How Do You Spell Relief? ...

 

Clay Holmes (Photo Credit: AP)

The answer is NOT Clay Holmes…

Once upon a time, there was a belief that General Manager Brian Cashman had uncovered another gem when he acquired Clay Holmes for a couple of prospects (Diego Castillo and Hoy Park) on July 26, 2021. Holmes joined the Yankees in dominating fashion and helped to usher out the Yankees career of former closer Aroldis Chapman. Many accolades were given to Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake for what appeared to be a rebirth of Holmes as an elite reliever.

Sadly, the realization sets in that Holmes is just the same marginal reliever he was in Pittsburgh. Friday night’s game should have been fun. It featured the first Major League home run by Anthony Volpe leading off the game, which was immediately followed by a home run from the reigning American League MVP and Yankees Team Captain, Aaron Judge. Nasty Nestor Cortes, Jr. delivered a quality start on the mound. All the Yankees needed was a strong effort from the bullpen to seal the win.

Nestor was finished after seven innings. He had held the Minnesota Twins to only two runs while scattering five hits. He did not walk any batters and struck out seven Twins. He should have been in line for the victory. With the Yankees leading 3-2 in the top of the Eighth, Manager Aaron Boone made the decision to bring Holmes in to face the heart of the Twins order. As he did frequently late last season, Holmes proved, once again, he was not ready for prime time. With a single, a walk, and a Carlos Correa double before an out was recorded, the one-run lead had become a one-run deficit. The Yankees were unable to mount a rally and fell to the Twins, 4-3.

Carlos Correa (Photo Credit: Frank Franklin II/AP)

The loss dropped the Yankees to 8-6, good for third place, tied with the Baltimore Orioles, in the American League East, five games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Clay Holmes’ implosion during the eighth inning is the latest example of why he should not be the trusted closer for America’s most storied franchise. I would never grill the man over one bad performance, but this is a continuation of struggles for Clay. During his four-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Holmes was 5-7 with a 5.57 ERA, giving up 112 hits in 119 2/3 innings while issuing 84 walks. Maybe this is just who he is.  While his overall numbers have been better with the Yankees, due primarily to his strong start with the team, his brief start to 2023 is trending closer to his Pittsburgh numbers. He is 0-1, 5.40 ERA, and has given up 6 hits, 4 runs, and has walked 4 batters in 6 2/3 innings. Sure, he has struck out 8 batters, but when you are giving up runs between those strikeouts, they do not really matter. 

I am not pining for Aroldis Chapman, but he has gotten off to a better start with the Kansas City Royals. I do not trust Chapman throughout a season at this stage of his career, so I am not saying I wish the Yankees had re-signed him. It is just frustrating that Holmes gave the Yankees false confidence that the closer’s role was secure when, in fact, it is not. Jonathan Loásiga is the first reliever I think of about closing games, but he is on the Injured List with right elbow inflammation and no timetable for return.  Given his health history, he is probably not the best option to close. Ron Marinaccio…Michael King?  I like King’s current role with the team, but maybe it is his turn to step into the hot seat. 

I miss the days of Mariano Rivera when the closer’s role was the least concern on the team.

It is only April and there are one hundred forty-eight games to play. An 8-6 start is not the end of the World, and the Yankees have time to figure this out. Brian Cashman needs to find the closing answer because it is obvious Clay Holmes, is not it. I have never been a big fan of the closer-by-committee, preferring defined roles. However, I am in favor of whatever path leads to a World Series championship in October.

Anthony Volpe’s First Home Run…

Leading off Friday’s game, Anthony Volpe blasted a 1-0, 95.3 mph, four-seam fastball off Twins starter Louie Varland over the left field wall for his first Major League home run. It is always nice to get the first of anything out of the way. Hopefully, it is the start of a long, highly successful career in Pinstripes. I can easily remember the joys of lead-off home runs by the immortal Rickey Henderson. Volpe has a chance to bring the same feeling on a routine basis. 

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Robert Sabo for the NY Post)

It was cool that the fan who caught the home run ball turned it over to Yankees Security with no demands. There are still decent people left in this World after all.

John Sterling, the longtime radio play-by-play announcer for the Yankees, broke out his latest home run call for Volpe. “Anthony Volpe! A spettacolo oggi! Ohhh the fox socks one to left!” ‘A spettacolo oggi’ translates to “A show today” or putting on a show today.  Volpe is Italian for fox. Not one of Sterling’s best, but it will work.

Volpe was all smiles after the home run, and it continued post-game which drew the ire of some fans. Seriously? I am not going to fret about a 21-year-old excited about his first home run at the game’s highest level. Let him enjoy the moment. It was a home game at Yankee Stadium, with family and friends in attendance. It was a meaningful home run at the time because it put the Yankees up by a run. The joy of the home run is an exciting moment (milestone) in Volpe’s brief career, and it sets the stage for greater accomplishments. So, let him smile after a heartbreaking loss. This is April, not October. 

Hello, I must be going…

Reliever Colten Brewer’s career with the Yankees was brief. Brewer will be remembered as the player who cost Estevan Florial his spot on the 40-man roster. After two scoreless appearances, Brewer served up four runs in 3 1/3 innings during Thursday’s 11-2 loss (the Jhony Brito disaster game) and has been designated for assignment.

Brewer was never going to be a long-term Yankee as the last pitcher on the staff, but I did expect him to go longer than he did. Maybe he clears waivers and is sent outright to Triple-A like Florial. Maybe not. I think he showed enough in his good appearances that someone will take a chance on him. Thursday’s game was just one of those games where nothing seemingly goes right. Brito screwed that game up long before Brewer entered. 

Greg Weissert was recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Brewer’s place. 

The Rays finally lose…

Although I probably wish it was a team other than the Toronto Blue Jays to get the win, the Tampa Bay Rays’ dream of going 162-0 came to an end on Friday night. The Blue Jays won, 6-3, to drop the Rays to 13-1. 

Rays reliever Colin Poche (Photo Credit: Christopher Katsarov/AP)

The Yankees have too much of the season left to worry about the Rays’ hot start. It was inevitable they would lose. They have lost one of their starting pitchers, Jeffrey Springs, for an extended period (at least two months with ulnar neuritis in his pitching arm), and at the end of the day, the Yankees and, unfortunately for us, the Blue Jays, are better teams.

The evaporation of Left Field options…

Another longtime Yankees target for Left Field (at least in the eyes of the fan base) was removed when the Chicago Cubs signed Ian Happ to a three-year, $61 million extension. Bummer, I thought he was the best potential option for help at the trade deadline.

Good for Happ as it offers him financial security. I am surprised he chose not to test free agency given this was his walk year as he would have had solid appeal on an open market. 

This reinforces the Yankees should have been more aggressive trying to get a guy like Kyle Schwarber a few years ago before the Boston Red Sox and subsequently, the Philadelphia Phillies did. 

The Franchy Cordero comeback story has been fun, but I do not believe it is sustainable based on Cordero’s track record. It would be tremendous if Cordero truly has figured out the game to cut the strikeouts and fulfill his potential, but at face value, I do not like the odds.

Oswaldo Cabrera, despite last night’s ninth-inning hit into a double play that killed a potential rally, is an exciting, energetic talent, but I remain convinced versatility is his strongest suit even if he has played left field more than Aaron Hicks. 

It seems our desire for a strong closer and superior left fielder will continue its unrequited path.

As always, Go Yankees!

These Are Your New York Yankees...

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, AP

For better or worse, the Yankees roster is solidifying…

While it feels like the Yankees could have done so much more this interrupted and abbreviated off-season, it is hard to not have some excitement for the 2022 New York Yankees as they are presently structured. I know many of us wanted Matt Olson or Freddie Freeman and one of the elite shortstops, but it was not meant to be. It most certainly does not mean that the Yankees will not be good…they will be exceptionally good.

