Derek Jeter Appreciation Thread

Derek Jeter has just played a hand full of games this season and has been on the disabled list more times this season combined then he ever probably was in his career (or three times, whichever is closer) but I still felt compelled to include him in our final "Appreciation" post. Jeter comes off the disabled list the first time and the Yankees not only win but put up an unheard of, sarcastic exaggeration but not by much with this offense, eight runs against the Kansas City Royals. Jeter would find himself back on the DL after the game only to work himself back once again and would hit a home run on the first pitch he saw against Matt Moore and the Rays. Derek Jeter just being on the field, home run or not, sends the Yankees a message that he is ready to put us on his back and lead us to the promised land. I do not think it is a coincidence that Alfonso Soriano was 0-8 as a Yankee before Jeter came back and then went 4-5 with a walk off in the game against the Rays that Jeter returned to. Jeter makes the offense better and makes everyone take a collective breathe while at the plate because one run may not necessarily beat us anymore. Thank you Derek for 18 great years as a Yankee, for not having a twitter account, for smashing every woman that could possibly be in a Vogue magazine, and for loving the game more than anyone in the game. Thank you for being you Jeter! Get well soon and let's get back on the field and start winning again!

Brett Gardner Appreciation Thread

Brett Gardner has silenced a lot of the doubters and his haters this season with a gritty performance after gritty performance day after day. Tons of fans speculated whether Gardner could be a lead off man or not but he has silenced the doubters leading the team in OBP this season, steals, and continues to grind out at bats and making the opposing pitchers work. A lot of fans thought he should be in left field and not center field and Gardner has responded by having the best UZR as a center field in the league covering a ton of ground in Yankees Stadium. Too many fans thought that Brett could not stay healthy for an entire season or be an every day player but if you check BaseballReference.com Brett has definitely done both of those. Thank you for playing every day, your 15 pitch at bats that result in a walk, and thank you for having your uniform dirty every single game. Thank you Brett!

Hiroki Kuroda Appreciation Thread

Hiroki Kuroda has been the ace of the Yankees staff since joining the bombers before the 2012 season. I have to say I was leading the "skeptical because he is coming from Japan" and "also skeptical because he is coming from the NL West" bandwagons and Hiroki has done nothing but prove me wrong ever since. Hiroki has continued to get better with the switch of leagues and is seemingly getting better with age. Hiroki has not had the ace title or even position in the starting lineup but he has undeniably been the Yankees best starter not only in 2012 but this season as well. I am truly going to miss Hiroki Kuroda whenever it is he decided to hang it up or return to Japan because pitchers like him do not come along often, especially in a big market like New York. Thank you for putting us on your back Hiroki and trying to lead us to the promised land and the ultimate goal every season, a World Series Championship. Thank you Hiroki!

Mariano Rivera Appreciation Thread

Mariano Rivera has been the figure head of the New York Yankees bullpen since the 1997 when he was handed the reigns as the full time closer and has not slowed down since. The all time saves leader has announced that 2013 will be his final season and he is not wasting the opportunity whatsoever. Mariano had over 30 saves at the break and shows no signs of decline, aging, or mortality. A lot of players could have decided to slack off a little in their final seasons or let the spotlight affect their game but not the right hand of God himself. Mariano has come back with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder and seemingly something to prove which is a fire that the Yankees and their fans will surely miss next season and beyond when he is gone. Thank you Mariano for the last 18 seasons and for everything you did both on and off the mound for baseball and the New York Yankees. Thank you for one MO!

Robinson Cano Appreciation Thread

What could I possibly say about Robinson Cano and what he has meant to the Yankees both on and off the field this season? With the Yankees having seemingly no offense this year Cano has been one of the only bright spots in the lineup and may even get fellow blogger Benjamin Kabak to "eat his hat" by drawing 80 walks this season. With the Yankees having to run out their AAA team because everybody was injured and on the disabled list Cano has been in the lineup and in the field basically every day this season. With the media having a field day with Alex Rodriguez and his contract, his steroid suspension, etc we have not heard much out of Robinson Cano and his contract demands. Robby has been the walking, talking version of what a Yankees player should be. Robby, much like Derek Jeter, has been the quiet leader of the team choosing to lead by example rather than his words. Thank you Robbie for everything that you have given to baseball and the New York Yankees not only this season but ever since you broke into the major leagues. Thank you!

Lyle Overbay Appreciation Thread

Where would the New York Yankees be this season without Lyle Overbay in the starting lineup? We were set to give the last spot on the bench to former Yankee Juan Rivera until the Red Sox let Overbay go right before Spring Training was over and it may have been the best thing that has happened to this team this season. Lyle Overbay has had clutch hit after clutch hit and has even outperformed a normal Mark Teixeira season in a lot of categories not labeled home runs. Matt Imbrogno from IIATMS and formerly of the Yankees Ananlysts had an interesting tweet this morning stating that Lyle Overbay has a 78 wRC+ in high leverage situations this season which tells you the whole story. Thank you Lyle for coming in and far exceeding anyone's expectations. Thank you for being a class act and a good teammate by not causing a stir when Mark Teixeira came back and took at bats from you. Rather than leaving the team or complaining you happily went to the outfield and found a way to help the team. Thank you Lyle for everything you have done for this team all season long and I just hope that we can repay you with a playoff run.

Ivan Nova Appreciation Post

Because there is ZERO way you can be worse then what Freddy Garcia has been giving us. Welcome back to the big leagues, to the Yankees, and to the starting rotation Ivan. Go out there and bring us first place! I have faith in Nova! This is a fresh start because nobody will remember the last month or two if you go out and dominate the rest of this year and into the playoffs.

Derek Jeter Appreciation Post

As we all know Yankees short stop Derek Jeter is chasing Red's Pete Rose for the all time hit list in major league history. Baseball has it's share of black eyes right now, especially at the top of the record books. Barry Bonds holds the all time home run record in history but has the whole steroid allegations at his back which could keep him out of the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose has the all time hit record but was banned from baseball for sports betting and will probably also never see the Hall. Derek Jeter has the opportunity to make people forget about one of the two major league black eyes.

Derek Jeter has been the poster child , not only for the Yankees but, for all of Major League Baseball. He never argues, never gets into trouble, always plays hard, and has a smile on his face. He runs out every ground ball, is respectful to every person whether it be a rookie to an umpire, and simply just does everything right. He has held the Yankees together since 1995 with his clutch hits and his fist pumps on the way to five World Championships.

The only thing, in my opinion, that can keep Jeter from getting to Rose and passing him is himself. Does Jeter want to play that long? Does Jeter have anything left to actually play for and motivate him into his mid 40's? If I know Jeter like I think I do then I think removing the black eye around the all time hits record will be motivation enough for Jeter.. and I would not expect anything less.

Thank You Derek Jeter for a great career and we will be behind you as you take down Pete Rose!

Alex Rodriguez Appreciation Post

Heeee's Baaaaaaack!! Alex Rodriguez will come off the 15 day DL today and make his return to the Yankees lineup as the DH in Tampa against the Rays. The Yankees are a .500 team without Alex Rodriguez and a much better team with him in the middle of that lineup, producing or not. Alex gives us a right handed power threat in the middle of the lineup that was seriously lacking in the weeks that we have missed him. He has kept in shape using various exercise programs, throwing footballs, and running to keep his legs in shape. All we have to worry about now is when Alex can get his timing back.  He struggled to even make contact on the ball in the minor leagues but either way Alex is back and I hope he brought the winning with him!

Joba Chamberlain Appreciation Post

Joba Chamberlain has come back way ahead of schedule from his Tommy John surgery that he had to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. On top of that he also had a dislocated ankle caused by a trampoline incident. Some gave him hell about the trampoline accident but as a father myself I do not blame him at all. If my son thought it would be a good idea to jump off the roof into the pool and it would get a smile out of him I would at least consider it...

With that said this post was made to show our appreciation for Joba. This post was not make just for his on the field actions but his off the field actions as well. No one makes it back from two major surgeries unless they just go all out on rehab and conditioning and have the will to do it. Not only did Joba come back and make our "specialist" bullpen a hell of a lot more versatile and nasty he also showed he has that fire and that determination that any Yankees fan should admire.

Let us look at Joba's very small sample size of a 2012 season as of 8/16:

0-0 Win/Loss Record

4.2 IP 

3.86 K/9 

1.93 HR/9

72.9 LOB %

45.0 GB %

7.71 ERA

6.31 FIP

-0.1 WAR 

1 HOLD

2 K's

2.36 WHIP

.409 BAA

Joba is healthy and throwing the ball in the upper 90's again which is a great sign. He is getting major league batters out with strike outs and ground balls which is an even better sign. These stats look horrible right now but no one expects them to stay anywhere near these levels, not that they are important. What is important is he actually WANTS to be here and play professional baseball and that is the only sign I need. Thank you Joba now let's go get that ring!

Chris Stewart Appreciation Post

For a guy that is not CC Sabathia's personal catcher maybe he very well should be because he has been great back there for CC and the Yankees as a whole. In a shocking move to some, including myself, the Yankees acquired Chris Stewart to back up Russell Martin behind the dish late in Spring Training rather then use Francisco Cervelli. Chris Stewart has done nothing to disappoint and has done nothing but make Brian Cashman, once again, look like a genius. Let's take a look at what Chris Stewart has done for the Yankees this season behind the plate in limited action.



.268 AVG (career high)
1 HR (2 away from career high)
12 RBI (career high in MLB)
30 H (3 away from MLB career high)
.294 OBP (0.06 points from career high)
.357 SLG (career high)
.285 wOBA (career high)
0.4 WAR (1.2 career high WAR last season)
4 Errors



His contributions go way beyond the stats. He has allowed us to give Russell Martin regular rest while calling great games behind the dish. He is a real stopper when it comes to opposing base runners and is used to a National League type play, which you do not see around here much time. Chris seems to play his heart out every time he goes out there with no exceptions or complaints. I just hope that we can reward Chris with a ring for his hard work this season.

Derek Jeter Appreciation Post

Derek Jeter is probably the most appreciated player that we have on the Yankees.. so why would I make an appreciation post for him you ask? Simply put the guy is 38 years old and still producing like he is 28 years old. He can still take that ball the other way, fight off tough pitches, hit for a high average, and is far from a slouch in the field (although his range is limited as it always has been) with the best of them (or better) at his age. Derek Jeter has been the rock at the top of the Yankees order, the spark plug in most cases, and as always an integral part to the Yankees on both sides of the ball.

Here are a look at the 2012 stats from our 38 year old shortstop as of 8/14



.318 AVG
9 HR
38 RBI
154 H
.360 OBP
.424 SLG
.343 wOBA
1.9 WAR
8 Errors




Thank you Derek for simply being Derek. That is all that will be said because that is all that needs to be said. Your name alone speaks for itself. Now go out there and get ring number six!!

Hiroki Kuroda Appreciation Post

As all of our fans knows I am a huge fan of Hiroki Kuroda. I even pointed out in one of my post how stats are either comparable or better then our ace CC Sabathia. Kuroda is showing that not only can a National League pitcher come to the American League and be just as good, if not better, but also that a Japanese pitcher can in fact be productive in America. Kuroda is a steal on a one year deal and only $10 million deal that he signed this offseason. Let us look at his stats for this season thus far:

10 - 8 Win/Loss Record

150 IP 

6.96 K/9 

0.96 HR/9

78.1% LOB %

50.7% GB %

3.24 ERA

3.76 FIP

2.9 WAR 

1 CG

1 SHO

1.19 WHIP

.250 BAA

I want to thank Hiroki Kuroda for being a much better pitcher then his win and loss record shows, for keeping our head above water when everyone else was struggling and CC was out, and for going out there every 5th day and giving it his all. I know you will not understand this when you read it Hiroki but thank you for being a Yankee. Now let us go get a ring!!

#HIROK

David Phelps Appreciation Post

David Phelps has been the best that we could have ever asked for this season. Whether he is starting, mopping up games, setting up, middle relief, cleaning toilets, or dominating the minor leagues he has done what he has been asked and done it well. For a guy that many, NOT myself included, had behind guys like Adam Warren, Dellin Betances, and Manny Banuelos (well maybe him) he has done a ton in many peoples opinions towards changing their minds. Let's look at what Mr. Phelps, no relation to that swimmer guy, has done for the Yankees in various roles this season.

Phelps will be starting tonight in place of recently DL'd CC Sabathia against the Texas Rangers and recently acquired Ryan Dempster.

2-3 Win/Loss Record

52  IP 

9.69 K/9 

1.04 HR/9

87.7 LOB %

43.2 GB %

2.42 ERA

3.70 FIP

0.6 WAR 

1 HOLD

3 STARTS / 19 RELIEF APP

1.13 WHIP

.208 BAA

David has been the "go to, get stuff done" kind of guy that everyone likes to have around. The best part about it is that he has always had a smile on his face doing it. He has had a roller coaster of a rookie season for the Yankees but if it ends with a ring then I do not think you will hear him complain, or anyone for that matter, too awfully loud. Thank you David now let us get this kid a ring!

Raul Ibanez Appreciation Post

I am not going to lie I was one of the many that had fond memories of Johnny Damon as a Yankee. Fond memories of that walk off weekend against the Twins, fond memories of Derek Jeter batting second in a lineup, and fond memories of another great club house guy. When I heard we were going after 40 year old Raul Ibanez over Johnny Damon, who is slowly approaching 3000 hits, I was honestly confused and appalled by it. Boy was I wrong...

Clutch hit after clutch hit and stepping up when we needed him most in the abscence of Brett Gardner I think we got everything we could have ever wanted  from him AND Johnny Damon wrapped up in one player, Raul Ibanez. Let's look at this great season that Raul, You're So Cool, is having:




.247 AVG
15 HR
51 RBI
71 H
.309 OBP
.469 SLG
.330 wOBA
0.8 WAR
0 Errors



Raul I admit it I was wrong and I apologize. I fell into the signing a player more for their name and previous accolades then I did the stats (even though Johnny Damon's splits vs RHP were better... just saying ) and situations. When used properly there is still a ton left in that tank and I am glad that your tank has been here in New York with us. Now let's get you a ring!

Eric Chavez Appreciation Post

Eric Chavez is in his second season with the Yankees and has been nothing but stellar for us. He has signed on to be a part time player to help give Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira days off and has excelled as a part time player. This season, especially lately, he has been counted on to bat in the middle of the lineup and man the hot corner and has not had a single hiccup. He has even *knock on wood* managed to stay healthy all season long with zero trips to the DL. Here is what Eric Chavez has done this season as a Yankee.



77 G
12 HR
29 RBI
.289 AVG
.347 OBP
.526 SLG
.366 wOBA
1.3 WAR
Only 4 Errors in the field
1 Head shot of Cody Eppley




This post is in appreciation for Eric Chavez and what he has done for the Yankees this season. Thank you Eric and hopefully we can reward you this season with a ring.

Rafael Soriano Appreciation Post

Rafael Soriano signed one of, if not the most, lucrative deal ever for a set up man (and eventually a 7th inning man) in the history of ludicrous spending and baseball. Boy are we glad this season for management pushing Brian Cashman to sign Soriano? When Mariano Rivera tore his ACL shagging fly balls in May in Kansas City and after David Robertson suffered an injury Soriano, by necessity, was plugged into the closers role and has not disappointed.

Since being a closer Soriano's stats look like this:


27 Saves
2 Blown Saves
1 Loss
Lowered his ERA from 2.77 to 1.79 but got as low as 1.46
6 Runs Allowed
34 K's
1 Season Saved for the Yankees





This post is to personally thank Mr. Rafael Soriano for his contributions to this team this season and here's to many more #untucks and maybe even a World Series Ring.