ITALY NAMES A FAMILIAR YANKEE GUY AS MANAGER FOR THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

 Ah, che bello! Casey, told me to make this with alittle Italian flair!

Francisco Cervelli has been named the manager of Team Italy, and as an unapologetically passionate Italian (and lover of all things Italian), We are BYB couldn’t be more thrilled about this news! The Italian Federation of Baseball and Softball made the announcement Friday, and let me tell you, Casey has been grinning ever since. Cervelli, for me, isn’t just another baseball guy—he’s someone I’ve admired for a long time as a person and seeing him take on this role feels like the perfect match. And let’s talk about the World Baseball Classic! It’s one of the most exciting baseball events, blending global pride with the sport we all love.

Cervelli, now 38, has a unique story that ties perfectly into this role. Born and raised in Venezuela, his roots reach back to Italy through his father, which is why he suited up for Team Italy as a catcher in both the 2009 and 2017 World Baseball Classics. And now? He’s back, this time as the skipper. Italy’s had another iconic former big leaguer at the helm before—Mike Piazza—but swapping in Cervelli feels like a fresh, inspired choice that I’m fully on board with.

Let’s rewind to Cervelli’s playing days for a moment. He signed with the New York Yankees way back in 2003, eventually making his MLB debut in 2008. Oh, and by 2009? He’d already earned himself a World Series ring. He stuck around in the Bronx through 2014, racking up a .278 batting average, 10 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a respectable .729 OPS in just 250 games. While he wasn’t a superstar, Cervelli always brought heart and hustle—qualities that I’ve admired about him since day one.

When the Pittsburgh Pirates picked him up via trade ahead of the 2015 season, Cervelli found a steadier rhythm. Over five seasons in Pittsburgh, he played in 450 games, hit .264, and added 26 home runs and 169 RBIs to his stat sheet. His defense and leadership behind the plate didn’t always show up in the box score, but they mattered. Trust me, as someone who loves every nuance of baseball, Cervelli’s presence on a team was invaluable.

He wrapped up his playing career with stints on the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and the Miami Marlins in 2020. By the end of his 13 MLB seasons, Cervelli had compiled a .268 batting average, 41 home runs, 275 RBIs, and a .740 OPS. Not bad for a catcher, huh? Oh, and did I mention he earned nearly $40 million in the process? Bravo, Francisco!

But here’s what I really love about this appointment: Cervelli’s passion and authenticity. He’s a guy who’s always worn his heart on his sleeve, and now he gets to channel that energy into leading Team Italy. The World Baseball Classic is such a special event because it brings together players from all corners of the globe, uniting them through their shared love of baseball and their heritage. And as a fan of every kind of baseball—from MLB to small-town little league—this is exactly the kind of story that gets me fired up.

So, amici, mark your calendars and get ready to cheer for Team Italy under the leadership of Francisco Cervelli. With his Italian pride, his years of experience, and his undeniable charisma, this feels like the start of something truly special. And as an Italian who’s already dreaming of pasta, pizza, and a WBC trophy in Italy’s future, We're all in over here! OOOHHHH!

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

CERVELLI & JETER TO REUNITE?

Just a small story here, because many love Francisco Cervelli and so, this is just a good little nugget. He may be headed to the Miami Marlins.

Jon Heyman tweaked this:

Marlins like Francisco Cervelli and are working to try to sign him. The former Yankees teammate of Derek Jeter plays with a smile like Jeter did and should be a terrific influence for the young team assuming they get it done. #fish

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 23, 2019

Now it makes sense.  Cervelli is nearing the end of his career, he's a Jeter friend, loves Miami and Jeter is doing what he can in Miami to win on the cheap.

Plus, Cervelli could become more of a leader in that clubhouse and eventually, I will predict, work in that Marlins front office.

We'll have to see if this actually happens, but it's a good story none the less.

Hope it all works out.

FOR PETE'S SAKE, IT'S JUST A SERIES

Photo: Getty Images / Pete Kozma

So you thought the Buccos would be pushovers and now you're brooding on an off-day about losing a series?

Get over yourself.

