When one's computer crashes and long-labored articles are lost, one goes back to basics: scouring the memory and trying desperately to recreate the statistical nuances and research that kept one awake until all hours of the night. So I begin with a short compilation of notable—or notably dubious—achievements by the great and the not-so-great.Begin Slideshow
I'm not going to be one of those countless writers in the blogosphere ready to call the MIchael Pineda/Jesus Montero deal a massive loss for the New York Yankees. It's true Seattle's newest slugger will break camp as his team's starting designated hitter while the Yankees newest acquisition heads to the disabled list.It's also true that Michael Pineda showed up to Yankees camp overweight and weak fastball, while Jesus Montero showed up ready to build upon the brilliant (albeit brief) success he saw at the end of last season. But ...
With the start of the season only days away, Ivan Nova doesn't appear to be getting any stronger for the New York Yankees, if his last outing of spring training is any indication. So is there something wrong? Coming into his start against the New York Mets, Nova was 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA. He allowed 15 earned runs in 19.2 innings pitched this spring. But it didn't get any better facing the Mets. Nova went 2.2 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits in his last tune-up before the ...
After getting knocked around by the Mets this afternoon, Yankees right-hander Ivan Nova said that today, "was one of the worst days of my life. I wasn't pitching right."Well, you might have to get used to it, Ivan.The Mets, with a lineup not expected to provoke memories of 1986, knocked out eight hits and drew two walks in just 2.2 innings. Nova, who has struggled this spring, saw his exhibition ERA rise to 8.06.Nova has hardly been dominant this spring, but he was hardly dominant last season despite going 16-4 ...
I prefer to give the NCAA a wide berth; something about being true-to-your-school, Beach Boys fashion, never really grabbed me.Perhaps it was because Rutgers might not have won a football game the entire time I was there, or it could be that the whole “student-athlete” thing always overstretched my willing suspension of disbelief. If I want science fiction, I’ll buy a Ray Bradbury collection. Otherwise, let’s just call a thing what it is. Still, March Madness exists for a reason, like chain restaurants. And with the madness of crowds ...
The return process continues for Andy Pettitte, and it appears the New York Yankees will give him the nod for one inning in the spring training finale on Wednesday against the New York Mets, according to George A. King III of the New York Post:
'I talked to (pitching coach) Larry Rothschild last night and I realized I would feel good enough to pitch,' Pettitte said outside the Yankees clubhouse. 'I bounced back real good and I feel good for an inning tomorrow.'
Pettitte announced his comeback on March 16th, and this could be ...
When spring training 2012 kicked off, the New York Yankees only had two spots guaranteed in their starting rotation: CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. But at the culmination of spring, Phil Hughes has emerged as the No. 3 starter. According to Dan Martin of the New York Post, manager Joe Girardi has announced that Hughes will be the Yanks No. 3 starter with Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia rounding out the last two spots. So who has earned what spot in the rotation? 3. Phil Hughes: 0-1, 1.56 ERA, 3 ...
I am starting a weekly article in which I provide some predictions for the New York Yankees' week ahead. The predictions will include the games the Yankees will win and lose, as well as significant statistics.I want readers to leave their comments on them and make their own predictions. Then after the week, I will go over the predictions made by myself and readers. I'll break them down and compare them to what actually happened.The Yankees regular season is getting underway, and they will face the Tampa Bay Rays on ...
After strategically buying up every room in a Nicaraguan hotel in 2002, former Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein thought he had pulled the ultimate fast one on his rivals. Engaging in ample and undisturbed face time with free agent Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras, Epstein could freely sip rum, smoke cigars with the right-hander and most importantly, have him sign on the dotted line. However, only hours later Epstein would learn that his prized offseason prize would waltz into the sunset hand-in-hand with the New York Yankees. So, when Japanese ...
Derek Jeter has failed to reach .300 for two straight years, which was something that he only did three times in his Hall of Fame career prior to 2009.He also hit just six home runs last year. Will he continue to decline, or does he have at least another good year ahead of him? Aside from the lack of home runs last year, he had a pretty solid .297-84-6-61-16 line in 131 games. The player who normally isn’t fazed by anything seemed to press a bit while he was in pursuit ...