Tagged: Bronx New York
Yanks Win Opener 6-3, “By The Script”
So, on a far from perfect weather day in the beautiful Bronx, New York, a new baseball season began yesterday at The Stadium with the Yankees taming the Tigers 6-3, by perfectly executing their 2011 “playbook script” that hopefully will be repeated many times this year, leading the Yanks to their 28th World Championship.
The Yanks received a solid start from their ace CC Sabathia, who tossed 106 pitches over six innings, allowing three runs (two earned), on six hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts, leaving the game with the score tied 3-3. Manager Joe Girardi then called on the bullpen to follow a script that was written well before the start of spring training. And the key relievers delivered by building and completing a perfect “bridge to victory”.
Joba Chamberlain (W,1-0), pitched a scoreless seventh; Rafael Soriano nailed down a scoreless eighth, rolling out a diamond studded carpet for the “Great Mariano” who closed out the 6-3 win by pitching a perfect ninth inning, recording his first save, and 560th save of his Hall of Fame career.
The Bronx Bombers also lived up to a script that was written in stone many years and championships ago by blasting two homeruns: a three-run shot by Mark Teixeira, off Detroit starter Jason Verlander in the third, that gave the Yanks a 3-1 lead; And a leadoff homer by Curtis Granderson in the seventh, off former Yankee Phil Coke (L,0-1), that broke a 3-3 tie, and proved to be the game-winning hit and run of the game.
The Yankees scored another run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Derek Jeter that scored Russell Martin that upped the Yanks lead to 5-3. The Captain did not get a hit in this game, and remains at 2,926 career hits, still 74 short of the magic 3,000 total.
In the eight inning, the Yankees scored their final run on a RBI single by Nick Swisher that drove home Alex Rodriguez with run number six. A-Rod reached second in this inning on a long shot to right-center that he though was going into the bleachers for a homer. But the ball ended up hitting the base of the wall, and then rolled back towards center with the Tigers outfielder trying to chase it down.
Rodriguez was in his homerun-trot at this time looking into the Yankees dugout as he headed to first base; then he realized the ball was not going out, so he hustled to second for a double on a hit that should have been a triple. Anyway, A-Rod did end up scoring the run. But for sure, a play like this is not part of the Yankees playbook, and hopefully will not be repeated by any Yankee player this season.
Finally, special mention must be offered about the outstanding defensive plays made by Curtis Granderson – three great plays by the defensive star of the game … A diving catch in the first inning; Another diving catch in the sixth; and, A beautiful over the head, running catch in the ninth with Mariano Rivera on the mound. Five Stars For Granderson !!!!!
So, overall, it was a great “Opening Day” for the New York Yankees.
And on a “cold and rainy” not so perfect day in the Bronx, it was a perfect way to start this new baseball season.
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
What A Relief For Yanks Bullpen
Well, it has been a very quiet winter (off) season for the New York Yankees so far. But on this freezing cold Bronx day in the middle of January, the Yanks announced the completion of a major bridge-building project by signing the Tampa Bay Rays “All-Star” closer, Rafael Soriano, to a three-year, $35 million deal, to become the Yanks eight-inning, “Bridge-to-Mariano”, set-up man.
There are player options built into the contract that would allow Soriano to leave the Yanks after each season if he chooses. But if the “Great Mariano” does decide to retire after the 2012 season, Soriano would be the leading candidate to become the next Yankees closer in 2013, replacing the “unreplaceable” Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer in baseball history, and a certain “first-time ballot” Hall of Fame inductee sometime in the year 2018.
Soriano, 31, led the American League with 45 saves last season, allowing just 36 hits in 62.1 innings, with 57 strikeouts, and a 1.73 ERA. These are perfect numbers to solidify the eight inning relief workload for the Yanks, setting the stage for Mariano to close out victories in the ninth.
But with only 31 days remaining until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Yankees have many question marks regarding their pitching staff.
The starting rotation is very uncertain at this time with only CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, and A.J. Burnett slated to be in the rotation. Cliff Lee decided to sign with the Phillies, even though the Yanks did make a better offer for him to pitch in the Bronx. Javier Vasquez was not re-signed [a smart move by the Yanks]. And Andy Pettitte is leaning towards retirement.
So that leaves Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre as the “front-runners” to win the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation. And I’m sure we will all see a full complement of a various random amount of “cast of characters” also battling it out for one of the starting spots.
