Saturday, June 4, 2016

HE STUNG LIKE A BEE & BECAME THE GREATEST


This generation has no idea just how good Muhammad Ali was.  But the truth was, in the world of boxing, there was no one, and I mean NO ONE better and it's very possible that there will never be.

Muhammad Ali was confident and cocky and delivered every single time he was in the ring.  As an athlete, there was no doubt that he could destroy anyone he faced and for a long, long time, he did.


His mouth yapped a lot, but when you saw what he could do, the way he moved, the way he delivered a punch and got right down to business... it was jaw dropping because he was so damn agile.


Ali never gave up on himself, ever.  It's funny, as a baseball coach, I like to inspire youth and offer quotes from famous ballplayers and it gives my players something to think about when they're out there on the field. But I make exception for 2 non-baseball player quotes every time.  Vince Lombardi and Muhammad Ali.


That's because greatness was in both men. That's because there was courage and unwillingness to lose in these men that I see much more clearer than others.  And so, when we have a game, I show up and post my lineup, you may see a quote from Ali hanging right above it and the kids will read it and run their fingers over it as they go collect their helmet and bat.


In this generation, boxing isn't what it used to be because there is no one that comes close to the person and athlete Ali was. His presence was enormous.  While he decked his opponents, they respected him and loved him immensely because he was so damn incredible.


Ali died on Friday from complications of Parkinson's, and with that, sports loses the most unbelievable icon ever.  That's truth.  He never took 'no' or 'loss' for an answer.  He inspired many to push themselves to another level.  He demonstrated that while cockiness may not be a trait many of fond of, if you put your money where your mouth is and deliver what you preach, you will be respected, because that's not bluster... it's confidence.


I was never a huge boxing fan... but how could you NOT be a huge Ali fan.  If you've never seen the man fight, watch him on YouTube.  You will be Wowed.


Rest in peace, old friend.  You've inspired a generation, teaching many to take risks while building courage, and throughout it all, you became the greatest athlete, not only in boxing... but in sports...ever.


Be Read. Get Known.


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Friday, June 3, 2016

#TEXDONE2016


Sometimes when a player gets hurt way too much, it really doesn't matter what type of achievements he had in his entire career.  Fans just kind of give up. And that's where we're at with Yankees' first baseman Mark Teixeira, or at least I am.

It's being reported by YESNetwork.com that Mark is now out with an "apparent knee injury".


AJ Herrmann writes: "Mark Teixeira pulled himself out of Friday night's game with an apparent knee injury prior to the third inning.

With Dustin Ackley out for the year and no other backup options at first base, Rob Refsnyder took over for the veteran infielder and 2015 All-Star from the third inning on.

Depending on the severity of Teixeira's injury, which currently remains uncertain, the Yankees may be forced to call up a first baseman from Triple-A with their two options being Chris Parmelee and Nick Swisher."


Now the title of this post seems cruel, but is it really? I mean this whole week it's been brutal to watch Tex. No wait, not even this week... for a while now, the guy just keeps getting hurt and missing more time than he actually plays. It's nuts.  Now maybe his knee had something to do with him sucking lately, who knows, but as I've stated, when injury keeps happening for a guy that's supposed to perform at a top level... you kind of turn your back on him.
That's kind of where I'm at, and I wrote that on March 31st.


When we know more about Porcelain, we'll tell you.

  Be Read. Get Known.


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HELP OUR FRIENDS IN BALTIMORE

Quick note for my man Superman Rob and for the folks of Baltimore.  They are holding their food drive to help feed the homeless.

CBS Baltimore has the story:

"The homestand will feature the 30th annual OriolesREACH Food & Funds Drive presented by MASN and WJZ-TV to benefit the Maryland Food Bank at Oriole Park during the weekend series against the New York Yankees from June 3 through June 5.

Representatives will collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations from fans at every entrance of the ballpark from the time gates open until the end of the second inning...


 The OriolesREACH Food & Funds Drive benefits soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters throughout Maryland."

Take a moment, if you're going to this weekend series, supply the food bank!


Save 20% on Andy Pettitte Memorabilia at SteinerSports.com with code SPORTS20

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STUFF LIKE THIS MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT


You guys know how much we love our Yankees and win or lose, we still love them, but some days are harder to write than others.  All the Yankee sites are going through the same thing. We just take the losses very, very hard here, that's the bottom line.  We still try to entertain you with solid content, but like I've stated here so often this season, recaps are out the window... I'm not feeling it, and we'll continue to do features and entertain you that way.  That's just the direction we've taken from an editorial standpoint, and to be honest, with my busy schedule, it suits me just fine.

I want to share with you a letter I received from a true Yankee fan and lover of Bleeding Yankee Blue.  She's been reading us since the beginning.  She's loyal, she's dedicated and I love her as a reader and friend. She's simply the best.  This my friends, makes what we do here worth it...

Hi Casey!

I'm not sure why but this season has been a huge disappointment so far. 


Sure CC is doing well. That's a good thing. Our offense is pathetic and I'm being kind. Watching the Toronto series was frustrating. Simply put.

NoRunDMC? I loved that! Short lived.


That being said, I want to commend all of the BYB writers. Each and every one of you do such an incredible job! I really love all of you!

While watching tonight's game, I thought about how endearing, popular, loyal, and simply fun you all have made us, the fan's lives! Knowledge and gaining power!

I just wanted you to know that I appreciate all of your blogs and give you a high five! 

Keep it going Casey!
 

Watching our beloved Yankees is still and always be my favorite pastime ~ along with reading BYB.

Sincerely, 

Debi

And so, someone last week asked me "How the hell I keep wanting to write and keep BYB going through such an awful start to the Yankees season?"

This is why.

Thanks Debi... you're the freakin' best.



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MARLON BYRD & LESSONS NOT LEARNED


I spent a great deal of time in 2013 and 2014 covering Alex Rodriguez, the Biogenesis ordeal, and his record-setting season long suspension. There was a lot that I had hoped people, and players would take away from the result of it. Mostly, what is done in darkness always comes to light.

I grew up in the Yankees Dynasty era. This also happened to be the Steroid Era in baseball. Everyone was using, and no one cared because it was selling tickets, and lining the pockets of good old Commissioner Bud Selig, and all the other higher-ups in the MLB. The integrity of the game be damned, so long as they were getting paid. But...I digress.

In 2012, Marlon Byrd was suspended for PEDs. He received a 50-game suspension after testing positive for Tamoxifen. He issued an apology for the usage but said that it was an error due to a medication he was taking for a surgery he had, unrelated to baseball. Basically, the same spiel we get from every player ever caught using PEDs. They'll do better. They'll be more vigilant. 

Byrd has just been suspended for 162 games without pay, after testing positive for a growth hormone. He released a statement on the matter. 

"When I learned that I had tested positive for Ipamorelin, I retained the services of private counsel and an independent chemist to determine the origin of the Ipamorelin test result because I never knowingly ingested Ipamorelin. After an extensive investigation by my lawyers and an independent chemist, it was concluded that the most likely source of the Ipamorelin was a tainted supplement


I alone am responsible for what I put into my body, and therefore, I have decided to forgo my right to an appeal in this matter and accept the suspension. I apologize for any harm this has caused the Cleveland Indians, Indians' fans, my teammates, and most importantly, my family." 

Honestly, the entire PED usage in professional sports has become more than a slight annoyance. And I don't want to assume that Byrd is just like every other repeat offender, but we've heard this apology time and again. It's the same regurgitated nonsense we hear every time a player gets caught. It no longer has a ring of sincerity. It's disingenuous, and a bit insulting in my opinion.

I'm not behind the idea of 1 and done, like a lot of fans are. Only because I know that people can and do change.  But I happen to agree with Casey. PEDs HAVE DESTROYED THIS GREAT GAME OF BASEBALL.  He wrote about it in 2013, and we've referenced it here time and again. If you violate the Joint Drug Agreement... if you used steroids and cheated... man up, publicly take responsibility, and do it without the protection of lawyers, and unions and so forth.

I've always maintained that the PEDs issue was created, at least in part, by the MLB. It was allowed to flourish until it became convenient to attempt to put an end to it. The decision to clean-up baseball came too late. And now there is no real accountability. There are a few, like Alex, who can and have turned things around for themselves. But until players have to take the full weight of their actions, there will never be any real shift in this PEDs issue. 





--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer 
Twitter: @e_morales1804




American Eagle

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TESTY JOE NEEDS TO LEAD


I don't feel bad for Joe Girardi.  He's the manager of the New York Yankees.  His job is to lead them.  ESPN had a great depiction of a defensive Joe Girardi discussing the Yankees and their lousy start to a lousy season and it portrayed him as desperate, aggravated, and sad.  I want to give you a portion of that:

"Speaking to reporters before the Yankees played a game originally set for April 10 that was called off for snow, Girardi shot back at media when pressed about lineup changes.


'Who do you want me to lead off? Tell me,' Girardi asked, according to reports. 'You guys have these questions, but you want me to lead Tex (Mark Teixeira) off? You want me to lead Alex [Rodriguez] off? Want me to lead Carlos [Beltran] off?... So, now what? I'm listening,' Girardi said. 'Everyone's got all these ideas. I'm listening, but when you've got six guys in your lineup struggling, maybe I can ask if we can just hit 1-2-3.'"

You know what? Shut up Joe.


Think about this; What if I just disappeared after almost 6 years here at BYB and my writers did whatever the hell they wanted, were careless about their pieces, offered many, MANY profanities in them, posted pictures of the wrong players they were writing about. What if we didn't even credit publications we took nuggets from? What if we just stole stories for ourselves.  WHO THE HELL WOULD YOU BLAME? You'd blame me, because I'm the freaking boss... and guess what? So is Joe when it comes to the New York Yankees.

The Yankees need the run of a lifetime right now and what they DON'T need is a manager throwing his God Damn team under the bus because they can't play.


Slumps happen, this is true, and we're in a major one, but the reality is, mixing up the lineup, doing things that appear drastic actually could help a club.  Where's Jorge Posada or Andy Pettitte? Bring them in and have a power talk!  Make a point, put Ronald Torreyes as your lead off guy.  SHAKE IT THE HELL UP!


It's become eerie in Yankeeland... almost like the Yankees heart died the day Yogi Berra died. Something needs to be done and leadership is the cure.

Where are your balls, Joe? Light a fire under this Yankee team's ass... LET'S GO!


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THE LONG AWAITED BREAKOUT


The Yankees came back to win last night.  There was drama getting to the win, but they got to the win... and hit... and pitched great... and won the game.

The Yankees were down 1-0 until the 6th.  That's when the Yankees broke out.  Jacoby Ellsbury sacrificed home Rob Refsnyder.  Then in the 7th, Ref singled in Chase Headley.  That was followed by Aaon Hicks singling in 1 and Jacoby Ellsbury then tripling in Refsnyder and Hicks. 

When I suggested shaking it up in TESTY JOE NEEDS TO LEAD, it was refreshing to see guys like Hicks and Refsnyder take the lead in the run scoring last night.  


Meanwhile guys like Mark Teixeira went 0-4. I'm sure he's proud of his .181 average.


Michael Pineda went 5.2 innings, giving up 7 hits and 1 run. Betances, Miller and Chapman came in, doing their best to hold the Tigers, and as they chipped away in the 7th, 8th and 9th... it was finally Chapman who was able to shut them down to get his 8th save of the season.  Ultimately... it was a nail biter, just because us fans have been longing for a solid game like this for a while now.

You gotta hope a game like this builds alittle confidence... and gets the Yankees on a roll.  Let's hope.

Big win last night.  Very exciting to watch.

Final: Yankees 5 - Tigers 4

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Thursday, June 2, 2016

GUILT & REMINISCING


I have hit a new low and it sucks. On Tuesday night I watched most of the Angels and Tigers game (worth noting: it was against my will). As I watched I saw so many plays that reminded me of what was the Yankees past but not lately. I saw hits that the Yankees used to make and energy that we used to have. Now, it's a memory. I was watching another team make magic happen and I was jealous.

We all have moments of weakness and this one was mine. As I was making a late dinner the game started out pretty boring. My other half was enjoying everything he was seeing. in fact, he compared it to the first game in the Diamondbacks and Yankees series where we got our asses handed to us. It was THAT kind of game. The Angels were dominating with a 9-2 lead and I was salivating.

The Tigers made it interesting and at one point tied the game but I just kept thinking back on the Angels offense last night. Sure, they don't do this every night. In fact, they are just as bad as we are but.....they have done something that we haven't been able to do. It sucks watching another team show signs of life as we drown.


I wish I could remember what a 17 hit game looked like. Tuesday night, I had to listen to the other half run around celebrating as Mike Trout hit a three run homer. It sucked. He does nothing but talk about how he idolizes this guy and I had to watch and hear him celebrate.


Watching C.J. Cron hit not one but two home runs made me violently ill. He is a young 26 year old kid who is a freaking infant in the big leagues and he is hitting bombs. Meanwhile, our power hitters can't even get an infield single. Yeah, and for once I am calling you out Mark Teixeira




I know you have an "owie" right now but that doesn't matter. You may not be playing much lately but you can't even hit your weight and it disgusts me. If there is anyone here who can give you that dose of tough love right now, it is ME.


I wanted to throw up my dinner after Ian Kinsler hit his grand slam. I wasn't sure how to feel. I was sick thinking about how he just hit his very first grand slam while of course our Bronx Bombers look like Bronx Bummers. At the same time, he hit a grand slam against the Angels and made the game interesting again and I wanted to see them lose! It was nice to watch the Angels bullpen melt down even if it was short lived.


All of these home runs the other night and all I can think about is August 25, 2011 when the Yankees made history by hitting three grand slams in one game thanks to Curtis Granderson, Russell Martin and Robinson Cano.....all guys that are gone. It's sad that I am sitting her missing players that are no longer here while I can't even reflect on anything good for this season right now.

There's still a long way to go his season, but the Yankees are giving games away. On paper this team is better than last year and we shouldn't be 8.5 games out of first place. We are digging a hole that is getting too deep. We can't expect this team to make a dent and climb back up when they don't hit, the starters can't pitch deep into games and we burn out our bullpen. I don't want to see the Yankees become sellers, but if things don't change we are going to start a garage sale and give away some prized pieces.....like a good bullpen arm.


The last thing I want to think about is teams approaching us to pick apart our team because they know we are too far out of it or think that we have given up. Maybe I am too prideful, but I don't want to give other teams that satisfaction but they aren't blind. They know we are open to trade ideas even if we aren't advertising them, like trading Nathan Eovaldi for example. They also know that the Yankees are scrambling to get a backup for glass man Tex now that Dustin Ackley is out for the season. So far our answer seems to be throwing Rob Refsnyder at first, read that HERE where hopefully he won't suck and maybe he will give us some offense. Way to be reactive, Yankees.


The Yankees wasted yet another good start by Masahiro Tanaka last night. There is a troublesome pattern here that cannot be ignored. In six of his last 11 starts, the Yankees have scored three or fewer runs for him. The Yankees just can't score. A combined five runs in the last four games just isn't going to cut it. Tanaka deserved better last night. He wasn't at his best but one earned run on seven hits and one walk in six innings is still a winnable game if your offense shows up.....which ours never does anymore. My grandmother could probably do better. Wake me up when we get a new hitting coach!

It would be nice to wake up one day and write about something other than the under-performing Yankees. I am still looking but right now the Yankees keep digging a a crater sized hole. I really hope this is rock bottom.....but I am not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel here yet.


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

 



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...AND THE BATS GO SILENT YET AGAIN


The Yankees continue to plummet in the standings following yet another loss to division rival the Toronto Blue Jays.  The reason is of course no offense.  Sure, pitching is not stellar but their offense is just simply lifeless.  According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN, "The Yankees' embarrassing offensive performance continues. Over the past four games, they have now scored a total of five runs. Their latest pitiful performance came on Wednesday night when they were shutout by the Blue Jays' Aaron Sanchez and three relievers in a 7-0 loss. Toronto swept the Yankees." Terrible, just terrible.


So with our bats silent again, stranded base runners and the worst team batting average in the American League at .231, what can we do?  I mean it isn't fair to put all this pressure to win ball games on pitchers.  With the rate we are going, our pitchers can't afford to make even one mistake. And that is simply ridiculous.


According to the New York Daily News, "Joe Girardi has said he plans to go to his Big Three relievers 99% of the time late in close games."  Okay, that's great, Joe, but what are we doing about getting some hits.  I will tell you what.  I would bench them, send them down to Triple A and bring in some young blood right now.  Here we are just the first week of June and we are playing like this? There is just no excitement.  No sparks.  No fireworks and quite frankly it's depressing.


We can't talk about bad offense without ignoring the elephant in the room.  "The New York Yankees entered this season over reliant on Rodriguez, which created a situation ripe for issues. Seeing as he only DHs and has hit .180 in his past 75 games, he should be, at most, a four- or five-day-a-week player," reported Marchand yesterday.


So what is the solution? What do we do to shake things up?  I don't know.  And honestly, Joe Girardi doesn't have any idea either.  He says he is frustrated with the lack of offense, but that's all.  Are we stuck?  Are we just going to tread water all summer? Maybe I just have mid-week blues, but as long as the bats remain silent, our pitchers can't get the runs to back them up and we simply will not win.  I like what YES's Jack Curry said after the game.  The Yankee hitters need to keep grinding and make adjustments so they can hit off pitchers.  They just are not doing that and unless they get hungry for hits and keep grinding, our bats will remain silent for a long time.


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






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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

LET'S MAKE A DEAL!


EVERYTHING MUST GO! IT’S THE POST MEMORIAL HOLIDAY SALE! WE ARE SLASHING PRICES AND LOOKING TO MAKE YOU THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME!

I always hated that. 

The BIG SALES on Memorial Day Weekend seem out of place to me…but that’s just one man’s opinion. They fought so you could save a truckload of dough on a BRAND NEW DODGE F1-50? Well, to each his/her own I guess.

However, staying with the theme of wheeling and dealing, let’s make a few DEALS shall we? There have been rumblings about some Yankee players drawing interest from true contenders looking to add a piece here or there. You need a front line starter? We got it. You looking for a shutdown closer…HELL! WE GOT 3! You want an outfielder with some speed? Yep, we can help you there too! Now, what are you looking to pay?


I don’t want to trade Nasty Nate. His upside for the future is too much to let go of, but if the deal makes sense…OH! And they HAVE TO TAKE TEX! Is Chicago your kind of town, Nathan? We’ll miss ya, but take heart, we’re sending Mark along with you to bore you with Sugar Free cooking tips on the 2 hour flight to O’Hare.


The boys in MURDER’S THROW (Not a fan of the name by the way). I keep hearing Andrew Miller’s name. Why? He is the EPITOME of a team guy and could be our man at the back end for years. If we have to deal I say move the rental. Chapman is a gun for hire and though we all love to see 103 on the radar gun, remember the GREATEST OF ALL TIME never needed that to get guys out. Mo threw hard, but it was the cutter that did the damage. 


Move Aroldis…OH! AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE TEX! The Mets need a closer. I know we almost never do business with the cross-town club, but we’ll send them a big piece to there puzzle (And a nutritionist who can’t hit his slimmed down weight) for a Wheeler and a prospect or four. I say make the deal.


Outfielders. Look I know he’s been hot, but NOBODY is taking Jacoby off our hands at that price…and they certainly won’t also TAKE TEX! Gardy is a great guy and a blood and guts player. I really like him as a Yankee, but if we can get some over anxious club to bite I would say let’s do it…AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE TEX


We need pitching in a big way. Let’s grab a solid 3 or 4 for a guy that will run through a wall to win.

At the end of the day it’s sad to talk about moving guys so early in the year. This is not what we are used to, and let’s hope we NEVER get used to it. The Yankees are in a strange position. They are too old to win, but have pieces that could help others now. Maybe we give this season…but THEY GOTTA TAKE TEX!! 

** Let’s face it, gang. It’s a gamble either way. But you gotta know when to fold ‘em Tell them, Mike. **



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

 







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