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.

Yankees don't sign Mariano Rivera's son: Report

The Yankees announced Saturday that draft pick Mariano Rivera Jr., the son of their retired legendary closer, did not sign a contract before Friday's deadline.

The team had selected Rivera Jr., a righthander from Iona College, in the 29th round of the June amateur draft. Rivera Jr. has decided he will return to school for his junior year.

The Yankees did sign 27 of the 38 other players they took in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

"He just wanted to continue where he's at currently," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "It's not something that he wants to pursue just yet. I think Mariano and the family feel like some more seasoning in the college ranks will benefit him more."

As a sophomore, Rivera Jr. was 2-6 with a 5.40 ERA in 13 games. He struck out 50 in 70 innings.

"He wasn't a courtesy draft," Cashman said about the storybook family connection. "We would have signed him if he had the interest in starting his pro career now."

Derek Jeter disses Mark Teixeira in hilarious interview (VIDEO)

Derek Jeter seems to be keeping a relatively low profile during his last season as a Yankee. And — while his farewell tour seems downright somber compared to Mariano Rivera's gag-gift jamboree last season — just a day before his 40th birthday, the Yankees captain showed his lighter side and smashed it out of the park.

Jeter, who would never stare down or bail on an inept interviewer, does exactly that on Mark Teixeira's latest "Foul Territory" video.

Teixeira, playing his recurring role of the nervous host, repeatedly fumbles over his words and facts while trying to interview a bored-looking Jeter at the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla.

And Jeter does what he's probably wanted to do many times throughout his 19-year career while talking with the media — he abruptly gets up and walks away.

While Teixeira is no Chris Farley, his short satires put a lot of SNL skits to shame.

New York City soccer club will share stadium with Yankees: Report

The New York Yankees will be sharing their valuable turf in the Bronx with New York City's new professional soccer team next year — at least on a temporary basis.

That's when New York City FC will play its inaugural Major League Soccer season at Yankee Stadium and most likely several more while the club looks for a permanent site for a soccer-specific stadium in one of the five boroughs — and possibly outside of the city.

NYC FC will play at least 17 home games in 2015.

As it stands, this arrangement between the MLS and MLB clubs is obviously less than ideal — and obviously a temporary solution. And for the first time, Yankee president Randy Levine said the co-owners might consider a site outside the five boroughs if no place can be found in the city for a soccer-specific stadium.

"We're going to take whatever time is necessary to get it right," NYC FC chief business officer Tim Pernetti said at a Yankee Stadium news conference Monday. "We're not going to create artificial deadlines. We're only going to get one shot to do it."

Asked if Major League Baseball had concerns of field overuse, Levine replied, "They think we know what we're doing. We know what we're doing."

Converting the field from one sport to another takes about three days. "We can work it in," Yankees COO Lonn Trost said. "We've analyzed it. We have tested it against existing schedules."

The Yankees' biggest challenge is removing and rebuilding the pitcher's mound before and after each soccer game. The ground crew would put a base under the mound and remove it using a claw-like structure.

Former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, the soccer team's first season-ticket holder, was on hand for Monday's press conference. He was not concerned about pitching on the mound after repeated reconstructions.

"I don't think we have to worry about that because like Randy says, we know what we're doing," he said.

The stands will be downsized from a 49,642-seat baseball capacity to 33,444 for soccer, except for selected matches.

Since the Yankees are usually in the postseason, NYC FC can't schedule home games during its October stretch run.

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.

Jeter honored in ceremony before final spring training game (Video)

The farewell tour of New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter got off to a rainy beginning today as the retiring player was honored prior to the start of his final spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Sadly, it was to be the last time Jeter would suit up for an exhibition game after 19 seasons of spring ball in the Tampa area.

And too bad the game against the Marlins was called to due to rain.

The Jeter ceremony was a success. The game not so much. Rained out.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) March 29, 2014

Otherwise, the Yankees captain received a key to the city of Tampa as fireworks went off in the distance and a big ovation from the stands as they said goodbye to the future Hall of Famer who is going to have a number of farewell moments in cities across the country this year.

Last year it was Mariano Rivera who received gifts and tributes from rival teams across Major League Baseball when he announced he was retiring. This year it’ll be Jeter who baseball lavishes with the same.

