THE DAY THE SCOOTER MET THE HOLY COW... LITERALLY

Some baseball tributes are solemn. Others are surreal. And then there's Phil Rizzuto Day—a ceremony that somehow combined Monument Park, a cardboard halo, and a runaway cow.

On August 4, 1985, the Yankees honored longtime shortstop and legendary broadcaster Phil “The Scooter” Rizzuto by retiring his No. 10 and adding a plaque in Monument Park. It was a long-overdue celebration of a Yankee icon—scrappy on the field, beloved in the booth, and known for his signature exclamation: “Holy Cow!”

Naturally, someone in the Yankees front office decided to have a little fun with that phrase. As part of the ceremony, they presented Rizzuto with a real cow, adorned with a cardboard halo—a literal “holy cow.” But the plan quickly went off the rails when the cow, clearly not briefed on stadium etiquette, accidentally knocked Rizzuto to the grass behind home plate.

Fortunately, Rizzuto was unharmed, and ever the good sport, he laughed it off. The moment was classic Scooter—chaotic, charming, and totally unforgettable.

Several of his former teammates showed up for the celebration, including Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford. But the day held even more significance. As a young fan in attendance, Robert Casey, Editor-in-Chief of Bleeding Yankee Blue, recalled the atmosphere with me —how the crowd came for Rizzuto, but many were also buzzing about another milestone in the making: Tom Seaver, pitching for the White Sox, was chasing career win No. 300.

 
He got it. The Yankees lost. But in the end, it didn’t matter. The day belonged to Scooter.

In a moment that drew a roar from the crowd, Rizzuto told fans:

“This means more to me than the Hall of Fame ever could.”

At the time, Rizzuto still hadn’t been elected. That honor finally came on February 25, 1994, when the Veterans Committee voted him into the Hall of Fame, alongside Leo Durocher. They joined Steve Carlton to complete that year’s Cooperstown class.

Looking back through my research, it looked like Rizzuto Day had everything: a heartfelt tribute, a historic win, and an unscripted comedy moment that only the Bronx could deliver. A legend was honored. A milestone was reached. And a cow stole the spotlight—if only for a moment.

Holy Cow, what a day.

--Alvin Izzo

BYB Yankee History Contributor

THE COPACABANA INCIDENT

May 16, 1957. 

One of the most well-documented and reported stories about Mickey Mantle's antics off the field involves the infamous "Copacabana incident" of 1957. This event encapsulates the wild side of Mantle's life, involving drinking, rowdy behavior, and his notorious teammates. That night at the Copa was the Mick, Whitey Ford, Billy Martin, Hank Bauer, Yogi Berra and Johnny Kucks. Sammy Davis Jr. was the headliner.

The Yankees had just played a game against the Kansas City Athletics earlier that day. In celebration of Billy Martin's birthday, several Yankees players and their wives decided to go out for a night on the town, choosing the Copacabana, a popular nightclub, as their destination. The night took a wild turn as the players consumed copious amounts of alcohol.

As the evening progressed, the group found themselves embroiled in a brawl with some patrons from a nearby table. These patrons were reportedly members of a bowling team who had been heckling singer Sammy Davis Jr., who was performing that night. The Yankees players took offense to the derogatory remarks and a physical altercation ensued.

So, what happened? Some consequences. The incident garnered significant media attention and became a public relations nightmare for the Yankees. 

Yankees’ management, led by General Manager George Weiss, was furious. Billy Martin, who was considered a troublemaker, was traded to the Kansas City Athletics shortly after the incident. Other players faced fines, but the exact amounts and internal disciplinary actions were not always publicly disclosed. The New York newspapers had a field day with the story, which dominated the sports pages for weeks.

Mickey Mantle's image as a hard-drinking, fun-loving player was cemented. Despite the incident, Mantle continued to be a fan favorite and a highly productive player on the field. The incident highlighted the wild and rebellious culture within the Yankees clubhouse during that era, particularly among Mantle, Ford, Martin, and other players known for their nightlife escapades.

