"Both of them played great," Girardi said. "Melky had a tough year last year, but he came into camp and was ready to go and played very well. Gardy finished up strong and had a great camp. We're just going to go with Gardy."

Gardner hit .385 (20-for-52) with three home runs, six RBIs and five stolen bases in 22 spring games for the Yankees, impressing the coaching staff by continuing to showcase plus speed in the outfield and on the bases.

The 24-year-old Cabrera skipped an opportunity to play in the World Baseball Classic in hopes of securing a job, putting up a good fight. Through 21 spring games, Cabrera batted .340 (18-for-53) with one home run, nine RBIs and two stolen bases.

When politicians questioned the propriety of the Yankees’ $1.2 billion in tax-exempt bonds for their new stadium, Randy Levine, the team’s president, scolded them for having their facts wrong or for failing to examine similar financing for the Mets’ Citi Field.

When the Milwaukee Brewers’ owner criticized the Yankees for signing $423.5 million in free agents this off-season, Levine countered, as he frequently has: we follow the rules, so don’t tell us how to invest our money.

In recent years, as George Steinbrenner has faded from view as the principal owner, Levine has emerged as the strongest voice of the Yankees, baseball’s wealthiest team. He is their executive-as-prosecutor, a tough, short-tempered and smart protector of the Steinbrenner family and the Yankees brand.

In other news, Joe Girardi threw a change-up after the game, saying it was “possible” they could start the season without a long reliever. That means Jon Albaladejo could make the squad instead of Alfredo Aceves, Dan Giese or Brett Tomko.

... Nolte had a 2.05 ERA with Low-A Beloit last season and a 1.85 ERA in the Gulf Coast League the year before. All told he's struck out 97 batters in 94.2 innings while walking 46 and holding opponents to a .230 batting average. His groundout-to-flyout ratio last year was better than 4.82-to-1. That's a huge groundball tendency.

Word is that the new Stadium is not particularly conducive to television cameras. The camera behind home plate, for instance, will have to shoot through the protective netting. Unlike the steeper old Stadium, there is no position to get a clean shot from that angle.

"I spoke to Aaron's father, Bob, and he indicated that things went well," Houston general manager Ed Wade said. "Certainly our prayers are with Aaron and the entire Boone family in hopes of a full recovery."

So the opener is out of the question? "He would love to be there; he would love it,'' she said. "But at the moment the stamina isn't there.''

Girardi is also "toying" with the idea of flip-flopping leadoff hitter Johnny Damon and No. 2 hitter Derek Jeter in the batting order. The manager plans to have Jeter hit first and Damon second on a regular basis during the remaining spring training games.

NEW YORK YANKEES ANNOUNCE PASSING OF LONGTIME BASEBALL AMBASSADOR ARTHUR RICHMAN

It is with deep sadness that the New York Yankees announce the passing of longtime baseball writer and executive Arthur Richman. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in New York City early this morning with his wife, Martha Richman, and friends by his side. He was 83 years old.

Mr. Richman’s baseball career spanned seven decades, including stops as an executive with the New York Mets and most recently the New York Yankees. He began his career in 1942 as a copy boy at the New York Daily Mirror and worked there for 21 years, authoring one of New York’s most popular columns, “The Armchair Manager.”

The Mirror folded in 1963, and Mr. Richman quickly took a position in the front office of the New York Mets, where he worked for 25 years. In 1989, Mr. Richman went to work for the Yankees, holding the positions of Senior Vice President and Senior Advisor in the club’s media relations department for nearly two decades.

“Arthur Richman made baseball and the New York Yankees an enormous part of his life, and I am grateful for his contributions both personally and professionally,” Yankees Principal Owner/Chairperson George M. Steinbrenner said. “He was a trusted friend and advisor to me, and someone the world of baseball will find impossible to replace. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Martha and to the countless others who were fortunate enough to call him a friend.”

Services will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 11:45 a.m. at Riverside Memorial Chapel on 180 W. 76th Street in New York City. He is survived by his wife, Martha. Mr. Richman was predeceased by his brother Milton — an award winning sportswriter and editor for United Press International.

The family asks that any memorial gifts be sent in Arthur’s name to the “Catch 25 Foundation,” established by New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. Donations will be dedicated specifically towards the area of the foundation that focuses on Alzheimer’s Disease research and support.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.joegirardi.com. Donations can be sent to Catch 25 Foundation, 220 West Huron, Suite 2001, Chicago, IL, 60654.

