Mariano Rivera picks up 602

Mariano Rivera picks up 602


(NEW YORK- NEW YORK) In an all to familiar scene the 41 year old Mariano Rivera steeped to the mound and closed out the side .As soon as the door to the bullpen opened the Yankee Stadium crowd rose to its feet. Growing louder and louder through the scoreless ninth as the ever-dominant reliever converted yet one more save. This one, the big one number 602 , putting Rivera to the top of the list of all time saves.

With this save Rivera passed Trevor Hoffman for the top spot on baseball's all-time saves list. The win, coupled with a Boston afternoon loss, makes  the New York Yankee playoff magic number to four to clinch a playoff spot.

The save also marks the seventh time in Rivera's illustrious career that he has recorded at least 43 saves in a season (1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2009). Only Hoffman, who has done it nine times, has more than Rivera's eight 40-save seasons with 9. The save also marked  the right-hander's 290th save at Yankee Stadium and 32nd save against the Twins.

Yankee Batboy new "tell all "

Yankee Batboy new "tell all " 

At age 15, Luis Castillo lived the dream, Castillo was a batboy for the New York Yankees  from 1998 until 2005 .Castillo ran errands for A-Rod, caught warm-up pitches with Andy Pettitte and David Cone, and partied with Ruben Sierra. In those days batboys did not have to sign confidentiality agreement. Which leads us to his new memoir, "Clubhouse Confidential."  were Castillo divulges Yankee player secrets.

Opening Day 1998 was his first day on the job , Castillo says he didn't know what to expect. he quickly learned that the tradition is that every bat boy gets a nickname from Derek Jeter himself . Castillo says that Jeter was easygoing ,joked a lot ,and teased everyone as a way to bond with his fellow team mates.

Castillo claims that Jeter and some of the players were terrific tippers. Roger Clemens would tip $3,000 at the end of the year. Posada gave him $7,000. A-Rod kicked in $1,400. A sizable amount, but when A-Rod  found out that other players were tipping more, he bumped his tips up. Making sure he was the best tipper in the league. Castillo says A-Rod tipped $100 a week to make sure there was a creatine shake waiting for him after each home game.

One day, President Clinton walked into the clubhouse with four Secret Service agents. Players were being polite as hell with him until Jeter  in full uniform, on the way out to the field paused just long enough to say: "Hey, Mr. President, you staying out of trouble?"

Castillo  says that  stadium operations, used a  "Red Alert." system when owner George Steinbrenner arrived.Manager of Stadium Operations would punch in a special code into the walkie -talkie system and the word would spread like wild fire. Casitillo describes the lave hate relationship the team had with Steinbrenner and players like David Cone would often rib the over protective owner.

Despite Steinbrenners penchant to micro manage the team Joe Torre  never let it interfere with his game .Torre would say , "This is what the Boss wants, but this is what we're going to do."  Torre was usually focused no matter what the situation and kept his nose to the grindstone. The only one thing that ever distracted him from work,  was the pony's and Torre would often have the OTB channel on his TV in his office.
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DJ3K

 Derek Jeter’ homered in front of the home town crowd hitting one of baseball’s most hallowed milestones, a mark that has never been reached by any other New York Yankees’ great. Not Mantle ,not Marris, not Jolten Joe DiMaggio ,not even the Iron Horse Lou Gerhig ,or Babe Ruth could muster 3000 .Only Derek Jeter has entered this very exclusive 3000 hit club. Making today in one of the great moments of Yankee history.

http://www.manhattanstyle.com/sports/dj3k/

Hall of Fame ,baseball legend Yogi Berra misses Old Timers Day

Hall of Fame ,baseball legend Yogi Berra misses Old Timers Day

Hall of Fame ,baseball legend Yogi Berra, one of the most beloved Yankees, didn’t participate at the Yankees old timers day after taking a fall at his Montclair, NJ, home last night. Sources say that Berra is resting comfortably at home and didn’t feel up to it today. Berra suffered no broken bones but a few bumps and bruises , It was said Berra was disappointed he won’t be able to make the festivities.

http://www.manhattanstyle.com/sports/hall-of-fame-baseball-legend-yogi-berra-misses-old-timers-day/

Berra had had a long running 14 year fued with the “BOSS” George Steinbrenner but he and Steinbrenner had made up , Berra spoke this week of looking forward to Old Timers’ Day and paying tribute to the “BOSS” George Steinbrenner. Berra, 85,a fan favorite always gets one of the loudest ovations at old timers celebrations at the stadium.

Yogi Berra played 18 seasons for the Yankees and managed the team twice. He was a three-time American League MVP and in later years he became know as a baseball philosopher coining phases like “it aint over till it’s over” or “aint over till the fat lady sings”. Once Berra was asked ,”what time was it ?” and he responded with his usually humor “you mean now”

http://www.manhattanstyle.com/sports/hall-of-fame-baseball-legend-yogi-berra-misses-old-timers-day/

Mr. October Reggie Jackson silence says it all

Mr. October Reggie Jackson silence says it all

Mr. October Reggie Jackson a silent pause on the "BOSS" George Steinbrenner death.

http://www.manhattanstyle.com/sports/mr-october-reggie-jackson-surprising-silent-on-the-boss-george-steinbrenner-death/

This weeks passing of George Steinbrenner left one major players of the Yankee 1977,78 Bronx Zoo triumvirate surprising silent.The silence came from non-other than Mr. October ,Reggie Jackson, the baseball player who too many symbolises the very free-spending, championship-winning at all cost ways that the "BOSS" George Steinbrenner would become synonymous with .

Jackson was simply too overcome with emotion to speak. He even cancelled an interview with FOX News Jackson during FOX’s national telecast of the All-Star Game, sitting instead in the box of Angels owner Artie Moreno to watch the game played the night of Steinbrenner’s passing .Jackson then declined many requests for interviews ,finally issuing a statement through the Yankee public relations department late Wednesday. It wasn’t until Old-Timers’ Day on Saturday at Yankee Stadium that Jackson found himself able to speak publicly for the first time since Steinbrenner’s death. Jackson would later explain in an uncharacteristic subdued tone that he had had regular chats with the "BOSS", talking baseball ,and was taken off guard by Steinbrenners death .

Most would remember Mr October for his huge ego aggrandising ways and show boating that he made famous as well as the on field off the field antics between him, Billy Martin, George Steinbrenner . Those teams were consistently beating the many obstacles as well as the team in the opposite dugout. Those late 1970s teams like the city it self were always fighting on multiple fronts, from the office of the meddling owner to the office of the explosive manager to the locker of the attention-starved star. The Bronx would burn ,Son of Sam was on the prowl ,punk rock was on the move,the disco was burning down and the city was on ever shaky financial ground.

Like many others there were certainly low points to be sure, but ultimately the two found the road back to friendship . Jackson said “We were never enemies,” “There are players and owners in history who are tied together. I’m proud to be tied to him. That will never change.” Jackson was happy to overlook the craziness of the back-to-back title years of 1977-78 ,but who in New York wasn't crazy in those days ? So in the end Reggie Jackson's silence said it all and a chapter in Yankee history had come to a close.

http://www.manhattanstyle.com/sports/mr-october-reggie-jackson-surprising-silent-on-the-boss-george-steinbrenner-death/

The tumultuous 37-year reign of George Steinbrenner as owner of the New York Yankees came to an end

http://www.manhattanstyle.com/arts-entertainment/new-york-icon/the-boss-george-steinbrenner-dies-at-80/

The "BOSS" George Steinbrenner Dies at 80


The tumultuous 37-year reign of George Steinbrenner as owner of the New York Yankees came to an end this morning with the death of the Boss from a massive heart attack. Steinbrenner or the BOSS led the Yankees to 11 American League Pennants and 7 World Series .

He was one of those larger than life heroic New York Personalities. Outspoken and brash like the city it self .Who’s raise and fall and raise again was so much a part of the New York experience. Love him or hate the Boss was one of those people that makes New York what it is.Steinbrenner had a huge impact on the city, baseball and was an inspiration for a generation of 70's kids who grew up through the worst of times in New York City. Through the crime ,the fiscal crisis ,son of sam ,the Bronx is burning and even disco Steinbrenner delivered back to back titles in 77 and 78 when Yankee fans and New Yorkers needed it the most .And later even after the September 11th attacks the Yankees played ball.

Steinbrenner headed a group of investors who bought the Yankees from CBS in 1973 for mere $10 million. Today the franchise is the most valuable sports franchise in the world ,worth somewhere near $1 billion.

After the purchase in 1973, Steinbrenner quickly established himself as a larger than life unique firebrand, earning fame, admiration and ire for his impulsive personnel moves, pioneering business strategies, and win-at-all-costs New York mentality. Representing the will to overcome all odds in precisely the same will New Yorkers display meeting every challenge they face daily.

The Boss spared with managers and players and was perhaps more known in his early Yankee years for having it out with the likes of Reggie Jackson, Billy Martin and Dave Winfield.

The Boss was a larger than life figure and a force in the industry. His truly heroic rise and success of his teams on the field and in the business area are a testament to his skill, drive, and determination. It was his trade make and became the Yankee way ,the winning way .

As the wild days of the 1970's gave way to the class acts of the Joe Torre years the Yankees became the most popular and profitable team in the nation. Pardoned by President Reagan, feuded with Hall of Fame’er Yogi Berra suspended from baseball by Bowie Kuhn ,owner ,business man and number one fan ,going though managers like most men go though socks ,there will never be another one like the “BOSS” George Steinbrenner.

http://www.manhattanstyle.com/arts-entertainment/new-york-icon/the-boss-george-steinbrenner-dies-at-80/