Cole Hamels will be a free agent following the 2012 season, and there's uncertainty surrounding the Phillies' ability to come to terms on a contract extension with the young lefty.Hamels doesn't seem worried about a contract extension, and why should he?No matter what happens this season, Hamels will get paid.As one of the premier left-handed starters in the game today, Hamels wants to be compensated as such. He has every right to make such demands, as he's earned the right to be paid like an ace.General manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. ...
Before this season, New York Yankees fans thought the only time they'd see Andy Pettitte throw another pitch on a Yankee Stadium mound would be for either the first pitch of a game or Old Timer's Day. But now that the Yankee legend is returning, 2012 will be another season we as fans get to enjoy one of the greatest pitchers in the team's history one more time. That being said, here are some things Yankees fans would love to see Pettitte do in 2012.Begin Slideshow
It doesn't matter how often fans are told that trades really can't be evaluated for several years. If Michael Pineda begins the 2012 season in the bullpen (please, not that) or down on the farm, fans and media will proclaim that the Seattle Mariners knew something when they traded the best young pitcher this side of Clayton Kershaw to the Yankees for Jesus Montero. The Yankees apparently are considering a starting rotation that includes Freddy Garcia and has Pineda and Ivan Nova battling for the fifth spot. That seems wrong on so many ...
The New York Yankees are undoubtedly one of the greatest sports franchises of all time.Deeply rooted in tradition and committed to excellence, the Yankees lead the MLB in World Series Championships with a stunning 27 rings.To put that in perspective, the next team on the list is the St. Louis Cardinals, with 11.No matter how great a franchise may be, no team is exempt from having disastrous seasons.The Yanks are no exception.Since their origin in 1901, the franchise has enjoyed some of the most successful seasons in sports history.Unfortunately, reality ...
Andy Pettitte's much-anticipated comeback for the New York Yankees won't officially kick-off until he gets his first start of the spring, but according to the New York Post, the Yankees legend is set to do so sometime next week. Pettitte made his comeback announcement on March 16th, and given the normal month and a half or so it takes most pitchers to get ready for the season, the 39 year old won't be able to take the mound until May 1st at the earliest. According to the same report, Pettitte threw ...
The New York Yankees were looking absolutely stacked until a rash of injuries brought them back down to planet earth. Here is what needs to happen for another title run. Michael Pineda came into spring training with an extra 10 pounds or so, and it seems to have affected his fastball. It’s important to note that his recent outing showed flashes of the young stud New York traded for, so there is hope. Hiroki Kuroda is another pitcher that needs to prove he can translate his solid innings eating to ...
The 1956 baseball season started for the New York Yankees on April 17. The pennant was conceded to them by almost everyone but one or two American League teams. It appeared that the Yankees had no weaknesses. A 1956 Sports Illustrated spring baseball preview article wondered how any team could beat them. Yogi Berra was the best catcher in the game. He finished the 1956 season batting .298 and tying his own record for the most home runs by an American League backstop with 30. In a fascinating statement about ...
Overall, the 2011 season was a failure for the Yankees. Because in New York, 97 wins and a division title simply don't serve as any sort of consolation. Not for the 27-time World Series Champions. In fact, Yankees regular season success in 2011 was nothing more than a testimony to the promising foundation they have in place. Despite subpar starting pitching, New York managed to win arguably the toughest division in baseball last season—thanks to stellar hitting and a solid relief pitching. Baseball's second-best offense and fourth-ranked bullpen carried the Bronx Bombers ...
All four recognized the significance of the moment as Derek Jeter held the World Series trophy high over his head; 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 no longer seemed so far in the past. "This is what you play for," Jeter said, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. "When you're six, seven, years old, you're out on the field, thinking about being in the World Series, winning the World Series. And it's always something special to be able to do it." Andy Pettitte, who won the clinching game of the 2009 World ...
Major League Baseball has been filled with a cast of characters throughout the years. Many players retire, but they just can't stay away from baseball for too long. Often enough, they end up managing in the major leagues.Some managers are blessed with the privilege of managing a team in a large market which attracts a great deal of attention nationwide. Some managers end up with a team in a small market with a small fan base.The success or failure of a team often leads to praise or blame on the ...