This Day in New York Yankees History 4/4: Happy Opening Day 2016

On this day in 1994 a total of 56,706 fans flocked to Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, the largest crowd ever at the House that Ruth Built. Jimmy Key would beat Kevin Brown and the Texas Rangers 5-3 in front of the record breaking crowd.


Also on this day in 1989 Tommy John tied a record on Opening Day by playing in his 26th season. The New York Yankees veteran would beat the Twins 4-2 on this day for his 287th win, putting him 19th overall at the time in career wins.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/4: Happy Opening Day 2016

On this day in 1994 a total of 56,706 fans flocked to Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, the largest crowd ever at the House that Ruth Built. Jimmy Key would beat Kevin Brown and the Texas Rangers 5-3 in front of the record breaking crowd.


Also on this day in 1989 Tommy John tied a record on Opening Day by playing in his 26th season. The New York Yankees veteran would beat the Twins 4-2 on this day for his 287th win, putting him 19th overall at the time in career wins.

How Have the Yankees Done in "Star Wars Years"

Okay guys, I know I'm late to this party as usual but I finally, FINALLY, saw the new Star Wars movie recently and I loved it. Truth be told I was never a huge Star Wars movie guy. I watched the movies and I liked the movies but I was not one to dress up as a Storm Trooper and go to conventions and stuff, you know? Recently my son got into Star Wars though and we've been growing our fandom together. While playing Star Wars Commander on our iPads I got thinking about how I could link Star Wars to the New York Yankees. I know the Bronx Bombers have a lot of success in the years that a Democrat is a President of the United States so I got thinking about how well the team did in the year of a Star Wars movie release.


Well the first year that a Star Wars movie was released was 1977. I don't need to tell you how that worked out for the Yankees. Reggie Jackson had three home runs in three at bats in Game Six and had a home run in his final at bat of Game Five to win the World Series and bring the trophy back to the Bronx, despite the fact that the Bronx is Burning.

Episode II, which is now Episode V, came out in 1980 but despite this being a thing in the movie the empire did not strike back in the Bronx. Well that depends on if you follow the whole "World Series or Bust" mantra. The Yankees did finish with 103 victories but the team was swept in the American League Championship Series 3-0 by the Kansas City Royals. Tommy John won 22 games and Ron Guidry won 17 games this season and Reggie Jackson said goodbye to the Bronx just one year later.

Episode VI, the Return of the Jedi came out in 1983 but the Yankees did not make the cut in Jedi training. The Yankees did win 91 games that season but it was only good enough for a third place finish in the American League East. At least the team had plenty of time to watch what was thought to be the final movie of the trilogy.

The prequel trilogy began in 1999 when the Phantom Menace came out and it came out just in time for the dynasty years of the New York Yankees. The Yankees would win their third World Series title in four seasons in 1999.

Episode II Attack of the Clones came out in 2002 but the Yankees were not able to clone their success from 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Yankees won the World Series in 1999 and 2000 and were one out away from another in 2001 but the team did not make the cut in 2002. The team did win 103 games and win the AL East but an ALDS loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim left a bitter taste in the Yankees mouth.

Episode III Revenge of the Sith came out in 2005 and the Yankees were looking for revenge. The year prior the team had lost a 3-0 lead to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS and watched from home as they broke the Curse of the Bambino and the Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was not happy about it. Once again New York won 95 games and once again won the AL East but one again the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim did them in. Another season and another ALDS loss.

In closing the Yankees have had success in almost every single season that a Star Wars movie has been released. The team has won World Series or at worst won 90 games in every single season besides the most recent 2016 season giving New York some hope for 2017, well if the past is any indicator of the future anyway. Well, unless the 2015 movie is the reason for the successful 2015 season despite coming out after the MLB season. I guess we'll have to stay tuned for 2017 to find out. Stay tuned and Rogue One!

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/4: Happy Opening Day 2016

Happy Opening Day 2016 Yankees family. Good luck to the boys and Masahiro Tanaka today as they begin their 2016 campaign against Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros. Now on to the history of the day!

On this day in 1994 a total of 56,706 fans flocked to Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, the largest crowd ever at the House that Ruth Built. Jimmy Key would beat Kevin Brown and the Texas Rangers 5-3 in front of the record breaking crowd.


Also on this day in 1989 Tommy John tied a record on Opening Day by playing in his 26th season. The New York Yankees veteran would beat the Twins 4-2 on this day for his 287th win, putting him 19th overall at the time in career wins.

IBWAA VETS COMMITTEE SELECTS MARVIN MILLER IN 2016 HALL OF FAME VOTE

Los Angeles – In its inaugural Hall of Fame election, the IBWAA Vets Committee selected labor leader Marvin Miller with 16 out of a possible 20 votes cast (80%). A 75% threshold is required for election.

 

The IBWAA, which has been voting in its own non-official Hall of Fame election since 2010, established the Vets Committee on November 5, 2015 to consider individuals, who with one exception (see note below) have not be honored with a Cooperstown enshrinement by the BBWAA, or by any of the various Eras Committees tasked with the assignment (the Golden Era Committee, the Pre-Integration Committee, etc.).

 

All candidates, which were nominated by the IBWAA Vets Committee members themselves, were placed on a digital ballot, with voting taking place electronically during December, 2015.

 

The inaugural IBWAA Vets Committee members, serving two-year terms, are as follows: Barry Bloom, Jim Bowden, Craig Calcaterra, Jim Caple, Kavitha Davidson, Stacey Gotsulias, Tom Hoffarth, Will Leitch, Ross Newhan, Harry Pavlidis, Dayn Perry, Tracy Ringolsby, Miriam Romain, John Rosengren, Eno Saris, David Schoenfield, Ted Schwerzler, Jesse Spector, Wendy Thurm and Al Yellon.

 

Note: Barry Larkin has not reached the 75% threshold in an IBWAA election thus far, and as a nominated player, was eligible for Vets Committee consideration in this election.

 

Election results are as follows:

 

Name	Votes	Percentage
Marvin Miller	16	80%
Barry Larkin	14	70%
Minnie Minoso	12	60%
John Scheurholz	10	50%
George Steinbrenner	10	50%
Dick Allen	9	45%
Gil Hodges	9	45%
Lou Whitaker	9	45%
Steve Garvey	7	35%
Tommy John	7	35%
Dwight Evans	6	30%
Tony Oliva	6	30%
Maury Wills	6	30%
Buzzie Bavasi	5	25%
Jim Kaat	5	25%
Dale Murphy	5	25%
Bobby Grich	4	20%
Ted Simmons	4	20%
Don Mattingly	2	10%
Vada Pinson	2	10%

 

Results of the traditional 2016 IBWAA Hall of Fame election will be announced via Twitter on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. PST. A press release will follow.

 

The IBWAA was established July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Voting for full season awards takes place in September of each year, with selections being announced in November. The IBWAA also holds a Hall of Fame election in December of each year, with results being announced the following January.

 

In 2010, the IBWAA began voting in its own relief pitcher category, establishing the Rollie Fingers American League Relief Pitcher of the Year and the Hoyt Wilhelm National League Relief Pitcher of the Year Awards.

Among approximately 400 others, IBWAA members include Mark A. Simon of ESPN.com; Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports; Bill Chuck, GammonsDaily.com; Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Danny Knobler, Bleacher Report; Kevin Kennedy; Kostya Kennedy, Sports Illustrated; Bruce Markusen, Hardball Times; Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com; Mark Purdy, San Jose Mercury News; J.P. Hoornstra Los Angeles Daily News; Pedro Moura, Orange County Register and Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com.

 

Association membership is open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a yearly fee of $20, or $35 lifetime. Discounts for groups and scholarships are available. Members must be 18 years of age to apply.

For more information please visit www.ibwaa.com.

Contact:

 

Howard Cole
Founding Director, IBWAAbaseballsavvy@aol.com

How Have the Yankees Done in "Star Wars Years"

Okay guys, I know I'm late to this party as usual but I finally, FINALLY, saw the new Star Wars movie recently and I loved it. Truth be told I was never a huge Star Wars movie guy. I watched the movies and I liked the movies but I was not one to dress up as a Storm Trooper and go to conventions and stuff, you know? Recently my son got into Star Wars though and we've been growing our fandom together. While playing Star Wars Commander on our iPads I got thinking about how I could link Star Wars to the New York Yankees. I know the Bronx Bombers have a lot of success in the years that a Democrat is a President of the United States so I got thinking about how well the team did in the year of a Star Wars movie release.


Well the first year that a Star Wars movie was released was 1977. I don't need to tell you how that worked out for the Yankees. Reggie Jackson had three home runs in three at bats in Game Six and had a home run in his final at bat of Game Five to win the World Series and bring the trophy back to the Bronx, despite the fact that the Bronx is Burning.

Episode II, which is now Episode V, came out in 1980 but despite this being a thing in the movie the empire did not strike back in the Bronx. Well that depends on if you follow the whole "World Series or Bust" mantra. The Yankees did finish with 103 victories but the team was swept in the American League Championship Series 3-0 by the Kansas City Royals. Tommy John won 22 games and Ron Guidry won 17 games this season and Reggie Jackson said goodbye to the Bronx just one year later.

Episode VI, the Return of the Jedi came out in 1983 but the Yankees did not make the cut in Jedi training. The Yankees did win 91 games that season but it was only good enough for a third place finish in the American League East. At least the team had plenty of time to watch what was thought to be the final movie of the trilogy.

The prequel trilogy began in 1999 when the Phantom Menace came out and it came out just in time for the dynasty years of the New York Yankees. The Yankees would win their third World Series title in four seasons in 1999.

Episode II Attack of the Clones came out in 2002 but the Yankees were not able to clone their success from 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Yankees won the World Series in 1999 and 2000 and were one out away from another in 2001 but the team did not make the cut in 2002. The team did win 103 games and win the AL East but an ALDS loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim left a bitter taste in the Yankees mouth.

Episode III Revenge of the Sith came out in 2005 and the Yankees were looking for revenge. The year prior the team had lost a 3-0 lead to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS and watched from home as they broke the Curse of the Bambino and the Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was not happy about it. Once again New York won 95 games and once again won the AL East but one again the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim did them in. Another season and another ALDS loss.

In closing the Yankees have had success in every single season that a Star Wars movie has been released. The team has won World Series or at worst won 90 games in every single season giving New York some hope in 2016, well if the past is any indicator of the future anyway. Well, unless the 2015 movie is the reason for the successful 2015 season despite coming out after the MLB season. I guess we'll have to stay tuned for 2016 to find out. Merry Christmas everyone, we'll be back at full strength tomorrow.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/4: 1994 Yankees Opening Day Sets a Record

On this day in 1994 a total of 56,706 fans flocked to Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, the largest crowd ever at the House that Ruth Built. Jimmy Key would beat Kevin Brown and the Texas Rangers 5-3 in front of the record breaking crowd.

Also on this day in 1989 Tommy John tied a record on Opening Day by playing in his 26th season. The New York Yankees veteran would beat the Twins 4-2 on this day for his 287th win, putting him 19th overall at the time in career wins.

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/27: Three Errors On One Play & Tommy John

Never in the history of Major League Baseball have we seen a pitcher commit three errors in one play until the Yankees Tommy John did so on this day in 1988. Tommy John throws the pitch to Jeffrey Leonard grounds the ball back to the pitcher that John bobbles for the first error. In an effort to get Leonard at first base he rushes the throw and throws the ball past the first baseman to Dave Winfield in right field for the second error. Winfield retrieves the ball and fires home and John cuts the ball off and throws home wildly for the third error allowing two more runs to score. John, 45 years old, still gets the victory in a Yankees 16-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Personally I blame his new ulnar collateral ligament but maybe it's just me.

Also on this day in 1968 Mickey Mantle's career batting average dipped below the .300 mark. It took Mantle 7926 at bats and 2734 hits for his average to fall to .2995 and it would stay under .300 before he retired at the end of the season. Mantle finished his 18 year career with a .298 batting average and will often admit that his biggest regret in his baseball career was finishing below .300.

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/4

On this day in 1989 Tommy John tied a record on Opening Day by playing in his 26th season. The New York Yankees veteran would beat the Twins 4-2 on this day for his 287th win, putting him 19th overall at the time in career wins.

On this day in 1994 a total of 56,706 fans flocked to Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, the largest crowd ever at the House that Ruth Built. Jimmy Key would beat Kevin Brown and the Texas Rangers 5-3 in front of the record breaking crowd.

Dr. Frank Jobe Passes Away At Age 88

Today has been a terrible day for news, first we reported that Yogi Berra's wife Carmen had passed away and now Dr. Frank Jobe has passed away. Jobe is a surgeon who was the first to perform a Tommy John surgery on September 25, 1974. As we all know the surgery was performed on Tommy John and John went on to win 164 more games and did not miss a start after the surgery. Jobe saved the careers for a ton of Major League and minor league pitchers and had as big of an impact on this great game as anyone else. Jobe was 88 years old.

Jobe worked with the Los Angeles Dodgers for over 50 years and even saved the career and the shoulder  of Orel Hershiser, what would have been without Jobe. Jobe is survived by his wife Beverly, sons Christopher, Meredith, Cameron, and Blair, and eight grandchildren.

Our condolences and thoughts go out to the Jobe family as well tonight.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #62 Tommy John

Tommy John enjoyed two separate stints in New York and pitched for a total of 26 seasons in the Major Leagues. John was a crafty left handed pitcher and racked up 288 wins in his career including a career high 22 victories in the 1980 season with the New York Yankees. John also pitched well in the 1981 World Series allowing one earned run in 13 innings, although did  not get a ring to show for it. John finished his career with a 2.65 ERA in 88.1 postseason innings.

62 days until Yankees Opening Day

Torre, Cox, & LaRussa Elected To Hall of Fame

It's not every day that you see a manager the caliber of a Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, or a Tony LaRussa which really puts today into perspective. All three of these legendary managers are being inducted into the Hall of Fame at the same time which is really amazing if you think about it.

The 16 person Expansion Era committee unanimously elected Torre into the hall, the long time Yankees manager from 1996-2007.  Cox and LaRussa were also unanimously elected and that is the way it should be, all three of these gentleman are special.

Former Yankees manager Billy Martin, former Yankees pitcher Tommy John, and the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner were not elected to the hall. Former MLB Players Association head Marvin Miller was also not elected into Cooperstown today in case you were wondering.

Manny Banuelos Is Pitching In Simulated Games

The Yankees, in true to form New York Yankees fashion, have been babying the heck out of Manny Banuelos after his Tommy John surgery but Manny is finally back on the mound and throwing in simulated games. Three weeks ago Manny B was throwing live batting practice and bullpen sessions so this is the next step in the long journey back from Tommy John.

Manny is in his age 22 season and looks to be on track to be back on the mound for the 2014 season after getting the surgery almost a year ago. Simulated games generally take place in months 8-10 but Banuelos is already halfway through month 11 which makes you scratch your head in regards to what the Yankees are doing but I have grown used to this babying and pandering to our players period, especially our young pitching.

Sucks losing two seasons of development at his age especially considering the fact that 2014 has to be at least partially a lost cause as he works to gain stamina, control, and knock the general rust off. We will not see the finished product of Manny Banuelos until 2015 at the earliest and I am not exactly sure that the Yankees can wait for that long the way things look right now.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/30

On this day in 1910 Yankees pitcher Tom Hughes threw 9.1 IP of no hit ball before surrendering his first hit against the Indians. The worst part is that New York would lose the game 5-0 in 11 innings.

On this day the Yankees thought they were hosting an Old Timers Day event when Joe Niekro, age 41, and Tommy John, age 43, became the first set of pitchers age 40 or above to start both ends of a double header since 1933.

On this day in 2005 Alex Rodriguez became only the second right handed batter in Yankees history, joining Joe DiMaggio, to hit 40 or more home runs in a single season. DiMaggio hit 46 home runs in 1937 which would mark the only time he would reach 40 home runs in his career.

Ninja Cashman strikes again

Earlier today we found out that the Yankees signed David Aardsma to a MLB deal for one year, with an option for a second in 2013. Aardsma had Tommy John surgery back in July, so he wouldn't even be able to help the Yankees until about midway through the season. Therefore the option for 2013 is the key part here, especially since Mariano Rivera could retire... leaving a big hole to fill in the bullpen.

No, I'm not saying Aardsma is the heir to Mo as the team's closer. As of right now I think that will be David Robertson. But even if you move Robertson to closer, and Soriano to set-up man, that still leaves key innings for somebody in the bullpen. That's true even if Joba Chamberlain were to take over the 7th inning role that Soriano currently holds.

Now, if you were to believe Brian Cashman, then this move has nothing to do with Rivera's possible retirement. But I call "bull****" on that. While it may be true that Cash and Aardsma have been speaking to each other all winter, I don't think Cashman was serious about bringing David aboard until it looked like Mariano was indeed on his way out. I believe this is a case where Cashman liked Aardsma, but until recently didn't see a spot or reason to sign him. As soon as he saw a spot possibly open up, Brian jumped on Aardsma.

Seeing that Aardsma can be added right to the 60-day DL, and therefore won't take up a spot on the 40-man roster, then this signing isn't much different than a minor league deal. And at only half a million dollars, which is only slightly more than the league minimum of $480,000, the risk is minuscule (at least for a team with the financial might of the Yankees).

Not really an "out of nowhere" type deal, but it looks like Ninja Cashman has struck again.