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

JUSTICE FOR PASCUAL PEREZ

The Associated Press is reporting (HERE) that the Dominican Republic Police have arrested 3 men suspected in the killing of former Major League Pitcher Pascual Perez.  2 others are still at large, but they will find them, because you can't get away with murder. I doesn't matter how long it takes... justice will be served. Karma's a bitch.

The AP writes:  "Maximo Baez, the police department's criminal investigations director, said one of the arrested men personally knew Perez and confessed that he and four others had planned to steal the $2,400 monthly pension he received for his 11-season career in the Major Leagues.

The 55-year-old's ex-wife found his body on Thursday at the home where he lived alone in San Gregorio de Nigua, a town west of the capital of Santo Domingo. Police said he had severe head wounds caused by being hit repeatedly with a hammer....

...Police identified another one of those arrested as a low-level drug dealer. A third suspect was arrested Saturday after police said he sold one of Perez's cell phones for $6.25.

Police said they have also identified the two fugitives."

If they arrest these other 2 thugs, we'll tell you about it.

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THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY OF THE YANKEES

I'm a traditionalist and a guy who always remembers the Yankees long forgotten. I've written about guys like Danny Pasqua (read WHY I ROOT FOR THE ITALIANS ) and Wayne Tolleson (Read BRETT GARNDER: BIG DOESN'T MEAN BETTER ), even Bobby Meacham (Read "WHO ARE YOU... BOBBY MEACHAM?" ) There are so many Yankees that have come and gone. For me though, other than the late 70's and the Mattingly era, I remember the lonely late 80's and early 90's as a strange time, yet comforting. I fondly remember guys like Don Slaught, Eric Plunk and guys like Pascual Perez and young pitching phenom Brien Taylor. Many people wouldn't even think twice about these guys, I do.

Being a Yankee is a good thing, It's an honor and you are held at a higher standard.  After all guys like the great Lou Gehrig, and Phil Rizzuto, Don Mattingly and Ron Guidry all wore the pinstripes...and of course there are plenty others...there's a long history of great players and great traditions.

But where is the good in being a New York Yankee, there also can come the bad and the ugly of it as well, the unfortunate and the disappointing that sometimes happens when your name is connected to a major sports team like the Yanks.  Now, let me be clear, I am in no way blaming the Yankees for anything I'm about to write about, but I can say that when you are with the big dogs, you become a target, or in the case of Brien Taylor, you ride the wave alittle too soon, not because you need to, but because you think you've made it, even before you have.

When news broke about the apparent murder of Pascual Perez yesterday, read HERE, it saddened me. Couple that with news of Brien Taylor facing up to 40 years in prison for drugs and drug trafficking and it was clear, that sometimes terrible things happen in life that are beyond our control, Hurricane Sandy is a great example. And sometimes, you CAN control your own destiny, but don't. Again, the bad and the ugly.

Pascual Perez was killed by a group of thugs that apparently broke into his home, whacked him in the head and then stabbed him, according to reports.  The New York Times writes: "...Perez, who last played in the majors for the Yankees in 1991, was found with a severe head wound in a town west of Santo Domingo, and there was evidence at the scene to suggest that whoever killed him had been searching for money..." It's just terrible.

Brien Taylor, who had struggled since he hurt his arm in a fight kept falling down the dark path of self-destruction. Read HERE.  As CBS reports: "In March 2012, a 40-year-old Taylor was charged with cocaine trafficking after undercover narcotics agents said they purchased a large quantity of cocaine and crack cocaine from him over a span of several months.

Taylor was federally indicted on trafficking charges in June and faces 5-to-40 years in prison after pleading guilty to cocaine distribution..."  A sad, sad story.

But, I'm not going to sit here and judge these two individuals. Sure Perez had drug problems and was never a superstar, but he did play major league ball for 11 years racking up a 3.44 ERA, a 67-68  record and 822 strikeouts in his career.  Taylor on the other hand, never played a major league game and got wrapped up in the glory before it even began. We've seen it time and time again, but for all of us who knew the story of Brien Taylor, it was very surprising. After all, we were anticipating a true superstar when he finally went pro. That never happened.

I just wanted to say I'm very sorry to hear about these 2 and their unfortunate ends. No one needs to go through this.  Not them and not their families. All I'm saying is, know what you have in life and run with it. Be cautious, but courageous and do your best as a person. That's really all I wanted to say. It's a sad post, but there's a lesson here.

Good Luck Brien Taylor... Rest in Peace Pascual Perez.

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.