New York Yankees

A few weeks ago, Brian Cashman made headlines.  He made a comment, stating that when Derek Jeter's time at shortstop is over, he would be moving to center field.  It's almost unthinkable that the best shortstop the Yankees have ever seen might be vacating the position soon. 

Even so, it's not uncommon to see a move like this.  For example, the legendary Mickey Mantle moved from center field to first base after years of abuse on his legs caught up to him. 

Andy Pettite says he has thrown his last professional pitch. The first of the Yankees famed "Fab Four" has called it quits after 16 seasons, 13 spent in the Bronx. He retires with 240 wins, a 3.88 ERA, 1.357 WHIP and 2,251 career strikeouts. But more impressive than those numbers are his postseason tallies. He pitched in 13 playoffs, 30 playoff series, and eight World Series. He finished his career with 19 playoff wins, including five in the Fall Classic.

"Dear fellow Yankee fan,

Man up.

It's Andy Pettitte after a loss. He's going to be completely out of gas, and find a way to hold them to two runs anyway."

The news no New York Yankee fan wanted to hear came today, as pitcher Andy Pettitte is hanging up his pinstripes.
 
Not only is this a sad day because Pettitte is a legend, but it marks the end of an era, as fans will never see the Yankees' “Core Four” play together again.

Where does this leave the Yankees heading into the 2011 season?

One of the biggest parts of MLB Spring Training is determining who will be the starters. As usual, there are a lot of tough position battles this year.

A lot of high-profile moves were made this offseason. There's a lot of anticipation to see who will win those battles.

Here are the top 11 players who have the most to lose in their position battles this year.

Begin Slideshow

For his career he posted a 240-138 record, including 25 complete games and four shutouts. He struck out 2,251 batters in 3,055.1 innings and finishes his career with a .635 winning percentage, which ranked as seventh-best among active pitchers before he made his announcement.

And as a loyal Orioles fan, more than just a part of me is thrilled that Andy Pettitte has finally called it quits. It seems like the O's never had a chance when Pettitte was on the mound, even late into his career.

You will never see it on CNN or Fox News.

It will never appear on the front page of any newspaper across the globe.

You will never see it in a documentary on Discovery or the History Channel.

It will never be spoken of in any church on any given Sunday.

Yet according to many Yankee fans and sports media alike,  Andy Pettitte seemingly walks on water.  He is apparently the Yankees own personal second coming and the only one that can salvage their upcoming season.

Phil Rizzuto joined the New York Yankees in 1941. He batted .307 and played adequate defense at shortstop as the Yankees won the pennant and went on to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series.

The following season, Rizzuto made the All-Star team as the Yankees again won the pennant, but they lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals despite Rizzuto's .381 batting average.

It's the second day of February, and the Super Bowl is just four days away, meaning baseball is right around the corner (pitchers and catchers report in about two weeks).

That means it's time to start talking about the Yankees (and the Mets, in time—the Wilpons need money).

Looking back, I'd have to say that Phil Rizzuto was the "voice" of my youth. It was the "Scooter's" unmistakable, high-pitched voice that would be resounding throughout the steamy living room during those summers in the late 60's when I first started following America's pastime. Whether it was his trademark "Holy Cow!" (which, at times, could be heard a block away) or his sending of birthday wishes to the "average Joe" in New Jersey or New York, you just KNEW it was summer when you heard Phil Rizzuto.