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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WALT "NO NECK" WILLIAMS PASSES

What a nickname! And just look at Walt Williams and you'd know why he was "No Neck". The man was built like a compact bull.

The latest news is the baseball world lost another one.  Former Yankee, White Sock, Colt 45 and Indian, "No Neck" Williams has passed away.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, "Though he never warmed up to the name, everyone knew him as 'No-Neck.' Asked how he got such a nickname, Williams once said: 'Cuz I got no neck.'

Williams, who stood 5-6 and weighed 165 pounds during his playing days, broke in with the old Houston Colt 45s in 1964. He ended his career with stints playing for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees, where he ended his career in 1975.

Williams’ best season was 1969, when he finished sixth in the American League with a .304 batting average.''

Williams died at his home.  He was 72.

Rest in Peace my friend.

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YANKEES SIGN YET, ANOTHER CATCHER

The Yankees like catchers.  They like to sign catchers, breed catchers, release catchers and collect catchers. It's not a bag thing... it's just what they do.  The Yanks have signed another catcher, this one is Carlos Corporan.

Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish tweeted this:

Story on the Yankees signing Carlos Corporan to a minor-league deal: https://t.co/yA4MP7pn1B pic.twitter.com/5quUjbIzMV

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 26, 2016

Now Corporan spent time with the Astros, and last year with the Rangers.

With the Rangers in 33 games he batted .178 with 3 homers and 15 RBIs.  No question he will try and compete for the backup catching job.

Anyway.  Welcome Carlos.



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THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE PITCHING BOX

The Yankees have made a lot of smaller moves this off season, but the starting rotation has not been one of those areas of improvement. There are still a lot of question marks out there. The lack of of a consistent starting rotation once again makes the Yankees look like the underdog, but it doesn't have to stay this way.

The Yankees have one of the best bullpen's on paper. I would argue to say that the Yankees could have one of the best bullpen's for the season. The problem here is the Yankees need to be able to get to these guys with a lead and not burn them out. Last year, Masahiro Tanaka was not the ace we were expecting and CC Sabathia just isn't healthy anymore and he is the only lefty we have so that means even more pressure. The Yankees could (and should) look at some starters that are still out there that could be good insurance for the Yankees.

There are some guys available that are still looking for a new team that have flown under the radar and are looking for a rebound year.

•  Doug Fister

In 2014, Fister had his best full season of his career posting a 16-6 record and a 2.41 ERA for the Washington Nationals. Last year was not so kind to him as he lost a lot of his mechanics and was eventually demoted to the bullpen for the last 10 games of the season. Everyone goes through a rough patch, and the Yankees could help remold Fister and his mechanics. The fact that he was demoted to the bullpen last year would help the Yankees get him for a cheap price and....let's face it, he is durable which is already a big plus for the Yankees. I really think the Yankees could bring him back to his 2014 form.

•  Mat Latos

Last year Latos bounced around from team to team playing for three different teams. He spent most of his time with the Miami Marlins but also played with the Dodgers and the Angels. He finished the year with a 4-10 record and a 4.95 ERA. On paper that looks ugly, but with so much of that time with the Marlins I don't weigh in on that too much. The Marlins did not score a lot of runs, and finished with a horrible 71-91 record. Not to mention that this was the first year that he has had an ERA over 3.5 since his rookie year, so this year isn't typical for him. He is due for a bounce back year, and he is still a young pitcher so I doubt that he is regressing.

•  Kyle Lohse 

Sure, he is 37 and getting up there in age, but he has been durable the last five years of his career which would be great for the Yankees. Four of the past five seasons he pitched 180 innings or more and had a respectable ERA. Last year was not his best, he finished with a 5-13 record and a 5.85 ERA but maybe this is a sign that he is ready to get out of Milwaukee.

The Yankees could still make a relatively cheap, single year deal here and maybe with one of these pitchers. They may not be lefties, or a big name splash but these guys could still make a difference for the Yankees. It could be worth the gamble....if Hal wants to open up his purse strings. After all you never know what could happen, right?

Will the Yankees make a move? Who knows, but it is always fun to speculate. Is there someone out there that you would like the Yankees to look at? Comment and let us know.


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

BALLPLAYERS LOVE HAVING FUN!

Did anyone know that last week on January 19th was National Popcorn Day? Anyone? No? Well the YES Network did and did a cool story on Don Mattingly stealing a kid’s popcorn after tracking a foul ball into the stands in 1992. I love these kind of stories! While baseball is obviously a game to be taken seriously and guys get agitated and get into arguments and even fights, more often players have some fun and get some laughs and that’s another aspect of the game I love!

