So it Seems Today is Going to Be a GOOD Day… A Much Needed Day

Yes, it’s a normal and boring Wednesday for most but for me today is going to be a good day. I am going to start it off with some breakfast and some much needed rest and relaxation. Then I am going to follow it up with some rest, relaxation and the best cardio possible and finish it with some rest and relaxation. Today is going to be a good day and I absolutely cannot wait for it to begin. HEY YOU!

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/12: Denny Neagle

The New York Yankees had an absolutely loaded pitching staff in the late 90's and early 2000's but it was the off the radar type deals that really put New York over the edge and into the World Series in 2000 against the New York Mets. Deals like the Yankees made on this day in 2000 where Denny Neagle (8-2, 3.52 ERA) and outfielder Mike Frank were to sent to the Yankees and Drew Henson, Jackson Melian, Brian Reith, and Ed Yarnall (basically nobody) was sent to Cincinnati in return.

Also on this day in 1989 Major League Baseball lost another great arm as Louisiana Lightning Ron Guidry called it a career. Guidry finishes with a 170-91 record and a 3.29 ERA during his 14 year career, all with the Yankees. Guidry won the 1978 American League Cy Young Award unanimously after posting a 25-3 record with a 1.74 ERA. Incredible.

2017 MLB All-Star Game Open Thread

Here we go, the game that used to mean something that no longer does is about to kick off down in Miami inside Marlins Park. The 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Here are the lineups and the starters, enjoy the game. This time, thankfully, it doesn’t count.

American League

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (.347, 13 HR, 50 RBI)

Jose Ramirez, 3B, Indians (.332, 17 HR, 48 RBI)

Aaron Judge, RF, Yankees (.329, 30 HR, 66 RBI)

George Springer, LF, Astros (.310, 27 HR, 61 RBI)

Carlos Correa, SS, Astros (.325, 20 HR, 65 RBI)

Justin Smoak, 1B, Blue Jays (.294, 23 HR, 56 RBI)

Corey Dickerson, DH, Rays (.312, 17 HR, 42 RBI)

Salvador Perez, C, Royals (.290, 18 HR, 57 RBI)

Mookie Betts, CF, Red Sox (.272, 16 HR, 53 RBI)

Starting pitcher: Chris Sale, Red Sox (11-4 with a 2.75 ERA, 178 strikeouts)

National League

Charlie Blackmon, CF, Rockies (.319, 20 HR, 61 RBI)

Giancarlo Stanton, DH, Marlins (.277, 26 HR, 58 RBI)

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals (.325, 20 HR, 65 RBI)

Buster Posey, C, Giants (.324, 10 HR, 35 RBI)

Daniel Murphy, 2B, Nationals (.342, 14 HR, 64 RBI)

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies (.301, 17 HR, 70 RBI)

Ryan Zimmerman, 1B, Nationals (.330, 19 HR, 63 RBI)

Marcell Ozuna, LF, Marlins (316, 23 HR, 70 RBI)

Zack Cozart, SS, Reds (.316, 9 HR, 35 RBI)

Starting pitcher: Max Scherzer, Nationals (10-5 with a 2.10 ERA, 173 strikeouts)

REPORT: White Sox Want Torres AND Frazier for Quintana

Oh, hey guys. Sorry for all that empty space, I didn’t know this thing was on and I have been dying laughing for the last 30 minutes after reading the report that the Chicago White Sox want not one but both of Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier for left-handed starter Jose Quintana. Yeah, no.

According to Jon Heyman the White Sox are “believed” to have asked New York for shortstop Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier in a trade for LHP Jose Quintana. Don’t get me wrong, Quintana may be worth two top prospects seeing as he has pitched well the last several seasons and is under team control on a team-friendly deal for a couple more seasons but I don’t think the Yankees should necessarily be the one to pay that kind of price.

Long story short, no. I would be reluctant to give up one of them for Quintana although I understand you have to give something to get something. I would definitely not give up them both. Not in any deal. Period.

What are your thoughts? Would you give up both Torres and Frazier for Quintana? Leave your thoughts below in the comments sections.

So it Seems… My Thoughts on the Yankees First Half

The New York Yankees didn’t exactly finish the first half of the season strong losing 15 of their last 26 games heading into the break. There is limping into the break and then there’s getting drug kicking and screaming into the break… and then there’s what the Yankees did. They were terrible but this can be turned around. There’s too much youth, aggression and talent not to.

The Yankees will be fine. They will either continue the youth movement if they feel too far out of contention and move contracts like Chase Headley and Brett Gardner or they will use a few prospects (Tyler Wade, Billy McKinney and Jorge Mateo most notably) to acquire what they feel the team needs to compete in 2017. I’m not ready to wave the white flag yet, not by a long shot.

