Sunday, July 27, 2014

The Daily Dozen - July 27, 2014

THE DAILY  DOZEN
(Twelve Takeaways from Today's Game - July 27th, 2014)

1. Toronto jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Shane Greene.  Mr. Greene responded well though holding Cabrera at 3rd base with only 1 out.  Impressive, most impressive.

2. Chase Headley came into the game batting .368 as a Yankee.  He went on to put the first Yankee run on the board with a solo blast in the 5th inning and is now batting .348...wow, what a slacker.  Let's hope he can continue producing and play a good hot corner.

3. I "watched" the game on Yahoo.com today.  It is amazing the different ways that an out can be made and the descriptive words that shape what you and I see in our mind as playing out.  For instance, Derek Jeter lines out to right field sounds much more impressive than Jeter pops up to second base.  Isn't technology great?

4. Congratulations to Mr. Joe Torre.  One of the all-time great Yankees Managers up there with Casey Stengel, John McGraw, Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy, and dare I say Billy Martin.  Joe Torre entered the Hall of Fame with the 2014 Class along with other managers Tony LaRussa and Bobby Cox.  I saw an interesting stat today as well--the 2001 Diamondbacks team defeated LaRussa's Cardinals in the NLDS, Bobby Cox's Braves in the NLCS and Joe Torre's Yankees in the World Series...how cool is that?  Does that mean Bob Brenly is destined for the Hall?  To be the BEST, you have to BEAT the best.  The Hall of Fame also announced changes in their voting today only allowing for players to be on the ballot for 10 years if they get 5% of the vote each year.  Don Mattingly and 2 others are grandfathered in and Donnie Baseball will have his 15th season on the ballot next year.  I will write in depth about that in the offseason I'm sure.
Welcome to the Hall Mr. Torre! (Source: MLB Twitter)
What a Hall of Fame Class! (Source: NY Post)

5. The Yankees and Wheeler's base running mistake made J.A. Happ look like Cy Young through 4 innings. What does J.A. stand for anyways?  James Anthony...there you go...I wonder if he and J.R. Murphy...errr...John Murphy ever hang out.

6. Zelous Wheeler made up for his mistake in the bottom of the inning.  Playing right field can't be that hard, can it?  I mean Mr. Wheeler gunned down perennial Yankee Killer Dan Johnson at the plate to end another Blue Jays threat.

7. Mr. TULOWIZKI Troy Tulowitzki was seen at Yankee Stadium today.  The funny thing is that the Rockies aren't in New York playing the Mets...in fact they were at home playing Pittsburgh.  Interesting...interesting indeed.
"Please trade for me...pretty please!!!!!  Man...
I kind of look like Money Manziel in this picture..."

8. There were some unlikely Bombers in the 5th inning.  Back-to-back, belly-to-belly, we got home runs from Headley and Cervelli! I'm a poet and didn't even know it.

9. David Huff = White Flag.  I would be interested to know how many games the Yankees win when Mr. Huff makes an appearance.  I'll get the TGP Research Dept right on figuring out that stat.  May have to make a new dictionary entry for the Huffster.

10. Scoring on Betances is hard work.  Today it was easy for the Blue Jays as he did all of the work for them.  A walk, followed by a throwing error allowing the baserunner to get to third, and a sacrifice fly in the 8th inning.  The pesky Blue Jays just wouldn't go away today.

11. The Yankees have battling back lately.  Not only that but they have been actually scoring late in games.  They are starting to remind me of the 2009 Yankees team...I know I've said it before, but these guys really have fought hard.  Everytime the Jays scored, the Yanks came right back at them...except for in the 9th...but this type of effort bodes well for the team.  They have lost 2 in a row but both losses had comebacks.
Well...sans this guy...

12. The Blue Jays had not won a game in 17 going back to August of 2012.  They erased that streak yesterday.  They had not won a series at Yankee Stadium since the same time in 2012.  They erased that mark today and are now a game ahead of the Yankees in the 2nd Wild Card position.  That's okay, the Yankees see the Jays 7 more times this season to get them back.

Yankees Come Back Three Times; Still Lose to Blue Jays 5-4

Usually when a team blows multiple leads in a single game, they don't muster up the confidence to later emerge victorious.

Obviously, when you keep going ahead only to fall apart you get kind of down, something that often tends to ruin the entire contest.

Despite that, the Yankees did find a way to lose this afternoon's rubber game to the Blue Jays, tying things three different times only to eventually fall 5-4.

Going into today's bottom of the fifth, surprisingly, the recently-good Yanks' offensive was getting shutout by J.A. Happ 2-0, but after back-to-back solo homers by Chase Headley and Francisco Cervelli in that frame they appeared to be on their way to another W.

Unfortunetaly, though, that wouldn't prove to be the case, with Shane Greene (5 1/3 IP, 3 ER) surrendering an RBI Double to Colby Rasmus in Toronto's half of the sixth.

Yes, Greene would still get a No Decision after New York evened things up again in their next turn, although since Dellin Betances still committed a throwing error that led to an unearned run in the eighth and David Robertson allowed one more trip around the bases in the ninth his decent outing didn't prove relevant.

In between those two mistakes by the bullpen, interestingly, struggling Yanks DH Carlos Beltran did make it 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth with a single, but again, that didn't end up mattering, with New York later losing in spite of all the excitement.

For example, in Roberton's inning of work, Headley robbed Jose Bautista of an RBI Double with a diving stop that led to a fielder's choice, appearing to end the threat with Dioner Navarro coming up.

Instead, though, Bautista stole second and Navarro knocked him in, finally finishing off the frustrating defeat.

Open Game Thread 7/27: Yankees vs. Blue Jays


Welcome to this afternoon's game thread for the game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. This will be the final game of this three game weekend series and this will be the last of the Yankees 10 game home stand. The Yankees will send Shane Greene to the mound looking to continue the dominance against the Toronto Blue Jays and the Jays will counter with J.A. Happ. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be see on the YES Network, TBS, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Remember to grab a pair of Yankees tickets for this afternoon's game or any game that New York plays in home or away right here on the blog. If you can't make it live join us on Twitter by following @Greedystripes or search for The Greedy Pinstripes on Facebook to keep the conversation going.

It's an open thread so instead of your nap use our comments section to chat with fellow Yankees fans across the country. Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your day. Go Yankees!

Yankees Showing Interest in OF Josh Willingham

Due to the recent struggles of Ichiro Suzuki, the Yankees are now showing interest in Twins' OF Josh Willingham, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reports. 

So far this season, Willingham, 35, has hit just .215 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs, low numbers possibly caused by the fact he missed 41 games earlier this year with a wrist injury.

Either way, the veteran is only getting paid $7 million in 2014, a price tag lower and more preferable than those of Texas' Alex Rios ($12 million) and Philadelphia's Marlon Byrd ($8 million), two other batters the Yanks have also been linked to. 

Nonetheless, you do have to wonder why this news is coming out right now, especially since New York still hasn't gotten another legitamate starting pitcher.

Yes, they just sent cash to the Rockies for then minor leaguer Chris Capuano, although considering Capuano's not someone who will give them much more than six innings in each outing it's unlikely he's the answer to their problems. 

Remember, whether or not the the injured Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka will return in the next month is currently unknown, something that should make acquiring somebody else before the deadline a main priority. 

Let's Hope Shane Greene Doesn't Throw This Game Away


It hurts to watch this again but if you can't laugh at yourself then nobody can, right? It was Shane Greene's third career start and his first inside Yankee Stadium. I chalk this up to nothing more than nerves and the other two to being his own worst enemy in his head. It's a new day and a new team and I don't think we will see the new Shane Greene today. I expect to see more of the man that made his first two career starts and not the one throwing it all around the infield. Go Greeney!

Yankees Game Preview 7/27: vs. Toronto Blue Jays


The New York Yankees will host the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon in the finale of their three game set and the finale of a 10 game home stand for the Yankees. The Yankees will send Shane Greene to the mound to face off with the Blue Jays J.A. Happ. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, TBS, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Greene has started his career as a starter for the New York Yankees with a 2-1 record and a 2.84 ERA. Greene took his first loss his last time out and made three errors while allowing four runs in 5.2 innings against the Texas Rangers.

Happ made his sixth quality start of the season last time out where he shut out the Boston Red Sox through six innings. Happ allowed seven hits and one walk en route to his eight victory of the season. Happ has not allowed a home run in his past 25.2 innings.

Get your Yankees tickets for this afternoon's game and grab you a Paul O'Neill bobblehead that is being given away at Yankee Stadium this afternoon. Through our blog you can get cheap tickets with no fees or shipping costs tacked on. Get yours now.

Go Yankees!!

Ryan Howard Is Not The Answer, I Hope

There hasn't been any reports that really links the New York Yankees to the Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard and that's what really worries me. We didn't hear much at all before the Yankees acquired Chase Headley, Jeff Francis, Brandon McCarthy, or Chris Capuano and I have this little gut feeling that Howard may be the next lightning in a bottle, change of scenery, take my player for nothing type of marginal trade for the Yankees. I say marginal upgrade because the Yankees don't have a real first base backup option, although Brian McCann has done well there out of necessity.

The Phillies are said to be interested in eating much, or as close to all as they can, of the remaining $70 million left on Howard's contract. That $70 million is through the 2016 season and includes a $23 million team option for the 2017 season with a huge $10 million buyout.

If Howard has anything left in his tank it would come in New York, it always seems to go that way. That left handed swing and right field porch would look attractive to any power hitter and Howard could easily platoon in New York. With the DH slot in the American League Howard could conceivably work in New York, but I hope not.

I say I hope not because Howard is not making good contact with the ball. His line drive percentage is down, his BABIP is down, his home run power is down, it's all down across the board. Some players have that one redeeming factor but I looked and I can't find that with Howard. Sure he could play against right handed batters but he takes away a roster spot of someone more deserving and cannot play anywhere but first and DH. If it were for the rest of the season I would seriously consider it, but it's not. Pass, I hope.

The Yankees Present Paul O'Neill Bobblehead Day


If you've been watching any of the YES Network's broadcast recently you know that today is Paul O'Neill bobblehead day at Yankee Stadium. The first 18,000 guests will receive this bobblehead so you have to get to the stadium early, these should go fast. It's a good thing that today's game is not sold out yet and we still have some tickets RIGHT HERE on the blog. We can offer these tickets for well below market value and we do not tack on the shipping costs or any fees whatsoever.

Even if you get some nosebleed seats it would still be worth it to grab this bobblehead. You also get treated to the final game of the home stand as the Yankees face off with the Toronto Blue Jays. Can't beat that, buy now. 

Mark Teixeira Decision Day Part II


This is quickly going to get more annoying then Lebron James hitting free agency in the NBA. Today we will have another decision on the Mark Teixeira and whether he will head to the disabled list or not. Teixeira will do some light running drills and do some tee and toss before being evaluated again. If there is still pain in the back then Teixeira will head to the disabled list. If not I would assume Teixeira would be in the lineup this afternoon or tomorrow in Texas, likely tomorrow just to be sure.

Either way the Yankees need to know what's going on with Teixeira. They have done well with the short bench but they cannot go on like this much longer. Brian McCann is going to need a day, Francisco Cervelli is going to need a day, Derek Jeter is going to need a day, etc. This is a veteran team and the bench is important.

Tick tock, stay tuned.

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/27: Three Errors On One Play & Tommy John


Never in the history of Major League Baseball have we seen a pitcher commit three errors in one play until the Yankees Tommy John did so on this day in 1988. Tommy John throws the pitch to Jeffrey Leonard grounds the ball back to the pitcher that John bobbles for the first error. In an effort to get Leonard at first base he rushes the throw and throws the ball past the first baseman to Dave Winfield in right field for the second error. Winfield retrieves the ball and fires home and John cuts the ball off and throws home wildly for the third error allowing two more runs to score. John, 45 years old, still gets the victory in a Yankees 16-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Personally I blame his new ulnar collateral ligament but maybe it's just me.

Also on this day in 1968 Mickey Mantle's career batting average dipped below the .300 mark. It took Mantle 7926 at bats and 2734 hits for his average to fall to .2995 and it would stay under .300 before he retired at the end of the season. Mantle finished his 18 year career with a .298 batting average and will often admit that his biggest regret in his baseball career was finishing below .300.