Whether its kids in little league wearing their rally caps or teasing the pitcher, or Big Leaguer's getting a laugh at their teammate’s expense, baseball is a game that is supposed to be fun!

Current Yankee, and former Cubbie, Starlin Castro, mimicked Kris Bryant last year after Bryant fielded a ground ball and threw it to first. This kind of on the field thing doesn’t happen often but it sure has us baseball fans taking notice and the look on Anthony Rizzo's face was priceless!



The Yankees have made the pie in the face a tradition after walk-offs, led by former Yankee AJ Burnett, and the tradition carries on today and several other teams have jumped on the bandwagon.

Sometimes even the on-the-field reporter gets in on the action!

Another thing ball clubs do is give a guy the cold shoulder when he hits his first home run. The Cubs Kris Bryant was a victim of this last May after being called up from the minors. Some of the players have fun right back though and give virtual high fives to imaginary players as they enter the dugout. It’s a right of passage!

Then there are the rookies. Aw, the poor rookies. They have it the worst! I was at a New Britain Rocks game against the Trenton Thunder about five years ago and the Thunder rookie pitchers were made to wear fairy wings on their way out to the bullpen while joined arm-in-arm. But the big leaguers get the publicity! Check out what the Cubs had their rookies wear as posted on David Ross’s Twitter account.

#rookiedressup pic.twitter.com/cEBRbeV2CD

— David Ross (@D_Ross3) October 1, 2015

Most of us also recall that the Cardinals and Braves rookies last year were forced to go get pregame coffee, in full uniform, outside of the ballpark which not only the veterans enjoyed but also the public who got to witness the spectacle.

So remember ladies and gentleman, and in particular you youngsters, that games are meant to be fun. Of course baseball and other sports must be taken seriously, but there is always some time to get a laugh and stay loose.

I’m looking forward to more of these fun moments as the Yankees season is about to commence. Until then, let’s see what Brian Cashman has up his sleeve, if anything, as we get geared up for baseball!

 
 --Dan Lucia
BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia




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IT'S ABOUT YANKEE HISTORY, MR. LENNON. NOT YOU.

I'm not a hater, so this isn't going to be some type of long rant, threatening a columnist because he has an opinion.  David Lennon of Newsday is very, very good.  He's just not looking big picture here and I am very confused as to why.

Apparently David Lennon admires the New York Mets for retiring Mike Piazza's number and applauds them for only retiring 4 players numbers in their short history.  The Yankees on the other hand he takes issue with... and I can only imagine he is fully aware of the Yankees history and the length of time they have been on this planet compared to the Mets.  I think he just wants to get a rise out of guys like me.  Well... he did it.... DAMN YOU LENNON!  Here's what Lennon tweeted:

Piazza only 4th Met to have number retired, which makes the honor more significant. The more numbers retired, it becomes less meaningful.

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) January 26, 2016

And Yes Mets fans, I understand Lennon has taken no direct crack at the Yankees... but we know who he's talking about.

Anyway...Confused? Me too.

The New York Mets are a relatively new club in baseball and by that I mean that they came to life officially in 1962.

The Yankees? They became a team in 1901 and through it all, they have had 27 championships with some pretty significant and great players.  In comparison, what do the Mets have? Tom Seaver, Gil Hodges and Casey Stengel and a bunch of decent players and a 1969 and 1986 championship.

So what's the argument Mr. Lennon? That the Mets are better because they don't pull the trigger every time a Mets player has a good run? Babe Ruth was special. Ron Guidry was too.  Jorge Posada was the part of many World Championships... Joe Torre managed great teams.  All the retired numbers of Yankee players have very important stories in our history. Not only that, when you see their numbers, YOU KNOW WHO THE PLAYER WAS. There's no debate... and you know what? That's what makes them great and them worthy of having their number retired.

Notice #2 in there.  It's coming. The point is, the Yankees history is much longer and much more significant, and not the mention, the franchise is more storied with great championships.  That's the bottom line.  It's so simple!

I applaud the Mets for retiring Piazza's number.  I think that Seaver's number being retired is great too, but the Yankees are a money maker and trust me when I tell you, after Derek Jeter, it's gonna be a long, long time before more Yankee numbers are retired.  That's why they are awarding plaques too.  That whole Yankee run in the late 90's cements it for a while.

