Saturday, August 9, 2014

The Daily Dozen - August 9, 2014

The Daily Dozen - August 9th, 2014 Edition
(Twelve Takeaways from Today's Game vs. the Cleveland Not-to-be-named)

1. Paul O'Neill became the 29th person to get a plaque in Monument Park before the game.  "The Warrior" won 4 World Series Championships as a Yankee between 1996 and 2000 and had a very memorable moment at Yankee Stadium during Game 5 of the 2001 WS in his last game there.  Paul is originally from Columbus, Ohio, so his enshrinement is rather special to yours truly being an Ohioan myself.
Congratulations Paulie! (Photo Credit: Anthony Grupuso/USA Today Sports)

2. Of course the guy batting .174 hits a 2-run home run!  Jose Ramirez took Brandon McCarthy deep for his first big league homer to make it 2-0 in the 2nd.  He also went 3 for 4 on the day.  Here are some interesting stats about the Yankees and Native Americans when it comes to the 1st big league home runs.  Derek Jeter's first homer came off of "El Presidente" Dennis Martinez on April 2, 1996 at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.  There have been 3 other Cleveland players that hit their first homer at Yankee Stadium including Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez (from Washington Heights, NY).  I wonder if Ramirez will end up as successful as those two?

3. Kluber induces a ton of groundball outs.   The ratio of ground ball to fly ball outs was 6 to 2.  He would have had more than 6 of them if he didn't strike out so many Yankees.

4. The Native Americans got 2-out hits in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings.  Quite the conundrum.  If the Yankees want to make the Playoffs this year they are going to have to close out innings when there is no one on and 2 outs.

5. During the broadcast of game as seen on Fox Sports 1 by those of us in Ohio, Paul O'Neill told a great story about Joe DiMaggio.  I will paraphrase here, but basically after being traded to the Yankees from Cincinnati, he had requested the bat boy to get Joey D to sign a bat for him during the Old Timer's Day festivities in 1993.  The bat boy returned saying that Mr. DiMaggio had refused to sign one for him.  Well, Paul O'Neill won the AL batting title in 1994 so at the 1995 Old Timer's Day, Joltin' Joe shows up at Paul's locker and asked him if he still wanted that autograph.  Pretty cool.
What a weird looking bat boy!

6. Nothing like breaking up a perfect game with a HBP!  Great job Cervelli! I bet it hurt though.

7. Corey Kluber goes 3-1/3 with a no-hitter before Ellsbury breaks it up.  What's with pitchers lately and no-hitters or perfect games into the middle portion of the game?  Justin Verlander went 3-2/3 innings the other day against the Yankees.  This time however, Kluber got the win.  A few outings ago, Kluber threw a complete game against the Mariners throwing only 85 pitches total.  Today he was at 85 pitches in 4-2/3 innings.  That would seemingly show that the Yankees were getting walks, hits, and runs, but NAY...it was not so...in fact Kluber over his last 31 innings has only given up 1 earned run. Impressive!

8. #3,431 was an infield hit for Jeter.  I unfortunately watched the game on DVR so was a little bit behind everyone else in the celebration of the Captain taking over 6th place on the all-time hits list surpassing Honus Wagner, but I managed to grab a screen capture of my TV during the event.  Jeter has been entering the hallowed zone of Major League Baseball surpassing the likes of Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, etc...  One notable about Wagner is that he was one of the original inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Walter Johnson, Christy Matthewson, Ty Cobb, and Herman "Babe" Ruth.
Just before the momentous occasion. (Photo Credit: ME)

9. The ball hit by Jeter was kept in play for the next batter.  Jacoby Ellsbury promptly got a bloop single.  After that I believe the Native Americans wanted to get the ball to Jeter to get rid of the luck.

10. Brandon McCarthy still pitched well.   Any other day he probably would have gotten a win...but not on a day in which Corey Kluber was pitching.

11. Why won't the Yankees listen to me and just walk Brantley????  I'm getting a little frustrated quite frankly.  He once again goes 3 for 4 with a monstrous home run that hit the top of the fair pole.  Sigh.

12. The Yankees were 0 for 9 with Runners in Scoring Position.  That's pretty pathetic.  What's even worse is that 6 of those were the way of strikeouts.  They were struck out 10 times by Kluber and 15 total.


Offense Nonexistent in Middle Game Loss to Indians

Brandon McCarthy surrendered just 2 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings and Derek Jeter passed Honus Wagner on the all time hits list, but since Indians' Starter Corey Kluber threw a gem and the Yankees went 0-for-9 with RISP the latter's three game winning streak was snapped, 3-0, today at Yankee Stadium.

In this one, as you can see by that score, the Yanks pitching was pretty good, once keeping Cleveland off the board for five consecutive frames.

Nonetheless, after Jose Ramirez knocked a two-run home run to right in the top of the second the contest would never again be tied, with Michael Brantley adding a solo shot off Chase Whitley in the eighth.

No, those three trips around the bases shouldn't have been enough for the Indians to emerge victorious, but due to the expected dominance of the aforementioned Kluber (6 IP, O R) they unfortunetaly were, with New York never reaching third on the afternoon despite putting multiple men on base in the fourth, sixth, and eighth.

Interestingly, in that bottom of the sixth the Yankees actually had first and second with nobody out, but again, since Kluber was able to escape the jam with trio of strikeouts the Yanks failed to ever cross home, the first time that's happened since June 22.

The Warrior: The Paul O'Neill Tribute Video


Congratulations To Derek Jeter On Passing Honus Wagner On The All Time Hits List


Congratulations to Derek Jeter on passing Honus Wagner on the All Time hits list in Major League Baseball. Jeter had a single in the first inning of the game Friday night with the Cleveland Indians with a little help from the home town score keeper to tie the great Honus Wagner. Jeter got the milestone hit to walk into 6th place on the All Time hits list by himself in the 6th inning of today's game with a single. Congrats Jete!

8/9 Yankees Open Game Thread vs. Cleveland Indians


Welcome to this afternoon's open thread for Paul O'Neill Day and the game between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees will send Brandon McCarthy to the mound to face off with the Indians Corey Kluber. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on Fox Sports 1, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Remember to grab your Yankees tickets right here on the blog for today's or tomorrow's game at Yankee Stadium before the team heads back out on the road. Follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and Like our page on Facebook by searching for The Greedy Pinstripes.

It's an open thread and it's Paul O'Neill Day so make sure to use the comments section of the site to chat with us during the game. Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your evening and weekend. Go Yankees!

Girardi Impressed By Rogers' Performance Against Cleveland

Going into his spot start yesterday against the decent hitting Indians, how new Yankee Esmil Rogers would do was an absolute mystery.

The 28-year-old right-hander, who struggled mightily this season before being designated for assignment by the Blue Jays, hadn't begun a game since 2013, making the decision to go with him instead of Chase Whitley a little strange.

Nonetheless, after a few mistakes in the top of the first that led to a run Rogers became the fifth dominant Yanks' hurler of the homestand, finishing up with 5 innings of four-hit, one-run ball to impress the crowd as well as his manager. 

"He did an outstanding job," New York Skipper Joe Girardi told The Star Ledger after the victory. "This is what we've seen from him; I just wasn't sure how much he would be able to give us. He did a great job."

On the second pitch of the outing, interestingly, Cleveland Second Basemen Jason Kipnis doubled down the left field line, appearing to set up the Yankees for a long night.

Fortunetaly, though, that wouldn't prove to be the case, with Rogers not allowing another extra-base hit from that point on to eventually get the W, his second already this week.

Brian McCann Added To 7 Day DL, Austin Romine Called Up

Brian McCann has been added to the 7 day concussion disabled list and the Yankees have called up Austin Romine. This is a bit of a head scratcher as we all expected the call up to be John  Ryan Murphy. Maybe Joe Girardi will have further explanation on this later on. Stay tuned.

Remembering Yankees of The Past: Paul O'Neill


Paul O’Neill was widely considered to be the “heart and soul” of the dynasty teams in the 1990’s, which is saying something since they had the likes of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and others on the squad. I guess when George Steinbrenner labeled him a “Warrior” that kind of helped his cause, and so did the 194 water coolers he physically violated in his time with New York. The Yankees have only issued O’Neill’s #21 one time since his retirement in 2001 when LaTroy Hawkins wore it for a few weeks in 2008 before switching to #22 after receiving criticism from Yankee fans.

O’Neill came over to the New York Yankees before the 1993 season when the Cincinnati Reds traded him to New York for Roberto Kelly. O’Neill was immediately inserted into the heart of the Yankees order and would replace Yankee captain Don Mattingly in the third spot in the order. O’Neill would put up solid numbers in 1993 and would be selected to the All Star team and win the batting title in the lockout-shortened 1994 season. The Yankees led the American League East division by 6.5 games when the players locked out and ended the season and had a .359 batting average and 83 RBI’s in 103 games. O’Neill, with the help of Mattingly, would lead the Yankees to the postseason for the first time since 1981 when they clinched the first ever American League Wild Card berth but would eventually lose an exciting five game series to the Seattle Mariners despite winning the first two games of the series.

O’Neill would be part of the 1996 World Series Yankees squad and even robbed the Braves Luis Polonia of an extra base hit in that 1-0 pitcher’s duel in Game 5 between John Smoltz and Andy Pettitte. While the Yankees were eliminated in the postseason in 1997 in the division series with the Cleveland Indians the Yankees would return to the promised land with O’Neill in right field in 1998 with a sweep of the San Diego Padres. That 1998 Yankees squad won a total of 125 games, a major league record, and only lost one game in the entire postseason drawing reviews as possibly the greatest team of all time. The Yankees followed up the 1998 season with a sweep of the Atlanta Braves in the 1999 World Series and the 25th championship of the franchise’s history. The New York Yankees would once again be crowned World Series champions in 2000 in a five game Subway World Series beating the New York Mets for O’Neill’s fourth ring as a member of the Yankees. O’Neill’s final season was in 2001 when the Arizona Diamondbacks shocked the world and broke the hearts of all Yankees players and fans when they won the World Series in seven games.

O’Neill now works in the YES Network booth with Michael Kay. O’Neill has also been rumored to be interested in managing his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, so maybe managing is in his future but for now O’Neill is just a plaque in Monument Park. That’s okay with me and I am sure it is okay with him too. Congratulations Paulie.

The Daily Dozen - August 8, 2014

The Daily Dozen - August 8th, 2014
(Twelve Takeaways from Last Night's Game--No Pictures Edition)

1. You have to take advantage of 1-2 counts as a pitcher.  I don't know how many times I've seen Yankees opponents get big hits after the pitcher has started out 1-2 against them.  Make them chase the ball on the outside corner.  This very instance occurred in the 1st inning last night when Carlos Santana hit an RBI single with a 3-2 count after being down 1-2.

2. Derek Jeter ties the "Flying Dutchmen" with 3,430 hits.  I bet it wasn't the hit that he wanted to tie for 6th all-time on the career list as it should have been considered an error, but we'll all take it, right?  I mean after getting his 3,000th hit with a HR any other milestone would probably be a let down anyways.  More on Honus Wagner when Jeter passes the Hall of Famer (hopefully today).

3. Cleveland is basically the worst defense in Major League Baseball.  Way to go Native Americans!  If it wasn't for their offense for most of the season, they would be in dire straits.

4. Walking in runs is a big no-no.  Then again, so is walking the bases loaded right before a Grand Slam...but it didn't keep the Native Americans from doing it in last night's game.

5. The floodgates opened up early AND late for the Yankees.  Crooked numbers win games...this hasn't happened too much this season as the Yankees score one run on most occassions and that's it.  Thankfully they didn't have to pitch in tense situations as per usual late in the game.

6. You can thank Shane Greene.  By pitching into the 9th inning in Thursday's game versus the Tigers, Mr. Greene saved the bullpen allowing for a bigger role by relievers in last night's game started by Esmil Rogers.

7. Is it just me or does it look like Trevor Bauer balks every time he gets in his wind up?  I'm just saying...

8. I wouldn't pitch to Brantley at all.  WALK HIM EVERY TIME.  The guy is just money against the Yankees just as David Ortiz was years ago.  He crushed the Yankees in Cleveland.  He had a huge double in the game and would have probably done it again in 8th inning had they not walked him to score a run.  Obviously Santana came up big in the next at-bat, but Brantely for SURE would have done damage.

9. As a lefty with a man on second, WHY, I MEAN WHY are you pitching away?  David Huff just flabbergasts me sometimes.

10. Unselfishness.  This has driven Derek Jeter's career.  With a chance to pass Honus Wagner in the bottom of the 6th with 2 men on, he laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners over into scoring position.  Both runners scored and the Yankees got 5 runs that inning.  Well done Mr. Captain, well done!

11. Carlos Beltran gets his 11th career grand slam to put the game out of reach.  He increased his RBI total by 5 to 49 and now has 14 home runs on the season.  I could see him ending somewhere in the 22 HR, 75 RBI range, which isn't bad considering the injury plagued season the Yankees have had.  I just hope he proves clutch in the playoffs should they be reached.

12. There were many Yankee greats at the Stadium last night.  They are in town for Paul O'Neill day, which starts in 10 minutes as his number is retired and he gets enshrined in Monument Park. Congrats to the Warrior!

8/9 Yankees Game Preview vs. Cleveland Indians


The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians go back at it again in a day game after a night game this afternoon at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will send Brandon McCarthy to the mound to face off with the Indians Corey Kluber. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on Fox Sports 1, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN. 

McCarthy and the Yankees have not lost any of the right handers starts this season in pinstripes. McCarthy is fresh off a start in which he allowed just one unearned run against the Detroit Tigers in 5.2 innings of work and a Yankees victory out dueling Max Scherzer. McCarthy's first start for the Yankees was against the Cleveland Indians in which he allowed one earned run in 6.2 innings. 

Kluber's last start came against the Cincinnati Reds where he allowed one run in 7.1 innings with seven strikeouts. Kluber is 3-0 in his last four starts and has a 0.79 ERA with 35 strikeouts. 


Go Yankees!!

Yankees Talking w/ Rusney Castillo About Second Base


The New York Yankees are interested in Rusney Castillo and want to work out a contract with the Cuban defector. Castillo is listed as an outfielder but the Yankees are interested in the 27 year old as a second baseman. The Yankees just held a private workout for Castillo on Friday down in Tampa and apparently the team likes what they see. This all via George King.

Castillo has experience both in the infield and the outfield but the Yankees seem to be in the minority in preferring Castillo in the infield. Castillo has been described as a speedy lead off type hitter with pop and has already been declared a free agent by Major League Baseball. Castillo can sign any time with any team and I hope it's with the New York Yankees.


New York Yankees Present Paul O'Neill Day


Today is Paul O'Neill Day at Yankee Stadium as the New York Yankees will honor Mr. O'Neill with a plaque in Monument Park. O'Neill spent nine seasons with the Yankees from 1993-2001 and won four World Series championships with the club.

O'Neill had a Yankees career triple slash of .303/.377/.492 while hitting 185 home runs and knocking in 858 RBI. O'Neill never played less than 100 games with the Yankees and was an integral part of the Yankees dynasty seasons.

Water coolers beware, today is Paul O'Neill Day at Yankee Stadium.

Quick Hit: Yankees 2015 Starting Pitching Logjam


With just about 50 games left in the 2014 season I always start thinking about next season right about now. The Yankees are sure to have a starting pitching log jam next season in the major leagues and that will be a good problem to have for once. This is assuming that the Yankees get a healthy CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova back to pair with another assumed healthy Masahiro Tanaka. Michael Pineda is still under team control, David Phelps turned a lot of heads as a starter this season, and Shane Greene has been fabulous. That's not counting the possible resigning of Brandon McCarthy or Chris Capuano who have also pitched well above their heads in pinstripes.

This also got me thinking will there be any money or a roster space for the likes of Jon Lester or Max Scherzer? It's not looking good although Nova will not be ready for Spring Training so maybe Brian Cashman goes crazy and gets one of the top starting pitchers, I have my doubt though.

Top Moments From Paul O'Neill's Career As a Yankee

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/9: Five Grand Slams In One Day


Never in the history of Major League Baseball have five grand slams been hit in the same day across the league until 1999. Five different men hit grand slams on this day to establish a new major league record including the Cardinals Fernando Tatis, the Expos Jose Vidro, the Marlins Mike Lowell, the Mariners Jay Buhner, and the Yankees Bernie Williams.

In an interesting side not Lowell, Williams, and Buhner were all former Columbus Clippers players. One player who never played for the Columbus Clippers was Paul O'Neill. That is relevant today because today is Paul O'Neill Day at Yankee Stadium so be sure to watch today for that.