THE GREAT VOLPE DELUSION

Look, I’m not here to throw dirt on a kid’s dream—but I am here to call out one of the most baffling experiments in Yankees history since we decided Kei Igawa was a good idea. Why on Earth is Anthony Volpe still our starting shortstop? I haven’t been this uncomfortable watching someone man the infield since Bobby Meacham was doing the cha-cha around second base in the '80s. And folks, that was a dark time. But here we are. Again.

Last night? An error. A costly one. Another L handed to us, this time by the Toronto Blue Jays—whom, and let me be clear, we cannot afford to lose to. Division rivals. Must-win game. And Volpe boots it. Cue Aaron Boone with the latest chapter in the Volpe Apologist Press Conference Tour.

Boone admitted—begrudgingly—that Volpe has made “a few too many” errors this season. You think, Aaron? The kid now leads the American League in miscues at short. That’s not elite. That’s not “still making a lot of plays.” That’s a problem. A big, glaring, costly, standings-shifting problem.

Let’s look at the cold, hard, inconvenient facts:

• 2023: 17 errors in 1,346 2/3 innings.

• 2024: 16 errors

• 2025: Leads the AL with 12, and it's only July.

But Boone continues to trot Volpe out there like this is some heartwarming Disney story. Spoiler alert: it’s not. The damage is done, and we’re losing ground in the AL East because the manager refuses to admit that the golden child can’t handle the position. This isn’t loyalty. This is mismanagement, plain and simple.

Boone claims Volpe is just “a few plays off.” Sorry, Aaron—those plays cost games. And last I checked, games are the whole point. You're in love, just admit it.

Instead of making the hard decisions champions make, Boone’s out here gambling the season on a kid who should be learning second base with the Marlins, not trying to “figure it out” at shortstop in the Bronx. He’s backing Volpe like his job depends on it (it might), but the only people paying the price are the fans, the standings, and probably Aaron Judge’s sanity.

Even Carlos Rodón chimed in with the ever-faithful, “Hang with him, he’ll be better.” That’s not reassuring—that’s a concession. It’s baseball code for “Yeah, we know he sucks, but please stop booing.”

And don’t get me started on the Yankees front office. Brian Cashman, with all his spreadsheets and whispered analytics, still doesn’t seem to understand what this team needs to win. The trade deadline is around the corner, and instead of adding firepower, we’re clinging to false hope and failed experiments. I'm tired of the projected analytics that suggest that Volpe WILL get better. In the now, he sucks... and we need him now.

Do you know I haven’t been to a single game this year? And I won’t. Not with Boone’s word salads, not with Volpe fielding like he’s wearing oven mitts, and not with this once-proud franchise settling for mediocrity while telling us it's all part of the plan.

And poor Aaron Judge. The face of the franchise, breaking records, carrying this team on his back—and for what? A wild card chase? A first-round exit? This isn’t what he signed up for, and it’s not what we, the fans, deserve either.

The Yankees are no longer serious about winning. Not really. If you need proof, just keep watching the Boone-Volpe lovefest unfold every night while the AL East slips away.

This isn’t just frustrating—it’s a tragedy. A baseball tragedy playing out in real time. And unless someone wakes up soon, we’ll be looking back at this era the way we look back at the Meacham days.

Fix it, Yankees. It's delusional now.

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 Guillén, 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

FRUSTRATED BOONE? HOW ABOUT YOU PLAY BETTER AND SHUT IT!

You know you're a terrible team when Matt Harvey beats you.

I'm beside myself. I've never seen a team this bad since the Yankees had Bobby Meacham, just being honest. We are terrible and it makes me queasy. I'm having a hard time watching. I root like I always do, but it's always followed up with a "Are you freaking kidding me?"  What has happened to my Yankees? What happened to consistent wins? What happened to small ball, manufacturing runs? I gotta tell ya, I'm kind of over Aaron Judge. Too brittle, not doing the job... he makes me kind of annoyed.

Last night Matt Harvey, the biggest waste of space in baseball showed up and beat the Yankees.  And that's when you know the Yankees are bad.  Harvey is no longer good... or is he? As the New York Daily News writes:

"Deivi Garcia may not be quite ready to help these Yankees to the playoffs, but maybe in July Matt Harvey will be. The one-time dominant Mets ace, who is here to rehabilitate his career, held off Garcia and the Bombers for six innings Monday night.

The Orioles won 4-2 in what was Harvey’s best start in years."

In years! You read that right.  I mean what are we doing? And Aaron Boone? He's a failed leader. Can we get rid of this guy already?  

The call over not crossing the plate in time is not a mistake, DJ DIDN'T CROSS THE PLATE IN TIME! It was a desperation attempt by Boone to try and scratch a damn run. The arguing is pathetic... you are clearly desperate! Daily News writes:

"Aaron Boone was ejected after arguing with veteran home plate umpire Will Little, who ruled that DJ LeMahieu, the second run, did not cross the plate before Judge was thrown out. Boone was angry that the umpires did not give him a chance to have the play reviewed. “It was too quick and I just felt like it was kind of bullying, frankly,” Boone said."

Here's an idea Boonie... how about your team just play better?

Every day I'm getting more and more fed up with this team.  We have no balls, no will to win... we have no leadership. We need to do better... we're the damn Yankees. 

Fix it Cash!

 

I'M NOT INTERESTED IN THE SECOND STRING YANKEES

I know the Yankees won last night.  But I'm gonna be honest with you... my heart's not in this season. The stars are gone... hurt... out, and for me, as a life long Yankee fan, I am not so interested in watching and taking it all in. It's a different dynamic for me right this second.  It makes me me uninterested, makes the season for me not watchable. I'm bored, folks. Very, very bored.

Don't get on me about being a traitor or a fake fan. You are all insane. I was there for the years of Bobby Meacham. I remember reading about the dark days starring Horace Clarke.  My feeling is simple; These are not the Yankees we thought we were getting on Opening Day, and for me, with so much going on in my own life, I could honestly care less about finding the time to sit on my couch and watch players like Gio Urshela and Thairo Estrada. No offense to those guys... it's just not the same.

I mean we just signed Brad Miller to a minor league deal.  Brad Miller? Do you even know who Brad Miller is? And is that gonna help us now? Like right now? Nope.

So now you hear it. Now you know what I'm feeling these days. Yes, the Yankees will still be the Yankees, but the stars, the guys my kids look up to... the guys I wanted to see at the stadium are just not there.  Having CC Sabathia on the mound every 5 days is great, but for me, that doesn't cut it anymore. Injury has ruined this team and you gotta wonder if it's gonna turn around. It blows!

Why us? Why are we plagued with injury? Why is there so much injury?  And why is it taking so damn long for them all to recover.

And why does this season blow so badly? What happened that there is this change.  Boone's not giving us answers because he's a puppet. Cashman's silent other than updating us on injury.  I mean... did you see the video clip of Aaron Judge when asked about his injury? That pause will be stuck in my head for years. Go to 37 seconds in...

Vuelve pronto campeón @TheJudge44 pic.twitter.com/zS5Lu6g4LS

— The Cherilanga NY (@sandymanuelbue1) April 22, 2019

There's no way around it... the Yankees are a lost team, and I don't care what anyone says. These are not my Yankees.  These are a bunch of second stringers and a few veterans holding it all together.  And yes, there is still a goal... to win the whole damn thing, but honestly, my heart's not in it.  I'm kind of turned off.

Don't like what I have to say? Don't read it. 

Wanna criticize me for being a bad Yankee fan? You don't get to determine how I root or don't root... that's subjective. I'm annoyed, I'm aggravated and I could care less right this second.  

The real Yankees need to get healthy. That's who I want to watch. Until then... well, you get the idea.

