CHRIS DICKERSON HAS STILL GOT IT!

Just wanted to keep you in the loop on our buddy Chris Dickerson.  He just signed a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.  According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet:

#BlueJays sign OF Chris Dickerson to minor-lg deal with spring invite.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) February 21, 2015

We have always appreciated Chris.  He's a good dude, he played hard for us in New York and he'll always be family to us at Bleeding Yankee Blue.

We interviewed him when he was with the Orioles, after his stint in the Bronx.  Read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CHRIS DICKERSON for more.  I was always taken by this exchange with him:

BYB: Tell me what you loved most about the New York Yankee fans?

 Chris Dickerson: "That's a tough one, honestly I think my love for the Yankee fans is deep rooted. My mom's side of the family is from NY, my grandfather was a NYPD detective for 30 years. My mom was born in Brooklyn and my grandfather took me to my first Yankee game when I was 6, and went every summer I came to visit. They lived in Queens… and no, we never bothered to go see the Mets.

I admire the Yankee fans for their dedication, their passion and involvement in the game. It's a true team of generations much like English football.  The obsession and intense dedication is passed down from generation to generation and have New York families that literally live and die by the Yankees. and of course THE BLEACHER CREATURES!  So awesome!  They provide an experience like no other each and every game and every time I played right or started a game, going through roll call was a truly memorable experience.

I wish I could have stayed around a bit longer so I could have come up with a better salute, something cool like Gardy or Grandys!"

Anyway, this is just to let the BYB community know that Dickerson has still got it... and to wish Chris good luck!

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!

OFF DAY IN CLEVELAND

You can't win them all. Not even Masahiro Tanaka can.

Last night he had a rare, rough outing.  No biggie... don't let it happen again.

The Indians had 10 hits and scored 5 runs off of the Golden child, who just didn't seem right all night.  He went 6.2 innings, only had 5 strikeouts and was relieved by Matt Thornton and Shawn Kelley who did a pretty good job at least keeping the Yankees in the game. The problem though, and this has been a problem all along, was out offense coming back and winning.

The Yankees had 4 hits in Cleveland last night.  We started out like this... Mark Teixeira singled after the ball deflected off of Chris Dickerson's glove. Brett Gardner scored.  Then, Brian McCann struck out, but when there was a throwing error by Yan Gomes, Jacoby Ellsbury came around to score. In the second, Gardy grounded out, but Ichiro scored.

Then came the bottom of the 6th. It was that inning that Nick Swisher homered and put the Indians ahead 4-3.  They would score 1 more.  I like seeing Swish... but not like that.

Not a great game at all for the Yanks.

Final: Indians 5 - Yankees 3 

Whatever. Try to forget it and move on...

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OUR PAL, CHRIS DICKERSON IS ON THE MOVE

There is a certain thinking that comes with moving from team to team.  The 1 type of thinking suggests you're just a regular player and if you're needed, and a team is willing to move you, you get shipped out.  The other type of thinking is, you're wanted, because that team knows what you're capable of... I like that type of thinking better, and it applies to Chris Dickerson.

Our pal, Chris Dickerson is on the move again.  The Indians inquired about him, the Pirates shipped him the Cleveland.  That story comes from Jordan Bastian of MLB.

Indians acquired OF Chris Dickerson from PIT for PTBN or cash. C George Kottaras DFA'd to clear a roster spot.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 7, 2014

The reason was because Michael Bourn being out with a hamstring.

UPDATED: Bourn likely to miss 3-4 weeks with hamstring strain http://t.co/5XBYi5DBAB via @indians
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 7, 2014

Logically, they need someone capable of filling the role while Bourn is out. 

 

(In Photo: Michael Bourn)

Dickerson is underrated... so my thinking is, he goes to Cleveland, he impresses and hopefully continues to have a job once Bourn gets healthy.

In this scenario... do you want to be Dickerson or Kottaras right now?

We love Dickerson here. We loved him in the Bronx, we loved him in Baltimore and even in Pittsburgh. Now we love him with the Indians... check out our BYB interview with him. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CHRIS DICKERSON.

Good luck Chris.

