HAPP, FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE

Photo: New York Post

Guess what. JA Happ now has Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease.  What is this, the 1920s?

MLB.com reports:

"Newly-acquired left-hander J.A. Happ was sent home by the Yankees on Tuesday due to contracting hand, foot and mouth disease, according to the New York Post. The ailment could result in the lefty starter not making his scheduled start against the Red Sox on Saturday at Fenway Park."

Insanity, right? By the way, for all you guys who had it all figured out and told me that Happ's great against Boston? If he misses that start, there's only 2 other possible starts against Boston he will make.  See? You don't think about crazy stuff like Hand, Foot and Mouth disease.  Anyway...

Now for those of you that Google stupid videos, and pictures of kittens, don't be shy, good what the disease is.  Never mind, Dr. Casey at BYB will do it for you, just so you're educated.

"A common children's virus causing sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet... The condition is spread by direct contact with saliva or mucus. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, feeling unwell, irritability, and loss of appetite. The virus usually clears up on its own within 10 days. Pain medications help relieve symptoms."

And apparently there's an uptick in the disease and that has doctors alarmed.  Interesting.  Well, here's the good news... Happ will recover.

Carry on

THE PIRATES SNAG ARCHER

I didn't see that one coming, but there you have it.

Photo: Getty Images

Chris Archer is a Pittsburgh Pirate.

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The Pirates have officially struck a trade to acquire starter Chris Archer from the Rays, as Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported (via Twitter). Talented young players Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow will both go to Tampa Bay, as Jim Bowden of The Athletic tweeted.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

There’s also a third player in the deal, as first noted by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). The identity is still not known..."

Soon enough that player will be revealed.

Nice move by the Pirates and I just have to laugh because of all the baseball insiders that revealed that the Yankees were the leader in those sweepstakes. Truth is no one truly knows until it happens... and it happened... and it was the Pirates!

Love it.

DARVISH'S AGENT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT "CLASSLESS" IS

Photo: Chicago Tribune

Alex Rodriguez is a baseball analyst now and part of his job is give his opinion and analyze stuff. That's pretty easy. Truth be told, he does pretty good at it.

Well, he made a comment about Yu Darvish that literally no one blinked about... except for Yu Darvish's agent, who clearly doesn't like Alex, because last time I checked, an offensive, racist gesture by Yuli Gurriel was much worse... and agent Joel Wolfe was no where to be found when that happened.

Anyway, it's like this... USA Today has the story:

"Sports agent Joel Wolfe, who represents Chicago Cubs injured pitcher Yu Darvish, fired back at ESPN broadcaster Alex Rodriguez on Monday for suggesting his client was a negative influence on the team's clubhouse.

Rodriguez accused the pitcher of being a distraction while he was shown rehabbing in the dugout..."

Alex said... "When you have a guy that signs an enormous contract and he's sitting down, and you walk in the training room, and he's got two trainers working on him, you go into the video room and you have a guy looking at video ... he should be in Arizona somewhere getting treated. But don't get in the way of 25 players going after one mission: to win a ball game."

Darvish's agent said of Rodriguez: "I think it was classless and bordered on unprofessional."

Now...rewind. Remember this? October 2017. The LA Times will set it up:

"After hitting a home run off the Dodgers' Yu Darvish, Gurriel put his fingers to the sides of his face, lifted the corners of his eyes and mouthed the word 'chinito,' Spanish for 'Chinese boy.' Darvish, who was born in Japan, is of Japanese and Iranian descent."

Where was Joel Wolfe then? Not a single comment. We were outraged. We wrote about it. In fact, it was Darvish himself that came out and told the world he wasn't offended, but God forbid ARod says something he is paid to do... this Wolfe guy goes nutty.

I find it stupid.  If Darvish was smart, he'd get another agent, this guy doesn't know what "classless" really is...

ADAM WARREN GONZO

Adam Warren never felt like a permanent Yankee.  Even when he game back after leaving the first time, you just had a hunch that it wouldn't take long and he'd be shipped out again... and he was.  Mainly to make room, but reality will tell you that the Yankees just didn't want him around. An upgrade needed to happen. Whatever... he's gone now.

The AP writes:

Photo: Getty Images

"Yankees have traded right-hander Adam Warren to the Seattle Mariners for $1.25 million in international signing bonus pool allotment. 

The 30-year-old Warren, often used as a long reliever, was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 24 appearances this season, interrupted by a stint on the disabled list from April 21 through June 3 caused by a strained back. He has a $3,315,000 salary and is eligible for free agency after the World Series."

Photo: Getty Images

There you have it. Hey, who knows.  Maybe one day he comes back. For now, the Yankees really needed an upgrade on pitching and that's why moves like Zach Britton, JA Happ and Lance Lynn happened.  I'd even suggest they were better moves than last year's Jaime Garcia and Sonny Gray.

It's good folks, even though we all liked Warren... it's good.

Now we play ball.

YANKEES LAND LYNN

It came as a surprise to me, but I am glad they got some pitching in the process. That being said, the Yankees traded away yet another one of my guys, Tyler Austin in the process.

That's right, days ago I commented on how I didn't want to lose a guy like Billy McKinney, although would accept it and move on, and today, another one of my guys, Wonderboy, Mr. Tyler Austin,  is now being shipped to Minnesota.

MLB.com has the story:

"The Yankees have acquired right-hander Lance Lynn from the Twins for infielder/outfielder Tyler Austin and Class A right-hander Luis Rijo, a source tells MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. 

A free agent at the end of the season, Lynn is 7-8 with a 5.10 ERA in 20 starts..."

While his numbers aren't too great, the truth is maybe Lynn will have better run support in the Bronx.
But that's it. Another move by the Yankees to bolster a stronger, more competitive starting rotation.

And now, we are on our way.

Let me say for the record that it was a pleasure to watch Tyler Austin play in the Bronx.  He was exceptional and his journey was long and hard.  But that being said, that's what makes ballplayers, ballplayers and I will keep rooting for Tyler real hard.  Loved watching him play in New York and I will continue to watch him in Minnesota.  You hear that Kim?

TRADE CHATTER SURROUNDING ARCHER

Photo: Getty Images

I don't think the Yankees are really and truly even a consideration, but I always liked Chris Archer and would love to see him in the Bronx.  That being said, we have Britton... we have Happ, and maybe we don't need another starter. I kid, I kid... I think we do. I think having another will help us catch the Sox.  It's literally all we're missing.

Photo: Getty Images

Ken Rosenthal is usually pretty close with his "baseball insider" stuff.  So I'm going with his tweet first, followed by a few others:

#Yankees, #Dodgers and #Padres among teams trying for #Rays’ Chris Archer, sources tell me and @JimBowdenGM.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2018

Told @Rays are taking lots of calls on Archer, but no one near threshold yet. #Padres interested, but without the urgency of a playoff position pushing them will they go the extra yard now or revisit in offseason?

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 28, 2018

The Yankees are now the favorite to land Chris Archer? pic.twitter.com/Ed7RD9gvSn

— Mike Nash (@MikeNash15) July 30, 2018

We will have to see... but the deadline's coming.

Gotta love the rumor season.

HAPP IS THE MAN IN YANKEES DEBUT!

Photo: NJ.com

I hope Happ is like that every outing, because yesterday he was outstanding!  Mandy Bell at MLB.com has this nugget:

"On Saturday, before he even stepped on the field for the first time as a Yankee, J.A. Happ said that putting on the pinstripes already felt right. Then, on Sunday, the left-hander proved just how good he felt after a solid debut in the Bronx for his new club. 

Happ tossed six sparkling innings, permitting just one run on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts in the Yankees' 6-3 victory in the series finale against the Royals. The victory was Happ's first win since June 25 after he recorded three losses and a no-decision in his last four starts for Toronto."

How much excitement is it for someone like Happ and for us Yankee fans.  Let's hope Happ keeps going. Let's hope the Yanks keep going!

Happy Monday

TALKING US ALL OFF THE LEDGE

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America

How many games do the Yankees and everyone else in Major League Baseball play each year?  Right, 162 games. That's a lot of games and a lot of baseball to win and lose.  Lately, it feels like we are dropping games left and right but in reality, there is still a lot of baseball and historically, for the Yankees, it has been a lot worse.  This is a feel good, talk us all off the ledge piece...buckle up for a late July pep talk.

 Forty years ago this month the Yankees were ten games behind the league leading Boston Red Sox.  Actually, prior to that, earlier in July we were even further back. And forty years ago this October 2nd, we beat the Sox and went on to win the World Series. I was nine.

Source: MLB.com

"On a crisp October afternoon in 1978, the Yankees faced the Red Sox in a winner-take-all tiebreaker game to decide the American League East. The game was played after the Yankees had come back from a 14-game July deficit to tie Boston in the standings," reported MLB.com.  We all know how that story ended. "Deep to left...."

Source: Michael Maher Photography 

"I didn't realize it when that ball went out of here, but that home run changed my life," (Bucky) Dent said. "Sports is all about moments," he said. "That was a big moment in sports history. Because it was a winner-take-all game between the Yankees and Red Sox, it meant so much to both cities," reported MLB.com.  This season ignited the fire back into the rivalry and there is a lot more drama yet to come.

Source: autographsignings.blogspot.com

Ron Guidry was on that team in 1978.  Many have compared him to Luis Severino, with his impressive numbers and of course his persistence and spark.  Sevi may have lost his step a bit over the last few starts, but he's still in it.  He will bounce back.  Guidry had his monumental 18-strike-out game in 1978, maybe Sevi is not far behind.

Source: NJ.com

It is not just about the Red Sox; it is about winning these other series with teams who are not in contention, like the Tampa Bay Rays (lost that series), Baltimore Orioles (41.5 out of first place) and most recently, the Kansas City Royals who are about 40 games under .500.  We need these games because we can't just put all of the pressure on Sevi, and newest Yankees Zach Britton and J.A. Happ, who have traditionally pitched well against the Sox and probably one of the reasons Brian Cashman picked them up.

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

With Aaron Judge out for at least a month, Gary Sanchez out until probably mid-September, and about sixty games or so left to go, we need to stay focused and remember that we can win again, game by game, city after city, pitch by pitch and run after run.  We can chip back, but it is going to take everyone to step up and contribute.  After all, a winning culture is not the job of one person in an organization, it is job of everyone.  Bucky may have contributed the last piece of the puzzle in October 1978, but the journey started long before that...we can do this, it's in our DNA.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

JUDGE'S INJURY HURTS PRODUCTION NO MATTER WHO'S PITCHING

I know it's scary when a top guy on our team gets nicked... but Judge is gonna be OK and that's what's really important.

An blow to this lineup like this is a blow to this team when they play the important team's like Boston. Today it's Judge, tomorrow, you better hope it's not another major bat.

Aaron Judge got hit and hurt and the world went silent for a bit.  USA Today writes:

"Judge was hit by a pitch by Jakub Junis in the first inning of the win against the Royals, though he stayed in the game for several more innings. He scored the first run of the game and took a second at-bat in the third inning, reaching base on an infield single when shortstop Adalberto Mondesi botched a routine play.... Aaron Boone said Judge still wanted to remain in the game but the staff made the decision for him when his swing looked weak on the ground ball to Mondesi. However, Boone maintains that the second at-bat did not further aggravate the wrist. "

Whatever the case, Judge got checked out and now Judge is out for the next 3 weeks...maybe more.

There is a candle light vigil for Aaron Judge going on right now. I love everyone here pic.twitter.com/Soo5GgJAm9

— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) July 27, 2018

No doubt it's a blow to the Yankees starting lineup and productivity. But, we as Yankee fans with a great Yankee team we will try to get through it.

I do find it interesting though. In a sidetrack to what folks were telling me yesterday about how Happ is so excellent against Boston, that's great.

But what if our guys aren't healthy? Judge is a perfect example of that.  Plus, factor in how many times Happ will actually face Boston this year.  maybe twice... maybe 3 times. Maybe.

Photo: Getty Images

And then, even if he's stellar against them... it comes back to this injury... again... WHAT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE  BATS TO HELP HIM? What if we're 10 games back by the time we face them in Fenway on August 2nd? It's a hypothetical, but think about it. Then... all this chatter about Happ being good against Boston means absolutely nothing. I hope it never gets to that point, but that's what I was trying to explain to the strange folks on Facebook last night (BEING A FAN IN THE WORLD OF DUNCE) who only see things in Black and White. There's a world of the unknown out there... it's not as easy as "Every Yankee will be healthy and J.A. Happ is the greatest pitcher to beat Boston since Cy Young." Doesn't work that way.

Photo: AP

Injuries like this suck.  It sucks for the player very much. Luckily Judge will be OK... but it takes a dude like him out of the lineup which can sometimes be tragic for a team. And then, the percentage of victory against a hot team like Boston goes down.  That is what I was trying to explain to folks yesterday BEFORE Judge's injury.  And now he's injured... see where this is going?

I'm a huge Yankee fan, but I'm a realist.  Stats mean nothing when you factor in these types of freak accidents. Believe it.

We'll have to see what happens next.

In the meantime... light a candle...

The next 3 weeks are going to be interesting without a big bat like Judge's in the lineup. In fact, it could be a game changer.

Stay tuned.

BEING A FAN IN THE WORLD OF DUNCE

Being a fan is liking a player for the ability he has.  It's for the courage he displays. Hell, some people are fans because they think a player is good looking, or think they're nice.  It really doesn't matter how a person defines why they like a player. What matters to that fan is that they like the player. And sometimes that's all one needs to know.  

You may not like that player. Nothing wrong with that. But what is wrong is when you tell another person that are wrong for being a fan of a player. In fact, it's not even wrong, it's idiotic.

I like Billy McKinney. I am a fan. I think the dude has tremendous potential and he plays his heart out. I do NOT care that McKinney is now being called a 4th outfielder because we have J.A. Happ.  That's because anyone who is actually in tune with how the media works knows, that the Yankees will spin it that way so it appears on it's surface that trading McKinney away was "no big deal".

And you know what? Maybe it's not a big deal. Maybe he will pitter out.... or maybe he'll be a superstar in Toronto. Who knows. I do know this... I'll still root for McKinney in Toronto, just like I root for Dustin Fowler in Oakland and Rob Refsnyder in Tampa Bay. Because guess what? I'm a fan of those guys too.

It's not a matter of "Where they gonna put him???" As some dunce fans asked me when I said I wanted McKinney to stay. I'll tell you why... BECAUSE I'M A FAN.  I wanted him to stay because I had this hope that he'd get some extra time with us. Because I like him as a player.  Shame on me, right?

This is my Wall of Dunce.  There are a lot like them on Social Media, but this one is mine.  Please read it if you are a reader of BYB every day.  Please let me know if I'm missing something.  Because last time I checked, I never said I was disappointed in J.A. Happ, I was just concerned about how he would adapt in the Bronx.  I also suggested that I'm a fan of Billy McKinney.

Not that I thought he'd roam the outfield in the Bronx tomorrow, but when you're a fan... there's always a part of you that hopes that one day they will just break out.  Just like Tyler Austin before him... it's how I was made. I root for the underdog and look for the positives.  This however is not positive. This is stupid... all of it.  This is what our society has become. Enjoy this...

These are my favorite... there are about 150. All of them... GOLD. All of them on Facebook, unless they all started scrambling and removing them. Too late, the good ones are here, with their names, with their avatars.  Have fun, kiddos, I just made you famous.

Bottom line, I still walk away from this being a fan of Billy McKinney... and I still like Happ.  My worry... that he'll fall under the pressure of the Bronx. I definitely will root for him... but it's a worry of mine and that's that.

Play ball.

Welcome to the Bronx, Happ…

I'm your biggest fan Billy McKinney!

And... life goes on.