The LoHud Yankees Blog

YANKEES (53-37)
Jeter SS
Gardner CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera LF

Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 4.25).

TIGERS (48-41)
Granderson CF
Polanco 2B
Cabrera 1B
Thames DH
Thomas RF
Inge 3B
Anderson LF
Laird C
Santiago SS

Pitching: RHP Edwin Jackson (7-4, 2.52).

TIME/TV: 2:05 p.m., YES, TBS.

STATE OF THE ‘STRIPES: The Yankees have won the first two games of the series and are two games behind Boston in the AL East to start the day.

CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL: The Yankees are 4-1 against the Tigers this season and have won four straight.

CENTRAL CASTING: The Yankees are 18-5 against the AL Central this season.

JOBAMANIA: Joba Chamberlain is 1-1 with a 5.05 ERA in his last seven starts. He has allowed 47 hits (including five homers) and 15 walks over 35.2 innings. Opponents are have hit .311 against him. One of his best starts this season, however, came against the Tigers on April 29 at Comerica Park. He allowed one run on three over seven innings and struck out six.

PHIL FRANCHISE: Phil Hughes has not allowed a run in his last 12 appearances, a stretch of 15.2 innings. He has allowed eight hits, walked three and struck out 19 in those games. He has an 0.89 ERA in 14 relief appearances.

MOTOWN: Mariano Rivera has allowed one run over his last 15 appearances. He has recorded saves in eight of the last 11 victories and has converted 21 straight save opportunities.

DEREK’S DOMINATION: Check out Derek Jeter’s last 12 games: 22 of 51 (.431) with nine runs scored, five RBI, eight walks and only four strikeouts. That’s a .508 OPB.

THE CANO COUNT: Robbie Cano has a 10-game hitting streak. He is 16 of 41 (.390) in the streak.

BRUNEY’S BATTLE: Brian Bruney, who has not pitched since July 10, has allowed six runs on nine hits and eight walks in his last 6.1 innings.

THE A-ROD REPORT: Alex Rodriguez has 571 home runs. He needs three more to pass Harmon Killebrew and take over sole possession of ninth place all-time.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 10:41 a.m.: Just spoke to Mike Mussina. He looks great, is coaching his kids and has no regrets whatsoever. He’ll be starting the Old Timers Game.

Meanwhile Nick Swisher is running around with a ball getting autographs.

UPDATE, 11:44 p.m.: Here are some Old Timer photos. Zim, Moose and Andy and Cone.

UPDATE, 11:54 p.m.: Damon is out with assorted aches and pains. “Just needed a day,” Girardi said.

UPDATE, 12:15 p.m.: No team does Old Timer introductions like the Yankees. There’s not going to be much time left for a game.

UPDATE, 12:21 p.m.: Huge ovation for the Moose.

UPDATE, 12:49 p.m.: The Old Timers’ Game is a rout. The Clippers scored five runs in the top off the first as the Moose was a victim of have a bunch of old guys playing defense. Chad Curtis had a two-run triple.

Girardi caught him and is now going to catch Jeff Nelson.

The great Bob Wolff is calling the game within the Stadium along with Keith Olbermann. It’s great to see Mr. Wolff. I got to know him a few years ago because he was involved in a recognition program for high school athletes in Westchester. What a nice man and obviously a terrific announcer in his day.

UPDATE, 12:56 p.m.: Ron Guidry pitching now. The Gator looks good.

UPDATE, 1:10 p.m.: Several of the Tigers, including Justin Verlander, are watching the Old Timers’ Game from the top step of the dugout. Many of the Yankees are watching, too. A.J. Burnett is having a good time with it.

UPDATE, 2:10 p.m.: Picture-perfect baseball weather today 80 degrees and white puffy clouds. We’re underway with the team game as the Yankees go for the sweep. Hope you’re enjoying the game wherever you are, I’m glad to be back in the press box after some time off.

UPDATE, 2:12 p.m.: Atta boy. Gets ahead of Polanco 1-2 and walks him after an eight-pitch at-bat.

