Gardner’s thumb is healing well. He traveled with the Yankees to Camden Yards in Baltimore, where he participated in flip-hitting drills on Monday and is scheduled to take batting practice Tuesday.

"I really didn't have much discomfort," Gardner told the website. "I could feel it a little bit, but I was under the assumption that if I felt anything, I'd just shut it down and be careful. It's felt better every day.

"Any time you can see some live pitching and swing the bat a little bit, get some at-bats, it definitely helps.”

According to The New York Times, the Giants have not yet sold 3,000 club season tickets for next season. These tickets are all in prime locations and fetch top dollar.

Some of the most expensive seats in the new stadium are located in the Coaches Club behind the Giants’ bench. Each of these 2,093 seats command $20,000 for a personal seat license, which helps offset the stadium’s cost of construction, plus another $700 for 10 games. Four hundred of these premium seats have not been sold, in addition to 2,600 slightly less expensive club seats.

In the midst of a recession, it’s tough to sell these expensive seats.

“There is a point at some price that people won’t purchase a product,” Jim Lites, a senior sales consultant for the Giants, told the Times. “It’s still a bit of sticker shock. There has been some pushback on the price.”

Luxury suites, which seat between 12 and 26 spectators, have also been a hard sell. The most inexpensive suites, costing $150,000 per season, and the most expensive, which cost $500,000, have sold out, but the supply for those high-priced sections exceeds current demand.

“At the depths of the recession, it was not an opportune time to talk to people about a product like suites,” Mike Stevens, the Giants’ chief marketing officer, explained. “But in the last couple of weeks to a few months, receptivity levels have changed. We have a lot of agreements in the pipeline.”

The New York Jets, who will share the new stadium with the Giants, have not disclosed sales figures for tickets or suites. Jets executive vice president for business operations Matt Higgins is confident that, at least for his team, all tickets will be sold by the opening day of the 2010 season.

According to MLB.com, the Yankees are likely to call up position players Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena, Shelley Duncan and Brett Gardner.

Cervelli, a 23-year-old catching prospect, saw some major league action earlier this season when Jorge Posada and backup Jose Molina were both on the disabled list. Cervelli impressed the pinstripes with his .269 batting average and comfort with New York’s veteran pitchers. This is especially good news for manager Joe Girardi because Posada’s sore left ring finger isn’t likely to improve.

Pena is a slick fielder who has been learning how to play center field in Triple-A. Now that Jerry Hairston is on New York’s roster, Pena is unlikely to be called on to play in the outfield, but the 24-year-old could fine pinch-run and play the infield.

“He’s a very gifted defender,” manager Joe Girardi told MLB.com.

Duncan leads the Triple-A International League with 27 home runs and gave the Yankees a taste of his power during a stretch in the Show in 2007.

Gardner has been on the disabled list since July 26 with a fractured thumb, but he is expected to be called up later in September.

"[Gardner's thumb has] been getting better every day, so hopefully, it continues to do so," Girardi said.

As for pitching, with additional restrictions placed on Joba Chamberlain, the Yankees may choose to bolster their bullpen. Mark Melancon, Anthony Claggett and Jonathan Albaladejo would be first in line.

Spend the last Sunday of August and the first Wednesday and Sunday of September with Charlie Moore as NESN airs three new episodes from sunny San Diego. Then, join in as he welcomes American rock legend Ted Nugent to the stormy seas. 

Following Nugent’s stay on the show, Charlie Moore Outdoors will welcome Boston Red Sox legend Rico Petrocelli. 

Petrocelli played only for the Red Sox during his 14-year major league career (1963-1976). He was a .251 lifetime hitter with 210 home runs and 773 RBIs. He was also named to the American League All-Star team twice, in 1967 and again in 1969.

Charlie Moore concludes September with three episodes from Fort Kent, Maine. Tune in for another exciting month of celebrity guests and aqueous shenanigans with the one and only Mad Fisherman.

