CASHMAN & THE YANKEES ADD ANOTHER LEMON TO THE CUT LIST

I think the Yankees need to do an internal investigation into what the hell happened when the Yankees acquired Frankie Montas "Pending Physical". Because we all know what happened next.  Montas came to the Yankees and said that he has shoulder discomfort but was trying to work through it and the next thing we know he was shut down, forced to have surgery and the Yankees paid a guy for not being trustworthy and a lemon.  

How does a medical staff miss an injury like this, why can't we fine a guy like Montas for not being truthful and who the hell should get fired for that in the Yankees organization? Serious questions. 

What a waste of time and money.  Once again, another lemon sought out by Brian Cashman. Disgraceful.  It makes sense, right?  This is the direction this season has gone the entire year. Injury, gaslighting, bad managing, horrible offense and terrible acquisitions.  All we need now is for the Yankees to sign Horace Clarke's grandson and we'll be on our way to the bleak years after Mantle's demise once again.  All of it... pathetic.

If you don't understand my unhappiness, just know that Frankie Montas is not going to pitch for the Yankees this year, and will never pitch for him ever again.  

NJ.com writes this on Montas:

"Montas had shoulder surgery in February and won’t pitch this season after the Yankees were hoping for an August return. His short Yankees career is over, too. Following this year’s World Series, the 30-year-old Dominican will be a free agent and there’s no chance the Yankees will want him back at any price.

The Yanks will cut their losses at the four ranked prospects they gave up, plus about $9.175 million in salary. Montas is making $7.5 million this year and the Yankees paid the final $1.67 million of his 2022 salary of $5.025 million."

And so yea, what a waste and who the hell found this guy to be a smart move?  Meanwhile we're throwing Harrison Bader on waivers.  There is no rhyme or reason to any of this. It's like there was a full moon the entire year in the Bronx.

HORACE CLARKE HAS DIED

It's sad, because Horace Clarke was a fan favorite, especially in recent years at Old Timer's Day.  But now Horace Clarke has died.  Very sad.

The Hall of Fame remembers former @Yankees and @Padres second baseman Horace Clarke, who passed away on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/fe3fNN6RYI

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) August 7, 2020

This comes from the New York Times:

"Horace Clarke, a dependable though light-hitting second baseman for the Yankees who became indelibly and ingloriously associated with the team’s lean years in the 1960s and ’70s — what some sardonically labeled “the Horace Clarke era” — died on Wednesday at his home in Laurel, Md. He was 82...

His son Jeffrey said the cause was complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

At the time of his debut, in 1965, Clarke, an undersized middle infielder, was one of just five players born in the U.S. Virgin Islands to make it to the major leagues. He played 10 seasons in the majors, all but part of the last season for the Yankees.

What he lacked in power as a hitter — he had only 27 career home runs — he made up for with a sure-handed glove and excellent speed. His stolen-base totals were in double digits in seven seasons, and he was among the American League’s top 10 base stealers four times."

Sad day for baseball and the Yankees.  Prayers to his family. Rest in Peace, friend.

I'M NOT INTERESTED IN THE SECOND STRING YANKEES

I know the Yankees won last night.  But I'm gonna be honest with you... my heart's not in this season. The stars are gone... hurt... out, and for me, as a life long Yankee fan, I am not so interested in watching and taking it all in. It's a different dynamic for me right this second.  It makes me me uninterested, makes the season for me not watchable. I'm bored, folks. Very, very bored.

Don't get on me about being a traitor or a fake fan. You are all insane. I was there for the years of Bobby Meacham. I remember reading about the dark days starring Horace Clarke.  My feeling is simple; These are not the Yankees we thought we were getting on Opening Day, and for me, with so much going on in my own life, I could honestly care less about finding the time to sit on my couch and watch players like Gio Urshela and Thairo Estrada. No offense to those guys... it's just not the same.

I mean we just signed Brad Miller to a minor league deal.  Brad Miller? Do you even know who Brad Miller is? And is that gonna help us now? Like right now? Nope.

So now you hear it. Now you know what I'm feeling these days. Yes, the Yankees will still be the Yankees, but the stars, the guys my kids look up to... the guys I wanted to see at the stadium are just not there.  Having CC Sabathia on the mound every 5 days is great, but for me, that doesn't cut it anymore. Injury has ruined this team and you gotta wonder if it's gonna turn around. It blows!

Why us? Why are we plagued with injury? Why is there so much injury?  And why is it taking so damn long for them all to recover.

And why does this season blow so badly? What happened that there is this change.  Boone's not giving us answers because he's a puppet. Cashman's silent other than updating us on injury.  I mean... did you see the video clip of Aaron Judge when asked about his injury? That pause will be stuck in my head for years. Go to 37 seconds in...

Vuelve pronto campeón @TheJudge44 pic.twitter.com/zS5Lu6g4LS

— The Cherilanga NY (@sandymanuelbue1) April 22, 2019

There's no way around it... the Yankees are a lost team, and I don't care what anyone says. These are not my Yankees.  These are a bunch of second stringers and a few veterans holding it all together.  And yes, there is still a goal... to win the whole damn thing, but honestly, my heart's not in it.  I'm kind of turned off.

Don't like what I have to say? Don't read it. 

Wanna criticize me for being a bad Yankee fan? You don't get to determine how I root or don't root... that's subjective. I'm annoyed, I'm aggravated and I could care less right this second.  

The real Yankees need to get healthy. That's who I want to watch. Until then... well, you get the idea.

WILLIE'S DAY

Today, in addition to it being Old Timers Day at the Stadium, there will be a dedication ceremony in Monument Park for one of my all-time favorite Yankees – Willie Randolph.

(In Photo: Horace Clarke)
Ironically, the Yankees of my “formative years” were the ones that marked the beginning of the Steinbrenner era.  The earliest teams I remember rooting for had players like Ron Blomberg, Horace Clarke, Celerino Sanchez, and Jim Mason littering the lineup.  While the 1972 through 1975 teams only had a losing record once, they never reached the post-season, and I can remember my frustration as I witnessed them limping through season after season.

At the time, I most identified with the second basemen.  It was the position I played in Little League, and then High School / Babe Ruth.  I’d watch their positioning in the field and how they handled double-play turns, and then attempt to duplicate it in the fields where I played.  Unfortunately for me, even though I was a good “glove man” like the players I watched, I also hit like they did.  Clarke (.257 with 27 HR in 10 seasons with Yankees) and Sandy Alomar (.248 in 3 seasons in the Bronx) were mediocre batsmen at best, and they both manned second in the “lean years” of the early 70’s.

It’s no coincidence that when Willie Randolph came along, the organization’s fortunes changed.  From the moment I saw him play for my favorite team, I knew he was a ball player I could identify with.

Acquired in a trade with the Pirates in the off season prior to the 1976 campaign, he went about his business quietly and professionally – staying out of the limelight that people like Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin thrived in.  From 1976 through 1988 Willie was the Yankees’ rock at second base, hitting .275, stealing 251 bases (75% success rate), and scoring 1027 runs while playing solidly in the field (.980 fld pct).

During that time, the team had a losing record just once, and from ’76 through ’81 appeared in three World Series (winning 2 – in 1977 and ’78).   As a 5-time All-star with the Yankees, he projected class on a team known then as “The Bronx Zoo”.

He would go on to try his hand at managing with the New York Mets, and in a little less than 4 seasons compiled 302 wins and a .544 winning percentage (winning the NL East and losing the NLCS to the Cardinals 4 – 3 in 2006).  Simply put, Willie Randolph is a winner and someone kids everywhere should emulate.

Some may question why he is getting a plaque on Saturday, but those of us who rooted for the Yankees and watched them play in the mid-1970’s know what Randolph meant to the team.  With the turmoil generated by, and the volatility of Reggie, Billy, Goose, Cliff Johnson, and George Steinbrenner, Willie Randolph provided the calming balance and steady play the team needed to survive. 

He never drove in – or scored - 100 runs, never hit more than 7 home runs, and only once led the league in a category (119 walks in 1980), but Willie represented the best of the Yankees team that won back-to-back World Championships in 1977 and ’78. He deserves his spot with other teammates from that era (Munson, Jackson) on the cherished wall in Monument Park.

Congrats Willie, you have earned all that you receive on Saturday.


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

 

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THEY'RE GOING TO NEED TO EXPAND MONUMENT PARK

We had gone 13 consecutive seasons without a playoff berth.  It was a dark blotch on our storied franchise’s history.

Then our version of the four horsemen rode in, and the darkness was gone.

From 1982 until 1994 the New York Yankees were 1064 – 990, a .518 winning percentage.  During that time frame they won 90 or more games just three times.

After Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera arrived in 1995, the tables turned.

Over the course of the next 13 years, the team would go 1252 – 832 for a .601 winning percentage (Including the 114 wins in 1998).  They won less than 90 just twice, and that was only because the 1995 season was shortened due to a strike.

The Yankees made the playoffs every one of those 13 years and won the World Series  in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000, making them the last team to win consecutive world championships and just the second team in the last 40 years to win three straight (the 1972 – 1974 Oakland A’s).

In the years since 2007 the team has won another title (2009) and maintained a .591 winning percentage (479 – 331) while missing the postseason just once.

With the announcement of Pettitte’s retirement comes the official end to one of the truly great eras of Yankees baseball.

With Rivera having already announced his retirement, only our captain Jeter remains as a tie to the Bombers’ most recent championship reign, and his years are numbered.

They should begin work on freeing up room in Monument Park for the latest additions to our pantheon of greats.

The names Jeter, Posada, Pettitte and Rivera belong next to those of Mantle, Munson, Ruth, Gehrig, Ford and the rest that eternally have their numbers displayed beyond the outfield wall.

As a lifelong New York Yankees fan who remembers versions of our club with rosters littered by names like Horace Clarke, Celerino Sanchez and Jim Mason, I feel fortunate to have been able to witness the entire careers of our “core four”.

In Pettitte I watched my generation’s version of Whitey Ford.   While Andy’s nightlife never came close to what Whitey and his pals provided for the tabloids, the big Texan’s demeanor and class were second to none.  With a big game on the line, there was no other starting pitcher I wanted on the mound than Andy Pettitte.

When the camera zoomed in on the southpaw as he stared down at his catcher, you could see what a fierce competitor lied within.  His cap would be pulled down to where only the steely resolve that emanated from his soul could be witnessed in his eyes.

You knew we were in good hands.

In a way it’s only fitting that Pettitte retire with Rivera.  Their careers are forever intertwined by the fact that they are the most prolific starter/reliever combination in the history of baseball.

Think about that, and realize we’ve been witnesses to moments that people will write about a hundred years from now.

Over the last 17 seasons we have had:

• The greatest reliever in the history of baseball (Rivera)
• The greatest shortstop in the history of the Yankees (Jeter)
• One of the four best catchers in team history (Posada)
• The winningest pitcher in baseball’s postseason history (Pettitte)

Normally, a team is lucky to have one or two players with similar accomplishments over the course of 20 years.  We’ve had four.

Decades from now when a new legend in the making is sitting in the dugout and assuring his teammates that they are about to wake the ghosts, he won’t be referring to Ruth, Gehrig or DiMaggio. 

Instead, he’ll be alluding to the greats that now wrap up their careers before us. 

Rather than lament a season which is quickly becoming forgettable, we should all take a moment to comprehend and appreciate that we’ve been privy to one of the truly great teams in the history of baseball.

Sunday will be Andy Pettitte’s final start in the Bronx, and sometime toward the end of next week will be Mariano Rivera’s last regular season save. 

When the final out is recorded in each of those games, a door to a great era of baseball will close.

We have been so lucky.


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

 

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A YANKEE FAN'S TRIBUTE TO HIS DAD

My dad turned 80 this week and the landmark occasion opened up reflection on my part.  I’m 49 so by no means am I a spring chicken, but the baseball memories I have of moments with my father remain crisp and clear.

I am a New York Yankees fan because of him.  Growing up in Binghamton I was able to watch their games on WPIX, and it was a rare day when my dad wouldn’t have the TV tuned to that channel so that we could watch them play.  Whether they were good or bad – and until George took over the team they were mostly bad – we seldom missed watching them from the comfort of our living room.

I can remember the days of Horace Clarke, Celerino Sanchez, Ron Blomberg, and Mel Stottlemyre because of it. I also remember Reggie’s three home runs in game six, Freddie Patek crying on the Royals bench, and Ron Guidry’s 25 – 3 season. I watched them all with Dad.

(In Photo: Ron Guidry)
My memories aren’t restricted to sitting in front of the TV with him though.  There were a number of bus trips to Yankees stadium – excursions that my father booked for us that are forever among my most cherished days.

He taught me how to keep score, and while sitting in the stadium, I would be glued to my seat so that I wouldn’t miss a play in my scorecard.   Afterward, during the three-plus hour ride home on the bus, I’d “review” the game by examining my scribbling in the program, and would tally up each player’s summary (the scorecards had columns off to the right where you could write the total number of AB, Runs, RBI, Hits, Errors, Stolen Bases for each batter, and the Innings, Runs, Earned Runs, Hits, Walks and strikeouts for each pitcher).  I suppose it was an early indication then that I’d go on to be a Math major in college.

The best parts of my childhood aren’t only the ones that revolve around the Yankees.   Actually, the best baseball memories I have of my dad are the ones that had nothing to do with the professional level of the sport.

Instead, the times that I most hold dear include Little League and playing catch in our backyard. My father rarely went to my practices for the local LL team, but I really don’t remember any games where he wasn’t in the stands.  There may have been one or two – I’m sure there had to be scheduling conflicts along the way – but they have long since faded into forgotten moments.

He may not have realized it, but I always felt better in a game when I knew he was in the stands.  I’m sure as a kid I never told him, but I really appreciated coming to the plate and seeing him sitting among other parents and fans.   It made the game, and my performance, more meaningful.

We’d talk about each game afterwards and discuss how I played, and why certain things happened the way they did as the contest ran its course.   I’d never show that I valued his advice.  Heck, I was a cocky, know-it-all, kid and no one understood my game better than me.  Truth is, I took each and every word of his to heart, and loved the fact that he cared.

It is the reason I have tried to be at every one of my kids’ sports events as they have grown up.  In the event that I couldn’t be there, I’d make sure someone who was there would give me updates.

My dad taught me baseball, and his love for the Yankees and the sport found its way into my heart.  More importantly, the example he set as the parent of kids who played sports will forever remain the standard to which I have aspired.

Thanks Dad, and Happy Birthday.

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

 

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IT'S DAVID ROBERTSON'S BIRTHDAY... HOLLA!

I don't like to wish every New York Yankee who's ever worn the uniform a Happy Birthday.  Not because I'm a mean guy, but because I'd be doing it every day and then it will become highly annoying and nerve racking and you know at some point someone will write me and say, "Damn you, you forgot Steve Balboni!" or "Where's Al Pulido's Birthday wish?" and "Ummm... Horace Clarke is turning 72 in June, don't forget him!" You know what I mean? I dig all the Yankees, but I can't win.  So, I keep it simple... I do it with certain players because A) There are many Yankee greats out there that need to be recognized from time to time, and  B) I like genuinely like David Robertson, his wife Erin and the work they do for charity. They are good people.

So happy 28th birthday to DRob!  You've come a long way and you've proven to be one of the fan favorites in the pen! Plus, you and Erin make adorable children...that's a fact!  In case you haven't seen the Christmas card of the Robertson's son Luke, you need to check this out:

Most adorable kid ever... next to my own of course! Have a great day DRob!

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ROBINSON CANO IS YOUR FAVORITE YANKEE SECOND BASEMAN

As I’ve stated time and time before, doing these polls on your All-Time favorite Yankee players is always a personal choice and there is no wrong answer.  We also usually get the more recent players in baseball history chosen because they are constantly in our minds, on TV, the Internet and the highlights are plastered all over the place.  Is it fair? Not for the old time greats, but it’s still fun to vote.  It’s funny though, in our 1^st baseman poll a few weeks back, ya’ll chose Don Mattingly first, not as recent, but still in the public eye for many of us.  Anyway, no biggie, just wanted to point that out. On to the poll:

Robinson Cano was the clear winner in this poll, getting 40 votes from the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers, that was 38% of the vote.  A no-brainer honestly. The guy is truly a terrific 2^nd baseman and one of the best the Yankees have ever had and like I said, the highlights are constant.

(In Photo: Bobby Richardson)

He was followed by Willie Randolph who received 26 votes, or 24% of the voted in this poll and then finally, Bobby Richardson, another Yankee favorite who snuck in at 16 votes.  Everyone loves Richardson. I actually expected him to come in higher in the voting, maybe even higher than Randolph, but like I’ve stated, recent history helps the recent players in this poll.

(In Photo: Billy Martin)

After those 3 guys, there’s a distant separation.  Guys like Billy Martin received 5 votes and Horace Clarke…yeah that’s right, Clarke, received 4 votes…he was tight with the late great Tony Lazzeri.  I was surprised by that.I expect Lazzeri much higher.

Chuck Knoblauch and Steve Sax both received 2 votes each…must have been the throwing problem that grouped them together. I’m joking, but it’s ironic.    And who could forget Alfonso Soriano. He received 2 votes as well.

Mariano Duncan, our second baseman for the 1996 championship New York Yankees received zero votes.  Alittle surprised by that, but he wasn’t with us very long.  Mariano isn’t exactly considered a New York Yankee, he had a career before he came to us and retired soon after that championship team.

Look, this exercise is just for fun, like I’ve said, there is no wrong answer, it’s a personal choice.  I’m thrilled that you participated.  

Next up… your favorite New York Yankee shortstop of all time.  Clearly Derek Jeter will crush everyone… but hey, let’s see what happens. Look for it soon.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ROY WHITE

There are so many New York Yankees that are known to being exceptionally kind people. Roy White is one of them and with all the great stars in baseball, people tend to forget Mr. White, but I don't and I never have. He is known as one of the most motivated and friendly Yankees ever and he never turns down his fans. Luckily for us at Bleeding Yankee Blue, we were able to get an interview with him courtesy of Jason Zweig and Doug Drotman of Drotman Communications. Thanks guys.

I have always respected Roy White and I feel like he's always there to either guide the players as a coach, take pictures with the fans or even be a spokesperson for important causes. The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and the Runyon 5K Run are important causes to me because people very close to me have been affected by cancer. We here at Bleeding Yankee Blue found it super important to bring this cause to your attention and if you are interested, please click on Runyon 5k Run and register. The event takes place at Yankee Stadium on August 7th and Roy White is the official starter for the run. Be sure to check it out.

And now we bring you... Mr. Roy White.

BYB: You made your Yankees debut in 1965. Describe the feeling of your first at bat as a New York Yankee.

Roy White: It came in the first game of a double header against a guy named McNally. I was extremely nervous because there were 35,000 people watching me and we never had more than 4 or 5,000 in the minors. I remember I was just shaking in my uniform but I ended up hitting a line drive up the middle for a base hit.

BYB: You were part of 2 championship teams in 1977 and 1978, plus you won the AL pennant in 1976. Was it clear to you looking back that you had a team that could win it all and why?

Roy White: After 1976 it was clear to us. We weren’t prepared for that first series with the Reds; we ended up getting swept 4-0. We came into that series with only one days rest and mentally we weren’t ready. The next year we were all very anxious because we knew we had a very good team plus we added Reggie and Bucky.

BYB: If you only had to chose just 1 player, which New York Yankee player did you consider yourself closest to during your time on the Yankees in the 1970’s and why?

Roy White: I would have to divide that into two parts. First was a guy named Horace Clarke. We were roommates and we both played second base but he was traded in 1975. After that I would say it was Thurman Munson. His locker was next to mine and we talked a lot and shared a lot of dinners together.”

(In Photo: Horace Clarke)

BYB: You made the All-Star team in 1969 and 1970. Clearly that is a game the most talented get chosen to play. What was it like when you found out you had been chosen?

Roy White: It was unbelievable. I thought that I had no shot because fans didn’t vote back then it was up to the players and managers. Mayo Smith who was the manager of the Detroit Tigers at the time picked me. Being on the same field as guys like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, and Frank Robinson is a position I never thought that I would be in.

BYB: What was it like playing for Billy Martin?

Roy White: Very exciting. He was unpredictable so you always had to be on your toes. He let us play a very wide-open type of baseball. He let us steal a lot of bases and run a lot more so we had a lot of freedom.

BYB: What is your fondest memory as a New York Yankee?

Roy White: I would say getting to our first World Series. When Chris Chambliss hit that home run to put us on top against the Royals and into the World Series was something I will never forget.

BYB: You were the first base and outfield coach for Joe Torre’s 2004-2005 teams. What was it like to work with such a talented manager like Joe Torre?

Roy White: Great because he let you do your job. He let you be responsible and didn’t run the whole show and he would ask your input on certain things. There was no better manager to work for.

BYB: A lot of people don’t know that you played baseball in Japan. Describe going from an American Dynasty like the New York Yankees, to then playing for a Japanese Dynasty like the Yomiuri Giants?

Roy White: The whole experience was eye opening. The Tokyo Giants were bigger and the whole country loved them. Not everyone in America likes the Yankees. I couldn’t believe how many fans they had.

BYB: Tell me about the Roy White Foundation and the Roy White All-Stars?

Roy White: The Roy White Foundation was created to provide students with financial assistance for college. Books and baseball was kind of our slogan because I read a lot and reading was very important to me. We would pay the textbook cost for the first two semesters for students.

BYB: You will be serving as the Official Starter for the Runyon 5K Run at Yankee Stadium on August 7th. This cause is to raise money for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. How did you become apart of it and why is it important that people turnout to this event?

Roy White: It came through Marty Appel and he asked me to do it. It is a great cause because everyone has someone close to them who has been affected. It is a great event they put on at Yankee Stadium so it was a win, win and a no brainer. For more information, check out the website http://www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium.

Again, you can register or even donate, but make sure you check it out. Mr. White, you are a stand up guy and we appreciate you so much here at Bleeding Yankee Blue. Much respect sir, Thank you.