New York Yankees The Yankees celebrate Derek Jeter

breaking their franchise career hits record.
Main article: 2009 New York Yankees season. The Yankees' offseason began in November 2008 with control over their organization shifting from long-time owner George Steinbrenner to his son Hal Steinbrenner . [20] Notable player departures included Mike Mussina —who announced his retirement on November 20, 2008 [21] —as well as Bobby Abreu ,
Jason Giambi, [23] and Carl Pavano, [24] who all left as free agents. Notable free agent acquisitions included starting pitchers CC Sabathia and A. J. Burnett, and first baseman Mark Teixeira . Another major addition was outfielder Nick Swisher , acquired in a trade with the
Chicago White Sox. [25]
The Yankees played the 2009 season in
Yankee Stadium , their first year in that park after playing for 84 years in "Old" Yankee Stadium .[26] They won the
American League East with an eight-game lead over their rivals , the Boston Red Sox, compiling a record of 103–59. [27] Sabathia won 19 games and position players Alex Rodriguez and Teixeira both had strong seasons offensively, Rodriguez with 30 home runs and 100 RBI and Teixeira with 39 and 122 respectively. [27] Closing pitcher Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save against the Yankees' cross-town rival New York Mets , becoming the second pitcher in history to do so. [28] On September 11, 2009,
shortstop Derek Jeter recorded his 2,722nd career hit, passing Lou Gehrig to become the all-time leader in career hits recorded as a Yankee. [29]
The Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins in three games in the American League Division Series and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in six games in the American League Championship Series (ALCS)[27] to win their first
American League pennant since 2003. [18] Sabathia was named MVP of the ALCS with two wins in the series.[30] The Yankees' victory in the ALCS earned them their 40th World Series appearance in franchise history, and their first since losing to the Florida Marlins in 2003.