2008 New York Yankees season
Encyclopedia
The 2008 New York Yankees season was the 106th season for the New York Yankees
franchise. The Yankees hosted the 2008 All-Star Game
at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday July 15, 2008. It was the 83rd and last season at Yankee Stadium prior to the team's move to a new ballpark (also called "Yankee Stadium
") just north of the current stadium. It also marked the first season since 1993 that the Yankees failed to make it to the playoffs
(the 1994 strike canceled the postseason, though the Yankees had the best record in the American League that year.).
and team stalwarts Andy Pettitte
, Jorge Posada
, Mariano Rivera
, and Alex Rodriguez
, all of whom were free agents. While Torre departed after 12 years as the team's manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers
, all four free agents returned to play for the Yankees in 2008, providing stability and continuity for new manager Joe Girardi
.
left for the Los Angeles Dodgers
after the 2007 season. After conducting interviews with Don Mattingly
, Tony Pena
and Joe Girardi
, Girardi was signed to be the new Yankees Manager. This prompted Mattingly to leave the team as well and follow Torre to the Dodgers.
On November 29, the Yankees re-signed catcher Jorge Posada
to a four year contract for $52,400,000. Posada will be earning $13,100,000 per season which is the highest average salary ever for a catcher.
On December 3, the Yankees re-signed backup catcher Jose Molina to a 2 year, $4 million contract.
On December 4, the Yankees shipped minor league pitcher and part time MLB starter Tyler Clippard
to the Washington Nationals
for reliever Jonathan Albaladejo
.
On December 9, the Yankees agreed to a contract with relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins
for 1 year, $3.75 million.
On December 12, the Yankees re-signed pitcher Andy Pettitte
to a 1-year, $16 million contract.
Alex Rodriguez
opted out of his contract in the middle of Game 4 of the 2007 World Series
. The Yankees initially stated that they would not negotiate with Rodriguez once he opted out but changed course once Rodriguez announced his desire to return to pinstripes after issuing an apology for the public and the Yankees misunderstanding his desire to stay with the team. On December 13, 2007, Rodgriuez and the Yankees officially agreed to a 10-year, $275 million contract that may rise to above $300 million if certain performance milestones are reached.
On December 17, the Yankees re-signed closer Mariano Rivera
. Despite his original plan to hold out for a fourth year, Rivera has agreed to a three year contract offer worth $45 million. This contract makes Rivera the highest-paid closer in baseball history.
Relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino
turned down an offer of salary arbitration and signed a multi-year deal with the Colorado Rockies
on December 21. 1B Andy Phillips
departed for the Cincinnati Reds
, and Doug Mientkiewicz
departed for the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Roger Clemens
still remains a free agent and will not return to the Yankees in 2008 according to Hank Steinbrenner
. On March 10, 2008 the team signed actor/comedian Billy Crystal
to a one day contract just before his 60th birthday.
after a rain delay. The Yankees took 2 of 3 games of the series. After that, they faced a new look Rays
team. They lost the first two by the scores of 13-4 and 6-3, but would rebound and even up the series 2 games apiece. Following the series, the Yankees had a grueling road trip in which they played 18 of their next 20 games on the road. During this stretch, rookies Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy
struggled mightily and went winless the entire first month. After a rib injury to Hughes, Kennedy was reassigned to the minor league AAA affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as the Yankees called up Darrell Rasner
. Fortunately, Rasner went 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in his first four starts.
Both shortstop Derek Jeter
and third baseman Alex Rodriguez
had suffered minor quadriceps injuries at different times. Catcher Jorge Posada
was also placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career after a slight tear in his rotator cuff and backup infielder Wilson Betemit
missed several games due to conjunctivitis
.
on May 2–4 at the Stadium. They would lose 3 of 4 against the Rays
in St. Petersburg
and were swept in 2 games against the Mets
in the Subway Series
. There was a controversial call where Carlos Delgado
appeared to hit it foul against the left field foul pole, when a replay would later show that the ball was actually a home run. The Mets
would go on to win 11-2. The game on Friday May 16 was postponed because of rain. Since then, the Yankees ended the month by winning 8 of their last 10 games, escaping the AL East
cellar, and got back over .500.
