Mission 27, page 31
Francisco Cervelli was among 13 players who served 50-game suspensions for their connections to Biogenesis, and while playing for the San Francisco Giants in 2012, Melky Cabrera was hit with a 50-game suspension for a positive testosterone test. After Cano tested positive for a banned substance and received an 80-game suspension in May 2018, Teixeira—now on the media side as an analyst for ESPN—said that the multitude of PED bans changed how he views the ’09 team. “I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t, but I think every single team that’s won a World Series over the past 25 years can probably say the same thing,” Teixeira said. “I’m not going out on a limb there. I hate it. I don’t like that baseball has this hanging around us, but that’s unfortunately the game, and you’ve got to live with it. I know what I did for the team that year. Being a clean player, I’m proud of what I’ve done.”
When their postseason lasted just nine innings against Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros in the 2015 AL wild-card game, change was necessary. Cashman convinced Hal Steinbrenner to allow him to unload pieces in July 2016. Established stars like Beltran, Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, and Ivan Nova were moved for prospects, netting outfielder Clint Frazier and infielder Gleyber Torres, among others.
Rodriguez was released from his contract a week later, and the organization ate $27 million while offering A-Rod a soft landing as a special advisor. Rodriguez played his final game on August 12, 2016, ending his career with 696 homers, fourth all time behind Barry Bonds (762), Henry Aaron (755), and Babe Ruth (714). Girardi even permitted him to play one final inning at third base. Rodriguez admitted to being terrified, as he had forgotten to wear a protective cup.
“At his retirement press conference, they asked me about Alex and what was the legacy here,” Cashman said. “I said, ‘I don’t have this ’09 ring on my finger without Alex Rodriguez’s contributions.’ I put it right there on the table. Enough said.”
The moves cleared room for an influx of young talent. Catcher Gary Sanchez almost single-handedly powered the Yankees to a postseason berth in 2016, mashing 20 homers in 53 games, and the trio of Sanchez, Judge (who hit an AL-best 52 homers), and dominant right-hander Luis Severino propelled the Yankees within one win of the 2017 World Series.
New York’s ALCS loss to the Astros was Girardi’s final game as the club’s manager, and his decade at the helm was complete. Despite Girardi’s average of 91 wins per year during his tenure (and having overachieved with some clubs that probably deserved less), Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner said that they were concerned by Girardi’s issues communicating and connecting with the younger players on the roster. “This is not something that came from two or three weeks. It came from two, three, four years, and everything we observed in that time period,” Steinbrenner said. “You’ve got to consider that you have a young team, and that maybe a different type of leadership, perhaps, is needed for a younger team than it is for a veteran team.”
That prompted the hiring of Aaron Boone, who enjoyed a successful move from the broadcast booth to the dugout in 2018 despite having no professional coaching or managing experience. Elsewhere, Jeter followed through on his desire to move from the diamond to the owner’s suite, joining New York-based financier Bruce Sherman to finalize a $1.2 billion purchase of the Miami Marlins. One of Jeter’s significant early moves as the Marlins’ CEO was to unload outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, trading the reigning National League MVP to the Yankees in December 2017. Stanton slugged 38 homers with 100 RBIs to help Boone’s inaugural roster win 100 games, marking the Yanks’ most victories since the ’09 squad won 103, but they were upended by the eventual World Series champion Red Sox in the ALDS.
Only Brett Gardner and Sabathia remained from ’09. Still hoping to celebrate a second championship in New York, Gardner and Sabathia re-signed with the Yankees prior to the 2019 season, though Roberston inked a two-year $24 million deal with the Phillies. Sabathia said that he has yet to open the box that contains his ’09 ring. “I still have never tried it on,” Sabathia said. “It’s in my closet. People know you won a World Series. What the fuck do you need a ring for? For me, I feel like if you wear the ring, you’re living in the past. I don’t know, maybe when I’m done playing and I’m not trying to chase another one, maybe I’ll have a different perspective.”
One of the highlights of that ’18 season came on a sunny Saturday afternoon as the 1998 championship squad—widely regarded as one of the most dominant in baseball history—reunited at the stadium. As Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, and Orlando Hernandez slipped the pinstripes back on and were joined by Pettitte, Posada, and Rivera, it was impossible not to envision how an anniversary celebration in the summer of 2029 might look, feel, and sound. “I’ll be almost 60, God willing,” Rivera said. “It’ll be fun, knowing the first year of that stadium, we brought such joy to the city. It was a moment to tell the world that Mr. George did something special for us. Closing one era—but opening another one.”
