Friday, May 16, 2014

Pittsburgh Pirates Considering Moving.... Meme


This just totally blew my mind... wow.... make it happen!

Rain postpones tonight's Yankees/Pirates game

Right when they start to win. 

Tonight's Yankees/Pirates game in The Bronx has been postponed due to inclement weather, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports.

The contest's starters, David Phelps and Edinson Volquez, are still scheduled to start tommorrow's contest, which will begin at 4:05 pm ET. 

On Sunday, the cancellation's effects will show, as the Bombers and Bucs will play a back-to-back double header starting at 1:05. After the conclusion of the first game, both teams will take a short 30 minute break, before beginning the series' finale sometime in the late afternoon.

Unfortunately, fans who had tickets to this evening's ill-fated game will not be able to get into the last day duo, unless an exchange is made. 

As for where the games can be seen, Saturday's Game 1 will still be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1, while the other two will also be available for viewing everywhere on MLB Network.

So, if you're a Yankees fan then I guess there's absolutely no excuse to miss this weekend. The series is between two powerhouses off to slow starts (Pittsburgh's 17-23, New York's 21-19), making it something that big baseball fans should really want to see.

I've Got Til 5! - Didja Know?

The more I look at Baseball Reference the more cool stuff I find. That website is chock full of awesome data. If you haven't been there (which is quite bothersome as I suggested that site a while back in one of my other I've Got Til 5! articles), then I can't help but ask... what the hell, man? 

Anyway, recently I was looking at their page of season and career batting leaders and came across a handful of interesting things. Here are five of them...


1. In 2003 Hideki Matsui became the only man in the history of the Yankees' organization to have played 163 games in a season. You may be thinking that 163 includes postseason games, but it does not. The Yankees played game 163 during the regular season against the Baltimore Orioles on September 28th, which was due to the two teams playing to a tie ten days earlier in Baltimore.








2. You may know that Derek Jeter has played the most games in pinstripes (2,635 versus Mickey Mantle's 2,401). However, did you know that The Captain has the most plate appearances in Yankee history by 2,208 (12,115 versus Mantle's 9,907). For reference, Brett Gardner had just 20 more plate appearances than that in his previous six seasons.








3. Although Hideki Matsui may have played the most games in a single season in Yankee history, he doesn't even rank in the top 10 in most at bats in a single season. While Hideki had 623 at bats in 2003, in 2002 Alfonso Soriano set the Yankee record by having 696 of them. Matsui walked a heck of a lot more in 2003 (the biggest reason his at bat total was so much lower), but don't let that fool you into thinking all Alfonso did in 2003 was strike out a lot. Soriano actually had one of the most production seasons of his career, hitting 39 home runs, scoring 128 runs, driving in 102 RBI, stealing 41 bases, and had a batting line of .300/.332/.547.


4. It probably doesn't surprise anybody that in 2012 Curtis Granderson set the team record for the most strikeouts in a season with 195. But did you know that the Grandyman had already set the team high in a season with 169 Ks the year before. Meaning in just two seasons, Granderson totaled 264 strikeouts . How about a two for one here? Okay... At his current rate, Yangervis Solarte won't reach strikeout number 264 for 544 more games (he only has 17 in 35 games).


5. Rickey Henderson was a base-stealing machine. While the idea of Billy Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds stealing 70 bases this season has been talked about as very impressive, I'd like to point out that The Man Of Steal stole 70 or more bases in seven different seasons. Actually, Rickey had over 80 stolen bases twice, over 90 once, and stole more than a 100 three times. Henderson actually set the Yankees' record for stolen bases in a season three different times, having stole 80 in 1985, 87 in 1986, and 93 in 1988. What's crazy is that his total of 260 between those three seasons is more than the 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995 Yankee teams... combined.

Have any other interesting tidbits you want to share? Maybe something from the pitching side of things? Make sure to share them in the comments below.

Enjoy the weekend, and Go Yanks!

Preview: New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 5/16


I never thought I would be happy to say this but I am glad we are done playing the New York Mets for the season, what a series. Anyway, the New York Yankees will play host to Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three game weekend set at Yankee Stadium starting tonight in the Bronx. The Yankees will send David Phelps to the mound to face off with Edinson Volquez for the Pirates. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

David Phelps is still making starts for the injured Michael Pineda and looks to keep the Yankees in games and give them some distance for the bullpen. Phelps has pitched well all things considered with being skipped due to weather and not being stretched out and looks to continue his consistent ways tonight in the Bronx.

Volquez, someone I pushed the Yankees to sign this offseason, had a good start against the St. Louis Cardinals his last time out retiring nine of the first ten batters he faced before running into some trouble in the fifth inning. Volquez did not get a decision in his last start but pitched well so let's hope the Yankees offense can get to him tonight.

Go Yankees!!

Is This The 2013 Yankees All Over Again?


The 2013 New York Yankees were picked by every sports blogger not in New York, every ESPN and MLB Network analyst, and every non Yankee fan in the world to struggle after losing so much power in the lineup. Through the month of May the Yankees were 31-23 and very much in contention for the American League East crown only to falter and succumb to injuries in the second half.

Does any of this sound familiar? I sure hope not...


  • The Yankees once again had an amazing April and are coming back down to Earth and succumbing to injuries in May in 2014. The Yankees are a .500 team with a negative run differential, again just like 2013, that may be overachieving so far this season. The similarities don't stop there though...

  • The Yankees were without Alex Rodriguez as well at this point through 2013 for whatever that is worth. Blame A Rod, not Brian Cashman, for the lack of depth, the lack of a farm system, and the "old" Yankees dropping like flies once again. 

  • The Yankees can't beat the damn New York Mets either, when did that start happening?

  • CC Sabathia lost weight and struggled all season long including a DL trip or two

  • The Yankees are once again hosting a farewell tour for one of their great legends of the last 20 seasons in Derek Jeter, last year it was Mariano Rivera and at the end of the season Andy Pettitte. 
I'm sure there are more but I am about scared to keep looking and thinking about it. Forget I said anything, we're better than an 85 win team... right?

Remembering The 2000 World Series - Game 5


The 2000 World Series featured the New York Yankees and the New York Mets facing off in the World Series for the first time in their history. This was the first Subway Series since 1956 when the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees faced off. Let's take the time to remember Game 5 of the 2000 World Series.


In a rematch of the Game 1 pitchers duel Andy Pettitte took the mound for the Yankees and faced off against the Mets ace Al Leiter. Bernie Williams would get the scoring going with a solo home run in the top of the 2nd inning giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead. The Mets would respond by getting two unearned runs across the board in the bottom of the 2nd and would keep that lead until the 6th inning when Derek Jeter hit a game tying home run. Heading into the 9th inning the game was tied a 2-2 each when Luis Sojo hit an RBI single off of Al Leiter to give the Yankees the lead and an errant throw that ended up in the Yankees dugout allowed a 4th run to score giving the Yankees a 4-2 lead going to the bottom of the 9th. Mike Piazza would come up in the 9th as the tying run in the 9th and hit a deep fly ball to center field that would find Bernie Williams glove and that would get the Yankees their third consecutive World Series victory. Mike Stanton would get the victory and Al Leiter would take the loss while Mariano Rivera notched his second save of the World Series in the clinching game.


This would be the Yankees 26th World Series victory overall and fourth in five years cementing the dynasty.

Can't Predict Baseball: The Binder Before It Was Cool


On this day in 1953 the Chicago White Sox loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning against the New York Yankees while being down 3-1 entering the inning. Chicago pinch hit southpaw pitcher Tommy Byrne for the right handed hitting third basemen Vern Stephens with the bases loaded in a questionable move at best since Stephens had ten career grand slams at the time. The binder was correct as Byrne hit a grand slam off the Yankees Ewell Blackwell to give Chicago the 5-3 victory.

Quick Hit: Whitley & Betances Look Great


Could the saving grace of the bullpen finally be on the squad, thus ending the revolving door of relief pitchers? Dellin Betances struck out the heart of the Mets lineup last night in relief, and most everybody he has faced all season, making him a great option late in the game and for multiple innings. Betances' dominance and ability to go two innings consistently reminds me of an early Mariano Rivera.

Chase Whitley pitched his butt off for 4.2 innings and gave up no runs and had his first career hit in the game against the Mets. Whitley did not look over-matched and did not look like the bright lights bothered him in the slightest. Chase added a cutter/slider to go with his changeup and fastball and could really be a weapon for us down the stretch.

Joe Girardi is great at piecing together a bullpen on the fly and this may be the beginning of it in 2014.

Trenton Thunder Game Recap 5/15

Erie Caps Sweep of Thunder with 4-2 Win


The Trenton Thunder dropped their first series of the season at ARM & HAMMER PARK as the ErieSeawolves completed a three game sweep on the Thunder with a 4- 2 win.

Erie rallied for three runs against Stoneburner in the sixth on an RBI double by Dean Green and a two run home run by Steven Moya to take a 3 -1 lead. The righty tossed 5.0 innings in relief of starting pitcher Bruce Billings who tossed a scoreless inning to start the ballgame for the Thunder in an MLB rehab effort.

The SeaWolves added a run to their lead in the seventh against Thunder reliever Cole Kimball on a sacrifice fly by Jamie Johnson.

The Thunder loaded the bases in the bases in the bottom of the ninth on a pair of singles and a walk. Dan Fiorito's singled home Tyler Austin to cut the Erie lead to 4-2. With the bases loaded Thunder pinch hitter Gary Sanchez grounded into a game ending double play.

The first run of the game for Trenton came immediately when Ben Gamel led off the first with a double and scored on Rob Segedin's RBI single two batters later to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead.
The Thunder hit the road immediately after the ballgame for Portland where they will take on the Sea Dogs in three ballgames at Hadlock Field beginning Friday with a 6:00 p.m. first pitch and a 5:45 pre-game show on the Trenton Thunder radio network.

The three-game series concludes Thursday morning when the Thunder take on the SeaWolves with a scheduled 10:35 a.m. first pitch. The game can be heard on www.trentonthunder.com or on 91.3 FM WTSR with the Trenton Thunder Pre-Game Show beginning at 10:15 a.m.

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

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap 5/15


RiverDogs Rained Out; Doubleheader on Friday
Series, homestand to close with Friday twin bill against Hickory at Riley Park

CHARLESTON, SC - Thursday's game between the Charleston RiverDogs and the Hickory Crawdads at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park was postponed due to rain. The game has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader for the RiverDogs and the Crawdads at 6:05pm for Friday, May 16.
Tickets for Thursday's contest may be exchanged at the Riley Park Box Office to any remaining RiverDogs home game in 2014. Friday's twin bill includes two seven-inning games to close this three-game series and seven-game RiverDogs homestand. Video and audio coverage will start onwww.riverdogs.com shortly before the 6:05pm first pitch with 1250 WTMA picking up the radio broadcast at 7pm.
COMING UP: A doubleheader is scheduled for Friday at 6:05pm. Probable pitchers for the twin bill are Charleston's LHP Caleb Smith (3-2, 0.84 ERA) and RHP Brady Lail (5-1, 3.35 ERA) versus Hickory's LHP Frank Lopez (3-1, 1.38 ERA) and RHP Cole Wiper (1-5, 4.13 ERA), respectively. It will be another ISHPI Red Shirt Friday, presented by 103.5 WEZL, with a postgame fireworks display over the scenic Ashley River. Big Brothers Big Sisters Night encourages fans to go online for "Winning with Doubles" and pledge a donation amount for every double that the RiverDogs hit through the end of May. 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.

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

This Day In New York Yankees History 5/16


On this day in 1932 Lefty Gomez throws a five hit shutout giving the Yankees their fourth consecutive shutout. Gomez joins Johnny Allen, George Pipgras, and Red Ruffing in the streak. The Yankees would beat Cleveland 8-0 on this night.


On this day in 2006 the New York Yankees overcame a nine run deficit for the fourth time in their history defeating the Rangers 14-13. The Yankees were down 9-0 after an inning and a half before Jorge Posada hit a two out, two run walk off home run to win the game.