The Pirates have a hundred problems. But unlike the Yankees, starting pitching isn't one of them, and as we all know good pitching  usually beats good hitting. And it definitely beats the likes of Pete Kozma.

Photo: Getty Images

The Pirate rotation's 3.38 ERA is 5th best in MLB (they're  also tied for 5th toughest to hit dingers against) and the Yankees' overachieving (yeah, I said it) rotation ranks just 17th with an ERA of 4.05 and tied for 7th easiest to hit one into the seats against.

So any lingering frustration you feel today should be dispelled. All three games of that series were filled with sloppy play and blown chances on both sides and could've gone either way -- and, in the end, the best team was the one that didn't have Pete Kozma at the plate with bases loaded and two outs.

Photo: Getty Images

So tip your cap to our old friends Ivan Nova, Chris "Stewie" Stewart and Francisco "Gazoo" Cervelli on a job well done and fuggedabowdit. It was a one and done series and we'll never see them again. Just shake  it off  the way  a pitcher  would a fluke  homer by some guy who couldn't hit water if he jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge -- like, say, Pete Kozma -- and save your acid reflux  for the fun to come at Fenway.

(July 16, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)    

Speaking of Koz, Sir Didi went 2-for-5 in his third rehab start at Tampa Sunday and should be back by the end of the week, relieving us of any further need for Pete's (*cough*) services.

And speaking of Ivan, did anyone happen to catch Ken Davidoff's interview with him yesterday in the Post entitled How Being A Yankee Hurt Ivan Nova?

(April 22, 2017 - Source: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America)    

I won't give away any spoilers. But if you've ever read and agreed with any of my takes on why I think "the Yankee way" of introducing young starters to the Bigs stinks,  you'll be pleased to learn Ivan agrees with us those same reasons are what screwed him up and kept him from achieving his potential here too. Check it out.

Enjoy your off day, everyone. Tomorrow, our bats have dates with a green monster and a pesky pole.

Oughtta be a wicked pissah.

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore

UNDER THE WIRE! NOVA TO PITTSBURGH!

Now Ivan Nova's gone.

Yahoo Sports reports the following:

"The retooling New York Yankees have dealt right-hander Ivan Nova to the Pittsburgh Pirates for two players to be named...

With only 5 minutes left before deadline, Nova thought: 'OK, I'm not going to get traded, I'm going to stay here.'

He was running on treadmill in weight room when Yanks bullpen catcher Ramon Rodriguez told him about trade and then he saw his name on TV. And then Yanks pitching coach Larry Rothschild informed Nova.

'Hopefully I can put it together over there,' Nova said.

Nova rejoins former Yanks catcher Francisco Cervelli with Pirates."

And I like the way Nova approached that.  He understands this is a business and while he'll miss being in New York, he probably understands that he still has a job, and with Cervelli and a change of scenery, maybe he can improve.

Another trade.  Wow, what the Yankees are doing is unbelievable... and for the better.

 

CERVELLI OUT! SON OF A...

We just got finished telling you guys back in May that former New York Yankee Francisco Cervelli was on his way to have a nice little career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He was finally "home" and happy to contribute and he got a nice little 3 year extension with that club.  Read GREAT NEWS FOR FRANCISCO CERVELLI! for more on that.

Now comes word that the dude is now out, hurt, with a broken hand.  What are the chances? According to the Associated Press:

"Pirates have put catcher Francisco Cervelli on the 15-day disabled list with a broken left hand that is expected to sideline him four to six weeks.

The Pirates also acquired backup catcher Erik Kratz from the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday for cash."

When it comes to athletes, these things happen, but no question Cervelli will come back and continue his journey.  I just feel bad. I love the guy's passion for the game. Tough break... pardon the pun.



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GREAT NEWS FOR FRANCISCO CERVELLI!

Just a quick note about a former Yankee that I always appreciated.  Francisco Cervelli has finally found his home in Pittsburgh.  And now, he'll be staying longer and he's been rewarded.

According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Cervelli signed a 3 year extension with the Pirates.  In other words, they like him there and good for him!

"The love story between Pittsburgh and Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli lives on. 

On Tuesday, the vibrant Venezuelan signed a three-year, $31 million contract extension to keep him with the Pirates through 2019. At an afternoon news conference, the fan-favorite Cervelli was seated beside general manager Neal Huntington to announce the agreement.

