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New York Yankees: My never read theory about Michael Pineda

Posted by on 1 April 2012, 3:56 pm
Michael Pineda

Michael Pineda (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wrote this post almost two weeks ago and never published it because when I read it to a friend and my father they both said I was being oversensitive about my theory of what could happen to Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda.

So, I wimped out.

And now look what happened…last time I don’t listen to my gut because I totally regret it now.

So here it is the theory I did NOT publish, just a day late and a dollar short.

Everyone in Yankee Universe remembers the disasters of 2008.

Not making the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons was not exactly the ideal sendoff for the historic old Stadium that the franchise had called home since 1923 but that is not what I am talking about.

I am referring to the Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain fiasco.

In 2008 the ‘Big 3’ was deemed the “future of the franchise” and the New York media had a field day with them, especially Chamberlain after throwing the infamous “bug game” in the 2007 ALDS in Cleveland.

The problem came when dealing with the pressure and relentless attention paid by the New York media vultures. The press hounded these kids and made everything that much harder, as there was no room to fail.

If you don’t think that the media wasn’t one of the major culprits that hindered the trios development you are crazy.

Yes, everyone is well aware of the media that comes with playing in New York but it should have been more controlled by the Yankees front office, or some veteran players could have stepped in.

Regardless, what happened to Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlain seems to be getting repeated with the Yankees new young pitcher Michael Pineda.

It is only the second week of Spring Training and Pineda has already stated a few times that he is very uncomfortable with the 20 or more media that surround his locker.

The 23-year old hails from the Dominican Republic; English is his second language and like most who are bi-lingual, it doesn’t flow out as easily. Add that to the fact the Pineda is already shy by nature and you have a recipe for trouble.

I get that the media hounds come out in droves for anything and everything Yankees related, but there has to be a better solution to protect guys like Pineda; at least for Spring Training so they can get adjusted.

There is no fine line drawn between reasonable and merciless regarding young, imports like Pineda. Having five reporters is reasonable, but having 30 is not and considering the detrimental effects that added anxiety can have on someone’s psyche it has to be fixed.  Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: My never read theory about Michael Pineda’ »

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Will the Bronx Bombers be standing come October?

Posted by on 27 March 2012, 11:34 pm

Where will the Bronx Bombers, and the 29 other teams be standing come October?

Do you know how each division will look at the end of the 2012 MLB season?

Well, I guess it is the perfect time to make some predictions, so might as well start with mine.

Here is how I think the 2012 divisional standings will look at the end of September; and please feel free to leave your opinion as it is encouraged.

If only I were a psychic…. Continue reading ‘Will the Bronx Bombers be standing come October?’ »

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New York Yankees: Captain calf

Posted by on 21 March 2012, 4:11 am
Derek Jeter batting 9-3-2005 New York Yankees

Derek Jeter batting 9-3-2005 New York Yankees (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Where was New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter yesterday?

He was supposed to be at Steinbrenner Field.

He said he would be playing in the game on Tuesday vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He maintained that his sore left calf was, “not that big of an issue.”

Wait…have you heard this one before?

Yes, it was just last June when Jeter felt the same soreness, different leg.

His right calf soreness showed up as a Grade 1 strain after an MRI, and that turned into Jeter missing 18 games. He finally returned on July 4th but just six days later he couldn’t play or show up at the 2011 All-Star Game siting the injury as the reason.

So, should Yankees fans be concerned?

Yes, as it has already been a week, and Tuesday has suddenly turned into Friday. I mean seriously, Jeter’s sore right calf is starting to sound a little too much like the 2011 story. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Captain calf’ »

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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’ »

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New York Yankees: 10 crazy predictions you want to read

Posted by on 19 March 2012, 9:25 pm

Is the 2012 season going to be CRAZY in the Bronx?

Am I crazy?

Yes, I am completely out of my mind.

Is this realistic?

In the words of Yankee skipper Joe Girardi, “I should not say never, but no, no, no.”  

Still, even though not one of these 10 predictions will actually come true, there is nothing wrong with having a little fun in the midst of Spring Training.

Please note….#8 could be possible…the action.

  1. Michael Pineda finishes his 2012 campaign not giving up one home-run in the Bronx all season.
  2. Derek Jeter is finally wins his first AL MVP Award in 2012.
  3. Alex Rodriguez is so popular at the end of the 2012 season he made Lin-Sanity look sane. A-rod’s jersey sold more than Lin and Jeter combined. ESPN just ranked him the most popular athlete ever.
  4. Robinson Cano comes in second in the AL MVP but finished the season with a .460 batting average.
  5. Mariano Rivera saves 45 games in 2012 and signed a contract to be the Yankees closer till 2020. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 10 crazy predictions you want to read’ »

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New York Yankees: Andy Pettitte you missed us too much

Posted by on 16 March 2012, 2:42 pm

As I was sitting down to watch the Yankees host the Washington Nationals today, the YES networkboys dropped a bomb.

English: Andy Pettitte

Image via Wikipedia

That pitcher Andy Pettitte has un-retired and had signed a minor league, 1-year, 2.5 million deal with a plan to return to the Bronx again.

It was said that Pettitte is allowed to take all the time he needs to get ready and that a rotation spot will be ready for the 39-year old southpaw.

The last time Pettitte was on the mound was back in 2010, making 21 starts and finishing 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA. Pettitte was having a career year but he missed 4-5 weeks with a groin injury and Yankee fans were forced to stomach Sergio Mitre during that time.

Pettitte’s return was a total shock, as I knew he was invited to camp to be a guest instructor but the NY Post writer George E. King declared that, ….the legendary lefty won’t be attempting a comeback if he accepts.

Shows how much King knows, as GM Brian Cashman said this has brewed since late December.

Around Christmas time, Pettitte had heard the GM on the Michael Kay Show talking about how much the Yankees would still want him if he ever wanted to return, and that got his juices flowing.

That sparked a whirlwind of back and forth between the two, which at first didn’t pan out because of the Yankees overflow and money but Pettitte did not stop throwing the entire time. And after more back and forth, followed by throwing a good secret bullpen for Cashman, Girardi and Rothschild a few days ago all led to Pettitte now being officially back in the pinstripes. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Andy Pettitte you missed us too much’ »

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New York Yankees: Leave Bobby V to the Bombers fans

Posted by on 13 March 2012, 12:41 am

English: Bobby Valentine signing a ball at the...

The New York Yankees are hosting the Boston Red Sox today in a meaningless Spring Training game, but one that you might not want to miss.

Yankee fans will tune in and not for the baseball but to see what crap Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine will pull during the game.

Valentine has already started a feud, at least in his head, by taking jabs at both the Yankees Captain Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

It seemed a little desperate even by Valentine’s standards but he attempting to create a semi-diversion from the Boston booze-hounds that were so sauced they forgot to play baseball last season; which ultimately led to the Red Sox blowing the season and missing the playoffs.

Just yesterday, Valentine decided it was a smart move to say, “See ya,” and wave goodbye to Miami Marlins Ozzie Guillen as he was walking by the Red Sox dugout after being ejected from the game for having a rift with the first base umpire.

Ozzie told the Sun Sentinel’s Juan Rodriguez that he didn’t hear Valentine but did make sure to strike back by stating:

“I would have told him to go f— himself, too. That’s the way Ozzie Guillen is.”

Whether yesterday was a dress rehearsal or not, odds of Valentine pulling something in Tampa are high and expect it to directly aim to piss off Yankee fans.

Valentine will do about anything to get both his players and everyone else focused on the now, but is he going to far, to soon? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Leave Bobby V to the Bombers fans’ »

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