Here is the complete schedule:

Sunday, Aug. 31
8 p.m.: San Diego (HD) (New)
8:30 p.m.: Fishing and Golf (HD)

Wednesday, Sept. 2
5 p.m.:    San Diego (HD) (New)

Saturday, Sept. 5
12 p.m.: San Diego (HD) (New)
1:30 p.m.: Fishing and Golf (HD)
11:30 p.m.: Late Summer Larries/Nashua Pride (HD)

Sunday, Sept. 6
8 p.m.:    Ted Nugent (HD) (New)
8:30 p.m.: Spring Guitar (HD)

Wednesday, Sept. 9
5 p.m.: Ted Nugent (HD) (New)

Thursday, Sept. 10
5 p.m.: Ted Nugent (HD) (New)

Saturday, Sept. 12
12 p.m.: Ted Nugent (HD) (New)

Sunday, Sept. 13
8 p.m.: Rico Petrocelli (HD) (New)
8:30 p.m.: Spring Guitar (HD)

Wednesday, Sept. 16
5 p.m.: Rico Petrocelli (HD) (New)

Thursday, Sept. 17
5 p.m.: Rico Petrocelli (HD) (New)

Saturday, Sept. 19
12 p.m.: Fishing and Golf (HD)
1:30 p.m.: Fall Winni (HD)

Sunday, Sept. 20
8 p.m.: San Diego (HD) (New)
8:30 p.m.: Fall Winni (HD)

Wednesday, Sept. 23
5:30 p.m.: San Diego (HD) (New)

Sunday, Sept. 27
4 p.m.: San Diego (HD) (New)
8 p.m.: Fort Kent Maine (HD) (New)
8:30 p.m.: Fall Winni (HD)

Monday, Sept. 28
11:30 p.m.: Fort Kent Maine (HD) (New)

Wednesday, Sept. 30
5 p.m.: Fort Kent Maine (HD) (New)

Lately, the Spinners have been writing the book on creative promotions. After hosting Politically Correct Night and Politically Incorrect Night earlier in the season, the team hosted Halloween Night on Aug. 22. The first 600 children received free Halloween masks, and a costume parade was led around the field. A costume competition was held, and fans were given the opportunity to trick-or-treat throughout LeLacheur Park. The park staff made fans feel comfortable by wearing costumes as well. The Spinners themselves contributed to the night’s festivities by defeating the Oneonta Tigers 5-2 to take sole possession of first place in the New York-Penn League’s Stedler Division.

Next, the Spinners will welcome the Flying Karamazov Brothers to LeLacheur on Saturday. The juggling troupe will perform a sneak preview of their new show, “Flings and Eros,” which will premiere on Sept. 10 at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre. The show is William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, retold with the flair that only the legendary juggling troupe can provide.

And finally, Glen “Big Baby” Davis of the Boston Celtics will appear at LeLacheur Park as the Spinners’ guest of honor on Sunday. He’ll throw the ceremonial first pitch, participate in between-inning promotions and toss autographed basketballs into the stands. Legendary Celtic Jo Jo White will also attend. The event has been dubbed “Celtics Night” and will be presented by Electrical Wholesalers.

If the Spinners are looking to conclude their 2009 season with a bang, they certainly are on the right track. Entering play Friday, the team is 38-27, in sole possession of first place by 4 1/2 games. At LeLacheur Park, the Spinners have gone 20-13.

Historically, the Spinners’ franchise has always stretched its imagination when it comes to promotions and fan events. That’s what makes a trip to LeLacheur Park so exciting. You never know who will be there or what you’ll walk away with, but it’s sure to be an interesting experience no matter what.

Hairston is playing well and enjoys playing in the Bronx. On Wednesday, Hairston hit his 10th home run of the season — the first year he’s reached double-digit homers since beginning his career in 1998. But his increased offensive production isn’t the only reason why he’s enjoying his time in pinstripes.

“It was a pretty smooth transition," Hairston told the Web site. "I knew when I got traded over here, I was getting traded to a first-place team. For me, I was just trying not to mess it up. I just tried to fit in, and whenever my name is called, I try to contribute."

If it’s offense that’s needed, he’ll provide it. If it’s defense that’s needed, he’ll most certainly provide that. As a utilityman, he’s had to display his versatility on more than one occasion. He’s started five games at third base and five games in the outfield for the Yankees.

Indeed, one of the reasons the Yankees were so attracted to him was because of his ability to patrol center field. Manager Joe Girardi appreciates that kind of versatility.

"It's a pleasure to have a guy like that … because he can do so many things for you," said Girardi, who would feel comfortable playing Hairston anywhere on the field except catcher. "He allows us to spell a lot of guys, and you know he's going to be productive and give you quality at-bats and play good defense. He has been great for us since we got him."

Hairston recognizes that playing for a contending club is accompanied by its fair share of pressure, but he doesn’t let that bother him and takes a game-by-game approach.

"We realize what's at stake, but we also realize we have a very talented team,” he said. “Hopefully, we can do something special together."

Fans are encouraged to attend the game with new school supplies and can drop them off with the volunteers manning each stadium entrance or at the school bus located in the off-site parking lot.

All school supply donations will be given to Tools 4 Schools, Community FoodBank of New Jersey program. The supplies will go to New Jersey teachers in schools and after-school programs with a participation rate of 70 percent or more in the Free & Reduced Price lunch program.

Tools 4 Schools is in its seventh year and serves 160 schools and programs and boasts an enrollment of more than 100,000 students.

Qualifying teachers will be permitted to pick up school supplies at the program’s free store twice a year. Some of the most-needed items include writing and coloring materials, glue, notebooks, paper, rulers, stapling materials and backpacks.

Kimble first signed with the Dolphins on May 1 as an undrafted free agent, but he was waived on Aug. 24. A product of Stanford, Kimble rushed for 1,940 yards and 18 touchdowns on 415 carries during his college career. He led the team in rushing in 2006 and 2007.

While behind the plate, Posada fell victim to a foul tip at a bad angle. Ranger Nelson Cruz foul-tipped a ball that clipped Posada’s glove, thereby exacerbating an injury the catcher has been feeling for the past two weeks.

Manager Joe Girardi replaced the 37-year-old with Jose Molina.
X-rays were negative, but Posada’s finger remains sore. He first suffered the injury when the Yankees played the Blue Jays on Aug. 12 and has been using ice ever since. He says he feels it more catching than hitting. Taping the finger is an option, but Posada believes his condition is more serious.

"I don't think it's going to heal until the season is over," Posada told the Web site. "The joint is bruised, and there's not much I can do. I can ice it and ice it, but I feel it, especially catching."

Last week, linebacker Chase Blackburn took his turn, and nobody could have been a better candidate.

Blackburn was signed on June 21, 2005, as a rookie free agent after playing college football for Akron. He was signed as merely an extra body for training camp.

In his first preseason game, he made five tackles, recovered a fumble and never looked back. He wasn’t expected to start 11 times in 63 seasons, lead an NFL team in special teams tackles for the last three seasons, or earn a Super Bowl ring — but that’s exactly what he’s done.

With the ability to play all three linebacker positions, Blackburn is as versatile as they come. He has missed only one game in his career — the last contest of his rookie season. And it took a neck injury to put him on the sidelines.

"I call him 'Chase Infinite,' because he does an infinite number of things," fellow linebacker Antonio Pierce told the Web site. "Chase does everything.”

When Pierce suffered a quad injury last year, Blackburn was given the chance to start. He made the most of his opportunity and showed he has starting-caliber skills.

"I definitely showed myself and showed some of my teammates that I can play and be a starter in this league," Blackburn said. "Hopefully, I will get that opportunity before it's all said and done."

How did Chase Blackburn get here? How does a rookie linebacker who isn’t supposed to see much NFL action at all become a reliable starting option?
"I go out there every day with the mentality that I'm still a rookie free agent, and I have to prove myself. That's how you have to play, because if not, somebody else is going to be that guy and catch you when you're not looking,” Blackburn explained. “I can't believe this is my fifth year already — I feel like I'm still a rookie free agent. I feel like I haven't proven anything.

