Tagged: New York Post
Johnson Trying To Go From DL to DH
There is very little going on [so far] in Yankee camp during the early days of spring training.
The Yankees won a very exciting opening day exhibition game against the Pirates, at George M. Steinbrenner Field, in Tampa FL, when Colin Curtis hit a no-outs, three-run, walk-off homer, in the bottom of the ninth to break a 3-3 tie and give the Bronx Bombers a 6-3 victory.
The Yanks lost the second game of the spring 3-2 vs. the Phillies. And, fell to the Rays, 12-7, in game three of the Grapefruit League — a game in which both Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain pitched poorly in their first action on the mound.
I really have no interest in talking about some “off the field” news involving Alex Rodriguez, and his upcoming meeting with the FBI to answer questions about “any” information he may know concerning Canadian Dr. Anthony Galea, the alleged “HGH Doctor”.
The only concern [I’m sure] all Yankee fans have regarding the A-Rod situation is: we hope the interrogation by the FBI does not cause any distractions during this spring or during the regular season. It seems like discussions about “Performance Enhancing Drugs” never ends in baseball. Enough, already!
So, is there anything of interest to talk about?
Well, Nick Johnson provided some news. But, the news is not really “new”.
Johnson is already injured.
Before the second game of the spring, Johnson injured his back during batting practice. It was reported that Johnson decided to wear spikes instead of turf shoes which resulted in his spikes getting caught on the mat [which is used during batting practice] in the batter’s box. Not a good idea by Nick Johnson as he added another injury to a “long list” that dates back to 2000.
New York Post sports reporter Kevin Kernan, wrote a great article on March 5, 2010, on the Nick Johnson injury: Worry level spikes as DH scratched.
Kernan had an outstanding line in his article, that I used as part of the title of this post … “He’s [Johnson] been on the DL nine times. They’re [the Yankees] trying to change him from DL to DH”.
Hopefully, the injury-prone ways of Nick Johnson will not continue into the new season.
One of the reasons the Yankees braintrust did not re-sign Hideki Matsui was because they felt injuries would limit his playing time this year.
Nothing against Nick Johnson, who I think is a good addition to the Yankees roster. But, the way things look at this time, in the early days of spring … in my view, Matsui will play more games than Johnson in 2010.
New York Post’s George A. King, III, also had an excellent article on the Nick Johnson injury.
Enjoy Spring Training …
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Three Hits By The “Captain”, Ties The “Captain” …
The “Captain” Derek Jeter collected three hits in the Yankees 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the final game of their four-game series at Yankee Stadium [which was swept by the Yanks], that tied the Yankees first “Captain”, Hall of Famer, Lou Gehrig, on top of the New York Yankees all-time hit list with 2,721 hits.
Derek Jeter
Jeter led off the game with a surprise bunt single on the first pitch by Rays starting pitcher Jeff Niemann that ended the captain’s 0-12 hitless streak.
In the third inning Jeter grounded out to short.
In the fifth inning Derek blasted a shot to straight away centerfield that sailed over the head of B.J. Upton before taking a bounce over the wall for a grounds-rule double.
And, finally, in the bottom of the seventh Jeter stroked a two-out, first pitch, single, past first base down the right field line for his Gehrig tying 2,721th hit.
Lou Gehrig
In the meantime, as this game headed into the eight inning, the Yankees were losing 2-0 to the Rays.
Without doubt, Jeter was happy that he had tied the “Great” Lou Gehrig’s all-time hit record; but, I’m sure Derek would be the first one to tell anybody: a Yankees loss would certainly take the shine off this outstanding accomplishment.
The Yankees had this in mind also, and, once again, provided some late-inning dramatics by first scoring a run in the eight that made the score 2-1, before Jorge Posada hit a solid line drive, one-out, three-run homer, off reliever Grant Balfour, into the lower right-field porch that moved the Bronx Bombers into a 4-2 lead.
Posada’s 21st homer kept the inning going; and, after Melky Cabrera made the second out, Derek Jeter had one more chance to travel past Gehrig’s hit record in this game.
Jeter had a couple of good cuts at the plate, but was walked on a 3-2 count by Balfour.
So, Derek would remain tied with Lou Gehrig until at least Friday night, September 11th, when the Yankees start a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at The Stadium.
The Yankees took their 4-2 lead into the top of the ninth inning; and, in a game that the “Joba Rules” once again limited Joba Chamberlain to only three innings on the mound, [in which he allowed both Tampa Bay runs in the first inning], the Yankees relievers: Alfredo Aceves, Jonathan Albaladejo (5-1), Brian Bruney, and Phil Coke, held the Rays hitless from the fourth inning on, with Coke earning his second save by closing out this win on a final out strikeout.
On this historic night that Derek Jeter tied the “Iron Horse”, Lou Gehrig’s all-time hit record, the Yankees 4-2 victory which completed a four-game sweep over the Tampa Bay Rays, made this special accomplishment even more “special”.
In Mike Puma’s New York Post article, Derek Jeter expressed his feelings on tying Lou Gehrig’s record:
“I was a Yankee fan growing up and to come up through this organization and what [Gehrig] stood for, being the captain, he’s probably one of the classiest people ever to play the game” … “To be alongside him, pretty much anything you can do to have your name next to his is quite an accomplishment” …
“We had so many special moments across the street”, Jeter said … “This is hopefully the first of many memorable moments here at the new Stadium. The fans have been tremendous and it’s just a lot of fun.”
— photo credits:
* google images
* photos. nj. com/star-ledger/2009/09/derek_jeter
* http:// yankeeology. com/yankeefans
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Yankees Begin New Streak With 4-2 Win Over Jays
About 18 hours after the Yankees seven-game winning streak ended with an 8-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners, the Yanks began a new winning streak, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-2, in the first game of a four-game, 4th of July Holiday weekend series, on a beautiful Friday afternoon in the “Beautiful Bronx”.
Yankees starting pitcher, A.J. Burnett (7-4), was brilliant in his seven innings on the mound, allowing the only two runs the Jays scored, on six hits, [including a long homerun off the bat of Blue Jays centerfielder, Vernon Wells, in the 6th inning]; two walks; and, seven strikeouts.
Burnett’s solid effort got the Yankees back on the winning track, after an awful pitching performance by CC Sabathia in the Yankees 8-4 loss to the Mariners, in the final game of that series, that derailed the Bombers winning ways until today’s victory.
Sabathia (7-5), lasted only 5.2 innings in his losing start, while giving up six runs, on ten hits, three walks, and eight strikeouts.
A.J. Burnett’s victory tied him with CC Sabathia at seven wins apiece, so far, in their first season with the New York Yankees. Andy Pettitte leads the Yankees pitching staff with eight wins.
It is interesting, the Yankees almost let Andy Pettitte walk away from the team, just like they did with Bobby Abreu. But, Andy has pitched very well, and is on pace to win 17-18 games. I think it would have also been a good idea to re-sign Abreu, who would “still” be the Yankees best all-around outfielder if he was on the team this year. Just Saying.
Anyway, back to this game.
Robinson Cano gave the Yankees an early 1-0 lead with a solo homer, his 13th, in the second inning.
The Jays tied it up with a RBI single by Alex Rios in the 4th.
And, the Yankees took the lead again in the 5th, on a bases-loaded walk to Mark Teixeira off Jays starter Brian Tallet; and, a passed ball by catcher Raul Chavez that scored Johnny Damon, moving the Yanks into the 3-1 lead.
Vernon Wells 6th inning homer cut the Yankees lead to 3-2, and completed the scoring for the Blue Jays.
Brian Tallet (5-6), finished his work on the mound for the Jays after six innings. He allowed three runs (two earned), on six hits, four walks, and three strikeouts.
After seven strong innings pitched by A.J. Burnett, manager Joe Girardi made the call to the bullpen at the start of the 8th and brought Phil Coke into the game to face one batter, who Coke retired.
Phil Hughes was then called into the game, and recorded the final two outs of the inning, after also giving up a hit. Hughes was firing 96 mph fastballs up to the plate during his appearance, and may have moved ahead of Brian Bruney as the eight-inning set-up man, building the “Bridge to Mariano”.
Alex Rodriguez capped off the scoring by the Yanks with an opposite field solo homerun into the right field seats, his 14th of the season and 222th of his Yankees career, that moved A-Rod into ninth place on the Yankees all-time homerun list, tying the great Yankees first baseman, Don Mattingly.
The Yankees now had a little more breathing room with the 4-2 lead; and, “The Great Mariano” was called into the game to preserve the victory.
Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect 9th inning, recording his 21st save of the year, and career save number 503, protecting the Yankees 4-2 win.
All winning streaks begin with the “first win” of the streak.
The Yankees have now started another winning streak with their 46th victory this season.
Side Note: I watched this game on the Yes Network, and clearly in sight during the game were these two guys sitting in seats right behind home plate dressed in full umpire uniforms, masks and all. They actually looked like real umpires.
Throughout the game, these guys were calling balls and strikes along with the home plate ump, even standing up to call batters out on third strike calls. This was one of the most bizarre sights I have even seen at a ballpark.
I don’t know who these guys were, or where they came from, or even if they are Yankee fans. But, they both were sitting in $1,250.00 seats, and looked like they were having a good time every time they were shown on the television screen by the Yes Network.
All I know, the night before, Jack Nicholson was at the Yankee game, sunglasses and all, and was also sitting in one of the seats behind home plate, in just about the same area these “fake” umpires were sitting, at today’s game.
Jack looked as “cool” as ever, as opposed to the very puzzling behavior of the two guys dressed as umpires.
As famous New York Post columnist Cindy Adams would say, “Only in New York, kids, only in New York.”
Everybody, have a “Happy” and “Safe”, 4th of July, Holiday weekend !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L”
Bullpen Awful In Yanks 10-2 Opening Day Loss
Everything was perfect at the home opener of the new Yankee Stadium, except for the final score.
Up to the 6th inning, both starters, CC Sabathia for the Yankees, and Cliff Lee for the Cleveland Indians were engaged in a pitching duel — battling on the mound to the tune of a 1-1 tied score.
But, with two outs and a runner on first in the top of the 6th inning, manager Joe Girardi replaced CC with reliever Edwar Ramirez. An error by Cody Ransom and a single by Trevor Crowe loaded the bases which led to Girardi bringing Phil Coke into the game.
Coke was “the real thing” retiring Grady Sizemore on a fly ball to leftfield ending the Indians rally to keep the scored tied at 1-1.
Sabathia was not lights out in this game; but, after an easy 1-2-3 first inning, he did manage to strand two Cleveland runners on base in each of the second, third, and forth innings. CC threw 122 pitches in his 5.2 innings of work, allowing only one run, on five hits, five walks, and four strikeouts. A very solid effort by the Yankees “ace”.
Over the first six innings, Cliff Lee, (W, 1-2), was just as solid as Mr. Sabathia, throwing 115 pitches, while giving up one run, on seven hits, three base-on-balls, and four strikeouts.
The Indians scored the first run of the game in the fourth on a RBI double by Kelly Shoppach.
Then, in the bottom of the 5th inning, Jorge Posada tied the score 1-1, on a long homerun to straight away centerfield — the first homer at the new Stadium.
So, as the game entered the top of the 7th inning all the action on the field pointed to a very dramatic finish, that hopefully would end with a Yankee victory closed out by the Great Mariano out of the bullpen.
The “Bridge to Mariano” collapsed, though, in the top of the 7th inning.
Jose Veras, (L, 0-1), the third Yankee reliever of the game, was brought into start the 7th, and the destruction of the bridge, and the great pitching performance by CC Sabathia, and ultimately the game, began.
Veras did not record any outs in his brief time on the mound, as he allowed a lead off walk to Mark DeRosa, a double to Victor Martinez, and a two-RBI double to Jhonny Peralta, that increased the Indians lead to 3-1.
More disturbing about Veras’ poor performance was what Jose said after the game. He was quoted in George King’s New York Post article, saying, “it’s better to be bad now than later in the season when the team needs me.”
Excuse me! Veras didn’t think the Yankees needed him, yesterday, with the score tied 1-1, in the 7th inning of the home opener at the new Yankee Stadium ??? I don’t know, maybe, I’m missing something, there?
This resulted in Girardi bringing Damaso Marte into the game.
Marte didn’t build a bridge to Mariano, either. Instead, he helped build up the run total of the Indians even more, turning a 3-1 game into a 10-1 laugher, when he allowed six runs, on three hits, a walk, and hit-by-pitch, including a grand slam to Grady Sizemore, and a solo homer to the next batter Mark DeRosa.
Not much more to say after the disgraceful performances by Veras and Marte.
The Yankees scored a run in the bottom of the 7th on a RBI by Robinson Cano, who was 3-for-4, with a walk, to complete the 10-2 score in this game.
Not a great way to open the new Yankee Stadium, with a very embarrassing 10-2 loss by the New York Yankees.
Otherwise, it was a perfect day.
OK, A-Rod’s Cousin Did It … Now, Let’s Play Ball
It is now a couple of days since the Alex Rodriguez press conference in which the only real news revealed was the fact that A-Rod’s cousin transported the banned substance, “boli”, the street name for the performance enhancing drug, “Primobolan”, from the Dominican Republic into the United States; and, was the director of a program of injecting A-Rod with the drug, twice a month, six times a year, during the only three seasons Rodriguez claimed he took any performing enhancing drugs, when he played for the Texas Rangers in 2001, ’02, and ’03.
Maybe more could have been learned and revealed about Alex Rodriguez’s involvement with these steroids if the press conference wasn’t so restrictive. The reporters selected from among the over 200 media personal in attendance were allowed to only ask one question with no follow-up questions allowed. Also, the media event should have lasted longer, or, at least, as long as it would have taken to allow many more of the reporters to ask questions.
The press conference was scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. ET, on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, under a huge tent at George M. Seinbrenner Field, the Yankees winter home in Tampa, Florida. But, Rodriguez showed up 20 minutes late; then, read a very “choppy” ten-minute prepared statement in which it did not seem like A-Rod had read many times before, or maybe, didn’t even prepare himself.
Alex looked very nervous as he started reading his statement in front of the packed media under the tent, with Manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman sitting next to him, and about 30 Yankee players also in attendance as a show of support for their teammate. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte sat in the front row, while Yankees owners, Hank Steinbrenner watched standing in the back of the room; and, Hal Steinbrenner, watched on T.V. in New York.
Rodriguez said this whole situation was very difficult and emotional for him, and his purpose of facing the media was to tell the truth and hopefully earn back the trust of the Yankees organization, players, and fans; and, baseball and baseball fans in general.
A-Rod seemed sincere as he expressed a number of times that he was young and curious about how this substance could help him; and, how both he and his cousin were more ignorant than the other concerning how to use the drug properly.
If Alex is to be believed, he said, “It was his understanding that it [“boli”] would give him a dramatic energy boost and was otherwise harmless. That’s how ignorant both my cousin and I were. We consulted no one, and had no good reason to make that decision. It was pretty evident that we didn’t know what we were doing. We did everything we could to keep it between us, and my cousin didn’t provide it to any other players”.
Rodriguez said he only used the steroid drug during the years he played for the Rangers; and, the reason he stopped taking it was after a 2003 neck injury that A-Rod said, “scared him half to death; and, he was scared for his career and life after baseball”.
A couple of dramatic moments during A-Rod’s reading of his statement came when Rodriguez said, “Baseball is a lot bigger than Alex Rodriguez”; and, then, at the end of the prepared statement, when Alex was very emotional addressing his Yankee teammates. He paused for about 35 seconds, choking back tears and his emotions, in what looked sincere. Then, he thanked them for their support and being there.
The Question and Answer session began about 2:00 p.m., and lasted about 35 minutes.
There really was not much more learned from Alex’s answers as most of what he said was already talked about and heard in the Peter Gammons interview, or A-Rod’s prepared statement. If the press conference lasted about an hour and a half, or two hours, with follow-up questioning, then, maybe, some new information would have been revealed.
But, the viewers of the Alex Rodriguez press conference were only granted “act one” of what should have been a “three act” performance.
The above thoughts are my observations of the Alex Rodriguez press conference; and, as far as I’m concerned, Alex should at least be given credit for coming clean, and being as honest as he has been, up to this point, even though it is way past the fact of his steroid use.
In my view, though, there still seems to be many more questions that need to be answered, especially, about Alex’s cousin, and any other possible involvement, if any, he may have regarding supplying other players with performance enhancing drugs throughout baseball.
* note: It does seem like there is an actual “cousin” of Alex Rodriguez who has been identified today, Thursady, February 19, 2009, I think, somewhere in the Florida area. This story will probably be the major headline in all the sports and baseball media outlets today and tomorrow. So, stay tuned, as “act two” and “act three” should be played out at some point in the near future.
* Special Edit: Friday, Feb 20, 2009 — As reported in the New York Daily News, “The Mystery Cousin of Alex Rodriguez has been identified as Yuri Sucart of Miami, Florida”. A source said, “Yuri is Alex’s driver, and takes care of him all the time. His clothes, his food; he’s with Alex every day”. Also, in the same article, another report claims that “Alex Rodriguez has had a long relationship with a steroid-linked trainer, Angel Presinal, who’s been banned from major league clubhouses”. This claim was made by four independent sources to the NY Daily News.
Angel Presinal has been described by one baseball official as an “unsavory character”, in the Daily News article; and, “MLB has warned players to stay away from him”. “He was banned from private areas of every MLB ballpark after an October 2001 incident involving an unmarked gym bag full of steroids; and, has been tight with Alex Rodriguez dating back to his time with the Texas Rangers, several sources said”.
“Another source said, Presinal accompanied A-Rod for the entire 2007 season, staying in the same hotel as the American League MVP, but in a separate room with the ‘cousin’ [Yuri Sucart]”. “Several people have warned Alex about this guy [Presinal], said a second source”. …
….. The A-Rod reports in the special edit were written by the “Daily News Sports I-Team”, a group of reporters that includes: Mark Feinsand, Christian Red, Michael O’Keeffe, Ian Begley, Teri Thompson, Jim Rich, Nathaniel Vinton, and Larry McShane.
So, the A-Rod press conference as only resulted in more questions that need to be answered by Alex Rodriguez, Yuri Sucart, and Angel Presinal.
Alex Rodriguez has now had his T.V. interview, and Spring Training press conference. And, the “captain” Derek Jeter, spoke out yesterday, Wed, Feb 18th, saying, he was disappointed that Alex Rodriguez and other players have used performance enhanching drugs.
In quotes made in George King’s [Feb 19th] New York Post article, Jeter said, “Everybody is disappointed, including Alex himself. That was one of the things he [Alex] stressed in his statements. Everyone is disappointed. We are going to support him and get him through this. People make mistakes, and you have to move on from those mistakes. But, I would say, everybody is disappointed”.
And, when Jeter was asked if he thought Alex was a cheater, Derek said, “I think he cheated himself”.
But, the main point that Derek Jeter wanted to make yesterday, was that he was annoyed about how many in the public interpret the whole “Steroid Era” in baseball.
The Yankees “captain” said, “the one thing that irritates and upsets me a lot is when you hear everybody say it was the ‘steroid era’, and everybody is doing it, and that’s not true. Everybody wasn’t doing it. Everybody is making a big deal of the 104 players on the list. How many players are in the Major Leagues? Everybody wasn’t doing it. That’s the thing that is irritating. It sends the wrong message to the fans and the kids that everybody is doing it, and that’s not the truth. I understand there are a lot of big name players who allegedly have done this and done that; but, everybody wasn’t doing it”.
When asked about how he felt about the whole “steroids era” in general, Jeter said, “disappointed is the best way to put it. It really has given the game a bad name”.
Derek Jeter also made a point to say, “I never took performance enhancers and never took steroids”.
Regarding Alex Rodriguez, Jeter ended by saying, “I believed him. I always give people the benefit of the doubt. He spoke about and gave details he didn’t have to share”.
So, unless, or until, other reports surface linking Alex Rodriguez to using PED’s at additional times in his career, other than the times he has admitted to using steroids during his Texas Ranger years, then, I will follow the “captain” Derek Jeter’s lead, and “give A-Rod the benefit of the doubt”, at the moment; and, hope that this very sad situation is behind us, as we all look forward to enjoying the upcoming 2009 baseball season.
Only time will tell how all the “Steroid” and “PED” users of the “Steroid Era” will be judged in the future, by both baseball fans and the general public.
Tougher penalities, such as “serious” suspensions and lifetime bans for players who test positive for steroid use, and, or, any other performance enhancing drug use, should be implemented immediately.
But, the ultimate penalty for all PED users will be having “shame” connected to all their names, and not being voted into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”, for disgracing our great “American Pastime”, Baseball.
— Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
And, Don’t Forget Joe Gordon And Tony Kubek
The Hall of Fame selections were announced the other day, and as expected, Rickey Henderson easily slid into the Hall on a first ballot vote of 95% of the baseball writers who have the great honor of voting for which players are enshrined into baseball’s “Hall of Fame”.
Rickey received 511 of the 539 votes cast, and one has to wonder what the other 28 baseball writers were thinking when they didn’t include Henderson on their ballots. It’s not like each writer could vote for only “one” player on their ballot. Each voter can choose up to “ten” players out of the ones on the list. Even if all of the 28 voters thought nine players were more deserving then Henderson being enshrined this year, surely Rickey earned, at least, a 10th place vote by these select-few, honored, baseball writers. Puzzling ???
Of course, Rickey Henderson was very excited when he heard the news that he had been voted into the Hall of Fame, but he had only one person on his mind when thinking about who he would thank in his acceptance speech. Billy Martin.
In Kevin Kernan’s, January 13, 2009, New York Post article, Rickey said, “I wish he [Billy Martin] was here because I think most of all he believed in me more than anybody believed in me. He was like a father figure to me. I know, in his burial that he’s turning over and he’s jumping for joy. I can feel that he’ll say that he knew that this day would come, and I wish he was here.”
Billyball was fun to watch, in all those years Rickey played for the Oakland A’s, breaking just about every stolen base record in baseball history for manager Billy Martin. As Martin’s son, Billy Martin, Jr., said, “I think my father understood Rickey better than some other guys. They trusted one another.”
Henderson played for many teams, and, I remember him most as one of the greatest leadoff hitters in baseball history, during the time that he played for the New York Yankees.
Congratulations, to Rickey Henderson. His “Hall of Fame” acceptance speech should be a “classic”.
Also, selected for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame, was the great Boston Red Sox player, Jim Rice.
This was Rice’s last year of eligibility to be selected by the Baseball Writers; and, after a long 15 year wait he finally earned a well deserved trip to Cooperstown. He played his whole career with the Red Sox, and was one of the most dominant players of his era during the years, 1974-1989, in which, he won the MVP in 1978 and played in 8 All-Star games.
Congratulations, to Jim Rice, whose next honor should be his #14 being retired by the Boston Red Sox.
Along with Rickey Henderson, who will enter the Hall of Fame in an Oakland A’s cap, two other former Yankee players will also be enshrined in Baseball’s “Hall of Fame” this year on July 26th. Joe Gordon and Tony Kubek.
Kubek received the 2009 Ford C. Frick Award, which honors outstanding broadcasters with enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.
Tony Kubek played for the Yankees in the late 1950’s and early ’60’s; but, I never had the pleasure of watching him play during his Yankees days, which was limited because of an injury in the 1960 World Series, when a groundball took a bad hop that bounced into his throat.
But, it was a pleasue to listen to Kubek as an “expert” baseball analyst, on the NBC “Game of the Week”, with Curt Gowdy and Joe Garagiola, during the ’70’s and 80’s; as well as, when he was an analyst on Yankees games with announcer, DeWayne Staats in the early 1990’s.
Very simply, in my view, Tony Kubek was one of the best baseball analyst’s in broadcasting history; and, I truly missed him when he no longer was a broadcaster on Yankee games.
So, Congratulations, to Mr. Kubek, on receiving this awesome award and honor.
And, finally, but not forgotten, on December 7, 2008, the baseball Veteran’s Committee, by a vote of 83.3% [10 of 12 voters], selected the great second baseman, Joe Gordon, for induction into the “Hall of Fame”.
Joe Gordon played for the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, from 1938-1950. He was a great fielding, power hitting second baseman, who played on five World Championship teams, and was a nine-time All-Star.
In 1938, his rookie year with the Yankees, Gordon replaced Hall of Famer, Tony Lazzeri, and hit 25 homeruns that year, which was the first time an American League second baseman hit 20 homers in a season; and, also, was an AL record for second basemen until 2006.
In 1939, Joe Gordon hit 28 homeruns, including, three homers in a game on June 28th, and finished the season, second in homers on the Yankees, behind the great Joe DiMaggio.
And, the best example of his value to the New York Yankees, was in 1942, when Gordon hit .322 with 18 homeruns and 103 RBI’s; and, also, led the league in turning double plays with Hall of Fame shortstop, Phil Rizzuto. Gordon won the American League MVP Award in 1942, beating out Ted Williams of the Red Sox, who hit for the “Triple Crown” that year.
At the time it was announced that Gordon had been voted into the Hall of Fame, another Yankee great, Jerry Coleman, had this to say about Joe Gordon, “He was one of the greats of the game; a truly brilliant defensive player; and, the perfect second baseman with his ability to turn the double play and hit for power in such a difficult hitter’s park as Yankee Stadium. He made Phil Rizzuto and Lou Boudreau better, as Gordon wasn’t just good, he was great”.
Joe Gordon played on four World Series winning teams with the New York Yankees, and served our Country for two years [1944-’45] in the military; but, was traded to the Cleveland Indians, at the end of the 1946 season, for Allie Reynolds. He helped the Indians win the 1948 World Championship by leading the team with 32 homeruns and 124 RBI’s.
Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, who is originally from Cleveland, remembers Joe Gordon as a player, and released the following statement after it was announced that Gordon had been voted into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”.
Mr. Steinbrenner said, “Joe Gordon was a great second baseman, a great Yankee, and an inspiration to millions of American’s for many years. The Yankees are proud of his election.”
Congratulations to Joe Gordon on being enshrined into the Hall of Fame.
To view the lifetime stats of these “Hall of Famers”, on Baseball-Reference.com, click on …
* Joe Gordon
http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gordojo01.shtml
* Rickey Henderson
http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/henderi01.shtml
* Jim Rice
http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/riceji01.shtml
* Tony Kubek
Mark And Leigh Teixeira Are Now Yankees
Mark, “I want you to be a Yankee” … Leigh Teixeira
The New York Yankees battled the Angels, Red Sox, Orioles, and Nationals, in their quest to sign the best position player in this year’s “free-agent market”. And, in this battle, it has been reported that the Washington Nationals actually offered the highest amount of money to sign Mark Teixeira; and, according to Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, just a couple of hours before the Yankees signed Teixeira on December 23th, “all indications were he was going to be a Red Sox”.
In the end, though, the Yankees offer of: $180 Million over 8 years, was the winning offer in the great Mark Teixeira Sweepstakes of 2008.
But, money aside, ’cause Teixeira was going to get pretty much the same amount of money and number of years from “any” team that he signed with, it was Mark’s wife, Leigh, who turned out to be the major deciding factor in the Teixeira family coming to the “Beautiful Bronx”.
As he was taking questions at his “press conference” yesterday, at the old Yankee Stadium, Mark Teixeira talked about the role his wife had in his decision to accept the Yankees offer to play in New York.
Mark said, during this whole free-agent process he kept asking his wife what her thoughts and opinions were regarding what team he should play for. Leigh would keep telling Mark, “I just want you to be happy.” But, over dinner one night, Mark asked Leigh a more direct question, “if everything’s equal, where do you want to go”?
That’s when Leigh made her now famous quote, “I want you to be a Yankee” !
Well, from all Yankee fans, Thank You, Leigh !!!
Also, at yesterday’s press conference, Leigh added, “I thought it would be special for him [Mark] to be a Yankee” ! “When you think of a baseball team, they’re the team. I knew Mark would love the new Stadium; and, he knew the Yankees as an Organization would do what it takes to win. In the back of his mind, he always knew the Yankees would be a great place for him.”
Viewing the constantly “smiling” Mark Teixeira throughout his introduction to the City of New York at the Stadium yesterday, all could see just how special Mark feels it is to be a member of the New York Yankees, the team of his favorite baseball player, Don Mattingly.
Mark Teixeira looked confident; talked with great pride of now being a member of the Yankees and the great Yankees tradition; and, said all the right things in his brief statements to assembled media.
Teixeira said, “No one’s going to expect more out of me, than me. I believe I have yet tapped my potential; and, I’m trying to get better. I haven’t accomplished anything yet, since I don’t have a World Series ring on my finger”.
And, talking again about his decision to sign with the Yankees, Teixeira said, “in the back of my mind, the Yankees were always at the top. Once Leigh said, ‘I want you to be a Yankee’, it was a done deal”.
Yankee fans have to thank the Steinbrenner family, George, Hank, and Hal; and, GM Brian Cashman for making this deal happen.
Cashman has been very busy this winter, signing the top three free-agents on the market, Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett. And, Teixeira is the “crown jewel” of all the signings.
Talking about Mark Teixeira, in Kevin Kernan’s [Jan 7th] New York Post article, Brian Cashman said, “He’s got that All-American look; he’s Paul Bunyan; he’s well-educated; he’s the All-American high performer; and, he’s not a loud personality. He’s very disciplined, structured, a hard worker that’s got exceptional ability. It kind of fits our clubhouse”. Cashman continued, by saying, “Teixeira kind of has the same qualities as, Captain, Derek Jeter.”
Hal Steinbrenner was on hand, representing the Steinbrenner family; and, in an interview with Ken Davidoff of Newsday, [Jan 7th], said, “we had about $80 Million come off [the payroll]. So we have some money to spend, and we’re going to reinvest it. And, that’s going to continue, whether people like it or not. That’s for the fans. They deserve the best team we can put out there.”
Steinbrenner also said, “We’ve got a lot of great young pitching; Now we’ve got some position players who are coming through the system. We’ve spent as much on player development as anyone. And, we’re going to continue to do that, too. It’s a good balance of veterans and kids.”
So, it’s good to know that Hank and Hal Steinbrenner are going to continue with the same winning philosophy that their father George believes in. And, that’s, spending money; reinvesting it back into the team, by signing top free-agents; and, also, spending on player development.
As we move forward from the Mark Teixeira signing, the Yankees tradition of great first basemen continues …
Lou Gehrig, Chris Chambliss, Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, and now … Mark Teixeira !!!
Manager Joe Girardi was asked where Mark Teixeira will bat in the Yankees lineup, and as of now he is still undecided. Girardi said, “We’ve added a great player who has a lot of character. Where he bats in the lineup will be discussed with my coaches when spring training starts next month in Tampa.”
So, where Mark Teixeira will bat in the Yankees lineup, will be the start of another great debate for the Yankees braintrust, and all Yankee fans, to ponder and discuss the rest of the winter; into spring training; and, into the new 2009 baseball season.
But, for now, all us Yankee fans are very happy that Leigh Teixeira wanted her husband to be a Yankee !!!
To view Mark Teixeira’s lifetime stats on “Baseball-Reference.com”, click on:
CC “Cashes In His Chips”; Finally, Signs With Yanks
“CC Sabathia is going to be a Yankee, The NY Post has learned exclusively” — [Joel Sherman, New York Post]
After three meetings with Brian Cashman this week, the final meeting late last night at CC Sabathia’s home in San Francisco, with CC and his wife Amber, proved to be the charm for the New York Yankees.
As reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, in the early morning hours of the Winter Baseball Meetngs in Las Vegas, CC Sabathia informed Brian Cashman that he has decided that he wants to pitch for the Yankees. The reported deal is for [at least] “Six Years / $140 Million, which is the largest contract ever for a pitcher in baseball history.
Sabathia still must pass a medical physical; so, unless there are some unforeseen issues, this deal is done. CC Sabathia is a Yankee.
In a lot of ways the signing of Sabathia vindicates the Yankees decision not to make the trade for Johan Santana last year. It would have cost the Yankees at least four players, including some of their top prospects, plus a hugh amount of money, to bring Santana to the Bronx. The Yanks decided to wait a year to sign an “ace” starting pitcher, and the wait was worth it, as CC Sabathia will now be at the top of the Yankees starting rotation for at least the next six years.
This is the “great news” all us Yankee fans have been waiting to hear for about a month now. Much credit has to be given to Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, and the whole Yankees Organization for making this excellent move happen.
To view CC Sabathia’s lifetime stats, on “baseball-reference.com”, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sabatc.01.shtml
To view Joel Sherman’s New York Post article, on the CC signing, click on:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12102008/sports/yankees/yanks_close_in_on_sabathia_deal_143481.htm
Yanks Can’t Be Serious About Starting Swisher At First
“Swisher’s acquisition from the White Sox helps Cashman avoid the Teixeira market. Swisher is not a Gold Glover like Teixeira, but is considered above average at first. He also can play any of the three outfield positions. But even if he ended up there [with a trade of Johnny Damon or Xavier Nady], the Yanks would likely still avoid Teixeira. They worry Posada, Rodriguez or Derek Jeter could end up needing to play first during the life of what would be a long-term deal for Teixeira.” … Joel Sherman, “New York Post”, November 14, 2008 — “New York Post” article, “Mark-ed down” Swisher means Teixeira unlikely
There has not been a lot of action yet in this winter’s “Hot Stove League”, but I do think the Yankees trade with the Chicago White Sox for “utility man” Nick Swisher and minor league pitcher, Kanekoa Texeira, in return for Wilson Betemit, and minor league pitchers, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez was a good move by the New York Yankees.
Nick Swisher is an “average” to “good” player who can play first base; all three outfield positions; pinch-hit; and, be the DH on occasion. Swisher is a switch-hitter, with power, and has the ability to draw many base-on-balls. But, he will strikeout too many times, while not producing a very high batting average.
Last year, Swisher hit only .219 in 153 games played, with 24 homeruns; and 69 RBI’s. On the field though, he played only 71 games [46% of his total games played], at first base. Swisher also played 70 games in centerfield; 18 games in leftfield; and, 18 games in right.
So, Nick Swisher’s numbers show that he is a perfect player off the bench for the Yankees over the next few years; and, that is exactly the “role” Joe Girardi should assign Swisher in 2009.
Check out Nick Swisher’s career stats on “Baseball-reference.com”. Click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/swishni01.shtml
Another reason why this trade was a good move by the Yankees is the fact that Wilson Betemit was traded away. Betemit was very ineffective in his Yankee career, and his departure is a “plus by subtraction” that makes the deal with the White Sox a success just with Betemit leaving.
The headlines for this trade could have read: “Yankees Get Texeira”.
At first look, all Yankee fans would have been jumping for joy, thinking the Bronx Bombers had just signed Mark Tex. But, after reading the first paragraph of the article we all would be very disappointed because we would have realized that the headlines were misleading.
The real headline most Yankee fans want to see this winter is: “Yankees Sign Teixeira”.
A “dotted” i, is what separates Kanekoa Texeira, the minor league pitcher the Yankees received from the White Sox; and, Mark Teixeira, the free-agent, all-star, switch-hitting, .300 hitting, power hitting, great fielding, first baseman, that can be the New York Yankees starting first baseman for the next 7-10 years.
Click on, “Baseball-reference.com” to view Mark Teixeira’s career stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/teixema01.shtml
It is very disturbing to contemplate that the Yankees braintrust envisions Nick Swisher as the New York Yankees starting first baseman in 2009 [and in future seasons?].
The Yankees have a “Golden Opportunity” to sign Mark Teixeira, one of the best players in the game today; and, in the process, solidify their first base situation for at least the next seven years. All it will take is “Money”, and the Yankees making the best offer for “Tex”.
The Yankees have plenty of money. So, money should “never” be an issue in any deal the Yankees are considering. But, for some reason, the Yankees approach is going in the direction of “cutting” the payroll at a time when their bank vaults are overflowing with cash.
In my view, the Yankees have a huge advantage in the “money department”, and should pay whatever it takes to bring the best players to the Bronx. For this reason, the Yankees should be looking to increase their payroll, not cut it back, especially, with the “new” Yankee Stadium opening next season.
The Yankees have already made “big” offers to CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, basically knocking every other team out of the water right from the beginning in pursuit of these top free-agent “ace” starting pitchers. But, there may be limits regarding the limitless amounts of money the Yankees have, and are willing to spend this winter.
In the same Joel Sherman, New York Post, article, that I quoted at the top of this post, Mr. Sherman gives an insight into the Yankees thinking in regards to their payroll with the following quote:
“A Yankees official said, the club has no plans to spend all of the approximately $88 Million coming off the payroll. The expectation is the $209 Million, 2008 payroll, will be sliced to the $190 Million range or lower.”
Yes, that still is a very large amount of money to work with, and I’m confident the Yankees will prosper during this “Hot Stove League”, signing more than a few top free-agents, greatly improving the team.
But, I will be very disappointed if the Yankees signings this winter do not include …
CC Sabathia … Mark Teixeira … Bobby Abreu … Andy Pettitte … and, another Starting Pitcher … and, also, Mike Mussina [if he doesn’t retire].
My final thoughts regarding the Yankees signing Mark Teixeira, focus on the following concerns:
* Mark Teixeira is an “all-star”, and a much better player than Nick Swisher. To go into the 2009 season with Swisher as the Yankees starting first baseman, when Mark Teixeira was available on the open free-agent market, and all it would have taken for the Yankees to bring Tex to the Bronx was “offering him the largest amount of money” would be totally unacceptable to “not” have signed him.
There will be so much pressure on Nick Swisher to “match” the numbers that Mark Teixeira puts up in 2009, that “fairly or not”, Yankee fans will not accept numbers from our first baseman that does not equal those of Mark Teixeira.
* There are reports that the Boston Red Sox are very interested in signing Mark Teixeira. Enough said. For one of the same reasons that the Yankees signed Alex Rodriguez; the Yankees signing of Mark Teixeira will prevent the Red Sox from possibly signing the “all-star” first baseman.
* Finally, going back to 1976, the long line of great Yankees first baseman will be continued with the signing of Mark Teixeira …
Chris Chambliss, Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, Mark Teixeira …
Sounds better, and makes a lot more sense to me, than:
Chris Chambliss, Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, Nick Swisher.
Enjoy the “Hot Stove League” …
— Jimmy [27NYY], “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 