Wednesday, November 6, 2024

FACING THE CRITICISM: LACK OF FUNDAMENTALS DON'T WIN WORLD SERIES

Watching the Yankees' undoing in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the World Series was painful, but not surprising. As I shared with my CEO today who calmly asked me if I was okay a week later, the Yankees simply cannot win when they lack basic baseball fundamentals, and I have not been able to watch or read anything baseball since that horrific loss. He advised, "Write that in your blog post and you will feel better." So, like a good employee, I am doing just that. The Yankees' lack of fundamentals don't win World Series. And I am not over it.


The Dodgers knew of the Yankees' lack of defensive play ahead of the World Series. In fact, they were extremely confident going into the games against the Yankees because their scouting reports indicated that they would make mistakes defensively when the ball was in play. According to NY Post's Joel Sherman"What the Dodgers told their players in scouting meetings was the Yankees were talent over fundamentals. That if you run the bases with purpose and aggression, the Yankees will self-inflict harm, as was exposed by Mookie Betts, Tommy Edman, Freddie Freeman, etc. That the value was very high to put the ball in play to make the Yankees execute."


It was hot head Dodger pitcher Joe Kelly who bashed the Yankees on his "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcase calling their ranking inflated and placing them at the bottom quarter of the 12 teams that made the MLB playoffs this year. "Just let them throw the ball to the infield, they can't make a play," Kelly said. "I mean, you saw. Shohei got an extra base going to third on a sloppy Gleyber play. It's well known. We all knew. I mean, we're the Dodgers. We know every little detail," ranted Kelly. Yeah, I get it. We all know it. We are with the team 162 games. We have seen it all and we don't need the Dodgers or anyone else to rub it in our faces.


In response to the criticism, General Manager Brian Cashman acknowledged the Yankees poor performance in the World Series. "Our A-game didn’t show up when it counted the most,” he continued. “I also think, objectively, if you take a step back and analyze who we played, whether it was the Dodgers or any of the other postseason teams that were participating, whether it was us playing them or other teams in the National League, those rosters are all constructed with players that do things in some category better than others. You have exceptionally great defenders that don’t hit as well, you have really good hitters that don’t defend as well. And the combination of how it all fits together plays out a certain way over the course of 162 and then in the month of October if you’re lucky to get there,” reported Yahoo Sports.

I think we can all acknowledge that both teams deserved to be playing in this World Series. And yes, there can only be one winner. But it absolutely was not a mismatch as Kelly and others have stated. 162 games is a long season and the Yankees won out. Then they battled through some very tough ALCS games and won out. But the Yankees have to figure out October and that's just what the GM admitted.

“And to be the world champs you gotta be really good – which I think we produced really good teams – you gotta be healthy and you gotta be lucky. We’ll try to continue to figure out how to navigate October. We’ve done it before, but as many times, in many years the best teams going in don’t win. And it’s not because they’re flawed it’s just navigating October is difficult,” reported Yahoo Sports


For me, I'd like to see less of these fundamental mistakes, more small ball all season long not just in October and less emphasis on big bats. It is not just about the home runs; it is not just about swinging for the fences but rather it is about putting the ball in play when it counts and then defending that lead. It is a whole-team effort. And the Yankees just weren't able to execute that plan. Fundamentals executed well win ball games and absolutely win World Series. 




--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof







Tuesday, November 5, 2024

WHY THE YANKEES WEAR SEA FOAM


I was curious about why the Yankees started flashing this turquoise, aqua type color on some of their gear this year.  Were you?  So I did some digging being the Yankee History Contributor of BYB and all.  Turns out the Yankees’ mint-colored gear craze has developed into a modern team tradition, a symbolic nod to their New York City roots and a testament to team unity. 

It all began with Aaron Judge, who first introduced the unique color in early April 2024, aiming to bring a fresh look and an extra touch of New York pride to his game-day accessories. What started as Judge’s personal homage to the Statue of Liberty quickly turned into a full-fledged trend, one that spread through the clubhouse as a marker of the team’s bond and spirit.