Jeter was out of action with injuries for much of last season, so, deep down, fans are hoping the five-time World Series champion doesn’t make a return appearance here in Tampa during his last season.

And, rainout or not, you knew Jeter wasn’t going to miss saying goodbye to the place where his spectacular career started.

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.

Jeter always thought Cano would be a lifelong Yankee

Nobody was probably more surprised at Robinson Cano signing with the Seattle Mariners than the Yankees captain himself — Derek Jeter.

Deep down inside, Jeter believed his former teammate would join him and Mariano Rivera as lifelong Yankees before Cano opted to sign with Seattle last week.

“I thought he would,” Jeter said. “I think a lot of people thought he would. But I don’t know all the details of what happened.”

Perhaps not, but the 10-year, $240 million contract the Mariners offered — one the Yankees declined to come close to — explains a lot.

Jeter —who has spent his entire 18-year career in pinstripes — didn’t try to convince Cano to stay, but said he spoke with him after the agreement was reached and the 31-year-old was pleased with his move out West — or at least one aspect of it.

"I've never called anyone to try and convince them to come," Jeter said. "There's nothing to sell Robbie on or sell anyone on. I think you know what it is. I'm sure he had enough people in his ears. I speak with Robbie, I speak with him a lot, but I would never try to convince anyone.

“He’s happy,” claimed Jeter. “Wouldn’t you be happy? That’s a lot of money.”

And now Jeter and the Yankees look to life without Cano.

“I played with him for nine years, so he’s the second baseman I spent the most time with,” Jeter said. “I’m going to miss him a lot. It’s a business on both sides and I wish him the best. I would have liked to have played with him longer, but it's a business and guys move on”

Jeets wasn’t alone in presuming Cano would stay a Yankee.

“You just thought some way, somehow, it would work out with Cano,” said the retired Andy Pettitte, who left the Yankees for Houston as a free agent following the 2003 season. 

“Obviously, Seattle anted up big-time. Big-time. When someone shows you they want you like that, in Robbie’s situation, it’s very flattering.”

Flattering in $240 million ways.

Mariano Rivera on A-Rod's behavior: 'I would have done it too'

He might not be one of the first major leaguers you would expect to come to Alex Rodriguez's defense but Mariano Rivera professed support for his embattled former Yankees teammate and said he would have defended himself the same way if a similar situation had it ever developed.

"I would have done it, too," Rivera said Thursday during a ceremony in New York City to rename a section of Broadway "Mariano Rivera Way" for one day. "Everybody has to defend themselves. In a situation like that, it's hard. We're still human beings.

"He has a right to defend himself, that's all I can tell you."

Rodriguez is currently embroiled in a battle with Major League Baseball, which has levied a 211-game suspension against the third baseman for his alleged involvement with performance-enhancing drugs connected to the Biogenesis case. Rodriguez stormed out of the hearing on Wednesday, then took his plea to the public, appearing for a lengthy interview on WFAN, where he declared his innocence.

The non-confrontational Rivera isn't speculating about the possibility that A-Rod used PEDs and said he believes Rodriguez. 

"I don't want to second-guess no one," he said. "If he tells me something, I'm going to believe him. But again, that's me. He's my friend. He tells me something, I'm going to believe him."

If the retired Rivera's unsolicited support was a sign he is planning to continue working with the Yankees in some capacity, the Hall of Fame closer offered a plain-and-simple, "No."

When asked why, Rivera laughed.

"I don't want to," he said.

Bud Selig to present Mariano Rivera with Historic Achievement Award before Game 2

Recently retired New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera will receive the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award before Game 2 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, Major League Baseball announced.

All season long opposing teams paid tribute to the future Hall of Famer with gifts and ceremonies. Now MLB commissioner Bud Selig will hand Rivera this honor before Thursday night's game at Fenway Park.

The 43-year-old Rivera, who retired this year after 19 seasons, will get the award at a 7 p.m. press conference. Rivera, who will be accompanied by his wife, Clara, and three sons will then be honored on the field as part of the pregame ceremonies.

Rivera, baseball's all-time saves leader with 652, recorded 44 saves with a 2.11 ERA in 64 games in his final season. Thursday night will mark the first time MLB has given the award, which was created to recognize contributions of historical significance in MLB, since Ken Griffey Jr. received it in 2011.

Past recipients are Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Ichiro Suzuki, Roberto Clemente, Rickey Henderson, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr. and Rachel Robinson.

