This Day in New York Yankees History 4/15: Happy Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson Day 2018, let’s do it Yankees family!


On this day in 2007 players around the league including the Yankees Derek Jeter and the Braves Andruw Jones wore the #42 uniform to honor Jackie Robinson on the 60th anniversary of him breaking the color barrier. In the Cardinals and Brewers game in Busch Stadium every player and coach on both teams wore the #42 and Jackie Robinson Day was born.


On this day in 1976 the New York Yankees debuted the "new" Yankee Stadium in front of 52,613 fans. The Yankees would beat the Minnesota Twins 11-4 on this day as the day began with Bob Shawkey, the winner of the 1923 Yankee Stadium opener, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

My 2018 IBWAA Hall of Fame Vote

“Curacao Kid” Andruw Jones Signs on for RiverDogs Hot Stove Banquet

“Curacao Kid” Andruw Jones Signs on for RiverDogs Hot Stove Banquet

Braves slugger and ten-time gold glover will be the featured guest at the 14^th annual event

CHARLESTON, S.C. – One of the great all-around players of his generation, a winner of ten consecutive gold gloves, ten straight 20-homer seasons, and a 2005 Silver Slugger Award, former Braves great Andruw Jones will be the featured guest at the Charleston RiverDogs’ 14^th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Auction presented by Tom McQueeney State Farm on Friday, February 2 at the Charleston Marriott Crystal Ballroom.

The RiverDogs, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, welcome a former member of the Braves for the eighth time and a former Yankee, also for an eighth instance in the annual event’s history. The Hot Stove Banquet has become one of the most highly anticipated occasions by RiverDogs fans each season.  Past speakers include Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Ryne Sandberg, Wade Boggs, and Goose Gossage in an event that brings baseball fans together to celebrate the magic of America’s pastime.

Jones, a five-time All-Star, will share behind-the-scenes stories, answer questions, and pose for pictures. The event will open with a cocktail hour and silent auction that includes baseball memorabilia from past Hot Stove speakers, collectibles from RiverDogs Director of Fun Bill Murray, vacation packages, and more, beginning at 6pm.

Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance is the presenting sponsor for the 11th consecutive year. Proceeds from the Hot Stove Banquet benefit The Citadel, College of Charleston and Charleston Southern baseball scholarship funds.

Over an accomplished 17-year big league career, Jones collected over 1,900 hits and slugged 434 home runs while batting .254/.337/.486 with 152 stolen bases. He spent 12 years with Atlanta after signing as an international free agent at age 16 with the Braves out of Willemstad, Curacao in 1993, and finished his career in pinstripes over two seasons with the Yankees.

Inserted as a regular his rookie year in 1996, Jones made his Major League debut as just a 19-year-old, and helped the Braves win a second consecutive NL pennant in his first of ten years in which he both won a gold glove and produced at least 20 homers from 1998-2007. Jones broke out as arguably the game’s biggest young star during his rookie season after Braves GM Mark Schuerholz dealt away Mark Whitten to the Mariners following a World Series title in 1995, confident in the 19-year-old’s ability. Jones was named the top prospect in the South Atlantic League the year prior after leading the Class A circuit in runs scored (104) and stolen bases (56) while batting .277, and being named the Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year.

The “Curacao Kid” played a crucial role in Atlanta’s 1996 run that just fell short, including becoming the youngest player to hit a home run in the October Classic, taking Andy Pettitte deep in his first at-bat of Game One before adding a second inning dinger off Brian Boehringer to etch his name into history as the first player since 1972 to hit home runs in their first two World Series at-bats.

Jones had his best season as a pro in 2005 when he hit .263 with 51 homers that led all of baseball and 128 RBI to earn the Hank Aaron Award as the National League’s top hitter, Silver Slugger accolades, and a second-place finish in the NL MVP race behind Albert Pujols. The 6’1” slugger’s age-28 season was the peak of an impressive tenure in the Majors that included a pair of 40-homer seasons (seven 30 HR seasons), five 100-RBI campaigns, and four years in which he scored at least 100 runs. His ten career gold glove awards in the outfield are bested only by Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente who hold 12 each.

Individual tickets to the Hot Stove Banquet are $75 and can be purchased online at riverdogs.com and rileyparkevents.com. Groups can reserve a table of eight for $600 and a table for ten at $750 by contacting the RiverDogs Special Event Department at (843) 577-DOGS (3647).

RiverDogs season tickets, half-season ticket packages, and flex plans, including options to the Riley Park Club, are now available for the 2018 campaign. The RiverDogs begin the season on April 12 when they host the Kannapolis Intimidators at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, preceded by a weeklong road trip to open the year and an exhibition opener at The Joe on April 3 against Myrtle Beach. Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com/tickets.

--RIVERDOGS--

Previous Hot Stove Speakers

2017 – Tom Glavine

2016 – Ryne Sandberg

2015 – Goose Gossage & Brett Gardner

2014 – Phil Niekro & Javy Lopez

2013 – Wade Boggs

2012 – John Smoltz

2011 – Bobby Cox

2010 – Dale Murphy

2009 – Gaylord Perry

2008 – Jeff Francoeur

2007 – Tommy John

2006 – Jim Bouton

2005 – Bobby Richardson

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/15: Happy Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson Day 2017, let’s do it Yankees family!


On this day in 2007 players around the league including the Yankees Derek Jeter and the Braves Andruw Jones wore the #42 uniform to honor Jackie Robinson on the 60th anniversary of him breaking the color barrier. In the Cardinals and Brewers game in Busch Stadium every player and coach on both teams wore the #42 and Jackie Robinson Day was born.


On this day in 1976 the New York Yankees debuted the "new" Yankee Stadium in front of 52,613 fans. The Yankees would beat the Minnesota Twins 11-4 on this day as the day began with Bob Shawkey, the winner of the 1923 Yankee Stadium opener, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

It Has Begun, Chase Headley Sucks

Ladies and gentleman it has begun. I thought we could go a whole season without donning a new Stephen Drew, which used to be a Sergio Mitre and used to be a Chris Stewart and used to be an Andruw Jones and used to be a whole plethora of people, but we were not that fortunate. Ladies and gentleman, Chase Headley sucks.

When the New York Yankees acquired him at the trading deadline in 2014 I have to admit that a big part of me was ecstatic. Yangervis Solarte had ridden his hot streak and wave and had been at the low point in the tide for the better part of a month at the time of the trade while Chase brought a clutch switch-hitting bat and some stellar defense with him. His defense was immediately compared to that of the great Graig Nettles and after some research I salivated over his clutch hits and huge seasons he had in an even huger ballpark in San Diego. What New York got in return though was a shell of that man with throwing problems and a bad back.

I’m not making this personal and I’m trying not to be down on the guy but something has got to give. New York gave him a huge contract over four seasons and the first year the Yankees got in return was littered with throwing errors and a total zap of any sort of power. This season, and yes I am still preaching the small sample size, he has somehow found new ways to get worse with the bat. The defense has been solid, maybe even great, but he’s making Stephen Drew look like a .300 hitter right now, hence the honor of my “Chase Headley Sucks” tweets.

I’m rooting for Headley, I truly am and I truly mean that, and I’m borderline hoping that this can be used as motivation to get better or do whatever it is you have to do to get better. I don’t want to tweet four or five times a night that he sucks, I don’t I want Headley to have the monster seasons he had inside Petco Park and I want him to lead the Yankees back to the promised land but as a fan that not only supports the Yankees from afar but a fan that buys the merchandise, purchases tickets when they are close, purchases this television subscription and that television subscription to see them etc. I feel like I have the right to at least say something.

And this is what I say. Chase Headley Sucks. Prove me wrong. I like being wrong.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/15: Happy Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson Day 2016, let’s do it Yankees family!


On this day in 2007 players around the league including the Yankees Derek Jeter and the Braves Andruw Jones wore the #42 uniform to honor Jackie Robinson on the 60th anniversary of him breaking the color barrier. In the Cardinals and Brewers game in Busch Stadium every player and coach on both teams wore the #42 and Jackie Robinson Day was born.


On this day in 1976 the New York Yankees debuted the "new" Yankee Stadium in front of 52,613 fans. The Yankees would beat the Minnesota Twins 11-4 on this day as the day began with Bob Shawkey, the winner of the 1923 Yankee Stadium opener, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

And the 2016 TGP Andrew Jones Award Goes To….

It seems like every single season I am a little harder on a member of the Yankees than I probably should be. Last season it was Stephen Drew, I can remember being especially hard on Andruw Jones, Esmil Rogers, Sergio Mitre, Chris Stewart and Travis Hafner. I can remember even getting down on Mark Teixeira and I can remember stating that if he stepped on a crack and broke his mother’s back that he would need a day to recover. I’m hard on these guys because it’s my God given right to be as a fan and I’m hard on these guys because I’m passionate. I mean no ill-will in what I say and I try to point that out every chance I get while writing so who will I be doing that to in 2016 and who will win the award that nobody wants to win, the “TGP Andruw Jones Award?? I have a sneaking suspicion that player is going to be Chase Headley.

Even though NJ.com reported that the Yankees “located” the error, yes pun intended, in Headley’s way defensively this spring it may not take long for him to find his way back to throwing the ball where they ain’t in 2016. I hope I’m wrong, truth be told I want to be wrong because I like Chase a lot, but he seems like he is the most likely to take a step back in 2016. His power is seemingly gone, he doesn’t hit for a particularly high average from either side of the plate and if he can’t play defense he may become a problem child for the team in 2016.

Problem child is a term I am using loosely here. He is a great clubhouse presence and I’m sure he is a great person but when you’re not producing sometimes you can be your own worst enemy. You can spend more time in your head than outside of your head, you can lock yourself in the video room watching tape rather than getting advice or help from your teammates and coaching staff. Negativity is contagious and negativity is poison. And no, I don’t have access to the players so no I’m not saying this is going to happen, write it down in stone. I’m simply using my judgement, my opinion and my experiences to determine what could happen.

I’m rooting for you more than anyone Chase because I know you can do it. You have to believe it first. 

This Day in New York Yankees History 2/14: Yankees Sign Andruw Jones

On this day in 2011 the New York Yankees signed the "Curacao Kid" Andruw Jones to a one year deal essentially closing the door on Johnny Damon's career in pinstripes. Jones signed for one year and $1.5 million and ended up stinking up the joint for two seasons.

Also on this day in 2009 the Yankees lost free agent Bobby Abreu to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after they signed him to a one year deal worth $5 million. Abreu was in his age 34 season and came off a very solid .296 average with 20 home runs and 100 RBI's for the Yankees the previous season.


Happy Valentines Day everybody!

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/15: Happy Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson Day 2015, let’s do it Yankees family!

On this day in 2007 players around the league including the Yankees Derek Jeter and the Braves Andruw Jones wore the #42 uniform to honor Jackie Robinson on the 60th anniversary of him breaking the color barrier. In the Cardinals and Brewers game in Busch Stadium every player and coach on both teams wore the #42 and Jackie Robinson Day was born.

On this day in 1976 the New York Yankees debuted the "new" Yankee Stadium in front of 52,613 fans. The Yankees would beat the Minnesota Twins 11-4 on this day as the day began with Bob Shawkey, the winner of the 1923 Yankee Stadium opener, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

I Feel Bad for This Player: 2015 Edition

Earlier in the week I wrote an article about the superstition I had concerning the players I put on my desktop of my PC at home. It seems that every season since 2009 whoever is on my desktop has a healthy and productive season from AJ Burnett in 2009, Derek Jeter in 2012 and Masahiro Tanaka for 2015. There also, and I don’t purposely go out of my way to do this, seems to always be a player that I just harp on and harp on and beg to get lost coming to the stadium so Joe Girardi doesn’t put them into the game. It was Chris Capuano last year, it was Andruw Jones for a couple years, Chris Stewart comes to mind and for much of the 2009 season it was Damaso Marte. Who will it be in 2015? If I’m guessing, and I am, it’s going to be Stephen Drew.

Mark Teixeira is going to need a day here and there when he rips the skin around his fingernail fixing his hair but I have come to expect it at this point. Ivan Nova is going to have growing pains coming back from Tommy John surgery and the only consistent part of his game is going to be his inconsistency, you expect that as well. Alex Rodriguez is going to show at times that he basically hasn’t played for two seasons, has two bum hips and is a 40 year old player at the bat and in the field, he didn’t offer himself that ridiculous contract and would have been a fool to turn it down. Drew though won’t have that “I missed half the season because I turned down a huge qualifying offer because I have an idiot for an agent named Scott Boras” excuse and will have to produce and produce right away.

Like I said I don’t go out of my way to pick a player every single season and go after them, it just happens. It usually happens when there is a much better, much younger and much cheaper alternative in the farm system that I have admittedly grown attached to over the year. His name is Robert Refsnyder (not Robert Paulson….). 

This Day in New York Yankees History 2/14: Yankees Sign Andruw Jones

On this day in 2011 the New York Yankees signed the "Curacao Kid" Andruw Jones to a one year deal essentially closing the door on Johnny Damon's career in pinstripes. Jones signed for one year and $1.5 million and ended up stinking up the joint for two seasons. 

Also on this day in 2009 the Yankees lost free agent Bobby Abreu to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after they signed him to a one year deal worth $5 million. Abreu was in his age 34 season and came off a very solid .296 average with 20 home runs and 100 RBI's for the Yankees the previous season.

Happy Valentines Day everybody!

Former Yankees OF Jones attempting MLB comeback

Former Yankees outfielder Andruw Jones didn't seem to leave the United States on a high note two years ago, but the veteran is nonetheless attempting a comeback.

Jones, 37, is currently trying to land a spot on an MLB club after spending a pair of seasons in Japan, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reports.

Jones played for NPB's Rakuten Golden Eagles following his departure from the Yankees after 2012, performing solidly in the new league. He hit .243/.391/.454 in 2013 and .221/.394/.426 in 2014, racking up a total of 50 home runs and 165 RBI.

According to Cafardo, Jones is presently drawing interest from two unknown teams, but it's unlikely either will offer him more than minor-league deal. Jones is looking for a job as a part-time outfielder/first baseman, his agent Scott Boras said.

Jones, who held a spot on the Yankees' bench from 2011-2012, struggled during his last year in the majors, batting just .197/.294/.408 in 94 games for New York. However, he was in fact better the season before, slashing a respectable .247/.356/.495.

His career average is .254, going along with 434 homers. Jones is a five-time All-Star and a 10-time Gold Glove winner, but the most recent of the those accolades came in 2007.

The First Annual #TGP Awards Show

Welcome ladies and gentleman to the first annual TGP Awards brought to you by the New York Yankees. Tonight we’ll take a look at who will win each of the major awards, Most Likely to Bounce Back in 2015, The Andruw Jones Award (the player I want off the team in the worst way by June) and of course the big one, the Get Greedy Award given to the greediest Yankee of the year. We’ve got a busy night so let’s get to it.

Here to present the award for most likely to bounce back in 2015 is Yankees first baseman and host of Foul Territory, Mr. Mark Teixeira. “And the award goes to….. Carlos Beltran!” How could Beltran not win this award? He could almost literally miss half the season and still play more games in the outfield in 2015 than he did in 2014 and bat for a higher batting average with more home runs and RBI. Congrats Carlos.

For the second award we bring in former Yankees player Andruw Jones to present to inaugural Andruw Jones Award. “And the award goes to….. Chris Capuano!” Capuano is here to provide insurance to the Yankees staff and eventually, hopefully, the bullpen when Ivan Nova comes back. There is a reason a team like the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies give up on a pitcher so soon. Capuano falls into the Brandon McCarthy role for me as the player we got the most out of in 2014 and should move on or be disappointed with in 2015. I was ready for Capuano to leave the rotation before he got in pinstripes so I have a feeling it won’t take until June this year for me to want him gone.

And for the final award of the night, the big award of the night, we bring in Hal Steinbrenner to present the Get Greedy Award which is given to the greediest member of the Yankees in 2015. “And the nominees are…. Alex Rodriguez….. CC Sabathia….. Mark Teixeira….. Carlos Beltran…… and Jacoby Ellsbury. And the #GetGreedy award goes to….. Alex Rodriguez.” While you could make the case that any or all of these players are “greedy” they all look to be every day and integral parts of the team except for Rodriguez. Rodriguez has now two bad hips and two steroid allegations to go with his $61 million in remaining salary as he rides the bench and “fights” for playing time in 2015.

We want to thank everyone for coming out and tuning in at home for the first ever TGP Awards Show. We hope you enjoyed and will stop by next year. Goodbye, and Happy New Year!

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/15

On this day in 1976 the New York Yankees debuted the "new" Yankee Stadium in front of 52,613 fans. The Yankees would beat the Minnesota Twins 11-4 on this day as the day began with Bob Shawkey, the winner of the 1923 Yankee Stadium opener, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

On this day in 2007 players around the league including the Yankees Derek Jeter and the Braves Andruw Jones wore the #42 uniform to honor Jackie Robinson on the 60th anniversary of him breaking the color barrier. In the Cardinals and Brewers game in Busch Stadium every player and coach on both teams wore the #42 and Jackie Robinson Day was born.

Happy Jackie Robinson Day everybody!

Yankees Had Interest In Free Agent Chris Dickerson

"Still no, Chris."

Chris Dickerson, former Yankees outfielder, signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates today and the Yankees were reportedly interested in a reunion with a similar deal. As you remember Andruw Jones held, speculation here, naked pictures of Joe Girardi's wife and that kept him in the lineup over an obviously better Dickerson. The outlook would not look much better for C Dick this time around either with about 27 outfielders ahead of him on the depth chart, so I am glad that he signed with a team that he may get some big league time with, but the nostalgia would have been nice for a big Dickerson fan.

Pittsburgh offers a right field spot and the Yankees offer a 5th outfielder spot only if they can unload the likes of Ichiro Suzuki and/or Vernon Wells so it makes sense for Dickerson. Good luck to him and maybe next time, again.

Former & Current Yankees Well Represented In WBC

The Yankees, both current and former, are going to be well represented in this years World Baseball Classic that will be played this March. We have already heard that Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira will play for Team USA and we have also heard reports that Andy Pettitte will pitch for Team USA although that is still unofficial. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano will play for team Dominican Republic and Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli will play for team Italy in this years classic. Former Yankees will also be in this years classic like Russel Martin for team Canada, Melky Cabrera on team Dominican Republic (please stay away from Cano.. please), Jose Molina will play for team Puerto Rico, Andruw Jones will play for team Wife Beaters Netherlands, and Luis Ayala, Alfredo Aceves, and Ramiro Pena will play for team Mexico.

Former Yankees Update : Andruw Jones

Apparently Andruw Jones could not hit a baseball in 2012 but he proved that he could hit his wife as he did just that recently. Andruw Jones, in a drunken fit, beat his wife Christmas day while dragging her down stairs and putting his hand to her throat telling her that he wanted to kill her. He was obviously arrested for this incident but still is expected to play in Japan this season. Here is his mugshot for those weirdos that are into those sorts of things.

Andruw Jones Signs With Japanese Team For 2013

All of the people here at The Greedy Pinstripes are jumping for joy as Andruw Jones, and hopefully the blackmailing pictures he had on Joe Girardi, signed a contract to sign on with Rakuten Golden Eagles. This is a one year deal worth $3.6 million for his age 36 season. The best part about it is he will not be back with the Yankees next season off the bench and I think that is all that matters here.

Andruw Jones Left Off ALDS Roster

Andruw Jones told reporters today that he will not be on the ALDS roster, halle freaking lujah. He even was quoted as saying "I didn't deserve to be" so at least he isn't stupid or ignorant to go along with fat, lazy, slow, useless, and incompetent at the plate, on the base paths, and in the field. I think the more and more we see these reports the more that I believe Jayson Nix is healthy and will get the last spot in the bench.

Casey McGehee Will Not Be On ALDS Roster

We heard reports come down the wire that the last playoff roster spot would come down to Casey McGehee and Andruw Jones. As many of you know this really hurts my brain to read that Girardi reported that Casey McGehee would not be added to the roster which, by default, seems like Andruw Jones will be on the roster. Casey McGehee should get the call over Andruw Jones anyway just based on stats, the way they play the game, etc but it is also worth noting that in an absolute emergency Casey has catching experience... Andruw Jones has Dunkin' Donuts experience.

For all the optimists out there though Jayson Nix was seen taking batting practice in a simulated game off of Adam Warren and David Aardsma. If he is healthy and close enough I think, and pray, he may get the spot over both of them. One can only hope...