Sunday, August 16, 2009

2.674

Derek Jeter has passed Luis Aparicio for most hits all-time for a shortstop.

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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 4:07 PM 0 Heckles

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Yanks Pop Off to Mets

You gotta love back and forth games.
Joba was sloppy tonight getting into too many jams and reaching the 100 pitch count a bit early, very early actually. It seemed that either the Mets were stealing signs or he just never seemed to see eye-to-eye with Posada on what to throw. He would up walking the bases loaded, walked in the tying run, then hit the next batter for the go-ahead run in the third inning.
Yankees did respond back with another Teixeira home run giving him 19 for the season. Matsui also went deep to put the Yankees in the lead again in the 8th inning only to see the Mets take the lead back in the ninth.

The ninth inning. Very interesting ninth inning.
Francisco Rodriguez came in on relief getting a quick out to Gardner. Jeter then got a base hit. Damon pinch hit for Swisher only to strike out. Jetert steals second opening up first for an intentional walk to Tex.
A-Rod is up.
Uh-oh.
Pop up.
Uh-oh.
Ball hits the fielders glove and drops in. Jeter socres, here comes Tex, the throw to the plate...is late!
The expressions on A-Rod were priceless.
At bat: concentrating.
Pop-up: frusturated, slams bat down, spits out gum, jogs to first.
Ball drops in: A-Rod does a double take, starts to go for second, heads back to first.
Tex scores: A-Rod puts hands on head in disbelief.
No pie. Sorry.
Although the final ruling was an E5 (error on the second baseman), I liked my title and stuck with it.

Boston won, Toronto lost. Yankees still two game back.

And what's with Rivera?
3.38 ERA so far this season, his highest since his rookie season in 1995.

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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 12:16 AM 0 Heckles

Monday, June 01, 2009

Wikipedia Irony

I found this ironic, and true at the same time.

Derek Jeter

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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 11:30 PM 0 Heckles

Saturday, July 19, 2008

2008 All-Star Game Play-by-Play




Top 1st

Cliff Lee (CLE) pitching
Hanley Ramirez batting (FLA): foul, strike looking, ball, strike out swinging
Chase Utley batting (PHI): strike looking, foul, ball, strike looking
Lance Berman batting (HOU): strike swinging, fly out to right center
0H 0R 0E 0LOB
AL 0 – NL 0

Bottom 1st
Ben Sheets (MIL) pitching
Ichiro Suzuki batting (SEA): ball, fly out to right
Derek Jeter batting (NYY): strike looking, ball, strike looking, foul, base hit to second
Josh Hamilton batting (TEX): strike looking, ball, Jeter steals second, strike out swinging
Alex Rodriguez batting (NYY): ball, strike looking, ball, foul out to catcher
1H 0R 0E 2LOB
AL 0 – NL 0

Top 2nd
Lee pitching
Albert Pujols batting (STL): strike looking, ball, ball, strike swinging, ground out third -> first
Chipper Jones batting (ATL): base hit to center
Matt Holliday batting (COL): ground out first unassisted, Jones to second on force play
Ryan Braun batting (MIL): foul, strike swinging, strike out swinging
1H 0R 0E 2LOB
AL 0 – NL 0

Bottom 2nd
Sheets pitching
Manny Ramirez batting (BOS): ball, ball, foul, foul, foul, strike out swinging
Milton Bradley batting (TEX): ball, ball, strike looking, ball, strike looking, ball four
Kevin Youkilis batting (BOS): ball, ball, foul, strike swinging, ball, Bradley steals second, foul, strike out swinging
Joe Mauer batting (MIN): ball, ball, foul, ball, strike looking, ball four
Dustin Pedroia batting (BOS): strike looking, ball, fly out to center
0H 0R 0E 3LOB
AL 0 – NL 0

Top 3rd
Joe Saunders (ANA) pitching
Kosoke Fukudome batting (CHC): strike looking, ball, foul, ball, ground out first unassisted
Geovanny Soto batting (CHC): fly out to center
Ramirez batting: ball, ball, strike looking, base hit to right
Utley batting: foul, ground out first unassisted
1H 0R 0E 1LOB
AL 0 – NL 0

