Ford v Voit...

Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

The Battle for First Base…

I guess you could call ‘Ford v Voit’, the prequel or sequel to the upcoming movie, Ford v Ferrari, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. The only difference is that the stars of Ford v Voit are Mike Ford and Luke Voit. I know, when the playoffs start, D.J. LeMahieu will be the first baseman for the New York Yankees. Undoubtedly, Voit will be on the playoff roster but the question on every Yankee fan’s mind is whether Ford is more deserving.

Since he returned from the Injured List on August 30th, Luke Voit has hit 2 home runs with 8 RBIs. He has 16 hits in 90 plate appearances with .208 batting average, .322 OBP, .351 SLG, .297 wOBA, and 83 wRC+. His strike-out percentage is 30.0%.

Given Mike Ford has not had the same number of plate appearances over the same time period due to limited play, let’s take Ford’s view back to August 11th, which gives him 91 plate appearances for comparable comparison. Since that time, Ford has 26 hits, 9 home runs and 17 RBIs, and has scored the same number of runs as Voit (11).  His batting line is .310 batting average, .363 OBP, .690 SLG, .427 wOBA, and 171 wRC+. His strikeout percentage is only 14.3%. 

Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez, AP

Based on numbers alone, Ford seems to be the guy. He has shown a knack for the big hit and I don’t think I’ve seen many guys who are as appreciative of being a big leaguer as Mike Ford. I suspect the Yankees will go with Voit over Ford based on the larger body of work, but there’s no doubt in my mind they would be better off with Ford, especially with his proven ability to pinch hit successfully. I am not convinced Voit is completely healthy. Look, I wish Voit was tearing the cover off the ball and making the first base competition a non-issue like he did with Greg Bird. But he’s not, and right now, at this moment in time, Ford is the better player. Regardless of the choice made by the Yankees, I am glad we have LeMahieu to cover first. Gio Urshela at third is better than having Voit or Ford at first, allowing the Yankees to use D.J. at the position of need. I don’t envy the Yankees for the upcoming roster decisions. I am sure they will make the right choices to put the Yankees in the best possible situation as we move into October.  

Like many, I was disappointed with the lackluster play by the Yankees this past week when they dropped both games of the two-game set in Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, FL to the Tampa Bay Rays. I bet the Cleveland Indians were disappointed as well as it gave the Rays the Wild Card advantage and set the stage for the Rays to eliminate the Indians last night when the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland fell to the Bryce Harper-less NL Wild Card Washington Nationals. With their pitching staff, the Indians would have been a threat in a short series but now we’ll never know. Meanwhile, there could be playoff baseball at the ugly warehouse known as Tropicana Field. The Oakland A’s lost last night so the Rays and A’s have the same record at 96-64. The A’s hold the tie-breaker with the season series advantage, but with two games left, the Rays have the potential to top the A’s by at least one game which would bring post-season baseball to the junk tank that no one attends. If for no other reason than the teams’ respective fans, I hope the Oakland A’s beat the Rays in the Wild Card game next week. I think the A’s have the best chance of defeating the Houston Astros which, if the Yankees can advance past the ALDS, would give them home field advantage.  

Despite the hate he receives on Social Media from Yankee fans, I am glad Giancarlo Stanton is a Yankee. He’s finally healthy, and was 3-for-3 last night with a monster home run and a couple of walks. He can be an October difference-maker. We should appreciate what Stanton can be for this team. The one-time NL MVP can carry a team on his back. His presence helps those around him. There’s nothing wrong with a guy that can force pitchers to throw better pitches to Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. I am content watching Stanton’s bat shut up the haters. He remains one of the game’s best and most feared players.

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

I was a little concerned when the Yankees pulled James Paxton after an inning last night but the team doesn't seem concerned about the tight glute that caused the Yankees to protect their ace. Hopefully this won't be a recurring problem as the Yankees clearly need Paxton to be successful.

Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez, AP

The Yankees took the team home run lead over the Minnesota Twins last night, with six bombs compared to Minnesota’s two dingers in a weather-shortened game. The Twins had entered the day with 301 home runs, and the Yankees were two behind at 299. The day ended with the Yankees ahead, 305 to 303. This is probably a stat the fans want more than the players, but still, it’s fun to watch. It seems like when the Twins extend the current MLB record for team homers, people act like the Twins won the seventh game of the World Series. When the Yankees surge ahead, it is the quiet rumble of a late March spring training game. It’s amazing to think when the Minnesota Twins travel to Yankee Stadium next week, the ALDS will feature teams that have combined for over 600 home runs.  

I admit I was one of Brett Gardner’s biggest detractors last off-season. I was ready to move on and give the backup outfield role to younger players. I certainly never expected Gardy to hit 28 home runs. He’s been so invaluable this season with the plethora of injuries. As a result, I’d like to see the Yankees bring Gardy back next year on another one-year deal. As a team leader, he brings so many intangibles to the clubhouse. There’s no way to expect another 28 home runs next season, but his leadership is invaluable, especially with CC Sabathia soon stepping away. Last off-season, I was ready for Clint Frazier to be the fourth outfielder. This off-season, I will be anxiously awaiting the deal that puts Frazier in another uniform. Moving forward, I do feel Mike Tauchman will be the fourth outfielder but there’s room on the team for Brett Gardner too, especially with active rosters increasing from 25 to 26 next season.  

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

Maybe when the Yankees ship Frazier away, they should include Chance Adams. He’s been such a disappointment. He was handed an 11-run lead last night in the bottom of the 9th, and he proceeded to give up four runs on a couple of homers until he was mercifully replaced by Nestor Cortes, Jr, who only needed three pitches to record two outs and close out the game. I have no trust in Adams and I think I’ve seen enough. Hopefully the Yankees have too. I feel much better with Michael King and Deivi Garcia as the arms of the future. Adams has had his chance and he’s failed.   

It’s hard to believe that this is the final regular season weekend of the year. It seems like we were just in Spring Training with Troy Tulowitzki pimping the home run off his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays. But 103 wins later, the regular season is over in less than 48 hours. I can’t say that I would have ever envisioned how this season would play out or that the Yankees would have more than 100 wins with the record-setting number of injuries the team has suffered. But here we are. Last season, our social media feeds were overflowing with Red Sox posts but they’ve been largely silent for most of this season. Note to the last man out of Fenway Park tomorrow, please shut out the lights. The stadium’s services are no longer needed this year and that feels great to say. 

I am very proud of the 2019 New York Yankees, and I look forward to next week’s ALDS against the Minnesota Twins. I don’t buy the claims the Yankees own the Twins. All bets are off, and I am sure the Twins will come to play. Hopefully the Yankees emerge from the series with three wins and an invitation to play the Houston Astros, Oakland A’s or Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series. But first, Mission Beat Minnesota is the focus. Hopefully the Twins continue the Minnesota tradition of my beloved Vikings, the failure to win the big games.   

Let’s Go Yankees!

TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for April 3rd, 2019

Good morning Yankees family.

Name the six members of the New York Yankees who have hit two home runs in an Opening Day game?

Highlight below for the answers!!



Joe Pepitone in 1963, Roger Maris in 1960, Mickey Mantle in 1956, Russ Derry in 1945, Babe Ruth in 1932 and Sammy Byrd, also in 1932. 


And a special good morning to my beautiful wife, Kari. Nothing in this world that I do is possible without you, whether I always recognize that in my actions or not.

TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for March 9th, 2019

Good morning Yankees family!!

Derek Jeter holds the Yankees record for most leadoff home runs in a career. Jeter started a game 29 times by hitting a home run. 

And a special good morning to the love of my life, Mrs. Kari Ann Burch!

TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for March 4th, 2019

Good morning Yankees family. Monday... yuck!

Babe Ruth won 10 home runs crowns as a member of the New York Yankees. The Sultan of Swat, right? But what player has the second most home run titles in club history?

Highlight below for your answer, but leave your guesses in the comments section below first!



Mickey Mantle, who has four. 



Even on a Monday morning I still love you so very much, my amazing wife Kari! And a very special good morning to my son, Jacob. You turn 15-years old today, and this is your day. Enjoy your day buddy, I love you!

TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for February 27th, 2019

Good morning Yankees family!

Who is the only Yankees player to hit a home run in each of his first two plate appearances with the club?

Highlight below to see the answer, but before you do please leave your guesses below in the comments section:



Cody Ransom, who did it in 2008. 



And a special good morning to the one woman in the world that was made just for me. I love you, Kari!

TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for February 26th, 2019

Good morning Yankees family!

Did you know that Roger Maris, Alex Rodriguez and Aaron Judge are the first three players in the Yankees storied history to have 30 or more home runs going into the All-Star break? Maris had 33 in 1961, Rodriguez had 30 in 2007 and Judge had 30 entering the break in 2017. Three times by a team nicknamed the "Bronx Bombers" is kind of shocking if you ask me.

And to my beautiful wife, you "bomb" and rock my world. I love you. Always have, always will.

This Day in New York Yankees History 9/22: Sori, Right Number

Alfonso Soriano was not always a middle of the lineup type hitter for the New York Yankees like we saw the second half of the 2013 season. At one point Soriano was a lead off hitter for New York and on this day in 2003 Soriano hit his 13th lead off home run of the season establishing a new major league record. Soriano would break the tie with the Baltimore Orioles Brady Anderson after he hit 12 leading of the game in 1996.

Also on this day in 1969 the great Willie Mays joined exclusive company when he joined Babe Ruth in the 600 home run club. It's not really New York Yankees history but the Giants Hall of Fame hitter achieved the feat with a seventh inning pinch hit two run home run off Padres pitcher Mike Corkins.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/12: Bernie Williams Has a Week of a Game

Not much has happened on this day in New York Yankees history surprisingly but Bernie Williams did have a week of it on this day in 1996. Bernie had two home runs and a single as he went on to knock in eight RBI helping the Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers by the score of 12-3.

Other notable happenings on this day in Major League Baseball history was on this day in 1979 the Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski collected his 3,000th hit of his career in a victory over the Yankees in Fenway Park. Also Sammy Sosa became the fourth player in major league history to hit 60 home runs in a single season on this day in 1998 as he joined Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and Mark McGwire as McGwire and Sosa attacked Maris' single season home run record.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/8: ARod Hits #50

Before this day in 2007 only three members of the New York Yankees had ever hit 50 home runs in a single season, Babe Ruth (1920-54, 1921-59, 1927-60, 1928-54), Roger Maris (1961-61), and Mickey Mantle (1956-52, 1961-54). Alex Rodriguez on this day in 2007 hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season to become the fourth member of the Yankees to ever reach the milestone. Also the second home run breaks the major league record of 49 home runs hit by a third baseman passing Mike Schmidt of the Phillies in 1980 and Adrian Beltre of the Dodgers in 2004.

Also on this day in 1925 Babe Ruth hit his 300th career home run in the second game of a double header between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Buster Ross gave up the milestone home run in the Yankees 7-4 victory over the Red Sox.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/1: September Call Up Day

Surprisingly not much has happened on September call ups day in New York Yankees history but one bit of notable news happened on this day in 1931 when Lou Gehrig continued to hit grand slams. Gehrig's bases loaded blast would be his third in four days as the Yankees would beat the Boston Red Sox 5-1 at Yankee Stadium.

Also on this day in 1947 the Giants would break the 1936 Yankees record for most home runs hit in one season by a team. The New York Giants would break the record with the 185 team home runs and would finish the season with 221.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/29: Derek Jeter Sets The Mark For Yankees Shortstops

Derek Jeter has set many marks and records not only in New York Yankees history but in baseball history as well but on this day he was making his mark for shortstops in Yankees history. Jeter would connect for his 17th home run of the season on this day in 1998 setting a new Yankees record for home runs from a New York shortstop. The 24 year old would pass Roy Smalley's previous record set in 1982 when he hit a home run off Bob Wells in an 11-6 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Also on this day in 1985 Don Baylor was hit for the 190th time of his career. The Yankees DH would pass Minnie Minoso for the most hit by pitches in the history of Major League Baseball when the Angels' pitcher Kirk McCaskill kit him in the first inning.

Hello… Predictions

Good morning Yankees family and welcome officially to the weekend, it’s Saturday and we made it. I wanted to start the morning off with something that I genuinely enjoy doing, making predictions for the upcoming game and season. Tonight, the Yankees will play host to the Boston Red Sox inside Yankee Stadium with a pitching matchup of Chris Sale vs. Sonny Gray.

Sonny Gray at home makes me want to go “ugh” while I am sure most of the Yankees offense had a similar reaction when they saw that the Red Sox left-handed ace was making the start. Well, everyone with the exception of Greg Bird I’d say.

So, my prediction. Greg Bird will continue his dominance over Sale and hit another home run tonight off of him in the Bronx. You can @ me, do it on Twitter. @GreedyStripes.

And my baby, I predict just another amazing day and weekend with you. Because love. I love you.

Quick Hit: Michael Kay Explains His “See Ya!” Home Run Call

Just a quick hit for you all as we wait on the beginning of the game between the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics. I had heard this story before on a documentary or interview with the Yankees legendary announcer Michael Kay, but in case you haven’t he explained once again how he came up with his well-known home run call, “See Ya!” while on an interview with the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday.

Kay was quoted in the interview as saying:

“I got this job 27 years ago, and at the time I was dating a young lady who, when she would get out of the car at the end of a date she would say ‘see ya, wouldn’t want to be ya!’ and I said, ‘you know, I’m going to hijack that as my home run call.’ So, I’ve been doing it since the very beginning of when I got the job in 1992.”

Pretty interesting and cool little nugget of information for you in case you had never heard the story before. Now you know, and now it is almost time for Kay to say “see ya” about six or seven times this afternoon in the Bronx. Here’s to high hopes and even higher home runs. See ya!

Hello… John Sterling is Getting Complacent?

Good morning everyone and a Happy Wednesday to you all. I hope everyone is doing well, especially Yankees and WFAN radio broadcaster John Sterling. Sterling is seemingly getting a little complacent, isn’t he? After catching so much flak for his Giancarlo Stanton home run call he seemingly went soft, or maybe just safe, with the home run call of Miguel Andujar… didn’t he?

“Andujar… hit it far…”

I mean, that works… but that is all you have? Sterling’s always been so creative and had so much fun with these, but it just feels like he went the safe route with Andujar. I don’t know. I don’t have any better recommendations, so I guess I can’t say too much, but still. This is Sterling’s thing, not mine, and I think he could have done better is all. Oh well, maybe his call for Gleyber Torres will make up for it.

Anyway, a special good morning to you my love, my soulmate and my future wife. I cannot wait to marry you and spend the rest of my days with you Kari Ann Burch. I love you.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/20: Ivan Nova Makes Yankees History

On this day in 2012 Yankees RHP Ivan Nova passed a few notable starting pitchers in Yankees history when he won his 15th straight decision of the season. The Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on this day in 2012 and moved Nova ahead of Whitey Ford (1961) and Steve Sundra (1938-1939). This win set Nova one behind Roger Clemens for the franchise record in consecutive decisions won.

On this day in 1988 Claudell Washington hit the Yankees 10,000th home run in franchise history as a pinch hitter. This total was the most in the major leagues and came off Minnesota's pitcher Jeff Reardon in the top of the ninth inning in a Yankees victory.

On this day in 1912, after two days of rain, the first ever game is finally played at Fenway Park in Boston. Of course the first game in the historic stadium was with the New York Highlanders, soon to be the Yankees, and a Red Sox victory 7-6 in 11 innings.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/30: Yankees Win 100 Games

On this day in 2004 the Yankees won their 100th game, something they have done in three straight seasons, and their seventh consecutive American League Eastern Division championship. The Yankees join only the Braves from 1997-1999, the Orioles from 1969-1971, and the A's from 1929-1931 as the fourth team to win 100 games in three straight seasons.



Also on this day in 1973 the Yankees played, and lost, their final game played at the old Yankees Stadium before George Steinbrenner had the field renovated. The 50 year old Cathedral of Baseball would take two years to renovate while the Yankees played their home games at Shea Stadium.


Also on this day in 1966 Roger Maris blasted a two run home run in his final at bat as a member of the New York Yankees. Maris would be traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after the season for utility man Charley Smith.


Also on this day in 1962 Mickey Mantle belted his 30th home run of the season off of the White Sox's Ray Herbet. This would be the Mick's eight consecutive season of hitting at least 30 home runs in a season. This was amazing considering Mantle missed a month of the season with a leg injury.


Finally on this day in 1927 Babe Ruth would break his own record for home runs in a single season when he hit his 60th of the season off of Senators starter Tom Zachary. In a side note Hall of Famer Walter Johnson would make his final appearance of his major league career when he pinch hit in this game.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/29: Don Mattingly Has Six Grand Slams

Don Mattingly had a career with the bases loaded in 1987 as he hit more home runs with the bases loaded this season then some people hit in their entire careers. Mattingly set a major league record on this day by hitting his sixth grand slam of the season passing Ernie Banks (1955 Chicago Cubs) and Jim Gentile (1961 Baltimore Orioles). What makes this more amazing is Mattingly played 14 seasons in his career and never hit another grand slam outside of the 1987 season.

Also on this day in 1934 Babe Ruth hit his 659th and final home run in a New York Yankees uniform. Ruth had 49 home runs with the Boston Red Sox before being sold to New York and would add six more with the Boston Braves before retiring in the 1935 season.

So it Seems… Five Yankees and 50 Homers

On Monday afternoon we all watched as Aaron Judge launched a home run to right field for his 49^th home run tying Mark McGwire for the single-season home run record for a rookie. We all also watched as a couple innings later Judge launched another to left-center field to break the record which was an absolutely awesome sight to see. To put what Judge has done into perspective would likely take pages upon pages of writing and I’m not sure I could still convey what exactly the Yankees right fielder has done, but that doesn’t mean I won’t attempt to anyway.

Instead of writing you page after page with stat after stat and reason after reason I will leave you with one line. Before I drop that one line I want everyone to think about the New York Yankees franchise and organization. I want you to think about all the teams that have donned the Yankees pinstripes, all the players that have been Yankees, all the legends, all the feats, all the history. Then I want you think about Aaron Judge and just how many Yankees have ever hit 50 home runs in a single season. Not as a rookie, ever.

Aaron Judge, Babe Ruth, Alex Rodriguez, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. That’s it.

HEY YOU. I loves you Kari!! Have a great day everyone. 

Comparing Aaron Judge’s 2017 Season to Mark McGwire’s 1987 Season

No two men in the history of Major League Baseball have hit more home runs as a rookie than the Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge and former Oakland Athletics slugger Mark McGwire. McGwire held the single-season record for home runs by a rookie since the 1987 season but Aaron Judge has put out an all-out assault on the record here in 2017 which got me thinking, how do the two seasons compare statistically? I mean I get that it was an entirely different game back in the late-80’s and who knows when McGwire really started doing steroids, PED’s or any sort of other enhancements but let’s just take these stats for what they are and compare them like apples to apples. Because why? Because why not, it’s interesting and because you may learn something here in the process. That’s why, now enjoy.

Judge- 2017:

Standard Batting

Year	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
2017	25	150	656	527	124	149	22	3	50	108	8	120	203	.283	.418	.620	1.038	167

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

McGwire – 1987:

Standard Batting

Year	Age	Tm	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
1987	23	OAK	151	641	557	97	161	28	4	49	118	1	71	131	.289	.370	.618	.987	164

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Congratulations to Aaron Judge on passing McGwire for the single-season home run record for a rookie. All rise and all stats courtesy of Baseball Reference. 

Aaron Judge Passes Mark McGwire for Single-Season Home Run Record by a Rookie!!

A huge congratulations goes out to Aaron Judge who with his 50th home run of the season passes Mark McGwire for the single-season home run record by a rookie. All rise!!