UPDATE, 2:20 p.m.: Joba wiggles out of trouble, but a 23-pitch first inning has him on pace to be out of the game in the fifth or sixth inning as usual. Girardi said before the game that he wanted six innings out of Joba. We shall see.

UPDATE, 2:27 p.m.: Forgot to mention this before. There is a dark hallway outside of the offices used by Joe Girardi and clubhouse manager Rob Cucuzza. The only adornment on the blue wall is a large Yankees logo. It’s right in front of the entrance that the players use.

Rob came up with the great idea to have the current players — along with the Old Timers — sign the wall with a silver marker. The rule is that only Hall of Famers can sign within the logo.

Rob and his staff had all the former players sign today. It’s a tradition thy hope will last for years. “It’ll be famous after a while,” he said.

UPDATE, 2:36 p.m.: Joba is a mystery. He throws over twice to keep Josh Anderson close and balks on the second try. How about going after the the No. 9 hitter instead? He makes things more difficult on himself.

But the Tigers are scoreless after two innings.

UPDATE, 2:52 p.m.: Hey, look at that, Joba threw a 95-mph heater to Cabrera and he swung and missed. What a concept.

UPDATE, 2:59 p.m: Joba’s line so far: 3 1 0 0 3 2 with a balk. 52 pitches / 29 strikes.

UPDATE, 3:17 p.m.: Alex ties it with a blast to center. No. 19 on the season and 572 for his career, one behind Killebrew. With the Blue Jays (and Halladay) beating the Red Sox 3-1 in the 9th inning, this would be a big one for the Yankees to get.

UPDATE, 3:45 p.m.: Joba with 97-mph to end the top of the fifth inning and a fist pump. Is the real Joba — or at least the old Joba — making an appearance today. So far he is.

UPDATE, 3:50 p.m.: Well, Joe Girardi wanted a solid six out of Joba. He got it. Joba has retired five straight, three by strikeout, 8-9-1 coming up in the seventh and he’s at 98 pitches. Leave him in, I say.

UPDATE, 3:54 p.m.: Nobody warming up. Joba against the Tigers this season: 13 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 12 Ks.

UPDATE, 3:58 p.m.: Nothing cheap about that jack to right field as Teixeira goes yard. No. 23 of the season. Yankees 2-1 with nine outs to get. Joba + Phil + Mo = victory?

UPDATE, 4:13 p.m.: Joba struck out the first two batters of the inning and Girardi got booed when he came to get him.

Phil Coke on for Granderson. Joba finished at 107 pitches.

Joba at Detroit on April 29: 7 3 1 1 3 6

Joba against Detroit today: 6.2 3 1 1 3 8

Crazy.

UPDATE, 4:21 p.m.: Phil Hughes warming up.

UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.: Hughes in for Polanco, Cabrera and Thames. Good test for him.

UPDATE, 4:41 p.m.: Phil Franchise has now thrown 16 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings of relief and fanned 21. Yankees have retired 11 of the last 12 Tigers. Mo to face Inge, Anderson and Laird unless Leyland pinch hits.

UPDATE, 4:50 p.m.: On Old Timers’ Day, here come Mo Rivera. He’s older than Old Timers Aaron Small and Homer Bush.

Yankees looking for a second straight 2-1 win. It would leave them one game out in the East.

Magglio Ordonez to hit for Anderson.

UPDATE, 4:57 p.m.: Mo takes care of business and the Yankees win again. That’s a sweep of the Tigers and one game out. They retired 14 of the last 16 Detroit hitters. They have a killer bullpen with Hughes and Coke setting up Mo.

Back later with clubhouse reaction.

There seems to be some sort of log-on screen on the blog. If you hit “cancel” it seems to solve the issue.

Jeff The Tech Guy is all over it and it should be resolved soon enough.

