This Day in New York Yankees History 10/28: A Rod Opts Out

On this day in 2007 in the middle of Game 4 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies we heard the news that Alex Rodriguez had opted out of his contract with the New York Yankees. The timing of the announcement as well as being a no show to receive the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the best offensive player in the league, did not sit well with MLB, Bud Selig, the fans, or the Yankees.


Also on this day in 1979 Dick Howser replaces Billy Martin as the Yankees manager. Howser would lead the Yankees to a 103-59 record with an American League East championship although he was fired by George Steinbrenner when he was swept in the playoffs by the Kansas City Royals.


On this day in 1953 Red Barber quit his job as the broadcaster of the Brookyln Dodgers and would find a new job with the New York Yankees. The man nicknamed "The Old Red Head" was upset with Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley over money and lack of support.

What Was the World Like the Last Time the Cleveland Indians won the World Series?

The Cleveland Indians have not been suffering for nearly as long as the Chicago Cubs have but Cleveland sports, especially in baseball, have been in a lull for quite some time. The last time the Indians went to the World Series was that 1997 heartbreaking loss to the Miami Marlins while the last time the Indians faithful were able to watch their players lift the World Series trophy over their head was back in 1948. The world had just seen the end of World War II not too long ago and the country was just beginning to return to normalcy. Let’s hit the high notes and see what the world looked like back in 1948 the last time the Cleveland Indians won a World Series.

Coincidentally, like the last time the Cubs won a World Series, 1948 was also a leap year. This is very interesting as 2016 is also a leap year.

The Constitution of the Italian Republic goes into effect in 1948 while Burma gained its independence from the United Kingdom. Mahatma Gandhi also began his fast-unto-death in 1948 in Delhi to stop violence in his country of Indian. Gandhi would later be assassinated by Nathuram Godse in New Delhi.

Orville Wright of the Wright Brothers also died on the same day as Gandhi.

NASCAR is founded on February 21, 1948. So were the Hells Angels though, the motorcycle gang.

President Harry Truman issues only the second peacetime military draft in United States history amid increasing tensions from Soviet Russia in the Cold War. Truman also signed an executive order ending racial segregation in the United States Armed Forces in 1948.

The 1948 Summer Olympics were held in London, the same place the Olympics were held when the Cubs won the World Series in 1908. 

Babe Ruth died in his sleep at age 53 on August 16^th.  

Harry Truman defeated Thomas E. Dewey in the Presidential election. 

RICK JAMES was born on this day in February. RICK JAMES. So was Alice Cooper and Billy Crystal. 

What About JD Martinez?

The New York Yankees have a vision for the 2017 season. The vision includes watching more products of their farm system meet the Major Leagues and be successful but it also includes competing for at least a Wild Card position in the American League. If the team wants to reach both goals they will have to rely on their farm system but they also may have to fill in some gaps from the free agency and trade markets as well and one name that I keep seeing mentioned around Yankees blogs and the internet is that of Detroit Tigers position player J.D. Martinez. Could he be had and would he be a good fit for the Yankees in 2017?

As recently as the 2015 season Martinez slugged 38 home runs with 102 RBI in a very pitcher friendly park in Comerica and while he took a step back in 2016, 22 home runs in just 120 games, his right-handed power is not something that you see become available every day. His power is especially rare when you consider his 2016 triple slash of .307/.373/.535 showing that he is a well-rounded player that can hit for average, take his walks and slug when he has to. The Yankees would presumably be interested in adding the outfielder to the fold based off these numbers alone but you have to wonder if there will be room.

The Yankees, at least this is what they are telling everyone, will give Aaron Judge every opportunity to fail in 2017 at the right field position and the team also has roster spots currently occupied by Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, Tyler Austin and Aaron Hicks. On paper a deal doesn’t make sense but it begs the question, would it be worth trading Brett Gardner in a separate deal to make room for Martinez? Would it be worth it to trade Judge in a deal for a starting pitcher to make room for Martinez? Yes and no. Trading Gardner to make room for Martinez hurts less than losing Judge for Martinez because of the sole reason that Martinez is a free agent after the 2017 season. Trading Gardner in a deal that could bring back a pitcher though, that could work.

Having Martinez in the Bronx for one year could give players like Judge and Clint Frazier to name a few the time they need to develop and ultimately succeed at the Major League level while the Yankees outfield production gets a big shot in the arm. It’s a win, win and could be a triple “win” if Gardner brings back a young starting pitcher. Cashman, are you reading?

What Was the World Like the Last Time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series?

I did this last year with the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals and since tonight is the first off night of the World Series I figured today would be a great day to do it for these two teams. We’ll start with the Chicago Cubs who have not won a World Series since the 1908 season. The world must have been a completely different place back then, no? Let’s hit the high spots from the year 1908 and see what the world was like the last time the Chicago Cubs won a World Series.

1908 was a leap year, which I always find interesting since 2016 was also a leap year, and it also marked the first time a long-distance radio message was sent from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Paris also held the first around-the-world car race that year as contestants began a race from New York to Paris in February of that year.

The 1908 Olympics were held in London with the Summer Olympics happening in July and the Winter Olympics happening in October.

Henry Ford produced his first Model T automobile at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit, Michigan on September 27, 1908.

William Howard Taft defeated William Jennings Bryan in the 1908 election after Theodore Roosevelt declined to run for a third term.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were supposedly killed in Bolivia on November 6, 1908.

The University of Pittsburgh was organized in 1908. So was Madison College, the precursor to James Madison University.

Grover Cleveland passed away.

And the Chicago Cubs won back-to-back World Series championships… and their last… until maybe 2016. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 10/27: 1999 Yankees Win!

On this day in 1999 the Yankees completed a sweep of their second consecutive World Series beating the Braves in four games. Roger Clemens led the Yankees to the 4-1 victory in Game 4 that ended the Fall Classic. The Braves become only the second team in World Series history joining the 1910-1919 New York Giants to lose four World Series in one decade.

Also on this day in 1954 Joe DiMaggio and his wife Marilyn Monroe decided to get a divorce after just 274 days as a married couple. This was a disaster waiting to happen from the beginning as this was well known to be a stormy marriage. Marilyn filed the papers citing mental cruelty as the reasoning. Say it ain't so Joe.

"It's Not What You Want" Podcast Brought to you by The Greedy Pinstripes: Episode 3

My apologies for the delay but Jacob Westendorf and Matt Bove are back for episode three of the "It's Not What You Want" Podcast brought to you by The Greedy Pinstripes. Check it out and give it a listen before Game Two of the World Series goes live. Enjoy and have a great night.

World Series Game Two Thread: Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Indians

Here we go ladies and gentleman, Game Two of the 2016 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians. Tonight's pitching matchup should be a good one as the hometown Cleveland Indians send Trevor Bauer to the mound to square off with the Cubs age and 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta. The game will be played at 8:08 pm ET inside Progressive Field and can be seen on FOX.

Good luck to both teams as time is running out on the series and the 2016 season as a whole.

The Thought of Edwin Encarnacion in Pinstripes & How Toronto Closed the Door

The New York Yankees, depending on the Brian McCann situation and what happens with him this winter, may or may not have an “open” slot at the DH position in 2017 and many have already begun to speculate that the team should fill that spot with Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion. Encarnacion does not fit in with the Yankees new youth movement nor does he fit in with the team’s austerity plans presumably but if you needed one final nail in the coffin the Toronto Blue Jays organization may have just given it to you with the news that the team plans to extend both Jose Bautista and Encarnacion qualifying offers after the World Series ends this season.

The Yankees as it stands right now have the 17^th overall draft pick in the upcoming 2017 MLB Draft so you have to judge any and all potential free agent signings by that if they have draft pick compensation attached to them. Remember, and this is probably the exception and not the rule but it still happened so stay with me, the Yankees landed a potential Top 10 or even Top 5 pick last year in Blake Rutherford due to signability concerns with the 18^th overall pick and there is no reason to think that possibility doesn’t still exist for 2017 as well. Is an aging and presumably expensive Encarnacion really worth the 17^th overall pick plus whatever contract demands that come with him?

If the Yankees planned on competing for not only a playoff spot but potentially a World Series spot in 2017 then yes, you sacrifice the draft pick for the one missing piece and hope for the best. The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians both did it this July acquiring Yankees relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman and it has seemingly worked out well for both. The Yankees, though, are not at that level yet in their rebuild. They may compete for a playoff spot in 2017 but only because of the Wild Card and 2^nd Wild Card. As it stands right now this is not a team that is going to make a serious run at a World Series in 2017 so for that reason, among others including aforementioned points about the cost of Encarnacion and the fact that he does not fit in with the new youth movement in the Bronx, I cannot see the Yankees inking a deal and bringing the slugger to the team.

So if the Yankees and their fans had plans and hopes of signing Encarnacion to fill their DH and occasional first base positions the Toronto Blue Jays may have just closed the book on the whole ordeal, and that’s not exactly a bad thing.

Tampa Yankees nominated by FSL for 2016 Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award

Tampa Yankees nominated by FSL for   2016 Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award

Tampa, FL - Directors and General Managers of the Florida State League have nominated the Tampa Yankees for the Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award. The award recognizes a team for their outstanding support of and engagement with the United States Armed Forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community. One overall winner will be selected prior to this year's annual Baseball Winter Meetings in National Harbor, Maryland, December 4th-8th. All 15 Minor League Baseball Leagues will have a nominee. The Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award is named after the late Florida State League President, "Chuck" Murphy. Every Saturday home game, the Tampa Yankees hosted "Salute to Service Members Saturday" where active and retired military received a free game ticket. The team also honored an active member of the military and their family from MacDill Air Force Base on the field during each game. Prior to the 2016 season starting, the Tampa Yankees mascot, Blue, and staff were present at MacDill Air Force Base for the annual Air Fest celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the base. The team returned to the Air Force Base multiple times throughout the season for different events like the Youth Baseball Opening Day, Back to School Fair, and Family Appreciation Picnic. In July, players and members of the front office staff were invited to try out the BOOM Simulator and learn about refueling a plane in the air. Afterwards, the players signed autographs at the Base Exchange. The Yankees Foundation partnered with the Tampa Bay History Center to offer free admission to all military at the History Center for one day in April. For Memorial Day, Blue and the street team went to the Armed Forces History Museum Family Fun Fest. The Tampa Yankees also worked with other local organizations who support the United States Armed Forces. In May, TY players went to Operation Patriot, a veterans nursing home in Land O'Lakes, Florida. The players went room to room to visit the residents and their families, pass out hats, sign autographs and then stayed for their BBQ lunch. 2016 marked the Tampa Yankees 10th annual Bark at the Ballpark and this year, the team worked with a new charity called K9s for Camo - an organization that provides service dogs to veterans that have returned from serving our country with post-traumatic stress disorder. Tampa Yankees game day employee, Dallas McClain is a student at Sickles High School and a proud member of the JROTC. He and his color guard presented the flags at one of our Saturday home games. Dallas was very proud to wear his uniform during his regular work shift that night. On July 4th, the team supported a local charity, Everyday Heroes USA; "Everyday Heroes USA" is dedicated to assisting the current and past men, women and families of the fire department, law enforcement and military through a series of programs designed to connect them with charities, businesses and volunteers willing to help. Every year, "Everyday Heroes USA" hosts, sponsors and participates in multiple events, with proceeds benefiting local heroes. Players & Coaches wore custom jerseys that had the Declaration of Independence running through the pinstripes of the jersey. Fans bid on the jersey's in a silent auction at the game and online to raise money for Everyday Heroes USA. During a pregame ceremony, members of the US Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Tampa Police and Tampa Fire were each honored with a short bio read as they took the field with the team for the National Anthem. Two flag presentations were done between innings to honor two mothers of fallen soldiers through My Warrior's Place, a Retreat Center for Veterans, Military Service Members, First Responders, Gold Star, Blue Star and Silver Star Families. As a part of the annual Tampa Yankees H.O.P.E. (Helping Other Persevere & Excel) Week initiative, the team invited military families through the USO out to the ballpark for a morning where they could play catch, take some swings and mingle with the players. Everyone that attended the morning portion was given a ticket to attend the game that night. Over 250 people attended the morning event. The Tampa Yankees are the Single A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information you may contact the Tampa Yankees offices at (813) 673-3055or visit www.tybaseball.com.

World Series Game Two Preview: Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Indians

Here we go ladies and gents, we’re back for Game Two of the 2016 World Series. Tonight Game Two will be played inside Cleveland’s Progressive Field with Trevor Bauer taking the mound for the home team while the Cubs counter with Jake Arrieta. The game will be played at 8:08 pm ET and can be seen on FOX. Let’s take a look at the pitching.

Bauer saw his last start end early after a pinky injury forced him to leave just after 0.2 innings pitched. Whether the extra rest will help or hurt Bauer remains to be seen so tune in tonight to find out. 

Arrieta is also well rested entering this start as he has not pitched since his Game 3 loss on the NLCS. Again the extra rest could help or hurt the pitcher tonight so stay tuned to see who is sharp and who may hand their team a loss. 

Tune in and see which World Series drought comes to an end all series long. This is the last baseball we have before the long, cold winter ahead.