What it Means to Be a Yankees Fan: Ken Hans

Over the weekend I asked many fans what it meant to them to be a Yankees fan. What prompted this was not only my own thought process, but my post under the same name that went live on Friday. I explained what being a Yankees fan meant to me on Friday while Bryan Van Dusen did the same on Saturday, now it is time to hear from a fan that isn’t a writer here on The Greedy Pinstripes. His name is Ken Hans and he has been commenting on our posts as a part of the TGP family for the better part of a year or two now, and today we all get to meet him and find out what being a Yankees fan means to him. Remember, to have your Yankees fandom showcased on the blog like Ken Hans be sure to answer these four questions below and email them to me at danielburch1102 at yahoo dot com.

Thank you to Ken Hans for taking the time to do this for us. I hope you all enjoyed reading his words as much as I did.

What makes you a fan of the New York Yankees?

Well my path as a Yankee fan was really bestowed upon me by my father. I started following the Yanks in the mid-sixties as Mantle’s career was starting to wind down. Mickey Mantle was my favorite player growing up. I went through the lean years in the sixties and I actually started to follow the Mets when they won the World Series in ‘69. I’m a baseball junkie at heart. I am a former college player that can just sit and dissect the game apart. Anyway, back to the Yankees. I have lived through many lean years and the days of seeing Celerino Sanchez, Horace Clark and Jerry Kenny were just painful. I loved players like Joe Pepitone and guys like Sparky Lyle. I guess you can say my father’s influence really pushed me towards the Yankees. I do enjoy the history of the team and all that it stands for. I don’t like the current ownership as I do think Hal is a Coupon Clipper and I enjoyed his dad from the standpoint that he reinvested in the team. Hal only cares about his wallet.

What is your earliest memory of the New York Yankees?

My earliest moments as a young boy around six-or-seven were when my dad would take me to the Yankee game on my birthday every year. First game I remember was against the Washington Senators and seeing big Frank Howard at first base. I also remember watching the games on channel 11 and listening to Frank Messer, Phil Rizzuto and Bill White. I loved that broadcast team. I also loved when they went away from the bullpen golf cart to the Toyota cars, but that was later on.

What is your fondest memory of the New York Yankees?

God that’s a hard one as I have so many. I remember the Bucky Dent HR against the Red SUX lol and the three HR game by Reggie Jackson. Loved Goose Gossage with the three inning saves and the Bronx Zoo team was my favorite. I would have to say my overall fondest memory was the Boston Massacre and just ripping them to shreds.

What do you think of when you see the interlocking NY of the Yankees?

When I see the interlocking NY I think greatness, history and overall a class organization that is the crème of the crop in all of sports history. No other sports franchise can claim all the championships we possess.

Happy Whitey Ford-Yogi Berra Day...

Photo Credit: SI.com (Kristyn Ulanday)

Opening the Gates of Steinbrenner Field…

As the saying goes, today is the first day of the rest of your life. Or as I prefer to call it, the first day of the 2018 New York Yankees. Welcome, Pitchers and Catchers! Your host, Aaron Boone, and his staff are eager and ready to serve you. 

I am excited and anxious to hear Boone’s kickoff press conference today at 12:00 pm ET. We’ve heard Boonie talk over the winter but now he’s officially in uniform and ready to lead Baseball’s most storied franchise to the Promised Land. It’ll be cool to get a glimpse inside his mind as he begins his Pinstriped Journey in earnest. Sure, he’s had the conference calls with his coaches and shared text messages, a few rounds of golf or dinner with his players, but today it gets real. It’s a very exciting time in the Yankees Universe. After meeting with the press today, Boone will lead the first official workout tomorrow on Valentine’s Day. Very appropriate given how much we love these Yankees.

My most recent fear was averted yesterday when it was the Texas Rangers (and not that the Yankees) that gave a minor league contract with training camp invite to free agent third baseman Trevor Plouffe. I was starting to get worried that we’d see him in Tampa, but alas, the Rangers saved the day.

There’s still time for new faces to appear but at the moment, the starting rotation returns intact from top to bottom and the leading contenders for second and third bases are Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar, respectively. The next few days will feature many bullpen sessions and we’ll get our first images of the new season. 

