Thanks to our sponsor Bet US, we were able to purchase a stat tracker and a fully automated electronic scorecard that we will use for the 2007 season including spring training. Just like the pros, I will use spring training to fully prepare myself on the features of this program so I can bring you the most complete and accurate stats possible. After every game I will provide a link to a copy of the scorecard for you to look over and even print out.
Later this week I will offer a preview of a scorecard covering game 7 of the 2003 ALCS.
Last year Alex Rodriguez failed to produce in the clutch and we let him know that. Tonight on Fox 5 News, they asked "Is this the year Alex Rodriguez finally comes though in the clutch?" Some comments made sense, others, well, it seemed like they didn't know what they were talking about.
Here are the unedited comments received including mine:
-Everybody has a dream!
-I think A Rod had a lot better year than most Yankee fans give him credit for. Sure he had a big slump but if you look at his numbers for the season, including defense, he earned his keep.
-As long as Alex continues to receive harsh treatment from Yankee fans, his results will not change... I think a lot of Alex's game has to do with the mental aspect of things, and he is not getting much help from the Yankees in that regard. Will he come through in the clutch? No, not as long as he's playing in pinstripes.
-If he can handle the pressure and not worry about expectations then maybe he might be able to come through in the playoffs. He's a great regular season player but he has to learn how to ignore the fans and media for him to win a ring in New York.
-I think that after last year's disappointment, Arod will be motivated to work harder at being clutch. As I remember, I heard him say during many interviews that he would work very hard this year to make sure he would be a reliable hitter, not to metion have a monsterious season in 2007.
-Clutch is derek Jeter not A-Rod!
-alex is not all that bad he is a good guy who can play ball. well at least better then thoes who critizes him.
-I think so. A-Rod had an "off year" considering his .290/35/121 campaign. Players go into slumps one time or another in their careers. A-Rod will have a break out season this year and a good first round draft pick for you fantasy team owners.
BronxBloggers, Long Island
-A-Rod should concentrate less on causing problems on the team and casting people in a bad light through the media and more on his game... not everyone can play in NY (the big time)... dont worry A-Rod Randy Johnson could not hack it here either...
-ALEX IS NO DOUBT GREAT BASEBALL PLAYER, BUT NOT EVERYONE CFAN PLAY IN NY. THE SAGA BETWEEN HIM AND DEREK JETER COMES INTO PLAY BECAUSE ALEX PROBABLY DONT LIKE PLAYING SECOND BEST. JETER WILL ALWAYS BE NUMBER ONE AND ALEX NEEDS TO ACCEPT THAT AND JUST PALY BALL!!!!!
-My opinion is yes. As long as the Yankee fans stop booing him every time he makes an out or an error. He's just too talented to consistantly struggle in the clutch. A great example of this would be Peyton Manning winning his 1st superbowl. We just have to make him feal at home, like he belongs in pinstripes, even if he doesn't.
-I beleive A-rod will step it up this year, but the most important factor is having Yankee fans support him, rather than booing him every opportunity possible.
-it better be the year A-Rod comes around...NY waited long enough its about time he comes through big in the clutch...he also needs ta stop tryna make friends and just play the game like we pay him 2 - Ben Dover, Elmont
-Arod Can't take the media pressure in NY. He has the ability, but not the mental stability to be able to produce under pressure. That's why we have Derek!
-i feel if the media stops trying to live his off the field life and stops critizing him for everything he does then yes he will come through when needed the most...personally i dont care where a-rod is after the game and niether should the media! let A-ROD be!!
It looks like Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon is making wrestling news as he is guest fighting on TNA Impact's Pay-per-view event "Against All Odds" this Sunday night.
...Randy Johnson return to his love after having an affair with New York. ...Gary Sheffield extracts revenge after leaving to Detroit. ...Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez no longer have the same feelings they have had for each other. ...Mariano Rivera, respect him, or leave him. ...Bernie Williams stood up Brian Cashman.
