This Day in New York Yankees History 4/6: Ron Blomberg

In 1973 the Yankees Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in major league history. In his first plate appearance the DH drew a walk off of Luis Tiant in a 15-5 loss at the hands of the bitter rival Boston
Red Sox.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/6: Ron Blomberg

In 1973 the Yankees Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in major league history. In his first plate appearance the DH drew a walk off of Luis Tiant in a 15-5 loss at the hands of the bitter rival Boston
Red Sox.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/6: Ron Blomberg

In 1973 the Yankees Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in major league history. In his first plate appearance the DH drew a walk off of Luis Tiant in a 15-5 loss at the hands of the bitter rival Boston
Red Sox.

Twitter Poll: Are You Worried About Alex Rodriguez?

Twitter poll: are you beginning to worry about Alex Rodriguez and his production for the rest of the season?? May use answer in a blog post!

— Greedy Pinstripes (@GreedyStripes) August 14, 2015

The New York Yankees find themselves in a bit of a Catch 22 as we sit here on August 15^th. The team came into the season not expecting nor relying on now 40 year old Alex Rodriguez whatsoever but that has not gone according to plan. Alex has far exceeded anyone’s expectations and is now a daily staple in the #3 hole of the Yankees lineup. The Yankees have been able to keep him fresh and healthy by keeping him as a DH only but the dog days of summer may be starting to get to him. Alex has hit one home run in over two weeks now and may be finally starting to break down and wear out, but that’s just my opinion anyway. What’s yours? Twitter Poll incoming!

No RT @GreedyStripes A Rod hasn't hit a home run in 2 weeks. Worried?

— The Silent Assassin (@SilentAssassinM) August 14, 2015

@GreedyStripes slightly, bat looks a little slow these past 2 weeks. Weak grounder

— Niral Patel ॐ (@npatel114) August 14, 2015

@GreedyStripes yeah, he's looking old as hell

— Shane Corey (@Shane_Corey) August 14, 2015

@GreedyStripes a bit

— Kerri (@iamkerrixoxo) August 14, 2015

@GreedyStripes not really we all knew there was going to be a time during the season when he would be in a slump and not hitting A-Bombs

— Brian Donworth (@brddonworth) August 14, 2015

@AROD hits well in Toronto, he will get back on track this weekend #PinstripePride https://t.co/M5V9l7vFu1

— Jeremy Brewer (@j_brewer23) August 14, 2015

@GreedyStripes Beginning to worry? I'm worried already, looks like we're not getting much more out of him.

— 0 and counting (@_EduVL) August 14, 2015

@GreedyStripes He's gone cold before and come back strong. I'm not worried.

— Julie Ann Johnson (@Julie_Johnsoned) August 14, 2015

@GreedyStripes He is 40 now... Give him a day or two off & he'll be back on track. Not worried at all!

— Jessica (@FinnGirlJess) August 14, 2015

@GreedyStripes I think he is just tired maybe bird n tex can flip flop dh or let tex b switch hitter dh

— donaldday (@donaldday0129) August 14, 2015

Personally I think the call up for Greg Bird will be Rodriguez’s, and the Yankees, saving grace. The offense pretty much needs one of Alex or Mark Teixeira in the lineup at all times to have a chance to win on most nights and having Bird allows the team to get a little flexible. While Teixeira DH’s Bird can play first base while Alex rides the bench and gets a much needed rest. While Alex DH’s Teixeira can sit and relax knowing a suitable backup in Bird is in the field and at the plate. This rotation can get Bird plenty of at bats and can keep Teixeira and Rodriguez healthy and fresh for the stretch run and for the chase of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East Division race.

To be involved in our next Twitter Poll head on over to the app and give @GreedyStripes a follow, you won’t be sorry. Then all you have to do is be on the lookout for our next Twitter Poll tweet where we will not use your responses without informing you first.

Can Alex Rodriguez Keep This Up?

Alex Rodriguez turns 40 years old later in the month and despite being at an age that usually spells the end of a Major League player Rodriguez has been one of the best Yankees bats in 2015. Rodriguez no longer has to wear down his body and specifically his lower half by playing in the field as he is the Yankees full-time DH but will that be enough for Rodriguez to keep this up for the rest of the 2015 season?

Alex has played basically every day for the Yankees this season but getting a half-day off essentially by not playing in the field Alex has remained healthy and fresh for the most part this season. When Alex starts wailing at pitches and missing pitches with consistency that he would normally smash you can tell he is wearing down and needs a day off but Joe Girardi has been good about giving all his players the days off that they need. Alex did not play at all in the 2014 season and played in just 17 games during the 2013 season due to a second hip surgery and various lower leg injuries meaning that Alex may or may not begin to wear down the longer this season carries on.

The good news for Rodriguez, snub or not, is that the Yankees DH is fresh off a four game All-Star break and gets a few days off here and there in National League parks. All in all with a manager that prioritizes days off for his players, the days off during Interleague Play and the fact that Rodriguez does not play in the field outside of an emergency I can't find a reason why Alex doesn't keep this fort the remainder of the season and push 30 home runs before it is all said and done.

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Miami Marlins 6/16

Last night we watched as Masahiro Tanaka took his at bats against the Miami Marlins and tonight we watch as Nathan Eovaldi faces off against his old team. Eovaldi and Garrett Jones were traded from Miami to New York this winter for Martin Prado and David Phelps so there will be some reunions on both sides tonight with Eovaldi taking the mound for the Yankees. Facing off with Eovaldi is Phelps for the Marlins. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

• Eovaldi faces off with his former team tonight for the first time in his career and he comes with a new pitch, the splitter. Eovaldi started throwing the split last September under then pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and has continued to work on it and a forkball under current pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

• Phelps faces off with his former team tonight for the first time in his career as he comes off easily his best performance of his career. Phelps threw eight shutout innings against the Colorado Rockies last time out in a victory for Miami improving his record to 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA in 11 starts.

The Yankees return home to play host to these same Miami Marlins tomorrow night in the Bronx with “Big Mike” Michael Pineda taking the mound for New York. I’ll just be happy when I don’t have to see our pitchers taking at bats anymore because it scares me, I’m not going to lie. Go Yankees!

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/6: Ron Blomberg

In 1973 the Yankees Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in major league history. In his first plate appearance the DH drew a walk off of Luis Tiant in a 15-5 loss at the hands of the bitter rival Boston
Red Sox.

Happy Opening Day 2015 ladies and gentleman! 

This Day In New York Yankees History 10/16

On this day in 1961 the Yankees purchased the contract of Robin Roberts from Philadelphia after he put up a 234-199 record. Roberts would never throw in a game in a Yankees uniform as he was released in May of 1962 before throwing a single regular season pitch.

On this day in 1962 the Yankees beat the Giants 1-0 in Game 7 to win the franchise's 20th World Series championship of their storied history. Willie McCovey would line out to Bobby Richardson for the final out of the series.

On this day in 1976 the Yankees witnessed a little bit of history in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. The DH was implemented in the American League in 1973 but today we would see the first National League player to ever be a DH in a game. Dan Driessen batted fifth in the Reds lineup and would be the first as MLB used the DH full time right before this Fall Classic.

On this day in 2003 Aaron Boone put himself into Yankees history as he hit an ALCS winning walk off home run off the Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield in Game 7. This 11th inning blast would help the Yankees win 6-5 and win their 39th American League pennant.

Looking Ahead To 2014: The Designated Hitter

The Travis Hafner Era In New York Is Over

The Yankees have fallen in love with giving guys with no position but a ton of power the designated hitter position since signing Raul Ibanez for the 2012 season. The Yankees tried to catch lightning in a bottle again in 2013 when they signed Travis Hafner which was obviously a failure after multiple shoulder issues had him missing time as well as a power outage at the plate. The Yankees will surely let Travis Hafner walk after this season but will the Yankees give another aging power hitting veteran without a position the shot at the DH spot hoping for a third times the charm effect? Here is the complete list of 2014 free agents but I will hit the high spots and realistic options for the Yankees in this years free agency period.

Kendrys Morales (30 years old)

Delmon Young (28 years old)

Michael Young (37 years old)

Travis Hafner (37 years old)

Lance Berkman (37 years old)

Luke Scott (36 years old)

Mike Morse (32 years old)

Delmon Young is the youngest player on the list here and I am advocating for an all out effort to not only get better but get younger too but that does not start with Young. While he is younger, no pun intended, he is basically a DH only type. Sure he can play in the outfield, a place where we have plenty of options if you include Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte, but nobody would want him to unless they were really desperate. Travis Hafner is another that fits the "DH only" mold that the Yankees really need to start getting away from and so does Lance Berkman who has not had a healthy season in what feels like forever. Kendrys Morales is probably the most intriguing option here because he can play the infield, he has played the outfield, and is a switch hitter which the Yankees love. He can hit for power, for a good average, and has proven that he can stay healthy in the past two seasons which was the biggest concern for him. Kendrys Morales adds added flexibility, versatility, and power to the team and adds a switch hitter to the lineup that balances it out and brings us closer to the glory years of giving opposing managers late innings match up nightmares and #TooManyDamnHomeRuns.

If I am the GM I give Kendrys Morales a two year deal worth $12,000,000 that gives him a slight raise over 2013 and gives him the security of a two year deal.

Delmon Young Released But Is He A Target?

The New York Yankees are suddenly creeping right back into the wild card race and the playoff hunt with a strong series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and a little help from the league. The Yankees may now consider some upgrades on the roster, especially if they only require money and not players in trade, and a intriguing player just became available on the free agent market. The Philadelphia Phillies released Delmon Young yesterday after he refused an assignment to AAA after being designated for assignment. Young is a right handed bat with some power and has put up a stat line of .260/.301/.397 in 291 plate appearances this season after signing a one year deal worth $750,000 in the off season.

If the Yankees were to sign Delmon we would only be on the hook for around $180,000 for the rest of the season and he would become a free agent at the end of the season. Delmon is really a DH only kind of player but has dabbled some right field and other outfield spots in his career. Delmon has a career 162 game average triple slash of .283/.316/.423 with 16 home runs but would he be a fit for the Yankees?

If Delmon could play first base and finally give the Yankees the right handed platoon partner with Lyle Overbay I think he would already be signed but do the Yankees really need another outfielder and DH type to rotate into the lineup? We honestly need another outfielder like we need another injury or another prospect to bust. Also I cannot see the Yankees clogging up the DH spot so it seems likely that the Yankees will pass on Young whether he is an upgrade to the lineup or not.