Yankees staff members have heard Mike Mussina say he is retiring. However, Mussina hasn’t officially announced this past season – when he won 20 games for the first time in a borderline Hall of Fame career – was his last.
Mussina, who will be 40 in December, hinted at retirement following his 20th win in Boston on the final day of the season.
Since the Yankees won’t hold organizational meetings until a week or two, they haven’t decided if Mussina – or Andy Pettitte – fits into their 2009 plans.
HARDBALL: FRIENDS SAY MUSSINA CONTENT GOING OUT WINNER
According to a Yankee official, Mussina wouldn’t surprise anybody if he filed for free agency following the World Series to keep his options open. That way if he doesn’t attract interest from teams fitting his desire – accessible from his Montoursville, Pa., home and with a team that has a chance to win – Mussina can retire.
After CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, the free-agent pitching class drops off. Ben Sheets’ health is an issue but his stuff great. After him it drops off to Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.
So, it’s not out of the question that Mussina, who made $11 million this season, would draw attention from a team willing to pay him.
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Derek Jeter‘s message to those in attendance Sept. 21 was the last sound heard at Yankee Stadium. A closing ceremony planned for Nov. 9 has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts by the entertainers the organizers wanted to perform.
Since all the proceeds were going to charity, the Yankees will donate to those charities.
Jeter delivered a strong message to the fans on Sept. 21 following the final game at the old Yankee Stadium. As it turns out, it was the last event.