JUDGE IS A BASEBALL ICON. HERE'S WHY

For the baseball card crowd—the folks who lovingly slide cardboard into plastic sleeves like they’re preserving the Dead Sea Scrolls—this one might sound completely bonkers.

The folks at Fanatics Collect just announced they brokered a $5.2 million private sale for a single baseball card: Aaron Judge 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor Autograph 1/1. Yes, one card. Not a set. Not a binder full of childhood nostalgia. One shiny, golden, one-of-a-kind rectangle with Aaron Judge’s autograph on it.

That price tag now stands as the highest sale ever for a modern-era baseball card. According to CardLadder, the deal also lands in a tie for the 10th-highest trading card sale in history. In other words, someone just paid the price of a very nice mansion… for cardboard.

And it wasn’t even close to the previous modern baseball record. That belonged to Mike Trout’s 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor Autograph 1/1 Mike Trout card, which sold for $3.936 million. Judge’s card didn’t just top it—it blew past it by more than a million bucks.

Now, to be fair, Judge has built the kind of résumé that turns collectors into auction warriors. Three American League MVP awards in a four-year span. Multiple 50-plus home run seasons. And he became the fastest player in MLB history to reach 300 career home runs. The man hits baseballs so hard they should come with warning labels.

But here’s the funny part of the story.

For all the jaw-dropping numbers, the towering homers, and now a $5.2 million trading card… Judge still doesn’t have a World Series ring.

You can file that under: Things the Yankees front office might want to look into while they’re busy calculating launch angles on a spreadsheet.

Still, stepping back from the front-office headaches for a moment, this sale is remarkable. A modern baseball card crossing the $5 million mark shows just how wild the hobby has become. What used to be something kids traded on school buses is now apparently a luxury investment class.

And somewhere out there, a collector is staring at a single Aaron Judge card in a glass case thinking, “Totally worth it.”

Honestly? It’s incredible. And also just a little bit insane.

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TIME TO CALL OUT HAL STEINBRENNER & HIS COMPLACENT YANKEE FRONT OFFICE

Ian O'Connor has balls of steel, and I respect the hell out of him for it. 

The legendary sportswriter just went scorched earth on Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, saying what every furious Yankees fan has been screaming for years. Let’s be real: this team is crawling into Opening Day, and there’s no way they’re winning a championship this season. Injuries or not, the front office and manager lack the fire, the backbone, and—most importantly—the guts to spend like a team that actually wants to win.

O’Connor appeared on Colin Cowherd’s podcast (Yankee part starts around 31:31) and dropped a truth bomb that exposes exactly how this franchise is being run. When asked why the Yankees weren’t spending more to shore up the roster, Hal’s response was a masterclass in spineless ownership:

“There are banks and partners and lenders that I have to deal with, and I have to answer to,” Hal apparently said.

O’Connor, who spent years covering George Steinbrenner, knew immediately how embarrassing that sounded.

"I never heard him talk about a bank, lender, a bondholder, or a partner ever," O’Connor fired back. "He did not care. I don't even know if he cared about turning a profit—he just wanted to win and win at all costs."

Hal Steinbrenner doesn't want to win, he wants money. And on Ian's point, that’s the kind of quote that should make Yankees fans sick. It lays bare the difference between George, a man obsessed with winning, and Hal, a man obsessed with playing it safe. And the worst part? The Yankees have plenty of money. As of March 2024, they’re worth an estimated $7.55 billion—billion with a B. Their revenue in 2023? $679 million, and rising. Yet somehow, there’s no urgency, no aggressive moves to fix this mess.

Just think about how ridiculous this has gotten. Right now, fans are seriously hoping Carlos Carrasco makes the rotation. Read that again. 

In the early 2000s, as Kristie Ackert recently pointed out, George Steinbrenner would’ve taken one look at the hole left by Gerrit Cole’s injury and had a new pitcher in pinstripes before lunch. Hal? He’s sitting on his hands, waiting to see how things play out. And Ackert nailed it: this franchise is stuck in neutral, no longer a legitimate powerhouse.

That’s why O’Connor’s takedown matters, and why Ackert backing him up is so damn refreshing. We need more reporters willing to call this organization out. If you read Bleeding Yankee Blue, you know I don’t hold back. The Yankees should and must do more.

