E-Boland and the Bombers
Yankees news, commentary and more musings from beat writer Erik Boland and the Newsday baseball team.
search this blog
bloggers
Recent posts
- Not much of a rest period
- Nothing to see here, folks
- Quotes from the Yankees' parade
- Fans mob Manhattan streets for World Series parade
- Jeter and friends on Letterman
- Giants coach offers heartfelt kudos to Yankees
- Hank Steinbrenner speaks!
- World Series "artifacts" headed to Cooperstown
- DISCUSS: Yankees win 27th World Championship
- A talk with Hal Steinbrenner
- Deep thoughts from Brian Cashman
- Yankees parade will be 11 a.m. on Friday
- Hideki Matsui named World Series MVP
- Live blog: World Series Game 6, Yankees vs. Phillies
- World Series Buzz: Chutley as MVP?
- Phillies lineup vs. Pettitte
- Tonight's lineup
- Girardi should shake up Yankees lineup for World Series Game 6
- World Series Game 6 ticket update
- VIDEO: Yankees work out Tuesday in preparation for Game 6
-
Not much of a rest period
Joe Girardi, a few minutes after stepping off his float behind City Hall Friday, was asked when discussions regarding next year will start.
He said early this week (the GM meetings start Monday in Chicago and Newsday’s Ken Davidoff will bring you all the news from there).
“You start with what you have and what you feel you might need next year,” Girardi said. “I think you start looking at everything from the rotation to the bullpen to positions…infield, outfield. You look at everything.”
Much of the attention the last few days has gone to discussion about some of the Yankees’ top free agent names – Andy Pettitte, Johnny Damon and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui – and who among them will be back.
Girardi isn’t a free agent but he does have one year left on his original three-year contract and it will be interesting to see how that is addressed in the coming weeks and/or months. It’s hard to imagine the Yankees letting Girardi, as a title-winning manager, go into spring training under lame-duck status.
Hal Steinbrenner, speaking on the field after the trophy presentation, had some of his highest praise for Girardi.
“We’ve always had confidence in Joe,” Steinbrenner said. “We went through a pretty laborious process of interviewing people and he was clearly the man. It was unanimous and I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s brought this team’s together…It’s all him.”
And with that, enjoy your NFL Sunday.
Tags: Joe Girardi, Hal Steinbrenner, Ken Davidoff, Hideki Matsui, Andy Pettitte, Johnny Damon, parade floats
-
Nothing to see here, folks
Been in the Yankees' clubhouse for "bag day" for the last couple hours, a day players come through to pack their things and head off to their respective offseason places of residence.
The only thing missing are the players.
Many of the lockers have already been cleaned out and it is likely some of the bigger names will simply have their materials boxed and shipped.
We have access here until 2 p.m. so if anyone stops by and has a few words, we'll keep you informed. And don't forget, check out tomorrow's Newsday for a special Yankees commemorative section.
* On another note, tours of Yankee Stadium, which stopped when the playoffs started, will resume tomorrow.
Tours will be available all days except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Check out yankees.com for more information.
-
Quotes from the Yankees' parade
First quote of the day from Hal Steinbrenner:
"Just a magical day ... It felt like a lot more than (a million fans). New York just has the best fans in the world. It's been nine years. You forget."
>> PHOTOS: Click here to see photos of Yankees players and fans at the parade
Reggie Jackson:
"It's always great. At my age, you enjoy it a little more. You think about The Boss a lot -- you wish he was here. You just kind of realize there's only one way to get here."
Derek Jeter:
"A lot of people, man. You don't realize how many people come out for this. It's been a long time. I think maybe there were more people here this time (than in 2000).
"It feels good. This is what makes it all worthwhile, the 200-some games we play."
"You feel a little like a president. You'd like to thank every fan individually, but you can't. I think they're enjoying this. They were just yelling. It's kind of like when there's two outs at the Stadium."
"I told (the young guys) you'll never see anything like this again."
Phil Hughes:
"You hear about how crazy it is, but you never know until you're here. The whole city just shuts down! ... There's no pressure when it comes to this. This is the fun part. And now we want to do it again next year."
Mariano Rivera:
"Beautiful, just beautiful. The city of New York, the fans, they are great fans."
(On his ribcage injury): "You just got to go through it. What can you do. It doesn't matter now - thank god it's over."
"This was something special. You never take it for granted. You always want it when you have a chance. I thank god for that."
"I saw a lot of things (on the parade route), but I'm not going to share that."
