AS 2020 BEGINS, WHAT'S LEFT FOR THE YANKEES TO DO?

Source: USA Today

As the clock struck 12, and New Years revelers popped open champagne to ring in 2020, there's another group of guys who are looking forward to ringing in a new era, and perhaps dynasty in 2020.  The New York Yankees have been in 40 World Series, winning 27 of them, and as they embark on the journey to toward 41 and potentially 28, I ask this question, "What's left for the Yankees to do before spring training 2020?"

Source: Newsday

According to Bryan Hoch via MLB.com, "General manager Brian Cashman said that he remains open to anything that makes sense, but after adding Cole, the Yankees’ heavy lifting appears to be done. If Torres begins the season as the everyday shortstop, as anticipated, the Yanks may look for someone capable of pushing Thairo Estrada and Tyler Wade for the backup infield role."  If I am being honest, I have no interest in Wade and if I am being really honest, the Yankees need to be in the hunt for a catcher.

As Eli Manning said good bye to the NY Giants this past weekend, he said very bluntly to the media, "I don't want to be a back up."  Perhaps that is what Austin Romine said, as he exited that role earlier this month for a chance as starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers.  But I cannot feel comfortable without having a serious back up and potential replacement for Gary Sanchez, who is simply not fit enough or agile enough to stay healthy for an entire season.

Source: NY Times

"Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman believe Kyle Higashioka can fill the vacant position with ease, and he did impress at times in 2019. Still, the depth at the position isn’t substantial, and Sanchez, when battling through inconsistent play, is a different player entirely," reported Empire Sports Media last week.  I think the Yankees are taking a tremendous risk going with Higashioka as their primary backup.  There are no real standout catchers available (peruse the list if you will), but they did pass on JT Realmuto last year, which could have helped them immensely, particularly when Sanchez's bat went cold and he visited the injured list multiple times in 2019.

What's left for the Yankees to do?  Sign Josh Hader and somehow groom a catcher to take on the reigns as needed when Sanchez goes down and he will go down.  He will head to the IL at least twice next season and I guarantee you that his bat goes cold or does not warm up all that quickly as the Yankees begin their 2020 season in Baltimore on March 26th.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

Actions speak louder than words. Visuals tell a story. Emotions need no translation. These are all statements we have heard or said throughout the years. But what do they really mean? Researchers who study nonverbal communication state that self-image and social identity are shaped to a large degree by one's appearance.  After this past week in sports, we can certainly see how one's public appearance presents a very telling story.

Exhibit A- Eli Manning. The other evening Peyton Manning appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The topic of the Super Bowl soon shifted to his brother, New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning and his now famous "stone face." Peyton and Eli supporters know "that" face all too well. It's an Eli face. It means that Eli is thinking. It's his game face. But for the rest of the nation, Eli appeared to be snubbing his brother with his blank facial expression following his big brother's second Super Bowl win. Perception is 90% of the law.  However, as a Giant fan, I know that his face, despite the jokes, didn't express what he was thinking.  But at the end of the day, that doesn't matter.

Exhibit B- Cam Newton. We have all had our opportunity to read and watch Carolina Panthers' quarterback Cam Newton's Post-Super Bowl press conference. Heck we wrote about it and referred to it a few times last week. One of the nonverbal attributes that Newton exhibited is what every young male and some females have demonstrated when they feel defeated; that hood up, slouch in the seat behavior. For some, it wasn't that Newton walked out of the press conference but rather how he walked into it. His ego-bruised body all packed into a grey hoodie walked into the press conference defeated. It's every middle school teacher's pet-peeve and he demonstrated it beautifully in front of billions of viewers across the globe.

Exhibit C- Jenrry Mejia's cover photo on New Daily News.  He looks like a user in the picture chosen for the front page of the Daily News.  We know that images sell papers, stories and products.  The Daily News chose an image much like the New York Post did.  It told a story and made Mejia look like a thug.  My closest friends who saw the paper and watched the stories didn't need to turn up the sound as they moved along on the treadmill with the television in the background- they just used the images of Mejia to crucify him.

Exhibit D- The New York Yankees infamous dress code. People sneer at the Yankees' dress code which includes or rather excludes excessive facial hair and long hair, but it's there for a reason. It's called professionalism and it's a nonverbal trait that is earned with careful preparation and continuity.  The way you dress and the way you carry yourself says a lot about who you are, regardless if it is true or not.  It is what they (the public) perceive.

So, what you see is what you get or is it?  Is there another story to tell?  Perhaps, but athletes need to think before they look...literally.  People will believe what they see and it is important for them and frankly all of us to take a closer look in the mirror before we look out at our audience.  We might not like what we see staring back at us when we take a closer look.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer

BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof








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ROOTING FOR PEYTON IS LIKE ROOTING FOR JETER

There are not many iconic athletes out there that have all three of these very important ingredients for longevity in their professional sports career: integrity, grit and fan appreciation.  Peyton Manning is certainly one athlete whom I appreciate for his commitment to his team and his fans.

Much like our very own Derek Jeter, Manning has been able to reinvent himself, stay focused and keep the fans engaged around the essential purpose of the sport.

Peyton Manning has the chance of a life time: to finish a stellar career on top.  He could retire from the game after completing and possibly winning Super Bowl 50.  It does not get any better than that, quite frankly.  "I know that’s a possibility,’’ Eli (Manning) said. “When you are going into your 19th season, it’s a possibility that it could be your last season. To win on top and kind of sail off into the sunset sounds pretty good. I don’t know if it will be, but I’ll be rooting for him hard either way," the Giants quarterback stated as reported by the NY Post this week.

When you look at Peyton Manning's career next to Derek Jeter's, you see some real similarities.  You see things like team leadership, mentoring, personal integrity, more than 15 seasons of professional work (19 for Peyton, 20 for Derek), championships including the big prize of winning the Super Bowl and World Series, key game statistics that set the respective athletes up for Hall of Fame status, charity work, fan support and overall legacy to their sport.  I feel like by rooting for Peyton, I am rooting for Derek, who went out with a walk off win in his final game at the Stadium and a hit in the final game of his career at Fenway Park.

As we head into Super Bowl 50 just over a week away from pitchers and catchers, I could not help but compare two very iconic athletes who have the changed their sport for good.  Yeah, I guess I get sentimental like that, but I can't help it.  When I think of the good work of Peyton Manning, I automatically think of what Jeter has left us.  So, I am rooting for Peyton to win Super Bowl 50.  And I am rooting for a great 2016 MLB season with the hopes of Jeter's presence at spring training.  Yes, I am rooting for that too.
 

 --Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof





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LET LEADERSHIP LEAD THE WAY

As we experience unseasonably warm weather this mid-December, it is hard to focus on the "cold" sports season, like football and hockey, without thinking that it is time for the "warm" weather sports like baseball.  I guess that's why when I read about New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning's pre-game speech for the sake of salvaging what's left of his wavering team, I thought about one of the key needs for our team across the river; our very own New York Yankees.  "According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Manning brought his Giants teammates in for a speech last week, stirring his troops to action with a “passionate speech," mentions NBC Sports on Tuesday.  Yes, Eli Manning stepped up to the plate, so to speak, and gave an awarding winning speech that seemed to have made a difference in his team's performance in Monday night's contest against Miami.  The Giants won more than the game. They learned that effective leadership leads the way to success.

We have discussed the importance of effective team leadership a number of times on BYB.  It is a huge part of an organization's success, including our own here. Our Chief, Robert Casey, gives us pep talks all of time. He gives us the motivation we need to write and contribute to this outlet for fans.  Sometimes we all need a good kick in the butt and like the Giants and the Yankees, we need a leader who will do just that.

As former president Ronald Reagan of our great country once said, "The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." And this is what Manning did.  Although, many would argue that Manning performed at his top capacity, completing 27-of-31 passes including four touchdowns. According to NBC Sports, “He played superbly tonight,” Tom Coughlin said. “I had a good feeling that he would. He had a nice week of practice. He again was in command of everything out there.” The Yankees don't seem to have that level of command.  Nor do they seem to have a fearless leader, like Coughlin, who goes out with the team and leads workouts with his guys from time to time.  At least, nothing I have heard or seen lately.

Effective leadership, along with solid pitching, is what is missing from the Yankees.  I don't see an effective leader in the dugout or in the front office. I don't see a solid leader on the field or in the bull pen.  I am waiting for one to arise from the rafters, but to no avail.  No one seems to be able to step up or at least not someone who is clearly visible and audible from my view.  Press conference of that is most welcome!

My Wednesday shout out to the Yankees is simply this: Let Leadership Lead the Way!  

Leaders are physically present, clearly heard, respected individuals who aren't afraid to take the heat, give the heat and turn on the heat.  So, not only do we need to recruit and retain quality players, we need to ensure that these same players hold the qualities of good leadership.  Without it, we will continue to sit out the second and third rounds of the playoffs, if we even make it that far, for a long. long time.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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"I JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO GIVE ME A CHANCE."

