Yankees Diaries

Turning Point
The top of the ninth produced what might be the biggest set of plays that will ultimately allow the Yankees to win their 27th world championship. Johnny Damon's unbelievable at-bat against Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge with two outs extended the inning. With a 3-2 count, Damon lined a base hit to left that fell right in front of Raul Ibanez.

With Damon on first and Mark Teixeira at bat, the Phillies put on the shift. Damon took advantage. He stole second and as a result of the shift against Teixeira, Damon made a great play and ran to third. It had to have been one of the most insightful plays in the history of the World Series. The extra base itself might not have made a difference in terms of scoring on a base hit because Damon is fast enough to make it from second with two outs. But this play changed the way that Lidge had to approach hitters as he couldn’t throw the slider in the dirt in fear of a wild pitch.

Unsung Hero
Damon deserves the unsung hero award for the game as well. He scored the game-winning run in the ninth on Alex Rodriguez's double. In addition, honorable mention goes to Jorge Posada who hit a sinking fly ball to left that scored both Teixeira and A-Rod to give the Yankees some insurance. As Yankees fans have seen for years, Mariano Rivera came in and shut the Phillies out to bring the Yankees within one win of yet another world championship.

Key Stat
Rivera's ERA in the World Series: 0.00. Rivera, who will turn 40 at the end of the month, continues to be the rock at the end of the Yankees bullpen. On a night when Joba Chamberlain blew the lead and cost Sabathia a win, the Yankees were able to pick him up score some runs and turn it over to Rivera.
Going into the bottom of the ninth the Fox cameras showed the faces of Phillies fans and it was a look of no hope. That’s the way it has been for so many years: If the Yankees are ahead and turn the ball over to Mariano, you might as well start heading to the exits. Rivera has always kept a low profile, and as a result may not always get the attention he deserves, but when this veteran goes to work he is all business. Let’s bring it home tonight, A.J.

-- ANDREW COHEN

Turning Point
In the fourth inning, Alex Rodriguez hit a blast that was initially ruled a double after hitting a TV camera. But the call was overturned as replay confirmed that A-Rod had hit a homer. It was a two-run shot that cut the Phillies' lead to 3-2, and in the very next inning the Yankees scored three runs to jump out to a lead they would not give away. Andy Pettitte, who was not as great as he has been in past years, was part of that rally. He picked up RBI to drive in Nick Swisher off last year’s playoff MVP Cole Hamels. It was the first run batted in by a Yankees pitcher in World Series since Jim Bouton in 1964. The way the Yankees have been rolling these days any lead they have seems safe with the Sandman at the end of the line. Mariano pitched once again the Yankees regained home-field advantage with a 2-1 series lead.

Unsung Hero
The unsung hero of Game 3 had to be Nick Swisher. After an absolutely brutal ALCS and being benched for Game 2 against Philadelphia, Nick went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. This game was huge for his confidence after many New York media outlets were calling for him to stay benched. If the Yankees want to continue to roll, they are going to need to rely on guys like Swisher, the unsung heroes who don’t have the huge contracts but had great regular seasons, to put them in a better position to succeed.

Key Stat
Some attention needs to be paid toward the 29 2/3 innings CC Sabathia is pitched so far in this postseason. The Yankees have elected to go with Sabathia today in Game 4, which means he will have pitched four out of his last five starts on just three days rest. Although this is exactly why the Yankees got Sabathia, there is only so much even a Major League arm can take. He is earning his paycheck and giving the Yankee faithful hope that World Series No. 27 will be delivered to the Bronx, but it should be noted that this guy is being worked tough.

-- ANDREW COHEN

Turning Point
Although Joe Girardi has done a great job handling all the egos on this ball club, there has been one aspect of his managerial style that should be analyzed closer. His use of the bullpen has been suspect. I won't question bringing in Aceves in Game 3, but I didn't like his decision to send Burnett back out to start the seventh. The Yankees had taken a 6-4 lead in the top of the seventh. Burnett clearly didn’t have his best stuff and by that point Jose Molina was out of the game after being lifted for a pinch-hitter. This was the clear turning point as the Angels jumped all over an ineffective Burnett to regain the lead and win Game 5. In that situation the ball needed to be handed to the bullpen. Let Joba and Phil Hughes get a few outs and then hand the ball over to Rivera. Rivera could have come in to get a four or five out save and it would have allowed him the rest going into the World Series.