Judge first sported the mint-colored gear on April 13 in a game against Cleveland, showing up in seafoam batting gloves, an armband, and even a custom elbow guard. The color was carefully selected to mirror the iconic patina of the Statue of Liberty, symbolizing strength, endurance, and the spirit of New York City. Judge’s mint look caught the attention of his teammates immediately. Soon, a wave of orders flooded in as players wanted to incorporate the mint color into their own gear, from gloves and cleats to armbands and even catching equipment.

As Judge’s teammates embraced the trend, the mint craze turned into a team-wide symbol of unity, each player adding his own spin on the look. Outfielder Alex Verdugo noted the contagious excitement in the clubhouse, saying, “Judge had it on all his gear, and we all liked it. So we started ordering to match.”

Then came players like Gleyber Torres, Giancarlo Stanton, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes Jr., Oswaldo Cabrera, and Austin Wells. For them, the mint color wasn't just about fashion; it was a subtle rallying cry, a way to unite as one New York team.


Oswaldo Cabrera said of it, “The mint means the Statue of Liberty. When I wear it, I feel so good.” Nestor Cortes took the customization to another level by ordering a mint glove from his manufacturer, 44 Pro, with a navy torch and orange flame on the webbing — a direct nod to the torch held by Lady Liberty herself.

For Judge, wearing the mint represents a personal tribute to the city he loves and its most iconic symbol. “It’s a little tribute to the city and what the Statue of Liberty stands for,” he explained. “I think it’s pretty cool.” His teammates share his sentiment, not only appreciating the look but also finding a new sense of camaraderie in wearing something meaningful together.

The Yankees’ mint accessory movement, led by Judge, has quickly become a defining chapter in their story. Not only does it bring a unique twist to one of baseball’s most traditional teams, but it also serves as a visual testament to their unity and pride in New York’s legacy. This mint gear isn’t just about standing out; it’s about standing together as a team and honoring the city they represent.




--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor








THE TWO "NO-BRAINER" DECISIONS THE YANKEES HAVE TO MAKE


I think this winter is crucial. It is easily the most important winter we've had in years. The Yankees will have some tough decisions to make and will help set the tone for the Yankees likelihood for getting back to the World Series next year. The Yankees can't be conservative and just expect the chips to lay as they did this season. It all starts right now.

There are already two easy no-brainer decisions for the Yankees - and they have nothing to do with Juan Soto. The first one was already made. Luke Weaver will be back. The Yankees picked up his 2025 option worth $2.5 million in an easy decision. In my mind, he's worth more than that. We keep a valuable arm that can perform under pressure and really grew into a mature and reliable closer. Weaver really earned my respect over the postseason. He was the combination of maturity and ultimate gamer that has been missing for a REALLY long time. He's not just a bullpen arm, he's earned that closer role next season.

Weaver was easy, this next one is definitely open to debate. My second no-brainer comes to the manager. It's time to move on. FULL DISCLOSURE, I am 99.9% positive the Yankees WON'T, but they should. Hal Steinbrenner should find himself a new manager, because Aaron Boone doesn't have what it takes to manage and win a World Series. It's time to show some accountability, so to do that it's time to bring in a capable manager.

But the Yankees are pretty much guaranteed to pick up Boone's 2025 option that is believed to be around $3 million. This is where we see what the Yankees place value on (in this case too much value). Back in 2017, Joe Girardi was not brought back after missing a World Series berth by one win. He had the better execution of the game in my opinion, but wasn't connecting with his younger players, which Yankee brass decided was reason to not bring him back.


Fast forward now to 2024, we have Boone with ZERO leadership traits and can't manage anything to save his life. I really think the World Series was the Yankees worst series of the year. The baserunning was atrocious, they had zero fundamentals, and the Dodgers studied us and played to every single weakness we had. Boone has never been able to help this team play better fundamentally, and he surrounds himself with people who also can't help this team play fundamental baseball. Boone can't manage worth a damn, but he is a "players manager" that all players especially Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, the high dollar commitments love and praise. 

So, in this case, results don't matter anymore. The Yankees made it back to the World Series after missing in action for 15 years so that's enough to make Hal happy. It used to be World Series or Bust....but not anymore.