... Williams says his fellow Yankees didn't always appreciate his musical stylings back in his major-league days. "I used to bring my guitar all the time on plane rides and the bus," he laughs. "I happened to sit behind or in front of Derek [Jeter]. He used to tell me to shut up. I'd drive him crazy! I would try to serenade him, but he would have none of it after a game. Everybody's sleeping, and I'm trying to play some blues right in his ear."

Top Yankees officials are apparently giving Alex Rodriguez a pass on his latest appearance in the tabloids, but they were annoyed and concerned enough about his extracurricular activities and a spate of often unflattering celebrity news stories that top team executives -- including owners Hal and Hank Steinbrenner -- staged serious discussions with the superstar slugger in recent weeks about toning down his off-field act and focusing entirely on his well-known drive to be baseball's best player, according to people familiar with those talks. ...

The Yankees' message was, "Put all the distractions behind you.'' And Rodriguez agreed, according to people familiar with those discussions.

Sheppard appeared recently on WFAN and said that he is feeling strong enough to return to work on April 3, having been brought "back up to good fighting weight." Sheppard checked into the hospital at 103 pounds, but told host Ed Randall that he now weighs 145 pounds.

"The doctor said to me, 'When you get to 145 pounds, and you have adequate stamina, I'll allow you to go back to work,'" Sheppard said. "I'll be ready if God is willing, because I'm willing. He knows I'm willing."

Let's hope. We wish Mr. Sheppard well.

Before Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Yankees manager Joe Girardi gave a fairly revealing glimpse into the race for the big league utility job. He said it's between veteran Angel Berroa and young shortstop Ramiro Pena. Berroa has been the better hitter this spring and has much more experience, but Pena's bat has come to life lately and he seems to be a much better defender and probably a better runner.

TICKETS FOR EXHIBITION AND REGULAR SEASON GAMES TO GO ON SALE ON-LINE ONLY TODAY AT 10:00 AM AND EVERYWHERE ELSE ON MARCH 25; YANKEES TO OFFER SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL-GAME VALUE PROGRAMS

Tickets for individual games to see the 26-time World Champion New York Yankees in the inaugural season at Yankee Stadium will go on sale today at 10:00 AM at www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com only. Beginning Wednesday, March 25, tickets may also be purchased at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, at all area Ticketmaster outlets, via Ticketmaster by phone at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327, and at all Yankees Clubhouse Shops.

As in past years, the Yankees will make available individual-game ticket value programs throughout the 2009 season. A complete list of ticket specials, including game dates, seating locations, and terms and conditions, can be found at www.yankees.com/ticketspecials, by calling (718) 293-6000 or e-mailing tickets@yankees.com.

· $5 Games – For select games throughout the season, tickets in select areas of the Terrace and Grandstand Levels and Bleachers will be $5. Tickets for $5 Games may be purchased in advance or on the day of the game. Available games include: 4/20 vs. Oakland, 4/21 vs. Oakland, 5/7 vs. Tampa Bay, 5/20 vs. Baltimore, 6/3 vs. Texas, 6/17 vs. Washington, 7/2 vs. Seattle, 7/20 vs. Baltimore, 8/11 vs. Toronto, 8/27 vs. Texas, 9/15 vs. Toronto and 9/28 vs. Kansas City.

· Youth Games – All fans 14 and younger, when accompanied by an adult, can purchase half-price tickets for Saturday games. Tickets are available only on the day of game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows.

· Student Games – Students who present their valid high school or college ID cards when purchasing tickets for any Wednesday game can receive one half-price ticket in designated seating locations. Tickets are available only on the day of game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows.

· Senior Citizen Games – Senior Citizens (60 and older) can purchase $5 tickets for any Monday through Thursday game in designated seating locations. Tickets may be purchased in advance or on the day of game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows ONLY. Tickets will not be held for either advance or day of game sales. All tickets are first come first served. A valid form of identification must be presented at the time of purchase.

· Family Games – Families can enjoy specially priced tickets on designated Monday through Thursday games in April, May and September. Tickets may be purchased in advance or on the day of game.

· Value Pack Games – For select games, groups of four fans can get a great deal at an affordable price. Each Value Pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four non-alcoholic beverages and one New York Yankees Official 2009 Yearbook.

Tickets to the first two exhibition contests at Yankee Stadium vs. the Chicago Cubs on April 3 at 7:05 p.m. and April 4 at 1:05 p.m. will also go on sale on Tuesday, March 24 at 10:00 AM at www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com only and everywhere else on Wednesday, March 25.

For the exhibition games vs. the Cubs, Bleachers tickets will be 25¢ and Grandstand tickets will be $1.10—the same prices they were the day the original Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923. Tickets on the Terrace Level will cost between $20-35, tickets on the Main Level will be priced between $20-45, and tickets on the Field Level will range from $45-$50.

