LUKE VOIT'S STILL GOT IT

Remember that brief but brawny blast of Luke Voit in pinstripes? Yeah, for a minute there, it felt like we were watching Shane Spencer 2.0 or channeling the ghost of Kevin Maas. Voit had that magical moment where he was launching bombs in the Bronx, and Yankee fans thought, “Hey, maybe we found something here!” But then... injuries crept in, the Yankees cooled on him faster than a leftover hot dog at a rain delay, and just like that, Big Luke was out of sight and out of mind.

Honestly? I kind of forgot he was still playing. Until now.

Voit’s been doing his thing south of the border in the Mexican Baseball League, where he rediscovered his power stroke and started turning heads again. After slugging 23 home runs in 2024 with a .270 average and 57 RBIs, he turned it up even more this year—batting .324 with 25 RBIs and a ridiculous .432 OBP. Oh, and don’t forget the 11 homers that gave him an OPS north of 1.000. That’s not just good—that’s “wait, should we be paying attention again?” good.

Now, the next chapter: Japan. Reports say Voit has signed on with the Rakuten Eagles, joining the parade of ex-big leaguers who’ve gone east and found new life (or at least a solid paycheck and some sushi).

Let’s be real—Voit probably isn’t on anyone’s MLB radar right now. But if he keeps mashing in Japan like he did in Mexico, who knows? A non-roster invite to spring training next year isn’t out of the question. Baseball has a funny way of circling back.

So here’s to Luke Voit: Bronx bomber for a hot minute, world traveler, and still swinging for the fences.

CALLS FOR VOLPE TO BE SHIPPED TO SCRANTON

Anthony Volpe used to be able to hit the fastball, but even that has become an issue.  And pitchers are now figuring Volpe out and are changing up selection and if that happens, it's curtains for this young kid.  Reminds me strangely of Kevin Maas.  He lasted 5 seasons in the majors. This is Volpe's third year. So... 2 more to go, I guess? This guy's horrible. Off balance, not prepared, not seeing the baseball.  It's kind of sad.

And so, I have an important question. At what point does “potential” expire?

For the Yankees, apparently never — especially if you're Anthony Volpe, the golden boy they told us was the future of the shortstop position. A third-year pro hitting below the Mendoza line is still being sold to the fanbase like he’s the next Derek Jeter. But let’s be real: if this is the future, can we go back?

Let’s not mince words here — Anthony Volpe is hitting .198. And no, that’s not a typo. That’s the actual number. This is year three. The training wheels are off. The excuses have expired. And yet, the Yankees front office and manager Aaron Boone continue to gaslight the fanbase into believing that everything is fine because… he works hard?

That’s rich. You know who else works hard? The guy who delivers my Amazon packages in 98-degree heat. Doesn’t mean I want him playing shortstop in the Bronx.

Fans are fed up with this team.  I was talking to the guy I get coffee from in the city. Huge Yankee fan, he sees me this morning and goes, "They gotta ship Volpe to the minors.  He doesn't know how to hit!" This is a passionate fan who uses the eye test to determine life... and he's not wrong.  

Plenty of people are shouting about how the Yankee fans were sold a bill of goods. Volpe ain't Jeter, hell, he ain't Andy Stankiewicz either.  Hell, even Rafael Santana was a better player than this kid.

Volpe is batting .300 against fastballs this season — or so the numbers claim — but let your eyes do the scouting. How many times do we need to watch him swing through a high heater like it just evaporated mid-air? Pitchers have figured it out. He can’t hit anything that bends, breaks, or even flutters. He's hitting .130 against breaking balls, and he hasn't notched a single hit against off-speed pitches. None. Zero. Nada.

That’s not a slump. That’s a systemic issue. That’s a scouting failure. That’s a front office living in delusion.

So where is the accountability? Boone, in his usual "aw shucks" postgame monotone, keeps praising Volpe’s “work ethic.” Great. But Major League Baseball isn’t a summer camp talent show — it’s about results. You can work as hard as you want off the field, but if you’re striking out nearly 30% of the time on the field, something’s broken.

His 27.1% strikeout rate this season — paired with a career-high 28.3% overall — paints a picture of a hitter who’s either guessing wrong or just flat-out can’t make contact. And yet the Yankees, in all their infinite wisdom, have decided that this is the guy we should be building around.

And what about defense? Yes, Volpe has been steady with the glove. Credit where it’s due. His 6.7 bWAR over two seasons is respectable. But we’re talking about the Yankees. This isn’t Kansas City. You don’t get to start in the Bronx just because you can flash some leather. This is supposed to be the most demanding stage in baseball — and instead, we’re treating the shortstop position like it’s a developmental league for prospects who “might” figure it out.

Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza — the forgotten man — is over there wondering what he did to get ghosted. The kid can rake, plays a better defensive shortstop, and actually looks like he belongs. Give him a real shot and he’ll give you .260 with some pop and a cannon arm. Volpe can't even hit .200.

We get this Volpe soap opera every night — the “he’ll get hot soon” narrative that’s been stuck on a loop since 2023. This isn’t just about Volpe anymore — it’s about a front office that’s completely out of touch with reality.

And maybe the most insulting part? They think we don’t see it. That we’re just going to sit here, chant his name, and pretend everything’s fine while he flails through another 0-for-4 night.

It’s not fine. It’s not close to fine. And no amount of Boone babbling about work ethic is going to change that.

Volpe’s time is up. Ship him out. He may still have a future — maybe a utility infielder somewhere, maybe even a late bloomer in a smaller market. But the Yankees don’t have the luxury of patience when it comes to the most important position on the diamond.

Oswald Peraza is waiting.

Maybe it’s time the Yankees stop playing favorites and start playing to win.

THE YANKEES ARE PLAYING THE WRONG SHORTSTOP!

Saying a player is hitting balls hard is a cop out for the player. There, I said it.  

You don't build an average; you don't help your team if you are hitting balls hard and getting out.  Can we just stop the nonsense? Anthony Volpe is Mario Mendoza plain and simple. He's got a marketable face, but that's about it.  My #11 Jersey is a Brett Gardner jersey, plain and simple.

Another chapter in the tragic comedy that is Anthony Volpe: Shortstop of the Future. Except now it's 2025, and the future has arrived... and it's batting .198.

Let’s rewind to Tuesday night in Cleveland. Top of the eighth. Yankees down a run. Two outs. Runners on first and second. Prime time for a clutch hit. Instead, Anthony Volpe steps in and does what Anthony Volpe does best these days — works the count to 2-2 and then flails helplessly at a slider from Evan Gaddis. Strike three. For those keeping score at home, that was his third consecutive swing-and-miss in the at-bat, following two high fastballs that looked like they were in a different zip code.

Volpe’s final line? A mighty 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Through April 23, at that point he was limping along with a .209 batting average and a career-worst 27.1% strikeout rate, according to FanGraphs. The guy’s missing hittable pitches in the strike zone like he's being paid to sabotage rallies.

Kristie Ackert of Athlon Sports tried to spin the numbers into something hopeful, writing:

“He is hitting the ball harder. His average exit velocity has jumped to 90.3 mph (up from 87.7 last year), and he’s already posted a 13.8% barrel rate, higher than both his 2023 and 2024 marks combined. The Yankees even gave him the controversial ‘torpedo bat’ to lean into that power. But his line drive rate is down to 15.5%, and his fly ball rate is up to 31.0%, with many of those poorly struck.”

Translation: He’s swinging harder... but he’s still not hitting anything.

Pitchers? They’ve adjusted. 

