Quick Hit: A-Rod Hosting/Producing His Own Show

Alex Rodriguez has begun a tour since retiring from the New York Yankees and it has been aptly named “I’m not that bad after all.” In all seriousness there is no tour, but that doesn’t mean that the former Yankees third baseman has not made it a point to repair his image with the media and the sport of Major League Baseball since retiring. Alex has covered the sport for both Fox Sports and for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball in recent years and with his latest endeavor he will host and produce an ESPN mini-series called “Pivot.”

Pivot will feature one-on-one interviews with current and former big-name athletes each episode and the interviews will be conducted in “an environment relevant to each athlete’s personal story” per an ESPN news release. This will be a four-part series. The interviewees and the schedule for the shows release have not been announced at the time of this writing.

The concept sounds interesting enough and, truth be told, since it has Alex Rodriguez I will watch it regardless. Stay tuned.

While We Wait Article Revisit: The Long Lost TGP Exclusive Interview w/ Tyler Austin

While we wait on the game tonight between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim let’s take a look through the Greedy Pinstripes archives and have ourselves an article revisit, shall we? Will this article be a little dated? Sure, it didn’t happen until two years after he was drafted by the team in 2010, the first year of existence for TGP. Did my writing suck back then? Also, an affirmative answer. Should it be fun to read this and look back at how far he has come regardless? Absolutely! So, enjoy!

If some of you guys missed it a few weeks back we interviewed Tyler Austin's mother, Kim Austin, and apparently hit it off well because we used her as a contact to get an interview with her son Tyler. As you all know, or should know, Tyler is the latest Yankees super prospect that is just simply tearing up the minor leagues with the Charleston Riverdogs. We asked him everything from questions about his childhood, a battle with cancer, his minor league baseball life, and when he plans on hitting some of those bombs in Yankees Stadium. Enjoy the read!

The Greedy Pinstripes: Was your dream as a child always to be a baseball player? If not, then what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Tyler Austin : Yes sir I've always wanted to be a pro ball player.  

TGP: What team did you root for growing up as a kid?

TA: New York Yankees  

TGP: Favorite player(s) growing up?

TA: Derek Jeter and Andrew Jones 

TGP: Your biggest inspiration when it came to baseball? 

TA: I was inspired from people telling me I couldn't do it my whole life. And I don't take no for answer, so when people would say that it drove me even more to make my dreams come true.  

TGP: Did you have a preference to what team you wanted to sign with?  

TA: No sir I didn't really care where I went. But it made it even sweeter cause it was with the Yankees who have always been my favorite team.  

TGP: What a lot of people did not know, including myself , was that you were a center fielder as a young player. Did you always want to be an outfielder for the Yankees? 

TA: I didn't really care where they put me. No matter where it is I'm gonna go out each and every day and give it everything I have.  

TGP: Whose idea/call was it to make you a corner infielder rather then an outfielder? 

TA: I'm not sure whose idea it was. 

TGP: How hard is it being away from your significant other while on the road and such? 

TA: It's really hard being away from my family and girlfriend. But I talk to them every night and just thankful I have them in my life and supporting me through my good times and bad.  

TGP: Favorite moment as a Yankees prospect? 

TA: Winning the New York Penn League championship last season   

TGP: Who was the best prospect in the Yankees system that you ever played with? 

TA: Mason Williams  

TGP: Do you keep in touch with any other current or former Yankees prospects or coaches? 

TA: Yes sir I do  

TGP: Hardest part of being a prospect? 

TA: Nothing is really hard about it. I still have to go out there and play each and every game the right way no matter if I am a prospect or I'm not. 

 TGP: A lot of people dont know you battled cancer, so first off congrats on beating that, how was that whole experience?

TA: Thank you!! It was tough going through that I was only 18 years old and didn't really know how to handle something like that at such a young age. But I just kept faith in the lord and knew everything would be okay if I kept the faith in him.  

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone? 

TA: Justin Maxwell  

TGP: Most embarrassing song/artist in your ipod?

TA: Baby by Justin Bieber, haha 

I want to thank Mr. Austin for taking the time out for a lowly blogger and huge fan. I was like a kid in a candy store typing up the questions to send him and typing this interview out. I was like an anxious kid who could not wait to go to the toy store this weekend while waiting for him to fill it out. It was well worth the wait! Thank you again Mr. Austin and thank you to Tyler's Mom, Mrs. Kim Austin, for being such a kind and giving person (well and for having Tyler lol).

ICYMI: The TGP Exclusive Interview w/ Zack Hample

This morning we talked about Zack Hample and some of the advice that he was giving out to the USA Today about catching fly and foul balls at the ballpark. In the article we reminded everyone that if the name Zack Hample sounds familiar it is because he was the man who caught Alex Rodriguez’s 3,000^th hit, a home run to right field, inside Yankee Stadium. As you may remember there was a lot of controversy surrounding the home run ball after Hample caught it, so much so that Hample decided to come on The Greedy Pinstripes to talk about it and try to clear his name. Here is that interview from the 2015 season just in case you missed it. Enjoy and Happy Saturday!

Zack Hample is the lucky man that caught Alex Rodriguez's 3,000th hit that cleared the right field wall into the Bleacher Creatures, maybe you've heard of him? Zack's relationship with the Yankees fans immediately took a hit when he balked at the chance to return the historic baseball to Alex and the Yankees and has been on the defensive ever since. We have seen Mr. Hample on Good Day America, Conan O'Brien, Sportscenter and on many other avenues and today he lent his ear to us here at The Greedy Pinstripes. I admit that when I first sent the request to Zack I didn't expect to get a response but I had to have a horse in the race if I wanted a chance to win, to my surprise Zack responded. Zack was excited to be able to speak to the Yankees fans directly and give his side of the whole A Rod and 3,000 hit situation and I was more than happy to bring him an avenue. This is his avenue and this is his interview, Mr. Zack Hample:


The Greedy Pinstripes:

I think the first question my readers and Yankees fans everywhere want to know is are you a Yankees fan or would you consider yourself a general MLB fan?

Zack Hample:

I'm not a Yankees fan, but I'm not your typical Yankees hater either. I know it might sound weird, but I don't have a favorite team. For the last twenty years, I've rooted more for individual players, probably because I've attended games at 51 different major league stadiums and gotten a bit jaded in the process. Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera were two of my all-time favorites, not just on the Yankees, but in all of baseball, so whenever they were directly involved in the game, I rooted for them. I still root for the team in certain situations depending on who's hitting, pitching, etc.


TGP:

Can you put into words how much of a tug of war is going on inside your head right now when faced with the question of whether to give the ball back or not?

ZH:

The president of a major auction house told me that the ball could be worth $500,000, but you know what? On a personal, sentimental level, it's worth much more to me than that, so I'd rather keep it than sell it. Of course it's also worth a lot to Alex Rodriguez, so I'm taking that into consideration and considering all my options, including using the ball to raise a whole lot of money and awareness for my favorite children's baseball charity, Pitch In For Baseball. The point is, this is a HUGE decision, and I'm incredibly conflicted.


TGP:

Can you share some and maybe explain the spectrum of the uproar you are receiving by Yankees fans and non-Yankees fans alike? I assume your most hateful responses have come from Yankees fans, are they any that are “PG” enough that you feel comfortable sharing?

ZH:

Bald Vinny has said the nastiest things on the biggest platform. I don't care to repeat them here, nor do I feel like getting into a war or words. I can deal with being insulted, but I don't appreciate false accusations, so I'd like to let everyone know that I don't knock over little kids. Despite what Vinny and various media outlets are claiming, it's simply not true. Come watch me during batting practice for five minutes or for the next twenty-five years and you won't see me knock anyone down. I've never done it -- not once in more than 1,200 games! It's not who I am or what I do. Before every single pitch is thrown, I glance to my left and right and often look over my shoulder to make sure I have some room to move in case a ball flies my way. I'm hyper-aware of my surroundings and take special care not to cause physical harm to anyone.


TGP:

Do you have any regrets for reportedly tweeting out, to paraphrase, that if you caught the 3,000 hit home run ball you would give Alex a “dummy ball and the finger?”

ZH:

I deeply regret that. I didn't have many followers then, and of course I had no idea that I'd actually end up snagging the ball, so I was just trying to be snarky. But it was a dumb, unnecessary, negative thing to say. Most people say things that they wish they could take back, and for me, this is it.


TGP:

I think everyone would like to hear your stance on Alex, the game of baseball in the steroid era and his repeated offenses and how it’s affected and shaped the game.

ZH:

Some of my favorite players of all time -- guys I practically worshiped as a kid -- turned out to be steroid users. It really hurt, and I instantly stopped rooting for them. A-Rod is no different. I understand that many people, especially Yankees fans, still love him, but I hope that people will respect the way I feel.


TGP:

If you can get into it and name specifics what are some of the things that the Yankees have offered you?

ZH:

Initially they offered me a chance to meet A-Rod, have my own press conference at Yankee Stadium, appear on the YES Network during the game, receive Legends tickets and all sorts of signed memorabilia including balls, bats and jerseys. I told them I appreciated it, but that the ball was worth more to me than anything they could possibly offer. I had no intention of selling it at first. I was actually planning to keep it forever because it really was THAT meaningful to me. At the very least, I knew I needed to leave the stadium that night with the ball still in my possession. I needed to think about it.


TGP:

Has Alex Rodriguez tried to contact you directly in any way?

ZH:

No, and I'm sure he won't. The Yankees said I could meet him if I give the ball back, so if he were to reach out to me, that would diminish their offer. I don't blame A-Rod for staying out of it.


TGP:

Would this have mattered at all to you if you were the one to catch Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit and not A-Rod's 3,000th hit?

ZH:

If I had caught Jeter's 3,000th hit, I still would've wanted to leave the stadium with the ball and think about it. I don't think that's unreasonable.


TGP:

For those who haven’t heard about your blog, ZackHample.com, and your books, "How to Snag Major League Baseballs", "Watching Baseball Smarter" and "The Baseball: Stunts, Scandals and Secrets Beneath the Stitches,"tell us how that came about and maybe share a few trade secrets for those of us who have not read the books or seen the blog.

ZH:

I wrote my first book, How To Snag Major League Baseballs, when I was 19. It was my dad's idea. He was a writer, so he helped me brainstorm and then organize my ideas into an outline. The next book, Watching Baseball Smarter, was his idea too, but he didn't help in any way until the first draft was complete and I wanted his opinion. The third book, The Baseball, was my own idea. My publisher approached me and said they wanted me to write another book, so I worked with them to develop the idea. Then I signed a contract for it up front, quit my regular job, and worked on the book full-time for 18 months. Trade secrets in terms of snagging baseballs? The number one piece of advice is to make sure you have some room to move. I always make sure not to get trapped in the middle of a long row of people, but at Yankee Stadium that's tough because it always so crowded.


TGP:

Surely you have a fourth book in the works after this whole A-Rod ordeal, any ideas for a title?

ZH:

I'm considering a bunch of different ways to write about the whole A-Rod thing and share the story with everyone, but I'm not sure if it's book-worthy.


TGP:

How many baseballs have you caught as of doing this interview?

ZH:

Including batting practice and all the various ways that I get them, my current total is 8,172. That includes 159 foul balls during games, 32 home runs, and one ground-rule double.


TGP:

Will your foul ball grabbing record ever be broken and where do you think your 10,000th ball will be caught?

ZH:

It's certainly possible for someone even crazier and more obsessed to break my record, but I'd say it's unlikely. Camden Yards is my favorite stadium, so I'm thinking it'd be cool to snag my 10,000th ball there.


TGP:

Is the A-Rod ball the highest profile ball you’ve caught? Do you think it is worth the most monetarily?

ZH:

It's the highest-profile ball by far -- no question about it -- and I would say that it's worth more by itself than my entire collection.


TGP:

We’ve heard stories of you catching Barry Bonds 724th home run ball and consecutive home runs inside Yankee Stadium in 2008, which would you say in your favorite memory? Is there a milestone home run ball we missed or don’t know about?

ZH:

Prior to A-Rod's 3,000th hit, my favorite ball that I caught was the last home run that the Mets ever hit at Shea Stadium. I also caught a Derek Jeter homer in 2012. That was his 3,262nd career hit. And here's another random one that remains as one of my most cherished baseballs: the final out from Mariano Rivera's 313th career save. Later in his career, he saved all the final-out balls, but at that time, he used to toss them into the crowd when he walked off the field.


TGP:

This isn’t really Yankees related but how did the whole controversy over Mike Trout’s first home run ball come about and how do you think you got stuck in the middle of it?

ZH:

I'm not aware of any controversy. I caught his first career homer in 2011 at Camden Yards, and I gave the ball back to him after the game, no questions asked, other than to be the person to hand it to him.


TGP:

Tell us about the charity work that you do with “Pitch in for Baseball” and the work you do with BIGS Sunflower Seeds and your fans to donate money to underprivileged children so they can have baseball and softball equipment.

ZH:

Since 2009 I've been using my collection to raise money for Pitch In For Baseball, a non-profit charity that provides baseball and softball equipment to underprivileged kids all over the world. Basically, people pledge money for every ball that I snag -- kind of like how your friend will run a marathon and ask you to pledge some money for every mile -- and it all goes to the charity. I've raised nearly $40,000 with the help of BIGS Sunflower Seeds, who sponsored me in 2013 and sent me to all 30 stadiums and made a large donation to the charity. If people Google my name along with the word "charity," they'll find more info about how it works.


TGP:

Speaking of charity and interviews, is Conan still the worst interview you’ve done since all this went down? Also how many interviews do you think you’ve done since catching the 3,000 hit ball?

ZH:

Yup, Conan was the worst. When I tried to talk about the charity, he cut me off twice, and when I forced it into the conversation, he made fun of me. He wasn't interested in anything I had to say -- just making me look bad and getting laughs. I did 16 interviews the day after snagging the A-Rod ball, and I've done approximately 35 more since then. There are still at least 100 interview requests that I haven't even responded to. I needed a break this week, so I went to a couple of Yankee games and then spent an evening hanging out with friends. I've also had to stop scheduling interviews because I'm losing my voice.


TGP:

Is there anything you want to say to the Yankees fans directly? The stage is all yours.

ZH:

I'm sorry for the negative comments I made about A-Rod. If you guys can forgive him for using performance-enhancing drugs, I hope you'll forgive me for some of the dumb stuff I've said. The Yankees have been so kind to me throughout this whole process, as have most of the fans I've met in person at the Stadium, and I truly appreciate that. I'm hoping to work out a way for A-Rod to get the ball back and for the charity to receive a huge donation and for myself to get some cool experiences and perks at the stadium, but it's taking time. That's why it's dragging on -- not because I'm holding the ball for ransom or trying to get more interview requests. If you see me at the Stadium at some point, please don't hesitate to come say hi.



Zack, thank you so much for probably the most interesting and most hyped interview I have ever done in my years as a blogger. I appreciate you doing this interview for us as the owner of the blog and as a Yankees fan because I was able to get answers to the questions that I and every Yankees fan wanted after the home run was hit. While the saga continues of whether Mr. Hample will or won't give the ball back to Alex we can at least make our judgments now knowing both sides of the story. 

I have found a whole new respect for Zack after doing this interview and see him in an entirely new light, I hope that everyone reading this can as well. I told Zack when I asked for the interview privately and I will reiterate it here on the blog, I was hyper-emotional when the ball was hit and it was not immediately given back. Like Zack did, I said some things that I am not proud of and I didn't mean and I apologized to him and told him it was nothing personal, if he hadn't forgiven then I don't think you would be reading this now. I think when all is said and done Pitch In For Baseball will get their donation for a very worthy cause, Zack will get more than ample perks at the Stadium, Yankees fans will forgive and forget and Alex will get the ball.

CC Sabathia: “I’m Ready”

The New York Yankees have been hit by the injury bug more than most teams this season but if you read my “So it Seems” on Friday you saw that the Yankees are as resilient as any team in the league. This team has hung around despite the injuries and I predicted that when the team gets some of their stars back off the disabled list that they could be a scary team to keep an eye on going forward in the second half this season. The first wave of reinforcements could be on the way soon though for the Yankees, especially if you ask a certain somebody.

CC Sabathia, in an interview recently, told reporters “I’m ready.” Sabathia went on to say that “I feel like I’m ready to go” after throwing a 50 pitch simulated game on Thursday. Sabathia simulated three innings and believes he can avoid a minor league rehab start or two despite being on the disabled list since June 15 with a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring.

Naturally the Yankees and their manager Joe Girardi are being cautious with Sabathia, and I guess for good reason although my fandom and my patience sometimes blind me of that fact, and will wait for Sabathia to throw another bullpen session today before deciding the next step for the left-hander.

So how will it go today and when will Sabathia be back in the Bronx? Stay tuned. 

So it Seems Zack Hample is in the Advice Giving Profession Now

Zack Hample used to sell books, now it seems he is in the advice giving profession. What do I mean? Hample spoke to the USA Today this week and was giving advice to fans about how to catch baseballs in the stands at Major League games. If you really want to catch a ball I guess Hample is the person you need to be talking with as he has caught around 9,800 baseballs since 1990 including Barry Bonds’ 724^th career home run and Alex Rodriguez’s 3,000^th hit, a home run in the right field bleachers inside Yankee Stadium.

Hample suggests getting to the ballpark early, at least 90 minutes before first pitch, to catch balls from batting practice or to get a ball thrown to you from the players on the field. Hample has a few other suggestions for catching fly and foul balls that I won’t bore you with but if you want to read about it then head over to the USA Today and check it out.

No bigger or better catch has ever been made, even by Zack Hample, than you Kari Ann Burch. I love you. Enjoy your weekend everybody. 

David Ortiz is Still Talking About the Yankees

Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz spent much of his career talking and hitting baseballs, unfortunately sometimes more the former than the latter. Since his retirement Ortiz has been relatively quiet although this weekend the Red Sox former DH broke his silence in an interview on the radio with Boston’s WEEI. In the interview Ortiz claimed that the New York Yankees may have played a role in his name getting leaked after failing a PED/steroid test to the New York Times back in 2009. Let the salt flow through your body’s ladies and gentleman.

Ortiz in the interview was quoted as saying the following when asked about his failed steroid test back in 2003:

"What was the reason for them to come out with something like that?" he said. "The only thing that I can think of, to be honest with you, a lot of big guys from the Yankees were being caught. And no one from Boston. This was just something that leaked out of New York, and they had zero explanation about it."

Ortiz added:

"Everybody who got caught...all of them were told what they bought, what they used, everything," he said. "But David Ortiz. Nobody came to me after; nobody came to me before. Nobody came to me ever, to tell me that I tested positive for any kind of steroids."

I’m just going to leave this here and let you guys hash it out in the comments section and on Twitter. Give us a follow by following @GreedyStripes. This just seems like a thing of the past and unnecessary to spend too much time on here, although I did feel the need to bring it to everyone’s attention just because. Enjoy the rest of your day. 

Will Curt Schilling Please Shut Up

As my very good friend and fellow owner of the site Bryan Van Dusen would say, Curt Schilling you’re a tool! Racism is still a thing here in the year 2017 and honestly it probably always will be. We can all hope for equality and try to do our part to grow towards it but there is always that one apple in the bunch that’s just going to ruin it for everyone. On top of that there’s always going to be that one that defends the rotten apple like an absolute freaking moron and that moron is named Curt Schilling.  

A few weeks back Adam Jones told reporters how he was heckled by a fan inside Boston’s Fenway Park with racial slurs and taunts prompting Boston to tighten security on the issue. Schilling, who is just an asshole in my opinion, has come out not once but now twice calling Jones a liar on the subject…. Like he has any reason to lie about this. 

Schilling was quoted as saying in an interview with the USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that “everybody is starving and hungry to sit in front of a camera and talk and be a social justice warrior.” Jones, in an interview with Yahoo Sports, pretty much said the same about Schilling’s need for attention saying “Schilling is over there with his ranks. He just wants an outlet. Somebody will take his call, take his rants. He can keep them for himself because he’s never experienced anything like I have.” Schilling responded to this and I am not even going to attempt to paraphrase or quote it in pieces. Here is the whole bit and frankly I hope it pisses you off as much as it pisses me off. 

“If he wants to maintain the lie he made here, that’s fine. No one denies racism exists, but when people like him lie about an incident and others just take him at his word, it perpetuates a mythical level of racism. And for some reason, it appears blacks believe only blacks can talk about racism and only whites can be racists. I promise you if some scumbag yelled the N-word at Adam Jones in Fenway, it would have been on Twitter, Facebook and every other social media site ASAP, like every other ‘incident.’ Not to mention the liberal Boston media would have broken its neck to identify the racist. But just taking him at his word means there are a bunch of white cowards and racists living here, because no one stood up to the guy. Adam has an agenda and one needs to only look at his past commentary on race and racism to see it. But see, when you question fake hate crimes in this day and age it somehow makes you a racist. If you use this use every word or none at all.” 

Curt Schilling…. Please shut up. You’re an ignorant asshole who just needs attention. What does Jones stand to gain by lying about this? He’s already one of the best and most recognizable faces in the sport. He doesn’t need friends, he doesn’t need attention and he damn sure doesn’t need the money. You do though and that’s why you’re going there. If people can’t see through that then all I have to say is shame on you both. And that’s my rant for the day. Enjoy the rest of your Friday. 

While We Wait: UFC 202 Post-Fight Interviews

I don't know what the acceptable time period is to talk about potential spoilers and such so if you haven't watched UFC 202 yet and you don't know who won then please look away now. You have been warned......

Okay so if you did see the fight you saw that Conor McGregor beat Nate Diaz in an intense and grueling five-round decision that was not without its controversy. Personally I thought McGregor won the fight as well and two of the judges agreed so maybe I'm not that far off but I can absolutely see the side of and understand your point if you thought Diaz pulled it out. It was that close, especially in the later rounds.

So while we wait let's check out the always entertaining post-fight interviews from the fight with both McGregor and Diaz. Enjoy and enjoy the game tonight as well.



Nate Diaz
  Conor Conor McGregor

While We Wait: Digging through the TGP Archive for the Week

While we wait on the Yankees and Angels game to start here in about 2.5 hours let’s get caught up on some reading from our great writers here at The Greedy Pinstripes. While we wait I’ll leave you with this link dump that I came up with while digging through the TGP Archive for the week. Enjoy. 

Are the Yankees "worth" the money? Offensively speaking. 

The Yankees are shelling out a lot to their pitching too, have they been "worth" it?

Brian McCann cleared waivers.... now what for the former starting Yankees catcher?

An early prediction post and look for the 2017 Opening Day roster.

JUDGEment Day has come to the Bronx!

Hal Steinbrenner listens to the Yankees fans on Twitter? No way.... right?

Finally... an interview with ThatSportsGamer. 

Weekly Prospects Check In: Kendall Coleman

You know I got on Facebook this week for the first time in like three weeks, my life and Twitter keep me pretty busy plus I just prefer Twitter over Facebook, and I saw a Yankees prospect posting about heading to Yankee Stadium to hang out with Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Tyler Austin. Then it hit me, why haven’t we checked in with Kendall Coleman this season?

Kendall is a great guy. I’ve spoken to him and his mother numerous times on Twitter and Kendall was gracious enough to give us an interview after being drafted by the club. We check in with Kendall from time to time, we know the MiLB season is a grind and his personal time is his personal time, but today I wanted everyone to be able to check in with him.

He’s not a prospect that many talk about because he is in the lower levels of the minor leagues but he is a scrappy as hell kind of player that won’t stop until the final out is recorded or the clock says zero. He’s that kind of ball player and an awesome person and those kind of people deserve recognition. Sorry it couldn’t be more Kendall but this is all I got. Thank you for being so kind and open to us over the years and we’ll keep rooting for you all the way to the Bronx!!

Year	Age	Lev	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	21	A--A	76	293	20	45	5	2	28	1	41	83	.182	.298	.235	.533
2016	21	A-	39	156	10	21	4	0	11	0	24	39	.164	.295	.195	.490
2016	21	A	37	137	10	24	1	2	17	1	17	44	.202	.301	.277	.579

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

The Goose is Still on the Loose

Goose Gossage has fallen into the trap that the media likes to set. Gossage was interviewed by ESPN’s Andrew Marchand earlier in the month and he had a few one-liners that became instant news headlines. He called Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Bautista a disgrace, with a few expletives thrown in between, and also called anyone who went to Harvard or studied analytics a “nerd.” Goose is talking again and he’s not holding back this time either, the Goose is still on the loose!

This time Goose was speaking with Kevin Kernan of the New York Post and he reiterated what he said in the ESPN interview. Goose also went out and took a shot at Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers quarterback in the NFL, saying “it’s a shame, it breaks my heart to see the direction this game is going. What, do we want a bunch of Cam Newton’s running around?”

Goose also doesn’t like instant replay although he still does like using the “F” word just as an FYI. Goose was quoted as saying “Now you sit there for five minutes and wait for a f***ing replay. And half the time you can’t even tell.” Goose went on to also say “who’s died in the last 100 years because of a bad call? Well, they lost a World Series and the kid lost his perfect game. Who died? Leave the human element in the game. You cannot take the human element out of baseball because it is the fabric of the game.

Oh and Bryce Harper is fair game too. “What does this kid know? This kid doesn’t know squat about the game, and no respect for it.” And Goose what are you doing exactly? Representing the game, a kid’s game that many children follow, and representing the Yankees and the Hall of Fame by dropping f-bombs every other word in every interview that you are doing every other day? You didn’t hear my last post obviously or take it to heart so I’ll put it in a language you can understand and relate to.

Goose, shut the **** up. You’re embarrassing yourself nerd. You, my friend, are the disgrace and you are better than this. You’re a Yankee, an advocate for the game, an adult and a role model to children. Act like it or go home. And I don’t condone the use of that kind of language and frankly I only used it to drive home a point with you directly, truth be told I have the utmost respect for you as a person and as a ballplayer, but as a fan your act is getting old. Don’t give in to the machine that is the media because they don’t care about you or what you have to say. They just want you to get fired up, use the “F” word, and sell some papers or subscriptions to their blogs. That’s all. Be better than that. 

TGP Prospects Night Open Thread featuring Cito Culver

Cito Culver may be on his way out of the New York Yankees organization sooner rather than later. Culver will hold his final stand in 2016 with the organization as he runs out of minor league options and the options behind him get stronger and stronger. Once thought of as a top prospects Culver just never seemed to come around with bat unfortunately and is in danger of being overtaken by the likes of Jorge Mateo, Kyle Holder, Abi Avelino, Thairo Estrada and others. 

In what could be Culver's penultimate stand we bring you this interview that was conducted in September of 2015. Enjoy because Prospects Month is almost over.

TBT: Greedy Pinstripes Exclusive Interview w/ Tyler Austin

We're going big on Tyler Austin today but I have a gut feeling about him and his 2016 season. With the Greg Bird injury down at Scranton I can see Austin being slid into the everyday role at first base as long as he's healthy giving the former 40 man roster prospect a second chance much like Mason Williams and Slade Heathcott got in 2015. So with that in mind, and mixed with the fact that it's Thursday, I decided to go into the TGP archives and bring you an interview back from 2013 that I personally did with Mr. Austin. It's a bit outdated but enjoy it anyway, it's Throwback Thursday.

The Greedy Pinstripes: Was your dream as a child always to be a baseball player? If not then what did you want to be when you grew up?

Tyler Austin : Yes sir I've always wanted to be a pro ball player.

TGP: What team did you root for growing up as a kid?

TA: Yankees

TGP: Favorite player(s) growing up?

TA: Derek Jeter and Andrew Jones

TGP: Your biggest inspiration when it came to baseball?

TA: I was inspired from people telling me I couldn't do it my whole life. And I don't take no for answer so when people would say that it drove me even more to make my dreams come true.

TGP: Did you have a preference to what team you wanted to sign with?

TA: No sir I didn't really care where I went. But it made it even sweeter cause it was with the Yankees who have always been my favorite team.

TGP: What a lot of people did not know, including myself , was that you were a center fielder as a young player. Did you always want to be an outfielder for the Yankees?

TA: I didn't really care where they put me. No matter where it is I'm gonna go out each and every day and give it everything I have.

TGP: Whose idea/call was it to make you a corner infielder rather then an outfielder?

TA: I'm not sure whose idea it was.

TGP: How hard is it being away from your significant other while on the road and such?

TA: It's really hard being away from my family and girlfriend. But I talk to them every night and I'm just thankful I have them in my life and supporting me through my good times and bad.

TGP: Favorite moment as a Yankees prospect?

TA: Winning the New York Penn league championship

TGP: Who was the best prospect in the Yankees system that you ever played with?

TA: Mason Williams

TGP: Do you keep in touch with any other current or former Yankees prospects or coaches?

TA: Yes sir I do

TGP: Hardest part of being a prospect?

TA: Nothing is really hard about it. I still have to go out there and play each and every game the right way no matter if I am a prospect or I'm not.

 TGP: A lot of people don't know you battled cancer, so first off congrats on beating that, how was that whole experience?

TA: Thank you!! It was tough going through that I was only 18 years old and didn't really know how to handle something like that at such a young age. But I just kept faith in the lord and new everything would be okay if I kept the faith in him.

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

TA: Justin Maxwell

TGP: Most embarrassing song/artist in your iPod?

TA: Baby by Justin Bebier haha

Welcome to Prospects Month 2016

Welcome ladies and gentleman to this thing we like to call Prospects Month here on the blog. Every February with the exception of when the site was in its infancy back in 2012 we have hosted Prospects Month here on the blog and 2016 will be no different. Well it will be different, no other site that isn’t just prospects sets aside an entire month just for the up-and-comers and we like to do things differently every single season. One season we went hard on the interviews bringing you a different interview with a different Yankees prospect every single day while another year we focused on the upcoming drafts prospects since the Yankees had three first round picks that season. This year what’s on the agenda? Honestly, I have no idea. I haven’t been working on this month for two months prior and I am going to wing it and fly by the seat of my pants.

I think the best content comes naturally and unscripted anyway so I hope you come on this journey with us that we call Prospects Month and I hope you enjoy it. Be sure to check in all day and every day this month to learn about your favorite Yankees prospects and maybe even learn a thing or two that you didn’t know about them. There is an absolute ton of talent down on the Yankees farm that does not get nearly enough attention. We look to right that wrong in the next 29 days and we hope you enjoy reading what we have to bring to you.

So here we go, Prospects Month 2016. Prospects Month v.4. Prospects Month on TGP. Let’s go!!!

ICYMH: Jordan Barnes & Our Exclusive Interview

Every year around this time the New York Yankees, like any team, begin cleaning house in the lower levels of their minor league system and begin cutting and releasing players you have generally never heard of. One of these players was a former second round pick in Angelo Gumbs and one was a player who I held near and dear to my heart, Jordan Barnes. I immediately was drawn to Barnes after being drafted by New York because my wife was, see her maiden name was Barnes. I immediately reached out to Jordan and asked for an interview and we discussed many things in and out of the interview. I bring to you this morning a throwback Thursday, on a Friday, just In Case You Miss Him. Our exclusive interview with Yankees draft pick Jordan Barnes.

We are very excited to bring you another interview today as a part of Prospects Month, this time with Jordan Barnes. This is the second time we have been able to interview Mr. Barnes, my wife's favorite player since Barnes is her maiden name, and are excited to catch back up with him. Enjoy!

The Greedy Pinstripes:  Kudos for being so open about your faith, how do you think that has helped you in your life and your career?

Jordan Barnes: I believe my open faith has had a tremendous amount to do with why I have been so successful in life and my career. I put God first in everything that I do and I give him glory for everything that he has blessed me with.

TGP: What are you listening to these days?

JB: I listen to a lot of Rap and Hip Hop music.

TGP: Thoughts on the Yankees losing Robinson Cano?

JB: I think it was a tough decision because he is such a talented player but it is all a part of the business. We have many talented guys in our organization that can step into his place.

TGP: What are you doing this offseason to improve on your 2013 season?

JB: I train heavily. I Workout 7 days a week most of the time twice daily. A lot of weight training , speed training, defensive work and hitting.

TGP: What do you do during the offseason to keep yourself occupied?

JB: Training & spending time with my friends and family and spending time with my girl.

TGP: I see you like Lone Survivor, that movie is freaking intense no? Kind of makes me never want to go to war. Great movie though.

JB: Yeah I’ve watched it about 10 times. It was a great movie.

TGP: Favorite restaurant to eat at?

JB: Cheesecake Factory

 

TGP: How tough is it to be on the road so much and know your girlfriend is at home waiting for you?

JB: It isn’t too bad. She understands the game and is a huge supporter of me and my career and she knows that baseball comes first and that’s my main focus when I’m away playing.

TGP:  Your girl can cook, what time is dinner?

JB: It's usually around 7 but Yes she is a great cook. She lives up to her last name quite well. I have it pretty good.

TGP: Is that old woman with the wrong number looking for her daughter still calling you all the time? lol

JB: haha she occasionally does it .

TGP: Your a Yankees guy and a speed guy, I assume your a fan of the "speed kills" mentality that the Yankees are likely to throw out there with Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury in the outfield?

JB: Yes that’s the mentality that I play with. You cant teach speed.

TGP: I think this answer may be obvious but in my time around social media I have noticed there are two kinds of fans when it comes to prospects. You have the "prospect humpers" (myself being a self professed prospect humper) and a name yet to be determined (due to my lack of creativity) describing those who want to sell all the prospects off for the 37 year old "sure thing." Which category do you think yourself as a fan falls into?

JB: The second one

TGP: What current Major League player do you think you compare to the most?

JB: Torii Hunter

TGP: I know you probably don't think of things like this but how long before you think we could see you in the Major Leagues? I have your ETA down as late 2017, is that accurate?

JB: I’ll say around 2017-2018.

TGP: If you could be the Yankees GM for a day what would you do? Don't have to really be realistic here.

JB: Have Ken Griffey Jr. make a comeback and play for the Yankees.

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

JB: Bill Selby my former Northwest Mississippi Community College Coach he hit a walk off grand slam off of the greatest of all time Mariano Rivera when he was playing with the Indians.

TGP: Most embarrassing song in your iPod?

JB: Without a doubt beauty and a beat by Justin Bieber.

TGP: We'll finish with this one, where do you see yourself in life and your career in five years?

JB: Playing in front of thousands in Yankee Stadium.

Thank you Jordan for taking the time once again for us to do an interview, we really appreciate it. We hope you have a great season and can't wait to see you moving through this system. You can follow Jordan on Twitter by following @J_Barnes213.

Good luck Jordan and keep in touch!!!