The LoHud Yankees Blog

The best quote of the postgame locker room came from Joba Chamberlain, when he was asked what he thought about his role on the Yankees postseason roster.

“If they want me to fold towels, I’ll fold towels,” Chamberlain said. “I don’t really care. I’ll do anything to win on this team.”

Most of the rest of his session with the media was less exciting, but Chamberlain admitted that his tenuous position is the result of his own inconsistency. He had a chance to put a lot of questions away tonight if he followed up his strong outing against Boston with another one. Instead, it’s hard to figure what the Yankees are going to do with Chamberlain come next week.

At this point, it’s a virtual lock the Yankees will take the longer ALDS and need only three starters. That means they could put Chamberlain in the bullpen or leave him off the roster, with the idea that maybe he goes to Tampa to throw during the first round and prepare for a start in the ALCS. Then again, they may not even feel comfortable enough to pitch him at all.

“It was not what we were looking for,” Joe Girardi said. “You would have liked to see him go six strong innings and throw 90 pitches tonight. You didn’t see that. … We’ll discuss everything when we make our decisions.”

UPDATE, 12:20 a.m.: For all you late-nighters, I posted the audio of Joba’s postgame chat with the media. Enjoy.

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YANKEES (102-56)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF

Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (9-6, 4.72)

ROYALS (64-94)
Maier LF
Hulett 2B
Butler 1B
Pena DH
Callaspo 3B
Teahen RF
Buck C
Betancourt SS
Anderson CF

Pitching: RHP Robinson Tejeda (4-2, 3.41)

TIME/TV: 7:05, YES.

WEATHER: Partly cloudy and cool. Low of 54. Chance of rain: 20 %. Get the current forecast for the Stadium here.

STATE OF THE STRIPES: Pretty good, no? The Yankees have won seven straight and are 46 games over .500.  … They have won 31 of their last 38 games at home, and last night’s win tied a Major League record for most wins by a team in its first year at new stadium. The 57 wins by the Yankees this season equals the total of the 1912 Boston Red Sox, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, who also won 57 during Fenway Park’s debut season.

WALK THIS WAY: The game-winning single by Juan Miranda last night was the 15th Yankees walkoff victory this year. That’s second on the all-time Yankees list to the 1943 team, which had 17. … Miranda was the ninth different Yankee to have a game-ending hit this year and second rookie (joining Francisco Cervelli). … Last night was also the Yankees’ ninth win this year when trailing after seven innings and fifth when trailing after eight.

TEX TO THE TOP: Mark Teixeira hit his 39th home run yesterday, tying him for the AL lead with Tampa’s Carlos Pena. With Pena done for the season because of injury, the AL home run crown is Teixeria’s for the taking (Aaron Hill is in third with 36).

ROYALLY BLUE: Kansas City has lost six of its last seven games. In other bad news, they’re also paying Kyle Farnsworth $4.25 million this year AND next year.

JOBA-JOBA-JOBA: After struggling in the first inning so often earlier this season, Joba Chamberlain looked sharp in retiring the first 11 hitters he faced last Friday against Boston.

I DON’T HAVE AN iPOD WITH ME RIGHT NOW BUT I LIKE THIS SONG: Big Poppa by Notorious B.I.G.

Back with much more later.

UPDATE, 4:50 p.m.: Posada back in the lineup, though Girardi said he’s “curious to see” how Posada’s neck feels after catching tonight. … Dave Robertson said he has no lingering soreness in his elbow, which is encouraging. He’ll pitch again tomorrow in Tampa. … Girardi was asked if he’s committed to starting Posada in every postseason game or if Molina would be an option. “Those are things that we will consider,” he said.

UPDATE, 5:09 p.m.: Here’s the audio from Girardi’s pre-game.

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UPDATE, 6:08 p.m.: For anyone at (or coming to) tonight’s game, the Yankees are hosting a bone marrow drive (in conjunction with Be The Match and the New York Blood Center) in hopes of finding a match for Mitchell Brown, a 32-year-old fan from New Jersey who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this year. If you’re aged 18-60 and willing to donate to any patient in need, go the main level of the Stadium tonight up until 10 p.m. You could help save someone’s life.