I am ready for Yankees baseball.

The Freak is back…

Speaking of reclamation projects, the Yankees will send a scout to watch Tim Lincecum’s showcase in Seattle on Thursday according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Admittedly, when I first heard the 34-year-old was attempting another comeback, I scoffed. Two years ago, he signed a deal with the Los Angeles Angels after providing an open tryout in front of scouts. He failed miserably, going 2-6 with 9.16 ERA in nine games pitched.  His WHIP was an unsightly 2.374. Maybe there’s nothing left, but then again, maybe there is. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images, via Men's Fitness (Joe Robbins, Otto Greule, Jr)

People scoffed at Bartolo Colon when he made a comeback with the Yankees a few years ago, yet he continues to pitch and it is likely he’ll find another Major League contract somewhere this year. I am not saying that Lincecum is Colon, but at one time, Lincecum was a very good pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. I seriously doubt he’ll ever be anything close to that level again but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Why not take a shot? If he shows nothing, you help him pack his bags and send him on his way. He certainly won’t be cost prohibitive at this point in his career. I’d sign him if he shows anything on Thursday. He wouldn’t unseat any current starters in the rotation regardless of how well he throws but he could be a better option as a replacement starter than Luis Cessa if he has anything left. I am sure some team will take a chance on The Freak through a minor league deal to see if he can help.

Stick a fork in him, he’s done…

I am so very disappointed in Rich “Goose” Gossage. At one time, the guy was my favorite player. I loved to watch him come into games throwing heat and shutting down the opposition. It was tough to watch Goose leave the Yankees when he signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Padres in January 1984. Even tougher watching the Padres in the World Series that year, who also featured former Yankee Graig Nettles at third base, even if they lost to the Detroit Tigers. I was excited when he played for a couple of months with the Yankees at the end of the 1989 season despite being in the twilight of his career. I was proud when he was named to MLB’s Hall of Fame in 2008. Unfortunately, his behavior since that time has been anything but professional. 

Last year, he took shots at Hall of Famer-to-be Mariano Rivera, one of my all-time favorite Yankees over the course of my lifetime, which I did not appreciate nor respect. When I heard the Yankees had not extended an invitation to Spring Training for Goose this year, I felt it was the right thing. The Yankees did not need the unwanted attention and distraction for a new manager and coaching staff. Yet, the New York Daily News beat writers had to reach to Goose to get comment about the spurned invitation and he chose to use it as a forum to go off on GM Brian Cashman.  

Frankly, I don’t care if Gossage ever sets foot in Yankee Stadium again.  He comes across as an angry old man to me.  I am tired of his “back in my day” rants. He played in a different era but it doesn’t mean that it was better. The game has changed. Sadly, Gossage has not. There is no place for him with today’s game and no place for him in the Yankees Universe. Let him go play Old Timer’s games with the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Oakland A’s or Seattle Mariners. What? Those teams do not hold their former players in same high regard as the Yankees? Sucks for him. Good riddance…

Rest in peace, facial hair…

We also say goodbye to CC Sabathia’s beard. 

While I personally feel that the Yankees should change the long-standing team policy that prohibits facial hair outside of “porn star” mustaches, it’s too bad that they can’t at least open Spring Training to a relaxed hair policy before the team heads north to put on the famed pinstriped jerseys. Sabathia had a very cool beard this winter, as did a number of other players. It would be nice to see them with a tougher look, if only for the exhibition games at Steinbrenner Field. Some guys, like Jordan Montgomery, could seriously stand an edgier look instead of the choir boy approach.  I know, the hair policy will never change. The Steinbrenner Family will always preserve George’s wishes as long as they own the team. I get the professionalism aspect to the policy but I am also a believer in self-expression. I am not crazy about Justin Turner’s flowing red hair and beard with the Los Angeles Dodgers but it is who he is and I would not want to change him. If it works for the player, it works for me. 

The baseball offseason is over. It is time to get to work...

Photo Credit: Newsday (J Conrad Williams, Jr)

 Go Yankees!

This Day in New York Yankees History 10/15: 2001 Yankees Move On

Just days after Derek Jeter saved the Yankees season in the ALDS against the Oakland Athletics with “the flip” the Yankees clinched the ALDS victory and a trip to the 2001 ALCS with a 5-3 victory over the A’s. The Yankees became the first team ever to win a best of five series after losing the first two games at home.


Also on this day in 1981 the Yankees clinched their 33rd American League pennant in the franchise’s history with a 4-0 victory and sweep of the Oakland Athletics. Dave Righetti, Ron Davis, and Goose Gossage combined for the victory sending the Yankees to play the Dodgers for the third time in the past five Fall Classics.


Finally on this day in 1923 the New York Yankees captured their first World Series championship when they beat the New York Giants in six games. The Yankees, still playing in the Polo Grounds at that time, would win the game by the score of 6-4.

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/19: Gossage Hurt in Fight w/ Teammate

On this day in 1979 Goose Gossage sprained a ligament in his thumb while fighting with teammate Cliff Johnson. The closer would be out until mid July and Johnson was traded to the Indians for Don Hood due to the brawl in the clubhouse.

Also on this day in 1960 Roger Maris made his New York Yankees debut going 4-5 while batting leadoff on Opening Day. Maris racked up 11 bases, including two home runs and a double, and saw the Yankees win 8-4 over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Also on this day in 1949 Babe Ruth joined Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins in receiving a center field monument from the Yankees after their deaths. Ruth died eight months prior before joining Monument Park in Yankee Stadium.

Also on this day in 1948 Yankees pitcher Allie Reynolds refused to leave second base after hitting his first and only home run of his career. Allie thought the Washington Senators were trying to trick him as he did not see the ball clear the left field fence. Obviously Reynolds, in front of President Truman, eventually was convinced enough to run the bases.

Finally on this day in 1939 Joe DiMaggio learned the news that he was engaged and planned to marry that summer to actress Dorthy Arnold. DiMaggio quickly shot down the rumors saying that no ceremony would take place during the baseball season and the two wed in November of that year.

Sticks and Stones may break my bones...

Some words are better left unsaid…

I was disappointed that the Yankees could not reach agreement with Dellin Betances before his arbitration hearing.  It’s never good when a player has to sit in a room to hear about his faults.  For Dellin, it was 90 minutes of destructive comments.  It’s hard to walk away without some residual adverse impact.  Once it was determined there was no common ground, the Yankees obviously had no choice but to allow the arbitration process to move forward.  It is just a very unfortunate situation.

Credit:  Andrew Savulich, The New York Daily News

The Yankees, based on prior arbitration cases, were probably fairly confident they would prevail.    The gap of $2 million may not have seemed to be great, but in terms of the dollars it could eventually cost the Yankees on new deals with Betances or the precedent it would have set could have been very costly in the grand scheme of things.

Yet, it was absolutely out of line for Yankees President Randy Levine to gloat after the arbitrators announced Betances would be paid the Yankees offer of $3 million rather than his request for $5 million.  Levine’s comments that Dellin’s $5 million request was “over the top” and “not based on reality” were unnecessary and ultimately inflammatory.  If Betances had any lingering hard feelings before, they’ve multiplied.  Given Levine’s extensive background in Labor Law, I am very surprised that he’d make those type of comments.  The words do seem out of character for a Labor attorney.  I’ve never been a big fan of Levine but it’s hard to overlook his notable accomplishments which included work at the U.S. Department of Justice during the Reagan administration, former Labor Commissioner for New York City, and MLB’s chief labor negotiator during the negotiations for the 1996 MLB Labor Agreement. 

So, maybe that’s why the unnecessary words that Levine spoke yesterday hurt even more.  He, more than anyone, should have known better.  There was no value in attacking Dellin’s attorneys, and the long-term impact is only harmful.  If Dellin eventually walks away when free agency arrives, we’ll be able to look back at this day as the first nail in the coffin.  Well, maybe renewing last year's salary at $507,500 was the first nail but I digress.

There are some guys in the Yankees executive management team that you want to keep away from talking to the media.  Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner is one, but you can certainly add Levine to the list.  Levine has been the Yankees president since 2000 but maybe it’s time to bring in a younger, more open-minded replacement.  If I owned the Yankees, I would probably promote Brian Cashman to President, Baseball Operations, hire a new general manager, and show Levine the door.