This story remains one of the most colorful and frequently recounted episodes in the history of Mickey Mantle and the New York Yankees, encapsulating the intersection of sports, celebrity, and scandal during the 1950s.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

BLASTING PETE ROSE IN A BOOK REVIEW DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT HE'S THE HIT KING!

I have to say I was looking forward to Keith O'Brien's book about Pete Rose.  Titled "Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball", it is said to be one of the best reads on Pete Rose, the good and the bad.  

I have been a longtime fan of Pete Rose. He was the guy who helped get me obsessed with baseball as a kid. Growing up in Kentucky I would often venture with my family to King's Island in Ohio, and it was the height of the Big Red Machine.  Reds' shirts were everywhere in the theme park because it was Reds country.  You couldn't escape it and I remember when I saw Rose play and hit and as a little boy there was nothing more incredible. A dude playing the game harder than anyone I'd ever seen.  It was quite a thing.

And so fast forward to one of the most ridiculous book reviews I have ever seen from Patrick Sauer of the Washington Post who found it fitting to insert his own personal view of Pete Rose into his review like he actually has the clout to bring his tainted opinions of Rose to the table.  In essence, I do not care.  

You see, when you talk about Pete Rose, you talk about hitting. That's when it comes to the discussion of baseball ability. Sure, he gambled and he's admitted it and womanized and hung out with odd folks at times, but it's the hitting that will always stick with me.  In 1985 he broke Ty Cobb's hit record and he'd go on to have 4,256.  An incredible feat.  And for me, that's what stands out most.  For some odd reason, or maybe he's just a foolish ego-maniac, Sauer thought it fitting to demolish Pete Rose as "as colossal jerk" and "I was 9, and I was right." Like... who cares.

Here's the thing; Pete Rose had many flaws, but who doesn't.  Ty Cobb was a racist son of a bitch, but he's in the hall of fame.  And I think about this ridiculous review and think to myself, if Rose didn't bet on baseball is Sauer still talking about how Pete was a Son of Bitch and adding his own personal opinions of the guy or is he passing on writing the review.  My point is saying every negative thing you want to say about Pete Rose, but in the end, he still is the all-time hit leader.  Meanwhile Rose must have kicked Sauer's dog or something because he's angry and almost obsessed with trying to publicly dismantle Rose. 

"Outside of a true devotion to the craft of hitting, there is arguably nothing admirable about the adult Pete Rose, and I barely knew the half of it before reading “Charlie Hustle.” (Even Rose’s nickname was derisive. New York Yankees legends Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle tagged him with it for trying so hard during a meaningless spring training game.)"

Sauer literally dresses down Pete for playing ball too hard and tags a few baseball heroes in there to make it seem more legit. By the way, Mickey Mantle was an incredible player, he was also a drunk and womanizer, but I guess Sauer can let that pass.  Again, this might be the worst book reviews I've ever read.  Sauer's personal antidotes offer nothing but an ego trip for the length of the article.

"One moment late in Rose’s career suggests that even his fiery love of the game had some fraudulence in it. O’Brien cites multiple people who say that Rose, while playing with the Montreal Expos, used corked bats. One of the people is a clubhouse manager (and carpenter by trade) who did the illicit woodworking on Rose’s lumber. It calls into question the legitimacy of the end-stage hits that Rose needed to surpass Cobb. I would now wholeheartedly argue that Ichiro Suzuki’s hits as a professional in Japan should count and that his combined total of 4,367 makes him the true Hit King, the one to uncomplicatedly celebrate when he’s elected into Cooperstown next year."

And the worst part of this article/review, whatever it is, is the constant pounding and this quest for influence like his opinions matter.  No Patrick, Ichiro, while incredible, is not the true Hit King, but there needs to be some kind of accolade for him. Pete is the all-time hits leader and its Major League baseball.  Ichiro's numbers are combined and last time I checked, Japan's league is not the MLB. Stop your forcing of rules to make your argument, you're bad at it. Ichiro had 3,089 in the MLB. That's just the way it is.  It's not that we don't want to count all of Ichiro's hits, but you are so big about following rules and having Pete Rose have integrity and how he needs to stay out of the Hall of Fame, but you're perfectly fine bending the rules to put Ichiro in as the All-Time hit leader and yet he didn't achieve it in the MLB? You're literally an idiot.