Unsung Hero
Unfortunately for the Yankees, they didn't have one in Game 5. Mark Teixeira had the biggest hit of the night came but was unable to get on base in the ninth against Brian Fuentes. Robinson Cano had a huge two run triple in that same inning although was 1 for 4 and is hitting just .238 in the series.

Key Stat
Nick Swisher's batting average in this series: .118. He popped up to the shortstop with the bases loaded to end Game 5. Swisher has been instrumental this year for the Yankees and was the biggest surprise this season for the Yankees, but the bottom line is right now the Yankees don’t have time for him to get out of his slump. He is coming up in big situations and at this point looks really out of sync and is becoming somewhat of a liability.

Swisher is a prime candidate to be benched. At this point he is really hurting the team. Something needs to be shaken up, because the last scenario the Yankees want is for CC Sabathia to have to pitch a Game 7. Assuming they make it to the World Series, he would have to pitch on short rest again. Let's shake up the line up and allow the order to spot Andy a few runs tonight as he looks to close out the series.

--- ANDREW COHEN

While the headlines in New York read "Blame Joe" (Girardi) for his over-managing, the dirty little secret is this: the Yankees, other than Jeter and A-Rod, are not hitting in the clutch.

In fact, other than home runs, they're not hitting much -- clutch or otherwise.

The biggest culprits:
Mark Teixeira is 3 for 25 in 6 playoff games.
Nick Swisher is 3 for 22 in 6 playoff games.
Robinson Cano is 5 for 25 in 6 playoff games.
Melky Cabrera is 5 for 25 in 6 playoff games.

Blame Girardi if you want, but those numbers don't lie.

--- ICEMAN SCORETH

Turning Point:
A-Rod's homer in the bottom of the 11th off Brian Fuentes tied it at 3-3 and allowed the Yankees to keep the game going into the 13th where they ultimately won the game. Alex Rodriguez will go down as one of the greatest players to play the game, but the one knock on him has always been that he disappears when there is a big moment. Rodriguez continued his clutch hitting in the playoffs in Game 2, and with help from others, he has led the Yankees to a 5-0 postseason record. This puts the Bronx Bombers in a great situation heading out west. Some can argue that A-Rod's homer might not have gotten out in other stadiums, but on this cold and rainy October evening, it had just enough to extend the game.

Unsung Hero:
Jerry Hairston Jr. didn't get into this game until the 13th when the Yankees inserted him as a pinch hitter. He led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice and ultimately scored two batters later when the Angels continued their suspect defense. Hairston has not been with the ballclub the entire season although when the Yankees need him in a pinch he has been more than ready for the task. Hairston scored and was part of the pie to the face, a tradition that has really caught on for the Yankees this season when they have a come from behind win.

Key Stat:
Two games, 14 1/3 innings pitched, just three runs surrendered. That's what the Yankees have gotten from CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett in the ALCS against the Angels. The Yankees knew after last season that they were going to need to bulk up on their frontline of starting pitching if they were going to make a run. That’s exactly what they did adding Sabathia and Burnett. What may go unnoticed about the starting rotation is that Andy Pettitte was also a free agent last summer and the Yankees gave him a one-year deal. Although Sabathia and Burnett have been lights out, Pettitte has been stellar and will be counted on heavily in Anaheim for Game 3.

--- ANDREW COHEN

Turning Point:
With the Yankees down 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, the once invisible playoff performer Alex Rodriquez laced a two-run bomb off All-Star closer Joe Nathan. A-Rod, who also had the hit to tie the game up at 1-1, has been criticized throughout his Yankee career for falling flat in the playoffs. This time, he was able to come through, quieting all the critics and bringing the Yankees faithful to a standing ovation.

