free time

Yankees clinch return to playoffs (AP)

Yahoo! Sports - Top News  Wed, 09/23/2009 - 11:48

Derek Jeter got enough extra free time last fall to realize he hated it. With the New York Yankees' return to the top of the AL standings after one unfamiliar year in the middle, their captain is grateful to know he'll be busy into October yet again.

Jeter had never missed the playoffs until last fall, when New York's 13-year streak of postseason appearances ended in an expensive flop.