• 1B           Anthony Rizzo
• 2B           Gleyber Torres/DJ LeMahieu
• SS           Isiah Kiner-Falefa
• 3B           Josh Donaldson
• C             Kyle Higashioka (and Ben Rortvedt when healthy)
• RF           Aaron “Pay the Man” Judge
• CF           Aaron Hicks
• LF           Joey Gallo           
• DH          Giancarlo Stanton

A bench that will most likely include the versatile Marwin Gonzalez and the speedy Tim Locastro.

This is a better lineup than the one featured on Opening Day 2021 which featured Jay Bruce at first base and Clint Frazier in left field. I know we will miss the fun associated with Gio Urshela but clearly IKF and the Bringer of Rain are improvements. Gary Sanchez, well Gary, have fun in Minnesota before you hit free agency.

I had thought the Yankees would acquire an additional starting pitcher before returning north next month. For a while it seemed like they were hot after either Sean Manaea or Frankie Montas, but those talks appear to have cooled. The Yankees always seem to be hot after some pitcher, only to see the guy get traded elsewhere. With Opening Day less than two weeks away, I think the Yankees will revisit the starting pitching market in July when asking prices lower. The front office is expecting holes to be filled by the younger Yankees talent waiting for their opportunities in the Show, like Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil and, if he has shaken off the disastrous 2021, Deivi Garcia. Schmidt is 26, Gil will be 24 in August, and Garcia will be 23 in May. Their time is now, and the Yankees do need to see what they have with these guys. Michael King pitches today, but he is better for the bullpen.

Clarke Schmidt / Photo Credit: AP

If Cashman makes any move between now and Opening Day, I fully expect him to address catching. Willson Contreras seems to be the most mentioned name, along with Oakland’s Sean Murphy. I feel we will see a new catcher before starting pitching or center field help if any trades are made. Two defensive catchers seem a bit underwhelming even if I am grateful defensive catching is no longer the liability it was just a season ago.

I doubt the Yankees trade him, but if there was one guy on the roster, I would trade today it is Aroldis Chapman. There is no chance the Yankees re-sign him when he hits free agency this fall. He is not the elite flame-throwing reliever he once was, and Jonathan Loaisiga has proven he is up for the challenge. I would love to eliminate Chappy’s salary to free up room for other areas and start Loaisiga’s run at the back end of the bullpen. No doubt we will see a transition this season. With Aaron Boone’s stated intention to use Chapman more consistently, even if that means bringing him in earlier in games, Loaisiga will be the safety net to potentially close out games.

Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, Getty Images

We have much to be excited about with this Yankees team. Toronto may be getting stronger, but they are not perfect. Although they have made some nice recent acquisitions, it can be argued they are not upgrades over the guys they lost. Boston clearly overachieved last year. They are making a huge financial commitment that Trevor Story does not show reduced production through the Coors Field effect and that he can successfully transition to second base. Just because DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado have been successful outside of the Mile High City, it does not automatically mean Story will be. I think he will, but it is not guaranteed. Nothing against former Yankee Nathan Eovaldi, but when he is your best starter (due to Chris Sale’s latest injury), there are challenges in the rotation from top to bottom. Tampa always finds a way, but there are no clearcut favorites and the Yankees can beat any of these teams.

It is time to get excited about our team, the Six Billion Dollar Men. Let’s Go Yankees!

A few new rules were announced this past week. Active rosters will be expanded from 26 to 28 players until May 1^st due to the shortened Spring Training. The maximum thirteen pitchers will not be enforced during the month of April. In a rule favoring Shohei Ohtani, if a team uses a starting pitcher as the DH, he can remain the DH after being pulled from the mound. Makes me wonder if we will start to see more players attempt to become two-way players with this rule and the universal DH. Lastly, in the return of a pandemic rule that has left many fans aghast, there will be a ghost runner at second base in extra innings. Too bad we cannot sign the ghost of Lou Brock or the phantom of Rickey Henderson’s younger days. I am indifferent to the rule. I have never been a huge fan of extra-inning games going beyond the tenth or eleventh innings. The longer games make players more susceptible for injury, and with fewer off days (and more double-headers) this season, it will be all hands-on deck for nine inning games. From a traditionalist view, it seems a bit janky to put an unearned runner at second base. Oh well, it is what it is.

A "younger" Rickey Henderson

These changes were agreed to by MLB and the Players Association but need to be ratified by the MLB Owners this upcoming week (through a simple majority vote).

I had been concerned about twelve arbitration eligible cases for the Yankees this year, but they successfully signed all but one, Aaron Judge. Judge filed for $21 million, while the club countered with $17 million. I am grateful the Yankees are not a ‘file and trial’ club. The Dellin Betances arbitration case a few years ago remains on my mind for how ugly this process can be. I simply cannot imagine going into a room to hear your employer tell an arbitrator how much you suck at your job. Human emotions surely come into play. As for Judge, I did not really expect them to agree on 2022 compensation since they are actively discussing a long-term extension. I am hopeful they can work it out before Opening Day. I am all in favor of retaining Judge and making him the team captain. I have no idea how Judge will age into his late thirties but that is not a concern for today. He is a great Yankee and a guy who can help win the elusive championship(s).

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Daniel Shirey, MLB Photos

Speaking of Dellin Betances, whatever happened to him? I think of him every time Manny Banuelos, his former Killer B teammate, runs out to the mound as a Mini Me #68. I know Betances has had his struggles the last few years, but I would love to see the Yankees sign him to a minor league contract. As for Banuelos, I am quietly hoping he makes the team. Good health has not been his friend (the Yankees seemingly have too many of those kind of guys) but watching Banuelos in pinstripes again has rekindled thoughts of how much I had wanted him to succeed when he, Betances and Andrew Brackman were the great trio of hope in the farm system.

Manuel Banuelos

It is kind of funny that so many fans did not want the Yankees to sign Carlos Correa due to his participation in the 2017 Houston Astros cheating scandal, yet it did not stop the Yankees from signing his former Astros teammate Marwin Gonzalez. I had thought Oswaldo Cabrera would inherit the utility role this year from Tyler Wade, but I like Gonzalez better (for now). He may not be the player he once was (when garbage cans assisted him), but he can help. With an ability to play both infield and outfield, he provides Aaron Boone an ingredient to field stronger lineups. Maybe he only proves why the Boston Red Sox cut him last summer, maybe he is something more. With the expansion of the rosters to twenty-eight, I view his signing as ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ If he does not work out, cut him. It is not like the Yankees are making a huge financial commitment with him. He needs a spot on the 40-man roster, but I am sure Brian Cashman will figure it out.

Lastly, Eli Fishman (@elifishman on Twitter) reported this week that George Steinbrenner IV has joined the Low-A Tampa Tarpons as an advanced scouting analyst. Young George is the 25-year-old son of late Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner. He mostly likely holds an ownership interest in the Yankees with his three siblings. I saw many fans cry nepotism at the news, but I like seeing a young Steinbrenner take an interest in learning the baseball side of the business from the ground up. Considering that neither Hank nor Hal exhibited strong interest in the Yankees when they were in their twenties, I like the ambition of Hank’s son. He seems driven to succeed and of course he carries a great name. For those who wish George Steinbrenner were the owner of the Yankees, maybe they will get their wish again one day.

George Steinbrenner IV

Speaking of the Tampa Tarpons, here is wishing a speedy recovery to their manager, Rachel Balkovec, who was struck by a baseball during hitting drills.

Rachel Balkovec (via Instagram)

As always, Go Yankees!

TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for April 2nd, 2019

Good morning Yankees family.

Seven players from the New York Yankees have led the American League in stolen bases in a season. These players include Fritz Maisel in 1914, Ben Chapman from 1931-1933, Frank Crosetti in 1938, Snuffy Stirnweiss in 1944 and 1945, Ricky Henderson in 1985, 1986, and 1988, Alfonso Soriano in 2002, and Brett Gardner in 2011.

And a special good morning to my wife, Kari. I love you very much!

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/24: David Ortiz Yankee Stadium Jersey Sold!

On this day in 2008 the jersey that was hidden in the cement during construction at the new Yankee Stadium was auctioned off to help the Jimmy Fund charity and fetched $175,100. The winning bidder out of 282 bidders was Kevin Meehan a Mendon, Mass. resident and owner of imperialcars.com.


Also on this day in 1987 Rickey Henderson became the first batter to ever hit a home run off of two 300 game winners in the same game. Henderson hit a solo home run in the 8th inning off Phil Niekro and would hit a two run home run in the ninth inning off Steve Carlton to help the Yankees beat the Indians 6-5.


Also on this day in 1923 President Warren G. Harding witnessed the first shutout ever thrown at Yankee Stadium. The avid baseball fan and chain smoking president saw Babe Ruth hit a home run in the contest but was ultimately disappointed when his Washington Senators lost 4-0.


Finally on this day in 1917 Yankee pitcher George Mogridge throws a no hitter against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. This is the first no hitter in Yankees franchise history and the first ever thrown at Fenway Park.

This Day In New York Yankees History 12/5: Yankee Stadium and Citi Field

On this day in 2001 mayor Rudy Giuliani announced that he wanted to get new stadium deals in place for both the New York Yankees and the New York Mets before he left office. This was coming off the heels of the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington and was thought to boost morale and finances for New York.

Also n this day in 1984 the Yankees acquired Rickey Henderson and pitcher Bert Bradley from the Athletics for pitchers Jay Howell and Jose Rijo along with outfielder Stan Javier and minor league players Tim Birtsas and Eric Plunk. The Yankees, in a separate deal, also acquired pitcher Brian Fisher for catcher Rick Cerone.

Finally on this day in 1975 the Yankees hired Yogi Berra as their manager after he was fired unexpectedly by New York in 1964 following a 99-63 record and an American League pennant. Billy Martin was also hired to be Yogi's bench coach this season.

Quick Hit: Yankees Announce 71st Old Timer’s Day Invitees

The New York Yankees will hold their 71^st annual Old Timer’s Day at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, June 25 when the Yankees play host to the Texas Rangers in the Bronx. This will mark the ninth time the new stadium has held the annual game and gates will open for fans at 10:00 am ET. Old Timer’s Day festivities will begin promptly at 11:30 am ET. Here is the list of players and Yankees legends that are expected to attend including the first Jorge Posada sighting at Yankee Stadium in a long, long time.

Jesse Barfield, Scott Bradley, Dr. Bobby Brown, Homer Bush, Rick Cerone, David Cone, Bucky Dent, Al Downing, Brian Doyle, Mariano Duncan, John Flaherty, Whitey Ford, Joe Girardi, Rich “Goose” Gossage, Ron Guidry, Charlie Hayes, Ricky Henderson, Arlene Howard(widow), Helen Hunter(widow), Reggie Jackson, Scott Kamieniecki, Pat Kelly, Don Larsen, Graeme Lloyd, Hector Lopez, Sparky Lyle, Kevin Maas, Jill Martin(widow), Tino Martinez, Leo Mazzilli, Ramiro Mendoza, Stump Merrill, Gene Michael, Gene Monahan, Diana Munson(widow), Kay Mercer(widow), Jeff Nelson, Paul O’Neill, Jorge Posada, Willie Randolph, Tim Raines, Mickey Rivers, Tanyon Sturtze, Ralph Terry, Marcus Thames, Joe Torre, Mike Torrez, Roy White and Bernie Williams.

Before the game the Yankees will also honor Hall of Fame inductee and former Yankees player Tim Raines which should be fun. Check it out! Also if you’re going to the game be sure to show Roy White our article about how there should be a Roy White Day at Yankee Stadium. Sure it’s a selfless plug but I think that he would enjoy it. LOL. 

Gloom, Despair and Agony...

Okay, it was not quite that bad.  Still, it was a disappointing loss.  It would have looked so much different if Greg Bird had homered in the third instead of pulling it foul.  He had another chance to do damage in the fifth, but was unable to push any runs across (although he did reach on a fielding error which allowed Jacoby Ellsbury and Aaron Judge to score).  He finished the night 0-for-4, dropping his batting average to .122.  When he does start hitting, he'll quickly become a fan favorite.  

The Yankees lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-3, and fell 1 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles.  The O’s beat the Boston Red Sox, 2-0, behind a stellar pitching performance by Dylan Bundy.  With the Red Sox loss, the Yankees maintained their slight hold on second place.

This was a winnable game.  Even though it was an off-night for starter CC Sabathia, he kept the team in the game and lasted five innings.  We cannot expect the vintage Sabathia every outing.  He is, after all, a 36 year old who had to reinvent himself.  This is not 2009 even if he lulled us into that thinking with his first couple of starts.

It’s hard to put a finger on any single reason for the loss.  Bird’s slow start.  Sabathia’s underwhelming performance.  Chase Headley’s base running skills.  Starlin Castro’s fielding.  Aaron Judge’s six men left on base.  It was just one of those nights.  Shoulda, coulda, woulda…but it didn’t happen.

Oh well, today is a new day.  Michael Pineda takes the mound against Pittsburgh’s talented young righthander, Jameson Taillon.  Pineda will need to bring his 'A' game but if he has truly turned the corner, I am sure he will.  With Baltimore and Boston looming next week, the Yankees cannot afford to stumble in the Steel City.  

Let's re-set this post's image...

The Yankees need to figure out a way to get Aaron Hicks into the lineup.  Limited to pinch hitting, he did single in the eighth last night.  I hate rehashing why the Yankees should trade Brett Gardner, but I keep watching the San Francisco Giants and their troubles with left field.  Their starting left fielder, Jarrett Parker, is out for a couple of months with a broken right clavicle.  They signed Melvin Upton, Jr to a minors deal following his release by the Toronto Blue Jays, but he had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb so he is down for a couple of months too.  In last night’s loss to the Colorado Rockies, they were playing journeyman Chris Marrero who has struggled to find a home in the Majors for the last few years.  Marrero did homer but he is only batting .152 (5-for-33).  I’ve always thought Gardner would be a good fit in San Francisco.  The Giants have the prospects for a match.  The "reach for the sky" choice would be 23-year-old RHP Tyler Beede, but GM Brian Cashman would have to include more than Gardner to make it happen.  Gardner would be easier to trade if he wasn’t hitting only .192.  His bat will come around so when it does, Cashman should get Giants EVP-Baseball Operations Brian Sabean or GM Bobby Evans on the phone to strike a deal.

Credit:  Getty Images

It’s good to see shortstop Didi Gregorius in rehab games.  On Friday night, he was 2-for-3 with six innings of work for the High A Tampa Yankees.  He’s on track to return to the Bronx the beginning of May.  I am sure that he’s motivated to be back for the two game series in Cincinnati beginning on May 8th as the Reds are his original team.  Of course, that’s also true for a certain flame-throwing closer as well as a YES Network announcer who proudly wore #21 in the Bronx for a few years.

Speaking of numbers, Rickey Henderson, Tino Martinez, and Robinson Cano should be very pleased to hear that their former MLB jersey has cracked the top 10 for most popular jerseys sold…thanks to Gary Sanchez.  According to MLB.com, Sanchez has the ninth most popular jersey, ahead of the Los Angeles Angels star outfielder, Mike Trout.  There were four Cubs, two Dodgers, two Giants, and no Red Sox in the Top 8.  

Have a great Saturday!  Yankees, just bring it!  We want one for the win column!

This Day In New York Yankees History 12/5: Yankee Stadium and Citi Field

On this day in 2001 mayor Rudy Giuliani announced that he wanted to get new stadium deals in place for both the New York Yankees and the New York Mets before he left office. This was coming off the heels of the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington and was thought to boost morale and finances for New York.

Also n this day in 1984 the Yankees acquired Rickey Henderson and pitcher Bert Bradley from the Athletics for pitchers Jay Howell and Jose Rijo along with outfielder Stan Javier and minor league players Tim Birtsas and Eric Plunk. The Yankees, in a separate deal, also acquired pitcher Brian Fisher for catcher Rick Cerone.

Finally on this day in 1975 the Yankees hired Yogi Berra as their manager after he was fired unexpectedly by New York in 1964 following a 99-63 record and an American League pennant. Billy Martin was also hired to be Yogi's bench coach this season.

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 4/24: David Ortiz Yankee Stadium Jersey Sold!

On this day in 2008 the jersey that was hidden in the cement during construction at the new Yankee Stadium was auctioned off to help the Jimmy Fund charity and fetched $175,100. The winning bidder out of 282 bidders was Kevin Meehan a Mendon, Mass. resident and owner of imperialcars.com.


Also on this day in 1987 Rickey Henderson became the first batter to ever hit a home run off of two 300 game winners in the same game. Henderson hit a solo home run in the 8th inning off Phil Niekro and would hit a two run home run in the ninth inning off Steve Carlton to help the Yankees beat the Indians 6-5.


Also on this day in 1923 President Warren G. Harding witnessed the first shutout ever thrown at Yankee Stadium. The avid baseball fan and chain smoking president saw Babe Ruth hit a home run in the contest but was ultimately disappointed when his Washington Senators lost 4-0.


Finally on this day in 1917 Yankee pitcher George Mogridge throws a no hitter against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. This is the first no hitter in Yankees franchise history and the first ever thrown at Fenway Park.

2016 is a Leap Year & the New York Yankees

If you didn't know the year 2016 is going to be a bit of a special one. It's Leap Year where every four years, basically, we have 366 days in our year instead of 365 days like in a traditional year. The reasoning behind this is because, and you can Google the exact numbers if you'd like but for the purposes of this post they are really just irrelevant, the year on the calendar is roughly 365 days and five hours and change. If we didn't do the leap year the calendar would simply get farther and farther behind the longer the timeline. Anyway, I said all that to say this. It's Leap Year, what does that mean for the New York Yankees?

Well if history is any indicator of the future the 2016 season may be a good one for the New York Yankees. In recent memory, recent memory being any year I have been alive, we have seen a leap year in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. How did the Yankees fare in those seasons?

Let's ignore the 1988 Yankees. They finished with just an 85-76 record and finished in 5th place within the AL East Division. They were terrible and George Steinbrenner was just about to be suspended. Billy Martin and Lou Piniella were the managers and the team was stocked full of talent including Dave Winfield and Rickey Henderson. It just didn't work out.

The 1992 Yankees is the team that started to show the fans some glimmer of hope. Buck Showalter was the manager, Bernie Williams was coming through the system, J.T. Snow was showing promise and the team looked like they far outplayed their 76 victory season.

In 1996 and 2000 the Yankees won the World Series. During the 2004 season there was a strike and the rest of the ALCS and World Series was cancelled despite the Yankees being up 3-0 over the Boston Red Sox an the Yankees missed the playoffs completely in 2008. This was the first time the Yankees had missed the postseason since the 1994 strike-shortened season. The 2012 Yankees made it all the way to the ALCS before Derek Jeter broke his ankle and the Yankees were swept away by the Detroit Tigers.

In closing the Leap Year Yankees is a very mixed bag of results here. The team could miss the playoffs entirely, suffer devastating and historic losses in the playoffs, or win the World Series. Nobody knows, that's why we play the games.

Disclaimer. The Yankees could go out and lose 162 games next season. They could also win 100, this post was for fun and hopefully you all treat is as such. Thank you.