Bottom 3rd
Carlos Zambrano (CHC) pitching
Suzuki batting: ball, ball, base hit to right
Jeter batting: check throw to first, ground in double play shortstop -> second -> first
Hamilton batting: ball, foul, ground out second -> first
1H 0R 0E 2LOB
AL 0 – NL 0

Top 4th
Roy Halladay (TOR) pitching
Berkman batting: strike looking, ball, strike swinging, strike out swinging
Pujols batting: foul, strike looking, foul, base hit to right, out at second right -> shortstop
Jones batting: ground out shortstop -> first
0H 0R 0E 0LOB
AL 0 – NL 0

Bottom 4th
Zambrano pitching
Rodriguez batting: strike swinging, foul, ball, strike out swinging
Ramirez batting: ball, foul, ball, foul, ground out second -> first
Bradley batting: ball, strike swinging, reached by throwing error on shortstop
Youkilis batting: ball, Bradley picked off at first
0H 0R 1E 0LOB
AL 0 – NL 0

Top 5th
Ervin Santana (ANA) pitching
Holliday batting: strike looking, ball, strike swinging, foul, foul, ball, foul, home run to right
Braun batting: strike looking, ball, foul, ground out second -> first
Joe Crede (CHW) replaces Rodriguez at third
Fukudome batting: strike looking, strike looking, ball, ball, strike out swinging
Soto batting: strike looking, strike swinging, strike out swinging
1H 1R 0E 0LOB
AL 0 – NL 1

Bottom 5th
Nate McLouth (PIT) replaces Fukudome at center field
Russel Martin (ATL) replaces Soto at catcher
Dan Haren pitching (ARI)
Youkilis batting: strike looking, foul, fly out to center
Mauer batting: ball, base hit to shortstop
Ian Kinsler (TEX) pinch runs for Mauer
Pedroia batting: ball, ball, check throw at first, ball, Kinsler steals second, ball four
Suzuki batting: strike looking, ball, check swing strike, strike out swinging
Jeter batting: ball, strike looking, strike swinging, ball, foul, ball, ground out pitcher -> first
1H 0R 0E 4LOB
AL 0 – NL 1

Top 6th
Justin Morneau (MIN) replaces Youkilis at first
Kinsler replaces Pedroia at second
Hamilton replaces Ramirez in left field
Grady Sizemore (CLE) entered in center field
Jason Varitek (BOS) replaces Mauer at catcher
J. D. Drew (BOS) replaces Suzuki in right field
Justin Duchscherer (OAK) pitching
Ramirez batting: strike looking, ball, strike swinging, foul, base hit to left
Utley batting: ball, foul, check throw to first, ball, ball, base hit to right, Ramirez to third
Berkman batting: strike swinging, ball, sac fly to center, Ramirez scores
Mike Young (TEX) replaces Jeter
Pujols batting: strike looking, base hit up the middle, Utley to second
Jones batting: ball, ball, strike looking, strike swinging, strike out swinging
Holliday batting: strike looking, pop out to second
3H 1R 0E 5LOB
AL 0 – NL 2

Bottom 6th
Dan Uggla (FLA) replaces Utley at second
Miguel Tejada (HOU) replaces Ramirez at shortstop
Corey Hart (MIL) replaces Holliday in left field
Adrian Gonzalez (SD) replaces Berkman at first
Aramis Ramirez (CHC) replaces Jones at third
Haren pitching
Hamilton batting: strike looking, ball, base hit to center
Crede batting: ball, foul, foul, foul, foul, pop out to second
Sizemore batting: ball, Hamilton steals second, strike looking, ball, ball, foul, strike three looking
Bradley batting: fly out to center
1H 0R 0E 3LOB
AL 0 – NL 2

Top 7th
Carlos Quentin (CHW) replaces Hamilton in left
Joe Nathan (MIN) pitching
Braun batting: strike swinging, foul, check swing strike out
McLouth batting: ball, ball, fly out to center
Martin batting: ball, fly out to center
0H 0R 0E 0LOB
AL 0 – NL 2

