Game Face

The Yankees have an offer of $140 million on the table for 290-pound CC Sabathia. (Getty Images)

By Kyle Stack
Special to amNewYork
The Mets and the Yankees entered the off-season in search of solutions to the problems that denied them postseason appearances in 2008.
Each team went a respectable 89-73 last season, but injuries, overpriced veterans and depleted farm systems created nightmarish problems for squads with title aspirations.
Both clubs need major roster adjustments to remain contenders next year, and their deep-pocketed owners intend to make most of those upgrades through free agency. Here are some players each team could target:

Mets seek No. 2 starter and closer
Even after the trade for Johan Santana last winter shored up the top of the Mets’ starting rotation, other roster areas sprung leaks, including left field, second base and, yet again, the bullpen.
With Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez hitting free agency, starting pitching depth could be another glaring hole for the Mets.
Fortunately for the Mets, starters such as Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett and even Ben Sheets would serve as outstanding No. 2 or No. 3 pitchers behind Santana. Lowe is the most reliable option among the three, both durable (seven straight seasons of at least 182 innings) and accustomed to high-pressure environments (seven seasons in Boston). Burnett and Sheets are near-dominant when healthy, but both have been wracked with injury concerns throughout their careers.
Perez and Martinez (whose agent has said Martinez wants to play for the Mets next year) are possibilities to return.
Francisco Rodriguez, who saved a record 62 games in 2008, has been the popular choice to become the Mets’ closer now that Billy Wagner is likely out for all next year after elbow surgery.
However, a deal with K-Rod would probably require $10-$12 million per year. More pressing concerns revolve around the Venezuelan’s decreased velocity last season, evidenced by his 10.14 strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate in 2008 following a 12.4 K/9 figure from 2004-07.
Another option is Brian Fuentes, whose asking price could be more reasonable. The three-time All-Star posted a career-best 1.10 WHIP last season and posted his third 30-save season in four years.
Left field, second base and bullpen depth are also question marks, although the bullpen probably draws top priority after two disastrous seasons. Jeremy Affeldt already signed with the Giants, but the Mets could target relievers Juan Cruz, David Weather and Brandon Lyon as valuable seventh- and eighth-inning options.

Yankees go all-out for starters, big bat
Much like the Mets, the Yankees are prioritizing starting pitching. Last week, the team offered a six-year, $140 million deal to CC Sabathia, perhaps the biggest free-agent prize on this market.
That signing would give the Yankees a true No. 1 starter, pushing Chien-Ming Wang to the No. 2 role — or possibly lower if the Yanks also sign Lowe or Burnett (the Yankees are reportedly preparing a five-year, $80 million offer for Burnett).
Both starters loom large on the Yanks’ radar, although Lowe seems again to be the safer option given Burnett’s health risk and his questionable temperament in pressure-packed games. San Diego ace Jake Peavy is also a trade option, but the Yanks would need to give up at least two of their few remaining big-time prospects.
Damaso Marte, signed to a three-year, $12 million deal, provides a steady, if unspectacular, left-handed option in the ’pen. If the Yanks do sign two of the Sabathia/Lowe/Burnett triumvirate, they could have enough starting depth to use Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes in the bullpen.
Nick Swisher’s acquisition from the White Sox last week cost little, and his defensive versatility and outstanding ability to reach base are valuable. With Bobby Abreu expected to go unsigned, Swisher can play all three outfield spots and serves as first-base insurance in case superstar free agent Mark Teixeira remains an Angel or signs elsewhere.
The 28-year-old Teixeira is a true No. 3 batter who offers stellar defense and a powerful bat that the Yankees could combine with Alex Rodriguez to form a devastating 3-4 combo. However, Teixeira’s price tag of $150-$200 million may be too high for a team looking to invest so much in starting pitching.
Catcher and center field are other question marks, but Jorge Posada’s healthy return to the backstop and a Brett Gardner/Melky Cabrera center-field duo might have to suffice.
The Yankees, like the Mets, ultimately view upgrading their starting rotation as their best shot at returning to the playoffs.