Fans pour their hard-earned money into this team—easily dropping close to $1,000 for a family of four to attend a game. Tickets, food, parking, merch—it all adds up. And for what? So your kid can get a Carlos Carrasco jersey and a foam finger with Anthony Volpe’s face on it and an injured Gerrit Cole riding the bench? Yankees fans have been getting fed nonsense for too long, and this season is shaping up to be more of the same.

I can’t help but wonder—does Aaron Judge regret signing that long-term deal? Because much like Mike Trout, he’s looking at spending his best years stuck on a team that won’t sniff a championship. And that’s gotta suck.

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BOONE'S EXTENSION WILL WASTE JUDGE'S CAREER

It's my opinion of course, but it's a solid take. 

Listen, it’s almost too easy to rip on Aaron “No Championships” Boone right now. The guy has turned managing the Yankees into a masterclass on how to waste elite talent. Extending his contract? That’s like renewing the lease on a sinking ship. The more I think about it, the sadder it gets—especially for players like Aaron Judge, who’s built like a Greek god with a bat but might never see a World Series under Captain Mediocrity’s leadership. Maybe he should have gone to the Giants.

Maybe you think I’m being dramatic. But take a look at poor Mike Trout over with the Angels. Sure, the Angels aren’t exactly swimming in talent like the Yankees, but Trout is a generational player, stuck on a team that treats October baseball like it’s a myth. Year after year, he’s left competing for participation trophies instead of championships. It’s tragic.

And here’s where it gets scary—Judge could be heading down that same road. He doesn’t have time to wait around while Boone plays his favorite game: “What’s the Worst Decision I Could Make Today?” Boone’s regular-season record of 603-429 over seven seasons might look shiny, but what’s it worth? Are we here to beef up Boone’s résumé, or are we trying to win a World Series? Because I’m pretty sure the point of baseball isn’t to finish every season with a polite golf clap.

It’s wild to me that Judge keeps backing this guy. Is Judge too nice to tell the front office, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t be managed by a guy whose postseason strategy is ‘Close my eyes and hope for the best’”? As Call to the Pen perfectly put it: “The issue, of course, remains that his managerial playoff record stands at 22-23 with just the one World Series loss to show for the team’s six playoff appearances.” 

Boone in the playoffs is like a fish on a bicycle—completely out of place.

And yet, no one seems to be talking about this. No one but us at Bleeding Yankee Blue. Everyone else is acting like this is normal. Like it’s totally fine to watch guys like Judge, Volpe, and Cole give everything they’ve got while Boone stares at the dugout ceiling blowing bubbles, probably wondering if he left the oven on.

What are we doing here? Are we committed to being the team that always “gets close” but never seals the deal? Because if so, mission accomplished. This isn’t leadership—it’s complacency, and I’ve never seen anything like it. I genuinely feel bad for these players. Being “good” isn’t the point of Major League Baseball. Winning it all is. And under Boone, the only ring they’ll be seeing is the one at the door when the offseason hits early.

THE STEVE COHEN BLUNDER HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD

Well, Mets fans, you got him. Juan Soto, the golden goose of the offseason, is now wearing blue and orange. For the tidy sum of $765 million over 15 years—with a $75 million signing bonus, no less—the Mets have officially emptied the vault for a single player. And let’s be clear: this isn’t just any vault. This is Steve Cohen’s Scrooge McDuck-sized money pit. But before you start planning the championship parade down Flushing Meadows, let’s have a reality check; One Soto makes zero sense.

Fifteen years. Let that sink in. FIFTEEN YEARS. By the time this contract runs its course, I might be dead, and Soto might be using a cane to jog around the bases. The Mets are now shackled to a deal so long that fans will likely pass it down to their grandchildren. But don’t worry, Mets faithful, because apparently this is the move that will change everything. After all, who needs pitching, depth, or logic when you have Juan Soto?  Did the Mets learn anything from the Yankees in 2024? Nope.

This is Steve Cohen’s masterpiece: a $765 million gamble on one man. Was he paying attention? Sure, Juan's a great hitter, but have they noticed the Yankees—yes, the Bronx Bombers—were in the World Series this year with Soto and a full pitching staff? Guess what, Cohen? One player doesn’t get you a championship. Need more evidence? Go ask Mike Trout.