If you’re headed out to the Stadium today, here’s the deal on Old Timers’ Day:

Old Timers arrive: 9:30 a.m. at the Suite Entrance near Gate 4. Fans can watch from outside the gate.

Gates open: 10 a.m.

Old Timer introductions: 11:45 a.m. with the game to follow.

Old Timers roster: Luis Arroyo, Jesse Barfield, Yogi Berra, Ron Blomberg, Dr. Bobby Brown, Homer Bush, Rick Cerone, Horace Clarke, Jim Coates, David Cone, Chad Curtis, Bucky Dent, Al Downing, Mike Easler, Dave Eiland, Whitey Ford, Oscar Gamble, Joe Girardi, Dwight Gooden, Goose Gossage, Ken Griffey, Sr., Ron Guidry, Charlie Hayes, Reggie Jackson, Pat Kelly, Don Larsen, Hector Lopez, Lee Mazzilli, Lindy McDaniel, Gene Michael, Mike Mussina, Jerry Narron, Jeff Nelson, Graig Nettles, Joe Pepitone, Bobby Richardson, Mickey Rivers, Moose Skowron, Aaron Small, Mel Stottlemyre, Bob Turley, Roy White, Don Zimmer.

Special guests: Arlene Howard, Helen Hunter, Diana Munson, Kay Murcer.

Monument Park: Open from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Yankees vs. Tigers: 2:05 p.m.

The Trenton Thunder were down 4-0 tonight against Portland in the seventh inning. Then they loaded the bases, Jesus Montero stepped to the plate and you can guess what happened next …

Yes, grand slam.

That’s six homers and 21 RBI in 31 AA games for Montero. Trenton ended up winning 6-5.

YANKEES (52-37)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (8-6, 3.86).

TIGERS (48-40)
Granderson CF
Polanco 2B
Cabrera 1B
Thames DH
Ordonez RF
Raburn LF
Inge 3B
Laird C
Everett SS 

Pitching: RHP Justin Verlander (10-4, 3.38).

TIME/TV: 1:05 p.m., YES.

STATE OF THE STRIPES: The Yankees returned from the All-Streak beat by beating the Tigers last night. They trail Boston by three games in the East. They are 14-5 in their last 19 games. It should be a fun pitching matchup today as the teams will throw their respective aces.

COMEBACK KIDS: The Yankees have 12 wins when trailing after six innings. They had 12 all last season.

HOME COOKING: The Yankees have won 21 of their last 30 games at home.

TIGERS DL ZUMAYA Detroit placed righthanded pitcher Joel Zumaya on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder soreness. The club has recalled the contract of righthanded pitcher Ryan Perry from Triple A Toledo. Perry was 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA and three saves in eight outings for the Mud Hens.

HUGHES THE MAN: You won’t see Phil Hughes today after the two innings he threw last night. But consider these numbers. He has not allowed a run in his last 12 outings, tossing 15.2 shutout innings over the stretch while striking out 19. It is the longest longest single-season scoreless stretch for a Yankees pitcher since Mariano Rivera went 16 scoreless innings in 2006. Hughes has a 0.89 ERA in 14 relief appearances this season.

MO-MENTUM: Mariano Rivera has converted his last 36 save opportunities at home since August 2007. He has saved seven of the Yankees’ last 10 wins.

Josh Thomson is covering the game today. He’ll have updates for you later on.

UPDATE, 12:40 p.m.: Hey folks, this is Josh here. A couple quick notes from the clubhouse…

Joe Girardi said Wang will play catch on Monday. The club will see how he comes out of it before setting any future plans for his rehab. Girardi did say this isn’t the type of situation where Wang will return in two weeks; it’s going to take some time.

Also, Marte is scheduled to pitch today in the GCL. As you can see here, the game was scheduled for 10 a.m. but the box hasn’t been updated yet. Expect word on Marte’s outing soon.

I’ll have more during the game.

UPDATE, 1:08 p.m.: In case you missed it, Cone did throw his ceremonial first pitch to Girardi, who caught that perfect game 10 years ago today. Girardi told us before the game he didn’t know whether or not they’d ask him, but he was eager and willing. Good job by the Yanks putting Girardi behind the plate there.

