RIGHETTI'S NO-NO WAS THE GREATEST ONE IN YANKEES HISTORY IN MY HUMBLE OPINION

On July 4, 1983, in a sweltering Yankee Stadium, Dave Righetti delivered one of the most memorable performances in the storied history of the New York Yankees. On that day, Righetti etched his name into the annals of baseball lore by pitching a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox. The significance of the date was amplified by the fact that it was George Steinbrenner's birthday, making the feat not only a personal triumph for Righetti but a monumental gift to the Yankees' fiery owner.

The game began with tension thick in the air, as the Yankees and Red Sox renewed their fierce rivalry in front of a packed house. The Yankees were desperate for a win, clinging to hopes of climbing the standings in the American League East. Righetti, a young left-hander with a blazing fastball, took the mound with a quiet determination, unaware that history would soon be within his grasp.

From the first pitch, Righetti was locked in. His fastball had an extra zip, and his slider was as sharp as ever. The Red Sox batters, a formidable lineup featuring stars like Wade Boggs and Jim Rice, were left flailing helplessly as Righetti mowed them down one by one. The tension mounted with each passing inning, and by the time the seventh inning rolled around, the fans were on their feet, fully aware that they were witnessing something special.

Righetti's teammates, too, began to feel the weight of the moment. Yankees catcher Butch Wynegar, who was calling the game, later recalled, "You could see it in Rags' eyes. He was in the zone. I knew I just had to keep putting down the right fingers, and he would do the rest." The defense behind Righetti was flawless with his team backing him up in a wonderful display of defense.

As the game entered the ninth inning, Yankee Stadium was electric with anticipation. Righetti stood on the mound, just three outs away from baseball immortality. The first two batters went down quickly, and suddenly, Righetti was staring down Wade Boggs, one of the most feared hitters in the game, for the final out. With the count at 2-2, Righetti unleashed a wicked slider that Boggs swung through, sealing the no-hitter. Yankee Stadium erupted in celebration as Righetti was mobbed by his teammates. The final score was 4-0, a fitting conclusion to a day that would be remembered for decades.

Righetti, drenched in sweat and surrounded by a jubilant crowd, could hardly contain his emotions. "It was the greatest feeling I've ever had on a baseball field," he said in a postgame interview. "To do it on the Fourth of July, with my family in the stands and for George's birthday, it was like a dream."

George Steinbrenner, known for his demanding nature, was uncharacteristically emotional. "This is the best birthday present I could have ever asked for," he declared. "Dave Righetti has always been a special player, but today he became a legend."

But Righetti's story with the Yankees was far from over. Despite his success as a starter, the Yankees recognized that Righetti's electric stuff and mental toughness made him an ideal candidate to take over as the team's closer, a role that had been in flux. In 1984, Righetti transitioned to the bullpen, a move that proved to be a masterstroke. Yankees manager Yogi Berra explained the decision: "We needed someone who could slam the door shut in the ninth inning, and Rags had the mentality and the arm to do it."

Righetti thrived in his new role, eventually becoming one of the most dominant closers in baseball. He saved 46 games in 1986, a then-major league record for left-handers, and became a cornerstone of the Yankees' bullpen for years. His ability to adapt from a starting role to a closer not only extended his career but also solidified his place as one of the most versatile and valuable pitchers in Yankees history.

Despite his success as a closer, Righetti's no-hitter on July 4, 1983, remains one of the greatest moments in his career and one of the most iconic performances in Yankees history. It was a day when everything came together—the emotion, the stakes, and the history—making it a game that will forever be remembered in the Bronx. 

As Righetti himself once said, "No matter what else I did in my career, that day will always be special. It was the Fourth of July, it was against the Red Sox, and it was for George. You can't script it any better than that."

