COULD JUDGE PASS ICHIRO?

It almost feels sacrilegious to say it—but here we are, putting Aaron Judge’s name in the same breath as Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro! The man was a walking poem of precision, the artist who painted doubles down the line like Monet dabbed lilies on canvas. And yet, somehow, we’re watching Judge, the Yankees' skyscraper of a slugger, chip away at a record we thought belonged forever in Ichiro’s museum wing.

Let’s be clear: Aaron Judge isn’t just mashing baseballs into orbit this year—he’s doing something more cerebral, more surgical. We are witnessing history. He’s picking pitches like a sommelier picks wine. He’s turning at-bats into chess matches. And he’s racking up hits like he’s getting paid by the stitch on the baseball seams.

Sure, Judge’s swing has all the subtlety of a wrecking ball, but it’s the precision this season that’s got people buzzing. He’s not just crushing. He’s collecting. Singles, doubles, and everything in between—he’s finding the holes, beating the shift, and refusing to give pitchers a single breath of hope.

Now, here’s the part that’ll make your baseball brain do a double-take: Judge is flirting with the kind of hit pace that lands you in Ichiro territory. As in, 262-hits-in-one-season territory.  Judge has 97 hits and it's only June 11th! And while there’s still a summer’s worth of baseball to go, it’s impossible to ignore what’s unfolding—history, right in front of our faces.

It’s worth noting that Ichiro set that record without the luxury of a Murderers' Row around him. Judge? He’s got a batting order behind him that could start a small war. But it doesn’t make what he’s doing any less jaw-dropping. If Ichiro was a scalpel, Judge is a sledgehammer—but they’re both doing the same thing: rewriting what greatness looks like in the batter’s box.

So yes, it’s wild to compare the stoic magician from Japan to the towering titan from California. But this version of Aaron Judge is more than just a home run machine. He’s something else now—something rarer. He’s Ichiro with power. He’s contact and chaos. He’s making history, and we’re lucky enough to watch him do it in real time.

AUSTIN WELLS IS NOT A LEAD OFF GUY

I've said it once, twice, 100 times here. Aaron Boone's an idiot.

Austin Wells is not a leadoff hitter. Aaron Boone can push that narrative all he wants, trying to distract us from the fact that the Yankees gave up a legitimate bat in Gleyber Torres. But let’s be real—Wells isn’t that guy. He was a great college player, sure, but in the big leagues, he’s an okay hitter and a serviceable catcher. Like Anthony Volpe, he’s just… there. Nothing special. He gets some hits, plays decent defense, but he’s not quick, he’s not dynamic, and he sure as hell isn’t a leadoff man.

When I think of a real leadoff hitter, I think of guys like Ichiro, Rickey Henderson, or Devon White—players who found ways to get on base, who made things happen. And now we have Aaron “No Championships” Boone trying to convince us that Austin Wells is the answer? Please. Wells looks more like a dad playing slow-pitch softball than someone leading off for the New York Yankees. He doesn’t even pass the eye test.

Boone penciled him into the leadoff spot on Feb. 28, just to "see how it looked." And somehow, he hasn’t moved since. The New York Post is hyping up his Grapefruit League numbers—.355 average, 1.122 OPS, three homers—but let’s not kid ourselves. Spring training stats mean nothing. Teams are experimenting, pitchers are working on mechanics, and the games don’t matter. But Boone, in all his wisdom, is acting like Wells is the solution.

The real answer is Jazz Chisholm Jr. He’s the spark this lineup needs. He plays with energy, gets on base, and can hit for power and average. Plus, he swiped 40 bags last year. When leading off in 2024, Chisholm hit .263 with three homers, four extra-base hits, and a better on-base percentage than Wells. Yet Boone is catering to a catcher—who, let’s be honest, is only really valuable for his defense.

What kind of clown show is Boone running? Wells is a good guy, sure, but he’s not a superstar. Even Jorge Posada was a better hitter, and no one ever thought of him as a leadoff guy. The Yankees have major problems this season, and guessing games at the top of the lineup won’t fix them. But that’s Boone for you—always making baffling decisions.

Mark my words: Wells won’t be leading off by May. He’s a catcher. His body will wear down, he’ll hit a slump, he'll get tired, his body already takes a beating behind the plate and the Yankees will be forced to move him. Boone should know better—his dad was a catcher! But instead, he’s doubling down on nonsense, because that’s what bad managers do.

This isn’t the Yankees I grew up with. This team has embraced mediocrity and convinced itself it’s winning. It’s embarrassing.

SPINELESS MANFRED MAY FINALLY DO WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE WHEN ROSE WAS ALIVE

Pete Rose was a baseball player unlike any other—a man whose grit, passion, and relentless work ethic turned him into the greatest hitter the game has ever seen. The numbers don’t lie: 4,256 hits, an MVP award, three batting titles, and three World Series championships. He was the heart and soul of the Cincinnati Reds' Big Red Machine, a dynasty that dominated the 1970s. Rose played with an intensity that set him apart, diving headfirst into bases, refusing to take a play off, and inspiring a generation of baseball fans, myself included.

I grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, and like so many others, I fell in love with Pete Rose and the way he played the game. He wasn't just another player; he was the embodiment of everything baseball was supposed to be—gritty, relentless, passionate. It wasn’t until I moved to New Jersey in 1978 and witnessed Ron Guidry’s 18-strikeout masterpiece that I found my team in the Yankees, but my admiration for Rose never wavered. He was still the player I idolized, the player who made me believe in baseball.

And yet, despite everything he gave to the game, despite all the records he shattered, Major League Baseball turned its back on him.

Let’s be clear—Pete Rose made mistakes. He gambled on baseball, a violation of one of the sport’s cardinal rules. But he never did anything to diminish his effort or his performance on the field. And for that, he was banished from the sport he helped define, denied the one honor he undoubtedly deserved—a place in the Hall of Fame.

For years, he sought redemption. He acknowledged his wrongdoing. He served his time. He waited for baseball to come to its senses. But Rob Manfred, the commissioner who has done more to damage Major League Baseball than any man before him, refused to reinstate Rose while he was alive. Manfred, in all his cowardice, dodged the responsibility, claiming he would “mull it over” but never actually doing a damn thing. It wasn’t until the President of the United States suggested pardoning Rose that articles even started to circulate about Manfred reconsidering. And now, Pete Rose is gone. Dead. Probably of a broken heart, after being cast aside by the very game he gave everything to.

And now, after years of ignoring Rose, Manfred is supposedly considering lifting his ban posthumously. What a gutless, empty gesture. It would have meant something if they had done it when he was alive, when he could have maybe one day stood on that stage in Cooperstown and received the honor he fought for his entire life. But now? Now it’s just another example of baseball’s spineless leadership under Manfred.  But here's the worst part of reinstating Rose. Even if he is reinstated by Manfred, the baseball writers, who let guys in like Harold Baines before they'd ever let in Alex Rodriguez would cockblock Rose for as long as they were alive.  In other words, while perhaps we are moving in the right direction, there are too many stop gaps to continue to prevent Rose to head to his natural destination... Cooperstown.  It's a wicked web and all those a-holes are in on it.

Look at the facts: Pete Rose is the all-time hits leader. He played harder than anyone before or after him. He made baseball better. And yet, there are idiots like Patrick Sauer of the Washington Post trying to rewrite history, suggesting that Ichiro Suzuki is the real hit king. No disrespect to Ichiro—his accomplishments in Japan and the MLB are remarkable—but Pete Rose’s record stands above all in the MAJOR LEAGUES. It’s 4,256. That’s the number. That’s the legacy. That’s what matters.

Was he a perfect man? No. But neither were countless other Hall of Famers. The Hall isn’t about moral perfection; it’s about baseball greatness. And Pete Rose was greatness incarnate.

MLB had a chance to do the right thing. They failed. And now, they’re trying to make up for it after the fact. Too little, too late. But for those of us who grew up watching him, who saw the passion, the determination, the sheer love of the game—Pete Rose will always be a Hall of Famer, no matter what some spineless commissioner says.

WHEN WILL THE HALL OF FAME WRITERS STOP THEIR MORAL JUDGEMENT?

Alex Rodriguez has shown significant growth since retiring from baseball, and his maturity was on full display as he extended heartfelt congratulations to this year’s Hall of Fame inductees this week. While his graciousness is admirable, it’s hard to ignore that he’s likely feeling some disappointment over not being considered for the Hall of Fame himself. After all, Rodriguez is undoubtedly one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. However, his connection to performance-enhancing drugs has cast a long shadow over his career, and it’s evident that sportswriters are reluctant to honor athletes tied to scandals or controversy.

