Yankees honor Steinbrenner and Sheppard in walk-off fashion

You could say that now George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard have joined the ghosts of New York Yankees past and are part of the mystique and aura of Yankee faith.

If they truly joined the other ghosts of mystique and aura, it showed tonight.

One of George Steinbrenner's wishes was that the Yankees would never lose to the Tampa Bay Rays, who play in his home town of Tampa, Florida. Steinbrenner always wanted bragging rights for beating the Rays, or then Devil Rays, and would be embarrassed when the Yankees would lose to Tampa. Ironically enough, the Yankees were playing those very same Rays tonight, and if George truly joined the ghosts, he worked some magic tonight.

The Yankees, after having a pregame ceremony for "The Boss" and Sheppard which included a speech from captain Derek Jeter, a placing of flowers at home plate by Mariano Rivera, the revealing of the Yankees' new patches, and an emotional two minute moment of silence, pulled off a walk-off win in dramatic fashion against the division rival Rays thanks to right fielder Nick Swisher.

"We gather here tonight to honor two men who were both shining stars in the Yankee universe," Jeter said from behind home plate. "Both men, Mr. George Steinbrenner and Mr. Bob Sheppard, cared deeply about their responsibilities to this organization and to our fans, and for that, will be forever remembered in baseball history and in our hearts."

And boy, was there a game.

With 2 outs and the score tied 4-4 in the 9th inning, Nick Swisher stepped to the plate, this coming after he had hit a game tying home run in his previous at-bat. With Curtis Granderson on second base and Brett Gardner on first, it seemed as though Swish was the perfect man for the occasion. He proved he was. Swish laced a sharp single into right field, allowing Curtis Granderson to race all the way from second base and score on a close tag at home plate giving the Yankees the 5-4 victory. As customary, Swisher received his pie in the face from A.J. Burnett, a fitting ending to an emotional night. Swisher went 3-5 on the night.

"It was such a somber attitude," said Swisher after the game. "You didn't know what to think. There's so many things you can say about him. You just wanted to go out and win it for him."

"Today was George Steinbrenner's day. He's the reason we have this. I was happy to send him out on this note."

In an even more fitting tribute for Sheppard, Paul Olden, the Yankees' current PA announcer, was silent tonight. There were no batter introductions, no pitching change announcements, and no PA announcements tonight in a tribute to Sheppard who had been the Yankees' voice for over 50 years. At the end of the game, Sheppard's voice was heard saying: "Thank you for coming to the game." The Bleacher Creatures were also silent tonight in tribute to Sheppard.

The Yankees did it tonight on the field, but I know that somewhere up there, The Boss and Mr. Sheppard helped out a little.

Swisher's home run tonight was his 16th of the season, while Jorge Posada (10) and Robinson Cano (17) also homered.

A great game and a great win for the Boss and Sheppard, but it was also a big game as the Yankees defeated their division rival. The Yankees now have a 3 game lead over Tampa in the AL East standings. The Yankees now improve to 57-32.

Yankees 2010 Trade Target: Lance Berkman

Lance Berkman, 1B/OF Houston Astros
2010 season: 55 G, .237/.341/.384, 6 HR, 29 RBI

As recently as last week, we heard rumors that the Yankees had scouts following the Houston Astros watching Lance Berkman, just in case the Astros decide to make him available via trade. By adding a power bat in "The Big Puma" Berkman, the Yankees would have a very dangerous offense. The face of the Houston Astros since the retirement of Craig Biggio, Berkman has slugged 21 or more home runs every full season in the big leagues, including a career high 45 in 2006, his best year, in which he batted .315 with 136 RBI and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. Berkman has slugged more than 40 home runs twice in his career, 42 in 2002 and 45 in 2006, as well has slugging over 30 or more three times, 34 in 2001, 30 in 2004, and 34 again in 2007. Add that to five seasons of 20 home runs or more: 21 in 2000, 25 in 2003, 24 in 2005, 29 in 2008, and 25 in 2009. He's also driven in over 120 RBI three times: 126 in 2001, 128 in 2002, and a career high 136 in 2006. He's also had six seasons of over 100 RBIs. He's had four seasons of over .300 batting averages with a career high .331 in 2001, .316 in 2004, .315 in 2006, and .312 in 2008. Add that all together and Berkman has a career batting line of .297 AVG/.409 SLG/.549 OBP, .959 OPS, 319 HR, 1070 RBI, and 1622 hits. A slugger to say the least.