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

LET'S BE CLEAR; GALLO ISN'T STRUGGLING... HE JUST SUCKS

Big bodies don't mean anything if they cannot deliver. I've always believed that, yet, that's the trend it's going. I have a kid playing college ball. The path to get there wasn't always easy and most recently it became more difficult because college coaches are enamored with the big body and that's based on the recent trend of the MLB. Everyone wants the home run. No one wants to doubles hitter, the bunter, the Ronald Torreyes, the Willie Randolph, the Christian Yelich type. Why? Because they're small, or skinny or don't hit the go ahead 3 run home enough.

Baseball leaders today would rather you swing and miss than swing and single, as long as your velo is high, their thinking is "It will come."

Well Joey Gallo is in purgatory because of that.  He was never really a "player", he was a home run hitter.  When Gallo came to New York, I knew it was going to be a disaster.  People would tell me constantly, "Wait until 2022. He's gonna have a monster year, you watch." 

Well, I'm watching.  But more to that, just look at his career. That tells you all you need to know.

He is a career .203 hitter.  TWO O THREE. Think about that. How important is VELO if you can't hit a baseball? So when there are articles out there that suggest that Joey Gallo is "Struggling", I need to laugh. Boone tried to address it too. Give me a break. amNY writes:

"...Gallo has still been striking out 39.5% of the time this season. 

“I think the team Winning definitely helps big time, but you also have a personal expectation and pride,” Boone said. “Desire to succeed and be a part of this thing, which he very much is. It’s a heavy burden, especially when you’ve had success in this league and have been an all-star in this league and you’re not getting the results. Especially when you pour everything into it, which Joey does.

“It’s frustrating and I know it’s difficult and I know it certainly weighs on him and wears him. Unfortunately, it’s part of this sport sometimes and such a hard game, and such a game of failure. You have to find a way to figure that out.”

But the worst part of it all is talk. We're talking about struggle, but there is no solution, no progress, just talk. Gallo doesn't try to adjust and the Yankees just try and hide him in the lineup or give him a night off to "rest". Maybe, just maybe his big body isn't working as advertised. Maybe baseball's idea of the big home run every 10 at bats isn't a real thing because it means nothing if a guy can get on base and the next guy, Joey Gallo, doesn't do a thing to move him over to get him in. 

We've lost our way in this new baseball trend and clearly Gallo has too. Bottom line, he isn't a struggling hitter these days... he's just not good. And you know what? That's ok. The solution? Cut him loose. The problem? You can't get much for him, he has zero value.

My 19 year old's solution? "Gallo just needs to go to an OK team. He doesn't fit on the Yankees. He doesn't fit on a really good team. He needs to be part of a rebuild."

... and I happen to agree.

GARDY FANS, LISTEN UP! NAYSAYERS, YOU TOO!

Brett Gardner is likely the hardest working current Yankee.  At 36, about to turn 37 later this summer, Gardner has played in more games as a Yankee than most of the almost 1700 players that make up the Yankees all-time roster. As a matter of fact, only 17 Yankees have more games under their belt than the Yankee outfielder.  And one of those 17 gave Gardy a lot of praise for his time served as a Yankee.

"What an outstanding leader he’s been on this team. I’ve watched him from a baby and the way he goes about his business and the fact that he can do everything on the field. He can play defense. He can still throw. He can still run at his age, and the power’s there, too,” said former Yankee second baseman and spring training coach, Willie Randolph.

Randolph is a five-time All Star and played for the Yankees during two World Series championships, 1977-1978.  Randolph was one of the best second baseman the Yankees have had, turning incredible double plays with one of my favorites, Bucky Dent.  To have Randolph celebrate Gardy, is not only special but coming from him, a humble hard-working player himself, makes the accolade even more honorable.

Source: SABR.org

"When Gardner plays his next game, he’ll join Randolph and 22 others in the Yankees’ 13-season club. He’s already in the top 30 in a lot of franchise categories, as he ranks third in stolen bases (267), 12th in triples (68), 18th in games (1,499), 20th in runs (876), 21st in walks (613), 25th in doubles (230), 27th in hits (1,355) and 34th in homers (124)," reported NJ.com.

When you review all of those stats together, it really tells the story of a great player, one who has risen after injury, kept himself current, and can beat most of today's players down the base paths toward first base or any base for that matter.

