Yankees Seal New Slugger with a Kiss

Local sports scribes basically went one step away from calling new Yankee slugger Mark Teixeira "whipped" in how he made up his mind in choosing to come to the Bronx as the biggest bat coming to New York thus far this off-season for either of our local ball clubs. Yesterday at his debut press conference, Tex revealed that his wife Leigh had final say in deciding to accept the $180 million contract he signed to become the first baseman at the new Yankee Stadium. That prompted the News to post the couple's picture on the back cover with the headline "Yes, Dear" while the Post said that it was "clear who wears the pinstriped pants in new Yankee savior Mark Teixeira's family."

The press conference was filled with the usual fluff about how despite growing up in Baltimore, Teixeira always idolized Don Mattingly, how great a fit New York is because of what a quick flight it is from Leigh's home in Georgia and agent Scott Boras's claim that the first basement accepted the Yankees offer even though it wasn't the best financial deal (despite the Yankees outbidding any other teams total contract by $10 million.)

But the loving couple took center stage. They shared the story of their weekly "date night" at the country club where the decision was made to come to New York and how Leigh looked at Mark and said, "I want you to be a Yankee." Now let's all hope that their marital bliss remains and does not go the way of Strayrod or (God forbid) The Cradle Robbing Rocket.

The 'Ropolitans blog makes the case that while the verdict is still out on whether the nearly $500 million the Yankees threw down for three free agents this off-season will pay of come October, they certainly have improved the looks of the Yankee family has improved in the looks department with the additions of the Teixeiras, the Burnetts and the Sabathias. Of course, no matter how easy on the eyes Amber Sabathia might be, we all know CC still only has eyes for his Burger Queen.