Acknowledgments
A decade after the last bottle was popped in the clubhouse, the authors of this book believed that the World Series championship had been indelibly imprinted into our minds. We were staggered by the incredible amount of details that were either forgotten or had not surfaced at the time. Many people connected to the 2009 Yankees generously offered their time and experiences during the research phase of this project, and we would like to thank the following: Jean Afterman, Doug Behar, Chad Bohling, Brian Bruney, A.J. Burnett, Melky Cabrera, Brian Cashman, Robinson Cano, Dana Cavalea, Francisco Cervelli, Joba Chamberlain, Johnny Damon, Dave Eiland, Billy Eppler, Michael Fishman, Brett Gardner, Joe Girardi, Jerry Hairston Jr., J.A. Happ, Mike Harkey, Phil Hughes, Kim Jones, Michael Kay, Mick Kelleher, Joe Lee, Randy Levine, Kevin Long, Hideki Matsui, Jose Molina, Xavier Nady, Paul Olden, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Brian Richards, Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, John Sterling, Nick Swisher, Mark Teixeira, Rob Thomson, Suzyn Waldman, Chien-Ming Wang, Charlie Wonsowicz, and Jason Zillo.
A special shout-out goes to our boy Swish, who authored a foreword that captured his energetic spirit and lived up to our expectations.
We would also like to thank Jordan Bastian, Adam Berry, and Alan Chang for their assistance in tracking down some of the interviews. Ron Berkowitz was also enormously supportive of this project and a great friend throughout the process.
Some of our beat brethren from 2009 helped us brainstorm, so thanks to Peter Abraham, Erik Boland, Pete Caldera, Marc Carig, Chad Jennings, Tyler Kepner, George King and Sweeny Murti for their friendship, support, and many late-night laughs during that memorable season.
Mandy Bell, our amazing research assistant, was a rock star throughout this project. Thank you for your many hours of work. We could not have reached the finish line without you.
We wouldn’t have had a book to write if not for Stacey Glick, our fantastic agent. Jeff Fedotin, our editor at Triumph Books, was a pleasure to work with. Thanks for your suggestions along the way.
Mark would also like to thank Mom, George, Danielle, Dad, and Ellen for their never-ending love and support. Dad, being able to get you into the Stadium for the Game 6 clincher was one of my greatest joys. Thirty years earlier, you brought me to the old Stadium for the first time, kicking off my love for this game that has now become a career. Funny how things work out.
To Laurie and Eric, thanks for being so supportive and such an important part of our lives. And to Richie L., one of the biggest Yankees fans I ever knew, we miss you and love you.
Of course, my biggest thank you goes to Dena, Ryan, and Zack. Everything I do, I do for you guys. I love you all.
Bryan would like to thank Connie, with whom the 2009 Yankees go hand in hand. That season serves as the backdrop for our lives from a first date in spring training to tracking your float through the Canyon of Heroes. The Yankees gave you a first ring; mine will be the last. You are an amazing teammate, and Penny and Maddie have been our ’16 and ’18 Rookies of the Year, respectively. Thank you for taking on late-night diaper duty throughout this project and keeping my desk stocked with Red Bull. The three of you are my World Champions, filling each day with joy and laughter. I love you all the more than words can express.
In addition, Bryan would like to thank Mom, Dad, and Shawn for supporting the path that took me from watching games in our living room to writing about them from the press box. It all started with a pack of 1987 Topps (I still have the dog-eared, paint-splattered Danny Tartabull) and a Nintendo Baseball cartridge. Thanks also to Jackie, Seth, and Julia for taking on the full Hoch experience; it’s never dull.
Shortly after 2009, Bryan began to spend more time with Connie’s extended family and was certain that they were too good to be true. It was like having dinner with the Brady Bunch; no group could legitimately enjoy each others’ company this much. But much like the ’09 team learned that Swisher’s over-the-top energy was completely authentic, Ray and Eileen are the real deal. Your generosity and support has been a blessing as we share laughs and create memories together. Thanks for embracing the chaos of a beat writer’s life; one minute we’re splitting a pizza pie, the next A-Rod is on the phone. (That actually happened during this project.)
Thank you also to Joan, Harold, Steve, Raymond, Linda, Brian, Joanna, Griffin, the Clymers, Joe, and the Long Island Schwabs for welcoming Bryan into their circle. The ’09 season had the “Core Four,” and this roster is even deeper. Your Grapefruit League visits are a highlight of the year. There’s always an air mattress or couch for anyone who needs to escape the snow and get a sneak peek of their beloved Yankees. Our girls are growing up with so much love around them. We could not ask for more.
A special thanks to Connie’s late grandfathers: Raymond, one of the original Bleacher Creatures, and Clairmont, who enthusiastically cheered along countless softball sidelines. They both instilled a love of the game that transcends generations and is sure to be rooted deep within our daughters’ hearts.
Finally, the authors would like to thank the millions of Yankees fans who avidly watched the completion of “Mission 27” in 2009 and continue to relive the excitement of being the last team standing. It was a privilege to chronicle those games and the move between stadiums—in the moment and again for this project.
Bibliography
Books
Posada, Jorge. The Journey Home: My Life in Pinstripes. Dey Street Books (2016).
Rivera, Mariano. The Closer. Little, Brown and Company (2014).
Roberts, Selena. A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez. Harper (2009).
Torre, Joe. The Yankee Years. Doubleday (2009).
