MAKE THAT TWO INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUNS FOR HICKS!

Source: MLB.com

Aaron Hicks is the first Yankee player to hit multiple inside the park home runs in a season since 1958; and the season is only just shy of two months old.  The last Yankee to hit three inside the parkers was Mickey Mantle.  But that sixty year old record could be crushed by Hicks if he keeps up this momentum.

Source: Sporting News

With his first inside the parker coming against Detroit in April, his second was a shot deep into the outfield against Kansas City.  "Hicks' solo shot bounced off the top of the rightfield wall and back onto the warning track as Royals rightfielder Jorge Soler struggled to chase down the ball," reported SI.com.

Source: KEITH GILLETT/ICON SPORTSWIRE

Earlier in the season, SB Nation called 2018 the "Year of the Inside-The-Park Home Run."  "Sure, normal dingers take strength and coordination and they’re still very entertaining. We are not here to disparage everyday dingers. But inside-the-park home runs take strength and coordination plus luck, speed (or at least an effort to go as fast as you can in the moment), and maybe even a mistake (or three) by the outfielders responsible for getting the ball towards the plate."  

Source: Sports Illustrated

The last time an MLB player hit three inside the parkers in one season was back in 1987.  That player was slugger Ruben Sierra with the Texas Rangers.  Knowing that this is not something you see everyday, this season has seen a number already.  They are exciting to watch as much as for the fans as for the player who hit it.  There is a bit of little leaguer in the player who hits it; a boyish smile like Hicks gave with both home runs. Sometimes they occur because they are bobbled out in the outfield, but a pure one is just a well hit ball and followed by excellent speed on the bases.

Photo: Orlin Wagner, AP

After a number of rain outs, transportation woes and an uncomfortable night in the airport, the Yankees made an amazing comeback last night with traditional over the fence home runs coming from Gleyber Torres, Giancarlo Stanton and two from Gary Sanchez and of course Hicks's inside the parker.  These five home runs led to a Yankee win against the Royals in the second game of the series.  Exciting to see the long ball anytime you go to the ballpark, but an inside the park home run adds a little something special to the game.

Source: Orlin Wagner, AP

Would be cool to see Hicks tie or even break Mantle's record making 2018 even more special than it already appears to be for the Yankees.  "Hicks won't be able to notch three inside-the-parkers in a month like Mantle did during his improbable run, but if he gets even one more in 2018, he'll be the first player in 30 years to get three in one season," according to MLB.com. Would love to see him make some history.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

LUIGI SQUEEGEE & LEADING BY EXAMPLE: PART 2

Here’s part 2 of our interview with Luigi Squeegee, former bat boy of the New York Yankees and author of Clubhouse Confidential. 

Squeegee and I spoke last Wednesday at length about his concern for America’s youth and protecting them from the PEDs epidemic.  He’s also out there helping kids with his foundation, Squeegee’s Childrens Literacy Foundation.  A non-profit foundation dedicated to helping kids learn about the importance of education and reading.  We spoke about the foundation… check this out:

BYB: So how did you decide to do this foundation?

Luigi Squeegee: Well, my father died in 1999 of colon cancer and back then, I really wanted to do a foundation to help cancer victims, but over time, it developed into something else because there are so many foundations out there that concentrate on cancer, but when I looked around, I noticed that not as much was being done for our children.  I was noticing that kids didn’t know how to read or didn’t understand the importance of a good education.  I decided that something needed to be done in the Bronx, helping Latino and African American kids read was important to me.

I began going out and talking to kids in schools.  I would say, ‘hey, I didn’t finish high school, but I should have.’ They would often say, ‘but you work for the Yankees.’ I would remind them that I regretted not finishing school because education is important.  

BYB: Tell me the plan for Squeegee’s Childrens Literacy Foundation?

Luigi Squeegee: It’s about giving children hope.  It’s not about Ipads and computers for gaming, it's about books and reading and learning.  During Christmas, we went to Bronx PS 75 at the opening of our foundation. Actually Bronxnet covered it.   



