ITALY NAMES A FAMILIAR YANKEE GUY AS MANAGER FOR THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

 Ah, che bello! Casey, told me to make this with alittle Italian flair!

Francisco Cervelli has been named the manager of Team Italy, and as an unapologetically passionate Italian (and lover of all things Italian), We are BYB couldn’t be more thrilled about this news! The Italian Federation of Baseball and Softball made the announcement Friday, and let me tell you, Casey has been grinning ever since. Cervelli, for me, isn’t just another baseball guy—he’s someone I’ve admired for a long time as a person and seeing him take on this role feels like the perfect match. And let’s talk about the World Baseball Classic! It’s one of the most exciting baseball events, blending global pride with the sport we all love.

Cervelli, now 38, has a unique story that ties perfectly into this role. Born and raised in Venezuela, his roots reach back to Italy through his father, which is why he suited up for Team Italy as a catcher in both the 2009 and 2017 World Baseball Classics. And now? He’s back, this time as the skipper. Italy’s had another iconic former big leaguer at the helm before—Mike Piazza—but swapping in Cervelli feels like a fresh, inspired choice that I’m fully on board with.

Let’s rewind to Cervelli’s playing days for a moment. He signed with the New York Yankees way back in 2003, eventually making his MLB debut in 2008. Oh, and by 2009? He’d already earned himself a World Series ring. He stuck around in the Bronx through 2014, racking up a .278 batting average, 10 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a respectable .729 OPS in just 250 games. While he wasn’t a superstar, Cervelli always brought heart and hustle—qualities that I’ve admired about him since day one.

When the Pittsburgh Pirates picked him up via trade ahead of the 2015 season, Cervelli found a steadier rhythm. Over five seasons in Pittsburgh, he played in 450 games, hit .264, and added 26 home runs and 169 RBIs to his stat sheet. His defense and leadership behind the plate didn’t always show up in the box score, but they mattered. Trust me, as someone who loves every nuance of baseball, Cervelli’s presence on a team was invaluable.

He wrapped up his playing career with stints on the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and the Miami Marlins in 2020. By the end of his 13 MLB seasons, Cervelli had compiled a .268 batting average, 41 home runs, 275 RBIs, and a .740 OPS. Not bad for a catcher, huh? Oh, and did I mention he earned nearly $40 million in the process? Bravo, Francisco!

But here’s what I really love about this appointment: Cervelli’s passion and authenticity. He’s a guy who’s always worn his heart on his sleeve, and now he gets to channel that energy into leading Team Italy. The World Baseball Classic is such a special event because it brings together players from all corners of the globe, uniting them through their shared love of baseball and their heritage. And as a fan of every kind of baseball—from MLB to small-town little league—this is exactly the kind of story that gets me fired up.

So, amici, mark your calendars and get ready to cheer for Team Italy under the leadership of Francisco Cervelli. With his Italian pride, his years of experience, and his undeniable charisma, this feels like the start of something truly special. And as an Italian who’s already dreaming of pasta, pizza, and a WBC trophy in Italy’s future, We're all in over here! OOOHHHH!

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

IT'S A NEW YORK HOMECOMING LIKE NO OTHER

Source: Side-Out Foundation

Baseball fever is in the air again as Opening Day 2020 quickly approaches. Announcements on Tuesday bring even more to look forward to as the Yankees and their cross-town rival Mets are set to host the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 in Citifield next September.

"I can't imagine how powerful and how emotional of an event that could be," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said." Just the thought of it gives me goosebumps. After so much waiting for the season to start it is exciting to learn that this game will happen and hopefully in front of fans. 

Source: Fox Sports

"The 20th-anniversary game will be played not far from the site of demolished Shea Stadium, where Hall of Famer Mike Piazza hit a memorable home run for the Mets against the Braves on Sept. 21, 2001, in the first major sporting event in the city following the attacks. The Mets wore hats honoring the city's first responders for the game," reported ESPN.

Source: Orange County Register

But luckily we don't have to wait until next year to see the Yankees and Mets play. As a matter of fact, the two teams will square off in exhibition games on July 18 and 19 ahead of the Opening Day. Then Joe Girardi will take his new team, the Philadelphia Phillies, to the Bronx for an exhibition game that is sure to draw some emotion.  Didi Gregorius will be with them as he takes to shortstop for his new team.

