Tagged: Babe Ruth
Jeter Talks Have Gone On Way Too Long, Already
What are the Yankees doing? And what are they thinking? Sign Derek Jeter to a new contract, already. In my view, these drawn-out negotiations are starting to become an embarrassment to the whole New York Yankees organization.
No matter how anyone wants to spin these negotiations, it is very clear the next contract that Jeter signs with the Yankees has very little to do with his overall play on the field and at the plate [which is still better than most shortstops in baseball, by the way]. It’s all about the “Captain” as an all-time iconic player in the history of the Yankees franchise, standing along side the greatest of the greats in pinstripes: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Whitey Ford, Mariano Rivera, and many other All-Stars and Hall of Famers.
Of course, Jeter is near the top, right behind: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, and Berra. And when he finally does retire, he will become the next great link to carry on the awesome Yankees history and tradition at future Old-Timers’ Days at Yankee Stadium over the next 40 or 50 years. It will be Derek Jeter who will be announced last at these events, called out onto the field from the dugout to thunderous rounds of applause from many different generations of Yankee fans. How will the Yankees Universe be altered if the these current contract talks are allowed to degenerate into any form of disrespect of the Yankees Captain?
The Yankees front office talks about staying within a certain payroll budget of around $200 million, and how these talks with Jeter are “strickly business” and “not personal”.
Well, to be perfectly honest, as a Yankees fan, I could care less about how high the payroll is. It is reported that the New York Yankees are worth $1.5 – $2 billion, and the YES Network is worth about $3 billion. So this is a $5 billion organization that just recently increased ticket prices at Yankee Stadium – ticket prices that are already outrageously way too high. Yet at the same time it seems they want to nickel-and-dime one of their best all-time players. I make this comment in context to the overall net worth of the Yankees, and the overall “value” of Derek Jeter to the Yankees franchise. And I really think this is a fair observation based on the facts that are being reported [so far] throughout the sports media.
In my view, I think it is very important for the New York Yankees to sign Derek Jeter to a contract he is totally happy with, somewhere in the range of four to five years at about $20 million per year, because this would be a very “smart” and “good” business decision.
If for some reason the “UNTHINKABLE” happens, and Derek Jeter does not re-sign with the Yanks – a truly unimaginable thought in my mind – I’m sure all Yankee fans will take this “very personally”.
So in the end, these talks with Jeter are personal, “very personal”. But it is also “good business” to give Derek what he wants!
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Babe Ruth Hits 500th HR … August 11, 1929
In 1929, the New York Yankees (88-66) finished in second place, 18 games behind the first place Philadelphia Athletics (104-46). The Athletics were the American League Champions that year, in a League that consisted of eight teams. The A’s then went on to beat the National League Champion Chicago Cubs (4-1) in the World Series.
The Yankees top three home run hitters in 1929 were:
* Babe Ruth …… 46 HR … 154 RBI … .345 BA
* Lou Gehrig …… 35 HR … 126 RBI … .300 BA
* Tony Lazzeri … 18 HR … 106 RBI … .354 BA
The top three home run hitters for the A’s in ’29 were:
* Al Simmons …. 34 HR … 157 RBI … .365 BA
* Jimmie Foxx … 33 HR … 118 RBI … .354 BA
* Mule Haas …… 16 HR ….. 82 RBI … .313 BA
On August 11, 1929, Babe Ruth hit his 500th career home run.
In the book, “The Big Bam” – The LIFE and TIMES of BABE RUTH, by Leigh Montville, the author describes the Babe’s historic homer in such beautiful detail …
“The Babe went back to his long-ball production. Despite missing 17 days and falling nine home runs behind Gehrig, he again would lead the league with 46 and hit .345. He reached a milestone on August 11 in Cleveland when he smacked Indians starter Willis Hudlin’s first pitch in the second inning far and wide over the right-field fence at League Park for his 500th home run. It was a startling figure, more than twice as many home runs as anyone in the majors ever had hit. The clout also was the Babe’s sixth home run in the past six games.”
“The ball ricocheted off a Lexington Avenue doorstep and rolled to the feet of Jack Geiser, 46, who was walking to catch a bus home to New Philadelphia. Geiser was found, brought to the Yankees dugout, and presented with two baseballs and an autographed $20 bill by the Bambino, in exchange for the ball in his possession.”
Just a little bit of [baseball history] and Yankees history on this date.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Moseley “Dust-in-Time”. Replaces A.J.; Beats Sox 7-2
A.J. Burnett was supposed to start Game Three of the four-game series against the Boston Red Sox; but, Burnett suffered some back stiffness in a throwing session before the game. So, Joe Girardi decided to scratch the struggling starter, and move up Dustin Moseley one day in the rotation to replace A.J. and start the ESPN Sunday Night Game vs. the Sox.
This move also affected Phil Hughes, who will also be moved up in the rotation to start the final game of this series on Monday afternoon. Burnett is expected to start Tuesday’s game against the Rangers when the Yanks begin a six-game road trip in Texas [two games vs. the Rangers; and, four games against the Kansas City Royals].
There were many story lines in this game, but the brillant pitching performance by Moseley was the lead story.
Dustin Moseley (2-1), delivered a solid six and a third innings on the mound, allowing two runs, on six hits and two walks, while striking out five. Boston scored their runs on a fifth inning solo homer by Bill Hall (#13), off Moseley; and, a pitch-hit RBI single by Mike Lowell in the seventh off reliever Joba Chamberlain.
Joba was not effective in his outing, as he also walked a batter before a not-too-happy manager Joe Girardi replaced him with Boone Logan who got out of the late-inning jam.
The Yankees took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Lance Berkman doubled, and scored on an infield hit by Brett Gardner, that included an error by second-baseman Hall, which allowed the first run to score. And, then, Derek Jeter stroked a solid line drive RBI single to center that plated Gardner with the Yanks second run.
This was Jeter’s 2,874th career hit, which passed the great Babe Ruth on the all-time hit list, positioning the captain in 39th place on the historic list. The New York Giants Mel Ott is next on the list, as Jeter continues on his path to becoming the first Yankee player to reach 3,000 lifetime hits, and many more, depending on how long Jeter decides to play for the Bronx Bombers.
