RESTRICTING THE SHIFT HAS NOT MADE JOEY GALLO BETTER

Sometimes you just gotta understand when it's no longer working. Maybe Gallo should consider doing something else.

MLB restricted the shift for 2023 and Joey Gallo was relieved. Hell, Joey Gallo fans were thrilled. "He's gonna start hitting really well now, you watch" a friend of mine said.  I said simply, "I'll believe it when I see it." Well, I'm not seeing it.

Just so you know what the shift restriction was all about, The Sporting News writes:

"While the pitch clock has been the hot topic in baseball throughout spring training, there is another MLB rule change being applied in 2023 that will possibly have a bigger impact on the game itself.

That is, of course, the restriction of the shift, which has become a prevalent part of game-planning for MLB managers. Because of the constant presence of the shift in recent years, particularly on left-handed hitters, MLB instituted rules in 2023 to get rid of extreme shifts. That means players can't be dramatically out of position ahead of the pitch."

But what did it really do for Joey Gallo's confidence and career? Not much.  Gallo at this very moment is batting .185 with 11 home runs. In fact, just think about how bad this guy is. Since 2021, this guy hasn't hit higher than .185 in a full season of play.  .185 is the highest average he's had.  So riddle me this, did Joey think he would improve? Back in February 2022 he was hot on the MLB getting rid of it.

CBS Sports writes:

"Gallo... said he believes that MLB should ban the shift.

"I get the defensive strategies. I do. I am 100 percent not against that… But I think at some point, you have to fix the game a little bit…" Gallo said. "I don't understand how I'm supposed to hit a double or triple when I have six guys standing in the outfield."

Last season he hit 8 doubles total. Right now, he's up to 7.  I mean has he really improved?  

Look, I appear to be ripping on this guy for no reason and maybe I am, but it's just one of those things where you look at the numbers and realize that they don't lie.  Maybe Joey's done?

Put it this way... would you want this guy on the Yankees right now? I know I wouldn't.

Look, good luck Joey. I wish you well. I just don't think the shift was the problem is all.

"CONFUSED" BY FANS, HAL? LET US CLUE YOU IN!

Yankee fans are demanding. I think we are the most demanding, and I don't apologize for that. In fact, I carry that demanding title with pride and you would think Yankee ownership knows what we expect and shouldn't be surprised when we are upset. They shouldn't be confused either....but Hal Steinbrenner is. I wish he inherited his dad's pursuit of excellence. 

I look back at last year and think about how we won 99 games and the American League East. We are almost at the halfway point of the season and this time last season we were 56-21, a far cry from our 41-33 record today and that 9.5 games out of first place stings even more. This team underachieves in a big way....but Hal doesn't get it and he even admits that.

"I want to know what the vibe is out there, and I understand they're upset," Steinbrenner said. "I'm a little confused this year, being the third week in June, why they're so upset. But they're upset, and that's going to get my attention, of course. Everybody just needs to know that we're working hard on all fronts to get this back on the rails and start playing the way we were for a couple of weeks there in May," you can read more HERE.

This is where I truly miss George Steinbrenner's passion and I wish those genes were passed down to Hal, but they weren't. This Yankee team is off the rails because there is no leadership. Aaron Boone is a huge mistake and should've been fired a long time ago. He doesn't get the best out of his players and he doesn't get results because the Yankees don't win. They don't win because they can't hit. They can't hit because they lack the basic fundamentals, and they haven't been taught those fundamentals in a LONG time. This has been missing long before Dillon Lawson became affiliated with the Yankees but Lawson and his "hit strikes hard" mantra has proven to be a failure. He is "flipping over all the rocks" trying to figure out how to get the Yankees to hit. He can flip over every rock on the East coast and this man still won't find the answer. He is a terrible mistake.

We can all see that, except for Hal. He was asked about Lawson's job security and responded with "nobody's on the hot seat right now. Let's get through the season; let's see what happens," Steinbrenner said. "There's no way that Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo aren't going to start hitting, and the others as well, I'm sure. I think we're going to be fine. I believe we're going to be fine." I'd like to know where Hal got his crystal ball and physic abilities from because it's almost July and being 9.5 games out of first place is not a good place to be with hitters that can't put the ball in play. It is no coincidence that the Yankees and their .196 batting average rank DEAD LAST in the month of June for MLB teams.... but Lawson is safe for now.

If the Yankees get healthy in the second half of the year and don't make the playoffs, then Hal says "I'm going to be asking some tough questions" but I don't even believe that. It's all a bunch of talk but no action. There is no accountability on this team whatsoever, and with no accountability or strong leadership then a championship is just a pipedream.

Hal ended by saying "People can call me delusional" for saying he thinks the Yankees will be "fine." He is delusional, and insane because he thinks somehow this will magically get better. Even if we clone Gerrit Cole and make him pitch every day and clone a healthy Aaron Judge and bat him 1-9 this team will not be "fine" with the weak leadership around it.

Hal doesn't get it. He IS delusional. The Yankees are not going to be "fine" and "fine" teams do not win championships. GREAT teams win championships, and great teams have hot streaks for more than just a couple of weeks in May. Hal doesn't get it now, and I fear he never will.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

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STEINBRENNER & JETER HAVE STUFF TO SAY ABOUT THE YANKEES AWFUL SEASON

Hal Steinbrenner was on Michael Kay's show today. It was more of the same but one of the most important parts of it is that he's not too happy with how the team is performing and that he's now willing to make changes if we don't make it into the playoffs or aren't at 100%.  Here's a quote, courtesy of Empire Sports Media:

“If we can march into the playoffs 90% of our intended team . . . and we don’t perform well in the playoffs, I’ll start asking the questions even then.”

I mean, yes, enough is enough. Bottom line is this guy comes out before opening day and says we have a great and competitive team, and we look forward to competing in October. But here's the thing, you have to have a great team to even GET to October and year after year we are stumbling in and overmatched.

I'll tell you what, Derek Jeter chimed in to today with his thoughts on the Yankees too.

"They’re almost at the [All-Star] break, so there are a lot of games left," Jeter told FOX Sports. "I remember last year…when the Yankees had gotten off to the huge start that they had and they started comparing last year’s team to the ‘98 team. And I said, there’s a long way to go then, too".... But if things can go from overwhelmingly positive to disappointing in what seems like the snap of a finger, it could happen the other way, too.

"You never know what's going to happen over the course of a season. They’re just fine from a timing perspective, but I think it’s something they should take day to day," Jeter continued...

"I don’t think anyone in the Yankee organization is just gonna sit there and say, ‘Hey we just gotta get into the playoffs.’ I just think that’s the wrong mentality to have," he said."

Jeter speaks so well when it comes to this and he's right on many points, but the bottom line is you don't compile a great team in the offseason and then think you're not gonna make the playoffs.  While Jeter is right, day to day is how you need to think as an athlete, it's very hard as a fan or as a player or even the owner of the team to not think about being in the playoffs, staying there, and winning there.  Sadly however, the Yankees at this point may not even make it there.

BYB and Suzie Pinstripe asked a very important question in her piece this morning: CAN THE YANKEES WIN WITHOUT AARON JUDGE? If you read the comments on Twitter and Facebook, nearly every single one of you said no.  Here's the problem, it wasn't a question and then move on... there's an article there full of great opinions and info. Read it, cause there is plenty to think about.

But all the analysis in the world cannot be translated to wins for the Yanks. The Yankees have to dig deep and try and win.  IFK said it best:

“We’ve got to find different ways to win. We miss our captain. But at the same time we have to deal with the blow..."

Yup, you do Yanks. Find a way to win.

And by the way, don't you think for a second that I'm not rooting for Steinbrenner to make drastic changes once the season ends.  Sure, I see what Jeter is saying, day to day, but for the love of God, we're almost half way through the season and it's been pretty uneventful.  Disappointing.

CAN THE YANKEES WIN WITHOUT AARON JUDGE?

Source: Robert Sabo for the NY Post

I love watching Aaron Judge play. #99 absolutely keeps the game exciting, both offensively and defensively. He brings passion and life into the game. And although he brings that important positivity from the dugout, this team needs him in the lineup. Without Judge, the Yankees score 3 or less runs per game, and are batting an abysmal .230 team average and a .298 on base-percentage. The question on everyone's mind including me is, "Can the Yankees win without Aaron Judge?"

"The Yankees are up 11 games and counting since Judge landed on the injured list after crashing into the right field wall tracking down J.D. Martinez’s fly ball at Dodger Stadium on June 3. Of those games, they own three wins — a 3-0 win over the White Sox, a 3-2 win over the Red Sox and a 7-6 win over the Mets," reported Forbes. Count last night's 3-1 victory against Seattle, the Yankees have only won four games since Judge's injury. 

And what happened in Boston this weekend is just unforgivable. Getting swept by our nemesis in Fenway Park has not happened since 1976. Now, recall, that was a wake up call for the Yankees, who then won back to back World Series in 1977 and 1978. Yet, here we are in one of the biggest World Series droughts in Yankee history without our biggest star.

"The problem of Judge’s absence is palpable, and felt throughout the organization, although it’s most evident in the clubhouse since those guys have to compensate for the irreplaceable. They miss him, probably even more than the fans," reported the New York Post. Well, that's debatable. 

If anything is going to make up for the Judge void, it has to be good pitching, which the Yankees have had in Gerrit Cole and their bullpen. We likely won't see Carlos Rodon nor Nestor Cortes before the All Star Break. Could the Avengers assemble in mid-July? God do we really need to wait until then for Judge and the arsenal?

“We’ve got to find different ways to win. We miss our captain. But at the same time we have to deal with the blow,” said Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who scored the final insurance run after he singled as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning against Boston. “We definitely miss him. But at the same time, we believe in ourselves,” reported The Post. 

Can the Yankees win without Aaron Judge? In the words of IKF, they have to figure it out. Anthony Rizzo woke up in the game last night. Perhaps the shock and awe has worn off and the Yankees are on the upswing. But without Superman, Metropolis will never be the same. Let's hope they can keep it together until the big guy returns. 

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

AARON HICKS NOT HITTING IN THE BRONX HAD EVERYTHING TO DO WITH DILLON LAWSON

How can anyone be mad at Aaron Hicks for hitting well in Baltimore? 

If you are, and you haven't been paying attention to how lousy the Yankees offense is, then there is something wrong with you. 

Message to Yankee fans everywhere... Hicks got the treatment in Baltimore that he should have received in New York, a team that not only invested in him, but wanted to tweak him, help him make adjustments and let him implement them in game play. The result is a red hot Hicks. Meanwhile in Yankeeland, Dillon Lawson talks about "hitting strikes hard" and Boone suggests that the Yankees are playing well, but just not scoring runs.  I'm over it. You should be too, we have no shot this year.

Rotoballer writes:

"Hicks went 2-for-4 with a single, a three-run home run, and four RBI. The veteran has been on fire at the plate since joining the O's, batting .314 with three HR and 10 RBI in 16 games."

But why? Why is Hicks doing so well? Well, it comes down to solid hitting coaches, two guys that actually knew what he was doing with his swing.  The Baltimore Banner writes:

"Co-hitting coaches Matt Borgschulte and Ryan Fuller saw the most intriguing potential: with only a small adjustment, they thought, Hicks could get back to his best. “They feel like that’s what’s going to allow me to be the player I was three years ago...” (said Hicks)

“A lot of the technique that I used in my swing [in 2018] is what they’re trying to implement, or try to get me to get back to,” Hicks said.

Borgschulte described it as wanting Hicks to be in more of an athletic position in his initial stance and when his stride foot lands. Hicks said, to be more athletic, he wants to stand taller. By focusing on his posture more than his swing, Hicks feels his hands will have more space to work through the swing."

In other words, Hicks was asked to go back and feel like how he felt at the plate in 2018. 2018 was when Hicks was raking in New York.  But why was he raking then and not now? Yes, you guessed it.... it came down to making an adjustment. ADJUSTMENT.  I wrote the word twice.

And where are Dillon Lawson and Aaron Boone in all of this? It's clear the Yankees aren't hitting because guys who get paid to pay attention to this stuff are not.  Now say what you will about Fuller and Borgschute and their experience or lack their of. Truth is they don't have a ton. But there are 2 things they do have; they have the heart to truly making players better at hitting and they are truly technicians when it comes to approach at the plate. You have to applaud them. Why? Because the Orioles are playing well and when it comes to hitting, they are! The Yankees are not.

So yes, this is just another day of asking a serious question? What the hell does Dillon Lawson do?  Also... give Hicks, Fuller and Borgschute some credit. They took a broken-down Yankee with no future and made him confident at the plate again in an O's uni. Why? Because of a little adjustment.  

I'll put it here again:

"... more of an athletic position in his initial stance and when his stride foot lands. Hicks said, to be more athletic, he wants to stand taller. By focusing on his posture more than his swing, Hicks feels his hands will have more space to work through the swing."

Wow.

STANTON TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT, BUT WHERE'S DILLON LAWSON?

When players go down due to injury, other players have to step up and get the job done. It's what they get paid to do. And when they don't, fans get mad.  Well over the past few weeks the Yankees haven't really been doing too great.  Part of the reason is because there were a slew of injuries, including Aaron Judge.  It sucks right now.  But Giancarlo Stanton is there, and you'd think that he would be able to make things right with Judge absent, but it's not happening.

The New York Post writes:

"...he has been searching to regain any semblance of his timing and power stroke since returning from the injured list on June 2.

Stanton now is batting .119 (5-for-42) with 15 strikeouts over his first 12 games since making it back from a six-week hamstring absence.

Those numbers include seven hitless at-bats with one walk and five Ks as the Yankees were swept — 6-2 and 4-1 — by the Red Sox in Sunday’s day-night doubleheader at Fenway.

“I just need to find my rhythm, pick the ball up a little sooner,” Stanton said between games. “The reps help, but at this time, I don’t have time to just take reps to get them under my belt. I need to [make] an impact when I’m in there, so I just need to figure it out.”

Yes, Stanton does need to figure it out, but once again, the idea of a hitting coach looking at tape with the struggling hitter, the idea of a guy titled "hitting coach" to watch a struggling player's approach at the plate and help him understand adjustments has to be part of it. I have news for you, if Dillon Lawson is NOT doing that, the Yankees should consider saving some money and just eliminating the "hitting coach" role all together.

Dillon Lawson is a waste of money and ill equipped to do his job.  He's right there with Boone, both floundering at their jobs and yet, too arrogant to see that they are a huge part of the problem.  We wrote about Lawson in YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT YANKEES HITTING COACH DILLON LAWSON SAID AFTER SWEEP TO SOX. We quoted what he said, but we need to show you the video of this putz:

Dillon Lawson on the Yankees’ offensive struggles:

“These types of stretches… they’ll beat you up… we’re flipping over all the rocks looking for any little advantage that we can”pic.twitter.com/zFTAtjKRn6

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 18, 2023

Pathetic. He looks pompous, arrogant and most of all, drowning. Yankees need to adjustments and some quick fixes.  Sure, players need to take responsibility, but they also need someone to guide them, and they have none of that in the Bronx right now.

BOONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT NOT SCORING MEANS THE YANKEES AREN'T HITTING WELL

"For the most part, we've been playing pretty well, we just haven't scored a lot."

--Aaron Boone

Does this guy know what he's talking about? Look, by the eye test, by the fact that the Yankees are not committing a ton of errors, and the simple fact that the Yankees are hitting the ball hard, one can make the argument that the Yankees are playing well. But the fact of the matter is if we're losing games, if we're not scoring runs, and the fact that we are now 10.5 out of first place, the obvious notion is that we are NOT playing well.  That's just a fact.  But here is this idiot in his glory trying to get through the line of questioning on why the Yankees keep losing:

Boone says we’ve been playing pretty well, but haven’t scored a lot… 🎥 @YESNetwork pic.twitter.com/NzkNSRhnzv

— Dugout Station (@DugoutStation) June 19, 2023

Call Boone Mr. Softee. I can't with this guy. And same on Mr. Steinbrenner for putting faith into a guy that embraces amateur hour better than anyone.  This is a guy that isn't qualified to coach College ball. It's outrageous.  Having Boone as our manager is torture.

In contrast, here's some quotes from Casey Stengel when the team played badly:

"Can't anybody here play this game?"  And how about this one? "Don't cut my throat, I may want to do that later myself." What's my point? Boone doesn't take this seriously.  

How about Billy Martin? That guy wanted all his guys playing as hard as they could? Remember what he did to Reggie Jackson when he thought Reggie was being "lazy". As This Day in Baseball writes:

"Jim Rice hit a checked-swing fly ball to right field. But rather than charging the ball and making an easy catch, Jackson allowed it to drop in for a base hit. To make matters worse, he lazily picked it up and tossed it towards the pitchers’ mound as Rice coasted into second base with a surprisingly cheap double.

Incensed, Martin immediately yanked his sensitive slugger in favor of defensive whiz Paul Blair. With NBC cameras zooming in on the action, Jackson ran into the Yankee dugout. “What’s going on? What did I do?” he screamed at his manager. “You didn’t hustle,” replied Martin. “You have to be crazy to embarrass me in front of 50 million people,” Jackson yelled. “You’re not a man. Don’t you ever show me up again, you [bleep].”

Why can't Boone get mad? Why can't Boone show some urgency? Why are we soft with our leadership? You see Texas Coach Augie Garrido lose it on his players?

College baseball is officially BACK.

Throwback to former Texas coach Augie Garrido delivering one of the greatest rants ever pic.twitter.com/oPBgm9RguE

— Pro Sports Talk (@On3ProSports) February 17, 2023

That's someone passionate about this game.  There is no reason why a manager of a professional baseball team can't get alittle mad about a losing team.  Boone needs to rethink his role... because this garbage isn't cutting it.

Get mad or leave. We need to turn this team around and we need someone at the top who is truly passionate.

#FIREBOONE

YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT YANKEES HITTING COACH DILLON LAWSON SAID AFTER SWEEP TO SOX

Calling this man "dumb" is one of the biggest understatements ever. It is actually an insult because it doesn't paint the real picture here. How and why did the Yankees ever hire this man as a hitting coach?

When the Yankees hired this guy, I wasn't sold on him, and I was skeptical when we wrote CAN THE NEW YANKEES HITTING COACH TEACH THEM HOW TO HIT?  Well, now we've given the guy a shot and now after listening to the man talk on numerous occasions, I can definitively say NO he can't teach them how to hit and he needs to shut the hell up!

Strike one was his "hit strikes heard" philosophy he had from the very beginning. That was always way too simplistic for a team that always swings for the fences and frequently comes up short. There was no real substance to that statement and clearly no follow through either. Now that the Yankees are 10.5 games back in the AL East and were just swept by the last place Red Sox and are in a major slump, it's clear this guy has no fix for the Yankees offensive struggles.

And if he can't fix the Yankees as a team, how does he fix individuals like rookie Anthony Volpe? It appears he doesn't. He's struggling now and we all expected some bumps in the road for the young rookie, but I am not convinced he has the tools to help him succeed. One thing that stood out to me earlier this season was when he said "We care about winning games," Lawson said. "I really don't give a sh*t where we rank in offensive stats as long as we're scoring enough runs to win games… We have to do enough to win games. Where we rank is of no concern of mine, whether it's one or 30, as long as we win the game." You can read more on that HERE if you subscribe to the Athletic. 

That's pretty odd considering he is a hitting coach. Maybe he was saying it to prove he wasn't rattled by the Yankees poor start but still, stats for a hitting coach matter. A hitting coach's job is to get the most out of hitters, and that usually leads to higher that average offensive stats. Those stats in turn, helps the team win more games! Funny how that works, huh? Too bad it isn't working now for the Yankees.

So now that we were just swept by Boston and Dillon emerged from the visiting clubhouse to tell beat writers that the Yankees were "flipping over all the rocks" in search of the cure for the Yankees lost offense frustrates me more. What the hell does that even mean? This guy sounds just as clueless as Aaron Boone. Does he realize how stupid he sounds?

Keep flipping over those rocks, Dillon. In fact, leave no stone unturned but.... you won't find that answer. The answer could bite you in the butt and you still wouldn't know what to do with it! This man needs to stop talking and start packing. I'm over dumbass Dillon. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

WHEN BADER COMES UP, ONE WILL GO DOWN & YOU'RE NOT GONNA LIKE IT

Last week we reported that Harrison Bader would be up Friday for the Red Sox series.  Then it turned out he was staying with the Somerset Patriots for 2 more games.  We wrote and updated THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET BADER. It happens.  Now comes word that he may with back with the big team Tuesday. But who he is replacing may not make you happy. Rotoballer writes:

" Harrison Bader (hamstring) is expected to return from the injured list on Tuesday....The Yankees have sent down Oswaldo Cabrera to open up a roster spot for Bader. The 29-year-old is batting .267 with six homers and six steals in 26 games, making for an interesting power/speed combination. "

I've watched the fans on social media over the past few weeks almost appear to turn on Bader. Mostly for his lack of field presence and often being hurt.  I get it, but when on, this guy can do damage. 

