2011 New York Yankees season
Encyclopedia
The 2011 New York Yankees season was the 111th season for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

 franchise. The Yankees began the season at home against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

 on Thursday, March 31. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth in the first game of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...

 on September 21, 2011, and clinched the AL East division title in the second game. The Yankees season ended on October 6 when they lost a deciding Game 5 of the 2011 American League Division Series
2011 American League Division Series
The 2011 American League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 American League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...

 to the Detroit Tigers
2011 Detroit Tigers season
The 2011 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 111th season. The season began on March 31 at New York against the Yankees, and the home opener was on April 8 against the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers honored the late Sparky Anderson during the season...

 3–2. It was the first time since 2007
2007 American League Division Series
-Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, October 3:Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsIn Game 1, Boston starter Josh Beckett threw a complete-game shut out, allowing the Red Sox to win the opener...

 the Yankees would lose an elimination game at home.

Offseason

Manager Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...

's three year contract with the Yankees ended at the conclusion of the 2010 season. Having won one World Series and bringing his team to the playoffs the past two seasons, the Yankees quickly signed him to a new 3 year deal worth $9 million. After firing pitching coach Dave Eiland
Dave Eiland
David William Eiland is a former American professional baseball player who was a pitcher for ten Major League Baseball seasons. Eiland played college baseball for the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, and thereafter, played professionally for the New York Yankees, San...

, they replaced him with Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild
Larry Rothschild
Lawrence Lee Rothschild is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and manager. He currently serves as the pitching coach of the New York Yankees.-Playing career:...

.

In November, they added minor leaguers Melky Mesa
Melky Mesa
Melquisedec Mesa is a outfielder in the New York Yankees organization.He was added to the Yankees 40-man roster on November 2, 2010.-External links:...

, Dellin Betances
Dellin Betances
Dellin Betances is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:At the age of 10, Betances was a Yankee fan who sat with the Bleacher Creatures for the perfect game of former Yankees pitcher David Wells in 1998...

, Ryan Pope, and Brandon Laird
Brandon Laird
Brandon J. Laird is a third baseman for the New York Yankees.-Career:Laird attended La Quinta High School in Westminster, California. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 27th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign, opting to attend Cypress College...

 to the 40-man roster. Mesa had to be added to avoid eligibility to be a minor league free agent, while Betances, Pope, and Laird had to be added to prevent being eligible for the Rule V Draft.

In November, long-time Yankees Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

, Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...

, and Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 all became free agents, as well as veterans Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Nicholas Robert Johnson is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.He previously played for the New York Yankees , Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals , and the Florida Marlins...

, Javier Vázquez
Javier Vázquez
Javier Carlos Vázquez is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Previously, he pitched for the Florida Marlins , Atlanta Braves , Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos . Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico...

, Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....

, Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood
Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....

, Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....

, Austin Kearns
Austin Kearns
Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...

, and Chad Moeller
Chad Moeller
Chad Edward Moeller [MOE-ler] is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Colorado Rockies organization. He is the cousin of former MLB first baseman Chris Cron.-College career:...

. Dustin Moseley
Dustin Moseley
Dustin Aaron Moseley is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres.-Career:Moseley was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to the season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the fourth best prospect in the...

 and Alfredo Aceves
Alfredo Aceves
Alfredo Aceves Martínez is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He uses a fastball, which can reach the mid 90s, a curveball, a changeup, and a cut fastball. He is known for his control and his ability to throw any pitch in any count...

 also became free agents as the Yankees opted not to tender their contracts . On November 18, 2010, the Yankees traded Juan Miranda
Juan Miranda
Juan Miguel Miranda is a Cuban Major League Baseball first baseman.-Cuba:The 5-foot-11 Miranda batted .303 with 27 homers for Pinar Del Rio in Cuba's Serie Nacional from to . Miranda was on the Cuban national team.He defected to the Dominican Republic in early 2004, on his seventh attempt...

 to the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league pitcher Scottie Allen. On November 19, 2010, they released reliever Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo Santana is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball. Prior to signing with Yomiuri, Albaladego pitched for the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.-Career:Albaladejo hired his...

 per an agreement made with Albaladejo and the Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...

 of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Sergio Mitre
Sergio Mitre
Sergio Armando Mitre is a American professional baseball pitcher.-Background:Mitre is of Mexican American descent. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where he trained in the arts of kenpo, boxing and wrestling due to frequent street fights.Mitre graduated from Montgomery High School in San Diego,...

 avoided arbitration with the Yankees by signing a one-year, $900,000 deal. Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 and the Yankees agreed to a new contract of $51 million over 3 years with fourth-year option after 2013. Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 signed a two-year, $30 million contract with the Yankees, which he hinted may be the last contract of his career.

In the Rule V Draft, the Yankees selected pitchers Robert Fish from the Angels and Daniel Turpen from the Red Sox. The Astros meanwhile selected Yankees minor leaguer Lance Pendleton
Lance Pendleton
Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

 while the Padres selected George Kontos
George Kontos
George Nicholas Kontos is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.Kontos attended Northwestern University, where he played for the Northwestern Wildcats baseball team. He was selected by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft...

.

On December 13, 2010 it was announced that top free agent Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....

 rejected the Yankees six-year, $138 million contract offer to sign a five-year, $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee was the Yankees top priority in the offseason. In his place, the Yankees signed catcher Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...

 and reliever Pedro Feliciano
Pedro Feliciano
Pedro Juan Feliciano Molina is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early career:...

.

The Yankees have signed various former Major Leaguers to minor league deals, such as Brian Anderson, Luis Ayala
Luis Ayala
Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

, Ronnie Belliard
Ronnie Belliard
Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...

, Doug Bernier
Doug Bernier
Douglas Bernier is a second baseman, who is currently in the New York Yankees organization. He is an alumnus of Oral Roberts University....

, Buddy Carlyle
Buddy Carlyle
Earl Lester "Buddy" Carlyle is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent...

, Eric Chavez
Eric Chavez
Eric Cesar Chavez is an American Major League Baseball infielder. Chavez has played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...

, Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...

, Neal Cotts
Neal Cotts
Neal James Cotts is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent-College career:...

, Freddy García
Freddy García
Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

, Gustavo Molina
Gustavo Molina
Gustavo Molina is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Molina bats and throws right-handed. He is not related to the Molina brothers .Molina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 3,...

, Mark Prior
Mark Prior
Mark William Prior is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006. His repertoire of pitches includes a low to mid 90s fastball, a curveball, a slurve, and a changeup.-Amateur career:Prior graduated from the...

, Andy Sisco
Andy Sisco
Andrew Frank Sisco is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 10", Sisco is tied with former pitchers Eric Hillman and Randy Johnson and current pitcher Chris Young of the New York Mets, as the second tallest player in baseball history...

, and Luis Vizcaino
Luis Vizcaíno
Luis Vizcaíno Arias is a Dominican Republic professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians in his career.-Career:Vizcaíno...

. Vizcaino's contract was later voided due to injury. They also claimed outfielder Jordan Parraz
Jordan Parraz
Jordan E. Parraz is a minor league baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves organization.Parraz attended Community College of Southern Nevada. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2004 amateur entry draft. He was signed June 21, 2004...

 off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

.

In January 2011, the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. He bats and throws right-handed...

 to a three year contract worth $35 million and agreed with Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...

 on a one year, $2 million contract, pending a physical. This deal was made official on February 14.

On February 2, the Yankees acquired Justin Maxwell
Justin Maxwell
Justin Adam Maxwell is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees organization.-Early years:...

 from the Washington Nationals in a trade for minor league pitcher Adam Olbrychowski. To make room for him on the roster, Parraz was designated for assignment.

On February 4, Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...

 announced his retirement from baseball via press conference. Pettitte played 13 seasons with the Yankees and 3 with the Astros, he was a 3x All Star selection, a 5x World Series champion, and finally a 2001 ALCS MVP.

Roster

2011 New York Yankees
Roster
Pitchers Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders Manager
Coaches (bullpen) (1st base) (hitting) (bench) (bullpen catcher) (pitching) (3rd base)


Record vs. opponents

American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...

American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...

American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...

Team Record
Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

13–5
Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

6–12
Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...

6–2
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...

4–3
Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

3–4
Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...

3–3
Los Angeles Angels 5–4
Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

6–2
Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....

6–3
Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

5–4
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...

9–9
Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...

7–2
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....

11–7
Interleague play
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...

13–5

*Bold indicates completed season series.

Notable Transactions

  • March 13, 2011: Kansas City Royals
    Kansas City Royals
    The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...

     claim Robert Fish off waivers
    Major League Baseball transactions
    Major League Baseball transactions are changes made to the roster of a major league team during or after the season. They may include waiving, releasing, and trading players, as well as assigning players to minor league teams.-25-man and 40-man rosters:...

    . Returned Rule 5 draft pick Daniel Turpen to the Pawtucket Red Sox
    Pawtucket Red Sox
    The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...

  • March 23, 2011: claimed LHP Jose Ortegano off waivers from Atlanta Braves
    Atlanta Braves
    The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

  • March 25, 2011: signed free agent
    Free agent
    In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....

     RHP Kevin Millwood
    Kevin Millwood
    Kevin Austin Millwood is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.-Personal life:Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina...

     to minor league
    Minor league
    Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...

     contract
  • March 27, 2011: Rule 5 draftee Lance Pendleton
    Lance Pendleton
    Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

     returned from Houston Astros
    Houston Astros
    The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...

  • March 28, 2011: Eric Chavez
    Eric Chavez
    Eric Cesar Chavez is an American Major League Baseball infielder. Chavez has played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...

     added to roster from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Released 2B Ronnie Belliard
    Ronnie Belliard
    Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...

    .
  • March 30, 2011: Luis Ayala
    Luis Ayala
    Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

    , Bartolo Colon
    Bartolo Colón
    Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...

    , Freddy García
    Freddy García
    Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

    , and Gustavo Molina
    Gustavo Molina
    Gustavo Molina is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Molina bats and throws right-handed. He is not related to the Molina brothers .Molina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 3,...

     added to roster from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Placed Francisco Cervelli
    Francisco Cervelli
    Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...

     and Pedro Feliciano
    Pedro Feliciano
    Pedro Juan Feliciano Molina is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early career:...

     on the 15-Day disabled list. Placed Reegie Corona, Colin Curtis
    Colin Curtis
    Colin Benedict Curtis is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees.-Minor leagues:...

    , and Damaso Marte
    Dámaso Marté
    Dámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...

     on the 60-Day disabled list
  • March 31, 2011: Released RHP Rómulo Sánchez
    Rómulo Sánchez
    Rómulo Ignacio Sánchez Oviedo is a professional baseball relief pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. He has also pitched in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees...

    .
  • April 9, 2011: signed free agent RHP Carlos Silva to a minor league contract
  • April 13, 2011: placed RHP Luis Ayala
    Luis Ayala
    Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

     on the 15-Day disabled list
  • April 15, 2011: placed RHP Phil Hughes on the 15-Day disabled list. Called up RHP Lance Pendleton
    Lance Pendleton
    Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

     from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
  • April 22, 2011: Called up RHP Buddy Carlyle
    Buddy Carlyle
    Earl Lester "Buddy" Carlyle is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent...

     from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Released LHP Jose Ortegano.

March/April

Facing the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

 on Opening Day, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 notched his 560th career save to pull within 42 saves of surpassing Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...

 for the all-time Major League record. This also marked Rivera's third career Opening Day save.

On April 3 Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...

 hit his third straight home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...

 of the season, in three consecutive days marking the first time a Yankees player had accomplished this since Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield
David Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...

 did it in 1983. Never before -- not even in their Murderers' Row
1927 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was their 25th season. The team finished with a record of 110-44, winning their fifth pennant and finishing 19 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they swept the...

 days -- had the Yanks hit nine homers through their first three games. Eight had been enough twice, in 1932 and '81.

Against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

 the Yankees hit two more home runs, coming off the bats of Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...

 and Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...

, bringing the Yankees home run total in the first four games to 11, falling short of the franchise record set at 12 in 2003. With the win clinched Ivan Nova
Iván Nova
Iván Manuel Nova Guance is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Career:Nova was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Yankees in 2004. At the end of the 2008 season, Nova had not advanced beyond Class-A Advanced, where he pitched for the Tampa Yankees...

 became the first rookie Yankee pitcher to record a win in the first four games of the season since Al Leiter did it in 1988.

On April 5 in the second game against the Twins, Teixeira and Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...

 both connected for home runs, bringing the total number hit by the Yankees in the first five games to 13, tying the franchise record set by the 1932 World Champion Yankees
1932 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 30th season in New York, and its 32nd season overall. The team finished with a record of 107-47, winning their seventh pennant, finishing 13 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by future Hall of Famer Joe McCarthy...

.

Going into the game against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....

 on April 19, the Yankees hit 27 home runs in the first 14 games, the most in the history of the franchise.

May

Against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...

 on May 8, Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...

 connected for the first grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...

 of his career in a 12–5 Yankee win.

On May 25, Mariano Rivera made his 1,000th appearance
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...

 with the Yankees, making him the 15th reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...

 in Major League history to accomplish the feat, and the first to do so for one team.

Facing the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

 on May 29, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 stole
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...

 his 327th base, breaking Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...

's record for the most in Yankees history.

June

On June 24, facing the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...

, A.J. Burnett struck out 4 batters in the 6th inning, becoming the first Yankee to accomplish this feat.

Against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

 on June 30, Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...

 hit the 300th home run of his career.

July

On July 9 against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...

, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 became the first Yankee player in history and the 28th player in MLB history to join the 3,000 hit club
3000 hit club
In Major League Baseball , the 3,000 hit club is a term applied to the group of batters who have collected 3,000 or more regular-season hits in their careers. Cap Anson was the first to join the club on July 18, 1897, although his precise career hit total is unclear. Two players—Nap Lajoie and...

 with a home-run off David Price
David Price (baseball)
David Taylor Price is an American Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. Price was selected first overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Rays and made his major league debut in September 2008.Price pitched out of the bullpen during the Rays' run...

 in the 3rd inning. He is the only player in the 3,000 hit club to record all of his hits with the New York Yankees and only the second player to record his milestone hit with a home-run, the other player being Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...

. Derek is also the second player to record five hits during his 3,000th hit game, the other player being Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio
Craig Alan Biggio is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, catcher, and outfielder. He played his entire 20-year baseball career with the Houston Astros . He ranks 21st all-time with 3,060 career hits, and is the ninth player in the 3000 hit club to get all his hits with the same team. He...

, going 5-5 in the game.

On July 30, against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

, the Yankees scored a club record 12 runs in the first inning, en route to a 17–3 victory.

August

On August 4, the Yankees completed their first four-game sweep on the road against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...

 since 1976 in a 7–2 victory. It was only the third instance in modern baseball history in which a team swept a four-game series without giving up a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...

.

Facing the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

, on August 5, Jeter's run scored in the sixth inning was the 1,742nd of his career, moving him past Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....

 for sole possession of 21st place on baseball's all-time list.

On August 25, the Yankees became the first team in history to hit three grand slam home runs in one game with a 22–9 win over the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....

. It was done by Robinson Cano
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...

, Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...

, and Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...

.

September

On September 13 against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 became the second player in history to attain 600 saves. He also became the first to get all 600 with a single team.

On September 19 against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 broke Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...

's all-time save record with his 602nd career save.

The Yankees clinched a playoff berth on September 21 against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...

 and, later that day during the 2nd game of the doubleheader, clinched their 17th American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...

 crown.

October/Postseason

The Yankees faced off with the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. Game 1 was initially suspended by rain but continued a day later. Behind Robinson Cano
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...

's towering grand slam, the Yankees won the opener, 9-3. The Tigers won Game 2, 5–3, on the strength a stellar performance by Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer
Maxwell M. "Max" Scherzer is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.-Early life:...

. When the series moved to Detroit, the Tigers took the series lead by edging the Yankees 5–4, getting an eighth-inning go-ahead Delmon Young
Delmon Young
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama.Young is known for having a strong and accurate...

 home run. Much-maligned starter A.J. Burnett, who only got the starting nod because the Game 1 rainout forced the team to reshuffle its rotation, guided the Yankees to a 10-1 Game 4 win, forcing a decisive Game 5. Back home for the win-or-go-home Game 5, New York dropped a 3-2 decision to the Tigers, who jumped in front with back-to-back, first-inning solo home runs from Delmon Young
Delmon Young
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama.Young is known for having a strong and accurate...

 and Don Kelly
Don Kelly
Donald Joseph Kelly is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Torquay United.Don Kelly, a centre-forward born in Market Harborough, began his career as an amateur with Coventry City, but joined Torquay United for the resumption of league football in 1946...

. In the finale, the Yankees were done in by their inability to come through with runners in scoring position, as the Bronx Bombers stranded 11 runners.
There was speculation that this season was Yankee mainstay Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...

's last with the team, with him playing out the final year of his four-year deal. An emotional Posada had trouble containing his emotions as the media questioned him after the game.

Game Log

Legend
Yankees Win Yankees Loss Game Postponed
Game Log

Postseason Game log

Legend
Yankees Win Yankees Loss Game Postponed


{|class="toccolours collapsible" style="width:90%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!colspan=2 style="background:#1C2841"|2011 Postseason Game Log
|- valign="top"
|
The 2011 New York Yankees season was the 111th season for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

 franchise. The Yankees began the season at home against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

 on Thursday, March 31. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth in the first game of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...

 on September 21, 2011, and clinched the AL East division title in the second game. The Yankees season ended on October 6 when they lost a deciding Game 5 of the 2011 American League Division Series
2011 American League Division Series
The 2011 American League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 American League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...

 to the Detroit Tigers
2011 Detroit Tigers season
The 2011 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 111th season. The season began on March 31 at New York against the Yankees, and the home opener was on April 8 against the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers honored the late Sparky Anderson during the season...

 3–2. It was the first time since 2007
2007 American League Division Series
-Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, October 3:Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsIn Game 1, Boston starter Josh Beckett threw a complete-game shut out, allowing the Red Sox to win the opener...

 the Yankees would lose an elimination game at home.

Offseason

Manager Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...

's three year contract with the Yankees ended at the conclusion of the 2010 season. Having won one World Series and bringing his team to the playoffs the past two seasons, the Yankees quickly signed him to a new 3 year deal worth $9 million. After firing pitching coach Dave Eiland
Dave Eiland
David William Eiland is a former American professional baseball player who was a pitcher for ten Major League Baseball seasons. Eiland played college baseball for the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, and thereafter, played professionally for the New York Yankees, San...

, they replaced him with Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild
Larry Rothschild
Lawrence Lee Rothschild is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and manager. He currently serves as the pitching coach of the New York Yankees.-Playing career:...

.

In November, they added minor leaguers Melky Mesa
Melky Mesa
Melquisedec Mesa is a outfielder in the New York Yankees organization.He was added to the Yankees 40-man roster on November 2, 2010.-External links:...

, Dellin Betances
Dellin Betances
Dellin Betances is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:At the age of 10, Betances was a Yankee fan who sat with the Bleacher Creatures for the perfect game of former Yankees pitcher David Wells in 1998...

, Ryan Pope, and Brandon Laird
Brandon Laird
Brandon J. Laird is a third baseman for the New York Yankees.-Career:Laird attended La Quinta High School in Westminster, California. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 27th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign, opting to attend Cypress College...

 to the 40-man roster. Mesa had to be added to avoid eligibility to be a minor league free agent, while Betances, Pope, and Laird had to be added to prevent being eligible for the Rule V Draft.

In November, long-time Yankees Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

, Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...

, and Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 all became free agents, as well as veterans Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Nicholas Robert Johnson is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.He previously played for the New York Yankees , Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals , and the Florida Marlins...

, Javier Vázquez
Javier Vázquez
Javier Carlos Vázquez is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Previously, he pitched for the Florida Marlins , Atlanta Braves , Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos . Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico...

, Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....

, Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood
Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....

, Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....

, Austin Kearns
Austin Kearns
Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...

, and Chad Moeller
Chad Moeller
Chad Edward Moeller [MOE-ler] is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Colorado Rockies organization. He is the cousin of former MLB first baseman Chris Cron.-College career:...

. Dustin Moseley
Dustin Moseley
Dustin Aaron Moseley is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres.-Career:Moseley was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to the season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the fourth best prospect in the...

 and Alfredo Aceves
Alfredo Aceves
Alfredo Aceves Martínez is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He uses a fastball, which can reach the mid 90s, a curveball, a changeup, and a cut fastball. He is known for his control and his ability to throw any pitch in any count...

 also became free agents as the Yankees opted not to tender their contracts . On November 18, 2010, the Yankees traded Juan Miranda
Juan Miranda
Juan Miguel Miranda is a Cuban Major League Baseball first baseman.-Cuba:The 5-foot-11 Miranda batted .303 with 27 homers for Pinar Del Rio in Cuba's Serie Nacional from to . Miranda was on the Cuban national team.He defected to the Dominican Republic in early 2004, on his seventh attempt...

 to the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league pitcher Scottie Allen. On November 19, 2010, they released reliever Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo Santana is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball. Prior to signing with Yomiuri, Albaladego pitched for the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.-Career:Albaladejo hired his...

 per an agreement made with Albaladejo and the Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...

 of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Sergio Mitre
Sergio Mitre
Sergio Armando Mitre is a American professional baseball pitcher.-Background:Mitre is of Mexican American descent. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where he trained in the arts of kenpo, boxing and wrestling due to frequent street fights.Mitre graduated from Montgomery High School in San Diego,...

 avoided arbitration with the Yankees by signing a one-year, $900,000 deal. Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 and the Yankees agreed to a new contract of $51 million over 3 years with fourth-year option after 2013. Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 signed a two-year, $30 million contract with the Yankees, which he hinted may be the last contract of his career.

In the Rule V Draft, the Yankees selected pitchers Robert Fish from the Angels and Daniel Turpen from the Red Sox. The Astros meanwhile selected Yankees minor leaguer Lance Pendleton
Lance Pendleton
Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

 while the Padres selected George Kontos
George Kontos
George Nicholas Kontos is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.Kontos attended Northwestern University, where he played for the Northwestern Wildcats baseball team. He was selected by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft...

.

On December 13, 2010 it was announced that top free agent Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....

 rejected the Yankees six-year, $138 million contract offer to sign a five-year, $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee was the Yankees top priority in the offseason. In his place, the Yankees signed catcher Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...

 and reliever Pedro Feliciano
Pedro Feliciano
Pedro Juan Feliciano Molina is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early career:...

.

The Yankees have signed various former Major Leaguers to minor league deals, such as Brian Anderson, Luis Ayala
Luis Ayala
Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

, Ronnie Belliard
Ronnie Belliard
Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...

, Doug Bernier
Doug Bernier
Douglas Bernier is a second baseman, who is currently in the New York Yankees organization. He is an alumnus of Oral Roberts University....

, Buddy Carlyle
Buddy Carlyle
Earl Lester "Buddy" Carlyle is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent...

, Eric Chavez
Eric Chavez
Eric Cesar Chavez is an American Major League Baseball infielder. Chavez has played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...

, Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...

, Neal Cotts
Neal Cotts
Neal James Cotts is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent-College career:...

, Freddy García
Freddy García
Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

, Gustavo Molina
Gustavo Molina
Gustavo Molina is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Molina bats and throws right-handed. He is not related to the Molina brothers .Molina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 3,...

, Mark Prior
Mark Prior
Mark William Prior is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006. His repertoire of pitches includes a low to mid 90s fastball, a curveball, a slurve, and a changeup.-Amateur career:Prior graduated from the...

, Andy Sisco
Andy Sisco
Andrew Frank Sisco is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 10", Sisco is tied with former pitchers Eric Hillman and Randy Johnson and current pitcher Chris Young of the New York Mets, as the second tallest player in baseball history...

, and Luis Vizcaino
Luis Vizcaíno
Luis Vizcaíno Arias is a Dominican Republic professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians in his career.-Career:Vizcaíno...

. Vizcaino's contract was later voided due to injury. They also claimed outfielder Jordan Parraz
Jordan Parraz
Jordan E. Parraz is a minor league baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves organization.Parraz attended Community College of Southern Nevada. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2004 amateur entry draft. He was signed June 21, 2004...

 off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

.

In January 2011, the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. He bats and throws right-handed...

 to a three year contract worth $35 million and agreed with Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...

 on a one year, $2 million contract, pending a physical. This deal was made official on February 14.

On February 2, the Yankees acquired Justin Maxwell
Justin Maxwell
Justin Adam Maxwell is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees organization.-Early years:...

 from the Washington Nationals in a trade for minor league pitcher Adam Olbrychowski. To make room for him on the roster, Parraz was designated for assignment.

On February 4, Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...

 announced his retirement from baseball via press conference. Pettitte played 13 seasons with the Yankees and 3 with the Astros, he was a 3x All Star selection, a 5x World Series champion, and finally a 2001 ALCS MVP.

Roster

{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! colspan="10" style="background:#1c2841; color:white; text-align:center;"| 2011 New York Yankees
|-
| colspan="10" style="background:silver; color:#1c2841; text-align:center;"| Roster
|-
| valign="top" | Pitchers
| style="width:25px;"|
| valign="top" | Catchers
Infielders
| style="width:25px;"|
| valign="top" | Outfielders
| style="width:25px;"|
| valign="top" | Manager
Coaches (bullpen) (1st base) (hitting) (bench) (bullpen catcher) (pitching) (3rd base)
|}

Record vs. opponents

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...


|-
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...


|-
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...


|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Team
! Record
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...


| 13–5
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...


| 6–12
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...


| 6–2
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...


| 4–3
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...


| 3–4
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...


| 3–3
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|Los Angeles Angels
| 5–4
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...


| 6–2
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....


| 6–3
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...


| 5–4
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...


| 9–9
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...


| 7–2
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....


| 11–7
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|Interleague play
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...


| 13–5
|-
|}
*Bold indicates completed season series.

Notable Transactions

  • March 13, 2011: Kansas City Royals
    Kansas City Royals
    The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...

     claim Robert Fish off waivers
    Major League Baseball transactions
    Major League Baseball transactions are changes made to the roster of a major league team during or after the season. They may include waiving, releasing, and trading players, as well as assigning players to minor league teams.-25-man and 40-man rosters:...

    . Returned Rule 5 draft pick Daniel Turpen to the Pawtucket Red Sox
    Pawtucket Red Sox
    The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...

  • March 23, 2011: claimed LHP Jose Ortegano off waivers from Atlanta Braves
    Atlanta Braves
    The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

  • March 25, 2011: signed free agent
    Free agent
    In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....

     RHP Kevin Millwood
    Kevin Millwood
    Kevin Austin Millwood is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.-Personal life:Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina...

     to minor league
    Minor league
    Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...

     contract
  • March 27, 2011: Rule 5 draftee Lance Pendleton
    Lance Pendleton
    Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

     returned from Houston Astros
    Houston Astros
    The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...

  • March 28, 2011: Eric Chavez
    Eric Chavez
    Eric Cesar Chavez is an American Major League Baseball infielder. Chavez has played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...

     added to roster from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Released 2B Ronnie Belliard
    Ronnie Belliard
    Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...

    .
  • March 30, 2011: Luis Ayala
    Luis Ayala
    Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

    , Bartolo Colon
    Bartolo Colón
    Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...

    , Freddy García
    Freddy García
    Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

    , and Gustavo Molina
    Gustavo Molina
    Gustavo Molina is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Molina bats and throws right-handed. He is not related to the Molina brothers .Molina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 3,...

     added to roster from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Placed Francisco Cervelli
    Francisco Cervelli
    Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...

     and Pedro Feliciano
    Pedro Feliciano
    Pedro Juan Feliciano Molina is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early career:...

     on the 15-Day disabled list. Placed Reegie Corona, Colin Curtis
    Colin Curtis
    Colin Benedict Curtis is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees.-Minor leagues:...

    , and Damaso Marte
    Dámaso Marté
    Dámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...

     on the 60-Day disabled list
  • March 31, 2011: Released RHP Rómulo Sánchez
    Rómulo Sánchez
    Rómulo Ignacio Sánchez Oviedo is a professional baseball relief pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. He has also pitched in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees...

    .
  • April 9, 2011: signed free agent RHP Carlos Silva to a minor league contract
  • April 13, 2011: placed RHP Luis Ayala
    Luis Ayala
    Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

     on the 15-Day disabled list
  • April 15, 2011: placed RHP Phil Hughes on the 15-Day disabled list. Called up RHP Lance Pendleton
    Lance Pendleton
    Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

     from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
  • April 22, 2011: Called up RHP Buddy Carlyle
    Buddy Carlyle
    Earl Lester "Buddy" Carlyle is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent...

     from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Released LHP Jose Ortegano.

March/April

Facing the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

 on Opening Day, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 notched his 560th career save to pull within 42 saves of surpassing Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...

 for the all-time Major League record. This also marked Rivera's third career Opening Day save.

On April 3 Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...

 hit his third straight home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...

 of the season, in three consecutive days marking the first time a Yankees player had accomplished this since Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield
David Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...

 did it in 1983. Never before -- not even in their Murderers' Row
1927 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was their 25th season. The team finished with a record of 110-44, winning their fifth pennant and finishing 19 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they swept the...

 days -- had the Yanks hit nine homers through their first three games. Eight had been enough twice, in 1932 and '81.

Against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

 the Yankees hit two more home runs, coming off the bats of Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...

 and Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...

, bringing the Yankees home run total in the first four games to 11, falling short of the franchise record set at 12 in 2003. With the win clinched Ivan Nova
Iván Nova
Iván Manuel Nova Guance is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Career:Nova was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Yankees in 2004. At the end of the 2008 season, Nova had not advanced beyond Class-A Advanced, where he pitched for the Tampa Yankees...

 became the first rookie Yankee pitcher to record a win in the first four games of the season since Al Leiter did it in 1988.

On April 5 in the second game against the Twins, Teixeira and Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...

 both connected for home runs, bringing the total number hit by the Yankees in the first five games to 13, tying the franchise record set by the 1932 World Champion Yankees
1932 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 30th season in New York, and its 32nd season overall. The team finished with a record of 107-47, winning their seventh pennant, finishing 13 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by future Hall of Famer Joe McCarthy...

.

Going into the game against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....

 on April 19, the Yankees hit 27 home runs in the first 14 games, the most in the history of the franchise.

May

Against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...

 on May 8, Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...

 connected for the first grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...

 of his career in a 12–5 Yankee win.

On May 25, Mariano Rivera made his 1,000th appearance
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...

 with the Yankees, making him the 15th reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...

 in Major League history to accomplish the feat, and the first to do so for one team.

Facing the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

 on May 29, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 stole
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...

 his 327th base, breaking Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...

's record for the most in Yankees history.

June

On June 24, facing the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...

, A.J. Burnett struck out 4 batters in the 6th inning, becoming the first Yankee to accomplish this feat.

Against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

 on June 30, Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...

 hit the 300th home run of his career.

July

On July 9 against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...

, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 became the first Yankee player in history and the 28th player in MLB history to join the 3,000 hit club
3000 hit club
In Major League Baseball , the 3,000 hit club is a term applied to the group of batters who have collected 3,000 or more regular-season hits in their careers. Cap Anson was the first to join the club on July 18, 1897, although his precise career hit total is unclear. Two players—Nap Lajoie and...

 with a home-run off David Price
David Price (baseball)
David Taylor Price is an American Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. Price was selected first overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Rays and made his major league debut in September 2008.Price pitched out of the bullpen during the Rays' run...

 in the 3rd inning. He is the only player in the 3,000 hit club to record all of his hits with the New York Yankees and only the second player to record his milestone hit with a home-run, the other player being Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...

. Derek is also the second player to record five hits during his 3,000th hit game, the other player being Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio
Craig Alan Biggio is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, catcher, and outfielder. He played his entire 20-year baseball career with the Houston Astros . He ranks 21st all-time with 3,060 career hits, and is the ninth player in the 3000 hit club to get all his hits with the same team. He...

, going 5-5 in the game.

On July 30, against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

, the Yankees scored a club record 12 runs in the first inning, en route to a 17–3 victory.

August

On August 4, the Yankees completed their first four-game sweep on the road against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...

 since 1976 in a 7–2 victory. It was only the third instance in modern baseball history in which a team swept a four-game series without giving up a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...

.

Facing the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

, on August 5, Jeter's run scored in the sixth inning was the 1,742nd of his career, moving him past Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....

 for sole possession of 21st place on baseball's all-time list.

On August 25, the Yankees became the first team in history to hit three grand slam home runs in one game with a 22–9 win over the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....

. It was done by Robinson Cano
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...

, Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...

, and Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...

.

September

On September 13 against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 became the second player in history to attain 600 saves. He also became the first to get all 600 with a single team.

On September 19 against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 broke Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...

's all-time save record with his 602nd career save.

The Yankees clinched a playoff berth on September 21 against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...

 and, later that day during the 2nd game of the doubleheader, clinched their 17th American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...

 crown.

October/Postseason

The Yankees faced off with the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. Game 1 was initially suspended by rain but continued a day later. Behind Robinson Cano
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...

's towering grand slam, the Yankees won the opener, 9-3. The Tigers won Game 2, 5–3, on the strength a stellar performance by Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer
Maxwell M. "Max" Scherzer is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.-Early life:...

. When the series moved to Detroit, the Tigers took the series lead by edging the Yankees 5–4, getting an eighth-inning go-ahead Delmon Young
Delmon Young
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama.Young is known for having a strong and accurate...

 home run. Much-maligned starter A.J. Burnett, who only got the starting nod because the Game 1 rainout forced the team to reshuffle its rotation, guided the Yankees to a 10-1 Game 4 win, forcing a decisive Game 5. Back home for the win-or-go-home Game 5, New York dropped a 3-2 decision to the Tigers, who jumped in front with back-to-back, first-inning solo home runs from Delmon Young
Delmon Young
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama.Young is known for having a strong and accurate...

 and Don Kelly
Don Kelly
Donald Joseph Kelly is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Torquay United.Don Kelly, a centre-forward born in Market Harborough, began his career as an amateur with Coventry City, but joined Torquay United for the resumption of league football in 1946...

. In the finale, the Yankees were done in by their inability to come through with runners in scoring position, as the Bronx Bombers stranded 11 runners.
There was speculation that this season was Yankee mainstay Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...

's last with the team, with him playing out the final year of his four-year deal. An emotional Posada had trouble containing his emotions as the media questioned him after the game.

Game Log

{| align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="border:1px solid #aaa"
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="ccffcc" | Yankees Win
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Yankees Loss
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game Postponed
|}
{| class="toccolours collapsible" width=90% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!colspan=2 style="background:#1C2841"|Game Log
|- valign="top"
| |-
| |-
| |-
| |-
| |-
| |}

Postseason Game log

{|align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="border:1px solid #aaa"
|-
! colspan="3"|Legend
|-
! style="background:#bfb;"|Yankees Win
! style="background:#fbb;"|Yankees Loss
! style="background:#bbb;"|Game Postponed
|}

{|class="toccolours collapsible" style="width:90%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!colspan=2 style="background:#1C2841"|2011 Postseason Game Log
|- valign="top"
|
The 2011 New York Yankees season was the 111th season for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

 franchise. The Yankees began the season at home against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

 on Thursday, March 31. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth in the first game of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...

 on September 21, 2011, and clinched the AL East division title in the second game. The Yankees season ended on October 6 when they lost a deciding Game 5 of the 2011 American League Division Series
2011 American League Division Series
The 2011 American League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 American League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...

 to the Detroit Tigers
2011 Detroit Tigers season
The 2011 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 111th season. The season began on March 31 at New York against the Yankees, and the home opener was on April 8 against the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers honored the late Sparky Anderson during the season...

 3–2. It was the first time since 2007
2007 American League Division Series
-Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, October 3:Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsIn Game 1, Boston starter Josh Beckett threw a complete-game shut out, allowing the Red Sox to win the opener...

 the Yankees would lose an elimination game at home.

Offseason

Manager Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...

's three year contract with the Yankees ended at the conclusion of the 2010 season. Having won one World Series and bringing his team to the playoffs the past two seasons, the Yankees quickly signed him to a new 3 year deal worth $9 million. After firing pitching coach Dave Eiland
Dave Eiland
David William Eiland is a former American professional baseball player who was a pitcher for ten Major League Baseball seasons. Eiland played college baseball for the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, and thereafter, played professionally for the New York Yankees, San...

, they replaced him with Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild
Larry Rothschild
Lawrence Lee Rothschild is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and manager. He currently serves as the pitching coach of the New York Yankees.-Playing career:...

.

In November, they added minor leaguers Melky Mesa
Melky Mesa
Melquisedec Mesa is a outfielder in the New York Yankees organization.He was added to the Yankees 40-man roster on November 2, 2010.-External links:...

, Dellin Betances
Dellin Betances
Dellin Betances is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:At the age of 10, Betances was a Yankee fan who sat with the Bleacher Creatures for the perfect game of former Yankees pitcher David Wells in 1998...

, Ryan Pope, and Brandon Laird
Brandon Laird
Brandon J. Laird is a third baseman for the New York Yankees.-Career:Laird attended La Quinta High School in Westminster, California. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 27th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign, opting to attend Cypress College...

 to the 40-man roster. Mesa had to be added to avoid eligibility to be a minor league free agent, while Betances, Pope, and Laird had to be added to prevent being eligible for the Rule V Draft.

In November, long-time Yankees Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

, Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...

, and Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 all became free agents, as well as veterans Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Nicholas Robert Johnson is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.He previously played for the New York Yankees , Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals , and the Florida Marlins...

, Javier Vázquez
Javier Vázquez
Javier Carlos Vázquez is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Previously, he pitched for the Florida Marlins , Atlanta Braves , Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos . Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico...

, Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....

, Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood
Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....

, Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....

, Austin Kearns
Austin Kearns
Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...

, and Chad Moeller
Chad Moeller
Chad Edward Moeller [MOE-ler] is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Colorado Rockies organization. He is the cousin of former MLB first baseman Chris Cron.-College career:...

. Dustin Moseley
Dustin Moseley
Dustin Aaron Moseley is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres.-Career:Moseley was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to the season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the fourth best prospect in the...

 and Alfredo Aceves
Alfredo Aceves
Alfredo Aceves Martínez is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He uses a fastball, which can reach the mid 90s, a curveball, a changeup, and a cut fastball. He is known for his control and his ability to throw any pitch in any count...

 also became free agents as the Yankees opted not to tender their contracts . On November 18, 2010, the Yankees traded Juan Miranda
Juan Miranda
Juan Miguel Miranda is a Cuban Major League Baseball first baseman.-Cuba:The 5-foot-11 Miranda batted .303 with 27 homers for Pinar Del Rio in Cuba's Serie Nacional from to . Miranda was on the Cuban national team.He defected to the Dominican Republic in early 2004, on his seventh attempt...

 to the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league pitcher Scottie Allen. On November 19, 2010, they released reliever Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo Santana is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball. Prior to signing with Yomiuri, Albaladego pitched for the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.-Career:Albaladejo hired his...

 per an agreement made with Albaladejo and the Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...

 of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Sergio Mitre
Sergio Mitre
Sergio Armando Mitre is a American professional baseball pitcher.-Background:Mitre is of Mexican American descent. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where he trained in the arts of kenpo, boxing and wrestling due to frequent street fights.Mitre graduated from Montgomery High School in San Diego,...

 avoided arbitration with the Yankees by signing a one-year, $900,000 deal. Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 and the Yankees agreed to a new contract of $51 million over 3 years with fourth-year option after 2013. Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 signed a two-year, $30 million contract with the Yankees, which he hinted may be the last contract of his career.

In the Rule V Draft, the Yankees selected pitchers Robert Fish from the Angels and Daniel Turpen from the Red Sox. The Astros meanwhile selected Yankees minor leaguer Lance Pendleton
Lance Pendleton
Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

 while the Padres selected George Kontos
George Kontos
George Nicholas Kontos is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.Kontos attended Northwestern University, where he played for the Northwestern Wildcats baseball team. He was selected by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft...

.

On December 13, 2010 it was announced that top free agent Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....

 rejected the Yankees six-year, $138 million contract offer to sign a five-year, $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee was the Yankees top priority in the offseason. In his place, the Yankees signed catcher Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...

 and reliever Pedro Feliciano
Pedro Feliciano
Pedro Juan Feliciano Molina is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early career:...

.

The Yankees have signed various former Major Leaguers to minor league deals, such as Brian Anderson, Luis Ayala
Luis Ayala
Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

, Ronnie Belliard
Ronnie Belliard
Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...

, Doug Bernier
Doug Bernier
Douglas Bernier is a second baseman, who is currently in the New York Yankees organization. He is an alumnus of Oral Roberts University....

, Buddy Carlyle
Buddy Carlyle
Earl Lester "Buddy" Carlyle is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent...

, Eric Chavez
Eric Chavez
Eric Cesar Chavez is an American Major League Baseball infielder. Chavez has played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...

, Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...

, Neal Cotts
Neal Cotts
Neal James Cotts is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent-College career:...

, Freddy García
Freddy García
Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

, Gustavo Molina
Gustavo Molina
Gustavo Molina is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Molina bats and throws right-handed. He is not related to the Molina brothers .Molina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 3,...

, Mark Prior
Mark Prior
Mark William Prior is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006. His repertoire of pitches includes a low to mid 90s fastball, a curveball, a slurve, and a changeup.-Amateur career:Prior graduated from the...

, Andy Sisco
Andy Sisco
Andrew Frank Sisco is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 10", Sisco is tied with former pitchers Eric Hillman and Randy Johnson and current pitcher Chris Young of the New York Mets, as the second tallest player in baseball history...

, and Luis Vizcaino
Luis Vizcaíno
Luis Vizcaíno Arias is a Dominican Republic professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians in his career.-Career:Vizcaíno...

. Vizcaino's contract was later voided due to injury. They also claimed outfielder Jordan Parraz
Jordan Parraz
Jordan E. Parraz is a minor league baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves organization.Parraz attended Community College of Southern Nevada. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2004 amateur entry draft. He was signed June 21, 2004...

 off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

.

In January 2011, the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. He bats and throws right-handed...

 to a three year contract worth $35 million and agreed with Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...

 on a one year, $2 million contract, pending a physical. This deal was made official on February 14.

On February 2, the Yankees acquired Justin Maxwell
Justin Maxwell
Justin Adam Maxwell is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees organization.-Early years:...

 from the Washington Nationals in a trade for minor league pitcher Adam Olbrychowski. To make room for him on the roster, Parraz was designated for assignment.

On February 4, Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...

 announced his retirement from baseball via press conference. Pettitte played 13 seasons with the Yankees and 3 with the Astros, he was a 3x All Star selection, a 5x World Series champion, and finally a 2001 ALCS MVP.

Roster

{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! colspan="10" style="background:#1c2841; color:white; text-align:center;"| 2011 New York Yankees
|-
| colspan="10" style="background:silver; color:#1c2841; text-align:center;"| Roster
|-
| valign="top" | Pitchers
| style="width:25px;"|
| valign="top" | Catchers
Infielders
| style="width:25px;"|
| valign="top" | Outfielders
| style="width:25px;"|
| valign="top" | Manager
Coaches (bullpen) (1st base) (hitting) (bench) (bullpen catcher) (pitching) (3rd base)
|}

Record vs. opponents

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...


|-
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...


|-
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...


|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Team
! Record
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...


| 13–5
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...


| 6–12
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...


| 6–2
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...


| 4–3
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...


| 3–4
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...


| 3–3
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|Los Angeles Angels
| 5–4
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffffbb"|Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...


| 6–2
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....


| 6–3
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...


| 5–4
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...


| 9–9
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...


| 7–2
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|bgcolor="#ccccff"|Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....


| 11–7
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|Interleague play
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...


| 13–5
|-
|}
*Bold indicates completed season series.

Notable Transactions

  • March 13, 2011: Kansas City Royals
    Kansas City Royals
    The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...

     claim Robert Fish off waivers
    Major League Baseball transactions
    Major League Baseball transactions are changes made to the roster of a major league team during or after the season. They may include waiving, releasing, and trading players, as well as assigning players to minor league teams.-25-man and 40-man rosters:...

    . Returned Rule 5 draft pick Daniel Turpen to the Pawtucket Red Sox
    Pawtucket Red Sox
    The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...

  • March 23, 2011: claimed LHP Jose Ortegano off waivers from Atlanta Braves
    Atlanta Braves
    The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

  • March 25, 2011: signed free agent
    Free agent
    In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....

     RHP Kevin Millwood
    Kevin Millwood
    Kevin Austin Millwood is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.-Personal life:Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina...

     to minor league
    Minor league
    Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...

     contract
  • March 27, 2011: Rule 5 draftee Lance Pendleton
    Lance Pendleton
    Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

     returned from Houston Astros
    Houston Astros
    The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...

  • March 28, 2011: Eric Chavez
    Eric Chavez
    Eric Cesar Chavez is an American Major League Baseball infielder. Chavez has played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...

     added to roster from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Released 2B Ronnie Belliard
    Ronnie Belliard
    Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...

    .
  • March 30, 2011: Luis Ayala
    Luis Ayala
    Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

    , Bartolo Colon
    Bartolo Colón
    Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...

    , Freddy García
    Freddy García
    Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

    , and Gustavo Molina
    Gustavo Molina
    Gustavo Molina is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Molina bats and throws right-handed. He is not related to the Molina brothers .Molina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 3,...

     added to roster from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Placed Francisco Cervelli
    Francisco Cervelli
    Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...

     and Pedro Feliciano
    Pedro Feliciano
    Pedro Juan Feliciano Molina is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early career:...

     on the 15-Day disabled list. Placed Reegie Corona, Colin Curtis
    Colin Curtis
    Colin Benedict Curtis is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees.-Minor leagues:...

    , and Damaso Marte
    Dámaso Marté
    Dámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...

     on the 60-Day disabled list
  • March 31, 2011: Released RHP Rómulo Sánchez
    Rómulo Sánchez
    Rómulo Ignacio Sánchez Oviedo is a professional baseball relief pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. He has also pitched in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees...

    .
  • April 9, 2011: signed free agent RHP Carlos Silva to a minor league contract
  • April 13, 2011: placed RHP Luis Ayala
    Luis Ayala
    Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...

     on the 15-Day disabled list
  • April 15, 2011: placed RHP Phil Hughes on the 15-Day disabled list. Called up RHP Lance Pendleton
    Lance Pendleton
    Lance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...

     from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
  • April 22, 2011: Called up RHP Buddy Carlyle
    Buddy Carlyle
    Earl Lester "Buddy" Carlyle is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent...

     from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Released LHP Jose Ortegano.

March/April

Facing the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

 on Opening Day, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 notched his 560th career save to pull within 42 saves of surpassing Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...

 for the all-time Major League record. This also marked Rivera's third career Opening Day save.

On April 3 Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...

 hit his third straight home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...

 of the season, in three consecutive days marking the first time a Yankees player had accomplished this since Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield
David Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...

 did it in 1983. Never before -- not even in their Murderers' Row
1927 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was their 25th season. The team finished with a record of 110-44, winning their fifth pennant and finishing 19 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they swept the...

 days -- had the Yanks hit nine homers through their first three games. Eight had been enough twice, in 1932 and '81.

Against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

 the Yankees hit two more home runs, coming off the bats of Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...

 and Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...

, bringing the Yankees home run total in the first four games to 11, falling short of the franchise record set at 12 in 2003. With the win clinched Ivan Nova
Iván Nova
Iván Manuel Nova Guance is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Career:Nova was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Yankees in 2004. At the end of the 2008 season, Nova had not advanced beyond Class-A Advanced, where he pitched for the Tampa Yankees...

 became the first rookie Yankee pitcher to record a win in the first four games of the season since Al Leiter did it in 1988.

On April 5 in the second game against the Twins, Teixeira and Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...

 both connected for home runs, bringing the total number hit by the Yankees in the first five games to 13, tying the franchise record set by the 1932 World Champion Yankees
1932 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 30th season in New York, and its 32nd season overall. The team finished with a record of 107-47, winning their seventh pennant, finishing 13 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by future Hall of Famer Joe McCarthy...

.

Going into the game against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....

 on April 19, the Yankees hit 27 home runs in the first 14 games, the most in the history of the franchise.

May

Against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...

 on May 8, Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...

 connected for the first grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...

 of his career in a 12–5 Yankee win.

On May 25, Mariano Rivera made his 1,000th appearance
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...

 with the Yankees, making him the 15th reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...

 in Major League history to accomplish the feat, and the first to do so for one team.

Facing the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

 on May 29, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 stole
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...

 his 327th base, breaking Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...

's record for the most in Yankees history.

June

On June 24, facing the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...

, A.J. Burnett struck out 4 batters in the 6th inning, becoming the first Yankee to accomplish this feat.

Against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

 on June 30, Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...

 hit the 300th home run of his career.

July

On July 9 against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...

, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...

 became the first Yankee player in history and the 28th player in MLB history to join the 3,000 hit club
3000 hit club
In Major League Baseball , the 3,000 hit club is a term applied to the group of batters who have collected 3,000 or more regular-season hits in their careers. Cap Anson was the first to join the club on July 18, 1897, although his precise career hit total is unclear. Two players—Nap Lajoie and...

 with a home-run off David Price
David Price (baseball)
David Taylor Price is an American Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. Price was selected first overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Rays and made his major league debut in September 2008.Price pitched out of the bullpen during the Rays' run...

 in the 3rd inning. He is the only player in the 3,000 hit club to record all of his hits with the New York Yankees and only the second player to record his milestone hit with a home-run, the other player being Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...

. Derek is also the second player to record five hits during his 3,000th hit game, the other player being Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio
Craig Alan Biggio is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, catcher, and outfielder. He played his entire 20-year baseball career with the Houston Astros . He ranks 21st all-time with 3,060 career hits, and is the ninth player in the 3000 hit club to get all his hits with the same team. He...

, going 5-5 in the game.

On July 30, against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

, the Yankees scored a club record 12 runs in the first inning, en route to a 17–3 victory.

August

On August 4, the Yankees completed their first four-game sweep on the road against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...

 since 1976 in a 7–2 victory. It was only the third instance in modern baseball history in which a team swept a four-game series without giving up a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...

.

Facing the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

, on August 5, Jeter's run scored in the sixth inning was the 1,742nd of his career, moving him past Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....

 for sole possession of 21st place on baseball's all-time list.

On August 25, the Yankees became the first team in history to hit three grand slam home runs in one game with a 22–9 win over the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....

. It was done by Robinson Cano
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...

, Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...

, and Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...

.

September

On September 13 against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 became the second player in history to attain 600 saves. He also became the first to get all 600 with a single team.

On September 19 against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...

 broke Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...

's all-time save record with his 602nd career save.

The Yankees clinched a playoff berth on September 21 against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...

 and, later that day during the 2nd game of the doubleheader, clinched their 17th American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...

 crown.

October/Postseason

The Yankees faced off with the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. Game 1 was initially suspended by rain but continued a day later. Behind Robinson Cano
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...

's towering grand slam, the Yankees won the opener, 9-3. The Tigers won Game 2, 5–3, on the strength a stellar performance by Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer
Maxwell M. "Max" Scherzer is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.-Early life:...

. When the series moved to Detroit, the Tigers took the series lead by edging the Yankees 5–4, getting an eighth-inning go-ahead Delmon Young
Delmon Young
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama.Young is known for having a strong and accurate...

 home run. Much-maligned starter A.J. Burnett, who only got the starting nod because the Game 1 rainout forced the team to reshuffle its rotation, guided the Yankees to a 10-1 Game 4 win, forcing a decisive Game 5. Back home for the win-or-go-home Game 5, New York dropped a 3-2 decision to the Tigers, who jumped in front with back-to-back, first-inning solo home runs from Delmon Young
Delmon Young
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama.Young is known for having a strong and accurate...

 and Don Kelly
Don Kelly
Donald Joseph Kelly is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Torquay United.Don Kelly, a centre-forward born in Market Harborough, began his career as an amateur with Coventry City, but joined Torquay United for the resumption of league football in 1946...

. In the finale, the Yankees were done in by their inability to come through with runners in scoring position, as the Bronx Bombers stranded 11 runners.
There was speculation that this season was Yankee mainstay Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...

's last with the team, with him playing out the final year of his four-year deal. An emotional Posada had trouble containing his emotions as the media questioned him after the game.

Game Log

{| align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="border:1px solid #aaa"
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="ccffcc" | Yankees Win
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Yankees Loss
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game Postponed
|}
{| class="toccolours collapsible" width=90% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!colspan=2 style="background:#1C2841"|Game Log
|- valign="top"
| |-
| |-
| |-
| |-
| |-
| |}

Postseason Game log

{|align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="border:1px solid #aaa"
|-
! colspan="3"|Legend
|-
! style="background:#bfb;"|Yankees Win
! style="background:#fbb;"|Yankees Loss
! style="background:#bbb;"|Game Postponed
|}

{|class="toccolours collapsible" style="width:90%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!colspan=2 style="background:#1C2841"|2011 Postseason Game Log
|- valign="top"
|
 
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