Managing the Yankees

NO. 1 : KATE HUDSON



Alex Rodriguez or A-Rod is probably the best baseball player in the world today. A-Rod is a 12 time All Star selection, 10 time Silver Slugger award winner, 4 time AL Hank Aaron award winner, 3 time AL MVP, 2 time Gold Glove award winner, the youngest player ever to hit 500 home runs, the 4th player to reach the 40-40 club (40 homers and 40 stolen bases) and recently a World Series champion.

But come play-off time A-Rod's performance will vanish and slither away. From 2004-2007 post-season, A-Rod has been horrible at the plate forcing Joe Torre (Yankees former manager) to bat A-Rod on the 6th or 7th hole. In 2005 and 2006, Rodriguez batting went to a sub .200 AVE.
Dating back to Game 4 of the 2004 AL Championship Series, Rodriguez had come to bat with 38 runners on base over a span of 61 postseason at-bats. He stranded every one of them, going 0-for-29 with runners on base. Much of the criticism regarding Rodriguez is focused upon his alleged inability to produce hits in clutch situations.

That quickly change in 2009 when Kate Hudson went into play and become Alex Rodriguez's girlfriend. A-Rod suddenly become a play-off scapegoat and loser to a post-season clutch performer and World Series champion. He had several postseason clutch performance;
in the ALDS against the Minnesota Twins, he hit a game tying homer off closer Joe Nathan in the bottom of the 9th inning in Game 2. In the ALCS, Rodriguez hit his third game-tying HR of the post season in Game 2 in the bottom of the 11th against Angel closer Brian Fuentes.
Rodriguez's postseason success continued in Game 4 of the World Series, as he drove in the go-ahead run with two outs in the 9th inning off of Phillies closer Brad Lidge.

The question is what did Kate Hudson do to A-Rod that made her boyfriend the new Yankees post-season hero? I guess it's her beauty, wit and personality. Because of Kate's incredible charm, she was invited to sit among the Yankees wife's seat even though she is not A-Rod's wife yet. Whatever it is, I think Kate Hudson deserved a ring from A-Rod from all the positive things that she brought in. So A-Rod give her a ring.... not the World Series ring but a diamond engagement ring.

NO. 2 : MINKA KELLY



Derek Jeter, the Yankees Team Captain and future Hall of Famer, has so many awards to prove his greatness in baseball. Jeter is a 5 time World Series champion, 4 time Gold Glove award winner, 10 time All Star selection, 3 time Silver Slugger award winner, 2 time AL Hank Aaron award winner, 1996 AL Rookie of the Year award winner, Yankees All-time hits leader, and 2000 World Series MVP.

That is why there is a bunch of girls that are attracted and have been linked to the Yankees Shortstop. Among them are diva Mariah Carey, former Miss Universe Lara Dutta, singer Joy Enriquez, Jordana Brewster, Scarlett Johansson, Gabrielle Union, Jessica Alba, Vanessa Minillo, and Jessica Biel.

And now there are rumors that Jeter is engaged to Friday Night Lights actress Minka Kelly. Funny that Minka Kelly supports his fiance by watching baseball games in New York while she is acting as a cheerleader from a college football team. For Jeter its Friday Night all the time in baseball and in private life. Jeter added another award in Minka Kelly.

NO. 3 : HIDEKI MATSUI'S MYSTERY WIFE


The New York Yankees Designated Hitter and the World Series MVP Hideki Matsui is a silent and soft-spoken guy in public but on the baseball field Matsui let's his actions do the talking. Nicknamed Godzilla, Matsui breaths fire by putting up 100+ RBI's and 20 something home runs.

Matsui announced to the press on March 27, 2008 that he had married in a private ceremony in New York. His bride's name has not been announced, but it is reported that she was 25 years old and had been formerly working in a "reputable position at a highly respected company". They met in Japan after the 2006 off-season.

So who is this mystery lady? Is she afraid of the limelight? Or does she prefers a quite and simple life? Whatever it is, this lady gave Hideki the boost that he needed. Even with his aching knees, Matsui was still a major factor to the Yankees especially in the World Series where he had one home run and 6 RBI in Game 6 alone.

NO. 4 : MICHELLE DAMON



Johnny Damon has excellent speed (especially during his prime) and an outstanding base stealer. In 2004, Johnny stole the heart of the alluring and sexy Michelle Mangan, the best stealing performance of Johnny in his life. They got married and had 2 kids.

Michelle Mangan, now Michelle Damon attracted the attention of many and she was chosen to appear in the pages of Sport's Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2008.

So guys who do you want to round the bases for the Yankees? Johnny or Michelle?

NO. 5 : AMBER SABATHIA



CC Sabathia is like a beast in baseball. Everyone is afraid of him. And why not, CC almost strike out batters that he face. CC, who won the 2007 AL Cy Young award, exhibits a good command of his pitches. He has four plus pitches: a fastball, slider, cutter, and a changeup. CC is the Yankees ace and top gun. Nobody can intimidate this 300 pound pitcher.

Only one person can control and constrain CC Sabathia. That person is no other than Amber Sabathia, CC's wife. Amber and CC were high school sweethearts when they were both growing up in Vallejo, California. And when they got married in 2003, they choose to reside in Fairfield, CA outside their hometown of Vallejo in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Did you know that Amber Sabathia was pressing her husband hard last off-season to sign with the hometown San Francisco Giants, so they would not have to move to another city, and it was rumored that CC only agreed to sign with the Yankees after Brian Cashman had a private sit-down with Amber to convince her that it was possible to raise kids in New York.

That is how powerful Amber is. More powerful than her 300 pound husband. With Amber's nod, CC signed with the Yankees and their family moved to a residence in Alpine, New Jersey.

Just imagine if Cashman was not able to convince Amber. It will be a total disaster. The Yankees won't be having their 27th World Series title without CC Sabathia in their roster.

NO. 6 : LAURA PETTITTE



Even with age there is no stopping Yankee starting pitcher Andy Pettitte. Andy is one the most feared pitcher during his prime and until now he can still dominate with his four-seam fastball, a cutter, a 12-6 curveball, a sinker and a changeup.

I don't understand why Andy needs to take performance-enhancing drugs when he has Laura Pettitte to boost his skills.

Andy Pettitte is known for his pick-off. Did Andy did that too to Laura to get her nod? Either way, Andy won't be Andy without Laura behind him.

NO. 7 : LAURA POSADA



Jorge Posada's catching days may be over but the Yankees catcher can still hit big time. In fact Jorge scored big time by marrying Laura Posada.

Laura married Jorge in 2000. Before marriage, she had been a fitness model and minor actress in Puerto Rico, before later hitting the books to become an attorney. Laura also made waves after coming to the US by posing in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition wearing nothing but strategically placed paint.

Laura Posada is one of the oldest mainstay in the Yankees wives organization but that doesn't mean she is old. She is still hot even with 2 kids. Jorge really made a big "catch" out of this.

NO. 8 : LEIGH TEIXEIRA



Mark Teixeira is one of the biggest acquisition for the Yankees. Teixeira gave the Yankees an additional power in their line-up and gave A-Rod some protection by batting before him. Tex is also known for his defensive plays at 1st and has 2 Gold Glove award to his name. Again thank the wife.

It's Leigh Teixeira who made his husband Mark to sign a multi-deal contract with the Yankees (taking the slugger out of the Red Sox). Throughout his free agency, Teixeira solicited his wife's opinion and she kept saying, "I just want you to be happy," Teixeira recalled. On date night, Teixeira asked, "Everything's equal, where do you want to go? She finally said, 'I want you to be a Yankee.'"

That made Mark happy knowing he is going to play to a team where his idol Yankee legend Don Mattingly used to play. And now Mark Teixeira has the chance to make his mark to the Yankee tradition by playing 1st base (Mattingly played 1st base as well).

Guess who is the real boss?? I think Leigh might have to become Marks manager from now on, she really knows best. It was one of Marks dreams to play for the Yankees so Leigh just gave him the push he needed!

NO. 9 : KAREN BURNETT



AJ Burnett has known to be good at times and wild at times. When Burnett is on, the opponents will have a hard time scoring a run. What makes Burnett successful this year? Was it Jose Molina? Burnett's personal catcher... No, I don't think so. It's AJ's guardian angel and wife Karen, who stood by him through thick and thin.

Karen and AJ Burnett lives year-round in her hometown of Baltimore with the couple’s two sons Ashton and AJ Jr. One fact about Karen is she hates to fly. So much so that it was said to affect AJ’s possible destinations as a free agent this past off-season (it's a good thing they signed with the Yankees). In AJ’s contract with the Blue Jays, Karen was guaranteed 8 roundtrip limo rides between Baltimore and Toronto per season. That's a lot of ride, and that is about a 9 hour trip each way, she must really hate to fly.

Living in Baltimore made easy for Karen to let his husband signed a contract with the Yankees. She doesn't need to take a plane to watch his husband in New York. You see, Wives play a major factor in contract signing. You get the wife, you get the husband.

The Yankees are the World Champions. The Yankees consist of several marquee and upcoming promising players. What makes them exceptional?
Want to know their secret to their success ...... it's their wives. In every great man is a great woman. And the Yankees wives transformed their husbands into great champions. So here is my top 10 list of Yankees wives. Let's start from no. 10:

NO. 10 : DANIELLE GAMBA



Although Nick Swisher has been linked to several women including Gossip Girl (TV Series) actress Joanna Garcia, who were seen together at the World Series Parade in New York City on Friday, November 6th 2009. It's Danielle Gamba who made Nick Swisher as a powerful home run hitter. Why? Well just look at her.... Isn't she a fox?

Danielle Gamba is an American model, dancer, and former NFL Cheerleader. Gamba, an and Italian and Spanish descent, is also a Playboy model.

FHM magazine named Danielle Gamba their only "International Honey" after breaking the magazine's record for winning the "Hometown Honey" duel 3 months in a row. Subsequently, they named her their Official Lingerie representative for the United States, appearing in 7 of their publications.

Nick Swisher helped the Yankees with a season performance of .249 AVE, 29 HR, and 82 RBI. Is Danielle Gambe the reason behind it?