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JETER IS A LEADER WHETHER YOU THINK HE IS OR NOT

I received an odd tweet the other day, and I needed to share it because it was clear to me that this person was just causing trouble.  Maybe he's been in a coma for 20 years... I don't know.  He tweeted me this about Derek Jeter:

@BleednYankeeBlu @Yankees don't get me wrong he's high on list of all mlb players over past century, just haven't seen "captain" instincts
— JACOB (@KINGSKRIB) February 17, 2014

Now I was taken back and told him that he's "making me laugh." Then today, there was more... clearly he was pushing my buttons and has no real interest in the Yankees, Derek Jeter or what leadership means. He also didn't care too much about what I had to say, he just wanted a reaction.  He wrote me:

@KINGSKRIB @yankees @mikeyoh21 @joba_62 @cc_sabathia No Jacob, you're causing trouble. If his teammates say he's a leader, he's a leader.
— Bleeding Yankee Blue (@BleednYankeeBlu) February 19, 2014

I followed up with that above.  Sure, I tweeted in the big guns... CC Sabathia, Joba Chamberlain... you get the point. Why? I'll tell you why. Because a leader, from a fan perspective is sometimes very different than from a players opinion on leadership. For instance, I've never shared the field with Derek Jeter.

I've never sat in on a meeting with Derek to get us motivated... but CC Sabathia has. Jorge Posada has, and they know that Derek Jeter is a true leader. They know he rallies the troops.  To be frank, what we think or don't think about Derek Jeter's leadership from a fan perspective is insignificant, UNLESS you believe that positive role models for our children matter... That's where I come in.

My wife and I have always appreciated Jeter's style.  He carries himself with pride and professionalism.  He stays out of trouble and with that, I consider Jeter a leader. He teaches what leadership is by standing tall, never speaking out of turn, keeping clean, leading the team out of the dugout and has done things that kids dream about doing when and if they make the pros one day.  From a father's standpoint, me... that's what a true leader is.  But this kid or troublemaker or whatever he is, doesn't understand that.  He's trying to get me to fall on my face publicly on Twitter because he's bored.  In the end, it's bigger than his little question. So I looked around to see what the players thought about our mighty Captain.  He should be asking them, not me, because the players and fans have slightly different interpretations. Check this out:

ESPN broke down reaction to Jeter's retirement from players that played with him:

"BERNIE WILLIAMS, former Yankees teammate

I'm so happy that Derek will get to go out on his terms -- and his way. He was as special a teammate as any player could ever have. I'm blessed to have played with him. Yankees fans and baseball fans all over the world will have a lot to celebrate this season. 

JORGE POSADA, former Yankees teammate

It was an honor and privilege to have Derek next to me for all those years. He made me a better player and a better person. I'm so proud of our friendship, and I love him like a brother. Derek was a true champion and the greatest teammate I ever had."

If a player like Jorge is telling the press that Jeter made him a "better player and a better person"... guess what, Jeter is a leader.

Look at what Albert Pujols told the Los Angeles Times:

Pujols on Jeter: "On and off field, he's the way you want your kids to grow up, Only Jesus is perfect, but he's pretty close to that guy."
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) February 13, 2014

Wow. Similar to a father like myself, but the Jesus reference is weird, yet, I get what he's trying to say. How about our BYB buddy Chris Dickerson:

All the best to Derek in his final season. He's been Nothing but class and I wish him health and much success this year.
— Chris Dickerson (@CDickerson_PFTP) February 12, 2014

Class.  That's leadership ladies and gentlemen... you show it on and off the field, people want to follow.

Mike Trout:

Grew up watching Jeter play. Always aspired to be the player he was on and off the field. #TheCaptain
— Mike Trout (@Trouty20) February 13, 2014

Being inspired by a player is leadership Sunshine...write that down.

And there were plenty of media reactions too, but I found this one unique, so I'm printing it here:

Rich Cimini of ESPN simply wrote this in a piece about the New York Jets:

"I'm not a Yankees fan, but how can you not respect Jeter? Every professional sports franchise longs to have a Jeter..."

Hmm. Respect.  Respect the team, it respects you. Respect the game, it respects you. Respect your teammates, they respect you and want to play hard with you... that's leadership.