'This is probably the first time I’m nervous in front of cameras,' Cervelli said. 'If you go back 14 years, I never thought I'd have an opportunity to be sitting here. This is one of the best days of my life.'

Cervelli, 30, would have become a free agent after the season and, as perhaps the premier catcher on the market, likely would have fetched a handsome sum. Now, he will make $9 million in 2017, $10.5 million in 2018 and $11.5 million in 2019, his age 33 season."

I'm very happy for Frankie.  Again, always liked the guy, always loved the passion.  It's one of those things where a team notices the work ethic and the guts and they went for it.  Now, Cervelli is home. 

I applaud you brother! Congrats!



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YANKEES & CUBS OPEN FIRE!

When you're talking spring training, everybody talks predictions and excitement over the players returning from the offseason, how will the new acquisitions pan out. One of the most overlooked things about this time of year is how the rivalries heat up. Everybody's record is 0-0, and every fan is laying claim to the prediction that this is the year for their team and the trash talking reaches fever pitch. It's like Alec Baldwin told John Krasinski a few years ago, "Go ahead. Celebrate in April. We'll dance in October."

That said, we have reached new heights because apparently teams' Twitter accounts aren't immune from the rivalry bug. Yesterday, the Yankees and the Cubs got into it on the popular social media site that started with an innocent tweet from a fan about how the Yankees Twitter account was better than the Cubs. Then this happened:

Not to be outdone, the Yankees responded with a Derek Jeter "Wow" picture. Which got the Cubs to return fire with a Joe Maddon "That's right." Maybe it was the fact that there's no love lost between Joe Maddon and the Yankees (think Elliot Johnson sliding into home and breaking Francisco Cervelli's wrist in spring training back in 08). So the Yankees fired this off that brought a whole lot of media attention.

Okay, maybe it was a bit much. Like the John Krasinski's response ("We will kill you in October!") I have to admit, I thought it was hysterical. It was the online equivalent of benches clearing. Grown adults managing these accounts throwing these barbs at one another, it was the kind of contest I remember when I was in grade school. It might not win any maturity awards, but these sparring matches are part of the fun! They are a critical component of the fabric of baseball in society.

Eventually, a cease-fire was called, and both sides went back to their corners. Everybody went back to being polite, but not before a few hundred retweets, likes, replies, and taunts from both sides. Yup, we're almost back to playing baseball. As for the Chicago Cubs, here's a trivia question. When Babe Ruth hit his "called shot home run", against whom did he hit it? That's right. We will see you in October!

--Ike Dimitriadis, 
BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon






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GARRETT JONES: A PERFECT FIT

The Yankees took quite a bit of grief from fans and some of the media following the trade Brian Cashman made in December that sent David Phelps and Martin Prado to the Marlins. While those two players will be missed, their return, in my opinion, was terrific! Not only did they nab hard throwing young right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and intriguing pitching prospect Domingo German, they also added veteran Garrett Jones. Jones, a lefty swinging first baseman and corner outfielder, is a guy who always wanted to don the pinstripes.

When Garrett Jones learned of the news a deal was pending to send him to the Bronx, he was thrilled. He was quoted as saying; “Talking to my wife, I always said being a Yankee would be a dream come true.” He also added that both his family and his wife’s have always been Yankees fans. The Yankees didn’t go get him because of his desire to play for the storied organization, but dealing for someone who wants to be part of the Yankees storied history is always an added bonus. Jones took to Twitter with his excitement following the trade, as did his wife, Cassie.

Thx for the warm welcome @Yankees fans! Can't even believe I'm gonna be in pinstripes. So excited to be part of the legendary Yankee family!
— Garrett Jones (@Garrett_GIJones) December 19, 2014

Nonstop goosebumps all day! I no longer have to be a closet @Yankees fan! SO excited to be back to my 2nd home & reunited w so many friends😍
— Cassie Jones (@CassieJones08) December 19, 2014

Garrett Jones made his mark in the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2009-2013 where he manned first base and averaged 20 home runs a season, topping out at 27 dingers in 2012. Following the 2013 season, he signed a two year deal with the Marlins and was their primary first baseman and hit in the meat of their order while appearing in 146 games. He didn’t have his best season as he batted .246 with 15 home runs and 53 RBI’s, but was still an important member of the Marlins ball club.