Let's start with the Big Unit. He claims that the New York media is the fault of his poor pitching. Whether he sits out an injury or pitches in pain, he still is a not the image he thinks he needs to be in the eyes of New Yorkers. Apparently Johnson is happy back in Arizona. Then again he has won a World Series title, World Series MVP, and pitched a perfect game with the Diamondbacks. Gary Sheffield was traded to the Tigers in exchange for a few young guns and is already having that Sheffield swagger that follows him. Gary has criticized Joe Torre for his ALDS decisions that eventually led to the Yankees "doom". Sorry Sheff, I don't see you managing a baseball team, so do your job as a player. And besides, it was perfectly sane for Torre to place A-Rod eighth, do you see his playoffs stats?
Derek Jeter has come out and said that his friendship with Alex Rodriguez is not as strong as it used to be. So what. They are still friends and no matter what, they have to perform as team mates and win ball games. The only reason why I would see the two not be best of friends, is due to the fact that they are in fact team mates and their styles may be conflicting with each others.
Mariano Rivera has said that if he is not respected, aka does not get enough money, he will start talking to other teams. I doubt Rivera will be with another team, but if he does, my rumor has it Humberto Sanchez could very well be trained as a closer, but is grooming up for a starters role in the minors. Don't forget that Rivera used to be a starter from 1995-1996.
And the last episode of As the Field Turns, Bernie Williams has decided to decline the spring training invite, or so GM Brian Cashman says. Claiming that you didn't have to be stupid to know that he declined the invite. Bernie Williams is still sitting at home waiting for a guaranteed roster stop, but unfortunately, that offer is not coming. Face the facts Bernie, its retirement time. We all loved watching you grow from a rookie, to a World Series hero, and a season saviour, but it's time to let go. Hopefully a position will open on the managerial side, but one can only hope. It took Don Mattingly nearly ten years to be back in pinstripes.
Here's what you can expect on future episodes of As the Field Turns:
Joe Torre stands up to his father figure only to find his true self. Carl Pavano and Mike Mussina's rocky relationship spills in the locker room. An unexpected visit from an unexpected friend creates chaos on the field.
What defines a superstar? A superstar goes out to do his job and help his team win, playing through personal problems and injuries. We thought Randy Johnson was a superstar. We though that he wouldn't let things get to him. We thought that he would help. We thought wrong. Randy Johnson is now blaming the New York media for his bad two years in stripes. He claims that if he sat out, the media would eat him up, if hew pitched, the media would eat him up. Randy, the only reason why the media is after you is for two reasons. One, you started the whole situation when you first came to New York. Remember that altercation? Second, like Alex Rodriguez, you are considered a superstar. We paid you to excel, not allow five runs per game. Ok, you were injured. Sit out. But wait, then the media will toss you around like an Anna Nicole Smith custody battle. Here is a list of players that were injured during the 2006 season: Johnny Damon, Gary Sheffield, Mike Mussina, Hideki Matsui, and Robinson Cano. I don't recall the media attacking those players for their injuries. But if you want to blame the media for yo poor performances, go ahead. Is it possible that you're not as good as you once were? Is it possible that you are no longer a superstar? Don't blame the media, blame yourself.
At the time of this posting, New York City is expected to get hit with the first snow storm of the winter an temperatures drop in the 20s. At the time of this posting, Tampa Bay has patches of drizzly rain and the temperature is in the high 60s. Now don't you wish you tried a bit harder in high school to catch the scouts eyes? Yankees (and Diamondbacks) pitchers and catcher reported to their respective training facilities. For the Yankees, it is Legends Field in Tampa Bay, Florida (ty fucktard anon comment). Kei Igawa took center stage for this is his first major league spring training assignment, the Japan import was signed by the Yankees a few weeks after the Red Sox signed Dice-K (I can't spell his name, so deal with the shortcut). Although Dice-K is statistically better than Igawa, they will have to pitch it out during the season and throw the rivalry in the Rookie of the Year just as A-Rod and Papi went head to head for the 2004 MVP. Another name that has recently made headline is the future of Mariano Rivera. The 37-year old Panama native has not mentioned anything about a return for 2008, but has said that he would like to finish his career in pinstripes but will leave if he is not respected through his contract. Other notables making their spring debut are Andy Pettitte and Carl Pavano who will have to do an American Idol-like audition for a spot in the rotation. Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Miguel Cairo have also reported to camp early.
