THAT TIME BOB UECKER WAS ALMOST IN THE YANKEES BOOTH!

Ever hear the one about Bob Uecker nearly becoming the voice of the Yankees? It’s the kind of story that perfectly captures just how beloved Uecker was across the baseball world, even in the Bronx!

Earlier this week, Michael Kay dropped a gem on his show, revealing that George Steinbrenner himself tried to lure Uecker away from Milwaukee “a few times.” Yep, the Boss saw Uecker’s brilliance and wanted to bring his quick mind and humor to Yankee Stadium. Kay explained, “George Steinbrenner made him an offer and cleared it through Bud Selig, who owned the Brewers at the time. But Uecker, ever the Milwaukee man, ultimately said no. Just think how life would’ve been different for Yankee fans with Bob Uecker in the booth. Steinbrenner knew how brilliant and entertaining Uecker was. It was a real possibility for a bit, but Ueck, in true Uecker fashion, turned it down.”

Can you imagine Uecker in the Yankees booth? It would’ve been a whole new level of entertainment! But Milwaukee was in his blood, and Uecker, known for his razor-sharp wit and outstanding game-calling, stayed loyal to his hometown.

Uecker’s love for the game and his unmatched style made him a legend. He was baseball's funny man, always ready with a quip or a story, and that charm didn’t go unnoticed—not even by the Yankees! His passing at 90, after a private two-year battle with cancer, has left a hole in the hearts of fans everywhere.

Who wouldn’t want Uecker? His mind worked faster than a fastball, and his humor hit harder than a home run. He was simply the best, and baseball loved him for it—including, as it turns out, the Yankees.

What a story, huh? It’s classic Uecker—always keeping us on our toes and smiling every step of the way.

THE BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE NEWSSTAND IV

It's another round of the Bleeding Yankee Blue Newsstand, and it's become more popular than I thought it would be...that's a good thing. Thank you.

THE BABE'S HAT UP FOR AUCTION:  Remember that Babe Ruth hat that David Wells had? It's up for auction.  According to the New York Post, it's supposed to go for at least $300,000.  Read about it HERE. Look, my take on this is easy, if you can afford it, you best be trying to bid on that piece of history.  I love everything about Babe Ruth, but I clearly cannot afford anything like that.  Very cool.

(Hat in photo, not the actual hat)
The auction has other items as well, the Post says: "The auction house opened bidding and the online sale goes through May 19. Other notable items in this baseball sale include there is: "A 1920 Yankees jersey worn by Ruth is expected to fetch more than $1 million. The cap worn by Bobby Thomson when he slugged, arguably, baseball’s most famous home run, could go for $100,000. The Flying Scot’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” won the 1951 National League pennant for his New York Giants. The 1968 road Yankees jersey, worn by Mickey Mantle when he hit career homer No. 535, should also reach six digits."

THANKS FOR THE SHOUT OUT: It's nice to be acknowledged when you get something right or fun that no one else has and thanks to this blog HERE, we got props. Boom!  Full disclosure, Steve Skinner is a Guest writer for Bleeding Yankee Blue, but that being said, it's a respect thing and I wanted to give him a proper thank you. He wrote a piece about Derek Jeter and how a week ago when Jeet was asked about if 3000 hits distracted him like Joe Girardi suggested, he dismissed it.  Skinner then was nice enough to credit
BYB for our video nugget.
 
 "As reported in Bleeding Yankee Blue, Jeter dismissed the theory that his struggles last season were the result of the pressure surrounding his reaching 3000 hits and that they were a “mechanical thing”.  What ever the case may be, our beloved captain – a New York Yankees legend – is back." I appreciate it...Thank you!

JUST A BIT OUTSIDE... No, Bob Uecker isn't a New York Yankees and there is only 1 reason why I'm putting Uecker in this Newsstand... I loved him in Major League and I did him as a broadcaster.
Dave Martin of the Epoch Times, read HERE had this nugget and I'm happy to report that Uecker was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Congrats Bob!

 MOVING DAY:  Here's a nugget I missed... so sue me, I'm busy.  I didn't realize this happened, but it's important just the same.  Apparently Robinson Cano has moved into Jorge Posada's old locker at Yankee Stadium. ESPN has the story HERE. According to ESPN, "...Cano had, without asking, been assigned his old corner locker, a place of honor. 'Jorge told me, 'Now you've got to make me proud,'' Cano said with a laugh."

HARPER UNDER A MOON: Bleeding Yankee Blue is excited about Bryce Harper, because as you know, we love baseball and respect the game and the talent of so many of these players. We have a great piece in the BYB archives about Harper titled WHY BRYCE HARPER COULD BE A YANKEE, check it out.  Anyway, Harper had his first hit in the majors 2 nights ago and someone decided that mooning the camera would be funny.  See if you can find the "Where's Waldo" moment in this screen grab.

For more of the Bleeding Yankee Blue Newsstand, check out I, II and III.

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, 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.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BURNETT IN SPRING TRAINING

There’s been a lot of buzz about AJ Burnett during this off-season. Many people are concerned about what his performance will be like this year after a shaky season in 2011. I’ve done the research, looked at stats, video, and read many educated opinions about what the so-called
experts think will happen with AJ this season.

It’s no secret by now that my own predictions have been a bit “off” when it comes to our baseball recently. Let’s review, shall we?

• I predicted the Yankees would win the World Series in 2011
• Then I predicted that Texas would win (GAME 7: CHUCK NORRIS VS. WOODY WOODPECKER)
• I was certain that we’d keep Jesus Montero
• I postulated that we’d keep Jorge Posada for one more year
  

I could go on, but I think we all get the point. I’ve been wrong...A LOT. Therefore, I am taking a different approach when it comes to predicting what AJ Burnett will look like on the mound this year.

Quite simply…he’ll suck. I mean, not just suck, but he’ll pitch so badly that my Nana will fly to Tampa to show him a trick or two. Mariano Rivera will watch from the bullpen, wondering if he’s
accidentally looking at a pro-bowler and not a Major League Pitcher. Nick Swisher will beg to go in as relief and Joba will begging for the flies to return, but not him this time... on AJ.I predict that Burnett's performance this season will be so bad, that Francisco Cervelli will yell “fore!” after every pitch that doesn’t make it in the dirt.Bob Uecker will come out of retirement just to bring back his famous saying, “Just a bit outside” when AJ’s curveball does a 180 into the stands. The Steinbrenners will have to install yards of plexiglass in 360 degree radius to avoid injuring other players. You’ll see soccer net behind the plate every time AJ starts, for obvious reasons. His aim will be so off, that he won’t even be able to hit the right guy with a pie in the face.

I predict that AJ will give up so many hits that the ink in his tattoos will fade a little every time a line drive whizzes by him at lightning speed. His hat will blow off his head so many times, that
the League will make an exception for him that he doesn’t even have to wear one, and they’ll issue him a safety helmet instead.Keeping AJ in the starting rotation will be a relief to him. I mean, who needs those flashbacks of being the last one picked for a team during high school gym class? We all remember that feeling. At least he’ll have a place in the lineup and have to avoid the shame and embarrassment of being paired up with the gym teacher.

Mark my words, this will be AJ’s worst season yet, he won’t pitch well, hitters won’t fear him, and he won’t assist the New York Yankees to a World Championship this year. Nope. I predicted it, therefore, it shall be so. *wink*

--Christy Lee, BYB Staff Writer



Please comment and 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.