BIG GARRETT JONES GOT A BRAND NEW GIG!

Great news for the Jones family, and the Bleeding Yankee Blue family could not be happier for Garrett and Cassie!  No, Garrett Jones isn't playing in the Major Leagues next season.  He's instead doing something daring and adventurous. He's playing in Japan.

According to several sources, and we'll go with the AP on this one:

"Jones has agreed to a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. The club announced the deal on its official website Wednesday. The deal is reportedly worth $2.5 million plus incentives and bonuses."

When Jones came to the Yankees last year, I was psyched because I'm a Jones fan.  Now, it was obviously a huge opportunity for him.  But in this great game, if you are not utilized the way you should be, due to big contracts and overloaded clubhouses, sometimes the role you have isn't the role you get.  I've always felt as though Jones wasn't utilized properly by the Yankees.  My opinion of course.

And once that happened, Jones went into what I call "baseball purgatory."  It's not the greatest place to be, but with Cassie Jones, a BYB friend and G's lovely wife by his side, it was probably great to have alittle extra family time.

When I spoke to Cassie late in the season last year, she and G were thinking things over for what came next.  Little did I know Japan was something they discussed! I think this move to Japan, while probably alittle different for them, could prove to be a brilliant rejuvenation for Garrett Jones. After all, the guy can still play, he just may need to get the necessary at bats and playing time he needs to get the proper exposure to get back to the MLB.

Whatever the case, I am genuinely psyched for the Jones family and wish Cassie and Garrett the absolute best.  I'm personally a fan of not only G, but of the Jones couple.

Really good people.  Merry Christmas guys! Best of luck!

Damn... maybe now that he's not attached to a MLB team, Cassie can convince Garrett to give me that BYB family picture!



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!

GOTTA LOVE THE BLOG WORLD

Small nugget here, but one of our policies has always been that if someone mentions us or one of our writers in a positive light, and understand what we do here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, it's nice to give them alittle plug.  It's a courtesy, it's about kindness... are you listening CJ Nitkowski?

Suzie Pinstripe is one of the good ones.  She works her tail off in life, she's a runner, hardworking, she manages kids and schedules and a whole nine. She's also someone that's a good friend.  We talk about family a lot, the stresses, and we're both Italian and I think that helps.  Rumor is she makes the best meatballs on the planet.  I hope to one day share with my own family recipe as well...maybe at the same table with the rest of my BYB family.  Maybe on a holiday... maybe Texgiving... with Mike O'Hara and Greg Bird too.  Mark Teixeira is invited... don't worry.

Anyway, I getting off track.  I wanted to share something writen by BYB reader Thomas Snyder.  It's a terrific piece from his blog THE POWER OF INSPIRATION.  Here's a portion of it:

"Reading blogs on Twitter continues to "light my lamp" and provide inspiration. Thus igniting and energizing my various passions. There are many that are posted frequently and their authors all posess inspirational gifts.  However, there are three that consistently cause my inspirational meter to soar...

One of my passions which has been cultivated throughout my lifetime has been my love of Baseball. Suzanne Carbonaro, a Professor at the Rider University School of Education is among several contributing writers for the blog Bleeding Yankee Blue. Her writing consistently reveals her own passion for her students, the sport of baseball, her family and her beloved Yankees.   

My admiration for her writing is strengthened with each post that I read. Her ability to connect baseball, the Yankees and real world experiences while coming from a different angle reveal her gifts as a writer. She literally has taken the phrase "baseball is life" to new, inspiring heights. After finishing Suzanne's posts I always feel that she above all else is a baseball fan, using her writing as a tool to build relationships with other baseball fans. All the while igniting everyone's passion for the game."

Kindness makes the world go 'round.  I've said it time and time again here. We try to inspire here at BYB.  We try to bring the best out of people.  Sure, we're a baseball, Yankees site, but we thrive on life lessons and family.  It's why people like the Ryan family, the Jones Family, the Posadas, the Sabathias, the Hensleys... are close with us. They all get it.  We're nice at BYB... we back each other up. We're also inspirational.

I want to personally thank Thomas Snyder for taking the time. Your blog now sits on my blogroll. 

I tip my cap.  You're a good man.

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!

BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE TURNS FIVE

Thank you.