Nick Swisher:
"Crazy ----, man! To be able to win a World Series in this town and then have this ... Words can't describe it. I'm still speechless ... I had to wake up at 6:30 this morning, but it's not hard to get up that early when you know people are gonna be cheering you all day."
CC Sabathia:
"This is what you play for. There's never been anything like this for me. No, not ever. It hasn't even had a chance to sink in yet. I turned on Sportscenter last night and they said we won it, and now this.
"Andy (Pettitte) talked to me about it a couple days ago, said it's a mad house, so many people. You see kids who took off school to be out here.
(On whether he should've invited his buddy LeBron): "Yeah, you know, I should have had him come down here to watch the parade. He couldve seen what it's like to win in New York."
Alex Rodriguez:
"It was incredible, like nothing I've ever seen before ... I've been waiting a long time for this."
"Just the excitement -- it seemed like the fans were more excited than we were. They were a big factor for us all year."
"I've really enjoyed this year. The most important thing was that I stayed with the plan. The goal was to simplify things this year and I think I've done that. Winning it all is the one thing I never experienced. It's an amazing feeling."
Johnny Damon:
"I got to do it in my fourth year here, and maybe my last. You really never know how many times you're going to have this opportunity. I got to experience in twice, in two of the best places to do it ... They were both great, both special.
"I probably think about it more than the other guys, because I know how teams change. But no one can take this away. It's for history, for all time."
"You can't sign autographs out there (in the parade). Once you sign for one, you have to sign for like three million. So I had to nip that in the bud."
Mark Teixeira:
"This is really cool. Just fun seeing all the fans -- it's great seeing 50 thousand at the Stadium, but millions here - it makes you proud to play for such a great city."
Jorge Posada:
"They don't get old ... I saw a picture of Matsui holding a baby, and the baby had Pedro's face. That one stayed in my head."
>> VIDEO: Click here to follow local LIers on their journey into the city for the parade
>> PHOTOS: 2009 World Series parade | Classic parade photos | Game 6 celebration
>> VIDEO: Yanks win 27th title | Players celebrate | Fans react
>> BLOGS: Yankees postseason | Ken Davidoff's MLB Insider
>> COMPLETE COVERAGE: Yankees win 27th World Series title | Story archive
-
Fans mob Manhattan streets for World Series parade
Noon: I just finished riding down the Canyon of Heroes in a DOT truck in front of the float with A-Rod, Francisco Cervelli and Jay-Z. It was an interesting experience. Not as much shredded paper coming from the building windows as I would have thought. More like full sheets of printer paper.
A-Rod, in fedora, sunglasses and Yankees jacket, waving to a crowd that now adores him. Then the float turned down Chambers Street for the journey to City Hall.
10:45 a.m.: The World Series trophy was just unveiled on the Yankee executive float outside the Bowling Green train station on Broadway to begin its journey to City Hall. Joe Girardi just came out. The first ticker tape of the day has fallen.
>>VIDEO: Click here to follow local LIers on their journey into the city for the parade
10 a.m.: Crowds are swarming into Battery Park with the start of the parade one hour away. I am with the A-Rod float, float No. 4 on your program. Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada will be on float No. 10, Andy Pettitte on 12 and Mariano Rivera the last float. The players are not here yet.
>> View photos of the Yankees' 2009 World Series parade
At 8 a.m., people were already lining up Broadway near Wall Street.
It's three hours early, it's windy, it's cold, and they don't care.
Photo credit: Newsday / Arnold Miller
>> COMPLETE COVERAGE: Yankees win 27th World Series title | Story archive
>> PHOTOS: 2009 World Series parade | Classic parade photos | Game 6 celebration
>> VIDEO: Yanks win 27th title | Players celebrate | Fans react
>> BLOGS: Yankees postseason | Ken Davidoff's MLB Insider
-
Jeter and friends on Letterman
Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui will all appear on tonight’s Late Show with David Letterman.
According to a release from MLB, “the appearance will mark a historic first for Letterman, as he has never before hosted more than two sports figures together as sitting guests.”
Um, ok.
Regardless, all four can be pretty funny at times so it should be a good spot.
Also, if you missed it, Joe Girardi said on the Mike Francesa Show this afternoon that he was giving strong consideration, and had talked to Brian Cashman about it, to changing his uniform number to No. 28 for next season.
Although the number is currently taken.
“I’ll have to talk to Shelley Duncan,” Girardi said.
I’m sure they’ll be able to work something out.
Tags: Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, Shelley Duncan
-
Giants coach offers heartfelt kudos to Yankees
Giants coach Tom Coughlin opened his media briefing today with:
"Congratulations to the Yankees."
That was it.
