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

WHAT THE F HAPPENED TO DANNY TARTABULL?

I often lose touch with former Yankees only to see them pop up in the news once in a while and I say, "Man, I had no idea that guy was doing that", or, like in the case of Chad Curtis or Mel Hall, (read HERE and HERE) you are just disgusted with their behavior and it's a disgrace to not only humanity, but to the pinstripes too.

I just read this story about Danny Tartabull. I was kind of shocked. TMZ Sports writes:

"Danny Tartabull has finally been captured -- more than 5 years after a warrant was issued for the ex-MLB star's arrest on deadbeat dad charges ... TMZ Sports has learned. 
Oh, and the reason he was caught? DUMBASSERY.

Quick backstory: Officials say the former NY Yankees star -- who played in the MLB from '84 to '97 -- owes more than $275k in unpaid child support stemming back to a 2011 deadbeat dad conviction.

He violated his probation in 2012 and was ordered to surrender and serve 180 days in jail but never turned himself in. A warrant was issued."

Captured? Deadbeat dad? Really? Man oh man, and I thought my buddy's friend's story about his dad almost accidentally hitting Jesse Barfield with his car was nuts.  This one may take the cake.

Sad.

THE MATURING ALEX RODRIGUEZ

Let's pretend that 100% of us are forgiving individuals.  No matter how many times we've been burned by a friend or acquaintance... or in this case, an athlete... let's pretend that forgiveness is in every single person's DNA.

There...  don't you feel better now about forgiving Alex Rodriguez?

I know. It's not that easy. People are still pissed.  Haters will never change their minds. Me? I just want Alex Rodriguez to hit again. I just want him to actually do something good for the New York Yankees. I want him to produce.  Why? Well, because after this entire mess of Biogenesis and lies... I'm kind of over the whole thing.

Plus, when you think about it,  what the hell did Alex do to me directly anyway? He didn't kill my best friend and he sure as hell didn't destroy my friendship with him. That's because I don't know the guy.  I just know what I see and read... and trust me, I read everything. I read the stories that rip him to shreds. I read the complimentary stories, and there aren't many.  You know what else I read?  I read his own personal Facebook page.

Post by Alex Rodriguez.

It makes me realize that the guy's human.  And when I read that he wanted to apologize to the Yankees, and maybe the fans, I felt like maybe... just maybe, the guy was figuring it out. That's right, as foolish as he was, he knew it was time to clear the air. Sure, he's done that a couple times, but after the suspension and him disappearing from baseball for a while, it's time.

And I'm not the only one who agrees. Many fans do and even Brian Cashman has agreed to meet with Alex Rodriguez to "clear the air", read HERE. According to LoHud:

"Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, speaking to reporters before the Connecticut Sports Foundation dinner Friday in Uncasville, said the planned meeting was discussed a day earlier when he and assistant general manager Jean Afterman spoke with Jim Sharp, a lawyer for Rodriguez. The intended meeting was first reported by the Boston Globe.

'Alex considers everything with the Yankees to be family business, and family business stays within the family,' spokesman Ron Berkowitz said in an email.

Rodriguez first sounded out the Yankees about a possible meeting earlier in the offseason, but New York held off then."

It appears that a meeting of some sort will take place.  It's a way to clear the air. After all, these people have to work with each other, and if the Yankees can get back on their investment, then, that works out well for both parties.

David Cone sounded off about ARod and what he believes he can do to contribute. NJ.com had a nice write up and here's a portion of that:

"'As far as the external issues, the steroids issues, that's something that's not going away,' Cone said.  'Yeah it's going to be a distraction, but the Yankees are prepared for that.'

When asked if he's ready to play, Cone said, 'I wouldn't put it past him...If he can get three or four hundred at-bats and stay healthy, he's a 15-20 home run guy.'"

Bottom line, the time has come... Alex is coming back.  We need to move on as a fan base and accept what we have, and try and move forward and win a championship, WITH Alex Rodriguez. 

Many of you hate Alex Rodriguez... I get it, but again, I ask a question... what the hell has Alex Rodriguez done to you?  Sure, he tarnished the pinstripes, I've heard that argument for months. It's the "die-hard" fans who tell me that I "must not be a real fan, because" I don't understand what the Yankees pinstripes mean.  I don't? Don't be silly.  I turn it back on you... you tell me that Alex Rodriguez "tarnished the pinstripes" and he's "disgraceful", but it's happened before you know... 

Chad Curtis is in jail for inappropriate touching of teenage girls, read HERE.  Let me tell you something, that's messed up and it's a helluva lot more concerning to me than Alex Rodriguez sticking a needle in his own ass.

Mel Hall is literally a convicted child sex predator... have we forgotten?  There are crimes and prison time for Yankee players of the past, and hey, I'm not about to give you every example out there, but my point is simple... Alex Rodriguez lied to the fans and the New York Yankees more than once about PEDs, but he never sexually assaulted anyone, sure as hell didn't murder anyone, and in the end, served his time.

We are in the maturing phase of ARod now.  We are in the "lessons learned" phase... at least for me that is.

When you talk of tarnishing the pinstripes... sure, add Alex in if you want, but don't forget about the others who did much worse.  In the end, Alex is a ballplayer who made very, very bad choices, but he's also a father and son and a human being who now needs to be on the path to fix what he broke.  I believe in forgiveness.  Sure, it's not easy, but in this crazy world, why be angry all the time. Alex, whether you like him or not is going to no doubt apologize to the Yankees and has a hope to move forward.  He should also apologize to the fans, but that's another post for another time.  In the meantime, let it happen... and let's get passed the nonsense already.

Alex is at the fork in the road.  The left is us fans and the Yankees and the championship that he could win with us this upcoming season. 

The right is the road the hell.  Being cut from the Yankees, walking away from a game that he loved, all because he made some really stupid choices and was blacklisted.  But if I know Alex the way I think I do, I know he's not about to walk away. That's because he wants to prove  to the world, with that ego he has, that he misses the game, loves the Yankees and is finally sorry for what he did.

My choice is to forgive and move on... what's your choice?

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BYB, THE GOOSE & MY DOG

Goose Gossage named my dog. I know, kind of an odd way to start a blog post…but it’s true. A couple years back I got to sit down and talk with the Hall of Fame closer. Gossage is one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet. He is friendly, easy going and up to tell a story or two about his days pitching for the New York Yankees. For me it was truly a day I’ll never forget. To me Gossage was a mythical giant. I would sit at the Stadium and ask my dad over an over, once the Yanks lead, “Think we'll get to see him today?”  I would wait in my plastic batting helmet, keeping a sharp eye an the outfield wall near the pen. I remember hoping that the Yankee Bullpen car would emerge and Bob Shepard would announce, “Your attention please, coming in to pitch for the Yankees, number 54, Rich Gossage, number 54.”  Younger Yankee fans may not remember the bullpen car…it was a Toyota Celica. Before the years of Metallica’s ushering the imMOrtal Sandman’s jog to the hill, the bullpen car would bring the Goose to the mound with the ceremony of a conquering hero. (Though not so much in the early Yankee years if you ask Gossage). There was nothing like it.  It was up there with seeing Reggie knocking one out or Bucky making a diving stop and throw.

(In Photo: Me & the Goose)
Anyway, back to the naming of my puppy. I told Mr. Gossage after we’d talked baseball for a good 25 minutes that I was about to pick up a new dog and that I was going to name him after a Yankee great. I’d narrowed it down to Whitey, Goose, Gator, Yogi or Boomer. I asked Rich why I should name the dog Goose thinking he give a quick answer like, “’Cause I’m the Goose, Mike.” But he didn’t. Instead he took a long minute to think on it.

He then lifted his head said, with heartfelt sincerity, “Mikey, you should name that dog Thurman. He was my Captain and one of my closest friends. Dog’s are man’s best friend after all…I can’t think of a stronger name.” And so as I sit here, typing this post, next to me sits my bulldog, Thurman Mattingly O’Hara. He has the same crouch and “on guard” stare as his namesake by the way.

Why start with that story? I don’t know. It’s one that means a lot to me. I’m a Yankee baseball fan, but the club and the guys who wear and have worn “the Pinstripes” have been a big part of my life for a long time now. The Yankees aren’t just a baseball team to me. They are woven into the fabric of my life. I was born and raised a fan of the Bronx Bombers. My dad took my to my first game at age 4. My great aunt worked in the front office and would take my mom down to meet the players when she was young. Every year while I was living in LA, I would come back east, and a trip to The Stadium was the corner stone of my trip’s to-do list. Hell, when my family gets Chinese food and reads the fortunes from the cookies, we call out the lucky numbers and then the names of the guys who wore them…”Confucius say, you will be embarking on a great adventure. 3 Babe Ruth, 21 Paul O’Neill, 30 Willie Randolph, 10 Scooter Rizzuto, 1 Billy Martin.”

(In Photo: Mel Hall)
I love to write and talk about the Yankees. Not just the good years, but the lousy ones too. It’s great to pick up the phone with a buddy from my old neighborhood and make a well-placed joke about Mel Hall or Kevin Maas as we wrap up the conversation.

Or have a beer with my dad around the holidays and talk about watching the “Pine tar Game” on WPIX11 as Nettles pounded his mitt and bounced out of frame like a school kid when the ump called George Brett out. The Yanks are a touchstone for me almost the way they were to Sean Connery’s character in “Finding Forrester”.


Getting to be a new “Utility Infielder” for Bleeding Yankee Blue has been amazing. Casey and the other writers do such a great job of giving the reader a well-rounded take on the team, the ups and the downs. Yeah, I guess if you aren’t a Yankee fan you’d probably just assume read the back of a shampoo bottle, but the site and writing ain’t for you…so get over it or get lost. I LOVE that we can talk all things Yankees and not have to deal with the constant and ignorant voices crying, “You guys buy titles!” or “Hey how’s A-Roid?” or “Being a Yankee fan is like rooting for Microsoft!" Are we somehow less than fans of smaller market or losing teams because our club is the most successful organization in sports history? The answer is NO. Absolutely and emphatically NO! Let the Bill Simmons and Jim Caples whine and jab. Let Cubs fan go on saying, “Don’t we deserve to win one?” Um…no, no you don’t. Hand them a participation ribbon if that’ll help them sleep at night. Bleeding Yankee Blue is just a great way to enjoy the team and all eit means to us.

I wanted to say thank you to Casey and company for letting me be involved with BYB, even if it’s just a spot start or a long relief role. I have really enjoyed being able to put down my thoughts on the Yanks and reading the writing of the other contributors. Like the Bombers, Bleeding Yankee Blue is a class organization…I’m proud to have a locker in the clubhouse…like Clay Bellinger or Ramiro Mendoza. 

(In Photo: Thurman Mattingly O'Hara)

Thanks again, Case... from me... and Thruman M. O'Hara!

--Mike O'Hara, MLB Fan Cave Host, Season 1
   Twitter: @mikeyoh21
"Paulie was always my favorite player."

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