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Mike Mussina to Brian Cashman:

“Brian, you're not paying me less than you're paying Carl Pavano,” Mussina said.  “Don't insult me.”

Mussina hangs around

Mike Mussina stopped by Yankees' camp today. Although he was happy to be around, he has no regrets about leaving the game after a 20-win season.

From Bryan Hoch:

"I'm doing nothing," Mussina said, grinning. "And when I walked through the weight room, I knew why I'm doing nothing. I feel good being retired."

As he would later reveal, Mussina knew last spring that 2008 would be his final season. There was no point during the offseason that he thought about changing his mind, he said, and even when pitchers and catchers began reporting to Spring Training camps, Mussina found himself content.

"It just seemed like a longer winter," he said. "It didn't seem any different. When the weather gets better, it'll be different. I'll see them playing on TV more often, and it'll be different. But I'm good."

Standing in the hallway outside manager Joe Girardi's office, Mussina appeared relaxed, wearing an ESPN cap, a Ford Mustang T-shirt, shorts and sandals. Girardi embraced Mussina and asked if he wanted to change into uniform for the day.

"No, I'm not getting dressed, and I'm not throwing out the first pitch," Mussina said.

Moose was always one of my favorites. It's good to hear from him again and hopefully he'll be a fixture around Yankee Stadium this year and in the future.

2008 Yankee of the Year: Mike Mussina

My congratulations go out to Mike Mussina for capturing Scott Proctor's Arm Nation's 2008 Yankee of the Year Award. He absolutely destroyed the competition, garnering over 70 percent of the vote. It was well-deserved, as well. Mariano Rivera finished in second place and will receive a $25 gift card to T.G.I. Friday's®.

Thank you all for participating in the poll.

Jeter's speech wins Moment of the Year

Remember Derek Jeter's speech following the final game at Yankee Stadium in September? Well, that was voted Moment of the Year in the This Year in Baseball Awards.

Moment of the Year -- Derek Jeter, Yankees: The Yankees faced an end to their streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances in the Stadium finale on Sept. 21, but that did little to dampen the celebration after a 7-3 win over the Orioles. Leading the rousing sendoff was Jeter, who took the microphone to address the Stadium faithful. "For all of us up here, it's a huge honor to put this uniform on every day and come out here and play," said the veteran shortstop, who earned 34.7 percent of the TYIB votes. Finishing second at 22.3 percent was Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, who blasted a record 28 long balls in the first round of the Home Run Derby -- at Yankee Stadium, no less.

Mike Mussina finished second in the Starter of the Year award, Mariano Rivera finished second in the Closer of the Year award and Johnny Damon's non-catch when the ball rolled on top of the wall against the Red Sox won Oddity of the Year.

Here is video of Jeter's speech:

Poll: 2008 Yankee of the Year

Update - 5:45 p.m.: If you've already voted, please vote again. I added a different poll (same choices), but this one is easier to read.


It's poll time again. This is a big one, Scott Proctor's Arm Nation.

I know this was a down year for the New York Yankees, but we need some closure here. So, I ask:

Who is your vote for 2008 Yankee of the Year?

Bobby Abreu: .296 BA, 20 HR, 100 RBI
Johnny Damon: .303 BA, 17 HR, 71 RBI
Derek Jeter: .300 BA, 11 HR, 69 RBI
Mike Mussina: 20-9, 3.37 ERA
Alex Rodriguez: .302 BA, 35 HR, 103 RBI
Mariano Rivera: 39 saves, 1.40 ERA

The poll is located in the right-hand sidebar (I'm aware of the problems with the color scheme. I can't control that.) The choices are in alphabetical order by last name. The poll will be open until Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m.

Discuss your choice here.

Yankees offer arbitration to no one

With Andy Pettitte and Bobby Abreu being Type A free agents, the Yankees could have received drafts picks if they offered them arbitration and they signed elsewhere. However, they didn't offer them arbitration. They also didn't offer arbitration to retired pitcher Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi and the rest of their free agents.

This doesn't mean that Pettitte and Abreu are done with the Yankees. Previously, if you didn't offer arbitration to a free agent, you couldn't sign them to a deal until May 1. However, that rule changed, and "we'll stay engaged with the entire free agent market including those two players," Brian Cashman said.

"We did not want to put ourselves in the position of having that determined by a third party without knowing what that figure would be. The arbitration time period falls in early February, so obviously as we attempt to put this team together, in Andy's case and in Bobby's case, they made $16 million a year. It's been tough in the past to try and deviate from previous years' earnings in an arbitration setting.

Can't argue with that. Abreu put up great numbers last year (.296, 20 HR, 100 RBI), but at the age of 34, I can't really justify paying him $16 million again. And Pettitte was awful last year, so he certainly doesn't deserve another figure close to $16 million. This is certainly setting the organization up for a big push in terms of the free agent market, but losing the potential draft picks could be a little disconcerting a few years down the road.