UPDATE, 6:47 p.m.: Getting chilly here in the Bronx, as Joba is wearing sleeves while warming up in the bullpen. Meanwhile, the Tigers and Twins get going shortly in Detroit in the “who-plays-the-Yankees” series. For those who want to see the Twins in the ALDS, that means you’re rooting for … Carl Pavano tonight. Good luck with all that.

UPDATE, 6:53 p.m.: There’s a giant Snoopy on the field to help present the Player of the Month award to Mark Teixeira. Personally, I think the Yankees should have more presentations that involve big stuffed animals.

UPDATE, 6:54 p.m.: Now Snoopy is dancing to “I Wanna Rock.”

UPDATE, 6:59 p.m.: Nice touch by the Yankees, who just had a video presentation where numerous team members said thank-you to the fans for their support this season. Derek Jeter, of course, led off; Brian Cashman referenced Rex Ryan’s appeal to Jets fans when asking for Yankees fans to get loud this October; Nick Swisher gave an extra salute to the Bleacher Creatures; Hideki Matsui did his in both English and Japanese; and Joe Girardi finished it off by saying he’s hoping all the fans will have plenty of reasons to pie the Yankees before this postseason is over.

UPDATE, 7:09 p.m.: 54 degrees at first pitch. Enjoy the game.

UPDATE, 7:24 p.m.: Well, he can’t lead off the game with a single every time. That was Jeter’s 23rd career leadoff home run and fourth this season. Rickey Henderson holds the Yankee record with 24.

UPDATE, 7:31 p.m.: Joba retired the first 11 hitters in his last start. This time, four of the first seven have reached base.

UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: That was a 95 mph fastball that Joba used to get Butler to fly out with the bases loaded. Nice escape after another dicey inning where he heard loud boos after walking Maier.

UPDATE, 7:57 p.m.: In a shocking development, Detroit has scored four off the Idle in the second inning to take a 4-2 lead in the WPTY series.

UPDATE, 8:01 p.m.: Bad bounce there on Teahen’s hit to finish a 10-pitch at-bat. It’s 2-1 and Joba is already nearing 70 pitches.

UPDATE, 8:25 p.m.: Joba at 80 pitches now (with Aceves warming up) while the Tigers are still up two and the Red Sox are, apparently, getting no-hit by Roy Halladay.

UPDATE, 8:32 p.m.: Boos for Joba followed by cheers for Girardi followed by more boos for Joba as he walks off the mound. It’s 3-1 Royals, two runners on and two outs in the fourth. He threw 91 pitches.

UPDATE, 8:37 p.m.: Aceves gets out of it. Joba’s line: 3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 3 K. 91 pitches, 52 strikes. Not exactly a crisp follow-up to Friday.

UPDATE, 9:01 p.m.: Second-deck shot from Swisher for No. 29 of the year and we’re tied at 3. Meanwhile, Tigers up 7-2 in the WPTY series and the Red Sox have managed one hit off Doc.

UPDATE, 9:16 p.m.: Good job by Aceves. Two innings, two hits, two strikeouts, leaves with one man on. Albaladejo coming in.

UPDATE, 9:27 p.m.: Gardner in CF, Cabrera moves to LF, Hairston at SS and Marte in to pitch.

UPDATE, 9:38 p.m.: That was ugly all around. Swisher got turned around and then had to roll the ball over to Gardner, while it looked like A-Rod missed the tag on Buck at third. Either way, Yankess have the infield in now.

UPDATE, 9:40 p.m.: And that’s your 2009 Royals – a missed squeeze by Betancourt and Buck is dead. Nice break for the Yankees.

UPDATE, 10:21 p.m.: And that’s that. Not a great finish to the regular season for Joba, who was surely hoping to leave a more positive impression for when the higher-ups sit down and try to map out their postseason staff. Back with clubhouse reaction later on.

Hal Steinbrenner took a few questions from reporters after this morning’s press conference announcing the new college football bowl game that will be played at Yankee Stadium. When Steinbrenner was asked if there was any kind of ultimatum on Joe Girardi and how the team does in the postseason, he said, “No. Joe has had a tremendous year this year. We all know that. He’s got the best record in baseball. As far as I’m concerned and the family’s concerned and the organization’s concerned, he’s the man for the job.”

