Yankees Clinch Title
The Yankees took their sixth straight American League East title last night against the Chicago White Sox. Champagne and jubilation were the order of the evening in the Yankee's locker room, but some of the Yankees were a little reserved, probably remembering last year's early exit from the playoffs.
"Enjoy it for a couple of days. But we've got three more steps to go, fellas," Derek Jeter shouted above the noise in the locker room.
Jose Contreras got the Yankees going with a gem of a game, striking out a career-high nine on three days' rest. Jason Giambi then kicked the festivities into high gear, hitting a grand slam in the ninth to cap a 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
When Mariano Rivera struck out Jose Valentin for the final out, the Yankees ran out of their dugout, exchanging hugs and high-fives. T-shirts with "Six in a Row Eastern Division Champions" were waiting for them in the clubhouse, as were bottles of champagne.
"The guys in this room understand how hard it is to get here, especially when everybody in the league guns for you every year because they know that you're going to have a good team," Giambi said. "By no means was anybody feeling sorry for us when Jeter went down and Bernie went down and Nick Johnson. That's what's gratifying. We still all came together as a ballclub and ended up winning the division with all those guys going down."
The Yankees and the Red Sox could potentially finish the season with the same record. In that even the Yankees would still be assured the division crown having defeated the Red Sox in the season series 10-9.
Mussina skipping this start and Contreras pitching on short rest allows Joe Torre to adjust his rotation as the Yankees get ready for the playoffs. The short rest did not appear to hurt Contreras.
"He was nasty today," catcher Jorge Posada said.
Derek Jeter was able to extend his on-base streak to 25 games.
Somewhat dampening the celebration was the arrest of a Yankees traveling secretary after a scuffle with a security guard near the visitor's clubhouse. David Szen was charged with misdemeanor battery Tuesday night. Szen was arrested in the visiting clubhouse at U.S. Cellular Field for pushing a security guard, police spokeswoman Alice Casanova said early Wednesday.
During a verbal altercation the victim was pushed several times," Casanova said.
Casanova said she didn't know what caused the dispute. Yankees spokesman Rick Cerrone declined comment. Szen, 51, was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Yankees' Traveling Secretary Arrested
Yankees 7, White Sox 0
"Enjoy it for a couple of days. But we've got three more steps to go, fellas," Derek Jeter shouted above the noise in the locker room.
Jose Contreras got the Yankees going with a gem of a game, striking out a career-high nine on three days' rest. Jason Giambi then kicked the festivities into high gear, hitting a grand slam in the ninth to cap a 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
When Mariano Rivera struck out Jose Valentin for the final out, the Yankees ran out of their dugout, exchanging hugs and high-fives. T-shirts with "Six in a Row Eastern Division Champions" were waiting for them in the clubhouse, as were bottles of champagne.
"The guys in this room understand how hard it is to get here, especially when everybody in the league guns for you every year because they know that you're going to have a good team," Giambi said. "By no means was anybody feeling sorry for us when Jeter went down and Bernie went down and Nick Johnson. That's what's gratifying. We still all came together as a ballclub and ended up winning the division with all those guys going down."
The Yankees and the Red Sox could potentially finish the season with the same record. In that even the Yankees would still be assured the division crown having defeated the Red Sox in the season series 10-9.
Mussina skipping this start and Contreras pitching on short rest allows Joe Torre to adjust his rotation as the Yankees get ready for the playoffs. The short rest did not appear to hurt Contreras.
"He was nasty today," catcher Jorge Posada said.
Derek Jeter was able to extend his on-base streak to 25 games.
Somewhat dampening the celebration was the arrest of a Yankees traveling secretary after a scuffle with a security guard near the visitor's clubhouse. David Szen was charged with misdemeanor battery Tuesday night. Szen was arrested in the visiting clubhouse at U.S. Cellular Field for pushing a security guard, police spokeswoman Alice Casanova said early Wednesday.
During a verbal altercation the victim was pushed several times," Casanova said.
Casanova said she didn't know what caused the dispute. Yankees spokesman Rick Cerrone declined comment. Szen, 51, was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Yankees' Traveling Secretary Arrested
Yankees 7, White Sox 0
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