TENSIONS RUN HIGH & PEOPLE ARE STUPID

There is and was headhunting in baseball for years and years, but tonight Clay Holmes was not hunting Heston Kjerstad's head. What he was trying to do was drill the guy, it just so happened it hit the kid in the head.  What happened next was crazy balls.

Here’s the perspective of the benches clearing from the Orioles’ broadcast with the GOAT Kevin Brown on the call pic.twitter.com/lANpja1Jgg

— Dom (@BronxBmbrz) July 13, 2024

Look, the Yankees and Orioles is the new rivalry in baseball and it's refreshing.  Sure, the Yankees and the Red Sox are a rivalry, but it feels much different than the days of ARod and Varitek.  These days the Orioles are a good team and with that comes the rivalry. After all, the Yankees are typically the top of the AL East. This year between the two teams, tensions run deep.

Tonight was a carryover of how it all started. Don't forget, the Yankees and the Orioles have been hitting each other each time they meet.  Tonight hit a boiling point and trust me I get it.

Two things happened tonight. Both teams got angrier.  The Orioles no doubt will retaliate tomorrow, and they should... that's baseball.  The second thing that will happen is the Yankees brace for Ben Rice to get hit tomorrow.  

Finally, let me say this; Kjerstad could have gotten seriously hurt tonight.  No one on the Yankees wanted that guy to have some brain injury or anything. That was scary, but for the love of God the fans on both sides arguing on twitter over this incident like it's a major tragedy and it is embarrassing.  

Ya'll can do what you want, but it's not that deep. It's a baseball rivalry, it's blowing off steam, it's protecting your guy... and yes, it's baseball as competitive as it gets.  That's what makes sports great.  

But to suggest the Yankees should get some 9/11 treatment after Holmes threw at Kjerstad is the most childless, heartless, stupidest thing I have ever seen in my life.  Read this shit:

To every asshole out there that has never actually witnessed a tragedy like 9/11 real time and likes to joke about it.  Most likely you weren't born yet, only sees snippets of the tragedy on Twitter, you are desensitized, ignorant and uneducated. Shut the fuck up.

We're talking about baseball.  We're talking about hardnosed baseball.  Don't make it more dramatic than it is.  

Tomorrow will be a tough fight between the Yanks and O's.  It will be must-see TV.  I cannot wait.

Yanks win 4-1.

WELCOME TO THE LIST, PEDY

I would often refer to him as an ulcer. He was genuinely a giant pain in my ass...even standing at 5' 3" or whatever the Sox program listed his height to be. Dustin Pedroia was truly a giant in the New York vs Boston Rivalry. He played the game the right way. He busted his butt down the line...even when drawing a walk (which was infuriating!). He was always in a dirty uniform from flat out hustle. HE PROVED ANYONE of any shape or size can play this game! I couldn't stand Pedy and loved him in the same breath. He was a real ballplayer in every respect.

After many bouts with nagging injury the "Little Engine that Could" Red Sox 2nd baseman is calling it a career....and what a career it was. Years ago I wrote about the difference between Pedroia and Cano...I didn't have a crystal ball then....you don't need one to see how their stories would wrap up. 

The classic tale of the little, nut gathering worker putting in extra time to prep for winter and the lazy rabbit who couldn't be bothered with hustle playing out on a Major League diamond. Robbie is a cautionary tale to be told....Dustin may, one day, have a street near Fenway named in his honor...and I hope that street is constantly under construction...it would be appropriate given the FACT that this guy never stopped grinding to improve upon himself. Never.

This brings me to my list. A list I'm sad to admit continues to add names of enemy combatants from the Bay State. They are the Sox I wish were Yankees. Up until now the list is as follows:

Jim Rice

Dewey Evans
(C )Jason Varitek
Trot Nixon
Tim Wakefield

And now...Dustin "The Laser Show" Pedroia. They were just guys who would've been revered in the Bronx. They always hustled. They hated to lose...they had what O'Neill and Tino ran on....heart. 

