THE YANKEES WIN BUT AT WHAT COST?

Source: USA Today

What a marathon of a game in London, the first of two for the Yankees and the Red Sox.  By now you know that the Yankees took Game 1, 17-13, albeit in almost five hours.  It was a long game, that carried a high price tag for the Yankees.

Source: AP

"I have no excuse for that.  I just wasn't efficient and I was not able to do my job," Masahiro Tanaka said in the post game interview.  He didn't have an explanation for his poor pitching except to say that it was on him for this performance.  He did not blame the venue in what has been his shortest start of his career.  A lot of good hitters took advantage of the poor pitching on both sides as Rick Porcello also left after in the first inning after giving up six.  Because Chad Green stepped in after Tanaka, he is not available for today's game, another costly outcome of yesterday's game on this series.

Source: NY Post

The YES Network discussed that CC Sabathia and J.A. Happ both have extra days rest, but they believe the Yankees will go with another opener, perhaps a Luis Cessa and Chance Adams combo instead of leveraging their veteran starters.

Also costing the Yankees in this London Series is the possibility that Luke Voit will likely spend some time on the injured list following his stint in stretching his single into a double.  Not sure if this is a core injury or a hamstring, but the Yankee first baseman left the game wincing in pain after going 4-4.

Source: NY Post

"The injury comes just hours after the Yankees revealed Luis Severino had been shut down after experiencing soreness while rehabbing his right lat," reported the NY Post.

Voit will be checked out by the team's doctors again today; he says the pain is coming from the left side in his core or quad.  He appeared to be a good spirits in his post game interview with reporters.  Hopefully a few days rest will help the Yankees star first baseman heal without going on the IL.

Game 2 is at 10:00 a.m. on ESPN.  Let's have a quick sweep and head home.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE LONGEST DAY IN LONDON TOWN

Source: AP Photo/Tim Ireland

The United Kingdom and the United States assembled in an unlikely venue on Saturday evening as the Yankees battled the Boston Red Sox in London Stadium.  Twelve players crossed home plate in the first full inning of play, an inning which lasted just under one hour and ended in a 6-6 tie.

With the field assembled for baseball, supplies from the United States and Canada were brought in to transform the stadium to be baseball-ready.  This London Series is the real deal, with two division rivals and arguably the most celebrated rivalry in all of sports kicking off a multi-year series with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs slated to play next June. 

Source: AP Photo/Tim Ireland

"The eyeballs that are on this over here, with the best rivalry in our sport, hopefully that’s something that can contribute [to the growth of baseball],” said the Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, embracing, like all his colleagues, the role of settler in new sporting lands. “A lot of the families are here, and yesterday a lot of our guys got to go out and experience things. But it is a business trip. We’re playing the Sox and that does tend to get your motor running hot,” reported the Guardian. 

Watching from my living room, the outfield seems to go on forever as both teams just creamed the ball, runners raced around the base paths and outfielders raced to just launch the ricocheting ball back into the infield.  A field meant for soccer had both teams crossed up for sure, but only one team will be left standing, following several hours of game play, seemingly the longest day of the year for both teams.

We will have other reactions and more insight in a follow-up piece tomorrow morning right before first pitch at 10:00 a.m. EST. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE YANKEES TOUCH DOWN IN LONDON TOWN

Source: MLB

Before we get into the upcoming London Series against the Red Sox, let’s talk about the Stanton of it all. Just as we got our power squad back, Giancarlo Stanton strained his knee on Wednesday leaving him out until August according to Brian Cashman per ESPN. Stanton has only played nine games this season, and is out again just before not only the London Series, but the Subway Series as well.

You would think with the amount you see the Yankee logo across the globe as a fashion statement, that Londoners among other Europeans, would be more excited about the series this weekend. Especially that it is one of the biggest rivalries in baseball.

“It’s a shame really,’’ says Chris Edwards, 54, a London attorney, wearing a Red Sox cap. “It should be great for London, but baseball is just not well-known here. People don’t understand it. Traditionally, the perception is that baseball is a slow game, but ironically, so is cricket, and you see how popular it is here," reported USA Today.

Source: Newsday

The series will take place at London Stadium, built for the 2012 Olympics. 130,000 people will attend the games this weekend, with 70% of the tickets being sold in the United Kingdom, and 10% being sold in the United States. 

While this contradicts the statement above, it is very possible that those UK tickets were sold to Americans who live in Europe. But, it would be cool if Europeans were actually interested in seeing our team play. 

Source: Newsday

To help Europeans become educated on the game, the scoreboard will read Runs, Hits, and Errors rather than, R-H-E. There also will be volunteers to help teach fans sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

It’s not impossible to learn how baseball works, especially for foreigners. My step-dad is from Ireland, and while at first he really did not like or understand baseball (even turning down the chance to go to Derek Jeter’s last game), but now you can catch him watching the Yankee game most nights. 

I can't wait to watch this series this weekend. I hope the Londoners root for the Yankees.

--Missy O'Rourke

BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke

YANKEES ARE "COOLING" ON BUMGARNER

The clock is ticking down and Madison Bumgarner's days as a San Francisco Giant. We've been watching and speculating about where he may go for months now. The Yankees have always been tied to Bumgarner, but so have other top teams. We are just over one month away from the trade deadline so talks should be heating up, right?

It is rumored that the both the Yankees and the Twins have not been engaged in serious negotiations lately with the Giants. Shouldn't the teams with the best records in the American League be working hard to get a deal done with the Giants? According to reports, neither team is.

And even Jon Heyman says the Yankees interest in Bumgarner is "so-so" at this point, read more HERE. The Yankees are concerned with what they would be getting with Bumgarner, and understandably so. On Tuesday, Bumgarner looked like an ace against the Rockies only allowing 2 runs on three hits with 11 impressive strikeouts in 6 innings, but last week against the Dodgers was another story. That night he was schooled by the Dodgers where he only lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowed 10 hits and six earned runs. It's a tale of an inconsistent pitcher.

Tuesday's performance was special, but his stats this season are far from extraordinary. Bumgarner's 4-7 record, and 4.21 ERA makes him look ordinary, not an ace or reliable pitcher from years past. The Yankees are also rumored to be "split" based on advanced analytics that don't match up well in hitter friendly Yankee stadium read more HERE.

The Yankees are no doubt intrigued by Bumgarner's proven track record in the postseason. He's arguably one of the best MLB postseason pitchers of all time. In 16 career playoff appearances he has an 8-3 record with a 2.11 ERA. He's a three-time World Series Champion....any team would like that.

But that's the look of a vintage Bumgarner. Obviously the Yankees and the Twins have some concerns here. He has a month to prove to his new team would be buying a consistent top of the order pitcher, not a regressing rental. Until he does....it's no wonder why teams will continue to question his real value.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't questioning it too.

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

LE MACHINE MAKES IT 28

Source: ESPN

The unlikeliest guys in what has turned out to be the incredibly impossible first half of the season have set the new record of the most consecutive days with a long ball.  And the utility infielder who no one really knew existed pushed the Yankees over the finish line.

"HISTORY! DJ LeMahieu's solo shot gives the Yankees a home run in an MLB-record 28 consecutive games. #YANKSonYES," tweeted the YES Network shortly after LeMahieu's launch to left field.  LeMahieu has contributed 7 of those 28 home runs, second to only Gary Sanchez.

Source: AP

"General manager Brian Cashman signed LeMahieu to a two-year, $24 million contract before the season, and saw him as a part-time player who could fill in when needed, since he’s a three-time Gold Glove winner. But now, the LeMahieu signing looks like Cashman’s best move of the year," reported NJ.com. 

What many fans don't know about this signing is that LeMathieu had an opportunity to play everyday for a variety of teams, including division rivals Tampa Bay Rays.

"Cashman called LeMahieu’s agent, Joel Wolfe, while both were abroad over Christmas — Wolfe was in Amsterdam, Cashman in Montreal. Cashman made a new offer and detailed how the Yankees would use LeMahieu at different positions. Wolfe told Cashman the Rays and other clubs were willing to pay LeMahieu a similar amount to be their everyday second baseman but that LeMahieu wanted to challenge himself and become a Yankee," reported NJ.com. 

Source: NY Post

Teammate Gary Sanchez has nicknamed LeMathieu "The Machine" bestowed upon him for his consistent hitting, particularly with runners in scoring position as he bats .478 with runners in scoring position. "Just another day at the ballpark," Aaron Hicks said. "The guy gets hits. That's what he does. He's not called 'The Machine' for nothing," reported MLB.com. 

There is nothing not to like about DJ Lemathieu.  His contributions to this Yankee team are invaluable.  This hidden gem from the Rockies is shining in the Bronx.  You never know what you can do unless you take risks and we are all fortunate Lemathieu was willing to challenge himself to become a Yankee.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @Suzieprof 

STROMAN WANTS TO BE A YANKEE

ESPN has this nugget and I had to share it. It has to do with Marcus Stroman and all the chatter about him possibly being traded to the Yankees.  In short, he wants to be in the Bronx and he thinks he'd be just fine.

"Asked Monday at Yankee Stadium about trade speculation connecting him and New York, Stroman stopped short of saying he was hopeful for a deal but insisted he could handle the city's notoriously tough stage. 

'I love it, New York's like the Mecca of the world,' Stroman said. 'I love excitement. I love bright lights. I love competition. I love pressure. I've always loved pitching here, even though I haven't always pitched fairly well here, I've always enjoyed it. Yankee lineups are brutal. They're hard to kind of navigate. But yeah, I love the spotlight. The bigger the moment, that's where I've always wanted to be,' he said."

Don't try and make it seem like he's not interested ESPN, trust me, he wants to be in New York.

The question is, will the Yankees snag him?

Stay tuned.

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE "CHASING DONNIE BASEBALL" GUY

Well, it's here. With the Yankees consistently winning and every night breaking the consecutive home run record I have decided to step away from that world for a moment and talk about that card collecting dude on YouTube. We got the interview!

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you need to first check out:
I LOVE THIS DUDE'S BASEBALL CARD YOUTUBE CHANNEL! 

After that we snagged an interview and here we are. Love this one very much, I think you will too.  Here he is, a very opened conversation with my man Mikey from the YouTube channel, Chasing Donnie Baseball.

BYB: When did you start collecting baseball cards?

Mikey: My earliest memory goes back to 1977. I had an older brother who collected all the 1977 Yankees cards: Thurman Munson, Chris Chambliss, Graig Nettles, Bucky Dent, Rob Guidry, Don Gullett, Ken Clay, etc - he has them all and so did I. 

I can still see those cards as clear as day in my mind. I was only 6 years old.

2. Obviously this is passion of yours. I collect too, but my collection is unique to me. I don't go looking for perfect cards, but rather cards for my own collection. What are some of the more interesting cards you have in your collection?

Mikey: I collect too, but my collection is unique to me. I don't go looking for perfect cards, but rather cards for my own collection. What are some of the more interesting cards you have in your collection? I really love this question because, as you said, many of my favorite and most interesting cards have zero monetary value to me no matter what Beckett's has it listed at. Well, for starters, I am obviously a Don Mattingly card and since I have over 1,500 of his cards I will leave them out of this answer. 

From my older collection cards like my 1956 Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron are both in terrible condition but I don't care. I love pulling them out often and just looking at them. Especially the Robinson card because he is a historical figure. The late 1970s and early to mid-1980's are the bulk of my collection. So my Topps Ron Guidry rookie from 1977 is a prized possession. I love my two 1979 Topps Danny Ainge "error" cards (see pic). Again very little value but they were so cool to own back then. 

I was a huge Dale Murphy and love his 1977 Topps Rookie Card. Whenever I see a Gorman Thomas or Cecil Cooper card from early 80' with the Brewers I have to buy them. Sometimes at a flea market when I asked "how much" the person usually just says, "you can have them for free". Lol. I don't know why, but those two cards just remind me of my childhood years of card collecting. My 1981 Topps Rookie card of Fernando Venezuela is another one that brings back great memories. It was the card EVERYONE wanted in 1981. Fernando-Mania was everywhere. Now they are worth maybe 25-cents but I always buy it when I see it.

3. This idea is brilliant and I love this idea of breaking open packs on YouTube. Why did you come up with this idea?

Mikey: I cannot take any of the credit for the idea. About 8 months ago I happen to click on a video on YouTube from a channel called "Jabs Family". 5 minutes into the video I was hooked. Here was this guy, all you see is his hands and the cards, and you hear him just talking about the cards he was opening on camera. It was a live stream so people were interacting, He was so great. Really easy to listen to and was very interactive. It was fascinating to me and seemed like so much fun. So after that night, I started to do some research on how I could start my own channel and 8 months later, "Chasing Donnie Baseball" was born. There are now many others on YouTube doing the same thing but each with their own spin. But the biggest difference we all bring to our channels is one thing: Ourselves. People will either like to hear you talk as you open packs or they won't. I'm hoping people enjoy listening to me an I share my own memories of card collecting as I open packs. I have a lot to learn but in the meantime, I am having a blast! 

4. Obviously your favorite player is Don Mattingly. With Donnie as your first top player, give me your top 9 after Mattingly.

Mikey: #9 Cody Bellinger
#8 Christian Yelich 
#7 Curtis Granderson 
#6 Freddie Freeman 
#5 Bernie Williams 
#4 Rickey Henderson 

#3 Jim Abbott 
#2 Dale Murphy

5. You mentioned in one of your videos that you had Muscular Dystrophy. Why do you want people to know this about you?

Mikey: Wait! I do?! LOL, kidding :) 

So when you watch my videos after a few minutes you will quickly realize there is something off with the way my hands move; the way I grab the box and cards; very little hand strength. Plus I am much slower than the guys on the other channel and it's not by choice. So I just wanted to be real with my viewers. Look, I never have been one to shy away from my disability. When people meet me they are usually very comfortable asking about my disability because they can see I am very comfortable discussing it. So why not be that open and honest with the viewers on my channel? I tell them I'm not letting them know as some excuse, but to just make them aware as to why I may be struggling or going a bit slower than most. The other reason s I hope maybe someone will see one of my videos and hear me mention my disability and just maybe it motivates him or her. Perhaps someone is feeling sorry for themselves and sees my video and it inspires them to get going, move forward. If you are motivated and enjoy doing something, NOTHING should ever prevent you from pursuing it. 

6. What's the one thing you want people to take away from these card videos?

Mikey: Card collecting should always be about having fun. I am NOT doing this for monetary gain (their isn't any, lol!) - I am doing this because collecting cards brings me joy. Plain and simple Sure I mention the prices of cards and we are always looking for the big "hits, however, in the end, my viewers and I have to be having fun. The day it stops being fun I will turn the lights off on the channel.

7. Side track. Big Yankee fan? What do you think about the Yankees this season?

Mikey: Love the question cause I'm always ready to talk Yankees baseball. The obvious equation for them to hold onto this high level of play is to get their studs back, it's that plain and simple. However. what these young men have done filling the shoes of Judge, Stant, Didi, etc is beyond remarkable. I don't know if it happens like magic when you put on a Yankees uniform but this crops of players EXPECT to win, not just compete and I love that! But, I think unless we get 90%-100% healthy this ride with this group of incredible players may end come October baseball. Just my opinion.

8. Final question, do you ever read BYB? Did you ever hear about us before we did that surprise post for you?

Mikey: I have read BYB for years, and I'm not just saying that because you did a write up on Chasing Donnie Baseball or because you are interviewing me now. In fact, if you watch the quick video I made on my channel after I discovered your article you will hear me explain how surprised, humbled and honored I was to get recognized by such a reputable site. I absolutely love what you stand for, like a family. 




That is exactly what I am hoping attracts subscribers to Chasing Donnie Baseball. BYB is absolutely my go-to site for Yankees news and analysis. want to personally thank you, Robert Casey, for giving Chasing Donnie Baseball such a large platform to share who I am and what we are all about. Maybe we can flip a few piles of some old 1982 Topps I have laying around?

I had a lot of fun with Mikey and this interview.  You can always see Chasing Donnie Baseball on YouTube, here's Mikey's page. Subscribe. It's a really clever concept and I personally love and endorse it.  CHASING DONNIE BASEBALL.

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did.  Happy Tuesday... stay dry if you're living in the Tri-State.  Hey... go look through your old baseball cards. Maybe you'll find a few gems!

WHAT TO DO WITH J.A. CRHAPP!

I just can't watch him anymore. A great start to Old-Timers' Day and a memorable in-the-park home run for Mariano Rivera all ruined thanks to J.A. Happ aka J.A. CrHapp as I like to call him. He's unwatchable for me now. The Yankees were duped. The guy we saw last year and were mesmerized by is nowhere to be found! I wish I knew why.

Better yet....I wish HE knew why he sucks but he doesn't, read more HERE. Happ has had a bunch of disappointing starts this season despite his winning 7-4 record. Don't let the record fool you because the stats are the more accurate measure of what he has done this season....and so was yesterday's game. What has he done? Disappoint.

The Yankees already needed another starter. We've all heard how it is on Brian Cashman's shopping list but yesterday's game is a reminder that this is a NEED not just a nice luxury to have. Happ is a liability every time he takes the mound. He surrendered eight runs on three homers against the Astros, including a grand slam off the bat of Tyler White. That appearance tied his career worst, and bloated his season numbers to a 5.23 ERA. Yuck!

So Happ "doesn't know" what his problem is but he "thinks he's been a little inconsistent."
Gee....that took rocket science to figure out, right? It also doesn't take much effort to find that in only three of his 16 starts he has avoided giving up the long ball, and on six instances he surrendered multiple homers in a game. I can't help but wonder if the Yankees had a different pitcher out there today if we would have accomplished a four-game sweep. It would've been nice to return the favor since they swept us in April. I know four game sweeps aren't easy, BUT it may have been easier without Happ in the equation.

The Yankees have such a potent offense, and it's easy to get excited about the lineup everyday. I wish I had that same feeling about the rotation at this point. I know changes are coming....they HAVE to be. Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner know that is a weakness on this team. The Yankees cannot continue to use CrHapp every five days and just hope he figures it out at this point. Le him figure it out and then prove that he's fixed it.

Happ is a veteran, he has the experience to fix this. Right now he sounds defeated and until he gets his confidence back, we shouldn't be relying on him. A move has to be coming, right?
I don't want to feel HOPELESS about CrHAPP right now....but I do.

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

THAT'S 25 GAMES IN A ROW

Source: Twitter

In a rare night game in Yankee Stadium on Saturday, the Yankees tied a 78-year-old record.  The Bombers have hit a home run in 25 straight games and the feeling among fans and the team is just electric.

"The Yankees' current home run streak is the second longest in Yankees history, trailing only a 25-gamer in 1941. That '41 team went on to win the World Series and included six Hall of Famers, by the way: Phil Rizzuto, Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey, Joe Gordon, Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing," reported CBS.com.

The 2002 Texas Rangers hit a home run in 27 straight games and the Yankees could very well surpass that record, giving them just another reason to get excited about being, well the Yankees!

Source: Newsday

The team has spread the wealth of home runs across the line up, with guys like Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez and Cameron Maybin feeding the streak.  It was Gio Urshela who gave the Yankees the 25th home run of the streak and his excitement was felt across the Stadium.

Although they were not dingers, also exciting the line up has been Giancarlo Stanton, who's clutch hits in the 6th and 7th gave the Yankees the runs they needed to best Houston in the series, taking the first three out of four games against the Astros.

Source: NY Times

With Old Timer's Day today and Yankee Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera back in pinstripes for his first appearance in the Yankee tradition, the Yankees have so much to celebrate these days: A fully stacked line up, tremendous options in the field and yes, a franchise record tie for the most consecutive home runs.

Let's keep the momentum going.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

I LOVE THE YANKEE WIN... NOT THRILLED WITH PAXTON

I love that the Yankees beat the Houston Astros last night. I'm not thrilled with how James Paxton pitched though.  This guy is just a regular dude. He's not Superman like it was advertised when the Yankees picked him up. Not a big fan.

Sure, last night he kept the Yankees in the game, but the way he sounds in the post game reminds me of a guy that's still trying to figure it out... or... someone that just doesn't trust his stuff, like a Sonny Gray or something.

Here's what he had to say last night:

'[My] breaking ball, I just didn’t get it in spots I needed to some at-bats, which cost me some hits and some pitches, which didn’t allow me to go as deep in the game as I wanted to...'

That came from NorthJersey.com.

But look, he can improve and with the Yankees winning, I think he will as the season goes on. But I'm not giving this guy the ball in Game 1 of any playoff any time soon. He's just not there yet. He's only 30. He has time.

In the meantime, the pen shut down the Astros and there were some stars. Gleyber Torres being one of them for sure. Sanchez was the other.

More from NorthJersey.com:

"When Gary Sanchez launched a 481-foot, two-run blast off Houston starter Brad Peacock (6-5) in Friday’s third inning, that meant No. 24 had brought the current team’s home-run tear to 24 games. Gleyber Torres, No. 25, also chipped in a two-run shot in the seventh, extending a streak within the streak. 

Sanchez and Torres both went deep for the third game in a row, a feat that had the typically-reserved Gleyber feeling glib. 'He got a homer, I just try to follow – no, I’m just kidding,” Torres said with a smile.'"

I love the determination from this team. I love the looseness.  This is a good look for the Yankees.

Another win... way to go.