Skip to content

Vazquez vs Tigers Not Going To Be Easy

Posted by on 11 May 2010, 12:54 pm

Javier Vazquez knows what he has to do tonight against the Detroit Tigers.

It’s time to pitch.

To no surprise, the New York Yankees are on the cusp of a losing streak and it’s Vazquez who will decide it’s fate.

The team is frustrated and believe me when I say Yankee fans want Vazquez to fail.

This is not the minor leagues anymore, but that reality is next for Javier Vazquez does not get back to being major league ready.

Previously, Vazquez has done well against the Tigers as a team pitching a minimum of 6+ innings and over last five meeting striking out 37 Tiger bats. Continue reading ‘Vazquez vs Tigers Not Going To Be Easy’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
3 Comments

Believe It Or Not The Yankees Secret Weapon

Posted by on 7 May 2010, 8:30 am

PLAYER PROFILE: BRETT GARDNER #11 CF, LF

Standing just shy of 5’10, at first glance Brett Gradner does not look like much a weapon.

Garder was deemed to small, not talented enough for the main-stage and critics baffled his life on the all-star roaster of the New York Yankees would be shorter, than sweeter.

Well, I beg to differ right from the start.

Appearing by name in 2009, Gardner’s rookie season landed him in a foursome of rotating outfield, sharing time largely in center with Melky Cabrera.

Even though he was steady on both offense and defense, Gardner was more of a substitute player. Gardner knew his appeal was his speed.

Not being an everyday player, in addition to nearly two months, on the DL with fractured left thumb, Gardner still racked up 26 steals but was only caught five times.

So far 2010 all we have witnessed is a better Brett Gardner.

Regardless of batting last  (9th) in the line-up, Gardner is a tough out for any pitcher. He has a natural instinct for pitches and when he swings at something it usually touches wood.

In 81 at-bats, Gardner has 28 hits, 9 RBIs, 11 walks and 13 steals, and caught just one time. The real diamond in the rough is his OBP is .430. That goes along with .346 average; translation…this kid gets on base, a ton. Continue reading ‘Believe It Or Not The Yankees Secret Weapon’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
2 Comments

Fantasy Update: Battle Of The Blogs

Posted by on 1 May 2010, 3:19 pm

‘BATTLE OF THE BLOGS’

FANTASY LEAGUE UPDATE 05.01.2010:

April was not quite as successful for Lady Loves Pinstripes fantasy team, compared to my pure and very real New York Yankees.

Alex Rodriguez‘s struggles continue to plague my team. Arod’s performance is my tremendous advantage that has not been fruitful just yet.

Injuries have been difficult as Mike Cameron remains on the DL, recently joined by ace pitcher Jorge DeRosa and stints by Aaron Hill and Jason Werth whom are both back healthy. Werth is back to himself completely, thank god.

Now, left with Cameron and DeRosa on my DL. DeRosa is way to good to give-up, so he will stay put but Cameron still not convinced. Cameron has kidney stones and knowing how pro athletes come back way to quickly, this injury could touch him a lot more. Continue reading ‘Fantasy Update: Battle Of The Blogs’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1 Comment

Vazquez Vs. Price: Embrace The Disgrace

Posted by on 9 April 2010, 11:33 am

Tonight, the New York Yankees begin a three-game set at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays.

For pitcher Javier Vazquez, it is his first start of the season but, not in the pinstripes. Vazquez has to win back Yankee fans trust again, as he was the scapegoat and unfairly blamed for the 2004′s ALCS result.

Vazquez finished fourth in the NL Cy Young voting in 2009, recording 238 strikeouts in 32 starts for the Atlanta Braves. Vazquez strongest season to date with a 2.87 ERA, with 15 wins on a struggling offensive which does not represent a clear picture. Vazquez has pitched over 200 innings consistently for nine of ten seasons, with a strong team behind him, the fourth starter should be feared.

Vazquez faces Rays David Rice, who was the #1 draft pick in 2007, and the apple of my scouts eyes.

Price is a hard throwing lefty, with a nasty slider just shy of 90 mph. His command of the strike-zone is a determination beyond his years, throwing first-pitch strikes and jamming batters-up. Price’s directive on the mound continues to improve with a strong finish in 2009.

Price’s short history against the Yankees is sweet, holding the bombers to .123 at the plate. Continue reading ‘Vazquez Vs. Price: Embrace The Disgrace’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , ,
2 Comments

Baseball Basics: Watching A Game, Part Two

Posted by on 29 March 2010, 11:55 pm

Part two: Watching A Game, is to help the newbie fan with basic game lingo.

It will come in handy especially when watching a game on TV or listening on the radio to start to understand the announcers jargon and relating it to whats going on in the game.

BASEBALL’S BASIC LINGO:

Bat: If you don’t know this, STOP and forget baseball.

Baseball: The ball pitchers throw and batters try to hit with the bat.

Bases Empty: Bases are empty.

Continue reading ‘Baseball Basics: Watching A Game, Part Two’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off

Two Worries Of A Cocky Yankees Fan

Posted by on 24 March 2010, 5:59 am

The world saw the worst collapse in sports history take residence in Shea Stadium, in 2007, the pictures and tears brought city-wide shame. The Mets have been face first since, and the fans hate them for it.

Jump to a few months later, when the scrappy Giants miraculously beat an undefeated Patriots to win the Superbowl. New York went crazy for sports again, and inspired by the proof playing with heart institutes champions.

Are you getting the point here?

New York fans have been emotionally drained, with the ups and downs being so harsh.

Continue reading ‘Two Worries Of A Cocky Yankees Fan’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off

Javier Vazquez’s Chance To Make New Ending

Posted by on 15 March 2010, 9:11 am

The grand slam heard round the world during the 2004 ALCS, caused Yankees Universe to collapse. Unfairly, yet certainly that pitcher was blamed. Now that jar is back in the Bronx for a second time.

That in a nutshell is Javier Vazquez‘s reality.

Vazquez aquired from a trade with the Atlanta Braves for fan favorite Melky Cabrera and some decent young prospects, which is not adding to his popularity.

Admittedly this first seemed silly of GM Brian Cashman. As we go deeper into Spring Training, it looks more to be a favorable move.

In his 10 years employment, Vazquez has at least pitched 198 innings and at least won 10 games each season.

Coming off his best season in 2009, Vazquez went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA, and his 238 strikeouts were the fourth-most in the majors. He was fourth in voting for the NL Cy Young Award.

For a fourth starter in a rotation, it sounds pretty sweet.

Questions remain if Vazquez can fair in the AL again, on a team where past baggage looms and in the new homer-friendly Yankee stadium.

In Vazquez’s corner, round two is an opportunity to prove himself again. The cards align for his success entering a sequence led by CC, AJ and Andy and a team fresh off a championship season.

Its time to let bygones be bygones.

So whether anyone agrees or not with their respective teams GM, the realities of a new season are now. The time is over for criticizing off-season moves, as whats done is done.

To practice what I just preached becomes much easier when the new player makes the team better.

Javier Vazquez, welcome back.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

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