Today’s opener against the Blue Jays was rained out. The teams will try again tomorrow night at 7:00. The final Home Opener at Yankee Stadium will be only the second to take place at night. After over five months of waiting, the baseball gods played a cruel trick on fans, who now have to wait yet another day to start the 2008 season. This was a letdown to say the least. All we want is baseball. The only good is that now most people will be out of work in time to see the game. Hopefully skies will be clear.
March 31, 2008
March 30, 2008
a new season begins
Nothing says “SPRING’S HERE!!!!” more than opening day at Yankee Stadium. The weather may suck, but,hell, at least it’s not snowing…..
The New York Yankees will play game #1 tomorrow under the helm of a different Joe….. Girardi will steer the team in a fresh new direction, as he leads one of the youngest Yankee teams EVER, on to the field, on a quest for Championship #27.
We all have alot to look forward to this year – while Joe Torre was an excellent manager, I truly believe that he became predictable and unexciting towards the end of his illustrious stay with the team. The time was right for this change. Girardi brings with him, excitement, to the Bronx. I for one, cannot wait to see how the season plays out: How will The Three Amigos (Kennedy, Hughes & Chamberlain) handle the newfound fame? How will the bullpen hold up? Apparently, Girardi has had an incredible effect on Farnsworth….How will Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina hold up? And….the most important question that has gone unanswered: where the HELL is Carl Pavano, and are we still paying him???
I”m looking forward to tailgating in the Bronx in the AM….the last time I did that was during the Cleveland series in which we were eliminated from further play in ‘07. Let’s hope for a win tomorrow, and even more importantly, a Championship to close out the greatest sporting venue in the history of the game…..
March 21, 2008
Joba “RULES” The Bullpen in ‘08
Back in early February, we heard the baffling news that Joba Chamberlain would be prepped for Season ‘08 as a starting pitcher. Luckily, for Yankee fans, Joba has been redesignated to the bullpen, at least to start the season. We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing that we have someone to bridge the gap from starter to Mariano….
Joba chamberlain appeared in 19 regular season games last year. The Yankees won 17 of those games. Enough said.
For those keeping track, The New York Yankees LAST Season Opener in The House That Ruth Built is in ten short days =)
March 17, 2008
Reggie Jackson banned from the dugout for role in Rays-Melee
Mark Feinsand, of the New York Daily News, reports that Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, has been banned from sitting in the dugout during spring training games (as well as fined $250). The ban stems from the team’s bench-clearing brawl Wednesday, March 12, when Reggie jogged onto the field.
“I am going to call Bud (Selig) today,” said Jackson, who explained he was on the field in the role of a peacemaker. “I called him (Saturday) and left a message. I was trying to make peace. I didn’t have my number (44) on but I had the windbreaker that a lot of guys wear. (Don) Zimmer was on the field. He walked out; I jogged.” said Mr. October, of the incident.
Reggie Jackson is at spring training to share his experience with the up-and-coming young players, and he will be sorely missed in the dugout. The whole thing was blown out of proportion, and to take this out on Reggie is just another was for Selig to divert the fans away from the steroid scandal… Pathetic.
Potential X-Factor: Scott Patterson
It is no secret that the Yankees bullpen has been shaky the last few seasons. With the exception of Joba “rules” Chamberlain, there has been no one solid player that could be counted on EVERY time he got the ball .Guys like Kyle Farsworth and Mike Myers were thrown into the mix here and there, but never seemed to have the confidence to close the door on a regular basis.
In closely watching the 2008 spring training games, I have been captivated by Scott Patterson (#70). He seems to be very consistent when brought into high pressure situations. When Chien Ming Wang got roughed up in today’s game by the Cleveland Indians, Patterson came in and “Stopped the bleeding” so to speak. He was flawless for 1.2 innings, giving up not one hit to the young and tough Cleveland team. This isn’t the first time he has come through this year….
The fact is we need guys like Patterson to come to the big dance in New York. He has a deceiving delivery – it’s very unique, and will take him, and the team very far this year if he is given the chance…. I see this guy stepping into the role vacated by Scott Proctor last year (before he was overworked and thrown out like the trash-wasn’t nice how THAT was handled!) Patterson will be fun to watch – he’s in his late 20s and can have a nice lenghty run with the Yankees if he continues to pitch well….
March 10, 2008
Hockey to Close Yankee Stadium?
ESPN.com reports the New York Rangers and NHL are discussing a potential hockey game at Yankee Stadium in late 2008 or early 2009.
The NHL and the Yankees are continuing their work toward a deal that would call for the Rangers to play host to a 2008-09 regular-season game before Yankee Stadium is shuttered for good, the New York Daily News reported in Monday’s editions.
“It’s something we’ve spoken both to the Yankees and to the city about,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the newspaper, “but it’s not a done deal. There are still other possibilities and a lot of moving pieces.”
Yankee Stadium opened in 1923. Construction on their new park began in 2006 at a cost of more than $1 billion. The new stadium — the site is adjacent to the current edifice — will open in 2009.
It seems clear that the NHL is intent on capitalizing on the incredibly popular Winter Classic in Buffalo, played on New Year’s Day before a crowd of more than 71,000 at snowy Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Yankee Stadium is a baseball cathedral. It has played host to the greatest teams and greatest players in the history of the game. It just does not seem right that the last event at this magnificent venue could be anything other than a Yankees game.
March 1, 2008
Spring Training Game 1: Yankees 11, USF 4
It is my absolute pleasure to recap the first Yankee Game of 2008. It was a long cold winter. We lost a 3rd baseman, we got a 3rd baseman. Same guy….. It was the slowest off-season in many many years. No blockbuster signings (except for the A-Rod thing) We lost a key bullpen figure in Joba Chamberlain, and gained a solid starter in Joba Chamberlain. Very odd indeed…..
As I said, today marked the first game of 2008. One Joba Chamberlain started the game, and threw two very flawless innings. No runs, no hits, no CHANCE for USF. He was followed by Ian Kennedy who also threw two scoreless innings. Then Sean Henn came in….um…I mean Phil Hughes…. I had a hard time following this one, until someone informed me that Phil switched up his #65 for a much lower #34. Not sure how he wrestled it away from Henn….. Hughes was DOMINANT, striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Pitching was SOLID…the big three came THROUGH. OH….lest I forget: Kei Igawa came in in the 6th and gave up a Grand Slam. Don’t think we’ll be seeing much of him this year if he can give up a Grand Slam to a college ball club. Very Embarrasing Indeed!
The Yankees offense was great too. A-Rod, Posada, Jeter, Melky, and Shelly Duncan all had RBI’s in the game. Again, keep in mind this was a game against a college team. The big test will come tomorrow as the Yankees take on a much better Philadelphia Phillies team.
I really like the way the team looks this year. They are certainly underdogs this year, as they were back in 1996. No one is picking them to win it all. Wanna make some great money? Place a bet on the Yankees in Vegas this year….
I’ll try to recap Saturday’s game, but I head right to the airport afterwards, to come back to the very cold tri-state area….more later!
