THIS IS THE END!

Do you like Prince?  Seriously, are you a fan of the little, purple clad man from Minnesota?  I’m not.  I FULLY admit that he is extremely talented as a singer, songwriter, performer and producer (HE IS AN ATROCIOUS ACTOR).  He is just not my thing.

I change the station when I hear his music playing, and it's my choice to do so. I can see talent and still not be a fan.  Mark Teixeira is my Big League equivalent of Prince.

I don’t love Mark Teixeira.  That’s it.  There is nothing else to say.  I cheer for him when he is on the field because he plays for the New York Yankees.  I have absolutely admitted being wrong about his fading ability to hit the baseball with power.  I recently wrote a piece that clearly stated my faults in targeting Tex too soon.  I then stated that I have NO IDEA how much Mark is hurting.  

Apparently a reader named pethealer wasn’t a fan of my questioning Tex and needed to call this humble blogger an idiot:

"This injury is hardly a "boo boo' you idiot and you must be a real jerk to think that Tex actually wants to sit out these games during this important part of the season."

An idiot?  I’m not sure if that’s accurate, but I know I’m no coward.  You know the type the folks that take “brave” shots at people via the Worldwide Web.  Those guys are the best aren’t they?  Yes? No? What would I know…I just might be an idiot?  I wish him or her or whatever pethealer is, the best with their pet healing and all they have going on.  It’s not personal on my end that's for sure.

Many are aware that my favorite Yankee was Paul O’Neill.  Sure, he is an Irishman, but it was more than that.  Paul was the Warrior.  I have a friend who knew many of the guys on the 1996 and 1997 teams.  They all said that the hamstring O’Neill played on in Atlanta in the ’96 Series and in the ’97 ALCS game in Cleveland would have been hard to walk on let alone play on.  But Paulie did.  Is that to say that Mark Teixeira should be more like O’Neill and play through his bone bruise?  NO. I am not saying that at all.  Mark is clearly hurting.  But Tex isn’t like Paulie.  That’s all I’m saying.  If you disagree that is your right.  Do I need to call you an idiot?  Nope.  Why? It’s because the right you have your opinion.  Would anyone ever call Tex a warrior? I doubt it, but believe it if it floats your boat.

Why is it so insane to not be a fan of the Yankee first baseman?  Again, he has had a tremendous bounce back season.  I WILL NOT WRITE IT AGAIN.  He is STILL a defensive whiz! The best goalie in New York behind King Henrik, and I’d pay to see Tex between the pipes.  Tex is a really good ballplayer.  He has had tough injuries to comeback from, A LOT.  I grant him the wrist for sure!  What else can I give you to have you rest easy in the knowledge that Mark is great at what he does…when he is on the field.

Recently my friend Jenna Bellezza wrote a piece defending Tex and my right to blast him, though I have hardly been blasting him this year.  I appreciate that she is a fan of #25 and backs her guy.  If someone was taking O’Neill to the woodshed, I’m sure I’d do the same.  But Paulie never needed a “Lawyer”.  He didn’t.  He was there day in, day out.  He fought through injuries and slumps.  He was a leader Yankee fans won’t ever forget.  Is it unfair to compare the two men?  I don’t know…I’m no pet healing, master of the universe.  What I’m trying to say is that I just don’t think Tex is a that type of Yankee.  That’s all.  He is a really good player.

He seems to be a good person and a nice guy…but he’s not my favorite.  I don’t wish him harm.  Yeah, I like Greg Bird.  Should he replace Tex now? No.  Will he soon?  I think he will.

This is baseball.  We chat it up and go back and forth because it’s fun.  It’s not personal and it's not supposed to be, EVER.  We have our own heroes and villains.  We see the action on the diamond through our OWN eyes.  Nothing is universally right and nothing is universally wrong when it comes to the fan opinion. That's what BYB brings every day!

Baseball is the American Pastime and it truly is a grand game.  Grown men get to be kids for their whole careers.  We get to cheer and boo and watch the poetry of 9 innings like listening to our favorite albums.  We remember where we were and who we were with when one of the “Boys of Summer” makes history.  Baseball is a good thing, maybe the best of things.  It’s truly America in every way. It has ups and downs, wins and losses, defeats and comebacks and opinions. All of them passionate, and that is the good stuff.

I’m not going to write about Tex anymore this year. That's it.  You all know how I feel about him by now.  I hope he returns and helps the Yanks get back to the Post Season and beyond.  I will cheer for him to be at his best every game and every at bat.  Do I think Mark is a kin to the Yankees of old?  Nope.  And that’s just one man’s opinion…but I’m an idiot so take it with a grain of salt and enjoy your day.

Go Yankees.

** Here’s some Prince for my pal the Pethealer.  No hard feelings. **





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

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PACKING BAGS FOR NEW ADVENTURES...

But never letting go of their sports roots!

Last week, I took by first born to college.  He is a freshman at Syracuse University in upstate New York.  He is joining more than 3300 freshman representing 45 states and several different countries according to University statistics.  As I watched the college newbies pushing carts of their stuff from their cars to the dorm elevators, I couldn't help but take a peek at the sports teams represented.  Now with 45 states of kids converging into the different dorms across the vast campus, of course we are going to see a number of teams, we as Yankee fans, don't like, however what I do like is that even though these kids are leaving home, they have not left their sports roots behind.

My son, packed some key sports memorabilia, from Derek Jeter's final goodbye to fans given out at his last home game to his Yankee travel mug along with his Giants and Islanders pennants and his own baseball bag filled with all the essentials to try out for Syracuse's club baseball team.  It felt good to see him bring his sports roots and adorn his room with them.

Downstairs from my son was a son of another family who showed his pride for his home state of Maryland.  If you have ever seen the Maryland flag, you know its prominent and loud decor screaming "look at me".  This room was all decked out in Maryland flare and of course that means, Baltimore Oriole orange and black.  My son laughed, A: because he is a Yankee fan and B: because he isn't from Maryland but sort of gets a kick out of their flag.

My friends' kids, who are attending other universities across the Northeast, brought their favorite sports decor.   I saw shots of Phillies and Red Sox items purposely placed on the dorm walls.  No I don't like those teams, but yes, I like what they represent for these kids: Their Sports Roots.  At a time where things are so complex between fatal shootings of innocent people, economic "mood swings" and political big mouths clogging up the news feeds, it is nice to see simplicity and tradition in the way of kids keeping what matters to them close at hand as they start a new adventure.

These kids are our future and although they are starting a new chapter in their lives, it is good to know that have not forgotten the people and memories that these sports teams represent for them. Good luck to all of our students as they begin a new school year!

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof

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YANKEES WIN, ORTIZ STINKS & THE JAYS WON TOO

Yup. I'm scoreboard watching, so sue me.

Yankees beat the Red Sox tonight. They played alittle better than last night, but I need to hand it to Rick Porcello. He struck out 13 Yankees tonight.  Pretty incredible job. 

Anyway, for the Yankees, it was Michael Pineda tonight.  He went 6 innings giving up 4 hits and 1 run.  That would be the only run the Sox would get.  David Ortiz struck out 4 times. 

Shove it, bro... I laughed at you all night.

The Yankee run scoring went like this:

In the 5th, Stephen Drew doubled knocking in 2 runs.  Then, alittle insurance, Brett Gardner cranked out a homer in the 8th. 

Andrew Miller then came in struck out 3 and got the save.  Save number 29. Atta boy.

So yeah, the Yankees win tonight... and the Jays did too.  Sooner or later though, something's gotta give. Let's hope the Yanks can advance soon.

Final: Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1

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TEIXEIRA SIDELINED

It's a quick note, a significant note and an important theory that I've always suggested about how the Yankees deal injured players and the media.  They never tell the truth... until they have to.  Knowing what we know about Mark Teixeira now... today it was revealed that they had to.

Today it was reported that Mark Teixeira, and we'll use Eric Boland and Bryan Hoch here is sidelined for a bit longer:

Girardi said MRI showed Teixeira bone bruise is "more than we thought." Said he'll be on crutches "a few days." Not ruling out a return

— Erik Boland (@eboland11) September 1, 2015

Girardi: With Teixeira's injury more serious than thought, "I think you have to think about" A-Rod at 1B vs. LHP.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) September 1, 2015

So here's the thing, and hear me out;  Every time the Yankees have an injured player, there are several steps that get the Yankees through it.  It's almost like a way for them to stall.  A player tweaks an ankle... he's day to day.  After those day to days, they'll hit the 15 DL.  Sooner or later the 15 day DL will end, and suddenly, things aren't improving and that player continues to linger... and then, POW.  They'll come back with "60 day DL", or "Worse than we thought."

Now look, we give Teixeira jazz pretty good here, but we love what he's doing for us in pinstripes in 2015.  But you can't take away from the seriousness of this.  The reality is, we need the guy. And so, what do we do... force the guy out there and risk no Tex for the playoffs? Or, babysteps... and we wait until he's fully healthy.  Whatever the case... the Yanks are fun like this.  They're also predictable.

Get well soon Tex.  This news today... it doesn't surprise me.

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I'M NOT BUYING IT

An interesting story in the New York Post that basically suggests that the Yankees aren't too jazzed with Aaron Judge since coming up to Scranton, and that's why he wasn't part of the September call ups plan.  I guess that's why Tyler Austin was DFA'd as well. 

The Post writes:

"Absent from this list is top outfield prospect Aaron Judge, whose numbers have lagged since his promotion to Triple-A.

Since being bumped up to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in late June, Judge is hitting .229 with eight home runs in 55 games...

To make room on the 40-man roster for the influx of depth talent, the Yankees... designated two players for assignment: infielder Cole Figueroa and outfielder Tyler Austin... (Austin) has struggled to make a dent at the plate since a breakthrough 2012 minor league campaign, when he posted a .322 average with 17 homers."

But what does it all mean? Well, for 1, it's speculation. Look, Austin's been handed a ton of bad luck along with his struggles, but nothing that he hasn't been able to work through. Sure, maybe it's slowly than normal, but he's doing it.  And sure, you can stare at Austin's .235 average and groan, and same with Judge and his .229 average. But are you really gonna sit here and make that argument when we have a guy named Stephen Drew on our roster batting .201?  Really?

Let's keep it real. Judge should be up with the Yankees this September.  Austin, well, he was a casualty along with Figueroa and probably unfairly too.  But none of these kids are no better than the other at this point.  What's important is they get up to the Bigs and learn alittle something. You know, get some at bats... get some confidence.

Whatever the case, trying to make an argument for low batting average being a defining factor for a September call-up is just ridiculous. Are you listening Mr. Drew?


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KEEPING IT REAL AT BYB

Just in case you were wondering...the self appointed BYB attorney for Mark Teixeira is still here. Nope, I haven't gone anywhere. There is yet to be (and probably never will be) another writer here that will write as many articles defending this man. Hell even when the day comes and he is no longer wearing pinstripes, I will still be defending the guy. That is my reputation, and I am damn proud of it.

I can be a very stubborn woman. I stick to my beliefs and my values and nothing will make me waiver from them. One of the reasons why I am still writing here after all of these years is because I believe in what we write and what we stand for here. Sure, we may not be featured on the YES Network website but we are not afraid to push the envelope. Just because one of our writer's ideas isn't popular does not mean it isn't "right" or deserve to be published. It's a passion! We are not going to write the same old thing. We do not model ourselves after any other site out there and we never will. We won't back down.

Now, I have disagreed with Mike O'Hara on numerous occasions here, and that is OK. Sure, he is ready for Greg Bird to come in and dethrone Tex... but I am not! This year Tex showed us he is not "washed up" like some may think. He still has the power bat and he still plays great defense. It's a difference of opinion between the two of us. It's the freedom to rant and say how both of us really feel. It's one reason why I fell in love with writing, because I can say what is on my mind about the team I love. Do I think O'Hara is dead wrong about Tex? Absolutely. But I know he is a great writer. He has true passion, and I appreciate that. He also knows that when he slams Tex, I am going to pull out my boxing gloves and we will duke it out....friendly of course. That's what we do here. It's a give and take and it's expected.

Now, in response to his latest JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE... while I agree the latest Tex injury is frustrating, I would hardly call this a "boo boo" either. Now, also speaking as someone with experience in softball, a bone bruise can be very bad! Once upon a time I had a comebacker scorched right at me at shortstop. It was hit so hard I couldn't react fast enough. I put my glove down in a hurry trying to get my glove on this ball that was coming in hot and fast but I just wasn't fast enough and BOOM....I took a ball about 2 inches away from my kneecap. Boy am I glad it didn't hit my kneecap. I got lucky. But what I also got was a dark purple round target on my leg as a souvenir. Oh and let me tell you....IT HURT like a mofo, and I was walking pretty funny for awhile.

It's baseball and bone bruises happen. When they do happen, your body is weak, and achy. You can't move the same way as before. Does it suck that Tex is recovering slowly? Of course. However, what sucks even more is the Yankees mistreatment of this whole thing. That's the key here. This isn't a regular bruise, it is similar to a stress fracture and there is no rushing a recovery on that. It was great to see Tex come back and play against the Astros on the 25th, and then as a pinch hitter on the 26th, but clearly that was pushing it and he wasn't ready. He was trying to grind through the pain. he couldn't. O'Hara has said Tex isn't a gamer but Tex trying to play through this sure looks like a gamer to me, and unfortunately we haven't seen him since.

The Yankees continue to play this off as "day to day" when clearly this should have been a DL situation for once. It looks like the Yankees were only fooling themselves this time. Every other time the Yankees jumped and pushed him to the DL, but not this time. They were too comfortable considering how he has stayed healthy this year. Now they get to wait and see since he will not be in Boston for this series, instead he is back in New York getting treatment.

Some may agree with O'Hara that Tex is "backing down", but if he really didn't care, how do you explain the differences we see in this year versus previous? He cares. Trust me, he really cares. His performance this season is the proof. It's not about backing down or making a decision to play now. It's about being smart. Maybe Tex is just taking a lesson from Derek Jeter who made a decision to keep playing on a bad ankle until it snapped.

We all know how that decision worked out. The Yankees are so close to post season play again. The smart decision would be to let him get healthy again so he can be 100% down the stretch. But again that is just one writer's opinion.

This game brings out the passion in all of us. I can say even more so for me because as I feel the adrenaline and excitement as I watch the game it is even more so when I get to write about it or rant about someone. Rants are healthy, it's what brought BYB to life! So yes, our opinions won't always be popular, but we will always be real and honest. My thoughts on Tex may not be popular, same with O'Hara's, but like I said....I am a stubborn woman!

Hey Mike? Your move...


   

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






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WORLD OF THE BIZARRE

Look, I'm CC Sabathia's biggest fan.  So, when he struggled all season, I continued to back him, because I personally like the guy, and his wife Amber, and not only that, I just love the guy's approach. He's a gamer.  He's also a guy that appears to be on the downside of his career.  No matter. I still want the guy out there.

When CC struggled this year, many were suggesting maybe he should suck it up and go to the bullpen.  I think it was Jeana Bellezza who wrote in SORRY CC, BUT ENOUGH'S ENOUGH!:

"...If he has a bad outing tonight, I think it's safe to say I am off of the CC Sabathia "Starting pitcher" train. It might be time to go to the bullpen..."

Fair enough. Good opinion piece. Then, something happened.  CC, being the team player he is, said he would be happy to come back in a bullpen capacity. That came when we wrote RELIEF & REALITY FOR CC MONSTER:

"...The Yankees respect CC Sabathia and weren't gonna just take the dude and shove him in the pen without a conversation or green light from the man himself.  CC has done a lot for this team over the years, but as you know, the past 3 years that knee has been mad cranky. Now, as we get terrific news that maybe he'd be on the shelf for only 2 weeks, maybe 3, he'll come back, free up the starting rotation a bit and he'll do what we need as a bullpen soldier. You gotta love that! I know I do.

"Helping the team any way I can."  That's our CC Monster.  The gamer."

OK, case closed right? No. Wrong.

According to Meredith Marakovits, there's been some movement:

CC Sabathia threw a bullpen(about 30 pitches) for the 1st time since going on DL. Will likely throw 1 more pen b4 facing hitters #Yankees

— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) August 31, 2015

Not only that, according to Hardball Talk, "Assuming he makes it back to the Yankees this season, general manager Brian Cashman said that the plan is to use him as a starter as opposed to a reliever." Yup, you read that right. And yes... I fell off my chair.

I understand respect of players. I understand a team's appreciation of everything a player does and keeping them in the spot they are used to to "work it out".

What I do NOT understand is when a player suggests he will be willing to move aside, to allow other players who have a grasp on that position to conquer it, so that first player doesn't hurt the team... and then...  IT'S IGNORED BY THE TEAM!  Cash, what the hell are you doing?  CC is telling you he doesn't mind going to the pen!  So... let him do it! It's a great opportunity to free up the starting rotation and a great spot for CC to reinvent himself!

This, my friends, is an interesting situation.  We'll have to see how this plays out.  But let me ask you? What would you want? Do you want CC to be a reliever down the stretch? Or would you send him back out there as a starter? Let's do a poll.  Vote, you can vote on the home page in the upper right side.

Once the poll closes, we'll write a piece about the results.  

I love CC... but if I'm Cashman and company, I would show my respect for him by listening to what he wants to do to help the team.

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HERE COME THE KIDS

Quick note. According to YESNetwork.com, the following youngsters will be added to the active roster today.  It's the September call up season.  Here are the kids:

· INF/OF Dustin Ackley
· RHP Andrew Bailey
· RHP Caleb Cotham
· INF Rob Refsnyder
· C Austin Romine

· OF Rico Noel
· LHP James Pazos
· INF Jose Pirela

I'm happy to see these kids up.  I'm disappointed Aaron Judge is not up.  And I'm looking forward to seeing lefty James Pazos.  You remember BYB writer Steve Skinner wrote about him recently in NOW IS OUR SEPTEMBER! He wrote:

"Scranton has a 24-year-old left-handed reliever by the name of James Pazos who carries a 1.35 ERA and has struck out 28 in 26 innings over 16 games.  He was promoted from Trenton where he had thrown for a 1.86 ERA.  Clearly he’s on the fast track.  Why not bring him up where he’ll offer more of an option for manager Joe Girardi..."

I like when we have it right.

Anyway... let's play ball!

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NOT WHAT YANKEE FANS NEEDED

Just to put this in perspective.  We lost to the Red Sox, but the Blue Jays lost too.  That being said, every game the Yankees play needs to be a win right now.  The Blue Jays are hot as hell. They made the right moves at the trade deadline, while the Yankees made none. We can't just expect the competition to lay down.  Toronto wants it this year.  We should too.

We played the last place Red Sox last night and there was really no reason to lose this game. We left 14 men on base. FOURTEEN. We were 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position.  You read that right. It's kind of pathetic.  The Red Sox are not that good, but they played like champions last night.  The Yankees never got that big hit to break it wide open.

Ivan Nova started for the Yankees.  He went 6 innings giving up 7 hits and 3 runs.  Adam Warren gave up another run, but nothing the Yankees couldn't fight back from.

The Yankee run scoring went like this:

In the first, Carlos Beltran sacrificed home Jacoby Ellsbury.  In the 4th, Didi Gregorius singled knocking in 1.

Then, in the 9th, with the bases loaded, Chase Headley walked, and another run scored.  But as you can see... never the big hit.  Never the big moment.  Bottom line, we got lucky last night, we don't lose ground... the Blue Jays lost.


Final: Red Sox 4 - Yankees 3

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