It's a homecoming like no other and I can't wait for it to get started. Just under two weeks until the 2020 baseball season kicks off! Get excited everyone!

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

WHAT DOES METS WORLD HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ALL OF THIS?

As we found out yesterday, Beltran was canned from the Mets for his involvement in the Astros cheating scandal. Many things have been said since the news came out and here is some of that information.

Mike Francesa addressed the scandal itself as well as if we will see Alex Cora, Carlos Beltran, AJ Hinch, Luhnow, Crane... back in baseball again during his "Mike's On" radio show last night.

“America is very big on second chances,” he said. “The American sporting community is very big on second chances. If you will say you did wrong, say you’re sorry, you’re 70 percent home. If that’s the case, you’ll see these guys again.”

Mike Piazza was at the Mets' spring training complex yesterday for a street-naming ceremony, hours before Beltran was released, and had this to say about the scandal.

"Unfortunately, it's an unintended consequence of the digital age and all this information," Piazza said. "To use a camera and relay it to the dugout is something I can't relate to," Piazza said. "Can you imagine if Nolan Ryan knew you were relaying his signs? You'd probably be missing a head."

Mets' star Pete Alonso is reassuring fans that there is nothing to worry about at this point in time. 

"Yes: there's a lot of craziness in the baseball world right now. At the end of the day, we have to do our job on the field and win the battle between the lines. Great things are to come this year. The boys will be ready. #LFGM"

Keith Hernandez also encouraged Mets fans not to worry about all of the craziness.

"Everybody, calm down. This current crisis is unfortunate to the nth degree, but not insurmountable. We have a good solid team, good core of young everyday players, mixed with veterans, and a solid rotation. They have great camaraderie, spirit, a will to win, 

and they're hungry."

Now the Mets will have to begin their second manager search of the season. However, it would have been worse if Beltran had stayed like he had wanted to.

"His tenure as manager of the team would begin with a news conference in which he not only would have to account for being a mastermind in the team’s systematic cheating, but also have to answer detailed questions about his misuse of technology, such as why he didn’t stop when warned, what he did in the 2017 World Series and when his unethical espionage began. He also would have to explain why, when the scandal first broke, he lied multiple times to reporters in denying he misused technology to decode signs."


In the upcoming days I am sure more news will continue to come out, so stay tuned for more of this mess.

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke

HAVE WE SEEN THE LAST OF CC SABATHIA?

I don't want to think about this, but it's a possibility that shouldn't be ignored. We all knew this was going to be CC Sabathia's last season. The end is in sight, but this wasn't the potential ending that I was envisioning. It's pretty much the exact opposite so I am crossing my fingers that Friday night's game wasn't the end.

It sucks, but CC Sabathia is back on the disabled list for the fourth time this season. I'm sure it's not the journey he saw himself on at the beginning of the season. It's not what I saw either. No one thinks that CC is the same pitcher we saw back in 2009. Time gets the best of us all, but he's still an important piece to this team. More than anything, I want to see him go out on his terms and not because he isn't healthy enough to finish what he started.

But just like the New York Post wrote this weekend, there is no guarantee that CC will pitch again. There are no guarantees in life or in baseball but there is always hope. That's one thing I have been telling myself this weekend. I'm not giving up hope. CC doesn't want his last outing to be this past weekend and in pain. Sometimes the body just doesn't cooperate and it just gives out.

I hope that's not what happened this weekend. I want CC to walk off the mound at Yankee stadium feeling good. Derek Jeter got to end his career with a bang by hitting a walk-off single in his final home game. That home run was pretty incredible too. David Cone got an unforgettable out against Mike Piazza in the 2000 World Series to end his career. And what about David Wright? He got to play that one last game at Citi Field before calling it career. His body simply gave out, but at least he got to call it a career at home....and I at least want the same for CC.

Aaron Boone said he won't speculate on what will happen next with CC, read more HERE. CC has done a lot for this team and he's been a warrior, just like Boone said. CC deserves to pitch one last time at Yankee stadium and to leave it all out on the field. I don't want to think about CC walking away from the game without a proper send off.

I want to see CC walk off the mound at Yankee stadium to a sold out crowd and loud cheers. That is the send off he deserves. I want those to be his final moments in a Yankee uniform.

