2 AUSTRALIANS WALK INTO A BAR. AND THAT BAR... WAS FOLEY'S

Life takes crazy turns sometimes.  When Shaun Clancy of Foley's in New York City announced Friday that they were closing up shop because of the Coronavirus, it was pretty much devastating to everyone in New York or anyone that loves baseball.  In fact, I mentioned Pete Caldera in my article, our bud over there at the Bergen Record. He was one of the guys that was a true bro of Shaun's, and wrote this just a few hours after the announcement...

"...Foley’s could not survive the COVID-19 crisis, and now it goes the way of Toots Shor’s and Runyons, the legendary New York places where sports figures and celebrities mingled with fans and tipplers. I was lucky, so lucky, to be in that sphere. Luckier still that Shaun Clancy is my friend. "

The truth is, everyone that walked into that bar felt like Shaun was their friend. It just goes to show that while Pete was a true friend, Shaun's friendly nature, the atmosphere of Foley's really sucked you in.  My buddy Joey Moses from Australia sent me this. And it just goes to show how everyone went to Foley's because it was the most fun place on earth...

Photo Credit: Joey Moses

Brother,

Just read your article, can’t believe Foley's is going! It was probably my favourite joint in NYC. I remember going there for the first time in 2007 with one of my friends, and all I could think about was how awesome this place would be to come back with my dad. Then when dad and I eventually did come back in 2012. We met you person on that trip, remember? On that vacation I knew Foley's had to be the first place I took him to. And then I wanted to make sure he went to Mickey Mantle's across from Central Park too. He loved it! Was such an amazing vibe at Foley's. I still can’t believe it won’t be there anymore.

--Joey

Photo Credit: Joey Moses / Photo of Charles Moses

Joey's dad is Charles Moses, and both of them are friends for life, all because of Bleeding Yankee Blue, a place where people can read about the Yankees and become part of our family and a place where conversations can be had about our greatest spots in New York... Foley's of course being one of them. Sad. Sad day.

Everyone wants to jump in and help keep Foley's open. But Foley's put this out last night:

Must read if you love @FoleysNY @ShaunFromFoleys https://t.co/nEP2nl91yj

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) May 29, 2020

No one likes the end... but that's life. People die, people are born. Places close and new places open. Evolution.

Sorry Joey. Next time you come to NYC, we'll find a new spot to call our own.

ANOTHER LIFE EVENT JUST EXTENDED THE BYB FAMILY!

Mandatory Photo Credit: Moses Family

For my Bleeding Yankee Blue audience... you know that while we preach about Yankee stuff all day long... we are very much about family. The die-hards know this about me. The writers that I have brought on to work with us are all very much family oriented.  Not to mention, we in a sense have become a family ourselves.  I speak to my writers pretty regularly, and that even goes for my former ones. We all stay in touch in some capacity, we walk about our families growing up. It's crazy but I love it very much.  Think about this... I started BYB when my 16 year old was 8.  Suzie Pinstripe's oldest son is now a senior in College this year...and writes for BYB in between his studies. (By the way Chris, you're long over do...heh heh.)  Mike O'Hara and his wife had a baby and that family is expanding and he's one of my closest friends! Jeana Bellezza is now Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa, getting married to a dynamite dude. The point is, when there are milestones in our BYB family... we rejoice. It's supposed to be a place where we can talk about the Yankees... and celebrate life events.  It's what it's all about for me anyway and I think that's what makes this space unique.

I am very happy to extend a huge congratulations to my Australian brother Joey Moses and his gorgeous wife.  They got married in a lovely ceremony over the weekend and it makes me thrilled to see Joey so happy.

Mandatory Photo Credit: Moses Family

Charles and Mary, his parents are wonderful people and have built that love into their family. I tip my cap.

Mandatory Photo Credit: Moses Family

Maybe that's why I became instant friends with Charles and Joey when they literally came all the way from Australia all those years ago to personally pick up their BYB shirts and go see a few Yankee games.

Life is an amazing thing.  It's always a good feeling when you meet someone and instantly click. That's what happened with Joey, Charles and I... and obviously that's what happened with Joey and his lovely wife.

Congratulations Joey. Keep smiling my brother... we'll see each other soon. Promise. Now get me some nieces and nephews!!!

I kid. I kid.

BYB 'Family Member' Merchandise (2017)

BYB... FREE HUGS

Photo: AP

Quick note and I had to share this because ultimately, this is what BYB was put in place for. To spread the love as Yankee fans.

Joey Moses and I have been friends since we met in New York City back around 2011.  We had a pint together. Charles, his father was there too and since then we have been tight, talking all the time even though he's from Australia, and I'm in New York.  These days it's more about life and family than it is about the Yankees. That's because we have a bond like brothers. Baseball does that to people, what can I say.

Last week I wrote THE MOMENT YOU LONG FOR AS A BASEBALL FATHER. The moment was raw, and very real and my emotion came out in that 24 hours.  But this is what gets me all fuzzy inside... what happened next.

My buddy Joey wrote me this:

"Absolutely loved the article “the moment you long for as a baseball father”!! I know exactly what you were feeling, because I’ve been on the other end of it. Nothing like being at the ballgame with your old man. I’m so over the moon you got to share that moment together, brother. It is the most surreal moment, being a Yankees fan inside Yankee stadium, and looking to your side to see your father cheering on the Bronx bombers with you. God bless you both. What an amazing memory your son who will always have that moment with him for the rest of his life.

God bless you all,

Joey Moses"

That's the bond we have here folks. For the baseball fans that try to come down on BYB because we don't post 9 stories a day on irrelevant Yankee stories that mean nothing, there's at least 1 or 2 of these types of stories bi-monthly that we post that put it all in perspective.  This is life folks.  Believe it or not, it's bigger than the Yankees.  Sometimes we need to just let people know we love them, we like them... or this...

@BleednYankeeBlu I appreciate you 😊

— Can I Pettitte? (@CANiPETTITTE) October 14, 2018

I smiled at this one.

Happy Tuesday everyone.  Thanks to all the BYB freaks out there.  I am in a better place in my life knowing you are in this journey with us.

Many thanks.


BYB Stack Merchandise (2017)

JUDGE MANIA DOWN UNDER!

Photo: Newsday

I have to share this because the truth is I've been talking with Joey Moses since the day I met him and his old man Charles at Shula's steakhouse in New York City many years ago now.  Shula's restaurant is no longer there. Our friendship is.  The point is, we are pals, and I love the Moses family.

Now we all know that Aaron Judge is the poster boy for PlayStation 4's... The Show '18. But if you don't... here's that news item from a Playstation blog. That's right... give them some love:

"To add to his already massive resume, Judge has hit 52 home runs as a rookie, breaking legendary Mark McGwire’s MLB rookie record of 49; and also hit 33 home runs at Yankee Stadium, breaking the record of 32 set by legend Babe Ruth in 1921. This rookie is the living, breathing example of Road to the Show – create a player with massive stats and trek on to becoming a legend – which is why we are proud to announce him as the cover athlete for The Show 18."

Well...

I just got this note from Joey Moses... in Australia:

"It seems our boy has made the cover. Getting my copy as soon as it’s released. "

Damn I love technology.  Yes Joey, I'll be snagging my copy soon too.

THE CONFIDENCE BUILDER YANKEE FANS NEED!

Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America

I woke up sad today, but realized that it's not over. There is a Game 7 tonight.  Many have been speculating who will win and look, there is no real way to know anything.  It's just a matter of if a player, or players feel good out there... if they don't overhype themselves, if they click, whatever it is. 

I feel confident in my team and I wanted to share a few other feelings about our New York Yankees.  At least what I'm about to share will put you at ease, and trust me, reading through all of this, I feel better now. Enjoy this Yankee fans....

Brendan Kuty of NJ.com had these comments...

Photo: Getty Images

"CC Sabathia will bring his A game. The 37-year-old has come up huge for the Yankees time and time again this postseason. He’ll do it again on Saturday, for a variety of reasons.

He’s the most experienced Yankee in elimination games this year. Twice times the Yankees have needed Sabathia with their season on the line and twice he’s come through..."

Mike O'Hara texted me this after I woke up this morning:

"We need CC to feed them some serious STFU cake tonight.  The Big Man will lead us tonight. Yankees will take this game."

I received a true Yankee fan vibe from my very good friends from Australia, Joey and Charles Moses who never disappoint me.

This is them last night. These positive vibes work, folks...Yankee fans on the other side of the world. Think about that. I love these guys! This is my extended family, and it's all because of BleedingYankeeBlue.com.

And back to Brendan Kuty at NJ.com who give us this extra positive vibe:

Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America

"The bats will get to Charlie Morton. They did last time, didn’t they? In Game 3, the Yankees tagged the right-hander for seven earned runs on six hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium.

Photo: Getty Images

It happened quickly. Morton got two outs into the second inning when the Yankees strung together a pair of hits (Starlin Castro, Aaron Hicks) and Todd Frazier rocked an opposite-field home run to immediately put him in an 3-0 hole. He got through the third inning, and then a double, a walk, a single and a hit-by-pitch later and manager A.J. Hinch was pulling him for reliever Will Harris."

It's true, they have Morton's number.

My buddy Frank sent me this text...

Photo: Getty Images

"Doesn't matter who they put out there tonight, Yankee bats are there, and the only true pitchers the Yankees have trouble with are Verlander and maybe McCullers.  I don't include Keuchel in there just because they seemed to have figured him out, moving up in the batters box like Little Leaguers.  It was quite impressive. All I'm saying is the Yankees have a nice shot tonight.  Gotta stay confident... gotta fight hard."

My dad, who reads BYB and has been a Yankee fan since he was a 15 year old usher at Yankee Stadium texted me this...

"Yo... GO Yankees... YES!"

He's still learning how to text. Forgive him.

And back to Brendan Kuty... with another piece of wisdom:

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

"Then the Yankees' bullpen will take over. Manager Joe Girardi will have everybody in his pitching staff available to him in Game 7 — except for Chad Green who pitched 2 1/3 innings and 38 pitches Friday night. Expect him to go to David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle first before handing the ball to Aroldis Chapman, who could enter the game as soon as the top of the eighth inning. It’s been a formula that’s worked well all season."

Here's my buddy Lou:

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

"Tommy Kahnle is the most important part of this Yankee pen besides Chad Green, and Green won't be available.  The pen can do this.  Joe needs to be smart with CC, and utilize all our guys.  We got this."

And this is what I'm talking about folks.  Yankee fans believe.  Even beat writers believe.  And it's exciting to see that, because in the past, we'd be feeling out of it right about now... but many don't. And I like this about this team.  It's exciting.

If you have doubts... don't.  Yankee fans have spoken.

Like my buddy said... "We got this."

#BYB #GoYanks

YANKEE CLICK MACHINE!

Strike up the band! We beat Dallas Keuchel.

DIDI is the man! Keep rolling Yanks! I wanna beat Keuchel and shave his beard on the mound! LETS GO!! #BYB #Yankees

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) October 18, 2017

I needed to tweet that... I was so psyched tonight!

Photo: Getty Images

When everything clicks, it's pretty incredible to be a Yankee fan. I saw a team tonight that truly loves playing with each other, and loves playing in the Bronx!   Seeing Chase Headley break out of his slump tonight was wild!

Photo: Getty Images

Watching Sanchez , Bird and Judge mature before our eyes is true magic.   And then there was Masahiro Tanaka...

Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America

What can I say? Tanaka was dominant. He's the Tanaka the Yankees and Yankee fans have been waiting for since we signed him.  He's unstoppable. He's a monster.

Tanaka, player of the game. Right? Way to go Yankees #BYB

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) October 19, 2017

He is truly confident and without fear.  Combine that with that bullpen and our amazing offense lately and that is a recipe for greatness.

I am telling you this.  I was excited in 2009... but right now... I'M VERY EXCITED.

Oct. 13, 2017 - Source: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America

Winning 3 in a row was something I wasn't sure was capable when we left Houston a few days ago.  Now we're up 3 games to 2 and we're headed back to Houston with our best pitcher in Luis Severino.

It won't be easy in Game 6.  Playing against Justin Verlander is no easy task.  Last outing against us he was great.  AND... we were in Houston.  Keep that in mind... while we have momentum, and believe me... we have it, Verlander has Houston and those fans are solid.

