On This Day in Yankees History-World Series Moments 1

1976-Johnny Bench, of the Cincinnati Reds, hits a two-run homer and a three-run homer to help the Reds sweep the Yankees in the World Series. (This was the Yankees first World Series appearance since 1964 and they would go on to appear in the next two World Series, winning both.)

1998-The Yankees defeat the San Diego Padres, 3-0, to complete a World Series sweep. It is the last game of the greatest single-season in the history of Major League Baseball, with the Yankees winning their 125th game of the season. (The total: 125-50, it hasn't been matched since.)

2000-It is the longest World Series game to date, Game 1 of the Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees ends on Jose Vizcaino's 12th inning two-out single. This is the 13th consecutive World Series game won by these Yankees, which moves them past the Murderer's Row Yankees for the all-time record.

We Know that CC Sabathia is the top priority but...

What else do the Yankees need to do in order to remain a World Series contender for 2012, or even get better? Here are my thoughts...

Re-sign CC Sabathia and then go after at least two other starting pitchers on the free agent market. My other targets would be C.J. Wilson and Edwin Jackson. Wilson is somewhat similar in stature to Andy Pettitte and the Yankees were lacking a Pettitte-type starter in the postseason and all of 2011.

If you have paid any attention to Brian Cashman's demeanor going into the off-season then you know that he wants to get younger. His best bet would be to go after the 31-year old left hander from the Rangers and the 27-year old right hander from the Cardinals. This would then give the Yankees the option of having Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett fight it out in Spring Training for the fifth starter spot (which I'm personally leaning towards Hughes).

Bring up Austin Romine or sign Johnny Damon to take the place of Jorge Posada. Posada's assumed to be finished with the Bombers and it has been a great run. Bringing in Damon to replace him would give the Yankees another backup outfielder and would give them a solid DH with World Series experience to replace the loss of Posada. And Damon can likely be had at an affordable price and contract of one to two years, so that is a win-win for the Yankees' brass.

Re-sign Eric Chavez and let he and Eduardo Nunez fight it out in Spring Training to take over significant time in the third base and shortstop positions. This gives A-Rod and Jeter some much needed rest at different points as they can DH once in a while and take the strain off of a whole season of fielding.

Make sure to pick up the option on Nick Swisher. Swisher may have disappointed this postseason but he is always good for 20+ home runs and 80+ RBI. He is also a decent fielder with a great arm and he has a terrific personality that is needed in the Yankees' clubhouse.

Get Joba Chamberlain and Pedro Feliciano healthy to once again bolster the team that already had the best bullpen in baseball in 2011. This gives the Yankees more depth and allows their starters to rest earlier and more often throughout the course of the season. With Rivera, Robertson, Wade, Soriano, Feliciano, Logan, and Chamberlain in the pen, the Yankees starters really only have to go about five to six innings a game.

If this is done to a "T" then the Yankees will have a team next year with an average age of 30.7 years (if Burnett is still pitching on the roster), which is prime and relatively young. This also gives the huge class of pitchers that the Yankees have at AA and AAA another year to develop and that should give them many more contending years to come and maybe, just maybe, their 28th World Series title by the end of the 2012 season.

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

Sorry I've been away for a week...rough week to say the least.

Yogi Berra is considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, catcher in baseball history. Three AL MVP awards (1951, 54-5), catching Don Larsen's Perfect Game Game 5 in the 1956 World Series, 18 All-Star Selections, ten World Series titles as a player which is a record (1947, 49-53, 56, 58, 61-2), and an additional three as a coach (1969, 77-8) leaves Berra as one of the greatest champions in all of sport. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 on his second ballot.

On This Day in Yankees History-More Magical Postseason Moments

1976-Chris Chambliss helps the Yankees clinch their 30th American League Pennant when he hits a walk-off, ALCS ending, solo home run to beat the Kansas City Royals 7-6. All of this in the deciding Game 5.

2000-Roger Clemens delivers one of this greatest pitching performances, striking out 15 and 1-hitting the Seattle Mariners in a 5-0 shutout win. This gives the Yankees a 3-1 series lead in the best of seven and they go on to win this series and their third straight, fourth in five years, and 26th World Series title overall.

