THE BLUE JAYS JUST GOT BETTER

Look, I don’t need to give you a strict talk on how pitching wins championships. If you’ve watched even one Yankees game this season—heck, even just the first inning—you already know. Carlos Rodón and Max Fried have been the two bright spots, doing their best impression of duct tape holding together a house during a hurricane. But the rest of the rotation? Yikes. And the bullpen? Let’s just say "volatile" is a generous way to put it.

Oh, and if Anthony Volpe could go one full week without launching a routine ground ball into the seats, we might not be in this mess. But alas, here we are—half-collapsed, semi-sad, and watching the Yankees flail around like a team allergic to dominance.

Meanwhile, just across the border, the Toronto Blue Jays are out here making big-boy moves.

In case you missed it (or were too busy watching the Yankees strand runners in scoring position), the Jays just landed former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber from the Guardians. One-for-one deal. Boom. Done. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Toronto just added a fully rehabbed Bieber fresh off Tommy John surgery—and judging by the early returns, his arm is back and better than ever.

Twelve innings. Two starts. Zero runs. Two wins. This man’s elbow might be made of vibranium.

Bieber’s arsenal is as nasty as ever: fastball, slider, curveball, changeup, and a cutter he sprinkles in just to be rude. None of them blend, all of them bite. And with his elite command, he doesn’t just throw strikes—he paints with them. Think Greg Maddux, but taller and slightly angrier-looking.

And the Yankees? We just watched this whole thing happen like we were window-shopping at Tiffany’s with five bucks in our pocket. It’s not like we don’t need the help. It’s not like the rotation is overflowing with reliable arms. But once again, while the Yankees sit around waiting for Anthony Volpe’s bat to show up and Boone to make a good pitching change, another AL East rival gets stronger.

So now what? The Jays are coming. Actually, scratch that—they’re already here. They’re already beating us. Bieber just gave them a front-line ace, and we’re out here hoping our fifth starter doesn’t trip over his own cleats walking to the mound.

The Yankees had a chance to make a splash. Instead, we’re drowning.

And as always, we end with this: Do better, Brian Cashman. Please. Before we start reminiscing about the glory days of Aaron Small and Shawn Chacón.

REMEMBERING THAT SMALL-CHACON PUNCH OF THE 2005 YANKEES

The 2005 New York Yankees season was marked by unexpected contributions from two unlikely heroes: Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon. These two pitchers, who started the season with little fanfare, became pivotal in the Yankees' quest for the playoffs, providing stability and surprising success when the team needed it most.

Aaron Small's journey to the Yankees' rotation in 2005 was nothing short of remarkable. Small, a journeyman who had bounced around various minor league teams and had limited success in the majors, was called upon by the Yankees during a season riddled with pitching injuries and inconsistencies. Despite the odds, Small seized the opportunity, delivering an astonishing 10-0 record with a 3.20 ERA. His calm demeanor on the mound and ability to consistently deliver quality starts earned him the trust of both his teammates and the Yankees' faithful.

Small's success was not just a stroke of luck; it was the result of years of perseverance and refining his craft. His ability to mix pitches and keep hitters off balance became his trademark, and he provided a much-needed boost to a Yankees rotation that had been struggling behind ace Randy Johnson. Small's performance was a revelation, and his perfect record became a symbol of resilience and determination. 

Shawn Chacon, on the other hand, was acquired by the Yankees in a mid-season trade from the Colorado Rockies. Chacon had shown flashes of talent in Colorado, but inconsistency and a lack of run support had plagued his time with the Rockies. Upon arriving in New York, Chacon found new life. Feeding off the energy of the Bronx and the example set by Aaron Small, Chacon posted a 7-3 record with a 2.85 ERA in pinstripes.

Chacon's success with the Yankees was attributed to his ability to command his pitches better and the run support provided by the Yankees' potent lineup. His presence in the rotation brought stability, and his performances in key games down the stretch were instrumental in the Yankees' push for the playoffs. The tandem of Small and Chacon quickly became a formidable duo, complementing the veteran presence of Randy Johnson and helping to compensate for the struggles of other pitchers like Kevin Brown, who had a disappointing season.

The Yankees' rotation was in dire need of depth and reliability in 2005, and the emergence of Small and the acquisition of Chacon provided just that. Their contributions allowed the Yankees to remain competitive in the tight AL East race, and their performances under pressure demonstrated their resilience and capability. Without Small's perfect run and Chacon's rejuvenation, the Yankees' postseason hopes might have been dashed.

After the 2005 season, Aaron Small struggled to replicate his success. He dealt with injuries and inconsistency, and by the end of the 2006 season, his time with the Yankees and in Major League Baseball had come to an end. However, his perfect season remained a highlight in his career and a cherished memory for Yankees fans.

Shawn Chacon, too, found it difficult to maintain his 2005 form. He continued to pitch in the majors for a few more years, with varying levels of success, before fading from the spotlight. Nonetheless, his time with the Yankees in 2005 is remembered fondly, as he provided the team with exactly what they needed when they needed it most.

Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon may not be the first names that come to mind when thinking of the Yankees' storied history, but their contributions in 2005 have left an indelible mark. They are remembered as two pitchers who stepped up in a time of need and helped propel the Yankees to success in a season full of uncertainty. Their legacy is one of resilience, seizing opportunity, and delivering when it mattered most.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

THE YANKEES SIGN HAMILTON!

Do you know Ian Hamilton? Cause I barely do.

Just a quick note. The Yankees have signed a righty pitcher with a ton of upside in Ian Hamilton.  

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"Hamilton will presumably be invited to participate in major league Spring Training.

Hamilton, 28 in June, has 15 scattered major league appearances, with 10 of those coming in 2018, four in 2020 and one last year. He has a 4.91 ERA over 14 2/3 innings in that time, striking out 14.1% of hitters while walking 12.5% of them and posting a 39.1% ground ball rate."

I know what you're thinking... What's the point? Well, sometimes the Yankees find lightening in a bottle. I can count the times it's happened. Aaron Small, Shawn Chacon in 2005. I would even suggest a guy like Clay Holmes to some extent. I didn't have much faith in that guy when he came over, but he proved himself and really showed new life.

My point is, we can be down on a guy like Ian Hamilton all we want, but you never know what dudes can do and I have faith.  

Anyway, short post, but newsworthy.

Happy Tuesday.

YANKS PANIC, TRADE MCKINNEY FOR J.A.HAPP

I'm sorry, the only name I saw in this entire trade was Billy McKinney, and he's on his way to Toronto. What kind of fool sends a prospect like that away from a rental like J.A. Happ?

Are you kidding me?

Brandon Drury? Buh-Bye. We don't need him. We didn't need him when we signed him and we sure as hell don't need him now.

Billy McKinney? He's the future folks and he's a solid future player. And you know what? I hope he goes to Toronto and turns into a superstar because the kid has heart and mad potential. And you know what? I'm pissed about it.

Anyway.  In the process, the Yanks get J.A. Happ to win now. Fine!  We'll get Mark Feinsand do the honors:

Source: Yankees sending Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney to Jays in the trade for J.A. Happ. Congressman @JonHeyman was first to report them as potential return.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 26, 2018

And now we wait. Will J.A. Happ be our savior? Will he help turn the Yankees around? Will he turn into an uncertainty in the rotation? A Jaime Garcia... a Sonny Gray.

Or will he be that Shawn Chacon, Aaron Small wild card-sure thing when we need it most.

We'll have to see.  One thing I do know is this... Billy McKinney is a major loss in this entire scenario.  We loved McKinney here at BYB.  Don't worry though... we'll keep an eye on him for you all.

Welcome to the Bronx, J.A. Happ.  Make it a good one... or else.

CLASSY SOLARTE

This is what I'm talking about.  A kid with a dream and then he gets a shot. He shows alittle magic and the fans believe in him, because he believes in himself. The next thing you know, he's shipped off to another club.  But it doesn't end for him, he keeps on going. Yangervis Solarte is on a mission and in San Diego he will keep plugging away. Consider the Yankees his stepping stone. 

He did something classy and I wanted to share it with my BYB audience. Solarte thanked the Yankees, and the fans for the opportunity and the support... it doesn't get any better than that.

Here a portion of Solarte's statement:

"I just want to thank the New York Yankees for the opportunity they gave me; they made my dream to play in the majors come true...I am very thankful for the support the Yankee fans gave me, which was completely unexpected; they gave me inspiration to keep fighting and working hard." 

Hmm. Solarte has the fight in him, doesn't he? It's what we preach here and this statement fits perfectly into what Bleeding Yankee Blue is all about. We love the fight, the determination and that "never give up" mentality.

(In Photo: Jorge Posada)
It's why we root for guys like Jorge Posada, Jim Abbott, Ty Hensley, Aaron Small, and even Yangervis Solarte.  And, if you even wanted to, and I think you should, add in Chase Headley to the mix. A guy who also has had to fight his way back from injury, to suddenly be signed by the New York Yankees... only to win last night's game in a walk-off.

Root for the believer... it's a beautiful thing ladies and gentlemen...

And good luck to Yangervis Solarte.

He'll keep fighting, and I'll keep rooting.

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!

YANKEE INJURY & THE BASEBALL FACTORY

With CC Sabathia on the shelf, the question has arrived by several Yankee fans as to what happens next.

Sadly, injuries happen in sports and happen in baseball as well. As players get older, there are aches and pains and we have seen it happen to some of the greatest athletes alive.  The latest Yankee casualty is CC Sabathia.  Sure, the Yankees think he’ll be ready in July, but I’m pessimistic. I never believe the Yankees. That doesn’t mean I hate them or anything. All it means is that I know how they operate.  They don’t want to cause panic, they want to assure the fan base that all will be fine.  The words  are chosen wisely when they speak to the media, and when the player is ready, or not, we will all know. But for now, the Yankees are buying time with CC and when they break it to the base, we’ll either throw our arms up as if the say, “Dammit CC”, like he did it on purpose or something. Or, we just grin and take it for what it is… an injury.

In the mean time, the Yankees need a replacement. I was thinking about all the Cliff Lee chatter that happened yesterday. There was an article claiming that Cliff Lee will be the Yankees big target at the deadline, read the Boston Globe HERE, Nick Cafardo saying:

"Owner Hal Steinbrenner said last week that the Yankees could buy pitching before the trade deadline, given they’ve already lost three starters to injuries. Michael Pineda (lat) and CC Sabathia (knee) are expected back, but for the Yankees to compete over the long haul they must add a significant arm.

Baseball executives think they’ll have their eyes on Cliff Lee if the Phillies fall out of the race. Of course, that’s a big if.

The Yankees would have plenty of competition for Lee."

What does it mean? Not much. I mean Cafardo throws a ton of names out there every week, rarely do any of his insinuations or predictions come to life, but the reality is, the Yankees need an arm, he's right about that and there is no question need to make a move for a big gun.

But the Lee talk... I mean, we’ve done this already, haven’t we? We do this every season around this time. But this time, it could be the real thing.  What would happen logically is, if the Yankees can get a “big gun”, then the blow of "No Sabathia" isn’t as bad.  CC then disappears until next Spring and comes back in 2015 fully healthy.  Without a “big gun”, Yankee fans get angry and keep asking “What now?”

It’s funny, I received quite a few of those questions yesterday.  I simply say this to you all; I am flattered you are asking me for inside baseball, but I am giving you my opinion, and that’s all I can do… CC will most likely be back by the end of the season, or not at all this year.  I also am 80% positive we will have a new pitcher soon, be it now or by the All-Star break.  Truth be told, we can’t wait, we need to act. But this is the baseball factory we know and love, and it appears that every time the Yankees get on some type of roll, the pitching seems to vanish.

(In Photo: Tim Redding)
We saw it many years ago when they thought they would strike lightening in a bottle with the likes of Darrell May and Tim Redding. That proved to be a disaster.

We tried Sidney Ponson, not once, but twice and that wasn't very good.  We checked out Brian Gordon, who then went to Korea, but is now back in our minor league system.  We even brought back Chien-Ming Wang for a minute last year, only to not use him and he eventually left.

Oh, and remember Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon? That was a fun year, but even they eventually ran out of gas.  It's the baseball factory, and it's all about pitching and if you're hot, you're in. If you're not, you're out, and sometimes, if you're just "there" you're in. But there is no question this year, the Yankees can't take chances on budget basement pitchers, they need to go big to secure a playoff spot.  After last season, not making it to the playoffs, they spent big, even though they probably shouldn't have.  But the did it, because the fan base was restless.  Plus, we're the  New York Yankees... we aren't supposed to ever miss the playoffs.