As he and Yankees head into the final stretch of the spring and approach Opening Day, Garrett Jones gives Joe Girardi quite a bit of flexibility in just one roster spot. Jones can play first base, as well as both corner outfield positions. As a left-handed hitter, he also gives Girardi a platoon option with the right-handed hitting Alex Rodriguez. He essentially can fill four roles.

As we all know, the last couple years Mark Teixeira has battled his fair share of injuries and last summer Joe Girardi had to resort to using Francisco Cervelli, Brian McCann, Chase Headley and even Carlos Beltran (oy vey) at first base when Tex was injured or in order to provide him some rest. 

The fact that Jones is a veteran first baseman alone is a huge bonus for Joe. Add the fact that the right field porch suits Jones’ swing well, Jones fits a Yankees need perfectly. Even if it’s just as a stop-gap for this season while first base prospect, Greg Bird, continues to develop in the minor leagues. Reminds me Nick Swisher with the Yankees several years ago! 

Beyond that, Carlos Beltran is no spring chicken and also battled an elbow injury in 2014. He is going to need some time off and Jones is a perfect candidate to get some reps in right field to spell Beltran. Alex Rodriguez is nearly 40 years old and hasn’t played in a meaningful game in 18 months. ARod is slated to be the everyday DH but is also going to need some time off and Jones is perfect for that role, especially against tough right-handed pitching. Jones holds a career .479 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching, making him a solid platoon option.

While the acquisition of Jones is not the ‘trade of the century’, he, along with Eovaldi and German, make this deal with Miami a great one for the Yankees. Sure they gave up Prado and Phelps, both of whom performed well in 2014, but they got their money’s worth in return without a question. I’m excited to see how Jones adjusts to life as a Yankee and see him as a big asset to the club over the next six months, if not longer. 

Good luck Mr. Jones. Wear the pinstripes with pride and go out and bust your tail every day for yourself, the team and the Yankees Universe. I’m a huge fan and wish you the best of luck. I’m happy to have you as a member of this legendary franchise. Go get ‘em!

  
Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia









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THE KIDS HAVE COME TO PLAY!

As of this writing, the New York Yankees have just alittle more than five 2015 Spring Training games under their belt.  Yes, it’s early, but still there is a clear theme that is beginning to emerge:  the “Baby Bombers” are ready to become grown-up Bombers.

Before even a practice pitch was thrown, General Manager Brian Cashman had given all of us his take on who would be our starting players on Opening Day.  As I’ve written in the past, I found it curious how a GM would be the person announcing the players that would take the field when the team breaks camp and heads north.  I had always been under the belief that the Manager would be determining the starting lineup and positions, but before I divert my attentions down that path again, let’s just look at the group Mr. Cashman has decided will trot out to their spots on Opening Day.   

His lineup has Brian McCann at catcher, Mark Teixeira at first base, Stephen Drew trying to play second, Chase Headley at third, Didi Gregorius at shortstop, and an outfield of Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran.  His DH spot will either have the polarizing Alex Rodriguez or newcomer Garrett Jones.

Early on in spring, “Cashman’s Heroes” (with Rodriguez in lineup) have gone 8 for 54 (.148) with no RBI, one double and have struck out 11 times.  With Garrett Jones in lineup, they are slightly better (he’s looked VERY good) and are 10 for 56 (.179) with one RBI, two doubles and 11 strikeouts.  

It could be a very long season if that keeps up.

On the flip side of the coin are a group of youngsters all trying to prove Cashman wrong in his assumptions.  Some are coming off stellar Triple A or Fall baseball seasons, while others are bouncing back from injury or disappointing 2014 campaigns.  A pretty decent lineup of these Baby Bombers has already shown it not only could compete with the aforementioned “starters”, but it would handily beat them.  

My group of “wanna-bes” includes JR Murphy at catcher, Greg Bird manning first base, Rob Refsnyder at second, Jose Pirela at shortstop, Eric Jagielo at third base, an outfield of Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams and Tyler Austin, and at DH, Aaron Judge. 

So far, this group of young Yankees is 19 for 59 (.322) with six doubles, a triple, three home runs, 12 runs scored and 11 RBI.  This isn’t even including what center fielder Jake Cave (who last played at AA Trenton) has done - 4 for 7 with a home run, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI.  

I guess a lot can be said for youth with incentive, eh Brian?

Cashman’s list of starters is very close – aside from the obvious (Jeter gone, A-Rod back) - to those that gave us a lifeless 85 wins in 2014.  It is punctuated with players clearly on the decline in their careers (Beltran, Teixeira, Rodriguez, Drew) and outside of Gregorius, has no one less than 30 years of age.  In short, it lacks the kind of energy we once saw when 20-somethings Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Francisco Cervelli, and Brett Gardner breathed life into our last world championship (2009).  Remember Melky and Robinson celebrating home runs and wins in the dugout with high fives and belly-bumps? 

Who is Didi Gregorius going to belly-bump on Brian Cashman’s aging team?  We need that energy and youthful passion for the game again.

It would seem that we have that opportunity if our GM and Manager would just see the forest through the trees.

Besides, let’s look at it from a “business” point of view.  How many fannies are going to be put into the stadium seats with the lineup of veterans?  Outside of immediate family, who is going to attend a game specifically to watch Stephen Drew or even Carlos Beltran?   ARod will draw some only because he’s a curiosity – a sideshow freak or train-wreck depending on your perspective.   The bottom line is that this team isn’t going to be exciting to watch.  There’s a reason so many former stars are getting spots in Monument Park this season.

It might just be me, but I contend that a lineup littered with our future would be something worth seeing – and would draw bigger crowds.  I’m not so crazy as to think that the Baby Bomber list I created above should ALL be starting on Opening Day.

I believe McCann, Gregorius, Teixeira, Headley, Gardner, Ellsbury and Jones really should be in that first lineup,  but there is no reason Refsnyder and one of the outfielders I mentioned shouldn’t also be there (Judge comes to mind).  And why can’t Greg Bird, Jose Pirela, Mason Williams, and Slade Heathcott all be on that roster in the Bronx, even if it is as backups?  God knows that Teixeira and Beltran will break down at some point in 2015.  It has become their history.  McCann will need rest as well, and it is likely that Murphy will make the squad.    All I’m asking is that some life be breathed into the corpse that this team has become over the last two seasons.   We have the players to do it.

Let’s stop assuming that the veterans will all be starters.  Give everyone in camp the same opportunity to start the first regular season game.  Perhaps that kind of incentive will light a fire under the 30-somethings.  Based on what we’ve seen early on, “incentive” is just what they need because clearly the kids (with incentive) have already come to play.

    

--Steve Skinner, BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

  
 

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CERVELLI DOESN'T HATE AROD DESPITE WHAT YOU READ

To be honest, there are tons of players that have zero issue with Alex Rodriguez, so technically this isn't a story.  What might be a story is the nugget that George King III planted in his piece the other day.  More on that in a moment...

Look, many of us love Francisco Cervelli.  These days he's a Pittsburgh Pirate and I hope the plan is for the guy to play more. I always loved the guy's passion and now he's not held back because of guys like Brian McCann or former Pirate catcher Russell Martin. Remember, Martin's gone.

Now the New York Post's George King had a good piece about Cervelli. I have no beef with King or the piece. In fact, I have mad respect for King, he always does it right. I found this little nugget interesting, and I did not know about it, or maybe I just misremembered... I'm a busy guy.

"It was widely believed, but never entered into Rodriguez’s hearing, that Rodriguez ratted out Cervelli and other players to Biogenesis investigators.

'I haven’t talked to him, but I don’t hate anybody,' Cervelli said. 'If I see him tomorrow, I will say hello.'"

Here's the part I like best.  Cervelli, who always appeared to be a straight shooter to me, knows it was wrong to take PEDs, got caught and the end result is, this is much bigger than ARod "ratting him out."  It's more about Cervelli making a public announcement... "it was wrong in the first place"... it's just unspoken. In other words, ratting him out put him on the straight and narrow.  Or.. maybe I just think too much.