UPDATE, 1:18 p.m.: The big man escaped a two-on, one-out jam sparked by Placido Polanco’s “double” that avoided Johnny Damon’s glove in left. Not sure if Damon just misplayed the ball or if he lost it in the sun. I’ll have to find out later.

Anyway, we all expect a good pitching matchup today, but both starters have poor career numbers against the opponent. CC enters 13-10 with a 4.69 ERA in 27 career starts. Verlander is 3-1 with a 4.85 ERA in five starts vs. the Yankees, although he did beat them with seven shutout innings on Apr. 27, essentially turning his season around.

Side note: Sabathia beat the Tigers on Apr. 13, 2001 to earn his first big league victory.

UPDATE, 1:40 p.m.: CC doesn’t look particularly sharp — he has already thrown 52 pitches, just 26 for strikes — but give him credit for escaping another two-on situation. He really beared down against Granderson to strand runners at second and third. … That said, CC has now allowed 33 runners in his last 21.1 innings.

UPDATE, 2:12 p.m.: CC continues to skate by. He has put on seven runners and thrown 76 (39 strikes) pitches in four innings, but two double plays have helped soften the blow.

Also, this is one of those days the Yankees look old on defense. Posada has had a tough day behind the plate, Damon misplayed a liner to left and A-Rod could’ve gotten some leather on Gerald Laird’s second-inning single.

That said, no reason to be negative. It’s 0-0. All it takes is a swing or two.

UPDATE, 2:22 p.m.: Forgot to mention this before, but Jeter now has an eight-game hit streak. Including today’s 2 for 2, he is 15 for 34 (.441).

UPDATE, 2:39 p.m.: Topic for discussion — will the Red Sox really continue to pitch Brad Penny and send Clay Buchholz back to the minors? Penny has been worse than league average all season and is being hit hard today by the Blue Jays. Wouldn’t you as Yankee fans prefer the Sox just kept sending Penny out there every fifth day?

Anyway, CC just hit 100 pitches here with one out in the sixth and there is activity in the bullpen for the first time all game.

UPDATE, 2:45 p.m.: CC, David Copperfield himself, gets out of another jam with a couple popups into the outfield. The second out led to applause by the folks here at the stadium. They were pleasantly surprised the noodle-armed Damon kept Marcus Thames from tagging up with the go-ahead run. Knowing Damon, he probably got a kick out of it.

UPDATE, 2:55 p.m.: Verlander just hit 100 on that strikeout pitch to Tex. He now has six K’s and one walk through six.

CC will come back out for the seventh. Between Sabathia and Verlander, there’s been a lot of peas thrown today. CC has topped out at 98, Verlander at 100.

UPDATE, 3:07 p.m.: The second clutch late-game homer by the Yanks in as many days. This one was nothing like Tex’s majestic blast last night, as evident by the sadistic smile across the face of Verlander. I’d imagine Verlander thought A-Rod’s solo shot was a cheapie, but, of course, they all count the same.

UPDATE, 3:48 p.m.: Jeter turned back the clock there, going in the hole and catching Brandon Inge at first with his patented jump-throw.

Yanks win 2-1 and will go for the sweep tomorrow. Great start to the second half.

UPDATE, 4:45 p.m.: Here’s some quick postgame news…

— Damaso Marte threw one scoreless inning today for the GCL Yankees. He struck out two and didn’t allow a hit or a walk, needing just 10 pitches to do so.

— Alfredo Aceves told me he had trouble with a hole in the mound when he came out to pitch the eighth. He didn’t want it to distract him, and it led to the delay. As for the ball called on him that Girardi later argued, Aceves said the ump called him for going to his mouth on the rubber. He said he actually wiped sweat off his face and that the ump mistook it for something else.

— Here’s what A-Rod had to say about his homer: “He’s throwing 98. I think he supplied a lot of the power.”

