Friday, March 21, 2014

CC continues Yankees streak of good starts in win over Pirates

CC Sabathia threw 7 shutout innings and Brian McCann hit an RBI Double tonight as the Yankees won their sixth straight game over the Pirates easily at Steinbrenner Field, 4-0. In this one's first two innings, the Yanks scored all of their runs, as McCann hit that double, Pittsburgh starter Edinson Volquez threw a wild pitch, and Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter drove in runs on force outs.

So yea, I guess that's all you really need to know. The Yanks got another good start from a question mark guy and their offense again scored a decent amount of runs.

New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 3/21


The New York Yankees will host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the latest spring training game as a part of the Grapefruit League. CC Sabathia will start the game for the Yankees and will be followed by Adam Warren as the first out of the bullpen. The game will be played at George M. Steinbrenner Field and will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on MLB Network and MLB TV. Enjoy the game Yankees fans and have a great weekend.

MRI Reveals Ryan Has Pinched Nerve In Back


The Yankees sent Brendan Ryan to get an MRI on his back yesterday after "back spasms" kept him from playing in last nights game and the MRI revealed a pinched nerve in Ryan's upper back. This is totally unrelated to the oblique injury that was being described as a lower back injury that derailed his spring earlier in the month, this new back injury just popped up last night sometime.

This means that Ryan will more than likely start the season on the disabled list for the Yankees opening the door for either Dean Anna or Yangervis Solarte to break camp with the team. Very bad timing for Ryan but hopefully it's not a huge deal and he can bounce back healthy. With the Yankees playing 13 straight games to start the season, and a 40 year old Derek Jeter still on the roster, one of these two men could see significant playing time to start the season.

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/21


Brendan Ryan may not be ready for Opening Day due to upper back spasms, hello Dean Anna! Ryan went for tests on the back today and if he is not in a game by Tuesday it is highly unlikely he will break camp with the Yankees.

Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno pitched six innings each yesterday in minor league games. They are keeping their arms stretched out just in case but it looks like both are headed for the bullpen or AAA this season.

Russ Canzler is back in a game for the first time since his hip gave him issues after running into a rail. Canzler had an outside shot at making the team but now seems destined to be the everyday first basemen for the RailRiders.

Ivan Nova threw a bullpen sessions to Austin Romine. Michael Pineda threw a bullpen to Francisco Cervelli. Jim Miller threw a bullpen session to Jose Gil.

Jacoby Ellsbury hit on the field today and took outfield defensive drills, great news. Manager Joe Girardi says that Ellsbury could be in a game as early as Sunday, and if not then Tuesday.

Chad Jennings with the daily assignments:

Today’s second string: C John Ryan Murphy, 1B Russ Canzler, 2B Yangervis Solarte, SS Dean Anna, 3B Zelous Wheeler, LF Zoilo Almonte, CF Antoan Richardson, RF Adonis Garcia
· Today’s scheduled relievers: David Herndon, Matt Thornton, Shawn Kelley and Dave Robertson (with Danny Burawa, Shane Greene and Fred Lewis available if necessary)
· Batting practice groups:
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Brian McCann, John Ryan Murphy
Group 2: Carlos Beltran, Brett Gardner, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki
Group 3: Kelly Johnson, Mark Teixeira, Francisco Cervelli, Austin Romine
Group 4: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Group 5: Zoilo Almonte, Eduardo Nunez, Scott Sizemore, Jose Gil
Group 6: Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Casey Stevensen, Pete O’Brien
· Tomorrow’s travel squad to Fort Myers:
Pitchers: Danny Burawa, Shane Greene, Fred Lewis, Masahiro Tanaka, Yoshinori Tateyama
Catchers: Francisco Cervelli, Jose Gil
Infielders: Dean Anna, Kelly Johnson, Eduardo Nunez, Scott Sizemore, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Adonis Garcia, Brett Gardner, Antoan Richardson
Pitchers from minor league camp: Aaron Dott, Mark Montgomery, Jeremy Bleich, Pat Venditte
Position players from minor league camp: Wes Wilson (C), Raybell Herrera (C), Francisco Arcia (C/1B), Ali Castillo (INF), Carmen Angelini (INF), Mason Williams (OF), Ramon Flores (OF)

I've Got Til 5! - World Series Victories

The title might imply that this is my list of the top five World Series victories for the Yankees, but alas... it's not. The fact is I don't like talking about things I didn't actually see, so chances are you'll never see me writing about something from 37+ years ago. That's not to say I don't appreciate it, just that I don't feel comfortable saying something like "the 1927 Yankees are the greatest team of all time" because I never saw them.