Unsung Hero:
This honor goes to someone not even wearing pinstripes. Umpire Phil Cuzzi, who was responsible for the leftfield line, blew a call down the line, a clear mistake that went in the Yankees' favor. Leading off the top of the 11th, All-World catcher Joe Mauer sliced a ball to left. The ball hit Melky Cabrera’s glove in fair territory. The ruling should've been a fair ball and a ground-rule double. But Cuzzi ruled it foul. Although Mauer ended up hitting a single later in the at-bat, Cuzzi's call changed the complexion of the inning. The Twins didn't score, and Mark Teixeira ended it in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff homer.

Key Stat:
Number of pitchers the Yankees used in this game: Eight. A.J. Burnett provided six shaky but effective innings. Although he walked five and hit two batters with pitches, he was able to limit the Twins to just one run. The doubters, including me, were betting against Burnett, but he pitched great and answered all the critics.

Parting Shot:
Somewhere in that stadium general manager Brian Cashman had to be smiling. His offseason pickups have delivered so far in October. CC Sabathia and Burnett got the job done as starters, and Teixeira hit a walkoff home run to end Game 2. What could make it even better for Cashman would be to see the Yankees close out the series against one of his biggest mistakes, Carl Pavano. Let’s go for the sweep.

--- ANDREW COHEN

Turning Point:
The heavily favored Yankees fell behind the Twins 2-0 in the top of third. Then in the bottom of the inning, Derek Jeter stepped up to the plate and hit an absolute bomb to right field that would have been out in any stadium to tie it at 2-2. The Yankees didn't take the lead until the next inning, but this was the turning point in the game. The Yankees had answered immediately, and at this point you got the sense that there was no way CC Sabathia was going to give up any more runs. After Jeter's homer, it was just a matter of time before the Yankees went up 1-0 in the series.

Unsung Hero:
Sabathia had the spotlight on him in his playoff debut for the Yankees, so it might be a stretch to call him unsung. He gave up two early runs and battled through the night with less than stellar stuff. But the great sign of an ace is not whether you pitched perfect innings but rather if you battled to keep your team in the game, and that is exactly what CC did. He worked into the seventh and had just two 1-2-3 innings. Sabathia may not win the Cy Young, but he would trade that award for a couple of postseason wins. Sabathia had been criticized for not being able to pitch at a high level when it counts. He had enough to get the win in Game 1, and that's the bottom line.

Key Stat:
A-Rod had been 0 for his past 29 in the playoffs with runners in scoring position. In Game 1, A-Rod came up twice with Jeter on second. He delivered an RBI single both times. Although this is expected from a guy who has a contract that could buy many small countries, it is a positive sign that A-Rod hit when it mattered. It is import for Alex to realize that he is a star in a lineup full of stars, and that he shouldn’t do it all himself.

Looking Ahead:
One thing that should be interesting to watch in Game 2 is how Jose Molina catches A.J. Burnett. Molina is a major offensive downgrade from Posada. But a lot has been made the past couple of days about how Posada and Burnett were not always on the same page, which is why manager Joe Girardi has anointed Molina to be A.J.'s personal catcher.

--- ANDREW COHEN

Trailing 4-2 going into the eighth Wednesday, the Yankees put their rally caps. Hideki Matsui hit a two-run home run. Then in the ninth, rookie Francisco Cervelli drove in Brett Gardner with the game-winning hit. The Yankees essentially have the division locked up but it is important that they continue to play consistent baseball and have momentum going into the playoffs. Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless inning in the top of the ninth to register his third win of the season. As Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" was playing, A.J. Burnett gave Cervelli the pie to the face as the catcher put his hands toward the sky.

The big news of the day was that Jorge Posada was suspended three games for triggering a bench-clearing brawl. The incident started when Posada scored and threw an elbow at pitcher Jesse Carlson as retaliation for supposedly throwing at Posada. The two were originally handed four-game suspensions although they were both reduced a game when they agreed not to appeal the suspensions. At this time of year it is a blessing in disguise because Posada will be relied on heavily if the Yankees want to accomplish their goal and win the World Series. The Yankees look to continue their good play Friday in Seattle where they will be met by King Felix Hernandez and the Mariners. --- Andrew Cohen.