The Yankees have a lot to do this winter.... I just don't believe they will execute it with Baboonie managing this team. One for two isn't a good result, but that's likely what we get here. Disappointing to say the least.


--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj






Sunday, November 3, 2024

SHOULD WE REALLY WANT JUAN SOTO BACK?


I'm still reeling over here. We lost in an ugly way and now I have to listen to Juan Soto run his mouth to earn a disgusting pay day. We gave up a lot to get him in a trade....and then we still lost. So should the Yankees really be willing to pay him a fortune to come back?

Sounds like potential highway robbery to me. Look, would I want Soto back? Sure, all 30 teams want him on the roster. The real question here is....do I want him back at the price he wants? Nope. There's a limit to everything including Soto. I'm not the only one who agrees.

Look, I don't live by what Suzyn Waldman says but she's making some good points, read more HERE
"Juan Soto is really something," Waldman said. "What he is not, is a right fielder … Are you really going to break the bank for Juan Soto and still have to put Aaron Judge in center field? Everyone is so focused on Juan Soto. There are eight other positions on the field that you can't fill right now … If you don't fill those positions correctly you're gonna replay this year."

Everyone is so focused on Juan Soto and he will be the talk of the winter until some stupid team pays up the a*s for him. Someone will....I just hope it won't be us. The Yankees really need to think about reinforcing the infield because Anthony Rizzo can't handle it anymore, DJ LeMahieu is also made of glass and it's just time to move on from the Gleyber Torres experiment. The infield needs a serious makeover.

You also can't forget about the outfield. Judge is about to be 33 and he shouldn't be manning centerfield every night. That's not the best move. Alex Verdugo started off red hot but became ice cold as the season played on and Trent Grisham just wasn't a fit. Soto is an outfielder, but Waldman is right he's not a GREAT fielder. The Yankees already have one outfielder turned DH that can't play out there regularly in Giancarlo Stanton....the Yankees don't need another expensive "outfielder" in the mix, especially in the later years of a long term contract that Soto is demanding.

We can't forget about the pitching. The Yankees need more of it, and better options. Gerrit Cole can't do it all and I am over the Clay Holmes experiment. If the Yankees are going to make a real run again better quality starters and some strong relievers are necessary, especially to keep up with a strong AL East team like the Baltimore Orioles.

So should the Yankees spend crazy Shohei Ohtani like dollars on Soto? I'm not seeing it. Spending on Soto when they already lost with him on the roster makes no sense. The Yankees are a fundamentally flawed team. They would be better served upgrading the talent at multiple positions. Soto did not save this team, and he won't save it in the future after he cripples the Yankees financially.


One thing Waldman and I do disagree on....she said if the Yankees don't fill the needed positions correctly we will replay this year. I disagree with that....because there's no reason to believe the Yankees will repeat this season with 94 wins and win an American League pennant while other big American League teams fall behind. Not just with Soto.

If Hal was smart, he's make a good offer and drive up the price for everyone else because the Mets aren't going to let the Yankees outbid them.....and that's no hunch. I'm over Soto, the trade didn't pay off so it's time to move on.


--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj






Saturday, November 2, 2024

STANDARD OF THE OLD GUARD HAS FALLEN



It's one of my favorite movies in recent memory, and the reason is summed up in the dialog of one scene. "Whiplash" is truly outstanding. Even if you're not a musician, and can't read music any better than you can read ancient greek. The message is undeniable. Play to win!




The scene I refer to has Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons having a quiet drink in an East Village club and talking about Jazz legend Charlie Parker's rise to greatest. Simmons, truly one of the great actors ever, talks about how the phrase, "Good job." is the worst thing you can say to someone with talent. It means "ok". It means "fair". It means you wasted a chance to truly be great. I love that sentiment.

We have a similar sin being committed by the current regime heading up the New York Yankees, THE CHARLIE PARKER OF BASEBALL. When the late, great Boss was at the helm this past World Series fumble would have been might with a stool being flung at the heads of the GM, Manager, Star players etc... AND IT WOULD'VE BEEN THE RIGHT MOVE! Can you always win? No. Should you strive for that? YES! Especially when you have the talent to be great.