Look, the Yankees are down. We lost CC, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda. That means we have Masahiro Tanaka, David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, Hiroki Kuroda and Chase Whitley. I mean... really?  It ain't happening... the Yankees will sign someone big... they have to.

In the end, we will be fine, but it's getting there, it's the uncertainty that I hate.  We need stability in the pitching department and I believe we're going to trade for a big gun.

Lord knows we need to... but who will it be? Stay tuned...

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! 

ROOTING FOR THE BELIEVER

I am a father who has a love for my family so great, I just want to see my children achieving big things in their lives.  I like to see my kids “win” and bringing home the trophy, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. Hey, that’s life.  Sure, at that point kids, and even adults, want to quit. They become frustrated.  They believe they "Can't." But it’s the believer that steps back and says, “You know what, next time I WILL win.”  To me, they’ve won already because they know they CAN, it just may be that that time, they didn’t.

Believing is half the battle.  Anyone that has read Bleeding Yankee Blue since the beginning knows that I root for the believer.  I root for the underdog, because, quite honestly, I believe that if they are there, they have a chance.  There are so many athletes in history that may not been the obvious choice for a champion, but they were there and sometimes they won it all. I applaud that.  You can go through history and list dozens.  But there are a few that stick out in my mind, just because of what I remember, and the feeling I felt for those athletes when they were in the big moment. They knew they could achieve victory... you could see it in their eyes.

I remember Dan Jansen in the Olympics in 1994. The man had gone through tragedy losing his sister to leukemia years before and after competing in the Olympics in speed skating, he left the 1988 and 1992 Olympics with no medals, he was down and he was beaten... but he wasn't defeated. 

In 1994, he defied expectations and won the gold, only to dedicate it to his late sister. With time against him, he kept fighting and he believed he could... then, he did. I always found that courageous, as a high school kid watching this man and even today, years later.

I remember the media and the fans down on guys like Joe Torre and Jorge Posada, 1 a manager and 1 a catcher.  I remember the press suggesting both were not qualified to handle their jobs.  Both did though. Both became champions.  What the hell does the press know anyway? What do the doubters know? No one knows what’s inside a person, their abilities, their fire in their belly.  It's desire, ability, love of the game, and refusal to fail… all apply here.  

I think a lot about Ty Hensley, a first round draft pick for the New York Yankees in 2012.  Sure, that’s a great achievement, but he knew it didn’t stop there.  He knew he had to keep working hard. When he got hurt, he didn’t stop there either.  He battled, worked through his abdominal / hip injury, healed and he’s 100% ready to perform for the New York Yankees.

And even if the doubters come out and say, "Well, he'll never be great", let me explain something to those people; Ty, or Jorge or anyone with a goal, doesn't hear you.  Ty’s ready to do great things for the Yankees, because they took a chance on him.  He’s refused to fail.  Desire, ability, heart… the will to win.  The will to "want it."  Ty gets it. 

I believe in the underdog and I believe in the believer.  There were flashes in the pan that contributed huge in the past, all because they were given a shot and they held onto it and became winners when they saw a window of opportunity.  Shane Spencer had a nice run in New York. So did Aaron Small.  Jeremy Lin was a Knick a few years ago and no one gave the guy credit, until they noticed that he was more talented than anyone expected. Why? Because someone gave him a chance instead of him being benched and pushed aside.   He took the reigns and showed New York what he was all about.

It even applies to a guy named Dean Anna, a 27 year old minor leaguer with the ability to play, but no one but himself believed in him.  Now the Yankees do too. The Yankees signed the “Dean of Swing” this off-season and while his resume isn’t spectacular, they saw something in this young man; Desire, ability, love of the game and a refusal to fail.   

Anna gets knocked down but he gets back up.  Now look… No one knows what will happen with this kid and the Yankees.  The Yanks just signed Brian Roberts to man second base and most likely Anna’s shot will be limited.  Anna may be designated for assignment for all we know.  But he also may not. If he is though… what does that mean? Nothing! Especially if you believe. Anna believes in himself.  He’ll always have that fire and I appreciate that and you should too. 