The new Yankee stadium had the biggest moment in its short history Wednesday night when Derek Jeter tied Lou Gehrig’s record for most hits in pinstripes. With a single to right in the seventh inning, Jeter recorded his 2,721th career hit. This tremendous feat started with a hit on May 30, 1995 off Tim Belcher and now some 14 years later, the man continues to do it. Jeter had a chance to break the record in the eighth but walked on a 3-2 pitch by Tampa Bay reliever Grant Balfour.

Back in 1992, Houston Astros scout Hal Newhouser advised his organization to take Jeter with the first overall pick in the draft. But the Astros thought Jeter would fulfill his commitment to the University of Michigan, leaving them unable to sign the young prospect. Jeter slipped all the way to the six spot where the Yankees took him and it seems like he's been writing history ever since. The shortstop that has had so many big plays for the Yankees including a home run interfered with by a fan over the head of outfielder Tony Tarasco in the 1996 ALCS, throwing home to get Jeremy Giambi in the 2001 ALDS and many other memories that will never leave us.

It was a night at the stadium where the outcome of the game truly didn’t matter. Jeter said after the game that he was not expecting the ovation he received from the crowd and although he didn’t want to show up the Rays, he appreciated it. He also noted that at the time he had been thinking about getting the hit, although he was also trying to get on base because the Yankees were trailing at that point 2-0.

It also fitting how Jeter started the rally and Jorge Posada followed with a big hit. The two have been teammates for more than a decade, are great friends, and together have watched their careers flourish in the Bronx. It cannot be said enough how great it is to see Jeter goes about his business every day. Cheers to you, Mr. Jeter. We hope you can continue to fill our hearts with fond memories for another 14 years. --- Andrew Cohen.

Lately, we have been sizing up how the Yankees rotation will look come playoff time, and Joba Chamberlain did nothing to help his cause. After Friday's night start against the Blue Jays, it is becoming clear that Joba will not get the ball in Game 3 of the playoffs. With his innings continuing to rise and his starts continuing to look ugly, Joba might be better suited going back to the bullpen. Joba went just three innings giving up two earned runs on six hits and striking out just two batters. Although Joba's pitch count was at just 59, Joe Girardi felt it was time for the hook.

This bring up a new question: What is the point of trotting Joba out there if they aren’t going to let him throw the necessary amount of pitches to win a game. If a starter is limited to just 60 pitches each start, it is impossible to get into any rhythm and it is not likely they will be able to go the five innings needed for a starter to win a game.

What this also shows is how poorly the Yankees have dealt with Chamberlain. He has now been in the league for three seasons and his role is still unsettled. Is he a starter? Set-up guy? Or a closer? Joba is just a few months older the Felix Hernandez of the Mariners, and the two came up together and look what Seattle has done with him. The Yankees organization has done a great job the past couple of years, getting the right players, making the smart trades and turning down bad ones. But the way they have handled Chamberlain makes little sense.

This kid has all the talent in the world, although he has not had a chance to fully develop it because he has been limited in some way from the organization. It is obvious that the Yankees have high hopes for Joba and don’t want to wear his arm out, but they need to have a plan with him. What do they want from Joba? Once they are able to answer that question and define the role they want for Joba he will be a special player in this league for a long time. If they continue to pull him after three innings and switch him between reliever and starter, they will continue to watch him struggle. --- Andrew Cohen.

On a night when A.J. Burnett struggled, his teammates certainly had his back. The Yankees hit five home runs last night including two by Jorge Posada in a 9-6 win over the Orioles. It seems that the extra rest Joe Girardi gave Posada last week is really paying off as he continues to swing a hot bat. Aside from the mental blemishes Posada had, he was able to hit the two home runs and drive in three as well. Posada thought he was down on strikes as he headed to the dugout only to realize that was just two strikes as he belted his second home run of the game. In the second inning he worked a walk although hadn’t been paying attention to the count and had to be told by the home plate umpire that he had in fact earned first base. The Yankees continue to hit on all cylinders. The bats are hot, rotation looks good, and bullpen continues to do great work, there is just one facet that needs to be examined -- Burnett's continued struggles.

