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NEW YORK -- Joe Girardi is happy to see Jacoby Ellsbury in Yankees pinstripes instead of the uniform of the rival Boston Red Sox. "You are going to make my job a lot easier," the New York manager told his new outfielder. "You no longer are a thorn in my side. You are a flower in our clubhouse, and Im happy to have you." Ellsbury agreed to a $153 million, seven-year contract Dec. 3, and the deal was completed four days later. He was formally introduced Friday at a Yankee Stadium news conference, part of an off-season transformation that has seen New York add Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran while watching Robinson Cano depart. Ellsbury will wear No. 22 with the Yankees, taking over the number of Roger Clemens, another Boston star who moved south to New York. No. 2, Ellsburys uniform with the Red Sox, belongs to Yankees captain Derek Jeter. Ellsbury was No. 23 in college, but thats retired in honour of Don Mattingly. And Ellsbury started his big league career with No. 46, which was worn by Andy Pettitte and isnt being given out any time soon, if at all. "Twenty-two, Ive never worn that number, but 2 is my favourite number, so why not have two of them?" Ellsbury said. A lefty-hitting leadoff man, the 30-year-old led the majors with 52 steals despite a broken foot late this season. He finished with a .298 average, nine homers and 53 RBIs. Ellsbury spent 158 days on the disabled list in 2010 after breaking ribs in a collision with third baseman Adrian Beltre. He was on the DL for 90 days in 2012, when he dislocated his right shoulder when sliding into Rays shortstop Reid Brignac while trying to break up a double-play in Bostons home opener. "I play the game hard. I play the game I feel like the right way," Ellsbury said. "It was just two unfortunate things." He didnt go on the DL this year, when he was limited to 134 games by a broken bone in his right foot that he played on throughout the post-season before it completely healed. "I already made my mind up I would play in the post-season no matter how it felt," he said. "There was a risk -- a foul ball off my foot. ... The reward was worth the risk." New York general manager Brian Cashman thinks the injuries were anomalies. "Theres risk always when you make those type of commitments, but we signed the player because of the projected reward," Cashman said. "Hes a unique talent." Ellsburys arrival was linked to the slow negotiations with All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano, who left for a $240 million, 10-year deal with Seattle. "We have to start moving now," Cashman remembered telling his bosses. "And to move early, you have to step up and separate yourself from the pack." Ellsburys deal calls for salaries of $21,142,857.15 per season and includes a $21 million team option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout. Ellsbury gets a full no-trade provision and the right to purchase six Legends Suite tickets per year. "Ive seen him get base hits. Ive seen him hit home runs. Ive seen him steal second. Ive seen him steal third," Girardi said. "And I even had the pleasure of watching him steal home off of Andy Pettitte when I was standing right behind him and we were all screaming at Andy. "Ive seen him make great catches that changed the complexion of the scores between the Red Sox and Yankees. And thats why Im so excited to have him in our lineup on a daily basis, because theres so many different ways that he can beat you, whether its with his power, his speed or his glove." After seven seasons with the Red Sox and two World Series titles, Ellsbury took out a full-page ad in Fridays editions of The Boston Globe. "To the fans of New England, teammates and the many friendships made. Thank you!" the ad stated. He wouldnt be surprised if he receives a hostile reception when he returns to Fenway Park next season. "Fans like to boo. Its just kind of fun to boo," he said. But he cherishes his time in Boston. He had dinner Thursday night with former Red Sox teammates Dustin Pedroia and David Ross. "It was seven great years. The fans treated me great," Ellsbury said. "The guys in the clubhouse, those are relationships that Ill have for the rest of my life regardless of what uniform Im in or the uniform theyre in." NOTES: Wells wore 22 at the end of last season. With Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, Beltran, Alfonso Soriano and Ichiro Suzuki, there appears no room for Wells on the roster unless there is a trade or injury. Washington Capitals Jerseys . It certainly isnt a coincidence that Dwight Howard has scored at least 20 points in each game of the winning streak. Lars Eller Jersey . A steady downpour and low temperatures were predicted for much of the night. No makeup date was immediately announced, although it was determined that the game will not be part of a doubleheader on Wednesday. http://www.officialcapitalsfanstore.com/...apitals-jersey/. On Saturday, the paths of Drew Tate and Kevin Glenn cross again as opposing quarterbacks. Evgeny Kuznetsov Jersey . -- Jonathan Vilmas season is over and his future on the football field is in doubt. T. J. Oshie Jersey . - Vince Carter, heading into his 17th NBA season, doesnt consider age a big issue anymore. SOUTHAMPTON, England -- Everton self-destructed in its quest for a Champions League spot, scoring two own goals in a 2-0 loss to Southampton on Saturday that seriously dents the teams chances of finishing in the top four in the Premier League. Antolin Alcaraz headed into his own net in the opening minute, and Seamus Coleman repeated the feat in the 31st as Everton missed a chance to provisionally move above Arsenal into fourth place. Arsenal remained one point in front ahead of its home game against Newcastle on Monday, after which both teams will only have two matches remaining. Romelu Lukaku missed two good scoring chances for Everton in the first half and Leon Osman appealed for a penalty in the 62nd minute but was booked for diving instead. Southampton is lodged firmly in eighhth place and now has its best ever Premier League tally of 52 points.dddddddddddd Everton was coming off a 2-0 win over Manchester United last weekend, but went behind after just 53 seconds when Alcaraz dived to clear a cross from Rickie Lambert but sent his header past goalkeeper Tim Howard instead. Coleman fed Lukaku with a cross shortly afterward, but the Belgium striker only managed a poor shot off target. Southampton doubled its lead when Nathaniel Clyne sent in a cross that found its way to an unsighted Coleman, who reacted late and only managed to divert the ball into his own net. Lukaku missed a close-range header as Everton pushed forward, but the visitors never came close to a comeback -- and now find themselves a lot farther from the Champions League. ' ' '