If you look up the word grit, clearly you see Gardner, a guy who deserves celebrating.  I needed a feel good story today, and this one, really lifted me.  I hope it lifted you too.  Even if you are not a Gardy fan directly, you have to appreciate what he has done for his team since 2008 and how he continues to step up as a leader for today's team.  Now more than ever we need leaders who are willing to serve the team before themselves.  Gardy is that guy and he is more than worth the one-year extension the Yankees gave him.  Cheers to you Gardy.  Proud that you are a Yankee and you are a leader for this team, especially now as get ready to play post-COVID-19.  The Yankees and their fans need leaders like you to help us get through and make the 2020 season one of the best ever.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

SO LONG, MEL. YOU WERE ONE OF THE GOOD ONES

A quick and sad note and I know I'm late to the game, but I had family first yesterday... and in the world of family, and even Mel... it's understandable. He probably would have told me not to worry.

Mel Stottlemyre died folks.  A true lover of this game and an important staple.  An unspoken ambassador and just a nice, all around guy.  It's sad. Something you don't even want to write about, but you have to because he was so important, and just so special, he needs to be honored.

The New York Times always does this best, and so here's some from them...

"Mel Stottlemyre, the Yankees’ pitching ace in their lean years of the late 1960s and early ’70s and later the longtime pitching coach for Mets and Yankees teams that won the World Series, died on Sunday in a Seattle hospital. He was 77. 

His wife, Jean Stottlemyre, said the cause was complications of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer for which he had been treated for many years. At his death he also had the flu and pneumonia, she said. Stottlemyre, who grew up in Washington State, lived in the Seattle area. Stottlemyre made his last visit to Yankee Stadium in June 2015, when the Yankees surprised him by dedicating a Monument Park plaque in his honor when he attended their annual Old-Timers’ Day gathering. 

The tribute came after their former second baseman Willie Randolph received a plaque as scheduled. Stottlemyre, walking with the aid of a cane, told the crowd, 

'It’s been a thrill over the years for me to wear this uniform.' He said that if it was to be his last Old-Timers’ Day, he would 'start another baseball club, coaching up there, whenever they need me.'”

Quite the player, the coach and definitely the man. He will be missed in Yankeeland.  He'll be missed in this wonderful game of baseball.

Rest in peace, old friend.

2018 YANKEES: MORE TALENT THAN THE CORE FOUR

Source: Newsday

Many have compared the potential of this 2018 Yankee team to other teams in Yankee lore including the 1998 team (for which we will celebrate its 20th anniversary this season) and even the 1927 Murderer's Row team.  But Willie Randolph, the New York Yankees spring training special instructor and 1977-78 World Championship second baseman took this premise one step further.  “I really can’t say I’ve seen anything like it,” Randolph said Saturday. “I was around when the Core Four was here. I saw that mix. And I think there’s more overall talent here than when that team was coming together," reported the NY Daily News.  Now that's taking it up a notch.

Source: NJ.com

“It’s impressive. And with some of the established guys to take the pressure off, I really like the mix of this team. They’re going to be fun to watch," said Randolph.  So, if the anticipation for the start of the season wasn't enough after this long winter's drought, we have Randolph giving us even more of a reason to be excited.

Source: KIM KLEMENT/USA TODAY SPORTS

Last year's team, which wasn't supposed to do much, scored 858 runs, second only to the Houston Astros and this was without powerhouse Giancarlo Stanton.  Let your mind wander how many runs we could potentially score in 2018 with Stanton, Aaron Judge, Miguel Andujar, Brandon Drury, Gleyber Torres and newly acquired Adam Lind.  The Yankees are stacked, so opponents beware. The 1998 team scored 965 runs and the 2009 team 915 runs.  The belief is that the 2018 team could score more runs than each of these two teams.  They were both young teams that worked together cohesively and weren't "me"kids but rather "us" kids, something that Randolph pointed out with the 2018 team.

“These young guys have all been brought up in the organization in a way where I don’t hear a lot of “me," said Randolph.  This type of collaborative culture is evidenced by Judge's humble presence and the team's thumbs down cheer in 2017.

Could the 2018 Yankees be better than the Core Four who were much more than hitting, but stellar pitching too?  The talent and potential are there.  All that's left is execution.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof 

THE TURN-TWO TWINS: CASTRO AND DIDI

Despite the disappointment of the 2016 season and not making the playoffs, I think we all got to see some amazing things from our rookies and the future looks bright. There is a lot of discussion about Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge, and Tyler Austin. One thing that doesn't get enough press is the middle infield tandem of Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro. They have worked well together this season, and they've been productive with their bats.

Their hitting statistics are strikingly similar. Starlin Castro had a typical year for him with a slash line of .272/.302/.436 and an OPS of .739, which was only a few points off of his career numbers. Gregorius had a slash line of .275/.304/.448 with an OPS of .752. That was a significant jump off his career totals. Maybe Castro had a positive effect on him. Maybe Didi is coming into his own as a shortstop. Whatever it is, it's good to see him raising the level of his game.

When you think second base and shortstop, you typically think defense. They are both key defensive positions. They do not disappoint in this category either. Both of them are within single points of the league average fielding percentage, Didi with a .947 (league average is .976) and Castro with a .980 (league average is .983). Throughout the season, their timing seemed to get better with backing each other up and executing on double plays. Next year very well could be the year we have the next 2B/SS combo in a long line of Yankee greats that include Derek Jeter/Robinson Cano and Willie Randolph/Bucky Dent.

Every championship team has certain key ingredients that make it great. Infield defense is always one of them, and it's one that usually goes unnoticed. With the pair of Gregorius and Castro, this looks like a very good base to build an infield around.

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @KingAgamemnon

HONORING MEL STOTTLEMYRE DEFINES YANKEE CLASS

It was nice to see Willie Randolph honored today.  I liked him as a player, I admired him as a manager.  To be perfectly honest, I met Willie one time and I wasn't over pleased with that meeting.  He seemed alittle irritated, but I chalked it up as a bad day.  I don't hold that against him... I'm sure shaking hands with fans can be annoying sometimes, I get it, and so, I ignored it.  That being said, I had to get that off my chest.

It didn't change the fact that I loved that the Yankees honored him today. It was the right thing to do, he was a good Yankee, bottom line.

I was equally pleased to see that the Yankees snuck one by all of us today as well, honoring Mel Stottlemyre, a guy that was a staple for the Yankees as a player, and equally so as a coach during the Torre era.  In short, he's contributed huge to the Yankees for a long, long time... and today, to see him standing there being honored, brought a flutter to my heart.  He stood there, battling cancer, being honored in front of all of us and I became sad.  He's a great man.  He's a solid human being and it was the right thing to do.  I tip my cap to the Yankees... they did it right.

Old Timer's day was also terrific, as it always is.  Players of yesteryear come out and wave and then try to play, some way older than we all thought... some young as hell still, and we can't get passed the fact that they are even there. 

I mean, does Rickey Henderson age? Honestly. 

Suzie Pinstripe even texted me at one point, knowing that I love Ron Guidry.  "It's great seeing Guidry on the mound." No doubt... Gator was my childhood. And seeing all these guys our there was, and is, the coolest thing ever. But I have to admit, just when I get disgusted by something the Steinbrenners do, I smile again when they do something truly great like they did today, with Mel Stottlemyre, surprising him with a plaque in Monument Park for all he's given the Yankees over the years.  It was a class act, a brilliant move and well deserved. It made Old Timer's Day and Willie Day alittle greater.

Gotta love it.

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WILLIE'S DAY

Today, in addition to it being Old Timers Day at the Stadium, there will be a dedication ceremony in Monument Park for one of my all-time favorite Yankees – Willie Randolph.