I've been so busy with life, I didn't even realize that today, September 14th is the day BYB was born.  I mean, this started 5 years ago... are you kidding me?

Many of you have been with us since the very beginning when we put together our first Bleeding Yankee Blue post in 2010. It was titled WHY LAST NIGHT WAS IMPORTANT, and it was a game where Joe Girardi used his binder alittle too much and Sergio Mitre was brought into the game.  

The Yankees lost and I was mad and so, I wrote up a post on a bad looking version of BYB and next thing you know, 5 years later, people are wear Bleeding Yankee Blue merchandise, you share our stories, some of you contribute, we have 9 incredible writers including myself, and we're plugging away bringing you stories, news, opinion and emotion every step of the way.

The doubters said it could not happen.  The doubters told us we sucked and that we don't offer anything different.  The doubters are wrong, because the doubters don't read us.   

While the other blogs, none of which are on the BYB Hub, were busy copying each other with statistics and unneeded information and sitting back offering the same thing,  we were crafting ways to change the landscape of Yankee baseball, incorporating life lessons and personal stories and a variety of other items.  In short, compare it to those alcohol ads out there. 

We didn't want to be the guy in the Southern Comfort ad with the slogan "Whatever's Comfortable", because that was too easy. No... we wanted to be the most interesting man in the world.  It's fresh, it's different.

We're not the same... we dare to be interesting. Yes my friends, stats are fine, and fun... but if you're gonna do it every day, it gets kind of boring. Baseball is about emotion too. The fan's take.  I figured... why be the same? Why not be different?  We've succeeded, and on our birthday, I want to thank the loyal Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for our help in being a success. 

I want to thank the readers for being loyal.  I want to thank the friends we've made.  I want to thank  the Yankee family and the baseball family who support what we do here.  It's not an endorsement, but more of an appreciation for what we do. They get us.  

I am particularly fond of Brendan and Sharyn Ryan, Garrett and Carrie Jones, Laura and Jorge Posada, the Sabathias, friend Nancy Newman.

The Hensley family, Marci and Mike have great kids in Ty and Jake, Clay Rapada, Lory Ankiel and good friend Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record... who also happens to be a kick ass singer.

 All have just been so terrific and understand our message here at BYB. We greatly appeciate it.

To my writers. You are fathers and mothers and wives, husbands, daughters, sons and people with so much going on in your lives... and you still manage to find time to write for BYB, no matter how crazy life gets... no matter what is going on in your life with jobs, kids, schedules.  You do it... and I appreciate you very much.  You are my extended family and thank you for volunteering, for becoming incredible writers and always being there.  

Today is Bleeding Yankee Blue's 5th birthday.  Hard to believe... but believe it.  To the haters, you were wrong and I knew you were day one. 

Never under estimate a Leo... you will always lose.  

Did you like this? Read These:
2011: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BYB. WE TURNED 1 BECAUSE OF YOU. 
2012: BYB TURNS 2 YEARS OLD. HOW WE DOING?
2013: IT'S BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE'S BIRTHDAY! LET'S PARTY!
2014: BYB 4 YEARS LATER: INSPIRED BY YOU!


 

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!

YANKEE INJURY UPDATES & WHERE'S GARRETT JONES?

Just wanted to update you all on the Yankee injuries and where everyone stands.  A lot of you have been asking me about Mark Teixeira, for instance.

Mark Teixeira: Markie Poo is still on crutches.  Apparently he had some nerve inflammation and was given 2 injections to ease that.  To be honest, the way it's been described by Brian Cashman, it appears that we shouldn't even think about Tex for the rest of the season. Maybe the post season. 

Nathan Eovaldi: We gave you an update on Eovaldi this morning in BUM ELBOW SIDELINES EOVALDI. The timetable then was 2 weeks.  But now it appears that he too may not be back for the regular season.  The way it will break down is a 2 week throwing program after he recovers for 2 weeks.  It could be a while. That sucks man.

Brett Gardner: Day to day.  Don't forget that he hurt his shoulder running into a wall trying to catch the baseball.  He's getting medical attention to relieve some pressure, but it may take a few days until he's back, or at least that's what the Yankees say.

