Yankees announce Old-Timer’s Day lineup and no ‘Core Four’ members on roster

The New York Yankees on Thursday announced the lineup of former Bronx Bomber greats expected to attend Old-Timer's Day on June 20 when Willie Randolph will be honored with a plaque in Monument Park.

This year's Old-Timers' Day will feature its usual share of former icons and legends. Seven Hall of Famers will be involved, including Yogi Berra, Wade Boggs, Whitey Ford, Rich "Goose" Gossage, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson and Joe Torre. 

But none of the "Core Four" members — Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada — are on the list.

The quartet did reunite on May 24 when Bernie Williams' number was retired and they could get together again at Yankee Stadium in late August when Posada and Pettitte have their numbers retired on Aug. 22-23.

Even without them, it's still the greatest collection of players from one team every year.

'RE2PECT' commercial is a terrific 'tip of the hat' to Derek Jeter (VIDEO)

Just a day before the All-Star Game comes a tribute to Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter from Jordan Brand, featuring a tip of the cap from everyone from Spike Lee, some pixelated Mets players and even Michael Jordan himself.

There's also the remarkable shot of the rest of the Core Four plus Joe Torre and Tino Martinez.

It's an unbelievable collection of celebrities and regular fans who give the Captain a terrific send-off as he prepares to play his last games before retiring.

Here's a list of some of the notable participants seen in the video:

• Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester

• Spike Lee

• Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani

• Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony 

• Billy Crystal

• Tiger Woods

• Knicks president Phil Jackson and his fiancee, Lakers president Jeannie Buss 

• Jay Z

• Mariano Rivera, Joe Torre, Jorge Posada, Tino Martinez and Andy Pettitte 

Jeter reunites with ‘Core Four’ for final Yankees home opener (VIDEO)

The Core Four are back together — at least for a day — as Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte threw out the first pitch to Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter at Yankee Stadium on Monday.

Under overcast skies, New York Yankees fans got their first chance at home to say goodbye to the retiring captain and they did it with a standing ovation.

Jeter's final opening game in the Bronx had a special feel to it, thanks to his old teammates.

Rivera threw the ceremonial first pitch to Jeter, while Pettitte delivered to Posada. 

Luckily, both pitchers' tricky cutters didn't cross up their catchers.

Derek Jeter announces 2014 season will be his last

Derek Jeter will officially retire from Major League Baseball as a New York Yankee after the 2014 season.

Jeter posted a lengthy letter to fans on his Facebook page Wednesday, informing the world that he plans to hang up his cleats after the upcoming season.

"I want to start by saying thank you," the iconic Yankee captain's letter began before saying, "Now it is time for the next chapter."

Just months after watching Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte retire, the last active member of the famed Core Four announced that he will walk away from the game wearing the same pinstriped uniform he wore his whole storied career.

Casey Close, Jeter’s long-time agent, confirmed in an e-mail to the NewYork Daily News that the post did indeed come from Jeter.

“Last year was a tough one for me,” Jeter wrote as part of the post. “As I suffered through a bunch of injuries, I realized that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle. The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward.

“So really it was months ago when I realized that this season would likely be my last. As I came to this conclusion and shared it with my friends and family, they all told me to hold off saying anything until I was absolutely 100% sure.

“And the thing is, I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball.”

Jeter, who will turn 40 in June, has been the Yankees’ starting shortstop since 1996. He was named Captain by George Steinbrenner during the 2003 season, becoming one of the most iconic players in franchise history and the face of Major League Baseball.

Statement from Commissioner Selig on Derek Jeter: pic.twitter.com/8cBwV3eUFO
— MLB Public Relations (@MLB_PR) February 12, 2014

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.

Andy Pettitte's retirement signals end of Yankees era

The official statement announcing Andy Pettitte's retirement simply signals the end of a great New York Yankees era. With Mariano Rivera already riding into the sunset, it will leave Derek Jeter as the only remaining member of the original Core Four on the roster next year.

A sad day for Yankees fans and baseball in general.

Statement from Andy Pettitte. pic.twitter.com/OKsDaY5NhH
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 20, 2013

Mariano Rivera has doubts about returning in '13

The New York Yankees are well aware that the team has to get younger this offseason and there are already signs that change may start with some of the franchise's most historic players voluntarily not coming back.

Yesterday, general manager Brian Cashman said that he doesn't know if baseball's all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera is definitely returning next season.

"He said he doesn't know what he is doing yet," Cashman said, referring to a conversation he had with his 42-year-old closer on Tuesday.  "I asked him what his plans were and he said, 'I haven't decided yet.'  He said he was working his way through about 2013 and he would let me know soon."

Combine that with the similar talks the Yankees are having with 40-year-old Andy Pettitte and the retirement of Jorge Posada last year, and the Core Four could become the One-and-Done with a hobbled Derek Jeter left as the only link to the Yankees glorious 17-year run.

When Rivera suffered his season-ending torn ACL on May 3 in Kansas City, he vowed to return in 2013.  He even gave some thought to getting back this season, but was convinced otherwise.

"I'm coming back," Rivera said the day after he fell in the Kauffman Stadium outfield, clutching his right knee. "Put it down.  Write it down.  Write it down in big letters.  I'm not going down like this.  God willing and given the strength, I'm coming back."

Cashman isn't holding Rivera to his words and will take a wait and see attitude on his future Hall of Fame pitcher.

"He might retire, he might play.  he doesn't know yet." said Cashman.  "I told him when you know where you are at let us know."

Rivera has been working hard to rehab the knee and says he will be healthy enough to pitch again but the Yankees have to be concerned about him coming back from a serious injury at such an advanced age.

Asked if the Yankees want Rivera back in pinstripes, Cashman was adamant. "Yes," he said.

But the GM and free-agent still haven't talked money.  Rivera made $15 million last season and may be using his indecision as leverage in negotiations.

Cashman knows Rivera — the most consistent closer in history — wants to end his career as a Yankee and isn't interested in pitching anywhere else.  The same with Pettitte.  Both legendary Yankee players will be free agents immediately after the final out in the World Series.

"I talked to them because they are unique," said Cashman.  "I don't have to ask [free agents] Russell Martin and Nick Swisher if they are going to play [next season]."

It's hard for the Yankees to get younger when they still cling to so many emotional ties to the past.  It's the old story — youth vs. experience.  But we're talking about a lot of success in those tired bones.

For now, Cashman may hoping to steal one more year from the aging Key Three — Jeter, Pettitte and Rivera. 

Yankees sign Andy Pettitte to $2.5 million minor league contract

It didn't take long for the pitching bug to bite Andy Pettitte— while he was hanging around the New York Yankees during spring training— and bring him out of retirement.

The Yankees have signed the Yankee great to a one-year minor league deal, according to the YES network's Jack Curry.  The deal is reported to be worth $2.5 million.

Pettitte— who retired after the 2010 season— had been in camp this year as a special guest instructor.  During that time, he admitted that being around the Yankees could tempt him to come out of retirement and make a comeback.

Pettitte retired from the team to spend time with his family and must have discovered that he can still do both at the same time.  Two and a half million doesn't hurt either.

He retired after having one of his best seasons (11-3, 3.28) in 2010 even after injuries dogged him during the end of that summer.

The lefthander was in Orlando with the team throwing batting practice before a game with the Atlanta Braves when Hal Steinbrenner gave his permission to increase the budget and sign the 39-year-old Pettitte.  The Yankees had been making a lot of noise about cutting the size of their payroll, but this is a clutch playoff pitcher we're talking about.

The fan favorite must have felt that the lure of getting career win No. 241 was just too great.

Adding Pettitte to the rotation presents a small problem for the Yankees who already have six arms vying for one of the five starting roles.

Freddy Garcia is out for a few days after getting hit with a ball on his right hand and, after CC Sabathia, the other four positions are up for grabs.

Just when when you thought the Core Four was cut in half, here comes Pettitte to make it the Key Three once again.

Can Jorge Posada be far behind?

Pettitte Officially Gone. Core Four Whittled Down to the 'Key Three'

And then there were three.  Andy Pettitte, one of the four cornerstones of the New York Yankees championship teams over the past 15 years has finally made his retirement official.  This morning, at Yankee Stadium the popular lefthanded pitcher said he was through as a player.  The Core Four is now the Key Three.

Pettitte's exit leaves Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada as the only remaining members of the Core Four and a gaping hole in the starting rotation.

The press conference was a sad moment for Yankees players and their fans but Pettitte didn't turn it into a funeral march.  Pettitte smiled--suspiciously more than usual--and looked happy to know he was leaving on his terms and would be spending more time with his family at his home in Texas.

The pull of a more stable home life nagged at Pettitte for years.  Today he made it clear this wasn't any kind of Brett Favre or Roger Clemens "retirement.  "It's not a one day decision," he stated.  He said he knew his playing days were over "weeks ago."

All the rumors of Pettitte working out in Texas, cancelling autograph shows to meet with Yankee management and possibly wanting to pad his stats for a better shot at Cooperstown were just that--greatly exaggerated hearsay.

The Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, started murmurings weeks ago that he thought there was little chance of the 240 career game winner returning for a final year.  Pettitte even said "Don't count on me' right after the 2010 season, but the "will he or won't he" drama continued throughout the winter. 

Cashman might have played a small part in Pettitte's decision.  The GM went all out for Cliff Lee and left Pettitte dangling but, after Lee went to the Phillies, Pettitte became an important factor again.  It was too late.  Pettitte had already made up his mind and was taking his famous game-face stare with him.  The soul searching was over.

Now the Yankees worst case scenario is reality and there are major holes to fill.  The team goes into spring training relying on the arms of CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and basket case A.J. Burnett.  Call it Two and a Half Starters.  Even a blitzed Charlie Sheen might fare better than the burnt-out Burnett.

Filling out the starting five rotation is a pile of bargain basement signees and a couple of young untested hurlers.  Even Hughes value is questionable.  In his first full season as a starter, Hughes was cradled by manager Joe Girardi, and was limited to a certain amount of innings.  Who knows if he can hold up to the rigors of a full season?

Recycled players like Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia now loom large in the Yankees' plans along with Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre.  The scary part is that probably the success of the rotation lies in the inconsistent arm of No. 3 starter A.J. Burnett.

Burnett, who throws a cream pie better than a baseball, is being restored by pitching coach Larry Rothschild.  If Rothschild can figure a way to get into A.J.'s head, tighten a few screws and get his fastball up to par, there is hope.  Throw in either one of the kids having a breakout year or one of the former All-stars--Colon and Garcia--coming back from the dead, there is a playoff season.

Babying pitchers, counting pitches and holding back younger arms will not be apart of this year's Yankees philosophy.  It will be put up or shut up. 

Pettitte's retirement is only the beginning of the dismantling of the Core Four era.  One by one, it could be a steady parade of the four potential Hall of Famers out of the Bronx.

Posada's contract is up after this year and he has been demoted to regular DH action.  Rivera just signed for two more years, and it's conceivable that the still reliable closer might call it a career after that.  Jeter will begin his march to the Hall of Fame in three years. In four years, the Core Four will be no more.

Pettitte's legacy, besides the huge numbers (240 career wins, 19 postseason wins, 3.88 ERA, 5 rings) is his clutch play and work ethic.  No pitcher was more reliable and there never seemed to be a situation Pettitte couldn't handle.  He has more post-season wins than any other pitcher.  Think back to Game 5 of the 1996 World Series when he beat the Braves 1-0.  It was a typical  Pettitte outing-- businesslike and efficient.  It started the current Yankee mystique.  Big-game pitcher doesn't begin to describe him.

The only blotches on Pettitte's Yankee resume are his three years with the Houston Astros and being mentioned in the Mitchell Report, where he admitted he used human growth hormone.

Pettitte made his decision to retire and the Yankees, wisely, didn't try to convince him to stay.  The man leaves a big chapter in Yankee lore.  Arguably the second best pitcher in the Yankees' modern era behind Whitey Ford.

  The Yankees were desperate for Pettitte's services this season.  He could have asked for George Steinbrenner's Monument Park plaque and gotten it.  He could have added ring number six.  Andy Pettitte knew what his heart wanted and he appeased it.

Too bad the next time we see him will probably be at Roger Clemens' federal perjury trial in July.  Then, it's the road to Cooperstown.