Bernie Williams

Bernie Williams was one of the greatest Yankees center-fielders of all-time. He spent his entire career with the Yankees (1991-2006) in which he led the league in batting average in 1998 (.339), was a five-time All-Star selection (1997-2001), won four Gold Gloves (1997-2000), 2002 Silver Slugger, 1996 ALCS MVP, .297 career batting average, 287 home runs, 1257 RBI, and he won four World Series titles (1996, 1998-2000). He is also one of only ten players to ever play 16 or more seasons with the Yankees. His 51 extra-base hits and 80 RBI are postseason records.

Did you know: Williams is also an accomplished musician and, at 15, he won a Junior World Olympics Gold Medal in the 400 meter race? (He was considered to be one of the best junior track stars in the world.)

George Pipgras

George Pipgras was a relatively successful starting pitcher for the Yankees and Red Sox from 1923-35. In his time with the Yankees (1923-4, 27-33) "the Danish Viking" won 94 games, had a 4.04 ERA, was the American League wins champion in 1928 (24), he also led the league in 1928 in innings pitched, games started, and batters faced. He led the American League in shutouts in 1930 (3) and won three World Series titles (1927, 28, 32).

Did you know? His wife Mattie Mae, who has survived him since his death on October 19, 1986, is still living? She is 97 years old and lives near Inverness, Florida.

On This Day in Yankees History-Postseason Moments

1921-The New York Giants wrap up the first all-New York World Series in eight games on a 1-0 score, thanks to pitcher Art Nerf going for a complete game, four hit, shutout. The only run scored was on an error in the first inning.
1960-Bill Mazeroski hits what may be the greatest walk-off home run of all-time, off pitcher Ralph Terry, as the Pirates win the Series 4-3 and take their first World Series title since 1925. Casey Stengel is fired, Terry gains some redemption in 1962, and Mazeroski is later inducted into the Hall of Fame. (The Yankees will win the Series in both 1961 and '62.
2000-Mariano Rivera pushes his postseason scoreless streak to 33.1 innings, breaking a 38-year old record held by Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford.
2001-The Yankees, down 2-0 in the best of five Division Series, stave off elimination thanks to Mike Mussina pitching a 1-0 shutout against the Oakland Athletics' Barry Zito. Derek Jeter makes the flip to Posada to tag out Jeremy Giambi just before he crosses the plate. (I personally consider this to be the greatest defensive play of all-time.)
2003-Yankees coach Don Zimmer tearfully apologizes for his part in the Yankees/Red Sox brawl the day before in Game 3 of the ALCS. Pedro Martinez pushed the 72-year old to the ground. (Martinez should've been the one apologizing.)

Three Yankees Moving On...

So now that the 2011 season has commenced for the Bronx Bombers, the Yankees will have to face the reality of another off-season of transactions. Three pitchers from the Yankees 40-man roster are now gone.

Aaron Laffey, who went 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 11 appearances, was acquired by the Royals off waivers.

Scott Proctor, who went 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA, filed for free agency.

Raul Valdes, who went 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 6 games, also filed for free agency.

On This Day in Yankees History-Casey Stengel Day(?)

1923-Casey Stengel hits his second home run of this World Series, this time in Game 3 as it proves to be the difference with the Giants beating the Yankees 1-0. (The Yankees would go on to win the Series, however, which would be their first World Series title.)

1948-Casey Stengel replaces Bucky Harris as manager of the Yankees. It is a real head-scratcher for the Yankees fans and media, but Stengel goes on to win 10 AL Pennants and 7 World Series titles in 12 seasons.

 

Tommy John

Tommy John's name is synonymous with a surgery and consistent success. He has the seventh most career wins by a left hander in Major League history (288) and the second most wins of any pitcher, who is eligible, who has yet to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

John had a good career in his time with the Yankees (1979-82, 86-9): garnering two All-Star selections (1979-80), winning twenty games twice (1979-80), and winning 91 games overall.