Bottom 7th
Ryan Ludwick (STL) replaces Braun in left field
Edinson Volquez (CIN) pitching
Morneau batting: ball, ball, double to right
Battery meeting
Kinsler batting: ground out to shortstop -> first, Morneau advances to third
Dioner Navarro (TB) pinch hitting for Youkilis: ball, strike swinging, foul, ball, foul, strike out looking
Drew batting: ball, foul, ball, home run to right, Morneau scores
Young batting: strike looking, strike swinging, ball, strike out swinging
2H 2R 0E 2LOB
AL 2 – NL 2

Top 8th
Navarro stays in the game, replaces Varitek at catcher
Jonathan Papelbon (BOS) pitching (boos followed by a “Mariano” chant)
Tejada batting: strike looking, base hit to right (more boos)
(More “Mariano” chants)
Uggla batting: strike swinging, strike looking, ball, (overrated chants), strike out swinging
Gonzalez batting: ball, Tejada steals second, advanced to third on throwing error by Navarro, sac fly to center, Tejada scores (more boos)
David Wright (NYM) pinch hits for Pujols: strike looking, foul, strike three looking
(Bronx cheer)
1H 1R 1E 1LOB
AL 2 – NL 3

Bottom 8th
Brian Wilson (SFG) pitching
Quentin batting: ball, ball, fly out to center
Carlos Guillen (CHW) pinch hitting for Crede: ball, foul, strike swinging, foul, foul, ball, foul, ball, strike out looking
Billy Wagner (NYM) pitching
Sizemore batting: ball, foul, base hit to right
Evan Longoria (TB) pinch hitting for Bradley: ball, foul, ball, Sizemore steals second, battery meeting, ground-rule double to left (fan interference), Sizemore scores
Morneau batting: ground out pitcher unassisted
2H 1R 0E 1LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Top 9th
Guillen stays in at third
Francisco Rodriguez (ANA) pitching
A. Ramirez batting: foul, ball, strike swinging, ball, ball, ball four
Christian Guzman pinch runs for A. Ramirez
Hart batting: strike looking, fly out to right
Mariano Rivera (NYY) pitching
Ludwick batting: strike looking, ball, (“Let's go Yankees” chant), ball, strike swinging, ball, strike three swinging, Guzman caught stealing second
0H 0R 0E 2LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Bottom 9th
Guzman stays in at third
Ryan Dempster (CHC) pitching
Kinsler batting: strike looking, ball, check swing strike, ball, foul, strike three swinging
Navarro batting: ball, foul, ball, foul, ball, strike out swinging
Drew batting: strike looking, ball, ball, ball, strike looking, strike three looking
0H 0R 0E 0LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Top 10th
Rivera pitching
McLouth pitching: ball, strike looking, ball, foul, foul, ball, foul, strike out looking
Martin batting: strike swinging, ball, foul, foul, foul, foul, ball, base hit to right
Tejada batting: strike looking, base hit up the middle, Martin advances to third
Uggla batting: strike looking, ground in double play second -> shortstop -> first, Tejada out at second
2H 0R 0E 2LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Bottom 10th
Aaron Cook (COL) pitching
Young batting: reached base by fielding error on second baseman
Quentin batting: reached base by fielding error on second baseman, Young to third
Guillen batting: intentional ball, intentional ball, intentional ball, intentional ball four, Quentin to second
Sizemore batting: ball, foul, ground into fielders choice. Young out at home first -> catcher, Quentin to third, Guillen to second.
Longoria batting: ball, ground into fielders choice. Quentin out at home second -> catcher, Guillen to third, Sizemore to second
Morneau batting: strike looking, ground out shortstop -> first
2H 0R 2E 7LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Top 11th
Joakim Soria (KCR) pitching
Gonzalez batting: ball, strike looking, ball, base hit to left field
Wright batting: strike looking, strike swinging, ball, strike out swinging
Guzman batting: strike looking, strike looking, fly out to right center field
Hart batting: ball, ball, strike swinging, strike swinging, fly out to right
1H 0R 0E 3LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Bottom 11th
Cook pitching
Kinsler batting: base hit to center
Navarro batting: ball, check throw to first, foul, check throw to first, ball, Kinsler caught stealing second, ball, strike looking, ball four
Drew batting: base hit up the middle, Navarro to second
Young batting: strike looking, ball, ball, double to center, Navarro out at home center -> catcher, Drew to third
Quentin batting: ball, ground out shortstop -> first
3H 0R 0E 2LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Top 12th
Soria pitching
Ludwick batting: ball, foul, ball, ball, ball four
McLouth: bunt hit, Ludwick to second
Martin batting: sac bunt, Ludwick to third, McLouth to second
Tejada batting: intentional ball, intentional ball, intentional ball, intentional ball four
(longest All-Star Game in terms of time)
Uggla batting: , strike swinging, strike swinging, strike out swinging
George Sherrill (BAL) pitching
Gonzalez batting: strike looking, strike swinging, strike out swinging
2H 0R 0E 8LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Bottom 12th
Cook pitching
Guillen batting: double to deep left
Sizemore batting: force out to second -> first, Guillen to third
Longoria batting: strike looking, ball, foul, strike out swinging
Morneau batting: intentional ball, intentional ball, intentional ball, intentional ball four
Kinsler batting: ball, Morneau reaches second by fielders indifference, foul, ground out third -> first
1H 0R 0E 4LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Top 13th
Sherrill pitching
Wright batting: strike swinging, ball, strike looking, base hit to right-center field
Guzman batting: ball, strike looking, sac attempt, Wright forced out at second.
Hart batting: foul, foul, strike out looking
Ludwick batting: ball, ball, ball, strike looking, pop out to second base
1H 0R 0E 1LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Bottom 13th
Carlos Marmol (CHC) pitching
Navarro batting: strike looking, ground out second -> first
Drew batting: strike swinging, ball, ball, ball, strike looking, reached by error on second baseman
Young batting: ball, foul, strike looking, ball, ball, strike three looking, Drew steals second
Quentin batting: foul, ball, strike looking, strike out looking
0H 0R 1E 2LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Top 14th
Sherrill pitching
McLouth batting: fly out to deep right
Martin batting: ball, ball, foul, fly out to deep right
Tejada batting: foul, ground out shortstop -> first
0H 0R 0E 0LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Bottom 14th
Brandon Webb (ARI) pitching
Guillen batting: ball, line out to shortstop
Sizemore batting: strike swinging, ball, ball, strike swinging, foul, strike out swinging
Longoria batting: ball, strike looking, ball, strike looking, strike out looking
0H 0R 0E 0LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Top 15th
Scott Kazmir (TB) pitching
Uggla batting: ball, strike swinging, strike swinging, strike swinging
Gonzalez pitching: strike looking, ball, ball, strike swinging, fly out to left
Wright batting: ball, ball, ball, ball four
Guzman batting: ground out to first unassisted
0H 0R 0E 1LOB
AL 3 – NL 3

