Bob Sheppard's Voice to Introduce Jeter

New York Yankee public address announcer Bob Sheppard will miss today's season opener as he recovers from health complications. However, the 97-year-old "Voice of Yankee Stadium" will still introduce captain Derek Jeter to the Bronx faithful. Jeter has a recording of Sheppard announcing his name and will have it played for his at bats. The Yankees are playing their final home opener at Yankee Stadium as they will move to a new stadium across the street in 2009. Their game with the Blue Jays was scheduled to start at 1:05 p.m., but rain has delayed the first pitch.

Yankee Glog: End of 2nd, 5-0 NYY

Brian Tallet takes the mound for the second after relieving Litsch in the first. He manages to hold the Yanks scoreless despite singles from Damon and Matsui. Jeter shows his versatility by striking out swinging in four pitches to go with his window-shopper, four-pitch K in the first.

Bottom half of the inning: Clippard gets first-pitch strikes on the first two batters and gets two easy outs. He finally throws a first-pitch ball to Aaron Hill and eventually walks him. He then walks Howie Clark before getting former Yank Sal Fasano to pop out. Still love ya Sal, and the fumanchu.

Yankee Glog: End of 1st, 5-0 NYY

This Yankee-Blue Jay Glog brought to you by Procede' hair restoration.
"Hey! I'm Giusseppe Franco. I'm not putting my name on the line for something that doesn't work."

Two rookie pitchers enter, one escapes the first.

Jesse Litsch was unimpressive at best in career start number four. Two-thirds of an inning, five runs on four hits and two walks. Ken Singleton kept raving about this kid's performance in his debut against the O's. He fell an out short of going the distance and allowed only one run.

Tonight the Yankee lineup made him labor:

1. Damon took him deep on a full count to get things started.
2. Jeter gets caught looking on four pitches.
3. Matsui goes to two and two before lacing a single up the middle
4. A-Rod walks in five pitches.
5. Posada draws a full-count walk.
6. Giambi cranks the fourth pitch to RF for a sac.
A-Rod advances to third on the throw home
Posada steals second (seriously) during next AB
7. Phelps, getting rare start vs. RHP, singles in two runs
8. Cano doubles to LF, goes to third on throw home. (Pitching change)
9. Cabrera grounds out, strands runner at third (You bastard!)

So for some unknown reason the Yankees have decided to return to the formula that brought them four World Series titles in five years. We'll see how this works out.

Meanwhile, Tyler Clippard gets a first-pitch strike on every batter he faces in the first and goes 1-2-3.