I applaud Hal Steinbrenner. Hal must be smirking behind his Excel spreadsheets. Sure, Hal’s as tight-fisted as they come, and Yankees fans will remind you of that daily. But at least the guy isn’t a complete fool. The Yankees’ 16-year, $760 million offer may not have landed Soto, but Hal is a businessman, not a walking ATM.

The Yankees didn’t overextend themselves into eternity. They tried, they failed and probably for the better. We had Soto in 2024 and made it to the World Series with him. But when it came time to win, we couldn't. When it came time to negotiate this off season, the Yankees had enough sense to consider the rest of the roster. Imagine that—prioritizing depth and balance over making the splashiest headline. 

The Bottom line is the Mets got robbed... the Mets got fleeced. Cohen essentially said, “Here, take my wallet, my house, and my dignity.” Soto walked away with the bag, and now the Mets are stuck holding the bill until 2039. Yes, that’s 2039. The flying cars might be here before this contract ends.

And what about the rest of the roster? The Mets’ rotation is thinner than a New York slice, and their bullpen? Let’s just say it’s not exactly championship-caliber. But sure, they’ve got Juan Soto! Enjoy watching him go 4-for-4 while your pitching gets shelled.

Cohen wanted to make a statement, and he did. Unfortunately, the statement was, “I have more money than common sense.” Mets fans, you may not want to hear it, but you just witnessed one of the most lopsided contracts in baseball history. And when Soto is hitting .220 in year 12 of this monstrosity, you’ll remember this day.

The Yankees may have lost Soto, but they didn’t lose their minds. Meanwhile, the Mets just threw a party for a deal that could haunt them for the next decade and a half. So enjoy your shiny new toy, Mets fans. Just don’t forget that championships aren’t won with press releases—they’re won with teams.

YOU'RE SAYING SOTO'S WORTH $600 MIL, BUT ARE YOU SAYING THIS TEAM CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT HIM?

I thought Juan Soto was unbelievable last night.  His first 3 run home run game in his career and the Yankees win and we're now back in first place in the AL East.  ESPN writes of the feat: 

"Juan Soto had his first career three-homer game, Nestor Cortes tossed seven shutout innings and the New York Yankees held off the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Tuesday night to take sole possession of the American League East lead.

The Generational.

The 1st 3-Homer Game for @JuanSoto25_ 🙌 pic.twitter.com/COTRsBMRTE

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 14, 2024

Soto tagged starter Jonathan Cannon (2-6) for a two-run shot to left field in the third inning and went the other way again on a leadoff homer in the fifth. The four-time All-Star added his 33rd of the season in the seventh off left-handed reliever Fraser Ellard, pulling a drive to right that made it 4-0.

"I've been working on just trying to be accurate to the ball," Soto said in his postgame, on-field interview on the YES Network. "Try to make contact with the ball, put the barrel on the ball, and forget about what is going to happen."

Yankee Twitter was off the hook.  So many were out there saying to "pay the man" and "Hal needs to give Soto a blank check."  All of this I get in the moment.  Even Gary Sheffield Jr. was drooling over him last night.

Anyone that thinks Juan Soto isn’t worth $600M+ is either in denial or flat out foolish. No 25-year-old outfielder doing this in a contract year is getting anything south of 13-years, $600 million.

Likely more.

— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) August 14, 2024

And of course, Patches O'Houlihan was just plain hysterical with her memes.

JUAN SOTO WITH HIS SECOND HOMERUN OF THE GAME pic.twitter.com/xRYEBpZJAc

— Patches O’Houlihan (@sondraa) August 14, 2024

But then I got to thinking about this.  We obviously know what Aaron Judge is capable of and he's shown it all season.  Gerrit Cole is now back from injury, and he will come back to Cy Young form.  But then there's Juan Soto who is just a very special player.  And so, my mind wonders.  When ya'll are saying we need to pay the man, literally hand him a $600 million dollar contract to lock this guy up to be a New York Yankee for life... are you saying we just can't do it without him? Are you saying the Yankees are just not that good? 

