UNDERSTANDING UNCONDITIONAL LOVE & QUANTITATIVE MEASURES

Source: New York Post

Just prior to the pandemic that forced us to shut down, stay socially distant, and lose two years of our lives, I met a passionate baseball fan in the middle of a snow storm in Saratoga Springs, New York. I talked to this amazing guy and his dad at a wine tasting my friend and I decided to stop for after we snowshoed through Saratoga State Park. We talked with Josh and his dad, Ted, for some time about baseball but it wasn't until later in the evening that we learned that they were the founders and owners of the Thirsty Owl Winery on Cayuga Lake, NY and their Bistro in Saratoga Springs. 

Source: Thirsty Owl Bistro

Their knowledge of the baseball was extraordinary just like their approach to wine I might add. After we met up, Josh asked to ghost write a piece for BYB and he did just that in EARPIECES, GET-OVER-IT-ISM & GERRIT RELATABILITY: A GUIDE TO LOVING BASEBALL IN 2020. Fast forward to 2022, Josh Cupp is back at it—fired up by the recent events that MLB put us all through over the last 100 days. I hope you get as much or maybe more from Josh's wise words below. Josh, I appreciate your passion for baseball and sharing some of that with all of us here at BYB.

“I am genuinely thrilled to say Major League Baseball is back and we’re going to play 162 games, “commissioner Rob Manfred said. “I want to start by apologizing to our fans. I know the last few months have been difficult.” 

"With that news/quote at 3:26pm on Thursday we are all meant to be relieved we are ready to start loving MLB again like nothing happened. Manfred’s obligatory apology is the ultimate smokescreen. My plea is don’t let it be. Love the game. Love the smells of the ballpark. Love or hate that the “ball got by Buckner!” Love the feelings the game has evoked in your life. Resolution today or a continued lockout was irrelevant to me—my relationship with baseball is as strong as ever. I’m slated to coach my kid’s Little League team in just a couple weeks. My connection with MLB is fractured. I want to share how I got here. I have unconditional love for baseball, just not MLB. 

Source: ESPN

Throw the ball, catch the ball, hit the ball. I’m all in there with the basic fundamentals. Add to it all the numbers, stats, the quantitative measurements of performance and achievement and I am mesmerized. A triple slash line of BA/OBP/SLG, you can measure how much value a position player has instantly. Defining value, achievement, and worth. Yes, please. Wouldn’t it be amazing to measure an elected politician that way, or a significant other? I digress. Stats fuel value for a ball player, their financial worth. Everyone knows that. I’m good with that, it’s just that the baseline has changed. Salaries, even with the adjustment of inflation, have grown so massively, net revenue for owners is embarrassingly high and we’ve lost our way. It’s all changed subtly over time, and TV stole the relatability of the game and it won’t give it back. The consumer is the only one with the power to take it back. 

Check out these indisputable bits of quantitative measure and be your own judge. 

Source: History.com

1. I believe Babe Ruth’s best season was 1918 when he was still a member of the Red Sox. He hit .300/.411/.555 and also won 13 games, and posted a 2.22 ERA in 166 innings of work. How amazing is that considering 2021 AL MVP Shohei Ohtani posted .257/.372/.592 with the bat and a 3.18 ERA in 22% fewer innings. The Babe raked in $7K in 1918 for his efforts, $135K in 2022 money adjusted for inflation, or 4.8 times more than the average annual salary ($1,518) of the folks that rushed into Fenway Park to watch the 23 year old play. His largest salary was $80K (the largest in the game at the time) in 1930 and even that sizable sum was 57 times greater than the average patron at the ballpark. $80K in 2022 is less than $1.4M. In 1930 the average ticket for admission to Yankee Stadium was $1.10, or $17.75 in 2022 money. 