at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
, then blitzed 9-3 by the Jays
on Joba Chamberlain
's first career start in the majors
. The Yankees, however, won the next 2 against them including a wild comeback on June 5 that ended in a two-run, pinch hit homer into the upper deck by Jason Giambi
after trailing 7-2 in the 6th inning
. Following the series, Yankees split a 4 game weekend series with the Royals
and took 2 out of 3 from the A's
highlighted by Hideki Matsui
celebrating his 34th birthday
with a Grand Slam
off of Joe Blanton
. The Yankees would then sweep the Astros
and were 4 games over .500 for the first time this season, but Chien-Ming Wang hurt his leg rounding the bases a 13-0 win. He was out for the rest of the season. The Yankees would then sweep the Padres
at home to win 7 straight for the first time this season. The streak came to a halt on June 20, when they lost to Edinson Vólquez
and the Reds
4-2 on the Reds' first visit to Yankee Stadium since 1976, the first season of the renovated Yankee Stadium. They would follow with a lopsided 6-0 loss in which they left 12 runners on base despite Dan Giese
's great outing, but salvage the final game with a 4-1 win. The Yankees travel to PNC Park
for the first time ever when they face the Pirates from June 24–25 before returning to New York to play a double header with their cross-town rival Mets. In game one, the Yankees were outmatched 15-6, but rebounded in the nightcap game two,with a 9-0 shutout.
, the Yankees salvaged the final game 18-7 before losing the first two of a four game series to the Red Sox
7-0 and 6-4. With Mike Mussina
on the hill for game 3, they would rebound behind his 6 shutout innings to barely win 2-1 and then earn a split when rookie Brett Gardner
hit a game winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning for a 5-4 victory. In an important 2-game series against the Rays
, they would win the first game 5-0 behind Andy Pettitte
's stellar pitching performance and then complete the sweep on Bobby Abreu
's game winning double. The Yankees would go to Pittsburgh
to play a make-up interleague game against the Pirates
and lose 2-4. Next, they traveled to Toronto
to play three against the Blue Jays
. They would be shut out by Roy Halladay
in the opener, getting only two hits but then they rebounded and won their next game 9-4 behind home run
s by Derek Jeter
and Alex Rodriguez
. It was their 50th win of the season. After the game, the Yankees learned that former broadcaster Bobby Murcer
died of cancer
. After losing 4-1 to the Blue Jays on Sunday, the Yankees head into the All-Star break 6 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East
and 5½ games behind the Rays in the Wild Card
race. After the break, Yankees won 8 in a row including back to back sweeps of the Twins
and A's
, extending their winning streak to 10 games at home. After defeating the Boston Red Sox 1-0 in Joba Chamberlain
's first career start at Fenway Park, the Yankees acquired Pittsburgh Pirates
corner outfielder Xavier Nady
and left-handed reliever Damaso Marte
for four minor league prospects. The Yankees then traded Kyle Farnsworth
to the Detroit Tigers
for catcher Iván Rodríguez
.
gave up a run in the 9th inning. The Yankees would rebound take the next two including an 8-2 win on Old Timers Day and a 14-9 come from behind victory on Sunday. The Yankees would embark on a key 10-game road trip with 4 against the Texas Rangers
. In the opener, Joba Chamberlain
was injured before the bullpen surrendered a walk-off grand slam to Marlon Byrd
. The second game saw the Yankees fall short despite a grand slam of their own before rebounding to win the next two for the split. They were then swept in Anaheim highlighted by a 8th inning 8-run meltdown on Saturday and Mariano Rivera allowing a walk off hit the next day. After losing two out of three to the Minnesota Twins
, the Yankees were written off as contenders. Returning home, they dropped the opener to the Kansas City Royals
but rebounded to win the next day in the 12th inning when Brett Gardner
drove in the winning run. They would take the series with a 15-6 romp the next day. The Yankees went back on the road for six games and lost two of three in Toronto. They did rebound to sweep the Baltimore Orioles
, but the struggles continued at home vs Boston as they dropped the first 2 games, 7-3, and 11-3, respectively. A-Rod was heavily booed in game 1, as he was 0 for 5 and grounded into 2 double plays with one being in a bases loaded situation. He also struck-out to end the game. The Yankees would salvage the series finale with a score of 3-2 thanks to pinch-hitter Jason Giambi
hitting a 2-run homer in the 7th, and then a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th.
