Sunday, October 19, 2014

Red Sox Hire Chili Davis to Open Hitting Coach Position

The Red Sox have hired A's Hitting Coach Chili Davis to the same position, WEEI's Rob Bradford reports.

Davis, 54, has been with Oakland for the last three seasons. During that time, interestingly, the A's have done nothing but win, impressively taking home two division titles and a wild card berth.

From Bradford's post:

According to a major league source, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with Chili Davis to become their next hitting coach. 
Davis, who worked as the hitting coach for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox in 2011, has been the Oakland A’s hitting coach for the past three seasons. Though the A’s finished third in the AL in runs per game (4.5) under Davis this year, the team’s offense went into a tailspin in the final two months of the season, likely contributing to the A’s willingness to let the Sox talk to Davis, at a time when he remained under contract with Oakland. 
Davis was also interviewed by the Yankees, whom he played for from 1998-1999, this weekend. In each of those two seasons, as you probably already know, the Yanks captured championships, their twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth ones in franchise history.
As for his overall career, Davis solidly collected 350 home runs and 1,372 RBI, stats that definitely contributed to his making of three All-Star teams. Besides those numbers, though, he somewhat struggled at the plate, only batting .274 throughout 19 years.
The details of his new deal with Boston have not yet been revealed, but are expected to be soon.

Look at the 2015 Yankees Before Free Agency


The Yankees like always have a lot of work to do before the 2015 season begins so here is a quick look at what the Yankees already have in place for next year. As you can see there aren't many holes to fill as far as the 25 man and 40 man rosters go but there Yankees could become flexible with a non-tender or trade or two.

C: Brian McCann
1B: Mark Teixeira
2B: Martin Prado
SS:
3B: Alex Rodriguez
LF: Brett Gardner
CF: Jacoby Ellsbury
RF: Carlos Beltran
DH:

BN: Francisco Cervelli
BN: Brendan Ryan
BN: Jose Pirela
BN: Eury Perez

SP: CC Sabathia
SP: Masahiro Tanaka
SP: Michael Pineda
SP: Ivan Nova
SP: Shane Greene

RP: David Huff
RP: Esmil Rogers
RP: David Phelps
RP: Shawn Kelley
RP: Adam Warren
RP: Dellin Betances
CL:

2014 Yankees Arbitration Eligible Players


Here is a quick list of the arbitration eligible players for the New York Yankees this winter:

Ivan Nova
Dellin Betances
Michael Pineda
David Phelps
Adam Warren
Shawn Kelley
Esmil Rogers
David Huff

Kansas City Swept San Francisco In August


In case you have been living under a rock this month the Wild Card winning San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals will play in only the second ever Wild Card only World Series starting next week. With the addition of Interleague Play this will not be the first time this season these two teams have squared off as the two faced off in San Francisco at the beginning of August. During the three game set the Royals swept the Giants in convincing fashion but does it mean anything? Probably not, but let's have fun with it anyway.

Kansas City beat the Giants by the scores of 4-2, 5-0, and 7-4 during the series winning games the way they have all postseason long. The Royals had timely hitting, power when they needed it, and shutdown pitching from the bullpen. It's been their recipe all season long, it's been the recipe all postseason long, and will be the recipe all World Series long.

Good luck to both squads as the 2014 Fall Classic gets started next week on FOX.

The 2014 World Series Schedule Released


The 2014 World Series schedule has been released by Major League Baseball. All games will be played in prime time with first pitch at 8:07 pm ET and all potential seven games will be televised on FOX.

October, 20 - Workout Day at Kauffman Stadium

October, 21 - Game 1 at Kauffman Stadium
October, 22 - Game 2 at Kauffman Stadium

October, 23 - off day

October, 24 - Game 3 at AT&T Park
October, 25 - Game 4 at AT&T Park
October, 26 - Game 5 at AT&T Park

October, 27 - off day

October, 28 - Game 6 at Kauffman Stadium
October, 29 - Game 7 at Kauffman Stadium

Watch Game 4 of the 2001 World Series


Yesterday we watched as the New York Yankees lost a heartbreaking 7th game of the 2001 World Series at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks. To appreciate all the wins the Yankees have had in their storied franchise's history you have to go through a loss or two, it happens. With that line of thinking the Yankees and their fans should really appreciate watching this full game today as New York took on the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series. Enjoy Yankees family, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.

This Day in New York Yankees History 10/19: Freddy Sez


On this day in 1987 the Yankees hired Billy Martin to be their manager for the fifth and final time under George Steinbrenner. Billy would make it until June 23rd and finish his Yankees managing career with a 559-385 (.591) that saw two American League pennants and a World Series title in eight seasons.


Also on this day in 2004 all Yankees fans remember hearing the FOX announcing crew talking about Curt Schilling and his bloody sock. The Red Sox became the first team to ever be down three games to none in the ALCS and be three outs away from elimination to force a Game 7. Also on this day in 2004 we saw the Alex Rodriguez slapping of the ball stunt that cost the Yankees a run and probably a rally in the Game 6 loss.


Also on this day in 2007 manager Joe Torre rejected the Yankees offer to come back and manage the team on a pay cut ending his Yankees career. Torre managed for 12 seasons and saw 12 postseason appearances, 10 AL East titles, six American League pennants, and four World Series championships.


And finally on this day in 2010 the Yankees paid tribute to long time fan Freddy Schuman after he had been coming to Yankees games since 1988. Schuman was known for banging his spoon on a skillet and his catchy signs in the stands. The Yankees held a moment of silence before Game 4 of the ALCS and showcased Schuman memorabilia in Gate 4 at Yankees Stadium. "Freddy Sez" will always be remembered by the Yankees fans and by Yankees Stadium.