22-Story Landmark Building No Match For 'Santa's Elf' Brian Cashman
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman began his weekend by issuing a personal challenge to Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine.
He ended it by rappelling down a 350-foot, 22-story building.
"I publicly challenge Bobby Valentine to join me on the building, Landmark Square, first week of December 2012. Be there," Cashman said after taking a few practice runs down the Landmark Building in Stamford on Friday morning.
On Sunday he donned an elf's costume and successfully made the descent for the second straight year, joining "Santa," "The Grinch" and another elf.
"It was a lot more comfortable, obviously because of a lot more practice runs," Cashman said. "I'm getting used to it. So hopefully it looked better from my end."
The rest of the weekend he spent on the phone listening to trade proposals that did not go anywhere.
"I was on the phone all weekend, just like I am all the time," Cashman said. "I made some offers, received some ideas but nothing is getting any traction unfortunately. I've tried to make some things happen, but my concepts and the concepts given to me so far, we haven't found common ground."
Making the descent down one of Stamford's tallest buildings — with a studded Yankees jacket over his costume — Cashman displayed his experience from last year for the town's "Heights and Lights" celebration by waving to the crowd and attempting to do some flips.
"It's just a great opportunity," Cashman said. "Every time I drive by this building, I feel like it's a part of me. I've imprinted it. It's just a great opportunity to be part of something crazy, special and the Christmas show. So it's an awesome opportunity to be part of something that's fun."
Cashman will likely participate in next year's event -- and Valentine responded that he would, too.
"This is his town and he has done everything in his life. The guy is just king of accomplishments. I'm just going to help him add to his resume.
"Bobby makes everything better and if he does join us, the whole purpose is to take it to another level and Bobby whenever he gets involved with something, he makes sure to make it better."
Last year, Cashman flew to Orlando right after the event in the hopes of signing Cliff Lee, but this year he will wait until Monday to fly to the Winter Meetings in Dallas.
Would you rappel down the Landmark Building? Let us know in the comments below...
(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
