Spending 423 million bucks on a few gifts is definitely a rarity these days, but the Yankees have all the confidence in the world on their recent holiday investments that include CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett.

What could you possibly buy with $400MM?  Apparently, it is possible to buy yourself a house on the moon, or even 400 billion 99 cent cheeseburgers at McDonalds. You could even buy three of the best players in baseball and add them to your roster in hopes of winning a World Series-just like the Yankees have done.

The Yankees have always been infamous for smashing the piggy bank, but with their recent $400MM in transactions the team will actually have saved money even after paying their so-called “luxury tax”.

Losing players like Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, Bobby Abreu, and Andy Pettitte all were responsible for freeing up most of the Yankees’ salary cap this offseason and reducing the payroll numbers below 2008 totals. The Yanks have successfully saved a dime in 2009! This is one spending spree we may never forget!

According to Yankees.com, Mike Mussina has officially announced his retirement from the game of baseball.  Mussina 39, ended his 18-year career after becoming the first pitcher since Sandy Koufax to retire after winning 20 games in a previous season.

Mussina spent his professional career pitching for only two American League ball clubs, the Baltimore Orioles (1991-2000), and the New York Yankees (2001-2008).

While in Baltimore for his first ten seasons, Mussina played with baseball greats like Cal Ripken Jr., Jeff Conine, and pitcher Mike Timlin. In 2001, Mussina became a free agent and eventually signed a deal with the New York Yankees.

Mussina concluded the 2008 season with an impressive record of 20-9 and an overall ERA of 3.37. Mussina appeared in the post season 16 times but somehow could never win a World Series. He finishes his career with 270 total career wins and he is a seven-time Gold Glove Winner.

Mike hopes to spend his time with his family at his home in Pennsylvania.

A Few Interesting Facts About Mike Mussina

In 2000, he established the Mike Mussina Foundation that aims to benefit children and children’s charities.

Mike earned a degree in Economics from Stanford University in December of 1990. This was a four year program that he completed in 3.5 years.

He recorded 2,813 strike outs with a total of 3,562.2 innings pitched in his career.

He and his family live in Williamsport, PA, Home of the Little League World Series – One Hour North of RBI Magazine’s location.

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