Now guys like Brendan Kuty of NJ.com will make this a controversy, and that's just to sell papers.  Headlines like "How did Alex Rodriguez break year-long silence with Francisco Cervelli?" and using charged phrases like "Alex Rodriguez and Francisco Cervelli may never be close friends again" and "the pair stopped speaking".  Really? OK...got it... but is that really true?

Here's the reality.  It's baseball season. It's back.  Cervelli served his time after being suspeded and ARod did his as well.  At this point, it really makes no difference who ratted out who. Both were caught...it's over.

Here's what Cervelli said about the alleged silence between the 2:

"I don't know why everybody's wondering what's going to happen... everybody asked me and I told them: It's over. It's all over. It's in the past and it happened two years ago and I've moved forward already."

And the media should move on too.   It's way, WAY over.

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A BETTER BELTRAN? I'D SAY SO

As spring training approaches, I always think about the scene from Major League where the group of misfits from the Cleveland Indians struggle and prepare for the season. They were all excited, many cocky, others goofy, all with chips on their shoulders who eventually found the winning formula. If anyone on the Yankees roster is chomping at the bit to get spring training started, it's Carlos Beltran. Although he is neither cocky nor goofy, I’m sure he has a chip on his shoulder and is prepared to prove to himself, the Yankees and us fans why the Yankees signed him.

Carlos Beltran is a true professional and borderline Hall of Famer in my opinion, but he struggled in 2014 while dealing with the bone spur in his elbow and has really taken some heat for it. He did sign a rather big three year contract worth $15 million a year at 36 years old. But his previous success warranted it. The criticism, sometimes cruel, he received is not warranted.

Remember Yankees fans, Beltran is a team player. Remember when Joe Girardi needed a first baseman with Mark Teixeira out after Francisco Cervelli popped his hammy? Beltran was your man. He took one for the team and played a very uncomfortable first base. But he sucked it up, succeeded well enough and even made light of it afterward. He said when asked about having the ball hit his way, “.. please God, hit it somewhere else!”

Joe Girardi was pleased and impressed with his willingness to be a team player at the time. “That man is willing to do anything you ask him to do,” Joe Girardi said. “Whether you put him some place he’s never been or you move him in the order, he just asks to play. He wants to contribute. That’s what I’ve learned. It’s very, very unselfish.” The skipper loves him, so he deserves our respect.

Us Yankees fans have to admire that. He wants to play. He wants to contribute. You know what? Injuries happen. It’s part of the game. 2015 is a brand new season, with new faces and some new coaches. If you ask me who is going to be ready come opening day, my money is on Carlos Beltran.

Although Beltran’s average dipped to .233 last summer, his other offensive stats weren’t too far off from his 2013 pace. He still hit 15 home runs in 109 games and added 23 doubles. In 2013, he hit 24 home runs and 30 doubles in 149 games. He also drew just one fewer walk than the previous season, showing a patient, professional approach at the dish. From 2011-2013 Beltran averaged 26 home runs, 88 RBIs and a .288 batting average. I don’t see any reason, barring injuries, why he can’t produce numbers similar to that in 2015.

With the respect of Joe Girardi and presumably everyone in the clubhouse, Carlos Beltran is one of the guys you want to be around. If I were a young player, particularly a Latino player, I would engulf myself with any and everything Carlos Beltran has to say. He has the experience, the knowledge and resume to back up everything he says. Soak it in while you can.

Beltran finally got his shot to be a Yankee in 2014. He famously asked the Yankees to sign him at a discount in 2005 and the Yankees refused. But years later, he is in pinstripes. One rough, injury plagued, season in which no regulars besides Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner really put up respectable numbers, shouldn't be a reason for negative publicity and cruel words toward Beltran.

Beltran wanted to be a Yankee and now he is. He is a team player with the willingness to do whatever it takes to help his ball club succeed. He should be respected and will come out swinging, literally and figuratively, this season. I have all the respect in the world for him and look forward to seeing him in the middle of the lineup.

2015 will be a year of redemption and all of us Yankees fans should show Beltran how we Bleed Yankee Blue for him! That's my take at least.


 
Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia

 

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