“Yeah, I made some special teams plays. Yeah, I came in and started some games last year, but obviously, there are things that I need to do better. You always have to be playing on the top of your game. You always have to keep your mind in the game at all times. The NFL has a high turnover ratio. It's a high-performance business that if you're not producing, they're going to move you right now."

Blackburn might get some job security soon if he keeps playing the way he has been since he entered the league.

First-year coach Rex Ryan is confident Sanchez is ready. During Wednesday’s news conference, Ryan explained his decision to name the starting quarterback now was to give all of the team’s signal-callers time to adapt to their respective roles the rest of the preseason. He was convinced on Tuesday night that Sanchez was the one.

The USC product beat out Kellen Clemens because Ryan believes Sanchez gives the Jets the best opportunity to win.

“I think he’s got everything — all of the things you look for,” Ryan said. “… Clearly, Sanchez has [arm strength]. He’s bigger than you think. He’s not a small guy. He’s a thick-bodied guy. He’s not the tallest guy of all time. He’s a little over 6’2”, but he’s a big, thick guy. I think he’s got a good grasp of our system. I think that will only get better. He’s got good movement skills. He has the talent to be an outstanding quarterback, and I also love his mental makeup.”

While Sanchez gains experience and confidence, expect the Jets to rely on their run game in the early going of the season.

"I think we have definitely grown in the receiving group,” quarterback Eli Manning told the Giants' web site. “Guys have gotten a lot of reps, gotten a lot of work to continue to learn within the offense. I think we are definitely better off than where we were a few weeks ago, when we got here. There is still definitely room for improvement, but I don't think you ever stop improving and keep working. These guys will continue to learn within this offense, learn about coverages and decisions and that part of preseason and about just experiencing game situations."

Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon are the starting receivers for now. Young veterans Mario Manningham, Derek Hagan and Sinorice Moss are battling for playing time, third-round draft choice Ramses Barden has displayed consistency and first-round pick Hakeem Nicks is getting up to speed after overcoming a hamstring injury.

"I like to think positive, so I would say it was a positive camp for me,” Nicks said on the site. “It's just a matter of me finally getting things down and I am ready to play."

Manning hasn’t offered a definitive opinion on which receiver, if any, distinguished himself at camp, and is in favor of a wide-receiver-by-committee approach.

"I think [it could be receiver by committee]," Manning said. "Some guys are stepping up and doing some good things. Still, I think we're going to rotate some guys in during the preseason and during the regular season. Some guys are doing well, but we need to keep improving."

Manning needs more time to get comfortable with his receivers, and vice versa, but a successful training camp is a start.

“He’s even better than I thought,” Ryan told newyorkjets.com after Washington rushed for 48 yards on eight carries in the Jets’ 24-23 loss to the Ravens on Monday night. “This guy is — whoo! — he’s a little stud. I knew he was tough, but that defense, that doesn’t happen to them. I don’t care, preseason, regular season. He’s special.”

Washington also had two receptions for 35 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez, the rookie’s first pro touchdown toss.

“Leon went on a little wheel route, and the defensive lineman ran with him, and he was running with his back to me so he couldn’t see the throw,” Sanchez told the team’s Web site. “So I just put it up and gave Leon a chance, and he made a great play just sticking with the ball and sticking inside the linebacker to make a great catch. So it was perfect. It was the first read that we had, and it worked out well.”

Washington, who led the NFL in combined net yards last season, finished the game with 181 yards on rushing, receiving, and returns — tying Jesse Chatman’s total last season against the Eagles for the Jet’s most all-purpose yardage in the past 20 preseasons.

Having Washington perform at a high level bodes well for New York’s offense and should help take some pressure off Sanchez, who will be behind center in Week 1.

Gardner suffered the injury sliding hard into A’s second baseman Mark Ellis to break up a potential double play.

Gardner has been taking a cautious approach to rehab. Not wanting to rush back too soon, he’s been resting his thumb for the past month and tested it for the first time on Tuesday by swinging a bat and throwing at about 50 to 60 percent.

Manager Joe Girardi acknowledges the necessity of Gardner getting a good share of at-bats, but he’ll likely first be used as a pinch runner.

"He needs to get some at-bats," Girardi told MLB.com. "How many at-bats he needs, I can't tell you. But I think a lot of [his timetable] depends on how these first few days go." 

The Yankees’ Hideki Matsui is no exception. At 35, his knees are feeling it.

According to The New York Times, the one-time left fielder hasn’t spent an inning in any part of the field all season long. These days, he fills the role of designated hitter and keeps the clubhouse’s ice machine on overdrive.

This could be Matsui’s final season with the Yankees, so he’s making it count in the hope that an extra offensive push will serve as a constant reminder to New York’s front office that the team still needs him. He’s batting .265 this year with 19 doubles, a triple, 23 home runs and 68 RBIs. In this past weekend’s series with the Red Sox, Matsui looked like the player he was five years ago at the plate. He hit four long balls in the series, two on Friday and two off Josh Beckett on Sunday.

If the Yankees let Matsui walk at the end of this year, they’ll miss more than his bat. The Japanese superstar has endeared himself to the club, the franchise and the fans with his professionalism and gentlemanly attitude.

“He’s my favorite player right now,” shortstop Derek Jeter told the Times.

The praise doesn’t end there.

“Obviously, he’s a pro,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the Times. “He can swing the bat — there’s no doubt about that. Where it goes from here, who knows?”

If it comes to pass that this is in fact Matsui’s last season with the Yankees, look for him to find work with another American League club in need of a designated hitter. That American League club will most likely not be the Seattle Mariners, since Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki reportedly “are not friends.” National League teams probably won’t be biting because he hasn’t played in the outfield since June 15, 2008.

But somebody will.

For now, Matsui is taking the one-season-at-a-time approach, though his preference is clear. 

“I like New York, I like being with the Yankees, I like the New York fans,” Matsui said. “So it’s a place that I feel very comfortable.”

Third quarterback Erik Ainge scored on a one-yard keeper with 22 seconds on the clock to culminate an 18-play, fourth-quarter drive, but his two-point conversion pass to Marcus Henry fell incomplete.

Mark Sanchez opened the game behind center for the Jets but got off to a slow start in his first pro start. His first pass, 30 seconds into the game, lacked both height and speed and was easily intercepted by Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. Sanchez eventually got more comfortable and led the Jets to a touchdown in his fifth and final series of the night. He finished 3-for-8 for 43 yards with one touchdown and one interception in 25 plays.

“It was good experience for a rookie,” Sanchez told newyorkjets.com, “but not the way you want to start. … It was difficult those first couple of plays, but I settled down.

Sanchez gave way to quarterback Kellen Clemens with 2:34 left on the clock in the first half. Clemens’ third pass of the game was intercepted, just like Sanchez’s first.

“Obviously, the interception to finish the first half was disappointing,” Clemens told newyorkjets.com. “We had a little miscommunication with the routes underneath. On a positive note, I did like how we responded.”

Clemens completed 5-of-10 passes for 60 yards, a touchdown and an interception in six drives (19 plays).

Three quarterbacks and one loss later, coach Rex Ryan had plenty of material for a postgame lecture. But he wasn’t ready to announce his regular-season starter yet. The competition between Sanchez and Clemens is expected to continue this week as the Jets prepare to face the Giants at the Meadowlands on Saturday.

Hakeem Nicks

The Giants’ first-round draft pick missed a portion of training camp due to a hamstring injury and was largely overshadowed by the other receivers on the roster. However, Monday’s practice, the team’s next-to-last at training camp, was Nicks’ day to shine.

According to Giants.com, Nicks caught everything thrown to him and made two one-handed grabs that made him look like he’d been around the National Football League once or twice.

"Oh man, remarkable catch,” said quarterback Andre’ Woodson on the team’s Web site, describing one of Nicks’ one-handed grabs. “That was amazing. I think that shows right there why he was the first pick for us in the first round. He has a lot of potential, he really does. The big thing for him is learning the playbook, finding the hot [reads] and adjustments, and he'll be fine.

“But he's pretty nice to watch. To see him go up there one-handed and the defensive back really doesn't know where the ball is, he just did a wonderful job of going up there and getting it at its highest point."