And there are many "ifs" about that. First off, the money is ridiculous. I'm sorry, but Juan Soto is unreal, a truly special player, but $600 million dollars is a ton of money.  Is it worth it? And what if it is and what happens next?  Better yet, what happens when Soto slows down in 3 years, or gets hurt for an extended period of time? Are ya'll gonna be the same folks to say, "What a stupid contract" and "Why are we paying this guy so much to ride to bench?"  

Look, I'm the grouchy old man sitting on the couch thinking about finances all day.  My 2 oldest go to college, I have 2 younger ones. Finances is on my mind all day long, so I think about this stuff.  I'm just saying is $600 million really worth it if the team surrounding Juan Soto can't win without him?  It bothers me.  Sometimes I think us fans get clouded with the homers and don't think long term.  

Think about it. We really didn't do much this past offseason. Juan Soto for a year and Alex Verdugo and a lot of spare parts for our bullpen. Not the mention that besides Jazz Chisholm, we really did nothing at the trade deadline. Jazz is full of energy, but even he's leveled out.  My point is... we need a TEAM, not a Juan Soto and friends long term and if we only pay Soto this off season, what are we really going to get? I'm wondering.  

And so, I'm asking legitimately... Are you saying we need to lock in Juan Soto for $600 million because we can't win without him? And is it really worth it.  Sounds a lot like a Shohei Ohtani / Mike Trout situation... and we all know how that worked out with the Angels.  

Look, no doubt Juan Soto has been a pleasure to watch.  I just wonder if the Yankees backed themselves into this corner because they really didn't do much over the years leading up to it.  You know what I mean? I wonder if Cashman actually did his job or is Hal now freaking out cause he's in a spot of spending way too much money on a guy that may or may not be a superstar in pinstripes long term, but more importantly can help the Yankees win championships year after year.

At the end of the day, Soto is amazing, but if the Yankees don't win a World Championship this year, what the hell does it matter?  And that goes for the future are well.

Just things I think about.  Call me a grouch, call me an asshole, call me the party pooper all you want... I just see it a little different is all.

Happy Wednesday, enjoy the day folks!

SPRING TRAINING: CACTUS LEAGUE UNPLUGGED

Source: X

Well the Yankees are about where I expected as spring training moves into its midway point. With injuries already rearing their ugly head and a lot of growth needed, I am confident the Yankees will be competitive this year. And although I am used to following the Grapefruit League, this year, I had the opportunity to support teams out west in the Cactus League. So, if you bear with me, I will give you my take in Spring Training: Cactus League Unplugged.

Game 1: San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, home of the both the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Absolutely beautiful ballpark with great energy on a Monday afternoon. An absolute picturesque day for baseball. 

The game had depth, with a ton of back and forth, trading spaces for the lead. What was particularly fun was that the Giants seemed more like the New York Mets with Michael Conforto, and J.D. Davis headlining. Also present was the Panda himself Pablo Sandoval. 

It was a treat to see Kris Bryant at first base. He hit a bomb to give his team the lead for a time. The Rockies did eventually push through with a 12-10 win. And yes, you could not only get a sausage sandwich and a bag of peanuts but a fruit stick- literally just that, fruit on a stick.

Game 2: Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ- aka little Wrigley Field. What a different experience. The field was outstanding giving it a Chicago feel in the middle of the desert. Chicago Dogs and Vienna Beef were plentiful. 

And on deck for all to enjoy was former Yankee Mike Tauchman who launched one out to the fences and gave the Cubs the lead in a tightly matched game. Alson the roster was Cody Bellinger, Dansby Swanson and former Met Dom Smith. For the Angels, yes, I believe he knew I was coming and performed exactly as I would expect- Aaron Hicks. What did he do you ask- struck out looking. Yep, I heckled. No, I am not ashamed. 

I enjoyed a Chicago Dog, a tour of little Wrigley, including roof top seating and some interesting beers. The staff could not have been more accommodating, thanking me for coming out. 

I drove past a few other parks including Diablo Stadium in Tempe, home of the Angels, which has some charm according to the locals. On the outskirts of Arizona State University, the park totes images of Mike Trout around campus, hoping to drive in some college students to its old school abode.  

