to be yet to muster up a trip to the ballpark. Sheppard is 97 years old, and it seems like he just might not be able to continue doing what he does best. It is sad to see, but at the same time, Sheppard was Yankee Stadium. Now that the team is moving to a new park, maybe it's time for a new voice.

Finally, George Steinbrenner is planning on attending the home opener. The 78-year old Yankee owner is still struggling health-wise and is not in the best of shape for the trip up to New York. However, he does want to be there and is planning on doing so. I am glad to hear this. The new stadium was Steinbrenner's gift to the fans, and he wnated to make a place that was supreme to all others. I really think this place will be so to have him be there when it officially opens for regular season baseball is great to hear.

Let me know your thoughts on any of these pieces of news. Are you glad CC is starting both openers? Do you like the line-up change? Will Bob Sheppard ever return to the PA Booth? And are you glad George will be at the opener? Also, vote in the new poll over to the right!

Pettitte Puts on the Pinstripes One More Time!

A deal has finally been reached on Monday afternoon and Andy Pettitte will come back to pitch one more year in pinstripes. Anyone who has followed the ongoings of this entire drama knew that he would come back to the Bronx. That's where he wanted to play, and while it looked like money was a big factor in all of it, Pettitte made sure he came back to help open the New Yankee Stadium.

Reports that I've heard are that the deal will be incentive-laden, guaranteeing $5.5 million, which is less than the previous offer of $10 million the Yankees had on the table. However, with incentives, the final figure could increase up to $12 million. That is if Pettitte remains healthy and puts up solid numbers. He will likely be the fifth starter in a rotation that as of now already includes C.C. Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, A.J. Burnett, and Joba Chamberlain.

I think this was the right way to sign Pettitte to a deal. Let's be honest, at his age, he's not worth double-digit millions of dollars. He just simply is not that dominating despite some flashes he showed last season. In addition, at his age, who knows if he can continue to stay healthy? Giving him a decent amount of money up front with the ability to make more than was originally offered if he stays healthy and performs makes sense.

If Pettitte can remain healthy and win his fair share of ballgames, he'll be a great fifth starter for the Yanks. He brings a veteran prescence into the clubhouse to not only help continue mentor the young pitchers in the team's system but also can help in the adjustment process for newcomers C.C. and A.J. I was certain a deal was going to get done, as were many, and now that it is, Yankee fans can rest easy knowing who will more than likely be their starting five in 2009.

Yanks Front Office Moving Day

No big news today, so I'll write a short piece on the Yankees front office moving today from the Old Yankee Stadium to the New Yankee Stadium. Nothing huge, but a monumental event considering the Yanks have spent the last 85 years in one stadium and are now moving to something new.

The biggest thing was seeing employees moving World Series trophies from 1977 and 2000. Videos and photos are posted on Newsday's site as well as several others from newspapers and stations in the New York Area.

For me, while I loved the Old Stadium and called it my second home for 20 years, I certainly am excited to see the grandeur of the New Yankee Stadium and this is just another step toward the eventual opening. It's a small event, but seeing pictures updated frequently of the construction continues to impress me and get me excited. Hopefully, the new place will create just as many memories as the old one did!