Rodriguez’s career stats speak for themselves: three AL MVP awards, 696 home runs, 3,115 hits, 14 All-Star Game appearances, and a 2009 World Series championship with the Yankees. Yet, despite these achievements, he remains on the outside looking in, even as he appeared on the ballot for the fourth consecutive year. His predicament isn’t unique, as history shows that Hall of Fame voters consistently penalize players linked to performance-enhancing drugs or other ethical concerns.

Take Mark McGwire, for instance. Despite his record-breaking home run season and an illustrious career, McGwire has not been elected to the Hall of Fame due to his admitted steroid use. Similarly, Roger Clemens—who dominated as one of the best pitchers in MLB history—fell short of the 75% vote threshold in his final year of eligibility in 2022, earning just 65.2% of the vote. This trend reveals a clear pattern: past transgressions, whether proven or suspected, continue to hold players back from baseball’s highest honor. 

And it’s not just players from the steroid era who face scrutiny. Even Carlos Beltrán, whose involvement in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal tarnished his reputation, has found himself under the Hall of Fame microscope. Terry Collins, former Mets manager, recently spoke out about the situation, calling Beltrán’s treatment unfair. Collins pointed out that plenty of Hall of Famers likely benefited from knowing what pitches were coming, yet Beltrán seems to be bearing the brunt of the blame as one of the few players associated with the Astros scandal. Collins stated, “He wasn’t even a starting player, so it’s not like he gained much from what was happening.”

The broader question remains: when will this end? How long will Hall of Fame voters continue to blacklist players from the steroid era or those caught in controversial moments? At what point does the selective moral outrage stop? It’s worth questioning why certain players—such as Harold Baines, whose inclusion in the Hall sparked debate—are inducted while others with far more impressive resumes are excluded.  Think about it; even Jered Weaver tweaked this after Ichiro got in:

"1 writer said no on Ichiro?  another example of why Hall of Famers should vote on it and not writers"

He's not wrong. Why should these writers hold any power?

Barry Bonds, for example, is arguably the greatest hitter the sport has ever seen. Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and even Pete Rose—all legendary players in their own right—remain outside the Hall due to scandals or suspicions, despite their undeniable impact on the game. Isn’t it time for voters, many of whom have never played baseball at the professional level, to reconsider their stance?

The Hall of Fame is meant to honor the greatest players in the history of baseball, yet it feels increasingly like a battleground for moral judgment. If the goal is to preserve the integrity of the game, perhaps it’s time to reflect on whether this rigid gatekeeping is achieving that—or simply rewriting history.

FEEL GOOD MOMENT FOR CC SABATHIA AFTER THE CALL TO THE HALL

CC Sabathia has always been a fan favorite, and for good reason. From the moment he joined the Yankees, he made an unforgettable impact. Now, the fact that he’s officially headed to the Hall of Fame is nothing short of incredible. This achievement is a testament to his remarkable career and solidifies his place among baseball’s greats.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees include Sabathia, Ichiro Suzuki, and Billy Wagner, as selected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Additionally, Dave Parker and Dick Allen were chosen by the Classic Baseball Era Committee to round out the 2025 class.

While all the inductees are deserving, it’s Sabathia’s story that resonates most with me. His reaction to the honor, as reported by Bryan Hoch, was perfect: “It means a lot to be in the Hall of Fame, period. But first-ballot, I know what that means as a baseball player. It’s very special.”

Former teammate Jorge Posada also reflected on Sabathia’s impact, particularly on the legendary 2009 Yankees team. “That 2009 team was special, and he was a big reason why we were the last team standing. CC earned this great honor. He had a remarkable career, and he was one of my favorite teammates I played with.”

With his Hall of Fame plaque featuring a Yankees cap, Sabathia’s career stats speak for themselves: 251 wins and 3,093 strikeouts—trailing only Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton among left-handed pitchers.

For me, CC is one of the greatest Yankee pitchers I’ve ever had the privilege of watching, second only to Ron Guidry. No matter where you rank him personally, there’s no denying his legendary status. Congratulations to CC Sabathia on this well-deserved honor.

WHAT A FANTASTIC HALL OF FAME CLASS!

What an exhilarating moment for baseball fans everywhere! The Hall of Fame has just welcomed three incredible legends into its prestigious ranks: Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner. This is a time to celebrate their remarkable careers and contributions to the sport we all love!

Ichiro Suzuki, making his first appearance on the ballot, came breathtakingly close to a unanimous selection! He missed it by just one vote, a distinction achieved only by Mariano Rivera back in 2019. Ichiro's stellar performance earned him a whopping 393 votes, which is 99.746 percent of the electorate—just a whisker behind Derek Jeter’s record for a position player. An outfielder par excellence, Ichiro dazzled with his multiple Gold Glove Awards and an extraordinary career that spanned continents and decades.

Let’s not forget the incredible journey of Ichiro, who started his pro career in Japan at just 18 with the Orix BlueWave. After nine standout seasons, he joined MLB with the Seattle Mariners at 27 and still managed to surpass the 3,000-hit milestone in the majors—a testament to his unparalleled talent and dedication.

CC Sabathia, another first-timer on the ballot, received 342 votes, securing 86.8 percent of the vote. Sabathia, who spent 11 triumphant years with the Yankees, intends to don the Yankees cap as he takes his rightful place in the Hall. His powerful presence at the front of the rotation in The Bronx will forever be remembered.

2009 the Yankees roll out the red carpet for CC Sabathia, signing him to a jaw-dropping seven-year, $161 million megadeal. And did he ever deliver! In his very first season, Sabathia took the mound like a king, tossing 230 innings of 3.37 ERA brilliance and racking up an MLB-best 19 wins.

Come the postseason, CC morphed into an unstoppable force. Over five starts, he dazzled with a microscopic 1.98 ERA, clinched the ALCS MVP award, and led the Yankees to their 27th World Series title. Talk about making an entrance!

And the hits kept coming. In the following two seasons, Sabathia racked up 21 and 19 wins, each year surpassing 230 innings with a slick low-3.00s ERA. He was so good, he snagged top-four finishes in Cy Young voting three years running. Yankee fans were in love, and for good reason!

Sabathia kept the fire burning, earning his last All-Star nod in 2012 and hitting the 200-inning mark for the final time in 2013. Even as his initial mega-contract wrapped up, he stuck around the Bronx on shorter deals, proving he still had plenty left in the tank as a solid back-end starter.

By the time Sabathia hung up his cleats in 2019, his career stats were legendary: nearly 3600 innings, a 3.74 ERA, 251 wins, and over 3000 strikeouts. And his 3093 Ks? They rank him a fabulous 18th on the all-time leaderboard. CC Sabathia, a true Yankee legend and a fan favorite.

Billy Wagner, who finally earned his well-deserved place on his 10th and final ballot appearance, garnered 325 votes, making up 82.5 percent of the electorate. His perseverance and incredible skill as a relief pitcher have been recognized, marking a fitting end to his Hall of Fame journey.

And for the Yankees fans among us, this is a double delight! Ichiro and Sabathia, both having donned the pinstripes, hold a special place in our hearts. If you’ve been following Bleeding Yankee Blue, you’ll know there are a couple of standout articles about these modern legends that are a must-read. I'll include them below for you to relive their incredible journeys.

Congratulations to Ichiro, CC, and Billy! What a phenomenal Hall of Fame class! We LOVE IT! Let’s celebrate these amazing players and their unforgettable contributions to the game! 

Read these, from Bleeding Yankee Blue:

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR: INTERVIEW WITH THE SABATHIAS

IT WILL BE ICHIRO FEVER IN THE BRONX

YANKEES SABATHIA & ICHIRO WILL MAKE HEADLINES SOON

When baseball fans think of legends who didn’t just play the game but rewrote it, the names Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia often come with a knowing nod and a “yeah, they were something else.” Now, as the Hall of Fame ballot is poised to drop, these two titans are set to headline as first-time candidates. Buckle up, Cooperstown; this could rival the ruckus of Mariano Rivera’s 2019 induction, which had 55,000 fans squeezing into town like it was the last train out of the city.

Ichiro wasn’t just a baseball player; he was a wizard with a bat and a pair of cleats. At 50, his legacy is one of daring feats that started in Japan’s Pacific League and made MLB scouts double-check if their radar guns were busted. Across nine seasons in Japan, he chalked up a staggering .353 average in 951 games, making statisticians reconsider their life choices. And then came 2001, when Ichiro parachuted into the Seattle Mariners’ lineup and turned the league upside down.

His rookie year? Oh, just casually winning both AL MVP and Rookie of the Year. No big deal. For the next decade, he made 200-hit seasons look as easy as tying shoelaces, with a record 262 hits in 2004 that still has pitchers waking up in cold sweats. And don’t even get us started on his career 3,089 MLB hits—add those to the 1,278 he snagged in Japan, and boom, 4,367 hits. That’s Pete Rose’s record obliterated, without the gambling drama.

Ichiro’s magic wasn’t just in the numbers. He brought finesse, elegance, and enough swagger to make the most seasoned veterans take notes. Five-tool player? More like an all-tool player. His hand-eye coordination? Preposterous. Speed? Blink, and he’s on second. Arm? Cannon. There are stories about him launching balls into the right-field stands during Mariners’ batting practice just for fun, even though he was content laser-beaming singles like an artist perfecting brush strokes. If he had gone full Hulk on power, who knows how many fences he’d have cleared? But no, he kept it classy—Ichiro-style.

Then there’s CC Sabathia, a human bulldozer on the mound with a grin that said, “Let’s go.” Standing tall (literally and figuratively) since his debut in 2001 with the Cleveland Indians, Sabathia was that guy you didn’t want to face. His fastball sizzled, his slider dipped like it was dodging traffic, and hitters swung like they were trying to fan away gnats.

Sabathia’s stats are nothing to sneeze at: 251 wins, 3,093 strikeouts, and enough innings pitched to circle the Earth (almost). But it was 2008 when he became the stuff of legend. Traded mid-season to the Milwaukee Brewers, CC put on a cape and carried that team into the postseason like a one-man cavalry, pitching on short rest so often that opposing teams wondered if he’d cloned himself. This heroic stretch solidified him as the league’s ultimate workhorse—a man who could lug the weight of a team on his broad, 6’6” shoulders.

And let’s not forget his time with the Yankees, where he became not just a star but a mentor, a clubhouse sage, and the go-to guy for big-game performances. His 2009 postseason was a masterpiece, helping secure a World Series ring and a whole lot of love from New York fans. CC was more than a pitcher; he was the guy who’d shout encouragement, take the ball in any situation, and still have time to joke with teammates.

With Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia now in the Hall of Fame conversation, fans are ready for a heartwarming, nostalgia-fueled spectacle. These two didn’t just play baseball; they made baseball fun, global, and unforgettable. Their eventual induction will be a standing ovation to careers that brought endless joy, awe, and a reminder that the sport is best played with style and heart.

--Alvin Izzo

BYB Yankee History Contributor

BLASTING PETE ROSE IN A BOOK REVIEW DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT HE'S THE HIT KING!

I have to say I was looking forward to Keith O'Brien's book about Pete Rose.  Titled "Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball", it is said to be one of the best reads on Pete Rose, the good and the bad.  

I have been a longtime fan of Pete Rose. He was the guy who helped get me obsessed with baseball as a kid. Growing up in Kentucky I would often venture with my family to King's Island in Ohio, and it was the height of the Big Red Machine.  Reds' shirts were everywhere in the theme park because it was Reds country.  You couldn't escape it and I remember when I saw Rose play and hit and as a little boy there was nothing more incredible. A dude playing the game harder than anyone I'd ever seen.  It was quite a thing.

And so fast forward to one of the most ridiculous book reviews I have ever seen from Patrick Sauer of the Washington Post who found it fitting to insert his own personal view of Pete Rose into his review like he actually has the clout to bring his tainted opinions of Rose to the table.  In essence, I do not care.  

You see, when you talk about Pete Rose, you talk about hitting. That's when it comes to the discussion of baseball ability. Sure, he gambled and he's admitted it and womanized and hung out with odd folks at times, but it's the hitting that will always stick with me.  In 1985 he broke Ty Cobb's hit record and he'd go on to have 4,256.  An incredible feat.  And for me, that's what stands out most.  For some odd reason, or maybe he's just a foolish ego-maniac, Sauer thought it fitting to demolish Pete Rose as "as colossal jerk" and "I was 9, and I was right." Like... who cares.

Here's the thing; Pete Rose had many flaws, but who doesn't.  Ty Cobb was a racist son of a bitch, but he's in the hall of fame.  And I think about this ridiculous review and think to myself, if Rose didn't bet on baseball is Sauer still talking about how Pete was a Son of Bitch and adding his own personal opinions of the guy or is he passing on writing the review.  My point is saying every negative thing you want to say about Pete Rose, but in the end, he still is the all-time hit leader.  Meanwhile Rose must have kicked Sauer's dog or something because he's angry and almost obsessed with trying to publicly dismantle Rose. 

"Outside of a true devotion to the craft of hitting, there is arguably nothing admirable about the adult Pete Rose, and I barely knew the half of it before reading “Charlie Hustle.” (Even Rose’s nickname was derisive. New York Yankees legends Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle tagged him with it for trying so hard during a meaningless spring training game.)"

Sauer literally dresses down Pete for playing ball too hard and tags a few baseball heroes in there to make it seem more legit. By the way, Mickey Mantle was an incredible player, he was also a drunk and womanizer, but I guess Sauer can let that pass.  Again, this might be the worst book reviews I've ever read.  Sauer's personal antidotes offer nothing but an ego trip for the length of the article.

"One moment late in Rose’s career suggests that even his fiery love of the game had some fraudulence in it. O’Brien cites multiple people who say that Rose, while playing with the Montreal Expos, used corked bats. One of the people is a clubhouse manager (and carpenter by trade) who did the illicit woodworking on Rose’s lumber. It calls into question the legitimacy of the end-stage hits that Rose needed to surpass Cobb. I would now wholeheartedly argue that Ichiro Suzuki’s hits as a professional in Japan should count and that his combined total of 4,367 makes him the true Hit King, the one to uncomplicatedly celebrate when he’s elected into Cooperstown next year."

And the worst part of this article/review, whatever it is, is the constant pounding and this quest for influence like his opinions matter.  No Patrick, Ichiro, while incredible, is not the true Hit King, but there needs to be some kind of accolade for him. Pete is the all-time hits leader and its Major League baseball.  Ichiro's numbers are combined and last time I checked, Japan's league is not the MLB. Stop your forcing of rules to make your argument, you're bad at it. Ichiro had 3,089 in the MLB. That's just the way it is.  It's not that we don't want to count all of Ichiro's hits, but you are so big about following rules and having Pete Rose have integrity and how he needs to stay out of the Hall of Fame, but you're perfectly fine bending the rules to put Ichiro in as the All-Time hit leader and yet he didn't achieve it in the MLB? You're literally an idiot.

I like reading books to form my own views of the person being written about. I have to say, in all of my years of journalism, I have never quite read a more foolish article/review than the one that Patrick Sauer has written for  "Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball". And here's the worst part; he did O'Brien and injustice. I may never read it because Sauer tainted it with dumb opinions and ego. No one cares that you thought that Pete Rose was a jerk at 9.  I met Rose twice and both times he was fantastic.  And you know what? No one cares about that either.  Rose was a degenerate, a womanizer and got himself in a ton of trouble.  But he's also the all-time hits leader and yet Patrick Sauer cannot admit or praise the one single part that makes up Pete Rose on the baseball field.  

Pete Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame.  He's not a man of character. He's had bad judgement in his life. But at the end of the day, he's a Hall of Famer because of 4,256. That's it.  

Sauer can kick rocks.  

MISS TROLL SLIPPED INTO BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE'S DM'S THIS MORNING

I don't typically care about people that disagree with Bleeding Yankee Blue. We've been here 10 years and have a following and have support from folks at the YES Network, Yankee players, incredible readers and fans and beat writers and even non-Yankee players that just like to read and have a few laughs.  I was targeted this morning by someone named Patty Lynn who just doesn't understand what we do here.  If any of you aren't sure what BYB does here, let me be clear and you can use this at a tutorial in case you want to crack wise at me with no actual knowledge...

BYB is a fan site. We rant. We speak our mind. We don't have a love fest with a team just because they have the interlocking NY on their hat.

We LOVE our Yankees, but if something is happening that we don't care for, we are the first to call them out.

Mark Teixeira and Jacoby Ellsbury  and their injury records was big for that. We don't like Altuve after we found out he cheated with the rest of the ridiculous Astros.

We love Ichiro, some like Jeter over here... yet some don't like him as a business man.  You know... stuff that like... and oh yeah, and on occasion, just like a regular person walking down the street, we will use dirty language as a way to enhance our point. We also believe in free speech. You may not agree with it, but this is America and the best part is if you don't like it... then don't read it...PLEASE!

What I don't need is someone instant messaging me, like this Patty Lynn character, telling me that no one likes my site, her group rejects it and how the comments we put out are suggestive and how bad a person I am and the site is. Here is some of that... enjoy.

What are you my mother?

What is that? Who has the time to do that? I mean, she's complaining about how we present our content and how it's on her Facebook page. I mean really? This is what you're worried about in a pandemic? Go away... because here's the reality... Bleeding Yankee Blue is celebrating our 10th year this year, that's big. We're doing that because what we do resonates with readers.  10 years ago, no one was doing this like we are doing. Now others follow and many that weren't doing it, like River Ave Blue and others are no longer around. Not a slight at them, they just did it differently, that's it. It's just the nature of new and fresh content and feeding an audience that the others weren't feeding... we tapped into that and it's working.

Bottom line, we have 3 female writers, they write incredibly well, speak their mind and don't mind my quirkiness and leadership and odd rules and small successes. They get it. Here's the other thing....they just want to talk about the Yankees freely.

If you don't read us, and instead think you know what's going on, that's no way to head into a discussion. Patty Lynn the troll did that. BYB has been clear on how we will handle our content since day one. We've never changed in that regard.  Too bad people like Patty Lynn don't get it.

We will continue to serve you all here at Bleeding Yankee Blue and continue to offer solid and original content.  We appreciate your support and love.

Oh yeah... and beware of trolls... they are everywhere.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MIGUEL ANDUJAR... SOMEWHERE

I don't know for sure if Miguel Andujar is coming back to the Yankees.  I just read this article by Dan Martin of the New York Post and I'm convinced that seeing quotes from skipper Aaron Boone about Andujar's health only means one thing... they are letting the baseball world know that he is available.  But hell... what do I know?

Bleeding Yankee Blue are just a bunch of bloggers that predicted Ichiro coming to the Bronx (read HERE), Jacoby Ellbury signing here (and sucking HERE) and Giancarlo eventually signing here too (HERE).  In other words... we know a lot.

My gut tells me that while I'm looking forward to seeing Miguel in 2020, it won't be in a Yankee uniform.  I swear to God I've seen this movie before. The Yanks are sending a shot over the bow to tell everyone that if you want to make a deal with them for Miguel, make it, because you will get a good, healthy player. We shall see.

Anyway, This is what the New York Post says:

"'With less than two months left before spring training, the Yankees still have Miguel Andujar and Gio Urshela slated to battle for third base, with Gleyber Torres moving from second to shortstop to replace Didi Gregorius. 

[Andujar] is doing really well,’ Boone said Friday at Yankee Stadium, where he was on hand to do the pregame coin toss prior to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl that saw Michigan State top Wake Forest, 27-21. 'I expect him to be ready to go for spring training.'’’

Now one thing to point out here... Urshela is a dynamic defensive player. What worked for him is that his bat followed fantastically too last season and we really saw a player that we didn't even realize we were getting offensively. And so, Gio gets major points here.  Andujar in my opinion, while good, is still developing... and his defensive is no where near what Gio's is. And for me, that's a red flag when it comes to whether or not Miguel stays.

Hey, they could platoon these guys I suppose. Both of their bats are great. I just don't see it.  I could be wrong and that's fine... just my gut talking folks... and when my gut talks... I usually write about it.

We shall see.

LEGEND

There's not much I can say about Ichiro Suzuki that you don't already know.  He's been a staple in baseball forever. I fell in love with this guy the first year he came to the states and played with the Mariners. Since then, he has proven that he is truly one of the greatest players to ever play the game.  He walks in confident, understands what he can do to help his team win, and then... he does it.

He's a hitter. I have always loved hitters much more than mashers.  Because hitters have skill.  Mashers go up there and hack. I say that on it's surface. I know hitting a home run is hard... I'm just saying that a hitter who can walk up to the plate, see the field and know where he wants to place it is very impressive to me.

As I kid I watched Don Mattingly do that. Wade Boggs. Tony Gwynn.  As a kid I watched Pete Rose hit like no one better. And then I saw Ichiro.

Ichiro has retired from baseball.... but if it was me, I would thought he would play for the rest of his life. He is that good.  But all good things come to an end, and I guess that's what we're seeing with Ichiro right now... in 2019.