Source: MLB.com

2. Let’s fast forward. 2021’s highest paid MLBer was Max Scherzer at $43.3M. The average earner  of the estimated 50 million MLB fans is $52K. Max earned 850 times the average annual salary of the fans attending his games. Is everyone ok with that? The AVERAGE MLB salary is $4.2M or 80 times that $52K mark. I can’t throw a baseball 99 MPH but I can open a bottle of wine in 4.8 seconds (I had some training, my family runs a winery in upstate NY). They’re both pretty arbitrary skill sets, I wish mine paid more. Comedic break is over. Ready to become deeply offended? 

3. The average minor league player earns about $15K annually. Not a typo. Are we still ok with that? If you are, you’re an ass***. The cost for a major league team to pay EVERYone of its players the nation’s average annual salary of $52K? Under $6M USD. The Yankee franchise is currently valued at just a smidge under $7B USD. Even John Sherman and Stuart Sternberg (owners of the Royals and Rays respectively) can find $6M in between the cushions of their Peugeot's Onyx Sofa. Question: Over the last few months did the owners or players seek to repeal the 1922 Supreme Court decision to grant MLB an exemption to the Sherman Antitrust Act which allows MLB team owners to pay such shocking wages to its farm hands. Nope, no they didn’t. MLB is the only one of the four major sports in our country that enjoys this exemption.

Source: Albany.com

4. There are approximately 900 humans that constitute the total number of MLB players, owners and high ranking executives. Fan base just stateside alone is 70-100M+. Figure it out. Do you love baseball or does it have to be MLB? My son, Ceko, and I attended a Tri City ValleyCats game not too far back and we watched a travel sized Cuban named Franny Cobos warm up in a game he started. While concentrating intently on his craft, Franny still saw my kid was studying his set and delivery trying to pick up even the smallest hint on how to improve his own game. After the session Franny asked Ceko’s name and signed a ball and tossed it to him. Franny then tossed Ceko a ball and asked for HIS autograph. Talk about easy to root for. After researching this article, I would guess that Franny made about $8k that season. 

Suzie Pinstripe is going to kill me if I don’t button this up sooner than later. I’m not meant to write some op-ed piece and tell anyone reading this how to manage their baseball addiction. I will happily explain my relationship with the best game in the world. Baseball will be my true love always, the GAME of baseball. If I could be so lucky in forty years to have my final thoughts and memories be warming Ceko up before a Little League game. My relationship with MLB, well, that’s more complicated. It will always ebb and flow. A decline and rebirth. I’m currently in a sharp decline. 

Source: San Diego Union Tribune

Like the lover you swore off, it was too complicated. Maybe the complexity is part of the attraction. If you can’t take care of those that buy your product, you don’t deserve our affection. I can make that decision to support the game in another way. The minor leaguers can’t. They are in love with the game the owners THINK they own and the owners aren’t loving them back. Fix that. Make this game relatable again. The kids and the folks that bring them to a game should revere the players for their hustle, immense skill and love for the game, not be in awe of the type of car they drove to the ballpark. The game should remind us of what was once good and could be again. Instead it is mirroring the deep divide between that upper less than 1% and the rest of us. "

Source: Thirsty Owl

Thank you, Josh. Maybe we can catch a minor league game this summer when I come to visit you all at the Thirsty Owl. And for all of you fans, I am happy MLB resolved things for now. But rest assured, much like Josh, I don't know if I will love the MLB of today like I did prior to this and pre-pandemic. 

It's complicated as Josh said—still need time to reflect and heal. But this piece gives me some hope that I can do that. How about you?

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

. 

I wrote about this a while ago, and I really believe it. Didi Gregorius would be the perfect guy to come back to the Bronx to play shortstop... for one more year... until the anointing one Anthony Volpe is ready.

In November, I wrote GET READY! DIDI GREGORIUS COULD BE BACK IN PINSTRIPES! 

Simple enough right? Well... that's where CC Sabathia comes in. He talked about Didi on his podcast.

WFAN writes:

"Sabathia is eyeing to make a potential return to the Bronx in shortstop Didi Gregorius.

“I saw Didi working out with all of them guys,” Sabathia said. “Maybe there’s a chance we sign Didi back to play shortstop for a year or two to hold over before you get [Anthony] Volpe or [Oswald] Peraza up.”

