MLB Power Rankings: Week 1

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Record: 8-2

Offensive standouts: UTL Enrique Hernandez (.367 AVG, .474 OBP, and 3 HRs in 38 PAs), C/UTL Russell Martin (.417 AVG, .556 OBP, and 1 HR in 18 PAs), and 1B/OF Cody Bellinger (.455 AVG, .489 OBP, and 7 HRs in 47 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Hyun-Jin Ryu (9 K/9, 0 BB/9, and 2.08 ERA in 13 IP), RP Kenley Jansen (10.13 K/9, 1.69 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 5.1 IP), and SP Julio Urias (9.35 K/9, 4.15 BB/9, and 3.12 ERA in 8.2 IP)

The Dodgers offense has proven to be unstoppable. They are hitting tons and tons of HRs and their offense is so deep. If Kershaw can come back healthy, there’s no stopping this Dodgers team.

2. Houston Astros

Record: 5-5

Offensive standouts: OF George Springer (.300 AVG, .356 OBP, and 3 HRs in 45 PAs) and 3B Alex Bregman (.343 AVG, .415 OBP, and 1 HR in 41 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Gerrit Cole (14.25 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, and 3.00 ERA in 12 IP), SP Collin McHugh (10.64 K/9, 3.27 BB/9, and 2.45 ERA in 11 IP), and SP Wade Miley (6.17 K/9, 1.54 BB/9, and 2.31 ERA in 11.2 IP)

The Astros are on a three game win streak, having picked up a must needed sweep against the A’s. The offense, who has struggled thus far, is in the midst of waking up (scored fifteen runs in last two games after scoring only 18 in the seven games prior). Ultimately, this a team who should contend for a World Series, as their strong in virtually every facet of the game (especially the rotation). 

3. New York Yankees

Record: 5-4

Offensive standouts: 3B/2B DJ LeMahieu (.429 AVG, .500 OBP, and 7 runs in 32 PAs) and SS Gleyber Torres (.371 AVG, .436 OBP, and 3 HRs in 39 PAs) 

Pitching standouts: SP Domingo German (8.18 K/9, 5.73 BB/9, and 1.64 ERA in 11 IP) and SP Masahiro Tanaka (8.76 K/9, 0 BB/9, and 1.46 ERA in 12.1 IP)

After losing back to back series to the lowly Orioles and Tigers, the Yankees rebounded with a resounding series sweep of the O’s in Baltimore. As injuries continue to pile up, it becomes more and more essential that youngsters Clint Frazier, Domingo German, etc. hold the fort down to allow key veterans to fully recuperate.

4. Washington Nationals

Record: 4-4

Offensive standouts: 3B Anthony Rendon (.433 AVG, .528 OBP, 4 HR, 8 XBH, and 36 PAs), SS Trea Turner (.357 AVG, .400 OBP, and 2 HRs in 15 PAs), and OF Victor Robles (.269 AVG, .387 OBP, and 2 HRs in 31 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Stephen Strasburg (12.08 K/9, 2.13 BB/9, and 2.84 ERA in 12.2 IP) and SP Max Scherzer (13.26 K/9, 1.89 BB/9, and 3.32 ERA in 19 IP)

The Nationals are a very well rounded team (strong rotation and powerful offense), and they are coming off of a huge weekend series win against the NY Mets. Losing Trea Turner to the IL hurts, but their lineup is still very dangerous (Rendon, Soto, Robles, etc.).

5. Philadelphia Phillies 

Record: 6-2

Offensive standouts: OF Bryce Harper (.385 AVG, .556 OBP, and 3 HRs in 36 PAs), 3B Maikel Franco (.320 AVG, .500 OBP, and 3 HRs in 34 PAs), and 1B Rhys Hoskins (.346 AVG, .514 OBP, and 3 HRs in 35 PAs)

Pitching standout: SP Zach Eflin (10.50 K/9, 0.75 BB/9, and 0.75 ERA in 12 IP)

The Phillies, led by their dynamite offense, have won two of their first three series (swept Braves, split with Nationals, and took two of three from the Twins) and have launched themselves into 1st place in the NL East division despite poor showing from the bullpen. 

6. Milwaukee Brewers

Record: 8-2

Offensive standouts: OF Christian Yelich (.361 AVG, .489 OBP, and 5 HRs in 47 PAs) and OF Lorenzo Cain (.368 AVG, .432 OBP, and 5 XBH in 44 PAs)

Pitching standouts: RP Josh Hader (15.26 K/9, 1.17 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 7.2 IP) and SP Freddy Peralta (11.45 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, and 3.27 ERA in 11 IP)

The Brew Crew are on a tear and are emerging as the favorites to win the NL Central. Although their pitching has been lackluster to some degree, the offense has carried the team, and the bullpen has been strong.

7. Boston Red Sox

Record: 3-8

Offensive standouts: C/UTL Blake Swihart (.375 AVG, .444 OBP, and 1 HR in 18 PAs) and OF/DH J.D. Martinez (.333 AVG, .404 OBP, and 3 HRs in 47 PAs)

Pitching standouts: RP Brandon Workman (12.6 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 5 IP)

The Red Sox west coast trip couldn’t have played out any worse. Their pitching has been terrible (ERA in the 6s) and the offense hasn’t been as strong as it was last season. In all likelihood, the reigning World Series champs will bounce back and compete for a division title with the Yankees and Rays, but you never know. 

8. Tampa Rays

Record: 7-3

Offensive standouts: 3B/UTL Yandy Diaz (.303 AVG, .395 OBP, and 3 HRs in 33 PAs) and 1B/DH Ji-Man Choi (.370 AVG and .433 OBP in 30 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Charlie Morton (11.45 K/9, 3.27 BB/9, and 1.64 ERA in 11 IP), SP Tyler Glasnow (8.18 K/9, 1.64 BB/9, and 0.82 ERA in 11 IP), and RP Jose Alvarado (15 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 6 IP)

The first week of regular season play is through, and the Rays are currently first place in the AL East. Their pitching has been instrumental to their success; their team ERA is hovering around 2.00. What could potentially hold them back is their offense though. 

9. New York Mets 

Record: 6-3

Offensive standouts: 1B Peter Alonso (.382 AVG, .432 OBP, 3 HRs, and 9 XBH in 37 PAs), UTL Jeff McNeil (.409 AVG, .519 OBP, and 3 XBH in 27 PAs), and C Wilson Ramos (.400 AVG and .419 OBP in 31 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Jacob deGrom (16.62 K/9, 1.38 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 13 IP), SP Steven Matz (9.58 K/9, 3.48 BB/9, and 0.87 ERA in 10.1 IP), and RP Edwin Diaz (12.27 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 3.2 IP)

The Mets are off to a solid start this season. Their offense and pitching have both been above average. They beat up on the Marlins (swept them) and split their 6 games against the Washington Nationals, a fellow division rival.