DON'T LET KLUBER GET AWAY!

I love Corey Kluber. Hell, I love Dallas Keuchel. I'd love both of them in pinstripes before Manny Machado, but as I've explained to the many fans that try and rip me or ask me complicated questions about contracts and "who to trade"... I'm a fan... I root for the uniform. In the end, I don't control the money and I don't have inside knowledge of what the Yankees are doing and aren't doing. By the way, neither do you.

I root for the team whomever is on it.  That's been going on since the 70's for me. It has been going on since Bobby Meacham, folks.  I didn't like the guy... but you know what? He was a Yankee... and it was what it was.

Now comes a report that the Dodgers, who just made a blockbuster trade shipping Yasiel Puig to the Reds, could now be eyeing Kluber.

Next order of business for the #Dodgers is Corey Kluber.
Per Source: #Dodgers and #Indians are once again discussing a trade centered around Corey Kluber. One rival executive told me: “I’d be blown away if Dodgers don’t get Kluber.”

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) December 21, 2018

Is anyone out there gonna call out the Dodgers for being worse than the Yankees in recent years when it comes to signing big time free agents and making major trades for top players and still not being champions? I think the Dodgers are worse than the Yankees, especially now. And the craziest part as my kid says... THEY DON'T WIN.

Sure count making it to the World Series all you want, but they don't win the whole damn thing, and isn't that the idea? They always fall short.  They're kind of foolish.  But I guess when you have money hanging out your butt, you just pay for whatever.

Bottom line, I don't want the Yanks to lose Kluber to the Dodgers. I know we may need to trade away Miguel Andujar to do it, but I say do it, we need a hot, solid pitcher.

I know, I know, the Yankees have pivoting and are going after relief and maybe Machado. I get that.  But damn... if you have the possibility of snatching up Kluber or even Keuchel… I say you find a way to do it.

We shall see.


 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANYON STURTZE!

I rarely do the whole, "Happy Birthday Mr. Yankee" thing because what happens is, you do it for some, and others either break my chops or fans start tracking who I'm wishing a Happy Birthday to. Before you know it, it's "You missed Steve Sax's birthday" or "Um... Bobby Meacham's birthday was Tuesday and you didn't write a post!"  Relax... I'm doing the best I can.

I do want to wish a Happy Birthday to my man Tanyon Sturtze though. A solid pitcher for the New York Yankees, a nice baseball career and the guys crazy about his family and active on Facebook by the way.

We interviewed Tanyon for BYB a while back. You should check it out, it's called EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: TANYON STURTZE.  A great interview about a great dude.

Here's my favorite Q & A when we asked about the Yankees, Red Sox rivalry:

"BYB: Obviously the rivalry was pretty intense in the 70's, 80's, 90's and when you were in New York. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing, that the rivalry has mellowed out now?

Tanyon Sturtze: I think it's a bad thing because it's always great to have hated rivals in a sport. I played in LA, and they all talked about LA/San Francisco. They didn't hold a candle to Boston/New York. 2004 was pretty heated. I mean, people were at the old Stadium at noon for a 7 o'clock game, chanting "We Hate Boston" as you walk into the clubhouse. It was pretty special. I have gone back to a couple of games now, I really don't feel like it's the same. Obviously everyone still knows it's a rivalry. But I just don't think it was as heated once they won the World Series a couple of times. I think it's calmed down a little bit. "

Love that! Anyway, we at BYB just wanna wish Sturtze a Happy Birthday.  A good dude and a reader of BYB. Gotta love that!

WHY I DON'T FEEL THE NEW YORK METS

I’ve been a Yankee fan all my life.  My earliest memories were of Ron Guidry and Reggie Jackson, but as time went on, Don Mattingly was incredible to me and of course, when the Yankees signed Rickey Henderson, my world was complete.  