Photo: Getty Images

But we can do it, we're the Yankees. 

I know we can... I believe we can.  It's some of the best baseball I have seen this team play all year long.  They have bonded... they like each other. Hell... I think one of the big parts of this team is just having Todd Frazier around to keep the energy alive!  I venture to say I think I like him around more than I did Nick Swisher... and I know, I will get crucified for that, but there is something about Frazier that is a spark like nothing I've seen in that Yankee clubhouse in a long time. 

Photo: Getty Images

He is loved by his teammates... and he loves being a New York Yankee and all it brings with it.  And I believe he's a big part of the clicking of the New York Yankees right now. He showed up... the Yankees started picking up the pace.  Now we're in the playoffs... one game away from the World Series... and there's confidence and a liveliness everywhere.

Photo: Getty Images

We are the Yankee Click Machine right now.  We can do this folks. Names like Judge. Sanchez. Sabathia. Severino. DRob. Kahnle. Gardner....

Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America

Didi. Chapman. Tanaka. and yes... Frazier.

We are the New York Yankees... I can't wait for Game 6.

I leave you with 3 great fans... and 3 fun nuggets to keep you entertained...

The first comes from one of our BYB Hub sites... Krusty Sox Sports... bashing the most horrible anti-Yankee broadcaster out there... Joe Buck. Read Listen to how depressed Joe Buck is after Masahiro Tanaka strikes out a hitter to get out of a jam.

Depressed Joe Buck after Tanaka gets out of a jam. #Yankees #NYYvsHOU #ALCS pic.twitter.com/t18Zp2yr9a

— Fred Sox (@RealFredSox) October 18, 2017

Haha.

The next nugget comes from @CANiPETTITTE who dresses her dog in #BYB for good luck.

YANKEES! @BleednYankeeBlu pic.twitter.com/0lR84RDpw2

— Can I Pettitte? (@CANiPETTITTE) October 19, 2017

Damn I love this so much!

And finally, this is an email I got from my brother from another mother...

Yankee and BYB fanatic... from Australia, Joey Moses...

"The last time we went undefeated at home in the playoffs, we won the World Series. Let's bring the trophy home. One more win! #BleedingYankeeBlue"

Nailed it, brother!

#GoYanks

THE GREATEST YANKEE WIN I'VE EVER SEEN!

(April 27, 2017 - Source: Adam Hunger/Getty Images North America)    

"The Yanks are getting spanked right now!" 

My buddy yelled to me as we were getting into our cars last night.  We just finished my kid's rec game, and I just figured it was one of the rare losses of the season. 

"It happens", I said as I turned the key.  At that moment it was 9-1, but when we got home I suggested we run the Applebee's, we get some chow and unwind. 

"Dad, it's 9-4!", my kid said from the backseat.  He perked up.  This is a kid that lives and dies by baseball stats and highlights from his phone.  It reminds me of the days I went all over the place with my binder full of baseball cards.  When you love the game, you just can't get enough of it.

We got to Applebee's and we sat down. I ordered the Watermelon Sangria.

I'm not afraid to admit that. I may even have had 2... I'm crazy like that.  We ate, and my kid's face was now stuck to the TV right next to our table.

April 27, 2017 - Source: Adam Hunger/Getty Images North America

All of the sudden, it was 11-8 and Applebee's must of been full of Yankee fans, because the place got excited.  My kid wasn't even talking to us at this point. I should have taken a picture because the emotions on his face were priceless.  When Jacoby Ellsbury hit a grand slam, there was applause, not from just my table, but from many. You see, this Yankee team is something special. You can't quite put your finger on it, but you know what I mean, because it's never about one guy.  One night it could be Ronald Torreyes...

Photo: Getty Images

Another it's Aaron Judge and Aroldis Chapman.  Maybe CC Sabathia, or Luis Severino.  Other times, it's Starlin Castro... or anyone else.  The team is unique, because there is a true blend of young and old, all consumed with turning this franchise around.  And now... us Yankee fans have bought into it more than we ever have before.  In that Applebee's last night... it was quite evident.

And then Castro comes to the plate, and a thunderous "WOOO!!!" from all the tables in the joint!

"Oh my god! He tied it! HE TIED IT!"

Photo: Getty Images

My kid could no longer contain himself! This was a big deal! How do you come back from a deficit like that? Well... they did, and now it was a new ballgame.

I asked for the check.

"I can't leave dad! I need to see this!"

I looked at my wife.  We were already exhausted from the week. But when you see a smile and request like that... you cave... and so we did. 

We made Applebee's our living room for the next very minutes.  We relaxed... we watched our Yankees. We watched our 14 year old loving every minute of it.

(April 27, 2017 - Source: Adam Hunger/Getty Images North America)

In the Bottom of the 10th inning, it was Matt Holliday crushing a 3 run homer. The place went nuts! It was the most incredible thing I've seen from the Yankees in a long, long time! And the celebration was on! Not only in the Bronx, but in my small town late last night from not only my family... but from all the folks in that restaurant. I think I high-fived the waiter... I can't be sure. 

(April 27, 2017 - Source: Adam Hunger/Getty Images North America)

And like clockwork, from over 10,000 miles away and to top off my night, my phone buzzed.

Australia was calling.  My brother from another mother, Joey Moses sent me this text.

And all was right in the world.

If anyone doesn't understand what it's like to be a true Yankee fan... they never will.  Because the thrill is unbelievable when they win big... and the bond between fans is like no other. Joey and I are an example of that.

Yankees win BIG, folks.  It reminds me of the late 90's!

Be excited, because this team is something special.

Final: Yankees 14 - Orioles 11


BYB Stack Merchandise (2017)

#BYB COMMENTARY: LOVABLE LOSERS!

To my BYB readers, I wanted to share this with you.  This is from my brother from another mother, Joey Moses.  He's one of the first "fans" I met when BYB started and we've been in touch ever since.  Read BONDING OVER A PINT for more about that. 

Anyway, the Cubs won the World Series Wednesday. The movie, Back to the Future was one year off, and this guy from 1993 was right. And what's funny is, it's been so long, if you ask anyone in the baseball world, they all know about the Curse of the Billy Goat, but no one really knows what the story is.

Needless to say, Joey Moses is a baseball fan just as much as he is a true blue Yankee fan, and it wouldn't be right to not share his commentary on not only the Chicago Cubs, but their wonderful fans.  

And so, on this Saturday, I give you this from my pal, Joey. Thanks bro. 

Congrats again to the Cubs!

-Casey 

They were the lovable losers, who became the center of the baseball universe. They were the team you were afraid to hate, but were scared to believe in. History wasn't kind to the Cubs and their fans, and the future will hopefully be gentle now.

I'm 9,928 miles away from my first true baseball love, the Bronx bombers, the mighty New York Yankees. I'm 9,237 miles away from Wrigleyville and the home plate upon which the Great Bambino famously called his shot.

But today, I have never felt closer to the baseball world or the die hard fans who passionately started this euphoric journey back in the early spring days of April. It's very hard to express through writing, the certain emotions that overcome you when you experience and see something that you have never seen before. Something your father hasn't seen before, or your grandfather as well. Not to mention the millions as well. Many have only dreamt... until now.

A lineage of suffering, pain and heartbreak is now gone. A legacy of failure and disappointment, gone. A lifetime of hope and "maybe next year"... yeah... gone. With one swing of a bat and a ground out to first, a city that has spent its baseball life trying to wipe away their tears from the constant pages of negative headlines, can now turn to the ghosts of baseball past and say we belong with the best!

We can now forgive Steve Bartman and we can now surely excuse the smell from the goat of Billy Sianis. Because the Cubs are no longer just lovable losers.

They're sitting on top of the baseball world.

Field of Dreams, in my opinion one of the greatest baseball movies of all time, gave us an amazing quote that resonates deep with us more so today, than it ever will.

Terrance Mann, played by James Earl Jones, goes on to say "The one constant through the years, has been baseball...this field, this game, its a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good and it could be good again".

Well, Terrance, again is now.


  

-- Joey Moses, Australian, Yankee fan 
Bleeding Yankee Blue contributor