Finally, I leave you with a Tweet about Jeter from Dodgers Dee Gordon:

Derek Jeter was a God. Who cares what anyone's opinion is.
— Dee Gordon (@FlashGJr) February 12, 2014

That's about right. It doesn't matter who the haters are.  It doesn't matter if you want to question if Jeter is a leader or not... he is.

Just ask the hundreds of players that played with him and against him. As the sea of #2 in Yankee stadium who come to watch him.  He represents leadership. That's why he was named Captain... he earned that... and you can't take that away from him, or us as Yankee fans, fathers, mothers or friends.

Salute the Captain, a true leader, whether you think he is or not pal.

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.

GUESS WHERE CHRIS DICKERSON JUST SIGNED?

I just wanted to let you know that Chris Dickerson has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  This information comes from the Pittsburgh Tribune below:

#pirates haven't announced it yet, but they have signed OF Chris Dickerson. He is here in Bradenton for workouts.
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) January 6, 2014

I have always liked Chris Dickerson. He was a good solider for the Yankees. When he was playing, he was solid and full of energy. I have always believed that he should have been given more chances in New York. But when teams are playing big time salaries for other players, those other players play more. It's just the way it goes.  Dickerson, while a great teammate in New York, was considered more "filler" by Yankee brass. That's my opinion.

He eventually moved on went to the Orioles and performed well there. Now though, it appears he is a Pirate.

You can read our BYB interview with Chris right here... click EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CHRIS DICKERSON.

Good luck Chris, you da man!

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.

WHAT'S IN HIS TWITTER PICS: CURTIS GRANDERSON

We started this series last week on BYB when we brought you WHAT'S IN HIS TWITTER PICS: MARK TEIXEIRA, and it was a lot of fun. We're continuing the series because the readers loved it and we'll do it with Yankees and non-Yankees.  But for now, here's a new one... here's "the Gentleman", Curtis Granderson. Enjoy this:

This picture I found in his Twitter feed features Grandy and our buddy Chris Dickerson.  You remember in our interview with Chris, he told us Granderson was his buddy in the Yankee clubhouse.  Well, here they are launching a campaign for UR H20.

Supporting @LetsMove & @PHAnews to celebrate the launch of #DrinkH2O @urH2O with @cdickerson_pftp! @yankees @orioles pic.twitter.com/POcEuJA8DP
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand14) September 12, 2013

Love this.  Here's another great shot. I like this one a lot.  It's always strange to see our guys in other uniforms, but this is from 2005 when Curtis was with the Mud Hens. Pretty cool.

In @swbrailriders to start my rehab games. The first time I was here was 2005 with the @MudHens #TBT #RoadToRecovery pic.twitter.com/FzUgbeSOru
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand14) May 9, 2013

Finally, here's a the final one I chose from Granderson's Twitter pics. It may be one of my favorites:

Attempting the sumo squat before the stomp :) pic.twitter.com/flccnRQ1
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand14) December 6, 2012

Hilarious. Not a lot of people probably saw this so I'm glad I could bring it to you.

Anyway, Curtis thanks for letting us go through you Twitter Pics.  You're a cool guy, a great Yankee and I wish you were sticking around.

It's funny ladies and gentlemen... this offseason we haven't heard about the Yankees looking to bring Curtis back. We hear about Matt Kemp or Carlos Beltran, but not Curtis. Why? He was great for us while he was here. I know, I know... it's business... I need to keep telling myself that.

Good Luck Curtis, whatever happens, I'll always like you.

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CHRIS DICKERSON IS A FREE AGENT... JUST SAYIN'

Don't get excited if you're a Chris Dickerson fan, because the likelihood of him coming back to the Yankees is slim... but Chris Dickerson is now a free agent.

According to the Baltimore Sun, "...Chris Dickerson and infielder Dan Johnson, who were taken off the Orioles' 40-man roster Thursday and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, have to decided to become free agents instead of accepting the assignments."

We like Chris Dickerson here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.  We interviewed him this past year (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CHRIS DICKERSON)and the piece was well received by BYB readers, even though at the time he was an Oriole.

There was a great nugget in the interview when ask him about believing in yourself.  Check out this exchange:

BYB: If there is one thing you can tell kids out there who want to make it to the pros, but are frustrated as they try and climb the ladder?

