The LoHud Yankees Blog

Good morning from the Mike Alstott International Airport here in Tampa.

The Yankees flew back to New York last night and will open the new Stadium today. I wonder how long we’ll call it the “new Stadium?” I guess until they tear the old Stadium down. But better than some corporate name, right?

From a historical sense, I’m looking forward to today. It’ll be cool someday to be able to say I was there when they played the first game at the new Yankee Stadium. But from a baseball sense, I’m most interested to see how CC Sabathia looks against his old teammates. It also seems that deal Cliff Lee made with the devil last season has expired. He’s back to being Cliff Lee again.

Wanted to mention these two Nick Swisher-related items:

• Rays manager Joe Maddon, who is a tremendously good guy, sent Swish over a lineup card from the game he pitched on Monday.

• Swish drew an X on his elbow yesterday, a tribute of sorts to Xavier Nady.

Flight leaves at 7 a.m. I have a game post ready to go up at 10 a.m. with the lineup for the Yankees as Joe Girardi announced it yesterday. So check back then.

The Yankees made a little early season statement by taking two of three from the Rays. Derek Jeter drove in the game-winner yesterday.

The Yankees will finally open their new Stadium today after a long road trip.

Fans are excited about the new Stadium. Kevin Devaney has that story.

Staring pitchers throw at least once between starts, sometimes twice. But those session are in the bullpen early in the day with only a catcher and the pitching coach there.

So it was a little strange on Wednesday when Chien-Ming Wang took the mound at Tropicana Field and threw 21 pitches to Cody Ransom and Melky Cabrera.

Dave Eiland stood behind Wang. Joe Girardi was behind the cage, getting a close look at Wang’s pitches with bullpen coach Mike Harkey. David Cone, who knows quite a lot about pitching, was there as well. The Yankees had catcher Kyle Higashioka come over from Tampa to catch the session. He was a seventh-round draft pick last June.

Credit Eiland with a good idea. After two dreadful outings, Wang needed to take his adjustments out of the bullpen and onto the field. Granted, this wasn’t a game but it was a good simulation. We’ll find out Saturday whether it helped. But Wang thinks it will.

“I felt better. My pitches were down,” he said.

Wang’s left leg appears to be the issue as it’s getting ahead of the rest of his body and leaving his arm trailing behind. It’s a fairly easy thing to fix but Wang has not taken those adjustments out into the game.

I asked Wang later on about his confidence and he assured me it was back. The session on the field helped, he said. “It was good to be out there and throw the ball,” he said. “I feel better.”

Mark Feinsand has some more insight on Wang over on Blogging The Bombers.

This release from the Yankees:

The New York Yankees will inaugurate Yankee Stadium with its first-ever regular season game on Thursday, April 16 at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Cleveland Indians.

Gates will open to fans with valid tickets beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Yankees are asking fans to be situated in their seats by 12:00 p.m. in advance of pregame ceremonies. Please budget ample time when planning your trip and be sure to consider using public transportation.

Ceremonies will begin at 12:10 p.m. with the West Point Marching Band performing John Philip Sousa’s “Washington Post March” and “Stars and Stripes Forever” in a tribute to the original Yankee Stadium’s opener on April 18, 1923, when Sousa performed on field with the Seventh Regiment Band prior to the game. The West Point Band will also play the “Armed Forces Medley.”

More than 40 distinguished Yankees alumni, such as Whitey Ford, Rich “Goose” Gossage, Reggie Jackson and Willie Randolph, will be introduced on-field, followed by baseline introductions for both teams. (A complete list of attending alumni may be found at the end of this release). Yankees Hall-of-Famer Yogi Berra will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Colors will be presented by a joint FDNY and NYPD color guard. After a 75-foot-by-150-foot American flag is unfurled in the outfield by West Point Cadets, Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first season of American Idol and two Grammy Awards, will sing the national anthem. At the conclusion of the anthem, the 174th Fighter Wing, an Air Force unit based in Syracuse, N.Y., will fly over the Stadium in F-16C Flying Falcons. The unit executing the flyover returned to the United States last August after supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq.