It's not a secret that the Yankee offense right now is struggling. They got bombarded by the D-backs last night, after a great pitched game by Rodrigo Lopez, limiting the Yankees to four runs in last night's 10-4 loss. However, a case can be made that Berkman, 34, may not be able to help the Yankees. This season has been Berkman's worst career season, having career lows in AVG, SLG, OBP, and HR. There's also the contract issue. Berkman makes $14.9 million this year, and also has a no-trade clause, meaning he'd have to waive his clause to be traded to the Yankees. I'm not sure that the Yankees would be so willing as to pay all of that contract. That may not be a problem however, as recently Astros' owner Drayton McLane said that the organization would be willing to absorb salary in a trade depending on the offer. Perhaps if the Yankees made the Astros a strong enough offer, the Astros would eat Berkman's salary.

But there is yet another issue with trading for the Rice University graduate Berkman. It's well known throughout baseball that McLane likes to keep his favorite players, Berkman being one of them. Over the years he's shown resistance to trading players such as Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Roy Oswalt. However, due to the Astros' past under .500 seasons, including another one this year at 26-44, McLane may be forced to trade the switch-hitting Berkman in order to rebuild the organization by acquiring prospects with high potential.

Yet there are still more issues, the most important being where would Berkman play on the Yankees? First base is occupied for the next seven years, and the Yankees already have two corner outfielders who play better defense than Berkman. The obvious position for Berkman would be DH on the Yankees. This presents another problem due to the health questions surrounding Jorge Posada, who has shown his signs of age and cannot catch everyday, forcing him to DH. The Yankees would like to keep his bat in the lineup on days he does not catch, but if they acquire Berkman, Posada would be forced to ride the bench a few times per week. To me, it seems as though Berkman may not have a spot on the team, similar to Adam Dunn, who I profiled a few days ago.

Then there is always the issue of prospects. I'm pretty sure every Yankee fan knows that the Astros starting point would be with Jesus Montero or Austin Romine. The Astros would require a top prospect in the deal, but most likely two if the Yankees wanted the Astros to eat Berkman's contract. I think a deal would have to consist of at least an A-level prospect, a Bminus-level prospect, and at least two C-level types. That means a deal of C Austin Romine, RHP Mark Melancon, LHP Wilkin De La Rosa and 2B David Adams.

If I were the Yankees I would not trade for Berkman. I think that the offense could survive with another bat that could cost less prospects-wise. I also think that the salary is an issue. The Yankees are reportedly on a "budget" and I'm sure they don't feel like adding $14.9 million to the payroll. I don't think it'd hurt the team if they acquire Berkman, but he's not having a good year and not having a good year playing in the weak NL Central, meaning he'd most likely have difficulty adapting to the strong pitching of the AL East. And he's 34, meaning his best days of hitting 30 home runs are probably behind him. While I've always liked Berkman, I do not think he has a place on the Yankees and I'd rather spend the prospects and money on someone else who's having a better year and is less expensive. Sorry Puma.

Halladay gets hammered, Yanks win 8-3. Mets beat Tribe 7-6.

(41-23) Yankees - 8, Phillies - 3 (32-20)
W - CC Sabathia (7-3)
L - Roy Halladay (8-5)
HR: (NYY) Curtis Granderson (5), Nick Swisher (11), Mark Teixeira (10)

The Yankees did what they needed to do. They got to Roy Halladay early, and didn't look back. Halladay came into tonight's game 18-6 with a 2.84 ERA lifetime vs the Yankees, along with bringing in a 8-4 record with a 1.96 ERA on the season. The way he pitched tonight however, didn't make it seem like that was the same pitcher. In the second inning, with Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada on base, Brett Gardner hit a triple to break open a 2-0 Yankee lead. To lead off the bottom of the third, Curtis Granderson sent a pitch sailing into the second deck in right field for a towering home run to give the Yanks an early 3-0 lead. After Mark Teixeira flied out, Robinson Cano reached on a double. The next batter, Nick Swisher, would send out his own bomb, clocking a pitch into the bleachers in right field, staking the Yanks out to a 5-0 lead over Halladay. In the top of the fourth inning it looked like the Phillies were making a comeback. They scored 3 runs off of Sabathia, but those would be the last runs they would score. In the bottom of the fifth, Mark Teixeira would look to regain some runs as he sent a homer just around the foul pole in right field to increase the Yankees lead to 6-3. The Yankees would score again in the bottom of the seventh, when Francisco Cervelli singled home Mark Teixiera and Jorge Posada to make it 8-3. The Yankees would not look back as David Robertson and Chan Ho Park shut down the Phillies for the eighth and ninth to give the Yankees an 8-3 win.