(In Photo: Horace Clarke)
Ironically, the Yankees of my “formative years” were the ones that marked the beginning of the Steinbrenner era.  The earliest teams I remember rooting for had players like Ron Blomberg, Horace Clarke, Celerino Sanchez, and Jim Mason littering the lineup.  While the 1972 through 1975 teams only had a losing record once, they never reached the post-season, and I can remember my frustration as I witnessed them limping through season after season.

At the time, I most identified with the second basemen.  It was the position I played in Little League, and then High School / Babe Ruth.  I’d watch their positioning in the field and how they handled double-play turns, and then attempt to duplicate it in the fields where I played.  Unfortunately for me, even though I was a good “glove man” like the players I watched, I also hit like they did.  Clarke (.257 with 27 HR in 10 seasons with Yankees) and Sandy Alomar (.248 in 3 seasons in the Bronx) were mediocre batsmen at best, and they both manned second in the “lean years” of the early 70’s.

It’s no coincidence that when Willie Randolph came along, the organization’s fortunes changed.  From the moment I saw him play for my favorite team, I knew he was a ball player I could identify with.

Acquired in a trade with the Pirates in the off season prior to the 1976 campaign, he went about his business quietly and professionally – staying out of the limelight that people like Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin thrived in.  From 1976 through 1988 Willie was the Yankees’ rock at second base, hitting .275, stealing 251 bases (75% success rate), and scoring 1027 runs while playing solidly in the field (.980 fld pct).

During that time, the team had a losing record just once, and from ’76 through ’81 appeared in three World Series (winning 2 – in 1977 and ’78).   As a 5-time All-star with the Yankees, he projected class on a team known then as “The Bronx Zoo”.

He would go on to try his hand at managing with the New York Mets, and in a little less than 4 seasons compiled 302 wins and a .544 winning percentage (winning the NL East and losing the NLCS to the Cardinals 4 – 3 in 2006).  Simply put, Willie Randolph is a winner and someone kids everywhere should emulate.

Some may question why he is getting a plaque on Saturday, but those of us who rooted for the Yankees and watched them play in the mid-1970’s know what Randolph meant to the team.  With the turmoil generated by, and the volatility of Reggie, Billy, Goose, Cliff Johnson, and George Steinbrenner, Willie Randolph provided the calming balance and steady play the team needed to survive. 

He never drove in – or scored - 100 runs, never hit more than 7 home runs, and only once led the league in a category (119 walks in 1980), but Willie represented the best of the Yankees team that won back-to-back World Championships in 1977 and ’78. He deserves his spot with other teammates from that era (Munson, Jackson) on the cherished wall in Monument Park.

Congrats Willie, you have earned all that you receive on Saturday.


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--Steve Skinner, BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

 

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REPORT: MORE RETIRED NUMBERS ARE COMING

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News just dropped this Tweet:

According to a source, plans are also in the works to honor Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada this season, with 51 & 20 likely to be retired.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) February 16, 2015

Now, that's not just a Tweet from Feinsand... it's a bomb, and if it's true, you will get alot of mixed feelings about what exactly the Yankees are doing retiring everyone's numbers these days.  There is likely going to be fan arguments on whose numbers deserve to be retired and whose doesn't, and trust me... I get that. 

In fact, even after we posted: NEWS OF THE RETIRING OF PETTITTE'S 46 CAME FROM HIS PROUD SON, Facebook friend Mike had something quickly to say about it:

He makes a great point, he really does.  Many fans don't see the retiring of certain guys as a good thing, but in fact, a bad thing. That's because to them, it's an opening of a can of worms. It can also be perceived as a cash grab for the Yankee wallets. Trying to cram everyone into their stadium, resell #46, #2, #20, #42 and #51 to profit more on these fine players and they ultimately will increase ticket sales this season.  Other fans, may just love the idea. But the debate comes when the Yankees decide to put questionable players' numbers into retirement.  Willie Randolph? Wade Boggs?  David Cone? How about Mike Mussina?  In other words, the debate is coming and if that Feinsand source is true, it will be fierce.