Spring Training Cactus League style was a unforgettable experience. And although I wish I was in Florida visiting the Yankees, it was interesting to see how the other half or so lives out west. As we move into the midpoint of spring training, I am getting excited for what's ahead. Will the Yankees jump out ahead? Will they gel? Will they stay healthy? Answers for another time but the anticipation is amazing- I hope this feeling lasts. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE IRRESPONSIBLE QUOTE ABOUT OHTANI WITH ZERO FOLLOW THROUGH FROM AN "INSIDER"

What a stupid nugget, designed to get every Yankee fan riled up. Let me start by saying that I have no use for Shohei Ohtani. He's a player of privilege, allowed to be a pitcher and a hitter in the MLB while other players with the same talents cannot.  So right there I'm out.  

But then I think about the horrible Yankee season and then I see this headline:  Shohei Ohtani 'Doesn't Love' Pitching at Yankees' Stadium amid FA Buzz.

Now you have to admire it.  Clearly it was about clicks.  I clicked on it. But then I realized where it all originated from.  Jon Heyman.

"That might be a problem for the New York Yankees' chances of signing the pending UFA, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"Word is Ohtani doesn't love pitching in Yankee Stadium," Heyman wrote Thursday."

But that was it.  No follow-up. No continued quote about why... no solution.  Nothing. I even went back to Heyman's original article HERE.  This is all he wrote:

"Word is Ohtani doesn’t love pitching in Yankee Stadium (27.00 ERA in 3 ²/₃ innings). He has to love hitting there though (.972 OPS)."

And so, this is what journalism has come to. A game of telephone.  As a reader, we want more. As a Yankee fan, the fact that I had to go dig to figure out what else came with that quote and then didn't find is ridiculous.  

And let's go further. It is my opinion that Ohtani coming to the Angels destroyed the Angel's team dynamic.  I think the media blew this guy up.  I feel like there was way too much attention on Ohtani and the Angels were left behind. Not to mention the whole idea of wrapping a team around Ohtani and Trout. The Angel's team never had a chance. And so Ohtani ran the headlines and clearly ran this one too.  

It shouldn't be about this guy all the time.  And that's when the media gets nuts and that's when they put out nuggets with nothing attached to it.  Bottom line? Read everything, and when you can't find the real story... call them out.  I'm tired of the click bait and the guess journalism. It's literally the fall of society.

SEEING HOW THE YANKEES IMPLODED THIS YEAR, THE LAST THING WE NEED IS THIS GUY!

I liked Mike Trout as a young player, but these days he's just hurt all the time and seems older than 31 years old. Don't get me wrong, I know the Yankees need an outfielder, but taking a chance on Mike Trout when we are riddled with injury already would be absolutely ridiculous.  Yet, it's being floated out there a lot, mostly because it's Mike Trout and because the Yankees stink.  Click bait here we go...

Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"Los Angeles Angels superstar outfielder Mike Trout reportedly could become available through trade this upcoming offseason if he asks to be dealt, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale.

"The Los Angeles Angels, perhaps for the first time, are open to trading All-Star outfielder Mike Trout if he indicates to them that he wants out," Nightengale said. "Trout has exclusive no-trade rights and said recently that he wants to have a private conversation with the front office and ownership about their direction."

If Trout actually were to become available, he would make plenty of sense for New York. The 11-time All-Star is one of the best players in and is just 31 years old. Although he has dealt with injuries in recent years, when he is healthy, he still arguably is the best player in baseball. He still has over $240 million left on his contract over the next seven years, but that deal could be somewhat comparable to what Bellinger will receive this offseason."

With all due respect, the idea of Trout on the Yankees with that money attached to him and the idea that he could be hurt every moment scares the hell out of me.  The writer loves the idea of Trout in pinstripes, but have we not learned anything with guys like Giancarlo Stanton or DJ LeMahieu or Josh Donaldson.  Sure Trout is only 31, but he still gets hurt... A LOT. I mean, look at Aaron Judge? We just signed him to that enormous contract, but do you really think for a second that he will fulfill his commitment putting up great numbers for all those years? I love Judge, but it's just not realistic.

To be honest, I like the idea of Cody Bellinger on the Yankees instead. A .317 average right now... 25 home runs and he's turned it around from the Dodgers years where he stalled after his MVP season of 2019.  He's a solid, energetic player that would be useful on the Yankees and he's 27.  The price tag would be big, but this is where Cashman needs to earn his paycheck and make the right deal.

Look, the Yankees need to fix a lot, but I have to say, it's not the players as much as it is the management and front office.  We have the right guys, we just have bad leaders, a terrible coaching staff and a horrendous medical staff.  If you don't give your players what they need to perform, they're not gonna do too well. I firmly believe this, I do.

We will have to see how the month of September shakes out, but trust me, change is coming to the Bronx. Strap in.

THE RANKINGS DON'T LIE. THE YANKEES FARM SYSTEM THESE DAYS DOES NOT EXIST

The Yankees have clearly decided to build a team around Aaron Judge.  Gone are the days of breeding a winning mentality down on the farm with guys that would play together for a bit before being brought up to try and win on the big team.  Jeter, Pettitte, Mariano, Jorge and yes, even Bernie Williams.  It's that thing that was pushed by Stick Michael, and even if George Steinbrenner wanted to trade a guy like Mo, Stick would jump in and say, "No, No George. You need to trust me on this one."  And George... would listen.  Now yes, George would go rogue and pick up big time free agents that many times didn't do much.  But for the most part, the farm was Gene's and life was good.  Hence, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

During Cashman's tenure with the Yankees, he was GM and Senior Vice President since 1998 don't forget, . the Yankees have won six American League pennants and four World Series championships.  But if you really think about it, only 1 championship was manufactured by Cashman.  The others were created by the great Gene Michael.

Not to go on a tangent, but it's become clear to me that the Yankees 2nd biggest problem, the first being bad leaders in top management, is the diminished farm system.  The Yankees don't teach baseball and they sure as hell don't mold team comradery like they did when Michael was alive.  Look at this chart... I mean really look at it:

It's pathetic.  

Since 2015 we are barely ranked in the top ten. Do you know how bad that is?  and look at 2021 and 2022.  The teams that have molded and formed a solid farm are the teams that are pretty unstoppable this season.  The Orioles. The Pirates.  The Dodgers.  Texas.  The Reds. Team with futures... teams that will make the playoffs while the Yankees will not.

And it makes sense. Former Yankee farmhand, Ben Ruta blasted the team for lack of effort down on the farm. Sports Illustrated writes:

Former prospect @benJAMINruta tells a story about Chris Gittens and others getting "reamed" by minor league analytics coaches.

▶️ https://t.co/41ZpraoE45 pic.twitter.com/pACY4zNH7M

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 17, 2023

"Former outfielder Ben Ruta, who played in the Yankees’ minor league system from 2016 to ’20, criticized the franchise for leaning too heavily on analytics and lacking in proper baseball instruction while on the Foul Territory podcast on Wednesday.

“Fully expect them to clear house in the minor leagues … they will change developmental culture back to old Yankees days,” Ruta wrote in the episode’s comments section, per host Scott Braun. “Keep in mind, I played in the Yanks org. before analytics in ’16 to ’18, and then after in ’18 to ’20. Stark difference in development.”

And CBS Sports has another quote from him:

"Here's all you need to know: In 2020, before COVID, we played a game called pitchers vs. hitters," Ruta wrote. "The only way to win was to walk or hit a ball 95-mph-plus. There is no baseball being taught there anymore. No baserunning, moving runners, fundamentals, etc."

Sure, it's Ben Ruta, and I'm positive when the Yankees got wind of him speaking out they thought "It's Ben Ruta, no one cares about Ben Ruta", but the truth is, the Yankee fans care. The Yankee fans want answers. All of this is bullshit.

The Yankees are on a losing streak and sinking deeper and deeper into the basement. They aren't going to the playoffs, folks.  But imagine having a farm system that could go through the wins and losses and development together.  Would there be a difference? I think there would be, I really do.

You want to build a team around a superstar like Judge? Go watch the Angels. Trout and Ohtani are surrounded by that team... and they've done nothing.  Have we become the Angels?

#FireBoone

FREAK ACCIDENT OR NOT, THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Edwin Diaz got hurt in a freak accident in the WBC last night.  He was carted off the field. While it stinks for him, it really stinks for the Mets.  But more to that... it's a big eye opener to why the WBC or any off-season sport brings concern when it comes to professional athletes.