The Yanks have multiple shortstop options available on the free agent market, including superstar Carlos Correa, but it is unclear whether they want to make a big splash now or find a stopgap until their hyped prospects are major-league ready. Gregorius would have to be acquired via trade, since he is under contract with the Phillies in 2022 after being one of the least productive players in the league last season, and it seems highly unlikely given Gregorius' $15.25 million that he is due this season. But Sabathia believes getting Gregorius’ presence back in the clubhouse would be a big lift for the Yanks.

“Why not? Everybody loved him,” Sabathia said. “The clubhouse changed when Didi left. To have a chance to be able to get him back, it’s a positive impact on Gleyber, him and Aaron Hicks are boys..."

Sabathia is right.  CC has a knack for these things and it makes perfect sense to not spend a ton of money on a shortstop. Why?  I'll tell you...

I want Freddie Freeman at first base... and I would spend all my money there.  

Trade for Didi now... sign Freeman big and LET'S GO YANKS!!!

MLB DEAL IS DONE... BUT I'VE KIND OF MOVED ON

 

The pissing match was no fun to watch. In the end, both sides were kind of being ridiculous. But I blame Rob Manfred and the owners. Manfred has ruined the game. It was an exercise where he needed to be exposed for what he was, a loser. 

News came down yesterday about what appears to be a deal.

ESPN writes: "The MLB lockout is over.

It took more than three months -- and multiple deadlines for delaying the regular season -- before Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association ended their stalemate and came to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement."

And what do you need to know about what was hammered out? Glad you asked:

"Opening Day moves to April 7 and a full 162-game schedule will be played.

Spring training camps open with a March 11 voluntary report date and March 13 mandatory date.

Spring training games start March 17.

Free agency to begin immediately once CBA is ratified.

Playoffs expand to 12 teams, beginning this season.

The National League adopts the designated hitter starting this season.

CBT expected to begin at $230 million and grow to $244 million."

And while this is all good, don't think you'll see me at many Yankee games this year. Don't get me wrong, I'm a diehard, but I hold grudges. I won't be around a lot. Why? Multiple reasons.

Baseball is everywhere these days. Between my kid playing college ball, his summer league and of course, independent baseball, I'll be busy watching all that stuff.  One thing many of us learned when the MLB lockout happened is that baseball is baseball. 

Sure, it's not the MLB, but damn it's fun.  When baseball players aren't making millions, they almost appear to give a shit. They almost appear to try harder. It's about earning spots and doing your best and team comradery... and since this lockout began, I've been traveling all over the place. I watched a couple tryouts at independent leagues, I've seen a ton of college baseball, and it's exhilarating... it really is.

I'll be at the New Jersey Jackals ballpark a lot this year. In addition to watching them play, there is the Yogi Berra Museum right there as well.  Plus, it's local, cheap and fun. And no one's going to argue about money and labor deals. They're going to play baseball and I'm going to relax.

I'll still watch my Yankees... I've loved them all my life. But times have changed, and the MLB needs to open their eyes.  Now I have seen plenty of people saying they have given up on the MLB. Now I'm very curious if they HAVE really given up. Will they go to games? Will they cancel their TV deals or whatever they said they would do when the lockout happened? I cancelled my tickets. I meant that. I'm not giving money to the MLB anymore.  I've made a decision. I'm staying local... I'm staying college... independent. I just feel like it's the right thing to do after what the MLB did to their fans for the past several weeks. 

Will it last? I don't know. But for now... I feel like I need to do this. It just feels right.

Baseball's Back folks! Go Jackals!

FORGET MLB! SUPPORT YOUR MINOR & INDEPENDENT LEAGUES!

The world is going to hell in a hand basket and we all want to hear some good news....but sadly I have none. Neither do the Yankees or team president Randy Levine, it's all infuriating.

Oh and this lockout is "embarrassing" and it's nothing we didn't already know but this is a direct quote from Randy Levine HERE. If you were looking for something eloquent and thought provoking there was zero chance of that happening from him.

But yes, this is embarrassing. MLB canceled another week of games last night so now the earliest the season will start is April 14h. What did that do to the schedule? Well, that canceled four games at the Rangers, three games at the ASSTROS, three at home against the Red Sox and four at home against the Blue Jays. That sucks but you know what else is now in jeopardy? Jackie Robinson day that happens every year on April 15th. Yup, pray for a miracle otherwise a time honored tradition could be sacrificed all thanks to this nonsense. Some may not care but I look forward to Jackie Robinson day EVERY YEAR.

It's a sad day for baseball as this lockout continues and for once I agree with Levine that this lockout IS embarrassing but I hope he is also embarrassed for over paying players year after year and losing in the playoffs! What about the roster and performance his pitiful GM Brian Cashman has put together the last 13 years while outspending every other team? There's just so much to be embarrassed by but Levine probably isn't smart enough to understand that.

If he was smart enough he may also realize people like me have an increased interest in minor league baseball. There is one comforting thought for me in all of this madness. If millionaires and billionaires continue to argue and not play there are minor league AND independent leagues all across the country that will PLAY BALL.

As long as they continue to play I will continue to support them. So GO FIND those teams. Bring your significant other and your family. While you are there buy a hot dog, a soda, some popcorn or ice cream and find a new young kid that catches your interest. Follow him like you do your favorite big leaguers and support them. Spend your money in your local baseball communities because that makes a difference. I know because there are over 6000 people where I live that should be working at a Spring Training facility RIGHT NOW and they aren't. THAT is embarrassing!

In the current world climate this behavior is beyond tone deaf. I hope both owners and players wake up because this is a BAD look for both sides and the sport we all love.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

MLB REACHED A DEAL BUT IT'S NOT THE ONE YOU WERE EXPECTING!

If it is not enough to fight about money, shifts, larger bases, pitch clocks and luxury taxes, how about the owners bring in a new baseball streaming partner. With baseball seeking younger audiences, the rule is that you need to go where the youth are. And guess where they are—streaming services. At a company event on Tuesday, Apple TV+ announced that they struck a deal with MLB to stream double-headers on Friday nights starting this season.

"The broadcasts on Apple TV+ will include pregame and postgame shows and will not be subject to local broadcast blackout restrictions. They will be produced by MLB Network," reported ESPN. Initially the games will be free meaning without the need for an Apple TV+ subscription. And these games will be exclusively carried on Apple TV+, bypassing the team's regional networks.

According to ESPN, "MLB has been exploring selling a weeknight package of games with ESPN reducing its coverage of the regular season to 30 games, mostly on Sunday nights. Turner Sports will have games on Tuesday nights under a new rights deal that begins this season." 

Also part of the Apple-MLB deal will be a new series called "MLB Big Inning" which will be a weekday show for US fans as well as a livestream channel for those viewing in the US and Canada. With the lockout just under 100 days at this point, this new deal with Apple TV+ just pours salt in my wounds. I think this Tweet in response to Jeff Passan's post announcing the deal resonated most with me right now: "Can’t wait to pay $5 to watch the Mets get smacked 13-2 by the Pirates while Ted Lasso is in the booth asking why players don’t just kick the ball."

It's ironic that this is announcement comes today after my rant earlier this week regarding how baseball players and owners are wasting precious time, time that they can't get back. This senseless fight just needs to come to compromise, otherwise it doesn't matter how the game proceeds to transform itself to attract a younger audience. That audience was more concerned that Spotify was out for a few hours Tuesday afternoon than that Apple TV+ is going to carry baseball now. If the deal was with TikTok, maybe that would be different story.

So the short story is that MLB reached a deal. The longer part of this story is that they are continuing to strike deals for more exclusive access and of course money despite the fact that they cannot strike a deal with each other to actually play games. Another two weeks of games could be canceled due to the deadlock and as the New York Times reports, "If a deal cannot be reached, and a full 162-game season cannot be rescheduled, this would be the first time games were lost to a work stoppage since the 1994-95 players’ strike." In this case the only thing we will be watching once a week beginning this summer on Apple TV+ will be the third season of Ted Lasso. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

POKING FUN OF MANFRED'S BASEBALL LOCKOUT

We all know Rob Manfred is bad for baseball. He's an incompetent failure of a commissioner who makes me miss the days of Bud Selig which is amazing to even think about. But here we are....and now we have to wonder whenever this lockout finally ends, who will be left standing?

And I'm not talking about just the fan base. I already know some friends and family who say they are turned off by baseball now. They are going to pay more attention to other sports or even other interests. Maybe some players, too? Some hint at it. Some are also just flirting with a funny moment on social media but anything is possible at this point.

Enter Bryce Harper, he's being funny. Why not reach out to the Tokyo Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball and just have a good laugh. He has plenty of time to kill so why not just drop a photoshopped picture of him in their uniform? And why shouldn't they answer one of the biggest names in MLB and poke a little fun too?

No harm no foul, right? NPB mirrors MLB pretty closely so they are in the middle of their preseason right now. There are some ex MLB players who had successful careers in Japan too. Crazier things could happen if it weren't for the 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies that he'd never just walk away from.

Some players though don't have a Harper type contract or talent though, like Joey Gallo for example. I don't think the Tokyo Giants would be as interested in him either but maybe his LinkedIn post will catch someone's attention. No I'm not joking, check it out. The striking out, hitting into the shift and getting dressed weird are definitely skills he is good at so there's that. A little truth with humor there.

No but seriously though....if someone really wants Gallo PLEASE just take him. If some sort of valued exchange has to happen we can call a new bucket of balls and some Big League Chew gum a fair trade (I'm lying because I don't require all of that...or any of that). Someone else just give this man a job....ANY job that takes him far away from the Yankees. I BEG of you.

Think about it. Manfred and his owners lockout are a comedy routine killing our favorite sport.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

APRIL 9, YANKEE STADIUM OR BUST

Source: NY Daily News

Although I never saw him play, and maybe I never needed to, Joe DiMaggio is arguably the best the Yankees have ever had, maybe baseball at large. He was a perfectionist til the end, even wanting to warm up before throwing a first pitch at Opening Day in Yankee Stadium in April 1998. He never took the game for granted always wanting to be close to the game, be ready to thrill fans, talk to reporters and mentor a newbie. Before he died in March 1999, he had a sign at his bedside that read, "April 9, Yankee Stadium or Bust" — his motivation to fight to be at another Opening Day.  He didn't get there. But he was ready.

This baseball lockout exposes so many flaws in today's game. For one, it shows the disregard for time that these owners, and players have. Precious time for the game, for their contribution to the game, for their opportunity to do something that most never will. If Joe D had more time, he would have been at Opening Day 1999, stepping up for a game, a career he loved and that loved him back.

One of my favorite writers, Mike Lupica, shared his experience talking with and covering Joe D, during those last years of his life. Earlier this week he posted, 

"But my favorite memory of Opening Day 1998, his last at the Stadium, was after he’d thrown his first pitch, and was making his way upstairs to the Yankees' offices and owner George Steinbrenner’s suite. I was waiting for him after he came off the field and he said, “Walk with me.” Of course, I did. And when we got into the elevator, he was surrounded by young women from the United States Olympic hockey team, which had just won a gold medal at the Winter Games at Nagano. When we got out on the office level, one of the players, Katie King, stepped forward and introduced herself, and told DiMaggio that before every game they’d played in Nagano, their coach would gather them in front of him and tell them to have a “Joe DiMaggio Day.” 

Of course she was referring to when a reporter asked DiMaggio why he ran so hard down to first base when he knew he would be out. DiMaggio without hesitation told the reporter, "there might be people in the ballpark who had never seen you before, and you owed them your best." I can't tell you the number of times I have told that story. And again, I didn't see him play live, I didn't hear him speak to reporters or even say those words. I didn't have to. My dad telling me was enough. 

I have to believe that somehow, someway, someone will put the money aside, put the arguments aside and say, Opening Day 2022 Or Bust! Someone has to remember legendary players like Joe D who got it right. Who appreciated playing, and being at the ballpark even 'til the end of his life. Appreciating the game that served his dream, made his life special and made the game special for all fans. 

Source: Bloomberg.com

Last night Coach Mike Krzyzewski coached his last regular season game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. He gave his entire life to college basketball and in particular Duke University Men's Basketball. I am not a Duke fan nor am I Coach K fan particularly, but I appreciate what he has done for college basketball. He mentored and motivated thousands of players over his storied career. He might very well be the Joe D of college basketball. He appreciates his opportunity to contribute. MLB could take a lesson from Coach K and Joe D. Appreciate the role you have and the responsibility you must take in getting baseball going again. You are wasting time. Time that you don't have. Put your differences aside and compromise for the sake of the game. Opening Day 2022 Or Bust!

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

COULD DEREK JETER REUNITE WITH THE YANKEES?

Oh please, let the stars align and bring Derek Jeter home. That would be a bright spot for baseball and the Yankees with whatever this season may bring. It could happen....

Picture it, a Derek Jeter homecoming but not as the face of the Yankees on the field. No, now he would be the face of the front office and why not? In case you missed it (and I don't know how you could), Jeter and the Miami Marlins have parted ways, read more HERE. He is no longer CEO and shareholder to the team and he is looking for a job. 

So please...let this man come home. He wants to be in the baseball world and he could do that back home in New York. Here's how it could happen....

There could be a new job opening soon, and if the Yankees are smart they should consider Jeter to be the Yankees next General Manager. I said it and it's possible. The Yankees should walk away from Brian Cashman when his contract expires at the end of the season (whenever that season starts). If the Yankees come up short again this season they shouldn't even blink an eye. They should just move on. We are in a long drought and 2009 feels like a different lifetime. Working in New York comes with high expectations which Cashman has not met. It's time to stop sticking with Cashman out of loyalty, it is time for a change.

And Jeter can bring that change and he has already proven that. He has sent four seasons rebuilding the Marlins after making some very unpopular decisions. It was crazy to watch him trade away Giancarlo Stanton the face of the Marlins and then dump Marcell Ozuna and J.T. Realmuto but the Marlins have rebuilt and are poised for a brighter future. Well, they were who knows what happens to them now. Either way, after four seasons Jeter's decisions helped the Marlins make the playoffs in a Covid-shortened 2020 season and even won a postseason series. They even finished 2020 with a 3.96ERA ranking the as the 11th best pitching staff. The Marlins also have a healthy farm system with several promising prospects and are ranked as the fourth best farm system.

I'm not a big Cashman fan and I know I'm not the only person with that opinion. I believe everything happens for a reason and I think this is that sign. The baseball gods are telling Hal Steinbrenner to bring Jeter home....it's time.

Make the move, Hal. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

OH WOW... THANKS MLB!

Source: Fox Sports

It's March 2nd and still no sign of any agreement between the players and the owners. Thankfully, MLB.TV is giving me a break on my subscription, offering to extend my 2021 subscription.

Wow, imagine reliving the great seasons of 2020 and 2021 during this time of struggle and impasse? What a generous offer. In the same vein, I am not surprised by what Yankee pitcher Jameson Taillon had to say about MLB owners and the season stoppage.

"Players are used to their ‘threats’. Owners' actions have made it clear all along that they have a set # of games where they still make profits/get TV money. They don’t want to play. It’s sad that these are the guys who drive the direction and ‘future’ of our amazing sport," the veteran pitcher tweeted Monday," according to Fox Sports. With the upcoming season's future uncertain, what is clear is that this sport may never be the same for players and their fans.

"The parties were still searching for an agreement on certain economic issues, including, raising the luxury tax threshold to $220 million this year, setting a new bonus pool for pre-arbitration eligible players at $25 million annually, and raise the minimum salary to $675,000 this year with $10,000 increases annually," reported Fox Sports.

Money and power appear to be at the forefront of this fight, no matter the logistics or the specifics, it still boils down to the same thing: Nobody feels like they have enough. I know as a fan I have had enough. It will be a hard road back for me no matter when the two sides decide to agree or concede. But at least I have my MLB.TV extended. I know you are as relieved as I am.   

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

OPENING DAY CANCELLED. STOP THINKING ABOUT THE PENNY

I really have no energy to write about how disgusting the MLB has become. Players are furious. We are as fans.  There is no way to say this... news has broken today. Opening Day is cancelled. I want to punch Rob Manfred in the face. Keeping it real. Great legacy Rob... time to go.

USA Today writes:

"Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday announced he has canceled Opening Day and the first two series of the 2022 season, as the league's lockout lurched into March with no new collective bargaining agreement – which could result in the first regular season games lost to a labor dispute since 1995....

The announcement comes 90 days after the previous CBA expired at midnight on Dec. 1, whenMLB imposed a lockout of players and weeks of infrequent, haphazard and often brief and rancorous negotiations commenced. "

With all this going on, I often think about the kids. Kids playing baseball and of course the kids who worship their athletes. My buddy Larry Robertson, a BYB Freak and now a friend of mine since BYB began all the way back in September 2010.  He wrote me this. Trust me, it puts all this stuff into perspective. Give it a read:

"Casey, At the beginning of my very first season of playing little league baseball, over 60 years ago, the coach of our team had a team meeting just before our first game. He had us line up near the first base line and he came up to each one of us, individually, and put a penny in our right shoe. He wanted to get us all started on the "right" foot. 

He told us that "If we ever felt that penny in our shoe, we weren't thinking baseball. If we were totally focused on and thinking about baseball, we would never even notice that penny. Focus on the game and good things will happen."

Think about baseball guys. Think about the game, what it means to the fans.  Stop thinking about the penny because you're totally distracted and not thinking about the big picture.  

Bleeding Yankee Blue stands with the players. We know they are trying their best.  The owners? Rob Manfred? They are blowing this. 

BABY BOMBERS TO WATCH RIGHT NOW!

The Yankees minor league minicamp has everyone buzzing about Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez but there are other baby bombers that are flying under the radar. I've got two names I am watching and wondering what happens next for good reason.

The Yankees have two areas that need major upgrades. One has more of an urgency than the other but both need to be addressed. We are all sitting and wondering who is going to be our next shortstop because that has to be in place whenever Opening Day happens. But what about catcher too? Because Gary Sanchez is dead weight, he's on borrowed time. His time in pinstripes is coming to an end. 
So here's who I'm watching.....

1. Trey Sweeney
Where does Sweeney fit, exactly? We all know the names Volpe and Oswald Peraza (who is already on the Yankees 40-man roster) so the Yankees have a lot of depth at shortstop. Peraza is expected to open at Triple-A and Volpe at Double-A so Sweeney has quite the roadblock ahead of him who are closer to being major league ready. Sweeney also may be more suited for third base also based on his large 6-foot-4, 200 pound frame. If the Yankees want to commit to Sweeney they may have to give him a new role.

2. Austin Wells
Even if I didn't REALLY dislike Sanchez (which, I REALLY do), I would still watch Austin because I am curious about him. I remember when the Yankees drafted him the scouts were not convinced because they said he didn't have the arm strength needed for the position. His experience at first base and all three outfield positions in college seemed like a more logical fit rather than catcher. Fast forward to today and he is still a catcher. He's also gained some arm strength and work on his receiving skills so he's making strides and he's developing in areas that Sanchez has not. It shows promise. It also tells us the Sanchez's time in pinstripes may be coming to an end because Wells also has a developed bat and we all know Sanchez can barely hit his weight. The question is will the Yankees make some changes to his position just to get his hot bat into the lineup? He played well in High-A last season and will likely compete for a bump up to Double-A. He's making his way up....which means it could mean Hello Wells and buh-bye Sanchez soon. I think we are all ready to see anyone else behind the plate.

I'm anxious to see what happens to these two in particular and I'm not going to lie I'm rooting for anyone that could replace Sanchez.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj