Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Washington Nationals 6/12



And just like that it is game time here in the Bronx between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals. At least this series is inside Yankee Stadium and played under American League rules because I am not sure I could handle losing another starting pitcher over these barbaric and ridiculous rules. Anyway, before I get too far off track, tonight the Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound to face off with Tanner Roark for the Nationals. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11 and MASN. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, with the MLB At-Bat app, and by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast with the legendary duo of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Follow us on Twitter, @GreedyStripes, and “Like” us on Facebook, The Greedy Pinstripes, to keep up with us and the team all season long. Enjoy the game, CC needs to become WW for two wins in a row and go Yankees!!


Meet a Prospect: Josh Breaux



With the 61st overall pick in the 2018 MLB First Year Players Draft and with their second-round selection the New York Yankees selected catcher Josh Breaux from McLennan Community College in Texas. Breaux was listed as a catcher and as a right-handed pitcher by Baseball America, but it looks like the Yankees drafted Breaux with the intent of keeping him behind the dish if at all possible, so let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Josh Breaux Edition.

Breaux was selected by the Houston Astros last year in the 36th round and decided to improve his draft stock with one more amateur season. With the jump into the second round you have to think that Josh is happy with his decision to play in Junior College for the 2018 season, especially after posting a .404 batting average with 18 home runs and 69 RBI. Breaux, like Seigler, is a right-handed pitcher as well while many scouts wonder if his future, if not behind the dish, is in the outfield at the Major League level.

Breaux’s defense is a question mark at this point in his career, but Baseball America stated that the right-hander had shown significant improvement defensively over the last two years. Breaux obviously has a strong throwing arm, but they note that his flexibility and receiving could use some polishing if he will remain as a catcher. Breaux runs well for a catcher posting a 6.8 second 60-yard dash which could lead him to a corner outfield spot in the future.

Breaux has the power to play into an outfield spot and he has the frame as well standing as 6’2” and weighing in at 200 lbs. Breaux has shown a maturity and patience at the plate that you don’t always see in such a young hitter which was shown by his 48 walks this season compared to just 32 strikeouts.

Breaux also has experience batting with wooden bats after playing for the Cape Cod League last season where he hit six home runs and drove in 24 RBI in 35 games.

Breaux has all the makings of being a very interesting prospect, assuming he foregoes his commitment to the University of Arkansas and signs with New York, to watch develop in the system, so here’s to hoping he signs.

The Rise and Fall of the Valkyries… Chapter One



Hello everyone, don’t mind me… just a little self-promotion and advertising here on the blog. No, really though. I alluded to the fact that I had written a book the last time that we spoke, but in true Daniel Burch fashion I left everyone hanging as to what the book was about, where they could read it, etc. My bad and you have my apologies.

Today I wanted to kind of tease the book a little while advertising it a bit, but I do so with a bit of a disclaimer. When I wrote this book, I wrote it for my girlfriend, now fiancĂ©, Kari and for her eyes only. I never intended for anyone else to read it, so therefore there are certain things that I didn’t feel the need to fully explain like I would have had to had I decided to write this for everyone. I realize this, and I fully intend on editing this book and expanding it to reach a broader audience. This is more of a proof at this point than anything, and this is definitely a work in progress and is subject to change.

But for today, and just because I had received a few questions and inquiries about the book, I want to post the prologue and the first chapter as they stand today. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section or via Twitter (@GreedyStripes). If the support is there I will post a few more chapters, and if not then I will leave well enough alone and won’t bore you with the details of our love story built from across the battlefield.

Enjoy, and really… let me know your thoughts. I need the criticism, good or bad. Thank you in advance.




Prologue

Welcome to the Land of Bartow, a war-ravaged world in a constant struggle for power and dominance. Once ruled by an evil dictator-led group named Scopely the Land of Bartow was liberated by a group of freedom fighters known as the Valkyries. With Scopely out of the way and the Valkyries taking over as the leaders of the Land of Bartow the land, and the region it made up, flourished.

As with any story of absolute power, the absolute power corrupts absolutely which led to many unhappy people across the Land of Bartow. Pockets of resistance began popping up all across the region, but many went ignored by the Valkyries regime. Was it pride, cockiness, or just ignorance that was the reason for this? That much is unclear, but as one rebel group fell two would pop up in their place until one group stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Ironically the group named themselves “Defiance,” and defy the odds they did turning into one of the biggest resistance groups to stand up and fight the Valkyries in all of Bartow. Now that Defiance was finally on the Valkyries radar, was it too late?

Follow Dan, a member of the Valkyries in charge of spying on and keeping tabs over the rebel group, Defiance, during his struggle of what is right, what is wrong, and what is meant to be. When Dan meets a young woman by the name of Kari from across the battlefield can a love grow, and a relationship prosper? Or will it be just like everything else in Bartow? Set up to fail before it started.




Chapter 1       The Rise

The world is darkest just before the sunrise and that was the case in the Land of Bartow on this cold Monday morning in December. The sky was pitch black, but Dan was already awake and ready to start his day. Dan was a member of the Valkyries, a government regime that ruled and ran the Land of Bartow and a regime that has long before Dan had ever been brought into the world. The Valkyries had long-owned the Land of Bartow and they did so by any means necessary, by force, by might and by deceit. The Valkyries leader, Poke, ruled with an iron fist and if anyone ever attempted to stand against him and his regime it was immediate exile and death, it depended on how much he liked you as to which came first.

Dan was relatively new to the Valkyries being a member less than a year, but he felt at home there. He felt happy there. Dan was not the strongest member of the Valkyries nor was he the biggest member either standing with an average height, average weight and containing his average looks. Dan was just that in every way, at least in his own eyes, average. Dan wore his blonde hair short, almost shaved actually, and a neatly trimmed beard that only accentuated his deep blue eyes. Dan had never been one to draw the attention from many, both from the male and the female persuasion, and he didn’t speak much either, but when he did Dan generally commanded the attention of the room. Dan was a leader, through and through, and he not only commanded attention and respect, he demanded it.

This was especially important for Dan as he was recently made a member of the Valkyries council. The council were essentially the leaders of the group that ran both the Valkyries and the Land of Bartow. It was a position of power and a position of prestige among your peers within the community, and it was a job that Dan took very seriously.

As Dan walked out of his home he kissed his two young children, Evan and Hayden, goodbye for the day and went on to work as he had every day for a year prior, but today would be different. It was the day after Christmas and something was just in the air, Dan could feel it.




You are obviously under no obligation to purchase this, especially knowing that this WILL change, and a lot, but if you are interested in the book and want the entire physical copy for yourself you can find the book here. Link below. I am also in the process of adding a digital copy to Kindle and such, but I haven’t made it that far yet. Bear with me and thank you for your continued support.



https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Valkyries-events-Daniel/dp/1719011427/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528723885&sr=8-1&keywords=the+rise+and+fall+of+the+valkyries&dpID=31jdKqTN2ZL&preST=_SX258_BO1,204,203,200_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Meet a Prospect: Anthony Seigler



The New York Yankees took a switch-hitting, switch-throwing and switch-pitcher named Anthony Seigler with their first-round pick in the 2018 MLB First Year Players Draft. Let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Anthony Seigler Edition.

The New York Yankees selected Anthony Seigler with the 23rd overall pick of the first-round last week in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Georgia (which is a shade over an hour away from where I currently live). Seigler was drafted as a catcher by the Yankees despite playing multiple positions in High School including spending time as a starting pitcher.

Seigler is a switch-hitter, which you don’t see very often at the Major League level for catchers anymore, but he is also a switch-pitcher with the ability to throw with both his left and right hands. Remember when the Yankees drafted switch-pitcher Pat Venditte back in the 20th round in 2008? Well, Seigler could be better than Venditte was ever projected to be.

Baseball America had a lot to say about Seigler before the draft including the fact that Seigler’s pro future was behind the plate as a catcher. BA continues on to say that Seigler is an “impressive receiver and has a strong throwing arm, with pop times that hover around 2.00 seconds in-game.” Seigler has hit well at every level and has definite doubles power that could turn into home run power as he continues to grow and mature into his body, remember he was drafted as a High School kid. Scouts rave about his makeup and personality, which always helps in New York, as well as his toughness. I can see Seigler being an immediate fan-favorite a la Aaron Judge if and when he makes it to the Major League level.

Seigler’s small frame may hinder him from ever seeing the mound with the Yankees standing just 5’11” and weighing in at just 200 lbs., but Luis Severino (6’2” and 215 lbs.) isn’t much bigger, and neither was Pedro Martinez… and that pair did okay. Seigler throws a changeup from the left side and chances his arm slot often while hitting 92 MPH. From the right side Seigler throwing in the high 80-MPH range and relies on deception and control to get opposing batters out.

Seigler decided to forego his commitment to the University of Florida to sign with the Yankees so it will be interesting how the team develops him and where he ends up when he is assigned presumably later this month. Welcome to the organization Anthony, and welcome to the family!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Washington Nationals 6/12



Good morning everyone and welcome back to real baseball, American League baseball, and not that cringe-worthy National League and interleague play style baseball where pitchers struggle to bat, lay down bunts, and apparently get hurt every time they run the damn bases. That is another rant for another post, but trust me it is coming, but today we will focus on the series that is set to begin between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals. The Yankees will miss both Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in this series, which doesn’t hurt my feelings in the slightest if I am being completely honest. In the first of the quick two-game set between the two clubs the Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound, to face off with Tanner Roark for the Nationals. Let’s get to it here in the Bronx.

Sabathia had not gotten a victory in five straight starts before his last outing in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Sabathia ended his drought and took home a victory in the start after throwing seven innings of work allowing just two runs and three hits in a 7-2 win for the Yankees.


Roark will make his first career start against the Yankees tonight against a team who was shut out against the New York Mets on Sunday night. Roark will look to do the same tonight for Washington and will look to log at least six innings for the Nationals, something he has done in 11 of his 12 starts thus far this season.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11 and MASN. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, with the MLB At-Bat app, and by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast with the legendary duo of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.


Enjoy the game, paging Gary Sanchez and his bat, and go Yankees!!

Hello… And Welcome Back!



Good morning everyone and welcome back to the blog. I apologize for my couple week hiatus from writing and I hope you all are still around to read these words. Life is busy, it’s summer time. School is out down here, vacations are being taken and work is through the roof right now. Things are calming down though for the most part so just bear with me while I get things caught up here on the blog. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a bunch of news to share with you.

On Friday, June 8th I took my lovely girlfriend Kari to the top of a local spot here where we live called Amicalola Falls. I had never been before, although she had multiple times, so I enjoyed our hike up the falls and the scenery that surrounded it. It was a beautiful site and is something that I encourage anyone to go see if they are in the area, but this area will always be special to us for an entirely different reason. On that fateful night I asked my Kari to marry me! And of course, she said yes, I mean… how could she not? So, my girlfriend Kari is now my fiancĂ© Kari. Yay!!

I love you my beautiful Kari, I always have, and I always will. Now let’s get caught up on all this Yankees news, shall we?



Remembering a Muggy Night in 2012


As many of you know, or you may not know, I moved to metro Atlanta, Georgia from the Bronx, New York back in 1999 and get to see the Yankees live very few times these days. The Yankees came down to Atlanta in 2009 and of course I attended as many games as I could so I was excited to see them come back down in 2012. I am a very superstitious person in my nature so my line of thinking was “the last time the Yankees came to Atlanta they won the World Series” in 2009 so that made me all the more excited for 2012 trip to Turner Field. We all know the history of that season, Derek Jeter's ankle, the offense going to sleep in October and the eventual loss in the American League Championship Series in 2012 but that's not what this story is about.


I remember a warm and muggy night on this day in 2012 when the Yankees were playing in the second game of a three game set at Turner Field in Atlanta. The Yankees had the bases loaded and Alex Rodriguez was at the plate while I sat in my usual box seats, fourth row Yankee side of the field. The Braves were winning 4-0 and my phone was blowing up with texts and Facebook posts about the Braves whooping the Yankees, the Yankees suck, omg Braves, Braves, Braves while I was there at the stadium and how the streak was ready to come to an end. That streak involves the Yankees win/loss record with me in attendance. I am 29 years old and I have seen tons of Yankees games live in the Bronx, in Tampa and now in Atlanta and the team has never lost a game while I was in attendance. While I have to admit my hopes were low at that point and my phone was one more #RISPFAIL away from being thrown onto the field before a funny thing happened, the Yankees rallied.


The Yankees loaded the bases with Rodriguez coming to the plate while I was wearing my A Rod jersey, something I was reluctant to do after the steroid admission but I was saving my Cano jersey for the next night, which seemed like fate to me. The Braves had shutdown reliever Jonny Venters on the mound which made me far from confident, Venters was awesome, which was only compounded when the count went full. Then something amazing happened, A Rod connected.... pandemonium.


Alex had hit his 23rd career grand slam tying a 74 year old major league record held by the Yankees Lou Gehrig. A Rod tied the game in the 8th inning and the Yankees ended up winning the game 6-4. The Facebook posts stopped, the texts went silent and I witnessed history. While I was at the next game the next night I ended up talking to the camera man at the stadium and he gave me the press release for the game the night before. Truth be told the only reason I think he gave us the release was because my wife was in a low cut dress and he thought she was hot, but hey I'll take it and took it as a compliment. I saw history and now have history in my hands and it all happened on a muggy night in Atlanta on this day in 2012. It was Craig Kimbrel bobblehead night as well which was awesome because my two sons now have a bobblehead of the Braves all-time saves leader.

This Day in New York Yankees History 6/12: Lou Gehrig’s Final Game


On this day in 1939 Lou Gehrig plays his final game as a member of the New York Yankees while in an exhibition game. A record crowd of 23,864 fans filed into Ruppert Stadium to see the Kansas City Blues play the Yankees. Gehrig played three innings and batted eight while grounding out weakly to second base in his only at bat.


Alex Rodriguez did something pretty significant as well and it pertains to Gehrig as well but more on that later....


Also on this day in 1928 Lou Gehrig has a week of it by collecting fourteen total bases when he collected two triples and two home runs in the same game. The Yankees would beat the Chicago White Sox 15-7 in Comiskey Park behind Gehrig's outburst.


Finally the New York Highlanders, later to be named the New York Yankees, were never known for being a good team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. On this day in 1907 the Highlanders committed a total of 11 errors in one game, and that's not a typo. Eight different Highlanders committed an error in a 16-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The Highlanders shortstop Kid Elberfeld committed four errors by himself while playing in front of the home team at American League Park.


Also on this day in 1990 in a bit of non-Yankees related news Cal Ripken Jr. continued his attack of Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak while playing in his 1,308th consecutive game. Ripken would move into second place on the all-time list ahead of former Yankees and Red Sox shortstop Everett Scott. Scott played consecutively from 1918-1925.