-
Hank Steinbrenner speaks!
When I got down to the field for the championship trophy presentation, I was stunned -- STUNNED -- to see Hank Steinbrenner on the podium. As I hope you know by now, he's been firmly in the background ever since his brief but very entertaining run atop the Yankees two years ago.
Two months ago I went to Tampa to try to find Hank, to no avail. So it was fulfilling to finally ask him last night the obvious question: what in the world happened to you and your colorful quotes? Why did you stop talking to reporters?
Hank looked at me and deadpanned, "Because I hate you." After a pause, he patted me in the shoulder and laughed out loud. "No, no, no, I had a lot of stuff going on, a lot of other stuff going on. Once the team was in place I was happy."
-
World Series "artifacts" headed to Cooperstown
Following the Game 6 World Series victory by the Yankees, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum collected the following artifact donations:
Mariano Rivera hat from postseason
Hideki Matsui Game 6 bat
Derek Jeter Game 6 bat
Andy Pettitte cap from WS
Johnny Damon spikes from Game 4 double steal
Jorge Posada mask from postseason
Jose Molina mask for post season
Suzyn Waldman Game 6 scorecard
Cliff Lee cap from postseasonThe items will be featured in an exhibit to open in mid-November in Cooperstown and will remain on display through the 2010 postseason. The World Series case honors the present year champions in the Autumn Glory exhibit, which celebrates baseball's postseason.
-
A talk with Hal Steinbrenner
Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner spoke to reporters on the field at Yankee Stadium soon after the team received the World Series trophy. His thoughts on various subjects:
On whether he will think about next year right away, as his father used to do even after winning a title: “Well, I haven’t had my honeymoon yet even though I got married six months ago. Then there is a lot of scouting to be done and a lot of opinions to be gotten and we’re going to come together as a group, Hank [Steinbrenner] and I and Felix [Lopez] and George [Steinbrenner] and Brian [Cashman] and everybody else, like we have the past two years, and start to make some tough decisions.’’
On whether he had any doubts Andy Pettitte eventually would re-sign: “We had a payroll number in mind. We got real close to it. I’m a fiscal guy, a numbers guy. What can I say? It was never about Andy Pettitte. When we realized we could do a deal that was acceptable to both parties we were allover it. We know Andy Pettitte. He’s got the heart of a lion. We wouldn’t be here without him.’’
On what the title means to him personally: “I don’t know that it could be more perfect. Coming into this unbelievable stadium that the fans have loved all year long and doing this was exactly what needed to happen as far as we’re concerned. But it hasn’t hit me yet.’’
On whether another Yankees title will re-ignite concerns about competitive imbalance in baseball: “No, because we’ve had pretty hefty payrolls for a number of years. Having the highest payroll in baseball doesn’t mean you’re going to win. We’ve seen that time and time again. We’re just proud that the money that came off last year we were able to put back into the team for the fans’ sake, and made some good decisions and the team became much better for it.’’
-
Deep thoughts from Brian Cashman
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to reporters on the field at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night as the trophy presentation was being conducted nearby.
His thoughts on several subjects:On Andy Pettitte: “He’s special. Good for him. He came back for all the right reasons. It wasn’t monetary. He put everything aside because he thought this was a special opportunity, and I’m glad that proved correct for him and for us.’’
On winning the Series: “It means another championship, simple as that. I mean, you’re opening a brand new Yankee Stadium, with all those questions about carrying over, about the ghosts and the tradition and messing with success and all that stuff and what do you do? You open up a bigger, better situation with a world championship, to boot. It’s great. Fantastic.’’On what the championship means to George Steinbrenner: “It’s probably the proudest moment of his career, because not only has his business secured another championship, but at the same time his sons are the ones who delivered it. He was able to watch his pride and joy, both his sons and his team, have the biggest success in the industry they work in. What better thing for a father and businessman to have happen at the same time?’’
On Hideki Matsui’s future: “We’ll get together and have our meeting, which we haven’t done yet, and line the board up and make the best decisions we think are right for us and hope they work. But he’s been a remarkable player for us and we’re proud of him. When he came over from Japan, he ended with a championship, and I’m glad he got one for us, too. And who knows what the future is going to bring? But that’s not for now. For now is to enjoy and celebrate.’’
On Alex Rodriguez’s season: “The decision he had to make, the tough one, to come back and put us in position to be successful, he made a very unselfish decision that we’ve all benefited from, including himself. At the end of the day he’s added something to his trophy case that’s the biggest goal that he’s ever had, which is to be part of a world championship. He’s come full circle.’’