Now you can blame a lot of people for all of this. Blame the WBC if you want. Blame Edwin Diaz for deciding to play.  You can blame the Mets for allowing it to happen, or maybe you want to go after clown Rob Manfred for giving us free baseball before the season even starts.  But that's a matter of opinion. The fact of the matter is risk is everywhere.

Bob Nightengale might have put out the stupidest tweet in a while when it came to Edwin Diaz and the WBC:

I mean. This is kind of a silly tweet

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) March 16, 2023

Stop Bob. Trout and Betts aren't an authority of anything. No one cares.  How about you ask Edwin Diaz himself. How about you ask someone connected to the story? That's what journalists do.

Here's what happened to Edwin last night. The New York Post has it:

"Edwin Diaz, the team’s All-Star closer, was removed from the field in Miami in a wheelchair after he was injured during Team Puerto Rico’s postgame celebration following a 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic.

Diaz had just recorded the final out of the game and was crowded by teammates who began hugging him near the pitcher’s mound.

Diaz emerged from the celebration unable to put weight on his right knee and was helped to a wheelchair.

Diaz’s younger brother Alexis, also a reliever for Team Puerto Rico, was in tears as Edwin was helped from the field."

Careers are destroyed when things like this happen. And many times careers are set back.  Reminds me of Aaron Boone with his ridiculous pick-up baseketball game after the 2003 season. ESPN wrote this story in 2004.

"Yankees third baseman Aaron Boone injured his left knee playing basketball and might miss the season.

Boone was hurt Jan. 16 and may have torn his anterior cruciate ligament. He was examined three days later by Anaheim Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum, and Boone informed the Yankees of the
injury that night.

The extent of the injury will not be known until swelling subsides, and he has not yet been examined by Yankees' doctors.

Boone agreed Dec. 1 to a $5.75 million, one-year contract, and the contract contained language saying it would become nonguaranteed if he played basketball."

Boone's career was never the same after that, until the Yankees put him on a pedestal and made him puppet of the Yankees.  When it comes to athletes, as a fan I have always believed that if you are in a contract, your actions are vital to your contribution to the team.  Boone failed his team. Dare I say Edwin Diaz may have too, although on a much smaller scale than Boone's situation.

My point is these athletes are adults. They make their own decisions. Diaz had a choice, no question, but obviously he and all these MLB players are in contract and so, ultimately, it's a risk.  

It comes down the personal responsibility in my opinion.  Diaz probably feels terrible about what happened. But the worst part was he did nothing wrong but celebrate with his brothers in a moment of excitement. I don't fault him, although blame leans his way.  

But this is why we don't do off season activities when it comes to professional athletes in a contract.  Risks are everywhere.  It's just a damn shame. WBC should revisit when they play their season.

I wish Edwin Diaz nothing but a speedy recovery and crossing my fingers he gets back on track and continues to have a terrific career.  When are we going to see a Edwin Diaz meme of him on the ground and Timmy Trumpet playing Taps? Cause you know it's coming.

Get well soon Edwin. I am not a Mets fan by any means, but I appreciate hard workers and you're it buddy.

WHAT RIZZO'S BACK INJURY MEANS FOR THE YANKEES?

 

Source: NY Post

When I hear the words back injury or back tightness, I think oh no, Don Mattingly and more recently Mike Trout. As someone who has battled her own overuse Achilles heel injury, you hear about a chronic recurring issue and you scratch your head, "is this a warning sign to something more serious?" Before we dig into that, there is a near term concern: What does Anthony Rizzo's back injury mean for the fizzling Bombers?

"The Yankees pulled Rizzo less than a half-hour before the first pitch of their 4-3 loss. Rizzo missed four games July 5-8 while dealing with lower-back tightness/soreness. Two of those games were against another NL Central team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the other two vs. the Boston Red Sox," reported ESPN.

Source: NY Post

The chronic pain is not something new for the Yankee first baseman. And that is the thing that concerns me. I remember reading about how hard it was for Don Mattingly, particularly in his later years, to just get ready to play nine innings—stretching out, performing mobility exercises and I would imagine some over the counter pain-killers. I realize he had a pre-existing condition, but as he aged, his condition worsened. 