With the score 2-1 as the Yanks entered the bottom of the fifth, the Bombers exploded for five runs to break this game wide open.
Mark Teixeira led off the the inning with his 25th homer, making Teix only the fourth Major League player to hit at least 25 homeruns in each of their first eight seasons in the bigs. The other players to achieve this rare stat were Eddie Mathews, Darryl Strawberry, and Albert Pujols. Very cool, indeed !!!!
The Yankees then scored the rest of their runs in the fifth when Robinson Cano crossed the plate on an error by catcher Kevin Cash on an attempted pickoff throw; A RBI double by Berkman who was (3-for-4) in the game, finally breaking through with the production the Yankees expect from him; And, a two-RBI double by Jeter, that capped the five-run inning, giving the Yanks a 7-2 lead, which completed the scoring in this contest.
Red Sox starter Josh Beckett (L,3-2), was knocked out of the game in the bottom of the fifth, after a very poor showing in this game. The Yanks pounded out 11 hits, and walked twice, in route to scoring their seven runs off Beckett, which increased his ERA to 6.21.
The bullpen was effective the rest of the way for the Sox, as Delcarmen ended the fifth inning with a strikeout. And, Tim Wakefield delivered three scoreless innings in the 7th, 8th, and 9th. But, the Sox could not produce a comeback rally, and the score stayed at 7-2 in favor of the Yanks.
Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup playing third base for the Yanks. And showed no ill effects from the batting practice ball that was hit off his left ankle before Saturday’s game. A-Rod was (1-for-3), with a walk and run scored, and, also, a stolen base, the 300th of his career.
David Robertson recorded the first two outs of the ninth, including walking a batter, which inspired Girardi to bring in Mariano Rivera to get the final out in this very important game, even though it was not a save situation.
The Great Mariano delivered once again by throwing one pitch which resulted in out number three, preserving another Yankees victory.
And, so it goes.
The Yankees (69-41) remain in first place in the AL East by 2.5 games over the Tampa Bay Rays (67-44), who lost 1-0 yesterday against the Toronto Blue Jays, in a game in which the Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow had a no-hitter with two-outs in the ninth inning that was broken up by an infield single by Evan Longoria. Morrow stayed in the game after the hit to earn a 1-0 complete game shutout, which is just as rare as a no-hitter these days in baseball. The three-game sweep by Jays continued a five-game losing streak by the Rays.
With their loss in the Bronx, the Red Sox (63-49) stay in third place, seven games behind the Yankees, and five games behind the Rays.
The Yankees now look to win this series from the Red Sox with a victory in Game Four at the Stadium, Monday afternoon, in the Beautiful Bronx, New York.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Yanks Drop The Ball; Sox Win 6-3
In the first inning, in Game One of this very important four-game series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, it looked like we were all going to treated to another classic battle between these two great rivals.
David Ortiz blasted a solo homer (#24) in the top of the inning to give the Sox an early 1-0 lead. Then, after Derek Jeter led off the bottom of the first with a single, his 2,873th career hit that tied the Captain with Babe Ruth on the all-time hit list, Mark Teixeira also belted his 24th homer, that moved the Bombers into a 2-1 lead.
At this point, it seemed both starting pitchers, Clay Buchholz for the Red Sox and Javier Vazquez for the Yankees, would not last past the fifth inning, as surely this game would probably take over four hours to complete with the bullpens battling it for the victory.
But, the game was really decided in the top of the second inning.
Beltre started off the inning with a double, before J.D. Drew made the first out on a pop up to second. Mike Lowell was the next batter, and hit what looked like a very easy pop up just in front of the plate on the first base side of the infield. Both Vazquez and cacher Francisco Cervelli converged around the spot were the ball was likely to descend from the beautiful Bronx sky. At the last second, Cervelli called for the ball with Vazquez standing almost nose to nose with his catcher. The ball approached Cervelli and he dropped it, as the ball deflected off his mit, falling to the ground.
After the game, Cervelli said, “I moved my glove late and dropped it [the ball]. It was my fault; I’m supposed to catch that ball.”
Vazquez had second thoughts after the game, saying, “I’m a pretty good fielder, and should have called him off. You never know how the game goes from there.”
Well, the game did not go very well for the Yankees after that play, as the Red Sox took full advantage of Cervelli’s error with some help from Vazquez.
Rookie Ryan Kalish struck out to record the second out of the inning. But, Vazquez then walked the ninth place hitter Jed Lowrie to load the bases. And also walked the next batter Jacoby Ellsbury to force in the tying run. Marco Scutaro completed the embarrassing Yankee inning by hitting a two-RBI double that scored Lowell and Lowrie, giving the Red Sox a 4-2 lead.
That was basically the ballgame.
The Yanks scored a run in the fifth to cut the Sox lead to 4-3. And the rookie left-fielder Kalish, playing in only his seventh game for the Sox, blasted his first career homer, a two-run shot in the sixth, to cap the scoring in this game. Red Sox 6, Yankees 3.
Clay Buchholz (12-5), pitched a solid game, tossing 97 pitches over 7 and a third innings, allowing three runs, on nine hits, four strikeouts, and no walks, to earn the win.
Javier Vazquez (L, 9-8), lasted five and a third innings, giving up all six runs (three unearned), on six hits (including two homers), four walks, and four strikeouts.
Both bullpens were solid, with Jonathan Papelbon earning his 27th save. And, Derek Jeter won a temendous battle against Papelbon in the ninth by working a 12-pitch walk with two outs in the inning.
Nick Swisher flied out to left for the final out of the game which lasted only three hours and seventeen minutes, a very short amount of time for a complete game by Yankee and Red Sox standards.
The Tampa Bay Rays (67-42), lost 2-1 against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. So, the Yankees (67-41) remain in first place in the AL East by half a game over the Rays.
But, as I keep telling my Yankee friends, do not count out the Boston Red Sox (63-47), who are in third place, five games behind the Yanks. There are still many games to play, and this will be a three-team race between the Yanks, Rays, and Sox, right down to the wire in the AL East.
In the Yankees final 19 games of the season, the Bombers play the Rays seven times, and play the Red Sox six times, including the final three games of the season at Fenway Park.
Right now, though, the Yankees need to focus on winning the next three games of “this” series, so the Red Sox do not get too close to first place at this point of the season.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
* 600 … Does It Really Matter Anymore?
After the Yankees big 5-1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday afternoon at the Stadium, the only numbers that I am concerned about are: 67-40 and 67-40, which are the records of the Yanks and Tampa Bay Rays, tied for first place atop the AL East.
Alex Rodriguez’s homerun in the first inning was only a side note as far as I’m concerned, except for the fact that it helped the Yankees win a very important game, avoiding the Yanks being swept by the Blue Jays. Also, the win kept the Bronx Bombers on pace with the Rays, who lost to the Twins 2-1 last night in 13 innings.
When these milestone Home Run records are reached in this era of baseabll, such as A-Rod’s 600th yesterday, my thoughts always turn to Babe Ruth, reflecting on true greatness. But, it seems most fans have forgotten about The Babe of late.
In my view, maybe it’s time for Major League Baseball to do a better job of promoting Babe Ruth, and refocusing attention on the greatest player and homerun hitter in the history of our National Pastime.
My suggestion would be to encourage MLB to release a statement sometime before the end of this season, proclaiming the greatness of Babe Ruth [I know, as if this really is necessary]. But, the statement would acknowledge this very real fact. And maybe it is something that is needed to done at this time – something that is long overdue.
Included in the statement should be a missive informing all in the Baseball World that starting at the beginning of the 2011 season, the great Babe Ruth’s #3 will be permanently retired throughout all of Baseball … the same honor that Baseball has bestowed on Jackie Robinson by retiring his #42 throughout all of Major League Baseball.
Numbers are very sacred in the history of baseball. And with the many records being broken in recent years, many tainted because of alleged or admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs, these records should probably have an asterisk attached to them [in some form or another] for the overall good of the “Game”.
Retiring Babe Ruth’s #3, and issuing asterisk’s on tainted homerun records and other questionable baseball records, will be a great start to fully putting the Steroid Era behind us, while also honoring Baseball’s “Greatest Player”.
So, congratulations to Alex Rodriguez, ’cause he helped the Yankees win a big ballgame yesterday.
In the Yankees Universe, though, as the season continues, the only number that Yankee fans will care about, and be focused on, will be #28, as in the New York Yankees winning their 28th World Championship.
To view Babe Ruth’s lifetime stats, click on: Babe Ruth
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Melky “Cycles” A Path To Victory For Yankees
It was not a totally lost weekend for the New York Yankees as they won the final game of a four-game series against the White Sox, 8-5, thus avoiding what would have been a very embarrassing sweep by the Chisox in the Windy City.
The Yankees followed the “Melky-Way” in route to their must-win victory, as Melky Cabrera hit for the cycle — the first cycle by a Yankee since Tony Fernandez accomplished this rare feat in 1995. Also, his was the 15th cycle in Yankee history.
Melky put on a spectacular display, getting four hits in five at-bats, including a three-run homer off Chicago starter Mark Buehrle (L,11-5) in the second inning; a double and run scored in the fourth; a RBI single in the fifth; and, finally, a very exciting triple during his final at-bat in the ninth inning, a solid line drive in the gap over rightfielder Jermaine Dye’s head. The ball sailed to the wall as Melky Cabrera “cycled” around the bases at full speed.
After Cabrera slid safely into third base for the triple that completed his cycle, Melky quickly jumped up to his feet, pumping his arm into the air, as everybody in the Yankees dugout gave “The Melk-man” a standing ovation, cheering on this “very rare” historical baseball feat. A wonderful baseball moment, indeed.
Melky Cabrera scored the Yankees final run later on in the ninth inning, a very important insurance run, on a two-out RBI single by Derek Jeter that completed the scoring in this 8-5 Yankees victory.
This was Derek Jeter’s 2,084th game, which tied the great Babe Ruth for fourth place on the Yankees all-time games played list. It seems like “The Capatin” breaks or ties an all-time record at least once a week.
CC Sabathia was the Yankees starting pitcher, and certainly did not pitch one of his best games.
The Bombers staked Sabathia an early 3-0 lead on the Melky homer; but, CC could not hold the lead, giving up four runs in the bottom of the third on a RBI single by Gordon Beckham; a long opposite field two-run homer by Jermaine Dye; and, another long opposite field homerun by the next batter Jim Thome [career homer #559], that moved the White Sox into a 4-3 lead.
The Yankees battled back, though, led by Melky Cabrera, scoring two runs in the fourth on a RBI single by Jose Molina that scored Melky; and, a RBI single by Johnny Damon that plated Molina with the fifth run, giving the Yanks the lead once again at 5-4.
Melky was part of another Yankee rally in the top of the fifth, driving home Alex Rodriguez with a RBI single, which was followed by a run scoring single by newcomer Jerry Hairston, Jr., that drove home Nick Swisher for a 7-4 lead.
As the game entered the bottom of the eight, CC Sabathia was still on the mound when the first batter, Gordon Beckham doubled. This hit knocked CC out of the game as manager Joe Girardi replaced him with Phil Hughes, who struck-out Dye; walked Thome; and struck-out Konerko to set-up a first and second situation for Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, now in the game to get a four-out save.
Rivera quickly allowed a RBI single to Carlos Quentin that cut the Yankees lead to 7-5. But, Mariano struck out the next batter Chris Getz for the final out of the inning.
CC Sabathia (11-7), ended up throwing 100 pitches over seven okay innings, allowing all five runs, on ten hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. The numbers are not great, but after the third inning, CC was very solid on the mound holding the lead into the eight inning.
After Melky Cabrera capped off his great performance with his historic triple in the top of the ninth, “The Great Mariano” closed out this 8-5 Yankees victory by pitching a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning recording his 30th save of the season, which is now seven straight seasons of at least 30 saves for Mariano.
All-in-all, not a bad weekend, as the New York Yankees remain in first place in the AL East, a half a game ahead of the second place Boston Red Sox, and five and a half games in front of the third place Tampa Bay Rays.