Life is full of obstacles. You can either walk away from the mountain, or you can climb it.  I laugh at fans who think they have it all figured out.  The ones that see 1 strikeout in an at-bat and scream, “The guy’s a bum.”  I love this one, “He’s a full time minor leaguer, he doesn’t have a shot!” Are you serious?  Baseball is a game of failure and life is full of challenges.  We weren’t put on this earth to fail. We were put here to achieve.  Everyone is an underdog, until they win… then they’re a champion.  And let me also state something else… if you've never won that trophy, if you fall just alittle short but give it your all.  If you push hard, but you didn’t get the gold, know this… you’ve won already… because you never gave up on yourself.  In my eyes… that’s a champion.  Desire, ability, love of the game, heart...and refusal to fail.

All apply champ! Never give up, ever and no one can ever knock you down. 

I root for the believer, that’s me.

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

IT'S NOT A SURPRISE, IT'S YANKEE MAGIC

It’s funny.  Over the years there are guys that the Yankees collect that just provide this level of play that we hadn’t ever seen before, or, just when you thought a player’s baseball life was over, they turn it on when they button up the pinstripes. 

(In Photo: Shawn Chacon)
For some reason, Shawn Chacon and Aaron Small come to mind immediately. 2 guys who had less than mediocre careers, who suddenly come to New York and raise the bar and play, or in their case, pitch wonderfully, right when we needed it most. 

(In Photo: Lyle Overbay)
Enter 3 guys we thought were just filler when they were signed to the Yankees.  Lyle Overbay was a first baseman that was signed late, but the timing was right.  It just so happened that Mark Teixeira got hurt and with it, Juan Rivera was barely lighting it up as our first baseman fill in and that was obvious… he was an outfielder.  So we ditched the reunion with Rivera for a guy we needed… not to be an all-star, just to be a fill in.  Overbay’s fill in role has been wonderful.

Vernon Wells deal had been criticized because “who needs another broken down player.” Well, as my buddy said the other day…”Vernon Wells has a chip on his shoulder with the Los Angeles Angels’ name all over it.”  He’s right.  Since coming over to the Yankees, Wells has proved that he’s in fact NOT done and good for him. We signed Wells for next to nothing with the Angels picking up the most of his salary and he’s already done some pretty great things.

Travis Hafner’s only job on the Yankees is to hit home runs. Not field, not pitch, not even put on a glove… hit home runs… that’s it.  So far this season he has 6 home runs and a .286 average. He looks great at the plate, he looks comfortable and willing and able to stand in the box whenever we need him to. Why? Because he knows his role and wants to please.  Remember, this is a guy that gets hurt a lot and there is deep concern that we can’t mess with this guy’s health, so, we take him out of the humidor in the dugout every time he’s needed and when he comes to the plate, he knows he has 1 job… mash the ball… that’s it.

3 guys, 3 “broken down players”... rejuvenated and ready to execute. Why? They're New York Yankees… that’s the difference. You gotta love it.

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THE YANKEES INSPIRATION STARTS AGAIN ON OPENING DAY

"You only get 1 shot to not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity 

only comes once in a lifetime."

-- Eminem, Lose Yourself

I wear a faded Yankees cap and rarely wear a tie.  When I do, I've been accused of "cleaning up nice." When I write at night, I will sip a Dos Equis or a Corona and I never finish it.  I also used be a student of creative writing and had my balls broken on several occasions by teammates, roommates  and fraternity brothers in high school and college. But I liked to write and stuck with it. I'm not great, I am good and it’s a release for me. 

Bleeding Yankee Blue is my baby. I made it out of frustration and it’s turned into something special, because of you.  2 years into Bleeding Yankee Blue, I continue to keep grinding it out, like Jorge Posada did for so many years before. I'm passionate about what I do because I know you look for us and this writing thing has actually become therapeutic for me. Getting rants on paper, or computer, allows me to lighten my brain a bit.

 

But quite often, I think about Jorge Posada and what he would do. He'd stick around, but more importantly, he'd want to make it better. Giving up wouldn't cross his mind and I sure as hell don't want it creeping into mine. BYB is relevant now and I've realized something pretty significant 2 years in...it's no longer just about me. It's about the readers, the great writers we've collected and about the New York Yankees of course.