Burnett lasted just five and a third giving up eleven hits and being charged with six earned runs. Over the last week the Yankees have learned a few things about their starting rotation make up for the playoffs. It seemed as though Andy Pettitte will start game three of the playoffs with Joba odometer getting up there, but is it at all possible that the Yankees would give the ball to the ageless veteran left hander over Burnett. Burnett was 0-4 with a 6.03 earned run average in August, and last night provided no hope for a turn around as the calendar flipped. With Burnett going in one direction, Pettitte seems to be going in the other direction bringing a perfect game into the seventh and pitching amazing just two nights ago.

A potentially intriguing playoff matchup would be against the Angels who added young stud Scott Kazmir to their rotation. He has given fits to both the Yankees and the Red Sox in the past. CC Sabathia goes for his 16th win tonight as his recent good pitching has put his name in Cy Young talk. --- Andrew Cohen.

Although A.J. Burnett had a season high 12 punch-outs yesterday, he had a bit of a melt-down in the fourth that ultimately lost him the game. After cruising through the first 11 outs of the game without giving up a run, Burnett walked Josh Hamilton followed by Nelson Cruz, both on 3-2 counts. With the Yankees up 1-0, Burnett threw a pitch to Ian Kinsler who immediately dispensed it over the wall in left to give the Rangers to lead 3-1.

Burnett has shown flashes of brilliance this year but also shown that he can self-district on the mound. Burnett hasn’t won in over a month and except for his showdown against Josh Beckett at the stadium four starts ago, he has really struggled. In his last two starts, both vs. playoff caliber teams, Burnett has lost and looked to have periods of time where he seemed vulnerable.

It should also be noted that Jose Molina started behind the plate yesterday in place of Jorge Posada. This is of interest to Yankees fans because Girardi downplayed the little skirmish between Burnett and Posada last week in Boston. The disagreement between Burnett and Posada started when Posada called a fastball to David Ortiz after Burnett clearly shook him off, that pitched was crushed over the green monster, and Burnett was visibly upset. ESPN cameras showed Burnett's face asking "why?"

Burnett is having a very solid season, and one to be proud of, but is this really the guy we are going to give the ball to if we have to face the Angels or Sox in the playoffs> No one will ever argue that Burnetts stuff isn’t flat out filthy, but unfortunately the downfall of many great athletes is in their head. A.J., please prove me wrong, go out there and win the big game. When your on, you are lights out, flat out unhittable, but when you are throwing your tantrums on the mound and blaming others for giving up three home runs to Boston, don’t blame your teammates, look in the mirror. --- Andrew Cohen.

With a strong comeback in the bottom of the ninth, the Yanks nearly tied it but Melky Cabrera lined into a double play to end the game. After RBU singles by Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano, the Yankees cut the Ranges' lead to 10-9 with a runner on first and second and no outs. Playing a little small ball, Joe Girardi sent Nick Swisher up to bunt. Swisher, who had a few big games over the weekend against Boston, made a poor effort at the bunt and popped it up, leaving the runs where they are. Melky came up next and lined the ball to young rookie Elvis Andrus who caught the ball and ran behind Jerry Hairston Jr. to double him off and end the game. Although the call was made quickly, replays show that Hairston may have gotten his hand in before Andrus tagged the base depriving the Yanks of another chance to come back. Lucky for the Yanks they continue to hold the best record in baseball and still have a six-game lead over the Red Sox.

Another story from this game was how Joba Chamberlain struggled. The Yankees jumped on Texas started Kevin Millwood early, although he showed the grit of a great starter continuing to put his team in a position to win. Chamberlain only lasted four innings, giving up seven earned running while throwing 96 pitches. In his past four starts he has lasted an average of five innings and given up an average of 4.75 earned runs per start. Over his past four starts his earned run average has risen from 3.73 to 4.34. It is not known at this time whether it is tiring from a long season, or whether the extra time between starts is bothering Chamberlain, but something has to change quickly. As the Yankees round into playoff form, they are going to count on Joba to either be their third or fourth starter.