To view boxscore, click on: Melky hits for the cycle
The 15 “Cycles” in New York Yankees history (from the New York Post) …
1 — Bert Daniels (July 25, 1912) vs. Chicago
2 — Bob Meusel (May 7, 1921) at Washington
3 — Bob Meusel (July 3, 1922) at Philadelphia
4 — Bob Meusel (July 26, 1928) at Detroit
5 — Tony Lazzeri (June 3, 1932) at Philadelphia
6 — Lou Gehrig (June 25, 1934) vs. Chicago
7 — Joe DiMaggio (July 9, 1937) vs. Washington
8 — Lou Gehrig (August 1, 1937) vs. St. Louis
9 — Buddy Rosar (July 19, 1940) vs. Cleveland
10 — Joe Gordon (September 8, 1940) at Boston
11 — Joe DiMaggio (May 20, 1948) at Chicago
12 — Mickey Mantle (July 23, 1957) vs. Chicago
13 — Bobby Murcer (August 29, 1972) vs. Texas
14 — Tony Fernandez (September 3, 1995) vs. Oakland
15 — Melky Cabrera ( August 2, 2009) at Chicago
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Babe Ruth Would Be Proud As New Stadium Opens
As the “House That Ruth Built” sits so gracefully across the street from the “House That George Built”, the 2009 New York Yankees christened the new Yankee Stadium in very high fashion winning the first ball game played in this new “cathedral” 7-4 against Lou Piniella’s Chicago Cubs.
Even though it was only an exhibition game, it had the feel of a regular season matchup watching the grand opening on the YES Network.
The new Stadium has a very similar look to the old renovated Yankee Stadium, at least on the field, as the field dimensions are exactly the same distances from home plate. There is more foul territory on both the first and third base sides of the field, and home plate is 20 feet closer to the back stop, though. But, other than those changes the players said when they are on the field it reminds them a lot like the old Stadium.
The main differences are beyond the fences, in the stands, and within all surrounding areas.
And, the most dominate feature of the new ballpark is the huge 59′ high – 103′ wide centerfield scoreboard. From all reports this wide screen “true high-def” scoreboard projects the clearest pictures imagineable and is the main focal point of everyone’s sight as it ceates a brand new skyline towering over the centerfield area in the middle of the bleachers in between both foul poles.
The “frieze” or “facade” is the other dominate feature as it brings the new Stadium back to its original 1923 look, with the classic white hanging facade wrapping around the roof levels just above the upper deck seating.
This beautiful feature always brings to mind the famous homerun that Mickey Mantle almost hit out of Yankee Stadium, on May 22, 1963, against the Kanas City Athletics … a soaring, majestic, powerful shot that slammed high off the upper rightfield “facade”, just inches short of traveling into the Bronx streets surrounding the Stadium.
No player has ever hit a fair ball out of the old Yankee Stadium. Will a player ever hit one out of the new Stadium?
Another great new feature, which is really a retro look going back to 1923, are the two manual scoreboards, one in leftfield and one in right, that are part of the outfield walls. These additions will be part of many new memories this year and in future years, and we will see classic pictures like the famous Don Larsen Perfect Game photo from the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Those are some of my first impressions of the new Yankee Stadium. There is a full season ahead of us, and hopefully at some point I will get a chance to vist the new ballpark. But, based on everything I have seen so far, on television and in the many pictues that have been published, the new Yankee Stadium is very simply “beautiful” and an instant “classic”.
Oh, yes, there also was a ball game during the Friday April 3, 2009 grand opening at the new state-of-the-art Yankee Stadium.
It did not look like a game would be played because of all the rain we had in the New York area Friday morning into the late afternoon. The rain did stop around 4:00 p.m. ET, though, and the newly improved and advanced drainage system worked as advertised, delivering almost perfect field conditions for the start of the game.
The National Anthem was played; Reggie Jackson threw out the first pitch; and, it was time to play ball.
The first pitch by Yankees starter, Chien-Ming Wang was a strike. But, the lead-off batter for the Cubs, Aaron Miles, did end up getting a single in this at-bat, the first hit at the new Stadium. Kosuke Fukudome followed with another single moving Miles to third. Then, Derrek Lee hit a RBI, sac-fly to center, giving the Cubs the early 1-0 lead as Miles crossed the plate.
Derek Jeter, the new lead-off hitter for the Yanks, who got the final hit at the old Yankee Stadium, started things off for the Bronx Bombers by stroking a double, the first Yankee hit at the new Stadium. But, Cubs starter, Ted Lilly, easily retired the next three batters, Damon, Teixeira, and Matsui, moving the game into the top of the second inning.
The Cubs added two more runs off Wang, on a walk to Soto, single to Gathright, and a two-out double to Miles, increasing their lead to 3-0.
After Jorge Posada led off the bottom of the second with a single, Robinson Cano cut the Cubs lead to 3-2, blasting a line-drive two-run homerun into the rightfield bleachers.
Jose Molina hit the final homer at the old Yankee Stadium; Cano now has the honor of hitting the first homerun at the new Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees took a 4-3 lead in this game in the bottom of the third, when Derek Jeter led off the inning with a single, and scored on Hideki Matsui’s two-out, two-run homerun which christened the rightfield foul pole.
Wang allowed the Cubs to tie the score 4-4 in the top of the 4th inning on a triple by Reed Johnson, and an RBI grounder to Jeter at short by Ryan Theriot. The Yankees had the infield back at regular depth which helped Johnson to score without a throw to the plate.
The Bombers battled right back in this game in the bottom of the 4th, on back to back singles by Cano and Nady; then, Alex Rodriguez’s replacement, Cody Ransom, lofted a high shot down the third base line, that christened the leftfield foul pole for a three-run homer, and 7-4 Yankees lead.
Chien-Ming Wang pitched a scoreless 5th inning, but was not very effective in this start, allowing four runs, on six hits, two walks, and three strikeouts, while throwing 71 pitches.
Mariano Rivera delivered another soild performance, easily retiring the side in order in the top of the 6th.
And, relievers, Veras (7th), Ramirez (8th), and Albaladejo (9th), closed out the rest of the game for the Yankees, each throwing a scoreless inning to help preserve the Yanks 7-4 victory. To view boxscore, click on: Game One
But, Ransom’s three-run homer completed the scoring in this game … and, I’m sure Babe Ruth had a big smile on his face, as the Yankees hit “three” homeruns in honor of “The Babe’s” #3, and rang the bell on both foul poles — a sound that surely carried throughout the universe, the “Yankees Universe”, as new memories were made and the great Yankees tradition continued at the “new” Yankee Stadium.
Rare Moment Of The Game …
Two of the Yankees three homeruns were shots that hit one of the “foul poles”, which is rare enough. But, when was the last time you seen homeruns hit off each foul pole by players on the same team, in the same game?
Well, I can’t remember the last time I seen this extraordinary event happen.
In the first game at the new Yankee Stadium this rare event did occur, when Hideki Matsui hit a two-run homerun off the the rightfield foul pole in the 3rd inning; and, Cody Ransom hit a three-run homer off the leftfield foul pole in the bottom of the 4th.
The New York Yankees christened the new Yankee Stadium in style, with a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs; and, with two special homeruns that christened both foul poles.
Photo Credits …
* Mickey Mantle homerun — 4.bp.blogspot.com/…/s400/Mick%27s+moonshot.jpg
* Don Larsen / Billy Martin — BestSportsPhotos.com
* Babe Ruth — http://www.gallerym.com/work.cfm?ID=278
— Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Update: Sunday, April 5, 2009 …
In the second game of the two-game exhibition series against the Chicago Cubs, on Saturday, April 4th, at the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees ended their 2009 Spring Training with a 10-1 victory over the Cubs.
The ball seems to be flying out of the new ballpark, as the Yankees hit seven homeruns in these two games …
Three homers in game one — Robinson Cano (two-run homer); Hideki Matsui (two-run homer); and Cody Ransom (three-run homer) — accounting for all of the Yankees seven runs in their 7-4 win …
Four homeruns in the second game — Derek Jeter (three-run homer in the 3rd inning); two homeruns by Mark Teixeira (solo shot in the 3rd; and, three-run homer in the 4th inning); and Shelley Duncan (solo homer in the 8th) — adding up to eight of the Yankees ten runs in their 10-1 victory.
In Game Two … Andy Pettitte started for the Yanks and pitched four solid innings, allowing the only Cub run, on six hits, one walk, and two strikeouts … A.J. Burnett replaced Pettitte in the 5th inning and also delivered a solid effort on the mound, pitching four innings, allowing zero runs, on two hits, one base-on-ball, and six strkeouts … Brian Bruney (two strikeouts), and Phil Coke (one strikeout), closed out the game and Yankees victory, pitching a scoreless 9th inning.
To view “box score”, click on: Game Two: Yanks 10, Cubs 1
The new 2009 Basball Season is finally here …
Enjoy “Opening Day”, everybody !!!
— Jimmy [27NYY], “BY&L”
Dedicated In Honor Of “Hall Of Famer” Red Ruffing
The latest mlblogs Fan “Leader’s List” [Feb 5 – Feb 15, 2009] was just released, and my blog, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life” was ranked #15 on this new list.
Thank you, to all who have visited my mlblog. I really appreciate all your support; and, also, all the many kind words, comments, and thoughts expressed by viewers of “BY&L”. I always look forward to your great commentary in the comment section of all my posts.
As has been my tradition on previous “Leader’s Lists”, I look forward to dedicating my ranking on each list in honor of a special player, or some other special meaning that number has in relation to the New York Yankees, baseball, or another special meaning in sports or everyday life.
The number 15 is a very special number in New York Yankees history, as it was worn by the Yankees great “captain” Thurman Munson, and retired shortly after Thurman’s tragic death in 1979.
I have already dedicated a post in honor of Thurman Munson from a previous #15 ranking on a past “Leader’s List” — “The Captain” #15 … Thurman Munson.
But, before Thurman Munson wore #15, the number was also worn by 12 other Yankee players throughout the history of the team, starting with Art Jorgens and Hank Johnson, who both wore the number in 1929.
In 1929, the New York Yankees were the first Major League Baseball team to begin wearing numbers on their uniforms on a regular basis. The numbers were assigned based on the position of the starting players in the lineup. So, this is the reason the players on the ’29 Yankees wore the following numbers …
#1 Earl Combs (CF); #2 Mark Koenig (SS/3B); #3 Babe Ruth (RF); #4 Lou Gehrig (1B); #5 Bob Meusel (LF); #6 Tony Lazzeri (2B); #7 Leo Durocher (SS/2B); #8 Johnny Grabowski (C); #9 Benny Bengough (C); #10 Bill Dickey (C).
[note: Dickey, Grabowski, Bengough, all shared the catching duties, with Bill Dickey catching most of the games for the Yanks in 1929. Dickey would later be assigned #8, which was also the number worn by Yogi Berra in the 1950’s and ’60’s. The #8 has been retired by the Yankees in honor of both Dickey and Berra].
After the 1929 season, the following Yankee players wore the number 15 …
Roy Sherid (1930-’31); Red Ruffing (1932-’42; 1946); Hank Borowy (1943-’45); Charlie Keller (1945); Tommy Henrich (1946-’51); Archie Wilson (1952); Joe Collins (1953-’57); Jim Risoni (1959-’61); Jack Reed (1961); Tom Tresh (1961-’69); and, Thurman Munson (1969-1979).
Of all the Yankee players to wear #15, Red Ruffing — probably the greatest righthanded starter in New York Yankees history, along with Hall of Famer, Jack Chesbro, who pitched for the Yanks from 1903-1909, including a (41-12; 1.82 ERA) season in 1904; Allie Reynolds; Vic Raschi; [and, more recently, Mel Stottlemyre and Mike Mussina] — is the only one of the players who have worn #15 to have been enshrined into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”.
Of course, in my view, I truly believe Thurman Munson should also be enshrined in the “Hall of Fame”; and, have stated my opinion in praise of Munson on a previous dedication post in the “captain’s” honor.
Red Ruffing started his baseball career at the age of 19, with the Boston Red Sox, in 1924.