We are pulling for you CC, Friday wasn't the end of your journey. Not yet. That's what I choose to believe.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

CAN POSADA MAKE THE HALL OF FAME?

(May 1, 2011 - Source: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images North America)

Based on everything we know about major league baseball and adding in the steroid era and the writers reluctant to vote for those alleged 'roid players, one has to think that someone like Jorge Posada or Mike Mussina have a significant chance... eventually based on their numbers and ability and that fact.

But I gotta tell you something, what we know about Posada is that he was a very good hitting catcher, maybe not as good as a Mike Piazza, but still quite solid.  We also know that defensively he was missing a few solid pieces and that has been long documented over the years.  But again, since the writers have hedged on voting in alleged users, I believe that may give Jorge an opportunity to shine here.

(Oct. 5, 2010 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

I was reading CBS Sports Dayn Perry's piece on Posada, and I absolutely loved it.  I think you should check it out too because it gives you the pros and cons of Posada and whether or not he has the chops to get in. I wanted to share a small portion...

(Aug. 5, 2010 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

"The case for Posada

In addition to his prominent role on most of those Yankees World Series teams of the '90s and '00s (Posada made the playoffs every year of his career except for 2008), it's Posada's production relative to his catching peers that distinguishes him. Across those 17 seasons, he batted .273/.374/.474, which is good for an OPS+ of 121. Along the way, he tallied 275 homers and drew 936 walks. Among those with at least 500 games caught, Posada ranks fifth all-time in on-base percentage, fifth in slugging percentage, fourth in OPS and first in walks.

There is no doubt Posada's bat was special in the light of his manning a premium defensive position for so long. Speaking of which, Posada spent almost 13,000 innings behind the plate. His 1,574 games caught ranks 26th all-time, and he's top-100 all-time in assists as a catcher. Posada's throwing arm was never regarded as an asset, but he wasn't a grave liability in that regard (he threw out 28 percent of would-be base-stealers for his career versus a league-average mark of 30 percent)....

(Sept. 20, 2010 - Source: Andrew Burton/Getty Images North America)

The case against Posada

According to the best of our advanced measures, Posada was indeed a bad defensive catcher in pretty much every regard -- controlling the running game, blocking balls in the dirt and framing pitches. Pick your all-encompassing defensive metric of choice, and it likely ranks Posada as among the worst defensive full-time catchers ever. Broadly speaking, that's in keeping with his reputation.

As for the bat, yes, it's very impressive by positional standards on a rate basis, but the counting benchmarks aren't there. Posada's modest 1,664 career hits are particularly lacking by Cooperstown standards. That has a little something to do with the fact that Posada wasn't a lineup fixture until he was 26 years old, but that's not really a point in his favor. Yes, Posada was patient at the plate and drew lots of walks, but making it to the Hall with fewer than 2,000 hits is very difficult. As well, Posada was a terrible base-runner and despite having barely more than 6,000 career at-bats he grounded into 186 double plays, which is the 143rd-highest tally in baseball history."

(May 19, 2011 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

I encourage you to read Perry's entire piece.

Now look, if you were ask me, seeing that certain numbers have dwindled over the years when it comes to standards as being voted into the Hall of Fame, and the idea that writers are trying to be all high and mighty NOT wanting to vote in alleged users, I think it helps Jorge's case.... but I guess we will have to wait and see.

(Aug. 12, 2016 - Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America)

But as a fan of the guy for years... I want him there, and if I was a writer, there is no question my bias would help Jorge's cause.

Stay tuned folks... looking forward to see what happens here.

IT'S ABOUT YANKEE HISTORY, MR. LENNON. NOT YOU.

I'm not a hater, so this isn't going to be some type of long rant, threatening a columnist because he has an opinion.  David Lennon of Newsday is very, very good.  He's just not looking big picture here and I am very confused as to why.

Apparently David Lennon admires the New York Mets for retiring Mike Piazza's number and applauds them for only retiring 4 players numbers in their short history.  The Yankees on the other hand he takes issue with... and I can only imagine he is fully aware of the Yankees history and the length of time they have been on this planet compared to the Mets.  I think he just wants to get a rise out of guys like me.  Well... he did it.... DAMN YOU LENNON!  Here's what Lennon tweeted:

Piazza only 4th Met to have number retired, which makes the honor more significant. The more numbers retired, it becomes less meaningful.

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) January 26, 2016

And Yes Mets fans, I understand Lennon has taken no direct crack at the Yankees... but we know who he's talking about.

Anyway...Confused? Me too.

The New York Mets are a relatively new club in baseball and by that I mean that they came to life officially in 1962.

The Yankees? They became a team in 1901 and through it all, they have had 27 championships with some pretty significant and great players.  In comparison, what do the Mets have? Tom Seaver, Gil Hodges and Casey Stengel and a bunch of decent players and a 1969 and 1986 championship.

So what's the argument Mr. Lennon? That the Mets are better because they don't pull the trigger every time a Mets player has a good run? Babe Ruth was special. Ron Guidry was too.  Jorge Posada was the part of many World Championships... Joe Torre managed great teams.  All the retired numbers of Yankee players have very important stories in our history. Not only that, when you see their numbers, YOU KNOW WHO THE PLAYER WAS. There's no debate... and you know what? That's what makes them great and them worthy of having their number retired.

Notice #2 in there.  It's coming. The point is, the Yankees history is much longer and much more significant, and not the mention, the franchise is more storied with great championships.  That's the bottom line.  It's so simple!

I applaud the Mets for retiring Piazza's number.  I think that Seaver's number being retired is great too, but the Yankees are a money maker and trust me when I tell you, after Derek Jeter, it's gonna be a long, long time before more Yankee numbers are retired.  That's why they are awarding plaques too.  That whole Yankee run in the late 90's cements it for a while.

Don't be a hater Mr. Lennon.  That way the Yankees have handled it is brillant actually.  I love what they're doing, they are feeding their fan base.

Have you forgotten? Baseball's a business.  The Mets should learn from that.













 
Thank you for your loyalty to Bleeding Yankee Blue. 
Please shop at the BYB store!  
On Twitter: @BleednYankeeBlu 
On Facebook, LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue!
Don't forget to check out the BYB Hub. 

TOP FIGHTS IN YANKEES HISTORY: #10-6

The Yankees have had many great rivalries, ones which often spilled beyond just the game of baseball. Tempers often flared up, emotions ran high, and most of us remember where we were and how we yelled at the TV when certain fights happened. I thought it might be fun to take a walk down memory lane and look at the top 10 fights in Yankees history. One disclaimer, though. These are from my recent memory. So, you’ll forgive me if I missed that one fight in September 1938. I mean, these memories are not just about what happened. It is about how it made us feel as it was happening. If any of these still make your blood boil, join the club and grab some popcorn!

10. Graig Nettles kicks George Brett in the head

It was the 1976 ALCS in the winner-take-all Game 5 (it was a best of 5 back then) and George Brett hit a triple to the wall. Brett was coming into third and Graig Nettles was close to the bag. As Nettles stepped away, it became clear that Brett wanted to knock him over – so much so that his momentum caused him to fall forward. That put his head in perfect position for a subtle kick from Nettles. Brett got up and took a not so subtle swing at Nettles. Nettles was quickly on top of him pounding him into the artificial grass while the benches cleared. When it ended, they were tending to Brett, who looked a mess. If you look carefully at the video, Nettles needed no attention. He picked up his glove and took his position as if it was all in a night’s work.

9. Jesse Carlson Throws Behind Jorge Posada 

September 15, 2009. With a 9-2 lead, Toronto reliever Jesse Carlson, retaliating for Aaron Hill being hit earlier in the game, threw a pitch behind Jorge Posada. Clearly angered but maintaining his composure, Posada got on base and came around to score. After crossing home plate, his fist found Carlson’s forehead. Benches cleared, Posada was ejected, and the camera got a shot of a nasty gash on Carlson’s forehead. This is what happens:

8. 2000 World Series: Roger Clemens Throws the bat at Mike Piazza

It was Game 2, and tensions between Roger Clemens and Mike Piazza were already running high. Clemens had hit Piazza in the head in July of that year, and this was a showdown. Piazza breaks his bat on a foul ball, a shard of it bounces towards Clemens, who grabs it and throws it at Piazza. Benches cleared and there was some shoving. It escalated an already fierce rivalry. Cooler heads prevailed, and the Mets would not be able to settle the score until June 2002. That is when Clemens had to pitch at Shea Stadium and take an at-bat, and everyone anticipated Clemens being beaned by Mets pitcher Shawn Estes. He missed. I still laugh about it.

7. 2003 ALCS Karim Garcia and Jeff Nelson vs. the Grounds Crew Member

This series was filled with fights, and it will get more than one entry in this Top 10. This one, however, was just bizarre. The benches had already cleared earlier in the game, and the atmosphere was heated. According to Jeff Nelson, a member of the grounds crew had begun antagonizing him in the bullpen, and a fight ensued. Right fielder Karim Garcia, who had been hit earlier in the game,  sees this and jumps the wall to help his buddy Nelson. After they restored order, they took the guy to the hospital and kept him overnight. He appeared the next day in a neck brace. Was it real? I have my opinion, but we will let you decide.

6. Reggie Jackson vs. Billy Martin

It was June 18, 1977, and the Yankees were in Fenway Park. In a tight race for the AL East, the Yankees were down 7-4 in the sixth. Reggie Jackson lets a Jim Rice fly ball drop in front of him, which Rice was able to stretch into a double. Reggie was never a superstar fielder, but manager Billy Martin thought he should have gotten to the ball. He decided to send Reggie a message with a fielding substitution, sending Paul Blair out to play right. Reggie gets to the dugout and the shouting ensued. The two had to be separated, resulting in one of the most epic moments of the 1970’s Yankees.

Well, that is all for now. Next week we will have one through five. Think you know which ones will be on the list? Let us know if we got it right, or if there are any which HAVE to be on the list.

--Ike Dimitriadis, 
BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon

THE VILLAINS WHO SAVED BASEBALL

The Hall of Fame vote continues to make me lose it.  This year’s class UNBELIEVABLY deserves their trip to Cooperstown.

The sweetest swing I’ve ever seen in Ken Griffey Jr., and the best hitting catcher ever to play the game in Mike Piazza.  Make no mistake these two men were no brainers.

What really gets me fired up is to see that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa get 7 and 12 percent respectively.  Do these guys deserve to be in the Hall?  I’m not sure they do.

Even without PEDs I’m not certain they are worthy, especially Sosa.  But what they symbolize is the class of players who will NEVER be inducted and may actually have the numbers worthy of the honor.

I am IN NO WAY a Bud Selig fan.  In fact, I deplore the man for what he did to the game.  He is more at fault for the ills in baseball than anyone in recent memory…and that includes Pete Rose, Barry Bonds and the like.

Bud FLAT OUT used McGwire and Sosa to bring the money back to baseball after the 1994 greed driven stoppage in play.  He and his regime, which includes Baseball Writers make no mistake, KNEW that the sluggers weren’t playing clean.  They KNEW and did NOTHING!  They touted their monster dingers and road the wave of prime time popularity to the bank.  Mark, Sammy, Barry, Alex and so on are now left holding the smoking guns while Bud left claiming he CLEANED UP THE GAME.  Sorry gang, Bud is a criminal in my eyes.  He is corrupt and the hypocrite of all-time hypocrites.  That is a FACT.

The Hall of Fame is great for some.  Piazza and Junior are wonderful additions.  I wish I could just focus on 2 amazing players getting their just due…but I can’t.

I’m not saying that the juiced up players whom KNOWING took PEDs are somehow the victims…but REAL crooks are vilifying them if you ask me.  These players were USED to SAVE baseball from becoming like the NHL in the early 2000s…ya know when the games were on the Outdoor Network.

 And then, like mutts that roll over on friends to avoid jail time, Bud and his regime played dumb about the drug use.  The Black Sox of 1919 have more credibility in my opinion.

The Hall of Fame should have a special wing built on it called the BUD SELIG PED SECTION.

I want to congratulate Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza.  Two class acts and All-Time Greats during a time when Villains Were Saving Baseball on and off the field.

** Here one for Bud Selig, aka Public Enemy #1 **





 

--Mike O'Hara Senior "Features" Writer
Twitter: @mikeyoh21















 
Thank you for your loyalty to Bleeding Yankee Blue. 
Please shop at the BYB store!  
On Twitter: @BleednYankeeBlu 
On Facebook, LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue!
Don't forget to check out the BYB Hub.