Volpe’s whiff rate on fastballs is now creeping toward 30%, and breaking stuff has turned him into a human windmill. He’s 0-for-13 this season combined against sliders, curveballs, and changeups — with a jaw-dropping whiff rate of over 45%. Tuesday night’s strikeout wasn’t just a bad at-bat; it was a flashing neon sign of a much deeper problem. He’s swinging smarter, maybe. But swinging smarter doesn’t mean much when you still miss nearly half the time. Pitchers adjusted to Kevin Maas too and he eventually faded away.

And while the Yankees keep doubling down on Volpe like a gambler chasing bad bets, Oswald Peraza remains the obvious better option — and somehow, still the overlooked one.

Let’s talk about Peraza. Better defender? Absolutely. Smoother glove, quicker hands, and doesn’t boot the routine plays that Volpe turns into heart attacks. Offensively? He’s not a .209 hitter. He never has been. Peraza can hit for average, doesn’t strike out in bunches, and brings real poise to the plate. No gimmicky “torpedo bat” required — just good old-fashioned ability.

And yet, the Yankees hitched their wagon to Volpe like he was the next Jeter — but he’s playing more like the second coming of Eduardo Núñez without the fun speed. The organization made their pick, and it’s painfully clear they backed the wrong horse, again.

Volpe’s been given every opportunity, every headline, every ounce of patience. And yet, here we are: still watching him chase sliders and pop up to second like clockwork.

Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza — the better fielder, the better contact hitter, the guy who doesn’t look like a deer in the headlights with runners on — waits in the wings. Or worse, rides a bus to Scranton. The Yankees need to face reality: they chose the wrong shortstop.

It’s not too late to fix it. But if they keep pretending Volpe is the answer, they’re going to keep getting the same result — weak contact, high whiffs, and another season of wasted potential. Let Peraza play. He’s earned it. And frankly, he deserves better than watching this mess from the bench.

Finally, I just want to say this; I'm not ripping on Kristie Ackert at all. She is admired and respected. What I am ripping on is this new world of "hitting balls hard" and nothing to show for it.  When I grew up you looked at a dude's average, dingers and RBIs.  If he didn't strike out that was a plus and if he could swipe a few bags, that was great too. But that's all you needed to know when a player was solid or not.  This world of "hitting balls hard" and batting .191 is the dumbest form of baseball I've ever seen. There is no progress for that player, in fact, they should probably just give it up.  And so there, I had to say that.  Hey Kristie, respect!

BRONX ZOO 90: A MUST SEE!

Dysfunction in Pinstripes. That defines the 1990 Yankees. While I was a huge fan back then, I really must have been blinded by being a fan and didn't get wrapped up into the other BS, because I have to tell you, Peacock's Bronx Zoo 90 is a wicked web of awesome. Wow!

In the annals of baseball history, the New York Yankees stand as a beacon of success, with a glittering array of championships and legendary players. However, even the most storied franchises have their dark chapters, and the 1990s proved to be a tumultuous period for the Bronx Bombers.

From off-field scandals to on-field disappointments, the Yankees of the 1990s were plagued by dysfunction at every turn. Let's delve into the myriad issues that plagued the team during this turbulent era.

The Perez Predicament: Pasqual Perez's Troubled Stint

The woes of the Yankees in the 1990s can be traced back to the tumultuous start of the decade when the signing of pitcher Pasqual Perez turned into a nightmare. Perez, known for his erratic behavior and off-field troubles, failed to live up to expectations on the mound. His tenure with the Yankees was marred by injuries, inconsistency, and controversy, symbolizing the team's struggles during this era.

Mel Hall: A Dark Cloud Over Yankee Stadium

Another stain on the Yankees' reputation in the 1990s was outfielder Mel Hall. Despite showing flashes of talent on the field, Hall's career was overshadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor. The scandal rocked the organization and tarnished the image of the once-proud franchise.

Defensive Woes and Managerial Missteps

On the field, the Yankees' woes extended beyond individual players to the team's overall performance. Mike Blowers, in particular, struggled defensively, contributing to the team's lackluster showing in the field. Additionally, managerial decisions under the helm of Stump Merrill often left fans scratching their heads, as the team floundered under his leadership.

The Steinbrenner-Winfield Feud: A Saga of Egos

Behind the scenes, tensions simmered between owner George Steinbrenner and outfielder Dave Winfield. The feud between the two larger-than-life personalities reached its peak in the 1990s, with Steinbrenner's relentless criticism of Winfield creating a toxic atmosphere within the organization. The bitter feud cast a shadow over the team and distracted from its on-field performance.

Deion Sanders and Kevin Maas: Flashy Signings, Disappointing Results

Amidst the turmoil, the Yankees made splashy signings in the form of Deion Sanders and Kevin Maas. Sanders brought star power and flair to the team, while Maas was heralded as a potential superstar. However, both players failed to live up to expectations, with Sanders juggling baseball and football commitments and Maas unable to sustain his early success, leaving the Yankees with more headlines than wins. 

When it comes to Maas, Kevin Maas was a highly touted prospect who burst onto the scene with the New York Yankees in 1990. He hit 10 home runs in his first 77 at-bats, sparking a frenzy of "Maas hysteria" among fans and media alike. However, he struggled to maintain that level of performance over the long term. There are a few reasons for his difficulties:

Adjustments by pitchers: Pitchers quickly adjusted to Maas's hitting style and weaknesses, exploiting them effectively. They began throwing him a steady diet of breaking balls and off-speed pitches, which he struggled to hit consistently.

Injuries: Maas battled injuries during his career, which hampered his ability to perform at his best. These injuries may have affected his swing mechanics and timing, making it harder for him to produce at the plate.

Pressure and Expectations: The sudden burst of success and attention may have placed undue pressure on Maas. Expectations were sky-high after his impressive debut, and the weight of those expectations may have affected his confidence and performance.

Swing Mechanics: Some analysts pointed to flaws in Maas's swing mechanics that made him vulnerable to certain types of pitches. Despite his initial success, he may have had deficiencies in his approach that became more apparent as pitchers adjusted to him.

Limited Skill Set: While Maas had power, he lacked other essential skills such as plate discipline and the ability to hit for average. Pitchers exploited these weaknesses, making it difficult for him to sustain success over the long term.

Overall, a combination of factors, including adjustments by opposing pitchers, injuries, pressure, swing mechanics, and a limited skill set, contributed to Kevin Maas's struggles with the Yankees. Despite his initial promise, he was unable to replicate his early success consistently throughout his career.

The New York Yankees of the 1990s were a far cry from the dominant force they had been in years past. Dysfunction, controversy, and underperformance plagued the team, tarnishing its once-illustrious reputation. While the decade may have been a dark period in Yankees history, it also serves as a reminder that even the most iconic franchises are not immune to turmoil and upheaval.

This Documentary is perfect for anyone that wants to be truly entertained about one of the worst Yankee teams ever. I could not stop watching!

--Alvin Izzo

BYB Yankee History Contributor

BABY BOMBER IS AN INSTANT SENSATION IN YANKEES SEPTEMBER CALL UP!

At least for the moment, we have forgotten how horrible the Yankees season has been.

Last night was fun. It was fun for a change as the Yankees won, but more than that, the Martian, Jasson Dominguez showed us all why he was called up.  Yes, part of the reason was that the Yankees have sucked and he was replacing Harrison Bader who was claimed off waivers by the Reds, but the other reason was because of his raw power.  The Yankees won 6-2 and Yankee Twitter went crazy.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, JASSON DOMÍNGUEZ‼️

1 swing, 1 homer 😤

(via @Yankees)pic.twitter.com/QucVHxfewo

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 2, 2023

Wild!

And ESPN writes:

"At 20 years, 206 days old, Domínguez became the youngest Yankees player to homer in his first career game. He was the first Yankees player to go deep in his initial big league at-bat since Aaron Judge on Aug. 13, 2016.

Additionally, it was just the second time a player homered off a reigning Cy Young Award winner in his first at-bat, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The other was Marcus Thames -- also for the Yankees -- on June 10, 2002, off Randy Johnson."

That's a lot of information but this is the next Yankee generation, folks. Let's hope he doesn't disappear like Kevin Maas when all the teams figured out that he couldn't hit anything but a fastball.

Congrats the Jasson.  Congrats to the Yankees. Now just keep it going so we can salvage this season!

SMOKE & MIRRORS & THE KEVIN BROWN EFFECT

It's like the scene in "JAWS" when everyone is on Amity Beach enjoying a fun-filled summer day. Suddenly they're drawn into a nightmare when a pretty, young, hippie girl yells, "Sh-Shark! There's a SHARK IN THE POND!"

That's just like today in Yankee Fanland...except instead of yelling "Shark" she's yelling, "SLUMP!! THERE IN A SLUMP IN THE BRONX!" We stink as of late...like company that's overstayed their invite or 3 day old flounder you brought home in a doggy bag and forgot in the back of the fridge. 

But maybe...hear me out...maybe it's been a lot of smoke and mirrors? Look, Aaron Judge is ALL WORLD. He should be offered 300 million over 7 years, a player option on the 8th and name him Captain. That's the break wall. Just offer that. If he turns it down...well, I'd be disappointed but not shocked. He may know what many of us do and don't want to say out loud...this team isn't going anywhere. 

Stanton has been great...but never healthy. DJ has bounced back and is effective...but ain't gonna carry the club. We FLAT OUT overpaid and over valued Gerrit Cole. He is an ace...at times. When the planets are aligned, the weather is a comfortable 77 degrees, winds are moderate at 5 to 7mph and out of the south, south east and the Yanks are at home...playing Baltimore. 

Sevy? He's broken. Nestor? He's a great story and a 5th starter or long man in disguise. Jameson? I need at least 5 to 6 shots of Jameson watching him. Frankie? That's the Kevin Brown effect Cashman LOVES to pull. We didn't get you a Warrior on the bump like Schilling...HERE'S KEVIN BROWN!! Then he blows up like a gender reveal stunt in the ALCS!!

The rest of the roster is O-K to poor. Donaldson is not going to cut it. He may run into one here and there but he's been Clint Frazier playing the infield. 

I-K-F is a W-T-F. What was Cashman thinking there? Go get Didi. It's a move sideways and he's loved in the clubhouse. I love Benny as a pickup. He is a solid player and is a major upgrade from Joey (so no harm no foul there). He looks the part of a Yankee and it drives the Massholes mad.

Aaron Hicks gets his own paragraph for all the WRONG reasons. This guy sucks. No sugar coating on this one. He was a bum in Minnesota and an often injured bum here. He should be selling pretzels in the
centerfield concessions stands not playing on the field. The BEST centerfielder they have in the big fella wearing #99. (when healthy it should be Benny, Judge, Stanton Left to Right...EVERYDAY!). Hicks is killing this team. 

He is an automatic out and it's time for him to go to the land of forgettable Yankees with the likes of Pavano, Brown, Gallo and Maas. Cashman's ego may be holding on to him...Brian is WRONG.

The rest of this club is just like the others. We have two closers...one a once great one on his way out and one a pickup from Pittsburgh that was over his skis in the first half. The Pen is taxed already and the stretch won't be kind to them.

At it's core I believe, like so many clubs, the Yankees have WAY over hyped their farm. For every Aaron Judge who pans out there is a full bus load of bushers that never will. But we hold onto them and miss out on trigger pulls The Boss wouldn't have ever allowed. Yes, George almost pissed away Mo and Jeter, but he wouldn't have let Soto go to save Volpe. We got Frankie we NEEDED Luis. We traded Monty...again, it won't kill us but he was more reliable than Tallion!

The Yankees got a lot of breaks early on. The Two Towers were ranking (Judge still is). The staff looked strong, but you could see the strings and tape if you looked closely. They are better constructed

over in Queens...kills me to say that but it's a fact.

I don't blame the skipper...I blame Brian Cashman. 

He has the checkbook and means to always be competitive...but not the real baseball sense to make better moves. He was lauded at the deadline for being active...but c'mon his act was a cover band. It was a D+. Benny was a good move, but not enough to make up for Hicks on this team or Stanton being hurt...again.

The 2022 Yankees are a front...a put on. The Pinstripes are sharpie'd on this year. There is no true backbone.

My fear isn't the Yankees not winning the series...no. My fear is the 2023 Yankees lose Judge and return a team of older, overpaid, overhyped, overvalued players....and it's 1985 for the next 10 seasons...and Stick Michael ain't here to save us.


Tell 'em Pete...

--Mike O'Hara

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @mikeyoh21

JUDGE GOT HIS GROOVE BACK!

Sept. 13, 2017 - Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America

We need Aaron Judge right now, and like we have said all season here at BYB, slumps happen, but you gotta understand something... we all knew that even though he was young, he would make adjustments, because he's a smart player.

Many compared him to Kevin Maas, to Shane Spencer, but why? Every player is different. One thing you do see in Aaron Judge is drive.  The kid knows what he's dealing with as a hitter, knew that after the All-Star break there would be changes from pitching staffs, and while there was a bump in the road for him, he seems to have figured it out.  I love that.

Bob Klapisch has a great piece about Judge. I wanted to share some of that content:

Photo: New York Daily News

"While the Yankees were nervously waiting out Judge’s mega-slump, American League pitchers bro-hugged and high-fived. They’d found Judge’s cold zones – sliders off the plate, fastballs above the hands – and used the data to shave 56 points off his average. Judge was the victim of superior scouting and an old-fashioned case of nerves. Question was: Would he rebound? Ever?

The Bombers may have gotten their answer Thursday night in a 13-5 blowout of the Orioles. Judge hit two massive, three-run HRs, drove in six runs and otherwise emerged from the black hole that’d swallowed him during the pennant race.

Is the siege over? It’s too soon to know, but the possibilities for October are suddenly enticing. Joe Girardi still wants to have a conversation about winning the East. Fine, we’ll go there, but in either scenario, wild-card or Game 1 of the Division Series, the idea of a healthy, productive Judge sitting in the cleanup spot is Girardi’s definition of heaven.

'I felt Aaron was getting closer to what he was in the first half,' the manager said, before delivering the line of the evening. 'Maybe he’s there.'

Judge isn’t biting just yet. He said, 'I’m feeling all right' but retreated to the safety of his boilerplate answers.

Like this: 'It’s a process. It’s a long season. You’re going to have some ups and downs. I’m trying to stay the course.'”

I love this kid. I literally used that last sentence on my kid a month ago.  He was slumping, and telling him that reminded him just how hard this game is.  You get hot, you get cold, but never get frustrated and always continue to work.  Sooner or later, you figure it out.

And if you don't? Well... then you're Kevin Maas.

Yanks win again.  Aaron's back, folks.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH JUDGE? THEY'RE NOT THROWING FASTBALLS, SUNSHINE!

Photo: Getty Images

Well... that's part of it...

Why is everyone trying to have a news story asking the question of "What is wrong with Aaron Judge?"  I hate that garbage.  We all know what's going on here! The question is, can he learn to adjust and train to overcome the breaking ball?  If he can, the kid will be fine. If he can't, he'll be known as Kevin Maas.   

Now I like this kid a lot and know what he's capable of, and I have a feeling that with his work ethic, he'll be fine and figure it out.  But for now, can we stop asking that ridiculous question?

Aug. 3, 2017 - Source: David Maxwell/Getty Images North America)

Nothing is automatic in this game.  The first part of the season was a question mark for every pitcher that faced him, because he really had no body of work in the Bigs, and they were trying to figure Judge out.  Well... now they have, and they're testing... they're testing real good.  And you know what? Judge is in a major slump because of it.

NJ.com has this about Alan Cockrell and what he's seeing in Judge as of late:

"Q: What have you seen out of Judge lately?

A: I think they’re pitching him tough. I think he was put in a lot of onus on himself to try to come up big and carry us in big situations and you can only do what the pitcher will let you do.

Right now, I just don’t think he’s had a lot of balls to do a lot of damage with. So, basically, try to do less. Take what they give you and if they want to walk you, let them."

Photo: Getty Images

Jesus Cockrell, no kidding.  Hey Yankees! Hire me!  But it's true, they are throwing junk. They are moving the ball around the zone... they have him on his toes and he can't figure it out... but he has to, we need him!

So look, everyone calm down, Judge can overcome this... and by the way, that's why there's a pitching coach, to help him learn to decipher which pitch is coming and how it looks coming out of the pitcher's hand.  They will figure it out... but for the love of God, PLEASE stop asking what's wrong with Aaron Judge... because we all already know... it's the breaking ball or something he just can't adjust too right now. 

In the first half of the season it was Judge 1 - Pitchers 0.  Well... the pitchers are striking back.

IF JUDGE STAYS HUMBLE... HE'LL BE FINE

(July 11, 2017 - Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America)

Jason Keidel wrote another instant classic for CBS Sports and the headline is bound to get every Yankee fan pissed off.  Not me though... I get everything he said... except one thing... comparing Matt Harvey to Aaron Judge should be a crime.  Other than that, I like his latest piece titled Don’t Shoot The Messenger, But Judge Should Just Retire Now. Nice job!

In this piece, Keidel speaks highly of the Yankee sensation and how 'cool' is the place to be and Judge is it. But sooner or later, Judge will fall...

(July 10, 2017 - Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America)

"Judge has reached an orbit that’s even too high for most celebrities. Even folks who don’t care for baseball — and really don’t care for the Yankees — are punching their remotes to see his next space-age homer. He’s entered a realm of crossover appeal that’s so rare that some of sport’s most transcendent names are being whispered with Judge...

And surely he will make a lot more money than his current salary of $544,000. By the time he reaches free agency in 2023, he will be making that per week.   But life won’t be any more exciting or wondrous. Not only is he a divine talent, but at age 25 he’s got the universal sense that we all had at that age, that this is just the beginning, that there are no such thing as bad days, that life is a gold-plated path to infinite wealth and wisdom. And as anyone with a television can see, he’s got a disarming innocence that only exists when you first knock on fame’s door.

(July 10, 2017 - Source: Mark Brown/Getty Images North America)     

It won’t take that long for Judge’s star to crash, dim, or burn when it passes into our atmosphere. In six or eight months, pitchers will surely find holes in his swing, and surely the media will find flaws in his character. What if he drops his first fly ball with a man on third? Or he strikes out with the bases loaded in the ALCS? Or if God forbid, he flips his first bird at TMZ or gets into his first barroom spat?"

Now many of you hate this.  You don't want to hear it. You think it's crap and you now hate Jason Keidel.  Well... Keidel is provocative... and good and don't be a hater, because here's the reality; While we don't want to see our beloved Judge fall... it happens to the best of them.  Bumps happen... because when you're popular, folks want to find ways to make you unpopular. It's just the way life goes for top celebrities.  We don't want to hear it as a Yankee fan, but it kind of happens like... all the time. 

(July 6, 2017 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

Will it happen to Judge? I hope not, but don't be surprised if some a-hole finds a photo of him with some chick who later comes out and accuses him of something outrageous, or something more. Trust me, I wish that garbage on no one... not even Matt Harvey.  Here's the thing though... Aaron Judge is enjoying this and staying mad humble about it!  He's not getting ahead of himself. He's not buying into the hype, he's taking it one day at a time.  He doesn't speak about himself in third person and you don't see the guy with strippers.  For crying out loud the guy lives in a hotel in New York City and speaks to no one. He just commutes back and forth to the stadium and for the moment is squeaky clean and staying out of trouble.  He's a good kid and raised right as far as I can see. But you know the way the tide turns, and hopefully he doesn't fall off. 

Keidel brings reality to Aaron Judge's amazing season whether we want to hear it or not.... it's actually a great piece. But I was disturbed by this comparison...

Photo: Getty Images

Matt Harvey? Really Keidel? You are trying to thread a Judge to Harvey? You know I hate Harvey... how could you?  Read this...

"Whatever that dynamic is that we’ve distilled to the term “hating” will soon surface and attack or devour the young, wildly gifted outfielder. We want our heroes happy, up to a point. Then we break them down. Then we cheer them during the comeback. If we can find issues with Tim Tebow, we’ll find some dirt on Aaron Judge.

(April 26, 2017 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

Not too long ago, Matt Harvey wore the crown. Even had his own handle, the “Dark Knight of Gotham.” Now, Harvey is some broken shell of his former eminence and dominance. The very supermodels he so proudly wore on his arm to Knicks games are now discarding him with frigid indifference. He’s not cool anymore. And cool is everything."

Damn you Keidel!

Here's the thing though, I'm not buying it. Why? Because we're dealing with 2 different personalities.

Judge knows he's good, but he's not gonna let anyone out here know he knows.  Matt Harvey on the other hand knew he was good, pretty much told everybody he was great, bought into the hype and reeked of arrogance as he said it, and tried to bang strippers using the ol' "I'm the Dark Knight, wanna see my penis?" 

So once Harvey started to realize he wasn't very good, and started having problems, the media pounced, because like I have written earlier, while celebs and athletes can be cool, there is always someone to remind them they are not, because they do digging through scandal, or blow up stories to try and knock them down.

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Harvey is no Aaron Judge... and while one day, like Kevin Maas, the opponent could find a way to pitch to him so he falls from grace... here's the difference; Judge won't live in the past of his greatness... he will work hard to make adjustments and try to improve. 



Matt Harvey is Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite... thinking about what could have been... walking around like the 5th Heartbeat telling the world he "Still has it'.


Judge, while larger than life will come back to reality one day.  That's a fact.

But Aaron Judge is humble, and he was raised right... and trust me, he will succeed, even in the toughest city of the toughest critics in the world... NYC.

Jason Keidel is the man. Nice work, dude. You know how much I like your stuff.  Keep going.

GARY SANCHEZ IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

(Aug. 26, 2016 - Source: Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images North America)    

Over the past few years, we've all heard about Gary Sanchez. His arrival to the Bronx was widely anticipated. Last year he finally made it, and he made his presence felt not only in the Bronx, but in baseball as well. He almost single-handedly carried the Yankees to the playoffs.

Mandatory Photo Credit: Mike Kirk / Bleeding Yankee Blue

Starting a career like Gary did, while amazing, tends to lead to unrealistic expectations too. Just ask Kevin Mass, who set a record by hitting 10 home runs in his first 72 plate appearances.

I'm not saying this will be the case for Gary. I honestly don't believe it will. I'm just wondering what is realistic for us as fans to expect? We all know the realities of a sophomore slump. It's happened time and time again in baseball history to even the greatest of players.

(Aug. 25, 2016 - Source: Adam Hunger/Getty Images North America)    

According to this article from the New York Daily News, Gary doesn't seem to worry about that stuff: 

“I don’t feel any pressure being the guy on the field or off the field...”-Gary Sanchez

The really like the fact that he seems to be handling the offseason like a veteran. It's great. Obviously his main goal is to stay healthy so he can perform for us, but he's matured greatly. The bottom line is I'm really looking forward to a full season of Gary behind the plate, How bout you?

Photo: Newsday

By the way, if you go out to lunch in the Bronx any time soon, make sure you look for who is making it for you! One day it could be Gary Sanchez!




--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer