BRENDAN RYAN COULD BE THE WB MASON GUY

As I watch the Yankees, I regularly look for things to entertain me besides of course the game itself.  When I was a kid, I looked for the ticks in the guys on the field.  Ron Guidry used to launch himself off the mound after a final strike of the inning.  Luis Tiant with is dance of a wind up and Mickey Rivers and his bat spinning between pitches were always entertaining moves much like those of America's Loves Talent.  The flavor of the month right now, however, has to be Brendan Ryan and his new WB Mason look.

I am not alone in this observation as Michael Kay made a comment the other evening and even prompted his producer to throw up an image of the WB Mason avatar with a split screen with Ryan.

Now, again, the game itself is entertaining enough right now for me as the Yankees score runs and consistently maintain their lead in the American League East.  But, I have to say, it is sort of funny to find these little comical moments in the characters who take the field each night.  I am not sure I love the 'stache, frankly but if it helps the Yankees win, well so be it.

You have to admit, despite the strict dress code policy that the Yankees have enforced for many years, our players have still been able to express themselves in the locker rooms and on the field.  Ryan is just one of the examples of this self expression.  His facial hair just makes him look like WB Mason and that is just entertaining.

In the grand scheme of things, who cares, but in reality, we should.  Many have said that the Yankees have the best chemistry as a team in years, perhaps since 2009.  If our guys are developing trusting relationships with each other and their coaching staffs, if they are laughing, building rapport, and not shaving because it is the culture not to, and we are winning because of it, great.  Good for you, Brendan Ryan...way to come back from an injury and get right into the thick of the deep chemistry our 2015 team has built.  You make me laugh, but mostly, you make me proud!

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof

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JACOBY ELLSBURY LIKES THE FEEL OF YANKEE PINSTRIPES

“Putting on a Yankees uniform and calling a Yankees clubhouse home hasn't been too strange.”  These are words out of the mouth of new Yankee centerfielder, former Red Sox centerfielder, Jacoby Ellsbury.  Really, Jacoby?  Not even a little weird?  I went to Boston University and even worked at Fenway Park as a graduate student, and it was nothing short of strange for me.  I loved it when the New Yorkers came to town to cheer on the Yankees and I could break out of my Red Sox trance, but frankly, it never felt comfortable, it was always a little strange.

“But leaving the Red Sox for New York is different than arriving from Atlanta or even Japan. Babe Ruth, Sparky Lyle, Luis Tiant, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon are among those who made the Boston-to-Bronx transition, “ according to article posted in ESPN this week.  And every one of them had to adjust.  Ellsbury seems to have the right attitude and focus for the new season despite changing his red and white uniform to white and navy blue pinstripe.

Ellsbury put on a full official Yankees uniform for a Nike photo shoot this week. This was the first time he put on the full uniform.  According to NJ.com, Jacoby Ellsbury stated that “it felt good. Obviously it looks a little different, something I'm looking forward to. Something I'm getting very excited about. This team has a great chance to win and play deep into October."  

For Ellsbury, it seems to be about new beginnings and the fans.  As one of three impact rookies to make his mark in 2007, Ellsbury thanked the fans for their support during his years with the Red Sox, taking out a full page ad in the Boston Globe upon his departure from the club in December.  But although he left Boston on good terms, Jacoby isn’t sure what is in store for him when the Yankees make their first road trip to Boston at the end of April.  "I definitely gave them everything I had in that organization, played as hard as I could, tried to do everything the right way," he said. "I left it on the field for them, so whatever reception I get is yet to be seen. But I'm not going to think about it too much because it's going to be out of my hands,” stated Ellsbury in an interview with ESPN.

I’m impressed with his maturity and poise, despite his young years.  I will admit, I was not thrilled with his signing and I have always thought he was a bit fidgety out in centerfield when I watched him play from the seats in Fenway and Yankee Stadium, but right now, in this moment, I like what I am reading and hope it stays that way.  We need precision and we need a positive attitude and if Ellsbury is one of the guys to give that to us, then that’s awesome!  He doesn’t have sour grapes for his old team despite them not making an attempt to re-sign him and he appears to be focused and ready to play.

According to NJ.com he is 100 percent healthy and ready to be our lead-off batter and full time centerfielder.  He is also excited that New York fans are happy to have him play for the their team.  So, the stage is set for Ellsbury, who has already had one heck of a career with one major sports franchise.  Now, let’s see what the 30-year-old has for us as he makes his debut in the Bronx in 2014.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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40 YEARS AGO TODAY, SOMETHING DIFFERENT HAPPENED...

"On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball history, facing Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Luis Tiant in his first plate appearance. Blomberg walked."

That quote is from the Tennessean, read HERE. I wanted to post a piece that was not from New York, because the Designated Hitter is a big part of the game of baseball these days! Plus, Frank Daniels III sets the stage pretty great in his piece.

We interviewed Ron Blomberg here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.  In that interview, Steve Skinner asked him about it. Here's that exchange:

BYB:  Ron, everyone knows you as the first designated hitter in MLB history.  How did that come about, and did you enjoy it?

Ron Blomberg: Well, you know I screwed up the game in 1973 being the first DH.  To be honest, I thought I was a glorified pinch-hitter.  When I played DH, it was just a pinch-hitter.  No one knew what it would eventually be.  How I became it – I had a pulled hamstring down in spring training.  I came off a good year in 1972 and was having a good spring in ‘73.  They didn’t want to put me on the DL because we were supposed to break camp five days later .  They asked me if I would be the DH against Luis Tiant up in Boston.  I said “of course” because I didn’t want to go on the DL.  I thought it was going to die just like the designated runner did.  I never thought it was going to be this big.

Recently, I had Paul Konerko come up to me and thank me for extending his career five more years. 

Yes, I changed history in ’73 and 50% of the people liked it and 50% of the people hated it.  I don’t think the National League will ever adopt it.  It’s great to be part of baseball history and be noticed because of it.  People recognize me when I make airplane reservations or hotel reservations.  It’s really been fun for me. 

The full interview is here at EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: RON BLOMBERG.

So Happy Birthday DH and great work Ron Blomberg!  It's been an amazing journey and I'm happy to have Ron Blomberg as part of the BYB family.  Thanks again to Steve Skinner for nailing down that interview.

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.