Monday, June 24, 2024

YANKEES ADD INFIELD STABILITY


The Yanks have been busy all year, with wins and ways to improve. I like it, I like it a lot. It's much better than last season.  Too bad Boone's still manager.  Anyway... here's some news. The Yankees have acquired JD Davis.

The Sporting News writes:

"The New York Yankees acquired infielder J.D. Davis and cash considerations in a trade with the Oakland Athletics, the team announced Sunday.

In exchange for Davis, the Yankees sent infielder Jordan Groshans, a 24-year-old with a .590 OPS in 50 games at the Double-A and Triple-A levels with the Yankees this season...

Davis was designated for assignment by the Athletics on June 17, but the Yankees clearly wanted to make a move to acquire the veteran.

A corner infielder, Davis appeared in 39 games with the Athletics this season. He has a .236 average with four home runs, five RBI, nine walks..."

Now this is hardly a major move, but this will at least provide some stability with the idea of Rizzo out and Ben Rice at first and DJ LeMahieu is hardly lighting it up, Cabrera around when needed and Jon Berti on the 60 day IL. Love the Yankee Depth Chart... it's awesome. So, what expect to see here is hopefully a new team and new energy from Davis and now the Yankees have more options. 

Nothing major but could prove to be a nice piece.  We shall see.




THE WORST YANKEE RUNNING PLAY EVER STILL RIDICULOUS ALL THESE YEARS LATER


In the annals of baseball history, certain moments stand out for their sheer improbability, and then there’s the August 2, 1985-debacle involving the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. This incident, which saw Bobby Meacham and Dale Berra both tagged out at home plate by the indomitable Carlton Fisk within seconds of each other, is often hailed (or rather, lamented) as one of the most spectacular running blunders in Yankees history.

It all began with Rickey Henderson at the plate, the Yankees’ formidable speedster. Henderson had already established himself as a prolific leadoff hitter and base-stealing legend. On this particular evening, however, his role in one of the Yankees' most calamitous plays would eclipse his usual on-field heroics. With Meacham on second and Berra on first, Henderson cracked a deep drive to center field. The ball looked poised to cause trouble for the White Sox outfielders and, indeed, it did.



As Henderson’s hit soared, Meacham and Berra took off like they had rockets in their cleats. Third base coach Gene Michael, affectionately known as “Stick” for his lanky build, saw an opportunity to get both runners home. What ensued was nothing short of a circus.

Meacham rounded third with Berra hot on his heels. At that moment, it became clear that the communication between runners and coach had gone disastrously awry. Michael, in a decision that would be questioned for decades to come, waved both runners home. As they neared the plate, Carlton Fisk, the White Sox catcher, stood like a fortress ready to thwart their attempts.

Outfielder Luis Salazar relayed the ball to shortstop Ozzie GuillĂ©n, who in turn fired it to Fisk. Meacham arrived first, sliding into home where Fisk applied the tag with clinical precision. Before the crowd's collective gasp could dissipate, Berra barreled towards the plate. Fisk, still firmly in possession of the ball, made a swift pivot and tagged Berra out too. Two Yankees out at home plate in the span of mere seconds – a sight so rare it left spectators and players alike rubbing their eyes in disbelief.


The reactions from the Yankees dugout ranged from stunned silence to exasperated facepalms. "I've never seen anything like it," said Yankees manager Billy Martin, shaking his head. "It was like watching a car crash in slow motion – you know it's going to be bad, but you just can't look away."

Don Mattingly, who had a front-row seat to the chaos, quipped, "I thought I was seeing double. It’s like a bad dream you just can’t wake up from."

This play, despite its comedic appearance, became a somber lesson in the importance of communication and timing in baseball. It also underscored the unpredictable nature of the sport – where even the most seasoned professionals can find themselves part of a moment destined for blooper reels and trivia questions for generations.

For the Yankees, it was a stark reminder that even with talent and speed, the game can humble you in the most unexpected ways. For fans, it remains a legendary tale, retold with equal parts amusement and disbelief.