Bottom 15th
Brad Lidge (PHI) pitching
Morneau batting: ball, strike swinging, strike swinging, base hit to center
Kinsler batting: strike swinging, strike swinging, ball, fly out to left
Navarro batting: strike looking, ball, base hit to center, Morneau to second
Drew batting: ball, strike swinging, ball, foul, ball, foul, ball four, Morneau to third, Kinsler to second
Young batting: Sac fly to right, Morneau scores
2H 1R 0E 1LOB
AL 4 – NL 3

WP: Scott Kazmir
LP: Brad Lidge
MVP: J.D. Drew
Time: 4:50



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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 2:40 PM 0 Heckles

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Jeter Clutch

Jumpman23 has launched it's first colorway this month for the new Jeter Clutch athletic shoe.

Profile: Derek Jeter known for his clutch plays in the field and at the plate, inspired a superior training shoe that allows athletes to take their game to the next level.

Inspiration: The Jeter Clutch was inspired by Derek’s on and off the field persona and as a personal tribute to the last year he would be playing in the historic Yankees stadium.

-The 3 years (2004/2005/2006) he won Gold Gloves on the rear.

-A tribute to Yankees stadium’s legendary façade on the tongue.

-An aerial view of Yankees stadium with all of the championship years as recessed in the shank for support.

-The shoe also features the sophistication on tonal pin stripes from his suits.

Upper: Full grain leather and engineered synthetic leather upper combine with molded multi-eye stay system that provides a lock down performance fit. Asymmetrical toe cap offers added protection against toe drag. Lateral window in the ankle area offers freedom of movement as well as breathability.