The end of the 2007 season will mark some highs, lows, and questions for the Yankees organization. Apart from winning their 27th World Series title over an opponent to be determined later, and yet another freak injury barring Pavano from another season, we will see three players possibly changing their stripes for other uniforms. We already know that Bernie will not be in the lineup this year. Face it, but that's how it works. However, in eight months from now, we could lose Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez, and Mariano Rivera.
Everyone has their views on A-Rod, and I even posted it a while back so I won't get into much with him. He's had an off year, and he's had one of those before while with the Seattle Mariners.
Jorge Posada is aging and even though we have a couple catchers in the minors preparing for their big call up, they still need a veteran to learn from and lead the way to a successful backstop career. Posada came up huge when he replaced Joe Girardi in 1999, chasing Yogi Berra's home run record for most by a Yankees backstop and getting a huge hit in game four of the 2003 ALCS versus Boston.
Mariano River has been the most dominate closer in Yankees history without any argument, and one of the best all-time. His 413 saves along with a 2.26 career ERA, not including his microscopic post-season ERA and his two DHL Delivery Man of the Year Awards marks the legacy of a future hall of fame player. Hear this! Rivera will get re-signed for one of two reasons. One: We have no one any where near as great as Mo in the farm system or a young reliever the Yankees can acquire through trades or free agency. Two: Who can pretty much secure a playoff win with his presence?
Hank Bauer (pictured left of Stengle), a key component of seven New York Yankees World Series championship clubs, died Friday after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 84. Bauer played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1948-61, his first 12 with the Yankees. A three-time All-Star outfielder, he batted .277 with 164 home runs and 703 RBIs in 1,544 games, and helped the Yankees to nine American League pennants.
A strong runner and fielder with a powerful arm, Bauer became an accomplished Major League manager after his playing career. He earned Manager of the Year honors at the helm of the Baltimore Orioles in 1964 and 1966, including one World Series title.
Bauer was traded to the Kansas City Athletics as part of a deal that brought Roger Maris to the Yankees prior to the 1960 season. While Bauer's association with the club ended, his friendships with many Yankees teammates endured for decades.
Bauer guided the Kansas City Athletics in 1962 and 1963, then moved on to spend five years with the Orioles before finishing his managerial career with Oakland in 1969. In eight seasons as a big-league manager, Bauer compiled a record of 594-534.
The youngest of nine children, Bauer was born to a blue-collar background in East St. Louis, Ill., and went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. Battling malaria in the South Pacific, Bauer earned 11 campaign ribbons, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts in 32 months of combat.
His gruff military background translated to his playing career, which delivered him to the Yankees for a 1948 debut.
As a tough presence in the clubhouse, Bauer is said to have chastised a young Mickey Mantle for not running out a ground ball, yelling, "Don't fool with my money" -- a reference to the regularity with which Bauer cashed Yankees World Series checks.
Indeed, many of Bauer's most memorable moments with the Yankees came in October. Bauer contributed a game-saving catch to rob the Giants' Sal Yvars in the 1951 Fall Classic, and set a World Series record with a 17-game hitting streak from 1956-58.
SP Andy Pettitte He may be new to the 2007 Yankees, but Pettitte needs little re-introduction to fans. The lefty returns home after three seasons with the Houston Astros, and the Yankees will be counting on Pettitte to pick up right where he left off, shooting for 15 wins or more -- plus a few starts in October.
1B Doug Mientkiewicz Seeking an improved glove for first base, the Yankees signed one of the best in the game in Mientkiewicz. Though the 32-year-old has dealt with injury problems the last few seasons, he is expected to be part of a platoon with Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps at first base, and should help out the rest of the infielders. He's also close personal friends with Alex Rodriguez, having attended the same high school in Florida.
SP Kei Igawa A 27-year-old left-hander from Japan, Igawa was a three-time strikeout king in the Central League while pitching for the Hanshin Tigers. The Yankees have been cautious to note that Igawa shouldn't necessarily be compared to Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka, as the two pitchers are dissimilar, but both will be counted on for quick results. Igawa will be a point of interest as the Yankees sort out their rotation.
RHP Luis Vizcaino Acquired in the Randy Johnson deal, Vizcaino has earned the nickname "Daily" for the frequency in which he takes the baseball from his managers. That will fit right into Joe Torre's thought pattern, and the Yankees believe Vizcaino could slot anywhere from the sixth to the eighth inning.
RHP Chris Britton A reliever acquired from Baltimore in the trade of starter Jaret Wright, the 24-year-old Britton gives the Yankees another experienced arm in the middle-inning mix. He appeared in 52 games for the Orioles last year, posting a 3.35 ERA with two losses and a save.
1B Josh Phelps Picked up in the Rule 5 Draft from Baltimore, Phelps spent all of last year at Triple-A Toledo, batting .308 with 24 home runs and 90 RBI. He'll need to beat out Andy Phillips to secure a roster spot.
We have all heard of the bomb scare in Boston about a marketing ploy involving the Adult Swim hit show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force". Two advertisers were arrested for setting up placards of two characters named Ignignokt and Err, both Mooninites, around the city advertising the show, only to have it backfire on them. Boston locals were not amused by the placards calling them in as suspicious packages and causing a scare. Local police and bomb crew immediately took care of the placards and restored peace.
Now you can find t-shirts of these characters poking fun of Boston and what you could call "pay back" for removing the placards. Rest assure that these shirts will find their way to Yankee Stadium when the Red Sox are in town and eventually sold in New York stores state wide. (see above)
We have already talked about the basic rules on heckling and what happens if you break those rules. In the final chapter of this series I am going to tell you a couple stories and end it on the top ten heckles of all time voted upon by the fans.
Umpire and the Coach I'm an umpire. One day a coach was really giving it to me about my strike zone. About the third inning I went into the dugout to get a drink of water. I sat next to the coach as his team warmed up. When the first batter stepped into the box I stayed by his side. When he looked at me and asked if I was going out I told him no I was going to sit next to him the remainder of the game. I told him since he had a better view of the zone in his dugout than I did behind the plate I was going to finish the game next to him. He's never said another word to me about my zone.
Pizza and Wings I'm an A's fan and Dmitri Young and the Tigers were in town. Dmitri Young had just missed a ball over the left field fence, after jumping. After missing the ball, the LF bleachers started to chant "Chicken Wings...Chicken Wings" repeatedly. Dmitri Young clearly did not like it and stared back at the bleacher crowd. After that, the crowd erupted with "PIIIZZZ-ZZZAAAAAAA!...PIIIZZZZ-ZZZAAAAA!!!" Hilarious stuff.
The Top 10
10 - I'm gonna break your cane and shoot your dog! 9 - How can you eat with those hands? 8 - I thought only horses slept standing up! 7 - You couldn't pitch a tent! 6 - You couldn't throw a party! 5 - Take off your coat, you're inside! 4 - You've got less hits than an Amish website! 3 - You couldn't save anything at WalMart! 2 - I've seen better arms on a snake! 1 - How's your Japanese?
And of course the one I used while attending a Mets gams: "You even suck in the video game!"
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball who was best known as the manager of the New York Yankees five different times. He won two American League championships and the 1977 World Series as their manager, and led four different AL teams to division championships.
Martin was known for his ability to win with any team, and for arguing animatedly with umpires, including a widely parodied routine in which he kicked dust on their feet, but he was criticized for not getting along with veteran players, burning out young pitchers, and drinking too much.
Derek Sanderson Jeter (born June 26, 1974) is an American Major League Baseball player. Jeter is a seven-time All-Star shortstop and the current captain of the New York Yankees.
Jeter has spent his whole career with the New York Yankees, starting in 1995 when he was 21 years old. He has won the American League Rookie of the Year Award, the All-Star Game MVP Award , the World Series MVP Award, a Silver Slugger Award and three Gold Glove Awards. His .317 career batting average through the 2006 season ranks him with the 6th highest lifetime batting average of all active baseball players. He has been in the top seven in the American League in both hits and runs scored for nine of the past ten years. So far in the 2000s he is second in the major leagues in hits (927), sixth in runs (551), and fifteenth in batting average (.311).
George Herman "Babe" Ruth was an American original, baseball's first great slugger and the most celebrated athlete of his time. The southpaw hurler debuted with the Red Sox, winning 89 games in six years while setting the World Series record for consecutive scoreless innings. "The Sultan of Swat" converted to the outfield full-time after his sale to the Yankees in 1920 and led New York to seven American League pennants and four World Series titles. He finished with 714 home runs, leading the league 12 times, including a remarkable 60 round-trippers in 1927.
Lou Gehrig teamed with Babe Ruth to form baseball's most devastating hitting tandem ever. "The Iron Horse" had 13 consecutive seasons with both 100 runs scored and 100 RBI, averaging 139 runs and 148 RBI; set an American League mark with 184 RBI in 1931; hit a record 23 grand slams; and won the 1934 Triple Crown. His .361 batting average in seven World Series led the Yankees to six titles. A true gentleman and a tragic figure, Gehrig's consecutive games played streak ended at 2,130 when he was felled by a disease that later carried his own name.
Joe DiMaggio is remembered as one of the game's most graceful athletes - a "picture player" both at bat and in center field. Many rate his 56-consecutive-game hitting streak in 1941 as the top baseball feat of all time. "The Yankee Clipper" used an unusually wide stance in winning two batting championships and three MVP awards. In 13 seasons he amassed 361 homers, averaged 118 RBI annually and compiled a .325 lifetime batting mark. At baseball's 1969 Centennial Celebration, he was named the game's greatest living player.
Torre was named manager of the Yankees on November 2, 1995. Though he had never played or managed in the American League, and the New York City press greeted him with headlines such as "Clueless Joe", it was with the Yankees that he enjoyed the greatest success of his managerial career, leading the "Bronx Bombers" to the playoffs in each of his eleven seasons (1996-2006) with the club. In 1996, Torre, building on the Yankees' Wild Card berth in 1995, made his first-ever trip to the Fall Classic, leading the Yankees to their first World Series since 1981, defeating the Braves. After losing to the Cleveland Indians in the AL playoffs in 1997, the team won three straight World Series titles from 1998-2000, and additional American League pennants in 2001 and 2003. On May 12, 2003, he won his 1,500th game.
Mickey Mantle was a star from the start, parlaying a talent for the game and boyish good looks into iconic status. In spite of a series of devastating injuries, Mantle accumulated a long list of impressive accomplishments, finishing his 18-year career with 536 home runs and a .298 batting average. The switch-hitting "Commerce Comet" won three MVP awards (1956, ’57, ’62) and a Triple Crown (1956). He contributed to 12 pennants and seven World Series titles in his first 14 seasons, while establishing numerous World Series records, including most home runs (18).
Perhaps one of the most popular players in major league history, Yogi Berra was also a brilliant catcher and dominant hitter during his 19-year career with the New York Yankees. Berra was named to the American League All-Star team every year from 1948 to 1962. He topped the 100-RBI mark four years in a row and became a three-time American League MVP in a career that featured 14 league pennants and 10 World Series championships. Known for his “Yogi-isms,” Berra has always been a fan favorite. Following his playing career, Yogi continued in baseball as a manager and coach for several teams.
As famed sportswriter Dan Daniel once said, "Bill Dickey isn't just a catcher, he's a ball club." A key performer for the Yankees on eight American League pennant-winners and seven World Series champions, the expert handler of pitchers with the deadly accurate throwing-arm was also a clutch hitter, batting over .300 in 10 of his first 11 full seasons. Known for his durability, he set an American League record by catching 100 or more games 13 years in a row. He finished his 17-year career with a .313 batting average.
Broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record with 61 in 1961, a record which stood until 1998…Won the AL MVP Award in 1960 and 1961…Holds Al record for most home runs in a season (61 in 1961...Holds or shares AL records for most intentional walks in a game (4) and most homers in a doubleheader (4)…In addition to his 1961 HR title, led the AL in runs, RBI and total bases that year, and, in slugging and RBI in 1960…A four-time All-Star…Won a Gold Glove in the outfield in 1960…Played in seven World Series, winning three rings.
Phil Rizzuto overcame his diminutive size to anchor a Yankees dynasty, helping them win seven of nine World Series during his 13 seasons, not counting three years lost to World War II. "The Scooter" was a durable and deft shortstop, skilled bunter and enthusiastic base runner who compiled a .273 lifetime batting average. A five-time All-Star, Rizzuto was named the American League's MVP in 1950 when he excelled with a .324 average, 200 hits and .439 slugging percentage. Upon retirement, he spent 40 years as a popular Yankees broadcaster.
1970 AL Rookie of the Year…1976 AL MVP, seventh in balloting in '75 and '77… Three Gold Gloves…Seven-time All-Star…Played in the World Series, 1976-78…Hit .529 in the 1976 WS, setting a WS record with six straight hits…Overall, hit .357 with three HR and 22 RBI in 30 post season games… Drove in 100 runs three times and hit .300 five times.
An outstanding fielder, Munson made only one error while behind the plate in 1971 (he was knocked unconscious by a runner, dislodging the ball), and went on to win three straight Gold Glove Awards starting in 1973. A seven-time All-Star, Munson hit 113 home runs, batted in 701 runners, and had a career batting average of .292 over his 10-year career. He was also the first captain named by the Yankees since Lou Gehrig. Munson helped lead his team to three consecutive World Series (1976–78), where he batted a remarkable .373 overall (.339 in the American League Championship Series. From 1975-77, Munson hit .300 or better with 100 or more RBI each year, becoming the first catcher to accomplish the feat in three consecutive years since Yankee Hall of Famer Bill Dickey did it four straight seasons from 1936-39. Since Munson's run, Mike Piazza has also accomplished it (1996-98).
Edward "Whitey" Ford was the big-game pitcher on the great Yankees teams of the 1950s and early '60s, earning him the moniker "Chairman of the Board." The wily southpaw's lifetime record of 236-106 gives him the best winning percentage (.690) of any 20th century pitcher. He paced the American League in victories three times, and in ERA and shutouts twice. The 1961 Cy Young Award winner still holds many World Series records, including 10 wins and 94 strikeouts, once pitching 33 consecutive scoreless innings in the Fall Classic.
Donald Arthur Mattingly (nicknamed "Donnie Baseball" and "The Hit Man") (born April 20, 1961) is a retired first baseman who played for the New York Yankees of the American League from 1982-1995. He is currently Joe Torre's bench coach for the Yankees.
Mattingly grew up in Evansville, Indiana and was one of the nation's top prospects as a high school player at Reitz Memorial High School in 1979, earning a brief write-up in Sports Illustrated magazine. However, most Major League Baseball teams avoided drafting Mattingly, expecting him to attend college before entering professional baseball. Taking a chance, the New York Yankees drafted Mattingly in the 19th round of the 1979 amateur draft and subsequently signed him.
14 seasons (1955-68) primarily as a catcher for the Yankees… Nine consecutive All-Star selections… MVP in 1963, first African American in AL to win it… Hit 20-plus doubles four times, 20-plus homers three times and topped .300 three times…Played 54 games in 10 World Series with five HR and 19 RBI…Won WS MVP in 1958…Two-time Gold Glove winner…Invented the "doughnut" bat weight.
Casey Stengel's distinguished 54-year professional career spanned the era from Christy Mathewson to Mickey Mantle. He batted .284 over 14 seasons in the majors and accounted for both Giant victories in the 1923 World Series by hitting home runs. It was as a colorful and successful manager, though, that he earned Hall of Fame recognition. His feat of guiding the Yankees to 10 pennants and seven world titles in a 12-year span ranks as one of the most remarkable managerial accomplishments of all time.
Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969 in Panama City, Panama) is a relief pitcher for Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. He has the 4th most regular season career saves in Major League history, is the American League career leader, and has won 4 World Series titles with the Yankees. He is the all-time Major League postseason leader in saves and ERA. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera is frequently referred to as the greatest postseason relief pitcher of all time, and is often considered to be the greatest closer in baseball history.
Reggie Jackson earned the nickname "Mr. October" for his World Series heroics with both the A's and Yankees. In 27 Fall Classic games, he amassed 10 home runs - including four in consecutive at-bats - 24 RBI and a .357 batting average. As one of the game's premier power hitters, he blasted 563 career round-trippers. A terrific player in the clutch and an intimidating cleanup hitter, Jackson compiled a lifetime slugging percentage of .490 and earned American League MVP honors in 1973.
Although Guidry won over 20 games three times in his career, he is remembered for having one of the greatest single seasons ever. He was 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA in 1978, won the Cy Young Award unanimously, and finished second to Boston's Jim Rice in AL MVP voting. Guidry set club records that year in strikeouts (248) and consecutive wins at the start of a season (13). He called his Yankee-record 18 strikeouts against California on June 17 of that season "perhaps my greatest single thrill." He started the AL East playoff game on October 2, 1978 against Boston and won 5-4 in what was "probably the most tension-packed game I ever played in." Guidry was named TSN Player of the Year and Man of the Year and the Associated Press 's Male Athlete of the Year, and he made every all-star team. His nine shutouts tied Babe Ruth's AL record for a lefthander.
During the 1970s, Yankee management made a policy of acquiring pitchers through trades and free agent signings. As a result, Guidry did not find a regular place in the Yankee rotation until 1977, when he was 26 years old. Even then, there were those who felt that the 5'11" 160-lb lefty was too small to pitch effectively and last in the major leagues. Guidry dispelled the notion by going 16-7 that year and perfecting the wicked slider that became his bread and butter pitch. He went on to lead the majors in victories from 1977 through 1987 with 168, posting records of 18-8 (1979), 21-9 (1983), and 22-6 (1985). He is fourth on the all-time Yankee victory list (170), second in strikeouts (1,778), sixth in games and innings, and tied for sixth in shutouts (26). Guidry compiled a 5-2 postseason record, 3-1 in World Series play.
Bernabé "Bernie" Williams Figueroa (born September 13, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is an outfielder for the New York Yankees and a guitar-playing jazz recording artist.
A switch hitter, Williams has played his entire career (1991-present) with the New York Yankees.
As of December 2006, he is 9th of all active players lifetime in doubles (449), and 10th in runs scored (1,366), singles (1,545), and times on base (3,444). He is Major League Baseball's all-time leader in postseason home runs (22) and runs batted in (80). He trails only Lou Gehrig's 534 for lifetime doubles as a Yankee. His batting average through 2006 is 16 points higher against lefties than against righties.
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Posted by Steve Kenul at 10:47 PM
0 Heckles
Last year Alex Rodriguez failed to produce in the clutch and we let him know that. Tonight on Fox 5 News, they asked "Is this the year Alex Rodriguez finally comes though in the clutch?"
Hank Bauer (pictured left of Stengle), a key component of seven New York Yankees World Series championship clubs, died Friday after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 84.
We have all heard of the bomb scare in Boston about a marketing ploy involving the Adult Swim hit show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force".
We have already talked about the basic rules on heckling and what happens if you break those rules.
Kokoyaku