Anyway, I love seeing a team celebrate a championship, or any big victory. I've been lucky enough to be a part of such celebrations a few times in my life, and it's a feeling I'll never forget. Which is why I recently got on Youtube and looked for Yankees' World Series victory celebrations.

It turns out that the last five Yankees titles happen to be the only five I've ever actually seen, and I decided to share them here. In no particular order...

1996


While I was technically alive for the 1978 championship, at one year of age I'd be lying if I said I remember it. So, in actuality, this was the first World Series victory I remember. I'll never forget, after Charlie Hayes caught the last out, running around the parking lot at my apartment in college screaming "the Yankees are back, baby!"

You can see the final out at the 2:36:10 mark.


1998


Greatest baseball team of all time? There are many that believe so, and I can't say otherwise. Watching this team win time and time again, no matter how much they were down at one point during the game, was unreal. Talk about a "never say die" attitude.

You can see the final out at the 2:24:20 mark.


1999



While sweeping the Padres in the previous World Series was a bit anti-climatic, as San Diego had only the 3rd best record in the National League, and won a poor National League West division, the 1999 World Series was a bit sweeter. In that one, the Yankees swept an Atlanta Braves team that had won the most games in the league (103), and had a starting rotation headlined by Tom Glavine, Kevin Millwood, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz.

The final out can be seen at the 2:17:34 mark.


2000


The Yankees had the audacity to lose a game to the New York Mets in the 2000 World Series. But I suppose losing one game to a team that got incredible seasons out of Mike Piazza, Edgardo Alfonso, Benny Agbayani, Mike Hampton, and Al Leiter is okay. Can you believe that Derek Jeter, at only 26 years old, had just won his 4th World Series? Wow.

You can see the final out at the 2:52:30 mark.


2009


2009 was such a special year for me as a Yankees fan. Sure, I'd gotten to see four other World Series victories, which is a lot more than other sports fans can say, but something else happened that year. That was the year that Daniel Burch and I truly became friends. We were lucky enough to bond over a team that meant so much to us, and that friendship goes on now and will for the rest of our lives. 

You can see the final out at the 4:20 mark.

Now let's see the Yankees keep it up this season and bring me a 6th World Series victory!

Tampa Yankees Promotional Schedule Announced

 
Here is a brief list of all the promotions:
April 4: Home Opener, 20th Anniversary T-Shirt Giveaway, Post Game Fireworks.
April 10: USF Night.
April 12: Pink Out Night and Jersey Auction.
April 27: Little League Day, Pepsi Cola Pin Giveaway.
May 10: Bark at the Ballpark, TY Dog Toy Giveaway.
May 17: Bright House Networks Customer Appreciation Night, Post Game Fireworks. 
May 19: 2013 TY Card Set Giveaway.
May 21: School Day.
May 28: School Day.
June 7: Mariano Rivera Limited Edition Bobble Head Giveaway, Post Game Fireworks.
June 19: Yankees Beverage Holder Giveaway.  
June 21: Parrothead Night, Post Game Fireworks. 
June 27: 2014 TY Card Set Giveaway.
June 28: Star Wars Night.
July 3: Everyday Heroes Night and Jersey Auction, Post Game Fireworks.
July 9: Derek Jeter #2 Drawstring Bag Giveaway. 
July 13: Blue's Birthday Bash.
July 20: Yankees Picture Frame Giveaway.
July 25: Back to School Blast with Backpack Giveaway, Post Game Fireworks. 
August 16: Autism Night and Jersey Auction.  
August 23: Fan Appreciation Night, David Robertson TY Bobble Head Giveaway, Post Game Fireworks. 

Charleston's Riley Park Is Getting A Make Over


New Video Board, Scoreboard & More Are Coming to Riley Park
State-of-the-art technology set to debut for the 2014 season

CHARLESTONSC - Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park has long been recognized as one of the top facilities in both Minor League and College Baseball, and this spring it will be an even better and more impressive place to watch a game.
The Charleston RiverDogs, The Citadel and the City of Charleston have partnered with TSE and Toshiba to upgrade the technology at The Joe including a brand new video board and scoreboard, instant replay capabilities and live video streaming. The City is contributing one-half of the total cost and the early-funding to get the project started in the off-season.
The installation and upgrades are nearing completion, and are expected to be on display for fans to enjoy for The Citadel's 6:00pm baseball game this Friday, March 21 at Riley Park against the Samford Bulldogs. Fans can experience the new technology for the first time during a RiverDogs when the ballclub kicks off the 2014 home campaign on Monday, April 7 at 7:05pm against the rivalGreenville Drive.
"We couldn't be more excited to be able to offer the RiverDogs and The Citadel fans a huge upgrade in technology at Riley Park," said Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. 
"It was great to have two dedicated partners, in the City and The Citadel, who remain committed to maintaining excellence at the ballpark," said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols in echoing the Mayor's comments. "This is something we have wanted to do for some time, and we're confident that it will only add to the already great experience our fans have when they're at The Joe."
"We are excited to be part of this new venture," said Citadel Director of Athletics Larry Leckonby. "Our fans will experience the latest in video technology and it will greatly enhance their enjoyment of Citadel Baseball."
The main video display in right field will be a wide screen (16:9 ratio) and feature more than one million LED lamps. It will provide 1,032 square feet of viewing area and is one of the largest boards in all of Minor League Baseball. The 16mm pitch will provide a 30 percent higher image quality than most of the displays in the majors and minors. In addition, the new production control room will not only have instant replay capabilities, but also be able to stream HD content and supply a live feed to the Sky Suites and the Palmetto Brewery Beer Garden within the stadium.
"Working with the RiverDogs and Toshiba to procure these state-of-the-art video displays has been a pleasure for the TSE team," said TSE's Founder and Chief Consultant Bob Masewicz. "We were able to accomplish a video board and HD production room design that ensures first class entertainment for RiverDogs fans for many years to come."

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

Potential 2014 Milestones For Everyone Else


This week we have looked at potential milestones for the likes of Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano, and Carlos Beltran and what could have been for Alex Rodriguez. Today we look at everyone else on the Yankees roster who may have a potential milestone they are creeping up on in 2014, take a look.

Hiroki Kuroda could reach 1,000 career strike outs in his Major League career if he reaches 160 K's in 2014, a number he has surpassed twice and come close to two more times in his six year MLB career.


As much as it pains me to say Ichiro Suzuki will not be reaching 3,000 hits in a Major League stadium, not with the Yankees anyway. He has one more season left on his contract and sits at 2,742 hits in his Major League career. Now reduced to being a part time player it would be possible for Ichiro to not even reach 2,800 hits but we will always have that 4,000 hit celebration to remember him by.

Did you know that there are zero active players in the Top 100 in triples all times, and only three players in the Top 150? It's true. The first Yankee to make the list is Ichiro Suzuki with 83 three baggers, good for 253rd on the All Time list.

Brett Gardner has 39 stolen base speed and if he got those 39 steals in 2014 he would finish with an even 200 for his career.


With Jamie Moyer and Andy Pettitte out of the game the active wins leader among pitchers is Tim Hudson followed by the Yankees CC Sabathia for a tie for 99th and 100th respectively. If Sabathia won 15 games he could jump to a tie for 72nd place. If he won more games then Hudson then he could become the all time winning-est active pitcher in MLB.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #10 George Pipgras


George Pipgras had a Major League career that was interrupted by military service during World War I. Pipgras returned to the New York Yankees in 1927 and went 10-3 only to follow that up with an American League best 24 games including 22 complete games and four shutouts. In his World Series career he went 3-0 and won three World Series rings in his career.

10 days until Yankees Opening Day.

Quick Hit: Yankees Win Total In 2014


What will over $500 million in one offseason get the Yankees in the win total? Well according to NoMass it is only 86 victories, which I find to be very low. I get all the questions surrounding the team, especially in the infield and the bullpen, but one thing the Yankees have seen this year in depth. Depth that could fill in for injured or struggling players but could also acquire the piece they need to put the team over the top. If the Yankees don't win 90 games I am calling this season a bust, bottom line.

How many wins do the Yankees get? Drop us a line in the comment section.

This Day In New York Yankees History 3/21


On this day in 1962 in a ceremony prior to a spring training game the Phillies honored the newest Yankee, and former Philadelphia player, Robin Roberts by retiring his number 36 uniform number. Roberts wore the number for 14 seasons while with the Phillies and started the game against his former team giving up four runs in three innings. Roberts, the future Hall of Fame right hander would get the win in a 13-10 Yankees victory.