As we look back, we can laugh, wince, and perhaps learn a little something about the intricacies of baseball – and life. The double-out debacle of August 2, 1985, is a poignant reminder that in the game of baseball, anything is possible, even the patently absurd.





--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor









ASSTROS PLAYERS COULD BE PERFECT FIT IN THE BRONX SAYS SHERMAN



All fans have strong opinions, Yankee fans especially. That is no exception for me. I have some very strong opinions that I make no apologies for. We all disagree about ideas from time to time, but I really disagree with Joel Sherman this week.

In case you missed it, check out his post on the New York Post HERE. His title is fine, but after that he loses me. I think the Yankees and Yankee fans should root for the ASSTROS to keep losing. They are our rivals after all, so yes please keep losing. However, Sherman thinks we should want them to keep losing so the ASSTROS may be forced to become sellers at the deadline.


If they do become sellers, Sherman thinks Ryan Pressly and Alex Bregman would be perfect Yankee additions. I wouldn't mind Pressly in pinstripes, but Bregman is an absolute NO for me. Sherman's take is "Bregman, a terrific defender and low-strikeout hitter, would ideally step in at third for the Yankees with DJ LeMahieu going to second, first or the bench depending on the health and performance of him, Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo." The Yankees could use some infield upgrades, he's not wrong there.... he's just wrong about his choice.

We've had a lot to say about Bregman over the years, especially me. I hate the guy and I don't use that word lightly. He's a cheater and he fit in well with Jim Crane's circus. I value integrity and I live it every day. Bregman has none and he has proven that to the world. He doesn't deserve to be a Yankee or wear the uniform. The Yankees have always had high expectations and Bregman just doesn't meet them.


All teams want the best players possible to help them win, but players who disgrace the game don't fit that category. The Yankees should not be motivated to trade for the guy that cheated and then eliminated them. That's just insanity in my book. Bregman doesn't respect the game, why would he respect the Yankee expectations and traditions? He's just not worthy of the uniform.

I don't even think the ASSTROS will be sellers at this point AND anyone who is interested in Bregman will have a hefty price tag to pay because the ASSTROS will ask for the moon. BUT I will continue to root for the Yankees to win, and hopefully the ASSTROS don't. That won't change. I'm just not going to root for the ASSTROS to continue to lose so I can potentially trade for a low life cheater. 

Bregman is bad news, and he doesn't deserve to wear our uniform. He doesn't even deserve to play. Sherman's got some crazy ideas, and he can keep them.



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







Sunday, June 23, 2024

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN BILLY MARTIN & REGGIE JACKSON THAT DAY?


The heated argument between Billy Martin, the manager of the New York Yankees, and Reggie Jackson, the star outfielder, on June 18, 1977, is one of the most infamous incidents in baseball history. This event occurred during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and was broadcasted nationally, making it highly publicized.

During the game, the Yankees were trailing the Red Sox. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jim Rice of the Red Sox hit a ball to right field where Reggie Jackson was playing. Jackson appeared to misjudge the ball and did not hustle after it, leading to a double for Rice. Billy Martin, known for his fiery temperament, was infuriated by what he perceived as a lack of effort and commitment from Jackson.

Martin immediately decided to pull Jackson from the game. The decision to remove a star player, especially someone of Jackson's stature, in the middle of an inning was highly unusual and dramatic. Jackson was replaced by Paul Blair. When Jackson reached the dugout, Martin confronted him. The argument quickly escalated, with Martin shouting at Jackson and Jackson responding angrily. At one point, Martin had to be physically restrained by coaches and teammates to prevent the altercation from turning physical.

Thurman Munson, who was the team captain at the time, did not publicly criticize either Martin or Jackson, but he emphasized the need for the team to stay focused and united in pursuit of their goals. His primary concern was maintaining team cohesion despite internal conflicts.

Graig Nettles was reportedly not surprised by the altercation, given the volatile personalities involved. He understood that both Martin and Jackson had strong egos and that clashes were inevitable. Nettles later commented that the incident was indicative of the high-pressure environment in which the Yankees were operating.

Mickey Rivers had a more lighthearted take on the situation. He acknowledged the intensity of the argument but also noted that such conflicts were part of the game. Rivers believed that the altercation did not fundamentally disrupt the team's dynamics and that the Yankees were capable of overcoming internal disputes.

Lou Piniella, who was close to both Martin and Jackson, provided insight into the personalities involved. He highlighted Martin's fiery demeanor and Jackson's confidence, noting that while the argument was serious, it stemmed from a desire to win and perform at the highest level. Piniella suggested that both individuals ultimately respected each other’s commitment to the team.

Elston Howard, a respected figure on the coaching staff, emphasized the importance of strong leadership in managing such conflicts and maintaining team morale.

George Steinbrenner publicly downplayed the significance of the argument, framing it as a moment of passion and a desire to win. Privately, he took steps to ensure that the team stayed focused and that such incidents did not escalate further.

Despite the public nature of their altercation, Martin and Jackson managed to coexist for the remainder of the season. The Yankees went on to win the World Series in 1977, with Jackson playing a pivotal role, famously hitting three home runs in Game 6.

While the two men had moments of mutual respect, their relationship was never truly harmonious. They had a professional working relationship, but underlying tensions persisted. Martin continued to be tough on Jackson, and Jackson continued to be outspoken about his role and contributions.

The argument was a manifestation of deeper issues between Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson. Their conflicting personalities and the high-pressure environment of the Yankees contributed to their rocky relationship. While they may not have hated each other in the deepest sense, their interactions were marked by frequent clashes and disagreements.





--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor








HANNAH JETER THROWS EARLY BIRTHDAY PARTY BASH FOR DEREK!


Just a sweet moment and something I didn't want to ignore.  Derek Jeter posted some pictures on his social media from his early surprise birthday bash thrown by his wife Hannah. The pictures are adorable, awesome and how do you not love this guy?

Below are a handful of shots that he posted on his Instagram.  Pretty awesome.







Happy Birthday Derek!



STANTON LATEST TO HIT THE IL


When there aren't a slew of injuries, the Yankees had all their pieces and were able to figure it out.  When the Yankee players start to get hurt, it is then that the manager needs to actually manage.  Yup, I'm going after Boone on this one, because sooner of later the Yankees will not be winning consistently due to injury... and sooner or later Boone will need to make decisions on how to find ways to win.  

I always say this, it's easy when the Yankees are good. What happens when the Yankees are missing top players? Boone will have to work. Can he, will he? We will see.  In the meantime, another star player is on the shelf.  The Sporting news writes:

"Stanton was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a hamstring injury, the team announced Sunday.

After hitting a double off the wall in center field during the fourth inning of Saturday's 8-3 win over the Atlanta Braves, Stanton was seen wincing as he rounded third base on Gleyber Torres' ensuing RBI double.

It's clearly serious enough that he had to go on the injured list, and it shoots down any hopes of Stanton putting together a fully healthy season.

Stanton was enjoying a revival season before this injury. In 69 games this season, Stanton has 18 home runs with 48 RBI and a .794 OPS. His 94.3 average exit velocity ranked in the 98th percentile while his 80.7 mph bat speed and 19.4% barrel rate both ranked in the 100th percentile.

In a corresponding move, the Yankees recalled infielder Oswald Peraza from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."


I feel bad for Stanton. He was having a decent year. Now however the next moves will have to hopefully create wins as well.  It will be interesting to see, but if they start losing and the Orioles takeover first in the AL East, it just means one thing to me... Boone doesn't know how to manage during hard times, and THAT my friends is what makes a good manager.



 

Saturday, June 22, 2024

BOOING AT RODON ONLY MEANS YANKEE FANS MAY BE WORRIED


Carlos Rodon is everything I wanted when he came to the Yankees. He's a gamer, a force and he's important in this Yankee lineup.  He's also 9-4 with a 3.86 ERA.  While that's not bad, it's not awful either.  He's a tough guy, and he wants to perform here.

Last year I was so excited to see the guy in pinstripes, but the combination of injury and adapting to a brand-new fan base clearly got to him. It was tough.

