Mariano thinking he could play centerfield was all 'in his mind' says Jeter (VIDEO)

The Yankees’ five-time World Series champion “Core Four” — Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte — were all on hand for a celebration Monday night at Manhattan's Cipriani Wall Street, where 600 high rollers paid up to $4,000 for VIP packages to meet their heroes.

At one point, Rivera was asked about never completing his quest to play centerfield and The Sandman admitted turning down an offer from manager Joe Girardi to fulfill that dream in his final series in pinstripes against the Astros.

Jeter said that Mo's longtime quixotic pursuit might have been impossible anyway.

"In his mind, he thinks he could play centerfield," joked the captain.

It was all in good fun and even Rivera zinged his old teammate Bernie Williams, whom the four Yankees thought should be included in their exclusive club.

"Not the sleepy Bernie," grinned Rivera. "But the wide-awake Bernie who got so many big hits on four championship teams!" 

The mellow Williams was well-known in the Bombers clubhouse for taking a snooze almost up to game time.

Champions from the 1977-78 World Series team were also in attendance, including Reggie Jackson, Lou Piniella, Goose Gossage, Mike Torrez, Sparky Lyle, Willie Randolph, Bucky Dent and Roy White.

Derek Jeter says he could leave Yankees for another team

Imagine Derek Jeter wearing the blue and orange of the Mets or — gasp — a Red Sox "B" on his cap instead of pinstripes in 2014.

It's not out of the question if you believe the baseball-as-a-business theory of the Bronx Bomber's captain and presumed Yankee-for-life.

Jeter sat down with ESPN's Rick Reilly and said playing with another team is always a possibility when it comes down to the bottom line.

As part of a 15-minute interview last Friday, Reilly asked Jeter: "Peyton Manning changed teams this season after 14 seasons with one team.  Could you see yourself doing it?"

"Well, if I wanted to keep playing, yes, Jeter replied.  It's a business.  People forget that."

Although Jeter is in the midst of a resurgence this season, fans should remember that players spending their entire careers with one team is almost unheard of these days and it was only a couple of years ago that Jeter was in a war of words with Yankees' brass during contract talks.  Remember the "Where's he gonna go, Cincinnati?" comment.

After those contentious negotiations, Jeter signed a three-year, $51 million contract through the 2013 season.  It includes an $8 million option for 2014.

A lot of people had already written Jeter off before he inked that deal — signed right before spring training camp — and, after the talks became public, Jeter said he was "angry how some of this went."

Before anyone gets the idea that the 38-year old is already shopping himself around, get over it.  Jeter was asked a logical question and gave an honest answer. He's been around the Yankees too long to know that sentimentality won't get in the way of business.  Yankees Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon were let go after great postseasons and 2009 World Series Championship rings and even the popular Bernie Williams' stellar resume couldn't keep the outfielder and his guitar in the Bronx.

Jeter is having a great season and — even though the Yankees have blown the 10-game lead they held in July — are in the driver's seat for another playoff run.  Jeter's .322 average and eighth 200-hit season are a big reason the Yankees are still in the race.

 Still, Jeter will be staring at the Big Four-O when his contract is up.

Yankee general manager Brian Cashman would not comment on the Jeter-Reilly interview, saying in an email to the New York Daily News, "No comment necessary."

The Yankees shortstop is the cornerstone of the organization and the thought of him chasing 4,000 hits in anything but a Yankees uniform would be a public relations nightmare for the Yankees and have fans screaming for Cashman's head.

Bottom line. Both men are businessmen in different types of pinstriped suits.

Jeter's Return Halted By Rain Delay

New York Yankees Derek Jeter spent his 37th birthday taking 39 swings off a tee and then 35 more attempts at some soft-toss pitching before a rain storm cut short the shortstop's plan to take some ground balls on grass Sunday.

Jeter, who was notably missing at yesterday's Yankees Old Timer's Day, is planning to start a running and light-jogging program either today or tomorrow.

While Jeter rehabs his strained calf at the Yankees minor league complex in Tampa, the Captain's absence at yesterday's festivities was duly noticed--especially because two of the Old Timer's game first-time participants included Jeter's mentor, former-manager Joe Torre, and his teammate for twelve years, Bernie Williams.

Williams was asked what he thought about Jeter's quest for 3,000 hits and his place in Yankees history.

"He has to be right up there," said the normally quiet Williams.  "He's in the unique position of being the only Yankee that going to have 3,000 hits.  That really puts him in a category by himself as far as hits are concerned.  He's earned it.  He's been the face of the franchise.  He is one of the most popular Yankees that ever put on the uniform."

According to the Associated Press, Jeter said he "hopefully" will start the running program, but won't comment on a target date for his return.  He is currently six hits shy of the 3,000 hit milestone.

"You've got to run.  Once you start running, then we'll have a better sense," said Jeter, who has been lingering on the 15-day DL since June 14.  "If it was up to me, I'd be playing now, but you have to be smart."

Right now, Jeter's scheduled return is in doubt.

It must have been quite a dilemma for Jeter to pass on yesterday's ceremony in the Bronx.  It's hard to imagine that he would ever consider missing Torre's long-awaited, and overdue, return to pinstripes after his former-manager's contentious release from the Yankees.
 
Torre was like a father-figure to Jeter.  He helped mold the young shortstop's career and personality both on and off the field.

Torre understands Jeter's decision to take one for the team.  He fostered that trait in him.

Yankees Old-Timer's Day Ceremony for the Unceremoniously Dumped

Expect to hear some of the most heartfelt cheers bellowing through the Bronx this Sunday afternoon in a long time.  No, the applause won't be for Derek Jeter's long-awaited milestone hit or even for any of the New York Yankees on the field.  The roar will be for three of the most beloved Yankees ever to don pinstripes--Joe Torre, Bernie Williams and Lou Piniella--who will be making their Yankees Old-Timer's day debuts.  All three will stand in the middle of Yankee Stadium for the first time after being unceremoniously dumped by the team.

All three former-Yankees have witnessed the pomp from the dugout.  Now it is their turn to bow and the gratitude extended to these former-Yankees will be both long overdue and bittersweet.

In a tradition that seems to have been around almost as long as the 65-year old ceremony, the Yankees are welcoming back fan favorites who were sent backing by the team.  In return, they triumphantly return to the Bronx as conquering heroes.  Remember Yogi Berra?

Why do the Yankees continue to perform this sado-masochistic act?