Hello… How the Mighty Have Fallen

Good morning everyone and Happy Hump Day to all. We are halfway there, and former Yankees right-hander and phenom Phil Hughes is presumably halfway to finding himself on a new team for the 2018 season. Phil Hughes was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins this week, how the mighty have fallen.

Hughes is making $13.2 million this season and will make another $13.2 million for the 2019 season, a total that the Twins will presumably be obligated to pay after the DFA. Hughes has pitched just 12 innings this season for the pitching-starved Twins and sports a 6.75 ERA as both a starter and as a relief pitcher.

The New York Yankees drafted Hughes with their first-round pick in 2004 and subsequently let him walk via free agency before the 2014 season. Hughes signed a three-year deal worth $24 million with the Twins before the 2014 season and posted a 16-10 record with a 3.52 ERA in 32 starts and 209.2 innings pitched. That was a high for Hughes, it was all downhill from there. Hughes dealt with back issues in 2015, a broken leg in 2016, a surgery to remove a rib, a bout with thoracic outlet syndrome, arm fatigue, hand numbness, and shoulder discomfort.

The Twins now have a week to trade him or let him walk with his $26.4 million. Must be nice to suck and make more than I will ever make over the course of my life while being awesome. And humble too. Former Yankees update, Phil Hughes sucks! The end.

And my baby, I love you. Seven more days. Lucky number seven. I’ve always loved you, and I will always love you.

Yankees 2015 Opening Day Countdown - 112 (Year 4)

It is officially 112 days until Opening Day so 112 years ago in New York Yankees history the team looked a little something like this:

In the Yankees second season their team name was the New York Highlanders and they played their first games during the 1904 season. Let’s take a quick snapshot of that historic team as we countdown to Opening Day.

Team overall record: 92-59

Place finished: 2nd place

Wins leader: Jack Chesbro (41-12)

Home runs leader: Patsy Dougherty and John Ganzel (6)

Manager: Clark Griffith

Yankees 2015 Opening Day Countdown - 112 (Year 4)

It is officially 112 days until Opening Day so 112 years ago in New York Yankees history the team looked a little something like this:

In the Yankees second season their team name was the New York Highlanders and they played their first games during the 1904 season. Let’s take a quick snapshot of that historic team as we countdown to Opening Day.

Team overall record: 92-59

Place finished: 2nd in American League

Wins leader:Jack Chesbro (41-12)

Home runs leader: John Ganzel & Patsy Dougherty (6)

Manager: Clark Griffith

Yankees 2015 Opening Day Countdown - 113 (Year 3)

It is officially 113 days until Opening Day so 113 years ago in New York Yankees history the team looked a little something like this:

In the Yankees second season their team name was the New York Highlanders and they played their first games during the 1903 season. Let’s take a quick snapshot of that historic team as we countdown to Opening Day.

Team overall record: 72-62

Place finished: 4th in American League

Wins leader:Jack Chesbro (21-15)

Home runs leader: Herm McFarland (5)

Manager: Clark Griffith

Yankees 2015 Opening Day Countdown - 114 (Year 2)

It is officially 114 days until Opening Day so 114 years ago in New York Yankees history the team looked a little something like this:

In the Yankees second season their team name was the Baltimore Orioles and they played their first games during the 1902 season. Let’s take a quick snapshot of that historic team as we countdown to Opening Day.

Team overall record: 50-88

Place finished: 8th in American League

Wins leader:Joe McGinnity (13-10)

Home runs leader: Jimmy Williams (8)

Manager: John McGraw & Wilbert Robinson

Yankees 2015 Opening Day Countdown - 115 (Year 1)

It is officially 115 days until Opening Day, don’t depress you I know. Coincidentally, well I don’t believe in coincidences so not so coincidentally, the New York Yankees franchise is celebrating their 115^th year of existence in 2015.

In the Yankees first season their team name was the Baltimore Orioles and they played their first games during the 1901 season. Let’s take a quick snapshot of that historic team as we countdown to Opening Day.

Team overall record: 68-65

Place finished: 5th in American League

Wins leader:Joe McGinnity (26-20)

Home runs leader: Jimmy Williams (7)

Manager: John McGraw

Yankees Stadium Legacy: #1 Babe Ruth

After starring mainly as a pitcher for the Red Sox from 1914-1919 Babe Ruth joined the New York Yankees in 1920. Babe Ruth exploded onto the scene with an unheard of 54 home runs in his first season and followed that up by 59 home runs in the 1921 season. Yankees Stadium opened its doors for the first time on 4/18/23 and Ruth christened the ballpark hitting the first home run in it's history in a 4-1 victory over none other than the Boston Red Sox.

That's it, the 100 game countdown has concluded and Opening Day is TOMORROW! Go Yankees as we begin our quest for World Series title #28.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #2 Mickey Mantle

The New York Yankees were the class of the Major Leagues in the 1950's appearing in eight World Series. One of the brightest stars on those clubs that decade was Mickey Mantle who stood out on a bunch of absolutely stacked teams. Was Mantle the first ever six tool player? I have heard some call him that. Mantle won back to back MVP awards in the American League in 1956 and 1957 and slammed 280 home runs in the 50's while leading all of Major League Baseball with 994 runs scored.

We are now just two off days from Yankees Opening Day!

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #3 Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig started his famous games played streak in 1925 and took the field in every Yankees game for the next 13 years. The final game of his 2,130 consecutive games played stretch came at Yankee Stadium on April, 30 193. Gehrig had a dedication to his teammates, the New York Yankees franchise, and to the game of baseball and it's fans and really helped enhance the Yankee pride reputation.

We are a Babe Ruth, 3 days away, from Yankees Opening Day. Cliff Mapes wore #3 too in case you forgot.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #4 Wally Pipp

Wally Pipp was the man who famously replaced Lou Gehrig in the Yankees lineup in 1925 and the man who spent 11 seasons in Yankee Pinstripes. The first basemen batted a career high .329 in 1922 and finished eight in the American League MVP Award voting that season. Pipp also helped the Yankees reach three straight World Series starting in 1921 and also helped win one in 1923, beating the Giants.

4 days until Yankees Opening Day.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #5 Waite Hoyt

Waite Hoyt was a rock in the New York Yankees rotation during the 1920's ranking fifth in the Major Leagues in wins for the decade. Hoyt finished with a 157-98 record for the Yankees from 1921-1930. While a member of the 1927 Yankees, who were known for their hitting more than their pitching, Hoyt won 22 games only to follow it up with a career high 23 victories in 1928.

5 days until Yankees Opening Day

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #6 Bob Meusel

Bob Meusel was a career .309 hitter over his 11 Major League seasons and jumped right into the mix for the New York Yankees in 1920 by batting .328 with 83 RBI's as a rookie. Meusel continued to drive in runs throughout the 20's knocking in 136 runs in his second season and then led the American League with a career high 138 RBI's in 1925.

The New York Yankees are a Joe Torre, 6 days away, from playing on Opening Day

*Yes I realize this was posted yesterday but somehow I got off a day... my apologies.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #6 Bob Meusel

Bob Meusel was a career .309 hitter over his 11 Major League seasons and jumped right into the mix for the New York Yankees in 1920 by batting .328 with 83 RBI's as a rookie. Meusel continued to drive in runs throughout the 20's knocking in 136 runs in his second season and then led the American League with a career high 138 RBI's in 1925.

The New York Yankees are a Joe Torre, 6 days away, from playing on Opening Day

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #7 Herb Pennock

Herb Pennock was cool, calm, and collected when on the pitching mound. Pennock knew how to get guys out while a member of the New York Yankees. After coming over from Boston prior to the 1923 season the left hander had 115 wins in his first six season in pinstripes including a career high 23 wins in 1926. Pennock helped New York win the 1923 World Series title with two wins and a save against the Giants.

7 days until Yankees Opening Day.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #8 Earle Combs

Earle Combs got his feet with in the Major Leagues with 24 games as a rookie in 1924 and was ready and much improved in his second season. In 1925 Combs batted .342 while scoring 117 runs in his second season in Yankees pinstripes. That second season was the first of eight straight seasons where he scored over 110 runs capped off by a career high 143 runs scored in 1932. Combs was also a three time AL triples champion in his career.

8 days until Yankees Opening Day, can you taste it?

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #9 Urban Shocker

Urban Shocker was a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees beginning in 1916 and 1917 and stayed in New York for good starting in 1925. Shocker won 49 games over a three year period  and the right hander finished his career with a .615 winning percentage.

9 days until Yankees Opening Day

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #10 George Pipgras

George Pipgras had a Major League career that was interrupted by military service during World War I. Pipgras returned to the New York Yankees in 1927 and went 10-3 only to follow that up with an American League best 24 games including 22 complete games and four shutouts. In his World Series career he went 3-0 and won three World Series rings in his career.

10 days until Yankees Opening Day.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #11 Bill Dickey

Bill Dickey was not only a reliable catcher for the New York Yankees during the 1930's but was also a very sharp hitter. Dickey  had a career .313 average in 17 seasons with the Bronx Bombers even though he was consistently behind the plate for the Yankees, catching in over 100 games in 13 straight seasons. Dickey also knew how to get the most out of his pitching staff which made him extremely successful with the Yankees.

11 days until Yankees Opening Day.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #12 Red Ruffing

Red Ruffing was one of only two pitchers to win over 200 games in a New York Yankees uniform. Ruffing won 231 games with the Yankees from 1930 - 1946. Ruffing started in 1936 winning 20 games for the first of four straight seasons. Ruffing also had a 7-2 World Series record with a 2.63 ERA and won six Fall Classic rings. The Yankees and Ruffing won the last four World Series of the 1930's.

FYI if you are confused by the picture above, Ruffing could hit too. Cool!

12 days until Yankees Opening Day.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #13 Joe McCarthy

Joe McCarthy was the Yankees manager during the 1930's and definitely did a great job in doing so. McCarthy took over the helm of the Bronx Bombers in 1931 and went on to win 107 games and his first World Series title in 1932. McCarthy added four more World Series rings to his collections for the decade and another two in the 1940's before ending his New York career with 1,460 victories over 16 season.

And just like that New York fans we're an Alex Rodriguez, 13 days, away from Yankees Opening Day.