This Day in New York Yankees History 4/12: Pope on a Rope Soap

On this day in 2008 the Yankees Low A affiliate, the Charleston Riverdogs, commemorate the first visit of Benedict XVI to the United States with a Pope on a Rope Night promotion. The first 1,000 fans received a soap figurine which looked like the Holy Father.

Also on this day in 1953 Mickey Mantle was informed via the public address announcer that Mickey Mantle had just became a father. Mickey Mantle Jr. was the first of four sons by Mickey and Merlyn. Here is the Brooklyn Dodgers announcement at Ebbets Field: "Mickey doesn't know it yet but he has just become the father of an eight-pounds, twelve ounce baby boy."

Also on this day in 1935 the Yankees named Lou Gehrig the fifth captain in their history. The then 33 year old first baseman joined Hal Chase(1912), Roger Peckinpaugh (1914-1921), Babe Ruth( six days in 1922), and Everett Scott(1922-1925).

Finally on this day in 1931 former Chicago Cubs Joe McCarthy made his managerial debut for the New York Yankees. The future Hall of Fame manager, who has the most wins of any manager in Yankees history with 1,460, saw eight pennants and seven World Series titles during his 16 years in the Bronx.

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 4/11/18

And just like that it is game time in historic Fenway Park as the Boston Red Sox play host to the New York Yankees in the second of their three-game set. The first game last night was a battle of the aces as Luis Severino and Chris Sale faced off head-to-head and tonight is another potential matchup of aces as the Yankees send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to square off against David Price for the Red Sox. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET inside Fenway Park in Boston and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11 and MLB Network. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, with the MLB At-Bat app or by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast with legendary John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Follow us on Twitter, @GreedyStripes, and “Like” us Facebook, The Greedy Pinstripes, to follow along with us and the team all season long. Enjoy the game renew the rivalry with a victory and Go Yankees!!

A Yankees Day in the Life: Aaron Judge

We have only released one of these Yankees Day in the Life posts and the view counter went crazy on it. Now while I am not sure if that was because it was showcasing the life of Didi Gregorius, because the post is new and unique because you don’t see things like this on any other site, or if it was a combination of the two but with that said I wanted to get another one out there as soon as I could. Today we will follow around Aaron Judge and see what it is like to be in his shoes for a day. Enjoy the post and if you like these and want to see more be sure to show your support in the comments section or on twitter by sending @GreedyStripes a tweet.

Enjoy, and get ready for tonight’s game.

ORIGINS: Justus Sheffield

Another day and another ORIGINS story here on the blog, this time we will be showcasing young Yankees left-handed starter Justus Sheffield. We are receiving great feedback from these posts on the site, on the view counter and on Twitter and such so we will continue rolling them out as often as we can. Enjoy!

SPECULATION: The Didi Gregorius Extension is Coming

The New York Yankees positioned themselves this winter to get under the luxury tax threshold for a few reasons. Obviously, the main reason is because Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner is a cheap bastard and a coupon clipper, but another reason is because of the financial gains the Yankees would enjoy if they are able to stay under the luxury tax threshold for the entirety of the 2018 season. The Yankees would no longer have a tax levied on every dollar they spent via trades and on the free agency market and the team would no longer be penalized for going over the cap if they were to sign a free agent who recently declined a qualifying offer. The final reason the team wanted to get under the luxury tax threshold, and maybe the most important reason for many Yankees fans, is so the team can go absolutely crazy spending money after the 2018 season, both on potential free agents like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, but also to keep a few of their own in the Bronx for the rest of their careers.

New York is going to spend their money in 2019 just like they do every single offseason, but this offseason we may see a few more players locked up that are currently employed by the team and less players being added via free agency. I am talking about players like Sonny Gray and specifically Didi Gregorius, who I think will receive a contract extension barring any production or health concerns that arise during the 2018 season. Didi is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career after his last arbitration eligible season in 2019, so New York has one year beyond the current 2018 campaign to get Didi locked up long-term.

Didi is possibly the best pure hitter on the team, yes, I realize what I just said and it wouldn’t be the first time I have been killed on the internet for saying so, and is also a stellar defender at shortstop. Didi is a key guy in the clubhouse and he probably owns the best Twitter account on the team, which shouldn’t count for anything but it does for me anyway. It shows his character and it shows his willingness and ability to relate to his fans, something that is not always so easy in a huge market like New York.

The Yankees will extend Didi after the season once the financial restrictions are gone and the resets have begun, just be patient. It doesn’t matter if Manny Machado is about to hit free agency and it doesn’t matter if he grew up idolizing the Yankees, it is not a given that he will sign here and honestly, I’d prefer Didi anyway. Sue me, unbookmark the site and burn me at the stake. I stand by my words and I stand by my feelings. I’d rather see the Yankees allocate that money into their starting staff while keeping Didi rather than having another surplus and luxury of infielders. Sorry, not sorry.

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 4/11/18

Rivalry renewed. Now while some publications were seemingly worried about the New York Yankees heading into Bean Town at the “worst possible time” I was not one of them. It is generally teams like the Red Sox that make you bring your best because you know you will have to in order to beat them, and the Yankees will look to do that once again tonight against a familiar foe to the Yankees faithful. The Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound looking for some Red Sox blood while Boston will counter with our old friend and comrade David Price. I love beating David Price maybe more than any other starter in the league, so make it happen.

Tanaka is coming into this start fresh off a loss to the Baltimore Orioles where the Yankees right-hander allowed three runs in 6.1 innings of work. Tanaka won his first start of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays allowing just one run on three hits in six innings of work and will have to pitch like that again tonight in Fenway if he wants his second victory of the young season.

Price on the other hand has been spectacular for the Red Sox in his two starts this season and has yet to allow an earned run in 14 innings of work here in 2018. That ends tonight, because the New York Yankees offense is not on the same level as the offense Price has faced twice thus far this season in the Tampa Bay Rays. Price has a career 15-11 record against the Yankees in 37 starts including a 4.36 ERA, but a lot of that success came early on in his career and not lately.

The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET inside Fenway Park and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11 in New York and MLB Network for all those displaced and out of the Yankees market. You can also follow along with the game using MLB TV, the MLB At-Bat app or by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Enjoy the game, David Price sucks, and Go Yankees!!

Hello… Giancarlo Gets a Second Home Run Call

Well, he has to actually make contact for us to all hear it, but I digress. When John Sterling revealed his home run call for Giancarlo Stanton in his first at-bat as a Yankee the call was met with a bag of mixed reviews. When I say a bag of mixed reviews, I really mean that everyone hated it. “Giancarlo, non si puo de stoparlo! It is a Stantonian home run” was the call, and while it wasn’t even grammatically correct, it left much to be desired by the Yankees fans, if I may speak for us all.

Have no fear Yankees fans for Sterling has reportedly come up with a second home run call for Giancarlo, according to an interview with the New York Post. Sterling will now sing, saying, “Non dimenticar… that ball sure traveled far.”

WOMP WOMP WOMP

“Non Dimenticar” was written for the 1951 movie, “Anna,” which was later recorded and sang by Nat King Cole in 1958. “Non Dimenticar” means “Do not forget” in Italian. I say again…

WOMP WOMP WOMP

While these home run calls are not great or even “okay” by any stretch of the imagination, we my dear will always be. Ups, downs, highs, lows, and even when things get a little sideways… we will always be okay. I love you, and I hope everyone has a great day.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/11: Bob Sheppard Takes a Vacation Day

On this day in 2006 Bob Sheppard misses his first Yankee Stadium home opener since 1951 due to a hip injury he suffered the day before at his home. The injury wouldn't keep Sheppard out long as Bob was back for the next Yankees home stand behind the microphone.


Also on this day in 1954 the New York Yankees traded two minor league players with right handed pitcher Mel Wright to the St. Louis Cardinals for 38 year old right fielder Enos Slaughter. While Slaughter would head to the Hall of Fame when his playing career was done he would only hit .239 in 79 games for the Yankees. Bill Virdon, one of the prospects in the deal, would win the Rookie of the Year Award in St. Louis in 1956.

Just Wait

That same look is on the faces of most Yankees' fans.

As many of you know, I don't like dwelling on the negative. I'd much rather point out how good Luis Severino has been, than talk about how bad Gary Sanchez has been with the bat. But that poor performance, as well as others, is why I'm writing today.

I pointed out players that I felt would do better than they have, as well as players that would slow down. It was too early of a look, but it was something I wanted to get off my chest. Today I'm here to do much of the same, but I'm going to bring a little more perspective to the conversation.

First... the problems...

1. Look at this list of players that are currently injured...

Greg Bird March 29, 2018 - Ankle Bird has been designated for the 10-day disabled list due to surgery to remove a small broken spur on his right ankle and is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks as a result.
Brandon Drury April 07, 2018 - Migraine Drury has been placed on the disabled list with migraines and blurred vision. There is no set timetable for his return to the lineup.
Jacoby Ellsbury March 26, 2018 - Oblique Ellsbury is on the 10-day disabled list with an oblique injury and is expected to be sidelined until the middle of April.
Clint Frazier March 29, 2018 - Concussion Frazier has been placed on the 7-day disabled list as he is experiencing concussion-like symptoms and there is no timetable for return.
Ben Heller April 09, 2018 - Elbow Heller has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list after undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery as well as a procedure to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.
Aaron Hicks April 04, 2018 - Ribs Hicks is on the 10-day disabled list with a right intercostal muscle strain but is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Red Sox.
Billy McKinney March 31, 2018 - Shoulder McKinney has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with an AC sprain in his left shoulder and has no timetable for a return.
CC Sabathia April 07, 2018 - Hip Sabathia has been placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a strained right hip and it is unknown when he will make his next scheduled start.
Gary Sanchez April 09, 2018 - Calf Sanchez missed his second-consecutive game with a calf injury but is expected to be in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Red Sox.
Tyler Wade April 08, 2018 - Flu Wade has sat out the previous two games due to flu-like symptoms and is unclear if he will suit up against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

*credit to Baseball-Referencce

Greg Bird, slated to start at first base this season, has yet to appear in the regular season. Brandon Drury, starting third baseman, has been dealing with blurred vision and migraines long before he joined the Yankees. Our regular centerfielder, Aaron Hicks, may have played on Opening Day but that's been it. And I'd talk about us being without our starting catcher for a couple of games, but...

2. Gary Sanchez has been dreadful with the bat. I keep saying "with the bat" because his defense has actually been pretty good. Unfortunately he's hitting .063/.091/.188. That lack of production would be bad anywhere in the lineup, but when you're talking about a guy that hits fourth or fifth, that lack of production becomes a much bigger problem.

3. Twenty strikeouts so far this season... two games with five strikeouts... a batting average of .167... an on-base percentage of .271. No, that's not the Yankees' #9 batter, that is their #3 hitter... Giancarlo Stanton. 

4. Would you believe it if I told you that the Yankees' relievers have combined for the highest fWAR in the American League? Probably not, but it's true (FYI, the bullpen ranks fifth in innings pitched in the AL). Which amazed me when I saw it, because although they've been better lately, the bullpen has made some horrible appearances this season.

Now to be more like myself... optimistic. 

The first point may not get worked out. Greg Bird appeared in only 69 games in 2017, and just 17 games in 2016 (all in the Arizona Fall League). Greg's middle name is "Disabled List". Fortunately, Neil Walker has looked like a very nice replacement. As for injuries in general, you can't predict them, so while the team should get healthier down the road, it's not a certainty.

Yet there's plenty of reasons to believe points two through four will get better sooner or later. 

1. Gary Sanchez is not going to go from an OPS+ of 126 in 2017 to being a well below average hitter in 2018. 

2. The 2017 NL MVP and MLB home run leader, Giancarlo Stanton, will not strike out 300 times in 2018 (he's actually on pace to exceed 300 Ks this season). 

3. The bullpen will actually get better and prove they are the best group of relievers in baseball. David Robertson will have a much lower ERA than his current 5.40, Dellin Betances will improve on his ERA of 4.50, Adam Warren is better than his current ERA of 4.91, etc.

4. By the trade deadline the Yankees will add key pieces to a 2018 postseason run.

5. Finally, and most importantly, think about the way the Yankees have won and lost. Four of their five wins have been by at least five runs, while they were leading or tied after the 8th inning in three of their five losses. Basically, they are winning big or losing by a little. If things were the opposite you'd have reason to worry, but the way things have gone you shouldn't be.

If anyone tries to give you grief about the way the Yankees have played so far this season just respond with the words used for the title of this post... just wait.

The Showdown in Boston...

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Adam Glanzman)

Yankees invade Fenway Park…

Without delving too much into last weekend, I’ve had better days. Losing three of four to a team that you are supposed to beat (the Baltimore Orioles) is difficult to accept, especially when the Yankee could have easily won the last loss when they had the bases loaded, no outs, in extra innings with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton coming to bat. 

Am I disappointed in Stanton so far? Absolutely. Am I going to fret over him in Pinstripes as a result? Absolutely NOT! Death, taxes, and Giancarlo Stanton going on a home run tear are certainties of life. Things will get better and so will Stanton and Company. When Stanton is on one of his monster tears like last summer, his slow start (the two Opening Day home runs in Toronto excluded) will be long forgotten.   

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Jim McIsaac)

While the Yankees have struggled out of the gate (winning only five of ten games), the Boston Red Sox have been on a roll. The last time Boston lost was the season opener in St Petersburg, FL on March 29^th. They have yet to lose another game, and lead the AL East by two games over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees trail the Sox by three and a half games.  As many have already said, no division championships were ever won in April. Well, except for maybe a few NBA and NHL teams. For MLB teams, this is far from over. Once the Yankee bats heat up like we know they can, it’s going to be a fun and exciting chase in the American League East. The Red Sox can run but they can’t hide. The target is on their back; not ours.

I am sure that Red Sox fans are ecstatic over their team’s 8-1 record but you have to keep in mind they did it against the lowly Florida teams. Sorry Jetes, but your team does suck right now (poor Starlin). So does Rob Refsnyder’s team. The Yankees represent the first real test Boston has faced this year. I know, it would be better if the Yankees weren’t scuffling coming into this series, but the intensity of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry always seems to bring out the best in everyone. The Red Sox will throw Chris Sale, David Price, and Rick Porcello at the Yankees on successive nights.  The Yankees counter with their best…Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, and most likely Sonny Gray. Win or lose, this is going to be a great series.  If the Yankees can take at least two of three, they’ll be in great shape. A sweep would be perfect but that might be asking for too much. So, for now, I’d settle for at least two of the games.

Tuesday, April 10^th at 7:10 pm ET

Yankees:  Luis Severino (2-0, 1.38 ERA)

Red Sox:  Chris Sale (0-0, 0.82 ERA)

Wednesday, April 11^th at 7:10 ET

Yankees:  Masahiro Tanaka (1-1, 2.92 ERA)

Red Sox:  David Price (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Thursday, April 12^th at 7:10 ET

Yankees:  TBA (expected to be Sonny Gray, 1-0, 3.60 ERA)

Red Sox:  Rick Porcello (2-0, 2.84 ERA)

The Red Sox did suffer a setback prior to the start of the series. It was announced yesterday they have placed shortstop Xander Bogaerts on the 10-day DL with a small fracture in his left ankle. He is expected to be out 10-14 days. To take his place on the roster, the Red Sox recalled infielder Tzu-Wei Lin from Triple A Pawtucket. Lin and Brock Holt are expected to share time at short while Bogaerts is out.

Photo Credit: Globe Staff (Jim Davis) 

The Yankees are expected to get Aaron Hicks back for the getaway game on Thursday before the Yankees leave Boston for Detroit. He will be a welcome addition. Hopefully A-A-Ron can hit the ground running when he returns. We need his bat and defense ASAP. 

MLB.com finally resolved the 40-man roster dilemma by removing Cody Asche. I never did see any explanations so I honestly do not know if Asche was reported on the 40-man roster in error or if he cleared waivers. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders site was also corrected to show that he is not on the 40-man roster. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why forty-one names were showing on the 40-man roster last weekend. I knew that Asche had to be the key but it was odd no explanations could be found. On the transactions page of MLB.com, the 4/04/18 entry shows that Asche was “optioned” to Triple A which implies that he was on the MLB roster. There are no subsequent transactions involving Asche, who started at third base last night for the RailRiders. I guess whatever the situation is/was, they got it resolved as I knew they would. I just hate it when something does not make sense to me.

Today is a new day.  It is time for the Giancarlo Stanton Era to begin in earnest. The Yankees are deep in the heart of enemy territory. All hands on deck. Let’s beat the Red Sox.

Go Yankees!