YANKS MARCHING

In the mid 90’s the “Jam Band Movement” hit this country like the British Invasion of the early 1960s. Suddenly songs elongated from around 3 and a half minutes to 15 minutes of vamping, flourishes, solos and breakdowns. Some of it was ok…at first. However, it wore out its welcome quicker than your typical jam band tune.

Most of those puka shell necklace wearing outfits - Rusted Root, Widespread Panic, Dispatch and Big Head Todd & The Monsters – have drifted into the ether. There is one band that, in many ways, have become the New York Yankees of Jam Band music…THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND.

Much like the Bronx Bombers, this crew packs them in on the road. They have a massive, loyal following. Even causal music fans are familiar with their act…the way someone who’s never watched baseball knows who the Yankees are. Unfortunately, the comparisons aren’t all a good thing.

I recently saw David and his gang…twice…in 3 weeks’ time. The first time in Camden just across the bridge from Philadelphia (I bet someone I was with that no matter what we’d hear a E A G L E S! spelling chant…you never disappoint, Philly…. awful.)

The second show was in the Insurance Capital of the World…Hartford, CT. What was the takeaway? Well, I still like many of Matthews’ songs. Dave and his band are very talented and the rush of memories of past shows made nostalgia hit like the contact high hanging in the air like a sad, hippie quilt. The other thing I left with is how formulaic it has all become. Sure, the set list is different each night but the rest…the rest is just the same old song. Dave is quirky. He offers up a few, “Thank y’all very, very much. We hope you’re having a nice time.” He may toss in a political nugget or dance like a Muppet with his loose leg hops and struts. Then we are treated to DMB’s Free Bird. A song as tied to a Dave Matthews show as New York, New York is to Yankee Stadium.

It’s catchy. Everyone knows the words…or has made up their own. It’s a great ending song…but it’s canned. The band walks off and gives us the 7-minute rest period before returning for the encore. It was fine. I enjoyed the show…but not as much as I once did.

The Yanks are the DMB. HUGE! DYNASTIC! CHAMPIONSHIP PROVEN! EXCITING...in the 1990s. Back when Stick Michaels was the “Tour Manager”. 

The club is now like the shows I saw. They dine out on old stories. They still bring in the audiences. They make you nostalgic with Paul O’Neill Nights, Bernie Bobble Heads or letting us watch Nelly groove one to Nick Swisher so he can go yard.

Brian Cashman is the record exec using yesterday and loyal fan base to hold down a job he does poorly. 

He knows the formula gets us just “good enough”…but that’s it? We do the same song every year and get the same story when it goes upside down at season’s end. We leave the ballpark in the Bronx the way I left the Dave Matthews shows…I’m a fan…but not like I was. 

Sure, they’re still the Yanks. He’s still Dave Matthews…and even to a punker like me the dude is worth seeing. But it’s not new…it’s not evolving. 

Look, we have Judge. We do have great pitchers. And Dave has put out a new song here and there that is solid…but it’s touring the old stuff to let older-ish folks from the 90s feel like high school and college kids again. It’s not about winning new fans or bringing in a championship. The formula is there…so the dollars will follow…until they don’t. 

So, take these chances…place them in a box…until a quieter time…lights down you up and die.

I’ll always like Dave and his talented band. I will always love the New York Yankees…but the shows pale to the 90s versions.

--Mike O'Hara

Bleeding Yankee Blue Contributor

I'M DRUNK IN EPCOT MEXICO AGAIN, BUT VERY THANKFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE

Let me take you back—way back—to the legendary “Drunk-in-Epcot-Mexico” post I wrote for my buddy Mike’s birthday years ago. Here it is: "I'M DRUNK IN EPCOT MEXICO" & WHAT COMES NEXT. It was chaotic, it was tequila-fueled, and it made him laugh, which was the whole point. Because that’s what brothers do—we give each other stories worth retelling.

Mike and I have been friends since 1989. Nineteen. Eighty. Nine. We’ve been laughing at the same stupid inside jokes for decades, and they still hit like prime Bernie Williams lining one into the gap. Time hasn’t changed anything between us. We don’t see each other as much, sure. He doesn’t write for Bleeding Yankee Blue anymore, sure. But he reads every word, supports every rant, and we talk nearly every day—because that’s what real friendship looks like. No drama, no nonsense, no algorithm required.