Forbes writes:

"Ichiro Suzuki’s storied and brilliant baseball career ended where it all began Thursday, in Japan. The great left-handed hitter, and certain first-ballot Hall of Famer in the Class of 2025, told the Seattle Mariners he intended to retire after his club concluded a season-opening series against the Oakland A’s in Tokyo Dome. 

The Mariners made it official after they swept the two-games series with a 5-4, 12-inning win. 'I have achieved so many of my dreams in baseball,' Ichiro said in a statement released by the team. 

'I am honored to end my big league career where it started, with Seattle, and think it is fitting that my last games as a professional were played in my home country of Japan.'" 

What a great player and it's sad to see him go.

Can't say much more. He's simply a legend.

ICHIRO? STILL GOT IT

Ichiro is 45 years old. Ichiro just signed a minor league deal. Love this player!

USA Today writes:

"Ichiro Suzuki, who may also become a future unanimous Hall of Famer, made his comeback attempt official Wednesday by signing a one-year, minor-league contract worth $750,000 if he makes the Seattle Mariners’ roster, an official with direct knowledge told USA TODAY Sports. 

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity since the Mariners have yet to make the celebrated announcement. 

Suzuki, 45, would be the centerpiece on the Mariners’ opening-day roster, which can be expanded to 28 players, when it opens the season in Japan against the Oakland A’s on March 20."

Just a great story and I have no doubt he can make it.  We will see of course, but this guy can do anything.

Nice way to start my morning (Even though it came out yesterday.)

Happy Thursday.

DAMN, I LOVE ICHIRO

Ichiro Suzuki is the man.

Photo: Getty Images

The dude's 44 years old and he's had an amazing career.  Now word is he's taking some time off... to rest. Not retiring... just taking a break I guess. No better place to do that than in Seattle where he was put on the map in the first place when he came to America.

AP writes:

Photo: Getty Images

"Roughly three hours before first pitch on Thursday night, Ichiro Suzuki jogged to join his Seattle Mariners teammates in the outfield, fully in uniform, black mitt in hand, prepping for another pregame routine of catching fly balls and hitting in the cage.

Except there was no game for the 44-year-old Suzuki to get ready for. He wouldn't be in the lineup on this night, or again in the 2018 season. And maybe his career.

'The past two months have been the happiest I've been,' Suzuki said through an interpreter. 'I knew one day that the day would come when I would have to walk away. But the Mariners have given me this opportunity to stay on. Obviously, with my teammates and how great they've been and how much they mean to me and how much I want to help is the reason I wanted to stay on and help in any way I can.'"

Turns out the Mariners are giving Suzuki a front office job, and I guess he can decide if he wants to come back and play again next season.  A lot of love and respect there.

Photo: Getty Images

Ichiro is one of a kind. Literally one of my favorite players. I'm convinced if he wanted to, if teams would allow him to, he could play until his 50s.  He takes very good care of himself.  He's fantastic.

Good luck to Ichiro.  I'm hoping he comes back to play next season.  Could be cool.

Happy Friday everyone.

I LOVE THAT ICHIRO IS STILL PLAYING

I think this guy could play into his 50's... like a Minnie Minoso or something. 

Photo: SI.com

He's that talented.

Just last week I saw that great video of Ichiro crushing pitches still looking for a team to play with.

Spring training has started and Future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki is still looking for a job pic.twitter.com/W786gZpXYP

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 1, 2018

You just knew that seeing him show off he'd be signed sooner or later... and he was. Seattle snagged him and what a great idea.

MLB.com writes:

(David Zalubowski / AP)

"The Mariners are reaching into their past to bring back one of their franchise greats, as a source has confirmed to MLB.com that Ichiro Suzuki will return to his former team if he passes a physical on Monday afternoon in Seattle.

The deal would be a Major League contract, according to ESPN.com, which means the Mariners would have to make a move to open a spot on their 40-man roster. "

Nice right?  Now don't forget that back in 2012, I ran a piece here on BYB that stated that I had a dream, and my dream was the have Ichiro on the Yankees. And... my gut was right.

I wrote the article on July 22, 2012. It was called ICHIRO TO THE YANKS IS MY PIPE DREAM. On July 24th, he became a Yankee.  Thank God for a Yankee fan like me. Ichiro is one of my favorite players and it's because of his discipline most of all that I love about the man.

Keep going Ichiro. You are the man.