In recent years I've listened to Brian Cashman's monotoned excuse filled droning on sports talk radio. He loves to highlight numbers of wins, playoff appearances, signing this player or trading for that one. BUT he doesn't get it. He no longer has George holding his feet to the flame and demanding the best. No, he has Fredo Steinbrenner. The softer, kinder, gentler, zero baseball in his blood son of the MIGHTY BOSS running the show. He has allowed the "good job" mentality to drench the organization in mediocrity. Are the Yankees a good team...sure. Are they a great team? No.

Look, it's baseball. In the grand scheme of life, it's entertainment and we all need perspective before letting it ruin our day. But it does offer a lesson to us year in and year out. That's why sport is so relevant! It is the human spirit being pushed to be the best it can be! We unfortunately now live in a time when things are half measure. When being ok or showing up gets you a pat on the back. THE STANDARD OF THE OLD GUARD HAS FALLEN. The New York Yankees are an error filled 5th of that FACT.

What will change? Zero chance. It doesn't have to change. The money comes in. The Yankees are still the Beatles to fans across the world. The Jerseys will sell. The TV contracts will pay up. The hotdogs and beers will be a second mortgage at the Stadium...and being good enough...well, it'll just be good enough.

I know these aren't my Yankees. Mine started in the late '70s and ran through Jeter's last hurrah. When the Yankees were special to me. I still root for them. I think the world of Judge, Rizzo and some of the others...but they aren't a must see to me anymore. The sad thing is outside a select few...I don't see anyone who would watch that great seen from "Whiplash" and get the life changing message in it.

How haunting are Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's lyrics now? And not just for Yankee fans...

"Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you..."

Band from Jersey singing for all that believe that "good job" is an awful thing to say to someone with the heart and talent to be great.






--Mike O'Hara
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @mikeyoh21







Friday, November 1, 2024

JUAN SOTO WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY & THE YANKEES GOT FOOLED


It's no surprise that Juan Soto is already hinting that he will hear offers from every team this offseason. His mission was not to be a Yankee for life, it was to be a gazillionaire after the 2024. In other words, he already trusted his ability in 2024, all he had to do was be good.  The dude can be good anywhere FYI, he's Juan Soto.  He bet on himself and now he can go make more money than he needs on any other team for the rest of his career.

 The Mets are the top team cause the Mets have something to prove. But I have said this since the day the Yankees have had interest in bringing him over for 1 year. Read THE GAME OF TELEPHONE & JUAN SOTO when I asked "Will Juan Soto go to the Mets after this season as I believe he will? " That was June.  Nothing in my mind has changed. The Mets will go hard, harder than the Yankees.  
I've also asked so often if the one year of Juan Soto even if we don't win the World Series? I mean sure, it was fun to watch him in pinstripes, but what did the Yankees and Yankee fans get out of it?  Just good baseball, no championship.  Isn't that the goal?

Michael Kay was ranting the other day about Juan Soto, and I loved every minute of it. Why? Because he was 100% right.
There's also speculation of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  I mean, if you want to get kicked in the balls as a Yankee fan, let the Dodgers sign him, they already have the best team in baseball, could you imagine?  

At the end of the day, this is not a surprise to me.  The Yankees thought that an Aaron Judge relationship, the pinstripes, the rich history of the New York Yankees would win this guy over. Sure us fans love him, Sure, it's a big market and Soto can easily perform in it. But Soto doesn't actually care about any of that.  Soto just wants to make the most money he can. He can play anywhere in the universe and lift that franchise up. 


It doesn't matter if it's the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers or the Albuquerque Balloon knots. At the end of the day, it's about Juan Soto, not the team he signs with.


"Do they need Soto? Actually? YOU WANT MY TRUE OPINION? They don't. "

I'm right.

Cashman and Hal got fooled. Just another reason why this Yankee franchise is failing.  And another reason why the Yankee front office and their manager need to go.




Thursday, October 31, 2024

WENDALL PIERCE BLASTS YANKEE FANS, BUT DODGERS FAN AREN'T MUCH BETTER


I'm bothered by this Tweet. Not sure if you saw it, but it's from actor Wendall Pierce, a guy I admire.  But wait, let me back up. 

Over the playoff run the Yankees have had, it's been reported about how trashy Yankee fans are. How we're oboxious, annoying, you get the idea. It bothered me to see, but as you know, not all "fans" are the same.  It's true, when it comes to competitve sports, fans do taunt each other, sometimes they even come to blows. As you saw the other day with Austin Capobianco, sometimes fans get stupid. I mean personally I thought that Austin's actions were hilarious, but I also know that it was wrong the do. I don't consider him a hero like Barstool Sports does, I consider him a knucklehead. That being said, I see the whole situation to be funny, while others call him trash. I get it, no problem.

But then we get back to Wendall Pierce, who I guess is a Dodgers fan? Not sure, but he was talking to a Dodgers fan and he was at Yankee stadium and he tells a story of Yankee fans being "obnoxious". See his Tweet:


Now no one needs deal with that kind of behavior, and I'm sorry that happened to him. After all, it's without class to be violent, unruly, "obnoxious" and not show any dignity and respect for others and other people's surroundings when a big sporting event happens right?  Yankee fans can suck. 

Well, so to Dodger fans apparently.  This is Los Angeles last night after the Dodgers won the World Series:

Look at this:

How about this:

How about this shot:

Think before you speak Wendall Pierce, cause these people are animals.  You really put your money on Dodgers fans having class over Yankee fans? I know you didn't say that, but it was implied.  You blew that.  In fact, the spirit of sports ends with the ugliness of humanity... YOUR WORDS DUDE.




FORGET IT. THE YANKEES WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE FALL CLASSIC ANYWAY


Last night I cannot blame on Aaron Boone. Crazy right?

But as a whole, in the bonehead moves he has made, in our 4th place finish last year... in the way he over tinkers, befriends his players, argues balls and strikes in meaningless games, and just plain sucks as a manager because of his inexperience, and now because we have gotten to the World Series and lost it, it only makes sense that we say goodbye to this guy and turn the page on making the Yankee organization leadership brighter and better moving forward. This HAS to be the end of the Boone Era. The experiment didn't work... not even alittle bit! Hal, are you listening?

Look, the Yankees were never supposed to be in the World Series this year.  Let's not fool ourselves. The Yankees have been so inconsistent all season, so the idea of making it to the World Series was a gift.  Did I hope they won this year? Of course, but do I think they actually are the best team in baseball, nope.  I'm a realist, this Yankee team is deeply flawed.


The Yankees made a few minor offseason tweaks even though we all knew they needed better pitching and that was the priority.  We got Juan Soto instead. Now, don't get me wrong, Juan Soto was fantastic, I loved seeing him in pinstripes, but as I said then, we got this guy for one year, what happens if we DON'T win it all?  And here we are... we didn't win it all.  And so, what happens next?

For one, Juan Soto will be a free agent.  That's big.  Seems like we had one opportunity, and it was just now, and yet, we didn't win. And so, if he leaves, do you really think we have what it takes to try and win again? We were lucky to get to the World Series this year WITH Juan Soto. If Juan Soto leaves, you can forget our chances. And that is where you really need to go after our Yankees front office and lightweight manager Aaron Boone.


Leadership in any business is vital, and this guy just doesn't have what it takes to lead this Yankees team.  

It's been a long time since Boone has been in the driver's seat. Here's the problem; he doesn't know how to drive stick.  This isn't a team you just hand over to a JV coach and say, "Here, try and tinker with this." These are the New York Yankees. They are celebrities, personalities and they are wearing the pinstripes and so the stakes are much higher.  While many people didn't like Joe Torre taking over after Buck Showalter in the 90's, the one thing Joe Torre had was experience. He was a long-time player and a manager, and while not a successful manager, he understood the game and surrounded himself with wisdom. In other words, he had a plan.  

I see Aaron Boone as a guy who wants to hang out with the celebrity Yankees, have barbeques, a few drinks, play a pickup basketball game with Cortes and Judge, and just enjoy life as a millionaire. The problem? He's not actually doing his job.  Being in the friend zone with Gerrit Cole doesn't win you a championship.  He doesn't understand the stakes, He doesn't understand much of anything.  


