Where The "Pride Of The Yankees" Was Born, "We Watch The Games"
Sunday, July 31, 2005
ALL IS QUIET ON THE YANKEE FRONT
Speaking of Buddy Groom he blasted the Yankees and Skipper Joe Torre in the press today. All the tabloids had similar reports but ESPN sums it up nicely. Groom became expendable when the Yankees signed Bosox castoff Alan Embree. The Yankees also designated former Staten Island Yankee Alex Graman for assignment and recalled Wayne Franklin. All the afore mentioned are lefthanders. The Yankees are hoping that Embree and Felix Rodiguez will sure up the middle relief.
They Yankees had another wild ride on Sunday as the fans were passing out the Zantac as the Yankees came through victorious on a see-saw game 8-7. Jason Giambi hit two home runs in the victory giving him 14 dingers for July the most since Mickey Mantle did that feat in 1961. His second homer was his 300th of his career.
The 13 year old boy that was became missing on Friday Night at Yankee Stadium was found Sunday in Queens. What the report doesn't say is that the young man was a foster child . Either way always keep the ticket stub in your kids pocket. Heck a 13 year old that never been to Yankee Stadium before should NOT be sent to the mens room alone on a sold out game. I am sure more will come out in days to come.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
WHERE HAVE ALL OUR PITCHERS GONE?
HELP IS ON THE WAY
Help (???) is on the way in the form of Al Leiter as the Yankees struck a deal with the Marlins to bring the veteran lefty back to Pinstripes for the proverbial player to be named later. Leiter, who is 39, was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Thursday. The team had 10 days to release or trade the left-hander, who was 3-7, 6.64 ERA this year as a starter and reliever. Gee a contender getting rid of a lefty pitcher, to an AL team no less??? Doesn't look like a cure to me. Mel Stottlemyre can't work miracles. Well if he doesn't work out maybe we can trade him for Jesse Barfield again. Leiter was a Yankee prospect before being shipped to Toronto for Barfield. One note on Al Leiter's Topps rookie card the mistakenly printed the wrong photo on it.
MORE HELP
In other news Felix Rodriguez, who pitched two scoreless innings with Trenton Friday and is scheduled to make one more rehab appearance with the Thunder (possibly on Saturday) before being activated. Further down the road, Ramiro Mendoza has began throwing batting practice as he attempts to come back from the rotater cuff surgery he had back in January.
In what is being biled as the battle of aces the Yankees seek revenge as Randy Johnson takes on Matt Clement on the FOX Game of the Week today at 1:20 PM.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
HALFTIME
BACK TO BUSINESS
After the break it is back to work when the Bombers face off against the Bosox in Beantown. Let's hope it isn't Deja Vu all over again as the Red Sox have already broke the momentum of this club of All Stars. We are on a roll right now and I for one didn't want this break to break our streaks especially with the Red Sox on the menu.
Last time around Joe Torre skipped young Chein Ming Wang against the Red Sox. You can be sure that won't be the case this time around. Let's hope that Brian Cashman doesn't have even remote plans to trade any of these three players.
REHAB-ROD
Here is a scoop that my new Bomber Buddies at POTY don't even know. I had the luck to see Felix "F-Rod" Rodriguez starting his rehab last night for the Staten Island Yankees. He was welcomed back to live pitching with a home run to left field by the Williamsport Crosscutter's (Pirate Short Season A affiliate) John Santiago (his first). Keep in mind this kid is 20 years old at most. He was erratic for the most part in the SI Yank 6-5 comeback but he did pick up 4 strikeouts without a walk in the two innings of work. He is scheduled to throw Wednesday for the Baby Bombers as well as they go for their ninth straight victory. Melky Cabrera was on hand to receive a plaque and his old SI Jersey.
