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New York Yankees hot stove: You want the down-low on Russell Branyan

Posted by on 9 February 2012, 1:17 am
English: Russell Branyan

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Since six-time Gold Glover Eric Chavez seems to be AWOL, at least on the New York Yankees radar, GM Brian Cashman is up to his old tricks and I don’t mean off the field.

Once again Cashman is handing out minor league deals and 2012 Spring Training invites, and the latest recipient, according to the New York Post, is 37-year old Russell Branyan.

The left-handed batting Branyan can play in the outfield, and at first and third base if he makes the team this spring. The latest team Branyan got released from was the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the rest of his 14 MLB seasons reads like a bad wrap sheet.

Branyan started his career as a Cleveland Indian and from there has played for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Let me just say that this signing makes me think that Cashman is really pushing his luck, or is not thinking clearly.

Last season, Branyan split time between playing first and third base for the D-backs and the Angles. Combined, Branyan had 127 at-bats and posted a .197 batting average, five home-runs, 14 RBIs, 18 walks and struck out 41 times. His OBP was a mere .295, while slugging .370 in the 68 games he played in.

In 2010, Branyan did hit 25 homers, with 57 RBIs and 46 walks over 109 at-bats but he also struck out 131 times. This was again while playing for two teams, as the Indians traded Branyan to the Mariners.

This is almost making me sick knowing Chavez is sitting somewhere as a free agent.

The Yankees should not even waste five cents on Branyan, and here are three reasons why:

1) Throughout his career, Branyan has been prone to injuries but not just on the baseball field. One example dating back to late September 2010, while playing for the Mariners, Branyan reportedly injured himself while out a pizza parlor according to NBC Hardball Talk’s Craig Calcaterra. Calcaterra also broke the news when Branyan had injured himself back in July, this time a hotel table hit his foot at 5am. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees hot stove: You want the down-low on Russell Branyan’ »

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New York Yankees Hot Stove: 3 news stories you might have missed

Posted by on 8 February 2012, 3:01 am

There is never a dull moment in Yankee Universe, even in the wake of the New York Giants winning Super Bowl XLVI the stuff that was happening over in the Bronx almost rivaled the new NFL Champs.

So, if you need to catch up on what the heck the Yankees have done you came to the right place.

Here are 3 news stories that you might have missed:

1) ESPN New York’s Wallace Matthews reported that the Bronx Bombers will be launching “New York Yankees” and “New York Yankees for Her,” the franchise’s own male and female fragrance line. The official release will be on Tuesday, February 21 at a cocktail get-together in Manhattan.

So, for male fans who want to smell like Driven by Derek Jeter after playing four hours of baseball in mid-July, than your prayers have been answered? Alas, the scents will probably fly off the shelves.

Once again this proves my point that the Yankees seem too focused on extorting the pride, power and pinstripes brand, instead of actually living it. Athletes are supposed to stink like the sweat of competition in their uniforms, not be forced to advertise some cologne that smells like yesterday’s Dakar Noir. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Hot Stove: 3 news stories you might have missed’ »

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New York Yankees vs. New York Giants

Posted by on 7 February 2012, 3:04 am
English: Tom Coughlin, George W. Bush and Eli ...

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Just two days after watching the New York Giants win their second Super Bowl in four years, it is hard not to dream of the Yankees capturing a World Series title.

Being on the brink of the 2012 MLB season, I got to thinking, what do the Giants have that the Yankees are missing?

So, I started writing down the advantages that both New York team’s posses and after mulling through two messy lists, below are the most important points.

ADVANTAGE YANKEES:

-        Have all-star roster in place.

-        The ‘Yankees’ brand itself.

-        Players want to be Yankees because of the illustrious history.

-        Yankees haven’t missed the playoffs in 15 seasons, except for 2008.

-        Most successful sports franchise ever, with 27 World Championships.

-        A generous ownership.

ADVANTAGE GIANTS:

-        QB/Captain who is really a team player, a quiet leader off the field, but not on; and just an overall good guy.

-        Players who call each other out publicly.

-        A Coach who stuck to his plan.

-        A stellar GM who makes incredible draft picks.

-        A team that talks the talk and walks the walk.

-        Team consists of an array of characters, but all have equal voices.

-        One of the most respected ownerships in sports today.

-        Fighters.

-        Believe in each other through and through.

These two lists are very broad because football and baseball are very different sports, but being a team is not.

Still, I could not figure out what the Giants had that the Yankees don’t that turns a team with a 9-7 record into World Champions? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees vs. New York Giants’ »

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New York Yankees: Jeter Infection Spreads to Super Bowl

Posted by on 2 February 2012, 5:21 pm

The Yankees captain Derek Jeter has always been quite the heartthrob, and not with just the ladies.

It seems that the Jeter bug has hit Indianapolis this week, as not one but both Super Bowl XLVI quarterbacks admitted to having a serious man-crush on El Capitan.

Yes, that would be one Patriots Tom Brady and one Giants Eli Manning.

The two QB’s took time to slip in some words of absolute admiration for Jeter during their media day this past Tuesday.

Both Super Bowl bound guys are taken; Manning is married to his very attractive college girlfriend; and Brady goes home to Gisele…need I say more?

The New York Daily News quoted Brady, just two days ago, as saying:

“You see someone who plays the game the way you think it needs to be played, like Derek Jeter. I love the way he plays the game.”

Boston fans must have thrown up; and than swallowed it rehashing Brady’s Yankee hat wearing days and further proof that it was no accident. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Jeter Infection Spreads to Super Bowl’ »

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New York Yankees: You Won’t Want To Miss This Event

Posted by on 23 January 2012, 9:52 pm
English: Jorge Posada (#20, left) with Mariano...

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Tomorrow New York Yankees fan will have to say goodbye to Jorge Posada, as according to MLB.com he will officially announce his retirement from baseball in a press conference at the Stadium.

Personally, saying goodbye to another piece of the infamous Yankees Core Four will numb my joy for the New York Giants trip to Super Bowl XLVI for a moment.

Ironically, when I think about it Posada actually personifies this Giants team because he played old school baseball.

Jorge was tougher than nails, and brought a go hard or go home attitude that subconsciously motivates others to win.

So now, after 17 seasons, of going to a Yankee game to see Posada and chant “Hip, Hip Jorge” has to come to an end tomorrow. Even knowing that this day was coming still doesn’t change the fact that feels way to soon.

For now, let us all wish Jorge Posada the best in his future endeavors but I hope he knows the joy he brought everyday to his fans, this city and the Yankee pinstripes. And say Thank You.

“Saying goodbye doesn’t mean anything. It’s the time we spent together that matters, not how we left it” – Trey Parker, creator of South Park. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: You Won’t Want To Miss This Event’ »

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New York Yankees Hot Stove: Matsui Rumors Are Not Funny For My Dad

Posted by on 17 January 2012, 1:23 pm
Hideki Matsui Reprint from Flickr

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The latest question swirling around Yankee Universe is who will fill the void at DH?

Rumors are that the Bombers are interested in Johnny Damon and Carlos Pena, but have actually reached out to Hideki Matsui according to a  tweet from Jon Heyman at CBS.

Matsui was the 2009 World Series MVP and was let go after single-handily leading the Yankees to their 27th Championship, and fans were not happy at all.

So, when I told my dad that the Yankees were thinking of bringing back Hideki Matsui in 2012 his hopeful excitement made me reconsider if I should have said anything.

Matsui has been my father’s favorite player from the day he came to the US from Japan, and he still rants about the reason behind letting Godzilla leave in the first place.

My thought is would Matsui want to come back after being treated so poorly?

One aspect of Japanese culture that I am in utter awe of is the sense respect, tradition and commitment that each possesses in all aspects of life. Matsui was so level-headed, and like my father his work ethic and sportsmanship was almost surreal.

So, this makes me wonder whether Matsui would even listen to the suggestion of playing in the Bronx again because it is a sign of disrespect? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Hot Stove: Matsui Rumors Are Not Funny For My Dad’ »

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New York Yankees: 8 Headlines You Don’t Want To See In 2012

Posted by on 12 January 2012, 11:46 pm

New York Post - back cover - 11-24-2012

Whether you read it in the local newspaper; watch it on ESPN’s Sportscenter or MLB Network’s Quick Pitch; or hear it on Mad Dog Radio, there are certain words like setback, injury, slump, suspension that a fan immediately knows means trouble.

Not one of the 30 MLB teams is devoid of issues over the course of the 162-game regular season, but the severity can vary and sometimes recovering becomes impossible.

The worst is when a baseball fan is unprepared, as I am all to familiar with those dreadful mornings when open my door to grab my New York Post and bam, the front page is enough to make me sick, literally.

It is always a treat like back in November 2012 when one NYP headline read, PICTURE THIS with Derek Jeter in a Red Sox’s uniform linking to a feature story that the Yankees were going to let the Captain take other offers; and that Boston was coming guns a-blazing. Can you even image?

So, this got me thinking of what Yankee headlines would I NOT want to see in 2012, or ever for that matter? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 8 Headlines You Don’t Want To See In 2012’ »

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