ROTATION OF THE YANKEE NATION

If you were to take a photo of the Yankees starting rotation now you would no doubt need a wide angle lens. . . .  Phil Hughes had a setback on his rehab program and is seeing one doctor after another. . . . Teixeira hurt the shoulder when he dove for a ball Tuesday, and he aggravated the injury on another dive Wednesday. He was replaced by Eric Chavez late in the game. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said no tests were planned at this time, so it sounds like this is a day-to-day thing.

MY FAVORITE MARTIN....BUT NOT BUCK'S

Muscle from Russell

Russell Martin went deep twice tonight but didn't get a chance to park the next one due to the fact the the Oriole pitcher drilled him in the upper back.

AJ Burrnet was ready to storm the field with his team behind in defnese of his favorite battery mate.  Oh yeah, the Yankees beat the Birds 15-3. 

The HBP in Russell Martin's last AB may or not have been intentional, and nobody is sure if Buck Showalter issued the command.  But there may be retribution tomorrow or when the Yankees return to Kramdan Yards latter this season.

Orioles reliever Josh Rupe knows what it looked like. So did manager Buck Showalter. But Rupe said after Saturday's lopsided 15-3 loss to the Yankees that the pitch that hit New York catcher Russell Martin in the back was not intended to send any kind of message.

TEXAS TWO STEP?



Garcia 1-0

 For a while there it was looking like Deja Vu all over again, I was even looking for a place to hide Rafael Soriano.

Freddy Garcia looked great for his first start in pinstipes and his first start in 17 days in spring training.  Let's hope he doesn't need 17 games rest in between. 

The Yanks DLed Phil Hughes with a dead arm after days of swearing that he isn't hurt.  We can get fined on this one.  Funny in August our rotation could be CC, AJ, Bartollo, Garcia and Carlos Silva.

Note to Brian Cashman, keep you mouth shut.  Mr Torre is a league executive now he can get you in trouble. 

ON THE MARK

Happy Birthday to Mark Teixiera!  Now start hitting.

THE BOONE LOGAN EXPERIMENT IS OVER

Boone Logan once again came into a close game and began to put out fires with gasoline.  Hey Boone a lefty releif specialist is suppose to get out lefties.  There goes the last bit of saving grace from the Vasquez deal last season.  Got to be someone in SWB that can do that.  Makes you long for Bob Shirley.

OK Phil the season has started it is time to be up to speed.  I would love to tell my boss I am taking it light and not up to speed yet.  Got to be something there call the pitching guru ASAP.

Bartolo Colon says that his new role has him feeling like "a rookie" again, and the Yankees might have found a useful piece for their bullpen mix.  He pitched very well in the typical Fenway Park game.

YANKIN IT IN BEANTOWN

Phil Hughes 

0-1, 11.25 ERA

Last appearance:

4/03 vs DET

4.0 IP, 5 ER

To borrow a phrase from a really big Yankees fan who actually lives in the area this marks the first trip for our Bombers to Boston in 2011.  And one thing I never expected or wanted for that matter was to go up there when the cast of Bosox are winless. 

Carl Crawford has been under the proverbial microscope as the newspaper watch his every move as he mutters to himself, "I should have been an Angel." 

The team that everone handed them the 2011 World Series Trophy has yet to win a game.  Plus Friday is their home opener. 

Billy Martin always said "I rather play a hot team than a cold team, because sooner or later the cold team will win by accident."  The is nothing I would like more than to continue the streak but lets hope for our best.  GO YANKS!

Courtesy Of Shakey Giambino:

Soriano says he’s sorry



Rafael Soriano was so upset after blowing what seemed like a sure win for CC Sabathia on Tuesday that he stormed out of the clubhouse and went home, the Yankees reliever said on Wednesday afternoon.


“I don’t know what happened,” said Soriano, who walked three batters and was charged with four runs in New York’s 5-4 loss to the Twins. “I threw a couple of pitches and I feel like I don’t have balance. I don’t think that’s happened before – that’s the first time.”


Soriano said that his agent, Scott Boras, called him on Wednesday and reminded him that he needs to be accountable for his actions and make himself available to the media after games. Instead, his teammates – particularly catcher Russell Martin – were left to answer for Soriano’s performance.


“The reason I didn’t do it, I got mad because I think that’s a game CC is supposed to win,” Soriano said. “It didn’t happen and that’s why I got mad. I don’t feel comfortable to talk.”


It wasn’t just the media that kept Soriano silent. He said he also screened a couple of calls from his mom, who watched the game on television from the Dominican Republic, but finally called her back on Wednesday.


“My mom, she called me and I didn’t answer my phone,” Soriano said. “I don’t feel comfortable to talk to her. I feel like that. I said, ‘All right, let me go home and be relaxed and ready for today.’”


Soriano said that while he is fine with his role setting up for closer Mariano Rivera, he sometimes struggles when coming into games with a larger lead. The Yankees led 4-0 when Soriano took the ball for the eighth.




“To me, it’s different when I’m in that situation like that,” Soriano said. “I don’t know why. It’s usually a lot closer. When it’s a situation like that, sometimes the [opposing] team gets a couple runs. I don’t know why it happens like that. The last three years, that’s what happens. I tried to do the best I can last night, but nothing happens.”


Joe Girardi said that there is no issue in the clubhouse with Soriano, who also stopped by the manager’s office today to apologize.


“He understands that he has a responsibility to the media, and he knows that,” Girardi said. “There are days after games where you just don’t feel like talking. It can be difficult and you feel like you’re not going to say the right things in a situation like that, and you step away. But he understands that he has a responsibility. I think he knows what he’s supposed to do.


“It happens. Players sometimes need to blow off a little steam. He was upset that CC didn’t get the win. And we didn’t get the win. We move on.”


Read more: http://btbfansite.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=19823#ixzz1IqXaYjdH

SO SORRY-ANO

Didn't Quite Have It

Hey it's a long season and this was our first ugly loss.  Soriano's fastball just wasn't finding it's spots.  When releiver like Rafael walks 3 it is bad news.  His high pitch count gives him the day off tomorrow.  Boone Logan who didn't look good all year took the loss.

It is our old friend Crazy Carl Pavano facing Freddy Garcia tomorrow.

Twins 5 Yankees 4 in 10 innings

AS EASY AS 1 - 2 - 3

A-Rod Goes Deep in the first

The Yankees beat the Twins tonight by a score of 4-3.  And it was as easy as 1-2-3.

1: Nova got win #1 while Joba got hold #1.
2: Jorge and Alex hit "2" run homers and Soriano got Hold #2.
3: Mariano got Save #3. 

Tuesday CC Sabathia is on the mound for the Yanks while Freddy Garcia makes his Pinstriped debut on Wednesday,  AJ Burnett will pitch the getaway game Thursday afternoon to wrap up the home stand.

IN THE WORDS OF MEATLOAF . . .

Not So Philty Today

Two out of three ain't bad.  Of course when you win the first two you want the broom.

The Yankees are now on a pace to win 108 games.  Mark Texiera is on pace for 159 homers.  Bartolo Colon made his pinstriped debut, no they are not slimming.  As the Tigers finish (yes finish) 2011 at Yankee Stadium 1-2 it is time to gear up to play the Twins.  We do play them in Detroit in May for four games.

The Tigers battered Phil Hughes for five runs and five hits over four innings, including a pair of two-run homers by Miguel Cabrera. Bartolo Colon was putting out fire with gasoline, in his Yankees debut. The 37-year-old former Cy Young Award winner gave up four runs and five hits in his four-inning stint.  The homers were flying as Jorge had a pair of 2-run dingers for the good guys as well.  The Tigers salvaged one game 10-7. 

Also what is with Brian Cashman blaming the Mets for abusing Jose Feliciano?  Don't you give a guy a physical before signing him? 

OFF DAY!

AJ Burnett

I hate off days especially when you win the game before it. Today would have been even nastier to sit through. Should be dry this weekend. Good luck yo AJ and Phil to wrap up the first series of the season.

Need something interesting to read try The Yankee Analyst.  Condolences go out to the Pride of the Yankees Blog over at NJ.com.  They have been auditioning writers for over a year. 



GAME 1: YANKEES 6 TIGERS 3

Sabathia goes 6 but Joba picks up the win in relief

Game one went as the doctor ordered.  One of CC's best Opening Day Starts in his eight chances, although not at his CC best.  Joba Chamberlain came in and shut the Tigers down in the seveth until the new tag team of Soriano and Mariano nailed down the Yankees first victory.  Tex and Grandy went long for the Bombers and A-Rod hit a double off the Yankee bullpen wall. 

It was cold as a bat's @$$ but just great game nonetheless.

BOINNNNNGGGG!!!!!

Spring has sprung Bomber buddies and now it is for real.  With the lingering sour taste from the early exit in 2010 we enter 2011 on the road to 28. 


The slates are clean everyone is tied for first place.  The Yankees came up short in the Cliff Lee conquest but 4 out of 5 experts agree that may be a blessing is disquise.  Both the Yankees and Mets finshed their exibition season against the same team they are meeting on Opening Day.  Who's idea was that? 


It will be Justin Verlander vs CC Sabathia for the opener in Da Bronx, Friday is an off day for the  teams.  The rest of the rotation rounds out to Burnett, Hughes, Nova and Freddy Garcia.  Many though that Bartolo Colone should have won the fifth spot but he will be hanging on in the pen in case Freddy or anyone else needs a fill in.


CC Sabathia leads the way but he can't do it alone.  He surely needs help from both Phil Hughes and AJ Burnett. Hughes needs to bring more of consistency to the mound. Nova and Garcia just need to be solid.
AJ Burnett’s career is being counted out by most experts since he is now 34. He still throw hard, but his fastball was crushed for a career worst 25 HR’s (back to back years) given up last year. He looks to rebound this year in his "year on".


Anyway it is 162 game season and a lot can happen but come October (actually November) and the dust settles we should be Marching down Broadway. 

IT IS SPRING ON MAPLE STREET

The New York Yankees are in Tampa, The Maple Street Press Yankee Annual 2011 is on the newsstand and Spring is in the air.  That could only mean that Opening Day is upon us.


Cecilia Tan once again has collected some of the best Bomber writers she could find and gathered them together to look into the Yanks 2011 season.  Ms Tan is the publisher of  the Website Why I Like Baseball.  She bats lead off in this great publication giving you the inside look at the potential Bomber squad using a batbag of stats, some you may not ever heard of.  Don't ya know that the cover has a picture of Robbie Cano?


Dan Graziano of the Star Ledger follows her up with a 2010 review.  In MSP Dan shows just how talented he is talking nothing but baseball.  Mark C Healy tells us if he feel Robbie Cano is for real.  There is just so much about the 2011 team the book could be called Yankees 101. 


What Yankees publication would be complete without delving int their historic past.  And who better to lead the way than Dan McCourt who can give you chills with his keyboard.  Dan looks back at the Yankees 13 MVP winners.  Dan can be found at his site giving you his daily Yankees peek as he Takes Him Downtown.  He can also be found quite often on the Behind the Bombers Forum. 

This issue has some of the best peeks into our minor league system out there.


A plethora of writers cover the multitude of topics listed below:


Spring Ahead: A Look at the 2011 New York Yankees (Player Profiles)



Near Miss: 2010 in Review


Home Grown: Robinson Cano Comes Into His Own


Hit Or Miss: The 2010 Yankees Rotation By The Numbers


I Don't Feel That I've Arrived: An Interview with Phil Hughes


Headed For The Hall: Who Will be the Next Yankee in Cooperstown?


Secret Weapon: Kevin Long is the Most Dangerous Man in the Yankee Offensive Arsenal


Big Boss Man: A Look Back On the Last Lion of Baseball


Two By Two: The Yankees' Top 10 Prospects


A Good Harvest: 2010 On The Yankees Farm


Switch-Pitcher: Pat Venditte From All Sides


Spreading The Wealth: The 2010 Yankees Draft


The Pride Of Brooklyn: Dellin Betances is Ready To Live Up to the Hype


Bombers' Dozen: A Look Back At All 13 Yankees MVPs


The Greatest Game Ever Played: Seizing The 1921 Pennant


Keller Is King: Remembering 1941


The Tape Measure Shot: The Real Story of Mantle's Griffith Stadium Homer


Yankee Road Trip: Places Every Yankees Fan Should See


Keep the kleenex handy as the article on The Boss digs deep into your memories. 


So run out to you nearest bookstore or magazine stand and pick up a couple of copies.  You will be glad you did.  This is a must buy. 

THE "MOURNING" AFTER

The New York Post has proven once again what a classless rag it is with both their front and back page after the Yankees have been eliminated.  They even ask Derek Jeter about is contract plans.  Well I am 99.9999% sure Derek didn't srrive at the Stadium in Arlington planning to lose and ready make his new future plans.  Plus don't the realise that without the Yankees they have nothing to write about?  If the World Series was the Rangers and Giants, Long Islanders aren't going to care that they won't have Channel 5.

Phil Hughes pitched a good game.  He had no support and we only got three hits off a pitcher who was playing in Japan the last couple of years. 

One thing I did notice Saturday morning fans were still wearing their Yankee garb, unlike several of our rivals.  Now is thes time we need to think about Jeter and Mo, should they stay or should they go?  Let the Hot Stove Begin!

Freddy 'Sez' Schuman May 23, 1928 to October 17, 2010

For the last 22 year in the ballyard in the Bronx if you heard as spoon being hit against a frying pan you know that Freddy 'Sez' Schuman wasn't far away.  Kids of all ages flock the die hard Yankee fan with the hope of getting to tap his traditional pan and read his colorful words of wisdom.

Freddy had become more popular than Max Patkin in New York, better loved than Dancin Harry, who came to NYC in the 70's with Earl Monroe from Baltimore.  A fixture bigger than Uncle Willie or Disco Stu.  I won't even mention the short lived official mascot "Dandy". 

Freddy was everybody's friend, then Mayor Rudy Guilianne flew Freddy to Arizona at the request of his son Andrew in the 2001 World Series to try to bring the team luck.  Freddy was as much of Yankee Lore as anyone outside the lines.

Schuman died at Lenox Hill Hospital on Sunday afternoon after suffering a heart attack on Friday night, according to longtime friend Chuck Frantz. A hospital official confirmed Schuman's death.  "It's a sad day for Yankee fans and for anyone who knew Freddy," Frantz said.  This was the second heart attack Freddy has suffered in under a year.

Freddy was born on May 23, 1928, and was a resident of The Bronx for most of his life. When he was 9 years old, he suffered an accident during a stickball game, in which he lost the use of his right eye. From about 1988, until his death, he was an unofficial promoter for the Yankees and other local sports teams.


You will be missed Freddy.  Bob and the Boss are waiting on you Freddy.

CREEPY THEORY

By Dan McCourt
TakeHimDowntown.Com

I'm already sorry for typing this, but I really do think most people are basically insane and that the real motivations behind what we do are far from the honorable and reasonable ones we tell ourselves. Here goes:


Javy hit three guys in a row, or at least threw pitches where that outcome was possible if not likely, on purpose. But the purpose was not to hurt guys on the opposition.

Javy watched Joe hand a key one-run game over to Dustin Moseley and Chad Gaudin on Wednesday. Then he responded when told to warm and then to pitch the night after. He was brought into this game down 8-3. The guy knows he has talent. Sure, he's not throwing as hard as he and the Yanks would have liked, but he put together a three-month string of quality starts this year.

Who's to say he's not standing on the mound fuming, "THOSE guys get handed the ball with the game on the line, while I sit there and finally get the chance when the game is in mopup mode." He's gripping the ball tighter and tighter as the thought just pounds through his head.

I know. He pitched an inning Tuesday. Sorry, I don't believe that rules him out for Wednesday, and I don't think he thinks it either.

I'll never forget hearing young Australian righty Mark Hutton being interviewed after being traded away during the 1996 season. He was depressed about going away sure. He was a Yankee. And now he'd be a Marlin. But the thing is, in the interview he wasn't talking about going from first to worst. He looked across the diamond at the guy he was being traded for, David Weathers, and said, "They couldn't get more for me than THAT!"

Injuries had Hutton out of the game in a year (though he bounced around the Independents for a while). And Weathers actually had a nice postseason for us that magical year, before reverting to form and being shipped out in '97. That doesn't change Mark's perception.

Last point: It would be a horrible to accuse a ballplayer of what I'm saying may have been in the back of the mind of Vazquez. BUt I'll give him this. He is 1,000 times a better pitcher than Moseley and Gaudin. I hope he was just a little off. But I also hope he knows that.

YANKEE BASEBALL!!!

GEORGE M STEINBRENNER III

Mariano lags behind and checks out the newly dedicated plaque

If you would have told me in the late 70s that I would have had misty eyes when The Boss passed away I would not have believed you.  But maturing as George learned the game you could see George was the best owner in sports history.  Mr Steinbrenner knew how to make his money grow as well as putting a winning product on display for his Yankee family, which I am proud to be part of.

Well keeping with the Yankee tradition the Yankees honored their own by dedicating a plaque in Monument Park II to The Boss.  A feat I wished that they would have done while George was still with us but George would have nixed that in a second. 

On hand with the Steinbrenner Family were former family members Reggie Jackson, Yogi Berra, Tino Martinez, Gene Michael, Roy (who dressed you?) White and David Wells.  Flown across country at the request of Lonn Trost were Don Mattingly and Joe Torre who came back to the Bronx for the first time since Joe Girardi was named manager.  George's buddy Bud Selig was on hand as well.

Overall is was very nicely and tastefully done and a fitting tribute to a great man.  We will miss you George!!!

DEREK CHEATER????

In his 15 year career with the Yankees Derek Jeter has never caused so much controversy.  I can't believe they are making such a big deal about him faking getting hit by a pitch.  His biggest crime before this was laughing when he struck out.  So now just because he pretends to get hit by a pitch in an important game in a pennant race some people and press are crying about it. 

With one out in the top of the seventh, Rays reliever Chad Qualls appeared to hit Jeter in the elbow. The Yankee shortstop grabbed his elbow and acted like he was in pain. However, the replay clearly showed the ball clearly hit the end of the bat. It's BS. It's not like he took performance enhancing drugs. Four Major League umpires couldn't catch it?  Or maybe just believe it?  It's because his image is squeaky clean that it's being made such a big deal.  When a football player goes for a catch and it hits the ground and he catches it, he plays it off like he caught it so what's the difference?  The same goes for an outfielder when he traps a ball. 

Many feel Jeter made a grave mistake in admitting the fact that he was not hit with the pitch; now the world knows he was 'lying, fibbing, acting, no matter what you wish to call it,...but a lot of folks will merely call it cheating, and nothing less.  Derek was always so careful in his past interviews, and I believe did the wrong thing by his admission! 
 
I can't believe he actually done that, A-Rod maybe Jeter no way.  Maybe he was trying to use it as a tool to break his slump. Maybe this slump just has him so frustrated that he will try anything to get on base.  One thing I know for sure the press aren't going to let go of this anytime soon.

Lisa Swan over at Subway Squawkers ponders what the reaction would have been if it was Alex Rodriguez.

Bill Douglas contributed to this BtBlog

Our Bomber Buddy Gets Help In Enemy Territory

Long time BTB member was vacationing in Boston ( dunno why?) a few weeks ago and ran into a great ordeal.  Fortunately he ran into some angels of mercy (one which he travels with).

A funny thing happened on MarkUK's way back from Boston. Back from Boston two weeks late from facebook: - thanks to all the surgeons and doctors of the Boston Vascular unit for saving my life - I will never forget these guys esp Dr Gregg and Dr Tony. Thank God for the wonderful USA medical system. And what a woman my Tanya is - by my side for every minute of my nightmare.

I just got really ill really fast - had a double aneurysm in my Aorta. 5 hour operation - just in time, I was dying. Those Bostonians saved me but I still HATE THE RED SOX!!!!!!! Go Yankees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

I am ever grateful to those Boston Doctors and shout across the Atlantic "Get Well Soon Mark" You must be doing something right.

I just got chills my friend thinking 7Reggie was with you helping you through this one.