Metrodome's Farewell Present

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The final game in the baseball history of the Metrodome saw the Yankees move on to the American League Championship Series. Enjoy the latest edition of Yankees Insider!

Yanks Start October Run Strong

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Inside the ALDS

NEW YORK – The Yankees made quick work of the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the playoffs last week.

As a reporter, it was very exciting to be part of Game 1 and Game 2. I covered the final postseason at the old Yankee Stadium in 2007, both as a writer and as a tv reporter. That one was a heartbreaker. Standing in the press conference room, you just knew the Joe Torre was coming to an end in the Big Apple. I don’t think people wanted to believe it, but I realized it was going to be a reality.

It looked like Torre was tired of trying to justify himself, and the Yankees were tired of losing in the first round.

I can’t say I wanted Torre to go. I think you could make a strong case for him being the greatest Yankee manager of all-time, regardless of his record prior to the pinstripes. Just because you have a talented, high-paid roster, it doesn’t automatically equate to winning – especially come October.

Torre is now one of the best managers in the game. I just think he and the Yankees needed a change.

That’s where Joe Girardi comes in. I wasn’t singing Girardi’s praises like everyone else when they made the change, and in reality, Torre could have come back if he chose the terms of that incentive laced contract offer.

Girardi took his lumps last season, but I can safely say, he’s done a terrific job in Year 2. The Yankees are the team to beat in October – the best of the Final Four teams remaining. They’re better than the Los Angeles Angels. They’re better than Torre’s L.A. Dodgers. And, they’re even better than the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Again, it doesn’t mean that they will win the World Series; it just means that they are more than capable of beating any of the other three teams left. Honestly, at this time of year, it’s anyone’s game.

Still, the Yankees showed how dominant they could be in the American League Division Series, sweeping the Minnesota Twins in three straight. The Twins were the hottest team coming in, but the Yankees capitalized on every little mistake they made.

These Yankees play the best team ball since the squad that reeled off three straight from 1998-2000 and were three outs shy of four -in-a-row in 2001.

Alex Rodriguez was key for New York in the ALDS. He’s been one of the most important figures for the Yankees this season.

In Game 3, A-Rod and Jorge Posada hit seventh-inning home runs to spoil Carl Pavano’s opportunity to frustrate his former club last Sunday. The Yankees advanced to their first American League Championship Series in five years with the 4-1 victory.

New York won 4-3 in 11 innings Friday night in the Bronx. Mark Teixeira provided the game-winning blast after A-Rod tied it with two outs in the ninth on the most clutch homer of the series. The Yanks won the opener 7-2, setting the tone for the rest of the series.

Check out our Yankees Insider packages and relieve the moment with BronxNet.

The Boss Speaks

New York – George Steinbrenner may not be as visible as he used to be in the Bronx as he gets on in years, but there's one thing "The Boss" would never miss: The postseason.

Yankee captain Derek Jeter already came out this week, calling for the Bombers to win another World Series for Steinbrenner. The patriarch of the Yankees universe will be in New York for the American League Division Series tonight.

As in classic Boss fashion, he released a statement saying, rallying the troops: "This has been a tremendous year for our team as we have settled into our new home. The New York Yankees are proud of our rich history of outstanding players and this year's team has worked hard to prove that they are worthy of the great distinction of calling themselves Yankees.

"We look forward to finishing what we started this season and never losing sight of our goal - to bring another championship to the best fans in the world and the great city of New York."

Yankees Insider Rewind: Bombers Win AL East

Relive Jeter Passing Gehrig

Yanks Celebrate AL East Crown

NEW YORK – I think I’ve finally dried off from Sunday’s champagne shower. The winning doesn’t seem to get old in the Bronx. The Yankees hit the century mark Sunday, No. 100 in their 4-2 win over Boston.

They ripped Kansas City in the opener Monday night, but as I watch from my press box seat, the Bombers are currently on the wrong end of a 3-2 deficit, heading into the bottom of the eighth.

AJ Burnett pitched a gem tonight, allowing only one run to the Royals. Phil Coke pitched OK in relief, but his throwing error to second base cost the Yankees late.

They still have six outs to turn things around.

As for Sunday, it was another surreal experience. The Yankees clinched their 11th AL East crown since 1995, tying for the most division titles in the wild card era along the way. They have now won nine of their last 10 games against Boston after losing the first eight games in the season series.

It was also the Yankees' 49th comeback win, which is the most in baseball, and their 35th come-from-behind victory at home, which is the most in team history.

What can I say, there’s never a dull moment in the Bronx these days.

Matsui Delivers; Champagne Looms

NEW YORK – Hideki Matsui’s dominance of the Red Sox continues. He delivered a clutch two out, two RBI hit to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the sixth.