The home plate and pitching rubber to be used in Thursday’s game is the same set that was used in the final game at the original Yankee Stadium. Following the game, the items will be dug up and placed in the Yankees Museum, located in Yankee Stadium near Gate 6.

All fans in attendance will receive an inaugural season commemorative pin.

For information on parking, please visit www.baseball-parking.com or call (866) 330-7275.

Alumni Attending Opening Day Ceremonies: Luis Arroyo, Jesse Barfield, Yogi Berra, Ron Blomberg, Bobby Brown, Horace Clarke, Jerry Coleman, David Cone, Chili Davis, Bucky Dent, Al Downing, Dave Eiland, Ed Figueroa, John Flaherty, Whitey Ford, Joe Girardi, Rich “Goose” Gossage, Ken Griffey, Sr., Ron Guidry, Charlie Hayes, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Tommy John, Jim Kaat, Don Larsen, Hector Lopez, Tino Martinez, Lee Mazzilli, Gene Michael, Jeff Nelson, Graig Nettles, Paul O’Neill, Joe Pepitone, Willie Randolph, Bobby Richardson, Mickey Rivers, Buck Showalter, Bill “Moose” Skowron, Luis Sojo, Mel Stottlemyre, Ralph Terry, Bob Turley, David Wells, Roy White, Bernie Williams, Dave Winfield.

Schedule of events:

10 a.m.: Gates open

12:10 p.m.: West Point Band performs in center field

12:30 p.m.: Introduction of Yankees alumni, introduction of home plate and mound from old Stadium

12:42 p.m.–12:53 p.m.: Baseline introductions

12:53 p.m.: Introduction of giant American flag, unfurled by West Point cadets.

12:53:30 p.m.: Flyover introduction, 174th Fighter Wing

12:54 p.m.: Presentation of colors by NYPD/FDNY Color Guard

12:54:30 p.m.: National anthem by Kelly Clarkson

12:56 p.m.: National Anthem, F-16C flyover

1:01 p.m.: Ceremonial first pitch: Yogi Berra

1:04 p.m.: Umpires and managers to home plate

1:06 p.m.: Yankees take the field

1:08 p.m.: First pitch

Game time: 4:08 p.m.

YANKEES (4-4)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Swisher RF
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Gardner CF
Pena 3B
Molina C

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (1-0, 1.29).

RAYS (4-4)
Upton CF
Crawford LF
Burrell DH
Pena 1B
Aybar 3B
Bartlett SS
Kapler RF
Hernandez C
Iwamura 2B

Pitching: RHP Andy Sonnanstine (0-1, 9.64).

Andy Pettitte vs. the Tampa Bay hitters.

Andy Sonnanstine vs. the New York hitters.

IN MEMORY OF JACKIE: All of the players today will wear No. 42 in memory of Jackie Robinson’s debut with the Dodgers. Mariano Rivera is the only player who still wears 42.

END OF THE ROAD: The Yankees are 4-4 on their nine-game trip, which ends today. It was the longest trip to start the season in team history. Your friendly neighborhood beat writer has spent the night at home three days since Feb. 8. Yeah, it’s April 15.

SWISH AT THE DISH: Nick Swisher has hit in seven straight games this season at 11 of 24. He has 10 runs scored, 11 RBI and 9 extra-base hits. He has been on base in 15 of 28 plate appearances.

A STRIKING STAT: Yankee pitchers have 55 strikeouts in the last six games.

GOOD HISTORY: Andy Pettitte is 15-4 in 24 starts against the Rays in 24 starts. He is 8-2, 3.27 in 12 starts at Tropicana Field.

CANO NEARLY PERFECT: Robinson Canp has at least one hit in seven of the eight games this season.

BRETT THE JET: Brett Gardner is 4 for 10 with five runs scored in the last three games.

Back with more later on.

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE, 12:55 p.m.: Nothing official yet, but the word is that Xavier Nady will need surgery and miss the season.

