How long until a metric is invented to explain how Jose Reyes is best-suited for batting third?
Spring Training Quotables – Mark Teixeira
February 24, 2010 379 Comments
The New York Yankees’ Mark Teixeira on repeating …[bracketed] quotes were removed by MLB.com but retained hereunder for accuracy:
“Because we’re the [gosh darn] Yankees,” Teixeira said. “If you get complacent, it’s going to be a tough year for you. Once you taste a championship and taste that victory, [gahhhhleeee] it just makes you want it even more. You realize it’s everything you’ve ever hoped for.”
“We have to feel that way every single [fudgin'] season,” Teixeira said. “We feel like we’re just as capable of defending our [dang-gum] championship as we were winning it last year. We have a great team, the core group of guys are back [and a bunch of black guys are here, too!], and hopefully we all get a little bit better [I… (more…)
Spring Training Pictures (Care of Jrz)
February 21, 2010 38 Comments
Jorge Posada is ready already.
Jrz snapped some shots in the practice complex of some early scenes from pitchers and catchers, thanks to the Big Guy, and enjoy!
Easy swingin'
Head is right down on the ball. IMO Posada is a fine hitter.
Ready for another! Throw me the junk!
Thanks again to Jrz!
Make sure you hit Uncle Sal’s for more of the collection! Great Yogi pics there as well.
Joba vs. Hughes; Reyes vs. Wright
February 20, 2010 135 Comments
The entire Yankeesphere is resonating with Joba vs. Hughes for the #5 spot; it’s time for me to ante up. I’m keeping it simple.
Phil Hughes has the cool mentality and Joba Chamberlain has the electric stuff. That is what that is. This week, Dave Eiland alluded to the Hughes Clues and cited an innings limit for Phil, which, to me, says it all. The starting role is Joba’s to lose and of the two, he is more advanced in his development. Last year, he started 31 games on a tight innings budget, and it showed in his reduced K rates and swollen ERA. Again, the slate is open after the fourth slot (the fourth slot is owned by Javier Vazquez), and that fifth spot might… (more…)
First Day of Camp – Link Roundup
February 18, 2010 Leave a Comment
Lots of stuff to review. First, make sure you hit SNY.com for great video coverage - including Sweeny Murti with a Hughes Clues pitch limit teaser (“upper-hundreds”). Good David Wright dugout audio there as well to compliment this rave-up. David looking a little slim – swing for the gaps! Question: is it David Wright’s team now? Because it isn’t this guy’s anymore.
YES.com coverage is lousy and the cable channel is running AB Rocket commercials, Yankee Magazine reruns, and a “tower racing” documentary this morning. But I’m not complaining. Camera crews are expensive! Keep that money in the payroll, Hal! Hire a blogger to shoot “them white bases!”
I’ve lost respect for Mark McGwire, again. It’s not what you think. Just caught some… (more…)
Happy Spring! From…
February 17, 2010 239 Comments
Pitchers and catchers report today for the Yanks, tomorrow for the Mets!
The Yanks invited 25 non-rostered players to camp to work out with the 40-man roster:
Pitchers …B/T …Age
90 Wilkins Arias …L/L 29
86 Jeremy Bleich …L/L 22
82 Grant Duff …R/R 27
60 Jason Hirsh …R/R 27
27 Kei Igawa …L/L 30
80 Zach McAllister …R/R 22
72 D.J. Mitchell …R/R 22
40 Dustin Moseley …R/R 28
69 Ryan Pope …R/R 23
47 Royce Ring …L/L 29
93 Amaury Sanit …R/R 30
70 Zack Segovia …R/R 26
81 Kevin Whelan …R/R 26
Catchers …B/T …
92 Kyle Higashioka …R/R 19
83 Jesus Montero …R/R 20
85 P.J. Pilittere …R/R 28
12 Mike Rivera …R/R 33
84 Austin Romine …R/R 21
Infielders …B/T …… (more…)
Yankees Spring Training 2010 Detailed Calendar & Itinerary
February 14, 2010 463 Comments
Bronx Brass Tacks has uncovered the most detailed as-of-yet calendar & itinerary for the New York Yankees’ Spring Training in 2010, waaaaay more detailed than the reporting dates and tentative game schedule. The defending World Champions have quite the active spring on tap, here’s what we can expect:
Pitchers & Catchers: 2/17
4:30am – Joba Chamberlain’s first feeding: 2-oz warm bottle of formula. Make sure you burp him!
6:15 – Phil Hughes practices shaving, “0-2 stare” in bathroom mirror.
7:00 – Andy Pettitte eats his oatmeal, fills out his daily stool-monitoring chart.
8:00 - All players suit up and meet on field B.
9:30 - Pitchers throw off the mound to live batters.
9:31 - Jorge Posada’s first visit to the mound.
9:45 – Goose Gossage’s… (more…)
Uncle Sal Gets In Your Ear
February 13, 2010 74 Comments
Hit Uncle Sal’s for his annual radio hits from Mike Francesa at Mohegan Sun. Great stuff from Yogi Berra, former umpire Ken Kaiser, Jim Leyland, and Don Zimmer.
Drop a comment here if the site’s giving you guff, I’m not doing any work on it and I think WP is having problems on their end. Best!
If I don’t see yas, Happy Valentine’s Day!
Montero Takes First; Damon Rolling Towards Motown
February 12, 2010 Leave a Comment
Anthony McCarron reports this morning that minor leaguer Jesus Montero, the 20-year-old slugging phenom, is taking groundballs at first base in addition to working out at catcher, his normal position. Montero wowed scouts while splitting time in Tampa and Trenton last year, posting Mauer-like numbers in his 2 1/2 season milb career. Quotes McCarron:
“I want to be a catcher in the big leagues, but this may help me get to the big leagues faster,” he said.
Montero will likely start in Scranton this season. Juan Miranda had no comment (I don’t know if anyone asked).
…
Johnny Damon‘s future atop the Detroit Tigers‘ lineup seems certain; according to MLBTR, Detroit has simply offered the most money. MLB.com
Link Roundup
February 10, 2010 Leave a Comment
Courtesy of Leviathan, Keith Hernandez has entered the field. The organization should keep reaching back to 1986; not only were those ex-players credibly talented, but also, those guys boast a built-in Met fan appeal. Another angle here. At least, Murphy’s job is safe, which must be a warm comforter to the Metsie-on-the-street.
The Nationals are pursuing Wang. You can say that their staff is two or three Wangs shy of pitching for a third place finish, having added Jason Marquis and having bolstered the pen with Brian Bruney. Last year, I said that the Nats would surprise a lot of people with their offense – they didn’t do that, exactly, but they did add a half-run to their per game average, and… (more…)
Happy Birthday, Babe Ruth!
February 6, 2010 Leave a Comment
Happy 115th Birthday to the Sultan of Swat, the Bambino, the great #3 …George Herman “Babe” Ruth!
Some selected reading:
Official Site
“The only real game, I think, in the world is baseball.”
Quotes from the Baseball Almanac
“Don’t ever forget two things I am going to tell you. One, don’t believe everything that’s written about you. Two, don’t pick up too many checks.”
Stats from Baseball Reference
162 game average: .342/.474/.690, 46/143
The Moneyballin’ Press, circa 1932
“Many rumors concerning the likely salary Babe Ruth will draw with the New York Yankees in 1933 are floating around Gotham, but neither the Bambino nor Col Jacob Ruppert, the club owner, has intimated what the figure might be.”
“To hell with… (more…)
Happy Birthday, Major League Baseball; William Hulbert, In Memorium
February 2, 2010 554 Comments
You won’t find his name on MLB.com in a blustery article, and you won’t find today’s date mentioned in any major baseball article today. Bud Selig won’t designate a day to honor his memory. He was overlooked for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame until an act of the veteran’s committee in 1995 recognized him, ignored by Cooperstown for 113 years even though he was born two miles away in Burlington Flats, NY. “Major League Baseball” would not exist in its current form without his contribution. On February 2nd, 1876, in New York City, William Hulbert, of what would become the Chicago Cubs, called together the principle owners of the seminal baseball clubs in order to form what would become the National League.
Hulbert established the central… (more…)