Matsui has the best numbers of any Yankee against Boston in 2009. He continues to make them pay, time after time. In addition, he has quietly put together the best season of any Yankee designated hitter as he approaches 30 home runs.

Brian Bruney, who recently switched his uniform number to No. 99, was perfect in relief. Move over Rick Vaughn, the new “Wild Thing” has been lights out. Bruney provided a sparkling 1 2/3 out of the pen and gave way to Phil Coke, one of the unsung heroes of the bullpen this year. Coke delivered once again, striking out David Ortiz to end the inning. Big spot with the revitalized Ortiz taking a shot at tying the game with one swing.

Mark Teixeira homered in the ninth and now, Mariano Rivera is making his way to the mound to close the door.

Yanks Can Clinch Today

NEW YORK – Looking on as the Yankees try to sweep Boston out of New York today, and in doing so, win the American League East Crown on a rainy Sunday afternoon in the Bronx.

Let's catch up with some news and notes from the press box.. Robinson Cano singled in the second inning for some more Bronx Bomber history in 2009. Now, Derek Jeter and Cano each have 200 hits. With Robbie's base knock, the pairing became the fifth combo in franchise history (sixth time) to each collect at least 200 hits in the same season, joining Lou Gehrig and Earle Combs (1927), Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio (1936, '37), Bernie Williams and Jeter (1999) and Alfonso Soriano and Williams (2002).

According to Elias Sports Bureau, no teammates have ever reached 200 hits in a season at shortstop and second base.

Congrats to DJ and Robbie!

Cano's resurgence has played a huge part in New York's turnaround from a season ago. The potent lineup the Yankees yield is so well constructed from an offensive standpoint with solid contributors playing the up the middle positions. Jeter is having one of the finest seasons of his career, an MVP type season, while Cano is arguably the best hitting second baseman in the league, and don't forget Jorge Posada behind th plate. He has really bounced back from injury. The Yankees have also had success with a rotation in center field. I can't tell you how many games Brett Gardner has won for the Bombers this season with his feet. That speed of his is indefensible, and it's an element the Yankee lineup has lacked in recent years.

The other half of that tandem, Melky Cabrera, homered today. He's also bounced back from a disappointing 2008 season. Melky's versatility has been a great asset. Today, he's playing left field.

We stand at 2-1 in the sixth. In the bottom half of the fifth, the Bombers were robbed. Nick Swisher doubled and tried to tag up on a fly to center. He made it to third, but the umpiring crew blew the call, saying he left too early. Boston appealed and Swisher was called out. Cabrera later singled, which would have tied the ballgame.

Standing by for a celebration. We'll see if the Yankees deliver.

Andy, Not Feeling So Dandy

NEW YORK – Tonight’s loss doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. The Yankees should be more worried about Andy Pettitte’s health.

The 37-year-old hopes a little rest now will go a long way toward a healthy October. After several sparkling starts in the second half, Pettitte will be skipped in the rotation tomorrow. The Yankees said Tuesday that the left-hander has a “tired pitching shoulder.”

Instead, Chad Gaudin will get the call tomorrow night. Pettitte will be pushed back to Monday night and face the Angels on the road.

“I think they just think that with the rest, skipping a start, that that should clear it up,” Pettitte said prior to the game. "I definitely don't want to be standing out on the mound in a postseason game or a game during the year that might matter a little bit more, with my arm aching a little bit.”

Pain in the same shoulder hampered Pettitte during the second half last season and he went 2-7 with a 6.23 ERA in his final 11 starts.

This is cause for great concern, even if the Bombers are only being precautionary at this time. Pettitte has been very consistent, going 13-6 with a 4.14 ERA for the AL East leaders. He has thrown 178 1-3 innings in 29 starts and gives the Yankees a chance to hide Joba Chamberlain until the American League Championship series, assuming they win the Division Series.

The Yankees can go with three starters in the first round, likely lining up CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, 1-2, with Andy finishing off the trio in the third spot, breaking up the two lefty starters between the hard-throwing Burnett.

“It is a concern,” manager Joe Girardi said of Pettitte’s tired shoulder. “That’s why we chose to skip him. We want to knock this out sooner than later.”

They better. I still say Joba could dictate the entire outcome for New York in the postseason. If he’s solid, there’s no reason to think the Yankees can’t win it all. If he’s terrible, the Bombers, even with all their offense, could be in serious trouble, especially if he moves up to No. 3. That would give a team like Detroit, New York’s likely first round draw, an added advantage.

Let’s face it, Burnett has been inconsistent himself and has never pitched an inning of post-season baseball in his life, and Sabathia is still unproven come October.

Andy needs to be right. The Yankees have what it takes to win it all, but they are still very thin when it comes to starting pitching depth. I hope they don’t regret passing on Roy Halladay.

These are the kind of x-factors that make October baseball the crap shoot it really is.