BASEBALL PLANS ITS RETURN, BUT IS IT RESPONSIBLE?

We are all hoping and praying that we will have a baseball season. We are sitting and watching as things continue to unfold with this Coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the President and his team of medical experts gave us a three-stage plan to re-open the country. Part of that will include getting all sports back and Dr. Anthony Fauci gave baseball fans just a little bit of hope....again, a little. But something is better than nothing.

The media has been giving us so much "information" lately, and it has been conflicting so I have been ignoring a lot of it because MIXED MESSAGES IN THE SPORTS WORLD ARE MAKING MY HEAD SPIN. I have been spending a lot less time on Twitter and Facebook recently, and I have been avoiding a lot of news with one exception. I have been listening to a lot of Arizona Sports Talk radio because I live here now and they are talking about starting the season in my backyard. I am listening to what the smaller, local media is saying because I feel like I am starting to get more "balanced" information. I am getting more than just one viewpoint, and I wasn't before.

One of Dr. Fauci's recent interviews caught my attention. Many of us have been wondering, is a 2020 baseball season really going to be possible? He seems to think so.“There’s a way of doing that,” Dr. Fauci said in a Good Luck America interview on Snapchat. “Nobody comes to the stadium. Put them in big hotels, wherever you want to play. Keep them well surveilled … but have them tested, like, every week. And make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family. Just let them play their season out.”

But what does "let them play their season out" really look like? That is something that I have been listening to a lot on Arizona talk radio, because that is really what a lot of these local sports analysts are talking about and asking questions. Our governor Doug Ducey, says he told commissioner Rob Manfred that Arizona is "ready to play ball" when the time comes but, what about the details and is it responsible and realistic?

I want baseball back as much as anyone else but in our desperation are we really thinking this out? Since shutting down Spring Training back on March 12th we have heard that baseball will follow the direction of public health officials and follow the guidance from the CDC to determine when the season can start. That's not news breaking at all, but I can tell you what is.....

Every week our governor and his own team of medical experts have town halls with the local media here and they have been hammering him with questions that are still unanswered. His medical experts right now will tell you that their number one goal is to get more widespread testing available to Arizona residents because there is a supply shortage. They even went as far as to say on Thursday that they want to be able to "test everyone that wants a test" which is not what the President's team of medical experts have said. So, residents who have symptoms that perhaps need to be tested cannot easily get a test right now BUT....if baseball is to open here in Arizona it will be a priority to test players and maybe even staff weekly or daily?

How is this responsible? Can you even go further and call it a moral dilemma? We need to ask ourselves how responsible is it to give priority testing to athletes and team personnel but not for anyone else. That is a perception problem that I am personally having a baseball fan and as a resident. Would I love baseball to come here and play if it is what will save the season? YES. Do I want players to have access to tests before myself, or my family and neighbors especially if they need them? No.

Our local government has already told us that testing supplies are limited. That alone is a scary message. If there is a way to get more testing and resources to Arizona in the next few weeks to have access for EVERYONE, then we are talking about a much different conversation, but right now....this idea of frequently testing players and staff doesn't work. It needs some fine tuning and it would be the responsible thing to do.

If we are going to do this, let's do it the right way.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

GARDY FANS, LISTEN UP! NAYSAYERS, YOU TOO!

Brett Gardner is likely the hardest working current Yankee.  At 36, about to turn 37 later this summer, Gardner has played in more games as a Yankee than most of the almost 1700 players that make up the Yankees all-time roster. As a matter of fact, only 17 Yankees have more games under their belt than the Yankee outfielder.  And one of those 17 gave Gardy a lot of praise for his time served as a Yankee.

"What an outstanding leader he’s been on this team. I’ve watched him from a baby and the way he goes about his business and the fact that he can do everything on the field. He can play defense. He can still throw. He can still run at his age, and the power’s there, too,” said former Yankee second baseman and spring training coach, Willie Randolph.

Randolph is a five-time All Star and played for the Yankees during two World Series championships, 1977-1978.  Randolph was one of the best second baseman the Yankees have had, turning incredible double plays with one of my favorites, Bucky Dent.  To have Randolph celebrate Gardy, is not only special but coming from him, a humble hard-working player himself, makes the accolade even more honorable.

Source: SABR.org

"When Gardner plays his next game, he’ll join Randolph and 22 others in the Yankees’ 13-season club. He’s already in the top 30 in a lot of franchise categories, as he ranks third in stolen bases (267), 12th in triples (68), 18th in games (1,499), 20th in runs (876), 21st in walks (613), 25th in doubles (230), 27th in hits (1,355) and 34th in homers (124)," reported NJ.com.

