RALPH BRANCA HAS PASSED

Quick note folks, baseball great Ralph Branca has passed away.  The story was released on Twitter by Bobby Valentine, Ralph's son in law.

One of the greatest guys to ever throw a pitch or sing a song is longer with us. Ralph Branca Passed this morning.

— Bobby Valentine (@BobbyValentine) November 23, 2016

ESPN writes: "Branca was born in 1926, the 15th of 17 children, and was raised in Mount Vernon, New York, just north of New York City. He arrived in the major leagues as an 18-year-old in 1944...

Branca pitched in the major leagues for 12 seasons, posting an 88-58 record, but he's best remembered for the home run he gave up to Thomson.

The Dodgers held a 4-2 lead in the third game of a three-game playoff against the Giants when Branca came on in relief of Don Newcombe with one out and two men on. Thomson hit Branca's second pitch down the left field line for the game-winning home run.

Later Branca recalled sitting with a priest and family friend, asking why this had happened to him. 'Because,' he was told, 'you're strong enough to bear it.'

Branca and Thomson, wedded in baseball lore, later forged a friendship that carried through appearances and card shows."

Branca... dead at the age of 90.

Loved my many... and played his heart out.

WIN OR LOSE, THE YANKEES & RED SOX HAVE A HISTORY

I love this rivalry.  Growing up, there were never Red Sox fans around me, it was a much smaller market... at least that what it seemed like to me.  I was a kid so where did I travel? Who did I know? There were a few kids on the block who always wore their Yankee caps like me and that one kid who was a Mets fan…every gang had 1.  No one was a Red Sox fan. 

I remember Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens were big deals when I was growing up.  I was always fascinated with batting average and that’s why a guy like Don Mattingly was so amazing to me. Wade Boggs fell into that category, Tony Gwynn and ironically it all stemmed from Ted Williams…a Red Sock.  I once even mailed a baseball card to Wade Boggs and he signed it and mailed it back.  Sure, I hated the Red Sox but everyone appreciates talent. Check it out:

For me, the Yankees, Red Sox rivalry really got hot as I got older and really understood it.  Sure, Carlton Fisk and Thurman Munson absolutely hated each other and that disagreement between the 2 teams is historic, and carries over easily to the fans, but when you get older and really start to understand the passion these players have, it gives you chills.

That’s why Aaron Boone’s home run was such a big deal in 2003.  Sure, we lost the World Series that year, and that stung, but that Yankees, Red Sox series was MY World Series.  We beat the Red Sox again that season, it was incredible and to do it the way we did, well, amazing.

And you want to talk about leadership? Jorge Posada standing in Fenway park barking at Pedro Martinez reminding the Sox that, "if there’s a problem, we’re coming after you!"…That’s when Posada became a team leader.  That’s like mob shit.  Watching Posada standing there arguing with Pedro in Pedro’s house? Are you serious? No fear…pure adreneline…pure guts…gotta love Poe for that.

As we move forward and we truly learn about loss, like in 2004, you really understand just how important this rivalry is.  Which is why 2012 is so important.  With Bobby Valentine blabbing about things that no one understands and Dustin Pedroia and Jon Lester looking at him puzzled, let's just say it can single handedly bring a franchise to their knees.  Valentine’s demise is happening in 2012, he’s in over his head and the best part…it’s for the Yankees benefit.  Sure, the Yankees and Mets had their rivalry in 2000, but Valentine doesn’t seen to understand how much bigger the Yankees and Red Sox is compared to that.  The Mets were the Mets. The Red Sox are bigger and forever they’ll be attached to the Mighty Yankees. It will never change.  Winning for Valentine just became 10 times more important.

They know that, the Yankees know it and believe me, with Derek Jeter leading the charge, we will provide a pounding so extreme, Red Sox fans will run Valentine out of Boston and hopefully for our sake he’ll run home to his father-in-law Ralph Branca and Ralph can pull out a history book and say “Let me show you what you’ve missed while you were in Japan...” 

I love the Yankees and this 2012 team.  I want them to beat the Red Sox every single time.  While it’s probably not possible, it is in fact doable and hell, if they can win 3 out of 4 this weekend, I’ll be thrilled, after all, the Sox are still a good team. Plus how the hell did the Sox players know they would get a know-it-all manager who knows nothing about managing personalities as well as a ball club.  You know who the genius in all of this is? Jason Varitek…he saw the writing on the wall.  Sure, he could have hung around another year, but he saw what was about the unfold…and he limped far away from Yawkey Way. Smart.

OK Yanks... the time is now... let's go baby... LET'S GO YANKEES!

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WHY BERNIE WILLIAMS STILL SWINGS FOR THE FENCES

(Photo credit : Bill Menzel)

This past Saturday night I had the privilege to attend the annual charity gala for the Hillside Food Outreach. I was a guest of one of Bleeding Yankee Blue’s faithful readers, Doc Haveron. This amazing organization helps our less fortunate neighbors in Westchester and Putnam Counties in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut. This charity is special to one of our Yankee heroes, Bernie Williams. And let me tell you, Bernie isn’t just a famous face...Bernie is involved! And if it's important enough for Bernie, it should be important to the rest of us as well.

Of course Bernie brought along some of his friends such as former Yankees’, Jim Leyritz, Charlie Hayes, Hensley Meulens, Scott Kamieniecki, Chad Curtis, Roberto Kelly and Ralph Branca. This year’s guest of honor was Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

(Photo credit : Bill Menzel)

WFAN’s Sweeny Murti hosted a little chat between Bernie and Donnie. The former teammates traded stories and talked about the respect each had for the other. Bernie admitted to being in awe the first time he met Mattingly (much like me.) Mattingly talked about Bernie’s laid-back approach to the game.

(Photo credit : Bill Menzel)

He also talked about what it's like managing the Dodgers and having Kelly and Meulens, who both are coaches for the San Francisco Giants, in the opposing dugout. (Meulens jokes around and Roberto Kelly is so focused, he doesn’t acknowledge Mattingly). I could’ve listened to the stories for hours. As a fan of all these guys when I was a kid, this was a dream come true. Even my wife who isn’t much of a baseball fan thought the whole experience was pretty great.

But back to the Cause. At the event, we we’re introduced to two people who have benefited from Hillside. These are people who live right in our communities and are struggling to make ends meet. With the help of others, Hillside makes sure these people don’t go hungry. For more information or to donate yourself, you can visit: http://hillsidefoodoutreach.org

(In Photo: Charlie Hayes, Lem Allen, Hensley Meulens)

The gala was a great night for an even greater cause. I was honored to have been a part of it. Kudos to Bernie and to Hillside Outreach. Still swinging for the fences while making us all open our eyes, and our wallets to help others in need.

-- Lem Allen, BYB Freelance Writer
bybcurmudgeon@gmail.com