Clemens Manager For A Day
David Wells earned his 200th win and was pulled by manager-for-a-day Clemens as the New York Yankees ended the regular season with a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
Wells told Clemens he should have walked more like Joe Torre on his way out to the mound to make it look more authentic. "I knew he was manager for a day, but I didn't know how far they were going to take it," Wells said. "When he got to the line I just started laughing."
Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer for his 38th of the year and Drew Henson got his first major league hit for the Yankees, who begin the playoffs Tuesday afternoon at home against the Minnesota Twins. Mike Mussina (17-8) is scheduled to pitch for the AL East champions against Johan Santana (12-3).
Derek Jeter, who entered the day just a percentage point behind Boston's Bill Mueller in the AL batting race, went 0-for-3 before he was removed. Jeter finished at .324, two points Mueller and one back of Manny Ramirez. "Yeah, it would have been nice. I had an opportunity," said Jeter, who missed six weeks after dislocating his shoulder on opening day. "I'm probably more pleased with this season than any other. It was probably more satisfying."
42,394 fans showed up, helping the Yankees set a franchise attendance record of 3,465,550 - surpassing last year's total of 3,461,644. New York finished with the highest attendance in the majors this season.
Having already clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason, the Yankees decided to have some fun in their regular-season finale before the playoff pressure begins. Clemens made out the lineup - "It's a good one," he said - and managed the team in place of Torre. Clemens said he got help from his bench coach, Andy Pettitte. Bernie Williams was one of four regulars given a rest, and he brought the lineup card to home plate. "I don't know how long he's been here, but I guarantee he doesn't know the ground rules at Yankee Stadium," Clemens said. The Rocket even sat in Torre's chair and met the media after the game.
"Now I know why the skipper gets ulcers," he said. "I can't see myself doing this, but it was fun."
Clemens walked out of the dugout to remove Wells in the eighth inning and gave him a hug on the mound.
"It's emotional. It's not every day that you get a 300-game winner coming out to take you out of a potential 200-win ballgame," Wells said. "He's been in my corner every day since I got here."
Wells left to a standing ovation and chants of "Boomer! Boomer!" He waved his cap and pointed to the crowd.
Wells (15-7) went 7 2-3 innings, allowing one run and five hits. He finished the season with only 20 walks in 213 innings, and he is 200-128 lifetime.
"It's a great accomplishment," Wells said. "I'm not big on numbers ... but you can cherish it the rest of your life. I'm honored to be on the 200 list."
Despite the left-hander's 8-2 career record in the postseason, Torre has not committed to Wells for a possible Game 4 at Minnesota. But this outing can only inspire confidence.
Jeff Nelson got the last out of the eighth, and Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 40th save in 46 chances
Yankees 3, Orioles 1
Wells told Clemens he should have walked more like Joe Torre on his way out to the mound to make it look more authentic. "I knew he was manager for a day, but I didn't know how far they were going to take it," Wells said. "When he got to the line I just started laughing."
Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer for his 38th of the year and Drew Henson got his first major league hit for the Yankees, who begin the playoffs Tuesday afternoon at home against the Minnesota Twins. Mike Mussina (17-8) is scheduled to pitch for the AL East champions against Johan Santana (12-3).
Derek Jeter, who entered the day just a percentage point behind Boston's Bill Mueller in the AL batting race, went 0-for-3 before he was removed. Jeter finished at .324, two points Mueller and one back of Manny Ramirez. "Yeah, it would have been nice. I had an opportunity," said Jeter, who missed six weeks after dislocating his shoulder on opening day. "I'm probably more pleased with this season than any other. It was probably more satisfying."
42,394 fans showed up, helping the Yankees set a franchise attendance record of 3,465,550 - surpassing last year's total of 3,461,644. New York finished with the highest attendance in the majors this season.
Having already clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason, the Yankees decided to have some fun in their regular-season finale before the playoff pressure begins. Clemens made out the lineup - "It's a good one," he said - and managed the team in place of Torre. Clemens said he got help from his bench coach, Andy Pettitte. Bernie Williams was one of four regulars given a rest, and he brought the lineup card to home plate. "I don't know how long he's been here, but I guarantee he doesn't know the ground rules at Yankee Stadium," Clemens said. The Rocket even sat in Torre's chair and met the media after the game.
"Now I know why the skipper gets ulcers," he said. "I can't see myself doing this, but it was fun."
Clemens walked out of the dugout to remove Wells in the eighth inning and gave him a hug on the mound.
"It's emotional. It's not every day that you get a 300-game winner coming out to take you out of a potential 200-win ballgame," Wells said. "He's been in my corner every day since I got here."
Wells left to a standing ovation and chants of "Boomer! Boomer!" He waved his cap and pointed to the crowd.
Wells (15-7) went 7 2-3 innings, allowing one run and five hits. He finished the season with only 20 walks in 213 innings, and he is 200-128 lifetime.
"It's a great accomplishment," Wells said. "I'm not big on numbers ... but you can cherish it the rest of your life. I'm honored to be on the 200 list."
Despite the left-hander's 8-2 career record in the postseason, Torre has not committed to Wells for a possible Game 4 at Minnesota. But this outing can only inspire confidence.
Jeff Nelson got the last out of the eighth, and Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 40th save in 46 chances
Yankees 3, Orioles 1
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