But like I said, this year he's been good.  Last outing however, it was crappy.  The New York Post writes:

"The left-hander, who has rebounded well after a disastrous first season in The Bronx, reverted back to his 2023 form against the Braves as he gave up eight runs — seven earned — in just 3 ²/₃ innings.

And then he got booed off the mound by a crowd that watched too many of those performances from Rodon a year ago."

But this is what I hate... booing our guys. I understand fandom, but booing a guy that turned it around and clearly just had a bad night doesn't make sense.  What does it say to me?  Yankee fans are worried.  

There are injuries... we haven't been playing like we have been playing all year.  The Orioles made us look like fools.  Yankee fans are panicked, I believe it to be true.  I know I am.   I was talking to my buddy last week... he is in tune with everything Yankees for years.  He says to me, "Yanks have been looking for great right? When's the downward spiral coming?"  I thought about it for a moment... I think he may be right. The real question is when.

The New York Yankees are a very good team, but we really didn't have injury other than DJ LeMahieu.  Since we all had concern about Juan Soto's forearm... Dominguez got hurt again, Rizzo... we had a scare with Aaron Judge.  

But look... at the end of the day... Rodon? He's done his job.  To be honest it's alittle premature to be booing a guy that's doing what he's supposed to be doing.  But there's no question fans are feeling the pressure... I get it, but let's applaud this team so far.  Let's applaud Rodon, will ya?





THAT TIME MICKEY MANTLE ALMOST QUIT


This story about Mickey Mantle takes place during his early career in minor league baseball. Specifically, the event occurred in 1951 when Mantle was playing for the Kansas City Blues, which was a Triple-A team, the highest level of minor league baseball.

Mickey Mantle, feeling overwhelmed and struggling with his performance, decided he wanted to quit baseball. He was in a deep slump and thought he didn't have what it took to succeed. He called his father, Mutt Mantle, and told him he wanted to come home. 

Mantle talked about it: "I was in a terrible slump. I couldn't hit anything. I felt like I wasn't cut out for baseball. I called my dad and told him I wanted to come home."

In response, Mutt drove from Oklahoma to Kansas City to confront Mickey.

When Mutt arrived, he didn’t try to console or encourage Mickey. Instead, he packed Mickey's suitcase and told him to come home and work in the mines if he couldn't handle baseball. This tough love approach deeply affected Mickey Mantle. It made him realize the importance of persevering through tough times.

Mick said of the incident: "It hit me hard. I realized then that I wasn't just letting myself down. I was letting my dad down too. I decided to stick it out and give it another try."

This moment was pivotal in Mantle’s career, because as many of you know, he went on to become one of the greatest baseball players in history.




--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor







Thursday, June 20, 2024

YOU KNOW WHAT "TOMMY JOHN" IS, BUT DO YOU KNOW WHY IT'S "TOMMY JOHN"?


Tommy John, a left-handed pitcher with a solid career in Major League Baseball (MLB), found himself at a crossroads in 1974. At the time, he was playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tommy had built a reputation as a reliable pitcher, but during a game on July 17, 1974, he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his elbow while throwing a pitch against the Montreal Expos. Little did he know, this moment would become a significant turning point in baseball history.

The Discovery and Diagnosis

The pain in Tommy's left elbow was debilitating, and he was immediately pulled from the game. Initial medical evaluations suggested a grim prognosis: his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) was severely damaged. At the time, such an injury was considered career-ending for pitchers. However, Tommy was determined to find a solution that would allow him to continue playing the game he loved.

Enter Dr. Frank Jobe

Tommy John sought the expertise of Dr. Frank Jobe, an orthopedic surgeon working with the Dodgers. Dr. Jobe proposed a radical and unprecedented solution: reconstructive surgery on the UCL using a tendon graft from Tommy's forearm. This type of surgery had never been performed on a professional baseball player before, and it was uncertain whether it would succeed.


On September 25, 1974, Dr. Jobe performed the pioneering surgery on Tommy John. The procedure involved replacing the damaged ligament in Tommy's elbow with a tendon from his right wrist. The surgery itself was a gamble, but Tommy's determination and Dr. Jobe's surgical skill paved the way for what would become a landmark moment in sports medicine.