Midsole: Phylon midsole with Nike Air unit in the heel supplies maximum cushioning and minimal weight. Midsole flex grooves extend up the medial and lateral forefoot for added performance.

Outsole: Solid rubber maximum traction supplied by a combination of herringbone and nub traction for multi-surface training.



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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 4:52 PM 0 Heckles

Thursday, November 15, 2007

IRS After Jeter?

I got this link from a friend and though I would share it with you.

New York Tax Officials: Yankees Star Derek Jeter Is No Floridian



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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 4:29 PM 0 Heckles

Friday, November 09, 2007

Three Yankees Win Silver Sluggers

Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, and Derek Jeter have won this years Silver Slugger awards.
Jeter, along with Posada, was in the batting title race until Posada broke lose and went on to finish third.
Rodriguez won his ninth award tying him for third all-time trailing only Barry Bonds and Mike Piazza.
Posada won his fifth award, not surprisingly as he had a career year and arguably one of the best seasons all-time as a catcher.




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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 4:47 PM 0 Heckles

Sunday, July 01, 2007

3 To Go To All-Star Game

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter steamrolled their paths toward the All-Star Game in San Francisco, tallying enough votes to finish first and second, respectively, among all Major League leaders.

The voting was less certain for Jorge Posada, who made it into the Midsummer Classic as an American League reserve.

Because the votes that spurred the catcher on to the Bay Area were cast by his fellow big leaguers, they're just as meaningful -- if not more -- as the accolades accumulated by A-Rod and Jeter.

Posada has arguably been the Yankees' most irreplaceable player in the first half, as the 35-year-old backstop has improved his physical conditioning to enjoy one of his finer offensive seasons.

Drawing regular work behind the plate, Posada ranks fifth in the AL with a .333 batting average and could be the first Yankees catcher to finish in the top 10 in AL hitting since Thurman Munson in 1978.

Posada has proved durable as well, which the Yankees have needed -- a steady, guiding influence behind the plate, particularly in the first weeks of the season, when the Bombers trotted out seven different rookie pitchers to make starts.

Then again, Posada's reliability has never been in question; Posada has never landed on the disabled list in his career and has started at least 120 games behind the plate in each of the last seven seasons.

Ever the team player, Posada couldn't fully enjoy his selection over Cleveland's Victor Martinez. Posada was understandably sour after the Yankees' 11-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics on All-Star Selection Sunday.

As the Major League votes leader with 3,890,515 votes cast for the All-Star Game, Rodriguez echoed similar thoughts, downplaying his 11th selection -- but first time leading balloting -- in favor of the club's fortunes.

A-Rod set a new personal high for RBIs in a single month during his incredible April, when he slugged a Major League-leading 14 home runs and drove in 34 runs. Rodriguez came right back and equaled the mark with another 34 RBIs in June, leading the Majors.

The National League should beware. Rodriguez was tied with former Seattle Mariners teammate Ken Griffey Jr. for the Interleague lead with eight home runs this season and led the Majors with 23 RBIs, his numbers buoyed by a red-hot trip to San Francisco in late June.

For all of Rodriguez's theatrics and fireworks, Jeter has been a quietly consistent complement in the Yankees' lineup. Jeter ran off three separate hitting streaks of 17 games or more in the first half of the season, making him the first player since 1950 to do so.

Jeter logged 3,199,571 votes to win starting honors in San Francisco, the third time he will start in the All-Star Game.

Though he has been nicked and bruised all season, most recently fighting a bout with knee tendinitis, Jeter hasn't seen his reliability affected, batting a team-leading .335 with five home runs and 38 RBIs.

Left-hander Andy Pettitte, right-hander Chien-Ming Wang and second baseman Robinson Cano were among those not selected to head to San Francisco. The voting ends a three-year All-Star streak for Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.

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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 8:47 PM 0 Heckles

Monday, April 02, 2007

Opening Day 2007

One down, 161 to go.

Jason Giambi drove in three runs and Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez both homered as the Yankees defeated the Devil Rays, 9-5, giving them their 10th straight Opening Day victory.

The 83rd home opener at Yankee Stadium saw New York score the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, as Giambi singled off Tampa Bay right-hander Brian Stokes, scoring Rodriguez.