The 26-time World Champion Yankees will begin their 81-game home regular season schedule on Thursday, April 16 at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Cleveland Indians.

The Yankee Stadium Ticket Office is located outside the new Yankee Stadium adjacent to Gate 4 on 161st Street and Jerome Avenue. Beginning March 25, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The old Yankee Stadium will be chopped up and sold to fans in little pieces as part of a $10 million-plus deal the team struck with the city, The Post has learned.

The payment will give the team the right to sell city-owned portions of the ballpark, including all 57,000 seats, the foul poles, dugouts and even the urinals sources familiar with the deal said.

"They wouldn't have brought me over here if I wasn't going to do something," Swisher said. "We're just going to see how it goes."

“I’ve been thinking all day about what I wanted to say,” Swisher told us after the game, an 8-3 loss to the Phillies. “I’m the type of guy, I want to play every day, there’s no doubt about that. I guess we’re just going to see how it plays out.

"I still had the same mind-set going in, to try and get ready for the season," Nady said. "I know Swisher is obviously going to be a big part of this team. We both plan on playing a lot, and I think we're going to need everybody in order to have success."

"I thought he did a really good job most of Spring Training," manager Joe Girardi said. "I thought this was probably his best."

On a recent morning, Mr. DeLea swept his hand across a portion of the 80 acres of Yankees Sod on a vast hillside in South Jersey. Last fall, some of the secret blend of bluegrass was peeled in broad strips, hauled north on trucks and laid inside the new Yankee Stadium. But most of it was still here, greening under a late-winter sun. ...

A former consultant with the company and now Mr. DeLea’s vice president for business development, Mr. Andres saw a field of bluegrass far bigger than the two and a half acres needed to cover the grassy portions of the new Yankee Stadium. The team had asked Mr. DeLea to reserve 10 acres for the stadium, apparently in case of some horrific horticultural incident in the Bronx, but that left a lot of leftover sod.

“Actually, he’s ahead of schedule,” Philippon said Wednesday. “He’s a very disciplined athlete, very easy to work with. So far, we don’t have any curveballs.”

Philippon said that within a half-hour of the surgery, which was performed March 9, Rodriguez was riding a stationary bike, the normal procedure for Philippon’s patients in order to regain confidence and muscle memory. ...

“He already has better range of motion than he had before,” Philippon said.

It seems that when Posada came into Game 2 of the 1995 division series as a pinch-runner, in just his second career game, Sheppard introduced him as “Jorge Po-Sah-Doh.” You have to hear Jeter do the imitation to get the full effect.

If Mariano Rivera's health falters and he is unable to close, the likelihood is Joba Chamberlain would be switched into the role, multiple Yankees officials told The Post.

... if Rivera were to miss a sustained period, three club officials verified that Chamberlain almost certainly would replace him. The officials admitted the subject has been discussed at the highest levels and conceded Chamberlain has the best combination of temperament and stuff - by far - in the organization to handle both replacing the legendary Rivera and coping with the stress of being the Yankees' closer.

Yesterday evening we learned of the filing of a complaint against Mr. Bernie Williams. The news has taken us all by surprise. On the night in question, Mr. Williams had gone out after accepting an invitation to be a guest performer with a local music act. Mr. Williams denies any wrongdoing and we feel that some published media reports today are inaccurate. At this time, Mr. Williams has been advised by his legal counsel, José M. Marxuach, to not make any further comments, inasmuch as we do not want to interfere with the ongoing investigation. We want to assure everyone that Mr. Williams will fully cooperate with the local authorities to have this matter clarified as soon as possible.

Bobby Crosby has been playing some third after the A's traded for Cabrera, auditioning for a job. So far, he looks very stiff at third, and according to one scout, "You can tell he's resisting this with every bone in his body. He wants to play short, and that shows in his body language." The Yankees and Cubs have been watching, but neither has bitten.

The New York Yankees announced today that the online registration process for the general public to apply for the opportunity to purchase tickets for individual games in the inaugural season at Yankee Stadium is underway at www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com. The registration process will be open to fans through Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00 p.m. Due to the large demand for individual-game tickets, a random drawing will be held from the registrant pool. Those selected from the pool will be notified on Friday, March 20, at which time they will receive a password, which will allow them to purchase tickets online only on Monday, March 23, prior to the general public on-sale...

“His enthusiasm from the start of the game was just sky-high. He hustled. He’s got an amazing arm. I’m jealous – in a good way — because I see player with a great future ahead of him. He’s going to get better with the bat. He’s going to get a little quicker.”

