Skip to content

New York Yankees: Not exactly the start I was hoping for

Posted by on 7 April 2012, 1:48 am
Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees deliver...

Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The 2012 Opening Day between the Yankees and Rays was not exactly the start New York fans were hoping for, as the game was more than just a loss.

The Yankees were entering the bottom of the ninth with a 6-5 lead, and skipper Joe Girardi called on Mariano Rivera to finish off the Rays.

That is where things got ugly, as Mo allowed a single, a double, which led to a run scored, and no outs.

Girardi had no choice but to instruct Mo to walk the next two batters intentionally so the bases would be loaded. Next he swapped Nick Swisher for Eduardo Nunez to crowd the infield in hopes that the Rays Sean Rodriguez would bunt.

Regardless of what you have or will hear about Girardi’s decision, it was without question the Yankees best option at the time. The Yankees were looking for the double play at either first or third and home plate.

Rodriguez wound up not bunting, but Mo struck him out.

Than came up Carlos Pena, who was 0-11 lifetime against Rivera but he had the hottest bat of the night by far including a grand slam off Sabathia in the first inning.

Well, Pena came through again and hit a deep ball over Brett Gardner’s head and the Rays won the game 7-6.

 SHOULD YANKEE FANS BE WORRIED ABOUT MARIANO RIVERA?

Well, the Yankees and Rays are both playoff contenders and even though this is just one-game, remember that is what last season came down too.

I understand that players are adjusting but what made this loss sting was that Mariano Rivera could not do his job and that is something Yankee fans are not used too.

Rivera is by far the best closer ever to step on a mound, but he is almost 42-years old and in 17-seasons has yet to regress at all, so convincing myself that it is all good after a blown save plus a loss on Opening Day is hard to do.

When it comes to Mo it stings in the hearts of Yankee fans, and New Yorkers are not supposed to care like that about anything but championships but this time it is different.

Now getting back to answering my question of whether I am worried about what transpired at Tropicana Field yesterday afternoon…in my mind no I am not, but in my heart yes.

All I know for certain is that yesterday is over and hopefully the Yankees get a win today.

ABOUT CC SABATHIA?

The table below is for all Yankee fans, including myself, that got chills when Rays Carlos Pena hit a grand slam off ace CC Sabathia in the first inning of the 2012 season. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Not exactly the start I was hoping for’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , ,
1 Comment

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?’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off

New York Yankees: Who likes criticizing Mo cause I do not

Posted by on 22 February 2012, 1:00 am
New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before a...

Image via Wikipedia

Unfortunately it seems there’s always a first time for everything.

Good or Bad.

And criticizing New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will be a first for me.

FIRST, LET ME SAY HOW I FEEL ABOUT MO:

Rivera is not only the greatest closer to ever play the game; he is the paramount of a role model for the way he handles himself both on and off the field.

Baseball fans and players alike worship him, and you realize that this after hearing ex- Red Sox, now Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon once told MLB.com Ian Browne:

“I owe a lot of gratitude to him because of what he’s done. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. I think everybody knows that. The closer’s role wouldn’t be as noted. More and more now, people and teams and fans are starting to realize, because of Mariano, how important it is to have that closer to win a World Series,” he went on to say, “When you look up closer, the definition, in the dictionary, that’s Mariano.”

Anyone who hears Rivera’s genuine humble demeanor after he just struck out the side in a one-run ballgame falls instantly in love with this man.

Never taking his job for granted, Rivera is a shoe-in, on a speed train heading straight into Cooperstown.

It is absolutely impossible to think of life after Mo, but at 42 years old his time to wave goodbye is coming but it just feels like it is too soon.

Having Rivera on the Yankees is the pride, power and the pinstripes.

MY CRITICISM:

It is no secret that Rivera’s contract expires at the end of 2012, but he does have the option to exercise a one-year extension, if he so wishes. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Who likes criticizing Mo cause I do not’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
4 Comments

New York Yankees: Robertson + Joba = Hughes

Posted by on 19 January 2012, 12:56 am
David Robertson

David Robertson probably throwing a strike. Image via Wikipedia

No wonder everyone wants to be a New York Yankee, as who wouldn’t want a boss that hands out half-million dollar raises based on poor performance due to laziness?

You can be sure Phil Hughes isn’t complaining.

Last season, Hughes showed up to Spring Training out of shape, and sat on the DL with shoulder and back injuries for the majority of the season. Ironically, Hughes not pitching was far more productive for the Yankees, all while earning $2.5 million in salary.

So, obviously the logical thing to do was for the Yankee brass to give Hughes a raise and agree to pay him $3.5 million, plus $300,000 more in incentives for the 2012 season, right?

Hughes’ raise certainly doesn’t explain why David Robertson and Joba Chamberlain are making $1.6 million and $1.65 million respectively in 2012.

Chamberlain made $1.4 million in 2011, and has been out since last June due to Tommy John surgery. So I am sure any raise was welcomed with open arms. Still prior to his elbow issues, Joba had finally settled in as a reliever and had become extremely effective. He was more vital to the team than Hughes was without a doubt.

Now regarding Robertson, the Yankees tripled the $460,450 he made in 2011. When considering a player’s overvalue to their team, Robertson was the unsung hero. He is a winner, and even coming out of the bullpen he won five games, same as Hughes.

Robertson was easily a top three middle reliever in 2011, as he was hailed to be what a young Mariano Rivera was to closer John Wetland. Just to give you an idea of how good he was, Robertson’s strikeouts per nine-innings average was 13.5 in 2011. He is literally a strikeout machine. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Robertson + Joba = Hughes’ »

Tagged , , , , , ,
7 Comments

New York Yankees: 2012 Resolution That’s Easy

Posted by on 2 January 2012, 11:23 pm
Making a New Year’s resolution is a time-honored tradition, and after going to the gym today I can tell you that it is still done, as it was

jammed packed.

Certain resolutions are irresolvable; such as I will never win a World Series for the obvious reason that I am female. Regardless, the majority of living men in the world today are not even remotely talented enough to play in the minor leagues.

Now the above does not apply if your name is Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez or Mariano Rivera as not only have all three already been WS Champs, they have the opportunity to do it again but the window is closing.

The 2012 New York Yankees won’t look much different from 2011, as most know that this off-season has been lifeless thus far and I do not foresee any surprises prior to the start of Spring Training.

Luckily, the Yankees have the talent to be relevant without much change but with the looming retirement of Rivera, along with the ages of Jeter and A-rod make 2012 the last season that winning a World Series might still be manageable.

I don’t think fans realize what life in the Bronx will be like when Enter Sandman no longer plays at the Stadium in the ninth inning; or in two or three years when the team no longer has their Captain.

The time is now, and after being on-hand for the Game 5 of the 2011 ALDS one would hope that would be enough for the entire Yankee team to work harder this off-season. So at least the players would know that they did everything humanly possible not repeat another early exit again in 2012.

For now, all I hope is that the majority of active Yankee players have this same sentiment. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 2012 Resolution That’s Easy’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
3 Comments

New York Yankees Fans…We Salute You

Posted by on 20 September 2011, 2:21 am

An ageless winner; the definition of a team player, who even after 17 seasons is just as humbled after recording his 602nd save playing the game he loves and respects so much.

I want to extend my sincerest congratulations and gratitude to New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera for his tremendous accomplishments on the field, as well as the person he is off the field.

When I think of Rivera, the two words that have forever come to my mind is rarefied air. Growing up watching Rivera has completely memorized me, as he exudes such a distinguishing, yet graceful confidence that is surreal.

We live in an age today where the authenticity of everything, including professional sports is hanging on by a thread. Athletes have fallen out of love with the game; and they take for granted the superior abilities that allow them to compete at a level that most of us can only dream about. The words over-paid, entitled and cheaters have become the norm in sports and it is a shame.

But then there are days like yesterday, when one man named Mariano Rivera makes us all pause and be grateful again.

Not just Yankees or baseball fans, but all sports fans are eternally indebted to Mariano Rivera for letting us take this ride with him.

Thank you Mo!!!

Related articles

Tagged , , , , , ,
1 Comment

Yankees Mo Makes History But His Eyes Are On October

Posted by on 14 September 2011, 4:15 am
Mariano Rivera celebrates a victory against th...

Image via Wikipedia

Congratulations to closer Mariano Rivera, for achieving a baseball milestone clocking his 600th career save, and leading the New York Yankees to a 3-2 win against the Mariners on Tuesday night.

The perpetually humble Rivera hugged his teammates before telling YES’s Kim Jones that the team won is what was important. Mo also went on to say:

First of all, I have to thank God, my wife and my kids. God gave (the cutter) to me. Thank God he gave it to me. (600) is a great number, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t look for those things.

Here are a few of Mo’s greatest career accomplishments:

-       600 Career Saves (only behind closer Trevor Hoffman who has 601).

-       42 Postseason Saves (most-ever).

-       12-time AL All-Star.

-       5-time Rolaids Relief Award Winner.

-       1999 World Series MVP.

-       2003 ALCS MVP.

-       5-time World Series Champion in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009.

All I can say, as a sports fan there are not many athletes that have, or ever will have such natural talent like Mariano Rivera.

All I can say, as a person is that there are not many human beings built like Mariano Rivera.

Mo is as unpretentious, as he is competitive. This man is a winner, a father, a husband and just an overall good person who never takes his accomplishments for granted. He is the greatest teammate. Continue reading ‘Yankees Mo Makes History But His Eyes Are On October’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
1 Comment
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4
  7. 5
  8. ...
  9. 11