Even non-Yankee fans can appreciate Mariano Rivera

On May 17, 1996, Mariano Rivera recorded his first career save.

There was no way to know he would become the greatest closer in the history of baseball. At the time, he was still the backup to John Wetteland.

But on Monday afternoon, Rivera stood on the mound at Yankee Stadium and recorded a Major League record 602 saves.

While it’s a statistic made up from a cranky sportswriter once upon a time, Rivera’s accomplishment is a remarkable feat.

As a New York Yankees fan, there is no better song to hear at Yankee Stadium than 'Enter Sandman'. The song brings confidence, joy and an overwhelming feeling that your team is about to win another game.

[Related: You can already buy Mariano 602 items from MLB.com]

Is it March yet?

The northeast had an unseasonably warm today. I spent the day working, but it was in Wildwood, N.J. When I could stand on the beach with a short-sleeved shirt on in December, it really only makes me think of one thing.

Sadly, it’s not Global Warming. That was the second thought.

The first was Spring Training. I like football. As a New York Giants fan, it didn’t get much better than last year. This year is shaping up to be a great one as well.

But baseball.

Sweet, sweet baseball.

I love the sport. I would even call it a passion. It’s the reason my life has ended up the way it is. Baseball, in a sense, has directed my life. So, usually the first thing I think about is Spring Training when the weather starts getting warmer.

Although, it shouldn’t be warm yet.

It’s still 2008 and fans in the area are basking in the glow of the Phillies World Championship. It makes me eager for the season and the New York Yankees to get on the field. My ideal World Series would be the Yankees and Phillies, simply because I’m greedy and would be able to go to all the games for free.

So, here’s to the warm weather and the countdown to Spring Training.

In case any one was wondering, my New Year’s wish is to get Andy Pettitte back with the Yankees. (No, not sheets like I got for Christmas.)

By the way, the dot on the mound is a Christmas tree. It's field at Yankee Stadium.

-Sooz

Merry Christmas Yankee Fans

You'll find a wrapped $180 million present under your tree in the name of Mark Teixeira. ESPN is reporting that the Yankees and the first baseman have agreed to a eight-year deal.

I can only think of one word to describe this.

SICK!

I know. I know. Some of you were thinking: greedy, selfish, stupid.

The Yankees have forked over some serious dough over the last few weeks to CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and now Teixeira.

Anything less than a World Series at this point would be a disappointment. A team can't put forth this type of money and on these type of players and not win.

I am a Yankees fan and am very excited over the signing. Who wouldn't be? (Besides Red Sox fans). Last year, left a sour taste in my mouth and it was hard to root for this team when they just seemed to be aging before my very eyes.

Granted, in five or six years I will probably feel the same way again as New York has locked these guys up for some time.

This give Yankees the four-highest paid players in the game right now with Teixeira, ARod, Derek Jeter and Sabathia.

American League Gold Glove Awards

Gold Glove awards were announced today, and here is the article that was seen on Yankees.com. Congrats Moose!

NEW YORK -- His future with the Yankees may remain uncertain, but his status within the baseball world is as clear as ever. Mike Mussina confirmed that much on Thursday, winning his seventh career Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Mussina bested every other American League pitcher to nab his first Gold Glove since 2003, his third with the Yankees, and his seventh overall since 1996. Now with more AL Gold Gloves than any pitcher other than Jim Kaat, who won 14 straight from 1962-75 and an additional two in the National League, Mussina has entered rarefied air among the top defensive pitchers in history.

Gold Glove Awards
American League
P, Mike Mussina, NYY
C, Joe Mauer, MIN
1B, Carlos Pena, TB
2B, Dustin Pedroia, BOS
3B, Adrian Beltre, SEA
SS, Michael Young, TEX
OF, Torii Hunter, LAA
OF, Grady Sizemore, CLE
OF, Ichiro Suzuki, SEA

And the fact that Mussina won this year for the first time in half a decade seems fitting. This season marked something of a renaissance for Mussina, who posted his lowest ERA since 2001 and won 20 games for the first time in his career.