Sabathia pitched 7 innings, giving up 3 runs and 5 hits, but also getting 7 K's while his counterpart Roy Halladay only lasted 6 innings, while giving up 8 hits, 6 runs, 3 home runs, and only getting 5 K's. Many thought that Halladay's success against the Yankees would contribute to a win.

The Phillies only scored 3 runs in tonight's game, they have scored 3 runs or less in their last 21 games. The Phillies continue to slide, now only 2 games over .500 and in the 3rd place. The Yankees moved to 18 games over .500, still tied for 1st and with a Tampa loss tonight, can take over sole position of 1st place. Alex Rodriguez was not in the lineup tonight due to hip tendinitis and is scheduled to play tomorrow.


(36-28) Mets - 7, Indians - 6 (25-28)
W - Johan Santana (5-3)
L - Justin Masterson (2-6)
HR: (NYM) Ike Davis (8)
(CLE) Travis Hafner (8), Shelley Duncan (2)

While I didn't follow this game as closely as I did the Yankee game (c'mon it was Sabathia vs Halladay!) I understand Johan Santana's struggles continued against the tribe. Dating back to 2007 with the Twins, Santana was 0-5 against Cleveland. Through 7 innings today, he gave up 4 runs, 1 HR, 7 hits and only got 1, make that ONE, strikeout. That's very un-Santana like. As for Justin Masterson, he went 7 innings, giving up 7 runs (6 earned) on 10 hits and 1 home run while getting only 2 strike outs. So not a great performance out of either side. In the 9th, Francisco Rodriguez continued to be shaky, giving up a home run to Shelley Duncan to cut the lead to 7-6. Nonetheless, the Mets would hang on for the win. Barring an Atlanta loss, the Mets will be .5 games out of first place. Who woulda thunk it?

7 of the Mets' 12 hits tonight were infield hits.

So a win for both New York teams as they both push towards 1st place. That'll be all for tonight.

Jeter belts 2 homers, Posada a Grand Slam as Yanks crush 'Stros 9-3

(39-23) Yankees - 9, (25-28) Astros - 3
W - Javier Vazquez (6-5)
L - Wandy Rodriguez (3-9)
HR: (NYY) Derek Jeter 2 (7, 8) Jorge Posada (7, gr. slam)
(HOU) Hunter Pence (10)

While the home runs overshadow today's win, one can easily forget about how well Javier Vazquez pitched today. Over 7 innings, Vazquez gave up 3 runs, 6 hits, 2 HR, and got 6 strike outs on way to another quality start for the Yankees' pitcher. Over his last 7 starts, Vazquez has been dominating, going 5-2 with a 2.93 ERA, after starting out 1-5. Derek Jeter led off the game in the bottom of the 1st inning with a solo home run, staking the Yankees to an early 1-0 lead. As if almost to say "take that," Hunter Pence sent a solo homer out in the top of the 2nd inning to tie it 1-1. After giving up another run, it was 2-1 Astros. That would all change in the 3rd inning when Jorge Posada sent a pitch into the right field seats for a grand slam to give the Yanks a 6-2 lead from which they would never look back. As if to increase the damage, the killing blow came when Derek Jeter hit his 2nd homer of the game, a 3-run shot in the 6th, to make it 9-3. The Yankees go for the sweep of the Astros tomorrow before the defending National League champion Phillies come to town. Stay tuned.

Yankees trample Orioles 9-1

(33-20) Yankees - 9, (15-30) Orioles - 1
W - Phil Hughes (7-1, 2.54)
L - Brad Bergesen (3-4, 6.75)
HR: (NYY) Robinson Cano (12, 2-run)

Is there truly any hitter on earth hotter than Robinson Cano is right now? Robbie, after going 3-4 tonight with a big home run, raised his average to .373 to go along with his 12th home run! Remember, Cano had all of 25 home runs last season! If he continues this torrid pace, he'll end up with 37 dingers on the year! Robbie now leads the majors with 78 hits this season. Can you say All-Star and MVP? And how about Phil Hughes? 7 innings pitched with 1 earned run and 7 strikeouts! Hughes is truly proving to be a top of the rotation starter this year and for years to come. Could Hughes be the American League All-Star starter this year? Do you think the Yankees feel they made the right choice in Spring Training? But Hughes and Cano weren't the only players to shine in this game. Curtis Granderson went 3-4, continuing his recent hot hitting, Nick Swisher went 3-5 to increase his hot streak, and Brett Gardner went 2-3. In his return to the lineup, Jorge Posada went 1-3. Great game played by the bombers! See you next time!