There have been champions that have coasted through a career.  Then, there is Russell Wilson, the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.

I'm not looking to convert BYB into a football site.  I'm merely praising excellence on the field. Be it baseball or football or badminton. Passion, determination and opportunity knocks. And it knocked tonight in East Rutherford for a young man who was given a shot and ran with it and defeated a more qualified Peyton Manning in Super Bowl 48.

I'm a fan of the underdog, but I'm also a fan of the believer. Read ROOTING FOR THE BELIEVER for more on that.  Don't gloss over that link... read it... you'll learn something.

Again, I'm a fan of the believer. That's not to say that the Seahawks or Wilson were underdogs in this scenario.  After all, when you look at the tale of the tape, Peyton had the experience...so it almost seemed like an obvious choice for him to win. But when push came to shove, the kid put it out there, and Peyton choked... plain and simple.

Being interviewed by Howie Long in the pregame, Wilson said something  that stuck with me. He said, "I was a 5 level quarterback, and I just needed someone to give me a chance."  Yup, I've seen that a lot in my lifetime.  "Being given a chance" is never a "popular" choice.  Coaches want a "sure thing" in sports and so, they give players that they "know can do it" the opportunity to shine, where as others, fall by the waste side.  Russell Wilson was given a chance, and I applaud the coaches that saw the potential in his grit and heart. They are smiling right now... they rolled the dice.

So, why am I writing this? Because I love opportunity... and I love when the lesser does more.

Now look, you need to know where my heart was in this game. I am a Broncos fan by default. John Elway was a New York Yankee once, before he was a Denver Bronco...  and because of that, I supported Elway until he won a Superbowl and then retired.

Now, years later, the Broncos made it back, this time led by Peyton Manning, the brother or 2 time Superbowl champ Eli Manning. The synergy was there... Yankees, Broncos, NY Eli... and Peyton.

There is no better script if you were me. The difference however, is when the underdog is on the other side and opportunity knocks... Well, you then need to look deep into the eyes and heart of the guy who is "given a shot." Russell Wilson was given a shot. Russell Wilson lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl Championship.

Now, you can look at this post and be puzzled. "Has Casey gone mad? This is a Yankees baseball site... what gives?" Heart gives.  I love the guy that no one thinks about.  I love the thrill of victory, stealth like, especially if it's warranted, yet ignored.  There was something amazing about tonight's Super Bowl, that, while I hated it, still loved the thrill. It was glorious.

Believing in yourself is half the battle. Executing is the other.  Sure, if you think you can do it, I think that that is the biggest gift you can ever give yourself.  But being there, doing what you are set out to do and winning it all, be it the World Series, the Super Bowl. the presidency... whatever... that my friends, is the true thrill of victory... and something no one can ever take away.

Congrats to Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Congrats to the underdog, the believer, the achiever, the ignored... the man who just wants and needs a chance... and is given it to win Super Bowl 48. You lead by example, I applaud you. 

Champions come in all shapes and sizes, and Wilson proved that in his moment... do it in your moment... become a champion...

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 JETER SHOWED UP LAST NIGHT?

No, not at a club with strippers... Derek Jeter was on with Jimmy Fallon. Check it out:



I love this, but this week my favorite has to be the DirecTV commercial of Football on your phone with Peyton and Eli Manning:



I still remember Peyton's appearance on Saturday Night Live a few years ago... it still may be my favorite.


Anyway, enjoy your Friday.

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JETER AND THE MAN CRUSHES

The line of man crushes on Derek Jeter continues to grow. First it was Eli Manning singing the praises of the Yankees Captain in an article posted on ESPN.com yesterday. If I can be serious for one min (just one) it's actually a great story that shows just what an awesome human being Jeter is. I recommend giving it a read HERE. But now, on the heels of the ESPN.com piece, it appears Tom Brady has his eyes fixed on someone other than Gisele?! The New York Daily News has this little item in today's sports section, which you can read HERE:

“You see someone who plays the game the way you think it needs to be played, like Derek Jeter. I love the way he plays the game.”.

Brady goes on to say:

“Those great-caliber athletes you look up to and admire for what it takes day in and day out to be a great player. You always watch other athletes and how they play the game, what makes them successful.”

Look, I know I'm being silly to say that Brady has a man crush on Jeter. Obviously everyone is just having some fun with this. I actually give Brady some props for recognizing the greatness of Jeter and not, holding back on his man crush for him! Makes you think, wonder what Giselle thinks of Minka?! hmmmmm

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23

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