Without Cliff Lee and Andy Pettitte, though, the Yankees starting rotation looks very weak, at this point in time, only a month before spring training starts.
The closing end of the bullpen in the eight and ninth innings is set, and very solid.
This leaves the middle relievers, in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, to complete the bullpen and hold the score when they enter the games. Right now, these roles would be filled by: David Robertson; Boone Logan; Pedro Feliciano (with the Mets in 2010; signed for two-years); and, of course, Joba Chamberlain.
Ah, yes. Joba Chamberlain.
There are many pitching decisions that must be made by the Yankees braintrust during this upcoming spring training. And with the “weak” state of the starting rotation, in my view, the Yankees should give Joba every opportunity to start this year !
Let the great “Joba Debate” begin once again !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Straight A’s For CC; Yanks 5-0 Win Sweeps A’s
CC Sabathia was brilliant today, on a hot, humid, afternoon in the Bronx, allowing the A’s only one hit over eight shutout innings, leading the Yankees to a 5-0 victory that completed a four-game sweep against the visiting Oakland team.
Sabathia improved his record to (19-5), and, also, improved his chances of winning this year’s American League Cy Young Award, as he increased the gap ahead of the other contending pitchers including 16-game winner David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays.
CC is now (11-0) in games he started this year at Yankee Stadium. And (16-0) with a 2.05 ERA in his last 21 starts in the Bronx, going all the way back to the All-Star break in 2009.
The Yankees once again lived up to their great tradition as the Bronx Bombers, blasting three home runs in their sixth straight win. The Yanks defeated the Chicago White Sox 12-9 and 2-1, in the final two games of that three-game series. And swept the A’s by the scores of: 11-5; 9-3; 4-3; and 5-0.
Jorge Posada hit a solo homer (#17) in the second inning to give the Yanks an early 1-0 lead.
Then, Curtis Granderson, who was not in the original lineup but replaced Nick Swisher who injured his knee in the first inning, continued his late-season power surge by hitting a solo homer (#16) in the sixth, and a two-run homerun (#17) in the seventh inning, that increased the Yanks lead to 4-0.
The Yanks scored their final run in the eight on a RBI single by Austin Kearns that drove home Lance Berkman, capping the score at 5-0 in favor of the Bombers.
Dallas Braden (L,9-10), was the A’s starter, and also had a solid outing on this hot day. But with no outs in the sixth inning he had to leave the game because of cramps he experienced on the mound [due to the heat] after throwing his final pitch.
The only hit by the A’s in this game, was a “clean hit” stroked by Mark Ellis in the second inning.
Sabathia ended up tossing 95 pitches throughout his eight strong innings on the mound, walking three, and striking out five, along with the one hit he allowed. Another solid “Money” performance by CC.
Albaladejo pitched a scoreless ninth to close-out the Yanks 5-0 shutout, which was caught by Posada.
The Yankees (84-50) increased their lead in the AL East to 1.5 games over the second place Tampa Bay Rays (82-51); and 8 games ahead of the third place Boston Red Sox (75-58), who in my view, are still very much in this race, as there still are many important games yet to be played between these three rivals before this regular season ends.
So, as September begins, the pennant race in the AL East continues.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Bombers Back On Track; CC Tames Tigers 6-2
Thirteen times this season the Yankees faced a starting pitcher they had never seen before, including Max Scherzer (8-9) of the Tigers and Bryan Bullington (1-2) of the Royals, both of whom earned victories against the Yanks in their last two back-to-back losses. In these games against unknown starters the Yanks have a record of (4-9). Interesting numbers with really no explanation as to [why?] this continues to happen.
So in last night’s second game of four against the Detroit Tigers at the Stadium in the Bronx, which featured a battle of both teams aces, Justin Verlander (13-7) vs. CC Sabathia (15-5), one would think with the way the Yanks have been playing of late, they would be greatly challenged to score many runs against Verlander. CC would have to be money [again] for the Yanks to win this game.
This is not to say the Yankees would rather face some rookie pitcher instead of Verlander, or Verlander instead of a rookie starter. They have no control over who pitches against them on the mound. This only talks to the point that the Yankees have not been playing very well lately and really needed a win [a must-win in fact] as they entered this game against the Tigers tied for first place in the AL East with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Well, the first inning provided much drama as Austin Jackson led off the game by hitting Sabathia’s first pitch into the left-field seats for a quick 1-0 Detroit lead. This was the former Yankee’s second homer of the year.
Not to be left out of this discussion, Curtis Granderson, whom the Yankees received in the trade for Jackson, made two outstanding catches in centerfield in the first. The first catch was made after a long run to just in front of the wall of the right-centerfield bleachers; and the second catch was a great diving play running towards left-center.
In the bottom of the first the Yanks battled right back. Brett Gardner led off with a single, and advanced to second on a walk to Derek Jeter. After Teixeira made the first out, Cano walked to load the bases. Then, Nick Swisher, back in the lineup after sitting out the last game with a right forearm injury, stroked a two-run single to move the Yanks into a 2-1 lead.
Granderson delivered again in the second inning by blasting a solo home run (#12), into the rightfield bleachers. This upped the Bombers lead to 3-1.
Justin Verlander (L,13-8), threw a lot of pitches in the early innings, and was finished at the end of the fifth. He tossed 114 pitches while allowing three runs, on five hits, five walks, and five strikeouts.
The Yankees did exactly what Joe Girardi talked about before the game. They got to Verlander, who had a 7.12 ERA in the first inning of his starts this season, early on in this game. Girardi said, “They [the lineup] did a great job. When Justin gets on a roll, he’s really difficult. We put some runs on the board early and made them stand up.”
Schlereth replaced Verlander. And in the sixth, the Yanks scored again on a two-out double by Gardner (2-for-3, with a walk, and run), which was followed by a RBI single by Jeter to give the Yanks a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Brandon Inge hit a homer (#8), to cut the score to 4-2.
Then in the bottom of the seventh, Robinson Cano also homered (#22); and, Pena drove home a run on a sac-fly to right to increase the Yankees lead to 6-2.
CC Sabahia (W,16-5), the first 16-game winner in the American League, struggled in the first few innings, but settled down nicely to pitch seven soild innings, throwing 115 pitches, while allowing two runs, on five hits, three walks, and nine strikeouts.
Money !!!
David Robertson pitched a scoreless eight. And Mariano Rivera closed out this 6-2 victory by pitching a scoreless ninth.
A must-win game, “Won” by the New York Yankees !!!
* Historic Note: In the fifth inning, Jorge Posada stroked a single to center, his 1,558th career hit, which tied Posada with Thurman Munson on the all-time hit list.
* Injury Report: – Alex Rodriguez (strain of left calf), listed as day-to-day.
– Lance Berkman (sprained right ankle), listed as day-to-day.
– Andy Pettitte (left groin strain), injured July 18th …
(Probably will not be back until the middle of September)
* And, Yogi Berra was back at Yankee Stadium for the first time since he suffered an injury as a result of a fall at his home. Yogi was not able to attend this year’s Yankees Old Timers’ Day celebrations on July 17th. Also, he could not attend the Hall of Fame inductee events about a week after Old Timers’ Day. Welcome back Yogi.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Yanks Bats Still Quiet … Lose 3-1 To Tigers
The last time the Yankees were shutout in back-to-back games was on May 12-13, 1999 against the Angels. Until the ninth inning of last night’s game against the Detroit Tigers at the Stadium, it looked like this rare event would happen again, as the Tigers held a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. The Yanks did finally score a run, though; but, lost the game 3-1.
This loss coupled with the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 victory over Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers, dropped the Yankees into a first place tie with the Rays in the AL East, both with a record of (72-46). The Boston Red Sox (67-52) did not have a game scheduled yesteday. So they picked up a half game on the Yanks and are now 5.5 games behind in third place.
The Tigers took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run homer (#7) by Ryan Raburn off Yankees starter Javier Vazquez.
Vazquez (L,9-9), lasted only four innings in this contest, throwing a way too high total of 106 pitches, while allowing two runs, on five hits, four walks, and six strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the Yankees were having trouble with [yet] another pitcher they were facing for the first time, Tigers starter Max Scherzer. The Yanks lost 1-0 to the Royals Bryan Bullington, in his first start against the Bombers on Sunday. And this game against the Tigers was trending in the same direction – another shutout loss.
Scherzer (W,8-9), delivered a soild six innings on the mound, throwing 115 pitches, while giving up no runs, on only two hits, two base-on-balls, and six strikeouts.
After Scherzer’s night was over after six innings, the Yankees did have some chances to score against the Tigers bullpen. But they left two runners on base in the seventh, and two runners on in the eight.
In the top of the eight, however, Miguel Cabrera hit a solo home run (#28) off Joba Chamberlain, to give the Tigers an insurance run that upped their lead to 3-0.
The game then entered the bottom of the ninth with closer Jose Valverde on the mound. And he did his best to help the Yankees end their scoring drought by basically self-imploding on the mound.
Robinson Cano walked, and was forced at second on a grounder by Joge Posada. Then, Curtis Granderson (3-for-3, with a walk), hit a hard line-drive single to right, which was followed by a walk to Francisco Cervelli that loaded the bases. Brett Gardner was up next, and was issued another walk by Valverde that forced home a run to break the shutout and cut the Tigers lead to 3-1.
Now, with one out, and the bases loaded, Derek Jeter was up at the plate. Jeter battled in a long at-bat, but on a 3-2 pitch grounded into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. Gardner slid hard into Carlos Guillen trying to breakup the DP. But Guillen stayed his ground to make the play, throwing to first to seal the Tigers 3-1 victory.
The Yankees not only lost this game; they also lost Alex Rodriguez to a left calf injury; and Nick Swisher to a right forearm injury during the game. And with Lance Berkman also out with a strained foot injury from the Royals series, the Yankees are very short in the lineup and on the bench for the next few games as all injured players are listed as day-to-day.
A nice touch occurred in the first inning of this game when Johnny Damon batted for the first time. The Yankee Stadium crowd gave him a very warm round of applause, as this was Damon’s first time back to the Bronx since his free-agent signing with the Tigers.
Game Two of this series on Tuesday, August 17th, features a match-up of “aces” …
Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.72) vs. CC Sabathia (15-5, 3.14).
In my view, this is a “must-win” game for the New York Yankees !!!
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Bosox Win 2-1 To Split Four-Game Series With Yanks
Well, okay, give the the Boston Red Sox credit for doing what they had to do in this very important four-game series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. The Sox did not get swept or lose three of four games to the first place Bombers. They held on to take the final game 2-1, to earn a split, powered by excellent pitching by their starter Jon Lester (W,12-7), and great bullpen work by Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon, who closed out this Boston victory with his 28th save.
Thus, the AL East race remains close, with the Yankees (69-42) in first place by 1.5 games over the second place Rays (68-44), who ended their five-game losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers. And six games ahead of the third place Red Sox (64-49). And ten games ahead of the surging fourth place Blue Jays (59-52). Even the last place Orioles (38-74) could be a spoiler down the stretch, as they are (6-1) under the new leadership of Manager Buck Showalter. The AL East is certainly the toughest division in baseball.
Both starters delivered great efforts in this game. But, Lester was the better pitcher in this battle against Phil Hughes (L,13-5), as he took a no-hitter into the fifth inning that was broken up by a one-out single by Austin Kearns.
The Sox scored all their runs in the second inning when they took an early 2-0 lead. With one out, Ryan Kalish hit a single, then stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Jorge Posada, before scoring the first run on an infield hit by Bill Hall. J.D. Drew drove home the second run on a RBI groundout.
Hughes struggled early on, but made adjustments while throwing a total of 114 pitches over six strong innings, giving up the two runs on six hits and one walk. He ended his time on the mound by getting 14 outs on the last 15 hitters he faced in this game.
The Yankees had plenty of chances to make a comeback, starting in the seventh inning when they loaded the bases with no outs.
For sure, the Bombers had some bad luck while loading the bases in the seventh. After Jorge Posada led off with a single, a blast belted off the bat of Marcus Thames landed on top of the right-centerfield wall just inches from being a game-tying two-run homer [the ball bounced back on the field for a double]. There was also a play in the inning in which a fan distracted the Red Sox leftfielder Ryan Kalish from making a catch that could have been a sacrifice fly with Kearns batting.
At any rate, after all these exciting events, Austin Kearns was then hit-by-a-pitch which did load the bases with no outs, giving the Yankees a golden opportunity to score some runs and take the lead in this game. This would have given the Yanks a great chance to win Game Four, and drop Boston eight games out of first place.
Lester stayed composed, and struck out Curtis Granderson who has been a big disappointment for the Yanks this season, for out number one.
Terry Francona then brought Daniel Bard into the game. And Bard promptly struck out both Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher to end the Yankees threat. The score remained Red Sox 2, Yanks 0.
The Yanks finally broke through in the bottom of the eight when Mark Teixeira led off the inning by blasting his 26th homer, to cut the score to 2-1. This was Teixeira’s fourth lifetime hit in eleven at bats against Bard, including three homeruns. Interesting stat, since no other batter has hit more than one homer against Bard.
Alex Rodriguez continued the rally with a single. And, then, Joe Girardi sent Brett Gardner to first to pinch-run for A-Rod with Robinson Cano up at the plate. For some reason, though, Gardner did not attempt a stolen base, but did advance to second on a groundout by Cano. Posada then walked to set-up a first and second situation with Lance Berkman [pinch-hitting for Thames] now the batter. Berkman did not deliver [once again] for the Yanks, hitting an easy pop-up to left-field on a (2-0) pitch for the second out.
Francona then called Papelbon into the game to face Kearns, hoping for a four-out save by his closer. Papelbon threw one pitch that resulted in a ground ball to second base for the third out of the eight, ending another Yankee rally, and keeping the score 2-1 in favor of the Sox.
Yankee relievers Wood, Logan, and Chamberlain delivered scoreless pitching performances from the seventh through the ninth innings, to bring this [classic] game into the bottom of the ninth with the Red Sox still holding a 2-1 lead.
With Papelbon on the mound, Granderson led off the ninth by striking out.
Jeter then walked, and stole second, to put the tying run in scoring position and the winning run at the plate.
Nick Swisher was the next batter, and was struck out for the second out of the inning.
The Yanks were now down to their final out with Mark Teixeira coming up to the plate.
Teixeira battled Papelbon.
Strike One.
Strike Two.
Ball. (1-2).
Another Ball. (2-2).
Foul Ball. Still (2-2).
And, the pitch.
Strike Three.
Ball Game Over.
Red Sox 2, Yankees 1
Well, not much more to say.
It was a great series. And the race in the AL East continues.
Now, onto Texas for the New York Yankees.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
CC Aces Red Sox 5-2, Recording 150th Career Win
It was a big week for CC Sabathia and his family, as he and his wife Amber were blessed with their fourth child on Thursday. Then, on Saturday, CC recorded his 150th career victory in Game Two of a four-game weekend series against the Boston Red Sox, leading the Yankees to a 5-2 win on the “Fox Game of the Week”.
The Sox scored first in the top of the second on a solo homer by Victor Martinez, and back-to-back doubles by Adrian Beltre and Mike Lowell to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Yanks struck right back to tie the score against Bosox starter John Lackey (L,10-7), in the bottom of the second on a RBI triple by Curtis Granderson, and a groundout RBI by Ramiro Pena … Pena was playing third in place of the injured Alex Rodriguez, who was hit on the left ankle by a line drive off the bat of Lance Berkman in batting practice.
In the fifth inning, the Yankees took the lead on four straight two-out singles by Nick Swisher, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, and Jorge Posada, moving ahead in the game by a score of 4-2.
Pena stroked a RBI single in the sixth inning to drive home the final run of the game, framing the score at Yankees 5, Red Sox 2.
Sabathia (14-5) had a very solid outing, throwing 101 pitches over eigth innings on the mound, allowing [only] the two runs in the second inning, on six hits, one walk, and four strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 3.14.
CC retired the final 20 of 24 batters he faced, before the “Great Mariano” closed out this victory by pitching a perfect ninth for his 23th save.
This victory, combined with the 17-11 Tampa Bay Rays loss to the Toronto Blue Jays [a game in which the Blue Jays hit eight homers], upped the Yanks (68-41) lead over the Rays (67-43) to 1.5 games in the AL East, and dropped the third place Red Sox (63-48), to six games behind the Bronx Bombers.
A very fine week and day for CC Sabathia. And, a great game by the New York Yankees.
– 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 …
George M. Steinbrenner III … “Passing of a Legend”
Sadness has fallen over the Bronx and throughout the whole baseball world as New York Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner III, the greatest owner in the history of “all” sports, has passed away at age 80.
Now, within two days of the passing of legendary Yankee Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard (1910-2010), who passed away on July 11th at age 99, the New York Yankees Universe and Family has lost two of the most iconic figures of the past century, not just in baseball, but in all sports and parts of our society.
“An era of greatness has ended” !!!
It is a sad time for all Yankee fans. But, also, a fitting send-off for these two iconic giants, leaving this great earth on their journey into eternal life in Heaven during Baseball’s All-Star break, and just a week before the Yankees organization celebrates their annual Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium this upcoming Saturday, July 17th.
The Boss leaves us all as a winner [which he was his whole life], as his New York Yankees are defending their 27th World Championship this season, getting off to a great start heading into the All-Star break in first place in the AL East.
There are many wonderful memories and great things that can be said about Mr. Steinbrenner. And, I am sure we will all enjoy reading and viewing these stories and reports today, and in the days and weeks ahead.
For me, my memories began when I first started following the New York Yankees in 1967, as a young boy, during the Horace Clarke days and CBS ownership era. Mickey Mantle was at the end of his Hall of Fame career; Phil Rizzuto was in the broadcast booth always talking about the great Yankees history and tradition; and, the next “Mickey Mantle”, Bobby Murcer, my favorite Yankee player of all-time, was just beginning his great Yankee career.
The Yankees had many losing years and teams during my early days as a life-long, die-hard Yankees fan in the late 1960’s. But, it was the great New York Yankees “history” and “tradition” of “winning” with Hall of Famers: Ruth, Gehrig, Dickey, DiMaggio, Berra, Mantle, Ford, and many other great players throughout the years, that created the foundation of support by many fans [including myself] of the Yankees during those days.
Then in 1973, a little known ship builder from Cleveland, Ohio, George Steinbrenner, purchased the New York Yankees franchise, and brought the awesome Yankees tradition back to life, which had been dormant for many years since their last World Series appearance in 1964.
And the rest is history …
“Thirty Eight” years as owner [and, still owed by the Steinbrenner family].
“Thirty Two” Winning Seasons.
“Nineteen” Playoff appearances, including …
“Sixteen” AL Division Titles and “Three” Wild Card berths.
“Eleven” American League Championships.
“Seven” World Championships.
Which all enhanced the great history of the New York Yankees …
Increasing their World Championships to 27 !!! [and, counting].
Also, Mr. Steinbrenner was a very generous and charitable person, helping and supporting many different people and causes throughout the years.
From “The House That Ruth Built” to “The House That George Built”, Yankee Stadium is “The Home of Champions” and “Home of Championships” !!!
George M. Steinbrenner III is truly one of the greatest of any Yankee in their history !!!
I look forward to the tributes that will be given in honor of Mr. Steinbrenner and Mr. Sheppard at this year’s All-Star Game and Yankees Old-Timer’s Day celebrations.
But, the greatest honor I look forward to seeing George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard receive, is when both are enshrined into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”. This is an honor that is long overdue for both these great icons. And, the Hall of Fame will not be complete until both George M. Steinbrenner III and Bob Sheppard grace the sacred walls of the “Hall” in Cooperstown, New York.
Thank you, Mr. Steinbrenner !!!
Thank you, Mr. Sheppard !!!
May God always bless you, and reserve a very special place in Heaven in which you will both enjoy eternal life, peace, and happiness !!!
Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …”
Next Yankee Number To Be Retired: #27 (?) …
The question is: Should the New York Yankees retire Joe Girardi’s #27 ?
Well, Manager Joe Girardi has stated that he intends to switch to uniform number 28 this season as motivation for the Yankees journey in pursuit of their 28th World Championship in 2010.
At first, I thought this switch to #28 by Girardi was a bad idea because #27 is now such a special number in Yankees history. And one would think Girardi would always want to treasure the accomplishment of managing the Yankees to their 27th World Championship by proudly wearing that number on the back his Yankee uniform. Also, it is Girardi’s first World Championship as a manager.
But, the reason Girardi chose #27 when he was hired as manager in 2008, was as motivation for the Yankees winning their 27th World Championship. That goal was achieved last year, in the 2009 baseball season.
So, if Joe Girardi follows through on his plan to wear #28 starting in 2010, then: what happens to #27?
The number 27 can never really be given to other Yankee players to wear because of its significance as Joe Girardi’s number, worn during the year the Yankees won their 27th World Championship — their first World Series victory at the new Yankee Stadium.
Since Girardi will now be wearing #28, the only fitting way to properly honor his #27, is to “retire” the number in honor of: Joe Girardi; the Yankees 27th World Championship; and, the first World Championship at the new Yankee Stadium.
The New York Yankees have retired 15 numbers, (honoring 16 players and managers), in their history.
The last Yankee number to be retired was Ron Guidry’s #49 in 2003.
So, in my view, it is about time another Yankee number is retired.
And, why not #27?
Just a thought, on a very cold winter day in the Beautiful Bronx, New York.
Click to view: New York Yankees Retired Numbers
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 