Garrett Jones: When we last spoke about Garrett Jones, he was DFA'd by the Yankees, came back and was DFA'd again. He was released on August 20th.  I personally found it to be a bunch of crap.  On one hand, I like the guy as a player, but I got to know Cassie and G a bit and I like them.   People have emailed asking where G is these days.  I personally didn't want to encroach on their privacy right now, so I didn't text Cassie or anything, but I just did some independent digging.  My answer? Pergatory.  Pergatory in baseball.

You see, the last piece of information I was able to gather was a Retweet by Jones himself when someone asked him to come back to the Pirates on Twitter:

@Garrett_GIJones Come back to the Buccos! We need you for the playoffs 👍☺️ Best of luck wherever you end up!

— Kristan Goedicke (@Kristan82) August 24, 2015

Garrett's got a huge fan base in Pittsburgh.  Plus, it makes sense. We all know how much he loves Clint Hurdle. He said so in EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GARRETT & CASSIE JONES:

"Garrett Jones: Hurdle is a great leader and motivator. He has really helped bring that city to life, and I've enjoyed being a part of it and now watching it."

 So yeah, if  that could work out for the Jones family, that would be great.

Right now, I know of no team "in" for Garrett Jones.  But when something happens, and it will, I will most certainly tell you.

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!

JONES DOWN, CAPUANO UP & THAT'S FREAKING NUTS

Look. Full disclosure. I like Garrett and Cassie Jones. They are both terrific people and this recent struggle is absolutely silly and shouldn't have to happen.  I mean, Stephen Drew is still there and doing zero.  You know what I mean?  The fact that G was DFA'd the first time was ridiculous.  Garrett was brought back, and the media embraced him, including BYB, and that was because he brought back because the newly signed Dustin Ackley was hurt and put on the DL.

Jones came back and he wasn't able to do much, and I'm sure G knew his days were numbered... and today, he was DFA'd a second time.  This time, the decision becomes even more insane.

According to NJ.com, "The Yankees designated Garrett Jones for assignment Wednesday, the second time he's been cut by the organization in the last 13 days. 

'It was really difficult,' manager Joe Girardi said. 'If we're not in a game like yesterday, it probably doesn't happen.'

New York played the Cleveland Indians 16 innings Tuesday night (and lost), requiring some fresh arms in the bullpen. The Yankees called up Chris Capuano and Nick Goody, optioning Branden Pinder to Triple-A along with Jones.

Since Jones came back August 5, he didn't appear in a game. He had originally been cut on July 30 to make room for Dustin Ackley, traded a day before the deadline from Seattle. Ackley has since been put on the disabled list with an injured back.    

'It is what it is,' Jones said. 'I wasn't playing much...I was that guy, the 25th man on the roster. So, it's going to be me.'"

Look, I've heard people blasting Jones for months.  I hate it. Partly because I understand what Jones is dealing with.  I wrote in GARRETT JONES DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT & MORE, "...Say what you will about Garrett Jones.  I say the dude is a fierce competitor and had a huge opportunity to come to the New York Yankees and play and went for it. The role wasn't the right one for him, but he had a big shot here.  If Jones was playing more consistently, you'd see more production, that's the bottom line. "

As Jones said... the clubhouse is crowded. He knows his role and has accepted it.

Sadly, it doesn't need to be this way.

In other news... why in the hell is any team bringing back Chris Capuano???



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!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BRENDAN & SHARYN RYAN

We're big when it comes to family here at BYB just as much as we are with the New York Yankees.  It's quite evident when you see who we have aligned ourselves with over the years.  Laura and Jorge Posada (THE FULL POSADA INTERVIEW), CC & Amber Sabathia (CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR: INTERVIEW WITH THE SABATHIA), David & Erin Robertson (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HIGH SOCKS FOR HOPE), Garrett & Cassie Jones (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GARRETT & CASSIE JONES), plus we got to know the Hensley family through Ty, getting to know mom Marci and his brother Jake as well as Lory Ankiel whose husband Rick is with the Washington Nationals.  In other words, the bond runs deep, and we continue to do it differently here at Bleeding Yankee Blue than all the others out there.  While everyone wants to know about the player, we go deeper. We want to know how they've not only become the player, but how they became great people.  That starts at home... with their families.