This week, I found myself back in Orlando… back in Epcot… back in Mexico… and yes, after a couple of margaritas, right back thinking of Mike and laughing again. The last time I was there, my kids were three. Now they’re teenagers. Life moves fast—but the memories? Those stay parked exactly where you left them.

And yeah, here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, we still write about the Yankees every day—even if the current version of the front office tries its hardest to make us question all our life choices. The players? We love ’em. The franchise? Always. Competitiveness? Essential. The front office? A flaming bag of complacency on the doorstep of 161st Street. Mike and I share the same brain on that. Always have.

But here’s the truth that Thanksgiving forces you to slow down long enough to feel: all the rants, all the sarcasm, all the roasted marshmallow-hot takes… none of it matters half as much as the people behind it.

I’m thankful for Mike, who helped build Bleeding Yankee Blue with me back in the day. I’m thankful that no matter the miles, or the years, or the chaos, we zip right back into sync—especially during moments like this. I’m thankful that real friendship survives when Twitter threads, hot takes, and fake tough-guy commenters do not.

And I’m thankful for YOU—the BYB readers, the lifers, the loyal crew since September 14, 2010. Fifteen years later, you still show up. You still read. You still argue like civilized human beings, which is now rarer than a Yankees prospect developing into an actual star. Respectful banter is alive and well… just not on social media, where nuance goes to die.

That’s why I went underground again. Why BYB stayed clean, tight, smart, grassroots, and bullshit-free. Social media has turned people into loud, joyless, knee-jerk reactors… and I refuse to let BYB become another casualty of that nonsense. We keep it simple. We keep it classy. We keep it ours. That's why we're gone from those places... forever.

So, here’s the recap for Thanksgiving:

I’m thankful for our readers.
I’m thankful for the friendships.
I’m thankful for the BYB family and Jeana Bellezza Ochoa.

I’m thankful that we get to do this our way—zero filters, zero corporate buzzwords, zero drama.

And yes, Mike—I promised you another drunk Epcot Mexico post… and buddy, I delivered.

Love you, pal. Happy Thanksgiving to you and to every single BYB freak out there.

Thank you for your support.

WHY MY FEELINGS TOWARD BELLINGER COMPARED TO VOLPE ARE QUITE DIFFERENT

Let’s take a moment to tip our caps to the Yankees’ front office for a move that might just end up being one of their sneakiest wins in my opinion: bringing in Cody Bellinger to replace Juan Soto. Yep, you heard me. I know Yankee Twitter is in mourning over Soto’s absence (this is sarcasm), but with Bellinger heating up and Trent Grisham suddenly channeling his inner Bernie Williams, I’m not exactly clutching my pearls over Juan’s departure. Grisham has been so surprisingly solid that I almost forgot Soto ever existed — almost.

Now, about Bellinger — sure, he had a bumpy rollout. He came in swinging and, well, missing a bit. Through 21 games, he's batting .173 with two homers and 12 RBIs. Not exactly murderers' row stuff. And yeah, Aaron Boone called his early results “disjointed,” which sounds more like a jazz album than a baseball critique. But it's crazy, I agree with Boone. Bellinger had a rough first road trip — his back flared up, and then food poisoning kicked him while he was down. The guy was basically cursed by the baseball gods and his lunch.

But here’s the thing: I can’t even get mad at him. And no, I’m not playing favorites. I just know what we signed up for — a streaky, electric bat with MVP potential. Bellinger isn’t pretending to be the next great Yankee legend; he’s just here to hit bombs, play stellar defense, and occasionally get food poisoning.

Meanwhile, Anthony Volpe… Look, I want the kid to succeed — I do. But let’s not rewrite reality. The Yankees and their PR machine hyped this kid like he was Derek Jeter 2.0, and I’m sorry, but the pinstripes don’t magically turn everyone into a Hall of Famer. Volpe was rushed. He was marketed. He was not ready. And it shows — not just in the numbers, but in the way he plays. There have been flashes, but flashes aren't leadership. They aren’t consistency. They aren’t Jeter.

