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Jeter, Teixeira And More Hardware For the Duo

Posted by on 14 November 2009, 4:05 am

AMERICAN LEAGUE:

C: Joe Mauer, Twins
1B: Mark Teixeira, Yankees
2B: Aaron Hill, Blue Jays
3B: Evan Longoria, Rays
SS: Derek Jeter, Yankees
OF: Jason Bay, Red Sox
OF: Torii Hunter, Angels
OF: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
DH: Adam Lind, Blue Jays

NATIONAL LEAGUE:

C: Brian McCann, Braves
1B: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2B: Chase Utley, Phillies
3B: Ryan Zimmerman, Nats
SS: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
OF: Ryan Braun, Brewers
OF: Andre Ethier, Dodgers
OF: Matt Kemp, Dodgers
P: Carlos Zambrano, Cubs

Once again, my sincerest CONGRADULATIONS to Mark Teixeria and Derek Jeter for winning Silver Sluggers.

The Jeter Family will have to build a house just for Derek’s awards. Now the one the means the most to our Captain (because only one he seems to not have won, other then a Cy Young) the MVP Award will be announced on November 23rd. Jeter is well in contention for this honor and I think he deserves it for so much more then just his stats alone.

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Ending On A Sweep And The Yankees Will Weep

Posted by on 4 October 2009, 2:01 am

The Yankees are playing the last series in the regular season. A standard three games down in Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Remember back when everyone thought the Rays were the team of the future in the American League East. The young group of players is talented to the point of terrifying. Tampa had MVP Evan Longoria playing, 2009 All-star MVP Carl Crawford and the older Upton brother, BJ in the outfield to name a few.

Tampa Bay Rays was the team who was on the way to making a name as a franchise in 2009.

Imagine being a Ray’s player and having the Evil Empire, come into your house. This was not supposed to play out like this furthermore pissed, frustrated, depressed was like a virus in the clubhouse.


The Rays have the nothing to gain as the team’s season is capped out. Last season it was Tampa, not New York heading into October and eventually to the World Series.

It is safe to say that beating the Yankees, hitting for a cycle, crushing CC Sabathia’s hope of a 20th win and possibly sweeping the Yanks right into the playoffs could not be a bad feeling for the Rays.

The Yankees lost to Tampa. Let me try that again, the Rays beat the Yanks to a pulp and it is surely not the way a team wants to enter the post season.

Regardless of resting more starters and getting the young bucks some playing time Girardi doesn’t want to lose. The skipper knows that losing and getting your ass kicked are entirely two separate scenarios.

Pettitte and Sabathia are surely not benefiting from bad starts preceding the pressure of the playoffs being next.

In the playoff’s, the first series is out of five games. The room for error is zero. It has been a hot topic to change it to seven games to make it a standard for October. This has not happened and it has been talked to death so hopes should remain low.

A seven game series at the least gives a team a minute to breathe and best pitchers can be available twice with more rest.

Point is the Yankees must outplay the Rays in the final game of the series, moreover of the season. A sweep digs deep for any team, at anytime, with not one constructive aspect ever coming after the embarrassment.
The Yankees need to shut-up this group of spoiled brats that have become the Tampa Bay Rays.

The other two losses can go away “when” the Yanks hammer the Rays on Sunday.

No credit needs to go to this group of Rays for what happens to the Yankees in the future.

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MLB: This Seasons Surprises

Posted by on 25 August 2009, 3:47 am

The baseball season is coming into the last few weeks of the regular season. Playoff spots are about to be clinched and already some teams

In the beginning of the season I thought of few things were almost a given to happen.

Injuries, failed expectations are just some the issues to have caused expected and almost guaranteed teams to fail. Presumed headlines that never happened, nor ever will.

For players, a completely wasted season filled with disappointment. For fans, going to games now is almost like torture and the talk is of the next season where hope can be reality once again.

And whoever says baseball is boring???

#1 – The Mets have more problems then just the injuries of star players. The team is a bunch of undedicated and unruly athletes who seem to say and do whatever they want, whenever they want.

By airing their dirty laundry about fellow teammates is just trouble and disrespectful for the players who care. Like the captain, David Wright who must want to succeed as a team.

Maybe the way Willie Randolph was let go set the bar that the team used as an example of the disregard that seems to have no boundaries?

Did anyone think that Randolph actually demanded these highly paid players to listen, respect and learn from his knowledge? Instead the team acted like children and it worked as Randolph got let go in the most despicable way.


That kind of behavior is just not allowed on the Yankees. The fans to the captain to the manager to the owners would not tolerate it for a second. The Steinbrenners’ still require short hair for all players (aka Damon) and rules on how they represent the Yankees as an organization. And I am proud of it!!Just a thought for next year…..Mr. Wilpon.

#2 – This young talented group made it all the way to the World Series last year to lose to the Phillies.Everyone in the sports world thought for sure that the message had been sent, the Tampa Bay Rays are as good as it gets and will only get better.

Disappointed by the World Series loss last year, I was convinced of the this ball clubs season was only yo be better. Even undoubtably thinking that the Rays would be the ones to be beat in the tough AL East.

Evan Longoria was the AL’s MVP for the regular season and the rest of the team was talented all around. The age average on the Rays was a mere 26 years and it seemed that this team was just getting started.
Well, they are struggling to just keep their heads above water but it seems that the WIld Card is pretty much about to be unachievable. Made the Yankees and the Red Sox a little relieved.

The Rays are just proving age before beauty or experience might be more appropriate term.

#3 – As a Yankee fan I had to include this.

I was certain that any player who had used PED’s in baseball never seemed to have used them when playing for the Red Sox. Yes, Senator Mitchel’s report stated this but this man was on the board of the team for years. Funny, huh?

Once again the Red Sox were the holy of holyiest who won for real, without the free spending attitude of the cheating guys from New York.

Rodriguez has not won a championship with the Yanks and was not on the team at the time he juiced-up. Cannot say the same for Big Papi who made some pretty heavy comments about where he stood on the subject.

Can I put my “what happened here in 1918?” sign back-up? Does it really count because Big Papi and Manny were the reasons for the curse being reversed…..

#4 – The reining World Series Champs were not just at the right place, at the right time last season.

The Phillies are still hot and never cooled down as expected. This team was called “lucky” and “hot at the right time”.

Well I guess I should join the others and put my foot in my mouth.

The Phillies have dominated the NL East this season. The team has worked together to be successful and pulled each other up through a lot of struggles. It has been a tough season for the champs with their ace, Cole Hamels just not the same pitcher to count on, Brad Lidge the dominant force to close their games for wins fell apart but the other areas stepped up to the plate, literally.

This team plain out wins and I thought it was a fad but that the Rays were the real deal. My mistake and hats off to a team that will be a force in the post season.

Repeating? Oh you bet the Phillies odds are good. They are just as hungry as if the team had finished an embarrassingly awful season (aka Mets) and this team wants more.

I never thought this would happen…..

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Joe Girardi’s Secrets: How The Yanks Took A Halladay

Posted by on 5 August 2009, 9:17 am

The Rogers Centre was at full capacity tonight up in Toronto. The fans looking relieved, confirming it was just a nightmare, as Roy Halladay, the best pitcher in baseball, walked onto the Blue Jays mound once again. Toronto’s ace looked like a goner before the trade deadline but the cost for Roy’s arm was just to high a price, even for the Yankees.

Halladay is so dynamite that if any opposing team’s starter has got to be basically perfect. It is inevitable that hitters will not be able to produce against Halladay, so in preparing for a game like tonight’s the idea of how to win has got to be under this assumption.

And that is exactly why Joe Girardi is such levelheaded manager. Not afraid to humbly admitted that the Yanks had to give it everything and anything to beat this individual ace.

It is refreshing that Girardi tells it like it is no. No matter who the player, the treatment has now consistently been shown to be equal. Not one guy gets treated any differently, which is a huge part of the comradeship that has formed.

The definition of “team” is what Girardi has accomplished in his last season and a half. That is no small feet with the amount of all-stars with huge paychecks the Yanks have. Then having to fill a hero’s shoes in Torre, only to have that same man he once called his skipper sell the team out for all to read about didn’t make the new Joe’s job any easier.

Girardi is now in sync with the players and it has shown in the determination to win over and over again. Beating Halladay was just another full blown example of what is happening and Girardi is responsible for the team’s success.

Along with our skipper, the players are so proud of their team to let that go.

This was seen tonight but the outstanding job done by Andy Petite who pitched seven plus solid innings. Commanding the plate with his cutter, Petite struck out Alex Rios for his sixth strike out and that was in the bottom of the seventh. Continue reading ‘Joe Girardi’s Secrets: How The Yanks Took A Halladay’ »

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Three Quick Thoughts, Five Minutes Before Critical Tampa Series Starts

Posted by on 27 July 2009, 10:54 pm

1. The Tampa Bay Rays seem to be creeping up. It has been a slow process but Joe Madden is making sure his team is in reach. My bet is that this young, talented ball club will pounce and it will happen fast. Lets not forget where the Yankees just were in the standings at the All-Star break. Either team cause their division peers will take the lose as one whole and with Boston still lurking in the middle critical for the Yankees to put themselves ahead.

2. Now the Boston Red Sox are struggling. This is largely due to injuries. As any one familiar with baseball knows that it happens and it is unfortunate but it can kill any hope for a teams future. The Rays just got back two of their best pitchers from last season recently and Evan Longoria‘s bat is heating up.

3. Also keep in mind that Tampa is not the rookie team it was of two seasons ago because the players have gone the distance. Being aware of what it takes to get through this long season. Imagine making it to the World Series only to lose has got to be a huge motivation for these athletes. What a way to start a winning streak then to take down the almighty New York Yankees.

The Yankees need to win this series for mental reasons just as much as where the team will stand in the toughest divisional race in baseball, the American League East.Tampa will attack any weaknesses and the Yanks need to continue to play consistent baseball in which all aspects play a part.

If the team happens to revert back to the pitching doing their jobs but the hitters are stranding runners on base or vice-versa it will be worrisome.

The Yankees need to prove themselves in this series as next week it is Boston and the team needs to go in with the most confidence possible!!

Good Luck and GOOOO YANNNNKKKEEEESSSSS!!!

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The Yankees Owe Someone A HUGHES Thank You!

Posted by on 1 July 2009, 3:39 am

Phil Hughes pumped up and fit.

What a terrific winning streak for the New York Yankees. Necessary, we all know this but I didn’t know that the player I would be blaming it on would be Phil Hughes.

Let’s look at the facts, which is what all sports enthusiasts will be picking apart from here till as long as their team lasts this season. As a “wanna be” sports writer, I do this from the spring training, which is passionate in the eye of the beholder.

The heat is on in AL East pennant race. My worst nightmare and if you have read any of my blog (so Dad) I knew that these guys were coming. The team formally known as the “Devil Rays” finally woke up and that is trouble.

Surely, all those new Tampa fans want that high from last season back. I wonder how filled Tropicana Field was when days were looking grim? Tampa was so daunting to me that I would think that fan base might be mad.

I actually thought that the team might be just off this season but deep down I knew better. TB has so much talent I think Joe Madden could pick out of hat for batting order. The old Devils are so young but age doesn’t play a role if the players are bad but again that is not the case.

I think you get my drift. Just in case, the Tampa Bay Rays are young, talented and hungry to get to a place that my Yankees know all to well.

Just another fact Ray’s won their seventh straight tonight against Toronto and Evan Longoria was not even playing. Yikes. Remember the Rays lights out pitcher from last year? Probably not, as he has been on the disabled list but Scott Kazmir is back. His slider is out of control good. Double – Yikes, Yikes!

Proudly I can say the Yankees are going to make this tough along with Boston and Tampa. Experts, rightly so counted my Yanks out in the beginning of the season but I knew it was all-wrong. This is a three-team battle that will be a fight till the end.

Yankees are right in there and damn good too. I just had no idea as of a month ago that a Hughes reason was due to Phil being moved from a starter to middle. This is just so baby Joba continues as starter.

Isn’t this starting to feel like Joba has become a trophy inscribed with “in your face” on it for Cashman or Girardi? Last year I would have just blamed Hank the Tank but where has baby Stein been this year. Must have done well at the horse track but he went from being a true Steinbrenner too completely non-existent and we all no this guy speaks his mind. Incase you forgot we have owners here is a reminder: Continue reading ‘The Yankees Owe Someone A HUGHES Thank You!’ »

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Something $$ Can't Buy…..

Posted by on 8 June 2009, 3:15 am

First off nice win today, even if it was walked in by the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays are the surprise of 09′. I was confident after last year that the Rays would be the team to beat this season. Young and talented were the adjectives everyone would associate with Tampa Bay. Evan Longoria is a weapon but an injured one (seen today with his limping to first base in the last out) but if you read the names on Tampa’s roaster there is an artillery. The Rays are playing the toughest teams right now and their can easily compete so lets not count this team out at all.

The Yankees look great! I have said it before the biggest asset to any team is not one pitcher or two batters but the entire roaster is in it s a team. When one area is struggling the other guys want to help him out. The 2009 Yankees are an example of the essence of team. Coming back 20 times to get the win, defending the honor of teammates regardless of the consequences. Ahhhh that reminds me of the late 90′s teams which were so dominate because every opposing team know that the Yankees game was never won until the last out in the ninth inning. And that is the kind of presence only a team can bring.

Here are some examples over the past few weeks that give me goose bumps:

  • 1 – AJ Burnett throwing in defense of Mark Teixeira, high, inside and within purpose. Clear cut mess with one you mess with a team. Watch below:

    http://video.aol.com/video-detail/burnett-gets-suspended/3498313628

  • 2 – All players up and down the batting line-up are hitting. The confidence in each other makes the players relax and not feel so much pressure all the time. Look at Melky he has been outstanding in the clutch and all over the field as well.In addition the opposing pitcher’s even getting one Yankee to strike out, get absolutely no relief on the mound. Why? As simple as the next Yankees in the batting order is good, even our catchers can hit. So pitchers are sweating all over baseball at just the thought that they better bring their ‘A’ game.

  • 3 – Pitching is outstanding with all of the starting rotation pitching their hearts out. Rivera is not a machine but he is still outstanding. Phil Hughes in the middle is a dream to have him ready to move back to start which I think will happen. Joba is destined to take over for Mo, it just fits. Also, Hughes is a better starter than Joba or at least will be. He has the calm, patience and confidence that is needed to be a starter . Joba’s enthusiasm to win is inspiring!! Just a few days back he dove on a play that was athletic to the point of almost stupid if he had hurt himself but he is a fist pumping, emotional player which would light up at the end! Watch video below to see this play….(hit it made #1)


  • 4 – The old timers are not playing like the veterans of the team. Jeter and Damon are as far as I can see the smartest idea Girardi has made. The combo is the toughest 1/2 lead off hitting punch in baseball right now. Follow that with Tex/Arod as the 3/4 and that might be a pretty nice cushion to know is on next. Damon and Jeter have both become so consistent it is almost scary. In the situations when its either hit, score or lose the game the two veterans of the team are an example to be idolized by the younger teammates.

  • 5 – New Yankees just fit in the puzzle Cashman should be patting himself on the back. Brian is not a mind reader but the personalities are in sync. Somethings money can’t but and that is the essence of team. I do not care who bitches about how much money the Yankees spent on the new additions this off season cause each one is worth every dime. It is a fact of life that you cannot buy people into bonding and wanting to be more then just a teammate you happen to be on the same payroll as.


This years Yankees are every managers, coaches, fans and players dream team. Any sports fan knows money doesn’t buy championships or spirit but could these group of men even have been together without the large contracts? No way in h*(&*!!!

Aristotle had the best definition for team,

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

And that is something you cannot buy or expect to achieve because of how much you paid. If I was buying a car I would expect the best quality for what I paid for but we all tend to forget that these athletes are people too.

The Yankees players all make money so their choice to become a team is their choice. When individuals inspire each other the team gets formed and the friendships become more then baseball. The Yankees finally really like their team and that has been a long time; we all almost forgot how that looked from the stands and fact is the wins are showing how true it is on the field!

Big week is only going to get bigger….…Keep it up and lets bring out a brooms in Boston!!! My next post is something dear to my heart….And might make the fan question where my head is.

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