For the Boss and Bob

Nick Swisher hits the walk-off single to win the game 5-4 in the ninth. What an emotional, dramatic, and key win for the Yankees tonight. They distance themselves to 3 games ahead of the Rays in the AL East and Mr. Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard are looking down at Yankee Stadium with a smile on their faces.

I'm going to have to admit, I'm still disappointed Derek Jeter didn't come through for the storybook ending in the ninth. He probably had the closest relationship with both the Boss and Sheppard out of all the Yankees. Nonetheless, all the Boss would have wanted is a win, no matter how it got done or who got it done.

Mariano Rivera had an impressive ninth inning where he picked off B.J. Upton and struck out Evan Longoria. David Robertson also had an impressive outing, striking out the side in the eighth inning.

Down 3-1, Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada hit back-to-back homers to tie the game. The Rays were able to take the lead thanks to some misplays by Nick Swisher, but he made up for it tying the game with a monster shot to right field. He later got the big hit winning the game in the ninth.

This game kind of reminded me of the game after Thurman Munson died. Very emotional. Back and forth contest. 5-4 final score, both games won in the ninth. I thought the ceremony was well done, the Bleacher Creature silent roll call, and the PA address system shutdown for the game were go ideas remembering Bob Sheppard and the Boss.

No question it will be an Instant Yankee Classic...probably Monday.

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Game 89: Yankees vs Rays

Pre Game ceremonies going on now (6:45). Here's the lineups. Remember this is an important series too, not just remembering Steinbrenner and Sheppard.

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Juan Miranda DH
Brett Gardner LF

Rays

*Got the lineup from RiverAveBlues.

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George Steinbrenner Dies at age 80

More sad news to Yankees fans this week. George Steinbrenner died this morning in Tampa after suffering a massive heart attack at the age of 80. Just days after the passing of legendary PA announcer Bob Sheppard, Steinbrenner follows. While the last couple of years Steinbrenner has given control of the team to his sons and has disappeared from public view due to his health, it still comes somewhat of a shock, especially after one Yankee legend just passed.

The Boss revolutionized the free agency of baseball and is largely responsible for the way it is today due to his belief of handing out unprecedented contracts to superstar players. Steinbrenner won seven World Series and 11 pennants during his ownership of the Yankees. He took over the Yankees after they had some awful years in the late sixties and early seventies, and returned them to greatness by the end of the seventies.

Steinbrenner was a colorful, controversial owner, who wanted nothing more than to just win. He had an up-and-down relationship with the Yankee fans and players, but in the end, it is the great things he did for the franchise and the players and coaches under him that will be remembered.

Steinbrenner, in my mind, is unquestionably the greatest owner in sports, and today will be one of the saddest days in the sports world. I am sure today's All Star Game will be a tribute to the Boss, and the Yankees will continue to honor him the rest of the season.

Last year, the Yankees World Series mantra was to "Win it for The Boss." This year, I'm sure it will be "Win it for The Boss, Again." Because we all know Steinbrenner doesn't settle for just one championship.

We'll have more and Yankee player reactions as well throughout the day.

RIP George M. Steinbrenner III. 1930-2010.

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Game 88 Yankees at Mariners

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Marcus Thames DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF
LHP CC Sabathia

Mariners
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chone Figgins 2B
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Jose Lopez 3B
Casey Kotchman 1B
Justin Smoak DH
Josh Bard C
Jack Wilson SS
Michael Saunders LF
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith

Remembering Sheppard: As most have heard, Bob Sheppard passed away early this morning, and it would be nice to see the Yankees win this one for him.
CC If You Can Hit It: CC Sabathia is going for his eighth straight win today as he heads into the All-Star break as the hottest Yankee pitcher next to... Javier Vazquez? Yes.
First Half Winners: Yankees are garunteed the best record in the majors heading into the All Star break. First time this has happened since 04. That is all I will speak of about 04.

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Bob Sheppard dies at age of 99

Sad news in not only the Yankees community, but in the sports world as well. Longtime legendary Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard passed away at the age of 99. Sheppard called his first game as PA announcer in Yankee Stadium in 1950 and his last in 2007, after he left citing health reason. He was also the New York Giants PA annoucner from 1956-2006. Sheppard was a huge part of the Yankee Stadium experience. Everytime he would greet the fans, "Hello everybody, and welcome to Yankee Stadium" goosebumps had to run down everyone's back. I know I had them. Sheppard was honored by the Yankees in 2000 when they gave him a monument alongside the Yankee greats in Monument Park and it reads, "Voice of the Yankees." Other nicknames of Sheppard included the "Voice of God."

Honestly, anyone who has ever been to Yankee Stadium, probably played baseball in their backyard as a kid, picturing and imitating Bob Sheppard calling your name as you stepped to the plate. His voice will still echo off the walls in Yankee Stadium, because thanks to Derek Jeter, we will always hear him say, "Now batting, Numbah two, Derek (Derek) Jeetah (Jeetah)...Numbah two."

Bob Sheppard will be greatly missed in the Yankee and baseball community. RIP.

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Bob Sheppard Officially Retires

As you might have heard yesterday, long-time Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard said that he will not return to announcing the lineups and that he is retired from his job. Sheppard, believed to be 99, told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch this yesterday. Sheppard has been calling Yankees games for over 50 years, but has not done a game since 2007. Sheppard called his first game in 1951, announcing a lineup that had Yankee greats like Phil Rizzuto, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and Yogi Berra in it. Sheppard has his own monument in Monument Park and has been long known as the "Voice of Yankee Stadium," some even called him the"Voice of God."

Fans have still heard Sheppard's voice the last two years, and will continue to do so because Derek Jeter has a recording of Sheppard announcing his name to the plate.

Sheppard was also the PA announcer of the New York Giants, but retired from that position in 2005.

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