There's a lot to said about the upcoming Joe Torre book, the "Yankee Years". I am looking to obtain a copy of the book hopefully next week and will be able to come up with my own opinion.

I wrote an article for Peter Araham's Yankees blog on Sunday as part of his pinch-hitting series. The article was focusing on Joe Torre's time as Yankees manager. How I thought he did a great job and how we took him for granted while he was here. I had no idea about the upcoming book. The first sounds of the book came around also on Sunday, so it was just a coincidence that my Torre article was posted on the same day the news about Torre's "ant-Yankee" book was released to the public. Now that caused quite a stir on the LoHud Yankees Blog and brought new readers to this site. I thank those that have come and shared their opinions on the matter. I realize that many people became anti-Torre towards the end of his tenure but I think people should read the entire book first before passing judgement on Joe. We have all heard and read different passages from the book, all covering a varitey of topics, David Wells, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, and Brian Cashman.

So far it looks to me Torre just told it the way it was and Tom Verducci wrote it in the book as such. Nothing I've heard has surprised me yet so it'll be interesting to see what else comes to light as a result of this book. I wonder what Torre's response will be when he's interviewed on the matter. Oh man, how quick you can go from hero to goat in this city....only in New York. But please read the book first THEN cast your opinion.


Will you buy the book? Go over to the right and cast your poll on the poll.

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, Brain Cashman, David Wells, Joe Torre, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson

The day is finally here, September 21st, 2008. To most people, it's just another day but to Yankee fans,players, coaches and anyone ever associated with baseball, it's the end of an era. An era that can not possibly be replicated. There's no way to replace the memories and moments that this Yankee Stadium gave everyone since being opened in 1923. Now, tonight will be the last game ever played at Yankee Stadium. I can't believe it.

I, for now am against the idea of the new Yankee Stadium because one of the reasons why I love the Yankees is for the tradition that comes along with the franchise. That includes Yankee Stadium, the greatest place in the world. If you ever been to a Yankee game in October or been around the Stadium in the postseason you know how it is, nothing tops that feeling. Now, with the disappointing season the Yankees will not be going to the playoffs this year and there will be nothing to cheer about beyond tonight. While I'm sure many of you may have alot more memories of Yankee Stadium than I do, the recent Yankee dynasty gave me so many in so little time it's hard to remember them all. Here's a look at my top moments (in no particular order) Yankee Stadium moments.

- Red Sox Redemption: Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS
Yes, this is an anti-Yankee moment but it's still apart of Yankee Stadium history. I was working across the street that night and will never forget how quickly the Stadium emptied out from the disgust of Yankee fans who were witnessing the worse collapse in sports history. To see Red Sox fans celebrate that night all over 161st was disgusting and made me sick to my stomach. Nonetheless it was a memorable moment,

- Alex Rodriguez Magical Month of April 2007
On two seperate occasions last season Alex Rodriguez answered the critics of not being able to hit in the clutch. April 7th he hit a walk off grand slam against the Balitmore Orioles to win the game. A week and a half later he hit another walk off homerun, this time a three-run homer against the Cleveland Indians. When he hit the homerun you couldn't believe what you were seeing, neither did the broadcasters, the players or A-Rod himself. We were witnessing something truly amazing happening and something you could never forget.

- October Delight:2001 World Series Games 4 and 5
In a time when New York needed a pick me up the Yankees gave everyone two of the most memorable nights in the history of baseball. With the Yankees down 2 games to 1, Tino Martinez came to the plate on October 31 2001 in Game 4. With two outs in the 9th inning and the Yankees trailing by 2 runs, Martinez with a runner on hit a home run to right center off Arizona Diamondbacks closer Byung-Hyun Kim. Derek Jeter followed a few innings later to win the game, the feat got Jeter the name of Mr. November. The very next night Scott Brosius hit a game tying two-run home run off of Kim with two outs in the 9th inning again. Announcers Joe Buck and Tim McCarver in shock at what they saw as deja vu hit Yankee Stadium. This was one of the most amazing feats considering they were done on back to back nights under the same exact circumstances.

- Aaron Bleeping Boone: Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS
This is probably the last real special and memorable moment in October for the House That Ruth Built. In a game that will forever be remembered for the second guessing of Grady Little and Pedro Martinez, Aaron Boone hit the first pitch he saw from Tim Wakefield into the left field seats to send the Yankees to the World Series. No one will ever forget this moment as it was one of the most unexpected occurrences in Yankee Stadium history.

- Postseason Baseball in July
July 1, 2004 was what I say was the best regular season game I ever saw. The Yanks and Red Sox played a true classic. Back and forth they went, the Yankees scored, the Red Sox answered. The Red Sox scored, the Yankees answered. A near triple play by A-Rod, Jeter diving into the stands to save the game in the 12th inning and coming up bloody, Manny Ramirez hit a monsterous homerun off of Tanyon Sturtze in the top of the 13th inning to put the Sox ahead, but in the bottom of the inning the Yanks were down to their last strike and started a rally. Ruben Sierra got a base hit up the middle, Miguel Cario delivered a clutch double that scored Sierra who never ran so fast in his life to tie the game and then John Flaherty got the game winning hit that bounced into the left field seats. Michael Kay called it the greatest game you'll ever see. I agree.

- Perfect Strangers
David Wells threw a perfect game on on May 17, 1998 being hungover against the Minnesota Twins. A year later on July 18, 1999 on "Yogi Berra Day" at the Stadium, David Cone pitched a perfect game against the Montréal Expos. What made it even more amazing, Don Larsen threw out the first pitch that day to Yogi Berra in memory of the perfect game Larsen threw in the 1956 World Series.




- Happy Days Are Here Again: 1996
After years of chasing the rest of the league and trying to restore the Yankee name, this Yankee team led by rookie Derek Jeter, set up man Mariano Rivera, superstar Bernie Williams and ace David Cone, the Yankees were the toast of baseball again. They brought pride back to the pinstripes as they won their 23rd World Series on October 16th 1996 when Mark Lemke's popup landed in Charlie Hayes' glove. The celebration with John Wettland's hand in the air signaling no. 1 and Paul O'Neill jumping on the mound of players and cartwheeling his way to the ground. As a 12-year old kid, I remember jumping so high I almost hit the ceiling and remember calling all my friends to share the glory of what I had saw. I never felt so prideful as I did that night. That night turned me into the huge Yankee fan that I am now.

Another 12 years later I am still the huge fan that jumped and screamed back in '96. With the Stadium closing down, it's a huge loss for me as well. I loved that place for so many reasons and tonight I will come to the reality that it's time to move on and start anew with the place across the street. It's going to beautiful there but it won't be the same. I hope Yankee Stadium can give me one more magical moment tonight before it closes the book on it's baseball history. It has to, it's Yankee Bleeping Stadium. If it doesn't I will still see it as the greatest place in the world, the way it's suppose to be seen by all.

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, Charlie Hayes, David Cone, David Wells, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Paul O'Neill, Yankees

Michael Kay said it best when he said "this is the biggest win of the season". No question about it, it surely was.

Chien Ming Wang was awful again and goes winless for the sixth consecutive start. Melky Cabrera didn't help his cause either by dropping a flyball that helped jumpstart the Toronto offense.

Kyle Farnsworth did his usual, give up runs. The Yankees have had many leads this season that have quickly disappeared, something that is occurring too often in my opinion.

But the Yankees fought back. On the day they got Jorge Posada back in the lineup, we saw life from the New York offense. Wilson Betemit slugged his second homerun in as many days and Jason Giambi on a sore foot hit a game winning two-run homerun into the upper deck to send the fans home happy. Yes, the 'stache is working.

Whatever powers that come from the 'stache or the gold thong, Giambi has been hitting the ball well in recent weeks. Today, with two outs and two strikes he hit one far into the afternoon sun. And so as a result, the Yanks are back at .500 and won the series from Toronto.

I, along with many people (Kay and ESPN's Tim Kurkijan) agree that this is the biggest win of the year and this should be the point where this 2008 season takes a turn for the better. It's no coincidence that with Posada back in the lineup, the offense got going. We'll see what the Bombers do from this point forward.

You had to see it coming. In the bottom of the 8th, Johnny Damon (another guy donning the 'stache) almost gave the Yanks the lead. With two outs and runners at second and third Damon drove one out to deep right center where Lyle Overbay made a great catch to save the game. Gotta give Overbay some love for his "web gem."

On the downside of things today, Wang was not himself. It's getting to the point where you have to start wondering what's wrong with the Yankee "ace". Wang says his arm slot is not there and thus causing him to elevate his slider but now having gone six straight outings without a win, something is wrong. If it's an injury, the Yanks will keep that tight lipped. If it's mechanics, then Wang needs to tinker around with them during his bullpen sessions. One would think that Wang's leg injury that had him get an extra day of rest a couple weeks ago is the root of the problem.

I'm no doctor but the Yanks better find out what's wrong with him and find out soon. You're not going to have games like today every fifth day so if Wang is injured, then rest him and have him miss a start if need be. But if Wang continues to struggle like this then the Yanks can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. There's no calavary on the way this year, unless you view free agent David Wells this year's impending savior. Joba's in the rotation now, so now is the time to get it together and win.

Today was a huge win for the Yankees for so many reasons. It's time to build off of it and run with it. Time is ticking...but you have to believe this team is about to hit their stride. I can only assume for now...I just hope they don't make me look bad for being so optimistic.

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Tags: Chien Ming Wang, David Wells, Jason Giambi, Joba Chamberlain, Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, Melky Cabrera

Is it possible to see David Wells come back to Yankee Stadium one more time? According to the NY Post,Wells wants to come back and Hank Steinbrenner is a fan of his.

Wells went unsigned over the winter but continues to throw to his son's high school baseball team to keep in shape.

"I'm in shape, I'd just have to fine-tune a couple of things," Wells said. "I'd need a little bit of time, but not much. Physically I feel fine, real good."

David pitched for the Bombers from 1997-98 and 2002-2003. In '98 Wells pitched a perfect game at the Stadium against the Minnesota Twins. He is beloved by most Yankee fans, although David did raise some eyebrows in Yankeeland. He took himself out of Game 4 of the 2003 World Series with a back injury, which forced Joe Torre to put in Jose Contreares in the game for a second consecutive night. That game was lost in extra innings when Torre summoned Jeff Weaver in and he promptly served up the game winning homerun. In 2005, Boomer signed with the rival Boston Red Sox, a move in which he once stated he would never do.

"New York has always been the favorite of all my stops," Wells said. "When I got traded, I was bitter. When they didn't re-sign me, I was bitter, but I know that wasn't the Yankees, everything was Joe Torre. I wasn't one of his boys. I don't think he liked the way I lived my life or that I spoke my mind."

Wells would welcome the idea of pitching under his former catcher Joe Girardi. Hank admits he's given Wells some consideration concerning a return.

"Obviously, he'll always be a Yankee to me," Steinbrenner said. "I've thought about it.....I saw him on TV, and I did think about it when I was watching.You never know," Steinbrenner said. [Wells] hasn't come up in conversation, but I've had so much other [bleep] to deal with lately."

Wells also stated he believes the Yankees have nothing to lose if they were to resign Wells. I agree. He's a lefty with expirence in New York and might still be able to pitch that big game they need. Whether David can prove to be useful in his mid-40's is another story. I don't think he can do much worse than Phil Hughes and his 0-4 9.00 ERA or Ian Kennedy's 0-3 8.37 ERA.

Give the guy a chance, you never know what you might get. I think the Yanks should take advantage of this situation while the time is right. This Wells-Yankee love affair could take on some stem if fill ins Darell Rasner and Kei Igawa struggle in their starts. As I always like to say, stranger things have happened, so the idea of Wells coming back may seem outrageous at first, but think about it...it could very well be what the Yanks need. I would love to see Boomer back, let's see if the door opens for a return to the House That Ruth Built.

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Tags: Baseball, Darell Rasner, David Wells, Ian Kennedy, Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Phil Hughes, Yankees