10. Cleveland Indians

Record: 6-3

Offensive standout: 1B Carlos Santana (.419 AVG, .486 OBP, and 1 HR in 35 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Mike Clevinger (16.5 K/9, 3 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 12 IP) and SP Trevor Bauer (10.93 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, and 0.64 ERA in 14 IP)

The Indians are coming off of a four game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. They’ve received very good pitching, as usual, but their offense remains quiet. The bullpen has been decent as well.

11. St. Louis Cardinals

Record: 4-5

Offensive standout: 2B Kolten Wong (.433 AVG, .486 OBP, and 3 HRs in 35 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Jack Flaherty (9.64 K/9, 2.89 BB/9, and 3.86 ERA in 9.1 IP) and RP John Brebbia (9.95 K/9, 2.84 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 6.1 IP)

The Cardinals offense and pitching has been just average so far this season. Three of their best hitters — Paul Goldschmidt, Harrison Bader, and Matt Carpenter — have all struggled. If they can put it all together, the Cardinals suddenly resemble a playoff caliber team. 

12. Atlanta Braves

Record: 5-4

Offensive standouts: 1B Freddie Freeman (.419 AVG, .561 OBP, and 1 HR in 41 PAs), 2B Ozzie Albies (.400 AVG, .475 OBP, and 1 HR in 40 PAs), and SS Dansby Swanson (.346 AVG, .471 OBP, and 3 HRs in 34 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Julio Teheran (12.6 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, and 3.60 ERA in 10 IP) and SP Kevin Gausman (9 K/9, 2.57 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 7 IP)

The Braves were blown away by the Phillies in their opening series. It seems to have served as a wakeup call, as Atlanta is victorious in five of their last six games. The offense has been formidable, but the pitching has been just okay.

13. Seattle Mariners

Record: 9-2

Offensive standouts: SS Tim Beckham (.400 AVG, .489 OBP, and 4 HRs in 47 PAs), OF Domingo Santana (.311 AVG, .415 OBP, and 4 HRs in 54 PAs), and 1B Daniel Vogelbach (.467 AVG, .579 OBP, and 4 HRs in 19 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Marco Gonzales (5.03 K/9, 1.37 K/9, and 3.20 ERA in 19.2 IP), SP Mike Leake (9.49 K/9, 1.46 BB/9, and 2.92 ERA in 12.1 IP), and RP Brandon Brennan (9.45 K/9, 1.35 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 6.2 IP)

The Mariners are off and running in 2019. Run scoring is coming so easy to them right now (7.7 runs per nine innings pitched). Additionally, their pitching has been serviceable. Watch out for the Mariners, as they are already surpassing a lot of people’s expectations in 2019.

14. Oakland Athletics

Record: 6-7

Offensive standout: SS Marcus Semien (.298 AVG, .389 OBP, and 1 HR in 54 PAs)

Pitching standouts: RP Lou Trivino (11.25 K/9, 1.13 BB/9, and 2.25 ERA in 8 IP) and RP J.B. Wendelken (11.32 K/9, 0 BB/9, and 1.74 ERA in 10.1 IP)

The Athletics sit one game below .500 despite above average showings from both their pitching staff and offense. They’re lost three consecutive games (all three of which were against the Houston Astros). Expect the A’s to contend for a WC spot once again this year.

15. Minnesota Twins

Record: 5-3

Offensive standouts: SS Jorge Polanco (.387 AVG, .429 OBP, and 6 XBH in 35 PAs), C/UTL Willians Astudillo (.500 AVG, .529 OBP, 4 XBH, and 0 Ks in 17 PAs), and OF Max Kepler (.265 AVG, .324 OBP, and 2 HRs in 37 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Jose Berrios (8.59 K/9, 0.61 BB/9, and 1.84 ERA in 14.2 IP), SP Michael Pineda (10 K/9, 2 BB/9, and 2.00 ERA in 9 IP), and RP Trevor Hildenberger (15 K/9, 3 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 3 IP)

After winning four of their first five games (all of which were against division foes — three games against CLE and two games against KC), they lost two out of three to the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies. Overall, the pitching has been solid (ERA in the mid-to-low 3s), but the offense has been just mediocre (7 HRs).

16. Chicago Cubs

Record: 2-7

Offensive standouts: C Willson Contreras (.364 AVG, .517 OBP, and 3 HRs in 29 PAs), OF Jason Heyward (.333 AVG, .400 OBP, and 3 HRs in 35 PAs), and UTL Daniel Descalso (.348 AVG, .423 OBP, and 1 HR in 26 PAs)

No pitching standouts 

The Cubs have had a really tough road trip despite strong performances from a variety of position players. Perhaps even more problematic than their bullpen issues, the starting rotation has been terrible. Entering play on Sunday, the Cubs team ERA ranked dead last in the majors (7.87). They come home on Monday and open against the Pirates. This six game home-stand (also play Angels) will be very telling. 

17. Pittsburgh Pirates

Record: 5-3

Offensive standouts: OF Melky Cabrera (.391 AVG and .417 OBP in 24 PAs) and UTL Adam Frazier (.333 AVG, .429 OBP, and 1 HR in 35 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP/RP Joe Musgrove (9 K/9, 1 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 9 IP), SP Trevor Williams (6.75 K/9, 0.75 BB/9, and 2.25 ERA in 12 IP), and RP Felipe Vazquez (15.75 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 4 IP)

The Pirates are coming off of a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. Their team ERA is in the mid-2s, which has kept them in games. Watch for this trend to continue as the Pirates offense is seemingly below average. 

18. San Diego Padres

Record: 6-4

Offensive standouts: OF Hunter Renfroe (.364 AVG, .440 OBP, and 3 HRs in 25 PAs) and 3B Manny Machado (.286 AVG, .405 OBP, and 2 HRs in 42 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Joey Lucchesi (11.32 K/9, 2.61 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 10.1 IP), SP Chris Paddack (11.42 K/9, 5.19 BB/9, and 1.04 ERA in 8.2 IP), and RP Kirby Yates (13.5 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, and 1.50 ERA in 6 IP)

The Padres are off to a strong start to the season, having won two of their first three series. The pitching has been solid all-around and the offense has scored just enough runs. Their success long term will be dependent on the longevity/stamina of their young starters.

19. Los Angeles Angels

Record: 4-6

Offensive standout: OF Mike Trout (.393 AVG, .581 OBP, and 5 HRs in 43 PAs)

Pitching standout: RP Ty Buttrey (15.43 K/9, 0 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 4.2 IP)

Aside from Mike Trout (also known as the best hitter in baseball), the Angels offense has been nonexistent. The pitching staff has been alright, but their overall roster depth is lacking. Their rotation holds plenty of question marks as well. 