UPDATE, 1:47 p.m.: We just spoke to Nady. He didn’t want to say too much until he sees team doctor Chris Ahmad in NYC tomorrow. But he indicated that the MRI showed a tear and surgery will be needed.

UPDATE, 2:04 p.m.: This is interesting Chien-Ming Wang is throwing live BP on the field. He’s facing Ransom and Cabrera.

UPDATE, 2:13 p.m.: Wang threw 21 pitches and looked good. Sinker was down. He said he felt good.

UPDATE, 2:47 p.m.: Joe Girardi said the news on Nady was bad but they’re hoping that the team doctor says something different. But the MRI wasn’t good. Nady will be going on the DL tomorrow. No word yet on who will get called up.

Girardi feels they have enough coverage in the infield with Melky Cabrera around. I asked him about Austin Jackson, who is off to a hot start at Scranton. But as I expected, Girardi said they felt it more important that Jackson play every day in AAA than ride the bench in New York.

It sounds like Juan Miranda is a possibility. Although Kevin Russo was taken out of the game in Scranton today.

As for Wang, Dave Eiland came up with the idea for the live BP session. It was encouraging, Wang said. He was able to keep the ball down and made the adjustment with his footwork in terms of keeping his arm at the right angle instead of trailing behind.

David Cone was standing behind the cage. “He looked good to me because everything was down, even when he missed,” Cone said. “That’s what you want to see from a sinkerball pitcher.”

In other news, Jorge Posada feels fine. The Yankees are being cautious with him, hence his being the DH two days in a row. Plus, let’s be honest, Hideki Matsui looks helpless. Girardi said Posada would catch tomorrow. He also plans to use Ransom tomorrow.

Alex Rodriguez could take BP by the weekend. … George Steinbrenner will be at tomorrow’s game.

UPDATE, 4:18 p.m.: We’re underway at the Trop. Ten minute delay to a power outage. It was caused by the storms yesterday.

UPDATE, 4:32 p.m.: Every time I look up I say to myself, ‘Why is Mo hitting?”

UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.: Meanwhile, it’s Cowbell Day at the Trop. Imagine my delight. There needs to be a Shut The Hell Up And Watch The Game Day at parks.

UPDATE, 5:01 p.m.: Wow, a first baseman who can throw he ball to third base. What a concept. Heck of a catch and tag by Jeter, too.

That is the kind of play the stat folks can’t possibly quantify. Jeter goes to third, makes a lunging catch and tags the runner. Next guy up singles, so Jeter helped prevent a run there.

That’s why you need to watch the games to appreciate certain players. Jeter has abhorrent range to hie left. But he makes a lot of plays like that, too. It doesn’t balance out. But he’s a better defender than the stats indicate.

UPDATE, 5:10 p.m.: Rough inning for Pettitte as three doubles leads to two runs. 2-0 Rays.

UPDATE, 5:17 p.m.: How fitting that on Jackie Robinson Day, Robinson Cano (who was named after Jackie) drills a two-run homer. Robbie wears 24 in honor of Jackie.

Now it’s 2-2. Great start for Robbie.

UPDATE, 5:55 p.m.: Pettitte is pitching a solid game (6 6 3 3 0 4) and trails 3-2.

UPDATE, 6:17 p.m.: Yankees just announced that Yogi Berra will throw out the first pitch tomorrow.

UPDATE, 6:33 p.m.: Doubles by Derek and Damon tie the score at 3-3. Yankees in business with a runner on second and nobody out. Big spot for Tex and Swish.

Pettitte has gone a solid seven and the bullpen is ready. If they get the lead it’s Swish and Mo to close it out.

UPDATE, 6:35 p.m.: OK, so Bruney is warming up.

UPDATE, 6:45 p.m.: Big mistake there by the Rays I think. Cano will deliver.

UPDATE, 6:47 p.m.: Or ground into a force. Bad job by the Yankees there, leaving a runner on second.

Stay tuned after the game for the complete home opener press release. Kelly Clarkson has the anthem. Paul Olden was named the announcer. All fans will receive a pin. Gates at 10 a.m.

Pettitte staying in the game.

UPDATE, 6:53 p.m.: The Rays have no class sometimes. Pettitte goes 7.1 and allows three runs and they play Hit The Road, Jack when Girardi takes him out. Please.

UPDATE, 6:59 p.m.: Bruney has retired 14 straight, 10 by strikeout. He has fanned the last five batters he has faced.

Oh, if only Joba was the set-up man.

3-3 into the ninth.

UPDATE, 7:06 p.m.: Big double there for Ransom. Now can the Yankees drive him in?

UPDATE, 7:10 p.m.: Derek Jeter can. 4-3 Yankees and the only 42 left in the majors, Mariano Rivera, should be coming in.

This would be a heck of a win.

UPDATE, 7:17 p.m.: Mo does what Mo does and the Yankees win 4-3.

They finish up the road trip 5-4 and open the new place tomorrow.

Check back later for the release on tomorrow’s festivities.

The St. Pete Times reported today that Rays 3B Evan Longoria will miss two games to attend to a family matter in California.

Manhattanville College’s sports management program has done some groundbreaking work. It sounds like more is on the way based on this press release:

Manhattanville College, in conjunction with its Graduate Sports Business Management program announces the establishment of the Manhattanville Sports Analytic Institute. The goals of the Institute are to utilize objective, data-based analysis to address contemporary issues facing the business of sports, which will be of value to sports teams, leagues, player unions, agents, sponsors and other sports-related entities. It will be headed by Manhattanville adjunct professor Vince Gennaro.

“The Sports Analytic Institute is a natural evolution for us, as it will draw heavily on the resources we’ve assembled that form the foundation of our leading sports management program. It’s a great opportunity for our students and faculty to showcase their thought leadership to the sports community,” according to Dave Torromeo, Director of the Graduate Sports Business Management program

The Manhattanville Sports Analytic Institute has named Adjunct Professor Vince Gennaro as its Executive Director. Gennaro, author of Diamond Dollars: The Economics of Winning in Baseball, is a consultant to several Major League Baseball teams and a former Division President at PepsiCo. “I’m excited to help Manhattanville realize its vision of being a leader in sports education and look forward to working with our faculty and students to partner with the sports community to bring quantitative analysis to the forefront in dealing with today’s business challenges,” said Gennaro.

————

Vince Gennaro has contributed some work to this blog in the past and we’re looking forward to seeing what he and his students come up with. We’ll certainly volunteer space here for any of their work involving the Yankees.

Bernie Williams has his new CD, Moving Forward, out this week. He will spend the day at ESPN today doing a little promotion for it.

Here’s his schedule:

9:25 a.m.: ESPN Radio: Mike and Mike in the Morning (simulcast on ESPN2)
9:45 a.m.: ESPN.com: Baseball Today Podcast
10:40 a.m.: ESPN2: First Take
11:30 a.m.: ESPN.com: Chat
Noon: ESPN Radio: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (simulcast on ESPNU)
12:30 p.m.: ESPN Rise (website)
12:50 p.m.: Digital Media
1:40 p.m.: ESPN Radio: Tirico and Van Pelt (2-4 p.m. tape)
2 p.m.: ESPN Radio: The Brian Kenny Show (8-10 p.m. tape)
2:20 p.m.: ESPNEWS: On the set (live)
2:30 p.m.: ESPN Radio: Baseball Tonight (7-8 p.m. tonight)

Bernie was on the Fox Business Network on Monday and talked about how he wants to keep playing. “I would love to. I think I will probably be saying that at 75 as well,” he said. “There obviously will be some skepticism — taking a chance on a person who has been out of the game for two years.”

Bernie also appeared on Good Day NY and played a song.

The Late Show with David Letterman web site as the Top Ten features of the new Yankee Stadium.

Several of our readers contributed. Good job.

A.J. Burnett kept his composure as the Yankees beat the Rays. But Xavier Nady left the game with an elbow injury.

Chien-Ming Wang is trying to figure out where he is going wrong. This notebook has updates on A-Rod, Johnny Damon and Nick Swisher.

Check out this cool interactive graphic of the new Stadium.