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Yankees-Tigers: New York Not Losers Of ALDS Game 3

Posted by on 4 October 2011, 4:07 am

First of all time cannot be reversed, neither can wins and losses but there is nothing wrong with relaying the real truth after-the-fact.

The New York Yankees lost to the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the ALDS, but facts show that the game should have gone into extra innings.

Am I being a sore loser??

Yes, and no because I am not denying that I would have liked the Yankees to win, as any fan would especially in the Postseason, but the proof is undeniable so why can’t I point it out.

Before I get to the detail, let me tell you that the homeplate umpire was not calling the same strike zone and it wasn’t just one time, it was many wrong calls not in Sabathia’s favor.

It was maddening to watch, as the ump did not settle in even after ESPN’s Buster Onley tweeted that CC talked to the homeplate ump after the 1st inning, in the utmost respectable way about the calls.

Ok, now to the proof – - rewind to Game 3, in bottom of the 3rd inning; no outs; Brandon Inge is on second base and Austin Jackson comes to the plate.

Jackson had a seven-pitch sequence, which resulted in a walk and eventually he scored the tying run and it was 2-2.

Here is a chart of Jackson’s at-bat, pitch by pitch:

Need more proof? Here is the STRIKE ZONE pictures: Continue reading ‘Yankees-Tigers: New York Not Losers Of ALDS Game 3’ »

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MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Need To Just Overpay

Posted by on 19 July 2011, 3:37 am

The New York Yankees, along with the other 29 MLB teams have 13-days till the July 31st trade deadline.

According the Yankees GM Brian Cashman, the team will NOT overpay to acquire mid-season talent.

Well isn’t it true that when you want something, you have to be willing to pay the price for it?

You would think that the Yankees would know this better than most, but not lately. Cashman is turning into a cheap skate, who is hoarding the prospects right before are eyes.

Why did Cashman even bother building such a strong farm system?

Looking back, Austin Jackson was the last big-time Yankee prospect that fans were waiting on. Three years later, and just days before his pinstripes début, Jackson was sent packing to the Detroit Tigers; who in turn shipped Curtis Granderson to the Bronx.

Now, a season and a half later the Yankees clearly got the better deal as Granderson is establishing himself as an MVP.

Not that Jackson has been a bust, but last season’s 170-strikeout number is off the charts. Ironically, Granderson posted 174 strikeouts in his first full MLB season, so the Yankees skipped Jackson’s toddler years by grabbing Granderson.

Regardless, the Yankees seem to fare better with players than prospects, so Cashman not wanting to overpay for talent confuses me?

What did Cashman think would come with a flourishing farm system…. lower or even reasonable price tags?

Fact is that obtaining a fresh talent boosts a team, whether it is a handful prior to 2009 or a reliever mid-season like Kerry Woods in 2010. You have to pay for the talent that makes a difference, especially if you are working for the Yankees.

If the rumors, that the Boston Red Sox are ready to lay it all on the line to acquire some major player in the next two weeks than the Yankees could be in trouble.

Cashman cannot sit on his hands; celebrating prospects that have no big-league history and might never just to avoid possibly overpaying for an established player.

Remember, the Yankees made their reputation for winning by spending excessively and no offense it kind of comes with the territory don’t you think?

Whether it be Padres Health Bell or Marlins Randy Choate, the Yankees need some help and a fresh face can literally change a team’s October Road. Even trading with the Rockies for 27-year-old Ubaldo Jimenez is something Cashman needs to really consider after Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated confirmed that the Rangers and Red Sox are in this mix too. Continue reading ‘MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Need To Just Overpay’ »

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2011 MLB Team Preview: Detroit Tigers

Posted by on 22 March 2011, 4:17 pm

The 2010 season did not pan out the way the Detroit Tigers had planed and that is putting it kindly.

Injury-ridden across the board, it is a miracle within itself that the Tigers managed to finish with an 81-81 record. The Tigers are not a .500 team and going forward

Is 2011 the year of the Tigers? Hey anything it possible, so let’s take a look at Detroit heading into the regular season.

The Positives:

The Tigers off-season easily ranks as one of the most productive in baseball, with the additions of catcher Victor Martinez, RHP Joaquin Benoit and RHP Brad Penny.

The big splash was signing Martinez to a 4-year deal worth $50 million. Martinez is one of the best hitting catchers in the game and in my guess is he will hit fifth, right behind arguably the best hitter in the game, Miguel Cabrera. This is a huge upgrade behind the plate, as Martinez is that good.

The Tigers are looking forward to the return of OF Magglio Ordonez, after he broke his ankle in 2010. Ordonez is the top half of the Cabrera sandwich hitting in the third spot. Ordonez is 37 years old and entering his 15th season, but his first 14 years makes an average season of 38 doubles, 27 home-runs and 111 RBIs. If Ordonez can get anywhere near those numbers, watch out.

Rookie OF Austin Jackson came to the Tigers as part of the Curtis Granderson trade with the Yankees right at the start of 2010 season. Jackson finished second in the Rookie-of-the-Year voting and had a great first season. As the Tigers lead-off expect big things from Jackson, who hit in over a 100 runs, stole 27 bases and finished up with a batting average just shy of .300. Jackson needs to cut down on his 170 strikeouts from 2010, but that will come with time.

Detroit’s infield also has 3B Brandon Inge who is like a fine wine, he keeps getting better over time. Next to Inge at shortstop is Johnny Peralta who is all around solid both offensively and with the bat.

This is a really good group of bats that will compliment the Tigers’ equally talented pitching rotation.

Led by team ace Justin Verlander, who is the definition of an innings eater pitching just shy of 230 total last season. Verlander posted a 3.37 ERA, with 219 strikeouts and an 18-9 record. Max Scherzer, who pitched 195 innings total, with a 3.50 ERA, follows Verlander in the two spot. Rounding out the rotation is Rick Porcell, Phil Coke and Brad Penny. This will be Coke’s first season in the bigs as a starter and his performance could impact the team big time.

Closer Jose Valverde is healthy again and with the Tigers new addition of Benoit to be his 8th inning guy sets Valverde up to get a lot of save opportunities.

The Tigers look good all around and are determined that this is their year.

The Negatives:

The off-field behavior of Cabrera is a great concern, as it should be. Cabrera has had problems with alcohol for quite some time, but after the trouble he caused at the end of 2009 things seemed to be on track. So, at the start of Spring Training it came as quite a shock to hear the Cabrera had been arrested for a DWI again and resisting arrest. The Tigers had no problem letting Cabrera come into camp, which I hope was not for selfish reasons. Cabrera is obviously not well and without professional help, like going to a rehab, it is almost certain he will find trouble again soon.

With the team looking healthy again, the Tigers have to improve their record on the road. Last season going 29-52 is disgraceful, after going the reverse 52-29 at home. If they want to contend they have to win more away from Detroit or they can forget the playoffs. Continue reading ‘2011 MLB Team Preview: Detroit Tigers’ »

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MLB’s Half-Time Who’s Hot And Who’s Not Part Two

Posted by on 13 July 2010, 8:00 am

Let’s continue with summing up the wild first-half of the MLB season, by looking at the National League.

One thing is for sure, the NL is no longer “the other” league in baseball. The NL is providing plenty of drama and talent to compete with their AL counterparts.

NL EAST:

The hottest team in the NL is the first place Atlanta Braves. Braves fans finally have something to cheer about. After a sluggish start to 2010, the Braves have been on fire once everything started to click. Rookie sensation, Jason Heyward who was voted an All-Star but due to a deep bruised thumb will not participate. Thus far, the 20-year old Heyward has 13 doubles, three triples, 11 home-runs, 45 RBIs, 42 walks and five stolen bases. The Braves strong pitching staff lead by Time Hudson has made this team a real force.

Coming in second are the New York Mets, who are four games. Right on the Mets heels are the 2008 and 2009 NLCS champion Philadelphia Phillies who are just a half-game. Mets David Wright is back on his game again, but Mets fans are starting to believe again. Jose Reyes and the nifty Angel Pagan make-up a solid line-up. It’s the pitching that will dictate their future.

Hopefully, the Mets won’t give-up and pout if the Phillies squeak past them down the stretch. It would not be the first time, so the Mets have to mentally stay strong.

The Phillies, like the Red Sox are injured all-around. The Phillies are getting their stride back as of late, so don’t be dumb and count them out. The 2009 Yankees were exactly where the Phillies are now, not in first but getting momentum from all the walk-off wins.

The Marlins (10 back) and Nationals (13.5 back) have fallen to the back of the pack. Still both ball-clubs have bright futures, the Marlins have young ace Josh Johnson and hard-hitting and headed Hanley Ramirez. The Nats have prodigy pitcher Steven Strasburg. Strasburg is on a 110 innings limit for good reason and already has the hottest selling jersey in all of MLB.

NL CENTRAL:

The Cincinnati Reds are the real deal. Featuring a deep line-up with the newly awakened Scott Rolen, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Drew Stubs and Jay Bruce. They have a arsenal of talent arms, as Travis Wood almost threw a perfect game against the Phillies just last week. Continue reading ‘MLB’s Half-Time Who’s Hot And Who’s Not Part Two’ »

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Baseball Finally Got Some Respect

Posted by on 3 June 2010, 1:21 pm

Accomplishments, both professionally and personally, are the most gratifying events that inspire us to keep on doing our best.

Sometimes you can get so close to a goal, you can taste it. As disappointing as life can be, if you tried your best no one is going to judge you.

In regards to professional sports, the road is not always so easy because another person holds all the power. It can be a judge, referee, umpire etc. that has the task of implementing the rules of the game.

Truth is that we are all-human and make countless mistakes, because the way I might see it, might not be what actually happened.

Everyone’s emotions involved are crazy. Imagine that you just made history, only to have it taken away simply because someone saw it differently.

As the world now knows, this happened in MLB this past Wednesday night.

It was about to be a perfect game; the bottom of the ninth inning, with two outs, and an easy play at first. Wait, the runner is  called safe.

It was the wrong call and everyone saw it, but the umpire. To say my stomach dropped would be an understatement, as my heart went out to the rookie pitcher.

The umpire was Jim Joyce and the pitcher was the Detroit Tiger’s Armando Galarraga.

I was ready for Galarraga to go up and punch Joyce in the face, and it would have been fine by me. Continue reading ‘Baseball Finally Got Some Respect’ »

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Top Two Yankees Mistakes Matsui And Now Jackson

Posted by on 3 June 2010, 2:19 am

First off, I would like to make it clear that I love Curtis Granderson and am overjoyed he is a New York Yankee.

I just wish Austin Jackson was not the price paid for anyone. Understand I have been waiting to see this kid since the 2007 draft.

All the talk about Jackson made him out to be the Yankees gem in the center field. Most claimed he resembled a young Willie Mays, which made fans drool.

An all-around athlete, Jackson could have undoubtedly played professional basketball too. Once he heard the interest was the New York Yankees Jackson picked baseball without question. Who could have turned that down?

Yankee fans waited patiently for Jackson to go through the Minor League system, but could not wait to see this remarkable kid in the Bronx, in 2010.

Well that day never happened, and now probably never will because Jackson was traded to the Detroit Tiger’s in the off-season.

It was surprising because Jackson got plenty of offers from other teams, and the Yankees would not budge. Jackson seemed to be the Yankees home grown pride and that it was only a matter of time before he would be in pinstripes.

Jackson has been phenomenal as the leadoff hitter for the Tigers, and his performance in center field has been superb. Jackson was the natural choice to win April Rookie AL Player of the Month, a huge honor for him. Continue reading ‘Top Two Yankees Mistakes Matsui And Now Jackson’ »

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Baseball Bloggers Alliance Predicts World Series Rematch

Posted by on 7 April 2010, 3:35 pm

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8 AM EDT, April 7, 2010


Baseball Bloggers Alliance Predicts World Series Rematch

The World Series will have a familiar look in October, according to the Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

For the first time, the membership of the BBA was polled for their preseason predictions, with the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies being the most common selections for World Series participants.  The Yankees received 36 votes to easily outpace Boston’s 18, while the Phillies’ 31 votes edged out St. Louis’s 24.  The rematch ends the same as last year, with New York being the choice of 20 of the 75 that cast ballots. Continue reading ‘Baseball Bloggers Alliance Predicts World Series Rematch’ »

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