All in all, I agree with what Cashman did today. What do you think?

The (unofficial) Yankee Stadium soundtrack

Those who are frequent attendees of games at the old Yankee Stadium will notice that the Yankees tend to play the same songs over and over again. With the help of my friend Charlie, I've compiled a list (and accompanying audio/video) of those songs that you love to hate.

1. Nelly - Heart of a Champion



Ah, the track from the St. Louis rapper that samples the famous NBA on NBC theme song "Roundball Rock." The Yankees played this song early during the game experience, usually as the background music to the team's video montage. I don't know about you, but this song pumps me up.

2. The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again



The synthesizer beginning to this epic song gets the crowd in the mood for some Yankees baseball. Before the lyrics start, the music fades into track No. 3. Parts of this song are also used when a Yankee hits a home run. YEEEEEEAHHHHHH!

3. 2 Unlimited - Get Ready for This



Get ready for Derek Jeter and friends warming up! The Yankees use the beginning of another 2 Unlimited song, "Workaholic," when they score a run.

4. Scorpions - The Zoo



You know recently retired Mike Mussina is starting when you hear this song blaring.

5. Star Wars - Imperial March



This song plays when the opposing lineup is announced, followed by Yosemite Sam playing the role of umpire on the Diamondvision screen.

6. Aerosmith - Walk this Way



Lucky for you, Johnny Damon led off the game with a walk! Get ready to hear this as he's strolling down the first base line.

7. R. Kelly featuring T.I. & T-Pain - I'm a Flirt



Following Damon, of course, is Jeter. He's gone through many walk-up songs, but this is one of his most recent songs.

8. Jay-Z & Linkin Park - Numb/Encore



Alex Rodriguez is pretty consistent with his music, rarely having more than one walk-up song per year. Rodriguez used this mash-up for most of the 2005 and 2006 seasons, I believe.

9. Mims - This is Why I'm Hot



Rodriguez used this song for his 2007 MVP season, and part of the 2008 season. With how he performed in 2007, this song was rather apropot.

10. NWO - Wolfpack Theme



Jason Giambi always used this song for his first at-bat of the game. The howling wolf signaled Yankees fans to Giambi's arrival in the box. Don't turn your back on the Wolfpack!

11. AC/DC - T.N.T.



For some reason, Hideki Matsui uses this song to come up to bat.

12. Pearl Jam - Better Man



Like what I wrote in No. 11, for some reason, Wilson Betemit walked up to this song. While I get the whole "bet-" parallel, Betemit probably has no idea who Pearl Jam is.

13. Village People - Y.M.C.A.



Love it or hate it, the ground's crew has been doing the hand signals for "Y.M.C.A." since 1996 at the end of the fifth inning. I can't see them stopping anytime soon.

14. Kate Smith - God Bless America



So the game's moving along just fine. All of a sudden, instead of hearing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," fans are treated to the sweet sounds of prerecorded Smith wonderfulness. Now, I'm as big a patriot as the next guy, but can this song please go with the old Stadium? It's fine to do it during holidays and playoff games, but playing it every game kind of cheapens the meaning, no? And YES showing it all the time doesn't help matters, either.

15. Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe



I haven't met one person who likes this song. Yes, it's fun to dance to at the occasional Bar Mitzvah or wedding, but that's once in a blue moon. After each and every game, it gets annoying. Remember when they used to say the dancing intern wearing the straw hat was on the Intrepid or at the U.S. Open? It was obvious he was still in the control room. At least they stopped trying to fool us there. I hope this is another tradition that dies with the old Stadium.

16. Ram Jam - Black Betty



This is played usually when the Yankees are rallying and the pitching coach comes onto the field for a conference on the mound.

17. Andrea Bocelli - Time to Say Goodbye



This is played when an opposing pitcher is taken out of the game. I'll give the Yankees credit for this one. It's a lot more original than playing "Hit the Road Jack."

18. The Who - Baba O'Riley



The Yankees love playing The Who. They would sneak this in as Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez and, most recently, Giambi came up in clutch situations. It always made for a nice moment.

19. Mötley Crüe - Shout at the Devil



When Joba Chamberlain was a reliever, he'd run out to this song in the eighth inning, exciting the crowd. I never went to a game with him as a starter, so I'm not sure if he still used this.

20. Metallica - Enter Sandman



A Yankee Stadium staple. When Mariano Rivera runs out to this song, the Stadium stands, cheers and screams. I like to make fun of Yankee Stadium's music selection, but this is always a cool moment, and I regularly get chills.

21. Liza Minelli - Theme from New York, New York



Sorry for posting this version, but I have to. The Yankees used to play Minelli's version of this song after losses, which made me doubly angry - at the loss and the fact that I'd have to hear this version. Luckily, they have stopped torturing Yankees fans, and have exclusively played No. 22 after each and every game.

