Sunday, July 28, 2013

Curtis Granderson Strikes Out In Latest Rehab Game


Curtis Granderson has strugglede in his rehab assignment games and today was no exception. C Grand went 0-4 with two obligatory strike outs for the Tampa Yankees. Curtis played the entire game as the DH as he is slowly being worked back into the lineup. Manager Joe Girardi has said there is no chance that Curtis will be back for the series with the Los Angeles Dodgers but hinted at the fact that he may be ready this weekend for the San Diego Padres series. Granderson is also being moved up to AA Trenton with the Thunder to continue his rehab assignment this week. Reinforcements are definitely on the way for the New York Yankees at the perfect time.

Jayson Nix Activated, David Adams Back To The Minors


Reinforcements are on the way with Derek Jeter back in the fold and now Jayson Nix is headed back to the big leagues. Nix will be ready to play before the Dodgers series starting Tuesday and is officially activated. David Adams has been sent down to make room on the 25 man roster. As much as I like David Adams the kid has not hit a lick in the major leagues since busting onto the scene and the move just makes too much sense not to.

Soriano's walk-off single lifts Yankees to 6-5 win over Rays

Despite Phil Hughes giving up 5 runs in just four innings of work, the Yankees were able to come back after blowing a big lead to beat the Rays and avoid being swept in this weekend series, 6-5. The Yankees took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning of this one, after Derek Jeter homered on his first pitch back, Vernon Wells drove in a run on a sac fly, and Ichiro hit an RBI Single. 

But that lead would be pretty short lived, as Hughes would give up an RBI Double to Kelly Johnson in the second and a three run home run to Will Meyers in the third to make it 4-3 Rays. But then their lead would be short lived, as Alfonso Soriano, who's first inning single was his first hit since re-joining the Yankees, hit a two-run home run to right field that just cleared the wall to give the Bombers back the lead. Finally, in the bottom of the ninth, Soriano would win the game for New York with a walk-off single. On the day, Soriano was a great, 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs. Easily the player of the game. 

Hideki Matsui's Career Highlights

Enjoy!

Derek Jeter Erases Power Outage

In typical Derek Jeter fashion, which at times resembles a Hollywood script, El Capitan erased the recent Yankee power outage (9 games without a home run as a team) on his first swing back from his second stint on the Disabled List.

Not only did DJ not look disabled, his swing on the first pitch he saw looked eerily similar to "in his prime" Jeter.  With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Yankees' brass has already acquired long-ago Yankee hero Alfonso Soriano.  With Jeter's Sunday return could they have gotten another trade deadline hitter to supplement the anemic Yankee offense?  This time in the form of a player already on the roster...

Clutch? Nope...just an everyday occurrence. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Jeter could be considered the most clutch Yankee hitter of all-time and he does it in Hollywood "you couldn't write this any better" fashion.  In his triumphant return he has just added to his legendary status.  As Yankee fans, we can only hope this continues the rest of the season.

Jayson Nix Will Be Back Tuesday At The Dodgers


Jayson Nix was in the Yankees clubhouse today and told reporters that he will be back with the big league club on Tuesday when we travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers. Nix has been running about a week or so and says everything feels great. Nix will surely replace Brent Lillibridge in my opinion.

Michael Young Made Officially Available


The Philadelphia Phillies have decided to go into full sell mode and have contacted teams letting them know that Michael Young is available, finally. Young is hitting .277/.342/.402 and is in his age 36 season playing mostly third base for the Phillies this season, although he can play all over the diamond. The Yankees were surely one of those teams contacted especially after we learned that A Rod could be suspended for the rest of this season and all of next season as soon as next week. Make the deal Cash and make it now.

Game Thread: Rays @ Yankees 7/28 On Matsui Day


The Yankees and the Rays finish up their three game weekend set on what I am donning as Hideki Matsui day this afternoon on the YES Network. The pitching match up is Phil Hughes and Matt Moore with all the Hideki festivities going on now. Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hughes has been pretty consistent with his inconsistencies this season so who knows what to expect this afternoon except for a solo home run or two. Matt Moore is always tough and the Yankees have struggled this season against left handed pitching so this make for a long day. Either way go Yankees!

Here is the Yankees lineup

Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano LF
Vernon Wells DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Brent Lillibridge 3B
David Adams 1B
Chris Stewart C


Follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes and buy your Yankees Tickets to see the game here.

Meet A Prospect Hideki Matsui


Hideki Matsui was born on June 12, 1974 in Neagari Ishikawa, Japan. Hideki Matsui was originally a right handed batter as a child but started playing baseball with his older brother and friends and embarrassed his brother with how good of a hitter he was. Matsui's brother made him bat left handed or told him that he could no longer play with him so Hideki learned how to bat left handed. Matsui was actually a third basemen as a child because of his quick hands, sure glove, and strong arm. Matsui was recruited to play baseball for the Seiryo High School in Kanazawa, Ishikawa and participated in four National High School Baseball Tournaments at Koshien Stadium. He was such a feared hitter that one time in 1992 Hideki drew five consecutive intentional walks in a game at Koshien and became the Barry Bonds of Japan overnight.


Hideki was drafted by the Yomiuri Giants after high school in the first round and was given uniform number 55 because it was the single season home run record held by Sadaharu Oh. Matsui was convinced that he could surpass Oh's home run record for a single season but unfortunately never did. Matsui would win three MVP awards while in the Japanese Central League in 1996, 2000, and 2002 and led his team to four Japanese Series including three victories in 1994, 2000, and 2002. Matsui would be on nine consecutive all star games and led the Japanese League in home runs and RBI's three times in 1998, 2000, and 2002. Matsui hit a Japan career high 50 home runs in his final season in Japan in 2002 before coming over to the states. In 10 seasons in the Japan League Matsui played in 1,268 games, had 1,390 hits, 332 home runs, 889 RBI's, had a .304 batting average and played in 1,250 consecutive games. In 2001 Godzilla would turn down a six year $64 million deal to be the highest paid player in NPB history to come to the United States.


Matsui would sign with the Yankees in December of 2002 for three years and $21 million. Matsui wasted no time getting acclimated to the majors as he had an RBI single in his first major league at bat. In his first home game at Yankees Stadium Matsui hit a grand slam and won over the fans right away. He also would become the first ever Japanese hitter to hit a home run in the 2002 World Series against the Florida Marlins in a loss. Matsui would lose out on the Rookie of the Year award to Angel Berroa since two writers, Jim Souhan and Bill Ballou, refused to include him on their ballots due to his age. The Yankees would resign Matsui to a four year deal for $52 million making him the highest paid Japanese player in baseball before the 2006 season. This contract would make him the highest paid Japanese player in baseball surpassing Ichiro Suzuki for the honor. On August 5, 2007 Hideki Matsui became the first Japanese player in Major League history to hit 100 home runs as he hit a home run off of Gil Meche of the Kansas City Royals. It was a 2008 knee surgery that was the beginning of the end of Hideki Matsui's career which saw him become the Yankees designated hitter through out the rest of his career. On September 19, 2009 Hideki hit his 26th home run of the season breaking the single season Yankees home run record by a designated hitter held by Don Baylor. Matsui's Yankees career would end on a high  as he hit .615 with three home runs and eight RBI's including six RBI's in the Yankees series clinching game six victory. Matsui would be named the World Series MVP even though he did not play in the three games that were played in Philadelphia. Matsui would be the first Japanese player to even win the World Series MVP award and the first player ever to win the award strictly as a designated hitter. Matsui would finish his Yankees career with a triple slash of .292/.370/.482 with 140 home runs, 597 RBI's, and 977 hits in 916 games as a Yankee.


Matsui would leave the Yankees after the 2009 World Series ring to sign a one year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for $6 million. Matsui would finish with a .274 average with 21 home runs and 84 RBI's before hitting the free agent market once again. In 2011 Matsui would sign with the Oakland Athletics for $4,250,000 million. Matsui would finish his A's career with a .251 average with 12 home runs and 72 RBI's in 141 games. Matsui would sign a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 and would get called up on May 29th against the Chicago White Sox. He would have to wear the #35 in honor of former teammate Mike Mussina because team mate Matt Moore was already wearing the #55 for the Rays. Matsui would only hit .147 for the Rays before being designated for assignment  on July 25th and released on August 1st 2012.


Matsui would announce his retirement on December 27, 2012. Matsui would have a retirement ceremony May 5th, 2013 in the Tokyo Dome where the Japanese government awarded him the People's Honour Award. This award is one of the commendations given by the Prime Minister of Japan and was created in 1977 by Takeo Fukuda. Matsui would become the 4th baseball player to ever be bestowed with the honor joining Shigeo Nagashima, Sachio Kinugasa, and his idol Sadaharu Oh. Matsui will sign a one day contract with the New York Yankees so that he can retire a Yankee and the Yankees will have Hideki Matsui bobble head day at the stadium. Matsui has had a great career both in Japan and in the major leagues and we thank him for everything he did both on and off the field as a part of the Yankees.


Biogenesis Suspensions This Week

According to Joel Sherman and Ken Davidoff of the NY Post, MLB could hand down suspensions due to the Biogenesis investigation this week.

MLB is trying to hand down the 50-game suspensions so that they can be served this season, an incentive for players not to appeal them, so they could be around for the entire 2014 season.

As for Alex Rodriguez, who I'm personally tired of, his suspension could not only last for the remainder of this season, but extend all the way through the 2014 season as well. ARod's representatives apparently met with MLB officials to gauge the potential penalties to be handed down to Alex.

It is believed that due to Alex being a user, along with obstructing the case, that he will be hit with the larger penalty. It's been said that Bud Selig may seek a permanent banishment from the game, but that is not likely to stick since Alex is a first time offender... at least according to MLB rules (his usage in 2003 was before MLB put rules in place against PED usage).

Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees 7/28


The New York Yankees finish their three game series with the hottest team in baseball and the best team in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays, this afternoon on Hideki Matsui bobble head day at the Stadium. The Yankees will send Phil Hughes to the mound to face off with Matt Moore of the Rays. The game will be televised at 1:05 pm ET on YES and MLB TV.

Staten Island Yankees Game Recap For 7/27


Yankees edged by Cyclones 3-2
By COURTNEY NUNES

Staten Island, NY - July 27th - After being shut out last night, the Staten Island Yankees fell once again to the Brooklyn Cyclones on Saturday night, 3-2.

Starting pitcher Rookie Davis went 4.2 innings, allowing one unearned run off three hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Sam Agnew-Wieland, who came into the game in relief, suffered his second loss after allowing two unearned runs in 2.1 innings.

Miller Diaz, who started for Brooklyn, earned his third win of the season. He pitched 6.0 frames and surrendered two earned runs off five hits and four walks. Kevin McGowan then came in to throw the final 3.0 innings and pick up his second save.

The Cyclones took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Patrick Biondi began the game with a single to left before moving to second when Gavin Cecchini also singled. A fly out by L. J. Mazzilli put Biondi at third; and he came home when Jared King reached on a fielding error by shortstop Jose Rosario.

Staten Island retaliated in the fifth, scoring two runs on three hits. Isaias Tejeda led off the frame with a walk. Derek Toadvine grounded out to short before a wild pitch put Tejeda at third. Jose Rosario then singled, knotting the game at 1-1. With Brandon Thomas batting, Brooklyn starter Miller Diaz threw another wild pitch, putting Rosario into scoring position. Thomas then plated Rosario on a single to center field.

But the Cyclones made a comeback with two outs in the seventh. Colton Plaia reached on a fielding error by second baseman Derek Toadvine before Juan Gamboa singled on a line drive to left. With Plaia at second, Biondi singled; and a fielding error by left fielder Daniel Lopez allowed both Plaia and Gamboa to cross the plate.


The Yankees will take on the Aberdeen Ironbirds tomorrow at 4:00PM. They will complete the June 25th game that was blacked out, picking up in the bottom of the fifth inning. The teams will then play the regularly scheduled Sunday game afterwards. Tickets are on sale now by calling 718-720-9265, visiting the box office at Richmond County Bank Ballpark or www.siyanks.com.

Being posted with permission from the Staten Island Yankees organization. The original post can be seen HERE.

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap For 7/27


RiverDogs Receive Gifts From Greensboro

Charleston takes advantage of Grasshoppers errors for second straight one run win

CHARLESTON, SC – In another low scoring pitcher’s duel, the RiverDogs were able to capitalize on a few mistakes by the Greensboro Grasshoppers to top their foes by a final of 3-2 on Saturday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in front of 3,687 fans on Christmas In July night.

With the win, the RiverDogs improve to 20-12 in the second half and 59-41 overall. With the loss, Greensboro drops to 16-18 in the second half and 49-54 overall.

The Charleston offense struck first yet again Saturday night. Jake Cave led off the bottom of the first by reaching on an error by Greensboro first baseman Viosergy Rosa. Cave was caught stealing second with Cito Culver at the plate. Following the caught stealing, Culver reached on an error by shortstop Anthony Gomez and then Greg Bird hit a ground rule double to put runners at first and third for Dante Bichette, Jr. Bichette, Jr. struckout swinging and as the ball got away from the catcher, Culver broke for home and scored as Bichette was thrown out at first.
Greensboro got even in the top of the third inning with a Juancito Martinez double plating Jose Behar who reached earlier in the evening on a walk.

The RiverDogs took the lead for good in the fourth scoring two runs. Greg Bird led the inning off with a walk and then Dante Bichette, Jr singled advancing Bird to third. With runners at the corners Greensboro starter Ramon Del Orbe balked scoring Greg Bird and advancing Bichette, Jr. to third. Reymond Nunez singled later in the fourth to bring in Bichette, Jr. for the RiverDogs final run.

Greensboro tried to mount a comeback but couldn’t get anything going offensively. The Grasshoppers scored their second and final run on a one out solo homer by Matt Juengel in the top of the eighth inning.

RiverDogs starter Brett Gerritse (8-5) became the staff’s first eight game winner as he tossed five innings and allowed a run on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. James Pazos received the hold with two scoreless frames in relief allowing just one hit with a strikeout. Tyler Webb picked up the six out save and allowed a run on one hit with three strikeouts for his first save as a RiverDog.

Greensboro starter Ramon Del Orbe (5-7) took the loss pitching seven innings and he allowed three runs, two earned on nine hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
BALLPARK FUN: It was Christmas in July at The Joe as the park was decorated with festive decorations, Christmas music played over the loud speakers and the big man Santa Claus even made an appearance. Charleston wore special jerseys that were auctioned off after the game with the money raised going to the Salvation Army.
COMING UP: The finale of this four game set against Greensboro is Sunday night at 5:05 at The Joe. LHP Daniel Camarena (3-4, 4.63 ERA) will be on the mound for Charleston and Greensboro will start RHP Austin Brice (6-7, 5.78 ERA). Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.
Box Score:    http://atmilb.com/17LNNlg

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE.

Trenton Thunder Game Recap For 7/27

   
 
Press Release - July 27, 2013
Thunder-Mets Rained Out In Binghamton Saturday
(Binghamton, NY) – Saturday night’s scheduled game between the Trenton Thunder and Binghamton Mets was postponed after an approximate 70 minute rain delay due to heavy rains in the area.   It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 5:05 pm. 
 
The five-game series will now feature two twin bills, following a split of two seven-inning games on Friday.  Trenton play three doubleheaders in the span of six days (Tuesday vs. Altoona, Friday and Sunday at Binghamton.)
Lefty Fred Lewis (0-4, 2.17) is expected to start for Trenton in the opener while Binghamton counters with All-Star righty Logan Verrett (9-5, 4.26).  In the nightcap, Thunder right-hander Zach Nuding (5-10, 3.98) will be opposed by righty Noah Syndergaard (3-0, 2.40). Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 4:50 pm.
 
--THUNDER--

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original post can be seen HERE

Baseball Cards: Hideki Matsui


Today the Yankees will have Hideki Matsui retire as a Yankee and honor him at Yankees Stadium before the game with the Tampa Bay Rays. The team will also be giving away Hideki Matsui bobble heads so get your Yankees tickets to this game before they are sold out. I wanted to take the time to share a few of my Hideki Matsui Yankees cards out of my personal baseball card collection. Enjoy and congratulations again to Hideki Matsui for a great career both in Japan and in the Major Leagues. No matter what Godzilla you will always be known as a New York Yankee.

Game 105 Lineup: Rays vs. Yankees

Well guess who's back...again. Jeter's back...again. Let's hope he doesn't injure himself...again. Anywhere, here's the lineup...again! 

Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano LF
Vernon Wells DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Brent Lillibridge 3B
David Adams 1B
Chris Stewart C

Phil Hughes RHP

Some Notes:

-- Jayson Nix was in the clubhouse today but he's not being activated. Instead, he's hoping to be activated Tuesday when the Yankees go to play the L.A. Dodgers.

-- Nix also spoke about Curtis Granderson. Granderson is almost ready to come back to the majors and play some games according to Nix.

-- David Phelps was also in the clubhouse today. No word on when he returns.

Happy Hideki Matsui Day From The Greedy Pinstripes


Thank you. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/28


On this day in 1983 the George Brett pine tar incident home run was reversed and allowed. The remainder of the game would be resumed on August 18th of this year and the Yankees would go on to lose that game 5-4 against the Royals.


On this day in 1995 the Yankees acquired David Cone from the Toronto Blue Jays for Marty Janzen and two minor league players. This was widely considered one of the better trades in the Yankees history with all the success that he and the team had in the mid to late 90's.


On this day in 1996 Darryl Strawberry hit his 300th career home run in a walk off fashion against the Kansas City Royals in a 3-2 Yankees victory.