NY Yankees Notes: a Mural, an Estate Tax, Arm Bands, Cubs, and a Bat Boy

It was an up and down night for the Yankees last night as they beat the Royals 10-4 , but not before making it interesting as they only blew open the game in the bottom of the eigth inning.

Here are some notes:

• CC Sabathia struggled early allowing three runs and seven base runners in the first two innings, but settled down for the win.
• His record is now 13-3 and he has a legit shot at becoming the next Black Ace (which is any black pitcher who wins 20 games).
• Alex Rodriguez hit homer No. 599 and Derek Jeter hit an in the parker (thanks to David DeJesus who injured his wrist on the play).
• Joba Chamberlain made it interesting in the eigth inning, while the game was still 6-4, by allowing two infield singles and walking a batter. But he escaped with no damage.
• Before the game, the Yankees honored their late owner George Steinbrenner with a 40′ by 13′ mural out in right field. The championship pennants that were previously displayed in its place will be relocated.
• The federal government let the estate tax expire in 2010. It will be back in 2011, but not before it saved Steinbrenner’s heirs a total of about $275 million . That’s A-Rod’s contract right there.
• In addition to the patches they are wearing for Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard , the Yankees will also wear a black arm band to honor their former player/manager Ralph Houk , who lead them to the ’61 and ’62 World Series.
• There is a growing sentiment that Joe Girardi will entertain the idea of becoming the next Cubs manager this offseason. He hasn’t denied it, but I don’t see it happening.
• Here is a story about the Bat Boy who made an amazing catch the other night down the left field line. I wish I had video of that.

So now that the young Steinbrenners have saved themselves $275 million maybe there will be no talk of a budget this offseason. If that happened to The Boss himself you have to wonder if the Yankees payroll would balloon to $475 million next season. At the very least it will help them nab Cliff Lee this offseason.

Why do I get the feeling the Yankees will be playing in an all black uniform before this season is over?

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