In contrast, fans have a soft spot for Cabrera, a hungry young player with a dream to follow.  I get that as well... but right now the Yankees have to try and figure out how to get out of the funk they're in, and to be honest, guys like hitting coach Dillon Lawson are not helping matters.

Anyway... that's your Bader update, do with it what you will.

I'M READY TO SUE DODGER STADIUM, WHO'S WITH ME?

After receiving another injury update on Aaron Judge, I can't help but wonder how Dodger Stadium could possibly be up to code as our 6'7"outfielder flew through the 61-year-old fence and smashed his foot on the concrete floor after making a dramatic catch in right field. Doesn't anyone do safety checks out there? Did the right field fence pass inspection? Really? I am frustrated that Judge, our captain, in his first season officially in this position, could be riding the injury bench for the next 4 to 6 weeks and maybe nurse this injury for the rest of his career. So, my question is this, I'm ready to sue Dodger Stadium, who's with me?

Source: Sports Illustrated

"Judge had another platelet-rich plasma injection in the strained right big toe that’s kept him out of the lineup for nearly two weeks, manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees were hammered, 15-5, by the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday," reported The Athletic. “My concern is that it’s turf toe type injury,” said Dr. Spencer Stein, a sports orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, “which is an injury on the bottom of the foot, which certainly takes time. So they’re on top of it, which is a good sign, but they just have to keep an eye on it.” This is not the news any of us want to hear. Sure, we want him to heal and get the best treatment along the way, but with Judge absent from the lineup, it is a totally different team.

"The Yankees played some of their worst defense this season Friday. They were charged with two errors, but they arguably could have been charged with four — if not for some incredibly generous official scoring," reported The Athletic. And then there are the bats or lack thereof, putting more strain on pitching to cover for the lack of run support. 

Source: Sports Illustrated

"The Yankee offense has struggled greatly without Judge in the lineup, even with the return of Giancarlo Stanton. Judging from these reports, the lineup will need to snap out of their slump without their best player, as he will be out for longer than expected," reported Sports Illustrated.

So this begs the question, who is ultimately responsible? Does this go to the insurance companies? I mean Judge got hurt on Dodger property and now he could suffer from serious ligament damage while he was on the job. 

According to Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten, “He (Judge) didn’t go through the door, which is what I thought when I was watching the game,” Kasten said. “Then I got out there and realized the door doesn’t open in that direction. “He actually broke through where some of the panels were joined, the barrier between the two connecting panels. Which is unbelievable. But we’re going to strengthen that and add a strip of padding on the bottom as well.” In addition, the Dodgers also adding padding on the concrete portion in front of the home bullpen in left field "but that the Dodger Stadium fence otherwise is in good standing," reported Dodger Blue. Not sure what else could be done to one of the oldest stadiums in baseball and I am only half kidding about the insurance companies. 

Source: NBC Los Angeles

It is frustrating to get injured doing something you love. And if this does becomes a chronic injury, how will this impact Judge, the Yankees and their future together? Obviously, the team is optimistic that Judge will fully recover, with little to no impact. But, at the end of the day, baseball in general needs to take stricter precautions on ensuring that their fields are up to par and be scrutinized as closely as pitchers are for sticky stuff, pitch counts and balks are enforced, and fans are policed in the stands. Guys like Judge should not get injured like this. So sorry Dodger Stadium, you are dead to me. 

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

WHY FATHER'S DAY IS SPECIAL TO ME

This is a picture of my father as a kid in Bellmore Long Island. He’s just a kid that’s about to embark on a life he never knew he would have, but he went for it, fought for what he wanted in life, worked hard and in the end, I’d say he did pretty good.

Look, It’s not every day that a son can really sit down and write about just how special a father is to them. In fact, it’s pretty difficult when you think about it. Because you can have a ton of memories and good times, but to put them on paper…well, it ain’t easy.

My dad’s been involved in virtually every aspect of my life. Life lessons were big in my house growing up and if you didn’t get it and follow the rules, most likely you were out on your ass…at least that’s what he wanted you to think. It worked... I fell for it. 

It goes like this, my dad thinks he’s Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas, a tough guy, but he’s a pretty kind and levelheaded guy. He worked hard for what he wanted in life, provided and instilled the values I express on this blog every day. That's things like kindness and rules in my life. He taught to be generous when you can, don’t lie, be honest, have good sportsmanship, never take the easy road, fight for what you believe in and always be there for your family. But there’s another side… respect. Respect your elders, respect your peers, respect others and if there is disrespect toward you or your family, well, you have a choice to make. You can make sure they aren’t disrespectful again and you let them know, or you take the high road and walk away. 9 times out of 10, my dad took the high road. For me, I make sure these disrespectful people understand that it’s not so nice to be disrespectful….to anyone. That trait must have skipped a generation and went straight from my grandfather to me, but that’s another story for another time.

Since I was little kid, my dad’s coached my little league games, coached my soccer games and if he couldn’t coach, he’d be there anyway. I remember being at my track meets in High School ready to run my 200 and I couldn’t find him anywhere, but as I crossed the finish line, I’d see his fist pump in the corner of my eye. Now as I coach my own kids, just to see the smile on their faces knowing that my dad and father-in-law are in the stands rooting them on reminds me of my own childhood...it’s comforting.

We shared plenty of great moments watching sports together, plenty of great Yankee games and there’s no doubt watching Rudy together is a sloppy mess of us balling our eyes out. We both like to laugh and sure, between he, my brother and I, we try to see who’s funnier. It’s hilarious actually. But between the 3 of us, the emotions are the same, the traits are the same and I’m thankful for that.

Look, I wanted to be honest with you today. My mom and dad are pretty great, probably the greatest force in my life and if they weren’t there, I wouldn’t be doing this and you’d never be reading Bleeding Yankee Blue at all. Instead, I’d probably be getting into trouble somewhere, not driven, not excited about anything, not crazy about my family. But I am… and it’s all because of them.

Dad, Happy Father’s Day. I shoot for the stars every day. Not because I think I can succeed, because I know I can and that’s all because of you. Thank you.

This story was first posted on June 17, 2012. Today I felt it important to republish it on the pages of BYB again. 

Happy Father's Day Dad. 

THE IDEA OF 'TYLER O'NEILL TO THE YANKEES' IS A RIDICULOUS RUMOR DROP

We don't need another outfielder that's hurt, Jon Heyman.  What we need is a healthy roster.  That's the only thing holding the Yankees back.

Jon Heyman is famous for making up bad rumors to get you to click at home and wish we had something better on our team than what we actually we have, but in this case, this "Tyler O'Neill to the Yankees" rumor is kind of irresponsible and ridiculous.  You wonder why I get on baseball insiders for stupid stories? This is one.  Sports Illustrated writes:

"...One player who has been in trade rumors all season and could potentially be on the move is outfielder Tyler O'Neill. One team that reportedly has come up as a potential destination for the two-time Gold Glove winner is the New York Yankees, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman...

"If they do sell, free agents to be Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty should go. With their outfield glut, Tyler O’Neill is another logical trade candidate. He’d fit the Yankees, who could use a left fielder."

O'Neill currently is on the injured list but could begin a rehab assignment shortly."

Did you see that next line written by Patrick Mcavoy?  ON THE INJURED LIST BUT COULD BEGIN A REHAB ASSIGNMENT SHORTLY.  How in the world does this help the New York Yankees who are currently 10.5 games back in the American League east? And also, why do we need another guy from the Cardinals who is hurt. God, I love Harrison Bader, but the guy can't stay on the field. He's also an outfielder, as is Aaron Judge, hurt, Giancarlo Stanton, often injured... Billy McKinney and Jake Bauers fill ins, and Oswaldo Cabrera who is just happy to be there.  We don't need more broken-down players with "a chance" to play with us if he's healthy.

And that brings me back to Heyman. Hey Jon, just shut up.  It's tired now.