When asked if there was any thought to a contract extension for Girardi, Steinbrenner said, “Not even thinking about that right now. Just trying to focus on the playoffs, as I should be and everyone should be. There will be plenty of drama in the playoffs, I assure you.”

Steinbrenner also said he expects his father to make a rare appearance in the Bronx during the postseason. “That’s the plan,” he said, “particularly if and when, I should say, we make it to the World Series. He’ll absolutely be here.”

Thanks to all who have e-mailed this morning with good wishes and comments – as I said in the intro post, this is a great community and I’m happy to be a part of it.

For those who are on Twitter – and if you’re looking for another way to waste time at work, it’s ideal – I hope you’ll follow @LoHudYankees. Not only will I – and Chad and others – do original Tweets, but there will be automatic Tweets every time there’s a new post on the blog. Check it out.

Also, if you are on Facebook, you can become a fan of this blog and get links to each post there. We have 2,200+ blog fans there.

I’m heading out to the Stadium shortly. Game post coming soon.

The Yankees have talked about how they want to bring boxing back to the Stadium. Apparently, they already have.

LOVE the use of the huge foam finger.

In other news, the Yankees announced at a press conference this morning that they’ll be hosting a college bowl game at the Stadium starting in 2010. The game will feature teams from the Big East and Big 12.

Once a team has clinched its postseason fate, most baseball writers use their game stories to focus on a player or concept instead of the (meaningless) game itself. The Mets writers, you can imagine, have been doing this pretty much since late July.

Anyway, Pete focused last night on A.J. Burnett having another strong outing in what was surely a difficult week for him (best wishes, of course, go out to his dad). It’s been said by many, and I agree, that Burnett is one of – if not the single – biggest keys for the Yankees this postseason. If starting pitching is what defines a team in October, having the good Burnett instead of the bad one could be the difference.

After last night’s game, Burnett has pitched well in four of his last five starts, which certainly eases some of the concerns. As it stands right now, he’ll pitch the last game of the regular-season which would put him in order to pitch Game 3 of the ALDS. There are many who believe he should pitch Game 2 because of his – and Andy Pettitte’s – home/road splits, but if I were making the call I’d rather have Pettitte pitch twice (Games 2 and 5) in a series over Burnett.

Here’s another factor to consider: Burnett pitched to Jose Molina last night for the fifth start in a row. Now, one of those games (the first one) was part of a doubleheader and one of those games (the last one) came with Jorge Posada coming off a neck injury, so maybe it’s not anything more than circumstance.

But if Joe Girardi thinks Burnett is more comfortable with Molina, that’s another (albeit smaller) reason to pitch him in Game 3 instead of Game 2. Having Posada’s bat out of the starting lineup twice in a five-game series is hard to imagine.

One of the things I’ve always liked about the Yankees is that they don’t have names on the backs of their jerseys. Not at home, not on the road, not anywhere. It’s a small detail but a meaningful one: No one is bigger than the team. Ever.

The Yankees are the draw. The players, managers and coaches may change, but the pinstripes and the logo stay the same. So does the love from the fans. So does the passion.

Pete did a fantastic job with this blog, no doubt about it. He created it, built it and made it into a wonderful community for people all over the world. He did unbelievable work and he’s going to be missed by everyone, me (very much) included.

But he’d also be the first to tell you that this blog wasn’t about him. It’s about the Yankees. And it’s about you. Always will be.

The Yankees are about to begin (what they hope will be) an exciting month. I’ll be with you the entire way, doing many of the things you’re used to and bringing my own style as well; Chad Jennings, our new beat writer, will be starting next week and will jump right in, too.

Know this: there will be plenty of Yankees coverage from us and the rest of the LoHud staff during the playoffs and beyond. The one thing that’s been made very clear to me during this transition is that this blog is a top priority at the paper, and we’re going to treat it that way. Along those lines:

• In a LoHud Yankees Blog exclusive, former Yankees catcher and YES Network analyst John Flaherty has agreed to break down the pitching match-up for our readers before every Yankees playoff game. John is a terrific baseball mind and I’ll have his insights up on the blog in the afternoon, as a way to get you ready for each night of the postseason.

