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Yankees Dilemma: If You Were CC Sabathia What Would You Do?

Posted by on 25 February 2011, 3:06 pm

The New York Yankees are never short of drama, and at the start of spring training, ace CC Sabathia became the latest headline.

After finishing the 2008 season without making the playoffs, the Yankees went on an offseason spending spree. The team’s biggest purchase was ace Sabathia, who inked a monster contract worth $152 million to keep him in pinstripes for seven seasons.

Sabathia, being from the West Coast, was reluctant to call the Bronx home. So, along with the cash came an opt-out clause that allowed for Sabathia to say adios at his discretion after three seasons.

The added reassurance might have been the reason Sabathia finally signed but now could cost the Yankees their ace or dollars, and Yankee fans are concerned.

From the moment Sabathia stepped on the mound at Yankee Stadium, he has been worth every penny.

To say he is the Yankees’ ace is an understatement, as Sabathia has been a CY Young-caliber pitcher, posting a 40-15 record, a 3.27 ERA, with 394 strikeouts. He is an absolute workhorse and innings-eater, throwing for 468 total.

The Yankees won the 2009 World Series and made it to the 2010 ALCS on Sabathia’s shoulders. He was named the 2009 ALCS MVP, made the 2010 All-Star team and came in fourth and second in the CY Young voting respectively.

Not only is this 6’7″ athlete a giant player but an absolutely delightful teammate, who was embraced by Yankee fans like he had been here his whole career.

So, when Sabathia answered the question of why he wouldn’t opt out during a TV interview at a Knicks game on December 8, 2010, fans thought the ace said he was here to stay.

Sabathia’s exact words were:

“I signed up for seven years, and this is a good organization. You get a chance to win a championship every year, so it was an easy decision.”

Well, now this tune has changed, as Sabathia didn’t reiterate the same sentiments the first day of spring training. It is what he didn’t say that is making Yankee fans anxious, as Sabathia didn’t utter the same words and left the door open that anything can happen regarding his contract. Continue reading ‘Yankees Dilemma: If You Were CC Sabathia What Would You Do?’ »

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Andy Pettitte Retires: Can the New York Yankees Win Without Him in 2011?

Posted by on 3 February 2011, 11:09 pm

The news no New York Yankee fan wanted to hear came today, as pitcher Andy Pettitte is hanging up his pinstripes.

Not only is this a sad day because Pettitte is a legend, but it marks the end of an era, as fans will never see the Yankees‘ “Core Four” play together again.

Where does this leave the Yankees heading into the 2011 season?

Without Pettitte in the rotation, there is no doubt the pressure is on.

In his 16-year career, Pettitte has 240 career wins, 203 of which were won during his 13 seasons in pinstripes. He has made 42 playoff starts, winning 19 of them, making Pettitte the winningest pitcher in postseason history.

So how could a 38-year-old southpaw be such a season-changer?

In 2010, after winning the World Series in 2009, Pettitte was having a career year and was named to the All-Star team.

Prior to a groin injury that put Pettitte on the DL on July 19, 2010, he had made a total of 18 starts. Pettitte’s record was 11-3, but the team went 15-3 in his starts. Pettitte didn’t return for two months, and he did struggle for his first two starts back, but he won his final regular season start and once again was dominant in the postseason.

Pettitte was a rock in the Yankees’ rotation with a cemented reputation to come through when the team couldn’t. He provided a sigh of a relief when on the mound, because Pettitte was unswerving and reliable.

If anyone thinks that this is not a major blow to the Yankees, don’t listen because it is a complete lie. Pettitte’s absence will affect everything, from making the postseason to winning, if the team can qualify in the first place. Continue reading ‘Andy Pettitte Retires: Can the New York Yankees Win Without Him in 2011?’ »

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New York Yankees: Why Cameron Diaz Is Not Good for A-Rod or the Team

Posted by on 7 January 2011, 11:20 am

If you want to date New York Yankees star third baseman Alex Rodriguez, your resume better read: blond, Hollywood actress, small chest and athletic build.

When A-Rod started to date Kate Hudson, the rumors were hard to believe Goldie’s daughter would fancy such an insecure womanizer.

When Hudson showed up at the ballpark in A-Rod’s seats, it confirmed every Yankee fans worst nightmare. Hudson could become an off-the-field distraction for the Yankees best player and that would be seen as unacceptable.

Closing down the greatest baseball park in 2008, along with missing the playoffs was enough embarrassment in the Bronx already. Yankee fans, along with the NY media, didn’t hide their concern regarding the relationship.

That sentiment came and went pretty fast, as A-Rod became different and he started to mesh in as part of the team. Smiling and relaxed, A-Rod did his job without the stress and it was contagious in the clubhouse.

Hudson became a fixture at Yankee Stadium. She came early, stayed through the ninth inning and cheered like a baseball fan. The other Yankee wives loved her as she was photographed with CC, AJ, Damon and Jorge’s wives having a blast.

Obviously she was smitten with A-Rod, but baseball is not an easy game to sit through, day after day after day, if you don’t love the game.

Regardless, A-Rod was at his best and the Yankees won the 2009 World Series. Hudson was beloved in NYC; she did what no one else could by loosening A-Rod up. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Why Cameron Diaz Is Not Good for A-Rod or the Team’ »

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ALCS 2010: Will Texas Rangers Cliff Lee Give Or Get A Bronx Bombing?

Posted by on 13 October 2010, 10:57 am

The moment the Texas Rangers‘ Cliff Lee hurled his last strike Tuesday night; he not only killed the Tampa Bay Rays‘ postseason dreams, but also gave the New York Yankees an official ALCS opponent for Game One on Friday night.

The Yankees will fly down to Texas to face the Rangers in the seven-game ALCS series, which for one team will lead to the World Series.

In all honesty, predictions were betting the Rays would beat the Rangers in the ALDS, but in a five-game series, there is no room to stumble.

The Rays didn’t start playing up to their ability until Game Three, and by the time Tampa caught up, it was Cliff Lee time in the deciding game.

Cy Young winner and certified bad-ass Cliff Lee is no stranger to pressure, especially in the postseason. Watching Lee’s postseason career is literally watching baseball history in the making.

In seven starts, Lee posts a 1.44 ERA, allowing nine earned runs, six walks, striking out 54 hitters and giving up just one home run over 56.1 innings.

Three of those seven wins were complete games; the last was this past Tuesday night to beat the Rays and lead the Rangers to the ALCS for the first time.

Except for changing uniforms like it’s Halloween in the Bronx, Lee and his famous left arm are no stranger to the Yankees. Neither are Yankees fans, who will get to see Lee in the Yankees’ first ALCS home game next Monday night, the third of the series.

If recent history can predict any game’s outcome, this would be it. Lee is the dictator when he starts; if he wants to win, he does.

The Yankees have shown signs of getting to Lee in the past with some success, but not in 2010 and certainly not in the postseason, which was witnessed in the 2009 World Series when Lee was a Philadelphia Phillie.

The Yankees are by no means underdogs in this series against the Rangers, except any game Lee pitches because the Bombers are at his mercy, but this time things will be different.

Overall, the Yankees have the better team; way more experience and are beyond determined to repeat.

Not just for the players’ own egos because the team owes someone else another World Series title, to say the least.

Mr. George Steinbrenner, known as the Boss, would not have it any other way and neither would his Yankees.

So, bring on the Rangers and Cliff Lee, because it’s time for the Yankees to show the Rangers how champions play.

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New York Yankees: Six Days Off ‘Til ALCS Against Texas Rangers or Tampa Bay Rays

Posted by on 11 October 2010, 10:13 am

The New York Yankees are on their way to another ALCS after sweeping the Minnesota Twins for the second postseason in a row.

Phil Hughes, in his first postseason start, pitched a gem on Saturday night, going seven solid innings and allowing no runs to score. It was a real boost for the team going forward.

It provided a sigh of relief for skipper Joe Girardi, as his team looks to be a force to be reckoned with once again. It’s about time for Yankee fans to cut Girardi some slack, as he has earned our trust once again.

Next up for the Yankees is the ALCS, but the opponent is to be decided between the Tampa Bay Rays or Texas Rangers. The Rangers went into Game 3 leading 2-0 in the ALDS against a seemingly dead Rays ball club.

The Rangers had five outs remaining to move onward, but the Rays got their much-needed swagger back and beat the Rangers 6-3.

The Rays did it again Sunday afternoon, tying the series at 2-2 and forcing the Rangers to play Game 5 back at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night.

The winner of this ALDS will host the Yankees on Friday evening in Game 1 of the ALCS.

Who would the Yankees rather face?

Neither the Rays nor the Rangers are going to make like easier for New York.

The Rays match up with the Yankees head-to-head better than the Rangers.

The Rangers have ace Cliff Lee, who has slaughtered the Yankees in four different uniforms and twice in the 2009 World Series. Even with losing Game 1 and 5 in 2009, the Yankees still won the World Series against the Phillies. Lee finished the regular season with a 3.18 ERA and 195 strikeouts.

The Rangers’ second starter is CJ Wilson, who is becoming a mini-Cliff Lee. If Wilson shuts down the Yankee, that is two games lost before the Yankees even get back to the Bronx. Wilson has held the Yankees hitters to a .248 average over his career. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Six Days Off ‘Til ALCS Against Texas Rangers or Tampa Bay Rays’ »

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New York Yankees: Three Is A Magic Number. Yes It Is, It’s Our Magic Number.

Posted by on 22 September 2010, 1:19 am

Winning for the second night against the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees are 2 ½ games ahead in the AL East; in addition to lowering their magic number for playoff spot to three and winning the division to 10.Yankees can thank the Boston Red Sox for helping those numbers falling to the Baltimore Orioles for the second nigh tin a row.

It could not come at a better time for New York, as winning the division translates into home-field advantage for the Yankees.

Playing hosts for the first two rounds of the playoffs, especially in the 5-game Division Series could be critical for the Yankees down the stretch.

Being at Yankees Stadium for both these two games, I can attest that the Yankees fans have impacted each player.

The atmosphere rivaled that of the 2009 World Series up in the Bronx the last two nights. Fans even started a round-the-clock wave that circled the stadium three times, spanning from the nosebleeds all the way down to luxury seats.

Unlike last weeks Rays-series, the Bombers are clearly outplaying Tampa Bay this time. More and more, the 2010 Yankees resemble the same group that won the World Series in 2009.

There are only 14 games remaining in the MLB regular season, but the best of baseball gets played in October.

The 2010 post-season is overall on track to be one of the most competitive ever.

*RECENT NEWS: The Minnesota Twins won the AL Central tonight for the sixth time since 2002. It’s the first team to clinch so far. Congratulations to the Twins and their loyal fans!!

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New York Yankees Get 2009 Swagger Back by Beating Cliff Lee and Rangers

Posted by on 12 August 2010, 11:22 am

GAME NOTES:

The odds were stacked up against the New York Yankees before Texas Rangers Cliff Lee even threw his first pitch.

By the top of the sixth inning, Lee was schooling the Yankees again, with a 6-1 lead, posting 11 strikeouts, no walks, and a stacked bullpen just waiting.

Yankees Javier Vazquez pitched just shy of six innings. Vazquez is fighting a pitcher’s “dead arm,” which is fatigue from throwing, but regardless Vazquez didn’t skip his start and that is a sign of a true ballplayer.

Mark Teixeira was on a mini-paternity leave, but is back today and his hot bat is always appreciated.

Replacing Tex at the plate and at first base was Marcus Thames, who was the player of the game by a landslide. Thames hit a homer and the ninth inning single that drove in the needed runs for the win.

I really like Thames because he has preformed since joining the Yankees this season. Thames is like a subdued Swisher, just happy to be a Yankee and fans are happy to have him too.

MANAGER NOTES:

I am not even going to try and dissect Skipper Joe Girardi’s decision making because it gets me too upset. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Get 2009 Swagger Back by Beating Cliff Lee and Rangers’ »

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