Skip to content

Yankees captain wants his MVP

Posted by on 16 April 2012, 7:02 am

I WANT MY MVP?

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter (Photo credit: Keith Allison)

Most people would say that the New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter has it all, but they are wrong.

Ok, so Jeter is rich, handsome, dates hot brunettes, has enough World Series Championship rings for every finger on his right hand, Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers and countless awards in just about everything.

Now, if you asked Jeter about what is missing from his trophy case he would probably say another WS ring because it is all about the championships; or so he says.

See, Jeter has never won the AL MVP Award; and even though I do believe in a team first attitude, anyone with a half-a-brain who could achieve that kind of personal accomplishment would strive for it.

Now, a lot of people feel that Jeter got swindled in the 2006 MVP voting, as he came in second behind Minnesota Twins Justin Morneau. After looking at both players’ 2006 stats, I have to disagree on this one.

I do think Jeter got robbed of the award in 2009 when he finished third behind teammate Mark Teixeira and the winner, who ironically was another Twin, Joe Mauer.

Winning an MVP would be the icing on the cake for the Yankees Captain, but the odds are stacked against him. Continue reading ‘Yankees captain wants his MVP’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
11 Comments

New York Yankees: What would you do if you were Girardi and Rothschild

Posted by on 23 March 2012, 3:32 am
Joe Girardi, manager of the New York Yankees.

Joe Girardi, manager of the New York Yankees. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The New York Yankees have CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, Freddy Garcia and now Andy Pettitte, which leaves them with the same problem that trading AJ Burnett was supposed to solve, seven starters for five rotation spots.

It is tough to complain about being overloaded with starting pitching especially after the Yankees had the opposite issue last spring, but it will be a tough decision for skipper Joe Girardi and pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

THE LOCKS:

1) Obviously Sabathia, who Girardi confirmed would be opening the season at the dumpy Trop vs. the Rays.

2) Kuroda was named the team’s #2 from the get-go.

3) Pettitte has a rotation spot waiting for him, and that makes complete sense. It was nice to hear that Pettitte hit 94 mph in a bullpen session, but not that surprising. Before he hung up his mitt, the first time, the Southpaw was having a career year in 2010, finishing 11-3 in 21 starts, posting a 3.28 ERA and holding opposing bats to a .256 average.

And fans might even get to see Pettitte in a spring game, as ESPN reported that Girardi has not ruled it out as a possibility yet. Rothschild has already had Pettitte throw live BP so things are moving right along in his comeback. And after speaking to many Yankee fans, Pettitte will be welcomed in the Bronx with open arms.

FOUR FOR TWO:

So, this leaves Hughes, Nova, Pineda and Garcia.

Pettitte’s un-retirement does give the Yankees about a month to give the remaining four a real test run, as the veteran Southpaw said he is aiming for May 1st but knowing Girardi’s usual paranoia that means more like mid-May.

Regardless, in my opinion Spring Training stats don’t mean that much for two reasons. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: What would you do if you were Girardi and Rothschild’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , ,
6 Comments

New York Yankees: Mid-spring injury updates

Posted by on 20 March 2012, 3:03 am

Mid-Spring Injury Updates

Injuries are not what anyone wants to hear, read or speak about but they are an unfortunate reality that is unavoidable.

Unlike other sports, MLB has the 70 Spring Training games to play before the start to the ones that count and as players warm up their bodies to prepare for the grueling regular season, injuries can start to stockpile.

So far in Tampa, the New York Yankees haven’t had any big blows but plenty of players are banged up, but things can change in a nanosecond.

Reliever David Robertson gave Yankee Universe their first spring panic attack when he fell down the stairs and was seen in a walking boot the next day. Thank goodness it was not broken, but it was diagnosed as a bone bruise to his right foot and that is still a serious injury. Robertson is already throwing bullpen sessions and says he will be good to go on Opening Day.

Another scare came from Captain Derek Jeter who is currently resting a sore left calf. The good news is it is not the same leg that sidelined Jeter last season, but still you have to wonder how bad it really is. Jeter has a history of omitting the extent his pain, which is also a team trait. Let’s hope it really isn’t “a big deal” this time. NY Daily News reported that the Captain should be back on the field today. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Mid-spring injury updates’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
2 Comments

New York Yankees: Who was hot

Posted by on 14 March 2012, 2:35 am
Iván Nova prior to the New York Yankees game a...

Image via Wikipedia

The plain and simple fact is that New York Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova was looking hot.

And NO…. I did not mean in a sexual way, but on the mound as Nova was throwing heat last night in his second outing of the spring.

Nova pitched four innings, allowing just two hits, no runs and fanned three of Bobby Valentine’s Red Sox.

Boston did win the game 1-0 but this isn’t the regular season and Spring Training the outcomes are meaningless, it is what is in between that fans should focus on.

As for Nova, he silenced all the haters’ uncertainty about his lack of command. His change-up and slider almost looked identical and his fastball was clocking in at 92-95 mph on the radar gun.

And according to ESPN’s Andrew Marchand the timing couldn’t have been better, as skipper Joe Girardi announced, “he is going to start judging now.”

You can be certain that Nova has given his skipper plenty to think about, as after that kind of outing he is emerging into what I see as the Yankees number three. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Who was hot’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
2 Comments

New York Yankees: Injury updates already

Posted by on 3 March 2012, 1:13 am

From the start to the end of Spring Training, players are warming-up their bodies to get ready for the 162-game grind of the regular season.

Unfortunately injury setbacks are inevitable, and daily reports sometimes seem endless but also remember that if a player feels anything is off, he will rest as a precautionary measure.

You can see the most up-to-date injury reports, team-by-team by visiting ESPN Injury Updates ; that is what I do many times daily.

So, here are the early setbacks that have already hit the New York Yankees, courtesy of ESPN: Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Injury updates already’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off

New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez the comedian

Posted by on 2 March 2012, 1:53 am
English: Alex Rodriguez

Image via Wikipedia

New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez has come along way since first donning the pinstripes in 2004, and not under the easiest of circumstances.

The self-inflicted bumps along the road seem to be behind the 36-year old, and I must admit that A-rod has given me a good laugh so far this spring.

Following an off-season with no popcorn incidents, no steroid admissions or opt-outs, A-rod seems more comfortable in his own skin now more than ever. And my guess is this will translate into a solid season for the slugger.

Hey and if after the baseball thing, A-rod should consider becoming a comedian with his recent quotes.

On all the Lin-sanity going on in New York surrounding Knicks emerging star Jeremy Lin, A-rod asked:

“If he’s still looking for a place to crash, maybe he can crash at my apartment? Imagine the tabloids then.”

And just a couple of days later, when the Red Sox new skipper Rex Ryan, I mean Bobby Valentine was asked about the pending retirement of now ex-Captain Jason Varitek, he couldn’t help but take another dig at the Yankees by adding “He was able to beat up Alex. All that stuff is good stuff.” Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez the comedian’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
Comments Off

New York Yankees: 2012 starting rotation two down and three to go

Posted by on 29 February 2012, 2:31 am
English: Photograph of Hiroki Kuroda on pitche...

Kuroda on the mound as a Dodger. Image via Wikipedia

It is no secret that the New York Yankees main focus this Spring Training is to figure out the 2012 starting pitching rotation.

Up to now, skipper Joe Girardi has only confirmed the obvious, that ace CC Sabathia will be the Yankees’ Opening Day starter vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, on April 6th at Tropicana Field.

Now you can add Hiroki Kuroda to the list, as Girardi revealed that the right-hander is the second confirmed arm in the 2012 rotation. As via the Associated Press, Girardi said:

“We’ve got six guys for five spots … and you really can look at it as, you’ve got CC and you’ve got Kuroda. So, you’ve got four guys for three spots.”

This Kuroda news should come as no surprise, as it did cost the Yankees $10 million bucks to bring the 36-year olds talents from Dodger-land to the Bronx for the 2012 season. And GM Brian Cashman did not make that deal for Kuroda to come out of the bullpen that is for sure.

Actually, the Yankees skipper summed it up best:

“You signed Kuroda to start, you signed all these guys to start. Kuroda has a big track history.”

What about the 3, 4, & 5 spots? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 2012 starting rotation two down and three to go’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
6 Comments
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4
  7. 5
  8. ...
  9. 16