I like reading books to form my own views of the person being written about. I have to say, in all of my years of journalism, I have never quite read a more foolish article/review than the one that Patrick Sauer has written for  "Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball". And here's the worst part; he did O'Brien and injustice. I may never read it because Sauer tainted it with dumb opinions and ego. No one cares that you thought that Pete Rose was a jerk at 9.  I met Rose twice and both times he was fantastic.  And you know what? No one cares about that either.  Rose was a degenerate, a womanizer and got himself in a ton of trouble.  But he's also the all-time hits leader and yet Patrick Sauer cannot admit or praise the one single part that makes up Pete Rose on the baseball field.  

Pete Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame.  He's not a man of character. He's had bad judgement in his life. But at the end of the day, he's a Hall of Famer because of 4,256. That's it.  

Sauer can kick rocks.  

OGs IGNITE NEW PRIDE OF THE NEW YORK YANKEES

Source: The Washington Post

OG is a slang term for someone who’s incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school.”  If you don't know... now you know.

Earlier this week I went to Disneyland with my two adult kids for the very first time. For me, the mere presence of Mickey Mouse ignited the youth, passion and fun in me. For my kids, they saw Disneyland through a very different lens and perspective—transforming them instantly into Disney Adults who also turned back time to simple and fun despite the challenges they face post-pandemic. 

Source: Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

On Saturday, the Yankees held the first Old Timers Day in three years and that same kind of nostalgic feeling rushed through me. As Jack Curry said, "that tingling sensation" you feel when you remember what that player meant for the Yankees at the moment in time in the team's history. In particular the ceremonial first pitch by Ron Guidry to Thurman Munson's son Michael, sparked so many memories of that 1977 team, who won a championship after a long drought, 45 years ago this season. 

Source: Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

"The modified program had alumni mingle with current Yankees and coaches in Monument Park before their introductions to the crowd, performed by Michael Kay and John Sterling from behind home plate," reported MLB.com. There was no three inning game but the excitement of watching your Yankee heros make the great walk or trot from Monument Park onto the field can't be undervalued. “I remember coming here as a player and having the opportunity to see all these guys at Old-Timers’ Day,” Bernie Williams said. “I met Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford. We had an opportunity to meet them behind closed doors in the clubhouse. Now things have changed a little bit, but I think the sentiment remains the same," reported The Washington Post. The team elected to have a ceremony vs. a traditional three inning game given that players are recovering from injuries or recent operations.

“Unless they got an influx of younger players, I don’t know if the older guys can play anymore,” Ron Guidry joked. “But, if they have (the game), I’m sure the crowd would love it, so we’ll have to see what happens over the next couple of years,” reported The Washington Post.

A game is fun but it is the conversations and mentoring that can hold much more value for players. Research from multiple sources makes the case for committing OG mentors to foster relationships with your current employees or in this case players. They bring experience and wisdom and can share so many stories and tips from their vantage point, reflecting on their careers and the various challenges and successes they have had. Certainly having members of championship teams, even scrappy teams that somehow were able to overcome their obstacles to win can have a great impact on the Yankees of today. And it didn't hurt that the Yankees beat the Royals in grand style, with Aaron Judge hitting his 200th career home run and 42nd of the season. 

The OGs of Disney and of the Yankees can ignite your fun, passion, nostalgia, and your good fortune. And the OGs on Saturday certainly ignited a new pride for the Yankees, which I hope permeates the Yankee core to stay strong, hungry and persistent through the next couple of months. 

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

I AM NOT OVER IT - NOT SURE IF I EVER WILL BE

Friday night's game got to me. I am angry and depressed at the same time. Losing 2-1 to a team who has been nothing by a be giant gnat to us for the last few years just was too much. And don't let me get started about Aroldis "prima donna" Chapman. He is just awful, overrated and everyone just walks on eggshells around him to keep him locked in. I am not over it- not sure if I ever will be and perhaps you feel the same way.

