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Behind the Scenes at the Yankees Clubhouse

The Yankees are used to being in the spotlight. The New York team is the highest payroll team in professional sports, with players earning a total of nearly $200 million. And this October they will make another run for a World Series title, of which they have 26. Their record this season is 92-59, putting them 11 games ahead of the AL East second place Red Sox. But with baseball success, comes baseball gossip, and this week was no different.

The Sports Illustrated ran an article Tuesday in which the team was portrayed as being critical of star Alex Rodriguez, the team`s third baseman. Rodriguez`s teammate Jason Giambi was quoted in the article as saying Rodriguez has a "false confidence" and that Torre should "stop coddling him." Giambi and Rodriguez both downplayed the negatives in the article. Rodriguez even claimed the contrary, that he "found an enormous amount of support from my teammates."

In other Yankee developments, the team activated right fielder Gary Sheffield from the 15-day day disabled list, and closer Mariano Rivera threw a bullpen session and said he hopes to return this weekend. Sheffield, had wrist surgery June 13 is expected to start playing after the Yankees clinch the AL East title. The magic number for that is down to one. Rivera, sidelined since August 31 by a muscle strain near his right elbow, is practicing and hopes to pitch in three games before the postseason begins. "I feel real good," Rivera said. "I`m excited."