That’s why I go easy on Bellinger and not on Volpe. It’s not personal — it’s about expectations. Bellinger, we knew, was a wild card who could get white-hot. And wouldn’t you know it, the fire might just be starting. In Tuesday’s 15-3 annihilation of the Orioles, Belli went 2-for-4 with a walk-off bat flip of a night: a solo homer in the first inning and a two-run double later that brought Judge and Rice home. Over his last six games? He’s 7-for-22 with six walks, four runs, a homer, and four RBIs. That’s a guy trending in the right direction.

Look, I want them both to succeed — the Yankees need all the help they can get if we’re serious about No. 28. But let’s be brutally honest here: we're not hoisting a trophy with Aaron Boone drawing up the lineup with crayons, so the offense better do all the heavy lifting.

So if you're wondering why I’m in Bellinger’s corner and not buying more Volpe stock — it’s not bias. It’s common sense. 

One came with realistic expectations and upside. The other came with billboards and a crown he hadn’t earned yet. And the sad thing is, a lot of fans see it. I'm just one of the few with the guts to say it out loud.

I just had to get this off my chest, cause some of you are giving me shit, but there it is, I spelled it out.

WHY IS JUAN SOTO DOING AARON BOONE'S JOB?

You want to create friction in the clubhouse? Do what Aaron Boone does... coddle your players and never rip them when they suck.  That is what is going on right now and you all know it.  And the worst part? The worst part for Aaron Boone is now everyone is starting to take notice.  This loser's been exposed.  How do I know? Simple.

Now there are actual players calling out teammates for not pulling their weight.  When that happens, players get angry, resentful, annoyed. That's why you have managers... to right the ship.  But now what's happening is because Boone's not doing his job, others have to and it's all Boone's fault.  Here's Juan Soto:

"It's going to take more than 2 guys to go to the World Series and win it"

-Juan Soto pic.twitter.com/FMa8kl0ncM

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 22, 2024

Now he's not the only one.  David Wells gave a great example about Joe Torre back in the day. He said this on the Tierney / Licata podcast:

“In 1998, we lost three of the first four games of the year, and Joe Torre was pissed. He came in and laid it on the line,” Wells said. “That’s what you want a manager to do. He called everybody out. He called Jeter out, he called Bernie out…and this was the first 3-4 games of the season. Whatever Joe said, it resonated with everybody. We came together as a team.”

Wells doesn’t see that happening with the 2024 Yanks...“If we would get in slumps, we would talk about it, we would sit in the clubhouse after the game, we’d go out to dinner as a team…and we would talk about the game and how we can get better,” Wells said. “These guys don’t do it. They have their headphones on, they play video games, they watch film, film, and film.”

What's my point? Managers are supposed to be there to guide, to pick up, to call out guys when they suck.  Instead, Aaron Boone coddles, talks about how great they are, how they are "Right there" and they are "hitting balls hard" and "It's right in front of us."  That's to the media.  In private, clearly there is no one calling out players if Juan Soto has to go out there and publicly shame his teammates. To me... that's Soto doing Boone's job.  It also causes issues within the clubhouse and maybe this is the core of the problem.

I don't know why we continue to talk about how Aaron Boone is a bad manager for 4 years.  Oh, that's right, I do know why, because he sucks.  

The Yankee front office doesn't care about us fans and they sure as hell don't want a strong, opinionated manager in that seat, and that's why Aaron Boone is there.  The puppet lives another day.  Trust me, winning against the Rays 9-1 yesterday doesn't change the fact that this guy's a bum.  It's a damn shame.

REMEMBERING WHEN RUBEN RIVERA STOLE FROM JETER LIKE A BAD HEIST MOVIE

Ruben Rivera’s infamously bizarre theft incident from the Yankees clubhouse in 2002 has become one of the most baffling stories in MLB history, blending elements of comedy, confusion, and a hefty dose of snark-worthy behavior. Let’s dive into the gritty details and the reactions from those involved. 

In March 2002, during spring training, Ruben Rivera, then a player for the Yankees, made a baffling decision that would etch his name into the annals of baseball infamy. Rivera stole a glove and bat belonging to Derek Jeter, which were highly prized memorabilia.

The theft itself was peculiar enough, but what really added layers of absurdity was Rivera’s subsequent actions. Instead of making a clean getaway, he tried to sell the stolen items to a memorabilia dealer. This ill-conceived plan was quickly unraveled, leading to his exposure and a wave of embarrassment.

The Yankees were swift and severe in their response. Upon discovering the theft, the team released Rivera from the squad, effectively ending his tenure with the team. The locker room, known for its tight-knit camaraderie, was rocked by the betrayal.

Yankees manager Joe Torre was forthright in his assessment. "The clubhouse is a special place. It's our sanctuary. It's big part of what we do. Trust is very important," he said. Torre’s disappointment was palpable, reflecting the collective sense of betrayal felt by the team.

Derek Jeter, whose gear was at the center of the fiasco, remained characteristically reserved in his public comments, maintaining his stoic demeanor. However, one can only imagine the internal frustration of having his trusted teammate pilfer his belongings.

"We look at this as our house and this is our family,'' reliever Mike Stanton said. ``We spend more time here than we do with our real families. This was something that had to be dealt with quickly and as discreetly as possible, but that's not possible in this age.''

Bernie Williams, another key figure in the clubhouse, was more somber in his reflection: “You never expect something like this to happen with someone who’s supposed to be part of your baseball family. It’s a betrayal of trust, plain and simple.”

Rivera’s career was never the same after the incident. He bounced around minor league teams and independent leagues, but the stigma of his actions followed him. The Yankees, meanwhile, continued their legacy without him, but the story of Rivera’s theft became a cautionary tale about trust and professionalism in the sport.

Ruben Rivera’s foray into the world of petty theft remains one of the most head-scratching episodes in baseball history. His decision to steal from Derek Jeter, a revered figure in the Yankees organization, and then attempt to profit from it, defies logic and exemplifies a lapse in judgment that cost him dearly. The snarky undertone of the entire incident lies in its sheer ridiculousness—a moment where reality seemed to mimic a poorly scripted comedy, leaving everyone involved shaking their heads in disbelief.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

LOOK WHO'S COMING TO YES IN 2024!

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

I love listening to former baseball players banter in the booth, providing the on the field perspective that is much needed today. I especially like the old school mentality in this new, modern day of baseball. And this year, if all goes well, we will get the chance to hear another veteran ball player give his color commentary on the game.

“Bern, baby, Bern!” on Yankees telecasts?" According to the New York Post, "YES and Yankees legend Bernie Williams have had talks about Williams joining Yankees broadcasts this coming season, according to sources." That means the talented, musical former center fielder and multi-year World Series Champion will bring a little more life into Yankee broadcasts this year.

"Williams could be a candidate to join lead pre- and postgame host Bob Lorenz and top studio analyst Jack Curry on some nights. If Williams were to come aboard, YES would likely first try him in studio before deciding to increase his workload," reported The Post. 

Source: Wall Street Journal

As the Yankees build up their roster in 2024, it will be good to have some fresh blood in the booth. Admittedly, there were some failed experiments including Carlos Beltran and Cameron Maybin, who only lasted a season. But something tells me Bernie will be different. He could offer that Todd Frazier appeal and with his creative side, offering something new to the reports. 

Excitement is coming to Yankee Stadium this fall both on the field and in the reports. I hope Bernie makes the cut and we get to hear him and see him come this spring. 

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

THE RANKINGS DON'T LIE. THE YANKEES FARM SYSTEM THESE DAYS DOES NOT EXIST

The Yankees have clearly decided to build a team around Aaron Judge.  Gone are the days of breeding a winning mentality down on the farm with guys that would play together for a bit before being brought up to try and win on the big team.  Jeter, Pettitte, Mariano, Jorge and yes, even Bernie Williams.  It's that thing that was pushed by Stick Michael, and even if George Steinbrenner wanted to trade a guy like Mo, Stick would jump in and say, "No, No George. You need to trust me on this one."  And George... would listen.  Now yes, George would go rogue and pick up big time free agents that many times didn't do much.  But for the most part, the farm was Gene's and life was good.  Hence, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

During Cashman's tenure with the Yankees, he was GM and Senior Vice President since 1998 don't forget, . the Yankees have won six American League pennants and four World Series championships.  But if you really think about it, only 1 championship was manufactured by Cashman.  The others were created by the great Gene Michael.

Not to go on a tangent, but it's become clear to me that the Yankees 2nd biggest problem, the first being bad leaders in top management, is the diminished farm system.  The Yankees don't teach baseball and they sure as hell don't mold team comradery like they did when Michael was alive.  Look at this chart... I mean really look at it:

It's pathetic.  