We met with about 270 kids and handed out books, pencils, notebooks. Let me tell you,  there was nothing better than having some of those kids hugging me and thanking me. Now, eventually, I want to give iPads or Tablets to kids in schools so they can learn the how to use technology to their educational advantage and not for gaming or searching for ridiculous videos.

BYB: That’s great.

Luigi Squeegee: It is great. It feels good to help. And I can’t even take all the credit because I have tremendous support.  My mother Milagros Reyes, and my wife are helping me in this venture.  Ramiro Mendoza and Ruben Sierra have supported me with this. It’s great.

BYB: Who gave you the idea?

Luigi Squeegee: You want to know who inspired me? Derek Jeter. When I was a bat boy helping him organize his guest list for his Turn 2 Foundation events, and going to his events, I would see all these kids smiling. It really inspired me.  Jeter is generous and helps a lot of people.  Jorge Posada is very generous as well. It’s important to give back and I liked what they were doing and that’s why I’m doing it now.  I wish that the media would talk about these Yankees generosity rather than talking about steroids every day. These are important stories too. This stuff can lift us above the steroid era.

BYB: Finally, did you tell me you have another book coming out?

Luigi Squeegee: Yes, it’s a children’s book and it’s gonna be called Squeegee and the New York Crankies. I decided to call it the “Crankies”, because me being a bat boy, I literally baby sat millionaires.  You know, they are adults, but they act like kids.  Grown men get cranky.  

  
BYB: Nice, tell me more…

Luigi Squeegee: There are characters in it. For instance, there is a guy with the likeness of Bernie Williams. His character name is “Sleepy Bern”. Bernie Williams used to take short naps before he had to do live hitting, so I used to have to wake him up so and he would go out and hit fresh.  That takes a lot of talent.  There’s a character named “Perfect Cone”. 

The likeness is David Cone and the cartoon is of a guy having an ice cream cone… then he goes out and pitches a perfect game.  I just want to try and give some joy back to these kids.  If I can do that through reading, that’s a great thing.

BYB: Is the Squeegee’s Children’s Literacy Foundation website up? 

Luigi Squeegee: Almost.  We’re trying to make it perfect, we aren’t trying to be Obamacare.  Seriously though, we’re almost there. There is a Facebook fan page though. Look for Squeegee's Children's Literacy Foundation. Like it today!

Squeegee, thank you.  Thanks for taking the time and thank you for doing what you’re doing.

I hope everyone enjoyed our conversation with a guy who just wants to make a difference. 

And for anyone who missed it, read our conversation with Squeegee on ARod from the other day.  It’s SQUEEGEE TO AROD: "ADMIT TO WHAT YOU DID!"

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

SQUEEGEE TO AROD: "ADMIT TO WHAT YOU DID!"

I got an email the other day and it was important.  It was from an old friend, Luigi Squeegee, the author of the book Clubhouse Confidential and the former bat boy of the New York Yankees.  Luigi supported Bleeding Yankee Blue back when it was literally 4 of us, and we always stayed in touch. But under the circumstances of Alex Rodriguez and he being a former bat boy in the clubhouse... I knew this message was different.

You see, Luigi is a father like me. We've talked alot about how our kids see these big baseball heroes doing big things and now, all of them are under the cloud of suspicion, all because a group of individuals over the years decided that cheating and using PEDs was the way to go.

In short, it's out of control and for Squeegee, a guy that stood in the same clubhouse with the likes of ARod, Derek Jeter, Roger Clemens and Chuck Knoblauch, it was clear... he had enough.

