Yankees World Champions of 2009

#2722: Derek Jeter Surpasses Gehrig

A Fenway Bash

Derek Jeter: Hit King Among All Shortstops

IT'S OFFICIAL, DEREK JETER SURPASSED LUIS APARICIO yesterday to become the all-time hits leader among major league shortstops. Of course that record may wind up being north of 3000 when Jeter finally hangs up his spikes.

Texeira and the Yanks Sweep Up Boston

HE HELD THE BAT UP FOR A LONG TIME on his way to first base like a torch, or perhaps a broom, something you don't see too often. But the message was loud and clear. Texeira and the Yanks were on their way to sweeping the stumbling Red Sox at new Yankee Stadium after going back-to-back with Johnny Damon in the eighth inning last night. It must feel good for the Yankee brass to see Texeira launching a bomb against their archrival, who failed miserably to land #25 during the offseason.

The Broken Record: Angels Come Back to Beat the Yanks

LIKE A BROKEN RECORD the Angels defeated the Yankees in comeback fashion for the second straight day. But really, this is just an extension of what the Angels have dished out to the Yanks the past several years. From the 2002 and 2005 ALDS's to today, let's face it, the Halos own the Bronx Bombers.

Marty Foster's Brain Freeze

UMPIRE MARTY FOSTER IS PROOF that umpires are in fact human and sometimes too proud to admit mistakes. Earlier this week Foster called Derek Jeter out on a stolen base attempt, giving a no-tag-was-necessary explanation because the ball beat him to the bag despite Scott Rolen never having applied the tag. For a 10-year veteran, you expect more, but who knows, maybe Foster was suffering from a serious case of brain freeze.

Brett Tomko the Painter

I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED HEARING ABOUT BALLPLAYERS who enjoy painting and Brett Tomko is the latest to show his craft in this video.

Mariano Rivera at #500

MARIANO RIVERA NAILED DOWN HIS 500th save, but it just didn't seem as big a deal as, say, Randy Johnson's 300th victory. These milestone saves for Rivera don't mean much because most fans believe that he is the greatest closer the game has ever seen with sincere apologies to Trevor Hoffman, the current all-time saves leader. Adjectives like 'dominant', 'consistent' and 'automatic' are all appropriate Rivera. Ideally it would be nice if Rivera ended his career as the all-time saves leader, so for now #500 is just another milestone that Rivera should tuck away in his back pocket.

Joba Chamberlain Flops and Makes the Catch!

ALL 230 POUNDS OF HIM hit the infield grass at Jacob's Field when Joba Chamberlain made a heckuva bellyflop catch on Monday of Kelly Shoppach's failed bunt attempt. I'm sure it's happened before, but I can't remember a larger pitcher than Chamberlain laying it out like that. And 230 pounds seems a bit on the conservative side, yet not for any of the bugs and midges that might have been between him and the earth. This catch will likely make it onto MLB's season highlight reel.

Yankee Stadium Home Run Balls

BASEBALL FANS POKE FUN AT STADIUMS like Coors Field or Citizens Bank Ballpark as launching pads for home runs, but new Yankee Stadium looks like the latest and greatest of such pads. Home runs are flying out of the Bronx box at about four per game, twice as many as the old stadium last year. In other words, over 320 fans will leave the stadium with a souvenir home run ball, more than anywhere else in big league history.

Three Consecutive Yankee Walk-offs

THE ONLY THING that would have been more incredible about the three consecutive Yankee walk-off victories over the weekend is if it had happened during a postseason. Even so, with all the shenanigans that have occurred off the field in the Bronx this year, this is one of those series that you talk about for a long time like the '78 Boston Massacre. Hats off the Girardi for navigating the team through a tough series, and if you're human, you can't help but feel for Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, one of the most respected and even-keeled skippers in the game.

Slumpbusters

AS IF IT COULDN'T GET ANY WORSE for Alex Rodriguez, Selena Robert's in her forthcoming book, A-ROD: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez, claims that A-Rod intentionally tipped pitches to opposing hitters during his days as a Texas Ranger. It's one thing to juice up on your own, but another to intentionally hurt the work of your own teammates. Bush league stuff and hopefully not something that's prevalent out there. But am I just kidding myself?

New York Inaugura-L

SO MUCH FOR THE HYPE about opening Citi Field and new Yankee Stadium this year. All the talk about premium-priced seating, the Citi "taxpayer" Field controversy, and exhorbitant spending by the Yankees, and the end result: two losses. At least the Mets made a game out of it, losing marginally, 6-5 to the Padres on Monday, but the Bronx Bombers were the ones who ended up getting bombed, 10-2, including a 9-spot put up by the Tribe in the 7th inning. Ten games into the season, the Yanks have already had four games in which their opponents have scored 10 or more runs. Both teams should be glad Opening Day in New York is over so they can begin to focus on some serious pitching issues.

$2600 Per Seat Conversation at New Yankee Stadium

IT TOOK ME ABOUT THREE SECONDS to realize that $2600 is the equivalent of some people's monthly mortgage or paycheck. I still think $1000 is too steep for postseason tickets, let alone a regular season ticket. Last time I checked, front row seats at a minor league game cost about $15. These new front-row seats in the Bronx make the (then outrageous) $90 spring training Dodger tickets look like chump change.

May I Suggest: A-Rod Pocket Mirror Promotion Night?

A-ROD HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY hammered in the press more than any single athlete I can think of in the last year. Sadly enough, he really did bring every bit of it on himself. This is the last kind of association a non-profit like The Boys and Girls Club of America needs.

Cody Ransom's Opening Day Dream?

A-Rod's Dufflebag

Derek Jeter