Friday, July 08, 2005
MAY OR MAY NOT
The big news is tha Carl Pavano has wound up on the 15 day disable list. Rumor has it that Saturday's starter will be the newly aquired Darrell May, or it may just be the committee headed by Tanyon Sturtze. We'll see following Old Timers Day tomorrow. Former Yankee OF and current YES broadcaster David Justice will participate in the OT game. What's up with Paul O'Neill? Your fans want to see you Paully!!
Saturday marks the Behind the Bombers reunion. If you are at the game stop by and see us in the Outdoor Cafe after 12 noon or so.
Monday, July 04, 2005
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOSS
BERNIE BASEBALL/NEW HITMAN
Bernie Williams passes up the Hitman. Williams went 4-for-5 with five RBIs as DH on Saturday night. This launched him past Don Mattingly for fifth-place on the all-time Yankee hit list. The only Yankees still in front of Bernie are Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. Someday we may see #51 hanging out there in Monument Park. I guess Bernie isn't so "tired" anymore.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN"T GET UP!!!!
I SHALL BE RELEASED
The Yankees released the unproductive Mike Stanton and the over used and worn out Paul Quantrill. Back into the Bronx is Jason Anderson who returned to pinstripes by pitching two scoreless innings agaist the timers in Friday night's 10-2 loss. If you remember Jason was sent to teh Mets for Armando Benitez. He made a stop in Cleveland until he was released and claimed by the Yanks. Two days after designating Quantrill for assignment, the Yankees surprizingly found a taker for the right-handed reliever, shipping him to the San Diego Padres for right-hander Tim Redding, left-hander Darrell May and cash.
FOR STARTERS
As if we didn't have enough problems Carl Pavano has come up with a sore shoulder, but as ESPN reports he isn't too concerned about it. That puts the Grand Tanyon, Tanyon Sturtze into the starting rotation. He'll start Monday against the Orioles at home.
BTB salutes John Franco who was released by the Astros today in a career that included the Reds and Mets. Class act John, good luck.
Monday, June 27, 2005
PASS THE GERITOL
In a game that would turn around the worse teams the Yankees scored 13 runs in the eighth inning to come back from a 10-2 deficit. The very next day the Bombers bombed out and went back to their losing ways. The only bright spots in our line up has been the rookie Robinson Cano and Chein Ming Wang. Sean Henn, who lost to the Mets on Saturday has proved for the third straight time that he is not ready for prime time.
In the midst of thing the deteriorating Bernie Williams has become a scapegoat of sorts. Well even if he isn't a scapegoat over the weekend he was a goat anyway. Sunday night the Yankees had a big come from behind victory against the cross town rival Mets. Again time will tell if that win can turn this team around as the Yankees go into to Baltimore to take on the second place Orioles. As Jason Giambi goes so does the Yankees. When the Giambino hits the Yanks seem to win.
The outfield situation is in shambles. Kevin Reese, the Columbus centerfielder, was brought up to play LF while the Yankee LF (who started the year at 2B) was shifted to CF. The reason Reese was brought up was because Bernie Williams was declared "tired". Monday at Camdan Reese is on the bench while Rueben Sierra spells Gary Sheffield while he rejuvenate himself as the DH. Hideki Matsui returns to LF with Tony Womack in CF. Reese, who wasn't even on the 40 man roster is not the answer. They need a CF, while I still believe Bernie has life as a DH he is a liability in the outfield. One rumor is what Peter Gammons reported that if the A's cannot sign Mark Kotsay to a contract extension the the A's will trade him to either the Cubs or Yankees.
Now, they'll look to make up some ground in the American League East as they open a three-game series with the slumping Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The Yankees will send the Roadster Carl Pavano to the mound in the series opener. Pavano lost his fourth straight decision Wednesday, allowing five runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 5-3 defeat to Tampa Bay. The O's counter with Daniel Cabrera (5-7, 5.54 ERA). Cabrera lost his third straight start Wednesday, allowing three earned runs and five hits in five innings of a 3-2 loss to Toronto on Wednesday. The 24-year-old right-hander has allowed just five earned runs in 12 1-3 innings in his last two starts after giving up seven in two innings in a loss to Cincinnati on June 11. He is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees, including an 8-4 win on April 17.
There is no relief in sight for our starters either as Jaret Wright was moved from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL. (that may not be all bad)
Do we need to shake something up? Yes we do! We need something to bring this team together. Maybe it is time to change the pitching coach? Maybe a lateral move. Reassign Mel Stottlemyre and make Neil Allen the pitching coach. Rich Monteleone can resume the pen duties. I know it isn't Mel's fault but he is the weakest link on the coaching staff. What do you think? Comment below.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
JETER SLAMS CUBBIES ON SWING GAME
On Saturday the Yanks beat the Cubs with the help of Derek Jeter's first Grand Slam in 135 chances. While it was nice to see DJ get his Grand Salami it should be no surprise that a disciplined player like Derek would be homerless with the bases loaded. The Captain is a team player and his primary objective is to win and score runs. Jeter tries to put the ball in play rather than risk a strike out or a long fly ball and ending a rally. So kudos to DJ on getting that monkey off his back and sparing us of listening to Tim McCarver give that grand slamless stat over and over again.
Kevin "Break Down" Brown is on the DL for his the 13th time in his career according to the NY post. It was long overdue but Kevin Brown hit the DL yesterday. Former Staten Island Yankee Lefty Sean Henn was called up to make his second career start against the same team he pitched against in his first start, Lou Piniella's Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
The Staten Island Yankees open up Tuesday across the gang plank to Brooklyn against the Cyclones at Keyspan Park. Then they continue their home in home openers on Staten Island on Wednesday. Former Yankee utilityman Andy Staniewicz is returning to the helm of the Baby Bombers after a year as a scout while Mookie Wilson will skipper the Clones.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
I would like to take time to wish all my Bomber Buddies a very Happy Fathers Day. This marks the first year that I have a Father's Day without my dad after losing him to the dreaded cancer last August. To all you fans who are lucky enough to still have your dads, never be ashamed to tell your dad you love him. Go home and give him a hug and thank him for everything he has given and taught you. Hug him once for me. Those of you who's dads are with mine in Heaven think of the good times.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
YANKS SWEEP BUCS
BEYOND THE BOMBERS
Aaron Boone who shares the same middle name with Bucky Dent up in New England is finally starting to get comfortable in Cleveland. In his last 10, Boone is hitting .371 with three homers. Well this weekend its the Cubs in town, let's keep the momentum going!!
Saturday, June 11, 2005
A REAL MYS-TOORE
The alleged "cursed" 1919 contract that shipped Babe Ruth from Boston to the Bronx sold at auction Friday at Sotheby's for a staggering $996,000. Talk about having too much money. Kevin Brown, scheduled to re-join the rotation Wednesday after missing last night's start because of a sore left shoulder, was late arriving from his home in Georgia last night because of airplane problems. It looks like the Yanks have offered Denton Jackson $1 million to have him skip playing point guard for Georgia Tech according to Georgia Tech losing PG recruit to baseball's Yankees.
Despite the Yankees playing like kaa kaa, Boss George still has faith in Joe Torre. But does he have faith in Mel and Donnie Baseball?!?!?!?
Friday, June 10, 2005
IT'S IN THE CARDS
In a match up with a Staten Island taste to it it will be Former Staten Island Yankee Chien Ming Wang (3-1, 4.03) against Tottenville (SI) High School graduate Jason Marquis (7-3, 3.50) for the Cardinals. Jason was a big Yankee fan in his days at my old alma matta.
It will be a home coming of sorts for Joe Torre, who spent six years of his playing career in St. Louis. The last time the Yankees played in St. Louis, Busch Stadium wasn't built. Torre played for the Cardinals from 1969-74 and was the National League MVP in 1971. The Yankees haven't played in St. Louis since 1964 when the clubs battled to seven games before the Cardinals prevailed in the deciding contest. Busch Stadium opened in 1966.
The Yankees and Cardinals have faced each other five times in the World Series and St. Louis has won three of those times. The Yanks will again be without the DH.
Kudos go out to Alex Rodriguez for becoming the youngest player ever to reach the 400 home run plateau.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Let me take a page from my old haunts and check out what the media is saying. I hope the team doesn't read this stuff they may start believing it and never win. Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune trys to show his intelligence as he tells us that we are not getting Much Bang For King George's Big Bucks. While North Jersey straight out reports that the Yanks' Slide Hit Six, like we didn't know that.
The Boss called Joe Torre before last nights loss to try to iron out the problems as the Journal News reported. And only Long Island Snoozeday will be talking about A-Rods retirement now. It is all wrapped up in a nutshell in North Jersey's Yankees Notebook.
Renoun baseball author Harvey Frommer talks about the anniversary of the start of Lou Gehrig's game playing streak and takes you through it in great detail on the Behind the Bombers Fansite.
Poland Spring (why are there Polish Springs in Maine?) is looking for the ultimate Yankee Fan. Go check it out.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
JUNE SWOON
No it is not the age of the players although that is a definite problem, no it is not the lack of heart but we could use a little more in that department. I isn't those flag caps we wore over the weekend, I would bet anything our record is poor when we wear those.
You can't blame this losing streak on Jason Giambi, you can't blame Kevin Brown or Jarrad Wright. The real cause of all this bad baseball is Dave & Aziz Nekoukar.
For those of you who are not familiar with those names Dave & Aziz do a fine job writing the Yankees Weblog over at NJ.com where I use call home for about ten weeks. They took over for Mark Strawn who replaced yours truly over there. Mark was a butcher who disappeared right before the post season. His blogs tended to be missing on the heavy rated matchups like the Mets or Sox. But Dave and Aziz stepped in and filled that void and did it wonderfully.
There was one problem. Dave & Aziz are cursed. A curse that is stronger than the Cub's goat and Babe Ruth's curse combined. The Nekoukar brothers you see did the NY Rangers Blog on NJ.com for years. Last I checked the Rangers missed the playoffs for 7 straight seasons. Last season the NHL locked out the players so no hockey at all.
Then Mark Strawn left NJ.com and Dave and Aziz took over and guess what? The Yankees were knocked out of the ALCS after being up 3 games to none!!!! The biggest choke in Yankee history. And forget about what's happening now. A coincidence? I think not!
So when you hear these talk show hosts blaming Alex Roddriguez or Jason Giambi for the Yankee woes, phone them up we know the real reason and it's not a pretty one. Maybe they could write the Mets Blog for a while.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Bombers came off a 15-2 stand in which the only team with a record over .500 whom the they beat on that stretch was the Mets. Against the two AL East teams they're battling with for the division the Yanks are 5-10 this season (4-5 vs. the Red Sox, 1-5 vs. the Orioles). Tonight in KC the Royals have settled on a new manager in the form of the golden haired (well maybe grey now) Buddy Bell. Let's hope the momentum doesn't swing in the Royals direction with a new skipper and Kevin Brown on the mound. Bell played a significant part in Yankee history. He made Graig Nettles expendable in 1973 allowing the Indians to send him to the Bronx. TRIVIA: Who did the Yankees send to Cleveland for Nettles and catcher Jerry Moses? Answer tomorrow.
Monday, May 30, 2005
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
Unfortunately now we have a travel day when we should be watching the Yankees sweep or split a double dip while having some fine barbecue.
The Double Header that doesn't include the word split admission has went the way of the day World Series game. Hey baseball we're the fans, time to give something back. Give the games back to the kids. Today's kids are tomorrows dads and they will keep you alive.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Boston 17 --- Yankees 1
| SUNDAY |
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BOS: Wells (2-4, 6.81 ERA) | ||
Watch The Yankees/Boston Sunday Night on ESPN with your Bomber Buddies. Join the Live Chat on during the ESPN broadcast and cheer, jeer, moan and groan along with the BTB Family.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
SATURDAY IN THE PARK
Gary Sheffield's homer landed in the upper deck in left, and Robinson Cano planted a shot of his own into the bleachers in right. The Yankees threw out two runners at the plate in the top of the sixth to keep the game within reach.
Cano is spotlighted in today's Daily Snooze. Snoozeday rightly gives a bit of credit to Jorge Posada for finally blocking the plate. In the battle of third base coach round one goes to Luis Sojo who outdueled former Yankee and current Bosox coach Dale Sveum last night as the News points out. John Olerud is back in the show as the Boston Globe reports.
Friday, May 27, 2005
THE BOSOX ARE COMING
Forget the Mets and Yankees. Forget the Cubbies and Chisox. Forget the Canadians and Leafs. There is only one rivalry in sports and it is happening tonight in the Bronx. The Boston Red Sox are in town and bringing their "a" game to the cathedral. What the "a" stands for is anyone's guess.
Johnny Damon sees the writing on the wall as he is trying to pump up his injury plagued team even before they set foot in the city that never sleeps. David Wells is back and pitching more like Ed Whittson. Curt Schilling admits now that "maybe" he tried to come back too soon. The difference now is that the Yankees are playing like Yankees and the Sox are having their troubles. But with these two teams that can all change nightly.
Mike Lupica of the Daily Snooze reports that the Red Sox are aware of the Yanks' upward climb. The Orioles won again last night and completed a sweep of the Mariners, that pushed the Red Sox to five games out while the Yankees are now in a second-place tie with the Blue Jays .
The series begins tonight and it is on ESPN (YES in NY, and NESN in New England), the pitching matchup for game one will be knuckler Tim Wakefield (4-3, 4.24 ERA) vs. Randy Johnson (4-3, 3.94 ERA). Lets go Yankees. Lets hope for some good baseball.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
LET'S GO TO THE VIDEOTAPE
The Yankees try for the sweep tonight as Jeremy Bonderman opposes Kevin (I am throwing good, they just found holes) Brown at 7 PM tonight. Of course Boston comes in for the weekend.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
KUDOS FOR MR. QUANTRILL!!!
Paul Quantrill did what should have been done a long time ago. He finally retailiated for a Yankee getting hit by an opposing pitcher. He did something that Mike Mussina would never do because it would change his routine. He did something that Mariano Rivera should never do because he comes in a save situation. With two outs and the Yankees sitting on a 11-0 lead Quantrill pitched behind the light hitting Jason Smith and was immediately warned by the umpire. On the very next pitch he hit the shortstop in the back and was ejected instantly along with Joe Torre. That brought the Tigers out of their dugout, and Paul uncharacteristically egged them on, gesturing for them to come out for a fight.
Now I don't want to see anyone get hit in the head but the only thing I can fault Quantrill with is that he didn't hit Dmitri Young or Pudge Rodriguez. No offense to Smith but he is not Alex Rodriguez. "Q" was retailiating the hit of the Yankees star 3B Alex Rodriguez. Alex had homered twice off starter Wilfredo Ledezma, giving him 4 home runs in the four hits he has off of Ledezma. The pitcher must have had enough and hit A-Rod in the beefy part of the thigh taking the All Star out of the game. What sense does that make? You can't get him out so you hit him. It time for more pitchers to follow suit. There would be no better time to start than this weekend. The starters have to brush David Ortiz off the plate. Who better to start than the Big Unit?
Buddy Groom came into the game after the Quantrill ejection with 2 runners on, former Bomber Marcus Thames greeted him a three-run homer. That was Thames 5th homer in 7 hits. Robinson Cano hit his career debut homer into the right-field upper deck off Doug Creek in the bottom half. And Jorge Posada homered from both sides of the plate last night as well including his first right handed homer of the season.