When you review all of those stats together, it really tells the story of a great player, one who has risen after injury, kept himself current, and can beat most of today's players down the base paths toward first base or any base for that matter.

If you look up the word grit, clearly you see Gardner, a guy who deserves celebrating.  I needed a feel good story today, and this one, really lifted me.  I hope it lifted you too.  Even if you are not a Gardy fan directly, you have to appreciate what he has done for his team since 2008 and how he continues to step up as a leader for today's team.  Now more than ever we need leaders who are willing to serve the team before themselves.  Gardy is that guy and he is more than worth the one-year extension the Yankees gave him.  Cheers to you Gardy.  Proud that you are a Yankee and you are a leader for this team, especially now as get ready to play post-COVID-19.  The Yankees and their fans need leaders like you to help us get through and make the 2020 season one of the best ever.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

NO ONE CARES ABOUT AN OLD ZACK WHEELER TRADE THAT FELL THROUGH

Are we really that bored that we have to read a story about how Zack Wheeler was going to be traded to the Yankees for a hot second last season... and then not? WHO CARES?

That's literally the only story I'm reading this morning in EVERY PUBLICATION. I'd rather show a picture of a Yankee wearing a facemask and going to the supermarket for rice pudding. At least that's topical.

NJ.com has this:

"...for a moment, let’s look back to last year, when according to a report SNY’s Andy Martino, the Yankees and Mets had a deal in place that would have been a biggie: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler heading to the Bronx... 

Of course, Wheeler won’t be showing up to the Bronx any time soon. The Mets ended up hanging on to the right-hander and he signed a five-year, $118-million deal with the Phillies in the offseason."

That's the story. Gee. Amazing. What does the reader get out of that?

Squat.

Happy Saturday. Hope you're stocked with toilet paper.

THE TALE OF AUSTIN JACKSON

I remember when Austin Jackson was the serious future for center field for the New York Yankees.  And then, in a flash he was shipped off to the Detroit Tigers and that was the end of it.

Baseball-Reference.com has his early timeline:

"June 7, 2005: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 8th round of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed June 22, 2005. 

December 8, 2009: Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the New York Yankees with Phil Coke to the Detroit Tigers. The Detroit Tigers sent Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees. The Detroit Tigers sent Edwin Jackson to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The New York Yankees sent Ian Kennedy to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Arizona Diamondbacks sent Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth to the Detroit Tigers. "

Well, it's been years, and the dude's been a successful player, and by the way, I still like the dude as a player. I like that he was always nimble, humble, hardworking and a solid athlete. And now he's been around, but he's looking to get back in the game, which, I didn't even realize he was out for a bit.

MLBTradeRumors.com has this nugget about him:

"Long-time MLB outfielder Austin Jackson is open to offers to get back on the field, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports on Twitter. 

He says he has remained in playing shape and is interested in a potential return. Jackson only recently turned 33, so he’s not that long in the tooth. But he didn’t appear in the professional ranks in 2019 after nine consecutive MLB campaigns. As he contemplates a comeback, Jackson says he’s looking for the “right situation” — not just any opportunity, evidently. 

There’s obviously no chance he’d command a big-league contract at this point, so he’d surely be looking for a minors arrangement of some kind."

I applaud this. Always liked him. And much like a Ty Hensley, if you still have a passion to play... then get back out there!

I'd love the Yanks to give Jackson another shot. I just think it ain't happening at this point. But one can hope.

Look luck Austin!

STEVE PEARCE MOCKS RED SOX CHEATING INVESTIGATION AS "A JOKE"

I sincerely hope that speaking out against it bites him in the ass.

I wouldn't call a cheating investigation a "joke" after the Houston ASSTROS disgraced the game of baseball. Steve Pearce is frustrated about the process that Rob Manfred has taken after the Red Sox were accused of illegally stealing signs in 2018, the same year they won the World Series.

What a coincidence, right? I mean, Houston cheated in 2017 and they won the World Series. That being said, baseball has investigated about Boston cheating the same year they won the World Series  also. They should....the integrity of the game has been damaged. I get the guy doesn't want to be associated as a possible cheater also but come on.....the ASSTROS cheated. This is no joking matter.

Did the Red Sox cheat? Who knows. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. If they did I wouldn't be entirely surprised after the Apple watch scandal BUT....until Rob Manfred talks, we get to sit here and wonder. They also get to sit back and wonder and as Pearce said HERE they get to "have this floating over [their] head." Is that fair?