Periodicals
The Bergen Record
Connecticut Post
New York Daily News
The Star-Ledger
Newsday
The Press of Atlantic City
Sports Illustrated
New York Post
The New York Times
Websites
baseball-reference.com
fangraphs.com
mlb.com
espn.com
whitehouse.gov
yahoo.com
yesnetwork.com
About the Authors
Mark Feinsand has been covering Major League Baseball since 2001, spending the first 16 of those seasons on the New York Yankees beat for MLB.com (2001–06) and the New York Daily News (2007–16). He returned to MLB.com as an executive reporter before the 2017 season and appears regularly on MLB Network. Mark lives in New Jersey with his wife, Dena, and their sons, Ryan and Zack, and is also the author of The New York Yankees Fans’ Bucket List.
Bryan Hoch has covered Major League Baseball for the past two decades, working the New York Yankees clubhouse as MLB.com’s beat reporter since 2007. Hoch contributes to MLB Network, and his work has appeared in Yankees Magazine, Inside Pitch Magazine, and various other outlets. Hoch lives with his wife, Connie, and their daughters, Penny and Maddie. Bryan is the author of The Baby Bombers: The Inside Story of the Next Yankees Dynasty.
Photo Gallery
After leaving the game in the ninth inning, Derek Jeter tips his hat to the crowd during the last game at the old Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2008, which capped the facility’s 85-year history.
Newly-signed hurlers A.J. Burnett (left) and CC Sabathia (right) pose for photographers on the field of the new Yankee Stadium on December 18, 2008.
After the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180 million contract, (from left to right) Joe Girardi, Teixeira (who was battling an illness during the press conference), Hal Steinbrenner, and Brian Cashman meet with the media in January 2009.
Yankees players, including Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, and Jorge Posada, attend Alex Rodriguez’s press conference in February 2009 to support the Yankees star as he admits to having used performance-enhancing drugs.
Attending the first game at the new Yankee Stadium on April 16, 2009, George Steinbrenner—with his daughter, Jessica—makes a rare public appearance that season.
Alex Rodriguez drills the very first pitch for a three-run homer against the Baltimore Orioles in his first major league at-bat after coming back from a hip injury.
After a July victory against the Tampa Bay Rays, A.J. Burnett smashes a pie in the face of CC Sabathia. Burnett became known for this celebratory prank during the 2009 season.
After recording his 2,722nd hit to surpass Lou Gehrig as the all-time hits leader in Yankees history, Derek Jeter salutes the fans on September 11, 2009.
While celebrating Johnny Damon’s walk-off home run in May, Nick Swisher (left) and Damon (right) show off a bit of the frat boy vibe they introduced to the typically buttoned-down Yankees franchise.
Catcher Jorge Posada and pitcher A.J. Burnett had trouble seeing eye to eye during the 2009 season, which led to Jose Molina becoming Burnett’s full-time catcher.
Mark Teixeira celebrates his game-winning home run in the 11th inning of Game 2 of the ALDS against the Minnesota Twins.
Kendrys Morales and the rest of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim struggle to deal with New York’s 45-degree temperature in Game 1 of the 2009 ALCS.
Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera embrace after the closer saves Game 6 of the 2009 ALCS to send the Yankees to the World Series for the 40th time in franchise history.
Jay-Z, a regular presence in the Yankees’ clubhouse, and Alicia Keys perform “Empire State of Mind” prior to Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
A signature moment in the 2009 World Series, Johnny Damon deftly rounds second base and heads to third to complete a double steal in Game 4.
Part of his six-RBI night, World Series MVP Hideki Matsui hits a two-run double during the fifth inning of Game 6.
After first baseman Mark Teixeira catches the final out of the 2009 World Series, teammates envelop him in celebration.
Jay-Z, a fedora-adorned Alex Rodriguez, and a suit-wearing Francisco Cervelli celebrate as their championship float passes through Broadway.
Fans celebrate the Yankees’ 27th championship as the floats carrying the team make their way through the Canyon of Heroes.
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 by Mark Feinsand and Bryan Hoch
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, Triumph Books LLC, 814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Feinsand, Mark, author. | Hoch, Bryan, author.
Title: Mission 27 : a new boss, a new ballpark, and one last ring for the
Yankees’ core four / Mark Feinsand and Bryan Hoch.
Description: Chicago : Triumph Books LLC, [2019]
Identifiers: LCCN 2018059426 | ISBN 9721629376806
Subjects: LCSH: New York Yankees (Baseball team) | World Series (Baseball)
(2009)
Classification: LLC GV875.N4 F44 2019 | DDC 796.957/64097471—dc23 LC
record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018059426
This book is available in quantity at special discounts for your group or organization. For further information, contact:
Triumph Books LLC
814 North Franklin Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
(312) 337-0747
www.triumphbooks.com
Printed in U.S.A.
ISBN: 978-1-62937-680-6
eISBN: 978-1-64125-199-0
Design by Nord Compo
Photos courtesy of AP Images
Mark Feinsand, Mission 27
