When speaking of his success with the New York Yankees, Mariano Rivera attributes all of his greatness to God. It was God that made him great, it was God that gave him his cutter. Little do most people know, it was almost God that cut Rivera's career short. It's impossible to think about where the Yankees would be without Rivera, the greatest closer ever to take the mound in the ninth inning. They certainly wouldn't have been better off. As impossible as it is to think about, retirement almost happened long ...
The 1927 New York Yankees were one of the greatest offensive teams of all time. Known as "Murderers' Row," they batted .307, hit 158 home runs and scored 976 runs or about 6.3 runs a game. The 1961 Yankees of Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, Elston Howard, Yogi Berra and Bill Skowron is considered one of the greatest Yankees teams. They set a new single season home run record when they hit 240 home runs. The above-mentioned five Yankees plus Johnny Blanchard each hit at least 21 home runs. The 1961 ...
Before the 2011 season started, everyone had the Boston Red Sox picked to win the American League East division.Hell, even I picked Boston to win the division back in March.But, coming into Wednesday's doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays, another team fighting to get into the postseason, the Yankees had a chance to do two things in one night: clinch a playoff spot and lock up the A.L. East division.Earlier in the day, the Yankees won the first of the two games over Tampa, 4-2.In the eighth inning, Robinson Cano ...
David Robertson has been brilliant as the setup man for the Yankees this season, posting outstanding numbers and delivering in in the clutch. New York hopes "Houdini" can continue his mastery into the playoffs. He filled the gap between the rest of the staff and Mariano, and he will be called upon numerous times in October.Exactly how dominant is Robertson, and why is he so critical to the Yankees' postseason run?The most impressive aspect of Robertson's play is his performance with runners in scoring position. He has faced 109 batters with ...
“Enter Sandman” blared again over the Yankee Stadium speakers. Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees tipped his cap to the crowd and beamed.The Yankee “stopper” had set a new major league record—602 career saves.Needing just 13 pitches, the storied hurler notched a shutdown ninth inning on September 19th, locking up the Yankee 6-4 win over Minnesota. He got Trevor Plouffe, Michael Cuddyer and Chris Parmelee in order.On May 23, 1995, the slender 25-year-old rookie Mariano Rivera, in his major league debut, lasted but 3 1/3 innings, yielding eight hits ...
Right now, there are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Mariano Rivera.Rivera is nothing short of spectacular, and in the opinion of many, the best pitcher ever.He still dominates after 15 years, using his devastating cutter and pinpoint control to baffle opposing hitters and saws more bats than a french lumberjack.Unfortunately, Mo won't be around forever.He'll have to retire to be with his family or maybe mother nature will finally catch up with him.So while Yankee fans dread the day Rivera leaves, we look forward to the future.Assuming Rivera retires when his ...
It seems like forever since Mariano Rivera's subtle fist pump near first base in Game 6 of the 2009 World Series, verifying his fifth title and the Yankees' 27th in franchise history. It was a fifth for Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte, a group crowned the "Core Four" for their unflappable championship fortitude over the years.Two seasons later, the Yankees are a different team with the same focus. Many familiar faces wear the pinstripes, but their stories are very different. Jorge Posada, once a leader and All-Star catcher, ...
When the majority of experts were asked before the season who the winner of the AL East would be, the answer was becoming redundant.The Boston Red Sox, obviously.Fast-forward to late September, and it's the Yankees on top. Those same experts said the rotation wouldn't hold up, but the surprising performances of Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have kept the team going through a number of injuries. Nova, Colon and potential-MVP Curtis Granderson can easily be defined as the heroes of the Yankees this season, and rightfully so. But there ...
A.J. Burnett was unexpectedly pulled from yesterday's game in the fifth inning. This wasn't an injury, however, as Joe Girardi told the media after yesterday's game."I thought his stuff had clearly changed; that's why I pulled him, It wasn't that I wanted to; I was hoping to get distance out of him. I would've loved to have a complete game, but I thought his stuff clearly changed."Burnett was insulted and humiliated by the hook, as he stormed out of the clubhouse saying, "Heaven forbid I give up a couple hits." ...
It started innocently enough and wasn't even reported in the newspapers. In the second game of a twin bill against the Minnesota Twins, on Sunday, June 20, 1965, Roger Maris, sliding into home plate, jammed his right hand against the home plate umpire's shin guard. Roger was in the Yankees' lineup the next few games, but in the nightcap of a double header against the Kansas City Athletics, he was forced to leave. Maris did not return until August 18 as a pinch-hitter after missing 49 games. Roger Maris started ...