20. Arizona Diamondbacks

Record: 5-5

Offensive standouts: OF Adam Jones (.364 AVG, .378 OBP, and 4 HRs in 46 PAs), C Alex Avila (.333 AVG, .524 OBP, and 2 HRs in 21 PAs), and OF David Peralta (.413 AVG, .413 OBP, 1 HR, and 9 XBH in 46 PAs)

Pitching standouts: RP Greg Holland (12 K/9, 0 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 3 IP) and SP Merrill Kelly (7.71 K/9, 1.29 BB/9, and 2.57 ERA in 14 IP)

All in all, the Diamondbacks pitching has been disappointing, but the offense has stepped up to the plate, scoring runs at a remarkable rate (6.1 runs per nine innings — top 5 in the majors). The question is, can they sustain it?

21. Colorado Rockies

Record: 3-7

Offensive standout: OF David Dahl (.343 AVG, .385 OBP, and 2 HRs in 39 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Kyle Freeland (11.57 K/9, 3.86 BB/9, and 2.31 ERA in 11.2 IP) and SP German Marquez (9.69 K/9, 4.15 BB/9, and 0.69 ERA in 13 IP)

The Rockies have really struggled in the early going of the 2019 campaign. The pitching staff has not performed, aside from Freeland and Marquez. The offense is in a slump right now and to add insult to injury, the Rockies best hitter right now, David Dahl, had to leave Sunday’s game due to injury. 

22. Detroit Tigers

Record: 7-3

Offensive standout: RF Nicholas Castellanos (.289 AVG, .386 OBP, and 5 XBH in 44 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Matt Boyd (18.26 K/9, 3.18 BB/9, and 3.18 ERA in 11.1 IP), SP Jordan Zimmermann (6.59 K/9, 0.66 B/9, and 0.66 ERA in 13.2 IP), and SP Matt Moore (8.1 K/9, 0.9 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 10 IP)

The Tigers are on a roll, having won five consecutive games (coming off a series sweep of Kansas City), and their pitching has been incredible, overshadowing their nonexistent offense. Not a single Tiger hitter has a batting AVG of at least .300. 

23. Toronto Blue Jays

Record: 3-8

Offensive standout: SS Freddy Galvis (.324 AVG, .378 OBP, and 3 HRs in 37 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Matt Shoemaker (9.64 K/9, 1.93 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 14 IP), SP Marcus Stroman (8.68 K/9, 2.89 BB/9, and 2.41 ERA in 18.2 IP), and SP Trent Thornton (12.66 K/9, 1.69 BB/9, and 1.69 ERA in 10.2 IP)

After splitting their opening series against the Tigers, the Blue Jays have gone on to lose six of their previous seven games (they just got swept by Cleveland). The offense (only scored twenty-nine runs) has completely let down the pitching staff, who has put up a sub-three ERA. Unless the offense wakes up, you’re looking at a 90+ loss team. 

24. Texas Rangers

Record: 5-5

Offensive standouts: 3B/OF Joey Gallo (.250 AVG, .447 OBP, and 4 HRs in 38 PAs) and SS Elvis Andrus (.366 AVG, .381 OBP, and 1 HR in 42 PAs)

No pitching standouts

The Rangers have produced offensively but have pitched poorly. Their pitching staff leaves a whole lot to be desired, and it has the potential to completely disintegrate. This team will only go as far as the rotation takes them. 

25. Cincinnati Reds

Record: 1-8

No offensive standouts

Pitching standouts: SP Luis Castillo (12.08 K/9, 4.97 BB/9, and 1.42 ERA in 12.2 IP), SP Taylor Mahle (7.5 K/9, 0 BB/9, 0.00 ERA in 6 IP), and RP Amir Garrett (12.46 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, and 0.00 ERA in 4.1 IP)

The Reds are playing awful right now. Their pitching has been decent, but their offense has been the worst in the major leagues (they have scored twenty-one runs and are averaging just over two runs per game). I simply don’t see them climbing out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves. 

26. San Francisco Giants

Record: 3-7

No offensive standouts

Pitching standouts: SP Madison Bumgarner (9 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, and 1.38 ERA in 13 IP)

The Giants pitching has been surprisingly decent, led by ace starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner, but the offense has not been able to carry its load. The Giants are in a tough division, and I have hard time seeing them finish ahead of the Dodgers or Padres (or the Rockies or D-Backs for that matter).

27. Miami Marlins

Record: 3-7

Offensive standouts: C Jorge Alfaro (.280 AVG, .333 OBP, and 3 HRs in 27 PAs) and 3B Martin Prado (.476 AVG and .522 OBP in 23 PAs)

Pitching standouts: SP Sandy Alcantara (4.5 K/9, 3.75 BB/9, and 1.50 ERA in 12 IP), SP Caleb Smith (12.27 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, and 4.09 ERA in 11 IP), and RP Nick Anderson (20.77 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, and 2.08 ERA in 4.1 IP)

The Miami Marlins young rotation flashes excellent potential, but Pablo Lopez and Jose Urena have disappointed early on. The offense has been stagnant most of the time. As a team, they’re trending downwards, having lost five of their previous six games. 

28. Chicago White Sox

Record: 3-5

Offensive standouts: SS Tim Anderson (.560 AVG, .577 OBP, and 2 HRs in 26 PAs) and 2B Yoan Moncada (.353 AVG, .405 OBP, and 2 HRs in 37 PAs)

Pitching standout: SP Carlos Rodon (11.91 K/9, 1.59 BB/9, and 1.59 ERA in 11.1 IP)

The White Sox pitching, quite frankly, has been atrocious. Their offense has been okay. On a positive note, Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson have both performed exceptionally well early on this season.

29. Baltimore Orioles

Record: 4-5

Offensive standout: 1B/OF Trey Mancini (.333 AVG, .359 OBP, and 4 HRs in 39 PAs)

Pitching standout: SP/RP David Hess (8.1 K/9, 3.38 BB/9, and 2.70 ERA in 13.1 IP)

The Orioles couldn’t have started the year off any better in taking back to back series from the Yankees and Blue Jays, but they have collapsed ever since, losing four consecutive games (three of which to the Yankees at home). With a team ERA north of five and a middling offense, expect things to go south.

30. Kansas Royals 

Record: 2-6

Offensive standout: 2B Whit Merrifield (.324 AVG, .361 OBP, and 4 XBH in 36 PAs)

No pitching standouts

The Royals were undefeated two games into the season. Now, they stand four games below .500, having spiraled downwards (losing six consecutive games) big time. Their most notable weakness is their bullpen, which has blown multiple games.

Yankees complete their 1st sweep of the 2019 season

Yankees offense exploded putting out 15 runs today. Gary Sanchez & Clint Frazier both homered multiple times today. Sanchez had 3 & Frazier had 2. Sanchez’s first career 3 homerun game and now leads MLB in homeruns with Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger with 6 . Frazier went 4 for 4 today. Torres continues to rake against the Orioles with 2 hits 1 being a homerun.


Yankees starter German pitched great today. He went 6 innings while just giving up 2 runs and 3 strikeouts also. Tarpley & Cessa came in both to close the game out. Great pitching by the Yankees today.

Yankees look to continue their winning streak has they head to Houston. Tanaka, Loaisiga & Paxton are the starters for the Yankees as each looks to build on their starts and the teams momentum.

Opportunity Calls, Clint Frazier Answers...

Photo Credit: Gail Burton/AP

Yankees Overcome O’s, thanks to the long ball...

We knew it was only a matter of time until Aaron Judge began his monstrous assault on MLB baseballs, but it was Clint Frazier’s lightning quick three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning that allowed the Yankees to overtake the Baltimore Orioles in the 6-4 win at Camden Yards.

Frazier needed this moment. Frankly, the Yankees should have never put themselves in the position of needing Frazier’s big hit but they did. They had a golden opportunity to break the game open in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs against arguably MLB’s worst team. Frazier entered the game, pinching hitting for left fielder Mike Tauchman, but the inning unraveled from there. Gary Sanchez, on third, was picked off by O’s catcher Pedro Severino. Frazier struck out swinging for the second out, and Giovanny Urshela, in his first at-bat as a Yankee and pinch-hitting for Tyler Wade, grounded out to second to end the scoreless threat.

I didn’t really get Aaron Boone’s decision to keep Jonathan Holder in the game for the bottom of the seventh inning. He had entered the game in the fifth, in relief of starter J.A. Happ with only one out. He gave up a single to the second man he faced, Renato Nunez, in the bottom of the fifth, which scored a run for Baltimore (charged to Happ) to make it a one-run game at 3-2. I know Holder had an easy three-up, three-down inning in the sixth, but that’s as far as I would have pushed him. Instead, Boone left him in to start the seventh (why?). He hit the lead-off hitter, Cedric Mullins, and then gave up a single to right off the bat of Jonathan Villar which put runners at the corners.  Boone finally made a move, bringing Adam Ottavino into the game. Unfortunately, Greg Bird misplayed a grounder to first by Chris Davis. He bobbled the ball, didn’t step on first and then threw high to home. Mullins scored and Davis was safe at first. After Villar stole third, pinch-hitter Rio Ruiz, batting for Nunez, lofted a fly to center to score Villar with the go-ahead run.  

It looked like the Yankees were going to go down quietly in the eighth. Greg Bird led off the inning against Orioles reliever Paul Fry with a fly-out to left. A pitching change brought reliever Miguel Castro into the game to face Gary Sanchez who flied out to right. But in the face of defeat for the Yankees, Castro struggled with his control and lost Gleyber Torres on balls to put a runner at first. Then, D.J. LeMahieu did what he does best. He singled to right, his third hit of the game, and the Yankees had runners at the corners. Enter Clint Frazier. With the count at 2-2, Castro threw a slider that was meant for the low outside corner. Fortunately for The Wildling and much to the dismay of Orioles catcher Pedro Severino, the ball came in over the juicy part of the plate and Frazier didn’t miss his opportunity. With the rapid fire of his bat, the ball went screaming out of the park. The Yankees were up, 6-4.  

Adam Ottavino walked Hanser Alberto, briefly a Yankee this past Winter, to lead off the eighth but got the next two outs with his insane pitches. With Alberto on second, Aaron Boone took the ball from Ottavino and brought in Chad Green. Greeny hit the shirt of Cedric Mullins to put a runner at first. The next batter, Jonathan Villar, hit an infield grounder to D.J. LeMahieu, who had slid over to second base from third when Giovanny Urshela entered the game. LeMahieu had an uncharacteristic bobble of the ball and Villar beat D.J.’s throw to Gleyber Torres standing on second base. The bases were loaded, giving the Orioles a golden opportunity to recapture the lead. Thankfully, it was only Chris Davis at the plate. He rapped a hard single to first base which Greg Bird easily handled, stepping on first ahead of Davis running down the line. Inning over, with the two-run lead intact.

Aroldis Chapman finished off the Orioles in the bottom of the ninth. Despite giving up a one-out single to pinch-hitter Jesus Sucre, he easily recorded the next two outs to gain his second save of the season even if his fastball couldn’t find triple digits. 

The win went to Adam Ottavino (1-0) despite giving up the lead in the bottom of the seventh on runs charged to Jonathan Holder. Ha, they should have charged those runs to Aaron Boone!  

And, oh, did I mention that Aaron Judge had two massive home runs earlier in the game. I knew it was time for a Judgian blast and had even commented on my post yesterday that it was a good day for an Aaron Judge home run. I was wrong, I should have said home runs. Judge’s first homer (and first of the season) came in the top of the first after Brett Gardner had struck out to lead off the game. The ball carried 412 feet over the center field wall. Trey Mancini had answered Judge’s solo homer with one of his own in the bottom of the first to tie the game. After Brett Gardner doubled with one out in the top of the third, Judge hit another ‘no doubt about it’ homer to center, giving him total yardage of 830 feet, with the two bombs. That was it for Judge in this game, he recorded outs in his next three at-bats which included two by strikeout. But the Yankees wouldn’t have been in position to win this game without Judge. Every day is a good day for Aaron Judge home runs.

Photo Credit: Gail Burton/AP

I know it’s too early to watch or care about the AL East Standings, but the Yankees (4-4) did move into a tie for second place with the Orioles. The Tampa Bay Rays lost 6-4 to the San Francisco Giants so the Yankees are 1 1/2 games back. The Boston Red Sox dropped another game, 5-4 to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, to fall to 2-8. I know it’s only a matter of time until the Red Sox find their groove, but it is fun to watch them in the AL East Cellar while it lasts. It couldn’t possibly happen to a better team than the Red Sux.  

The Yankees can sweep the series at Camden Yards today before they hop on a plane bound for Houston, Texas. Domingo German (1-0, 0.00 ERA) faces David Hess (1-0, 0.00 ERA). In his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays, Hess no-hit the Blue Jays until he was lifted with one out in the seventh (the bullpen blew his no-no). German, on the same day, held the Detroit Tigers to only one hit and unearned run, in five innings. It would be great for the Yankees to sweep after losing their first two series of the season. And it would provide a joyful mood for the long flight down to South Texas.

