Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Andy Pettitte, Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Ohio, Progressive Field, WCBS 880, YES Network on April 9, 2013 | 1 Comment »
Photo Courtesy of Elsa/Getty Images
Yankees (3-4) vs. Indians (3-4)
Pitching Matchup:
LHP Andy Pettitte (1-0, 1.13) vs RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 0.00)
Yankees Lineup
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Youkilis 3B
Hafner DH
Wells LF
Suzuki RF
Nunez SS
Overbay 1B
Cervelli C
Game Information:
The game will take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. It is scheduled to start at 7:05PM ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the radio on WCBS 880.
Posted in Breaking News, Yankee News, Yankee Players, Yankees Management, Yankees Rumors, tagged Cleveland Indians, Designated Hitter, DH, Free Agent, New York Yankees, Pronk, Travis Hafner on January 31, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
According to The LoHud Yankees Blog, the Yankees are on the verge of signing Travis Hafner, also known as “Pronk.” From 2004-2007, Hafner was one of the most feared hitters in the game. Over that four-year span, he averaged 30+ HR’s and 100+ RBI’s. He can certainly add a bit of pop to this lineup, which will be especially useful without the likes of Alex Rodriguez (insert A-Rod joke here) in there. Fans may be weary of him because of his injury risk, but for the price they’re paying (said to be around the price of Ibanez’s one year contract at $1.1M)..he’s definitely worth the risk. I’m loving this move, and so should you.
“it could be announced later today or tomorrow. Sources have indicated that the deal is in place, just waiting for the contract language to be agreed upon. The Yankees plan to use Hafner as a platoon designated hitter, strictly playing against right-handers. No dollar figure has been confirmed, though it’s believed to be close to the one-year, $1.1 million given to Raul Ibanez around this time last winter.” (Chad Jennings)
“Pronk”
Posted in Yankee News, Yankee Players, Yankees Injuries, Yankees Outlook, tagged 2013, Andy Pettitte, Ankle, Cleveland Indians, Double Header, Fracture, Left Fibula, Mikr Francesa, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, WFAN on September 20, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Photo by Jason Szenes/Getty Images
Andy Pettitte returned this year because he had “the itch” to pitch in the major leagues again. All was going well until he took a liner off his left ankle during a start against the Cleveland Indians back on June 27th. He had a fractured left fibula (ankle injury), which was initially supposed to keep him out for only six weeks, but that turned into 12 weeks after a few minor setbacks and a rehab program.
Pettitte pitched the first game of a day-night double header against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday in his return, tossing 5 scoreless frames, allowing 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3 batters. He picked up the win, pushing his W-L record to (4-3) on the season. It was almost as if he never left. Whenever they seem to need a victory in a big spot, he usually delivers.
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Mike Francesa had Andy on the air following yesterday’s start. When asked if he was thinking about pitching in 2013, he said, “It’s definitely a consideration now.”
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Cleveland, Cleveland Indians, Freddy Garcia, New York Yankees, Ohio, Progressive Field, Ubaldo Jiménez, WCBS 880, YES Network on August 26, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Yankees (73-53) vs. Indians (55-71)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Freddy Garcia (7-5, 4.96) vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (9-12, 5.59)
Yankees Lineup
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Teixeira 1B
Granderson CF
Chavez 3B
Ibanez DH
Suzuki LF
Stewart C
Game Information:
The game will take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. It is scheduled to start at 1:05PM ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the radio on WCBS 880.
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Cleveland Indians, Hiroki Kuroda, Justin Masterson, MLB Network, New York Yankees, Ohio, Progressive Field, WCBS 880, YES Network on August 25, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Yankees (73-52) vs. Indians (54-71)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (12-8, 2.96) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (9-11, 4.73)
Yankees Lineup
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Teixeira 1B
Granderson CF
Chavez 3B
Martin C
Ibanez DH
Suzuki LF
Game Information:
The game will take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. It is scheduled to start at 7:05PM ET. The game will be televised on the YES and MLB Networks. The game can be heard on the radio on WCBS 880.
