WHY ERIC CHAVEZ IS AT HOME IN THE BRONX

No one does it better than Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record.  You've heard me say that before, it's true.  Not only does he give me news about my New York Yankees, he gives us nuggets that the others don't give.  Like for instance this terrific personal story in reference to Eric Chavez, a Yankee I love and a player I respect as well as feel bad for. The guy's had a streak of bad luck and injury, yet, I wonder...if he never hurt his back and didn't have a string of injuries, would he be on the road to the Hall of Fame? I wonder, I really do...he was THAT talented.

Caldera chatted with Chavez in a piece called Chavez embracing time with Yankees. The piece is terrific, it's the human side of baseball. Chavez speaks about being with the Yankees and liking it, but not only that, there are some really interesting quotes from Chavez that I never saw coming. For example, when speaking about the Yankees, Chavez says:

"You know, I remember earlier in my career I said that I'd never play in New York. And here I am, back-to-back years...But it's been refreshing. It's been a good spot for me." Chavez goes on to say that he put a lot of East Coast teams on his no-trade clause early on.  Sure, I new Chavez was a West coast guy but I didn't expect that.  That being said, he's a fan favorite in New York. It's almost like Chavez has reinvented himself.  He's no longer that every day player and sure, that stinks, but he's embraced this new role with the Yankees, and if he stays healthy, he can and will be valuable.

Chavez went on about the Yankees, his new team. Here's what Caldera wrote: "'I always respected everyone in this organization and the way they went about playing the game....I always admired them … except one,' Chavez said with a laugh, after being kidded by Derek Jeter, who was listening at the next locker....'They didn't practice that play, either,' Chavez said, eliciting a laugh of his own."

"Of course, Chavez couldn't resist a reference to Jeter's famous 'Flip Play' in Game 3 of the 2001 division series and the spring training assertion (later amended) by Boston manager Bobby Valentine that the Yankees couldn't have actually practiced that play."

Look, I love this kind of stuff, you don't always get the real side of these players and I love the lightheartedness every once in a while. It makes you realize that this may be a job, but the players need to keep it light.  Baseball is also a game and I loved what Caldera captured that in this piece. 

I also appreciate Chavez so much. Sure, I break chops and call him Mr. Fragile, but the reality is, Chavez is useful, and when healthy, dependable.  I love that the Yankees wanted him back and I love that he wanted to come back.  The Yankees are family...and Chavez clearly feels that way.

Kudos to Pete Caldera for a get piece about the baseball's personal side.  Love it.

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.