's eighth-inning RBI double ended Brandon Morrow
's no-hit bid, but New York still lost the game 3-1.
The final regular season game at Yankee Stadium was played on September 21, 2008 against the Baltimore Orioles
, who are based in the city from which both the Yankees and their great star Babe Ruth
originated. Fielding Derek Jeter
as their captain, Andy Pettitte
as the starting pitcher, and led by home runs from Johnny Damon and Jose Molina, the Yankees won 7–3. Molina's home run, a two-run shot hit to left-center field with one out in the bottom of the 4th inning, turned out to be the final home run in Stadium history. The final run was scored by Yankee pinch-runner Brett Gardner
in the bottom of the 7th inning. Mariano Rivera
pitched the top of the 9th inning, and the final batter was Baltimore's Brian Roberts
, who hit a ground-ball out to Yankee first baseman Cody Ransom
, closing out 83 years of baseball history. After the game, Derek Jeter addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support over the years, and urging them to "take the memories of this field, add them to the new memories that will come at the new Yankee Stadium and continue to pass them on from generation to generation." The Yankees players then circled the field and saluted the fans, to the sound of "New York, New York
". Guest commentators for the game on ESPN
included Yankee legends Reggie Jackson
, Whitey Ford
and Yogi Berra
, as well as local YES Network
announcer Michael Kay.
On September 28, Mike Mussina won 20 games for the first time in his career, the oldest pitcher in major league history to win 20 games for the first time in his career. The record was previously held by Jamie Moyer, as he won 20 as a 38 year old. This capped a remarkable comeback season for Mussina, who came back to win 20 games after a 5.15 ERA in 2007. He was one of the few bright spots of the Yankees 2008 season.
Bold indicates team leader
Bold indicates team leader for W, L, ERA, G, GS, SV, and IP; indicates highest on team in R, ER, BB, and K
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
franchise. The Yankees hosted the 2008 All-Star Game
2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...
at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday July 15, 2008. It was the 83rd and last season at Yankee Stadium prior to the team's move to a new ballpark (also called "Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
") just north of the current stadium. It also marked the first season since 1993 that the Yankees failed to make it to the playoffs
2008 Major League Baseball season
The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...
(the 1994 strike canceled the postseason, though the Yankees had the best record in the American League that year.).
Offseason
The Yankees' 2007/2008 offseason began in a tumultuous manner, with uncertainty as to the status of manager Joe TorreJoe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
and team stalwarts Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
, Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
, and Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
, all of whom were free agents. While Torre departed after 12 years as the team's manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, all four free agents returned to play for the Yankees in 2008, providing stability and continuity for new manager Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
.
Roster changes
Manager Joe TorreJoe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
left for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
after the 2007 season. After conducting interviews with Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, Tony Pena
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
and Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
, Girardi was signed to be the new Yankees Manager. This prompted Mattingly to leave the team as well and follow Torre to the Dodgers.
On November 29, the Yankees re-signed catcher Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
to a four year contract for $52,400,000. Posada will be earning $13,100,000 per season which is the highest average salary ever for a catcher.
On December 3, the Yankees re-signed backup catcher Jose Molina to a 2 year, $4 million contract.
On December 4, the Yankees shipped minor league pitcher and part time MLB starter Tyler Clippard
Tyler Clippard
Tyler Lee Clippard is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals.-New York Yankees:Clippard was drafted in the 9th round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees out of J. W. Mitchell High School...
to the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
for reliever Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo Santana is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball. Prior to signing with Yomiuri, Albaladego pitched for the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.-Career:Albaladejo hired his...
.
On December 9, the Yankees agreed to a contract with relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched.-Minnesota Twins:...
for 1 year, $3.75 million.
On December 12, the Yankees re-signed pitcher Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
to a 1-year, $16 million contract.
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
opted out of his contract in the middle of Game 4 of the 2007 World Series
2007 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe Red Sox cruised to a blowout win in Game 1 behind ALCS MVP Josh Beckett, who struck out nine batters, including the first four he faced, en route to his fourth win of the 2007 postseason...
. The Yankees initially stated that they would not negotiate with Rodriguez once he opted out but changed course once Rodriguez announced his desire to return to pinstripes after issuing an apology for the public and the Yankees misunderstanding his desire to stay with the team. On December 13, 2007, Rodgriuez and the Yankees officially agreed to a 10-year, $275 million contract that may rise to above $300 million if certain performance milestones are reached.
On December 17, the Yankees re-signed closer Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
. Despite his original plan to hold out for a fourth year, Rivera has agreed to a three year contract offer worth $45 million. This contract makes Rivera the highest-paid closer in baseball history.
Relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino
Luis Vizcaíno
Luis Vizcaíno Arias is a Dominican Republic professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians in his career.-Career:Vizcaíno...
turned down an offer of salary arbitration and signed a multi-year deal with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
on December 21. 1B Andy Phillips
Andy Phillips
George Andrew "Andy" Phillips is the current assistant coach for The University of Alabama's baseball team. He has played for the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. Phillips was raised in Demopolis, Alabama, where he played baseball for the Demopolis Academy...
departed for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, and Doug Mientkiewicz
Doug Mientkiewicz
Douglas Andrew Mientkiewicz is a first baseman who last appeared in the majors in with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed...
departed for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
still remains a free agent and will not return to the Yankees in 2008 according to Hank Steinbrenner
Hank Steinbrenner
Henry G. "Hank" Steinbrenner III is the part-owner and Senior Vice President of the New York Yankees, along with his brother Hal Steinbrenner....
. On March 10, 2008 the team signed actor/comedian Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal
William Edward "Billy" Crystal is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian and film director. He gained prominence in the 1970s for playing Jodie Dallas on the ABC sitcom Soap and became a Hollywood film star during the late 1980s and 1990s, appearing in the critical and box office successes...
to a one day contract just before his 60th birthday.
Regular season
April
The Yankees started opening day one day late at Yankee Stadium against the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
after a rain delay. The Yankees took 2 of 3 games of the series. After that, they faced a new look Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
team. They lost the first two by the scores of 13-4 and 6-3, but would rebound and even up the series 2 games apiece. Following the series, the Yankees had a grueling road trip in which they played 18 of their next 20 games on the road. During this stretch, rookies Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy
Ian Kennedy
Ian Patrick Kennedy is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.He is 6' 0" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
struggled mightily and went winless the entire first month. After a rib injury to Hughes, Kennedy was reassigned to the minor league AAA affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as the Yankees called up Darrell Rasner
Darrell Rasner
Darrell Wayne Rasner is a starting pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League.Rasner attended the University of Nevada, where he was a health ecology major...
. Fortunately, Rasner went 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in his first four starts.
Both shortstop Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
and third baseman Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
had suffered minor quadriceps injuries at different times. Catcher Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
was also placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career after a slight tear in his rotator cuff and backup infielder Wilson Betemit
Wilson Betemit
Wilson Betemit is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. He is 6'2" and weighs 220 pounds...
missed several games due to conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the conjunctiva...
.
May
Their struggles continued in May, they only had one series win through the 20th and that was a 3-game sweep against the MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
on May 2–4 at the Stadium. They would lose 3 of 4 against the Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
and were swept in 2 games against the Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the Subway Series
Subway Series
The Subway Series is a series of Major League Baseball games played between teams based in New York City. The term's historic usage has been in reference to World Series games played between New York teams...
. There was a controversial call where Carlos Delgado
Carlos Delgado
Carlos Juan Delgado Hernández is a retired Puerto Rican professional baseball player. With 473 home runs and 1,512 RBI, he holds the all-time home run and RBI records among Puerto Rican players....
appeared to hit it foul against the left field foul pole, when a replay would later show that the ball was actually a home run. The Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
would go on to win 11-2. The game on Friday May 16 was postponed because of rain. Since then, the Yankees ended the month by winning 8 of their last 10 games, escaping the AL East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
cellar, and got back over .500.
June
The Yankees lost three in a row through the first three days of June, dropping the final 2 games of the four-game set against the TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
, then blitzed 9-3 by the Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on Joba Chamberlain
Joba Chamberlain
Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Chamberlain was born and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old...
's first career start in the majors
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The Yankees, however, won the next 2 against them including a wild comeback on June 5 that ended in a two-run, pinch hit homer into the upper deck by Jason Giambi
Jason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage...
after trailing 7-2 in the 6th inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
. Following the series, Yankees split a 4 game weekend series with the Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
and took 2 out of 3 from the A's
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
highlighted by Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsui
is a Japanese Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.After playing the first ten seasons of his career for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, he played the next seven seasons, from 2003–2009, for the New York...
celebrating his 34th birthday
Birthday
A birthday is a day or anniversary where a person celebrates his or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders , Christmas – which is celebrated widely by...
with a Grand Slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
off of Joe Blanton
Joe Blanton
Joseph Matthew Blanton is a starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-College career:...
. The Yankees would then sweep the Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and were 4 games over .500 for the first time this season, but Chien-Ming Wang hurt his leg rounding the bases a 13-0 win. He was out for the rest of the season. The Yankees would then sweep the Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
at home to win 7 straight for the first time this season. The streak came to a halt on June 20, when they lost to Edinson Vólquez
Edinson Volquez
Edinson Volquez [VOL-kez] , is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds. He bats and throws right-handed....
and the Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
4-2 on the Reds' first visit to Yankee Stadium since 1976, the first season of the renovated Yankee Stadium. They would follow with a lopsided 6-0 loss in which they left 12 runners on base despite Dan Giese
Dan Giese
-School:Giese graduated from Rubidoux High School in Riverside, California, and then attended the University of San Diego. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 34th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft.-Career:...
's great outing, but salvage the final game with a 4-1 win. The Yankees travel to PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
for the first time ever when they face the Pirates from June 24–25 before returning to New York to play a double header with their cross-town rival Mets. In game one, the Yankees were outmatched 15-6, but rebounded in the nightcap game two,with a 9-0 shutout.
July
After dropping the first 2 games of a 3-game series to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, the Yankees salvaged the final game 18-7 before losing the first two of a four game series to the Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
7-0 and 6-4. With Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina
Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
on the hill for game 3, they would rebound behind his 6 shutout innings to barely win 2-1 and then earn a split when rookie Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner
Brett M. Gardner is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the New York Yankees. Gardner, who is 5' 10", bats and throws left-handed.-College baseball career:...
hit a game winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning for a 5-4 victory. In an important 2-game series against the Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
, they would win the first game 5-0 behind Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
's stellar pitching performance and then complete the sweep on Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu
Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu , nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Luche", is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
's game winning double. The Yankees would go to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
to play a make-up interleague game against the Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and lose 2-4. Next, they traveled to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
to play three against the Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. They would be shut out by Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
in the opener, getting only two hits but then they rebounded and won their next game 9-4 behind home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s by Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
and Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
. It was their 50th win of the season. After the game, the Yankees learned that former broadcaster Bobby Murcer
Bobby Murcer
Bobby Ray Murcer was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 17 seasons between 1965 and 1983, mostly with the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster...
died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. After losing 4-1 to the Blue Jays on Sunday, the Yankees head into the All-Star break 6 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
and 5½ games behind the Rays in the Wild Card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
race. After the break, Yankees won 8 in a row including back to back sweeps of the Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and A's
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, extending their winning streak to 10 games at home. After defeating the Boston Red Sox 1-0 in Joba Chamberlain
Joba Chamberlain
Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Chamberlain was born and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old...
's first career start at Fenway Park, the Yankees acquired Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
corner outfielder Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
and left-handed reliever Damaso Marte
Dámaso Marté
Dámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...
for four minor league prospects. The Yankees then traded Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for catcher Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
.
August
The Yankees started August by losing a 1-0 heartbreaker to the Angels when Mariano RiveraMariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
gave up a run in the 9th inning. The Yankees would rebound take the next two including an 8-2 win on Old Timers Day and a 14-9 come from behind victory on Sunday. The Yankees would embark on a key 10-game road trip with 4 against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. In the opener, Joba Chamberlain
Joba Chamberlain
Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Chamberlain was born and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old...
was injured before the bullpen surrendered a walk-off grand slam to Marlon Byrd
Marlon Byrd
Marlon Jerrard Byrd , popularly known as The Position or The Possish or Sish, is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs...
. The second game saw the Yankees fall short despite a grand slam of their own before rebounding to win the next two for the split. They were then swept in Anaheim highlighted by a 8th inning 8-run meltdown on Saturday and Mariano Rivera allowing a walk off hit the next day. After losing two out of three to the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, the Yankees were written off as contenders. Returning home, they dropped the opener to the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
but rebounded to win the next day in the 12th inning when Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner
Brett M. Gardner is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the New York Yankees. Gardner, who is 5' 10", bats and throws left-handed.-College baseball career:...
drove in the winning run. They would take the series with a 15-6 romp the next day. The Yankees went back on the road for six games and lost two of three in Toronto. They did rebound to sweep the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, but the struggles continued at home vs Boston as they dropped the first 2 games, 7-3, and 11-3, respectively. A-Rod was heavily booed in game 1, as he was 0 for 5 and grounded into 2 double plays with one being in a bases loaded situation. He also struck-out to end the game. The Yankees would salvage the series finale with a score of 3-2 thanks to pinch-hitter Jason Giambi
Jason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage...
hitting a 2-run homer in the 7th, and then a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th.
September
The Yanks started off the last month of the regular season on a good note by beating the Tigers 13-9 in a makeup game that was postponed earlier in the season. They continued to keep fans' hopes high by thrashing the AL East leading Rays 7-2 and 8-4 in the first two games of a 3 game series in Tampa. They dropped the third game of the series 7-5. The following day in Seattle, Wilson BetemitWilson Betemit
Wilson Betemit is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. He is 6'2" and weighs 220 pounds...
's eighth-inning RBI double ended Brandon Morrow
Brandon Morrow
Brandon John Morrow is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
's no-hit bid, but New York still lost the game 3-1.
The final regular season game at Yankee Stadium was played on September 21, 2008 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, who are based in the city from which both the Yankees and their great star Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
originated. Fielding Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
as their captain, Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
as the starting pitcher, and led by home runs from Johnny Damon and Jose Molina, the Yankees won 7–3. Molina's home run, a two-run shot hit to left-center field with one out in the bottom of the 4th inning, turned out to be the final home run in Stadium history. The final run was scored by Yankee pinch-runner Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner
Brett M. Gardner is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the New York Yankees. Gardner, who is 5' 10", bats and throws left-handed.-College baseball career:...
in the bottom of the 7th inning. Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
pitched the top of the 9th inning, and the final batter was Baltimore's Brian Roberts
Brian Roberts
Brian Michael Roberts is an American Major League Baseball All Star second baseman, nicknamed B-Rob.He made his Major League debut in and has spent his entire professional career with the Baltimore Orioles organization, located in Baltimore, Maryland.-Early life, education and college-baseball...
, who hit a ground-ball out to Yankee first baseman Cody Ransom
Cody Ransom
Bryan Cody Ransom is an American professional baseball utility infielder who is a free agent.-Early life:...
, closing out 83 years of baseball history. After the game, Derek Jeter addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support over the years, and urging them to "take the memories of this field, add them to the new memories that will come at the new Yankee Stadium and continue to pass them on from generation to generation." The Yankees players then circled the field and saluted the fans, to the sound of "New York, New York
Theme from New York, New York
"Theme from New York, New York" is the theme song from the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York , composed by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb. It was written for and performed in the film by Liza Minnelli...
". Guest commentators for the game on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
included Yankee legends Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
, Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
and Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, as well as local YES Network
YES Network
The Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network is a New York City-based, regional cable television channel; it broadcasts a variety of sports events, with an emphasis on New York Yankees baseball games, and New Jersey Nets basketball games. YES made its debut on March 19, 2002...
announcer Michael Kay.
Line score from final game at Yankee Stadium
The Yankees were officially eliminated from the playoffs on September 23, making them the last team to miss out in the Division Series era.On September 28, Mike Mussina won 20 games for the first time in his career, the oldest pitcher in major league history to win 20 games for the first time in his career. The record was previously held by Jamie Moyer, as he won 20 as a 38 year old. This capped a remarkable comeback season for Mussina, who came back to win 20 games after a 5.15 ERA in 2007. He was one of the few bright spots of the Yankees 2008 season.
Roster
| 2008 New York Yankees | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches (pitching) (bullpen) (hitting) (3rd base) (special pitching instructor) (1st base) (bench) |
||||||
Game log
| 2008 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 159 | 597 | 70 | 162 | 35 | 3 | 14 | 72 | .271 | 2 | |
| 156 | 609 | 100 | 180 | 39 | 4 | 20 | 100 | .296 | 22 | |
| 150 | 596 | 88 | 179 | 25 | 3 | 11 | 69 | .300 | 11 | |
| 145 | 459 | 68 | 113 | 19 | 1 | 32 | 96 | .247 | 2 | |
| 143 | 555 | 95 | 168 | 27 | 5 | 17 | 71 | .303 | 29 | |
| 138 | 510 | 104 | 154 | 33 | 0 | 35 | 103 | .302 | 18 | |
| 129 | 414 | 42 | 103 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 37 | .249 | 9 | |
| 100 | 268 | 32 | 58 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 18 | .216 | 0 | |
| 93 | 337 | 43 | 99 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 45 | .294 | 0 | |
| 87 | 189 | 24 | 50 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 25 | .265 | 0 | |
| 59 | 228 | 26 | 61 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 40 | .268 | 1 | |
| 51 | 168 | 18 | 45 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 22 | .268 | 0 | |
| 42 | 127 | 18 | 29 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 16 | .228 | 13 | |
| 41 | 91 | 13 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 9 | .231 | 0 | |
| 33 | 96 | 11 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .219 | 4 | |
| 33 | 43 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 8 | .302 | 0 | |
| 28 | 52 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .173 | 0 | |
| 28 | 74 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .203 | 0 | |
| 24 | 40 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .250 | 7 | |
| 23 | 57 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .175 | 0 | |
| 22 | 28 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .250 | 0 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 5 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .400 | 0 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 | 0 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| Totals | 162 | 5572 | 789 | 1512 | 289 | 20 | 180 | 758 | .271 | 118 |
Bold indicates team leader
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 9 | 3.37 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 200.1 | 85 | 75 | 31 | 150 | |
| 14 | 14 | 4.54 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 204.0 | 112 | 103 | 55 | 158 | |
| 8 | 2 | 4.07 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 95.0 | 44 | 43 | 35 | 54 | |
| 6 | 5 | 1.40 | 64 | 0 | 39 | 70.2 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 77 | |
| 5 | 10 | 5.40 | 24 | 20 | 0 | 113.1 | 74 | 68 | 39 | 67 | |
| 5 | 1 | 3.90 | 55 | 0 | 1 | 55.1 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 63 | |
| 5 | 3 | 3.59 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 57.2 | 23 | 23 | 29 | 63 | |
| 4 | 0 | 5.34 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 30.1 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 36 | |
| 4 | 3 | 2.60 | 42 | 12 | 0 | 100.1 | 32 | 29 | 39 | 118 | |
| 4 | 4 | 5.85 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 80.0 | 53 | 52 | 32 | 33 | |
| 4 | 2 | 5.77 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 34.1 | 23 | 22 | 10 | 15 | |
| 3 | 0 | 1.83 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 34.1 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 33 | |
| 1 | 1 | 6.53 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 40.0 | 31 | 29 | 19 | 36 | |
| 1 | 1 | 5.71 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 41.0 | 26 | 26 | 17 | 23 | |
| 1 | 3 | 5.40 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 18.1 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 24 | |
| 1 | 2 | 3.65 | 45 | 0 | 1 | 44.1 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 43 | |
| 1 | 3 | 3.53 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 43.1 | 22 | 17 | 14 | 29 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0.61 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 14.2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | |
| 1 | 0 | 2.40 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 30.0 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 16 | |
| 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| 0 | 1 | 3.95 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13.2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 13 | |
| 0 | 4 | 6.62 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 34.0 | 26 | 25 | 15 | 23 | |
| 0 | 0 | 7.02 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 16.2 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 11 | |
| 0 | 0 | 5.09 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 23.0 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | |
| 0 | 0 | 4.50 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| 0 | 1 | 13.50 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4.0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0 | 4 | 8.17 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 39.2 | 37 | 36 | 26 | 27 | |
| Totals | 89 | 73 | 4.28 | 162 | 162 | 42 | 1441.2 | 727 | 686 | 489 | 1141 |
Bold indicates team leader for W, L, ERA, G, GS, SV, and IP; indicates highest on team in R, ER, BB, and K