Mr Splitter, you are cordially invited to Yankee Stadium tonight…

Credit:  Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The big question today on everyone’s mind is Masahiro Tanaka.  After two consecutive disastrous starts, where are we?  With an extra day of rest due to yesterday’s rainout, we’ll soon find out.  

Since Tanaka’s gem against the Boston Red Sox on April 27th when he threw a complete game three-hit shutout, the results have not been pretty.  In his subsequent four starts, he has given up 21 earned runs (22 overall).   By definition, the only quality start since that time was his May 8th win over the Cincinnati Reds when he went seven innings, allowing only three earned runs.  But the Reds were able to get their hits against Tanaka as they racked up a total of 10 including a home run by Joey Votto.  In his last two games, Tanaka has lasted a combined total of only 4 2/3 innings and has been hammered for 14 runs and 7 home runs.  

The Yankees have confidence in Tanaka.  During a HOPE Week charity event yesterday, GM Brian offered the following comments:

“We’ve done the ‘CSI: The Bronx’ on him a number of different times.  We’ve gone through the analytics comparison from when he’s flying high to the current low.  There are no indicators other than the splitter’s not splitting like it usually does, and the command of the fastball is off.”

“But in terms of velocity — even swings and misses in the the zone, a lot of background statistics that you try to study to try to measure certain things that are alarming in nature that are off.  So we can’t point to anything other than the fact that I don’t think his splitter is as good as it’s been.  I know that for a fact.  His splitter’s not performing up to what his past standard has been.”

“Other teams are doing damage against him, but there’s no indicator of an injury.  I know the player doesn’t feel that he’s hurt, and I know the pitching coach doesn’t feel there’s an injury relation, either.”

“From an analytics standpoint and front-office perspective, we can’t seem to come up with some reason that would lead us to take that step.  We’re not afraid to do it if we felt that was necessary, but we’re not going to do something that appears to be unnecessary.” (spoken regarding whether the Yankees should have Tanaka undergo a MRI).  

“All indications are no (regarding an MRI exam).  We have all departments on call, whether guys are flying on high and doing well, as well as when guys are struggling.  Whether it’s mechanical, whether it’s something from the analytical side that shows a drop in performance that could lead to why, all those things aren’t indicating there’s an area to pursue on the medical side.”

“Obviously we want everybody playing to their capabilities at all times, but that’s just not how the game works.  It’s just about managing through the down times, and that’s what we’re all here for.”

“Right now he’s in a down stretch and so we’re looking forward to getting him up and running to what we’re used to seeing.”

Credit:  Paul J Bereswill

If Tanaka goes out and pitches at least six innings and gives up no more than 2 or 3 runs, will we feel that this was just a blip on the radar and that all is good?  Or if he strains his neck watching balls fly out of Yankee Stadium, are we going to be fearing the end of the world?  I honestly do not know what to expect with Tanaka’s performance tonight.  We’ll get early indications when we see his first few splitters and how he performs in the all-important first inning tonight against the Oakland A’s.  I am hopeful that these are just mechanical flaws and the typical slump that everyone encounters from time to time.  But if not, I am concerned.  We need the Tanaka that we’ve grown accustomed to and cannot afford a ‘Daisuke Matsuzaka’-type downward spiral.  

The Yankees enter an important three-game set tonight against the Oakland A’s.  While the A’s are only 21-25 this season, the Yankees need to take care of business with a road trip to Baltimore looming on the immediate horizon.  Here are the scheduled pitching match-ups:

TODAY

Athletics:  Kendall Graveman (2-2, 3.83 ERA)

Yankees:  Masahiro Tanaka (5-3, 6.56 ERA)

SATURDAY

Athletics:  Sean Manaea (2-3, 5.24 ERA)

Yankees:  CC Sabathia (4-2, 4.62 ERA)

SUNDAY

Athletics:  Andrew Triggs (5-3, 2.77 ERA)

Yankees:  Michael Pineda (5-2, 3.35 ERA)

Have a great Friday!  I hope an early ‘splitter’ (from work) is effective for everyone today!

RiverDogs Again Join Yankees HOPE Week Initiative

Outings planned for July 12-16 throughout the Lowcountry

CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston RiverDogs are once again proud to partner with their parent organization the New York Yankees for the HOPE Week Initiative. The creative outing runs from July 12-16, as RiverDogs players, coaches and the front office staff will make community service appearances throughout the Lowcountry during the five-day outreach.

This will be the eighth year in which the 27-time World Series Champions Yankees have held their HOPE Week. HOPE is the acronym for “Helping Others Persevere and Excel,” and it will be the fifth time that the RiverDogs bring the concept to the Lowcountry.

Contributing partners and facilitating institutions that are involved include MUSC Children’s Hospital, Wine & Canvas, Groucho’s Deli, and Bohemian Bull.

“We are excited about the opportunity to partner once again with the New York Yankees for such fantastic causes,” said RiverDogs Director of Community Relations Haley Kirchner. “It is a great way for us to continue to be active in our community and to recognize some truly amazing people and organizations.”

“This initiative in which we partner with the Yankees has been part of our external makeup for four years so far,” said President and General Manager Dave Echols. “Part of our overall marketing initiative stems from our being very active in our community, and this actively involves the players, who enjoy it as much as the recipients.”

The RiverDogs will participate in events every day from July 12-16 to garner awareness for the highlighted causes, individuals and organizations. Additionally, every day over the five-day period a different non-profit organization and/or family in need receives an once-in-a-lifetime experience of interaction with RiverDogs players and then an evening of fun at a RiverDogs home game at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The RiverDogs and all of the Yankees' affiliates have received a citation from the President's Volunteer Service Award for past years of HOPE Week.

The 2016 HOPE Week schedule:



· Tuesday, July 12: YoArt!inc

o Yo Art Inc. develops a skill-based media arts technology program at Title One public schools in the Charleston and Dorchester county school districts. The programs are designed to incorporate classroom curriculum into the projects and to allow the students to form an increased interest in the subject matter and a deeper understanding of the curriculum;

o Artwork from students with the program will be displayed on the video board throughout that night’s game;

o RiverDogs players will join students at the summer camp program to partake in the day’s creative activities.



· Wednesday, July 13: Camp Rise Above

o Camp Rise Above is an organization that provides life-changing camp experiences to children with serious illnesses, disabilities and challenges. They create custom-made programs to help teach campers to overcome obstacles and to grow and develop their confidence and abilities.



· Thursday, July 14: Barbara Kelley-Duncan

o Barbara Kelley-Duncan recently retired having served as the CEO of the Carolina Youth Development Center since 2003.Under her leadership, CYDC has received multi-year major grant support from The Duke Endowment in Charlotte, the Andrus Family Fund in New York City and the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, also in New York City, for its programs. Kelley-Duncan brought the first nationally-acclaimed Freedom Schools program to Charleston during the summer of 2005, and in fall of that year, opened CYDC’s Ledford House, a residential program for older youth in foster care;

o The Carolina Youth Development Center will be recognized alongside Kelley-Duncan at the game;

o Players will be teaming up with the Carolina Youth Development Center in the morning and assisting with a trip to the Carolina Ice Palace to hang out with the kids and cheer for them as they skate.



· Friday, July 15: Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

o The Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary provides a preserve for abandoned, abused or neglected animals with a home, food, medical care, shelter and love. Hallie Hill is dedicated to providing a high standard of care to all its animal residents, regardless of breed, age or disposition and follows a strict “no kill” policy. On site there are approximately 200 dogs and cats that have arrived at Hallie Hill for the care and love they deserve;

o Select dogs who are available for adoption will be at the game;

o Players will spend their morning at the sanctuary assisting with the feeding and therapy of the animals by playing catch in the fields of the farm



o Friday, July 16: Jocelyn and Rachel

o Jocelyn Cram-Smith is 9 years old and is a rising 4th grader at First Baptist School of Charleston. When her friend and classmate Rachel was diagnosed with leukemia 16 months ago, Jocelyn helped raise funds by hosting lemonade stands and also helped deliver meals to Rachel's family twice a week. Then, in June of 2015, Jocelyn's mom was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer at just 31 years old. Jocelyn told her mom that even though she had cancer, "We don't need to be afraid because we are a family and we love each other." From that, "LOVE, Not Fear" became the family mantra as well as the name of the Relay for Life Team Jocelyn leads to raise money for more research through the American Cancer Society;

o Rachel, a precious 8 year-old who was active in soccer, basketball and dance, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, positive Philadelphia trait, which means a very high risk. The family’s collective lives immediately evolved into a world of doctors, nurses, hospitalizations, lab work, chemotherapy and fear. Rachel has taken this journey and proved to be a strong hero. She never ceases to amaze her friends and family with her courage, strength and grace. She keeps a smile on her face and remains positive. That positive spirit even earned her the honor of being the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2016 Girl of the Year. She is eager to return to school with Jocelyn and her other friends at First Baptist and return to all of her favorite activities;

o Players will spend the morning with Jocelyn and paint at Wine and Canvas. The paintings will later be auctioned off at the game to help raise money for Jocelyn’s “LOVE, Not Fear” fundraiser. The group will then head over to the MUSC Children’s Hospital and spend time hanging out with Rachel.



The RiverDogs host the Rome Braves Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday prior to entertaining the Lakewood BlueClaws from Friday throughMonday.

For more information on the RiverDogs’ HOPE Week, please contact Kirchner at 843/723-7241.

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Colorado Rockies 6/14

Another HOPE Week is in the books and so is another Yankees home stand in the Bronx and now the team finds themselves out west where the air is thin and rarified, where pitchers have to hit and where kids aren’t scared of the boogie man, they are scared of Nolan Arenado. The New York Yankees face off this week with the Colorado Rockies in a two-game set inside Coors Field with the first coming tonight in Denver. The Yankees will send Nathan Eovaldi to the mound tonight looking to turn around a recent string of troubling starts while the Rockies will counter with Jorge De La Rosa.

Eovaldi was possibly and arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball during the month of May but as the calendar turns to June and the temperatures begin to rise Eovaldi may be taking a step back a bit. Thus far in June Evo has allowed 18 hits and 10 earned runs in 10.2 innings as he watched his ERA rise and his confidence fall. Turn it around in Colorado kid.

De La Rosa returns to the Rockies starting rotation after a brief stint in the team’s bullpen that lasted all of three appearances. The last time De La Rosa started a game he won throwing four perfect innings while striking out five. De La Rosa is sporting an 11.41 ERA this season and a 2.28 WHIP in six starts this season so you can understand why the team thought the pen may be better suited for him.

The game will be played at 8:40 pm ET, 6:40 pm local time in Colorado, and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. Nathan Eovaldi is one of the few Yankees with some actual Major League at bats so I feel as confident with him at the plate as I do anyone on this staff aside from maybe CC Sabathia. I also feel pretty confident in his right arm despite struggles in each of his last two outings but it’s a long season and he can turn it around at any point. Preferably tonight though. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers 6/10

The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers will kick off a three game weekend set tonight in the Bronx just in time for the organization to wrap up their annual HOPE Week festivities. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all these great stories and great signs of charity and hope this week and I truly wish every week could be HOPE Week. Anyway, before I get too far off topic like I tend to be able to do, the Yankees will kick start their series tonight in the Bronx by sending CC Sabathia to the mound to face off with the Tigers starter and former New York Mets product Mike Pelfrey.

Sabathia will make his fifth start tonight since coming off the disabled list with a left groin strain and will look to continue his recent stretch of dominance in those starts. In that period Sabathia has posted a meager 1.13 ERA and has now allowed more than two runs in any of the four games, a trend that needs to continue tonight against a tough Detroit offense.

Pelfrey heads into this start fresh off earning his first victory as a member of the Tigers last time out against the Chicago White Sox. In that start Pelfrey lasted six innings allowing just two runs inside Comerica Park for the Tigers. Pelfrey has not pitched well throughout his career inside Yankee Stadium and will look to improve on his 0-2 record in three career starts.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11 and MLB TV. Another weekend series in the Bronx and another great weekend of pitching matchups on deck for the fans. Justin Verlander comes to the Bronx this weekend and Happy Tanaka Day happens once again on Saturday. Hoping for a good weekend and a good victory tonight for the boys. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/9

Four times in one week and I could go for about four more, what about you? The New York Yankees have struggled against certain teams this season but it doesn’t seem like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are one of them. The Yankees have had timely hitting and dominant pitching and are well on their way to another dominant stance in this series with just one more game between them and their ultimate goal. Looking to get yet another victory for the Yankees in the finale is Ivan Nova who takes the ball to face off against the Angels starter Jhoulys Chacin.

Nova came into the starting rotation out of the Yankees bullpen like a man possessed pitching like an ace but he has since come back down to Earth a bit. In his last start that was still good enough to get a victory despite allowing five earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

 Chacin struggled last time out against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday giving up three runs on six hits with four walks in just five innings of work. In the start before that he has pitched a complete game gem so no one truly knows what Chacin made the trip to the ballpark tonight in the Bronx.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. The Yankees stay home after this game to play host to the Detroit Tigers for the weekend and then it’s off to Colorado on Tuesday. Nothing kick starts a new series like winning an old series so let’s get out of here with a victory and work on a new one tomorrow.

Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/8

The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are set to face off in the Bronx tonight for the third time in their four game set this week. HOPE Week is in full effect and the Yankees are continuing their attempt and climb back into the race in the AL East Division. Tonight the man donned with the task of getting the Yankees out of this funk is Nathan Eovaldi who has not lost a start in over two months while the Angels counter with a man who has had a problem pitching to the Yankees in the past in Jered Weaver. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV.

The Yankees home stand is almost over and so is HOPE Week so if you want to see the team before they head out onto the road again click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog. Also if you want to interact with us or follow along as we live tweet every Yankees game this season you can follow us on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow or you can find us on Facebook.

Eovaldi vs. Weaver. This should be fun (unless you’re batting inside the stadium tonight). Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/7

The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are set to face off in the second of a four game set this week in the Bronx with another entertaining pitching matchup. In tonight’s contest the Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound looking for his second consecutive strong start of the year while the Angels counter with David Huff. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11 and MLB TV.

The Yankees are home all week and HOPE Week is in full swing. To see any of the game this week live or any game live this season click the Yankees Tickets link to snag your tickets for home or away games in 2016. Also be sure to give us a follow on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes. We’re struggling to but we’re still keeping up with each and every Yankees game this season, however painful they are to watch.

Let’s see some Big Mike magic. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/7

The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are ready for Round Two of their four game set this week at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees are also ready for the second leg of HOPE Week at the stadium, especially after a great showing for a great cause yesterday afternoon, before kicking off tonight’s contest. In the game the Yankees will send the man needing a great start more than anyone in their starting rotation in Michael Pineda to the mound to square off with the Angels starter David Huff.

Pineda had one of his best starts of the season last time out and easily his best start against a team other than the Oakland Athletics although the Yankees big right-hander still took a no decision. In the makeup game in Detroit the man they call Big Mike surrendered just one run in 5.2 innings pitched while striking out eight batters.

Huff makes the start tonight against one of his former teams in place of injured teammate Nick Tropeano who will miss the start with a shoulder injury. Huff signed a minor league deal with the Angels this season and has posted a 5.40 ERA in Triple-A this season albeit in just 11.2 innings.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11 and MLB TV. Every time you hear the wonderful stories that are associated with HOPE Week with the Yankees you always hear of a young person with cancer or a lifelong fan of the Yankees who is just trying to do the right thing as the players or the team to hit a home run or win a game for them. That’s a ton of pressure on these players but these are some of the best 750 players in the world, whether they live up to it night in and night out or not, and they hit that home run and they can win this game. They just need to believe in it like I do and like those showcased at HOPE Week year in and year out do. Remember that.

Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/6

The New York Yankees have finally returned to the Bronx and back to the great state of New York to play host to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim inside Yankee Stadium. Today is the official kick star of HOPE Week where the Yankees showcase individuals or charities that are in need and deserve the showcase from the organization for their charitable actions. In the game tonight the Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to kick off the series and the home stand while the Angels counter with Matt Shoemaker.

Tanaka has been absolutely lights out in his last three starts for the Yankees and will look to make it four in a row tonight in the Bronx. In Tanaka's last three starts the right-hander has posted a 2-1 record with a 0.90 ERA with 10 K's. 

Shoemaker has been dominant as of late allowing just a total of four runs in his last three starts combined. In that time period Shoemaker has struck out 31 batters in 22.2 innings and it has been 33 strikeouts since Shoemakers last walk. This is going to be a tough one for the Yankees tonight.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. HOPE Week, the Yankees ace on the mound and the first time being back in the Bronx for quite some time. It sounds like the stars are aligning for a Yankees victory, now go get us all one.

Go Yankees!!

HOPE WEEK: What Is It, When Did It Start?

The New York Yankees kick off HOPE Week this week at Yankee Stadium with another week filled with charity showcases and good intentions as the Yankees give back to the community. HOPE Week, or Helping Others Persevere & Excel Week, started in 2009 with the goal of "performing acts of goodwill to provide encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture."

Here are a few examples of what the Yankees have done during HOPE Week via wiki:


2009

In 2009, the program, which ran from July 20–24, honored a United States Army veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division who lost use of his arms and legs to Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). The veteran and his wife and son were invited to watch batting practice from the field before the game. They were surprised by a party in a suite in Yankee Stadium with several players and their friends and family.[5]

Several Yankees surprised two men who overcame learning and developmental diseases at their place of work at a law firm in New York, where they are mail room employees.[6]Other Yankees visited a sixth-grade Little Leaguer who has cerebral palsy but helps coach his team.[7][8] After the July 24th game, the Yankees hosted a nighttime carnival for people from Camp Sundown, which is for those who suffer from Xeroderma Pigmentosum, a rare disease in which the body cannot repair cells damaged by UV light; sufferers have to avoid exposure to sunlight.[9] The kids arrived at the game after sundown, but because of a rain delay, the game had not started, so they saw the game and did the event with the Yankees until sunrise.[10]
2010[edit]

2010

The 2010 program ran from August 16–20. Manager Joe Girardi visited Jane Lang, a blind woman who attends about 30 Yankees game a season, at her home and invited her to meet the players at that evening's game.[11][12] A man from Sierra Leone, who has provided for his family since he was eight, immigrated to the U.S., and received a scholarship to go to college threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game, while a 13-year-old quadruple amputee was thrown a pool party with several Yankees.[13]
2011[edit]

2011

In 2011, the Yankees held a barbecue with children from Tuesday's Children, an organization that supports children who lost parents on September 11th.[14] Several Yankees (including Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and CC Sabathia) took survivors of the 2010 Haiti earthquake on a tour of New York City and met Archbishop Timothy Dolan.[15] Other Yankees went to a Broadway performance by a 27-year-old who survived five brain aneurysms.[16]
What will the Yankees do this season? You have to stay tuned to find out as the team doesn't release the details in advance. It's all a surprise. The great thing about it is that the players, managers, coaches and personnel all get involved making it a truly unique and awesome experience. That's what the Evil Empire does and I wish there were more like us. 

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays 5/31

On this final day of May and the day after the United States celebrated their own on Memorial Day the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays face off head-to-head in the middle game of their three game set inside the great land of Canada. Inside the Rogers Centre the Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound looking to continue his amazing comeback campaign while the Blue Jays will counter with JA Happ for their squad. The game will be played at 7:07 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network locally and MLB TV anywhere!

The Yankees are getting closer and closer to coming home to Yankee Stadium, HOPE Week and Old Timers Day so to get your tickets now for any of those big events I suggest clicking the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog now rather than later. By clicking you can snag your tickets for these big events without paying any sort of fees or shipping fees on your purchase. Until then follow along on Twitter and interact with us during the game by giving @GreedyStripes a follow.

Go get em big CC. Go Yankees!

Quick Hit: HOPE Week Returns for 8th Consecutive Season

Helping Others Persevere & Excel, better known as HOPE Week. Hope Week is the week that the New York Yankees organization gives back and showcases charities and organizations that are making a difference in the community and in the world. For the last seven seasons New York has honored these organizations at Yankee Stadium and abroad using a various number of methods and this season will be no different as HOPE Week returns for its eighth consecutive season in the Bronx. This season will also mark the sixth consecutive year that the organization will get a head start on things by honoring a Tampa area organization during Spring Training.

On March 18, also known as TODAY, the Yankees will announce HOPE Week officially with a pregame ceremony at George M. Steinbrenner Field before their 6:35 pm ET game with the Baltimore Orioles. At the ceremony the team will honor Tampa’s chapter of Ainsley’s Angels, a national running organization that builds awareness for America’s special needs community and its members through events that focus on their inclusion.

Ainsley’s Angels was founded in 2008 and the running enthusiasts raise funds by running and pushing along special needs riders in wheel chairs they call chariots. The organization has chapters in 25 different states and has seen several members run coast-to-coast with their riders to raise money and awareness for the organization.

HOPE Week will run from June 6 through June 10 at Yankee Stadium and all across New York in 2016. All of the minor league affiliates for the Yankees will also hold their own HOPE Weeks allowing the program to reach five additional cities and touch 25 more lives and hearts. Evil Empire though, right Boston?

Landis Sims Not the First Child to Sign with Yankees

The New York Yankees organization has been referred to as the Evil Empire by some over in the Boston area but in my opinion that couldn't be the farthest thing from the truth. For example, New York didn't disappoint last week and didn't leave a dry eye in the room when they signed Landis Sims, a young man who was born without any hands or any lower legs, to a one-day contract that invited him to the Yankees spring training camp. This is not the first time the organization has signed a child to a one-day contract to set the tone and lead the charge, it has actually happened three times before Mr. Sims did it.

The Yankees organization signed three children during HOPE Week 2014 after all three were diagnosed with brain cancer. Ryan Tucker (12), Sean Callahan (11) and Quinn Ostergen (4) signed with the Yankees when the club showcased the Friends of Jaclyn organization during their annual HOPE Week.

The three signed their one-day contracts at the same table that players like Masahiro Tanaka and Brian McCann signed their contracts and even participated in stretching and batting practice before staying in the dugout for a game. Ostegren was the first female to ever sign a professional contract with the Yankees and is still fighting the disease along with her cousin, Tucker. Unfortunately Callahan lost his battle with the disease at age 15 in 2015.

Alex Rodriguez…. The Leader

What a difference a year makes. Around this time during the 2013 season we as a fan base was wondering what Alex Rodriguez had left after a second hip surgery and various lower leg injuries that hampered his season to date. Around this time last year in 2014 we were all dreading the offseason that was to come, Alex was suspended for the entire 2014 season after the Biogenesis scandal, was pushing 40 years old and had basically been out of the game for two full seasons. The fan base, as a majority anyway, hated Alex and had no respect for him, the organization didn’t seem to have much need for him either but as we look at the man, the myth, the leader that is Alex Rodriguez today we see an entirely different human being and ball player, do we not?

Alex has grown from a shell of a man into a leader, a leader that the Yankees can depend on. Alex has represented the team on HOPE Week and is YES Network spots and all that but this post is more geared towards his emergence as a leader from a teammate’s perspective. Who is the man at the top step after every home run or RBI to remove the batting helmet in celebration? And who is the first to give a huge fist pump and a big high-five to his teammates from the bench when a big hit or pitch is made? Who was standing as far as he could without upsetting the umpire or showing up the other team to high-five Slade Heathcott on his game winning home run Monday night? That’s right that was Alex.

This offseason, and well before Bald Vinny and others were doing and saying it and without the hope of financial gain from it as well, I asked to forgive Alex and all the steroid users. You’ve all done that and I don’t need credit as the first one to say it because I’m not that kind of dude, all that I ask now is that we all stop and thank Alex for his contributions not only on the field but off the field as well. Alex’s 3000 hit all the way to the agreement to donate the $6 million bonus he earned by tying Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. From the clutch home runs and game-tying or game-winning hits to every removed batting helmet after a big play we truly thank you Alex. Thank you for finally being you. 

Thunder's Annual Hope Week Begins on Monday August 31

On Monday, The Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, will begin participation in a collection of community events called HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere and Excel). HOPE Week is a New York Yankees initiative designed to reach out to remarkable people and organzations who are worthy of recognition for their inspiring actions and support of their communities.

The following are the honorees and/or outreach events of Thunder HOPE Week. Each will consist of the Thunder players, mascot and staff visiting a loaction and/or presentation prior to that night's game.

Monday, August 31: Uganda Little League World Series Team. Thunder minority owner Richard Stanley has had a hand in the birth of baseball in the country of Uganda and the Little League World Series team will play a game at West Windsor Little League at 1:30pm on Monday afternoon. The Uganda team will then travel to ARM & HAMMER Park and meet Thunder players and coaches and be honored on the field before the game.

Tuesday, September 1: Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County. Thunder players will travel to the new Boys & Girls Club Center, located at 1040 Spruce St. in Lawrence, NJ, and spend the morning taking part in enrichment and recreational programs with the youth of Mercer County.

Wednesday, September 2: New Hope Academy. Located in Yardley, PA, New Hope Academy provides individualized education, not only for students with documented Individualized Education Plans (IEP's) but for all of their students. Each student progresses at his or her own pace, yet collectively they are challenged to stretch beyond their comfort levels and achieve beyond their expectations. Thunder players and coaches will tour the facility, meet the Founder and Executive Director, Kathleen Rosso-Ganna, and speak with the students.

Thursday, September 3: Miracle League of Mercer County. Earlier this summer, Thunder players participated in games at the Miracle League of Mercer County. The Miracle League is a non-profit organization created for and dedicated to providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in an organized baseball league that celebrates their spirit in a non-competitive atmosphere. The Thunder will welcome Miracle League players to ARM & HAMMER Park and honor them in an on-field ceremony prior to the game.

Friday, September 4: Hope Loves Company. HLC is the only non-profit in the U.S. dedicated to the children of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patitents. The mission of Hope Loves Company is to provide emotional and educational support to children and young adults who have family members battling ALS. Hope Loves Company and some of the children they support will be recognized on the field.

The New York Yankees began HOPE Week in 2009 in an attempt to inspire people to follow the actions of a few great individuals who have proved how much they care for their own communities by giving back and helping as much as they could. The Thunder are proud to join the Yankees in celebrating HOPE Week for the fourth time in 2015.

Andy Pettitte Career Highlights- Open Thread

The most amazing weekend of the 2015 season, to date anyway, is over with both Jorge Posada Day and Andy Pettitte Day officially in the books. HOPE Week is over, this series with the Cleveland Indians is over and so is this weekend unfortunately. Instead of ending this weekend with a song out of my personal collection let's end it by honoring Andy one more time. Andy Pettitte's career highlights, enjoy!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians 8/22

The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians will face off this afternoon head-to-head in the Bronx and Yankee Stadium with adrenaline running through their veins. The Yankees will honor Jorge Posada on Jorge Posada Day here in just a few minutes before sending Luis Severino out to the mound to face off with the Indians starter Danny Salazar. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV.

• Severino has made three starts for the New York Yankees in his Major League career and while he has pitched well enough to win all three of them he is still searching for his first victory. Severino has started his career 0-2 with a no-decision due in large to the fact that the Yankees offense has been non-existent in many of his starts this season. 

• Salazar comes into this start this afternoon with seven consecutive quality starts for Cleveland and will look for his 8th today. Salazar pounds the strike zone and gets a ton of strikeouts while not walking a ton of batters, neither of which are good signs for the Yankees offense this afternoon.

This is going to be busy weekend for the Yankees and their faithful after an even crazier week in the Bronx. First the Yankees had a very successful HOPE Week that only made me cry once or twice, seriously that Chris Singleton interview on Monday was a tear gusher, and they have Jorge Posada Day going down today. If that wasn't enough tomorrow is Andy Pettitte Day and the Yankees welcome the Houston Astros to the Bronx starting on Monday. Wow what a week, sleep is for the weak, let's do it. Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins 8/19

The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins will finish off their three game series this afternoon in the Bronx with the Yankees looking for yet another victory against a team that has essentially become like their little brothers over the past decade or so. New York has always done well against the Minnesota Twins in recent memory, especially in the postseason, and that has not changed much despite a much better team in Minnesota in 2015 than in years past. The Yankees will send their winningest pitcher to the mound this afternoon in Nathan Eovaldi looking for lucky win #13 while the Twins counter with Ervin Santana. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV.

The Yankees have this game, a four game series with the Cleveland Indians throughout the weekend and a three game set at home with the Houston Astros before setting back out onto the road so you have plenty of time left to click that Yankees Tickets button on the top of the blog and head to the Bronx with your tickets in hand. If you can’t make it live then that’s not a problem, just jump on Twitter and give @GreedyStripes a follow to interact with us and root for the Yankees during each and every game this season.

Jacoby Ellsbury and company are ready to step into the box and do work once again and I’m ready to watch it. Go Evo and Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins 8/19

The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins will finish off their three game set this afternoon in a day game at Yankee Stadium. This series has been fun to watch but it’s been costly for the Yankees after the team lost Bryan Mitchell to a nasal fracture and Mark Teixeira for a few days with a leg bruise while the entire bullpen has been spent and overworked once again. The Yankees need length and they need a laugher and unfortunately the team is only likely to get one of those two scenarios this afternoon with Nathan Eovaldi on the mound. Eovaldi has pitched well lately and the Yankees give him almost seven runs of support per game but length is not his specialty. Opposing Eovaldi in the Bronx this afternoon is Ervin Santana for the Twins. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV.

• Eovaldi has received amazing run support this season and has given the Yankees 12 victories in return to just two losses. Eovaldi has not given the Yankees much length this season but his longest start of the year came back on July 26^th against these same Minnesota Twins where he pitched eight innings allowing just two runs and eight hits.

• Santana has not looked stellar in many of his eight starts since returning from his 80-game steroid suspension. Santana has allowed five or more runs in four of those starts causing his ERA to rise all the way to 5.66. Santana will knock the rust off eventually, I just hope that it isn’t this afternoon against the Yankees.

The Yankees will stay home tomorrow to begin a four game series with those pesky Cleveland Indians in the Bronx. New York also continues HOPE Week this week thus proving that the team truly is the “Evil Empire,” a moniker given to them by the Boston Red Sox in the mid-2000’s. I just want to take a second before the game to attempt to put into words how proud I am to be a fan of this team, especially during HOPE Week. Anyway, Go Yankees!

Yankees HOPE Week: Prospector Theater

Here is the press release from the New York Yankees:

Across America, more than 57 million adults have some form of disability, and 80 percent of those individuals are unemployed. Valerie Jensen grew up with a sister who has Down Syndrome, and has seen first-hand how difficult everyday tasks and activities can be for individuals with disabilities, especially finding a fulfilling job. She recognizes that many who have disabilities face an internal struggle to feel as if they have a purpose in life.

One afternoon, Jensen was driving in Ridgefield, Conn., when she saw an old, vacant former theater that was going to be demolished. She immediately had a vision—to transform the building into a unique movie theater, staffed primarily by individuals with disabilities. Over the course of the next several months, she made her vision a reality, with The Prospector Theater opening to the public in November 2014.

At The Prospector Theater, staff members are referred to as “prospects,” as a way to make them feel inspired to realize their own potential and give them the necessary training to advance to other jobs using their skills developed at the theater. In the 10 months since its grand opening, the staff of The Prospector Theater has grown to over 100 people, with no signs of slowing down. As Jensen put it, “we really didn’t need more trips to the pond. We really didn’t need more trips to the zoo. We just needed meaningful employment.”

In many ways, The Prospector Theater is like a traditional theater—visitors purchase their tickets just inside the main entrance and can stop at one of two concession stands before going to see a popular new release. It has four theaters, ranging in capacity from 16-167 people, with the smallest theater designed especially for people with sensory issues who may not enjoy movies in larger settings. Each of the four theaters has handicap seating, along with fixed chairs, so friends and families are able to watch movies together. All of the theaters are also equipped with technology to aid those who are hearing and/or visually impaired, offering closed-captioning glasses and high-quality headphones.

“The answer to the unemployment epidemic among adults with disabilities is in our own backyard, on every Main Street in America. Small businesses are missing out on a huge resource that lies in the incredible talent pool of the 57 million talented Americans with disabilities, who are willing, competent, and able to work,” says Valerie Jensen.