Today is Opening day. My Yankees are not quitters and at the end of the day, we are handed a team of 25 guys that we have to rely on, whether we like the personnel or not,,, they wear the pinstripes and as fans, that’s what we sign up for. 

It’s our team whether Derek Jeter’s out there or Bobby Meacham is out there.  Bottom line, the Yankees are our team and we’ve seen some special moments over the years.  We’ve seen players who contributed hard, end up leaving New York due to free agency and we’ve seen big players sign in the Bronx, only to become distractions, not athletes.  But at the end of the day, there are always fans who like 1 guy and hate another, but they are still our team and over time, we learn to like the players who do their job.  Look at Kevin Youkilis… a guy no one wanted on the Yanks, but this Spring, he’s been a pleasant surprise.  Look at the kids, Melky Mesa, Ronnier Mustelier, Zoilo Almonte.  It’s great when they come on in the Spring and shine.  Hopefully we see them in 2013 contributing when it counts the most… the regular season.

Look at Vernon Wells, a guy who no one really saw coming to the Bronx, but he’s here and when he puts the pinstripes on, our job is to embrace him. 

I laugh because I was re-living the lousy off season in my mind.  I was reading though old comments, old posts by BYB and fans writing stuff on Facebook. I laughed.  We Yankee fans just don’t know what we want! Me included!  I mean think about this… many of us bitched about not getting a good signing this off season.  And, the Yankees signed Ben Francisco… we poo pooed it.   

They signed Brennan Boesch, and there were complainers, and yes, some liked it, but it was almost like it wasn’t good enough.  The Yankees signed Travis Hafner, another big name, but even I wrote that I’d rather have him in 2006, not now.  Then the Yankees signed Vernon Wells, a guy with a good career with the Blue Jays and a lousy career after that.  Yet, half of us love this signing, pointing to his great Spring... and the other half hate it, pointing at his crappy time with the Angels.  Yet, if you think about it… aren’t the Yankees doing exactly we want? Sure, we’d probably like someone better, but who’s really out there? Who could we really get?   

I mean, no doubt, last season when the Yankees signed Ichiro, for me personally, I loved it. I mean I have to crush on this dude and the way he plays the game.  For me, it was the best! (Plus, we predicted it here at BYB, and we were the only ones. Read ICHIRO TO THE YANKS IS MY PIPE DREAM for guidance.)  Now though, we sign big named guys like Wells or even Lyle Overbay and it’s STILL not good enough.  What do you make of that? Why the hell are we so picky?

Truth be told, and maybe this is me being older and wiser, (I kid, I kid)… I think I’ll root hard no matter who’s out there. After all, Opening day is new life, a clean slate and today is the best time of year for baseball... this, and the playoffs.  These are my Yankees and sometimes when players have a lousy season somewhere else, they feel the power of the pinstripes and things happen.  Players change, the ghosts come out and magic happens.  Look at Ichiro? Look at good old Scott Brosius.  Look at Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon?   

Sometimes the Yankees make a player better.  Maybe it’s the tradition, maybe it’s us fans… and maybe, just maybe it’s being given another chance, like Darryl Strawberry or Dwight Gooden… or even Vernon Wells.  A new team, new life and maybe, just maybe a championship with us fans as the backdrop. 

So, for all those new Yankees, grab the reigns, seize the moment and realize what you represent when you put on the pinstripes today!  And don’t worry about us fans… sure we’ll complain and bitch and moan about how nothing’s good enough, but at the end of the day, we want wins and we want players who believe in themselves,  like the guys who wore the pinstripes before you.  At the end of the day, don’t give up and we won’t give up on you… that’s honesty….and that’s the damn truth.

I put this video together for today... alittle inspiration with some great music to psych you up and some great quotes from some inspirational films... take it all in, feel the love for the Yankees and root hard... the Quest for 28 is here... it's Opening day!

I hope you pass this post along and thank you all for reading and believing in Bleeding Yankee Blue. You are the reason why we're successful.   

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

COULD DAN REALLY BE THE MAN?

(In Photo: Dan Johnson)
Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record brings up the name everyone has been wondering about ever since Mark Teixeira was put on the shelf for 8 to 10 weeks. Could Dan Johnson really be the guy we want to fill in a first base until Tex comes back? You can read about Johnson HERE from Caldera, but he writes:

"... with Mark Teixeira sidelined until May because of a strained right wrist, the lefty-hitting Johnson suddenly has the odds in his favor to play a good chunk of time at first base. He’d arrived at camp as a non-roster player attempting to fill Eric Chavez’s role as a backup corner infielder.

'There were a lot more safer jobs, but I feel like the upside is so much greater here,' Johnson said of turning down better opportunities on weaker teams. 'I’m willing to take the risk to come here and prove myself...'"

(In Photo: Aaron Small)
So in other words, or at least the way I'm understanding it, coming to the Yankees was a big deal, and probably is for many players looking to play. The pinstripes do something to players. We've seen players either get traded or called up and the magic happens. We've seen it happen dozens of times in our past history.  Scott Brosius, Shane Spencer, Aaron Small, Shawn Chacon.  Yeah, true, it's a Motley Crue I chose, but the reality is, those names remind me alot of Dan Johnson... never a superstar, but had flashes of success in the Bronx.  Johnson could in fact do the same.

Look, I understand we're gonna miss Tex, but the bottom line is, we either go out and get a guy like Michael Cuddyer, read HERE, or we stick with what we have in Dan Johnson and hope he catches on nicely.

Johnson told Caldera, "It’s just the lure overall of being a Yankee...". That it is Dan, we just hope you do your best and make us proud in Mark's absence.

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THE RISE OF BRIAN GORDON

I like underdogs and I like when they win. I rooted for Aaron Small, I appreciate players like David Eckstein and Brett Gardner because size doesn’t matter if you have the ability and desire and I admire someone like Kirk Gibson with a limp being asked to pinch hit when the game is on the line for the Dodgers and coming through in unbelievable fashion. I am a baseball nut and when someone like Brian Gordon who’s been a journeyman in the minor leagues gets a shot in the major leagues, I latch on and root for the guy every time he chucks it in. Why? Because the odds are against him and all those others who, when people look at them, they shrug and say, “I just don’t think he can do it.” The best part is, they know they can do it and nine times out of 10, they do.(Photo: Getty)
Brian Gordon can and will be the story of the year for the Yankees if he can deliver what they need from him this year. Quality starts when needed and anything else then want from him. Yes, after 2 starts there are mixed reviews, but let’s face it, even CC has a bad game every once in a while. What we need from Gordon is enough heart to shut down the haters and attract the believers and all the while, keeping the Yankees in every game he pitches. That goes for starts and spot relief.

Look at Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. No one and I mean NO ONE, believed in them. I must admit, I didn’t think Colon had anything. I mocked him, I admit it and now I’ve latched on too. The underdog is my weakness and I have to say, I didn’t follow my heart on that one, I chose to be a hater. I was wrong. I like being proven wrong.

I clearly learned my lesson, and when Gordon was signed and I read his resume, it was attractive to me. Gordon pitched well in his first game and struggled alittle in his second. Luckily, Girardi says there will be a third. The first game, he wasn’t given enough time to think, he just went out there and did his thing. 2 weeks before he was in the minors with probably no shot of being called up, now he’s on the biggest stage in sports and trust me, I believe this kid has what it takes. Again, not every outing will be perfect and his second outing wasn't, but the underdog in Brian Gordon will attract many if he can get the job done in any role. He’s got the experience; it doesn’t matter that it was minor league experience, he was working and if Cashman sees something in this kid, so do I.

Check out Gordon’s line: 2 Games, 10.1 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 SO, 3BB and a 5.23 ERA.
(Photo: Neil Miller)
Now, keep in mind, on the Bartolo Colon front, yesterday Colon pitched a simulated game he threw 60 pitched and felt fine, so the word on the street is he could be back soon. Read it HERE. If he does come back, yes I will welcome him back with opened arms, but you still have to feel for Gordon and believe in him. Cashman will too. I say keep him in the bullpen, and on the team and use him in emergency starts or a long man situation.

Latch on Ladies and Gentlemen, Gordon may be the new guy, but he’s more experienced than many pitchers out there, he just needed an outlet, and now he’s got one. If he stays on the straight and narrow and mows down the competition, it will be God damn glorious.

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