ESPN: Pettitte Earns 250th Win

Lots of milestones:

Pettitte allowed three hits over 7 1/3 innings to earn his 250th career victory, leading the Yankees to a 3-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. The 47th pitcher in major league history to reach that milestone, he will turn 41 on June 15. But what happened just as the game ended meant even more to him. His first-born son, Josh Pettitte, a right-hand pitcher for Deer Park (Texas) High School, was drafted by the Yankees in the 37th round in the Major League Baseball draft.
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What’s also tied in is his association with Marino Rivera. The Yankees closer worked the ninth and saved a Pettitte victory for the 71st time, the most of any pitching combination since the save rule was established. “I have the same joy he has, knowing that I’ve been there for every one of them,” said Rivera, who earned his 630th save to add to his major league record. “I’ve been able to contribute a little bit to his success.”

Crying 4-Year-Old Mets Fan Wants To Be A Yankees Fan

“Whoever is winning, I want to cheer for them.” This might be the most honest justification for being a Yankees fan we’ve ever heard.

Cheer up, kid. It’s only another 17 years until you can start drinking the pain away.

ESPN : Granderson Funds New Stadium For Alma Mater

University of Illinois trustees have agreed to a deal in which New York Yankees star Curtis Granderson will pay for most of a new baseball stadium at his alma mater, the University of Illinois-Chicago. Trustees voted Wednesday to name the new stadium after Granderson, who announced in February that he will donate $5 million to the project. The total cost is projected to be $7 million. The open-air, brick-and-stone stadium will seat 1,200 and is expected to open in 2015. The plan calls for using the field for Flames games and events for Chicago Public Schools and youth organizations.

Nice gesture, especially considering Granderson is in his free agent year, with the Yankees’ budget and his spate of injuries creating some uncertainty about Curtis’ future earnings.

Pinstripe Empire: A History of Baseball’s Most Successful Franchise (Summer 2013)

Need something to do this summer? Have a grand to spend? In the NYC area? Check this out:

From Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle to Munson, Jackson, Mattingly, and Jeter, no team has had such a great impact on America’s cultural history like the New York Yankees. Established over a century ago, this Bronx team has had a love/hate relationship with its fans. Yet, it has touched New York’s social, cultural, economic, and sports history with dazzling accomplishments, great stars, and big dollars. This course examines the backstage reasons for the successes, errors, and missteps along the way––and the emotional connections that fans have developed to the team. Emphasis is placed on the “brand.” The book Pinstripe Empire by Marty Appel, which is considered the definitive history of the team, forms the basis of the course.

Richard Ben Cramer dies at 62

Cramer put all his fury, emotion and eye for detail on the page in such works as “Joe DiMaggio: A Hero’s Life” (2000), “How Israel Lost” (2004) and especially “What It Takes,” a 1,047-page account of the 1988 presidential race.

Soccer Out of Context: The AL East

If baseball were to follow soccer, here’s a look at how the uniforms might appear.