Probably not, but it's what Manfred has decided to do. Manfred is content with releasing the results of the investigation when it is safe for MLB to start the 2020 season, whenever that may be. That could be June, July....maybe even 2021. Who knows, really. This is all up in the air, but it shouldn't be.

We have to wait for the Coronavirus epidemic to subside in order to start the season. We all get that, but what we don't get is why do we have to wait for results of this investigation? When Manfred gave his decision about the ASSTROS there was nothing to wait on. Is he just trying to keep baseball out of the headlines while we all deal with this pandemic? I don't know.

But weeks ago THIS came out and Manfred said he would release the report BEFORE the season. I don't understand the delay because I don't think it accomplishes anything. I guess I agree with Pearce here, stop holding this over everyone's head. Manfred should just release the report. If the Red Sox didn't cheat, then so be it. Why do we have to wait to hear that?

If they did cheat, then tell us the details, lay out the consequences (unlike how he did with Houston) and stop dragging this out. The players deserve to stop being toyed with and honestly....baseball fans could use the distraction. I'm all for baseball news that isn't tied to the Coronavirus. I'm all for rumors that don't deal with moving the season to a neutral site to try and get a season in.

A cheating accusation isn't a joke, but Manfred didn't handle the ASSTROS scandal well and now he's off to a bad start with this one. I can understand why Pearce is frustrated, but this is no joking matter.

What is the real joke here?

Is it the Red Sox?

Is it Pearce and Alex Cora?

Is it just Manfred?

Manfred is the big joke so far. I hope he isn't dropping the ball here again, but it sure sounds like it. Release the report, Manfred! Quit stalling.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

CHECK OUT THE_SPORTS_VAULT ON INSTAGRAM!

A quick note here, just because COVID-19 is a real downer and there is nothing going on in the sports world.

Instead of watching an old game for 2 hours, do something better... watch highlights!

Not sure who made this Instagram, but it's just fun and mindless and easy. It's called The_Sports_Vault and all it is, is a simple handle that collects and shares awesome highlights from baseball, to football to ping-pong if it's cool enough.



And if you have something you like, you can send them an Instagram message and they'll share it if they feel like it's worthy!

Look, there are a million places to go watch old sports, but this one is simple and easy and quick. Kind of like Quibi, but on Instagram.

Nice work The_Sports_Vault. Much success!

Follow it everyone. It's fun! https://www.instagram.com/the_sports_vault/

WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP AMIDST COVID-19 WOULD BE AN HONOR

Source: USA Today

I was talking to some Yankee fans about all the possibilities for baseball this season.  You've likely heard about the combo Cactus League-Grapefruit League option, the Arizona-only option, the shorten regular season, the extension of games well into the fall and of course, phased-in empty ball parks to limited spectators approach.  But, the comment I can't dismiss or even just get passed is that whoever wins the World Series did so in a compromised way and therefore will be in the books with an asterisk.  What?  Are you folks serious?  It would be an honor to be the team who won despite COVID-19, despite the disruptions and challenges and all of the new mandates imposed on players.  It would be an honor and blessing just to have the opportunity to play for the championship.

Source: Golden Auctions

"The Astros won the 2017 World Series. We all witnessed it. It happened. Many want an asterisk next to that title or even want the title vacated due to the Astros sign-stealing scandal. I wouldn't be holding my breath for such a thing to happen. The time has passed," reported CBS Sports.  In my mind, I am just as upset about what they did today as I was when I first heard about what they did.  You may have heard that one player has chosen to put his ring up for auction and you know what, people want to pay for it.  That's just nuts.

Source: USA Today

To be healthy enough, talented enough, strong enough and quite frankly, have mentors in the form of parents and guardians who were willing to invest in you to play from an early age are all blessings.  To take advantage or take any of that for granted is simply sinful.  And that is exactly what Houston did, they took advantage.  So, let any player, owner, fan or the like cast the first stone at the team that competed among the constraints and contingency plans to win the World Series. Cast that first stone and I will be at their door step (six feet away of course).

According to NBC Sports, “The only real decision that we have made, the only real plan that we have is that baseball is not going to return until the public health situation has improved to the point that we’re comfortable, that we can play games in a manner that’s safe for our players, our employees, our fans, and in a way that will not impact the public health situation adversely,” Manfred said on Fox Business. “So, right now, it’s largely a waiting game." 

Manfred mentioned that what baseball essentially has are some ideas not really plans.  "All of them are designed to address limitations that may exist when businesses restart. Traveling limitations. Limitations on mass gatherings that may still exist. We thought about ways to try to make baseball available to all the fans across the United States in the face of those restrictions. From our perspective, we don’t have a plan; we have lots of ideas," said Manfred as reported NBC Sports.