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Cleveland, Cleveland Indians, ESPN, Justin Masterson, New York Yankees, Ohio, Phil Hughes, Progressive Field, WCBS 880, YES Network on July 6, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Yankees (51-33) vs. Indians (45-39)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Phil Hughes (0-1, 13.94) vs RHP Justin Masterson (6-6, 2.85)
Yankees Lineup
Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Posada DH
Martin C
Gardner LF
The game will take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. It’s scheduled to start at 7:05p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network and ESPN. The game can be heard on the WCBS 880 radio station. (more…)
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged C.C. Sabathia, Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Ohio, Progressive Field, WCBS 880, YES Network on July 5, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Yankees (50-33) vs. Indians (45-38)
Pitching Matchup:
LHP CC Sabathia (11-4, 3.05) vs RHP Carlos Carrasco (8-4, 3.54)
Yankees Lineup
Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Teixeira DH
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Posada 1B
Gardner LF
Cervelli C
The game will take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. It’s scheduled to start at 7:05p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the WCBS 880 radio station. (more…)
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Bronx, Cleveland Indians, Fausto Carmona, Ivan Nova, New York, New York Yankees, WCBS 880, Yankee Stadium, YES Network on June 10, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Yankees (33-27) vs. Indians (34-26)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Ivan Nova (4-4, 4.50) vs RHP Fausto Carmona (3-7, 5.33)
Yankees Lineup
Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Posada DH
Gardner LF
Cervelli C
The game will take place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. It’s scheduled to start at 7:05p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the WCBS 880 radio station. (more…)
Posted in Pitching Probables, tagged A.J. Burnett, Bartolo Colon, Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland Indians, Fausto Carmona, Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova, Josh Tomlin, Mitch Talbot, New York Yankees on June 10, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The Yankees open up a four-game series against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium tonight. Here are the pitching probables for the series:
Fri: RHP Ivan Nova (4-4, 4.50) vs RHP Fausto Carmona (3-7, 5.33)
Sat: RHP Bartolo Colon (4-3, 3.39) vs RHP Mitch Talbot (2-2, 4.18)
Sun: RHP Freddy Garcia (4-5, 3.86) vs RHP Josh Tomlin (7-3, 3.71)
Mon: RHP A.J. Burnett (6-4, 4.37) vs RHP Carlos Carrasco (5-3, 4.52)
Posted in Uncategorized, Yankees Outlook, tagged A.J Pierzinski, Adam Dunn, Alex Gordon, Baseball America, Billy Butler, Carl Pavano, Carlos Santana, Charlie Sheen, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Eric Hosmer, Francisco Liriano, Grady Sizemore, Jake Peavy, Jeff Francouer, Jim Leeyland, Joaquin Benoit, Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Joel Zumaya, Jose Valverde, Justin Morneau, Justin Verlander, Kansas City Royals, Kila Ka'aihue, Magglio Ordonez, Matt Capps, Melky Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera, Minnesota Twins, Paul Konerko, Shin Soo-Choo, St. Louis Browns, Victor Martinez, Zack Greinke on March 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
As good as the AL East is, the opposite may be true of the AL Central. I don’t project any of the five teams to win 90 games – and two could lose more than 100. This is a division that is loaded with teams filled with mediocre talent. In fact, the most interesting team to watch may be the Royals, if only because they may actually have days where they start 9 rookies.
The best of the worst is, once again, the Minnesota Twins. Projected to win the Central by three games, they’ll win based on sound fundamental play, two star players (Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer) and because they’ll be able to bottom feed on 36 games with two of the worst teams since the St. Louis Browns. The starting rotation is suspect, featuring the injury prone tandem of Francisco Liriano and Carl “Strained Buttocks” Pavano. The strongest element of last year’s division winning team, the bullpen, was wracked by free-agent defections – meaning this year’s pen relies on the much-traveled Matt Capps and a not-quite-healthy Joe Nathan. In fact, injury carry-overs from last year could get the Twins out of the gate slowly, as nobody is quite sure if Morneau is sufficiently recovered from last season’s concussion to play first full time yet. If they do start slowly, the crown my well fall to Chicago.
