On the Yankees beat

I didn't get a chance to write about this the other day, it wasn't out of a lack of interest. Joe Girardi is teaming up with YES broadcaster Michael Kay and CBS Sports's Jim Nantz in a benefit for Girardi's Catch 25 Foundation and Alzheimer's Research. The event, titled "Remember when, Remember now" will be held Wed., Nov. 19th at Grand Central Oyster Bar (in Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal). All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to Alzheimer's research and assistance.

I knew that Joe Girardi's father, Jerry is suffering from Alzheimer's, but I did not know that Michael Kay and Jim Nantz (who I don't know personally at all) also have had a parent suffer from Alzheimer's. It is really a terrible disease. My grandmother and namesake, Kathleen Enzler, died after battling Alzheimer's for a number of years. Towards the end, she didn't know any of her children and even before that would confuse them with somebody else. She would think people on the TV were intruders. These are just a couple sad stories. It's a horrible illness and one I hope we find a cure for soon.

Tickets for this event are $250 per person. For info and ticket purchase call 212-490-7109 or 1-800-622-7775, or email info@oysterbarny.com

Here's a comment from Michael Kay: "Alzheimer's is one of the more insidious diseases for both the patient and the family. It is heart wrenching to lose the one you love while they are still living and breathing. My sister and I went through it with our mom, Rose. It's devastating. There is simply not enough funding for this disease which will eventually touch everyone in this country as the population grows older. We're hoping this night brings more awareness and funding to find a cure and spare future families this heartbreak."

Your old friends Baumbach and Rieber have started a new feature on their blog. Hot Stove Debates will look at one position of need at a time for the Yanks and Mets during the offseason.

Today, it's the Yankees' centerfield situation. Brett Gardner? Melky Cabrera? Austin Jackson? Mike Cameron? Nate McLouth?

See what we think and then tell us what you think.

So the closing ceremony for Yankee Stadium, which had been slated for Nov. 9th, is off. That was reported today by the Daily News and amNY.

Yankees spokesperson Jason Zillo said on the cancellation: "The Yankees were considering having a charitable event at Yankee Stadium for BAT, however we realized the final event at Yankee Stadium should be a baseball game, which in fact took place on Sept. 21, 2008."

The speculation was that all kinds of big-name groups/musical acts would be involved. I have mixed thoughts on the cancellation. I think there was a risk that it would not go over as well as planned. That some big names wouldn't show up. That it would be terrible weather. That it would diminish the memory of the final game, which made for a wonderful night.

On the other hand, it would have been nice if the Yankees had decided to cancel before the last game so people would have known. Plus they never really did much of anything to honor the non-baseball history there.

Speaking of the last game, if any of you have cause to call the Yankees for something (tickets, schedule questions, tours, etc.) and happen to be placed on hold, you'll get to hear Derek Jeter's speech that he gave after the final game. I think that's pretty cool. Even if you don't need to talk to the Yankees, maybe you can just call and ask to hear the recorded message.

Liking the discussion going on the blogs. Plenty to ponder as the Yankees watch a nightmare grouping of teams go to the LCS in the Red Sox, Rays and Joe Torre's Dodgers. The only thing worse would be if the Mets were in as well.

Mariano Rivera underwent surgery today on his right shoulder to remove calcification over the AC joint. It was performed by Dr. David Altchek, who also did the shoulder surgery on Jorge Posada. Reportedly all went well in the surgery and Rivera should begin throwing in early January. If that's the case, he'll be on time and a go for spring training.

Jon Lester was extremely impressive last night. Until the Angels tied the score in the eighth inning, my story centered around him stepping up as a postseason ace. In five appearances, three starts, he now has a 0.77 ERA!

Here's a little humor for your afternoon. This is from the American Mustache Institute -- I know, until a few months ago, who knew such a place existed?

BTW, I'm impressed with several of your ballpark lists. Two of the six current parks that I haven't been to I've seen from the outside. I went to a Notre Dame-Villanova basketball game across the parking lot from Citizens Bank Park in Philly this winter. And I spent a long weekend in SoCal a couple years ago, two nights of which were spent in a hotel that looked down on Petco Park. The others, though, I've never even glimpsed. I have been to a game at old RFK Stadium in Washington.

Finalists Announced for “Mustached American of The Year”

Voting opens, Winner to be named at ‘Stache Bash 2008

Sponsored by Just For Men® Haircolor

Oct. 6, 2008 (St. Louis) – The American Mustache Institute (AMI) today announced the finalists and opened voting for the “Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year” award, recognizing the most impactful Mustached American of the past year. The winner will be announced Oct. 25 at ‘Stache Bash 2008, a benefit for Challenger Baseball, a baseball league for children and adults with disabilities.

Sixteen finalists were selected by AMI’s certified mustacheologists from a pool of more than 60 nominees. Finalists include U.S. Army Sgt. Jon Alvarez of Baldwinsville, NY; Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees; the staff of the Boston Phoenix; retired policeman Tim Galvin of Sufern, NY; Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr; retired civil servant Denny Rogers of Farmington, MO; and former Major League Baseball MVP Keith Hernandez (view full list here).

“Wow, winning the ‘Goulet’ award,” a stunned Hernandez mused when told of his candidacy. “Next to playing in the major leagues, winning two World Series titles, being named MVP, winning 11 consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove awards, appearing on Seinfeld, marrying my wife Kai, and using Just For Men® Haircolor … if I win, that might be the 29th or so best experience of my life.”

To vote, visit www.AmericanMustacheInstitute.org and click on the award link. Voters may then choose one of 16 finalists. The winner will be named at ‘Stache Bash 2008 at the Lumiere Casino in St. Louis on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Just for Men® Haircolor,the official enhancer of the Mustached American, will sponsor both the “Goulet” award and ‘Stache Bash 2008, making a $5,000 contribution to Challenger Baseball.

“We’ve had hundreds of submissions for the ‘Goulet’ award, and our certified mustacheologists narrowed it to a strong group of candidates ranging from celebrities to average citizens. We are excited to see which distinguished Mustached American the public will choose,” said Dr. Daniel T. Callahan, AMI research director.

For more information about the “Goulet Award” or ‘Stache Bash 2008, visit www.americanmustacheinstitute.org, call (877) STACHE-1, or e-mail info@AmericanMustacheInstitute.org.

So the Angels managed to stay alive last night by winning in 12 innings against the Red Sox. At least for one more night, as it will be John Lackey opposite Jon Lester today. Since the game went so long, my early story explored whether it's worth giving Francisco Rodriguez all that money.

Thoughts?

So now that the National League Division Series are over, I know that I'll be assured of seeing a new stadium if I cover the NL portion of the World Series. The stadiums I've never been to are Dodger Stadium, Petco Park (Padres), Great American Ballpark (Reds), Citizens Bank Park (Phillies), and Miller Park (Brewers). Oh, and I've also not been to the Nationals' new stadium, National Ballpark. Has anyone been to more than 24 current stadiums?

I'm here at Fenway Park, where the Red Sox are trying to close out a series sweep of the Angels. The Dodgers have already closed out the Cubs, and the Phillies the Brewers, while the White Sox are leading the Rays right now in an elimination game.
I think the Angels may have a win in them, but we'll see. As I work on stories here, obviously the Yankees are not in need of a closer. They have quite a good one in Mariano Rivera. But if you were a team needing a closer (i.e. the Mets), how much would you be willing to give Francisco Rodriguez. I agree he's awfully good, and he set a record with 62 saves this season, but other guys put up better numbers. I wouldn't say he's the best closer out there, but he's looking for the biggest contract ever. He may be the best closer on the market, though, which is a whole different story.