According to the New York Yankees via Twitter, "Heartbreaking end to our 2020 run. It was a season full of unknowns and new challenges. Though it did not end the way we wanted, we're beyond grateful for the support our fans showed us along the way; and we hope to see your faces again soon." Sure, whatever, sigh.

On the day that the "Chairman of the Board" dies, we lose a 2-1 game. Whitey Ford might have been the best New York Yankee pitcher, ever. He was a the real deal. He led, he pitched, he won. He didn't complain; he pitched. He didn't need anything fancy, he was precise, and put his whole-self into the game. In 1961, Ford went 24-4. No one can do that today. Cocky never entered Ford's vocabulary, but it is all Chapman is. 

From day one, we all said it. Aaron Boone does not know how to manage his pitchers. And guess what, if it was not clear that this is the case before this ALDS series with the Rays, it sure the hell is now. "Part of the philosophy of limiting Garcia to one inning Tuesday was to be able to bring him back Thursday or Friday. But the Yankees didn’t do that. Boone’s bullpen of trust was Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman and Chad Green, who combined to worked five hitless innings in Game 4. And Britton and Chapman were not as effective in extended outings in Game 5. If you are trying to create a long pitching staff, then create a long pitching staff. If not, just start Garcia or Happ traditionally," reported the New York Post. I could not agree more.

And honestly, Joel Sherman sums up the season in one line, "This October (history) should inform how to build toward next October for the Yankees: More lineup versatility, more pitching depth and better overall defense." Drop-the-mic. 

I am not over this series, I am not over this season and I am not sure when I will be. I can say one thing, I am over 2020 and I am happy to move on to 2021. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

WHITEY FORD: THE G.O.A.T.

  

This morning, Yankees Universe got some incredibly sad news. Whitey Ford, Hall of Fame Yankees pitcher, the Chairman of the Board, the anchor of the Yankees pitching staff throughout the 1950s and 1960s, has died. He will be known forever as the most legendary World Series starting pitcher in Yankees history. He was 91 years old, a week and a half shy of his 92nd birthday.

Whitey Ford began his career in 1950, the year after the Yankees won the first of what would be five consecutive World Series Championships. That year, he would win his first nine decisions. He missed the next two seasons due to military service, but came back in 1953 to resume his Hall of Fame career. He pitched for 16 seasons, winning 11 pennants and 6 World Series. The World Series was his bread and butter. He was the World Series MVP in 1961, and holds the major league record for World Series Wins (10), Games Started (22), Innings Pitched (146), and Strikeouts (94).

 He pitched his final game on May 21, 1967. He finished with 236 career wins, and a career ERA of 2.75. In 1974, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

There is so much to say about him, like for instance the latest heartwarming story that he passed while or after the Yankee / Rays game last night with family all around. This Tweet from Bryan Hoch is sweet.

 

Whitey was the pitching legend of the Yankees that I grew up with, having heard and read all the stories about who he was and what he did. His name was right alongside names like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Joe DiMaggio. Today we lost a major piece of Yankees history.

Rest in peace, Whitey.

--Ike Dimitriadis
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon

A FIRST TIMER & THE OLD TIMERS

Last Sunday wasn’t a great day for the current Yankee Team. They were offensively flat, and quietly took it on the chin to the Motown Cats. Was it disheartening? Sure, but for me June 12, 2016 was my favorite day at The Stadium to date. It was the 70th Annual Old Timer’s Day, and the 1st time my son visited “The Big Ballpark in the Bronx”.

I’m a new dad. My little guy is much too young to know what he was seeing or even where he was, but that didn’t diminish the moment for me at all. Sure, as he gets older the games will be much more fun for us both, but for me this was a day that I’ve been waiting for my whole life. A time I’ve thought about since my Dad took me to the Old Stadium when I was 4. And how fitting that it was a day the Yankees celebrated their past.

I sat in section 108, Right field near Paulie, with my son and spoke to him about the heroes from my life and my Dad’s. There they were. 

We saw Paulie, Reggie, Goose, Sweet Lou, Coney, Dr. Brown, Whitey, The Gator and Matsui! 

