Yankees eye retired stadium pieces

NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- The company selling parts of the retired Yankee Stadium in New York said the team's players have shown interest in many of the most prominent items.

"There's been tremendous interest from the players," Brandon Steiner of Steiner Sports, which is handling the sale for owner George Steinbrenner, told the New York Post.

Steiner said Mariano Rivera, the team's closing pitcher since 1997, has his eye on several items from the bullpen, including the bench. He said Rivera, who threw the final victorious pitches in the stadium's last game Sept. 21, will also likely have first choice of whether he wants the rubber from the pitching mound.

Center fielder Bernie Williams has expressed interest in the 408-foot sign that accompanied him in center field, an object Steiner said could sell for up to $25,000.

Johnny Damon, an outfielder for the team, said he wants to buy both of the stadium's foul poles and place them near his Florida home.

"I really wanted both foul poles 'til word leaked out, and now I am not sure it is going to be possible because everyone knows that I want them," Damon said.

Team captain and shortstop Derek Jeter said he wants seats from the stadium as well as a Joe DiMaggio sign hanging above the tunnel to the dugout. Jeter said he touched the sign before every game for good luck.