The countries were Chinese Taipei (Chien-Ming Wang), Cuba (Christian Garcia), Japan (Kei Igawa), Dominican Republic (Jose Veras), Puerto Rico (Jonathan Albaladejo), United States (A.J. Burnett), Mexico (Sergio Mitre) and “Native America” (Joba).

... to be accurate, neither guy is doing the actual Twittering. They send text messages to their marketing rep, who sanitizes the Twitter posts for their protection.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair torn cartilage in his right hip, and doctors said they found nothing that would keep him from returning to the lineup in May.

"The surgery went exactly as we planned," said Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the 80-minute procedure at Vail Valley Surgery Center in Colorado. "No surprises."

Alex Rodriguez's decision to undergo surgery on his hip is fueling rumors that the Yankees are interested in Mark Teahen as a temporary replacement at third base.

Royals officials, for now, are brushing off the speculation, and general manager Dayton Moore has long maintained that Teahen is more valuable now to the club than in previous years because of his versatility.

"I'll be honest with you; we have not had any discussions internally about that -- not myself daydreaming or my pro scouting director [Billy Eppler], though I know he's proactive, so I'm sure he's got his lists lined up," Cashman said. "I guess that's a gray area. Thankfully, we're getting [Rodriguez] back, so if something makes sense that you run into, I think we'd gravitate to it. But it's hard to run into things that make sense, so we'd probably wind up going with what we've got."

Bodies and blood were all over the desert freeway, and somehow Cody Ransom landed on his feet. He was standing upright inside a flipped 15-passenger van, death and dying all around him, and he had no idea how or why he was chosen to live.

His feet had plunged through a shattered window and were planted firmly on the ground. The van belonging to the South Mountain Community College baseball team had blown its right rear tire on Interstate 10 in Arizona, crashed into a Palo Verde tree and rolled over two or three times on its catastrophic tumble from the fast lane to the other side.

The limited surgery would probably sideline Rodriguez at least four weeks and may allow him to play most of the season. But he would still need a more involved procedure at a later time to fix what caused the tear.

"Alex is our future," Cashman said. "What's best for him is best for us. Ultimately, this is Alex's career. This is his life. I know one thing: he wants to do anything he can to help this team now."

"If he was retiring after the year, this is a no-brainer," Girardi said. "That's not the case. I think you do have to take that into account, and it's a big part of the decision."

Things have changed since yesterday. The Yankees said then that the plan was for Alex to try and play and have surgery after the season. Now both Hal Steinbrenner and Girardi have talked about Alex needing to make a decision about having surgery.

Alex underwent more tests today and supposedly planned to throw and even hit in a cage out in Colorado. Then he will take a day or two to decide what to do, in consultation with the Yankees.

The sense I get from talking to people both in Tampa and elsewhere is that Alex will be having the surgery and it would be as soon as Monday. The Yankees are fearful of his trying to play and then having to come out of the lineup.

The Yankees have talked internally in the past about how Robinson Cano's best position might be third base in the long term. And it might be that if they determine A-Rod will be out for a long period of time, they could shift Cano from second to third and create another set of options for themselves as they try to replace A-Rod's offense.

Cashman said all last season that Jorge Posada’s torn labrum could be treated with rest and rehab. Then on July 30, as Posada underwent surgery, they made a surprise trade for Pudge Rodriguez.

Cashman said the Yankees discovered an irregularity in Rodriguez’s hip last May when he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam for a right quadriceps injury. By June or July, the hitting coach Kevin Long said he could notice subtle changes in Rodriguez’s hitting, notably in his right foot — the back one in his stance.

The foot was not pivoting fully, Long said, and as a result, Rodriguez could not completely turn his waist and clear his hips. This caused his bat to drag and prevented him from driving through the ball and generating maximum power.

"We felt it was in everyone's best interest -- for the team and the player -- to send Alex to Dr. Phillipon, who is regarded as the leading expert in his field," general manager Brian Cashman said. "Alex has proven his durability throughout his career, and we will take every precaution and step necessary to ensure his health as we near the start of the 2009 regular season and beyond."

*Joe Girardi was ejected twice in 2008. The Yankees won both games with "walk-off" hits (page 38). ...

*Hideki Matsui acts as a foster parent for 10 kids in Vietnam and worked with Japan's Eco-Safety Drive campaign in 2008, encouraging Japanese citizens to decrease their car pollution (page 164). ...

*Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Yanks home opener 11 times. Overall, New York City mayors have had the honor 31 times. Rudy Giuliani never did. (page 365).

Five batters in the Houston lineup yesterday were players Wang faced the last time he pitched in a game. But there were no flashbacks, only a methodical two innings of pain-free work.

"It felt good to pitch," Wang said. "It was the same as last year before I got hurt."