Source: New York Post

There will be more limitations on player to player contact, mound visits, spitting, congregating in the dugout, utilizing more of the clubhouse and more and more cleaning. Perhaps new members to the grounds crew would be the cleaning crew, armed with bleach, sprays and yes, hand sanitizer.  And for fans, much of the same with more space between the seats, which is going to be challenging as well.

Source: New York Times

So any team that could rise above all of this and play and win quite frankly deserves more than a ring and trophy.  All players should be honored just for getting out there and playing.  And they should feel grateful for the opportunity to do so.  Life is too short and we are reminded of just how short these last several weeks.

Getting back to baseball is the goal, even if it looks different.  We need some baseball.  We crave it and we will be more thankful and perhaps less critical once we are blessed with the words, "Play Ball!"

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THANK YOU, JACKIE!

Thank you for being strong. Thank you for believing in yourself.  Thank you for pushing yourself to the limit. Thank you for allowing people to open their eyes...

Thank you for your abilities. Thank you for your words.  Thank you for being the right man at the right time. Thank you for your courage...

Thank you for allowing others to follow. Thank you for your unbelievable talent. Thank you for continuing your journey after baseball.

Thank you... just thank you.

There is so much you can say about Jackie Robinson.  But there is one thing that will always amaze me.  It was never about him.  It was always about the future of diversity in America. He knew that and he fought long and hard to change the way people thought.  He had unbelievable strength and courage, and all I want to say is Thank God for Jackie Robinson.

Love ya, 42! You did it! We stand by you today... on your day, no matter what.

Shout out to Mike O'Hara who was part of a documentary last year called "42 Faith". He just tweeted this a short time ago.

To honor the GREAT #42 checkout @foxnation for the documentary “42 Faith” pic.twitter.com/WJMMLtuPMU

— Mike O'Hara (@mikeyoh21) April 15, 2020

Very proud of Mike as you know, but forever proud of Jackie for breaking barriers!

#42

HANK STEINBRENNER IS DEAD

No one could every figure the guy out. He just seemed like a crotchety dude who thought he knew how to run a baseball team, and he always put his foot in his mouth or was really, really outspoken and that just pissed everyone off.  But the truth of the matter is, you never want to see anyone pass away because everyone has family and so did Hank.

Today is a sad day for the New York Yankees and for the Steinbrenner family. Hank Steinbrenner, one of George's sons and the general partner and co-chairman of the Yankees has died.

The New York Post writes:

"Hank Steinbrenner... died early Tuesday morning due to a lengthy illness at his Clearwater, Fla. residence surrounded by family members. He was 63.

According to a source the cause of death was not COVID-19. Steinbrenner was in his 13th year as general partner and 11th as co-chairperson."

Yahoo Sports writes:

Steinbrenner was known to be outspoken and colorful character when he was involved with the team. Back in 2008 he called Red Sox Nation “a bunch of bull----.” 

"That was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans,” he told the New York Times’ Play magazine, via ESPN. 

"Go anywhere in America and you won't see Red Sox hats and jackets, you'll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We're going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order." 

That was the fire that was Hank.  God love him.  Today, it was announced that he has passed away. A sad day for Yankeeland.

Rest in peace old friend.

My heart goes out to the New York Yankees and the Steinbrenner family.

IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE REACHED 7 MILLION STRONG

These days, every single day is like a blur to me. I mean sure, we do our 'work from home' routine, exercise and in some cases help our kids with their school work, but this "Stay at Home" stuff is for the birds.  Does it save lives? It does. Is it working? It is, but it's amazing. Never if my life have I ever seen such an incredible thing in my world. Never, ever.

But in the midst of this tragedy, a glow of light.  Bleeding Yankee Blue has done it again. We have reached a new milestone, something to be proud of. We have reached 7 million views on our pages, and that is all because of people like you!

Over 7 million views is not only historic, it makes me all fuzzy inside. That means that since September of 2010, we have built an audience and found a way to deliver news and information to our audience in a unique way. And I say unique, because there were already so many Yankee blogs out there. But we do it differently. We are honest.

We don't kiss the ass of the New York Yankees. I mean yes, we are fans first, but if someone in the Yankee clubhouse is blowing it or saying the wrong thing, we're gonna tell it to you straight.  We've done it over the years and continue too... even when it comes to guys like Sonny Gray or Giancarlo Stanton or even Joe Girardi. Whomever. That's one. 2... our writers don't need to agree with each other to make a solid product. Look at the spats between Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa and Mike O'Hara when it comes to a player like Mark Teixeira for example. One loves him... the other... not so much.

We started after a bad game back in 2010. BYB built from there.  Our first interview was with Steve Karsay. That was in 2011. It was awesome and helped put us on the map. (Read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: STEVE KARSAY).

Years later, our first podcast interview was with Ty Hensley. He gave us stability and there will be more podcast interviews as we move forward. (Check out A BYB PODCAST INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE WITH TY HENSLEY ). We love this dude and let me be honest... we were the ONLY blog that was consistently following him throughout everything he's been through. And now he's back on top on the verge of signing with a Major League club again.

My point is, Bleeding Yankee Blue has evolved for our audience, because our audience is the foundation to this entire process.

💚 GREEN I 💚 It’s my favorite color and the color of revitalization and rebirth. Hopefully, after this passes we will be better as a partner, mom, sister, friend, human being and we appreciate even more how important it is to be healthy. 💚 pic.twitter.com/QlMdSjbgVE

— Laura Posada (@PosadaLifeCoach) April 10, 2020

We've met and got the know many people over the years.  Laura and Jorge Posada. Clay Rapada. Marci Hensley, Joba Chamberlain, Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record and others.  They are loyal to us... we are loyal to them.

My writers don't stop. I mean some do, but my staple Managing Editors do not. Suzie and Jeana are unstoppable and unique and important to our brand.  We need them on the pages of Bleeding Yankee Blue, and love them very much here.

And finally to our readers, our freaks, our friends, our loves and our loyal crew.

We do this every day for you because you come to us for information, smiles and news when it comes to the New York Yankees and of course the despicable Houston Astros, which, if you know us, has been incorporated into our daily routine.  We fight for justice, and the Astros need to be buried for what they did to this great game.

But you, our readers are our base and our rock and our voice of reason if you agree or disagree with what we put out.  You are the reason we exist.

Thank you. Thank all of you for being there and for supporting Bleeding Yankee Blue.

Wow... 7 million views of our pages.  More than 10,000 stories on our website since it all began in 2010.  That means something. That means we are relevant.

We appreciate you being with us on our journey. Let's continue to blossom.... together.

--Robert Casey
BYB Chief & Head Writer
Twitter: @BleednYankeeBlu

DID AARON JUDGE JUST BET ON THE UPCOMING SEASON?

There's really nothing to talk about in baseball right now, obviously. We are all grasping for any news we can get our hands on, especially if the news bite has to do with baseball starting. And since we are so bored, if there was a story about an alleged baseball bet, wouldn't that catch your interest? Would you be more interested if it also involved the face of the Yankees franchise?

Probably, and Randy Miller at NJ.com certainly is jumping on that chance, read more HERE. Long story short, Rays star pitcher Blake Snell and Aaron Judge may have made a friendly wager about who will win more games in the upcoming season - the Rays or the Yankees. What's on the line? A $5,000 bet with all proceeds going to charity. You can read their take on it.

So NJ.com says both guys laughed at the idea "but it did definitely appear as if a bet was offered and accepted" as the article says. IT APPEARS as if a bet was offered. Is that what we are going with these days? Assumptions?

That's a BOLD story to go with, especially right now. We all know MLB has regulations regarding gambling. You can find a detailed document HERE and NJ.com is correct when they gave the definition as "any player, umpire or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shal be declared permanently ineligible." Baseball fans are familiar with this.

They are also familiar with the clause that is associated with why Pete Rose was banned for life:
"any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee who places bets with illegal book makers, or agents for illegal book makers, shall be subject to such penalty as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct." Many of us also believe that Pete Rose still believes in the Hall of Fame regardless.

So, is NJ.com implying that what Judge and Snell MAY or MAY NOT have agreed to is the same offense as Pete Rose? I guess I don't understand the sensationalist tone to their story.

Or maybe I do get it. Are we really THAT bored? I get the boredom, we all have cabin fever right now but the allegations about an illegal gambling proposal? Come on!

Have we not learned anything since the ASSTROS cheating scandal? THAT is a cheating scandal that has deserved all of the negative attention is has received. It deserves more, and it will continue to do so. It also deserves a stricter punishment, which Rob Manfred won't give because he is a weak commissioner. Are we so bored that stories like this are going to take over the sports world because "it appeared" that Snell and Judge made a "cardinal sin" as they called it?

We shouldn't assume anything by this, and that is not what good journalism does. But maybe I am in the minority on this one. At any rate, I am not going to assume that Judge just agreed to gambling. I think this is a story out of sheer boredom and Randy Miller should be writing better stories than this.

What's your take on this? Is this story a big deal? Comment and tell us your thoughts.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj