The LoHud Yankees Blog

YANKEES (91-50)
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Gardner CF

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (13-6, 4.10).

ORIOLES (56-83)
Roberts 2B
Izturis SS
Markakis RF
Reimold LF
Mora 3B
Scott 1B
Wieters DH
Pie CF
Moeller C

Pitching: RHP Chris Tillman (1-3, 4.66)

TIME/TV: 7:05, YES.

For now, we’re going to stop here because there is Noah’s Ark rain in the Bronx. If they do play the game, notes will follow. I will keep you posted on the state of the game.

UPDATE, 3:43 p.m.: It’s raining, but the color guard is rehearsing on the field.

UPDATE, 4:15 p.m.: Gates are open.

UPDATE, 4:31 p.m.: “I haven’t been told we’re not playing,” Joe Girardi just said.

UPDATE, 4:36 p.m.: Damon out because, “his back locked up.”

UPDATE, 6:05 p.m.: Still trying to play.

UPDATE, 6:23 p.m.: We’re not going to start on time here in the Bronx. It’s raining, the tarp is down, it’s windy.

UPDATE, 6:29 p.m.: Just talked to Johnny Drama Damon. He hopes to play tomorrow. Said his lower back and hamstring tightened up on him.

UPDATE, 7:05 p.m.: There are streams of rain blowing across the Stadium like it’s the monsoon season in Rangoon. We’re not starting at 7:05 p.m. or anytime soon.

UPDATE, 7:31 p.m.: They just announced they were going to try to come to a decision in 15 minutes, The rain does appear to be letting up.

UPDATE, 8:28 p.m.: Yankees taking the field, Meanwhile bands of rain are blowing across the field toward the plate. It’s not going to be a pleasant night.

UPDATE, 8:32 p.m.: We are underway. Delay was 1:27.

UPDATE, 8:39 p.m.: It’s really raining now. Game delayed briefly to work on the mound. Crowd is in the frenzy as Jeter gets ready to hit. Lose Yourself on the PA. Good choice.

UPDATE, 8:43 p.m.: Jeter falls behind 1-2 and strikes out swinging at a curveball.

UPDATE, 8:49 p.m.: Alex destroyed that pitch. Yankees 3-0. He has 25 homers and 83 RBI.

UPDATE, 9:12 p.m.: Yankees 3-1 and Jeter could get up this inning if somebody gets on.

UPDATE, 9:14 p.m.: Nope, we have to wait another inning to see Jeter.

UPDATE, 9:20 p.m.: Jeter to the plate again shortly. Wonder if anybody will go to the concession stands?

UPDATE, 9:23 p.m.: Perfect, an inside-out swing and grounder the other way into right field. The typical Jeter hit … and his teammates come out to greet him.

The crowd cheered so loudly that Jeter had to wave his helmet several time, as though he was trying to quiet them. His parents and girlfriend seemed very pleased. Nice moment for them and everybody here.

UPDATE, 10:02 p.m.: Another hit for Derek, No. 2,723.

UPDATE, 11:21 p.m.: Sorry for the lack of recent updates. Lots of Jeter-related newspaper work to get to. Plus late games platy havoc with deadlines.

The crowd has vanished in the wake of the Jeter milestone. Can’t say I blame them.

UPDATE, 11:36 p.m.: Rain delay. It is pouring. Yankees down 10-4. I can’t imagine too many people will stay for the end of this game.

Meanwhile, when do you figure the Yankees get it over with and release Edwar? He is what he is at this point and that’s not a good pitcher.

UPDATE, 12:02 a.m.: The rain has stopped and the tarp is coming off. There appear to be no more than 500 people here. The clubhouse opens to the media for the second game of the series in nine hours and 28 minutes, You can image how thrilled I am.

UPDATE, 12:22 a.m.: Re-start time, 12:40 a.m.

The 1:45 a.m. Jeter press conference after a loss should be a real hoot.

UPDATE, 12:38 a.m.: Girardi is taking most of the regulars out and sending them home.

We’re going to interview them now, which is weird as the game isn’t over.

Derek Jeter’s milestone hits:

1: May 30, 1995 at Seattle (Tim Belcher)
100: July 17, 1996 at Boston (Joe Hudson)
1,000: Sept. 25, 2000 vs. Detroit (Steve Sparks)
2,000: May 26, 2006 vs. Kansas City (Scott Elarton)
2,500: Aug. 22, 2008 at Baltimore (Radhames Liz)
2,721: Sept. 9, 2009 vs. Tampa Bay (Jeff Niemann)

—————-

Let’s project:

3,000: Aug. 1, 2011 at Boston (Kei Igawa)
4,256: May 3, 2019 at Pluto (Josh Pettitte)
4,300: Sept. 30, 2019 vs. Moscow (Paul Byrd)

My laptop screen is shaking as I write this, that’s how windy it is at Yankee Stadium at the moment. It’s also pouring.

I would not show up early for batting practice as there is little chance of that happening. And monitor this blog for updates on the game.

Hey, the Iron Horse played 2,130 consecutive games. Did you think he was going to give up another record so easily?

This from the Yankees:

The New York Yankees announced they will hold a special pregame ceremony on Friday, September 11, prior to the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Orioles.

Scheduled to arrive into the New York Harbor on November 2, the USS New York will proceed up the Hudson River, where she will pause and dip her ensign (the American Flag) as she passes the World Trade Center site, then proceed up to the George Washington Bridge, turn and dock at her Manhattan pier. On November 7, she will enter naval service.

Thanks to my well-honed reportorial skills, I am aware that is raining. However I have no idea what the Yankees are planning for tonight’s game.

My guess is they will do what they always do: Make every effort to play. Once I hear something, I will be sure to update the blog.

But let’s be honest, not even Mother Nature will mess with Derek Jeter. Like every other girl, she’s crazy about the Captain.

————

Triple-A Scranton leads its best-of-five playoff series with Gwinnett 2-0 and hosts the Braves this evening. The K-Man himself, Mr. Kei Igawa, will be on the hill tonight. The Yankees spare no expense when it comes to winning International League games.

Follow the series via Chad Jennings and his excellent blog.

Some major league team would be smart to hire Dave Miley as manager or bench coach. His roster changes every day as players come and go and all he does is win games and put players in a position to succeed.

Meanwhile, if you want a ball signed by the Double-A team, today is your lucky day. Mike Ashmore is giving one away.

These two little guys at the Stadium yesterday are among the baddest dudes on the planet.

They are Manny Pacquiao (right) and Miguel Cotto, who were in the Bronx promoting their Nov. 14 fight in Las Vegas.

Verbose promotor Bob Arum said the event was a lead-in to a card being held at the Stadium. The Yankees would love to get the Pacquiao-Cotto winner against the victor of next weekend’s scrap between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez. Arum shot that idea down, but did say the Stadium could get Cotto at some point.

“I think one of the reasons we had the press conference here is a precursor for a big, big event,” Arum told The Associated Press. “Certainly a big fight is going to happen next year, and it’s going to happen at Yankee Stadium.”

The old Stadium was one of boxing’s great venues back in the day. Muhammad Ali fought Ken Norton there in 1976. Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis and Carmen Basilio also fought there.

As the Yankees try and find new revenue streams, boxing makes a lot of sense. There are logistical and security concerns, but those can be addressed. When the matchup is right, there are few events more exciting in sports.

Kim Girardi, whose husband manages the Yankees, is hosting a special event at the Stadium on Saturday.

To support stomach cancer awareness, Kim and Kid Styles of Bedford Hills will be running two booths selling blue hair extensions. One extension is $12, you can get two for $20 or three for $30. There will also be raffle tickets to win signed items from the manager.

All proceeds will go to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is presented by Joe Girardi’s Catch25 Foundation.

Tonight: LHP Andy Pettitte (13-6, 4.10) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (1-3, 4.66), 7:05, YES

Saturday: RHP A.J. Burnett (11-8, 4.19) vs. LHP Brian Matusz (4-2. 5.26), 1:05, YES

Sunday: LHP CC Sabathia (16-7, 3.40) vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (10-13, 4.96), 1:05, YES

Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera took a lot of pride in seeing Derek Jeter tie Lou Gehrig atop the franchise’s career hits list.

This from the Yankees:

RHP David Robertson was seen today by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., and underwent an MRI to evaluate stiffness in his right elbow. Dr. Andrews has recommended 10-14 days of rest for Robertson before beginning a throwing program.

That’s good news for Dave. He could start throwing around Sept. 14 and that would give him ample time to get ready for the playoffs.

UPDATE, 7:11 p.m.: I’m factoring in the days he has already been off, which is how the Yankees have done it in the past.