Dr. Benjamin Dickstein, 93, receives a late-evening congratulatory phone call for the Phillies' success. (Photo by Max J. Dickstein)

By Max J. Dickstein

The Phillies’ run to a World Series title — in which they dropped just three games in three series — showed how far ahead of the absent Mets their NL East rivals were this season.
More importantly, Philadelphia’s first major sports title in 25 years — and just the second crown in Phillies history — warmed the heart of my grandfather, Benjamin Dickstein, a retired doctor who lives with my grandmother, his wife of 68 years, in Jenkintown, Pa.
On Thursday, the day after the Phillies won the decisive Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays, I spoke to my grandfather about the good news.

You must be in a good mood.

Boy, I’m in a good mood! And it’s been a long time since I’ve had the opportunity to be in a good mood. It’s years since I have seen as exciting an ending as we had in this game.

No, I didn’t. I didn’t think that they would end up the way they did.

They came on very strong. I think they had an excellent manager. He managed well at the end, [Charlie] Manuel. They were guided into this win.

They had an unusual closing player (Brad Lidge). They had to bring him in [the ninth inning of Game 5]. They knew he probably would carry on and take the game under control and win it. The percentage of games he won is unusual. Just stepping in cold at the end of the game and the odds being that he was probably going to continue to do it.

Saves, yeah. Well, saves end up to be wins.

A lot of people have been calling me. They knew they could cheer the victory with me. Also, it happened to be my [93rd] birthday the day before. So they kind of wished me a happy birthday and shared with me the pleasure of the victory.

I thought the fact that the game was stretched out a little bit would take the excitement away from the Phillies winning — and that it might deprive them of a win. It didn’t work out that way. It would not be as enjoyable to see this thing end up in St. Petersburg, Fla., as it would if they were fortunate enough to win and have it end up in Philadelphia.
The Broad Street parade is a very important thing. We always end up great athletic events that we win with a parade down Broad Street. This time, the parade was in action about 10 minutes after the game ended.

It made me feel kind of warm and good inside.

Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg, right, hugs manager Joe Maddon after winning American League baseball championship series over Boston Red Sox in St. Petersburg, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. The pair then flew to Massachusetts to make it official. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

I dare you to download and read every word of this intensive newsletter treatment of the game that featured the original bonehead play. Cubs vs. Giants, Sept. 23, 1908. It features a disquisition by Keith Olbermann. "[I]t can justifiably lay claim to being the most memorable
baseball game ever played," he writes of the key game in the 1908 pennant race.

— Max

Seems like it was centuries ago that the Reds were actually good

Perhaps Hank Steinbrenner can learn something from the Reds.

In a strange move, the owners of the last-place team wrote a letter to fans that was both emailed and posted on the Reds web site apologizing for their awful year.

"We had high expectations for the 2008 season," the letter says. "Unfortunately, the team has not played up to our expectations and we have sustained injuries to key players within our starting lineup and rotation."

The letter asks fans for "your continued trust and patience as we build the roster that will get us back on top."

Perhaps the Yanks can send a letter to fans that goes like this:
Dear Fans:
"I'm sorry you had to take out loans to pay for tickets to watch a team that sucks"

yours truly,
Hank

— Pete Catapano

By Emily Ngo

At 74 and 77, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays are far too old to play nine innings of baseball.

But at a town hall edition of “Costas Now,” filmed last night at NYU's Skirball Center, the two legends proved they are never too old to talk baseball ... for hours.

Aaron and Mays, arguably history’s greatest athletes, shared stories of their Negro league days, the blatant discrimination they faced in the major leagues and even admitted they can’t keep track of this generation’s young players. (Mays didn't recognize the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins.)

Aaron said he had no problem with the controversial Barry Bonds overtaking his home run record, but asked that Bonds carry the honor “with dignity” as Aaron had.

Workers spray the Yankee Stadium field Wednesday morning. The reset scoreboard tells the time: 2:08 a.m. Several on-air media members were on the field recording live hits and standups.

The floor of the AL dugout at Yankee Stadium just after 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. (Photos by Max)

The long National nightmare is not over.
Far from it. If anything, it’s more scary than ever.
Texas’ Michael Young hit a sacrifice fly to right in the bottom of the 15th inning, scoring Minnesota’s Justin Morneau to extend the American League’s unbeaten streak to 12 years with a 4-3 win All-Star game at Yankee Stadium last night.
The game was the longest All-Star game ever at 4 hours, 50 minutes.
Good night ... or good morning.

— Max

Maybe if I write a blog entry someone will score and break this 3-3 tie. It nearly happened here in the bottom of the 11th — at 12:23 p.m. EST — but adroit Pittsburgh outfielder Nate McClouth threw out Evan Longoria at home plate.
That's not to say this game hasn't been exciting. We've just seen a great deal of missed opportunities.
Now we go to the top of the 12th inning with no end in sight. I would curl up here with cup of cocoa and settle in with my media friends in the loge seating area, but I already did.
Mmm.
3-3 is the score ... for ever more?

Here is my amazing game story, if this ASG were to end right now, after six quick innings.

By Max J. Dickstein
amNewYork
The long National nightmare is over.
Matt Holliday slapped a home run to right field in the fifth inning and Hanley Ramirez scored on a Lance Berkman sacrifice fly in the sixth to stake the National League to a 2-0 win in Yankee Stadium's grand swan song last night.
The National League had not beaten the American League since 1996, and now its World Series representative will have home field advantage this October.
The scoreless tie through four innings came despite five total hits. The last All-Star Game that was scoreless through four innings was in 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Derek Jeter singled in the first and then stole second — the Yankee shortstop’s first steal in nine All-Star appearances.
Alex Rodriguez left via substitution after four innings.

I'm binoculating tonight. I brought my lovelies and they're affording me enhanced views of tonight's game. The impressions of a television camera are probably better visually, but at least the points of view I choose through my binoculars are self-generated. Like when A-Rod and Derek Jeter were playing a very long-range game of catch from backstop (Rodriguez) to behind first-base (Jeter) before the game. Through my binoculars, I watched the ball snap from their hands, hang and drift in the stadium's pocket of air and then reach glove.
Dustin Pedroia just hit a deep fly ball to center to end the second inning. Joe Saunders is relieving Cliff Lee (2 innings, 1 hit, no walks, three strikeouts, 20 pitches, 16 strikes) to start the third inning. Scoreless tie.
Sarah Jessica Parker — SJP — up in here to announce an MLB cancer initiative. She's in tight black pants and she keeps swinging her left foot behind her right heel in an adorable way. I do not need binoculars to see this sweet motion, but I choose to use them.

New Line Cinema Premieres "Sex and the City: The Movie" - Inside Arrivals
NEW YORK - MAY 27: Actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick attend the premiere of 'Sex and the City: The Movie' at Radio City Music Hall on May 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Damn you, Broderick!

— Max

An august assemblage if ever there was one. Forty-nine baseball Hall of Famers, on the pitch of Yankee Stadium, and paired with tonight’s starters. Even to a casual baseball fan such as myself, words fail, my friends. Yogi Berra, Ryne Sandberg, Willie Mays, Dave Winfield, Wade Boggs up in this piece.

NBA's 50 Greatest Players
CLEVELAND - FEBRUARY 8: The Fifty Greatest NBA players poses during a photo shoot during the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend at Gund Arena on February 8, 1997 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

There hasn’t been assemblage like this since the NBA turned 50 in 1997 and everyone had one those unforgettable white leather-sleeved jackets. Except Shaq —he missed the event because of some film promotion in Los Angeles, as I recall. Maybe he got a jacket. But he didn't deserve it. He'd only been in the NBA for like five seasons by then and was a serious stretch for the team. Then he lows off this historic event in Cleveland to promote "Shazaam" or some such thing.
By the way, I'm back in the loge press area tonight, and I'm entering blog news and views as I did last night for the Home Run Derby.
First pitch was a 8:47 p.m. American League starter Cliff Lee mowed down the first three NL batters, then NL starter Ben Sheets stranded Derek Jeter at second (single and a steal) by getting A-Rod to tip a ball up and into the catcher's mitt for the third out. Second inning, 82 degrees, Yankee Stadium.