The White Sox made quite a splash this off-season, re-signing Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski and landing Adam Dunn as their new DH. Unfortunately, they would have been better off looking for a starting 3rd baseman and a couple of outfielders, because the current line-up may be one of baseball’s worst group of defenders we’ve seen in a while. Which is a shame, because the Pale Hose have the makings of an outstanding pitching staff – perhaps the best in baseball. If Jake Peavy returns to form after his pectoral tear, they’ll have 6 quality starters and a bullpen that features a bevy of quality (if not nationally known) arms. But the offense will once again be a classic three-outcome type, as typified by Dunn: walk, strike-out or homer. Don’t expect much in the way of sustained rallies or guys flying around the bases at US Cellular Field.
The Tigers look destined for a distant third place finish. The best thing going for this team is that they’re managed by future Hall-of-Famer Jim Leyland. But the star player, Miguel Cabrera, is turning into baseball’s version of Charlie Sheen. Actually, Detroit’s middle of the order could feature some good players, with the addition of Victor Martinez joining Magglio Ordonez. The rest of the supporting cast, though, is supect, featuring such luminaries as Brandon Inge. The back of the bullpen could be solid, if Joaquin Benoit can prove last year wasn’t a fluke, Joel Zumaya can stay healthy and Jose Valverde can stop his decline. But both the starting rotation and middle relief corps are a mess. Aside from Justin Verlander, the Tigers are relying on converted relievers, reclamation projects and prayers.
The youth movement is in full swing in Kansas City. After their farm system was ranked #1 by Baseball America, they might as well give the kids a shot – nothing else has worked for the past 20 years. Yes, they traded away Zack Greinke and made a couple of curious signings in old friend Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francouer. But KC’s real aim this year is to see if youngsters Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, Kila Ka’aihue and Eric Hosmer are ready for prime time.
Bringing up the rear is the Cleveland Indians. Once again, the Tribe is looking more like “The Mistake by the Lake” instead of a major-league team. They do have a bona-fide star in Shin-Soo Choo and a star in the making in catcher Carlos Santana. But otherwise, Cleveland is hoping Grady Sizemore shows enough that he can become a viable trade chip. I’m pretty sure Cleveland fans have to be wondering what they’ve done to deserve the Cavaliers, Browns, and this abomination of a baseball team.
Posted in Yankees Opinion, Yankees Outlook, Yankees Spring Training, tagged American League, Anaheim Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Brad Bergesen, Brian Hoch, Brian Matusz, Carlos Lee, Chicago White Sox, Chris Tillman, Cleveland Indians, Cliff Lee, Detroit Tigers, Jake Arrieta, Jeremy Guthrie, Joakim Soria, John Sterling, Jose Bautista, Justin Duchscherer, Kansas City Royals, Michael Young, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays on March 9, 2011 | 9 Comments »
The 2011 Yankees work out during Spring Training
It’s that time of year. Spring training games are underway and baseball fans everywhere are having heated discussions about who will finish where. It’s kind of silly, really. As any Yankee fan can tell you, “You can’t predict baseball.” Still, we make the effort – never mind that mid-season injuries, trades and call-ups always alter the picture. Add in the players who have break-out years (seriously, who thought Jose Bautista would slug 54 homers in 2010?) or unexpectedly terrible ones (think Carlos Lee), and predicting anything this time of year becomes an exercise in futility. But it is a fun exercise, so here I go.
I’ll start by posting the expected finish of team, including record. How did I come to this? I ran 100 season simulations, based on a program I originally wrote for picking football games. Of course, this assumes I’ve correctly guessed every team’s roster on Opening Day and that nobody suffers a significant injury. It’s worked well for me in picking the NFL (as those of you who followed my picks on Twitter last year probably know), but this is the first time I’ve ever tried it in baseball. By the way, the division names double as links, you can hit them to get to a more in-depth prognostication.
Yes, the AL East is that good. And yes, Cleveland is that bad.
Season’s biggest surprise: The Oriole starting rotation. I know, you probably think I lost my mind. But the O’s may have the best stable of young arms in the league, with Jake Arrieta (25), Brian Matusz (24), Brad Bergesen (25) and Chris Tillman(23). Add in a resurgent Justin Duchscherer and the steady Jeremy Guthrie, and that’s a lot of promise.
Season’s biggest bust: Texas. They’re really going to miss not re-signing Cliff Lee. Not to mention the whole Michael Young saga is a great case study in how to blow up team chemistry.
MVP candidate: Robinson Cano. If you thought last year was special, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
CY Young Candidate: Since this award seems given to somebody from a losing team lately, I’ll stay with the trend. Here’s a vote for Joakim Soria.
As always, I look forward to your feedback. And…PLAY BALL!!!
Posted in Tales & Legends, Yankee Players, Yankees History, tagged "The Yankee Clipper", "Wee Willie" Keeler, 56-Game Hitting Streak, Chase Utley, Cleveland Indians, Cy Young, Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, Hitting streak, Jimmy Rollins, Joe Dimaggio, Luis Castillo, New York Yankees, Paul Molitor, Pete Rose, Willie Keeler on September 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak is widely considered one of the most enduring records in sports history. It’s right up there with Cy Young’s 511 wins, Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive games, Celtics’ eight consecutive NBA championships and Gretzky’s 2,857 career points.
The streak began on May 15, 1941. During the streak, he had a batting average of .408, 15 home runs and 55 runs batted in. The streak ended on July 16, 1941. In the process, he snapped “Wee Willie” Keeler’s 45-game hitting streak. On July 17th, Cleveland Indians pitchers, Al Smith and Jim Bagby held Joe hitless. He hit two hard shots, but Ken Keltner was flashing the leather at 3rd base that day, and it was all over.
When the streak ended, DiMaggio began a new one. This one lasted only 16 games. Over the span of both streaks, Joe hit safely in 72 of 73 games during that 1941 season.
It’s been just about seventy years since “The Yankee Clipper” achieved this remarkable feat. The only one to really challenge the record was Pete Rose in 1978, when he had a hit in 44 consecutive games. Just like everyone else who went after it, they all came up short (Molitor [39], Rollins [38], Castillo & Utley [35]). A person has to wonder if the record will ever be broken.
| Hitting StreaksPlayers With At Least 1 Hit in At Least 30 Consecutive Games | |||||
| Rank | Year | Name | Team | League | Games |
| 1. | 1941 | Joe DiMaggio (AL Record) | New York | AL | 56 |
| 2. | 1896-1897 | Willie Keeler (NL Record) | Baltimore | NL | 45 |
| 3. | 1978 | Pete Rose | Cincinnati | NL | 44 |
| 4. | 1894 | Bill Dahlen | Chicago | NL | 42 |
| 5. | 1922 | George Sisler | St. Louis | AL | 41 |
| 6. | 1911 | Ty Cobb | Detroit | AL | 40 |
| 7. | 1987 | Paul Molitor | Milwaukee | AL | 39 |
| 8. | 2005-2006 | Jimmy Rollins | Philadelphia | NL | 38 |
| 9. | 1945 | Tommy Holmes | Boston | NL | 37 |
| 10. | 1896-1897 | Gene DeMontreville | Washington | NL | 36 |
“Now this is over thirty years later and the guy said he was that cab driver (who drove DiMaggio to the game on July 17th). He apologized (for telling DiMaggio that he thought the streak would end that day) and he was serious. I felt awful. He might have been spending his whole life thinking he had jinxed me, but I told him he hadn’t. My number was up.” – Joe DiMaggio (more…)
Ray Rothfeldt
M. B. Rozell
Kevin Rozell
