Looking Towards '09

Only a true fan would watch his team on the last weekend of the season after they were out of the race...and wait out a long rain delay to see the Yanks beat Boston at Fenway to deny the Sox from the division championship.

But after watching the team on a gloomy Friday night and in the last week as the
team won 8 out of 9 I see some bright spots for next year.

The bullpen has been good all year. And I like what I see from Phil Coke, the 26 year old rookie could give the Bombers two good lefty's in the 'pen with Marte next season. Talking about pitchers... not too sure who out of the starters is coming back. I like the make up of Alfredo Aceves who the team got out of the Mexican League has been good in his few starts.

In 2009 there will be a lot of spots to win in training camp. Cody Ranson (above) who can play every postion and has power two homers against the Sox don't hurt and could be in line for the utility role. I sure Brett Gardner won't be the starting center fielder but with his wheels he could get a role on the club. 2009 will be one of the most interesting off seasons for the Yankees in years. After Sunday it begins.

My last Yankee game at the Stadium

In June of 1970 my mom told me, "Sunday you are going to the game. It's Bat Day." I did not know it but you got a free bat I thought how cool was that. At the time I was a baseball fan and watched it on TV but never thought about going.

But when somehow we got $4 box seats, at the time the highest price seats, I was ready.When we arrived I could not believe it how big it was. This is the old Stadium before it was renovated after the '73 season. I just fell in love with the place and after that I watched baseball a lot more and started collecting cards.

In 1971 I started to go to more games and even a Giants football game at the Stadium. Well I guess all good things come to a end. Its 2008, 38 years since my first one and today is my last one. I have very mixed feelings. I was one who did not want it to close but in the world we live in where money talks the team can make so much more in a new building.

So today I will watch the game but more than that I will walk around the Stadium one more time take it in and just look around and go down memory lane. My brother, who took me to my first one back in '70 could not make it today but we did talk about the Stadium this week and I am sure whoever I run into we will talk about the old house. I have been very lucky to go to all these games over the years. Thanks for the run. By the way... my first game bat day I got a Bill Robinson bat. I wish that I still had it today. Thanks Yankee Stadium.

Play hard and finish strong

It's the final 10 games for the House That Ruth Built. Being the season it was just a foregone conclusion that the final game would not be the real final game but this year it is.

With this team it is more like going to a wake than a upbeat baseball club. But I say be positive. It should be a celebration just going or watching the final games at the old park. And the Yanks should keep their regulars in there as they should play hard. They play Tampa, Chicago and the Bosox 9 times in the last two weeks. Be spoilers and make it hard for these teams show some fight.

I remember when my dad took me to the the final game at the old Yankee Stadium. The team was worse than this one. There was not a big outlook for '74 and you just excepted the same team.

Next year is 2009 and the Yanks will have a very busy off season to make sure the club will not repeat this year and will shoot to be better. So after a rare down year it should be positive next year. I cant wait. Also one of my biggest regrets was not bringing some tools to that last game in 73 to get a souvenir seat...who knew.

Bring Up More Kids

With the minor league playoffs just about over after this weekend, the Yanks should think about bringing up more young players from there farm system.

This week the team brought up two pitchers Phil Coke and Alfedo Aceves. I feel after watching Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner start in there last two outings they should give these kids a shot. Also the team should look into bringing top prospect Phil Hughes back when the minor league playoffs are over. Also deserving of a shot: Trenton second baseman Kevin Russo who could give Cano some competition.Also Austin Jackson, the center fielder of the future just to get a little time on the big club.