Monday, September 8, 2014

Tanaka: My Arm "Feels Really Good" Right Now

After watching them get shutout twice this weekend in a tough series loss to the Royals, it's definitely reasonable to think that the Yankees could use some good news right now.

Ever since they left KC August 25, as you all probably already know, they have gone just 5-7, a record that has dropped their playoff chances considerably. 

So, though it likely won't effect how the season plays out, it's safe to assume that Masahiro Tanaka getting back in the rotation in the next couple of weeks would be a welcome occurance in their clubhouse, a seemingly too-good-to-be-true scenario that could actually happen. That's right, Tanaka himself is now claiming that his arm "feels really good," a fortunate fact that none of us expected to hear after last week's setback. 

“Obviously the arm feels good," Tanaka told the New York Post through a translator. "It feels really good."

Tanaka then added that he hopes to pitch again this year, something he considers his goal. 

“We’ll see if I can get on the mound again this year and pitch," Tanaka said. "But like I told you guys earlier, that’s my goal and that’s where I’m trying to get to.’’ 

Hopefully he'll accomplish his mission. Who knows? Maybe him doing so would begin a fun stretch.

David Phelps Feels "Fine" After Simulated Game

David Phelps threw 31 pitches in a simulated game this afternoon, and afterwards said he felt fine.

Unlike Tanaka, Phelps will probably not start any more games this season, as the team doesn't have enough time to stretch him out. However, he could see time as a high leverage reliever, basically taking over the role currently held by Adam Warren.

I can't help but think that this could be an audition for a bullpen role for 2015, as the Yankees have plenty of options for the starting rotation. On top of Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, and Shane Greene, the team could bring back Brandon McCarthy or Chris Capuano, not to mention big-name free agents like Jon Lester, Max Scherzer, and James Shields.

While I want the Yankees to re-sign David Robertson, keeping Dellin Betances in the set-up role for a killer 1-2 punch, Phelps could be a fall-back option as the new set-up man while Betances takes over the closer role.

Can't Predict Baseball: First Major League Feat w/ 23 Fans in Attendance


When you think of the greatest games in Major League history and all the greatest feats in the game you think of jam packed stadiums and crowds rocking and the stadium going wild, right? Not so much on this day in 1916 when the Philadelphia Athletic's switch hitter Wally Schang became the first player in major league history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same game. This feat would not be accomplished again until 1940.

What made this especially special was there was only 23 fans attending the game due to rain. This was the smallest crowd in American League history and for such a historic feat to happen really goes to show you, you cannot predict baseball.


MLB Releases Yankees 2015 Schedule

This season has been a disaster for the Yankees and their fans. Although mathematically they are still in the hunt, chances are the team is about to miss the postseason for the 2nd year in a row... the first time that's happened since 1993. Therefore, it's no surprise that many fans are already looking at the 2015 Yanks, hoping they can fix their offensive woes and get their pitchers healthy.

Earlier today Major League Baseball released their schedule. The Yankees will open the season at home against the Blue Jays, and finish the season in Baltimore against the Orioles.

If you'd like to look at the entire schedule then click here.

Yankees Off Day Movie Recommendation: I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell


It's an off day for the New York Yankees and it's time for the full length movie right here on the blog. Today we watch "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell." Why you ask? Why not. Enjoy the movie Yankees family and we will be back to work tomorrow as we look to finish this month up strong. Go Yankees!!

Where The Hell Has Andy Pettitte Been?

We all enjoyed the festivities yesterday as the New York Yankees held Derek Jeter Day at Yankee Stadium, it was a great ceremony and Derek Jeter even choked up a little bit. There were a few things missing like the retiring of the #2, the plaque in Monument Park, and Andy Pettitte. Where in the hell has Andy Pettitte been?

I can understand Andy not being there for Goose Gossage Day and the like but I fully expected Andy to be there for Joe Torre Day and especially Derek Jeter Day. Bernie Williams seemingly boycotted the team and the stadium for the longest time as did Jorge Posada but they put their differences aside for their friend.

I'm not saying anything bad about Andy and I'm not speculating anything, I just would like to know where in the hell Pettitte has been. Anyone?

Yankees Off Day Stadium Music Recommendation


This, barring any interventions from Mother Nature, is the last off day of the 2014 regular season for the New York Yankees. All season long we have gone over the walk up music for the players so with this being the final off day I would like to showcase the stadium music in Yankee Stadium.



At the beginning of the Top of the 7th inning the Yankees grounds crew has done the YMCA dance on the field and the song plays for the crowd every night.



After the top half of the 7th inning the Yankees present "God Bless America" for the 7th inning stretch.



And when the Yankees win we on the blog always say "cue Sinatra" and that's because Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" plays loud and proud at Yankee Stadium.

Enjoy the off day Yankees family because we won't get another one this month.


The Daily Dozen - Derek Jeter Day

The Daily Dozen - Derek Jeter Day Edition

The Ceremony as seen through my eyes from my comfortable couch in Ohio!

1. THE FIELD
2. THE FANS


3. THE GRANDMA FROM NEW JERSEY
4. THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE PARENTS IN SPORTS
5. THE HEIR APPARENT
6. THE MANAGER
7. THE PLAYERS

8. THE CHILDHOOD HERO
9. THE LEGENDS

10. THE BOSS
11. THE ENTRY
12. THE SPEECH

ICYMI: Derek Jeter's Speech On Derek Jeter Day


In case you missed it here is the speech that we will all be talking about for the foreseeable future, the speech given by the captain himself Derek Jeter on Derek Jeter Day. Enjoy!

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/8: Alex Rodriguez Hits 50 Home Runs


Before this day in 2007 only three members of the New York Yankees had ever hit 50 home runs in a single season, Babe Ruth (1920-54, 1921-59, 1927-60, 1928-54), Roger Maris (1961-61), and Mickey Mantle (1956-52, 1961-54). Alex Rodriguez on this day in 2007 hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season to become the fourth member of the Yankees to ever reach the milestone. Also the second home run breaks the major league record of 49 home runs hit by a third baseman passing Mike Schmidt of the Phillies in 1980 and Adrian Beltre of the Dodgers in 2004.

Also on this day in 1925 Babe Ruth hit his 300th career home run in the second game of a double header between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Buster Ross gave up the milestone home run in the Yankees 7-4 victory over the Red Sox.