It was truly magical. Yankee Baseball is a constant in my life. It is the thing that has always been there. Good years and bad, The Bronx Bombers tie generations together in my family.

Baseball is really a beautiful thing. Grown men can be kids forever, and play on Neverland’s Diamond. We sit and marvel at their heroics from the early days of April to the brilliant nights of October. A season is like life. It’s filled with ups and downs. There are streaks and slumps, a beginning and an end. As I sat with my baby boy I thought about how this game, this team has made my life better. The greats I watch and mimicked on the little league fields. The games I went to with my Dad, family and friends. The players I met and got to know a bit. And now I can turn the love of the Yankees to my son. He can begin his journey knowing the Yanks will always be there to bring you home again.

I have so much more I’d love to write, but as I sit here typing I realize that some of the feelings and thoughts I had Sunday are better left inside. Memories and moments that are just for me and mine. We all have them, and just taking a quiet second to flip through them like an old photo album is just a nice hot dog and a beer for the soul.

Thank you, New York Yankees, Past, present and future…from me, my family and my son, Mikey.

** The Greatest Club in the World. I’m so happy to be a lifelong member. We miss ya Yogi! **

  
 
 

--Mike O'Hara Senior "Features" Writer
Twitter: @mikeyoh21
 

 

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WELCOME TO THE HALL OF FAME, ANDY!

OK, so maybe not Cooperstown, but it is still worth mentioning. It is debatable if Andy Pettitte will ever make it into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown when he is eligible. The fan in me hopes that he does, but even if he never gets the votes he will still be included in another Hall of Fame, and it is still pretty damn cool.

It may not be New York related, but our beloved left handed starter is going to be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame next week. Andy pitched for the Houston Astros from 2004-2006 and he pitched in the 2005 World Series, where the Astros lost to the Chicago White Sox. He may have pitched most of his career in the Bronx, but he is just as admired in his home state of Texas and this is a special achievement for him.

Who knows if he will ever make it into Cooperstown, but regardless he has some amazing stats. His resume includes the Yankees pitcher with the most number of strikeouts with 2020 and he is ranked third in most number of wins at 219 just behind Red Ruffing and Whitey Ford and that is some amazing company to have. I can only imagine how those stats would be different if he hadn't left the Yankees for those three years.

Last season Andy shared a special season with Jorge Posada when their numbers were retired in Monument Park. He truly was a special player. I will always remember his time as a Yankee, and I will never forget that stare he had. It was bone chilling and down right intimidating. He was a gamer and I miss that spirit. His last game will forever be burned in my brain. I'm sure it was hard to walk away from the game he loved a second time. The most poetic part of that though is he left it all out on the field. 

I can't imagine a better ending than throwing a complete game in your last game in your home. It couldn't have been scripted any better even if it was in a movie. It is nice to see Andy get some recognition from an organization other than the Yankees. It is well deserved. So congrats on your special day next week, Andy. You deserve it!



   
--Jeana Bellezza, 
BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ 
 





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I FELT LIKE YOGI WOULD LIVE FOREVER

Today is the first day of fall, and news has broke, that Yogi Berra has passed away at the age of 90.  It's gonna be a strange day.  We all love Yogi Berra.  He is a staple at Yankee Stadium and has been for years.

I tweeted this about Yogi this morning:

Sad day in baseball. I just felt like Yogi was going to live forever. Rest in peace Mr Berra. You're a legend. #Yankees #BYB

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) September 23, 2015

It's my own mini-tribute and the fact is, to me, it almost seemed like the guy would always be around.  Ironically though, I remember when Carmen, his wife passed. 

I remember a conversation with Mike O'Hara, a BYB writer. Mike had "worry" about Yogi.  The conversation was... would Yogi be far behind Carmen? After all, those 2 were inseparable and it just seemed to make sense... Carmen passed... Yogi becomes lonely... the love of his life is gone, you think about if he will pass too. 