"I've dealt with this in years past, and I just feel like we've been ahead of it big time," Rizzo said, explaining that the spasms tends to resolve themselves in 6-8 days. "I went on the IL for it once... that was in April [of 2018] to be super cautious just because it was April. Back pain is the worst, but the progress we've made with the treatment is great," reported ESPN.

Source: Empire Sports Media

Prior to his recent stint to the IL, Rizzo homered in four straight games and is second in home runs to only his teammate Aaron Judge with 27 homers. The 32-year-old has been a big contributor to the Yankees' success this season, so seeing him sit even for more than a day is impactful for this team. His lefty bat has added a lot of versatility to the lineup let alone his stellar defense at first base. 

Source: Sports Illustrated

So what does Rizzo's back injury mean for the short term, assuming this is just a short trip to the IL? It means the Yankees need to double down on guys like Matt Carpenter, Andrew Benintendi and DJ Lemahieu to pick up the slack. Of course, it would be good to have Aaron Hicks contribute, because as of yet, he offers nothing to this Yankee team. Perhaps when new center field Harrison Bader makes his debut in a few weeks, the Yankees can finally get some offense and incredible gold glove caliber defense out of a centerfielder. 

Source: Sporting News

DJ Lemahieu will play a lot of first base over the next few games, which means veteran Josh Donaldson needs to have consistently better at bats. I think he is capable of doing this, but getting it done is another story entirely. With Rizzo out, the Yankees have to step it up as a team to keep their momentum forward flowing. 

What Rizzo's back injury means for the Yankees long term? That is the bigger question. And I hope it is not a Mattingly or Trout situation. My hope is that Rizzo rests, follows a good regiment to strengthen his biomechanics to take pressure off his back and stays healthy for the rest of the season. 

Source: CBS Sports

With any team, there will be injuries and ebbs and flows across a long season. And with a guy like Rizzo out for even a game, it leaves a gap in the lineup that has to be filled with even more offensive power. As the Yankees continue to push through the dog days of summer, the team needs to continue to rely on each other, collectively, to make the plays, hit with runners in scoring position and fill the void when teammates go down. Bottom line—This team needs to win with or without Rizzo in the lineup. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

CLAY HOLMES FEATURED IN NEW YORK TIMES!

Source: Seth Wenig/Associated Press

We are about a week away from the All Star Break and the guy that everyone's talking about (no not Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani) is Clay Holmes. And on Saturday, the New York Times had a feature on the Yankee closer, who has been nothing short of incredible this season. Clay Holmes gets a feature in the New York Times and he totally deserves it.

The Times called Holmes "the breakout star of this blissful Yankees season" and I could not agree more. He can pitch, he can field and he can lead this team to the post-season. This guy has it all.

“I had a lot of people saying to go with a short-arm action, to make so many big mechanical changes,” Holmes said at Fenway Park on Thursday, before stifling the Boston Red Sox to save another Yankees victory. “Ultimately I went against it, because I knew there was maybe a risk of losing my sinker. That’s when I really was like: ‘The sinker is going to be my ticket. I need to really figure out how to make it as good as it can be,’" reported the New York Times.

And I tell you what, it is his sinker that is carrying him to the All Star Game in Los Angeles on July 19th because as the Times reports, through Friday, Holmes had a 0.47 earned run average and 16 saves in 17 chances. He has faced 142 batters and allowed no home runs." Who does that? It is our guy, Holmes!

"Holmes is the only pitcher in baseball (minimum 30 innings) who throws his fastball at least 80 percent of the time — and by fastball, of course, he means the sinking two-seamer. Even when he throws a four-seamer, which should stay straight, Holmes still sinks the ball," reported the Times.

To see him perform, is just a delight. He is like a jack rabbit on the hill—throwing hard and jumping off the mound to protect the rest of the infield. On Friday night's closing situation in Boston, he looked extraordinary, launching off the mound to make the play at first, and shutting down the Red Sox like an exterminator does against pests.

Source: USA Today

Yes, we know that Clay Holmes is that good. And yes, the Yankees know he is that good. But now the rest of America knows he is that good because he was featured in the New York Times. Let's go! Clay Holmes is our closer and when he takes the stage in LA later this month, everyone else will see for themselves what all of the hype is. He is going to kill it!

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof