We've entered a new era of baseball history over the last few seasons. General managers, advertisers, fans and everybody in between are no longer mesmerized by home runs like they were during the "Steroid Era." People are tired of one-dimensional sluggers like Adam Dunn, David Ortiz, Mark Reynolds, etc., who embarrass themselves in the field or whenever their swing doesn't connect for a home run.They've realized while such players certainly have a niche on Major League rosters, they aren't very valuable in what has become a pitcher's league characterized by ...
Earlier this season, I will be the first to admit my worries for the fate of shortstop Derek Jeter were elevated. For one, he is my second-favorite athlete in history behind Tiger Woods, so the idea of a preemptive failure was a bit troubling to bear. But more realistically, it looked like his skills were diminishing without return. Before heading to the disabled list, Jeter's performance was lacking, mostly at the plate as he carried a .260 average. His injury ensued, followed by a long two-plus week absence, replaced by ...
The New York Yankees are having an amazing year thus far. The Boston Red Sox were supposed to run away with the AL East this year, but the Yankees are right in the mix.However, the Yankees pitching rotation could use a little work. While C.C. Sabathia has been great this season, the rest of the rotation can be very spotty. This rotation is loaded with potential, but "potential" is a very dangerous word in sports. Every player at the pro level has potential, but that doesn't mean they always live up to ...
The first thing to know about minor-league baseball is this: it's not about baseball. Sure, the leagues are training grounds for an organization's future assets, but the decisions that determine success from the player development perspective are made exclusively by big-league front offices.A minor-league GM is a savvy businessman, not a baseball man. Teams set as their utmost objective, not winning titles or churning out talent, but packing ballparks and building relationships with fans and local sponsors. Baseball at that level is meant to be fun for even those who ...
Maybe I'm just spoiled.Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I spent my childhood going to A's and Giants games, watching players like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, the Big Three (Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson, Barry Zito), and Kirk Rueter come and go.The stadiums were packed, if frigid, and the fans were always good-natured as long as you weren't wearing anything blue.Beautiful AT&T Park, on the shore of McCovey Cove and San Francisco Bay, has always been a popular destination, and for the most part, Giants fans have ...
Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been on record stating that the Yankees currently have a championship caliber team. However, the common consensus amongst those around the league is that while the Yankees are good, they are not good enough to make it to the World Series—let alone have a shot at winning it.Here are five strategies that may help improve the Yankees' chances of returning to the glory land.Begin Slideshow
Jorge Posada has stated he wants to play one more season beyond 2011. Here's why his 2012 season may not happen, at least not as a member of the Yankees or any other winning team. It's been a long, difficult year for the Yankees and Jorge Posada. His lack of consistent production has gotten him benched twice, both against the Red Sox. He clearly isn't swinging the bat well anymore and is no longer the catcher for the Bombers. His number one job has been to produce offensively as DH, ...
At this time last week, the New York and national media ran with the classic "Is Mariano Rivera Done?" theme, an almost yearly event that breaks down Rivera's recent weekly troubles. After blowing one save in one game, giving up a home run and the lead in a tied game and allowing a home run in a save in another brought the same crazy talk that Rivera is not the same pitcher. Let's get one thing straight. Rivera isn't the same pitcher now as he was in his prime, but he ...
Former New York Yankees postseason hero, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, is going to finally officially retire, according to a tweet by Andy Martino of the New York Daily News last night.El Duque last pitched in the MLB back in 2007, but was in the minor leagues for the Washington Nationals in 2010.Hernandez made his mark in MLB when he joined the Yankees after his defection from Cuba in 1998. During his rookie season, he went 12-4 with a 3.13 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and a 142 ERA+.While his regular season stats for his ...
When the New York Yankees are unable to perform well during a season, or when a recently signed player does not perform up to par, it is easy for fans to point the finger and blame general manager Brian Cashman for their downfall. That is the core reason why the GM has been criticized harshly throughout the years. Yes, Cashman has made costly mistakes during his time with the Yankees. What GM hasn't? Because of those errors in judgement it is difficult for fans to appreciate all of the wise decisions ...