I will missed Pedy. He was what was great about the Yanks and Sox. You got a sick feeling in your gut when he was at the plate in a big spot (the crouching catcher still a inch of two taller than him) knowing he'd pepper one off the Monster or go opposite field and find the untended pin that is Pesky's Pole for a 4 Beantown Bagger. That was, oddly, something I almost looked forward to. It was the fight these two clubs have always shared...it was fun to watch...just like Dustin.

Classic interview with Dustin Pedroia after a tough loss. ⚾️🔥pic.twitter.com/hLqHPa4HFX

— Hardball Highlights™ (@BSBVAULT) February 1, 2021

 

I tip my cap to this favorite son of the Boston Red Sox. He was one that I'll always remember for the best of reasons. Pedy did it right.

This one makes me think of the guy like Pedy who played the National Pastime like a true Working Class Man.

Thank you, Dustin. Congratulations on a hell of a run.

 

--Mike O'Hara

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @mikeyoh21

DAVID PRICE IS TRYING TO BE RELEVANT...

But yaps too much in the process...

David Price is acting like the rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox is new or stronger than ever.  What he doesn't seem to understand is he talks to much, and more than that... that intense rivalry many of us experienced in the 70's and late 90's is long gone.  Price missed it.  He needs to stop talking... kind of like Del Griffith from Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  Don't know what I'm talking about? Read on...

When it comes to the Yankees, Red Sox games in the upcoming season, Price says, 'It'll be intense.'  I'm not gonna lie.... I doubt it.  It was barely intense last season.  The intense rivalry we all remember is over.

YES Network writes: "'It's definitely going to be the biggest rivalry I've ever been a part of. I'm looking forward to it,' Price told MLB.com's Ian Browne.

In Tuesday's outing, Price lived up to the hype fans have all come to expect from the perennial Cy Young candidate. Price lasted four innings, allowed three hits, surrendered one earned run and struck out six.

'Nothing unusual,' said Yankees manager Joe Girardi of Price's quality outing. 'He's got outstanding stuff. He knows how to pitch, he knows how to locate.'... 

'It'll be intense,' said Price. 'It's going to be 18, 19 games of good baseball. I'm looking forward to that.'"

For me personally, the new rivalry has got to be the Blue Jays, and ironically it's the team Price left, almost like he missed the memo.

The Yankees have always hit Price well.  Being on the Red Sox will not make a difference.  Bottom line, Price is trying to be relevant and attempting to join a rivalry that's gone.  Plus, let's keep it real, $217 million for the guy is just insanely ridiculous.  I still can't get passed that.

The whole thing stinks... including the fact that the rivalry is now dead.  Can that intensity return between the Yanks and Sox? Maybe, but not with Price. It's just not the same as a Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek... you know what I mean?

Anyway, I laughed today at those quotes.  Chatty Cathy needs to stop talking and just play ball.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: TANYON STURTZE

Every Yankee fan  has favorite players to which they paid attention during different eras in Yankees history. For some, it was a great hitter or a great pitcher, or even a great fielder. I will always be a fan of Graig Nettles, thinking of his diving stops during the 77 and 78 World Series. When I think of 2004 through 2006, one of the guys I think of is Tanyon Sturtze. I always thought he was a tough, gutsy pitcher. Maybe it was an incident involving a beaning and Jason Varitek being thrown to the ground like a rag doll. But I digress. Bleeding Yankee Blue had a chance to talk with him recently. We proudly present our exclusive interview with Tanyon Sturtze.

BYB: First, congratulations on the birth of your son Maverick. By my math, he is just over 3 weeks old. How is he doing, and how is the family adjusting?

Tanyon Sturtze: Pretty good, man. I can't believe you knew that! Everything is good, No sleep right now, of course. He's great, he's healthy, it's all we could ask for. The family is doing good, and  hopefully he starts to sleep pretty soon in the next few weeks (laughs).