Look, I'm a Posada guy personally, and for the Core Four, the Fab 5, which includes Bernie, maybe they should all be in there, almost like a new generation of champions like Mickey and Whitey before them... but it DOES start to get hairy... no question about it.

We'll have more on this Feinsand Tweet once we figure out if it's true... stay tuned.

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HONORING RANDOLPH IS BETTER THAN HIM COACHING

I'm looking at our coaching staff and while many don't like it, I do. Jeff Pentland and Alan Cockrell have terrific reputations around MLB and the Yankees were smart to bring 2 hitting coaches in.  With the hitting we didn't do in 2014, having a couple guys with their type of experience around the clubhouse can really make a difference.  That's what I told Ricky Keeler last night on Yanks Go Yard Radio and I really believe that.

Now there's been plenty to be said about bringing Willie Randolph in to coach, if not for hitting, then for the first base gig.  Look, when it comes to Willie Randolph, a guy I admired for a long, long time, I didn't feel it necessary for him to be a coach with the New York Yankees.  There... I said it.

No beef with Willie here, but I'm going to suggest that I like what they may do for Willie instead... honor him.

Hal Steinbrenner was asked about Willie Randolph the other day and he said this about perhaps honoring him, much like they did Tino Martinez and Paul O'Neill. This is courtesy of YES:

"... Willie is important to all of us. We know what he meant to the franchise, and he's always been one of my favorite players growing up. So I think you can look for something in the future, yes, absolutely. He's earned it."

That's true. Now we all know by now that Willie was upset that he wasn't chosen as a coach.  He's a good dude, a smart baseball mind and probably deserved it.  Randolph said this to Andrew Marchand of ESPN:

"I was disappointed because I wanted that opportunity to come back to the team that I love and help them get back to a world championship, like I've always done... Anytime you put your name in the pot for a job like this, you hope that you get it. So when it doesn't happen, you are a little disappointed." 

Do I feel bad for the guy? Maybe, maybe not. I mean, having Randolph there would have been fun, but it's not exactly necessary.  Plus, I think I like what the Yankees are considering doing for Willie anyway. Honoring him kind of cements his legacy with the Yankees. They'll hopefully one day give Willie a day and he'll end up being in monument park with a plaque...hopefully at least.

A former co-captain with my hero, Ron Guidry and a big part of 2 Yankee championships in the 70s. You can't help but applaud the guy.  I like that a helluva lot better than forcing him into the coaching office, just because he's Willie.

In the end, Willie will be back in the dugout one day and when it happens, good for him, but right about now? No need ladies and gentlemen. We have selected good coaches. We actually have a very good coaching staff, and it gets me all excited for Spring Training... how about you? Do you agree? Disagree? Tell me why... comment.




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WILLIE RANDOLPH OUT! JOE ESPADA IN!

All that talk about Willie Randolph coming back to the Yankees as a coach was exactly what it was... talk.

You have to assume Randolph and the Yankees just couldn't come together on what position (hitting or first base coach) he should come back as. Maybe they debated salary or years... whatever it was, it just didn't happen.  Hey, maybe Randolph wasn't even really interested.  We'll never know...

What we do know is the Yankees have named Joe Espada as their infield coach.  That comes from Jack Curry of YES.

Source: Joe Espada will be Yankees' infield coach. He was major league scout for the Yanks last year. Before that, was 3B coach for Marlins.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 11, 2015

Willie Randolph had interviewed with Yankees for coaching position, but Joe Espada got the infield coaching gig.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 11, 2015

Curry was the same guy who reported that the Yanks were close to naming Hitting coach Jeff Pentland and assistant hitting coach, Alan Cockrell. That's now official. Read LOOKS LIKE YANKS MAY HAVE THEIR HITTING COACH...ES

For those of you that don't know Cockrell, you gotta check this out.  Hitting is such and art and watching him and his videos are terrific.



Plus, the dude still looks like he can play.

Anyway. Too bad about Willie.  Congrats to what appears to be our new coaches... Joe Espada, Jeff Pentland and Alan Cockrell.



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