Yanks get rings, another win

As the Yankees collected their 2009 World Series rings Tuesday, they also improved their 2010 record to 5-2 with a 7-5 victory over the Angels.

On hand to get his ring was former Yankee Hideki Matsui, now with the Angels. As you can see below, the fans gave him a rousing welcome back to the Bronx. He managed to go 0-for-5 in his return to the Bronx, which must’ve satisfied the fans. In addition, the Yanks mobbed Matsui as he received his bling. As A-Rod put it:

"We wanted to give him his due. Probably without Hideki Matsui we don’t have a ceremony today. It was fitting he was here and it was a wonderful ovation that our fans gave him."

No stranger to rings himself, Bernie Williams threw out the ceremonial first pitch…and bounced it halfway to home as YES network almost missed it. Nice camera work as always YES.

Special delivery: Mr. Steinbrenner got his ring delivered to his suite by Jeet and Girardi.

"That was one of the best parts of my day. Going up and giving Mr. Steinbrenner [his ring], who has given me the opportunity to win three as a player and a ring as a manager. I’m extremely grateful for everything he has done in my life. It was a thrill for me to go up and see the smile on his face."

Another longtime Yankee was also on hand to get his ring: trainer Gene Monahan made his first appearance at a Yankee game all season. His absence was due to surgery for cancer; I think know I speak for all Yankee fans when I say GET WELL SOON GENO, WE MISS YOU!!!!!

On to the game. The team looked good as a whole, sans a ninth-inning meltdown by D-Rob and the 12 men left on base. Led by a vintage Andy Pettitte performance, which saw the soon-to-be 38-year-old lefty go six frames and give up just five hits and three walks while punching out six to get his 230th career victory, the Yanks won their first series opener of the year. CHOP also threw a pair of solid innings before D-Rob surrendered a grand slam to (former Yankee) Bobby Abreu. However, Mo came in and slammed the door shut for his third save in seven games on the year.

"I was just thankful I was able to get a good start. This game with the ring ceremony, pressure-wise I almost felt more pressure than a World Series game."

Derek Jeter went 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBI, while Nick The Stick also went yard (another solo shot) in a 2-for-3 day with two walks and three runs scored. A-Rod drove in a pair and Georgie went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, but was thrown out by a mile and a half at home, as the Yanks slugged 13 hits.

Regardless of their shortcomings (however few they may have been) the Yanks opened their home slate much better than they did last year.

In other news, the Yanks have now have their own guacamole…so there’s that.