Sunday, April 20, 2014

A Look At The Protective Pitchers Hats

In January of this season Major League Baseball approved a padded and protective hat for pitchers to help with line drives and career and life threatening injuries. The latest model is now being showcased in certain areas of the league, although no pitcher is wearing them just yet, and we got our first look on Friday when Blue Jays catcher Todd Redmond showed them off.

They say the hat can take a 90 MPH line drive to the front of the cap and an 85 MPH come backer to the sides of the hat no problem. Does anyone think anyone will wear these because I don't. Not even JA Happ, Alex Cobb, or Aroldis Chapman and that is saying something.

Yankees beat Rays 5-1 in Teixeira's return

Replacement starter Vidal Nuno threw 5 shutout innings and Preston Claiborne got the W with 2 more frames of scoreless relief today as the Yankees earned a split in this 4-game series with a twelve-inning win over the Rays, 5-1. In this contest, Nuno dominated through 9 outs, giving up no hits and just one base runner, but after that he started to struggle, giving up 3 hits and a walk before limping out of the outing okay. 

Anyway, the Bombers offense was overall bad this afternoon, collecting just 1 run (Gardner - RBI Double) through their first 11 at-bats, but in the top of the twelfth that all changed, as the bats circled the bases four times thanks to a bases-loaded walk from Dean Anna, a 2-run Single from Carlos Beltran, and another bloop RBI Single from Alfonso Soriano. Before Anna came up, the Rays actually intentionally walked the 0-for-5 Jacoby Ellsbury, a mistake that obviously proved to be costly.

Besides those guys, David Phelps, Adam Warren, and Shawn Kelley also contributed to this victory, tossing 1.1, 1.2, and 2 shutout innings of relief respectively. On the offensive end of things here, 1B Mark Teixeira finally came back from his hamstring injury, going 2-for-6 with a hard-hit sac fly. 

Quick Hit: Pinstriped Prospects Is Almost Live


Just a quick hit this morning for all you Yankees prospects fans and self proclaimed "prospect humpers" out there that a new site, Pinstriped Prospects, is almost live. Pinstripes Prospects is run by our friend Robert Pimpsner who you may know from his time covering the Staten Island Yankees or by his interview with us as a part of Prospects Month this past February. The site is actually up and can be seen HERE but I say almost live because Mr. Pimpsner is still looking for writers to cover certain aspects of the site and certain Yankees minor league affiliates.

Head over there and check them out at PinstripedProspects.com and give them a follow on Twitter by following @PinstripedPros. This is quickly going to become your one stop shop for all things Yankees prospects and I am very excited about it. Give them a bookmark and wait for the site to be "officially" launched in June.

Game Thread: Yankees @ Rays 4/20


The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays will play their fourth game in four days this afternoon at the Trop. The Yankees will send Vidal Nuno to the mound to face off with Cesar Ramos for the Rays. Not that I would wish ill will on anybody but injuries to the Rays pitching staff has allowed the Yankees to miss both Matt Moore and Alex Cobb this weekend, which really helps their cause. The game will be played at 1:40 pm ET on MLB Network, YES Network, on the computer with MLB TV, and on the radio with WFAN.

Get the full Yankees experience by following us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes or by dropping us a comment in the comments section of the site. You can also go see the home team live as we sell Yankees Tickets right here on the site for all home and away games through TiqIQ.

Enjoy the game Yankees family, enjoy your Easter, enjoy your family, and enjoy the rest of the day.


Mark Teixeira Addresses His Injury... Meme


My apologies for the language in this meme, I try to keep it safe for work and family appropriate, but this was just too good to pass up. This is for everyone who was stressing over Mark Teixeira and his hamstring injury a couple weeks ago. We had to pick on Mark a little bit as he is expected to be back in the lineup today against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Preview: New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays


The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays will finish out their four game series this weekend at Tropicana Field in a getaway game for the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees will send Vidal Nuno to the mound to make a spot start and will face off with Cesar Ramos for the Rays. The game will be played at 1:40 pm ET and can be seen on television on the YES Network and MLB Network, on the computer with MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Vidal Nuno is set to make as many as 75 pitches today so the bullpen should be used early and often in this game. With the Yankees off day tomorrow I expect to see all hands on deck for today's game out of the pen. Nuno may be once again taking one on the chin for the Yankees as David Robertson is expected to be activated off the 15 day DL on Tuesday in time for the Yankees and Red Sox series in Fenway and Nuno may be pitching his way to AAA with this start.

Ramos is making his second start since 2012 today as he is replacing the injured Matt Morre who needs Tommy John surgery. Ramos made his first start last time out against the Cincinnati Reds and was handed the loss in the game. The Yankees hope he nibbles a little too much again and they can get on base and cause havoc with their speed players.

Go Yankees!!

Mark Teixeira Added To Roster, Scott Sizemore Down


The New York Yankees have activated Mark Teixeira from the 15 day DL and will have him in the lineup this afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. Scott Sizemore will be sent down using his last minor league option. Just as a reminder Sizemore's opt out dates have disappeared since his contract was purchased and he was called up to the big league roster.

In other Yankees roster moves it looks like Matt Daley is headed back down to AAA after throwing 41 pitches last night. This will make room for Bryan Mitchell on the roster. Ivan Nova will be added to the 15 day DL to make room for Preston Claiborne.

Got it all? Good, hopefully I didn't confuse you too much.

Ivan Nova Has Partial Tear Of His UCL


The New York Yankees got the worst news they could have possibly thought of when they got the MRI results back last night. The MRI shows a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament which usually means Tommy John surgery for the right hander. Nova will be reevaluated by Yankees team Dr. Chris Ahmad tomorrow during the off day and will make the Tommy John surgery or rehab decision then.

Terrible news. Nova is headed to the 15 day DL to make room for one of the call ups from last night, Preston Claiborne and Bryan Mitchell.

Yankees Call Up Preston Claiborne & Bryan Mitchell


The New York Yankees are short on arms these days and will be even shorter after Vidal Nuno throws in today's start so they have called up Preston Claiborne and Bryan Mitchell for insurance. No corresponding moves have been made but you would have to think Ivan Nova is headed to the disabled list after leaving last night's start with elbow soreness. The other move has to be either sending Dellin Betances or Matt Daley down for the fresh arm. I would hope it would be Daley and not Betances but I am unsure if Daley has a minor league option remaining but I do know Betances has one left unfortunately. Stay tuned.

Trenton Thunder Game Recap 4/19

Thunder Winning Streak Snapped in 10-6 Loss

TRENTON, NJ - The SeaWolves set season-highs in runs scored and hits in a 10-6 victory over the Thunder on Saturday night at ARM & HAMMER Park.
Erie had not eclipsed double digits in runs or hits in 2014 before their outburst in the series finale. Jaime Johnson, Aaron Westlake, Ramon Cabrera and Brandon Loy each recorded three hits in the game.
The SeaWolves scored three times in the top of the first against Charley Short. Westlake, Cabrera and Steven Moya each had run scoring hits in the first inning for Erie. Short started in place of Bryan Mitchell and suffered his first loss of the season, allowing three runs on six hits over two innings.
Trenton came back with a pair of their own in the bottom of the inning as Tyler Austin and Gary Sanchez each knocked in runs.
The teams continued to trade offense through the middle innings, however, Erie managed to keep the lead throughout. Trenton had their best chance to tie the game in the seventh inning. Trailing 7-5 with one out in the inning, Rob Refsnyder hammered a Pat McCoy offering to center to score Gary Sanchez, however, Brendon Loy delivered a terrific relay to the plate to get Kyle Roller for the second out of the inning. Trenton had runners on the corners before Corey Knebel retired Taylor Dugas to end the threat.
Erie added three more runs in the top of the eighth inning against Jairo Heredia. Eugenio Suarez gave the SeaWolves the final tally with a two-run single with two out.
Dugas extended his hitting streak to nine game with his first home run of the season, a solo shot to lead off the fourth inning. Ben Gamel earned his sixth multi-hit game of the season with a three hit effort.
The Thunder will have the day off on Sunday and begin a four-game series with the Akron RubberDucks at ARM & HAMMER Park on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. The Thunder will start LHP Jeremy Bleich (1-2, 7.62), the RubberDucks will counter with RHP Cody Anderson (1-1, 3.60). Listen live on 91.3 WTSR and TrentonThunder.com.

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

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recaps 4/19


O'Neill, Oliberto Drive RiverDogs in Nightcap of Split
Charleston claims a series victory after RiverDogs, Braves each win during doubleheader

CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs, highlighted by home runs from Michael O'Neill and Mikeson Oliberto, defeated the Rome Braves 8-4 to close a doubleheader after a 3-2 Rome win in the opener on Saturday night in front of 3,264 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in South Atlantic League action.
The RiverDogs are 8-8 this season while the Braves have a 6-11 record. With the doubleheader split, Charleston takes a series victory with two wins in a three-game set against Rome.
A four-run rally in the first inning put Charleston on top. Tyler Wade scored on an Aaron Judge double to open the scoring. Brandon Thomas was brought in by a Mike Ford groundout for a 2-0 advantage. After Miguel Andujar's sacrifice fly scored Judge, O'Neill lined a home run to left field to increase the lead to 4-0. O'Neill leads the RiverDogs with three home runs this year.
The Braves added a run in the third before another four-run barrage put the RiverDogs up 8-1 in the fourth. Oliberto's solo home run opened the frame, his first blast of the season. John Murphy replaced Brandon Thomas after a single and would score after a single from Ford. O'Neill drove in Judge and Ford with a standup triple. Rome cut the difference to 8-4 after a three-run fifth inning but did not get closer than that.
In the game two victory, Jordan Cote earned the relief win and is 1-0 this season. Cote relieved Rookie Davis, who had a career-high seven strikeouts but did not factor in the decision. Rome starter Frank Lafreniere dropped to 1-3 after being charged with the loss.
The RiverDogs opened game one with the first two runs. In the second inning, Brandon Thomas was hit by a pitch and would score from third base on a wild pitch. Charleston's lead grew to 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Kale Sumner hit a solo home run in his RiverDogs debut.
Charleston's Caleb Smith remained solid at The Joe with another shutout start at home. Smith allowed two hits in a season-high 5.1 scoreless innings pitched while striking out six, also a new personal best this year.
Rome came from behind to win the opener after a rally in the seventh and final inning. Blake Brown put the Braves on the scoreboard with a single that scored Victor Reyes. Brown tied the game at two, scoring from second base on a strikeout coupled with a wild pitch. A throwing error allowed Mikey Reynolds to score for the winning run in a 3-2 Rome triumph.
The game one winner was Rome's Yean Carlos Gil, who moved to 2-0. Philip Walby suffered the loss and is 0-1 after allowing the three-run rally to the Braves.
BALLPARK FUN: An active day at The Joe began in earnest through the 11th Annual "Run, Forrest, Run" 5K, which featured over 600 participants and home plate served as the location of the finish line. Runners with the most notable finishes were honored in a pregame awards ceremony before Saturday's doubleheader. Between games, the sky over the scenic Ashley River came to life in another spectacular fireworks display at Riley Park.
COMING UP: The RiverDogs visit the Lakewood BlueClaws at FirstEnergy Park on Monday, April 21 at 6:35pm. Charleston RHP Luis Severino (0-1, 3.24 ERA) will pitch against Lakewood RHP Mark Leiter, Jr. (2-1, 3.00 ERA) in the opener of a seven-game RiverDogs road trip. Starting on Tuesday, April 29, the RiverDogs will host a seven-game homestand at The Joe. Harris Teeter 2-for-$20 Date Night Tuesday, presented by Nash FM 96.9, offers a great deal with two tickets, two tacos, two fountain drinks, and one nacho tray for just $20 for couples that show their VIC card at the box office! Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line atwww.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away worldwide on www.riverdogs.com and locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.
Box Score - Game One: http://atmilb.com/QnFtoJ
Box Score - Game Two: http://atmilb.com/1f9Qn7n

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

Happy Easter Yankees Family!


Good morning Yankees family and Happy Easter to everybody reading. We hope your waking up to the Easter bunny being good to you and your children this morning. We just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Happy Easter filled with family, friends,  and hopped up on sugar kids. Enjoy the day everyone!

Quick Hit: The Yankees Lineup This Afternoon


The New York Yankees welcome Mark Teixeira back to the team today and back into the lineup so what better time to take a look at who should be in that lineup today. Keep in mind that New York is facing Cesar Ramos, a left handed pitcher, so the lineup should be pretty right handed heavy. Let's take a look:

Jacoby Ellsbury
Derek Jeter
Carlos Beltran
Alfonso Soriano
Brian McCann
Mark Teixeira
Yangervis Solarte
Brett Gardner
Brian Roberts

I wanted to find a spot for Kelly Johnson, who hits lefties as well as he does righties, but found it hard to take out either of Roberts or Solarte. New York could always get creative and send Solarte to DH, Soriano to left field, insert Johnson at third base, and have Gardner come off the bench. The binder would never say that though...

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/20


On this day in 1912, after two days of rain, the first ever game is finally played at Fenway Park in Boston. Of course the first game in the historic stadium was with the New York Highlanders, soon to be the Yankees, and a Red Sox victory 7-6 in 11 innings.


On this day in 1988 Claudell Washington hit the Yankees 10,000th home run in franchise history as a pinch hitter. This total was the most in the major leagues and came off Minnesota's pitcher Jeff Reardon in the top of the ninth inning in a Yankees victory.


By the way, whose idea was it to hold a pot heads holiday on the same day as a children's holiday that has candy, sugar, and big meals are prepared? A genius, that's who. I personally do not smoke, and never have, but from a marketing aspect they kind of nailed it, no?