Trailing by two runs, Derek Jeter tied the game in the sixth with a bases-loaded single to center. Bobby Abreu added insurance with an RBI single in the eighth before Rodriguez blasted his first homer of the year, a two-run shot off Mark Salas.

Yankees starter Carl Pavano received a no-decision in his first career Opening Day start.
Making his first Major League appearance since June 27, 2005, the right-hander worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) and six hits.

Pavano was staked to a two-run lead after the first inning, when Giambi brought in a pair -- the Yankees' first runs of the season -- with a single to center.

B.J. Upton singled home Tampa Bay's first run in the second, and the Devil Rays roughed Pavano up for four more runs in the fifth.

Elijah Dukes logged his first Major League hit and home run on the same pitch, slugging a solo home run, and Rocco Baldelli added a RBI single. Delmon Young tacked on the last run charged to Pavano, singling home Baldelli while facing reliever Brian Bruney.

Posada slugged the Yankees' first home run in the fourth, a solo shot to right-center off Scott Kazmir. The Devil Rays left-hander allowed six hits and five earned runs in five-plus innings, walking four and striking out five.

Kyle Farnsworth held the Rays scoreless and handed the ball to Mariano Rivera for a typical three-out ninth in a no save situation.

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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 4:47 PM 3 Heckles

Saturday, March 17, 2007

2007 Yankees

In 2001, the Yankees lost one of the most grueling World Series with an error by one of the most dominate and near-perfect closers in baseball history.
In 2002, the Yankees fell to the tough Anaheim Angels in the Championship Series.
In 2003, the Yankees reached the pinnacle of sports with a stunning home run only to fall short again.
In 2004, the Yankees were stunned by the most remarkable comeback in sports history.
In 2005, the Yankees fell to the mighty Angels, this time in the first round.
In 2006, the Yankees, heavily favored to win the World Series, came victim to a team who had lost 119 games only a few short years ago.

Welcome to 2007, a new year, a new season, and a new team.

Following the stunning series against the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees had questions that needed to be answered.
How can the pitching improve, who will return, what changes will take place?

The first item on the agenda was pitching. The Yankees traded Gary Sheffield to the Tigers for a few young pitchers including Humberto Sanchez, who may have his share of injuries, but is also dependable and the possible new closer. The Sheffield trade also made the outfield selections more simpler and allowed more playing time to be split between the four currently sharing the field.

Randy Johnson was sent back to Arizona for three more pitchers, all whom will be playing in the minors and preparing themselves for the majors.

Jorge Posada (23 HR/93 RBI/.277 Avg.) remains one of the top catchers in the game. After replacing Joe Girardi for the permanent role, Posada has done everything right and coming close to breaking Yogi Berra's home run record. His outlook for this season still remains optimistic and is predicted to hit over 15 home runs with 75 RBI.

The first base issue was resolved with the signing Doug Mientkiewicz (4/43/.283) sending slugger Jason Giambi (37/113/.253) to the designated hitter slot. Mientkiewicz was signed primarily as a defensive signing rather than an offensive one. In this line up, Meinty is expected to his 5 home runs with 50 RBI.

The shift of Giambi to the DH role allows the Yankees to keep his bat in the line up so he can hit 35 home runs and drive in 90.

Second base remained secured by Robinson Cano (15/78/.342) as he was resigned to a one-year contract. His surprising sophomore season last year was a much needed one, ranking third in the batting title race behind team mate Derek Jeter. Robby's glove also provides an up-the-middle defense one of the best in baseball. If Cano has a great encore season, he will duplicate his stats and be in the MVP race this year as his offensive totals increase.

It seems as the Yankees had placed a franchise tag on Derek Jeter (14/97/.343) by naming him captain of the Yankees a few years ago and have not regretted that decision. Jeter was the front runner for the AL MVP award falling just short and placed second in the batting race. His timely hitting and clutch performances keeps him atop in the shortstop ranking and always a threat at the plate. Jeter had never let down the Yankees and he will once again help guide the Yankees to the playoffs.

Third base hosts Alex Rodriguez (35/121/.290) who's 2006 season was below average. His 24 fielding errors ties his career mark and his clutch production was anything but. However, his offensive production was still available hitting 35 home runs with 121 RBIs. He won the 2004 MVP award and will most likely see a rebound year. Rodriguez will have a comeback season now that some personal issues have been resolved. A-Rod should see around 45 home runs pushing him into the exclusive 500 home run club at a tender age of 32.

The outfield consists of Hideki Matsui (8/29/.302), Johnny Damon (24/80/.285), and Bobby Abreu (15/107/.297) with Melky Cabrera (7/50/.280) ready to play any side.

Matsui missed most of last season due to a wrist fracture making a diving catch and would not return until the Yankees were in a pennant race. Matsui will bounce back from his injury and use his wrists to snap 25 home runs with 80 RBI.

Johnny Damon came over from Boston and thanks to the short right field porch, saw his home run totals increase to a career high 24, and he says that he was playing under pressure. Damon has a very good chance of breaking his home run mark and could hit close to 30 this year with 90 RBI in the lead off position.

Gary Sheffield roamed right field whose presence at the plate us still a scary sight striking fear in all personnel down the third base side. Sheffield's stats are slightly obscure to an injury that led way to Cabrera's debut.

Melky provided both a glove and a bat much needed and his game saving catch of a home run from Manny Ramirez won him the "This Year in Baseball" award for defensive play of the year.

Bobby Abreu, who came in from the July 31 trade deadline last season was a huge help. His offensive numbers par better than his days in Philadelphia and will be an insurgent force. Watch for him as he hits close to 35 home runs and 110 RBI.

The starting pitching rotation was the largest concern. The Johnson trade helped out the Yankees by dumping a player who had elbow issues and back surgery in the off season.

Chein-Ming Wang (19 W/76 KO/3.63 ERA) rose as the ace of the staff tying the major league mark in wins and placing second on the Cy Young award voting. His style of pitching allows more induced ground ball outs replacing his low strike out count.

Mike Mussina (15/172/3.51) had a strong first half season fighting for the league lead in wins only to see some time on the disabled list in the second half with elbow injuries. This season, the aging pitcher will not only be valuable on the mound, but also as a tutor for the surplus of young pitchers in the bullpen.

Andy Pettitte (14/178/4.20) is making his return to New York after spending three years in Houston. People say that his elbow injuries will be a distraction and the weak spot in the rotation. All I can say is 17 wins is a reachable goal.

Carl Pavano (0/0/0.00), whose name is said next to physicians constantly last year and a target for batted balls. Pavano will be under the watchful eye of both Joe Torre and millions of Yankees fans.

Japanese import Kei Igawa (14/194/2.97 [Japanese baseball]) who is so far having a rough spring could improve to be the possible final rotation spot. Although Japanese and American pitchers are different, both have one goal, pitch like you want to win.

The middle relief consisting of Jeff Karstens, Mike Myers, Kyle Farnsworth, Brian Bruney, Ron Villone, Scott Proctor, and Darrell Rasner have been the sore spot last season giving up enough runs to lose over 25% of the games that the Yankees should have won.

Mariano Rivera (5/55/1.80/34 SV), in his last year of his contract, once again proved how valuable he is to the Yankees. Rivera is only 25 saves away from ranking third all-time and has won all two DHL Delivery Man of the Year awards handed out to the best closer in baseball including three Rolaids Relief Man awards. In his career, Rivera has received votes in both the MVP and Cy Young awards.

2007 Projections:

101-61 1st in AL East
World Series champions

LINE UP:
1 - CF - Johnny Damon
2 - SS - Derek Jeter
3 - DH - Jason Giambi
4 - 3B - Alex Rodriguez
5 - LF - Hideki Matsui
6 - C - Jorge Posada
7 - RF - Bobby Abreu
8 - 2B - Robinson Cano
9 - 1B - Doug Mientkiewicz

STARTING ROTATION:
1 - Chein-Ming Wang
2 - Mike Mussina
3 - Andy Pettitte
4 - Carl Pavano
5 - Kei Igawa


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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 6:08 PM 1 Heckles

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Spring Soap Operas

As the Field Turns presents...

...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.

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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 6:34 PM 0 Heckles

Sunday, January 21, 2007

The Top Five: Homeruns

For the next five weeks, Bronx Bloggers will release a top five list of events and players in Yankees history.
These lists are:
Recent Home Runs
Recent Plays
Underrated Players
Overrated Players
Top Lineups

Today I release the top five home runs in recent Yankees history.
Enjoy...

#5
Derek Jeter
Yankees vs Orioles
1996 American League Championship Series
October 9, 1996


The Yankees trailed the Orioles 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning when shortstop Derek Jeter hit a deep fly ball to right field. Right fielder Tony Tarasco moved near the fence and appeared "to draw a bead on the ball" when the then-12 year old Maier reached over the fence separating the stands and the field of play 9 feet below and deflected the ball into the stands. While baseball fans are permitted to catch (and keep) balls hit into the stands, if "a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball", spectator interference is to be called.
Right field umpire Rich Garcia immediately ruled the play a home run, tying the game at 4-4, despite the protest of Tarasco and Orioles manager Davey Johnson. The Yankees would win the game in the eleventh inning on Bernie Williams' walk-off home run. The Orioles maintained their protest of the Maier play after the conclusion of the game, but their protest was denied by American League President Gene Budig because judgment calls cannot be protested.

#4
Jim Leyritz
Yankees vs Braves
1996 World Series
October 23, 1996


In Game 4 of the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Leyritz hit a 3 run home run to left center in the 8th inning to tie the game at 6 and cap an improbable 6-0 Yankee comeback which did not begin until the 6th inning. This home run came off Atlanta closer Mark Wohlers and led to the Yankees eventually winning the game 8-6 in 10 innings with future Hall of Famer Wade Boggs 2-out bases loaded RBI walk off pitcher Steve Avery providing the winning margin in the top of the 10th. After the Yankees lost the first two games of the series at home, and narrowly winning Game 3 in Atlanta, this game appeared to be going to the Braves, which would have given them a significant 3-1 series advantage. Instead, Leyritz home run shifted the game's momentum and the Yankees won to tie the series 2-2.

#3
Tino Martinez
Yankees vs Diamondbacks
2001 World Series
October 31, 2001


The Arizona Diamondbacks had taken a 2-1 lead in the World Series and a 3-1 lead going into the ninth inning with their closer on the mound.
Things were going well when Byung-Hyun Kim took the mound and send the D'Backs one game closer to a title.
Things went well....until Kim threw the pitch.
Tino Martinez, oh-fer the series, drilled the first pitch he saw over the right field wall for a game-tying two-run home run with two outs.
The Yankees won the game in the tenth inning and tied the series at 2.
Was it a fluke shot, a once-on-a-lifetime event? Keep reading...

#2
Scott Brosius
Yankees vs Diamondbacks
2001 World Series
November 1, 2001


Due to the World Trade Center attack, commissioner Bud Selig pushed the season back a week sending the World Series into November for the first time in MLB history.
Almost a mirror image of the game from the night before, the Yankees entered the ninth inning down by two runs and two outs with an unlikely hero at the bat and Kim on the mound.
Scott Brosius hit the second pitch he saw from Kim deep into the sky and over the fence for an improbable home run to tie the game and send the Yankees into yet another extra inning victory and gave the Yankees a 3-2 series advantage heading to Arizona for the finale.


#1
Aaron Boone
Yankees vs Red Sox
2003 American League Championship Series
October 16, 2003


The Yankees and Red Sox each had successful seasons, both reaching the playoffs, and both reaching the championship. Both playing close to 170 games; but game seven of the championship series is the one game to define their season.
The Red Sox had taken a commanding 5-3 lead with their ace Pedro Martinez on the mound and some clutch magic in the air.
The Yankees had tied the game at 5 going into extra innings and a gritty, gutty, and tense series wired down to one pitch.
It was the 11th inning. Tim Wakefield, the master knuckleballer was facing the defensive replacement Aaron Boone. Wakefield's first pitch was quickly changed into history.

"Although the Boston Red Sox and the fans throughout New England would tell you they were five outs away in the 8th inning, leading by three...as BOONE HITS IT TO DEEP LEFT, THAT MIGHT SEND THE YANKEES TO THE WORLD SERIES! BOONE THE HERO OF GAME 7!!!"--Joe Buck

The Yankees had reached the 2003 World Series behind Boone's home run against the Red Sox.

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BallHype: hype it up! Posted by Steve Kenul at 9:21 PM 0 Heckles

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