Even die-hard Sox fans will be glad to see the deserving Mo get this award during their World Series.

Mariano Rivera wears Eli Manning jersey during MNF coin toss

Hoping to turn the team’s fortune's around, the New York Giants called in newly-retired New York Yankee Mariano Rivera to do the honorary coin flip for their game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.

The legendary Rivera wore an Eli Manning jersey to the game then sat in owner John Mara's suite with his family.

Rivera, who retired this season after a 19-year career with the New York Yankees, also spoke briefly before the game with several of the Giants including Mara and head coach Tom Coughlin.

The future Hall of Fame closer was probably telling them how weird it felt to actually be starting a game — even if it is football.

Girardi says Mariano playing center field is not going to happen: Report

It looks like all of the speculation regarding Mariano Rivera living out a career-long dream of playing center field in a major league game can finally be put to rest. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Saturday that his closer will not get penciled in at CF and may not even pitch at all this weekend against the Houston Astros, according to YES Network's Sweeny Murti.

There have been reports that Rivera's knee has been bothering him and whispers that the reverent closer didn't want to disrespect the game by going in as a novelty.

Of playing in the outfield Sunday, Rivera said: "I did consider it strongly. If it would have been a few years earlier, then I would have done it. But now my knee is not cooperating. I'm not going to make a fool of myself out there. I respect the game too much for me to do something that I'm not supposed to be doing.''

Rivera had said in spring training that he wanted to "empty the tank'' this season. The 43-year-old said he did exactly that.

"Oh my God, yes,'' he said. "I think I spent every ounce of fuel that I had in my tank. It's empty. I had nothing left. I gave everything that I had. I can go home. I can say, 'You know what, I used every talent that the Lord gave me.' ''

If that is the case, it means Thursday's symbolic four-out relief appearance against the Rays at Yankee Stadium might have been the last time fans got to see Rivera play in a major league game.

Wow.

While it was a fun thought, Joe Girardi said Mariano playing CF is not going to happen. Still possible that Thur was his last game.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) September 28, 2013

Girardi: Playing centerfield is now Mariano's call

It's not hard to believe that throughout all of the season-long tributes and "farewell" swag piling up in his living room, the gift that Mariano Rivera might end up holding most dearly to his heart after he retires was the opportunity to play center field in a major-league game just once.

Now that the Yankees season is officially kaput, there is a real possibility that Mariano Rivera will be granted his last baseball wish and play center field this weekend against the long out-of-it Astros in Minute Maid Park.

Manager Joe Girardi said before last night's series opener against Houston that it still is possible that the Yankees' retiring closer will fulfill his longtime dream of playing in the outfield in a major-league game —but it's up to Mo.

"I'll talk to him every day to see what he wants to do,'' Girardi said. "I know he's talked about playing some centerfield, but I know he has some concern about his [knee] running out there. So that's really up to him. If he wants to do it, he can do it. I'm OK with it.''

Baseball purists have called an outfield stint by Rivera a trivialisation of the game. And it was not clear if Rivera was still keen on the idea after mentioning his wobbly knee and need to respect the game.  It was not even known if Rivera will pitch this weekend. After Thursday night's emotional send-off at Yankee Stadium, Girardi said he will take it day-by-day.

"I have to talk to Mo,'' he said. "See what he wants to do.''

Still, don't bet against Mo tackling Tal's Hill Sunday afternoon as a well-deserved wrap up to his illustrious career. Purists be damned.

Andy Pettitte got a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium too (VIDEO)

Almost lost in all of the unforgettable show of love during Mariano Rivera's last moments as a player at Yankee Stadium Thursday night was the fact that another Yankee great was spending his last days in pinstripes as well.

Andy Pettitte — who announced his retirement last week in the midst of all the Mariano hoopla — finally got chance to play the of reliever of sorts to his long time teammate. The Yankees pitcher emerged from the dugout to his own curtain call and warm ovation from Yankees fans one last time.

At the urging of the crowd, Pettitte stepped out and tipped his hat to the sold-out Yankee Stadium while the overwhelmed Rivera — lost in his own emotional moment — stood and gave him a hand.

Pettitte will get one more chance to take the mound when he starts against the Astros on Sunday. Expect one final tribute for Pettitte when he leaves the mound in his hometown of Houston.

'Tears and perfection' as Mariano says goodbye to Yankee Stadium for the last time (VIDEO)

Mariano Rivera's last ever appearance on the mound at Yankee Stadium lived up to the emotional Exit Sandman hype it was built up to be Thursday night.  The beloved New York Yankees closer threw four outs of no hit ball before Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte — the two other last remaining members of the famed Core Four — came out to make a pitching change with two outs in the ninth.

Rivera smiled when he saw manager Joe Girardi summon both Jeter and Pettitte to make the walk over the infield grass and pull the closer from his familiar perch one last time in front of the sold-out crowd. He broke into tears when his longtime teammates hugged him as cheers and chants of MA-RI-AN-O MA-RI-AN-O filled the Bronx stadium.

As Jeter approached Rivera — after Mo's symbolic relief outing was through— he simply said to the 19-year veteran, "Time to go."

As YES announcer Michael Kay put it, "Tears and perfection."

Rivera then slowly walked to the dugout, tipped his cap to the adoring crowd and embraced his former battery-mate Girardi before walking through a gauntlet of hugs and heartfelt well-wishes from other teammates standing along the bench as the ovation continued.

Farewell Sandman.

Mariano Rivera bobblehead delay causes chaos during Yankees giveaway

A New York Yankees giveaway resulted in mayhem after a shipment of Mariano Rivera bobblehead dolls showed up late in the Bronx causing long lines and complaints at Yankee Stadium before Tuesday's game against the Rays.

The Yankees' decision to pass out 18,000 bobbleheads on "Mariano Rivera Bobblehead Night" turned into a promotional nightmare after a shipping snafu kept the valued souvenirs from arriving by 5 p.m. —when the gates were scheduled to open — after thousands of fans lined up outside the Stadium.

The gates opened more than 30 minutes later than usual, and the Yankees handed out vouchers instead, reported CBS New York. An announcement was made during the middle of the third inning that vouchers for the Little Mos could be redeemed from that point until 30 minutes after the game.

Lines formed immediately and stretched from beyond the right-field foul pole to third base on the main level, then up a ramp to another level and back down to the first level, as some fans waited several innings to scoop up their gifts. Pushing and arguing broke out among the anxious fans waiting for the freebies.

Deborah Tymon, the Yankees’ senior VP of marketing, said the shipment arrived shortly after 6 p.m., adding "everyone with a voucher will be receiving a bobblehead tonight."

According to Tymon, the shipment originated in Seattle and traveled by train through Chicago, before the truck transporting the dolls broke down in New Jersey.

Tymon added that the Yanks typically receive giveaway shipments on the day of a game due to storage restrictions at the Stadium. But fans were in no mood to hear excuses.

Before the game was over, some of the bobbleheads showed up on eBay with a $250 asking price.

Mariano Rivera is now immortalized on an NYC mobile monument

Since 2010, Gray Line Tours has been recognizing celebrities and their reach to fans with its "Ride of Fame," a double-decker tour bus designed to give fans a special connection with these celebrities when they visit New York City.

On Friday, Gray Line introduced another mobile monument in honor of New York Yankees hometown hero Mariano Rivera. The bus was permanently emblazoned with a giant photo of Rivera and included a personal seat for the iconic Yankee closer. Now when tourists come to New York they can ride around town in the ubiquitous bus that is a shrine to Rivera, not that Mo's image isn't all over Manhattan these days already.

As always, Rivera —who has collected a huge pile of memorable swag on his farewell tour — was his usual gracious self in accepting the honor. 

"Thank you to Gray Line for a bus like this. It's wonderful. It is great for me and my family," he said. "And it will be great to see myself on one of these things!"

Rivera is not the first Yankee great to be honored by Gray Line. Mo joins Reggie Jackson and Roger Maris as other "Ride of Fame" inductees. 

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

Cello quartet serenades crowd with 'Enter Sandman' in Fenway tribute to Mariano Rivera (VIDEO)

The Boston Cello Quartet serenades Fenway Park with Metallica's "Enter Sandman" as part of the festivities honoring the Yankees Mariano Rivera's impending retirement.

Happily for Boston fans, this more genteel version of the closer's heavy metal walk-on song didn't signal what is usually a death knell for Red Sox batters. Today there would be no cutter.

Even Boston is going to miss the future Hall of Famer.