Goose being Goose…

Every spring, Rich “Goose” Gossage shows up and makes statements that sound like he’s been smoking too much weed in Colorado.  His remarks in training camp that he cannot be compared to “one inning” closers like Aroldis Chapman and Mariano Rivera was absurd to say the least.  

Nevertheless, I felt Brian Cashman’s comments were perfect when he said that he had more important things to think about like drinking his cup of coffee and working on his tan.  That’s exactly how I take anything Goose has to say.  

I loved the guy when he was the Yankees closer, and he was arguably my favorite Yankee (after the unfortunate loss of the beloved Thurman Munson).  

Goose is only trying to draw reactions with his words.  He played during a different time, and it’s very hard to compare the challenges he faced in the 70’s and 80’s to modern times.  The game has evolved.  Despite nearly 500 more career innings than Rivera, Goose had barely more than half of the total career saves.  Goose was a great Yankee for 6 years.  Rivera was a great Yankee for 19 years.  Rivera’s number (42) would have been retired even if MLB hadn’t retired the number league-wide for the great Jackie Robinson.  Last time I checked, Goose’s number (54) is neatly placed on the back of current closer Aroldis Chapman.

Goose just needs to enjoy his time in Florida before he hops on a plane to travel back to his favorite Cannabis shop in Colorado Springs…

I'm Just A Grumpy Old Man!

You're telling me this isn't Goose Gossage?

Let me get this out of the way...

Just because you say you don't mean any disrespect, it doesn't mean you aren't being disrespectful.

NJ.com: So when people say Mo is the great reliever ….
Gossage. “(Bleep). That’s [expletive].

Goose says that it's insulting to be compared to Mariano Rivera, seeing as how he'd regularly pitch three innings per outing, whereas Rivera and Chapman generally only throw one inning per outing. Honestly, it's a fair point. Comparing closers during Goose's era with the closers of today is very difficult. You run into the same problems when comparing hitters of today with hitters of 30+ years ago. The game is quite different now. And we'll run into that problem when comparing hitters like Mike Trout of today to the American League MVP of the 2047 season.

But when you make comments like Gossage did, you're also making assumptions. You're assuming Mariano Rivera, Aroldis Chapman, and others couldn't be effective if they regularly threw three innings at a time.

You may be right, you may be wrong. However, you'll never know so what's the point?

I tell you what I do know though... some stats. And I won't use the counting stats, because they are so dependent on how much one plays or pitches. Let's look at percentage stats.

Goose Gossage's career ERA was 3.01, his WHIP was 1.232, and he did that while averaging 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.6 walks per nine.

Mariano Rivera's career ERA was 2.21, his WHIP was 1.000, and he did that while averaging 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.0 walks per nine.

So make all the assumptions you want about Mo throwing more than one inning during most outings, but to disrespect what he's done and to feel insulted by being compared to him is downright dumb.

Swisher and A-Rod Return to Yankees This Spring

Double dipping at the 7:00 pm ET hour, naughty Daniel. Hey, we do things our way here. Always have, always will so here’s a quick hit regarding some news you may or may not have already read. Remember, still trying to play catch up over here.

Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher will both return to the New York Yankees this spring but not as players like we’ve once seen. This time the pair will be special guest instructors at Yankees camp. How freaking cool is that? I want to be Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier right about now, how about you?

Both Alex and Nick were instructors for New York at the Yankees’ instructional league team last fall as well although this will be the first time they will be coaching during spring training, period, which is always kind of fun.

Alex and Swish will join an impressive list of instructors including, but not limited to, Goose Gossage, Reggie Jackson, Hideki Matsui, Ron Guidry, Willie Randolph, Stump Merrill and Lee Mazzilli.

This Day in New York Yankees History 1/8: Goose Gossage Meets the Hall of Fame

On this day in 2008 Rich "Goose" Gossage, in his ninth year on the ballot, is the only player to receive more than 75% of the writer’s votes, tallying 85.5%, and was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Goose played for 22 seasons, most notably with the Yankees, and compiled a 124-107 record while saving 310 games and posting a 3.01 ERA.


Also on this day in 2004 Don Zimmer, fresh off of resigning as the Yankees bench coach, was named as a Senior Baseball Adviser for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Zim would be a coach during Spring Training and pregame practices at all regular season home games, most road games, and assisted the team with community affairs.


Also on this day in 1990 Johnny Sylvester, a terminally sick boy whom Babe Ruth promised to hit a home run for in the 1926 World Series, died at the age of 74. Ruth did hit that home run against the St. Louis Cardinals as promised and the then 11 year old recovered from his illness. This story was showcased in the movie The Babe Ruth Story, although the facts in the movie have been proven to be less than accurate.


Finally on this day in 1913 Frank Chance became the manager of the New York Highlanders, soon to be the Yankees. The veteran manager will finish next to last in the league with a 57-94 record and will compile a 117-168 record in his two year stint in New York.

This Day in New York Yankees History 11/22: Enter Goose Gossage

On this day in 1977 the Yankees signed Rich "Goose" Gossage to a six year deal worth $2.75 million as a free agent. Gossage was coming off of a 26 save and 1.26 ERA season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Also on this day in 1957 Mickey Mantle edges out Red Sox superstar Ted Williams for the Most Valuable Player award for the American League. Two Chicago writers had Williams ninth and tenth on their respected ballots which slipped Ted to second place even though he had a .388 average with 38 home runs and a .731 slugging percentage.

This Day in New York Yankees History 10/15: 2001 Yankees Move On

Just days after Derek Jeter saved the Yankees season in the ALDS against the Oakland Athletics with “the flip” the Yankees clinched the ALDS victory and a trip to the 2001 ALCS with a 5-3 victory over the A’s. The Yankees became the first team ever to win a best of five series after losing the first two games at home.


Also on this day in 1981 the Yankees clinched their 33rd American League pennant in the franchise’s history with a 4-0 victory and sweep of the Oakland Athletics. Dave Righetti, Ron Davis, and Goose Gossage combined for the victory sending the Yankees to play the Dodgers for the third time in the past five Fall Classics.


Finally on this day in 1923 the New York Yankees captured their first World Series championship when they beat the New York Giants in six games. The Yankees, still playing in the Polo Grounds at that time, would win the game by the score of 6-4.

ICYMI: Old Timers Day 2016 Roster

70th Annual Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium. Let's go!

The game will be held at Yankee Stadium, the eighth time the new stadium is playing host to the tradition, on June 12th and fans are asked to be in their seats by 11:30 am that morning.

Here is the list provided by Yankees.com:

• Jesse Barfield
• Brian Boehringer
• Scott Bradley
• Dr. Bobby Brown
• Homer Bush
• David Cone
• Bubba Crosby
• Bucky Dent
• Al Downing
• Brian Doyle
• Mariano Duncan
• John Flaherty
• Whitey Ford
• Oscar Gamble
• Joe Girardi
• Rich "Goose" Gossage
• Ron Guidry
• Charlie Hayes
• Rickey Henderson
• Arlene Howard (widow)
• Helen Hunter (widow)
• Reggie Jackson
• Scott Kamieniecki
• Pat Kelly
• Don Larsen
• Graeme Lloyd
• Hector Lopez
• Jill Martin (widow)
• Hideki Matsui
• Lee Mazzilli
• Ramiro Mendoza
• Stump Merrill
• Gene "Stick" Michael
• Gene Monahan (Trainer)
• Diana Munson (widow)
• Kay Murcer (widow)
• Jeff Nelson
• Paul O'Neill
• Joe Pepitone
• Lou Piniella
• Willie Randolph
• Mickey Rivers
• Eddie Robinson
• Tanyon Sturtze
• Ralph Terry
• Marcus Thames
• Joe Torre
• John Wetteland
• Roy White
• Bernie Williams

Yankees Release Old Timers Day Roster 2016

The New York Yankees are set to host their 70th annual Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium later this season and will likely once again put on a show like no other organization can. Every year the fans sit and wait for the roster to be released but I feel like that may be even more so lately with the retirement of the Core Four plus Bernie Williams. Well none of the official Core Four will be attending this year's contest but Williams will be along with five Hall of Fame players and 49 other widows or former members of the New York Yankees.

The game will be held at Yankee Stadium, the eighth time the new stadium is playing host to the tradition, on June 12th and fans are asked to be in their seats by 11:30 am that morning.

Here is the list provided by Yankees.com:

• Jesse Barfield
• Brian Boehringer
• Scott Bradley
• Dr. Bobby Brown
• Homer Bush
• David Cone
• Bubba Crosby
• Bucky Dent
• Al Downing
• Brian Doyle
• Mariano Duncan
• John Flaherty
• Whitey Ford
• Oscar Gamble
• Joe Girardi
• Rich "Goose" Gossage
• Ron Guidry
• Charlie Hayes
• Rickey Henderson
• Arlene Howard (widow)
• Helen Hunter (widow)
• Reggie Jackson
• Scott Kamieniecki
• Pat Kelly
• Don Larsen
• Graeme Lloyd
• Hector Lopez
• Jill Martin (widow)
• Hideki Matsui
• Lee Mazzilli
• Ramiro Mendoza
• Stump Merrill
• Gene "Stick" Michael
• Gene Monahan (Trainer)
• Diana Munson (widow)
• Kay Murcer (widow)
• Jeff Nelson
• Paul O'Neill
• Joe Pepitone
• Lou Piniella
• Willie Randolph
• Mickey Rivers
• Eddie Robinson
• Tanyon Sturtze
• Ralph Terry
• Marcus Thames
• Joe Torre
• John Wetteland
• Roy White
• Bernie Williams

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/19: Gossage Hurt in Fight w/ Teammate

On this day in 1979 Goose Gossage sprained a ligament in his thumb while fighting with teammate Cliff Johnson. The closer would be out until mid July and Johnson was traded to the Indians for Don Hood due to the brawl in the clubhouse.

Also on this day in 1960 Roger Maris made his New York Yankees debut going 4-5 while batting leadoff on Opening Day. Maris racked up 11 bases, including two home runs and a double, and saw the Yankees win 8-4 over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Also on this day in 1949 Babe Ruth joined Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins in receiving a center field monument from the Yankees after their deaths. Ruth died eight months prior before joining Monument Park in Yankee Stadium.

Also on this day in 1948 Yankees pitcher Allie Reynolds refused to leave second base after hitting his first and only home run of his career. Allie thought the Washington Senators were trying to trick him as he did not see the ball clear the left field fence. Obviously Reynolds, in front of President Truman, eventually was convinced enough to run the bases.

Finally on this day in 1939 Joe DiMaggio learned the news that he was engaged and planned to marry that summer to actress Dorthy Arnold. DiMaggio quickly shot down the rumors saying that no ceremony would take place during the baseball season and the two wed in November of that year.

MLB Approves Wearable Technology

Oh boy I wonder what Goose Gossage is going to have to say about this…

Major League Baseball has announced that wearable technology is coming to a MLB stadium and team near you. The league and the sport’s playing rules committee approved two devices for use during games this season named the “Motus Baseball Sleeve” and the “Zephyr Bioharness.” The Motus Baseball Sleeve measures stress on elbows and may help prevent or find a reason behind all the Tommy John surgeries across the league while the Zephyr monitors heart and breathing rates.

Clubs may not use this data outside of their organization and it cannot be provided to broadcasters or news outlets at this time. The league has also approved a pair of bat sensors for use on field during workouts that also fall into this category and rule set.

The Goose is Still on the Loose

Goose Gossage has fallen into the trap that the media likes to set. Gossage was interviewed by ESPN’s Andrew Marchand earlier in the month and he had a few one-liners that became instant news headlines. He called Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Bautista a disgrace, with a few expletives thrown in between, and also called anyone who went to Harvard or studied analytics a “nerd.” Goose is talking again and he’s not holding back this time either, the Goose is still on the loose!

This time Goose was speaking with Kevin Kernan of the New York Post and he reiterated what he said in the ESPN interview. Goose also went out and took a shot at Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers quarterback in the NFL, saying “it’s a shame, it breaks my heart to see the direction this game is going. What, do we want a bunch of Cam Newton’s running around?”

Goose also doesn’t like instant replay although he still does like using the “F” word just as an FYI. Goose was quoted as saying “Now you sit there for five minutes and wait for a f***ing replay. And half the time you can’t even tell.” Goose went on to also say “who’s died in the last 100 years because of a bad call? Well, they lost a World Series and the kid lost his perfect game. Who died? Leave the human element in the game. You cannot take the human element out of baseball because it is the fabric of the game.

Oh and Bryce Harper is fair game too. “What does this kid know? This kid doesn’t know squat about the game, and no respect for it.” And Goose what are you doing exactly? Representing the game, a kid’s game that many children follow, and representing the Yankees and the Hall of Fame by dropping f-bombs every other word in every interview that you are doing every other day? You didn’t hear my last post obviously or take it to heart so I’ll put it in a language you can understand and relate to.

Goose, shut the **** up. You’re embarrassing yourself nerd. You, my friend, are the disgrace and you are better than this. You’re a Yankee, an advocate for the game, an adult and a role model to children. Act like it or go home. And I don’t condone the use of that kind of language and frankly I only used it to drive home a point with you directly, truth be told I have the utmost respect for you as a person and as a ballplayer, but as a fan your act is getting old. Don’t give in to the machine that is the media because they don’t care about you or what you have to say. They just want you to get fired up, use the “F” word, and sell some papers or subscriptions to their blogs. That’s all. Be better than that. 

My Thoughts on Goose Gossage’s Thoughts on Jose Bautista, Yoenis Cespedes & “Nerds”

Excuse me while I leave my Yankees bias and “homerism” at the door because Goose, “you wrong buddy.” On a serious note though Goose Gossage was interviewed last week by ESPN New York’s very own Andrew Marchand and in the interview the former Yankees pitcher was very critical of some of the game’s best both in the front office and on the playing field. Gossage got to share his thoughts so I figured I would share mine as well, because why not?

First this article means nothing if you don’t know exactly what Gossage said so to quote the article the Goose said “(Jose) Bautista is a f***ing disgrace to the game. He’s embarrassing to all the Latin players, whoever played before him. Throwing his bat and acting like a fool, like all those guys in Toronto. (Yoenis) Cespedes same thing… Ryan Braun is a f***ing steroid user. He gets a standing ovation on Opening Day in Milwaukee. How do you explain that to your kid after throwing people under the bus and lying through his f***ing teeth? They don’t have anyone passing the f***ing torch to these people.”

Grammar nazi here, but Bautista is AN f***king disgrace to the game, not A disgrace to the game. Why is Goose going after Cespedes and Bautista directly? Has David Ortiz never flipped a bat? And why just Latin players, did Colby Rasmus not flip a bat against the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game in 2015? Has about a million instances of bat flipping happened before Bautista did it? Be consistent, don’t just pick and choose who you attack. Braun is a steroid user and got a standing ovation, Alex Rodriguez is also a steroid user and got plenty of them in 2015. He also got a gig covering postseason and World Series baseball for Fox. No mention of this, no mention of Barry Bonds and his standing ovations he receives in San Francisco or his new gig in Miami as a hitting coach. Again, consistency.

But wait, there was more. “The game is becoming a freaking joke because of the nerds who are running it. I’ll tell you what has happened, these guys played rotisserie baseball at Harvard or wherever the f*** they went and they thought they figured the f***ing game out. They don’t know s***. A bunch of f***king nerds running the game. You can’t slide into second base. You can’t take out the f***ing catcher because Buster Posey was in the wrong position and they are going to change all the rules. You can’t pitch inside anymore. I’d like to knock some of these f***ers on their ass and see how they would do against pitchers in the old days.”

I don’t think the nerds you are referring to, the ones that rely on analytics and sabermetric stats to tell the tale rather than the eye test, had anything to do with Chase Utley sliding into second base and hurting the Mets Ruben Tejada and ending his season. The media and in turn the Commissioner Rob Manfred has everything to do with that, not sabermetricians. The same can be said for the catcher rule, what does looking at how a certain player would perform in a vacuum or how he stacks up against the league in certain categories, basically what sabermetrics does, have anything to do with Buster Posey getting hurt? Nothing, you’re right. Pitching inside can be more prevelant than ever, FYI, because the hitters go up to the plate in basically full chain arm and won’t feel a thing… so go ahead and pitch inside, no one cares. You’re just upset you couldn’t intimidate hitters and you would have to rely on your talent rather than your head games, that’s okay. And one final note, you’ll catch more bee’s with honey than you will with crap and the use of vulgarity makes you lose all credibility with some whether what you are saying is 100% accurate and correct or not.

You’re a Hall of Famer and an ambassador not only to the New York Yankees but to the entire game of Major League Baseball but you sure aren’t acting like it right now. You’re better than this Goose!

Quick Hit: Likely Incomplete List of Spring Guest Instructors

Pitchers and catchers have reported to Yankees spring training camp and so have a few of the position players but who is going to manage and instruct these guys? Well we all know the Joe Girardi’s, Larry Rothschild’s and Marcus Thames’s of the world will be there but half the fun of spring training is seeing those former Yankees greats and legends that come back as guest instructors every single year. Will Derek Jeter stop by for more than just dinner? Will Mariano Rivera teach Dellin Betances his cutter? Will Andy Pettitte give up another long ball or three to Aaron Judge? Will Mike Mussina ever grace the likes of Luis Severino with his presence? This we don’t know but as camp opens we do have an undoubtedly incomplete list of spring guest instructors to bring to you today.

Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez is in Yankees camp along with Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Hideki Matsui, Goose Gossage, Willie Randolph, Stump Merrill and Lee Mazzilli. That’s pretty much your annual group of legends and former players and coaches, no surprises. Not yet anyway. If there are any we will be sure to bring those to you as well so stay tuned and have fun, it’s spring training time!

This Day in New York Yankees History 1/8: Goose Gossage Meets the Hall of Fame

On this day in 2008 Rich "Goose" Gossage, in his ninth year on the ballot, is the only player to receive more than 75% of the writer’s votes, tallying 85.5%, and was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Goose played for 22 seasons, most notably with the Yankees, and compiled a 124-107 record while saving 310 games and posting a 3.01 ERA.


Also on this day in 2004 Don Zimmer, fresh off of resigning as the Yankees bench coach, was named as a Senior Baseball Adviser for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Zim would be a coach during Spring Training and pregame practices at all regular season home games, most road games, and assisted the team with community affairs.


Also on this day in 1990 Johnny Sylvester, a terminally sick boy whom Babe Ruth promised to hit a home run for in the 1926 World Series, died at the age of 74. Ruth did hit that home run against the St. Louis Cardinals as promised and the then 11 year old recovered from his illness. This story was showcased in the movie The Babe Ruth Story, although the facts in the movie have been proven to be less than accurate.


Finally on this day in 1913 Frank Chance became the manager of the New York Highlanders, soon to be the Yankees. The veteran manager will finish next to last in the league with a 57-94 record and will compile a 117-168 record in his two year stint in New York.

This Day in New York Yankees History 11/22: Enter Goose Gossage

On this day in 1977 the Yankees signed Rich "Goose" Gossage to a six year deal worth $2.75 million as a free agent. Gossage was coming off of a 26 save and 1.26 ERA season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Also on this day in 1957 Mickey Mantle edges out Red Sox superstar Ted Williams for the Most Valuable Player award for the American League. Two Chicago writers had Williams ninth and tenth on their respected ballots which slipped Ted to second place even though he had a .388 average with 38 home runs and a .731 slugging percentage.

This Day in New York Yankees History 10/15: 2001 Yankees Move On

Just days after Derek Jeter saved the Yankees season in the ALDS against the Oakland Athletics with “the flip” the Yankees clinched the ALDS victory and a trip to the 2001 ALCS with a 5-3 victory over the A’s. The Yankees became the first team ever to win a best of five series after losing the first two games at home.


Also on this day in 1981 the Yankees clinched their 33rd American League pennant in the franchise’s history with a 4-0 victory and sweep of the Oakland Athletics. Dave Righetti, Ron Davis, and Goose Gossage combined for the victory sending the Yankees to play the Dodgers for the third time in the past five Fall Classics.


Finally on this day in 1923 the New York Yankees captured their first World Series championship when they beat the New York Giants in six games. The Yankees, still playing in the Polo Grounds at that time, would win the game by the score of 6-4.