"I was hoping that I'd be important to the club this year," Mussina said in August, after proving that importance time and again. "I was hoping I'd have a role like I've had in the past."

Mussina easily could have been referring to his role as a defensive asset, which he established in Baltimore last decade and carried with him to the Yankees. Mussina made just one error -- his first in three years -- in 200 1/3 innings this season, despite ranking 11th in the league with 42 total chances. His fielding percentage of .976 was sixth among pitchers with at least 200 innings, and more remarkably, he did it at the age of 39.

Mussina's award came one day after Greg Maddux, at age 42, won his record 18th Gold Glove Award in the NL. Among pitchers in both leagues, Mussina's seven Gold Gloves rank fifth in the 52-year-history of the award.

The first Gold Gloves were awarded in 1957 to one player at each position from both leagues, then expanded the next year to include a lineup of nine players, one from each league.

The winners are selected by AL managers and coaches, who can't vote for their own players. Johan Santana won last year's AL Gold Glove for pitchers, then moved to the NL this season and lost out to Maddux.

Joining Mussina on the AL team was catcher Joe Mauer of the Twins, first baseman Carlos Pena of the Rays, second baseman Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox, third baseman Adrian Beltre of the Mariners, shortstop Michael Young of the Rangers and outfielders Torii Hunter of the Angels, Grady Sizemore of the Indians and Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners. Hunter and Suzuki each won their eighth straight awards, joining a Gold Glove team that included four first-time winners.

And accolades, most will admit, are nice -- but they can't erase the uncertainty that has surrounded Mussina since last season ended. Mussina filed for free agency on Wednesday, and he has not yet informed the Yankees whether he will pitch next year.

Originally thought to be playing out the final contract of his career, Mussina opened the door for a return after enjoying one of his most successful seasons. He now stands merely 30 wins shy of 300 -- a number that traditionally begs Hall of Fame consideration, and that could entice him to return.

"I'm not sure what he is going to do," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said at season's end. "Whatever Mike Mussina does, he has had a wonderful career up until this point, and I believe that he is a Hall of Famer."

"I don't know what the future holds," Mussina said after winning his 20th game of the season in his final start. "It could be my last year, it may not be my last year. When you get to your 18th season, it could always be your last season."

But if he does return, it's a near certainty that he'll do so with his defensive prowess intact. Mussina has made just 11 errors over his past 11 seasons, and he certainly does not plan on making many more.

"You make adjustments or they find someone else to get the job done -- it's that simple," Mussina said in July. "Fortunately, I've been able to make changes for quite a few years, and that's why I'm still out there."

October Baseball

Sadly for Yankee fans this is something we are not used to. We don't remember what it is like to end the season on a day in September where it could be warm enough to even wear shorts. We are used to gearing up in layers to go sit in the most perfect place to watch a playoff game, Yankee Stadium. Tomorrow for those of us attending the game, that will be our playoff game. One last memory to take away.

I have to be honest, I am sad and angry. Sad because the Stadium (yes, it gets capitalized.) is closing and the season is ending in September, and angry because there will not be another game played there again. If you have never been to Yankee Stadium it's probably hard to understand. You need to have felt the Stadium when it is pack to capacity in October, and it's cold, and everyone is chanting in unison taunting those awful Red Sox. 54,000 people chanting Schhhiiiiiiiiiillliiiiiing for innings, is just insane. Heck, it doesn't even have to be October. How about chanting "Bernie Williams" for nine innings the last regular season game as a proper send-off? I lost my voice the next day from that one, and it was well worth it.

That's all I have for right now. I was just pondering some of the random thoughts that were going through my head right now. Sharing them with you. If you want to comment or share a story feel free. Anyone with a story to share will get a discount in our store. Nothing to lose here, shout it out. I will try and stop by tomorrow to post some pictures from the game and let you know how I felt about it all.