22. Frank Sinatra - Theme from New York, New York



Ol' Blue Eyes recorded his version of the song two years after Minelli, saving Yankees fans from torture. Thank you, Mr. Sinatra.

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This is all I can think of for now. Of course, if you think I missed something, please let me hear about it in the comments.

For now, have a happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your day of turkey, football, and, of course, no work.

Rosenthal: Mussina to retire

I have still been holding some hope that Mike Mussina would return to the Yankees next year, but FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Mussina has decided to hang it up after his first and only 20-win season.

This is a rather significant blow to the Yankees' pitching staff. The Yankees may have to give in to Andy Pettitte's demands to simply fill up the rotation with capable arms.

But those are decisions for another day. Today we celebrate Mussina's extraordinary career. Mussina finishes with a record of 270-153 and a 3.68 ERA. Pitching his entire career in the American League East, those are terrific numbers. Thanks for the memories, Moose. And thanks for giving me one more opportunity to post the above picture.

Mussina wins seventh Gold Glove

Mike Mussina was awarded his seventh Gold Glove of his career this afternoon. It was his third as a Yankee and first since 2003.

Joining him in the American League were C Joe Mauer, 1B Carlos Pena, 2B Dustin Pedroia, 3B Adrian Beltre, SS Michael Young, OF Torii Hunter, OF Grady Sizemore and OF Ichiro Suzuki.

Congratulations to the Moose.

There has been no word on Mussina's plans for the future, except that he officially filed for free agency.

Moose, Giambi updates

George King of the Post has updates on the futures of Mike Mussina and Jason Giambi.

Arn Tellem will travel to Montoursville, Pa., shortly to find out what Mike Mussina's future holds.

"I am going to see him at the end of the week," Mussina's agent said yesterday. "Nothing has been decided."

While Mussina strongly hinted to Yankee staff members and friends he was going to retire, he hasn't officially done that. And while that is the way to bet, several Yankee officials believe the 40-year-old righty will file for free agency following the World Series to keep his options open.
...

As for Jason Giambi Jason Giambi, another Tellem client, he would like to stay a Yankee.

"We will see what happens. He would like to stay in New York if they want him," Tellem said of Giambi, who batted .247 with 32 homers and 96 RBIs.

Mussina has made it known that returning next year will most likely balloon into a three-year commitment in order to reach 300 wins. He is currently at 270.

Mussina signed a two-year deal after a solid 2006 season and struggled in 2007 before winning 20 games this season. I'd only want him to sign a one-year deal, but I'm not sure he'd be willing to do that.

As far Giambi, he will make at least $5 million from the Yankees next season because there is no way they'll pick up his $22 million option. King suggests that Giambi could sign a one-year deal with the team if they can't sign someone like Mark Teixeira. I could live with that if it's a one-year deal. If he wants anything more, he can look to play elsewhere.

Mixed messages from Mussina's camp

Will Mike Mussina return? Will he retire? I've heard two vastly different reports just today.

From Buster Olney (Via MLB Trade Rumors):

A longtime friend of Andy Pettitte reiterated that the left-hander intends to pitch in 2009 -- and there is a growing sense that Mike Mussina may return for another season, as well, although Mussina has not indicated a final decision, one way or another.

And from FoxSports' Ken Rosenthal:

Friends of Yankees right-hander Mike Mussina are still convinced he will retire. One possible reason: Mussina fears that the Yankees will not be good enough next season for him to sufficiently chip away at the 30 victories he needs for 300.

Mussina, who turns 40 on Dec. 8, would consider playing for other teams near his home in Montoursville, Pa., but those teams either play in small ballparks (Phillies, Red Sox) or face their own competitive issues (Pirates, Orioles, Nationals, Indians). The Mets? Not happening.

One other thing about Mussina: His expectations of himself are so high, he could not tolerate getting hammered again the way he was in 2007. Better to go out on top, which is what he would be doing after his first 20-win season.

Firstly, Rosenthal's report seems more concrete. I don't know what Olney means by a "growing sense." Also, regarding Andy Pettitte, it's nice that he wants to return, but do the Yankees want him to? Based on his 2008 performance, I doubt it.

Meanwhile, is coming off a 20-win season at the age of 39. That doesn't mean he's invincible. Does he want to hang on for 30 more wins which will likely take about three years? I'm not so sure.

Olney: Yanks to have lower payroll

Buster Olney (via MLB Trade Rumors) says that he heard the Yankees' payroll will be around $180 million next season. That would be a decrease of almost $30 million if true.

I'm not sure where he got that number from, but let's examine it.