BYB: You played for 7 teams: the Cubs, Rangers, White Sox, Devil Rays, Blue Jays, Dodgers, and the Yankees. Yet your Twitter profile picture has you in a Yankees jersey and your handle - @sturtze56 - pays homage to your uniform number with the Yankees. Tell us what the Yankees mean to you.

Tanyon Sturtze: Everything. That was the best time I had playing the game, obviously on the best team. It was a great group of guys I played with. I played with a lot of great guys over the years with some teams. I got to be pretty close friends with a lot of guys on the Yankees. You spend a few years there, and I think the playoffs brings everybody a little tighter. I never had that opportunity with the other teams. New York is the best. There is nothing better than there. There is nothing better than playing for the Yankees. I wouldn't know what it's like playing for the Mets, being in New York, but I know that the Yankees rule the city. We rule until someone takes it from us. It was the best time of life. I love going back there. I love doing everything for the Yankees. I do some fantasy camps for them in the winter. I do some autograph signings up in the suites. I just love going back.

BYB: We all remember the brawl between ARod and Jason Varitek and you were right in the middle of it. OK spill the beans, who did you tag in that brawl and give us the play by play from your perspective on the brawl.

Tanyon Sturtze: Well, I started that game, so I was actually sitting on the bench. They had hit Alex Rodriguez a couple of times the night before, so once they hit him again that day, we all knew he was mad from the night before. Things kind of spilled over. As I got out there, Alex was actually on the bottom getting worked over pretty good. I just grabbed the closest guy, it just happened to be Gabe Kapler. So I grabbed him and tried to get him off the pile, then it escalated to a little more than that.

It was not a problem for me because I didn't really like anybody on that team anyway at the time. Tensions were different back then. The game was different between the Yankees and the Red Sox. It was still really hot and heavy. They still hadn't beaten us until after that year. Things kind of changed and mellowed out a little bit in my opinion, with that series.

BYB: Obviously the rivalry was pretty intense in the 70's, 80's, 90's and when you were in New York. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing, that the rivalry has mellowed out now?

Tanyon Sturtze: I think it's a bad thing because it's always great to have hated rivals in a sport. I played in LA, and they all talked about LA/San Francisco. They didn't hold a candle to Boston/New York. 2004 was pretty heated. I mean, people were at the old Stadium at noon for a 7 o'clock game, chanting "We Hate Boston" as you walk into the clubhouse. It was pretty special. I have gone back to a couple of games now, I really don't feel like it's the same. Obviously everyone still knows it's a rivalry. But I just don't think it was as heated once they won the World Series a couple of times. I think it's calmed down a little bit. 

BYB: You grew up in Worcester, Mass - near the heart of Red Sox Nation. Were you a Red Sox fan growing up? Tell us what it was like growing up there.

Tanyon Sturtze: I was a Red Sox fan growing up. My dad used to take me to Opening Day every year. I would miss school on Opening Day. Look, any kid that grows up in New York is either a Yankees fan or a Mets fan. Listen, when you're an eight, nine-year-old kid, I mean, you guys all grew up in New York, and you're the same way. You love one team and that's just the way it is. That's where you're from and that's what you know. I always knew to go to Fenway. That's just the way it was. In high school, we'd skip school, drive down, and go to Fenway. That's just the way it is. You guys used to go to the old Yankee Stadium. That's the way we were as Boston kids and Fenway.

But once you get drafted, everything changes. You don't really have an alliance to any team anymore. You don't have any idea or control over who you're going to play for, or who you're going to get drafted by. But once I got to the Yankees, everything changed. I lost a couple of family members. They don't speak to me anymore because they are die-hard Red Sox fans. But once the fight happened, I threw out a bunch of stuff. I really despise the Red Sox. I would never become a fan of them ever again. 

BYB: Speaking of fights, what did you think of Jonathan Papelbon hitting Manny Machado and attacking Bryce Harper? Do you think his punishment should have been more severe?

Tanyon Sturtze: He's done for the rest of the year, right? I mean, I don't think there should be a deeper penalty. Listen, people fight on the same team. That happens. I know he was only there a month when he traded over there. 

Tensions always rise in the game. It's always better to do it in the clubhouse so that this doesn't happen, and that you guys don't see it, and it's not filmed. The whole world has a comment about it. It's a lot easier to go into the tunnel or the clubhouse where nobody can see, and just handle it. Listen, like I said, tensions rise throughout the course of the year between players. Stuff happens. That's just the nature of the game. If I'm in the locker room with you, listen, that's your family. You don't really have a life outside of it during the season. You're there at noon. You leave at midnight. Every day. You see your family and kids less time than you see those guys at the ballpark.

BYB: ‎Who are the one or two players, Yankees or non-Yankees, that you admired the most growing up and why?

Tanyon Sturtze: Well, I always loved Ron Guidry. Then when I got to New York, he was my pitching coach, for a year, it was the best to sit down with him. I always tried to sit with him as much as possible, listen to him talk about pitching and talk about stories. To this day, every time I see him, he's the first person I go next to. I think he's one of the greatest guys in the game. Obviously an unbelievable pitcher. I just have a great time with him and so much respect and admiration for that guy. I don't think anybody else compares except probably Derek Jeter, the way he handles himself. Guidry is such a superstar. His being such a nice guy, the way he kept on top of his game all the time is really impressive to me. He really is a Yankee legend and he's just a down-to-earth guy. Very approachable. Just a nice country boy. That's really what he is. He lives in the backwoods of Louisiana and he's a great, great guy. He's always trying to help people. I just really enjoy being around him. 

BYB: If you had your pick, which job would you want in baseball and why?

Tanyon Sturtze: If I had my pick right now, being out of the game, I mean, I retired in 2008, I'd probably go be bullpen coach with a team.  Just because I know what it's like to be down there. 

I learned from the best, which is Mariano Rivera. I think I could bring a lot to who ever is in that bullpen. To help out on preparing, on going into a game. But I'd love to be a bullpen coach for a few years before I would try to be a pitching coach. Definitely. I would never want to be a manager. No thank you. Too much pressure. Managers have a lot to do every day. I would like to be a pitching coach, but I would like to be in a role before that, before I took over as pitching coach. I love the art of pitching. I love being able to teach kids what was taught to me throughout the years. I got to be around a lot of great pitchers and pick a lot of brains. 

I lockered next to Mike Mussina for 3 years, and to listen to him talk about pitching was just ridiculous. I love that aspect of it. To be a manager or something like that, listen I know nothing about hitters. I just know ways to get them out. I wouldn't do anything outside of my comfort zone.

BYB: Do you ever read Bleeding Yankee Blue and if so, what do you think?

Tanyon Sturtze: I read it. With the baby just being born, I don't hit Twitter as much as possible. I always check out the feeds. I always see what you guys write. I think you guys do a great job. I enjoy being able to read it because if I miss something, I know I can catch up reading your stuff. I think it's a great thing you guys do. There's no better fan base than the Yankees. To be able to provide that for those guys is great. Thanks for keeping my name associated with the Yankees and I appreciate everything you guys do.

We want to thank Tanyon for taking the time to speak with  us. You're a classic baseball guy and a great guy to talk to. We wish you and your family all the best. You're now part of the BYB family... thanks!

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row

MEET THE BYB FAMILY: INTERVIEW WITH MIKE O'HARA

It's been a while since we did the MEET THE FAMILY SERIES, but we continue it today with a guy with alot of heart and alot of dreams.  It's Mike O'Hara and he's one of our top writers here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.  If anyone knows BYB, they know it because of Mike's great work.  He brings alittle extra spunk to his stuff, and we are happy to have him here.

You have read about our other writers on BYB over the past few months.  Be sure to check out everyone so far.... just click and read away:

• Meet Erica
• Meet Ike
• Meet Jeana
• Meet Steve
• Meet Suzie

 But now it's time for 'O'Hara', as I call him.  It's Mike O'Hara and he's a member of the BYB Family...

BYB: O'Hara, when do you remember being a true Yankee fan? Who was the player and why was it the Yankees?

Mike O'Hara: I was born into this thing.  My Dad was a big Yankee fan as a kid and would go to games with my grandfather.  I guess if I had to pinpoint one moment, it would be when I was 6 years old.  I was at the Stadium with my Dad and some of his buddies from work.  In the 7th, John Osborne, one of my father's closest friends, took me down to the lower level. I remember he spoke to the section attendant (possibly slipping him a 10 spot) and we walked right down near the on deck circle.  Ozzie, as I knew him, put me on his shoulders and said, "There he is, Mikey! Call him, buddy!"  It was #44, my hero, Reggie Jackson.  I built up all the courage I could and yelled, "Reggie! Reggie!"  Crouched on one knee Reggie gave a quick turn, looked at me and gave me the thumbs up.  I was forever a New York Yankee fan.

BYB: I love that story you tell of Graig Nettles and your little league team at the time, the Cubs. Briefly tell the audience about that, and to follow-up, have you seen Nettles since?

Mike O'Hara: Nettles was the best.  I used to imitate pounding my glove like him and bouncing back to third after the ump ruled George Brett's bat was loaded with pine tar.  I loved the way he played.  The outstretched dive to snag a liner.  

The way he'd crush a dinger into the Bronx night on the WPIX telecast. He just played with his heart.  When I was in Little League I got to meet Mr. Nettles after a game to grab an autograph.  I was wearing my team cap...the Cubs.  Graig asked, "Cubbie fan, Mike?" 

I explained that it was the team I played for and they we were pretty lousy.  Nettles smiled and said, "Play your game and maybe you'll get traded." I haven't run into Graig since, but that's a moment I'll always remember.

BYB: What's with the hate for Mark Teixeira? Is it the contract or him?

Mike O'Hara: For the record, I don't hate Mark Teixeira.  What I know of him off the field, it seems that he is a class act and a nice guy.  But like I always say, my uncle Paul is a nice guy and I don't want him hitting 3rd or 4th for the Yanks either.  Tex was a great player...WAS.  By is own admission he is in "decline".  WHAT? Who says that? Then quit!  Tex just never seemed like a Yankee to me.  Yes, the contract is ridiculous, but it just seems like he doesn't get it.  The shift KILLS him...but slap one the other way to get on? NO! Not Tex.  That is awful.  He is not a switch hitter any longer.  He should STOP doing that knockoff "Foul Territory" thing, stop telling us that he is off sugar and that he is a slow starter and JUST. HIT. THE. BALL!  Again, I don't wish him ill personally and cheer when he does come through, but I'll be happy when he is no longer on the roster. Sorry, Tex.

BYB: When did you first read BYB and think 'Hey, I like these guys'. Do you remember the piece that sucked you in?

Mike O'Hara: I had to be on the web quite a bit when I did the Fan Cave thing.  I needed to present myself as an all around baseball fan, which I am. But I had to play down the fact that I was a die hard Yankee fanatic.  I would look for stuff on the Bombers in the Internet.  Just something for myself.  I found BYB and was hooked.  I can't say it was one particular post, I just remember checking in everyday to read what was up.  The voice sounded like me.  There was a personal side.  It wasn't stat geeks throwing 'WAR' around.  The pieces read as if the authors just loved to watch Yankee baseball and maybe even played a bit.  There was a human side.  And baseball is a human game.  I remember hoping you would allow me to contribute a post or two.

BYB: Explain to the BYB audience about your time with us so far. How am I doing as 'Skip'?

Mike O'Hara: I've really enjoyed writing for BYB.  Everyone that contributes to the site seem like great folks.  Their posts are always a good read, whether you're a Yankee fan or not.  There is a great back and forth and it isn't loaded with the snark and venom that social media usually breeds.  Skip, you... are my pal.  I can see how much you care about what you create and for our gang.  I always like getting a text from you during a bad game.  To everyone reading, Casey and I are usually on the same page, and it makes me laugh to see that he was thinking the same thing I was.  He knows how to run a show, and I'm happy to call him 'Skip.'

