Friday, April 4, 2014

Solid Performance helps Tanaka win MLB Debut over Blue Jays, 7-3

Masahiro Tanaka gave up just 2 earned runs in 7 innings, Yangervis Solarte went 2-for-5 with 3 RBI, and Mark Teixeira, Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, and Brett Gardner each hit run-scoring singles tonight as the Yankees evened up their 2014 record with a road win over the Blue Jays, 7-3. Through this one's first two frames, Tanaka really struggled, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits, but in his final four innings he impressively didn't give up a base runner, striking out 4 to bring his total K-count up to an ace-like 8. 

Anyway, the only real negative for the Bombers this evening came in the bottom of the second, when 1B Mark Teixeira hurt his hamstring on a foul ball. As of now, it's unknown how serious the injury is, so let's just hope #25's fine. Because if he's not, we could find ourselves looking at a very hostile first-base situation. 

Mark Teixeira Leaves Game w/ Hamstring Injury


UPDATE: The official diagnosis is a strained right hamstring. No word on the severity, the amount of time missed, etc. With the Yankees on artificial turf the next two days I would say we will not see Teixeira for the remainder of the Blue Jays series. The Yankees have Russ Canzler playing first base in AAA, just in case you were wondering.

Mark Teixeira has left the game with the New York Yankees tonight in the second inning with an apparent right hamstring injury. Teix was visibly angry that he had to leave the field tonight with trainer Steve Donahue and manager Joe Girardi. More to come when details are released. At least it's not the wrist. Hopefully it is nothing serious and is a day to day issue or at worst a 15 day DL stint.

NYY Continue To Win The Montero/Pineda Trade


Just a quick hit before Masahiro Tanaka makes his Major League debut:

The New York Yankees continue to win the Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi for Jose Campos and Michael Pineda trade with the news that Noesi was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners this afternoon. Noesi was showcased as a back end of the rotation starting pitcher but was being used in Seattle as a long reliever, and now is likely to be out of a job at least temporarily.


Game Thread: Yankees @ Blue Jays 4/4


The New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays will face off in the first of a three game set being played north of the border in Rogers Centre. The Yankees and their fans will get their first glimpse of Masahiro Tanaka in the United States in a real game as he takes on Dustin McGowan for the Blue Jays. The game will be televised at 7:07 pm ET on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and WFAN.

Join the discussion as we live tweet the game on Twitter by following us @GreedyStripes or join us in our comments sections on the site by dropping us a line. Also remember that we are hosting our 6th annual mega prediction game on the blog where you bet on the Yankees to win or lose every game.

Enjoy the day and enjoy the rest of your night Yankees family.

I've Got Til 5! - Things That Almost Felt My Wrath

Anybody that's watched a sporting event with me, whether it's a Yankee game, Ohio State game, World Cup match, 49ers game, and so on knows that I tend to yell a lot. And sometimes my anger will get so bad I'll jump up, throw my hands in the air, and walk around while ticked off about something. So you can only imagine what it was like for my girlfriend while sitting with me watching the first two Yankees games of the season. I believe the word "psycho" was used a few times.

"Along with other words like 'idiot', 'moron', 'dumbass', and 'jackass'."

Luckily the only thing I've ever actually damaged during one of those rampages is myself. Most notably, after the Yankees lost the 2001 World Series, I punched the headboard of my bed while trying to get to sleep. The problem with that is that the headboard was not smooth, but had a few different shapes carved into it. Well, my fist hit the end of one of those shapes, and I ended up bleeding all over my bed. Worse yet, I didn't notice right away, and decided to take a walk to try and calm down. During that walk my hand was bleeding, so my jeans and shirt were also pretty stained.

So here are five things that I almost threw into a wall, or through my television. For the record I didn't let go of these things and cause any damage, but I'm still young and will watch plenty more Yankees games.


1. Playstation 3 Remote

If I'm watching a Yankee game, which is quite often during the season, then chances are I'm doing it through the MLB.tv app through my girlfriend's Playstation 3. While I may have been able to stop myself from actually throwing this, it is thin and long so it came very close to being broken in half.


2. Starburst Sour Jellybeans

I love Starburst Sour Jellybeans. I don't know what their nutritional value is, and I probably don't, but I munch on them like people do popcorn at the movies. So there were plenty of times during the first two games when I came very close to chucking a handful of them at my television.


3. Computer Mouse

To the dismay of some (or perhaps many), I like to get on Twitter during games. I like to chat with people during games, and Twitter is a great place for that. Of course, that isn't always a good thing, as there are plenty of people on Twitter that are either complete tools or just enjoy being trolls. So during the first couple of games my computer mouse was almost trashed in frustration.


4. Handful of Hair

I don't think I'm in the minority when it comes to people that got so upset they almost pulled out their hair. Actually, I'm sure some out there actually did pull some hair out of their scalp. But I'm sure I'm one of the few idiots that actually came close to trying to throw that hair. I mean... how far could a person actually throw hair?


5. Cell Phone

I really like my phone. For those of you that don't recognize it in the picture, that's a Samsung Galaxy S3. I won't tell you the two smartphones I had before this one, let me just say that they stunk. I thought it was a bit big when I got it, but that has turned out to not be a factor. It's fast, takes good pictures, etc. Anyway, it's always in my pocket or next to me, so it was in danger of getting tossed just like anything else within arms length


While I came close to damaging a lot of my personal property on Tuesday and Wednesday night, thankfully the Yankees pulled out a win last night so nothing of mine was in danger. Hopefully, by this time next week, I'm writing about things I kissed in celebration of the Yankees winning every game since.

Preview: New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays 4/4


The New York Yankees will face off with the Toronto Blue Jays tonight in the first of a three game set at Rogers Centre. The Yankees and their fans will finally get to see what Masahiro Tanaka can do against a Major League caliber team when Jose Bautista tries to back up his statements that Tanaka was nothing special. The Blue Jays will send Dustin McGowan to the mound to face off with the revamped Yankees offense. The game will be televised at 7:07 pm ET on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and WFAN.

Go Yankees!!!

Florida Georgia Line At The Joe Go On Sale April 11


Florida Georgia Line will turn up the heat with their headline run -- THIS IS HOW WE ROLL SUMMER SERIES 2014. The sizzling new tour will slide into select baseball stadiums and feature special guest, Grammy Award-winning Nelly and opening act Chris Lane.
FGL has exploded since releasing four consecutive, multi-week #1 smashes in the US and Canada with the GOLD-certified "Stay," the PLATINUM-certified hits "Get Your Shine On" and "Round Here," and 6X PLATINUM "Cruise," whose sales are combined with the remix featuring Nelly. Breaking the record for longest #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart, "Cruise" has sold nearly 6.8 million downloads in the US alone and is the best-selling digital Country single of all time according to SoundScan. Nelly's remix on the summer anthem helped maximize the reach across multiple genres and platforms. The award-winning duo's current single "This Is How We Roll" featuring Luke Bryan is quickly climbing the country radio charts and is from the deluxe version of their chart-topping, PLATINUM-certified debut album HERE'S TO THE GOOD TIMES (Republic Nashville).
FGL has racked up four nominations - Vocal Duo of the YearAlbum of the Year (HERE'S TO THE GOOD TIMES), Single of the Year ("Cruise") and Vocal Event of the Year ("Cruise" Remix featuring Nelly) - for the ACM Awards, airing April 6 at 8:00P Eastern on CBS. Earlier in the weekend (April 4), FGL will join labelmates at the ACM Party for a Cause Festival for "Outnumber Hunger Live!" to raise awareness for the 1 in 6 Americans who struggle with hunger.
For on-sale dates and more, visit FloridaGeorgiaLine.com.

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE.

Derek Jeter Third In League In Jersey Sales


Above is the list of the top selling jerseys from the offseason and surprisingly David Ortiz is first from the Boston Red Sox, not the retiring Yankees Captain Derek Jeter. Dustin Pedroia came in at the second spot followed by Derek Jeter in third place. The only other Yankees in the Top 20 was Jacoby Ellsbury who was 20th. Just in case you were wondering and still bitter Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners is in 9th place.

Trenton Thunder Game Recap 4/3


Thunder Fall on Opening Night, 6-0 to Fisher Cats

TRENTON, NJ - New Hampshire centerfielder Kenny Wilson went 2-for-4 including a bases clearing triple to boost New Hampshire to a 6-0 victory over the Thunder on opening night at ARM & HAMMER Park.

Thunder starter Bryan Mitchell surrendered four runs in the second inning as he suffered his first loss of the season. After retiring the side in order in the first, Mitchell allowed four of the first five hitters of the inning to reach in the second; including an RBI single by Kevin Nolan. Mitchell came back to strikeout Jon Berti for the second out of the inning, but, Wilson drove a 3-1 offering into the right field corner to score three more and give the Fisher Cats a 4-0 lead.

Wilson's swing was all the support New Hampshire starter Aaron Sanchez would need. Sanchez retired the side in order in each of the first two innings and allowed just one hit and two walks to earn his first victory of the season. The 21-year-old was tested in the third inning with runners on first and second and two out, however, Sanchez struck out Rob Refsnyder to end the Thunder's best threat of the evening.

The Fisher Cats added to their lead in the fifth inning when Kenny Wilson crossed home on a fielders choice and again in the ninth when A.J. Jimenez drove in Jon Berti with a base hit to give the Fisher Cats the final spread.

Trenton's offense recorded just three hits in the game and had multiple runners on base in the same inning just once in the game. After Gary Sanchez walked in the fourth inning, Fisher Cats pitching retired 10 straight batters before Zach Wilson's single in the seventh inning.
The Thunder will send LHP Jeremy Bleich (NR) to the mound tomorrow night, New Hampshire will counter with RHP Deck McGuire (NR). First pitch will be thrown at 7:05 at ARM & HAMMER Park, the first 2,000 fans through the gate will receive a Magnetic Schedule courtesy of Mercer County Improvement Authority.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE.

Rookie Davis Wins Season Opener For Charleston


Davis Wins Season Opener for RiverDogs
Rookie Davis keeps Augusta scoreless early as Charleston claims its first victory

AUGUSTA, GA - Rookie Davis pitched five shutout innings and struck out five to key the Charleston RiverDogs to a 5-1 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday evening at Lake Olmstead Stadium in South Atlantic League action.
Davis's shutout performance carried the RiverDogs to a 1-0 start for the 2014 season. This marks the first season opener that Charleston has won since 2011 when the RiverDogs claimed a 6-1 road victory against the Lexington Legends.
Augusta starter Chase Johnson locked up with Davis to keep the contest scoreless through the first four innings. Mike Ford collected two singles against Johnson and Gosuke Katoh singled and reached third base in the third inning as Johnson held the RiverDogs back. Davis retired the first six batters he faced and stranded a pair of runners in scoring position in the early innings.
Charleston loaded the bases in the fifth inning and scored three runs with some help from the GreenJackets. The RiverDogs went up 1-0 when Luis Torrens came in from third on a fly out from Tyler Wade that was coupled with a throwing error by Augusta left fielder Christian Paulino.
Katoh added to the lead after scoring on a wild pitch from Johnson, which was followed by an Abiatal Avelino double that plated Michael O'Neill for a 3-0 RiverDogs advantage.
The RiverDogs brought in another run during the sixth inning. Ford walked and advanced into scoring position when Torrens was hit by a pitch from Augusta reliever Raymond Black. Ford reached third base on a balk and scored when Black threw a wild pitch.
Augusta scored its lone run in the home half of the sixth. Cesar Vargas relieved Davis and picked up two quick outs before Christian Arroyo tripled to left field. Arroyo scored as Ryan Tuntland reached on an error to cut Charleston's lead to 4-1.
Charleston closed the scoring in the top of the eighth, plating Ford on a triple by Miguel Andujar. Ford led all players with three base hits on a trio of singles.
Vargas recorded four strikeouts in three innings with a double play turned by Avelino, Katoh, and Ford keeping the GreenJackets at bay. Philip Walby replaced Vargas and struck out the side to wrap up the RiverDogs win.
Davis earned the victory for Charleston to improve to 1-0 this season. Johnson was charged with the loss for Augusta, falling to 0-1 after allowing three earned runs in five frames.
COMING UP: Game two of this four-game series will see Charleston send out RHP Luis Severino (0-0, 0.00) to face Augusta LHP Luis Ysla (0-0, 0.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm on Friday. Following the end of this series in Augusta, Charleston will return to The Joe for a seven-game homestand that starts on Monday, April 7. The RiverDogs host the Greenville Drive for Charleston's grand Opening Night celebration, complete with $1 hot dogs and $1 beers presented by Coors. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line atwww.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original post can be seen HERE.

Baseball America: Yankees Have 13th Best Farm


Baseball America published an updated look at all 30 Major League teams and their farm systems and the Yankees system has improved to the 13th best overall. The Yankees were originally in the 20-ish range on about every list this offseason, Keith Law had New York ranked 20th and Baseball Prospectus had the Yankees ranked 23rd, but the addition of Masahiro Tanaka has made the Bronx Bombers jump up a few spots.

The top team on the list was the Pittsburgh Pirates followed by the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. The last two teams come as no surprise as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Milwaukee Brewers are coming up the rear, as usual.

Alex Rodriguez Named To Stanford Baseball’s Coaching Staff

Alex Rodriguez is back in the news today after accepting a position with the Stanford baseball teams coaching staff even though he is suspended for the 2014 season. My initial thought is if this is just something to pass the time this year or does he not plan on coming  back in 2015?I guess we have a year to speculate on that.

HERE is a quote from Rodriguez:

“I’m excited to be a part of such a great program,” said Rodriguez at his introductory press conference. “Obviously, I have zero collegiate experience but I think that I bring a unique understanding of the game of baseball and hopefully I can share my experiences with these young ball players.”

Stanford prides itself on doing things the right way and that’s something I’ve really tried to do throughout my career,” said Rodriguez on why he chose to come to Stanford.

Quick Hit: Anyone Else Looking Past Today?


Is it just me or is anyone else really just looking past today's game and looking forward to Masahiro Tanaka's debut tomorrow against the Toronto Blue Jays? I feel like a jerk but I have seen Ivan Nova pitch about every game of his career in Yankee pinstripes, I want to see what Tanaka does against a Major League lineup. Especially one that has Jose Bautista running off at the mouth about Tanaka like he has never been here before. Think he catches a fastball in the ribs? I doubt it, and I don't advocate for throwing at players, but if it happened I wouldn't be terribly upset. Either way surely I cannot be the only one with #TANAK on the mind, can I?

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/4


On this day in 1989 Tommy John tied a record on Opening Day by playing in his 26th season. The New York Yankees veteran would beat the Twins 4-2 on this day for his 287th win, putting him 19th overall at the time in career wins.


On this day in 1994 a total of 56,706 fans flocked to Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, the largest crowd ever at the House that Ruth Built. Jimmy Key would beat Kevin Brown and the Texas Rangers 5-3 in front of the record breaking crowd.