The surgery is named after Tommy John not because he invented it, but because he was the first high-profile athlete to undergo the procedure and return to a successful career. Dr. Jobe's groundbreaking operation and Tommy John's subsequent recovery and return to baseball gave the surgery its eponymous title: Tommy John Surgery.

After the surgery, Tommy John faced a grueling and uncertain rehabilitation process. He missed the entire 1975 season but remained committed to his recovery. Remarkably, Tommy made his comeback in the 1976 season, and it was a successful one. He not only returned to pitch for the Dodgers but went on to have an even more impressive second act of his career.

Tommy John's career post-surgery included 164 more victories, bringing his total to 288 wins by the time he retired in 1989. His successful return to baseball after such a significant surgery was nothing short of miraculous and demonstrated the potential for athletes to recover from severe injuries.

Tommy John Surgery has since become a common procedure for pitchers suffering from UCL injuries. Dr. Frank Jobe's innovative technique has saved countless careers in baseball and other sports. Today, the surgery is a testament to medical advancement and the resilience of athletes, with Tommy John's story serving as a source of inspiration for those facing similar challenges.

  1. Initial Recovery Phase (1974-1975):

    • Tommy John spent the remainder of 1974 recovering from the surgery. He was advised to keep his arm immobilized and avoid any strenuous activity that could jeopardize the healing process.
    • Throughout 1975, Tommy John was unable to pitch, and the Dodgers placed him on the disabled list for the entire season.
  2. Rehabilitation and Conditioning (1976):

    • In early 1976, Tommy John began a rigorous rehabilitation program designed to rebuild strength and flexibility in his elbow. The process involved physical therapy, exercises, and gradually increasing the intensity of his throwing sessions.
    • By mid-1976, he was cleared to begin light pitching. His throwing program was carefully monitored, with incremental increases in pitch counts and intensity.
  3. Return to the Mound:

    • Remarkably, Tommy John made his return to the major leagues in August 1976. He pitched in several games that season, showcasing his recovery and proving that the surgery had been a success.

Overall, Tommy John's recovery took approximately 18 months from surgery to his return to the major leagues. His determination, combined with Dr. Frank Jobe’s groundbreaking surgery, allowed him to return to a level of play that many had deemed impossible. 

His comeback not only extended his career but also set a precedent for the surgical procedure now known as Tommy John Surgery.




--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor







RUMOR: YANKEES HAVE A "CAP" ON WHAT THEY WILL OFFER JUAN SOTO


Sometimes, I spend too much time looking for those intriguing sound bites on Youtube.com and X. Now that we are inching closer to the trade deadline I am probably doing more searching than normal. In my search, I found a video on the Yankees top priority this winter, Juan Soto himself.

So Bob Nightengale did an interview with Sportsnaut.com and believes "there is a price demand Juan Soto could make that would be too much for the organization to pay." Even Hal Steinbrenner has said the Yankees current payroll is "not sustainable" and changes will be made, you can read more HERE. We get it payroll is high, Hal doesn't want to carry that cost going forward blah, blah, blah.


So what is the likelihood Soto remains a Yankee? According to Nightengale the Yankees probably would've walked away from Aaron Judge if he demanded a contract in excess of $400 million. "I think there's a point there [where it becomes too much]. Let's be honest. If Soto was doing what he's doing in New York in San Diego, San Diego would have kept him. [He] underperformed there. Put up big-time numbers when they were out of the race, but was very disappointing in his time there. Which Juan Soto are you getting? A lot of guys put up being numbers in their walk year," said Nightengale.

I don't always agree with Nightengale, but he is right that a lot of guys put up big numbers in their walk year. Those numbers are what make teams pay at a premium and it's normal. We aren't halfway through the season yet and Soto's .313 BA, 55 RBIs and 18 home runs look really attractive to every major league team. Every team wants that.


But which teams can afford him? It's an honest question. "Beside the Yankees and Mets, who's going to bid on this guy? Could the Giants? Maybe, but they don't want to be used. I don't see anyone else," Nightengale said. "If you're the Yankees, are you going to give him much more than $360 million? That's Aaron Judge's contract. The face of the franchise, arguably, the best player in baseball. The Mets could come in for a higher figure. It's not a bidding war. Only a couple of teams will be involved. It's like having a mansion in a midsize neighborhood. How many people can afford this thing?"

We all know the Yankees can afford whatever they want. Hal isn't hurting for money, but he is protecting his precious profits. So how high should the Yankees go? There's a lot of baseball to go before that has to be figured out but he's not getting Shohei Ohtani money no matter how hard Scott Boras tries.

So how much is "too much" and what should the Yankees cap be? Hal is either going to be a very loved owner or an even more unpopular owner come winter. 



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












Wednesday, June 19, 2024

YEAH, HIT JUDGE IN THE HAND! THANKS A LOT BALTIMORE!

 

Source: Associated Press

I mean seriously, Baltimore! Three weeks out from the All Star Break, Aaron Judge, on an absolute hitting rage batting .302 and leading the major leagues with 26 homers and 64 RBIs is hit by a pitch and had to be taken out of the game on Tuesday night at the Stadium. Now put this in perspective, this is also one day before the Yankees get Gerrit Cole back, and welcome in Ben Rice to the roster. Yeah, thanks Baltimore for just wrecking things with one pitch.

According to the Associated Press, "Judge missed 45 games in 2018 with a broken right wrist after he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City’s Jakob Junis. Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts broke his left hand Sunday when hit by a pitch from Royals pitcher Dan Altavilla and is expected to miss six to eight weeks." Yeah, not the words we are wanting to hear.

Source: USATSI

Judge was in discomfort and clearly upset after having to leaving the game. He's been playing incredible baseball, MVP baseball. "Needless to say, losing Judge for any length of time would be a devastating blow to a Yankees team that took MLB's best record (50-24) into Tuesday's game," reported CBS Sports. Yes, the Yankees have depth in both their lineup and their outfield, but losing Judge takes likely the best player in baseball out of the game, which is bad for the Yankees and bad for baseball. 

Source: NY Times

And this is the third in a slew of injuries facing the ball club this week. Anthony Rizzo is out with a broken bone in his right arm after a collision at first base this past Sunday and Jasson DomĂ­nguez suffered an injury to his side on a swing this past weekend after completing his rehab from Tommy John surgery.

On the bright side, listening to Aaron Boone's press conference and the YES commentators, they did not seem too upset. So perhaps the early information is promising. Fingers crossed. 

Baseball is a long, physical season. And injuries are part of the game. But this one is a tough blow for the team and Judge. He awaits the results of imaging at New York-Presbyterian and a visit with the doctor. Let's hope it is just a bruise and Judge is okay. This is a big series and the Yankees need him. So, yeah, thanks Baltimore for pitching the big guy too far inside with a 94.1 mile an hour fastball.  




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





Tuesday, June 18, 2024

WILLIE MAYS DEAD


He was one of the greatest baseball players ever.  Today we find out that Willie Mays had died at the age of 93.

ESPN writes:

"Mays, whose unmatched collection of skills made him the greatest center fielder who ever lived, died Tuesday afternoon at the age of 93, the San Francisco Giants announced.

"My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones," Michael Mays said in a statement released by the Giants. "I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life's blood."

Mays was a negro league player with the Birmingham Black Barons and came to the major leagues to become the ultimate baseball player.  He was super talented and loved by all. It's a sad day.  

Willie, may you rest in peace.




WHEN THE RULES WERE OVERLOOKED & THE YANKEES WENT TO THE WORLD SERIES

Why was Mariano Rivera allowed the celebrate on the mound once Aaron Boone hit the home run in the 2003 ALCS to put the Yankees in the World Series beating the Red Sox?  

Well, it's an interesting thing, isn't it?  Some people think the photo is fake, yet others get what's happening and remember it like it was yesterday. The photograph of Mariano Rivera on the mound celebrating after Aaron Boone hit the walk-off home run is just a famous moment in baseball history. Rivera's presence on the mound, despite Boone still needing to cross home plate to officially end the game, can be explained by the unique circumstances and the tradition of walk-off celebrations.

Explanation for Rivera's Presence on the Mound

  1. Immediate Celebration: In walk-off situations, especially in a high-stakes game like Game 7 of the ALCS, the excitement often leads players to begin celebrating even before the runner has officially crossed home plate. This is a common occurrence in baseball, where the significance of the moment overwhelms the technicalities of the rules.

  2. Rivera's Role: Mariano Rivera, being the Yankees' closer, had just pitched a scoreless inning to keep the game tied, giving his team the chance to win in the bottom of the 11th inning. As a key player in maintaining the tie, he naturally joined the celebration on the field when Boone hit the home run.

  3. Baseball Tradition: In such dramatic moments, it is customary for players, coaches, and even pitchers who are not actively on the mound to rush onto the field to celebrate. This is part of the spontaneous joy that comes with a walk-off victory, especially in a game that sends the team to the World Series.

Criticism and Historical Perspective

  1. Historical Norms: Baseball historians and statisticians generally recognize the emotional context of walk-off wins. The technicality that Boone hadn't yet crossed home plate is usually overlooked in the larger narrative of the moment. Walk-off home runs are iconic, and the celebrations that follow are part of what makes baseball memorable.

  2. Rules and Enforcement: While the rules state that the game isn't officially over until the runner touches home plate, umpires and officials rarely, if ever, penalize players for beginning to celebrate early in such situations. The focus is on the outcome rather than the strict adherence to the sequence of events.

  3. Reactions: There hasn't been significant criticism from baseball historians or statisticians specifically targeting Rivera for being on the mound celebrating. The collective memory of the moment emphasizes the excitement and emotional release of the victory rather than scrutinizing the technical details.

In summary, Mariano Rivera's presence on the mound during Aaron Boone's home run celebration is a reflection of the spontaneous joy and tradition in baseball. While technically Boone needed to cross home plate to officially end the game, the celebration began instantly due to the significance of the moment, and Rivera, as a key contributor to the game, naturally joined in the festivities.





--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor






Monday, June 17, 2024

JASSON "THE MARTIAN" DOMINGUEZ HAS LANDED BACK ON THE INJURED LIST



What a rough weekend. First, the Yankees lose a series to the awful Red Sox, but now Jasson Dominguez had a set back, and he's back on the Injured List. For those of you who thought he would be insurance for Giancarlo Stanton that may not be the case.

Even if The Martian wasn't going to land in the Bronx right away for action, this isn't the news we wanted to hear after he just finished a rehab assignment. It's like Murphy's Law knocking on your door at the worst possible time. Granted, for us as fans it's not the worst timing, but for Dominguez it is. He was just getting back into action after Tommy John surgery so talk about terrible timing and a big disappointment.

So far, the Yankees know it is a left side or oblique injury that stemmed from a check swing in Saturday's game, read more HERE. The injury happened when Dominguez "kind of took an awkward check swing and continued on in the at-bat," and their concern "was enough to put him on the IL right away at least," said Aaron Boone.

Just another piece of unfortunate news that stinks. I'm not saying it stinks because we won't see him on the big league stage. We already knew that wasn't happening right now since he has no place on the team but he should have that opportunity later this season. Since there is no place for him on the team right now, I had someone tell me this "injury setback" is irrelevant. Interesting....

But see, it's not irrelevant if he can't stay healthy and make it back to the big league, right? Seriously, it's something to think about considering the frustrating injury history this team has. The Yankees have not been bitten too badly by the injury bug thus far.....but it always creeps in my mind. We need the injury bug to stay away from all of our guys not just Dominguez. I say that after watching Anthony Rizzo have a collision at first base last night and then exit the game. Now I pray to the baseball gods that the injury bug stays away.

So, hopefully this "setback" for Dominguez doesn't translate to a lot of missed time. Even though he is not on the major league roster, we need him to get those regular at bats in Triple-A to get ready for his big-league return. He's a big important part of our future....so we don't want to have these lengthy delays.

Fingers crossed for good news.... get well soon, Martian.


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






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