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Yanks skipper wants jersey number to match title quest

NEW YORK -- George Steinbrenner released a statement on Thursday reminding all of New York that the quest for World Series championship No. 28 is about to begin.

That has Joe Girardi thinking he'll need to make a wardrobe alteration to accompany the mission statement.
"I think I'll make a number change," the Yankees manager said in a radio interview with WFAN.
Upon being named to his position before the 2008 season, Girardi selected uniform No. 27 to wear as a daily reminder of the objective being placed on his desk.

One year later, that assignment has been fulfilled, and Girardi thinks it would only be appropriate if he heads into Spring Training 2010 wearing a pinstriped No. 28.
"That's something I talked to [general manager] Brian Cashman briefly about today," Girardi said. "I think I will. I've got to talk to Shelley Duncan to see if he allows me to wear it."
That shouldn't be too much of an issue. Duncan wound up with No. 28 only after Melky Cabrera swapped it in Spring Training with Brett Tomko, who was released at the end of July.
Duncan played just 11 games with the Yankees across two stints, batting .200 (3-for-15) with one RBI before heading home at the conclusion of the regular season.
Looking further down the road, catcher Francisco Cervelli wears No. 29 and pitcher Dave Robertson owns No. 30. But that might be looking too far ahead.
In the meantime, Girardi said that he is excited for the Yankees' parade down the Canyon of Heroes at 11 a.m. ET on Friday -- with live coverage starting on MLB.com at 10 a.m. -- the Bombers' first since 2000, but Girardi's first since he was a member of the 1999 World Series winners.
"It's been 10 years since I've had a chance to do that, and I can't wait," Girardi said.