It continued with collecting the cards and poking fun at ourselves every once in a while too. There was a time when there were players like Dale Berra, Bobby Meacham, but for the most part, even in the dark times… I was a Yankee fan all the way.  

Now it’s true, I’m a baseball fan first.  I remember watching Pete Rose at a very young age and thought he was the greatest ever. But as you grow up, cracking open an encyclopedia, you learn more.  Babe Ruth. Lou Gehrig. Joe DiMaggio.  My dad was a Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra guy, and like I’ve told you all before, my dad was 16 years old and would usher games at Yankee Stadium, commuting by train from Long Island to the Bronx.  And so, the stories he’d tell were always about the New York Yankees.  The Mets? They just didn’t exist. 

As you grow and learn about the history of the game, the Mets didn’t really have that track record. I mean sure, they won it all in 1969, but this was the early 80’s that I was entrenched in baseball, and that was the decade that I was consumed with the most, late 70's, early 80's, playing baseball and collecting memorabilia. The Mets hadn’t even won in 1986 yet, because the early 80’s was still the Yankees coming off of 2 more championships with the hopes that they’d do it again. The teams that won were teams like the Phillies, the Cardinals, the Orioles… Oh yeah and a team called the Los Angeles Dodgers that were actually the Brooklyn Dodgers before they sold out and moved to LA. In other words, the history of these teams ran deep way before 1969, and so, in all my knowledge about great baseball players and teams… the Mets didn’t really ever factor in.

It was just the way it was, and sure Nolan Ryan was in Queens at the time, so was Tom Seaver, but for me… I became more interested in those players and their histories when Ryan was with the Angels, and Seaver, the Cincinnati Reds. To say the Mets were some team with a long history? Well, it was silly… they won once… 1969. 

The Mets were made from the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Combining the colors, while it may look good on paper, never quite resonated with me.  It was ugly, I didn’t get it.  Sure, the teams darted for California, and so what… out of spite they made another New York team?  To what...keep the baseball tradition that the Yankees already had? Really?
 

They hired a former Yankee manager in Casey Stengel in 1962 to try and keep people engaged in the METS? Come on. Stengel will always be a Yankee.  Reading through the history, I was young ,but almost insulted on how it all came about.  And yes, through it all, I was consumed by the Yankees… win or lose, that was my team. The Mets appear to be posers in their short history, but the Yankees... they were much bigger, and their history was much deeper.  

I collected everything. I loved the Yankee yearbooks, I’d read about the prospects all the time. I’d even collect the Burger King Yankee Cards from the late 70s. 
 

I’d wear a really bad version of the Yankees cap, trucker style. I’d use electrical tape and literally make a #49 on the back of an old undershirt, put an interlocking NY on my heart and throw a tennis ball at the wall for hours at a time, pretending I was Ron Guidry. I loved the New York Yankees… and they WERE New York!

When the Mets won in 1986, I was happy for them, but it didn’t matter to me if it was the Mets or the San Antonio Tomatoes… the Mets were just another team. But more importantly, for a kid like me who loved long histories of ball clubs, it meant virtually nothing. The 60's weren't the 20's. At the same time, I was starting to wonder in the Yankees, with their rich history, could continue their winning ways...

Then it happened. As I got older, still a Yankee fan, never leaving my club because I loved it’s history, we went on a tear. 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000. We were back, and it was a long time coming since I sat in the mezzanine at Yankee Stadium at Game 1 against the Dodgers in the World Series in 1981. We had a deep history, and now, there were more championships to add to it.

The Mets were the other team, the gnats. The annoying other team that you usually heard people say “Sucked”.  The Omar Minaya era was disastrous for them, and they still paid Bobby Bonilla even though he was long gone.  It was weird, it was brutal to watch, to hear about and to be honest, I stayed on the other side of the street.  Again, with a history of 1969 and 1986, I couldn’t pick guys like Choo Choo Coleman or Danny Heep out of a lineup.  

I mean, I liked Gary Carter, but he was an Expo to me, not a New York Met. George Foster? He was a member of the Big Red Machine.  Again, there was history, and the Mets weren’t in mine.

A few days ago the New York Mets advanced to the NLCS. They started playing the Chicago Cubs last night, winning Game 1. It’s going to be a terrific match-up. Now, I’ve watched as much baseball as possible this post season… something I don’t always do. The Mets look good, but if you know anything about me, you know my baseball knowledge. You also know that I love tradition and a deep baseball history. My buddy’s a Mets fan. He said to me the other day, “I can’t believe you’re not rooting for the home team.” “I’m not rooting for any team officially,” I said, “I'm rooting for the history of the game. “ That’s where I am, that’s where my heart is and that’s where I’ll always be when it comes to baseball. For me, it’s about the long time histories, not teams that show up late to the party. I don’t follow the Rockies, the Diamondbacks and I certainly do not follow the Mets. I root for baseball… but I root for baseball history more. Right now… I think about the Cubs and their fans and what they haven’t been able to do since 1908 and you know what? I feel for them. Chicago needs a win in 2015...that's the bottom line. Does it mean I hate the Mets? No way... hell no. I just don’t care about them. 

No biggie. 

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!

PEOPLE HAVE TO STOP OVERTHINKING MONUMENT PARK

This year the Yankees announced that they would be putting plaques into Monument Park to honor Yankees who have done their duty while in pinstripes.  They chose, Goose Gossage, Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez. I didn't blink. In fact, I was happy to see that they were doing it. O'Neill and Tino both contributed alot during the Yankees run in the late 90's and Goose did his thing better than any closer before that.

After all, it wasn't like they were retiring numbers, they were simply honoring them. I embraced it.  Many Yankee fans did too.

I remember at the time, some, including Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk was all over Yankee brass as if to suggest they made a stupid mistake.  I responded (not that he cared), with my own piece titled BE PROUD OF OUR YANKEES. DON'T MOCK THEM. In it, I wrote that after the announcement...

  
" It was then followed by every half-clever writer making jokes about who else should be honored by the Yankees. Names like Bobby Meacham, Hideki Irabu, Mariano Duncan and I'm sure the name Andy Stankiewicz was mentioned.  It was in a silly, mocking tone, read HERE and my question is why? What does it matter what the Yankees do and who they honor? Plus, why shouldn't they honor Tino, or Paulie or Goose or Torre?  It's their franchise and the guys they chose were pretty great Yankees.  Why a non-Yankee fan like Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk has it all figured out is beyond me. Craig, don't worry about it... "

Not that I changed him mind (because I didn't), but yesterday Craig wrote this:  "I scoffed a little bit at that when the news came out, but after the weighing-in by some Tino fans and a month or so worth of reflection, I’m feeling cooler about it. Indeed, if this is truly a move by the franchise to come down off its “Only The Titans Are Worthy” stance toward its history, I’m all for it."

Nice. But now Sweeny Murti  thinks more should be done, writing: "We could add dozens more names if we wanted to, and maybe we will.  But I’d like to start with two — Willie Randolph and Graig Nettles."

He goes on to make his great argument for why they belong, and I don't disagree, but the point is, isn't there other things to worry about? The Yankees history and it's players are fruitful.

The Yankees have had great players over the years.  The best part of these great players is, when the time comes each year, the Yankees will sit down and decide who gets honored. When they do that, and a name pops up you love, you will once again, pay money to go see them get honored.  The Yankees are a machine. This idea was strategic... don't over think it.  The best part is, these players come back to the stadium, they get a proper honoring and then if they are worthy, they also get a plaque. It's the new Yankees.  Sure, the retired numbers are running out, but that's not what this is about.  This is about giving the nod to other great Yankees... just not great enough to have their number retired.  It's an acknowledgment. It's a "Thank you"... and I love the idea.

And yes, for all you wondering, they'll be in the same park as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and the retired numbers of Don Mattingly and Yogi Berra will be there too. But it's an "atta boy"... it's a "Thank you for doing a good job in pinstripes". We don't need lists. We don't need to debate who should go in next and why they are better than someone else. Over time, all the greats will eventually be acknowledged.

The best part is, this type of honoring can go on forever. Why are we rushing it Sweeny? Why do you care so much Craig? Enjoy life. There are a ton of great things going on outside. Then, when the Yankees send out their press release... we will all hear who comes next.  Maybe it WILL be Randolph, or Posada, Williams or Nettles.  All apply, but it's not up to us... it's up the the Yankees organization, and trust me... they won't blow this.

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

BE PROUD OF OUR YANKEES. DON'T MOCK THEM.

It was announced today that the Yankees will be honoring Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, Joe Torre and Goose Gossage with plaques in monument park.  That was tweeted by Jack Curry of YES:

Joe Torre, Paul O'Neill, Goose Gossage and Tino Martinez will be honored w/ plaques in Monument Park. Torre's #6 will be retired, too.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) May 8, 2014

It was then followed by every half-clever writer making jokes about who else should be honored by the Yankees.

Names like Bobby Meacham, Hideki Irabu, Mariano Duncan and I'm sure the name Andy Stankiewicz was mentioned.  It was in a silly, mocking tone, read HERE and my question is why? What does it matter what the Yankees do and who they honor? Plus, why shouldn't they honor Tino, or Paulie or Goose or Torre?  It's their franchise and the guys they chose were pretty great Yankees.  Why a non-Yankee fan like Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk has it all figured out is beyond me. Craig, don't worry about it...

And what about Yankee fans? Why is everyone so concerned about their favorites... Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada being ignored? Trust me... it's coming ladies and gentlemen.  But it doesn't take away from the fact that there is a lot of bashing going on.  The Yankees can't win, can they? Even if they DO honor a player, there's criticism.  What the hell happened to Yankee fans or baseball fans just enjoying our past in this great game? What's the big deal anyway?

 

And just to clarify, no one except for Joe Torre is having their number retired.  All that's happening here is they're going to have a ceremony for the 4 guys and thank them for their service in pinstripes.  They are plaques ladies and gentlemen. They will be displayed in monument park.  They were good Yankees and they deserve it.  And most likely the Goose, Tino and Paulie will NOT have their numbers retired, but this is the next best thing. That's my opinion on what the Yankees are thinking by the way.  Look, as far as I'm concerned, all the haters should chill, because it makes no sense as to why you should criticize.

With the Yankees, Goose Gossage has 151 saves in 7 years.  He was larger than life when I was a kid. Tino Martinez had 192 home runs in New York and 4 championships to boot.

Paul O'Neill was right there with him in the championship department and compiled not only the nickname "the Warrior", but had 185 home runs and a .303 average in 9 years. Obviously, we all know just how important Joe Torre was in all of this, plus he's a Hall of Famer. But again, TORRE IS THE ONLY ONE HAVING HIS NUMBER RETIRED. There isn't some mad dash to retired 42 Yankees this season or anything. It's about honoring and respecting some pretty great Yankees with a plaque... and it's also a hot ticket to see these greats if you understand true fandom and the business of Yankee baseball.  I'm not so sure the ticket is as hot if Mariano Duncan is getting a plaque...and that's not a slight at Mariano Duncan... it's just a fact.

Stop the hate ladies and gentlemen... this is a nice thing that the Yankees are doing. Enjoy it if you're a Yankee fan.  It's fun.

Oh, and P.S... I was concerned Bernie Williams would be ignored... but Jack Curry put me at ease with this...

In addition to Torre, Goosage, Martinez and O'Neill, Yankees say Bernie Williams will be part of recognition series in 2015.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) May 8, 2014

Nice!

Go Yanks!

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!