Apparently, Verlander won not pleased. Here’s what Jim Leyland had to say: “I wasn’t sure Marcus’ was going to go out, but I knew that Alex’s would. He’s just so strong and gets a good spin on the ball. Once he got it in the air, especially in this ballpark, I thought that it would go.”

— Mark Teixeira said of Verlander: “You have to put him on the short list” of the game’s best pitchers. “You knew we weren’t going to get many runs off of Verlander,” he added. “For CC to pitch like he did was huge.”

— Sabathia attributed his tough first two innings to feeling too strong. It led to him speeding up his delivery. As the game wore on, he said, he got his mechanics under control.

— Johnny Damon was unavailable after the game. Girardi said Damon almost didn’t start today because he wrenched his back sliding on Friday night. Damon had to undergo treatment before the game in order to play. His back was stiff.

— Nick Swisher didn’t believe his sidestepping had much of an impact on Adam Everett’s ability to field Melky Cabrera’s grounder in the eighth. It was instinctual, and he just wanted to avoid getting struck by the ball to end the inning. “It’s very smart baseball,” Girardi said.

David Cone will throw out the first pitch later on today. It’s the 10-year anniversary of his perfect game.

Take a few minutes and watch this terrific interview Bob Costas did with President Obama before the All-Star Game.

The President talks about meeting Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera and the pleasures of cracking open a beer and watching SportsCenter after a busy day. Really good stuff.

Please do not post any political comments. This is a baseball topic.

YANKEES (51-37)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (8-4, 3.77)

TIGERS (48-39)
Granderson CF
Polanco 2B
Cabrera 1B
Thames DH
Thomas RF
Inge 3B
Anderson LF
Laird C
Everett SS

Pitching: LHP Lucas French (1-0, 1.93).

TIME/TV: 7:05 p.m., YES.

STATE OF THE STRIPES: The Yankees have had four days off since since being swept by the Los Angeles Angels last weekend. They have lost four of their last seven to sink three games behind Boston in the American League East. However, they lead the Wild Card standings.

TIGER TANGLE: The Yankees took two of three against the Tigers in Detroit earlier this season.

A.J. FOR STARTERS: Burnett is 4-1, 1.34 in his last five starts, allowing 23 hits over 33.2 innings while striking out 35. He is 3-1 against the Tigers in his career but with an 8.03 ERA.

MR. FRENCH, MR. FRENCH: Lucas French is a 23-year-old lefty who has appeared in four games and made two starts. In 14 innings, he has allowed 12 hits and fanned eight. He beat the Royals and Zack Greinke on July 9, allowing one run over 6.1 innings. French was Detroit’s eighth-round draft pick in 2004 out of a high school in Colorado.

A TEST: The Yankees are 5-15 against teams that lead their respective divisions at the moment.

CENTRAL SUCCESS: The Yankees are 16-5 against teams from the AL Central.

RED-HOT ROBBIE: Robinson Cano is 18 of 50 this month.

DOWNTRODDEN DAMON: Johnny Damon is 5 of 30 this month with five runs scored.

ONE-RUN RUNDOWN: The Yankees are 12-11 in one-run games, having lost seven of their last 10.

JETERIFFIC: Derek Jeter is 29 of his last 76 (.382) since June 21. He has raised his batting average from .301 to .321.

MATSUI MASHING: Hideki Matsui is 12 of his last 31 with four homers and 12 RBI and six runs scored.

THE PHIL PHACTOR: Phil Hughes as a reliever: 13 games, 18.2 innings, 7 hits, 2 earned runs, 5 walks, 19 strikeouts.

AND STILL THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD: Mariano Rivera has allowed one run in his last 13.2 innings while fanning 15. … By the way, he has walked nine batters in his last 111.2 innings going back to 2007. That is insane.

ROBBIE, DON’T RUN: Robinson Cano has attempted 34 stolen bases in his career and been successful only 16 times.

