Jacoby Ellsbury's straight steal of home leads Yankees to win

Jacoby Ellsbury wasn't supposed to start the game Friday night against the Rays and, to many Yankees fans, if the slumping $153 million man never sauntered to centerfield ever again it might be too soon.

But on a rainy night in the Bronx when he began the game on the bench with the Yankees facing another lefty starter, Ellsbury showed what the Bombers paid him for in a 6-3 win over the Rays.

After replacing Aaron Hicks, who injured himself diving for a ball in the fourth inning in center, Ellsbury didn’t take long to make his presence felt — thanks to a straight steal of home in the bottom of the fifth that tied the game.

“I knew if I took off, I’d make it,” said Ellsbury, who shocked nearly everyone by going despite a 3-2 count and two outs.

Brett Gardner took the pitch and Ellsbury slid under the tag.

“It was a surprise, but it worked out for the best,” said Gardner, who took the pitch and didn’t have to risk an Ellsbury injury  by swinging. “Thank goodness the ball wasn’t close to the zone.”

And the last time Ellsbury pulled off what is probably the most exciting play in baseball?  2009 against Andy Pettitte of the Yankees:

David Ortiz calls Jacoby Ellsbury a 'rich bitch' on national TV (VIDEO)

Besides scouting reports on the opposing team's starting pitchers, David Ortiz might want to meet with the television techies to discuss microphone hot spots the next time he prepares for a game.

Live ESPN mics embedded in Yankee Stadium's second base caught Big Papi calling Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury a "rich bitch" for his ex-teammate's impressive $153-million contract during Sunday night's game.

Ortiz was obviously joking around with Ellsbury, who was his teammate with the Red Sox for eight years. 

Hall and Oates would be proud.

Derek Jeter is awed by Ezequiel Carrera's amazing catch (VIDEO)

Ezequiel Carrera's diving catch Monday night is already being called the best defensive play of the 2014 season. 

The Tigers centerfielder robbed a bases-loaded double — possibly a bases-clearing triple — from Yankees' Jacoby Ellsbury in the third inning at Yankee Stadium and had everyone from pitcher Matt Scherzer to the hot dog guy dropping their jaws in amazement.

And, if you don't believe Carrera's leaping catch was spectacular, it even had Derek Jeter (who has seen everything during his 20-year career) shaking his head and saying wow:

Carrera's play is worth seeing again:

Red Sox give Ellsbury World Series ring at Yankee Stadium: Report

Five months removed from winning a world championship with the Boston Red Sox and Jacoby Ellsbury finally received his 2013 World Series ring in the most unlikely place of all — Yankee Stadium.

The new Yankees outfielder received his 2013 championship ring from Boston manager John Farrell and general manager Ben Cherington in a suite somewhere in their rival's stadium Friday night before the AL East Division game, according to NJ.com.

"I was excited to put it on," said Ellsbury, who was warmly greeted by his former Boston teammates. "Excited to get it. It was neat."

Ellsbury had said he was looking forward to finally receiving the ring after former teammates had told him about how impressive it was. Even if it was in the awkward surroundings.

"It's very nice," he said. "Those guys let me know that it's pretty special and that it's neat. So, I was definitely happy I could receive it from Farrell and Cherington."

It is the second piece of championship bling for Ellsbury. He also has one with the Red Sox for their 2007 World Series title — which he said he still occasionally wears but hasn't since signing a $153-million, seven-year deal with the Yankees this offseason.

The Red Sox also gave a ring to Yankees reliever Matt Thornton, who was on the team but hurt during its championship run last season.

Ellsbury probably won't hear any boos during this series, which will be played in front of his new home crowd.  But that will likely change when the Yankees visit Fenway Park later this month.

First and last time you'll see Derek Jeter dog it to first (VIDEO)

During a season that will be filled with lasts, Derek Jeter may have committed a first during Monday's opening season game at Yankee Stadium.

For the first time in memory, the celebrated hustler didn't run hard to first base after hitting a long fly ball to leftfield in the fifth inning. The lackadaisical effort had some fans wondering if Robinson Cano was back in pinstripes.

Even YES announcer Michael Kay had to ask out loud, "How rare is it to see him (Jeter) break it down."

Jeter thought his drive was going to be a home run. But it banged high off the wall, and he had to hustle to just make it into second with a headfirst dive.

Here's video of the Yankee captain admiring the ball, then uncharacteristically moseying down to first before hitting the gas for a double.

"When I hit it, I thought it was a home run," said Jeter after going 1-for-4 in the Yankees' 4-2 victory over the Orioles. "I hit it pretty good. I think the wind played some tricks on it. Played some tricks on a few balls today.

"I thought it was a home run, then I thought it was going to be foul. And the next thing you know, it ricocheted right to the leftfielder, so I had to pick up the pace a little bit.

"There were some guys laughing. Until a couple of them hit some balls and the wind got them, too."

Jeter, who scored the Yankees' third run on a single by Jacoby Ellsbury, recognized how odd it was for him to be the one who could be accused of not giving 100 percent on the field.

"Maybe you get caught up in Opening Day and I thought it was a home run," he said. "I hit it good enough to be one. It just wasn't. It didn't go out.

"Yeah, you probably haven't seen it. You won't see it again. What can you do? I was safe. It would be a lot more embarrassing if I was out. I did make it, so I'm fine with it."

Like I said, first and last time.

Here's the call by the Yankees announcers:

Fiery Red Sox fans call Jacoby Ellsbury a 'trader' on Twitter

Red Sox fans are fired up upon hearing the shocking news that Jacoby Ellsbury is becoming a New York Yankee — and have put their money where their tweets are.

While some angry Red Sox fans spent Tuesday on Twitter calling Jacoby Ellsbury a "trader" — and not a "traitor" — for agreeing to a seven-year, $153-million, others were threatening to turn into pyromaniacs.

Dozens upon dozens of people said they wanted to burn their Ellsbury jerseys — many saying that he broke their hearts for deciding to don pinstripes, especially after winning a 2013 World Series with them.

Ellsbury's first trip back to Fenway Park next season should be a hot ticket.

Im gonna miss you but you will forever be remembered as a trader @JacobyEllsbury pic.twitter.com/HHiv2d5cOn
— Joe Skibinski (@JoeySkibinski) December 4, 2013

I don't even know what to think about Ellsbury leaving :( my heart is broken. I should just burn my jersey now. @JacobyEllsbury #madatyou
— Sassy Kassy (@Kassarole_Yumm) December 4, 2013

Seriously @JacobyEllsbury, seriously? Now I have to burn my shirt. Thanks. Traitor.
— Britt (@ItsBKbitchhhh) December 4, 2013

Red Sox fans should have a party and burn everything Jacoby ellsbury related. Ultimate slap in the face
— Derek Adams (@dadamslv) December 4, 2013

Jake Peavy talks about his special (and very large) good luck charm (VIDEO)

Good luck charms come in all shapes and sizes but I don't think there has been one as big as Jake Peavy's American Indian cigar store statue.

Before your PC meter flies off the charts, Peavy (who is part American Indian) bought the statuette at an antique shop in San Francisco after the two shared a special moment during an August road trip. The good-luck charm has since allegedly healed Jacoby Ellsbury, grown a beard and delivered valuable input in team meetings. Peavy talked about his new friend Tuesday before Boston defeated the Rays in Game 4 of the ALDS.

Sometimes these things work. Although it doesn't hurt to have Koji Uehara coming out of the bullpen either.

Sabathia Gets Monkey Off His Back & Girardi Goes Ape As Yanks Beat Sox

It was like old times at Fenway Park on Tuesday night as tempers rose and benches emptied during the New York Yankees 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox.  Batters from both sides were plunked and Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected.

The good news for the Yankees was that  CC Sabathia finally won a game against their division rivals.  The victory pulled the Yankees to within a half-game behind the AL East leaders.

It was Sabathia's first win this season against the Sox after losing his first four.  The victory was no thing of beauty, but it had to look like Miss America to the Yankees ace.

Sabathia (18-7) scattered ten hits and struck out the same amount through 6 1/3 innings. He threw 128 pitches-- the most ever in one game as a Yankee-- and was lucky the Sox stranded 16 runners.

The Yank's bullpen wasn't perfect either,  but were good enough to preserve the big guy's long-awaited win.

Boone Logan bailed out Sabathia by relieving him with two men on and one out in the seventh.  Logan struck out two after loading the bases.

Rafael Soriano threw a scoreless eighth and Mariano Rivera wrapped up the game in the ninth.

The real excitement was centered around Red Sox starter John Lackey (12-10) and his penchant for hitting opposing batters.  He now leads the league with 17.

While Sabathia did hit Jacoby Ellsbury to lead off the first, it was Lackey who was retaliating throughout the game.

In the first, Lackey bopped Curtis Granderson, who started towards first base, but was called back by the home plate umpire Ed Rapuano.

It was in the seventh, when Francisco Cervelli added a little spice to the game after Lackey's brush-back hit the Yankees player.

Cervelli, who sent a home-run ball sailing out of Fenway in his previous at bat, probably ticked off Lackey, who couldn't have liked the way the Yankees backup catcher clapped his hands as he emphatically hopped on home plate after circling the bases. 

After Cervelli got popped, he started to rush the mound before being held back by Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltamacchia.  Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild rushed in and was tossed out of the game by third base umpire Mark Wegner.

In the ninth, Girardi took offense when a Saltamacchia's check-swing stopped a Rivera cutter on his  arm.  This time the batter was awarded first.  Girardi stormed out and was hopping mad.  He was quickly sent to the showers by Wegman after arguing that the Red Sox batter had swung into Rivera's pitch.

It's good to see a little fire in the old rivalry.  They'll do it again tomorrow night.