Coach Tom Coughlin also was impressed.

"He probably did [have his best practice of camp] — probably three deep balls, something like that," Coughlin said. "A good time and the right time to have that happen."

For his part, Nicks is loving every minute of it.

"Every day is fun,” said Nicks, who leads the team with 64 receiving yards after two preseason contests. “This is football. A lot earlier in the practices, the hamstring [injury] came, and that was a setback. It's just a football injury, but it was a lot to think about. I was thinking too much at the beginning, and now I feel like I'm playing within the team and within the system and playing my game.”

The rookie out of North Carolina deserves credit for missing a week of camp and bouncing back so completely and effectively — especially with the pressure of being the 29th overall draft pick weighing on his shoulders. But after his performance in Monday’s practice, he’s sure to see some playing time this season.

But according to The New York Times, injuries this season will test the mettle of a group that includes the likes of Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard and Osi Umenyiora. 

It starts with tackle Jay Alford, who injured his left knee,  in the Giants’ loss to the Bears on Saturday. Alford sustained a tear of his medial collateral ligament and a partial tear of his anterior cruciate ligament. All of that translates to two weeks of rehabilitation before a more conclusive course of action is selected.

Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka also sustained a minor ankle injury during that game.
Add that to Canty’s hamstring injury, which has kept him out of two preseason contests and hasn’t improved much.

Bernard hasn’t seen any action due to a hamstring injury, but coach Tom Coughlin is confident the defensive tackle will return to the gridiron soon.

One bit of good news is that defensive tackle Fred Robbins, who missed the first preseason contest while recovering from offseason knee surgery, returned Saturday.

Still, the Giants’ defensive line clearly faces an uphill battle — especially because they’ll now have to face the Jets and Patriots, two teams that are perfectly capable of exploiting the line’s current weaknesses. Coughlin hopes that, at the very least, this dire predicament serves as cold water to the face of the line.

“I hope it’s a wake-up call,” Coughlin told the Times. “This rotation and depth is a nonfactor right now.”

The 35-year-old shortstop made his major league debut in pinstripes on May 29, 1995, and hasn’t played for any other team in his career. He was the American League’s Rookie of the Year in 1996. He is a lifetime .317 hitter with a .387 on-base percentage and .459 slugging percentage, and he also has won four rings, three Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers.

Unfortunately for New England, a fair amount of Jeter’s success has occurred facing Boston’s hometown team. Against the Red Sox in his career, Jeter has amassed a .291 batting average, .355 on-base percentage and .412 slugging percentage. In 872 at-bats, he has 102 RBIs on 254 hits — including 30 doubles, three triples and 24 home runs. Add 45 stolen bases and 71 walks, and the Red Sox have a very formidable opponent.

Jeter’s success has, more or less, held up in 2009. His .258 average against the Sox this season is a bit low, as is his .300 on-base percentage and .330 slugging percentage, but the Red Sox’ most recent encounter with the Yankees serves as a microcosm of Jeter’s outstanding career-long achievements.

On Friday, he went 3-for-6 with a double and two RBIs. On Saturday, the Sox enjoyed a brief respite from his mastery of Boston pitching, as Jeter went hitless in three at-bats. Then it was back to business as usual Sunday, as he went 2-for-5 with a solo home run to bring his season average to .332.

Jeter’s success during the series (5-for-14 with five runs and three RBIs) came at a very inopportune time. After getting swept by the Yankees in a four-game set in early August, the Red Sox had one more shot to get back in the AL East race by winning the series in Boston. But instead of making up some ground, the Red Sox lost two of three. The only game they won was the game during which Jeter failed to reach base.

That says something.

The former Harvard quarterback first signed with the Jets on May 1 as an undrafted free agent but was waived Aug. 15. A two-time All-Ivy Leaguer, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound signal-caller threw for 5,675 yards, 37 touchdowns and 13 interceptions during his college career.

Pizzotti joins fellow quarterbacks Mark Sanchez, Kellen Clemens and Erik Ainge on the Jets’ roster.