Well, it didn't happen immediately. Yogi held on, but no doubt, with Carmen passing away, his heart was broken. He still managed to pop into the Yogi Berra museum on occasion though.  He'd show up to Yankee Stadium a lot, although, some days he just couldn't make it.  Old age will do that to you sometimes.  But for me, strangely, I almost took him for granted.  It goes back to my original statement... I just thought he'd live forever.

Yogi was a fierce ballplayer.  He was a war hero... a loving father and husband as well as grandfather.  He was a humanitarian.  He was a good, good guy.

We will now have 1 legend from that era left. Whitey Ford.  Mickey's gone. Billy's gone. Phil's gone... and now Yogi.  It's unbelievable to think about Old Timer's Day without him.

It ain't over, 'til it's over.... and now it's over. Yogi Berra has passed away.

Rest in Peace old friend.

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub.

MEET THE BYB FAMILY: INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT CASEY

Yup, we're here.

This is the end of our series, MEET THE BYB FAMILY, and to be honest, I wasn't going to do this, but one of our readers emailed me to simply ask, "So, when are we gonna learn about you, Casey?" So, I decided to do this, even though, as you all know, I've built this site so my writers can become truly great and well read and we could express different and fun opinions. It's not so much about me. I know, I know, I built it, but I'm not "that" guy.

Anyway... I was convinced to do this interview and so here I am.   I asked all the BYB writers to ask me questions and we put them all together in this interview.  The questions were terrific and courteous to my privacy. I love them like family. Our writers are amazing individuals and I am actually glad I went through this exercise.  It was fun. 

Oh yeah, and if you haven't checked them out yet, be sure to read about all of our terrific writers here at Bleeding Yankee Blue:

• Meet Alexis
• Meet Dan
• Meet Erica
• Meet Ike
• Meet Jeana
• Meet O'Hara
• Meet Steve
• Meet Suzie

And now... here's me... be gentle.

BYB: What does the Casey family like to do together for fun?

Robert Casey: Well, our life is surrounded by sports.  So, depending on the day, that's what we will do.  My wife and I actually love watching our kids compete, but usually I'm the one coaching.  We like to take trips, to theme parks or just "adventures" as we call them. But the best time ever may be when my wife and I can sit on our patio in the summer, grill up some eats, have a few glasses of wine and let the kids run around barefoot with their water guns. We will chill and listen to some music.  A couple hours of that a few times a week in the summer is just perfect for me.

BYB: We know from past stories that you aren't a big Tex fan. He's doing well so far. Have your opinions changed at all?

Robert Casey: Mark Teixeira to me personally is like the dude you see on the train every day, but you never talk to the guy.  He's there, he's filler in your life and then he eventually goes away.  I am not a hater, I just don't feel like Mark Teixeira is a true blue New York Yankee.  I want him to contribute, I will root for him, I always have and I'm happy he is doing well now, but that's it.  I know, Mike O'Hara and I should be brothers.

BYB: Why do you like Ron Guidry?

Robert Casey: Ah, now that's a guy I love! I remember being a little kid watching Gator strike out 18 on TV.   I admired his stride, his balls on the mound and thought, "Wait, I'm a lefty, he's a lefty."  I was so taken by the way he handled himself, that was that moment that sucked me in.  I had longish hair like Gator, and I threw into a crate in my back yard for hours.  I wanted to be Ron Guidry.

BYB: What is your Yankee Dream Team of all time?

Robert Casey:

1B- Lou Gehrig
2B-Robinson Cano
SS- Derek Jeter
3B-Graig Nettles
Outfield: Joe DiMaggio, Rickey Henderson, Mickey Mantle
C-Yogi Berra
DH- Babe Ruth

Bench:
Don Mattingly
Thurman Munson
Alex Rodriguez
Tony Lazzeri
Dave Winfield
Jorge Posada

Pitching:
1. Whitey Ford
2. Ron Guidry
3. Red Ruffing
4. Andy Pettitte
5. Lefty Gomez
6. CC Sabathia 

Relief:
Ryne Duren
Sparky Lyle
Rich Gossage
Mariano Rivera

The truth is, no one has a "wrong" all time list, it's personal and unique to the individual.

BYB: What is your favorite baseball movie of all time?

Robert Casey: Bad News Bears. The 1976 version. It's the all-time greatest baseball movie. As a coach, as a kid that's played on baseball teams in the 70's, as a guy that's seen the disgusting politics of youth sports first hand, it's the most realistic film, minus the drunk Buttermaker. 

It teaches you lessons and allows you to see a transition of "not so talented" to downright confident.  It's that stuff that brings a dude like me to tears of joy, and that's a good thing.

BYB: How did you build BYB into such a popular baseball blog?

Robert Casey: Hard work.  When I was a kid, my parents taught important values to my brother and I. If you don't work for what you want, you don't get there. It's that simple.  No one hands you the keys... you need to earn them.   I always wanted to write, but never had the outlet. When I discovered I could whip together a blog, I did and I figured it would just be between me and a few friends.  It quickly became something more and I began to teach myself little tricks, unique writing skills and I found writers with the same dreams and drive as me.  We started making clothes and started really interacting with our readers. 

 We started to get to know the players, their lovely wives, the people over at YES Network and it was merely because we were friendly people with a passion for our team and for family.  If you told me 6 years ago that this was going to happen, believe it or not, I would have told you I knew it.  It sounds arrogant, but it's not, it's common sense.  I gained a good work ethic from my parents... they taught me I could do literally anything I wanted if I believed I could.  So here we are. Thanks, mom and dad.

BYB: You have allowed your writers to express opinions that aren't always popular, and you've supported them strongly. How do you approach it when they express an opinion you disagree with? Do you find it hard? 

Robert Casey: Disagreeing is a human trait, but if you find yourself aggressively disagreeing, it becomes worrisome.  I try not to take all this stuff too seriously, it's just baseball.  There are US Soldiers in the combat zone, families sometimes not able to make ends meet, sick children dying of cancer. Those are real problems... whether or not Stephen Drew sucks or not isn't that important to me.  If my writers bring perspective and uniqueness to their thoughts, agree or disagree, I will always champion that. They work too hard for me not to. I will always have my writers' backs.

BYB: When did you start writing? 

Robert Casey: As a kid, I always drew cartoons and wrote stories or poetry.  High School was filled with me being a part of the school paper or being part of creative writing classes.  I was once told by my creative writing teacher... "Oh, you're a lefty. You must be a child of the devil." This is true. She was trying to break me, though I didn't realize it at the time.  She then gave us an assignment; to write about anger.  I was so bent out of shape by her comment that my paper got me an A.  She later let me in on that secret... she got to me and I used that anger and expressed myself pretty good that day.  When I hit college, I took more creative writing courses and at one point I was the only male in the class.  It was great to pick up chicks, but that wasn't the goal.  The goal was to expand my mind.  I never thought of myself as the best writer, but I love expressing myself and I find the medium to be truly wonderful in so many ways.

BYB: BYB has done a lot of interviews with some pretty famous people in Yankees Universe, as well as folks that are just inspirational. Which one was the most exciting, the biggest score?

Robert Casey: I once said this to Greedy Stripes who was nice enough to interview me a while back. We here at BYB take these interviews seriously. It's an interview as much as it is a courting. We want to get to know these people. We want the audience to fall in love. I can't give you a specific name other than to say the people we have interviewed, the players that have given us time... that's very special and I appreciate them all very much. Put it this way, there are hundreds of other things they could be doing instead... but they interviewed with us. That speaks volumes of their character. 

On a personal level, I have really grown fond of the Hensley Family and we speak a lot.  Marci is a great mom and Ty and Jake are products of terrific parenting in she and Mike.  I can't say enough good things about them.

BYB: Who is the one person you haven't gotten that you wish you could interview? 

Robert Casey: We want Brian Cashman. That's the one I want.

BYB: What does the future of BYB look like? 

Robert Casey: First off... I can't believe we're 4 years in. We're almost to 5.  I didn't expect anyone to read year 1.  Remember, this was a gag that turned into something big.  The future? Look, like Derek Jeter would say, "One day at a time."  I have many family obligations that trump my BYB family and I know the audience knows and respects that.  Over time we'll find new ways to provide our information, but remember, I'm a suburban dad with no idea what I've gotten into here.  I'm just enjoying the ride, aren't you?

BYB: If you had to root for another team, which one would it be and why?

Robert Casey: My first "favorite" player was Pete Rose and so I would say the Cincinnati Reds.  For a short time in my young life I lived in Lexington, Kentucky.  While I was just a little kid and barely a baseball fan, I remember going to Kings Island on family vacations and seeing Pete Rose or Big Red Machine shirts and Reds hats everywhere.  Remember it was right around that big run for the Reds, 1975, 1976.  If I had to root for a team and never saw the Yankees, I would have been a Reds fan based on the popularity alone. There you have it.

BYB: What is the one thing you hope your kids learn from playing baseball?

Robert Casey: Respect.  You have to respect the game or it will eat you alive.  You have to respect your teammates or you get no support. Respect your coach or you'll be shown the bench. You have to respect your opponent and their skill or arrogance and selfishness will destroy you.  Respect the umpires or you're gonna have a real hard time out there. Respect the fans that see you play and remember why you're there... it's not for yourself, it's for your team and it's for those fans who come to see you win for them.  Respect takes you through life... lose it, forget it, disrespect others and you will be nothing.  Bottom line.  

BYB: Derek Jeter recently founded The Player’s Tribune.  If you could select 2 players to be guest staffers for BYB who would get the nod and why?

Robert Casey: CC Sabathia.  The guy has a huge heart. I love what he and Amber do for inner city and helping poorer communities and I know their values as a family are important to not only their kids, but for others.  He's just a terrific human being, a good person and a valuable part of the Yankees. If he's not there in 2009, we don't win the World Series.  People tend to forget that. He's a perfect candidate to be on staff at BYB.

If I had to pick a second, it would be Alex Rodriguez.  I am not a big fan of the guy, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't fascinated by him.  I want this guy to open up and really express himself.  I think that's all this guy needs! Stop hiding behind ARod.. be Alex! I know it's in there, bro!

BYB: There have been some great moments over the years, but as a fan, what is your personal favorite/most exciting Yankees moment?

Robert Casey: For a while there, there was only one that was my truly favorite and that was when Jorge Posada hit a bloop double off of Pedro Martinez to tie up Game 7 in the 2003 ALCS... the Yankees verses the Red Sox.  I'm a huge Posada fan and that was big.  

That's my moment and was my ONLY favorite moment until last year when Derek Jeter had his walk off in his last game ever at Yankee Stadium.  Anytime the hair stands up on my arms, you have me.  

BYB: Walk-up songs have become such a part of the Major League culture. If they called your name at the Stadium, what tune would you chose and why?

Robert Casey: Right this second? "Centuries" by Fall out Boy.  I made that song the theme for my little league team and on home games, they run out of the dugout to that song when they take the field.  It's become a part of my routine with these kids.  They don't win all the time, but this group of kids have heart... and that songs a pick me up and inspiring and hey, I don't even like Fall out Boy. 

I'm an AC/DC guy. I listen to Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Volbeat, Beastie Boys, Rush.  80's rock, Jazz, Metal, Opera.  My library is ridiculous. My life is surrounded by music. I'm digging Overlake right now.  If you don't know them, listen, they are terrific.

If I don't have my iPod, I'm lost. Anyway... now I'm rambling.

BYB: You've done so much so quickly with BYB and it sounds like your life is the same way. Where do you get your drive?

Robert Casey: I don't like to sit still and so, I work. I try to create. I've always done it since I was a kid.  I drew pictures or I'd make something.  I still do stuff like that to this day.  It's kind of how BYB was created.  But when people like it, I'm more driven. That's where the readers come in. You guys help me along alot.  All of you. I also get it from great parents.  You need to know your audience but you need to be grounded too.  I know both, and for that I'm grateful.  

This whole ride has been incredible.  Thanks for joining me.


Ladies and gentlemen.  Thanks for reading our entire MEET THE BYB FAMILY series.  We hope you enjoyed it.