• We’re going to have more live chats than ever before, giving all of you the chance to ask questions of Chad and me throughout the playoffs. Count on at least one per series, probably more — and we’ll continue it throughout the offseason.

• Baseball coverage in The Journal News, and on this blog, isn’t decreasing – it’s actually going up. Chad will easing into his role as the beat writer over the next month so you’ll get both of us throughout the playoffs; we’ll be covering the postseason all the way through the World Series (even if the Yankees shouldn’t make it); we’ll be at the offseason meetings during the winter to give you all the hot-stove news; and Chad, I and others will be updating on here constantly.

Short story long? This blog been home base for Yankees fans for many years now and,  just like the uniforms and the logo, that isn’t changing.

If you have any questions about me, what’s happening with the blog, the Yankees or anything else, you can feel free to e-mail. Now let’s get going.

A few things to mention on the way out the door:

• A very happy birthday to Shelley Duncan. Here’s hoping he gets a chance to play for somebody next season.

• You can read me starting next week in The Boston Globe and on Boston.com’s Extra Bases blog. There will be an e-mail address in due time on that site.

• Please stay loyal to this blog and give Chad every chance to succeed. I’m positive you will enjoy his work. You’re also in good hands with Sam for the next few weeks as Chad settles in.

• Thanks to everybody at The Journal News, especially indefatigable sports editor Susie Arth. This blog would not exist without her support and encouragement. Our tech guru, Jeff Marx, kept the train rolling through good times and bad. He made my goofy ideas happen.

• Thanks also to the Yankees for their professionalism, particularly media relations director Jason Zillo and his staff: Mike, Jason, Isao, Connie, Lauren, Kenny and Co. They are the best in the business.

• Thanks to the other beat writers. I hope people understand that the depth, quantity and quality of baseball coverage in New York does not exist elsewhere. It was fun hearing stories about the dead-ball era from George and running around the country with guys like Mark, Sweeny, Tyler, Pete, Bryan and the rest of the good people I shared this beat with. It was a lot of work but always a lot of fun.

• Finally, and most importantly, thanks to all of you who read the blog and the newspaper over the years. It means more to me than I can express. It has been a privilege to write for such dedicated and passionate fans. I wish you and the Yankees well in the days ahead.

If dreams came true, oh wouldn’t that be nice?

Peace, I’m out of here.

———————–

One last reminder, the Yankees are auctioning off the original WWE championship belt they awarded this season. It was signed by the team and the money raised will go to the HOPE Week participants at Camp Sundown, a year-round camp in upstate New York for children suffering from Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP), a rare genetic disease which causes the body to be unable to repair cells damaged by UV light.

A.J. Burnett organized this effort. Here is the direct link to the auction.

The high bid so far is $5,005. Wednesday is the final day of the auction. If you’re fortunate enough to have some disposable income, this is a great collectible and you’ll be helping out a great cause.

A few post-game items of interest:

A.J. Burnett wanted to stay in the game when Joe Girardi came out to get him in the seventh inning. But they didn’t want him over 110 pitches and he was at 108. “The prize is next month,” Girardi told him.

Burnett’s last three outings — 19 innings, 17 hits, 4 earned runs, 9 walks, 25 strikeouts — are a positive sign as it looks like he at the start of the sort of roll he enjoyed in June and July. “I feel like I have it back now,” he said. “It’s all clicking.”

Dave Robertson was restricted to 20 pitches. They’ll use him again Friday. He said his elbow felt fine.

Once Krazy Kyle Farnsworth came into the game, you knew the Yankees would figure out a way to win. Seems that Joakim Soria’s last save required 46 pitches on Sunday and he needed the break. Enter Kyle and eventually it got to Juan Miranda. It was funny to see Nick Swisher be the first player to run to chase Miranda down after the single considering he’s probably never actually spoken to him.

Notage: The Yankees are 57-23 at home, the best record for the first year at a new park since Boston opened Fenway Park by going 57-20 in 1912. The Yankees are an insane 51-16 at home since May 15. … The Yankees have had nine different players deliver walk-off hits this season. … The Yankees have had 50 comeback wins this season. They had 49 last season, which proves that stat is sort of meaningless. … Johnny Damon has played in at least 140 games for 14 consecutive years. Only Henry Aaron, Brooks Robinson, Pete Rose and Willie Mays can make that claim. … Mark Teixeira tied Carlos Pena for the AL home run lead with 39.

Here’s a little news for you: Shelley Duncan had his three-game suspension (for the brawl on Sept. 15) rescinded by Major League Baseball on appeal. I believe he used the “I’m Shelley Duncan, people expect me to fight” defense.

YANKEES (101-56)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Gardner CF
Molina C
Pena 2B

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (12-9, 4.19).

ROYALS (64-93)
Maier LF
Betancourt SS
Butler 1B
Jacobs DH
Callaspo 2B
Teahen RF
Buck C
Gordon 3B
Anderson CF

Pitching: RHP Anthony Lerew (0-1, 3.86).

TIME/TV: 7:05, YES.

STATE OF THE STRIPES: The Yankees have won six straight and are 45 games over .500 for the first time since ending the 2002 season 103-58. They have not been 46 games over since the 1998 team finished a ridiculous 114-48. … They have won 30 of their last 37 games at home.

ALL ABOUT A-ROD: The Yankees are 50-16 at home since Alex Rodriguez came back.

HOMER HAPPY: The Yankees have five players with 25 home runs (Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui, A-Rod, Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira) for the first time in team history. Johnny Damon has 24 and Jorge Posada 22.

ROYAL FLUSH: Kansas City has lost five of its last six games.

BURNETT’S BACK: After a rocky few weeks, A.J. Burnett has allowed three earned runs in his last 12.2 innings.

ON THE iPOD RIGHT NOW: It’s All Over Now by The Rolling Stones.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 4:39 p.m.: Posada will catch tomorrow. … Kennedy threw a simulated game today. … Girardi plans to use the whole lineup together on Sunday.

UPDATE, 7:06 p.m.: The Yankees just held a lengthy pre-game ceremony to honor Melky Cabrera (hitting for the cycle), Derek Jeter (franchise hit record) and Mariano Rivera (500 saves). Those participating included Yogi Berra, Dave Winfield, Stick Michael, Tim Raines, Reggie Jackson, David Cone and Tino Martinez.

Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada addressed the crowd. Hal Steinbrenner and Jessica Steinbrenner Swindal were there as well along with Felix Lopez. The Steinbrenner family is hosting a reception for the team this evening at NYY Steak.

UPDATE, 7:11 p.m.: We are underway at the Stadium. 61 degrees and a nice night.

UPDATE, 7:59 p.m.: Molina snapped an 0-for-19 skid with that single.

UPDATE, 9:08 p.m.: Sorry for the lack of updates. It’s a meaningless 2-1 games, that’s my only excuse. Phil Coke in now and in the process of saddling A.J. with a loss.

UPDATE, 9:11 p.m.: Coke not exactly showing a whole lot of smarts in this inning. I get he thought he had two outs. He has handed the Royals two runs and the lead. This guy is good for one lefty at a time. Beyond that you are rolling the dice.

UPDATE, 9:38 p.m.: David Robertson in for the first time since Sept. 5.

UPDATE, 9:57 p.m.: The only thing worse than a meaningless game is a long meaningless game. The only thing worse than a long meaningless game is a long meaningless game on your final day of work before getting a few days off.

UPDATE, 10:03 p.m.: If Swisher doesn’t take out one out here, it’s hard to have much hope in Gardner, Cervelli and Pena in the ninth inning against Soria.

UPDATE, 10:10 p.m.: That’s a sweet play by Hairston as Anderson just stood there. Trey Hillman should bench that guy for lack of hustle.

UPDATE, 10:11 p.m.: Farnsworth in to pitch. Krazy Kyle for my last game. How appropriate. Back in a bit with reaction from the 4-3 victory. Where is Soria?

UPDATE, 10:22 p.m.: The only question now is who wins it and gets the pie. I figure Cano jacks one out. Krazy Kyle never fails.

UPDATE, 10:24 p.m.: Pay attention, gang. Johnny’s going deep to right.

UPDATE, 10:28 p.m.: So predictable. Yankees win. That’s 15 walk-offs.