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New York Yankees: See ya AJ, wouldn’t want to be ya, but do want to thank ya

Posted by on 18 February 2012, 5:38 am

Ken Rosenthal of FOX SPORTS confirmed what he first tweeted, that the New York Yankees have a deal in place to trade AJ Burnettto the Pittsburgh Pirates, pending MLB Commissioner Bud Selig’s approval and passing a physical on Sunday.

Yankee Stadium Field - 2009 World Series Game 2

Well the good news for Burnett is that he doesn’t have to show his face at Yankees Camp after all the harsh media hoopla that has surrounded him leaving the Big Apple. I don’t care whether it is business or not, Burnett is a human being and going anywhere else is a better deal, even the Pirates.

For Burnett fans, like myself, and the 12 others (kidding) will certainly miss AJ. Still, going from Yankee-land to Pirates-ville can’t feel that great, as it is what I consider career suicide.

Regardless, there are still three things that I want to thank AJ Burnett for:

1) #27

I was at Yankee Stadium for Game 2 of the 2009 World Series and will never forget it. Burnett made Pedro his daddy that night, but he also sustained the Yankees from heading to Philly down two games by pitching seven magnificent innings of one-run baseball. So, thank you AJ.

2) A New Tradition.

Also, Burnett brought some fun with his infamous walk-off win pies. Running up behind the teammate who got the winning hit and smashing a pie in their face was something that Yankee Universe embraced. It became a tradition over the last three seasons, as both fans and players would wait after a walk-off win just to see Burnett come out from the dugout. So, thank you AJ. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: See ya AJ, wouldn’t want to be ya, but do want to thank ya’ »

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You Got To Feel Blue For AJ Burnett

Posted by on 14 February 2012, 4:49 am
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Pitcher A. J. Bur...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

You have to feel bad for New York Yankees pitcher AJ Burnett, as the New York and sports media has him already packing for Pittsburgh to join the Pirates.

I get that “baseball is a business,” as players have uttered this sentiment like a broken record forever to a point where it feels like they have been brainwashed.

The business world is harsh, but not many struggling businessmen get their dirty laundry aired out in the public eye like baseball players do.

And yes, people should get fired for not doing their job everyday but not like in baseball. When a team wants to dump a player, and are willing to eat millions of dollars just to get you out, can’t feel good.

All the blame lands solely on the player for underachieving, which usually entails fan and media backlash.

In Burnett’s case, the media and fans have pegged him as enemy #1.

There is some merit behind Burnett being ridiculed, as he has not been able to do his job consistently for sometime; but he was vital to the 2009 Yankees success. Along with some other shining moments, Burnett just continued to aggravate New York fans, which FYI is not a very hard to do.

There is not doubt that Burnett can pitch, and I mean like an unhittable ace when everything is flowing. Problem was that no one, including himself, knew what AJ would show up on the mound on any given night.

So, in a sense the Yankee fans are just as much at fault because Burnett’s biggest hurdle is in his head. And nobody seem to care enough to maybe try to be supportive to see if that would trigger the confidence, or tame the wild thoughts that continually have possessed Burnett throughout his career.

Well, Yankees Universe has been cheering to get rid of Burnett for three seasons, and I can only imagine how the six weeks have been on the righty.

Knowing that you have no choice in the matter just sucks.

And being forced to leave a winning team like the Yankees, to go play for the Pirates is basically career suicide.

It must be heartbreaking. Continue reading ‘You Got To Feel Blue For AJ Burnett’ »

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New York Yankees: Baseball Blogs Hottest Topic

Posted by on 30 January 2012, 12:52 am
Over the last two weeks, the hottest topic that has everyone from baseball fans, bloggers and expert analysts talking about is what the heck are the New York Yankees going to do about their now over-crowded pitching rotation, and more specifically AJ Burnett.
Yankee Stadium on July 1, 2010

Image via Wikipedia

Among the three contenders, which also include Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia, AJ Burnett has gotten thrown in the ringer.

This comes as no shock, because once Javier Vazquez got run out-of-town, Burnett has been deemed as the latest A-rod among pitchers in Yankee Universe; as God forbid Yankee fans don’t have someone to complain and heckle endlessly about.

Admittedly, I am still in the midst of being just as engrossed with this topic for already longer than I would have liked, but something’s you just can’t help.

What I can do is shut my mouth, and let other baseball bloggers do the talking.

So after countless hours of scouring the blogosphere, I have compiled a list of my 10 must-read posts about Burnett and the over-crowding of the Yankee rotation.

Click on article titles to be redirected to original author’s post website; and that this list is in random order.

Enjoy!

For Those Who Dissent, Our Fifth Starter Should Be AJ Burnett

Michael Eder, The Yankee Analysts

Dayton Moore, Get Brian Cashman on the Phone. Trade Soria for Burnett and Hughes.

Jeff Zimmerman, Royals Review Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Baseball Blogs Hottest Topic’ »

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New York Yankees: Remembering The Top 6 Headlines From 2011

Posted by on 27 December 2011, 12:45 am

The New York Yankees and their fans are trying to forget how the 2011 MLB season ended, as losing the ALDS in five games at home was rough on everyone.

Still, with a New Year just days away gives the perfect reason to reflect on the noteworthy, and in 2011 a lot of historic Yankee memories were made.

So, here are the 6 newspaper headlines, some to be etched in Yankee Universe forever, but all had a significant part in the 2011 season; and ones I will never forget:

START SPREADING THE NEWS…and in specific order:

1)    Mr. 3,000: Derek Jeter joins club with unexpected homer. – Big League Stew

2)    Rivera Notches Save No. 600 in Seattle as Yankees Win. – New York Times

3)    Yes, we Cano: Derby win is a family affair…Yanks slugger sets final-round record with father throwing. – MLB.com Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Remembering The Top 6 Headlines From 2011’ »

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New York Yankees: Believe You Me…. Hughes Is Moving To The Bullpen

Posted by on 15 August 2011, 12:35 am

Honestly, what New York Yankee fan is not debating who will be demoted when skipper Joe Girardi dismantles the six-man pitching rotation?

From my dad, to my doorman, to even my Phillies fan friend (yes, I have one) everyone has an opinion about who has earned their pinstripes to stay.

One collective belief, myself included is that it will be either AJ Burnett or Phil Hughes that will be heading into a reliever roll.

This makes sense because out of all the Yankees starters, Hughes and Burnett were the Jekyll and Hyde’s in the rotation.

Literally, these two are the definition of extreme. When they are good, they are brilliant; but when they are bad they are incompetent.

Burnett logically looks like the bigger mess because he has pitched in the bigs for 13 seasons and is 34 years old, so he has been at it longer.

Where as Hughes is nine years younger, and technically is in his fifth year in the majors but has only pitched one full season in 2009.

So, the question remains is who is less risky of the two?

Win, lose, or draw the Yankees have a lot to consider due to the repercussions.

Girardi and GM Brian Cashman have to take paychecks out of the equation because the right decision will be more plentiful in the long run for everyone.

Personally, I don’t trust Hughes’ stuff compared to Burnett. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Believe You Me…. Hughes Is Moving To The Bullpen’ »

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New York Yankees: Pitching Test For AJ Burnett Vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Posted by on 19 April 2011, 7:07 am

The New York Yankees are up in Toronto to play a quick two-games against their AL East Division rival Blue Jays.

The Bombers left New York after taking two of three games from the Texas Rangers, who they had not seen since the 2010 ALCS, so the team is feeling pretty confident right now.

For the Blue Jays, coming home was not nearly as sweet following a tough, 3-7-road trip.

With both teams having good reason behind taking the first game, let’s look at Tuesday night’s match-up on the mound.

AJ BURNETT, NYY:

In the first game on Tuesday night, the Yankees will send AJ Burnett to the bump at the Roger Centre, a very familiar place for the ex-Blue Jay.

Unfortunately any fond Canadian memories are long gone for Burnett, as his spectacular month of April could come crashing down if history dictates anything.

In 2010 Burnett’s last start against the Blue Jays he got pulled after 2.1 innings of crap, allowing two homeruns, seven earned runs, a walk, a strikeout and he managed to hit one of the 16 total batters he faced.

The Yankees have lost to the Jays the last four times Burnett started the game, two of which were in Toronto.

This could certainly end Burnett’s 3-0 April winning streak, as Burnett is known to start off every season hot only to fall on his face. This is the ideal situation for past-disasters, so this is a big test for Burnett to earn some real trust back.

Burnett is up against a Jays-team that is 4-2 at home, with nine homeruns so far this season.

It comes as no shock that slugger Jose Bautista is responsible for two of the long balls. Bautista has continued right where he left off last season hitting .455 thus far.

In his nine at-bats against Burnett, Bautista is hitting .444, with four hits, one double, two homeruns, six RBIs, drawn two walks and struck out twice.

Pretty sure Burnett will be watching out for Bautista, who might not be ready for Burnett’s resurrected change-up. This change-up proved dominate against the Orioles just day ago and Burnett claimed he has not thrown this pitch in over 12 years. It is certainly a nice addition to his wicked curveball and mid-90’s fastball.

KYLE DRABEK, TOR:

Toronto will counter with 23-year-old righty Kyle Drabek, who has pitching in his blood, as his dad is former CY Young winner Doug Drabek.

So far in his first three starts Drabek has been phenomenal posting a 1.93 ERA, with 17 strikeouts in just shy of 19 innings pitched. Drabek’s only real issue is the 11 walks he has allowed, which could potentially be a real problem facing the patient Yankees line-up. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Pitching Test For AJ Burnett Vs. Toronto Blue Jays’ »

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New York Yankees: Finally Baseball Starts On Saturday

Posted by on 23 February 2011, 7:20 am

Baseball is about to start, as the New York Yankees will play their Spring Season opener against the Philadelphia Phillies this Saturday at Steinbrenner Field.

It looks to be a nice change from all the usual drama that comes with being a Yankee and playing in New York. Sometimes you forget why the team is in Tampa in the first place.

Skipper Joe Girardi announced that Bartolo Colon would start Saturday’s game, which is mind-numbing.

Colon showed up to camp, which has been a problem for the 2005 CY Young winner in the past. He came in 25 pounds heavier, which is almost unimaginable considering he has never been accused of being skinny prior.

Colon hasn’t pitched in over two years for a Major League team, but has been playing in the Dominican League over the winter.

Here is the rest of the pitching order:

Saturday vs. Phillies: Bartolo Colon

Sunday at Phillies: Ivan Nova

Monday at Tigers: CC Sabathia

Tuesday at Pirates: A.J. Burnett

Wednesday vs. Astros: Phil Hughes

Thursday at Rays: Freddy Garcia

The press is already starting World War III against the Bombers, asking Girardi why Burnett is behind Sabathia and not Hughes.

I would more concerned with why Colon is starting, but Girardi stated it was because he had been pitching the most recently. This is the same Colon that cannot partake in drills because he is so out-of-shape, right?

For crying out loud, it is just Spring Training and even I am guilty of acting as if this is the Yankees post-season rotation. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Finally Baseball Starts On Saturday’ »

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