He was (0-0) in his brief rookie season with the Sox. Then, from 1925-1930, Ruffing recorded six straight losing seasons pitching in Boston, including back-to-back years of losing over 20 games, (10-25) in 1928; and, (9-22) in 1929. After a (0-3) start in the beginning of the 1930 season, and an overall (39-96) losing record with Boston, the Red Sox traded Red Ruffing to the New York Yankees for Cedric Durst and $50,000.
Ruffing compiled a (15-5) record pitching for the Yankees the remainder of the 1930 season; and, then, went on to become the ace of the Yankees pitching staff throughout the rest of his career.
Red Ruffing had a lifetime won/loss record of (273-225); but, was (234-129), a .640 winning percentage, pitching for the New York Yankees, including four straight seasons of 20 or more wins from 1936-1939. [(20-12, 3.85 ERA) in 1936; (20-7, 2.98 ERA) in ’37; (21-7, 3.31 ERA) in ’38; and, (21-7, 2.93 ERA) in 1939].
A “very cool” hightlight in Red Ruffing’s pitching career occurred on August 13, 1932, when Ruffing threw a 10 inning, complete game, 1-0, shutout, in which he won the game by hitting a 10th inning homerun off Washington Senators pitcher, Al Thomas, giving the Yankees the 1-0 victory.
According to the story in Wikipedia, this is not the first time this very rare feat was accomplished. And, at least through the 2006 season, no other Major League pitcher has also thrown a complete game, 1-0 shutout, while also hitting the game winning homerun in the victory.
Achieving the above rare feat, Red Ruffing was actually responsible for both scores on the scoreboard in the Yankees victory, which is very difficult to accomplish in any team sport. Just think about it, how would that same feat be accomplished in another sport?
My first thought brought me to the sport of Hockey. A similar rare feat in the game of hockey would be: the winning goalie recording a 1-0 shutout, while somehow scoring the winning, and only goal of the game, in overtime. Or, in football, with the quarterback running in the winning touchdown, in an overtime, sudden-death, 6-0 victory. All three feats are very rare, indeed. Can anyone think of other examples, in other sports?
Well, even though Red Ruffing’s, 1-0, shutout, feat, was very rare, the fact that he hit a homerun was not [at all] rare for Mr. Ruffing.
Red Ruffing was an excellent hitting pitcher, compiling a career .269 batting average over his 22 years in the major leagues. In 882 games, Red Ruffing had 1,937 at-bats, with 521 hits; 36 homeruns; 273 RBI’s, 207 runs; 97 base-on-balls; 98 doubles; 13 triples; .306 on-base percentage; and, a .389 slugging percentage; while only striking out 266 times. Also, Ruffing hit over .300 in a season “eight” times in his career, including: .364 in 1930; .339 in 1935; and, .330 in 1931.
Ruffing also excelled in the post-season, with a 7-2 winning record in seven World Series appearances, in which the New York Yankees won six World Championships, including, four straight World Championships in the years: 1936, ’37, ’38, and ’39.
Other honors achieved by Red Ruffing throughout his career, included …
* Selection to the American League All-Star team six times.
* Induction into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame” in 1967, with 86.93% of the vote on his 15th time on the Hall of Fame ballot.
* Was honored by the New York Yankees at an “Old Timer’s Day” ceremony in 2004 with a plaque dedicated in his memory in Monument Park, beyond the left-centerfield wall in Yankee Stadium.
Mr. Ruffing was called to serve our great Country in the military during Wold War II in 1943 and 1944. After his return to baseball in 1945, Ruffing was not able to regain his former greatness as “ace” of the Yankees pitching staff, and was released by the Yankees at the end of the 1946 season. He signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1947, which was his final Major League season.
Red Ruffing retired at the end of 1947, ending his brillant career as one of the greatest pitchers, and, also, one of the greatest hitting pitchers, in Baseball history.
After researching the great baseball career of Red Ruffing, one has to wonder why the New York Yankees organization never honored Ruffing by retiring his #15.
The Yankees have retired the numbers of only two pitchers, both lefthanders, throughout their outstanding history. Whitey Ford’s #16; and, Ron Guidry’s #49.
It probably is too late for the New York Yankees to also retire #15 in honor of Red Ruffing, since #15 [rightfully so] will always be remembered as an honor in memory of, the greatness of the Yankees “captain” Thurman Munson.
But, just as I believe Thurman Munson should be enshrined into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”, an honor that Red Ruffing has already received; I also think, the New York Yankees organization should honor their great righthanded, Hall of Fame, pitcher, Red Ruffing, in some other special way, in addition, to the great honor they have already bestowed upon him, dedicating a plaque in his memory in 2004, in Monument Park, at Yankee Stadium.
Thank you, Red Ruffing, for making all Yankee fans proud of your many great performances, and efforts, as an “ace” pitcher throughout your awesome baseball career as a member of the New York Yankees; and, as a major force on the many Yankee Championship teams that you played on.
To view Red Ruffing’s lifetime stats, click on …
http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ruffire01.shtml
Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Baseball Takes Center Stage, In The Movies; In Books
Now that the Football season has ended after one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever, in which the Pittsburg Steelers out-dueled the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, baseball takes center stage once again.
Baseball is always on center stage, though, 365/24/7, for all of us who have a passion for our great American Pastime. But, now that the winter months are starting to fade away, and pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Flordia’s Grapefruit League or Arizona’s Cactus League in a couple of weeks, all baseball fans can not wait to see the sights of players throwing, hitting, and catching baseballs in Spring Training, marking the beginning of another new baseball season.
Leading up to the start of Spring Training, this is the perfect time of the year to watch some of the many great Baseball Movies that have been produced over the years. We all have our favorite baseball movies that we watch over and over again, but it seems, to me anyway, watching these movies at this time of the year takes on an even more special meaning.
So, with that said, the following is a list of: “My Favorite All-Time Baseball Movies” …
1. “Pride of the Yankees” (1942) – My favorite baseball movie of all-time, which is the classic story about the life of the New York Yankees great, Hall of Fame, first baseman, the Yankees first “captain”, Lou Gehrig. The movie is about more than [just] Gehrig’s passion for baseball, as it also shows the great love Lou Gehrig had for his parents; and, is also a love story between Lou and his wife. Gary Cooper is great in this role as Lou Gehrig, “The Iron Horse”. In the movie, a “special bonus” is seeing Babe Ruth, Bill Dickey, Bob Meusel, and Mark Koeing, all Yankee greats, playing themselves in this classic flim. The movie also features Lou Gehrig’s famous “I’m The Luckiest Man On The Face Of The Earth” farewell speech, that always brings tears to my eyes. The movie was directed by Sam Wood, and also stars, Teresa Wright, as Lou’s wife, and Walter Brennan, who plays a baseball writer, and close friend of Gehrig in the movie. This is a movie that I always looked forward to watching when I was a kid, when it was shown on T.V., back in the day, when we only had seven channels on our black and white television sets. Of course, the movie was filmed in black and white, but now it can be viewed on DVD on wide screen televisions. Either way, “The Pride of the Yankees” is an all-time classic, which always made me proud to be a New York Yankees fan, from the days I was a young child, just starting to follow baseball and the Yankees, to this present day.
2. “Field of Dreams” (1989) – So many great things to love about this movie, especially, the inspiring speech by the James Earl Jones character, Terence Mann, towards the end of the movie, which sums up the game of baseball so perfectly. This movie inspired me to write my “Fields of Dreams” post, in January 2008, which is my favorite post of all the posts that I have written on my mlblog, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”. The movie, “Field of Dreams” is truly a magical viewing experience, directed by Phil Alden Robinson, from the W.P. Kinsella book. This classic baseball film feartures an all-star cast of: Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta as “Shoeless Joe Jackson”, and Burt Lancaster as Dr. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham. This movie will inspire everyone who watches it to search for their own “Field of Dreams”; and, also, inspire us to keep our passion for our great game of baseball always close to our hearts.
3. “Bull Durham” (1988) – Fun movie that makes you feel like you are part of the fictional minor league team portrayed in the movie, the “Durham Bulls”. All the action, in this baseball comedy, surrounds Kevin Costner’s character, catcher, Crash Davis, trying to get hot-shot rookie pitcher, Ebby Calvin “Nuke” Laloosh, played by Tim Robbins, ready to pitch in the Major Leagues, while both are romanced by baseball groupie, Annie Savoy, played by Susan Sarandon. Many funny sceens in this classic baseball movie written and directed by Ron Shelton, that also includes in the excellent cast, Trey Wilson, Robert Wuhl, and Max Patkin, “The Clown Prince of Baseball”, playing himself in the movie.
4. “The Natural” (1984) – Very mystical story about a fictional baseball player, Roy Hobbs, played by Robert Redford, who as a promising young pitcher becomes involves in a scandal that derails his career for 16 years. Then, he returns out of nowhere to fulfill his dream of playing baseball by signing with a 1930’s team that is in last place. Hitting with a bat that Hobbs himself made from a tree that was struck down to the ground by lighting, he leads his team to a final showdown that is different and more positive then the ending of the book, that will surely inspire and amaze the viewer every time the movie is seen. Also, it is fun to follow the love triangle of sorts between Hobbs, and the characters: Iris Gaines, Memo Paris, and Harriet Bird, played by: Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, and Barbara Hershey, that provides many interesting twists and turns throughout the movie. “The Natural” was directed by Barry Levinson, and also includes in the all-star cast, Robert Duvall, as sports writer, Max Mercy, Wilford Brimley, Richard Farnsworh, Robert Prosky, John Finnegan, Darren McGavin, as “gambler” Gus Sands, and Joe Don Baker playing “The Whammer”, a fictional “Babe Ruth” type player, who is part of one of the best sceens of the movie with Redford, Duvall, and Finnegan. The sceens and music in the movie will transform the viewer back to a romantic look at an earlier time of baseball and our country which is very special indeed.
5. “Eight Men Out” (1988) – A trip back in time to the early days of baseball; and, also, a very sad time in baseball, as this movie re-creates the story of the infamous 1919 “Black Sox Scandal” in which the Chicago White Sox conspired with gamblers to throw the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. An excellent cast directed by John Sayles, that includes: D.B. Sweeney as “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, David Strathairn as Eddie Cicotte, Michael Lerner as Arnold Rothstein, and John Anderson as Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis. “Eight Men Out” is a very entertaining and informative movie with fun music from that era, detailing a very sad time in baseball history.
6. “A League Of Their Own” (1992) – Another fun movie that brings us back to an earlier time in baseball that takes place during World War II, re-creating the story of the “Women’s Baseball League” that was formed during that time. The movie focuses on two sisters, Dottie Hinson played by Geena Davis, and Kit Keller played by Lori Petty, who are both scouted by Ernie Capadino, the Jon Lovitz character, to play in the AAPGL (All American Pro Girls League). A very nice movie directed by Penny Marshall, about a League that provided many baseball fans with entertainment during the war years, but was disbanded a short time after World War II ended. The music of that era is also fun to listen to in the movie. And, the excellent cast also includes: Tom Hanks as manager Jimmy Dugan; Garry Marshall as Walter Harvey, Owner of the League; David Strathairn as Ira Lowenstein, Head of the League; Madonna; and Rosie O’Donnell.
7. “The Babe Ruth Story” (1948) – William Bendix plays “The Babe” in this movie, directed by Roy Del Ruth, about Babe Ruth’s life. This is really not a great movie; but, it is about Babe Ruth, and was always a movie I looked forward to watching on T.V. when I was a kid. There are some entertaining sceens in this black and white film, though, that includes an inspiring sceen towards the end of the movie of Babe Ruth hitting three homeruns in one of his final games, playing for the old Boston Braves, after leaving the New York Yankees.
8. “Bang The Drum Slowly” (1973) – Robert DeNiro in one of his first starring roles, plays a ballplayer dying of a terminal illness, but inspires his team throughout the season in this fictional tale. Good, but sad movie, directed by John D. Hancock, with Vincent Gardenia as the manager of the team. DeNiro gives a great performance in this movie.
9. “Bad News Bears” (1976) – The “original” and “best” of all the “Bad News Bears” movies directed by Michael Ritchie. A very funny movie starring Walter Matthau as the manager of the Little League team; and, also, starring, a very young Tatum O’Neal as the star pitcher and player on the team. Both give excellent performances, as do the other players on the team, in a movie that will make you want to be a kid again.
10. “The Sandlot” (1993) – Written and Directed by David M. Evans. A nice baseball story that will bring you back to your youth, again, to those great lazy days of summer, playing and talking about baseball with your family and friends, all day and all night long, throughout the whole summer. James Earl Jones and Karen Allen play special roles in this movie. And, there is a starring role by a surprise guest on the other side of the fence of the neighbors yard.
* Special Mention Goes Out To The Following Baseball Documentaries …
* “Baseball” (1994) – Ken Burns’ classic 18-hour PBS documentary on the history of our “American Pastime”, the great game of Baseball. Much praise can be given about the greatness of this series. So, the best way to describe this outstanding work of art is to say, very simply, Ken Burns’ “Baseball” is one of the greatest productions in television broadcasting history, along with Burns’ other great works, “The Civil War” and “Jazz”.
* “The Bronx Is Burning” (2007) – “Excellent” eight-hour ESPN mini-series about the 1977 New York Yankees Championship season; but, also, much more, as the series details non-baseball events that took place in the Bronx and New York City during that very interesting year of 1977 … Including: the “Son of Sam” serial killings; the “blackout” in NYC that summer; the “violence” in the streets of the Bronx and NYC that year; the mayor’s race in 1977; and, of course, the Yankees 1977 World Series victory, highlighted by Reggie Jackson hitting three homeruns in Game Six of that series. Great performances by all who had roles in this mini-series.
* “The Ghosts Of Flatbush” (2007) – “Great” two-hour HBO documentary about the (1947-1957) Brooklyn Dodgers. Many excellent details about the team and players during that great era in New York Baseball history, including: the famous 1951 playoff game against the New York Giants; the many World Series’ that the Brooklyn Dodgers played against the New York Yankees; and reasons and events that led to the Dodgers moving to Los Angeles. The old film clips and pictures in this documentary bring back many great memories for all baseball fans to enjoy from probably the greatest era in baseball history.
And, of course, we do not have to limit ourselves to watching only baseball movies during this period of time before spring training starts. There are two new baseball books that were released today, Tuesday, February 3, 2009, that I really look forward to reading …
* “Confessions of a She-Fan” by fellow mlblogger, Jane Heller
* “The Yankee Years” by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci
So, those are my favorite “Baseball Movies” and “Baseball Documentaries”; and, new “Baseball Books” I look forward reading …
What are Your Favorites ???
Everybody, Have A Great Day !!!
Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Always Great Moments At Yankee Stadium
Even though the 2008 baseball season has not gone well for the Yankees, history is still being made at Yankee Stadium.
The most recent historic events that have taken place at the House That Ruth Built, were milestones achieved by future Hall of Famers, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter.
In the Yankees 4-2 win against the Chicago White Sox, in the first game of this current four-game home stand, The Great Mariano recorded his 479th career save, moving him into second place on the all-time save’s list. The San Diego Padres,Trevor Hoffman with 552 career saves, is number one on the all-time list.
With his save in this series, Mariano Rivera is now 36 for 37 in save opportunities this season. This has been one of Rivera’s best seasons in his long distinguished career with the Yankees; and, without “The Great Mariano”, the Yankees 2008 season would have been over a long time ago. Both, Mike Mussina and Mariano Rivera have been the Yankees MVP’s this year.
Last night, it was Derek Jeter who made more history at Yankee Stadium, in the Yankees 6-2 loss to the White Sox.
In the first inning, Jeter got his historic 1,270th hit, that moved him past the great Lou Gehrig into first place on the all-time hit list at Yankee Stadium. This is a record that Derek Jeter can only add to, as he did with hit number 1,271 later in this game, because after the Yankees play their final game at the Stadium on Sunday September 21, 2008, the history book will be closed on records at the “old” Yankee Stadium, and “the captain” Derek Jeter will forever hold the all-time hit total at the original Yankee Stadium.
Congratulations to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Both are future “Hall of Famers”; but, more importantly, they are two of the greatest players ever, to play for the New York Yankees, and grace the beautiful baseball diamonds of our great game of Baseball.
Update: Thursday, September 18, 2008 — The Yankees won game three of this four game series against the Chicago White Sox, 5-1.
History was made again in this game, as Derek Jeter played in his 1,000th game at Yankee Stadium. The only other Yankee players to play over 1,000 games at the Stadium, are: Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Bernie Williams.
Alex Rodriguez also made history last night, when he hit his 35th homerun of the year in the eighth inning. This homer marks the 12th year that A-Rod has hit 35 or more homeruns in a season, which places him with Babe Ruth as the only two players in baseball history to achieve this feat.
Also, with his homer, Alex Rodriguez became the first player in history to hit at least 35 homeruns and drive home at least 100 runs in 12 separate baseball seasons. This accomplishment passed Babe Ruth, who had 11 seasons with 35 homers, and at least 100 RBI’s.
And, finally, as if the Yankees need more historic moments to celebrate in this final season at the “old” Yankee Stadium, Bernie Williams is scheduled to appear at the Stadium’s final game on Sunday, September 21th. It will be Bernie’s first time back to the Stadium since he played his last game for the New York Yankees.
Now, Bernie Williams never “officially” retired from baseball; and, this fueled some interesting talk on Michael Kay’s 1050 ESPN New York radio show today. In a conversation with a caller, a thought was discussed regarding, what a great idea it would be, if the Yankees activated Bernie Williams right before the game, and actually placed him in the lineup, as the starting centerfielder.
Bernie has said he still works out, and is in baseball shape. So, if this were to happen, [remember, it was only a thought that was discussed on a Sports Talk Radio Program — a very fun thought, I would add], I think this would be another classic moment in Yankee Stadium history, with Bernie Williams getting a chance to play one more time in centerfield , get at least one more at-bat, and then retire, after this historic last game at Yankee Stadium. And, Bernie’s # 51 ? Should his number be retired ? Well, that would be “icing on the cake”, and just one more extra special moment to celebrate at Yankee Stadium.
Oh, how great it is to be a Yankees fan !!!
The New York Yankees: History, Tradition, and Greatness !!!
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 