Archive for February, 2010
Brett Gardner Daily Update No. 15 »
The New York Yankees opened their spring training camp in Tampa yesterday. Brian Cashman was quoted defending his reshuffling of the outfield, including the signing of Randy Winn instead of former Yankee Johnny Damon. Cash said that when he had traded Austin Jackson to get Curtis Granderson, after trading Melky Cabrera to get Javy [...]
Old Guard, New Test: New York Yankees Rely On Vets »
The 2009 postseason will forever provide fond memories for Yankees fans—a month of baseball that signaled the franchise's return to the apex of the sport. But being a Sports Pessimist (the New York Jets did this to me), I still had a couple of minor gripes. One was Chris Rose, the Best Damn Sports Show hack who was inexplicably given [...]
The New York Yankees: Just Another Ball Club »
Jo Stac recalls that after the disastrous 1965 season, the New York Yankees were finally considered "just another team." She read many articles about how the "pride of the Yankees" belonged to the past. Jo was pleased. I have rooted for the Cleveland Indians since 1951. Today's fans don't know that the Indians, not the Boston Red [...]
The 10 Greatest New York Yankees Outfielders of All »
The New York Yankees have been blessed with some of the greatest outfielders in the history of Major League Baseball. I put some emphesis on years played, and World Series won in New York, as well as overall stats. This list will count down my top ten of the many stars that have 'trolled the Yankees' outfield in their proud history. Begin
2010 MLB New Stars: Mark Melancon Deserves Job Even »
One of the clichés you hear in the weeks preceding the opening of spring training camps is that "competition brings out the best in players." Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman both have said that during the last month. In fact, here is what Girardi said just yesterday: “I expect guys to pitch at a very high level. Will statistics play 100 [...]
New York Yankees: We’re Fans Too—A Defense of »
Every Yankee fan knows the feeling. Walk anywhere outside of New York wearing the blue and white, and we're greeted with chants of derision. However, unlike what fans of the Red Sox or Mets might endure, we endure insults that challenge not our team, but our fanhood. "Front-runner." "Bandwagon-Jumper." People who have heard these sorts of insults [...]
Comparing Some of the Greatest Hitters in Major League »
Ths is one of the happiest days of the year, as Spring Training opens. It makes all of us kids again, remembering the snap of ball into mitt and the unique sound of a well struck ball off a wooden bat. As has been so often said, "Hope Springs Eternal." Even the fans of perennial cellar dwellers can find some invigoration in Spring Training [...]
Topps Million Card Giveaway Spotlight: 1958 Enos »
I just can't get enough of the Topps Million Card Giveaway. Today, my travels took me to the Modell's by Grand Central Station where I scooped up 11 packs of "2010 Topps Baseball series 1" in search of Million Card Giveaway redemption cards, hoping to pull that elusive 1952 Mickey Mantle. Out of the 11 packages, I scored three redemption cards [...]
Thanks to Ralph Houk, Mickey Mantle Hit 536 Home Runs »
Victor Mohn, despite being a Boston Red Sox fan, admired Mickey Mantle, but he felt that injuries were part of the game. Victor wasn't surprised to learn that New York Yankees' general manager Ralph Houk talked Mickey out of retiring after the disastrous 1965 season. Mickey Mantle revealed the truth. At the age of 34, the [...]
Joe Girardi Lays Out Yankees Plans for Spring Training »
Yesterday was the official start of spring training as pitchers and catchers were due to report. Position players report next week and games will be underway shortly after that. With the start of camp manager Joe Girardi spoke with reporters and laid out some spring training plans for his Yankees squad (thanks to Chad Jennings of the Journal [...]