BYB: Who's you're favorite of the Core Four and why?

Mike O'Hara: That is a tough one.  I can make an argument for all of them.  I will say right off that I will always be a fan of all four of these Yankees.  The Captain is an all-time favorite.  Mo and Andy are guys I'll tell future generations about as well.  But if I had to pick at this very moment, I would say Jorgie is my favorite.  I am a fan of players that play with passion.  The infamous Yanks vs. Sox playoff game, where Pedro decked Zim, made me a Jorge fan for life.  You could see his fire as he barked back at the Red Sox hurler.  Posada never wanted to come out of a game and never gave up! He was a 'win and win' always type guy.  He'd get in their face and let them know how it was done if need be.  I loved that about Jorge. HIP! HIP!

BYB: Tell us about some of the players that you really took a liking to during your him as host on MLB Fan Cave?

Mike O'Hara: That was the one thing I will always have from my time at the Cave.  I got to meet and get to know some players.  Goose Gossage was and is one of the best guys I've met.  

That was a great day and he actually did name my dog.  I wouldn't have ever believed you if you told me as a kid that that would happen one day.  Joba Chamberlain is a friend.  I wish he was still pitching in the Bronx, but Justin is just a solid guy and friend and I'll root for him wherever he is...aside from LA.  I also have to admit that I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know another Captain.  Jason Varitek is a great guy.  

He would have been an all time favorite of mine if he'd been a Yankee.  He played the game the right way.  We had a blast when he came to shoot his sketches.  I have a signed BP jersey that I will soon hang in my office from Tek.  I will do it out of respect for him and the rivalry.

BYB: Music is a big part of your life as it is mine. What bands do you listen to these days?

Mike O'Hara: I love music the way I love baseball.  I like to think my life has it's own soundtrack. Touring with a band was more fun than I can describe, the good and the bad times.  These days I listen to so many different bands.  I love Punk.  I will always have some Bouncing Souls, Dropkick Murphys, Rancid, Flatfoot56, The Ramones and The Clash on my playlists.  I also love Billy Joel, Harry Connick Jr, Sinatra, Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.  

 I dig good hip hop.  The Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Public Enemy, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Eminem, Common and the Wu Tang.  I love to go see my buddies in The Mighty Mighty BossTones (best live show around) and the Pogues.  My mom got me hooked on the Who, Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Animals.  But right now I'm listening to a lot of Frank Turner, The Replacements and a band called Old Man Markley.

BYB: OK, you can only hang for a pint with 2 Yankees All-time and 1 other person. That person can be anyone else in your personal life or sports... but not baseball. Who are the Yankees and why... and who's that other person and why?

Mike O'Hara:  I'd grab a few pints with my all-time favorite Yankee, 'Number 21, Paul O'Neill, Number 21.'  I'd also pick my Dad's guy.  The great number 7, Mickey Mantle.  To me "The Mick" more than any other player will always symbolize Yankee baseball. I know. People will say 'what about the Babe, Lou or Joe D?' Hey, for me, it's Mickey) The other person I'd invite would be the man who made me want to be an actor, Bill Murray.  

I think the 4 of us would have a blast.  Bill knows sports and I can image that we'd laugh, talk baseball and enjoy some of Ireland's finest brew...That'd be something.

BYB: Explain the importance to you winning the BEEB in 2013. What did it mean to you?

Mike O'Hara: It was great! I really do love reading all the post on BYB and I just hoped I'd be in the mix with the rest of the writers.  They are all so unique and really write their voice on all things Yankees.  It was nice to be recognized, but in my opinion it could have gone to anyone on the staff. We'll see what happens this year.

BYB: Final question... what makes the Bleeding Yankee Blue experience great to you? Be specific.

Mike O'Hara: BYB isn't like any other sports blog site.  It mirrors the game itself.  You get a taste of personality, professionalism and playfulness.  The heart of every post may revolve around the Bronx Bombers, but that is just the beginning.  The stories almost always have a bit of the person they are written by.  We share bits and pieces of who we are and what family, friends and baseball mean to us.  You just get a well rounded product here.  It's a great club to be a part of.  It's like talking to an old friend.  People all have their lives to deal with day in and day out.  It can be hectic and stressful. But for many of us the game of baseball, New York Yankee baseball, is a way to connect and realize that no matter what we are going through, tomorrow is another game, there will be another at bat and we all have teammates that are there to pick you up when you're slumping.  It might sound a bit corny, but it's true.

O'Hara, it is an absolute pleasure to have you with us at Bleeding Yankee Blue.  You're a good friend and I appreciate you there all the time, with great stories and just to talk.  Thanks!

I hope everyone enjoyed this... who's next? You'll see soon enough.




You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!

PEDRO TRIES TO PIN "BEEF" ON POSADA

A while back, when Bleeding Yankee Blue interviewed Laura and Jorge Posada, I asked Laura about Jorge's big hit off of Pedro Martinez in the 2003 ALCS.  It was a bloop double into the outfield to tie the game. It was huge moment as a fan and for Jorge and the Yankee. I had to see what Laura thought about that moment.  There's that answer:

Laura: "I was right there and that was an Epic moment!  Getting a hit off Pedro in 2003 was not an easy task and due to the history of "love" between them, it just made it a little sweeter!  As a spectator, you could feel the electricity in your body when he got that double."

Not sure if the reader noticed back then, but at the time, when writing up the interview, I put quotes around love.  We wanted to emphasize that word, because for a while there, it was clear that Pedro and Jorge weren't exactly best friends.  Now, to be fair, I don't go calling Jorge up asking him his feelings about athletes. But we are both Leos, and I think I understand Leos very well.

I can tell you from my own experience of being a Leo that if someone rubs me the wrong way, I hold onto it and keep my anger and emotion close to the vest until the time is right.  If I'm poked again, I come after you hard and all at once.  It's not arrogance... it's the way I am made. I am a Leo. I am top of the heap. I want respect, especially when I give it. If I don't get it... you'll get my aggression as if to say, "You're on my radar!" 

Now, I'm guessing here... But I see Jorge as that guy as well. I think that's what happened in that "Zimmer game" when Pedro was throwing at Karim Garcia's head and then pointing at Jorge and his own head. Posada, being a leader, felt his need to defend and got angry that day. 

It wasn't just because of Karim Garcia. It was because he was harassed by Pedro for years about his ears. How would you feel if someone was making fun of your appearance every time the 2 met? Clearly it festered.  I respect what Jorge did that day, because I would have done the same thing.

Now, a few years later, there's some clarity to the quoted Love from that BYB / Posada interview.  Pedro Martinez has come out now and stated that he wasn't too fond of Jorge Posada. Well, clearly the feeling is mutual. Pedro said this of Jorge:

“He always seemed to have a real bad attitude towards me... he was so arrogant. We competed cleanly. I never tried to hit him or do anything... He never wanted to talk to me. He was always mad at me for some reason. Then he let it go alittle too far with the Zimmer incident."

OK, is it me, or does Pedro Martinez sound arrogant and all high and mighty? Has he forgotten about his harassment toward Jorge?

Then this came out of left field...

"Between Latinos, you don't mention anybody's mother. And I never forgot that one. Up to this day."

WHAT?

Here's the thing; Pedro was a tough competitor and he was a great pitcher for a long stretch.  No one, not even Jorge Posada can deny that, but when there's name calling and bitching and moaning, especially throughout that stretch of the bitter rivalry, things get said and things aren't forgotten. Here's what we DO know... Pedro Martinez razzed Jorge Posada for a long, long time, calling him Dumbo. Here's what we don't know;  I have no idea if Jorge Posada said something about Pedro's mother. There is no evidence of it. There is nothing in print before Pedro announced it. In fact, it's one man's accusation... and that man happens to be Pedro Martinez.

Pedro admits calling Jorge "Dumbo":

"I call him Dumbo, but that’s no reason for him to want to kill me.”

Well, going back to what a Leo's makeup is, I can tell you that while name calling isn't a reason to "kill" someone, it is a reason to hold a grudge.  Couple that with Jorge's lifetime average against Pedro, .203 average in 74 at bats, and there's mad frustration, no question about it!  So... when it comes to screaming at Pedro during a fiery rivalry game.... yeah, it came to a head and according to me... it's warranted to get heated.

But the "mother" stuff? Come on Pedro... I just don't buy it, and I don't even believe it!  Why? I'll tell you...

Jorge Posada was known as a quiet leader. That was his focus. He spoke when he needed to and we all know about the famous closed door team meetings.  Those meeting usually ended with a guy like Eric Chavez coming out and saying, "Yeah, Posada gave it to us good, and he's right, we need to step it up." But publicly? Jorge was not that guy.

Jorge may have come off as arrogant and "fired up" when it came to playing the Red Sox, but that was passion. Fact.  We've seen the guy play, he was a tough competitor.

One thing Jorge is NOT is a sneaky bitch. Now we're back to Pedro...
 

Martinez had a different approach when he played. He had loose lips. He trash talked, and now, being elected to the Hall of Fame, he's on a big stage. Pedro's got the microphone, and he knows it.

Pedro now can virtually say what ever the hell he wants and people are going to listen, be it true or not.  As Yankee fans, you're smart enough to know how hard Posada played.  You also know he's not the guy Martinez is painting him as.  Even the Daily News headline was careful about how they crafted their headline: Pedro Martinez implies that Jorge Posada ignited infamous 2003 Red Sox - Yankees brawl by insulting his mother. 

That's right... Pedro implied it. There's never been one stitch of print about it. 

In the end, I think about what Jason Varitek said about Jorge Posada when he retired.  It puts it in better perspective than someone like Pedro who's had loose lips for his entire career. V-Tek said of Posada:

"After hundreds of head-to-head games during the regular season and the postseason, I can't say I respect and admire anyone at our position more than I do Jorge. The hard work and preparation he put into catching is a huge reason he has five championships on his resume. He is a true grinder."

Read  WHY VARITEK EVEN RESPECTS POSADA...WHO KNEW? That was from January 2012.  

What's this all about? Well, 3 things.

The first thing is respect.  One thing I do know about Jorge Posada is he respects the game.  If he had beef with someone, you'd never truly know about it.  What I know about Pedro is he did a lot things that could be considered sneaky and disrespectful to get under a player's skin.  It helped him in his career.  It really did.

The second thing is about being a fan.  Now, I'll get ripped by Red Sox fans for this post and I did nothing to deserve it.  In fact, I personally respect how Pedro pitched.  He was very, very good. He deserves the Hall nod, no question. But as far as his approach, I never liked it. It always seemed JV to me.  Fans need to know where this "mother disrespect" is coming from.  It's coming from Pedro. A guy who has always blabbed unnecessarily because he knew the press would pick it up.  Here's the truth... we don't know what Jorge said.  All we can do as fans is circle the wagons for our member of the Core Four.  He was always a great competitor, a good teammate, a fan favorite and he did it with hard work, passion and class.  

Here's the 3rd thing and final piece of this puzzle... Who cares? What, Pedro can dish it but someone allegedly says something about his mother and that's wrong?  You can't have it both ways, Pedro!  I don't believe the story anyway, but if it were true... is Pedro really crying on a stage after being elected into the Hall of Fame? Come on man...

Don't believe everything you read ladies and gentlemen.  Keep backing our guy. This is 1 man's account... Pedro's.

Hey Jorge, you will always have our support at Bleeding Yankee Blue. You and Laura and BYB family members are this point. This story is ridiculous, and to be honest, it wasn't worth my post right here... but I felt the need to defend.  The whole thing seemed 1 sided for the past 24 hours... that can't happen.

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