Don't be a hater Mr. Lennon.  That way the Yankees have handled it is brillant actually.  I love what they're doing, they are feeding their fan base.

Have you forgotten? Baseball's a business.  The Mets should learn from that.













 
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TOP FIGHTS IN YANKEES HISTORY: #5-1

As I mentioned in the first half of this series, the Yankees have had some great rivalries, and most of us remember where we were and how we yelled at the TV when certain fights happened. Here is the second half of my top 10 fights in Yankees history.

5. Shelley Duncan and the Spring Training Melee

I cannot think of a single good reason why a fight breaks out in spring training. Veterans are getting their work in, rookies are trying to make an impression. Everybody's biggest worry is getting hurt and missing opening day. The last thing anybody thinks about is a fight. The 2008 Rays had other ideas. After a home plate collision a few days earlier, Shelley Duncan retaliated by sliding into second with spikes up. Tampa Bay right fielder Jonny Gomes charged in and the benches cleared. It was the birth of a division rivalry with the division newest member.

4. Alex Rodriguez vs. Jason Varitek

July 24, 2004, was a flashpoint in the history of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. After getting hit by a pitch, Alex Rodriguez started yelling at Jason Varitek and it was very easy to read lips ("F--- you! F--- you! F--- you, M---r f---r, c'mon!"). Varitek puts his mitt in Alex's face, and Alex grabs him in a headlock and throws him around like a rag doll. After Varitek was rescued by his teammates, a bunch of other fights broke out on the field. This fight was a clear indicator of what the rivalry with Boston looked like in 2003 and 2004. It wasn't as bad as 1976, ut it was intense. Do hard feelings linger? Neither Alex nor Varitek will sign a picture from that game. Tanyon Sturtze, who started that game for the Yankees, grew up in Boston. In an exclusive interview with BYB (read Bleeding Yankee Blue: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: TANYON STURTZE), Sturtze said that after this fight, he threw out a bunch of Red Sox memorabilia and despises the Red Sox to this day. Enough said.

3. Graig Nettles  vs. Bill Lee

Speaking of 1976 .... it started as a war of words. In 1973, after an altercation between Thurman Munson and Carlton Fisk, Red Sox pitcher "Spaceman" Bill Lee said the Yankees looked like "a bunch of hookers swinging their purses". Three years later, in 1976, Bill Lee was pitching against the Yankees when Lou Piniella barreled into Carlton Fisk in a play at the plate. All hell broke loose. Piniella and Fisk went it for a while before it was broken up. Then Lee got the brilliant idea to yell at Graig Nettles. Nettles knocked him to the ground with a single punch. Mickey Rivers and a bunch of other Yankees got into it as well. When it ended, Bill Lee walked away clutching his arm in obvious pain, causing the Yankees Stadium crowd to erupt in cheers. Was it connected to the 1973 comments? After the game, Bill Lee would call manager Billy Martin a Nazi, who responded by leaving a dead fish at his locker with a note telling him to stick it in his purse. Graig Nettles asked after the game, "I'd like to know, does he look like he's been hit with a purse?” Bill Lee was never the same pitcher after that injury. Those were the days.

2. Armando Benitez hits Tino Martinez

Armando Benitez came in to save a 1-run lead with two on when Bernie Williams sent a fastball over the fence for a three-run home run. Maybe it was the fact that the Orioles had lost 7 of their previous 9, or that they were in dead last. Regardless, Benitez lost his composure and hit the next batter, Tino Martinez, on the first pitch. Darryl Strawberry led the charge from the dugout and the fight lasted for 10 minutes. It spilled into the visitor's dugout, with lots of people getting involved. Most notably, Graeme Lloyd flew in with a wild haymaker, which earned him a loud standing ovation the next game he appeared in. Curiously, Cal Ripken was pulling people away from the fight. He was in the middle of his consecutive game streak, so I wondered why he would risk getting injured. Nevertheless, it was a stupid move by Benitez, even prompting some of his teammates to say the same. To add insult to injury, the next batter, Tim Raines, hit a home run. It was a nice touch. 

1. 2003 ALCS Pedro Throws Zimmer to the Ground

Betting on baseball gets you banned from the Hall of Fame. Throwing a 72-year-old man to the ground apparently does not. Roger Clemens was pitching to Manny Ramirez when he threw a pitch that angered Manny. If you see the footage, the pitch was high but over the plate. That little detail didn't stop Manny from walking to the mound and yelling at Clemens, who was yelling back. Benches cleared, and Don Zimmer charges Pedro Martinez. Pedro grabs him by the head and shoves him down into the ground. The fight literally stops and both Yankees and Red Sox players come around to see if Zimmer was okay. It drew universal condemnation from the announcers to baseball journalists all over. Even Mayor Bloomberg suggested that perhaps assault charges should be considered. Despite rationalizations from Pedro that he was trying to defend himself, absolutely nobody was buying it. It was an ugly game, with 3 separate altercations, and deepened the hatred between the two teams.

So that's it. I gotta tell you, recalling some of these incidents got me heated. And it's the offseason. So what did you think? Did I get it right? Did I miss any of your favorites? Let us know. 

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

THE YANKEES RELEASED SEVEN

(In photo: Teodoro Martinez)
Just a minor note, pardon the pun.  The Yankees have released 7 minor league players.

According to Baseball America, those players are:

(In Photo: Angelo Gumbs)
"...C Isaias Tejeda, 2B Angelo Gumbs, SS Bryan Cuevas, OF Jordan Barnes, OF Griff Gordon, OF Jose Infante, OF Teodoro Martinez.

Second baseman Angelo Gumbs, a 2010 second-round pick out of high school who signed for $750,000, topped out at high Class A Tampa in each of the past three seasons, but the four-time Yankees top 30 prospect hit just .208 in 678 at-bats in the Florida State League."

We hat BYB just wanted to keep you in the loop.

Carry on ladies and gents.  It's almost time for baseball.



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CAPUANO SIGNS & SKINNER POPPED CHAMPAGNE SOMEWHERE

Big news is you are NOT a fan of Chris Capuano like BYB Senior writer Steve Skinner.  Cap just signed a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.  According to several sources, but we'll go with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"It was a blast from the past Monday when the Brewers announced they signed veteran left-hander Chris Capuano to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Capuano, 37, pitched for the Brewers from 2004 through 2007 before injuring his arm and missing two seasons. He returned to Milwaukee in 2010 before becoming a free agent and signing with the New York Mets. 

Capuano went on to pitch for the Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees. He went 0-4 with a 7.97 ERA in 22 games (four starts) with New York last season and is 76-91 with a 4.39 ERA in 300 major league games, including 225 starts."

Right now, somewhere in New York, Steve Skinner has popped a bottle of champagne.  That's because both Capuano and his friend Stephen Drew (read DREW SIGNS WITH NATIONALS & SKINNER IS HAPPY) are no longer under Yankee control, or as Skinner would say... they're not our problem anymore.

Geez... who the hell is Skinner gonna obsess over now?

Good luck to Cap.  You did what you could in New York.  It just didn't work out.

 










 
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THE MUNSON-DIXON LINE

For you historians out there, when I mention the Munson-Dixon Line you most likely think, “That’s Mason-Dixon, genius.”  You’re 100% correct.  The territory dividing line separating the North and South during the U.S. Civil War (Or war of Northern Aggression, as my in laws call it) was called the Mason-Dixon Line.  However I’m referring to a lesser-known line in the sand.

Recently the Boston Red Sox held their annual Fan Fest at the Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut.  In my humble opinion that was dangerously close to being in the Yankees’ backyard.  The Bronx Bombers may as well have a Pinstriped Carnival and Charity Pie Eat in Hartford!  The Munson-Dixon Line IS slightly north of the southern part of the Nutmeg State.  Suddenly “R’s” disappear from the English language.  Bucky Dent and Aaron Boone pick up a very different middle name.  It is ENEMY Territory and if either fan base should cross said border…well, you shoulda known better!

The venom has gone out of the GREATEST RIVALRY in sports if you ask me.  The fire burns quietly…but it still burns.  It can spread once again…and I HOPE IT DOES.  (By the way giving Big Papi a day at the Stadium…WHAT?!  But that’s for another time.)  The SAWKS are over the wire here, ladies and gentlemen.  Their fans march south without a care in the world.  The Bronx is no longer Mordor or the Death Star to them.  They look at it like going from Adventure Land to Fantasy Land at the Magic Kingdom…and IT PISSES ME OFF!

I need a throwback platoon of players!  Guys that hold a special place in their hearts for Boston the way Nettles, Piniella, Goose and Munson did.  I need the aggression to return with vigor!  Can you dig it?  I KNEW THACHA COULD!

** THE YANKEES NEED TO LISTEN TO MORE OF JOE. PAUL, MICK and TOPPER aka THE CLASH!! **


 

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















 
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