No video to start the post today.  Just think good thoughts for the widows and orphans of those lost on this day eight years ago.

• We wonder where Wang will wander in 2010:

Chien-Ming Wang, who had shoulder surgery in July, hopes to travel with the Yankees during the postseason even through he cannot play.

 “This is a great team. We can win the World Series,” he said. “I want to see that.”

In his first public comments since the surgery, Wang said he hopes to start playing catch again in January and believes he will pitch in the major leagues at some point in 2010. But he realizes that may not be with the Yankees.

Wang had a $5 million contract this season and is eligible for arbitration. There is virtually no chance the Yankees will offer him arbitration before the December deadline. That would leave Wang a free agent.

“I would like to stay in New York,” he said. “But I don’t know what will happen.”

One possibility is that the Yankees could offer Wang a minor-league contract. Or another team could sign him to a major-league deal and hope that he returns to form.

• Adulation from around the majors for Jeter’s accomplishments:

Rangers third baseman Michael Young, who has represented the American League in six All-Star Games, said he was in awe of Jeter’s career.

“That’s an incredible accomplishment, considering how many great players have played for that organization,” said Young. “Their best players are guys that played their whole careers there.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment. I’ve gotten to know Derek over the years, and as much as he won’t admit it, I think this means a lot to him.”

Veteran reliever Brendan Donnelly, who spent seven seasons in the American League before joining the Marlins this season, was also impressed by Jeter’s work ethic and role as the face of baseball.

“Jeter has been one of the best role models in Major League Baseball in recent history,” said Donnelly before Wednesday’s game. “He’s done it the right way, from start to finish, at the highest level and probably the hardest place to play. He’s been the face of Major League Baseball for years. You just don’t hear guys staying in one spot that long. For him to do everything he’s done, I think he’s earned every bit of his fame.

“To me, it’s not surprising that he’s about to become the Yankees’ all-time hit leader. He’s always healthy. He’s just done it the right way. I think more players in baseball should follow his way.”

• Jeter’s teammates reflect on their Captain:

If anyone can appreciate this march toward history, it’s the so-called old guard — Andy Pettitte, Rivera and Posada, the three other remaining links to the dynasty teams of the late 1990s. Perhaps they can appreciate it even more than Jeter, who shies away from attention as much as any multimillion dollar professional athlete possibly can.

. . . “We came up from the Minor Leagues [together], and being here for all the good times and the bad times and the tough times, and now to reach that milestone is tremendous,” Rivera said. “I can recall the first hit that he has and the first save I have. It’s amazing. So if I have to say one thing, thank God for that. Thank God for making us Yankees.”

“He’s going to be the only Yankee to ever hit 3,000 hits,” Posada said. “That tells you right there what kind of player [he is]. All the players that came through here, and he’s going to be the only one with 3,000 hits. He’s a special guy. A really special guy.”

• Even more Jeter adulation.
• Prior to Friday’s game, there will be a remembrance of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
• Could the Stadium host a boxing match?

Poll time!

[poll id=”37″]

• Don Slaught turns 51 today. Slaught shared catching duties in 1988 (with Joel Skinner) and 1989 (with Bob Geren).
• On this date in 1923, after Yankee leadoff hitter Whitey Witt reaches first base on a controversial infield hit that is ruled a single, Boston P Howard Ehmke retires the next 27 batters for a 3 – 0 win, his 20th of the year. The Yankee crowd exhorts the scorer Fred Lieb to reverse his call on the hard grounder that 3B Howie Shanks booted, but the one hit stood. Ehmke has now given up just one hit in his last two games.
• On this date in 1966, John Miller becomes the first Yankee to ever hit a homer in his first ML at bat. He contributes two runs in a 4 – 2 defeat of the Red Sox at Fenway Park. It will be Miller’s only homer in pinstripes, but as a Dodger in 1969, he will hit a homer in his last ML at-bat.
• On this date in 1988, the Yankees edge the Tigers, 5 – 4 in 18 innings. Steve Shields gets the win in relief. Rickey Henderson ties a 1948 American League record for extra innings with 12 putouts in LF.
• On this date in 1995, at Jacobs Field, the Yankees record a rarity in their 4 – 0 win over the Indians – no assists. Jack McDowell allows four hits, walks four and strikes out eight in the nine innings as the Yanks register the 3rd no-assist game in the American League this century. Black Jack retires the side in the 9th on three pitches. The outfield makes eight of the 27 putouts. It last happened in the ML in a Mets-Phils game on June 25, 1989, the only time in the National League.
• On this date in 2002, Whitey Ford and Phil Rizzuto unveil a monument dedicated to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The team also has a ceremonial tree planting in Monument Park in honor of the heroes and victims.

Back on Monday . . .