Since 2015 we are barely ranked in the top ten. Do you know how bad that is?  and look at 2021 and 2022.  The teams that have molded and formed a solid farm are the teams that are pretty unstoppable this season.  The Orioles. The Pirates.  The Dodgers.  Texas.  The Reds. Team with futures... teams that will make the playoffs while the Yankees will not.

And it makes sense. Former Yankee farmhand, Ben Ruta blasted the team for lack of effort down on the farm. Sports Illustrated writes:

Former prospect @benJAMINruta tells a story about Chris Gittens and others getting "reamed" by minor league analytics coaches.

▶️ https://t.co/41ZpraoE45 pic.twitter.com/pACY4zNH7M

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 17, 2023

"Former outfielder Ben Ruta, who played in the Yankees’ minor league system from 2016 to ’20, criticized the franchise for leaning too heavily on analytics and lacking in proper baseball instruction while on the Foul Territory podcast on Wednesday.

“Fully expect them to clear house in the minor leagues … they will change developmental culture back to old Yankees days,” Ruta wrote in the episode’s comments section, per host Scott Braun. “Keep in mind, I played in the Yanks org. before analytics in ’16 to ’18, and then after in ’18 to ’20. Stark difference in development.”

And CBS Sports has another quote from him:

"Here's all you need to know: In 2020, before COVID, we played a game called pitchers vs. hitters," Ruta wrote. "The only way to win was to walk or hit a ball 95-mph-plus. There is no baseball being taught there anymore. No baserunning, moving runners, fundamentals, etc."

Sure, it's Ben Ruta, and I'm positive when the Yankees got wind of him speaking out they thought "It's Ben Ruta, no one cares about Ben Ruta", but the truth is, the Yankee fans care. The Yankee fans want answers. All of this is bullshit.

The Yankees are on a losing streak and sinking deeper and deeper into the basement. They aren't going to the playoffs, folks.  But imagine having a farm system that could go through the wins and losses and development together.  Would there be a difference? I think there would be, I really do.

You want to build a team around a superstar like Judge? Go watch the Angels. Trout and Ohtani are surrounded by that team... and they've done nothing.  Have we become the Angels?

#FireBoone

WE'RE BEING MOCKED FOR VOLPE'S NON-WALK OFF HOME RUN. EVERYBODY CALM DOWN

Do ya'll realize that at this moment, 8:30am... VOLPE is trending? Not because he did anything spectacular in the ninth to walk-off the Yankees against the Red Sox last night. But instead, because he didn't.

The Yankees lost last night for the people playing at home that didn't watch the game.  We lost 3-2. The game was OK, but the Yankee bats couldn't do the job.  It happens.  But there was a "moment" if you want to call it that.  Volpe almost walked off.  Key word... almost.

But he didn't. Yet, YES Network tweeted this out which I found insanely odd:

Anthony Volpe came *this* close to a walk-off homer in his first career game against Boston. pic.twitter.com/E0O3NuHV50

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 10, 2023

And of course Boston fans love mocking us:

Yankees fans celebrating the Anthony Volpe walk off HR that never happened…
pic.twitter.com/e4h3nUkuKx

— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) June 10, 2023

OK, OK, I'll give them that one. But here's the thing.  He didn't homer... he didn't walk off. We didn't win.

What the hell are we holding on to... what didn't happen?  Look, we are Yankee fans. We expect to win alot of games this year, but we're just not gonna do that.  But these moments of "almost" aren't gonna cut it either. Volpe is a good player.  Did the Yankees bring him up too quickly? I can't answer that. I kind of like his energy however. I kind of like that he's got a decent team surrounding him allowing him to figure it all out.  Is Volpe a major leaguer? I'd say yes. There have been worse players called up and have done a worse job that have figured it out over time. Maybe on the Tigers, Volpe finds his way more than on the Yankees because the Yankees are so prestigious and us fans expect perfection. But for the most part, Volpe will be OK in pinstripes.

I was disappointed to hear from this Keith McPherson dude suggesting Volpe's overmatched. I think that's a provocative stretch and ridiculous.  McPherson said this:

"The kid is overmatched. He’s not ready to be in the lineup every day at the MLB level."... He says the Yankees themselves didn’t do Volpe any favors with how they held him up heading into the season, while also shuffling him up and down the lineup.

"...he’s a kid.... They did him a disservice. They tried to have him lead off, then they had him at seventh, then ninth. It’s tough to swim in those waters at 22 years old doing it for the first time."

And while McPherson said he's gonna be fine, don't say they did him a disservice. Then don't say he's overmatched.  Don't say any of it.  Just shut up.  

The Yanks have tried this before.  They tried it with Derek Jeter.  They tried it with Mariano Rivera... first setting up Wetteland, then giving him a chance at the closer role and seeing how it worked. At one point they wanted to trade Bernie after things weren't going right for him.  

My point is there is so much that goes into these decisions, but the biggest one is patience.  The New York Yankees right now are in a great place to experiment with Anthony Volpe.  And you want to talk about overmatched? It sounds like McPherson's opinions are silly and overmatched compared to much of his competition. Maybe he needs to do better at being provocative.

But in the end, whether Volpe is ready or not, one thing is clear.... Us Yankee fans need to start worrying about rooting hard for our team no matter what.  If we stink, we need to still be there. If they're great, we need to keep rooting hard... and if they ALMOST walk off... maybe we just need to accept that part where they DIDN'T do it and just move on.

Today's a new day... maybe we scratch out a win today.  We have guys like Jake Bauers, Billy McKinney trying their best and a pretty solid group of guys in that lineup every day.  I mean sure, we're not gonna win 162 games this year, but that's not the goal, right? The goals to win each series.  And then win a championship.

Let's go game by game.  We got this!

Let's go Yanks!

WEEK 1: YANKEE SPRING TRAINING NOTES

Well, it is not new news that the Yankees are shopping internally for their starting left fielder. Besides the open outfield position, there's the starting rotation and middle infield positions potentially up for grabs. As the Yankees finish up their first official week of spring training games, how are they fairing? Let's read through BYB's week 1 spring training notes.

Aaron Hicks has a solo shot here, a hit here, but honestly I don't see much more from the incumbent left fielder. Basically, he is the same old, same old Hicks. He hits sporadically, his fielding is average and he offers no visible leadership from the bench. 

Source: Associated Press

"After going 0-for-3 against the Pirates, Hicks is 2-for-8 this spring with two singles that would have been outs in past years (due to the shift). He’s not thrilled that those are his only two hits, but he says he’s never been much of a Grapefruit League hitter," reported NJ.com. In Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Aaron Hicks went 1-for-2 with a solo home run. As I said same old, same old. Hicks blames a lot of his hitting woes to the shift, which has essentially be lifted in 2023. As NJ.com reports. "The switch-hitter lost dozens of hits to it over the years while batted left-handed. Finding a hole wasn’t easy batting with three and sometimes four infielders on the right side, especially with one of them always out in short right field turning liners to the outfield grass into easy outs." The shift demise is giving Hicks extra optimism. I say, that's an excuse.

Other left fielders who have an opportunity to make the main roster include Oswaldo Cabrera who has been lighting it up this spring. In fact, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said he'd like to get Cabrera some reps in center field as well. Willie Calhoun, who was signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract this winter, has been lighting it up this spring. Calhoun is 6-for-11 with a home run and OBP of .615 and an OPS of 1.524. Calhoun is a career outfielder but started as the team's DH this week. He will likely get some reps in left as well. Then there is Rafael Ortega, who also was signed to a minor league contract. On Saturday against the Rays, he started in left and banged a two-run homer in the fourth inning to give the Yankees the lead. Ortega has hit consistently this spring going 3-for-8 with two home runs, 5 RBI with an insane 1.875 OPS.

Source: Associated Press

However, I would like to zero in on Yankees number 2 prospect Jasson Dominguez. The 20-year-old has caught the eye of Yankee great and spring training guest instructor Bernie Williams, who has been impressed with what he's seen so far from Dominguez. 

"He’s built like a tank. I remember when I was 20 years old, I was a rail,” Williams said. “He’s got a good attitude, and from everything I’ve heard so far, he is very coachable. He wants to learn. He’s just happy to be here, and he’s not really taking it for granted. I think he’s on a great path right now," reported MLB.com. Nicknamed "The Martian" Dominguez has some more minor league time in his future, but certainly excited to see how and when he will be called up to the Bronx. 

Moving onto to shortstop, the front runner for the middle infielder position has been Oswald Peraza. He has not been playing at the caliber the Yankees expect him to be. Perreza is hitting .222 (2-for-9) with a stolen base on the spring. The Yankees will need more production from him if he is to be the opening day shortstop. The guy that has caught everyone's eye is Anthony Volpe. Volpe is 5-for-15 with a home run and two doubles. He is making a good case to make the team this spring, but many suggest he needs more reps in Triple A. I don't think the Yankees will waste too much time with Isiah Kiner-Falefa or Peraza if Volpe shows signs of growth by the All Star Break or even sooner. 

Finally, there's pitching. Luis Severino just does not seem to be the sharper, younger version of himself. Boone and his coaching staff liked what they have seen in the Yankee starter, but I still think there's work to be done, both physically and mentally. The winds were not on the Yankees' side in Saturday's game (he gave up two dingers) but still Severino has given up seven earned runs, three home runs and seven strikeouts in two starts, including Saturday. They will need more from him this season as the Yankees are already down a starter in Frankie Montas. They need more innings from Sevy. 

I would like to give a shout out to Yankee pitcher Jhony Brito, who has pitched well and is getting extra looks by Boone and the pitching staff this spring. "Brito opened eyes last season going 11-4 with a 2.96 ERA working 112 2/3 innings in 26 outings at two levels. The 6-foot-2, 160 pounder began the season going 5-2 with a 2.36 ERA in eight Double-A starts, then was bumped up to Triple-A on June 1 and had more success there going 6-2 with a 3.31," reported NJ.com. He pitched 2 and 2/3 innings on Saturday and despite giving up some late hits, he pitched well and with a lot of control. He could be an innings eater, and provide the bull pen more depth this season.

Week 1 is in the books for the Yankees this spring. I am excited to see more of the Yankees and how they gel this spring. I caution the Yankees with assuming who will be where and when this season. It needs to be an open canvas with the best team on the field everyday. Boone is known for his assumptions based on data. I need him to open his eyes and watch the game, watch his players closely and make decisions on performance not on what stat or algorithm spits out the ideal lineup. And don't wait too long to play your youth, otherwise they could be gone before they get the opportunity to contribute. 

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

OGs IGNITE NEW PRIDE OF THE NEW YORK YANKEES

Source: The Washington Post

OG is a slang term for someone who’s incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school.”  If you don't know... now you know.

Earlier this week I went to Disneyland with my two adult kids for the very first time. For me, the mere presence of Mickey Mouse ignited the youth, passion and fun in me. For my kids, they saw Disneyland through a very different lens and perspective—transforming them instantly into Disney Adults who also turned back time to simple and fun despite the challenges they face post-pandemic. 

Source: Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

On Saturday, the Yankees held the first Old Timers Day in three years and that same kind of nostalgic feeling rushed through me. As Jack Curry said, "that tingling sensation" you feel when you remember what that player meant for the Yankees at the moment in time in the team's history. In particular the ceremonial first pitch by Ron Guidry to Thurman Munson's son Michael, sparked so many memories of that 1977 team, who won a championship after a long drought, 45 years ago this season. 

Source: Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

"The modified program had alumni mingle with current Yankees and coaches in Monument Park before their introductions to the crowd, performed by Michael Kay and John Sterling from behind home plate," reported MLB.com. There was no three inning game but the excitement of watching your Yankee heros make the great walk or trot from Monument Park onto the field can't be undervalued. “I remember coming here as a player and having the opportunity to see all these guys at Old-Timers’ Day,” Bernie Williams said. “I met Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford. We had an opportunity to meet them behind closed doors in the clubhouse. Now things have changed a little bit, but I think the sentiment remains the same," reported The Washington Post. The team elected to have a ceremony vs. a traditional three inning game given that players are recovering from injuries or recent operations.

“Unless they got an influx of younger players, I don’t know if the older guys can play anymore,” Ron Guidry joked. “But, if they have (the game), I’m sure the crowd would love it, so we’ll have to see what happens over the next couple of years,” reported The Washington Post.

A game is fun but it is the conversations and mentoring that can hold much more value for players. Research from multiple sources makes the case for committing OG mentors to foster relationships with your current employees or in this case players. They bring experience and wisdom and can share so many stories and tips from their vantage point, reflecting on their careers and the various challenges and successes they have had. Certainly having members of championship teams, even scrappy teams that somehow were able to overcome their obstacles to win can have a great impact on the Yankees of today. And it didn't hurt that the Yankees beat the Royals in grand style, with Aaron Judge hitting his 200th career home run and 42nd of the season. 

The OGs of Disney and of the Yankees can ignite your fun, passion, nostalgia, and your good fortune. And the OGs on Saturday certainly ignited a new pride for the Yankees, which I hope permeates the Yankee core to stay strong, hungry and persistent through the next couple of months. 

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

IF IT'S ABOUT DEREK JETER'S LIFE, MAKE IT THAT

I have had my beef with Derek Jeter over the years. Not with his playing ability. For that I always considered him one of the greatest.  It had to do with his demeanor off the field and how he treated my kid at an event that once really ticked me off. I'm not gonna rehash, but you can read about it in SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA SMILE AND DEAL WITH IT, DEREK!

But Derek Jeter is forgiven, because as my kid reaches his 20th birthday and Jeter has been removed from the game, he's also gone from the Marlins, and now on social media. Derek Jeter is showing off his personality (finally). Dare I say, I really like this guy and his personality more than I ever thought I would.

Last night after the Home Run Derby, The Captain Episode 1 ran on ESPN.  It was great to see how this guy evolved with the Yankees through out the set backs of the team back then as well as his errors and sometimes doubt to make it in pinstripes.

One thing bothered me about Episode 1. The long, drawn out explanation of the feud between George Steinbrenner and Dave Winfield.  Now, as an adult, I remember that feud and the newspapers well.  It was a mess between George and Dave. But in the world of Derek Jeter, that 5 minute, off-track side story just didn't belong. It was just enough to almost lose me entirely. In short, it's not what I wanted to see.

For Randy Wilkins the director, it could have simply been a moment where he could have written a few sentences about how Jeter's idol was Winfield, how George and Dave butted heads, and that's what lead to George being forced out for a bit. Instead? It went to news packages, soundbites and for what I thought was a while, it wasn't even a Jeter documentary... it was a Steinbrenner doc... totally off track.

I tweeted that and this guy, clearly thought I was 16. This is what I wrote July 19, 2022 on Twitter: The Winfield/Steinbrenner Segway smack in the middle of this Jeter doc is truly bizarre. Almost lost me. #TheCaptain

You know the deal. It allowed Stick to build the farm and not trade them like George did in the 80s….hence 1995-1996….

— Lee W (@lee_w18) July 19, 2022

He’s 21. pic.twitter.com/HXylWYcDQo

— Lee W (@lee_w18) July 19, 2022

But it is - it’s how that team was built. George would have traded some of the young guys like posada Williams Mo and maybe even Derek. They don’t have the dynasty If Stick isn’t running things

— Lee W (@lee_w18) July 19, 2022

Or they could simply written something like:

"Dave Winfield and George Steinbrenner did not see eye to eye, to the point where George Steinbrenner did his own snooping around Winfield, hiring gambler Howard Spira to dig up dirt on him. The plot would backfire on George however. On July 30, 1990, Steinbrenner was banned permanently from day-to-day management, but not ownership of the Yankees by Commissioner Fay Vincent after George's plot was revealed and invesigated by the MLB.  But this would be a blessing for the Yankees, who would turn the Gene Michael, who believed in young talent, and patience."

There's your bridge. No bells, not whistles, facts without going off the reservation. The other way? It was disjointed... awkward.

Now in the end, I guess it's subjective, right? It's Wilkins doc... he could do it any way he wants, but Jeter's doc needed to be Jeter. Those moments before the segway were riveting. His upbringing, his dream. Hearing Steinbrenner getting booted for his ridiculous antics with Winfield, while newsworthy back then, we're pretty insignificant when I watched last night. Sure, it's a bridge to seeing Stick build the Yankees farm system, but it's a mention and move on like my script above... keeping Jeter and the Cour Four (plus Bernie) in the spotlight more.

Hey, my opinion. Ultimately, I'm loving this documentary so far. That one moment, it's one word... Subjective.

I hope you all get to watch it. Its very good.