Dean Anna: Our Shortstop In 2015, Write It Down

Look at this play at shortstop today in the victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Ton of range and a arm to go with it. I know 2015 is a long way away but this could easily be our starting shortstop next season when Derek Jeter retires.

Masahiro Tanaka's Splitter Is FILTHY

See for yourself...

Yankees shutout Phillies in Tanaka's debut, 4-0

Thanks to two scoreless innings from CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, and offseason signee Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees were able to beat the Phillies pretty easily today at Steibrenner Field, 4-0. In his two innings of work this afternoon, Tanaka looked pretty good, striking out 3 while giving up just 2 hits, so yea, so far those America-is-different theorists aren't looking too smart. 

Anyway, the Yankees four runs in this one came on an RBI Single from Ichiro Suzuki, another RBI Single from Francisco Cervelli, and a 2-run Single from outfield prospect Adonis Garcia. With this victory, the Yanks spring training record improves to a nice 3-2 (counting the FSU game), so yea, they're playing pretty well right now. Let's hope they continue to.

New Yorks Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies 3/1

Not much really has to be said about this game that hasn't already been said. CC Sabathia will start the game and pitch the first two innings, Hiroki Kuroda will follow CC with the next two innings, and Masahiro Tanaka will pitch the fifth and the sixth innings before the bullpen takes over. Former Yankee Bobby Abreu will be in right field for the Phillies and another former Yankee in Reid Brignac is available off the Philadelphia bench. 

The game will be televised on the YES Network and MLB Network. Here is the Yankees starting lineup for today:

Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Brian McCann DH
Brian Roberts 2B
Francisco Cervelli C
Kelly Johnson 3B
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Corban Joseph 1B
Mason Williams CF

Join The 6th Annual TGP Mega Prediction Game

It's Opening Day and that means that we are doing the 6th annual Mega Prediction Game here on the blog. I personally have won twice and lost the lead on the last series of the season last year to our now three time champion and writer dm23HOF. I am personally looking to settle the score but this game is so much fun with more participants. It's free to join, it's fun, there is no commitment, and there may be a prize depending on how my finances look around September/October.

Before you make a decision look at the rules and see how easy it is to play and to win:

Here are the rules :

You will predict the outcome of every game one series at a time. You will predict whether the Yankees will win or lose the game but will also wager a point amount determined by how many games are in the series. If there is a three game series , like the one starting tomorrow, you will be able to wage a 3 Pt, a 2Pt, and a 1 Pt game. In a four game series you will see a 4 Pt game added. For example:

4/1/14 - 4/3/14 New York Yankees @ Houston Astros

Game 1 Win - 3 Pts

Game 2 Win - 2 Pts

Game 3 Win - 1 Pt

All predictions must be submitted in the comment box, on twitter @GreedyStripes, or via email at The Greedy Pinstripes BEFORE the first pitch of the game. If it is not predicted before the first pitch of the game then you are penalized your highest point game. If you were to miss the prediction then you would only be allowed your two lowest wagers. There is no minimum so even if you miss two games and want to wager 1 point on the third game then that is perfectly fine. See example:

4/1/14 - 4/3/14  New York Yankees @ Houston Astros

Game 1 MISSED 

Game 2 Win - 1 Pt

Game 3 Win - 2 Pts 

Tie breakers will be whoever predicts the most perfect series meaning who gets the most series predicted correctly. If there is still not a winner then we will use the playoffs as a tie breaker. You MUST be a registered user to use the comment box to play the game. No anonymous users will be counted in our tallies or be eligible for the prize, although you can still play for fun if you would like.

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/1

Tyler Austin had a series of tests on his wrist that caused him so much trouble last season and in the Arizona Fall League and received an injection. Everything seems to be on the up and up with the wrist and Austin is hoping to resume swinging and throwing on Monday.

Matt Thornton threw a simulated game this morning to Gary Sanchez and was facing Corban Joseph and Austin Romine. This is nothing more than an arm strength building exercise but Thornton has officially made his spring camp debut.

David Phelps threw a bullpen session to Jose Gil today and Jim Miller threw one to Francisco Arcia.

The Yankees are definitely showcasing their depth at catcher as they have a catcher playing DH today, another catcher playing some first base, two catchers actually playing catcher, and another catcher or two available to pinch hit off the bench.

Alfonso Soriano is still on schedule to travel with the team and make his spring debut tomorrow afternoon.

Oh and CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, and Masahiro Tanaka all make their spring debuts today.

Chad Jennings with the assignments:

Today’s second string: C John Ryan Murphy, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Addison Maruszak, SS Dean Anna, 3B Yangervis Solarte, LF Zoilo Almonte, CF Antoan Richardson, RF Adonis Garcia

· Today’s scheduled relievers: Hiroki Kuroda, Masahiro Tanaka, Cesar Cabral and Dellin Betances (Robert Coello, Chris Leroux and Yoshinori Tateyama are also listed as available relievers if necessary).

· Batting practice groups:
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki, Francisco Cervelli
Group 2: Brett Gardner, Kelly Johnson, Corban Joseph, Brian McCann
Group 3: Zoilo Almonte, Mason Williams, Jose Gil, John Ryan Murphy
Group 4: Dean Anna, Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Yangervis Solarte
Group 5: Carlos Beltran, Russ Canzler, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfonso Soriano
Group 6: Eduardo Nunez, Brendan Ryan, Scott Sizemore, Mark Teixeira
Group 7: Ramon Flores, Jose Pirela, Zelous Wheeler, Austin Romine
Group 8: Addison Maruszak, Francisco Arcia, Pete O’Brien, Gary Sanchez

· Tomorrow’s travel squad to Dunedin:
Pitchers: Bruce Billings, Dan Burawa, Matt Daley, Shane Greene, Chris Leroux, Fred Lewis, Bryan Mitchell, Mark Montgomery, Vidal Nuno
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, John Ryan Murphy, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez
Infielders: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Corban Joseph, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Pirela, Brendan Ryan, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Alfonso Soriano, Mason Williams

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #30 Hank Bauer

Hank Bauer made three straight starts in right field in the MLB All Star Game from 1952-1954 for the New York Yankees. In Bauer's 10 year career the Yankees reached the World Series nine times starting in 1949. In the 1957 World Series Bauer had two home runs and six RBI's. The following World Series he followed that up with four home runs and eight RBI's as the Yankees beat Milwaukee for the title.

We are a mere month, 30 days, away from Yankees Opening Day.

This Day In New York Yankees History 3/1

On this day in 1969 Mickey Mantle announced his retirement and ended his Hall of Fame career. Mantle said "I can't hit when I need to" even though he ranked third at the time on the All Time home run list behind Babe Ruth and Willie Mays. Mantle finished with 536 home runs and finished his 18 year career with a .298 batting average.

On this day in 1993, two and a half years after accepting a life long ban from being involved with the day to day operations of the Yankees, owner George Steinbrenner is reinstated. The Boss had been exiled by then commissioner Fay Vincent in 1990 for hiring Howie Spira, a known gambler, to snoop into the life of recently signed Dave Winfield.