I was a little surprised to see the call-up of Giovanny "Gio" Urshela before yesterday’s game. It was funny how it unfolded. Urshela posted an airplane pic on Social Media and clever fans deduced it was the same type of plane departing from Buffalo’s airport (where the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are playing) and headed to Baltimore’s BWI Marshall Airport. While I enjoyed the brief one game call-up of Thairo Estrada who didn’t get to see any playing time, Urshela is in better position to help right now. No doubt Estrada will be the better utility player in the long run, but Urshela, who has a superior third base glove, provides better support for interim third baseman D.J. LeMahieu. Urshela doesn’t have much of a bat but that’s not why he is on the 25-man roster now even if he had a couple of strong offensive performances for the RailRiders to start the season. I can still easily remember some of the spectacular defensive plays Urshela made against the Yankees when he was playing for the Cleveland Indians. Not that LeMahieu needs any glove help but the occasional breather is welcomed. To make room for Urshela on the 40-man roster, the Yankees moved Didi Gregorius to the 60-day Injured List. Speaking of Sir Didi, damn, I miss those after-game emoji’s.  

I know the season is early and stats, either good or bad, don’t really mean much given the small sample sizes. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge how good D.J. LeMahieu has been for the Yankees. Expected to be a “floating” starter with time at first, second and third, LeMahieu was forced into full-time duty at third base when Miguel Andujar, with a small labrum tear, was placed on the IL.  LeMahieu is 11-for-24, batting .458/.536/.542 with 1.077 OPS. His eighth inning single last night set the stage for Clint Frazier’s heroics but it almost provided a game-tying opportunity by getting Gleyber Torres to third. A ball got away from Orioles catcher Pedro Severino and Torres most likely could have scored if he had immediately broke for home but hesitation kept the budding superstar at third. LeMahieu is not a flashy player and is not known for dingers but he does the little things right. Living in Denver, I’d routinely hear Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon talk about how much LeMahieu meant to their team. It’s easy to see why they held such high praise. The guy can hit, field and win. I am glad he is a Yankee.  

CC Sabathia makes a rehabilitation start for the High-A Tampa Tarpons today. The Tarpons are hosting the Lakeland Flying Tigers in Tampa. Hopefully all goes well for CC who should soon be back in Pinstripes for his final go-around. Hope everything goes well today, CC. We miss you and look forward to your return.

As always, Go Yankees!

Missing the Yankees...

Photo Credit: Greg Fiume/Getty Images

A Rare and Odd Day-Off for the Pinstripers…

I can’t really say that I like Fridays with no Yankees baseball. I guess, ultimately, it’s no different than if heavy rain had hit Inner Harbor, forcing the postponement of a game but regardless, yesterday felt a little empty when everybody else was playing. I’ve grown accustomed to Mondays and/or Thursdays as days off over the years, but weekend games, starting Friday night, are the best for the working stiffs of the World like me. Nothing quite like watching the Yankees after a long, hard week at work. I am glad they are back in action today even if we have to wait until this evening.

Putting the Yankees aside for a moment, Friday was made much sadder with the announcement by Mike Axisa that he is shutting down the famed River Ave Blues blog. 

Photo Credit: CBSSports.com

With no offense to our blog site, River Ave Blues has been the standard every blog site hopes to achieve. It was the best Yankees Blog in my opinion, and Mike Axisa has been tireless in his quest to provide quality content every day. Ultimately, it was probably his relentless, unyielding drive that led to his decision to shutter the Blog (it would be tough to keep up his pace for a season, let alone twelve years) and while I fully understand his reasons, it is a huge loss for Yankee fans. In his announcement, Axisa said April 29th will be the final day for his nationally recognized Blog. Mike mentioned the possibility of a weekly newsletter/mailing list with his “thoughts”. I really hope he follows through with this brilliant idea. Mike, I’ll pay a few dollars a month to get your continued thoughts about MLB’s best team. I have appreciated Mike’s honest assessments of the Yankees over the years, along with those of the other great RAB writers. There are many good writers but Axisa is one of the very few with a brilliant writing style and an amazing and very objective perspective. I can probably count on one hand the baseball writers I hold in such high regard as Axisa. You can include the late Red Sox writer Nick Cafardo in that group, but clearly, it is not a crowded room. Thanks to Mike Axisa and the entire RAB staff for making our lives a little better each and every day. We appreciate you, @RiverAveBlues. Thank you for the incredible twelve years you have given us. To say you will be missed is an understatement.

Credit: YESNetwork.com

I could feel many Yankee fans starting to grip about the team’s slow start and the buildup of so many injuries, but it’s funny how Thursday’s win in Baltimore calmed down so many fears. I wish I had a dime for every time a Yankee fan replayed video of Gleyber’s homers. I was a little worried when the Yankees fell into an early hole, but I know those Yankees-Mariners games last year when James Paxton gave up early runs to the Yankees, he held strong and pitched effectively for five or six more innings. I didn’t doubt his perseverance on Thursday and he rewarded us with a much-needed win, thanks in large part to the two home runs by Gleyber Torres and the insurance provided by the three-run bomb from Luke Voit in the ninth inning. Unlike pitchers like Sonny Gray, where a few early runs meant the opening of the floodgates, Paxton battled and was ultimately reward with his first Pinstriped (Road Gray?) victory. I am glad he is a Yankee.

Photo Credit: Nick Wass/AP

The Yankees resume their series at Camden Yards in Baltimore today at 7:05 pm ET. J.A. Happ, looking to overcome his horrendous first start of the season, takes the mound for the Yankees.  He’ll be opposed by Baltimore’s Dylan Bundy. With a win, the Yankees can tie the Orioles for second place in the AL East with matching 4-4 records. The Yankees trail the Tampa Bay Rays by two and a half games. Granted, the Orioles will soon be in the rearview mirror but the Rays aren’t going away. I think the Boston Red Sox will right the ship even if Yankee fans are loving their 2-7 start. Soon it will be the Yankees-Rays-Red Sox battling for the top. With a trip to Houston around the corner, the Yankees need to continue building momentum in Maryland before catching a Texas-bound flight.   

The Yankees made several minor moves this week, primarily for depth purposes. First, they claimed right-handed reliever Jake Barrett off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and assigned him to Triple A. Then, they signed 34-year-old infielder Cliff Pennington, who was recently released by the Oakland A’s after signing a minor league deal in February. At least Pennington was able to see Japan with the A’s in late March but I doubt he sees any time with the Yankees unless things go horribly wrong (worse than they already have). The defensive-minded Pennington was assigned to Triple A. Both the Trenton Thunder and the Scranton-Wilkes Barre RailRiders have been depleted by the promotions of Tyler Wade, Thairo Estrada and Clint Frazier, and the resulting chain reaction it caused to fill the holes.  Welcome to the Yankees Family, Jake and Cliff, but honestly, I hope we do not see you in the Bronx. Sorry, but we have higher expectations and hope the recently promoted guys prosper with the opportunities they’ve been given.   

Living in Denver, I probably should have gone to the Colorado Rockies home opener yesterday. I had thought about it but the weather in Colorado is so unpredictable. Last year’s Rockies home opener saw temps dip into the 20’s. Unfortunately for me, the weather was beautiful yesterday with sunny skies and temps reaching the 70’s and the Rockies were playing my favorite NL team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers won, 10-6, so that would have made it even better for me. I settled for watching the game on TV. In watching the opening roll call, there was a part of me that didn’t like Daniel Murphy wearing D.J. LeMahieu’s former number (9).  Not that the Rockies have reason to retire D.J.’s number or set it aside but after watching LeMahieu wear the number for so many years, it just seemed wrong to see Murphy wearing it. Don’t get me wrong, I am so glad LeMahieu wears #26 for the Yankees these days. He’s been invaluable with this rash of injuries.  But it’s hard to deny that LeMahieu was a great Rockie during his time in the Mile High City. I couldn’t help but wonder if both LeMahieu and Adam Ottavino were watching the Rockies-Dodgers game since they had the day off. It would be hard to play so many years in one city and not have continued emotional ties to their former team.  

I am not a New York Jets fan but I don’t get the hate the new uniforms have gotten from their fan base. I personally never cared for the Jets’ old uniform and feel the new colors are very stylish. I like the new helmet and the overall look.  If I had grown up in New York City, I’d probably be a Jets fan over the Giants (sorry to those of you who are Giants fans). I grew up in Iowa so I’ve been a lifelong (and long-suffering) Minnesota Vikings fan. I am a little bitter the Jets stole the Vikings’ backup QB (Trevor Siemian) and almost signed away linebacker Anthony Barr until he had a change of heart but I still prefer the Jets over the Giants. As for Siemian, I do have high confidence in third-string QB Kyle Sloter for the Vikings and feel that he is ready to ascend to the backup spot behind starter Kirk Cousins. But while Siemian may never been a great quarterback in the NFL, he is tried and true vet that can help in pinch. He’ll provide good support and mentorship for Sam Darnold.  Siemian and the Jets will look very good when they take the field this Fall, in my opinion. Hopefully for Jets fans, the play matches the look. It’s really time for somebody to do something about the reign of the New England Patriots. I’ve grown so tired of Tom Brady, Bill Belechick and Boston area fans.

Today seems like a very good day for an Aaron Judge home run.  

As always, Go Yankees!

What it Means to be a Yankees Fan: Sarah Ancelet

Another day here in the Major League season, another day of blogging here on The Greedy Pinstripes, and another day where a fan of the New York Yankees gets to tell their own story of fandom and what being a fan of this great team means to them. Today’s fan of the New York Yankees is Sarah Ancelet, a fan of not only the team but of the blog as well. Sarah reached out to us on Twitter wanting to showcase her fandom, so here it is.

What makes you a fan of the New York Yankees?

I’ve always watched and played sports growing up, and I usually liked the same teams as my dad.  I like the history of the Yankees, players like the Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle.  Even the ones we got to see like Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, and Jorge Posada were easy to love and watch.  Hearing stories of old players and how great they were always stood out to me. 

What is your earliest memory of the New York Yankees?

My earliest memory of the Yankees that I can remember would be watching the 2001 World Series with my dad.  I was 11 years old and in the 6^th grade, I’m sure I watched games previously, but I can for sure remember this time.  I was heartbroken when Luis Gonzalez blooped that single over Derek’s head to win.  I was young, but that day I fell in love with Mariano Rivera.  I cried when he tore his ACL, I was an hour away at college, when I saw that he was hurt.  I called my mom crying and she thought something was wrong with me.  I was not only sad that he was hurt, but we were planning a trip to NY that summer and I knew I wouldn’t get to see him pitch in pinstripes.  I cried when he left the field at Yankee Stadium for the last time, again when he signed a baseball for me at Minute Maid Park in Houston a few days or so later.  I’m sure I will cry next summer when he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

What is your fondest memory of the New York Yankees?

Like all Yankee fans I have many fond memories, but the one that stands out to me most would be the 2009 World Series.  That one is special to me because my dad and I got to watch it together.  After Robinson Cano made the play to Mark Teixeira at first base my dad and I jumped up and hugged each other.   In 2008, my senior year in high school, my dad was diagnosed with cancer.  So, it was special to watch the last championship together.  He passed away in 2010.  I also have enjoyed watching them play in several parks along with three trips to Yankee Stadium.   I hope this season will be as special as 2009.  I’m from Louisiana, about 3 hours east of Houston and I’m already tired of hearing crap from my friends who are Astros fans. 

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

When I see the interlocking NY, I think of history of New York as a whole.  It’s not just baseball, but the city as well.  Everyone around the world knows New York City and the Yankees are very popular globally as well.   

Thank you for taking the time to do this for us, Sarah, and we hope you enjoyed doing it as much as we enjoyed reading it. If you want your words and your story showcased here on the blog like Sarah, then answer these four questions and submit your stories to me personally at danielburch1102 at yahoo dot com.

Help Wanted for the 2019 Season!

The 2019 season is upon us and as the New York Yankees and Yankee Stadium prepare for the 2019 season, we here at The Greedy Pinstripes have some preparations to do as well. We need help, we need writers. The site wants to bring you as much quality content as we can day in and day out, and frankly there is just too much to be said, and too many differing opinions out there to just listen to me rant, rave and ramble all day long over the course of the season. That is where YOU come in.

No experience is necessary, although it is obviously preferred, and all positions are open. We specifically need game recaps done on a daily (or as often as possible as this is NOT a paying position) basis on top of opinion pieces, trade proposals and ideas, etc. Whatever you guys and girls can bring to the table we would be happy to showcase here on the blog, so bring your ideas with you.

Contact us either by commenting here on this post, tweeting us @GreedyStripes or by sending us an email at thegreedypinstripes at g mail dot com. You can also contact me directly, which may garner a quicker response to be honest, at danielburch 1102 at yahoo dot com.

I look forward to hearing from all of you. Go Yankees!

What it Means to be a Yankees Fan: David Lippman

So, we know what it means to be a Yankees fan for the co-owners of this blog, myself and Bryan Van Dusen, one of our usual friends that comments on the blog, Ken Hans, and in my humble opinion the best writer on the blog, Scott Fiedler, but today we break the mold a little. Today we find out what it means to be a Yankees fan from a fan of the blog, his name is David Lippman

What does it mean to be a Yankees fan to you, David? Let’s find out.

Dave Lippman essay for “The Greedy Pinstripes”

What makes you a fan of the New York Yankees?

My grandfather Joe Lippman became a baseball fan when his older brother Sam “Izzy” Lippman took Joe to the Polo Grounds to see Christy Mathewson fire a 3-0 shutout at the Cincinnati Reds. Grandpa was hooked on baseball and the Giants immediately and for the rest of his life. In 1912, the Yankees moved into the Polo Grounds when Hilltop Park burned down and started wearing the pinstripes with the interlocking “NY.” Since the Highlanders (as they were called then) were not in the same league as the Giants, Grandpa now had two teams to root for, which he thought was great. They were not in direct competition with each other, until Babe Ruth came along and made life interesting.

After that, Grandpa still had it easy, except at World Series time. When the Yankees were in, the Giants were out, and vice versa, and the ballparks were just a bridge apart. The 1951 World Series was the last time a World Series was held where fans could walk from one ballpark to the other, in point of fact. Grandpa rooted for his increasingly powerful Yankees and passed that on to my father, Paul Lippman.

My mother, Barbara Lippman, grew up in England during World War II, and listened on US Armed Forces Radio to baseball games, which were often Yankee games. She did not understand how the batting order looped around, but other than that, baseball made sense, and she became a Yankee fan.

They met in London in 1949 when Dad went over with a group of NYU students – Mom was hosting them with University of Leeds students. Dad asked Mom to see a movie at the Odeon. Dad thought there was only one Odeon in London, not realizing it was a chain like Loew’s. Mom thought that Dad knew where they were going. So instead of seeing “Treasure of the Sierra Madre” or “Twelve O’Clock High,” they saw “Abbott and Costello Join the French Foreign Legion,” which set the tone of communication for their entire 37 years of marriage. Mom, however, learned how American humor worked from when Dad laughed at Lou Costello’s jokes.

She came to America via Hoboken in a Dutch liner in the 1950s, which was a good time to be a Yankee fan, working as an editor on science books. One of them was the autobiography of the inventor of radar, Sir Robert Watson-Watt. He was late to an editorial conference and told Mom that the delay was caused when he was flagged for speeding by a New York State Trooper, who barked at Watson-Watt: “You were caught on radar. Do you know what that is?” Watson-Watt sighed, and said, “Yes, I invented it.” The trooper was not amused and issued the ticket.

Mom and Dad got married on Columbus Day in 1957 at the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn, and my English and American families met in mutual incomprehension, despite both being Jewish. The British side were all military or civil servants, who had built and run the Empire and fought in battles for the Crown since 1680. The Americans were all pharmacists and small businessmen who came originally from shtetls in Poland. The Americans couldn’t understand why the British were all so reserved, drank tea, and talked about colonial postings or some incident at Aldershot or Quetta. The British couldn’t understand why the Americans ate so much chopped liver, were so loud, and talked about “retail and wholesale, I hope,” and used so much Yiddish. Beneath it all, the Americans were also irritated that the Yankees had lost – LOST – the World Series to the Milwaukee Braves, of all teams, and the Giants and Dodgers were moving to California.

Mom and Dad followed the Giants soon after, working for an ad agency in San Francisco, which made it tricky to follow the Yankees, and Dad had divided loyalties in the 1962 World Series. Mom was worried about the pregnancy that would hatch me (in its late stages) and both worried about the Cuban Missile Crisis at the time, and Richard Nixon running for “Governor of the United States” in California. Bobby Richardson caught that Willie McCovey liner, JFK got the Soviet missiles out of Cuba, Pat Brown won the gubernatorial race, and moments after Tricky Dick said, “You won’t have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore,” and Mom promptly went into labor.

I was born at Beth Israel Hospital on the Lower East Side on November 7, 1962, six hours after Eleanor Roosevelt died at Mount Sinai Hospital on the Upper East Side. She heard I was coming and couldn’t stand it.

I thus gained my Yankee and Giant fandom from my parents. My youth was the 1970s team: Thurman, Reggie, Catfish, Sparky, Billy, George, Lyle, and most of all: Gator. He was my professional role model, on how to handle things, on the mound and in life.

Logically, I began my baseball career with the crosstown New York Mets as associate editor of their house magazine, “Inside Pitch,” in the early 1980s, a job I loved, at a time when the team was on the rise. With typical Mets illogic, they sold the magazine to “Baseball America” in mid-1985, then based in North Carolina, and the North Carolinians believed they could cover the Mets better from Raleigh than Queens, and I was fired on September 12, 1985, thus missing the 1986 season. I dropped any adherence to the Mets beyond that of a fourth-generation New Yorker (meaning, that if they are in a World Series and neither the Yankees nor Giants were playing, I would root for the New York team).

I was also working a little bit for United Press, covering the Yankees, so I got to cover the good guys at the same time, and was present when Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield ended their internal war for the batting title on the final day of the 1984 season, in a demolition of the Detroit Tigers. As they had led the American League East from wire to wire, I doubt the Tigers cared.

With my baseball writing career over (the great dream of my life wrecked), I could root for the Yankees and Giants without having to maintain the cool impartiality of a UPI baseball writer and did. Unfortunately, 1987-1991 were lousy years for the Yankees. In 1991, I went in the Navy, and was overseas until 1998, in Japan, New Zealand, and Antarctica.  When I heard about guys like Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, and Mariano Rivera, I said, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

I saw it on my monitor in my office in New Zealand in 1996, when the Yankees came back from that horrific first two games to clip, nip, and dip the Braves in four straight, stunning the Southerners and Yankee-haters in my unit.

I got out of the Navy in 1998, which was a good time to be back in New York…NOW I began to appreciate Derek Jeter, David Wells, David Cone, Tino Martinez, Paul O’Neill, and Mariano Rivera, who was becoming my second professional role model, for his utter coolness and calmness in the face of crisis and defeat.

In 1999, I began my Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program, and sat struggling at my computer on an essay, unable to figure out what to do. Roger Clemens was pitching for the Yankees on the radio behind me, and as I listened to him pitch, I had a gigantic epiphany: writing is pitching: the pitcher is the writer, the batter is the reader, various types of pitches are various types of sentences, phrases, and paragraphs, and effective writing depended on velocity, movement, location, knowing the hitter, the game situation, and setting up the right pitch sequence.

Suddenly I understood it all. I attacked the essay, and got an A. I got an A on the next one. And the next one. And the one after that. I completed the Masters Degree with Straight A’s, the first and only time in my life I had ever run the table in any academic environment. And I owed it all to Roger Clemens. So, when he got in trouble as a headhunter and later over steroids, I stood by my literary mentor, one of four (the others being my high school writing teacher Frank McCourt, historian Walter Lord, and my MFA instructors at the New School).

What made me, in the end, a Yankee fan, was more than the family connection, though. Or the writing connection. It was the endless link to history. Every Yankee team and player has to measure up to and meet the standards set by previous generations of titanic players. They had to live up to traditions set by predecessors: Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio for quiet excellence, Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle for flamboyant power, Waite Hoyt and Whitey Ford for cocky dominance, Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel for managerial brilliance.

It was always awesome to me to see so many players on one team through the decades who could and did. For example, I grew up with Willie Randolph – Robinson Cano kept up his tradition. Now it looks like Gleyber Torres will inherit the title. Grandpa saw Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Bob Meusel. Dad saw Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey, and Red Ruffing as a kid. Then he enjoyed Yogi Berra, Allie Reynolds, and Hank Bauer. Mom’s team was in the 1960s: Roger Maris, Elston Howard, and Bobby Richardson. I’ve gone from Munson to Mattingly to Mariano to Miguel Andujar. It never ends. It holds my respect, it holds my awe, and it holds my reverence.

And it ends with me. My daughter Wallis regards all sports that involve a ball as “sportsball.” Her sport is rock-climbing.

What is your earliest memory of the New York Yankees?

In 1977, Dad took me to the old Yankee Stadium (new version) for Old Timer’s Day. He was very excited to see some of his favorites taking the field one more time, in uniform, to take their bows. Out they came, gaining in importance as the introductions went on. Mickey Mantle was among the last. Joe DiMaggio was the “man they saved for last,” and he received the usual standing ovation. The Mick didn’t play. The announcer said he had “pulled a muscle while bowing,” but I learned later that he was completely drunk.

The moment I remember best was when Joltin’ Joe came to bat. Dad grabbed my left arm and said, “His stance hasn’t changed a bit. That is the exact stance I remember.” It was a moment that connected us tightly…both being able to see Joe DiMaggio at bat. And, no, I don’t remember the regular game that followed. That overshadowed the rest.

What is your fondest memory of the New York Yankees?

I have so many memories. My favorite thing at Yankee Stadium was Old Timer’s Day, of course, seeing my old favorites and heroes come out and get introduced, play a not-too-serious game, and have some fun. They’d stand on the third-base or first-base line, quaffing water from bottles, yakking with each other. They all got applause, and I would remember moments from my youth or earlier adulthood.

Second favorite? That moment when the sound system replay screen cuts out of that horrific “Cotton Eye Joe,” (a country song in New York City?) and replaces it with the first bars of “Enter Sandman.” The home bullpen doors open, and Mariano Rivera himself, head down, dangling his mitt in his left, jogs to the mound, intent on his business, trailed by a YES Network cameraman, whose live imagery of Mariano coming into the game is flashed on the Diamond Vision screen. The entire audience at Yankee Stadium leaps to its feet and starts singing the song (if they know the words) and start wildly cheering, knowing that the most devastating weapon in baseball history was coming in to seal the victory yet again (652 times all told). We will never see the like again.

Third favorite: Game 3, 1999 World Series. Challenger the Eagle flew in from the visitors’ bullpen before the game and Chad Curtis smashed a walk-off home run in the 10th to the same place to end the game. The stadium was vibrating as the Yankees sealed their 100th World Series game win and record 11th in a row.

Fourth favorite: Game 2, ALDS, 2009: Alex Rodriguez blasts a homer into the Yankees’ bullpen to tie the game off of Joe Nathan in the ninth inning in the rain and snow. In the 11th, Mark Teixeira hits the game-winning walk-off shot, a laser to left. A few days later, Game 2, ALCS, A-Rod facing California Angel relief ace Brian Fuentes in the 11th, again with the good guys trailing in snow and rain, and he bashed a line shot that bounces in the area in front of the first row of seats in right field for a game-tying home run. The Yankees then win on a defensive misplay and Jerry Hairston, Jr. scoring.

Fifth favorite: All-Star Game, 2008: The last one at the old Stadium. 14 innings. I sat through every inning and scored every inning. Before the game began, an army of Hall of Famers emerged from the doors in center field and assumed their positions. I was in the presence of greatness, past and present.

These are all from games I was at. When I think of Yankee events I was NOT present for, there are even more…I’m 55 years old, and I can remember all the way back personally to the mid-1970s. I stayed home on Yom Kippur to watch Bucky Dent hit that home run, stayed up late to watch Reggie hit his home runs, saw Gator strike out 18, and so on and so on…I think Derek Jeter’s “Mr. November” home run in the 2001 World Series stands out. I lost friends on 9/11, and the city of my birth and youth was still smoldering. The World Trade Center was a mile-and-a-half from where I grew up. I saw it go up…I saw it go down. My wife was standing on 6th Avenue at 14th Street when she saw the first plane hit. I manned the Emergency Operations Center in Newark as the Public Information Officer. Jeter’s homer did not win the World Series, but it brought a bleeding, wounded, devastated city to its feet in defiance and triumph. We could withstand anything hurled at us and outlast them through determination and sheer resilience.

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

The endless tradition of the team, which dates back to the precise year my grandfather started cheering for them. The uniform has undergone virtually no changes since the “NY” was put on the pinstripes, and a member of the 2018 Yankees wears the same uniform as the 1938 Yankees, and, in many cases, the same number as some distinguished player. Consider that there are no single digit numbers left. The lowest available number is 11, worn by the talented veteran Brett Gardner. Before him, Gary Sheffield, Chuck Knoblauch, Dwight Gooden, Gene Michael, Johnny Sain, Joe Page, Lefty Gomez, and Herb Pennock, to name a few. There’s no “Flashback Friday” or “Throwback Thursday” or “Turn Back the Clock” uniform night for the Yankees. They don’t have to bother. They ALWAYS wear the same uniform they did “back in the day.” The same interlocking “NY.” The same pinstripes. The history and heritage continues.

TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for April 5th, 2019

Good morning Yankees family!

What shortstop did the Yankees acquire on this day in 1977? Hint: He later hit a very famous home run for the team.

Highlight below to see your answer!!



Bucky Dent was acquired from the Chicago White Sox for Oscar Gamble, future Cy Young Award winner LaMarr Hoyt, Bob Polinsky and cash. Dent hit a home run in the one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox in 1978, thus earning the nickname "Bucky F'in Dent."



And a special good morning to the most beautiful woman alive. I love you Kari, and I am so glad and grateful that you are mine!

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/5: Babe Ruth & Quaker Oats

On this day in 1934 Babe Ruth, with the backing of Quaker Oats, agreed to do weekly NBC broadcasts. Ruth's 13 week salary for the radio gig was $4000 more than his Yankees contract.

Also on this day in 1925 Babe Ruth collapsed at a railroad station in Asheville, North Carlina. The "bellyache heard round the world" would require hospitalization and an operation that would keep the Yankees star out of the lineup until May. One writer suggested too many hot dogs and soda caused the illness, I guess we will never know.

Finally on this day in 1913 in an exhibition game the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers played a game in front of 25,000 fans. The significance behind the game was it was the first ever game played in Ebbets Field. Casey Stengel hit the first home run, an inside the park home run, and the Dodgers beat the Yankees 3-2.