--The Nov. 8-9 ceremony that was to serve as the official closing of Yankee Stadium was canceled. "The Yankees realized that the final event at Yankee Stadium should be a baseball game, which in fact took place on Sept. 21," spokesman Howard Rubenstein said.
--General manager Brian Cashman is staying with the Yankees. He announced that he has agreed to a three-year contract extension that will run through 2010. --RHP Mariano Rivera underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. He is expected to be fully recovered in time for spring training. Rivera pitched through problems with inflammation and calcium deposits this season.
--RHP Mike Mussina finally reached the 20-win mark at age 39 in what could end up the final major league start of his 18-year career. Mussina was grateful to finally nail down the milestone along with the 270th win of his career and will have to decide whether he wants to return next season. "I guess it's worth being close all those times to be able to do it this late in your career," Mussina told reporters. "It could be my last year, it may not be my last year. When you get to your 18th season, it could always be your last season." Mussina acknowledged if he were to return, he would likely try to play for the next three seasons and attempt to reach the 300-win mark, so it will be an all-or-nothing decision. He also would prefer to return to the Yankees after pitching for just two teams in his career. "I'm not going to bounce around and try to scratch something out that still may never happen," he said.
--RHP Joba Chamberlain could remain a starter the whole year next season if the Yankees get "creative," manager Joe Girardi told reporters. While an injury kept Chamberlain from reaching the innings mark the Yankees had targeted this year, Girardi said the club could still limit his innings without sending him back to the bullpen if it uses more than five starters. "If you have depth in your rotation, you don't necessarily have to make 32 starts like everyone else," Girardi said. "You can be somewhat cautious, in a sense."
--SS Derek Jeter was out of the lineup in both games of Sunday's doubleheader and didn't play most of the final week because of a sore left hand. Jeter had been struck by a pitch in the ninth inning Sept. 20 vs. Baltimore.
--RF Bobby Abreu went 0-for-2 with two walks in his final game of the season, the first game of the doubleheader with Boston on Sept. 28. Abreu finished with a .296 average and his sixth straight 100-RBI season. The Yankees will have a tough choice on whether to bring Abreu back as they decide between getting younger and bringing back a solid run producer.
BY THE NUMBERS: 13 -- Number of consecutive seasons the Yankees had reached the playoffs before finally snapping the streak this year.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The building was here, and you talk a lot about the magic and the aura, but what really made the stadium is the fans. Concrete doesn't talk back to you, chairs don't talk back to you. It's the people that are there, that root for you day in and day out -- that's what makes this place magical." -- Bernie Williams on the closing of Yankee Stadium.
