WHEN DION JAMES FOUND HIS RHYTHM

Dion James's arrival to the New York Yankees in 1993 marked a significant chapter in his career and provided a much-needed boost to the team during that season. James, known for his versatility and consistent hitting, quickly became a fan favorite and a valuable asset to the Yankees.

Dion James came to the Yankees in 1993. At the time, the Yankees were in the midst of rebuilding, and James's experience and skill set made him an important addition. He primarily played as an outfielder but also served as a designated hitter when needed.

In 1993, James played in 115 games for the Yankees, batting .332 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .441 slugging percentage. His consistent ability to get on base was crucial for a Yankees lineup that lacked depth in hitting. James's left-handed bat provided balance in the lineup, and his ability to hit for average made him a reliable option in various situations.

James also brought a veteran presence to a team that was transitioning, with young players coming up through the ranks. His leadership and experience were important in helping the Yankees navigate a challenging season. The team finished second in the American League East with an 88-74 record, and while they didn't make the playoffs, James's contributions were seen as a key factor in their improved performance that year.

After the 1993 season, James signed a contract to play in Japan, where he spent the 1994 season. However, his connection with the Yankees remained strong, and he returned to the team in 1995. This was a significant year for the Yankees, as it marked the beginning of their resurgence in Major League Baseball.

James's return to the Yankees in 1995 came at a time when the team was filled with rising stars, including the likes of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada. Despite the influx of young talent, James's role as a seasoned player was still valuable. He played in 102 games in 1995, batting .279 with a .344 on-base percentage and a .393 slugging percentage. While his numbers were not as impressive as in 1993, his contributions were vital in providing stability and experience to a team that was starting to gel.

The 1995 Yankees made it to the playoffs as a Wild Card team, marking their first postseason appearance since 1981. Although they were eliminated by the Seattle Mariners in the American League Division Series, James's role in the team's success that year was appreciated by both fans and management. His return from Japan and immediate impact demonstrated his resilience and ability to adapt, making him an integral part of the Yankees during this transitional period.

Dion James may not have been a superstar, but his contributions to the Yankees in 1993 and then 1995 and alittle bit in 1996 were significant. He provided consistency, leadership, and a veteran presence that helped the Yankees lay the groundwork for their dominance in the late 1990s. His ability to hit for average and get on base was particularly important during a time when the Yankees were building a foundation for future success.

James's popularity with the fans and his importance to the team in those years should not be overlooked. His role in helping the Yankees transition from a period of mediocrity to one of success is a testament to his impact on the franchise during his tenure.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

THE BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE VIDEO PATROL: PART 1

Everyone once in a while we here at Bleeding Yankee Blue will be showing you some great video shots that are floating around in baseball.  It can be highlights of funny videos from baseball fans or whatever.  And we will do it from time to time just because it may seem silly to write an entire post about one video.

So we start today... check these out:

First up, here's a fan at a Chicago White Sox game grabbing a thrown baseball bat into the stands... It's a damn nice grab!







Next up,the old Home Run Derby show. This episode is the entire show. It was Mickey Mantle vs. Jackie Jensen. I remember when I was a kid, they played these for a short time on TV. That was in the 80's and the reruns didn't last long, but it was cool if you were a baseball fan like me. Check it out:



The next one is Jacoby Ellsbury's 10th inning homer against the Chicago White Sox last week. I loved this hit... I thought John Sterling's call was ridiculous though...



This next video is someone called Duck Bannister. I think guy is hilarious and over 300 people do too. He's witty, and he's fast. He's also gonna be something. Whatever this is... I like it and I want more of it.



The last video in my first post of Video Patrol is a video I made in college. Yup, it's a highlight video I edited in 1993 when I was pretty obsessed with the Yankees. Bob Wickman. Bernie Williams. Steve Farr. Don Mattingly. Dion James. I hope you enjoy it:



I hope you like this installment of the BYB Video Patrol.  Tell us what you think. Based on popularity, we may do it more often.

Go Yanks!

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!

WHY I'M WAXING NOSTALGIC 1993 STYLE

Like I've told you many times, I am a true Yankee fan, I love the history and the players, Ron Guidry, Don Mattingly, Rickey Henderson... Even Andy Stankiewicz... I'm not kidding.

In 1993 I was almost finished with college and we'd watch the Yankees afternoon games on chairs outside of out apartments and pull the TV out and watch with a bucket of beer. That's how we rolled.
(In Photo: Mike Stanley)
Back then, I edited this video, and I recently just found it, ON VHS. Again, it was 1993 and it was the Showalter era and there were guys on the Yankees that you all remember... Danny Tartabull, Bob Wickman, Steve Farr, Paul O'Neill, Mike Stanley, Bernie Williams, Spike Owen, Wade Boggs, Dion James and of course, Don Mattingly.



I came across the video the other day and realized I needed to post it. Sure, It's not perfect, there's a terrible hum in the audio and the video is alittle muddy, but these are our New York Yankees, in another time. The 1993 Yankees finished in second place that year behind the Toronto Blue Jays. Standing are HERE.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. If you like it, share it and comment. It's kind of fun.

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.

WHY SOMEONE NEEDS AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

No, believe it or not, it’s not Rafael Soriano.

Yeah, interesting nugget not a lot of people knew about but something I'd love to bring to your attention. Mark Feinsand from the New York Daily news had it HERE. This Yankee is not even close to being an official Yankee yet, but it seems all the talk about him has gone to his head already, at least it's my opinion. According to several reports last week, Gary Sanchez, the Yankees catching prospect was up in Charleston, but because of a "bad attitude", was ordered back to Tampa.

According to Baseball America, Sanchez is number 2 on the Yankees prospects list right behind Jesus Montero and the reports are that Sanchez was frustrated because of his slow start this year. He’s only batting .238 with 4 home runs.

When asked to enter a game as a replacement, Sanchez refused and on a separate occasion, when asked to catch a pitcher in the bullpen, he blew that off as well. Stop right there; If I’m that manager, I’m benching this kid immediately and i will follow it up with a "Who do you think you are?"

I can tell you right now that blogs and sports news are to blame. What I mean by that is for an 18 year old prospect to have that much pressure on himself is terrible and we, fuel that fire.Yes he's talented and yes, he knows he's talented but I feel like that pressure really helped bring this kid over the top. Obviously, If he’s getting frustrated, he's hyped himself up. It’s hard to teach an 18 year old to turn it down a notch, slow down and take a deep breath.

Baseball could never be more clearer to me that it’s a team sport inside and out. I find it unbelievable that a kid would refuse to be a "replacement." Even Jorge Posada, who has rings, and had some amazing years as Yankees catcher behind the plate would never pull that. He even apologized after Posada-gate and has moved on. This kid, Sanchez, would be nothing in my mind if we didn’t take a chance on him and he needs to come to the realization that a bad attitude is a disease.

But there is a happy ending. It's being reported by The Times Tribune that Sanchez returned to Charleston and is "a bit more humble than he was when he left."

Let's hope that sticks and we see this guy shine in a few years.

And another little nugget, The Yankees 13th-round pick was a junior college outfielder by the name of Justin James. Read HERE. That may not "WOW" you. What will "WOW" you is he is the son of former Yankees outfielder Dion James. Us older guys know who that is. If you don't, read about my delirious flu dream titled WHY I SALUTE 2 FORGOTTEN YANKEES.

WHY I SALUTE 2 FORGOTTEN YANKEES

I'm not sure why, maybe because I've been sick with the flu, but I was having several delirious dreams.One of those dreams involved me at Yankee Stadium, it was the House that Ruth Built, but it was 2011. The Yanks just signed 2 players. Dion James and Claudell Washington. It was a situation where the Yanks needed hitting stability and they knew the damage these guys did for the Yanks back in the 80's and 90's and they figured they'd be a cheap, "magic in the bottle" situation for the bench. Totally bizarre. I remember it like it was real!

Anyway, I woke at around 3ish, wrote it down Dion's name, took an Advil and went back to bed. But I never did fall back to sleep, I was achy, had a headache and all I was thinking about was "Dion James and Claudell Washington. What happened to those guys?" Don't ask me why, it's been a weird few days. But the story is true.DION JAMES: I remember when Dion James was with the Yankees, he was a decent ballplayer. He was never a home run hitter, but he was a solid athlete. The problem was he was already surrounded by great talent so he got lost in the shuffle. Greats like Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, Paul O'Neill and an up and comer, Bernie Williams were there and people loved them.Dion signed with the Yanks in 1992. He was supposed to be a part-time outfielder but in 1993 he had a full-time gig with the Yanks batting .332. James left the Bronx for Japan after that season, but returned in 1995. By then, there wasn't much playing time for him. He did hit .287 with 60 hits in 209 at bats. He was also part of the 1995 playoffs, it was the first time in his career, but we all know how that ended. He was back in 1996, but that season was short lived and he was released May 1, 1996 before the Yankees won their Championship.

CLAUDELL WASHINGTON: Washington was traded in June 1986, from the Braves to the Yankees, along with Paul Zuvella. In return, Atlanta received Ken Griffey, Sr. and infielder Andre Robertson.
Claudell re-signed with the Yankees after the 1986 season, and spent two more years in the Bronx. The biggest Yankee highlight for Washington may be his April 1988 home run which was the Yankees' 10,000th franchise home run.

During Washington's career in New York, 4 total seasons, he has 26 home runs, 34 stolen bases and a .277 batting average. His best season was 1988 when he hit .308 with 11 Homers and 64 RBI's.

After the 1988 season, Washington became a free agent, and bolted for a contract with the then California Angels. Eventually he was traded back to the Yanks in 1990, but they later released him. That's where his career officially ended.So yeah, don't ask. Sometimes sickness brings out weird thoughts in me, many times it's baseball. One things for sure though, James and Washington gave their all in pinstripes and for sure have been forgotten. Whatever the reason, I'm not sure, but it's clear to me people needed to be reminded about these gentlemen, and where else would they be remembered most, than Bleeding Yankee Blue. A salute to some damn good ballplayers...Dion James and Claudell Washington.

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.