And I'll take it further. Better, smarter and more experienced managers in baseball have been fired for way less than what Boone's mistakes have led this Yankee team over the years.  Buck Showalter is probably one of the most respected baseball minds in the game and the Mets lost a few years ago, and they cut him loose right away.  Billy Martin was back and forth with George Steinbrenner for years, but when he couldn't win, he'd be fired. It was pretty simple.  

The White Sox fired La Russa after the club got off to a 26–38 start in 1986, yet LaRussa is one of only two managers in MLB history to win World Series championships in both the American and National leagues.  What's my point? My point is Boone should have been fired years ago. He's terrible.

Now last night's game you cannot blame on Aaron Boone. The 5th inning for the Yankees was the strangest thing I've ever seen.  You always hear that errors will cost you ballgames, and last night it was evident. It was big. It was horrible.  The Yankee club should be embarrassed. But let me be clear, errors are part of the game, and while no one wants to see the Yankees fold like they did, the bigger issue is our leadership.


Hal Steinbrenner either doesn't have his finger on the pulse or Brian Cashman has fooled him enough to handle this team and tricked big Hal into believing that "close enough" with Aaron Boone is "good enough" and the bottom line is as fans, we are very in tune with what's going on, but as fans we also love to watch our team win it all.  Us fans spend the money, and we root hard only to be heartbroken and then we do it all over again the next year with our shitty manager and a wish and a prayer that we can retain Juan Soto long term.  

None of it makes sense, yet we do it anyway. It's a trap. It's an abusive relationship and we're the ones getting mind fucked every season. And so, my biggest gripe with this team is simple; the management is stale, the hunger only comes when we hit home runs, and the idea of manufacturing runs is a very small part of the Yankees game and that my friends has been going on since the days of Jason Giambi.  We will never break the mold if the manager gives Hal what he "thinks" he wants.  Boone does not think for himself. Boone panders. Boone does what he's told. In essence, Boone isn't running this team as a true manager would.  


I will give Joe Girardi credit for one thing; he was tough as nails when it came to managing this club. He wasn't the best at it, but he also didn't bend over and tried his best to manage the team his way.  Many times, it didn't work, but one time it did and 2009 was glorious.

But 2009 was a long time ago and everyone knows that Aaron Boone's not winning us a championship.  I mean, that lineup never changed in this World Series and there were major problems with our hitting.  I am still baffled by the fact that Boone started Jose Trevino because Austin Wells was slumping just to then pinch-hit Wells for Trevino later in that game anyway.  That's a manager that doesn't trust himself and it's embarrassing.

And so now the season is over.  Last night will I PRAY brings real changes to the New York Yankees manager and coaching staff.  Seeing the Dodgers celebrate at Yankee Stadium was sad, but this is the game.  Someone had to lose and why not us... we don't have leadership anyway.


Finally, I'll leave you with this; Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" is a staple for the Yankees when we win at the Stadium.  Last night the Yankees played that song while the Dodgers were celebrating.  While this was a total mind fuck for many of your fans, I clearly understood why they did it.  There are 2 reasons actually and while it's my opinion, I know I'm right. 

For one, it was a Thank you. It was a Thank you to the Yankees for the fight. It was a Thank You to us fans for sticking around and believing in the pinstripes. It was a "so long" as we head into the winter, not a "Goodbye".  Maybe it's my maturity, maybe I just understand symbolism, but for the love of God for silly fans and this Jomboy hack to make it appear that the Yankees "messed up" for playing that song are just ridiculous.

I have been a fan of this team since the old Yankee stadium, 1981, Yankees vs. Dodgers Game 1 of the World Series.  Even before that in '78 when I saw Ron Guidry strike out 18 Angels, but definitely in that World Series. The fans were loud, it just made sense to me that the Yankees were my team. And so, yes, I understand symbolism. I understand appreciation. The Yankees organization as a whole may not appear to be about the fans, but even they understood the gut punch last night.  It was a peace offering, a "we're sorry, but thank you". It was supposed to make you feel good about our team. And Secondly, they probably snuck this in too; While Sinatra was a Hoboken kid, he was a Dodgers fan. 

I know, I know, your brain just exploded. Well calm down, it's not that deep. It's symbolism and a gesture all the same. You may not have gotten it, but it was actually nice and guys like Jomboy make it about them and it's not. 

And so now we crawl into our caves and wait.  Hopefully Boone gets canned, it just makes sense at this point.  Hopefully the Yankees can figure out a way to retain Juan Soto while getting another top starting pitcher.  Hopefully we will see the fall classic next year and we win with a new manager and new hunger and an Aaron Judge who just tees off every at bat.

To our Bleeding Yankee Blue audience.  You are loyal, you are wonderful, and we thank you for your support and love. Many of you have been reading BYB since we started in September 2010. That is a long time, and we love you very much.  To the newbies, yeah, we complain about our Yankees a lot here, but we also celebrate them. Thank you for finding us and we hope you enjoy the ride.

Congrats to the Yankees for making it this far. You weren't supposed to be here, but you did prove many of us wrong and I respect the hell out of that.  I always will.

Go Yanks.

See you all in the offseason. We will not stop writing and will bring you as much news, info and humor as we can.  Thanks for reading Bleeding Yankee Blue.




-- Robert Casey
Chief & Head writer of Bleeding Yankee Blue
Twitter: @BleednYankeeBlu






Wednesday, October 30, 2024

FAN PASSION GONE ROGUE!


In the world of baseball, there’s a certain badge of honor reserved for the die-hard fan willing to cross the line—literally. Call it “fan interference,” call it chaos, but if it’s in the name of team loyalty, it’s just another page in baseball’s hilariously knuckleheaded playbook. Far from ruining the game, these over-the-top antics are folklore now, proof that some fans take “all-in” to the next level—especially if it means they get to play hero.


Start with Steve Bartman, the Cubs fan everyone loved to hate in 2003, who innocently reached for a foul ball and, in the process, became the fall guy for an entire season’s heartbreak. Was Bartman’s grab the nail in Chicago’s cursed coffin? Hardly. But it became the scapegoat for a team desperate to make it to the promised land. Bartman wasn’t misplaying ground balls or giving up runs.

 No, he was simply a fan caught up in the thrill of October baseball, unknowingly slipping himself into Cubs lore. And guess what? The Cubs eventually forgave him, even giving him a championship ring in 2016. That’s right, folks: Bartman went from city scapegoat to ring-bearer without ever setting foot on a diamond.


And Bartman? Hardly the only fan with guts (or lack of common sense) to join the ranks. Zoom back to 1996, when 12-year-old Yankees superfan Jeffrey Maier decided to give Derek Jeter a little nudge in the right direction—literally—by snagging a ball from over the fence in Game 1 of the ALCS.

 Orioles' fans still cry foul to this day, but Maier’s unintentional assist has made him an icon in Yankees lore. That gloved reach got him a New York hero’s welcome and a place in baseball’s Hall of Mischief.


Now, fast-forward to the present: Yankees fans Austin Capobianco and his partner-in-crime John Peter. These two masterminds, season ticket holders with a plan, waited for the perfect moment to help their team by prying Mookie Betts' glove open as he caught a foul ball. Yes, it was interference. Yes, they got ejected. But, to them, it was worth every second.

Capobianco’s motto? “If the ball’s in our area, we’re gonna ‘D’ up.” That’s dedication. And who could blame them? Sometimes you’ve got to risk it all for the love of the game—even if it means outsmarting a former MVP.

And let’s give a shoutout to Morganna “The Kissing Bandit” Roberts, a fan so infamous she practically wrote the rulebook on fan interference. In the late '60s, Morganna went beyond barriers (and the law) to give her favorite players a cheeky peck on the cheek, earning herself a record-breaking number of trespassing charges and fans along the way.


Morganna didn’t care about fines or field security; she was there to give the fans a show. She may have made security guards panic, but her fans? They loved every minute.

So the next time you see an ump signal fan interference, know it’s a salute to these champions of fandom. Are they knuckleheads? Oh, definitely. But their passion is priceless. Here’s to the Austins, the Jeffreys, the Steves, and Morganna—the legends who remind us that baseball’s greatest fans aren’t afraid to dive headfirst into the action (and trouble) for their team.





--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor