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| Aaron Judge |
Life is good when there is Yankees Baseball every night…
I am happy the 2025 season is firmly underway. Unfortunately, it coincides with a move from California to New Mexico, so I will take a sabbatical for most of this month as I wrap things up in sunny Southern California and move to the Land of Enchantment. On the downside, there is no Major League Baseball in Albuquerque. Baseball is represented by the top farm club for the Colorado Rockies, the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. I have never been to Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, but that will change this summer.
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| Isotopes Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico |
I have always enjoyed Minor League Baseball. Fewer crowds create a more intimate setting for the games and the chance to see great young talent as they journey to the Major Leagues. Years ago, I was fortunate to see Cal Ripken, Jr. as a Double-A player. I have never forgotten that game. You knew he was going to be a star. It was just a matter of time. He was just one example. Seeing young guys play before they achieve Major League stardom is exciting.
Phoenix will probably be the easiest city to catch Major League games, but I have no desire to see the Arizona Diamondbacks. A little further, but not much, is Denver, Colorado. As a former Denver resident, I will travel north to Coors Field. For the record, I am a former Phoenix resident, too, but I have never forgiven the obnoxious D-Backs fans for their behavior outside of the ballpark in Phoenix during the 2001 World Series. I have a better feeling about the Rockies and their fans. Plus, after the Isotopes play, seeing the guys who graduate to the Major Leagues at Coors Field will be nice.
My hope is that Albuquerque will be the final stop for me. I have lived across the country, and New Mexico will be the eleventh state I have called home. I have no interest in chasing all fifty states or even twelve. I do not need a dirty dozen to make this complete. In recognition of Brett Gardner and the horrific tragedy that he and his family suffered recently, eleven sounds like a good stopping point. To step aside, I am so sorry for Brett’s loss. I cannot imagine how horrific it would be to lose a son on the cusp of the start of a tremendous and impactful life. There are no words, actions, or anything we can do to ease the pain for Brett and his family. They are in our thoughts and prayers.
Weirdly, some of the latest celebrities have involved New Mexico residents. Gene Hackman and Val Kilmer. I did not know that either man lived in New Mexico until they had passed. New Mexico is not necessarily a state I chose by preference unless you are discussing family. My son and his wife live in Albuquerque, and being at his home within minutes sounds nice. Well, better than that, it was an overriding factor in where I wanted to be. My son is a good man, and I am proud of him. There is literally nothing better than to hear my son call to ask if I want to go grab a beer. I am looking forward to spending more time with him and his family.
But enough about me and my move.
I am excited about the New York Yankees' 2025 season. Sure, it would have been nice if Juan Soto had decided to take a few million dollars and some extra benefits to stay in Pinstripes, but it is what it is. He chose the money, and it was his right to do so. I have moved on. I wish him luck with the Mets, but at this point, he is just another Met—guys I do not think much about.
Back problems aside, I am glad to have Cody Bellinger on the Yankees. He is not Juan Soto, but he does not need to be. The Yankees could improve in other areas with the money they would have used to re-sign Soto. I like Cody’s swing, and it will be fun to see him develop a close and intimate relationship with Yankee Stadium. He seems like a good dude, and I am glad he is there for the other guys.
Max Fried will be good. I know things have not been perfect initially, but I am not concerned. The way he embraced being a Yankee bodes well for his future. He has talent, and he will persevere. As the elevated ace of the staff, I have no qualms about Fried being the guy until Cole returns next year. I am glad he is a Yankee.
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| Max Fried (Photo Credit: Getty Images) |
Last year, we always thought Trent Grisham was worth more time in the field, time he never got. He has taken advantage this year, much to our benefit. Grisham will never be an elite player but does not need to be. Play his role, which is the ask. So far, so good. Three home runs and seven ribbies after seventeen at-bats are not bad. Suitable for 0.5 WAR. OBP is .571, and SLG is 1.059…not sustainable, but Grisham shows he can help.
It is funny how the Torpedo Bat got so much attention when the Yankees came out slugging to start the season. It made it seem like the Yankees were the only team playing with the Torpedo Bats. If the bat is legal, let the boys play. Yankees Hate is a powerful thing.
I do not understand the Yankees and reliever Adam Ottavino. No disrespect to the childhood Yankees fan and respected Major League reliever (hard to believe that he will be forty years old after the season ends). When the Yankees signed him to replace Devin Williams, temporarily placed on the paternity list, another reliever might go when Williams returned. There was a financial commitment to Ottavino, so they were unlikely to cut him loose when Williams returned, but that is precisely what they did. When Williams was activated, Ottavino was designated for assignment. It seemed odd since the Yankees could have called up a minor leaguer to cover for a few days while Williams was out without spending much money.
A bigger surprise was tonight. First, it was reported that Ottavino had rejected a minor league assignment and was once again a free agent. Fine. Such is life. I never really expected him to accept a trip to Eastern Pennsylvania. Then came the word the Yankees had re-signed Ottavino, and he will rejoin the team in Detroit this week. Reliever Brent Headrick was optioned to Triple-A after Sunday’s game, so Ottavino presumably will take Headrick’s place. A weird sequence of events, but I wish Ottavino the best, and I hope he makes us proud. It is too bad that Marcus Stroman grabbed 0 when he joined the Yankees. It kind of seems like it should be Ottavino’s number. 58 seems like an odd choice. Oh well, Ottavino can make the new number his own.
I like Ottavino, but having him back is weird after he played for the two worst possible teams for Yankees fans: the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets. I know he is a New York guy, and playing in the Northeast is preferential. If he wears the Pinstripes, I want him to succeed. Welcome back, again.
With no disrespect for Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza, I still want a better third baseman.
I apologize for the short post, but as they say, life happens. This is not a paying gig, and my focus is my move to New Mexico. I hope the Yankees are in first place when I get to or close to the other side of the move. Wish me luck in my new environment.
As always, Go Yankees!