Cano became the sixth player on the Yankees this year to join the 20 home run club. The Yankees haven’t had a team with six players hitting 20 home runs since 2004 and just the third time in the history of the franchise. Cano’s 20th home run set a personal career high for home runs in a season. His solo home run was upheld after the umpires checked to make sure it got over the wall. The Yanks send Andy Pettitte to the mound tonight. --- Andrew Cohen.

If you had told Yankee fans that the Red Sox were going to score 11 runs Friday, most would've said the chances of winning were slim. But win was exactly what the Yankees did, dominating the Red Sox 20-11 to increase their lead in the American League East to 7 1/2 games. This was never close after the second inning when the Yankees increased their lead to 6-1. Derek Jeter set the tone with three hits and increased his streak of multi-hit games to five. Alex Rodriguez went 4 for 4.

It was a huge win for the Bombers, but the bigger news Friday, at least before the game, was what new Hall of Fame inductee Jim Rice said about the left side of the Yankees infield. This rivalry never lacks any extra motivation, but that is exactly what this series got when Rice spoke about how Little Leaguers shouldn’t use today’s big leaguers as role models. When speaking to a group of kids, he said “You see a Manny Ramirez, you see an A-Rod, you see Jeter. Guys that I played against and with, these guys you’re talking about cannon compare.”

Rice said that players today are more focused on individual goals and big contracts than the game and winning. No one has been criticized more for his lack of clutch hitting and huge salary than A-Rod, but this year he is doing his best to stay focused on baseball. Maybe the comments are warranted for A-Rod but they are unfair and utterly untrue for Jeter. Jeter is the poster boy of class, playing his position well every day and never opening his mouth. Although he makes a handsome paycheck, you can’t blame him, you have to blame the era. If there is a player that deserves his contract, plays his hardest everyday and represents baseball exceptionally well, it is Derek Jeter.

Aside from the offensive explosion, another encouraging development for the Yankees was the return of Damaso Marte, who had not pitched since April 25. He came in and retired both batters he faced. The game may have been out of hand by the time he got in but it was nice to see Marte get hitters out as he will slide into the main situational lefty for Joe Girardi down the stretch. Last but certainly not least was Hideki Matsui’s great game going 2 for 6 with two home runs and seven runs batted in. The Yanks look to push the lead to 8 1/2 with A.J. Burnett getting the call in this Fox matinee. --- Andrew Cohen.

As the Yankees and Red Sox renew their special rivalry this weekend, let us take this opportunity to recall one big hit, one home run that has given Boston fans nightmares forever. Aaron Boone, come on down! Boone hit that walkoff home run in the 2003 ALCS off Tim Wakefield to send the Yankees to the World Series and making Boone loved in Yankees hearts forever. A series won't go by between the two teams where the highlight isn’t replayed with Charley Steiner and John Sterling making their famous call as Boone's shot to left field. What was also special about the home run is it only extended the Red Sox's World Series title drought even longer.

Boone is playing in the minors these days, but his story is still pretty special. A heart condition he had since childhood now required surgery. He was forced to stop playing baseball and undergo open-heart surgery to replace a valve. Doctors initially told Boone that he might never play again. But his courage and passion for the game made him try one last time. Six months after the operation, Boone was back on the field. When major-league rosters expand at the beginning of September, Boone is hoping to get the call.

The relationship between the Yankees and Boone ended on a bad note. Boone signed the large contract, then got hurt playing pickup basketball. But the two parties will always have that special autumn night. Thanks again, Aaron, and best wishes in your amazing comeback.

The Yankees head into Boston with a 6 1/2-game lead. Tonight Andy Pettitte will face off against big right hander Brad Penny. Then they go with A.J. Burnett and CC Sabathia. --- Andrew Cohen.