COULD "THE BEARD" GO TO THE METS?

I'm not a Mets hater. That being said, I'm a Yankee fan true and true and will rarely root for the Mets.  I just read this nugget from Bob Nightengale of USA today and I'm not sure what to make of it.  Could it be true? Could Brian Wilson actually go to the New York Mets? Ugh.  I hate that idea.  Nightengale's Tweet is HERE.

Look I've always liked Brian Wilson, before the beard and all that crap.  He's a decent pitcher.  The beard thing I jumped on and I dig it.  It's a gimmick, it's fun and much like Sal Fasano's mustache, I can get on board with it. 

I personally would love to see Brian Wilson set up Mariano Rivera in Yankee Stadium, beardless of course, but I just don't see that ever happening... read I'D LOVE TO SEE THE BEARD IN THE BRONX for my opinions on that.

Anyway, we'll keep you posted on this Mets/Beard thing.  I am very interested in see where Wilson ends up.

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AROLDIS CHAPMAN SHOWED UP HIS OPPONENT, NOT SORIANO

Much like the mustache of Sal Fasano for the brief time he was in pinstripes, the Rafael Soriano "untuck" is becoming insanely popular fast in the Bronx. Some Yankee fans would rather stick with the corporate image of Yankee Baseball, I get that. They'd rather win, get dressed in business suits and come back tomorrow. Some never even liked the walk-off pie. Me? I like both, I like the corporate Yankee stuff, but I also like to have fun when it comes to my team, although I do NOT believe in showing up the other team.

For instance, you know I'm no fan of watching guys like Barry Bonds launch one and stare at a home run from home plate for 20 seconds. That's show boating. That's showing up the other team. Rafael Soriano's "untuck" is clearly not showing up anyone and while I'm on that topic, let's talk about the disgusting spectacle that Aroldis Chapman pulled 2 nights ago with his double somersault after finishing the game, read HERE.

 It was embarrassing and yes, while I stated in my piece VALVERDE'S SPLITTER AND OTHER ANTICS over the weekend, while I have no problem with Valverde's dumb dance, or even Chapman's somersault, I DO have to say, if the sports writers out there are choosing which category each display falls into... "showing up" the other team, or not, the Chapman roll DEFINITELY is "showing up" the opponent. In fact, if I'm the Brewers and I ever get an opportunity to pitch to Chapman, I'm throwing one at his chin. That's baseball and that's payback. You cannot put Soriano's "untuck" into the same category as the Jose Valverde "clown jig" or the Chapman somersault. It doesn't rise. Trust me.

What made Soriano's untuck even better yesterday was it came after a tough day for the Yankees. Both CC Monster and Andy Pettitte are out now, read HERE and now the Yankees have to look elsewhere for pitching. That's another post for later. But back to my point, if we needed an untuck, yesterday we needed it. With the bases loaded, Soriano got out of the inning and the game with a big win and save and...untuck.

Hey, all I'm saying is "Hey haters, don't be so quick to throw Soriano into the "showing up" category, especially after Aroldis Chapman's spectacle. Seriously. Think again."

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WHY CERVELLI'S THE ODD MAN OUT

The Yankees completed their roster moves today and Twitter is blowing up. There are a ton of Francisco Cervelli fans, me included and it almost seems like the world is crumbling around US all. Everyone assumed that Cervelli would be on the Yankees Opening day roster, after all, he's contributed and always does...somehow. He's one of the most passionate ballplayers out there. I don't care what people like Mike Lupica say about Cervelli needing to curb his passion and "act like he's been there before" (Read WHY A CERVELLI FIST PUMP MEANS PASSION.) It's clear to me someone like Lupica doesn't understand true competition. Cervelli is a guy who doesn't get many opportunities to play and when he does, he's fired up. You need to respect it, and don't poo poo it.
So who's the Yankees backup catcher? No one you thought it would be. Chris Stewart was acquired from the San Francisco Giants for George Kontos...TODAY...read HERE. I didn't see that one coming. That means that the veteran Stewart will be Russell Martin's backup and Francisco Cervelli will be optioned to AAA. It's the shame for a guy who literally just helped the Yankees win in their last Spring Training game against the Mets today. Cervelli tied it with a homer, Read HERE. Mark Feinsand has this quote from Cervelli, who was pretty much stunned about it:

“What can I say, bro? It's not my decision. That's it... I’m disappointed with this, but that’s never going to change anything. All my life I’ve had to do things and I’ve had to do it double, triple. If they want me to prove that I can catch in the big leagues, I’ll go and prove it, that I have to be here."

But don't worry, I will bet Cervelli will be back. Remember though, this is what the Yankees do, what they have always done. There is always that guy, the backup that's been around the block or has a few years on other catchers and they always say they want that extra catcher "with experience." Chris Widger, Ivan Rodriguez, Sal Fasano, Joe Oliver... hell, Joe Girardi and now, Chris Stewart. I believe in my heart though, Cervelli will be back!
David Phelps and Clay Rapada have also made the big team it was revealed today. Read HERE. DJ Mitchell and Adam Warren will both report to Scranton Wilkes-Barre. It was a tough choice for sure, they and Phelps pitched their hearts out.

So, the tables set, the Yankees are ready... and now we wait until Friday...Opening Day for the Yankees who open in Tampa Bay. CC Sabathia vs. James Shields. 3:10pm. Be there... I will not, I will be at work, but sneak to a television...after all it's Opening day!

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WHY SWISHER FEELS THE LOVE

There is no doubt, the S in GGS is about to make a power run. Swisher feels more comfortable at the plate and you can see it in his eyes and in his body language. We all know Swisher’s following, including Swisher himself. He is the Bronx Elvis as BYB refers to him. I was trying to think back to a Yankee player that has been here for such a short time, yet attracted so many fans so quickly.

• Sal Fasano: He was here for 3 minutes back in 2006, but that was more of a mustache fascination than anything else. Yes, he was supposed to be a smart catcher, but the talent never translated to the field. I feel bad even trying to compare him to Swisher, because Swisher’s on a totally different level. That being said, I dug Sal.
  

• Aaron Small: Aaron had his moment in pinstripes and 10 wins later in 2005, he definitely won over the fans, but again, it wasn’t on the Swisher level.

• Felix Heredia? OK I’m joking. It’s true, I can’t think of anyone as big as Nick.

Swisher came to New York under the radar the same year Teixeira, CC Monster and AJ Burnett came over and no one talked about the guy. I knew what he was capable of but the world was wrapped up with Tex and Co. and no one gave Swisher a thought. 3 years later, I feel like he may be more popular to the fans than the others. Why? Personality.

The WE WANT NICK SWISHER TO HOST SNL FB group is growing and you need to join that group. Just click on the link and join. Beth Hucke runs the operation and she means business. (Read our BYB EXCLUSIVE interview with Beth by clicking the link.) And why not, Nick Swisher has the energy and ability to get on Saturday Night Live and anything else he wants to do. He believes in himself and we believe in him.

The point is, Nick Swisher knows slumping too long isn’t good for business, isn’t good for the fans and isn’t good for his future in pinstripes. Plus, he wants to contribute to his team. His energy translates to the energy in Yankee Stadium. He’s hitting and we’re happy. When he’s not, we’re unhappy, it’s that simple. Finally, Nick Swisher is hitting and with it, comes the cheers and the smiles and Swish is on top of the world, that translates to us and we couldn't be happy for the guy. (Photo: Tim Farrell/Star Ledger)

One thing I noticed being a Yankee fan all my life is, when a Yankee player sucks enough, calls for “Dump him” or “bench him” get shouted from thte stands to the field. To be honest, I have never heard that about Nick Swisher, EVER. There is something about this guy; people just want him to succeed, almost as if, if he were to leave the Bronx, the clubhouse's energy would disappear with him. The energy on the field would disappear; The heart would disappear from the Yankees. It’s my opinion that no one wants this guy to leave and I would bet that if I were to ask several of you if you’d like Swisher to retire a New York Yankee, 80% of you would want it.

Energy, Heart, Grit and Swish; That’s the perfect recipe for success for Nick Swisher’s future in the Bronx. Fans love him and he loves the fans. Nick's on a hot streak and let's hope it lasts all summer and all October, because hs hot bat in the lineup can really help our New York Yankees.

Now, if we could only get Swish to RT us on Twitter, we’d be a whole lot happier. Come on Nick, @BleednYankeeBlu … hit me on the Twitter, everyone at Bleeding Yankee Blue wants you to succeed, we believe in you pal.

By the way, read other great Nick Swisher pieces here:

WHY SWISHER MAKES ME SWOON

WHY WE LOVE SWISH

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