Big money coming off the payroll:

• Jason Giambi's $21 million. He has a $5 million buyout.
• Bobby Abreu's $16 million
• Andy Pettitte's $16 million
• Mike Mussina's $11 million
• Carl Pavano's $11 million

That is $70 million coming off the books right there. On the above list, I can only see Abreu and Mussina have a chance of coming back next year. Ivan Rodriguez won't be back, Damaso Marte has a 2009 club option and the Yankees will have to pay arbitration eligible players like Chien-Ming Wang, Xavier Nady and Brian Bruney.

The Yankees will have a lot of money to throw around at free agents. The weeks and months after the World Series should be a lot of fun.

Rivera to have surgery next week

Mariano Rivera will undergo shoulder surgery on Oct. 6.

The 39-year-old closer didn't pitch much in September, but he was able to pitch the final three outs in Yankee Stadium's history and was able to preserve Mike Mussina's 20th win this season.

He pitched 70 2/3 innings this season, notching 39 saves, striking out 77 and walking six.

Mussina wins 20th

For the first time in his 18-year career, Mike Mussina won his 20th game of the season. he pitched six shutout innings, leaving his season ERA at 3.37 at the age of 39.

This removes an "almost" from Mussina's career, as he had won 19 games on two previous occasions.

It seemed that Joe Girardi and the Yankees badly wanted this game. After the bullpen allowed two runs in the eighth inning, Girardi brought in Mariano Rivera with two outs. Rivera, as you know, will probably have surgery done on his shoulder.

Congratulations, Mr. Mussina. It's been a heck of a season.

AP Photo

Day-night doubleheader tomorrow in Fenway

The Yankees and Red Sox will close out the regular season with a day-night doubleheader tomorrow, beginning at 1:35 p.m.. The night game is scheduled to begin at 7:35 p.m., weather permitting.

Mike Mussina, who is going for his 20th win, will pitch the day game. Sidney Ponson will then close out the Yankees season in Game 2.

Moose wins 19th on E-Day

Mike Mussina won his 19th game of the season tonight, pitching five shutout innings while striking out six and allowing four runs. His season ERA is down to 3.47. He is scheduled to start on Sunday in Boston on the last day of the season.

This at least gives us something to root for after the Yankees got eliminated from playoff contention tonight.

In a way, I'm happy the Red Sox got this over with early. If they dragged this on longer and longer, I'd get my hopes up. The last thing I wanted was to set myself up for disappointment.

AP Photo

Doubleheader Saturday

Just a reminder: if you had tickets to last night's game, they are to be used for TONIGHT's game at 7:05 and not for the first game this afternoon.

Game 1 will have Mike Mussina matched up against James Shields. Game 2 has the venerable Sidney Ponson facing Matt Garza.

For those who will have to attend tonight's game, I'm sorry.

Moose wins 17th

Mike Mussina won his 17th game of the season tonight, marking the eighth time he's achieved that feat in his career.

Mussina gave up 10 hits, but only allowed two runs to score and struck out eight over six innings. His season ERA now sits at a healthy 3.39.

The Yankees were able to score seven runs against Rays' pitching, including six against starter Matt Garza.

Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a home run, the 548th of his career. That ties him with Mike Schmidt for 12th all-time.

It's a shame the Yankees have hit a good amount these last two games with the season, for all intents and purposes, over. Boston won again, lowering their magic number to clinch the wild-card despite the Yankees victory.

Joba Chamberlain and Dan Giese returned to action tonight. Chamberlain gave up a hit and walked a batter (no strikeouts) while Giese pitched a perfect ninth to end the game.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Yankees win another for Ponson

The Yankees are somehow 7-4 in Sidney Ponson's 11 starts as a Yankee. If only other starts got that kind of run support.

As you can tell by the 13-9 score, Ponson was terrible. He gave up seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in three innings. If Joe Girardi gives him another start, it would be clear that he's conceded the season.

Alex Rodriguez was the hitting star on the day, going 3-for-6 with four RBI and two runs scored. Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon also had three hits, while Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui and Ivan Rodriguez added two hits apiece.

Edwar Ramirez struggled again, walking three and giving up two earned runs. Phil Coke was one of the pitching positives on the day, as he struck out two in his first major-league inning.

The Yankees will travel to Tampa Bay for a three-game series that begins tomorrow night. Mike Mussina and Matt Garza will square off.

Yankees win against Papelbon

Well, there will only be one final Yankees/Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees did the right thing and won.

It was even sweet that Jason Giambi's bases-loaded single came against Jonathan Papelbon. He also tied the game in the seventh inning with a two-run home run. He didn't start the game against lefty Jon Lester, but he certainly had a presence.

This win probably won't matter in regards to the standings, but it's important historically. Hopefully the Yankees can win on Sept. 21 as well.

Mike Mussina restored order to the pitching staff, pitching seven innings and allowing two earned runs. He got a no-decision, however, and remains at 16 victories on the season.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)