New York Yankees

The Yankees won the World Series and the next thing to do is to determine which players they are going to keep and which they are going to let go. They have seven free agents to make decisions on. Here is a list of those seven free agents including their 2009 salaries and free agents type: Johnny Damon OF, $13M, type-A Hideki Matsui OF, $13M, type-B Xavier Nady OF, $6.55M, type-B Andy Pettitte LHP, $5.5 base plus incentives, type-B Jerry Hairston Jr. INF-OF, $2M, type-B Jose Molina C, $2M, no type Eric Hinske OF, $1.5M, no type Priorities: Outfield is the biggest priority for ... Read Full Story

The sign men were out bright and early at the Yankees minor league complex, sticking vinyl strips with a fresh, white "27" over the "26" that had been up on the board for nine, long years to mark the team's total of World Series titles. Wind caused a few problems at the Himes complex in Tampa, Fla., but eventually the numbers were posted along with a new "2009" in what had been an open blue space below "2000." "It's a ton of joy," manager Joe Girardi said on WFAN radio later in the day. "There's a sense of relief because you know that you ... Read Full Story

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees christened the new $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium the same way they opened "The House That Ruth Built" 86 years ago -- with a World Series title, the 27th for Major League Baseball's storied franchise. The Bronx Bombers battered the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 Wednesday to clinch the Fall Classic in six games and return the pinstripers to the pinnacle after a nine-year absence that seemed like an eternity to Yankee fans spoiled by success. The master plan drawn up by the Steinbrenner family owners and executed by general manager Brian Cashman to mark the new team home ... Read Full Story

The World Series champion New York Yankees paraded through the streets of Manhattan Friday, two days after their six-game series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Major League Baseball fans lined the streets for the ticker-tape parade to celebrate the Yankees winning an American professional sports record 27th World Series title. "I tell you what, it's been too long, hasn't it?" Yankees infielder Derek Jeter said. "It feels good to be back, thank you. On behalf of our entire team, we want to thank everyone that came out here today. I really forgot how great it feels." The title was the first for star third ... Read Full Story

Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday. The whole scene made him a little wistful. "It's good he got to do it in his first year here," Damon said as the energetic Swisher bounced around beside him after the parade finished in the shadow of City Hall. "It took me my fourth and possibly final year. I am so overjoyed because you don't know how many times you get this opportunity." Damon helped the Red Sox win the ... Read Full Story

Jorge Posada tapped Andy Pettitte on the chest when it was time to leave. Derek Jeter watched from the mound, knowing exactly what it meant. Along with Mariano Rivera who was waiting in the bullpen, they have been the heart of the New York Yankees for 14 seasons. And now after the Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 on Wednesday night, the group finally has its fifth World Series championship. The lone holdovers from the mid-1990s, when the Yankees began their run of four titles in five years were all fittingly involved in the win Wednesday. When Mark Teixeira caught the ... Read Full Story

Some guys like to sneak up on their target. Joe Girardi put his on the back of a uniform: No. 27. And no sooner had Girardi delivered a 27th World Series title for the most storied franchise in American pro sports than he began plotting for the next one. No surprise there. The man always has a plan. "We'll see," he said, "if anyone is going to charge me for No. 28." It's yours, Joe. No one on the Yankees wore the number in the World Series, and by the time the next one rolls around, no one else would dare. Come to think ... Read Full Story