Enter Brendan Ryan.  A guy who I appreciate in pinstripes and a guy that clearly has a terrific family. Sharyn Ryan is a great chick and it's clear, these 2 kids are crazy about each other.  So, now I have something special for you all. I bring you our interview with Brendan & Sharyn Ryan.

Oh, and here's the best treat of them all.  In something that has never been done here at BYB, we present Brendan's part of the interview via audio.  Sharyn came up with the idea and so, we thought it would be awesome to present it to you to bring that extra personal element to it.

So enjoy this ladies and gentlemen... I certainly did.

BYB: Brendan, I've been a fan since Seattle.  Tell me about when you heard that you were coming to the Yankees.  What's going through your mind? 



BYB: Sharyn, My wife and I both read your tweet about Brendan and you from last December. You tweeted about your 2 year anniversary. Brendan was on Piano. 

Celebrating our 2yr today! Thanks Brendan for always keeping me entertained:) pic.twitter.com/Fxa9ti28Fv

— Sharyn Ryan (@SharynRyan17) December 1, 2014

We loved it!  How did you and Brendan meet and did you know he was the one?

Sharyn Ryan:  Brendan and I actually met when I was in 7th grade and he was a sophomore in high school. He is one of my brothers best friends and played baseball together. Two years later we're at Notre Dame High School together. I was a freshman and he was a senior. There was definitely an instant attraction but nothing could happen... Minus the age difference at the time, I was his best friends little sister and nothing could happen! Eventually as I got older we hung out more and became really good friends and my brother watched us like a hawk! Finally, my brother Tim realized there was a definite spark between Brendan and I. He gave us his blessing and as they say, the rest is history.

BYB: Sharyn, you mentioned to me that Brendan is very funny.  Expand on that for the BYB audience?

Sharyn Ryan:  I don't even know how or where to begin with this question. That was actually one of the things that attracted me to Brendan, besides his handsome good looks!  Rarely is there a dull moment in our lives, there's always laughter going on in our household. I know at the moment Brendan is known for his mustache but he really should be known as "The Man of a Thousand Voices". We all know he loves to do impersonations but the voices and characters he comes up with on his own are pretty special.  

I swear our son is going to be very confused when he gets older. You really have to be on your toes to be married to Brendan, he's always cracking jokes and is looking for participation in his witty banter. He's always looking to laugh and have fun and I love that about him.

BYB: Brendan, what's up with the Harry Caray impersonation? I have to say, it's the best, most exaggerated and most hilarious one I've ever seen... better than Will Ferrell. I'm not kidding.  How the heck did you come up with that?




BYB: B, tell me about Seattle for a sec.  What's it like to play for a guy like Eric Wedge and compare that to Joe Girardi.  Different Strategy? Personalities? Give the audience alittle insight. 




BYB: Sharyn, Your son is absolutely adorable and We loved your tweet about your "Irish boys."

My Irish boys🍀💚 pic.twitter.com/uDT8B4d5iQ

— Sharyn Ryan (@SharynRyan17) March 18, 2015

Tell the audience about what makes parenthood so special for you both...

Sharyn:  Parenthood is everything I thought it would be and more. I mean yes I'm tired, yes I have no free time and I, we can't go to dinner or anywhere like we used to but I wouldn't have it any other way. His smile and laughter melts my heart and makes all those sleepless nights worth it. 

We are truly blessed and lucky to have Hudson, he's such a good and HAPPY baby. What makes it extra special for me is watching Brendan with Hudson, I see that and my heart is full.

BYB: Brendan, what's the best quality about Sharyn?

BYB: Brendan, growing up... what baseball player did you admire most and why?



BYB: Did you always know you wanted to play baseball? And to follow up... what's it like to put on the pinstripes compared to wearing a Cardinals or Mariners uniform?



BYB: Sharyn, I currently have a bet going with one of my friends on who is going to sport Bleeding Yankee Blue gear first... Cassie & Garrett Jones who we interviewed on Opening day, or Lory Ankiel, a friend of BYB's (wife of Rick Ankiel) and just a cool chick.  Should we add you guys into the mix? Are you in? Will you put the others the shame? I have a BYB onesie with Hudson's name on it!

(In Photo: Garrett and Cassie Jones)
Sharyn:  The Jones' are awesome and I'm friends with Lory. She was actually one of the first baseball wives I ever met when Brendan was in AAA Memphis forever ago, she's the best!! But we will have to put them to shame with our BYB gear!

BYB: Finally... Do you read Bleeding Yankee Blue? If so, what do you think?

Sharyn:  I read BYB, not all the time, it"s hard with a little one, but what I have read I liked! You guys seem pretty positive which I appreciate. Brendan does not read anything! Whatever he finds out is from me! He stays away from blogs and articles.

Hey, I get that!

A very special thank you to Sharyn and Brendan for taking the time to speak to Bleeding Yankee Blue.  You 2 are now part of the BYB family!

To my audience; I hope you enjoyed this.  Bottom line, I like these 2. They're crazy about each other and their family and that's what we like to share here at Bleeding Yankee Blue!

GI GARRETT IS BACK IN THE BRONX!

I'm the "called it" guy.  I'm not proud of that, but I am, and that's because it was mind boggling to me the way the Yankees brought in Dustin Ackley just to shit the bed after 2 games and hit the DL. Meanwhile they carelessly DFA'd Jones.  I looked at my phone at Cassie and Garrett's Twitter that day. I felt bad. I thought, "They're good people." And in the end, I wished them well, not knowing the outcome.

I did write WHAT ARE THE YANKEES DOING?, and in it simply wrote: "I kind of wish we never designated Garrett Jones for assignment... you know what I mean?"

That was followed with comments from BYB readers, many of which think I am absolutely insane for wanting Jones back.  To them, I laugh.  Garrett Jones is not a bad player.  Garrett Jones came to New York in a trade looking for a new opportunity.  The opportunity was a role that he wasn't so familiar with, playing less, and playing when he was called on and not a guaranteed spot every single game. Guess what? With his wife and family Yankee fanatics, the opportunity was right, and he went for it with opened arms. Going from playing every day to not, well, you gotta understand what that does to an every day player who isn't used to that role. You need to adjust and so, sometimes it ain't easy. And that's Garrett Jones right now.  But trust me, the guys a hard worker and a grinder and ladies and gentlemen... he's not Stephen Drew. Not even close.

Here's the bottom line, Garrett Jones is back, because Ackley is a dud so far and that's good for G. It's an opportunity to shine for who knows how long... but it's another shot regardless.  Jack Curry broke the news about Jonesy today:

It's been a crazy few days for Garrett Jones. DFA'd and wondering about future. Guy who replaced you gets hurt. Sign back w/ original team.

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) August 5, 2015

Welcome back G.  Welcome back Cassie. 

Now let's get those Bleeding Yankee Blue shirts on and pose for me!!! Papa needs a new BYB photo of one of my favorite couples!

By the way, it's stuff like this Tweet below that I love about the Jones family:

Seriously the outpouring of support since last week from fans & Yankees has been awe producing to say the least. TY! pic.twitter.com/jzU6kewdBo

— Cassie Jones (@CassieJones08) August 5, 2015

Sometimes things happen for a reason!

Did you like this? Read These: 
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GARRETT & CASSIE JONES
WHO'LL WEAR #BYB FIRST? CASSIE JONES OR LORY ANKIEL?




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!

GARRETT JONES DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT & MORE

This one hurts, just because I'm a fan.  Plus, I got to know the Jones family alittle bit over the season, and of course you know about the BYB interview with G and Cassie, EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GARRETT & CASSIE JONES. Plus, I really like them as people.  Bottom line, Garrett Jones was designated for assignment today.  That sucks.

According to MLB.com, "...the Yankees designated first baseman/outfielder Garrett Jones for assignment.

New York also reinstated outfielder Slade Heathcott from the 60-day disabled list and outrighted left-hander Chris Capuano to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Heathcott was also optioned to Triple-A."

Say what you will about Garrett Jones.  I say the dude is a fierce competitor and had a huge opportunity to come to the New York Yankees and play and went for it. The role wasn't the right one for him, but he had a big shot here.  If Jones was playing more consistently, you'd see more production, that's the bottom line.  It didn't work out.

I personally want to see Garrett succeed wherever he ends up, and I want to thank Cassie for being great in our constant chatter back and forth throughout the season.  No one's a bigger fan of Garrett's than she!

Whatever happens, good luck Garrett from everyone here at BYB!


 

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!