Chris Dickerson:  Believing in your abilities and giving a FULL commitment to each task is very important. One of my biggest things in the off season is to make visits to my High School baseball team and make sure they know the importance of putting forth their best effort, both in the classroom and on the field.

Anyway... we wish Dickerson well.  He's a good dude and he gives his all whenever he's out there... you can't ask for anything better than that! Good luck Chris!
 
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WRITING FOR BYB IS THE BEST GIG AROUND

Once upon a time, BYB was formed after a much needed rant. From there, the rest is history but I feel fortunate because I have been here for so much of it. It's been a great ride and I look forward to more. Lou Gehrig once said he was the luckiest man on earth. Looking back at the opportunities I have had here I feel like I am the luckiest woman on earth.

A long time ago, before BYB even turned a year old I was an avid everyday reader. I would get up in the morning, grab my juice and check out what the buzz was on the page. I came here everyday first over anywhere else because I really felt like this place was the perfect blend of news and opinion. After some time, I saw a post from Casey advertising for a female voice. I noticed the staff was all male voices and he was looking for the first female on BYB. I thought about it for a couple of days. I kept thinking about submitting something for him to read, but I never did. I don't know why. I think part of me was too afraid to be the first female. What if people thought I was misinformed? What if people thought I had no credibility? Writing has always been a passion for me so I think I talked myself out of it because I just didn't want to think about taking a risk and failing. People can be brutal when it comes to a female sports analyst.

Casey found his first female voice and obviously it wasn't me because I chickened out. But right after he found his female voice, BYB became even more popular, and the next thing I knew I had a private message waiting for me on Facebook. One of my friends was a writer for the website, and I used to edit his own work long before he joined BYB. He let me know that BYB was looking for an editor. I wasn't going to pass up a second opportunity.

Shortly after, I had a message from Casey himself. He wanted to make sure I was who I said I was and that I was a writer and that I had been an editor and that I could do exactly what he was looking for. He was straight forward with me, and that is something I admire. I appreciated how much he valued integrity and that he was willing to give me a shot. I could tell right away how important his readers were to him, and that is why he has made this so successful.

So I spent a few months editing stories for him. I liked what I was doing and it felt good to know that I was helping Casey out as BYB was growing. Eventually, I wanted to do more than just help people polish their words into great stories. I wanted to share my own words. It took some time, but eventually I did. Without asking, I just put fingers on my keyboard and just started writing. Derek Jeter's 3000th hit inspired me so I wrote WHY IT'S MORE THAN 3000, IT'S DESTINY. I spent several hours on it because I told myself if I was going to do this unsolicited I needed to impress. Last thing I wanted was to submit it and the boss man be less than impressed. I didn't know what to expect, and I didn't even expect him to publish it.....but he did!

So here we are, over 2 years later and he still lets me write so, I'm glad I took the risk finally. I look back at that now and realize if I had not done that, I never would have been able to talk to one of my favorite players Chris Dickerson, or Meredith Marakovits. When I interviewed her and listened to her tell me about how she conquered my greatest fears about being a female sports writer it felt good to know that I wasn't the only one with those same fears. If you missed that, read our interview with her HERE.

Writing for Bleeding Yankee Blue has taught me so many valuable life lessons, and they have proven to be invaluable.

I have been here for a big chunk of BYB's accomplishments. I have seen us grow, and I see how the readers look for us. I see how other writers come to our website and read our stuff too! I think that is the greatest compliment you can receive. I don't think I can put into words how great it has been working for Casey. Not only do we have fun being here, but he understands how real life comes first and he cares about us writers as people. We have a lot of great creative energy on our team. Everyday someone comes up with a great nugget that they want to share, and he encourages that. We bring our own ideas to the table and he lets us run with them. For as long as I have been here, I can't think of a single story idea that has been pitched by anyone that he hasn't given the green light for, as long as we are confident that it can be done and that the audience will enjoy it. I swear, Bleeding Yankee Blue is like a well-oiled machine that runs as professionally as say... the New York Times, except I am positive we have more fun because we are fans!  We are bitten by the radioactive writing addiction, and we love the Yankees just like you do!

For whatever reason, you all choose to read us and that makes us love doing what we do. This isn't the place where you punch a time card. This is that creative free space that is also known as the dream job. If it weren't for this website and our loyal readers, I wouldn't be able to combine two of my favorite things: the Yankees and writing, so thank you to our readers and to Casey for giving me the best gig a girl can ask for. What a gig!




--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ
 
 


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CHRIS DICKERSON CAN'T GET A BREAK!

Multiple publications are reporting that Chris Dickerson was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles.  This move was made because of the recent roster addition of Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia. I guess someone had to go... and it was Dickerson.

(In Photo: Henry Urrutia)
According to Roch Kubatko of School of Roch HERE, "Urrutia is batting a combined .365/.427/.531 with 20 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 43 RBIs in 52 games at Double-A Bowie 15 games at Triple-A Norfolk."

I wonder if the Yankees will think someone like Dickerson would be smart in the second half. I actually don't think so. While he was a good soldier for the Yankees, the Yanks have to now be smart about their offensive power, going bigger than Dickerson in my opinion, as well as adding another starting pitcher.

I was convinced the Yanks would go after someone like Matt Garza, but it appears the Rangers are all over him at this point. We'll see, there was a Tweet earlier that said another National League team could be involved, read HERE.

We are and have always been Team Dickerson here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.  Chris is a good guy and has been quite friendly with us over the past year.  We appreciate that.  Oh, and read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CHRIS DICKERSON where he said this when we asked him what he loved most about the Yankee fans:

"I admire the Yankee fans for their dedication, their passion and involvement in the game. It's a true team of generations much like English football.  The obsession and intense dedication is passed down from generation to generation and have New York families that literally live and die by the Yankees."

Good Luck Chris... maybe we'll see you around soon.


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THIS LOSS STINGS BUT WE TURN THE PAGE

Some games are just a knock-out, drag-out battle and neither team is really advancing. Then, on a silly pitch or error or misplay, or even home run... it ends and you are either on top, or you lose. It's that cut and dry.  Tonight it ended in a home run off Nate McLouth's bat in the bottom of the 10th and then... game over, the Yankee lose. Hey, that's baseball. Rub some dirt on it and come back tomorrow.

The game was tied 2-2 almost the entire game. Travis Hafner knocked in Brett Gardner in the first inning and later on Chris Dickerson solo homered for the Orioles. Then Travis Hafner came back in the 4th and knocked in Vernon Wells. 

The O's struck back with Chris Dickerson's second solo homer in the 5th inning.  Then the tug-o-war continued until the 10th, when Vidal Nuno came in and allowed McLouth to launch one.

That's it.  Not much more to say except that I applaud Dickerson for hitting so well tonight, but hey, the Yankee bats were quiet tonight. Forget this one ladies and gentlemen... turn the page.

Final: Orioles 3 - Yankees 2.

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ORIOLES GET PRONKED IN CAMDEN YARDS!

(In Photo: Travis Hafner)
The Yankees are in Baltimore for a 3 game series against the Orioles. CC Sabathia took the mound against former Yankee pitcher Freddy Garcia in first game of this set.

Robbie Cano "Doncha' Know" made some noise with his bat in the top of the first with a solo HR (13) making it 1-0 before the Orioles even got their first at bats. In the top of the 2nd David Adams hit his first career HR as a Yankee giving the Yankees their 2nd run of the game. But Chris Davis gave the O's a run back with a solo HR of his own making it 2-1 Yankees in the bottom of the 2nd.

Things stayed quiet for a few innings until Nick Markakis singled to center scoring Steve Pearce in the bottom of the 5th tying things up at 2 a piece. But, Lyle Overbay was swinging for the fences in the top of the 7th and gave the Yankees back the lead 3-2.. But Nick Markakis hits another RBI double to left center scoring Alexi Casilla, tying the game up again.

Then J.J. Hardy scores Markakis on an RBI double ending the night for Sabathia in 6.1 innings. CC struck out 2 batters and was hit 11 times 5 of them were doubles and no walks. Shawn Kelley came in for relief work and maintained the Yankees 1 run deficit. He pitched one inning and gave up one walk, and struck out 3 before being replaced by Boone Logan in the bottom of the 8th to face pinch hitter and former Yankee and BYB favorite Chris Dickerson who singled to center.

Logan held the Orioles to just that one hit, and kept the Yankees within one going into the top of the 9th. Then Travis Hafner went deep off Orioles closer Jim Johnson tying the game yet again 4-4 after Cano grounded out. David Robertson entered in the bottom of the 9th in hopes of bringing the game into extra innings. He did just that with a fly out by Manny Machado and then struck out J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis. Ichiro Suzuki started the top of the 10th with a double down the RF line off of Pedro Strop and later scored on a ground-rule double by Vernon Wells.

Hafner went up to the plate and scored the insurance run by bringing Wells home making it 6-4 Yankees after the Orioles went to the bullpen bringing in Brian Matusz. Then it was Mo' time in the bottom of the 10th. Mariano Rivera did his thing and closed the door in a 1, 2, 3 inning for save number 625, and handed the Orioles their 6th consecutive loss.

Oh, and a big Congratulations to David Adams on collecting his first MLB career home run, and great defense at 3rd.

Final score from Baltimore- Yankees 6 - Orioles 4.

-- Rudy Laurens, BYB Writer
Facebook: House of Champions



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BYB READERS WANT JESUS MONTERO BACK!

So there it is.  We did a poll around a month ago after a very depressing off season of not signing a top player that made Yankee fans say, “You know what? That’s an awesome signing!”  Instead, there were a lot of guys that combined, could be a terrific player, but as an individual, we’re rolling the dice.  Matt Diaz has already been signed and released by the Yankees and Dan Johnson and Juan Rivera aren’t exactly lighting it up.  So I had to know… since some players have left New York, be it free agency or trades or whatever over the past 7 years, if you had a chance to get 1 guy back, who would it be?   

There were 9 players on the list.  I left Nick Swisher off the list, and maybe I should have kept him on it.  The reason why was because I didn’t have any indication from Yankee brass that he was coming back because of his free agency year and so, it was a decision I made. But the reality was, that probably wasn’t fair because believe it or not, as far as write-in votes go, Nick Swisher received 12 votes.  So, I apologize to the BYB readers, but thanks for keeping me in check, with comments and emails, I appreciate it.  Anyway, here are the results of that poll:

 

93 people voted and Jesus Montero was the top of the heap with 31 votes, or 33%.  Losing Montero was like a punch to the gut when he was traded. Probably because there was really no chatter about the Yankees ever wanting to trade him and then... it just happened. To me, Montero leading in this poll made sense.

 Next up, receiving 18 votes was Raul Ibanez.  Ibanez was the post season hero for the Yankees and right around Christmas time, it was clear that the Yankees were going to re-sign Ibanez.  Shockingly, that never happened and Ibanez signed with the Mariners because the Yankees waited to long to make an offer.  That spawned a rant that will be read on BYB for years to come… read YANKEE FANS REVOLT: "ENOUGH'S ENOUGH!" for context on that. 

Chris Dickerson and Russell Martin each got 13 votes a piece, a tie.  Both guys contributed in their own ways and when both guys left after the season, Martin by choice, Dickerson by force, it was sad to see.  Again, Martin never got an offer from the Yankees, a surprise by many of us.  We all knew Dickerson would bounce back, he has the talent and always contributed.  He was a good soldier.  By the way, read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CHRIS DICKERSON if you haven’t already. He's on the Orioles now.

Next was good ol’ Nick Swisher with 12 write-in votes… Not too shabby for a guy I left off the list on purpose.  I guess I was thinking too hard.   I apologize again.  

And with 11 votes was Eric Chavez. Chavez did some great stuff while in New York and it was sad to see him leave to go to Arizona. Again, and I hate harping on this, but the Yankees didn’t really engage him and they let him walk.

You can check out the other voting as well, but I must say, you gotta feel alittle bad for George Kontos and Hector Noesi… big fat zeroes for them.  Oh well, life goes on. 

So there you have it, Jesus Montero is your guy!  Montero is the 1 player you’d like to have back if you could, and I happen to agree with you.  It would have made for some fun times in the Yankees catching situation right now, I’ll tell you that.  

Anyway, thanks for voting and thanks for reading.  We appreciate you guys here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.

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