Today In Yankees History - Cone Throws Perfecto

If you were watching YES a couple minutes before the game started, former Yankee and current YES broadcaster David Cone threw out the ceremonial first pitch to manager Joe Girardi. If you didn't know why, 10 years ago today, Cone threw a perfect game against the Montreal Expos on Yogi Berra Day at the old Yankee Stadium.

On July 18th, 1999, the game began when Don Larsen threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Yogi Berra in honor of Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. If you though that was big, you should have seen the game, as Cone struck out 10 batters en route to his legendary perfect game. Former third baseman (1998-2001) Scott Brosuis got the final out by catching a pop-up.

It was a very memorable moment, and it was too bad I was too young to understand what was going on. At least I see the highlights of it on TV and the Internet. Cone was a great pitcher, and was the final piece to the puzzle in the Yankees latest dynasty when they traded for him in 1995.

A-Rod's 7th Inning Tater Contributes In Yanks 2-1 Win

Following last night's game where Mark Teixeira crushed a 3-run homer to win the game for the Yanks, today it was about pitching, as Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia went head-to-head through 7 innings. But, despite the great pitching duel, the big moment in the game was still the long ball, as A-Rod crushed a solo shot to put the Yankees ahead 1-0, which would eventually turn out to be a 2-1 Yankees win.

Like I said, Alex Rodriguez led off the 7th inning with a solo shot that just carried over the right field wall. It was his 18th of the year, and gave the Yanks a 1-0 lead. Then a Melky Cabrera RBI single added the difference in the game.

CC Sabathia got his pitch count up early, throwing 50 pitches through the first 2 innings. But he ended up righting the ship as CC tossed 7 scoreless innings, allowing just 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 4. His 4th strikeout was his 100th of the season. Alfredo Aceves then pitched the 8th and allowed a run, and Mariano Rivera shut the door in the 9th to secure the Yankees win. It was Mo's 25th save of the year, his 2nd in 2 games.

The Red Sox lost today 6-2, so we gained some ground and are now 2 games out of 1st. The Yanks still lead the Wild Card though by 2.5 games.

Next Game: Tigers -vs- Yankees 2:05pm (Due to Old Timer's Day)
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MOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!

A couple days ago I gave you a list of some of the retired Yankees that will be attending Old Timer's Day tomorrow. That was a list of some, and today, it was announced that Mike Mussina, who retired last year after going 20-9, will be attending, as well as Dwight Gooden, Mel Stottlemyre, and Don Zimmer.

Moose played the last 8 years of his career with the Yanks, and boy were they good ones. Especially last year when Mussina went 20-9 with a 3.37 ERA and 150 strikeouts, to win 20 games for the first time in his career. He then retired last November after long speculation. He was such a great pitcher, and was one of my favorite Yankees.

Ceremonies start at 11:45 tomorrow on YES, which will include a quick game featuring the old-timers. Then at 2:05pm the current Yankees will play the Tigers in the final game of the 3-game set.

I can't wait to see him tomorrow. He'll definitely get a warm welcome when his name is announced. He'll probably mow down the former Yankees just like he did when he was still active. He may not have won 300 games, but to me, he deserves a place in Cooperstown.

Mitre To Start Tuesday

No surprise here, but this just makes it official. The Yankees announced today that Sergio Mitre will be called up from Scranton Wilkes/Barre to start Tuesday versus the Orioles. And if, if he pitches well, he will most likely be the 5th starter until Chien-Ming Wang comes back.

Mitre has pitched excellent this year for Triple-A Scranton. In 7 games Mitre is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA and 35 strikeouts. He was recently named INT Pitcher of the Week before being called up.

This means Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves will remain in the bullpen, which is the right thing to do. So a very good move all in all by the Yanks. Hopefully Mitre could give them a couple solid outings, to maybe secure him a spot in the bullpen. That's what they did with Phil Hughes, so let's hope it works out with Mitre.

Teix Supplies Late-Inning Dramatics As Yanks Win 5-3

A.J. Burnett didn't have his best start, struggling with his control and walking 5 batters. But yet another late inning come-from behind win supplied by Mark Teixeira lifted the Yanks over the Tigers 5-3.

With runners at the corners in the 1st, Hideki Matsui lined an RBI single into right center, to tie the game up at 1. In the 5th with the Tigers leading 3-1, Mark Teixeira picked up a base hit that got by Tigers left-fielder Josh Anderson, allowing Johnny Damon to score all the way from 1st and pull the Yankees within 1. Then in the 7th with runners at 2nd and 3rd, Mark Teixeira stepped up and crushed a long 3-run homer into the 2nd deck, to give the Yanks a 5-3 lead, one they wouldn't give up.

A.J. Burnett, as I said, didn't have a great start, but kept the Yankees in the game. In 6 innings A.J. allowed 3 earned runs on 6 hits, walking 5, hitting a batter, and striking out just 1. Phil Hughes then had another great relief performance, tossing 2 scoreless innings and striking out 6. Mariano Rivera then jogged out to the mound in the 9th and picked up his 24th save of the year.

Next Game: Tigers -vs- Yankees 1:05pm

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Game 89 - Tigers -vs- Yankees

Detroit Tigers (48-39) -vs- New York Yankees (51-37)

New Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY

TV/Radio: YES, WCBS 880

7:05pm

YANKEES

#2 Derek Jeter SS

#18 Johnny Damon LF

#25 Mark Teixeira 1B

#13 Alex Rodriguez 3B

#55 Hideki Matsui DH

#20 Jorge Posada C

#24 Robinson Cano 2B

#33 Nick Swisher RF

#53 Melky Cabrera CF

Pitching Matchup:

LHP Lucas French (1-0, 1.93) -vs- RHP A.J. Burnett (8-4, 3.77)

Yankee Stadium To Host College Football

Amid reports that Notre Dame and Army are set to engage in the first college football game at the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees will hold a Monday media conference to make a college football-related announcement.

The 4 p.m. ET media event in Yankee Stadium will concern a "major announcement regarding college football," according to the baseball club.

The New York Times Herald-Record was the first to report that the Fighting Irish have agreed to play the next chapter of their traditional game against Army, scheduled for the 2010 season, in the Bronx.

According to the newspaper, which cited an Army source, the military academy will also play in Yankee Stadium in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Sounds cool. Hope they televise the games, that would be awesome.