— Max

NEW YORK - JULY 14: Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins holds the trophy for the 2008 MLB All-Star State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - JULY 14: Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers reacts after comming in second place during the 2008 MLB All-Star State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The greatest thing Josh Hamilton gave the crowd tonight was his soaring first-round performance in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.
Never mind that Hamilton came up nearly empty in the final round, following his 32 first-round home runs with just 3 blasted souvenirs in the final and losing to Justin Morneau.
Minnesota's Morneau had 17 home runs in the first round — barley more than half of Hamilton's total. But Morneau needed just five home runs in the final round to earn the trophy, which he accepted before only the sparsest remainder of the hordes that had thrilled to Hamilton, the golden runner-up.
"I was lucky it got reset after the first two rounds," Morneau said sort of sheepishly of Hamilton's gripping 28-run outing. "That was one of the best performances I've ever seen."
So congratulations Justin for hanging on for a credible win, and, Josh, thanks for the thrills. See you in a Yankee uniform in about three years. Who cares that you lost?
Okay, that's probably all for the blogging tonight. I hope I offered you as few links as possible.
Now I'm going to go ride my bike home to north Brooklyn. It was great to spend an evening in the Bronx, when our fine northerly borough took a night to really shine on the city.
See you back here tomorrow night.
I'd better leave before a broom-wielder comes and sweeps me under the seat.
Night.

— Max

(Getty Images)

Even before the finals, which begin after the State Farm "Call Your Shot" promotion, Josh Hamilton has accomplished five things I'd like to note:

1) He pretty much locked up a 2008 Home Run Derby title in one towering round.
2) He’s made himself and excellent candidate for the Yankees to target and somehow pry from Texas, as the Bombers did with Alex Rodriguez when they traded for A-Rod on February 15, 2004.
3) He has turned in one of the top All-Star skill event performances in the history of any professional American sports league (up there with Dwight Howard and Vince Carter’s Slam Dunk performances, or Larry Bird's 3-point contest, for example).
4) He has made Justin Morneau, a pretty good slugger and his opponent in the final, pretty much an afterthought.
5) Finally, Hamilton has made the Home Run Derby worthy of the high cost for tickets to this pre-All-Star Game event.

— Max

(Courtesy bhphotovideo.com)

What’s far out is knowing that I own a terrific pair of binoculars.
I’m going to throw a link right up here for you: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488933-USA/Nikon_7253_7x35_Action_Binocular_Black_.html . So I guess Click Here to go to that web page.
I own those puppies. Bought them at B&H several months ago.
If, say, Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton were to scorch a tightly spun vessel up into the night and down quickly into right field for his fourth home run against only 3 outs (out of 10), it’s cool to see that action through a great set of glasses like those.
Now it's 10 home runs and still just 6 outs made!
He's the outright first-round leader now!
Now, he's friggin' taken over the all-time home run hitting mark for this event.
Bobby Abreu hit 24 home runs in 2005, in the first-round.
Now Josh Hamilton, with a constant grin and a stadium crowd in his corner, has belted 28 home runs before making his ninth out. He hit a bunch in a row with 8 outs. I'll find out how many.
Hamilton is already in 10th place all-time in the Home Run Derby home run list.
But the point is, hey, bring your binoculars.
I DID NOT FOLLOW THAT ADVICE.
I am without binocs.
Aaaah.

— Max

Welcome to Monday evening at Yankee Stadium.
With amNewYork's sports editor, Max J. Dickstein.
That's me. I'll be observing and writing this evening.
The first four big batters have not abused the ball much yet in the first round.
Lance Berkman was just up at No. 5. He just passed Dan Uggla and Grady Sizemore with his 8 big flies. Those first two hitters had set the standard at hitting in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, slugging 6 home runs each. Chase Utley (5) and Evan Longoria (3) are pretty much goners now.