So I did my best prep work for an interview that needed to be done, but Squeegee was so fired up, I scratched my questions and let him go.  This ladies and gentlemen is real.  You want to talk about frustration as a parent who doesn't know how to explain PEDs and cheating to their son or daughter? You want to talk about the loss of integrity in this great game because of liars and cheaters in baseball? Squeegee had plenty to say about it.  And before you think he irrelevant, understand this; Luigi Squeegee saw more stuff going on in that clubhouse than anyone I know.  Now sure, I'm not about to taint the Yankees, I love my team. The point is, he knows things and he's frustrated all these years later with Alex Rodriguez and his steroids charade.  So here's what Squeegee told me in his own words... and he's sharing it with my Bleeding Yankee Blue audience...  Enjoy this, I did:

Luigi Squeegee: "I left the Yankees in 2005. Steroids in baseball were going on then and today, all these years later, it is all people talk about.  No longer do people talk about just going to a game with their mother and father.  Instead, they talk about who's using and who isn't. It's a terrible message these cheaters are sending and steroid use is slowly becoming a virus.  It's disappointing."

BYB: This is clearly driven by you being a parent. You're pretty angry...

Luigi Squeegee: "Of course! I was in Yankees Spring Training sitting with guys like Derek Jeter watching Congress question Rafael Palmeiro and all those guys.  I was 18 years old, a bat boy for the Yankees and I was skinny and I was thinking to myself then, how can I get big? Is this the way?"

BYB: Right, because you're seeing players getting bigger, but denying their usage.

Luigi Squeegee: "Yup and all these years later, those players have all used even though they denied it. Look, I have kids and they look up to guys like Derek Jeter.  But they also looked up to ARod and Big Papi and when they see those players, they says to me, 'those guys hit the ball far!'  When they're on the field, my kids just want to hit it as far as them... when they can't, so they get upset.  So I ask you, when my kids are old enough and they're in the same situation, are they gonna think about wanting to use? You see what I mean?"

BYB: I hear you.  And when a player is playing well, my son will say, 'He's great... is he on drugs?'

Luigi Squeegee: "Right! Look at Ryan Braun. I thought he was totally honest with me and America and he lied to my face and I'll never trust him again.  I know I've made mistakes, but I admitted to my mistakes in my book. These people still deny."

BYB: I know, but Braun's disappeared now to serve his 65 games and he'll come back and continue racking up his numbers like nothing happened.

Luigi Squeegee: "And then you have all these players that play the game clean and now they are either accused or become frustrated because they can't compete with the cheaters.  

Look at a guy like Enrique Wilson.  He didn't make a lot of money but he was able to crush a guy like Pedro Martinez. He did it clean.  People forget what baseball is all about.  It's not about the mansions and the private jets, that's the wrong message.  It's about loving the game. Baseball is no longer loved, it's tainted."

BYB: Did you see physically see PEDs in the Yankee clubhouse?

Luigi Squeegee: "No... but I saw the size of these guys and how they got bigger from year to year, and even teams and owners know it's happening.  Look at a guy like Jason Giambi.  

He got real big in Oakland, but the Yankees still signed the guy. He ended up admitting to using something, but he's 41 years old and he's still playing.  It's crazy to think about this, and this is where I defend ARod and the ONLY time I do;  There are several guys that had admitted using and nothing happens to them.  Like Andy Pettitte for example. Meanwhile, ARod gets 162 games. There were others, why just him? Major League Baseball needs to go after everyone equally.  See, this is what I'm talking about. Everyone is focused on steroids for over a decade and it's sending the wrong message to our youth."

BYB: Yeah, Alex is the big fish. What was he like when you were the bat boy in 2004 and 2005?

Luigi Squeegee: "He's selfish. I wrote about it in my book! I remember in Spring Training 2004, I was assigned to be his personal assistant. But he didn't want the Yankees to give him an assistant. He wanted his own and he was trying to get the Yankees to give him someone from the Texas Rangers. The Yankees refused and so they eventually agreed on another guy. It was just this thing about him, he usually did things alone.  You wouldn't see him and Jeter hanging out other than a "Hi". Same with Ruben Sierra, they weren't "friends", just teammates. ARod did hang out with Robinson Cano or Melky Cabrera or Luis Sojo a bit.  But even in the plane, I remember we were flying home and Ruben (Sierra) and I were watching a movie and ARod was alone asking, 'Hey, what are you guys watching?'  Always alone.

The worst though had to be in 2004. I remember we lost to the Red Sox. Alex was sitting in his locker wearing his pinstriped pants and his blue Yankee shirt... and he's smoking a cigar talking to reporters.  WE JUST LOST TO THE SOX! I will never forget that. And now, years later he's banned for PEDs for the whole 2014 season."

BYB: I can tell you're pissed...

Luigi Squeegee: "That's because it's taking over baseball.  I used to be known as the bat boy of the World Champion Yankees.  Now I'm known at the bay boy of the steroid era.  People have recognized me from my book Clubhouse Confidential and said to me, 'the Yankees cheated when you were with them.'  I hate hearing that."

BYB: But what's the solution?

Luigi Squeegee: "One failed test and you're out of baseball.  If you're going to cheat, you're going to cheat again. I'd rather you're banned from the game if you fail a test 1 time."

BYB: And what's your message to Alex Rodriguez?

Luigi Squeegee: "Just admit to what you did!  That's my piece of advice. Alex, you’re already suspended so just come out an admit you cheated like you did back in 2009.  Apologize...  and maybe America will forgive you.  Maybe God didn't actually put you on this earth to hit 800 home runs.  Maybe God put you here to fix this wrong.  You could actually be the baseball player that fixed the steroid era. You still can make a change. Maybe you can come out and educate kids on the dangers of PEDs.  Maybe this is what God sent you here to do... Save baseball."

That's real. That's a conversation between 2 dads.  I particularly like his closing quote to Alex.  Fix the wrong, admit it. Educate kids.  I like that.

More importantly, it is what Luigi is doing for kids that I also found very noble and I spoke to him about that too.  Squeegee started a foundation called Squeegee’s Childrens Literacy Foundation. It's a not for profit foundation geared toward educating kids on the importance of education and reading.  We have part 2 of our interview with Luigi coming soon.  Look for it here on BYB.



Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fasted growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

SQUEEGEE: GRIND IT JORGE!

Having the privilege to have known Jorge from 1998 through 2005 as a Yankee bat boy and clubhouse attendant, I can honestly say he truly defines what it means to wear the pinstripes.Jorge Posada was a leader in my eyes because he was vocal, competitive and had an obsession with winning. For example, in my book Clubhouse Confidential, I wrote about how Posada felt the weight and responsibility for winning and that he personally felt the need to tell any player what to do if they weren't, in his opinion, contributing as much toward the win.

When he thought David Wells was slacking off, he couldn't keep it to himself. Posada approached Wells one game in the clubhouse and said "You don't give a damn about the team." Posada wasn't being mean. At the time, some players needed someone to bark at them now and then. Maybe that's why Posada felt an unreasonable fear about anyone touching his stuff, to the point where he would say to me "make sure that nobody even goes near it except me." I would have to follow his directions to the letter and bring his collection of equipment to the bench in the dugout and have it waiting for him. He walk out with only a glove, then suited up for battle! A warrior is what he was. His superstitions only made his little quirks stand out all the more in sharp contrast with his otherwise perfect sense of obligation and duties. Posada was the pulse of the team. When you needed honesty, he would let the fans and media know how the team was doing. He also had his sneaky funny ways of cracking jokes on other teammates, with his buddy Derek Jeter, and this really loosened up the clubhouse. A perfect example is one time, Jorge saw Ruben Sierra come in dressed in the street clothes and Ruben would have different colors on looking, sometimes looking like a rainbow and Jorge would yell at Jeter and say look of Ruben "What the hell is that Ruben?" Everyone in the clubhouse would laugh.
Jorge was a winner. He was a student of the game that wanted to become better each and everyday. Jorge was a huge part of those five championships for the Yankee organization. I hope he makes it to the Hall of Fame one day, because he worked his tail off. And not just one the field, but off as well. Posada had such a dedication to working hard and his performance on the field, but not only being an athlete on the field, but dealing with his son who was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis. There is no doubt, no matter what he did as an athlete, he still always put his family first. I have so much respect for Jorge because of this. Posada even started his foundation because of his son's condition, The Jorge Posada Foundation.

I have one important message for Jorge...it's this: God bless you on your retirement with your beautiful family and thank you for all the memories, and as you said to so many over the years... I now say to you... "Grind it."

Squeegee, you are the man, Thank you for appearing as a guest on Bleeding Yankee Blue! Ladies and Gentlemen, be sure to check out Luigi's book "Clubhouse Confidential" as well as 3 terrific Bleeding Yankee Blue pieces featuring our pal:

EXCLUSIVE: CLUBHOUSE CONFIDENTIAL
BYB EXCLUSIVE: SQUEEGEE GETS REAL
CONGRATS TO SQUEEGEE!



--Luigi Squeegee, BYB Guest Writer

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and look for the hashtag #BYB. Also, join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

EXCLUSIVE: CLUBHOUSE CONFIDENTIAL

Luis "Squeegee" Castillo was a Yankee Clubhouse kid during one of the most important times in recent Yankees history. From 1998 to 2005 he was a bat boy and clubhouse attendance and witnessed first hand, 3 World Championships and a trip to the playoffs every single season. Derek Jeter gave Luis the nickname "Squeegee" because of his rail thin appearance.

When I first heard about Clubhouse Confidential, I got nervous. I was concerned that my New York Yankees were about to be tainted and young kids who picked their idols in that Yankee clubhouse were about to be disappointed. I was wrong, this book is smart and while Luis was on the inside, he didn't disturb the clubhouse perception. You walk away with a few great nuggets and you never lose that love for your team and players. These are different nuggets than the other interviews you saw with Squeegee, so enjoy it. With that, I bring you, Squeegee.

BYB: What made you decide to write this book?

Squeegee: I wrote CLUBHOUSE CONFIDENTIAL because I wanted to let Yankees fans know what happens behind the scenes, how much fun the players have off the field, what conflicts they run into, and how they cope with the stress of being Major League Baseball stars.

BYB: Former Yankee, Jim Bouton wrote Ball Four and it was considered extremely controversial at the time because it revealed a lot of the secrets of the Yankees Clubhouse and tarnished Yankee Greats. Why did you feel that it was OK to write this book?

Squeegee: As Mr. Bouton said "These guys have voluntarily gone into a business where people know that everything that they do or say is subject to being written about. They act as if they're surprised when somebody tells what they do." My book about the Yankees is filled with new information about the superstars, and people have a right to know. I also enjoyed telling the stories, just as people always enjoy listening to me talk about my eight years working for the greatest team in baseball history.

BYB: Who were the big party animals on the team during the championship years you were there and what did they do that was so outrageous?

Squeegee: Almost every one on the team liked to party, but probably Jason Giambi and Chuck Knoblauch enjoyed it more than others. Once Jason invited me to a party that didn't break up until 5 AM the day before an afternoon game. How he woke up to go to work is a mystery to me.

And Chuck always seemed to be having a good time, even in the clubhouse.

BYB: You did you admire the most and why?

Squeegee: My idol was David Cone because I also pitch and he symbolized the greatness of the sport to me. He was technically at the top of his game, and yet he had the friendliest personality and was always relaxed and willing to talk. When I warmed him up during his 1999 perfect game it was a real honor.

BYB: Explain how the Matsui "Ho's" speech came about?

Squeegee: At the end of the team meetings, Mr. T (Joe Torre) asked what we were going to do. He usually directed this question at Posada. But on this occasion he turned to Matsui and asked. Matusi said, "Let's kick ass. Pop champagne. And get some ho's."

BYB: Did you get a ring? If not, why?

Squeegee: I did not get a World Series ring and I was disappointed because I had done as much work, or more, than another clubhouse attendants who did get one. I have fond memories of working with the guys and wish I had a memento to remind me of the good time we had together.

BYB: Have you heard from some of the players since the book was released? If so, who and what did they say to you?

Squeegee: I hear from lots of players and keep in contact with some of my best friends, including Homer Bush, Jorge Posada, Ruben Sierra, Ramiro Mendoza, and others. They say things like, "Hey, what are you doing tonight? Wanna hang out together?" It's great having friends like that. Chuck Knoblauch contacted me recently and said, "What's up, my main man? Can't wait to read the book!"

BYB: Have you partied with some of the Yankees?

Squeegee: I have partied with almost all the Yankees on the teams from 1998-2005, including Derek Jeter, who is always well-behaved in public.

BYB: I am a huge Joe Torre fan. Describe his demeanor in the clubhouse?

Squeegee: It's funny that you ask about Mister T's demeanor since he never smiled and always looked grumpy. I always thought he was in a bad mood. But really he was all business. That's just the way he worked.

He used to start the day off by going on the treadmill before batting practice. He would have a newspaper tucked under his arm. He also used to smoke cigars in his office all the time.

BYB: What was the most humiliating thing a player did to you?

Squeegee: The most humiliating thing was get thrown into a garbage can by Tanyon Sturtze! He was in a bad mood at the time but later apologized and we became good friends.

BYB: Do you read Bleeding Yankee Blue?

Squeegee: Yes, I'm a big fan of Bleeding Yankee Blue and read it all the time. Keep up the good work!

Squeegee, you're awesome for talking with us and much thanks for Stephen Lee at St. Martin's Press for helping coordinate this interview.

WHY A BAD ATTITUDE IS POISON

So, I've hesitated about writing about this because there was so much other chaos surrounding the Yankees, I hate adding to it. Besides, it's upsetting and irritating.

Rafael Soriano has a chip on his shoulder. Big surprise. Bill Madden of the NY Daily News first touched on this back on January 17th, read it HERE. I appears that Soriano's all about himself and that's a different cry than the postive family attitude coming out of Yankeeland normally.

Back in Tampa Bay, it seems he wasn't a team player at all and was "hated by almost everyone in Tampa Bay." Madden says that Rafael Soriano didn't like being brought into games in non-save situations, he would freak out. He'd get pissed if he had to pitch more than one inning in a game.

According to Madden: "The final straw was the last game of the season - Game 5 of the ALDS versus Texas - when Maddon asked Soriano to pitch the ninth inning with the Rays trailing, 3-1. After throwing a tantrum in the bullpen in front of all his fellow relievers, Soriano trudged into the game and promptly gave up a single to Nelson Cruz and a game-breaking homer to Ian Kinsler."

Now, if there is one thing I hate it's a selfish player. We saw it with Ruben Sierra back in 1995-1996. He thought he deserved more playing time, he didn't like the way he was being treated on the team. So he was traded. When he came back to the Yanks in 2004, he was a changed man, because there's something to be said about the Yankees clubhouse and it all goes back to attitude.

So yes, while I don't like to hear or write about attitude problems and poisons in the Yankee Clubhouse, we've seen it before and we'll see it again. My prediction for Soriano is it will start out tough, he'll probably piss some people off, maybe even Joba will knock him out, but he'll learn to adapt and learn about what the Yankees are all about.

The most brilliant part of this contract was handled by the Yankees, who've dealt with pricks like this before. Get this... the Yanks had given Soriano an opt out clause and no no-trade clause. If he we're to opt out, the Yankees would get a draft pick. If they wanted to cut him loose, he could go anywhere, even Kansas City and no one would care.But back to my thinking about attitude. Mariano Rivera was the guy who was behind getting Soriano here, he saw the talent and the confidence. Mariano Rivera is Mr. Yankee when it comes to sportsmanship, team work and love of the game. I know Rivera will be the man who guides RaSo and keeps his mind focused, and probably turns his nasty attitude around.

If Soriano keeps his attitude in check, he'll be a successful for the Yanks no doubt, but if the attitude problem lingers, he'll be a cancer, and no one needs that. Bottom line.

Please comment and 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.