Without much surprise, Curtis Granderson was named the latest Yankees center fielder…

 

 

Gene J. Puskar/AP

 

…in a long line of great center fielders. 

 

 

AP

 

 

 

 

 

Gene J. Puskar/AP

 

AP

 

 

AP

 

 

While I think playing catcher for the Yankees is very prestigious given the great catchers past and present, center field is clearly THE position for the Yankees.  Well, Derek Jeter would tell you shortstop, but there have been few ‘great’ Yankees shortstops until DJ came along.  Scooter held the unofficial title as franchise best until Jeter, but the rest have been good but not great.  Sorry Bucky, the home run in 1978 was fantastic, but you still have to be put in the ‘good, not great’ category…

 

 

 

 

Jack Curry of YES Network.com has written the article that I have feared.  This could very well be Andy Pettitte’s final season before he heads home for good to Deer Park, Texas.  I always thought that Andy would be one to retire too soon rather than too late.  I didn’t expect to see him pitching into his 40′s like his former good friend Roger Clemens or the Phillies fifth starter Jamie Moyer.  I actually thought Andy might call it a career after last year’s World Championship, so I was somewhat surprised he made the decision to return so quickly this past off-season. 

 

But the comments Andy makes in the Curry interview are the strongest yet that I’ve heard Andy publicly say and it does sound like someone who is starting to reconcile retirement in his own mind.  I will hate to see Andy go, but I will support whatever decision he feels is best for him and his family.  He will always be a part of the Yankees family.  It was tough to see him pitch in Houston for three years, so hopefully, the Yankees organization will keep him in the fold with spring training coaching invitations, old-timers games, and other related functions. 

 

Until then, I’ll continue to enjoy watching Andy win for the Yankees.

 

 

Sipkin/News

 

Introducing the 2010 New York Yankees:

 

Catcher: Jorge Posada

First Base: Mark Teixeira

Shortstop: Derek Jeter

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez

Right Field: Nick Swisher

Center Field: Curtis Granderson

Left Field: Brett Gardner

DH: Nick Johnson

 

1^st Starting Pitcher: CC Sabathia

2nd Starting Pitcher: A.J. Burnett

3^rd Starting Pitcher: Andy Pettitte

4^th Starting Pitcher: Javier Vazquez

5^th Starting Pitcher: Phil Hughes

 

Closer: Mariano Rivera

 

Infield/Bench: Ramiro Pena

 

Outfield/Bench: Randy Winn

Outfield/Bench: Marcus Thames

 

Backup Catcher: Francisco Cervelli

 

Reliever: Joba Chamberlain

Reliever: Damaso Marte

Reliever: David Robertson

Reliever: Sergio Mitre

Reliever: Chan Ho Park

Reliever: Alfredo Aceves           

Reliever: Boone Logan

 

Is this the team that will propel the Yankees to their 28^th World Championship?  Time will tell, but I like our chances.

 

 

 

 

I hate to date myself, but there are nine players on the Yankees 2010 roster that were born AFTER Don Mattingly had his major league debut with the Yankees in late 1982. 

 

 

 

 

Hey Julia, less than 48 hours until the first great Showdown of 2010!  Game on, my friend!  There will be a book headed your way!  J

 

 

 

 

Finally, I was saddened to hear the passing of former Baltimore Orioles pitching great Mike Cuellar.  Mike was only 72, and died today from stomach cancer in Florida.  He joined Jim Palmer, Dave McNally and Pat Dobson as the only foursome other than the 1920 Chicago White Sox (Red Faber, Lefty Williams, Eddie Cicotte and Dickie Kerr) to win 20 games each.  Ironically, of the four, only Palmer survives, as McNally and Dobson passed away in 2002 and 2006, respectively.  From 1969 through 1974, Mike won 20 games four times as the Orioles dominated the American League East.  He also pitched and won the deciding fifth game of the 1970 World Series, a 9-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. 

 

 

 

 

–Scott