— Max

Okay, okay. Here's the A-Rod news you're starving for:

Alex Rodriguez sooo amused while practicing fielding today at Yankee Stadium (Getty Images)

By RACHEL COHEN
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — The first Madonna reference came about 10 minutes in.
Alex Rodriguez didn't snarl or duck away. He answered with the same relaxed expression and casual tone he used to describe the honor of playing in the final All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.
His personal life has been splashed across the local tabloids in recent weeks, but Rodriguez insisted he doesn't resent such intrusions, that he has learned to embrace "the gift and the curse" of sports stardom.
"You have to take the good with the bad and not take yourself too seriously," he explained later. "I think that's the one thing that over the first four or five years (in New York), I kept knocking myself over the head, and trying to re-explain myself.
"If this gentleman asked me that question, I probably would've been here for three or four hours trying to explain my personal life — and kind of made an ass out of myself, really."
Rodriguez appeared determined to not make a, um, fool of himself Monday when the All-Stars met the media, each seated at podiums scattered across a hotel ballroom. Nobody drew as many reporters and cameras as the Yankees third baseman, who had about two dozen people pressed around him for the entire 50-minute session.

It's the final countdown to tomorrow night's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, and in just one of many events around town to help you pass the time until the starting pitch - former Yankees captain Don Mattingly will be in Manhattan today to take a group of NYC kids on a tour of the
Sports Museum of America at 26 Broadway at 11:15 a.m.

Other events today:

With the All-Star game just 6 days away, voting for the final member of each league's team has seen an overwhelming turnout.

23.2 million votes have already been cast, but it's not too late to vote one more representative each to your hometown teams.

Mets third baseman David Wright is up against outfielders Corey Hart, Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, and Carlos Lee on the NL side. Yankees slugger Jason Giambi is trying to beat out Rays infielder Evan Longoria, White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, Brian Roberts of the Orioles and Jose Guillen of the Royals.

You can vote here, and there is no limit to the amount of times you can cast your ballot for your favorite players.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

Since the Yanks are playing this afternoon, the YES network will be taking a step back in time to show the last midsummer classic played in the stadium in 1977, tonight.

Taking a look at the box score from the game, here's some observations:

• NL starter Don Sutton pitched three innings. Nowadays, pitchers throw one at the most

Rich Gossage

• The game ended in a duel between Yankee closers. Then-closer Sparky Lyle and Rich Gossage, who was at the Pirates at the time but would be on the Bombers the following season.

• AL starter Jim Palmer got rocked, allowing five runs and three HRs in just two innings.

• Yankee 2B Willie Randolph played the whole game, going 1-for-5 with one RBI

— Pete Catapano

30 statues of Lady Liberty splashed with paint have popped up all around town, but it's not random acts of vandalism.

With the All-Star Game coming to Yankee Stadium July 15th, Major League Baseball commissioned artist Stephen Holland to create replicas of the Statue of Liberty, adorned with the colors of each MLB team.

Check out all the photos and find your favorite team here--our faves are the Pirates and the Oakland A's.

See where all the statues are located on our map, here.

And our complete guide to the All-Star game, with thousands of photos and hours of video to get you ready for the big game, is here.

So A-Rod won't compete in the Home Run derby this year because he doesn't want to ruin his swing.

This inspired us to go back and check out this home run derby match between Mickey Mantle in Willie Mays back in 1959. Enjoy watching to hall of famers go at it.

— Pete Catapano

(AP)

This should get the interest of the Yankees... and the Mets... and the Indians... and the Angels ... and the Braves ... and the Dodgers.. and the..

According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, Seattle lefty Erik Bedard could be available at the trade deadline if the Mariners continue to flounder.
Bedard, whom the Mariners acquired from the Orioles in the off-season, is 4-4 with a 4.27 ERA this season, but's coming off 13-5 season to go along with a sparkling 3.17 ERA.
One things for sure, he won't come cheap.
— Pete Catapano

(AP)

The Phillies are an offensive machine and his power numbers are high, but what's happened to Ryan Howard's batting average? In 2006, he hit .305 and last year he hit .268. But in the current campaign the All-Star first basemen is hitting just .205 and is mired in a 2-for-14 stretch. Sure he has 15 homers and 43 RBIs, but his struggles can't be ignored. The worst part? He has 82 strikeouts in 215 at-bats, projecting to over 200 for the season.

— Pete Catapano