A-ROD ON A ROLL: Alex Rodriguez is 22 of his last 59 with eight homers, 22 RBI and 17 runs scored.

Kevin Devaney is on duty this evening and will handle the blog from here on out. I’ll be back on Sunday.

UPDATE, 4:18 p.m.: Sergio Mitre to start Tuesday against the Orioles. Alfredo Aceves back to the bullpen.

Also LHP Mike Dunn was called up to Scranton. Reliever with good K numbers, too many walks. Has a chance.

UPDATE, 6:08 p.m.: Kevin Devaney here, filling in for Pete for the rest of the night. Aside from Mitre being announced as the Tuesday starter, not much else came out of the pregame.

Girardi did say that ARod would keep a similar playing schedule in the second half as he had before the break — a day off or DH one day per week.

Girardi also said he’s not at all concerned with the back end of the rotation despite Joba’s and Pettitte’s struggles. Joba will come around and Pettitte has had “good stuff” of late but just hasn’t gotten results.

Hideki Matsui worked out in the outfield in the afternoon but won’t see any time there barring an emergency.

Other than that, not much. I’ll check in throughout the game with any news and notes.

Update, 7:44 p.m.: The Yankees announced that Dwight Gooden, Mike Mussina, Mel Stottlemyre and Don Zimmer will be among the participants in Sunday’s Old Timers Day at the Stadium. Gates open to ticket holders at 10 a.m. Pregame introductions are at 11:45, followed by the game. I’m 29 years old and it’s weird to even imagine Gooden as an “Old Timer” let alone Mussina.

Update, 7:52 p.m.: I’m not totally sure why, but I constantly look at players’ historical stats from pre-All Star Break and post-All Star Break. Although tonight has been a little rough so far, A.J. Burnett has pitched better in his career after the break. The breakdown:

Career before the break: 119 games, 43-42 record with a 3.90 ERA.
Career after the break: 113 games, 52-38 record with a 3.71 ERA.

These are huge discrepencies, of course. But last year he was 10-8 with a 4.96 ERA before the break and 8-2 and 2.86 after. In ’07 it was 5-6 and 4.31 and 5-2 and 3.01 after.

Update, 8:38 p.m.: There are two versions of A.J. Burnett: The electric and the frustrating. Tonight is one of those games where you want to pull your hair out watching him pitch. Five walks and a hit batter and he’s not out of the fifth inning. It’s the two-out walks that bother you the most.

Burnett started the inning by leaving a pitch out over the middle to Granderson, who homered. He got bailed out by Melky on a throw from center (it helped that Miguel Cabrera did his usual half-effort running the bases). Tough outing so far for A.J. However, there’s plenty of game left.

Update, 9:04 p.m.: It wouldn’t be impossible for the Yankees to score 2 or 3 runs here and then have the bullpen put up zeros and get A.J. the win, would it? That’s my prediction.

Update, 9:31 p.m.: It’s beginning to rain here at the Stadium. Showers were expected.

Update, 9:35 p.m.: The Journal News seat in the press box is just to the left of home plate. When that ball left Mark Teixeira’s bat, from my angle, I was pretty certain it was going to hit the moon.

Update, 10:08 p.m.: Rain delay…  I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of thunder and lightning. But I’m a little uneasy sitting here listening to roars off in the distance. It’s really pouring here, too. Might be a while.

Update, 10:11 p.m.: It’s officially monsooning here at the Stadium. Lightning is flashing.

UPDATE, 10:26 p.m.: The rain is letting up but there’s nobody out on the field. Keep you posted.

UPDATE, 11:01 p.m.: Well, we’re a minute or so away from starting back up. The Tigers have taken the field. Jeter up.

We tried this exercise back in November and it was fun. So let’s do it again.

Here is the Yankees Top 20. The only prerequisite is that you draw a check from the Yankees. He (or she) can be a player in the majors or minors, an executive, a scout, etc.