Aaron Judge is awesome and Gary Sanchez hasn’t really fully awoken just yet. The best part is that there’s more reinforcements on the way from Triple-A. Clint Frazier was only the beginning. Wait until Chance Adams comes up. This is going to be a fun summer in Yankee-land, playoffs or not.

Stick to the plan and succeed. Hey you. I love you. Kari Ann Burch I love you.

This Day in New York Yankees History 7/11: Robbie Cano Wins the Derby

The New York Yankees have not been well represented over the years at the Home Run Derby but in 2011 they had Robinson Cano donning the pinstripes. Cano chose his father to throw his pitches to him in what turned out to be a great decision. Cano would hit 12 home runs in the final round of the derby to beat Adrian Gonzalez to become the fourth straight left handed swinging player to win the derby. What a moment for all families and baseball fans alike as Cano and his father shared an amazing moment.

Also on this day in 2010 the legendary Bob Sheppard died at age 99 as the "Voice of God" returned to God. Sheppard earned the nickname from former Yankee Reggie Jackson and announced over 4,500 games during his 56 years behind the microphone in Yankee Stadium.

Finally on this day in 1999 Major League Baseball held its first Future's Game and the Yankees Alfonso Soriano made the best of it going 2 for 3 hitting two home runs. The World would beat the USA 7-0 at Fenway Park and Soriano would be named the game's MVP.

Open Thread: Home Run Derby 2017

The Home Run Derby has arrived!!! Here are the contestants once again, now let’s watch some balls clear that fence over in Miami! Good luck to Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez tonight for the Yankees.

American League

(2) Aaron Judge – NYY – 30 home runs

(4) Mike Moustakas – KC – 25 home runs

(5) Miguel Sano – MIN – 21 home runs

(8) Gary Sanchez – NYY – 13 home runs

National League

(1 seed & defending champion) Giancarlo Stanton – MIA – 26 home runs

(3) Cody Bellinger – LAD – 25 home runs

(6) Charlie Blackmon – COL – 20 home runs

(7) Justin Bour – MIA – 20 home runs

My Home Run Derby Predictions for 2017

The 2017 MLB Home Run Derby is tonight which, in my opinion, is one of the best spectacles and festivities to watch in all of the four major sports. Call me bias as a baseball fan but I just love watching home run after home run clear the walls and the crowd going wild, I always have, so this this season should be no different. Especially when you look at the field that will be taking this glorified set of batting practice down in Miami inside Marlins Park. Here are my predictions on what will happen tonight in the Home Run Derby, make sure you bookmark them so you can remind me how terribly I did later.

American League

(2) Aaron Judge – NYY – 30 home runs

(4) Mike Moustakas – KC – 25 home runs

(5) Miguel Sano – MIN – 21 home runs

(8) Gary Sanchez – NYY – 13 home runs

National League

(1) Giancarlo Stanton – MIA – 26 home runs

(3) Cody Bellinger – LAD – 25 home runs

(6) Charlie Blackmon – COL – 20 home runs

(7) Justin Bour – MIA – 20 home runs

I think youth, stamina and conditioning will win this year’s Home Run Derby down in hot and humid Miami, the good news for the fans is that all eight competitors have youth on their side. Giancarlo Stanton is going to put on a show, we all know that, and I think Justin Bour may surprise a lot of people in his hometown but my prediction for the final two will be Gary Sanchez and Cody Bellinger. Yes, I picked against Aaron Judge and Stanton both. Bold, I know.

Ultimately I think a member of the New York Yankees takes it home for the first time since Robinson Cano and that Yankee will be Mr. Gary Sanchez. Watch tonight as he unleashes the Kraken on Miami at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN.

Sunday's Recurring Theme: If Only...

Credit:  Seth Wenig-AP

Brewers 5, Yankees 3…

The Yankees needed Masahiro Tanaka at his best on Sunday.  Sadly, he was not.  I guess three positive starts by Masahiro Tanaka was not enough to prove that the right-hander was back.  He followed up those three starts with another disappointing performance on a beautiful day in the Bronx as the Yankees fell to the Brew Crew.  Tanaka (7-8) lasted just 4 1/3 innings and 83 pitches, giving up 6 hits, 5 runs (including two home runs), and a walk.  He struck out 5 in the loss.  He didn’t have his best stuff on Sunday but he also didn’t receive much help.  If only...

Saturday’s hero, Clint Frazier, tried.  He had another homer but the big bats of Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez were a combined 2-for-9 with no homers or RBI’s and 5 strikeouts.  

The Brewers jumped on Tanaka right away with three runs in the first.  Jonathan Villar opened the game with a single.   Eric Thames singled to right to put runners at the corners.  After Domingo Santana struck out, former Red Sox third baseman Travis Shaw pummeled a Tanaka pitch over the bullpen in right to give the Brewers a 3-0 lead.  I wonder how much Boston wishes they still had Shaw (19 HR and 65 RBI) instead of Pablo Sandoval and fill-ins at third base.  The guy they traded for (former Brewers closer Tyler Thornburg) underwent season-ending surgery last month.  

The Brewers added another run in the top of the 2nd inning when Stephen Vogt, formerly of the Oakland A’s, opened with a solo shot to center which dropped into the bullpen.  4-0, Brewers.

The Yankees offense finally got something going in the 4th.  With two outs, Jacoby Ellsbury singled to left and subsequently stole second.  Headley singled to left, which scored Ellsbury with the Yankees’ first run.  Clint Frazier followed with his third homer as a Yankee, to right center, which brought the Yankees within one run, 4-3.  

Credit:  Seth Wenig-AP

After Tanaka gave up two one-out singles in the top of the 5th, his day was done.  Chasen Shreve was brought in and he lost the battle to the only batter he faced when Travis Shaw collected his 4th RBI of the day with a run-scoring single.  Adam Warren should be called The Cleaner because he’s always the one that has to clean up the mess.  He struck out both batters to get out of the inning without any further damage.  

The Yankees had a runner in scoring position in every inning from the 5th inning through the 9th but all were left stranded.  For a moment, it seemed as though the Yankees had taken a 6-5 lead on an apparent 3-run home run by Chase Headley in the 6th inning, but appeal and further review clearly showed the ball sailed just to the right of the right field foul pole so the homer was erased...yes, if only.  Headley subsequently went down swinging. It was another lost opportunity in a day of lost opportunities.  Brett Gardner was on second in the bottom of the 9th after he walked and stole a base, but Gary Sanchez took a called third strike to end the game.  Gary, Dude...if only.  The Brewers escaped with the 5-3 win.  

Credit:  UPI

I got my pre-game wish.  More Red Thunder and no Tyler Clippard.  But it was not enough.  If only we had won...

With the loss, the Yankees (45-41) dropped into a second place tie with the Tampa Bay Rays.  Both teams are 3 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox, who fell to the Rays, 5-3, on Sunday.  It was a very disappointing finish to the first half for the Yankees who had started the season so strongly.  I have no clue if the Yankees will be buyers or sellers at the end of the month, but I am in agreement with those who believe the Yankees are not yet a World Series contender.  I know that GM Brian Cashman feels a return to good health and a few enhancements could be the difference-maker but I’d hate to see the team make moves this year that might steal from 2018 or 2019 when the Yankees really will be World Series contenders.  But I admit, we do need a  new first baseman.

Odds & Ends…

Matt Holliday played DH for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Sunday in their 5-2 loss to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.  His lone hit in four at-bats was a run-scoring single.

The Home Run Derby is tonight.  I have already completed my bracket and have Aaron Judge emerging as the victor over Giancarlo Stanton but I do think that Gary Sanchez could get on a roll to steal this one.  It’s unfortunate that he drew Stanton as his first round opponent.  Former Yankee Clay Bellinger will serve as the Derby pitcher for his son, Cody.  I am sure Yankee fans will be paying close attention to Aaron Judge’s first round opponent given the trade rumors swirling about the potential trade of Justin Bour to the Yankees.

Have a great Monday!  Let's Go Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge!  Enjoy the HR Derby!

This Day in New York Yankees History 7/10: Tanaka’s Torn Elbow Ligament

On this day in 2014 the New York Yankees learned that ace starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka had a partially torn ligament in his right throwing elbow. Tanaka’s UCL was less than 10% torn and five doctors including Tommy John surgery expert Dr. James Andrews suggested that a rest and rehab program could prolong him needing the surgery.


Also on this day in 2001 Derek Jeter became the first Yankee to hit a home run in an All Star Game in 42 years when he hit a sixth inning leadoff home run off Jon Lieber at Safeco Field in Seattle. Yogi Berra was the last member of the Yankees to hit an All Star Game homer when he hit one off Don Drysdale in 1959.


The New York Yankees, like most teams in baseball back in 1917, had pitchers that were known for throwing the spitball. No Yankee was more known for the now illegal pitch than Ray Caldwell and he had the spitter working on this day in 1917. Caldwell pitched 9.2 innings of relief and did not allow a single hit as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 7-5 in 17 innings.

Caldwell would throw a no hitter against his former team, the Indians, in 1919 against Tris Speaker and the Tribe. Caldwell was also one of 17 pitchers that was allowed to continue throwing the spitball after the pitch was outlawed in 1920.