Yankees News and Notes Saturday 4/2/11

The New York Yankees had a lot to be happy about after Saturday afternoons win. They are 2-0 for the first time since 2005. Here are some news and notes from after the game. Joe Girardi on A.J. Burnett "I thought he threw the ball well. Stamina was somewhat of an issue. His ears have been clogged. he's had a hard time breathing. That's why we only let him go five innings." As a Yankee Burnett is undefeated in April 6-0 with a 3.99 ERA. He has made 11 April starts. Teixeira is usually the opposite having terrible Aprils. He had two homeruns all of April last year well he already has two in two games this year. He changed his offseason routine to try to get off to a better start and so far it is working. Teixeira said "Just swinging more and working out a little less. I've always been a guy who hits the weights really heavy. Because of that, I've always had great second halves and stayed strong during the whole year. But I was swinging a little more this offseason and trying to get my swing right." Teixeira is the first player to hit a three-run homerun or a grand slam in his teams first two game's since 2002 when Barry Bonds was doing it for the San Francisco Giants. The Yankees have scored 16 runs in their first two games. Alex Rodriguez said the good news for them is that everyone in the lineup is swinging well. A-rod needs 16 homeruns to tie Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth on the all-time homerun list. He hit number 614 today. Derek Jeter is 72 hits from reaching the magical number 3,000 and becoming the first Yankee to do so. He is tied with Al Simmons for 35th on the all-time hits list. Mariano Rivera has saved the first two games which is the first time that has happened since 2000. Russell Martin had his first Yankees homerun. Rodriguez said he has been impressive.

MLB News and Notes

Ken Griffey retired from baseball last night. He will go down in history as one of the greatest players of all time. I am a little suprised he did it now and not at the end of the season but I guess he just realized it wasn't happening anymore. He should of been the story of the day but was overshadowed by Jim Joyce. Jim Joyce is the umpire who cost the pitcher Galaragga a perfect game. If you didn't see it or hear about and I am sure everyone has by now it was the last out of a perfect game and the hitter was clearly out by a full step or more and Joyce called him safe so the perfect game became a one hit shutout. I have to give credit for the pitcher who is handling this so well saying he will tell his kids and grandkids one day that he did pitch a perfect game but this is what happened. The comissioner and some other baseball officials are meeting about it now but I don't think you can overturn it, it would take away from the moment and also this will be remembered more because of what happened. It may also open up a pandora's box situation. This will definitely spark the debate of instant replay though, I like how they do it with the home runs but I am not a big fan of it and still like the human element. These umpires have gotten worse and worse though and something has to be done, maybe punishing them or training them better, I don't really know what the best answer is but something needs to be done. I am sure no one feels worse than Jim Joyce though.

Audio from today: Bernie Williams

Here is a real treat, our old friend Bernie Williams speaking to the media at George M. Steinbrenner Field. It is really good to see him in a Yankees uniform again even if it is only for a couple of weeks. I also forgot to mention that Ken Griffey Jr. signed with the Seattle Mariners yesterday returning home. If Jr is clean his status will really be elevated as he is fifth on the all time HR list and if he stayed healthy would of surely broke the record. Audio from today: Bernie Williams Posted using ShareThis