Here’s my list and why:

1. Alex Rodriguez: Whether you love him or hate him, you pay attention to what he does. He has a staggering 8.5 years more years on his contract and the Yankees seem to rise and fall as he does. Look at this way, they were three games under .500 without him and 14 games over with him this season.

2. Brian Cashman: He is in the first year of a three-year contract and has consolidated his power, hiring his people in important positions throughout the organization. With the Steinbrenner family now largely absent from baseball matters, the on-field product is entirely Cashman’s creation.

3. CC Sabathia: He is signed through 2015 and his success could determine whether the team remains a contender moving forward. His personality will help shape the clubhouse in the post-Derek Jeter era.

4. Derek Jeter: He remains the face of the organization, if not the face of the entire game. His contract expires after the 2010 season and what happens then will be a major story and source of great debate.

5. Hal Steinbrenner: The Yankees once had the most outspoken owner in sports. Now they have one of the quietest. Widely respected within the organization, Steinbrenner emerged as his family’s leader and the caretaker of an empire.

6. Mark Teixeira: He is signed through 2016 and is the best all-around player on the team. At 29, he’s in the prime of his career and a cornerstone player.

7. Mariano Rivera: Until further notice, he remains the best closer in the game. If there is another World Series in the near future, he’ll be a pivotal figure.

8. Joe Girardi: His second year as manager has been much smoother than his first as he adapted his personality to the team and the city. But if the Yankees don’t get to the postseason, he’s out and he knows it.

9. Joba Chamberlain: His star has fallen since we last did this poll. Chamberlain was one of the best young starters in the game in 2008 but has been erratic this season. His appeal to fans and unquestionable talent makes him potentially the team’s biggest star down the road.

10. A.J. Burnett: The Yankees invested $82.5 million to sign him in December. His history suggests that money was ill-spent. Burnett has been reliable so far but he’s four months into a long-term relationship.

11. Phil Hughes: He is the symbol of Cashman’s ambition to build talent from within. Injury prone and erratic as a starter, he has been dominant as a reliever in recent weeks but the Yankees still see him as a starter down the road.

12. Robinson Cano: Only 26, Cano is a supremely talented and could be the team’s best player within the next few years. But can he stay focused on the task at hand?

13. Jorge Posada: At 37, the fiery catcher is entering the twilight of his career. But remains a team leader and still a productive plyer.

14. Jesus Montero: The slugging catcher, only 19, is the team’s best prospect and mashing at Double-A. But will be used to one day replace Posada or as a trade chip?

15. Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal: A general partner and vice chairperson, she has influence behind the scenes and could be the person who helps determine whether the team remains in her family.

16. Randy Levine: He was hired in 2000 largely to get a new Stadium built. Now that he has, what is next? Levine is a political operative who was loyal to George Steinbrenner. Will he still be team president in five years?

17. Austin Jackson: A five-tool center fielder in Triple-A, Jackson could be a pivotal player for years to come if he continues his development.

18. Andrew Brackman: The Yankees signed the 6-foot-10 right-hander to a major-league contract in 2007 based on the promise of his 99-mph fastball. He has been a bust so far, going 1-9 with a 5.97 ERA in low Class A ball.

19. Damon Oppenheimer: The amateur scouting director has been in charge of the draft for several years now and has restocked what was a barren farm system.

20. Chien-Ming Wang: He once won 46 games over two and a half seasons. He has since been on the disabled list three times and has a 9.64 ERA. But if he regains his form, he can be a dominant, low-cost starter. There is no more valuable commodity in baseball.

The Fox Business Network will be at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Stadium today, doing their Happy Hour show from 5-6 p.m.

Hosts Cody Willard, Rebecca Diamond, and Eric Bolling will discuss how to make money and save money, while still being able to afford to take the family to a ballgame. Special guests will Yankees president Randy Levine and Patriarch Partners CEO and Bronx native Lynn Tilton, among others.

————

Meanwhile, in the real media news, I’m going to be on WFAN at 11:20 a.m. with Kim Jones and Adam The Bull to talk some Yankees.