The Two Greatest Players?

The Two Greatest Players from My Era

 It has been a while and I have been busy with school, but I hope you guys enjoy my latest blog posting.

When you think about all the greatest players this game has had, you think of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, etc. 

There is so much more than I could name, but in my era the greatest player I have ever had the privilege to see play baseball is Barry Bonds, there is no question that he is arguably one of the greatest players of all time.

Photo Courtesy by Kevin Rushforth  

The second would be Alex Rodriguez, what these guys have been able to do on the playing field is the thing of legends; it is also amazing that these players have both been linked to using banned substances.

Photo Courtesy by Keith Allison

Arod has already admitted to have used the banned substances, and has been punished severely, with Bonds' some say the slugger is guilty of using banned substances. 

Initially he was convicted for obstruction of justice, as it pertains to the government investigation of BALCO.  In April 22, 2015, a larger panel of the court voted 10-1 to overturned his conviction!

It is a shame that my two favorite players have had their illustrious careers tarnished by being accused of using banned substances.

Arod is now trying to chase history, but it might be too late for the controversial slugger, as of 2016 he has 687 home runs.

 It is possible in the 2016 season if he stays healthy that he could have a legitimate chance of either breaking or tying Ruth's record of 714 home runs and that feat would place him in third place for the all time high of home runs in baseball. 

But to break Bonds' All Time Home run record is a long shot, but it is very doable, just not this season obviously!

His contract will expire soon and Arod will be 41 this year. 

I Hope he plays until he is 45, which would be a more realistic attempt break Bonds' record. 

He needs 75 homers to tie Bonds', that is a heck of a lot of home runs, but here is the breakdown: In three years he could possibly do it.

He just needs to hit 25 home runs for three seasons and he will be able to tie Bonds' record.

Considering unforeseen circumstances like injuries and what not, I would give Arod until he is 45 years old to break the record if he could play that long! 

The bottom line is that, Arods' best shot is to hit at least 25 homers or more for the next three seasons.

Considering Arod, uncanny abilities for the dramatics this is very possible.

 But alas, these records would not be valid in the eyes of some baseball fans across this nation or even across the globe for that matter!

All things considered, juice or no juice their achievements in baseball are simply remarkable. Thanks for letting me share. 

Until my next post, and this will be after the semester is over which is at the end of May 2016, thanks for tuning in folks. In the meantime, here is some highlights from my two favorite ballplayers :)

Winter Talks

Are we still talking about trading Brett Gardner? 

Now Rumors are swirling around about their closer Andrew Miller! Are you guy's nuts? Miller stays, Brett Gardner must stay as well.

Andrew Miller. Photo Courtesy by Arturo Pardavila III

The Yankees are willing to bring their "open to anything" approach to their Winter Meetings that takes place in Nashville, Tennessee.

Brian Cashman says that he continues to say that we will be receptive to pitches from other ball clubs.

Brian Cashman. Photo Courtesy by jimmyack205

"According to Cashman "If teams want to toss out an offer that includes outfielder Brett Gardner or closer Andrew Miller, for example, the Yanks will at least listen"(Hoch).

The Yankee organizations believe that they have a roster capable of being competitive in the American League East.

"Cashman's stance is more an invitation to be wowed than born from any specific urgency filtering out of the Bronx" (Hoch).

"I think it's about roster upgrades more than anything else," Cashman said. "We'll gravitate to the positional side, the relief side, the rotation side -- whatever I can make materialize" (Hoch).

The MLB.com and MLB Network will have the full wall-to-wall coverage of the 2015 Winter Meetings from the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. 

The Network will be launching 35 hours of live Winter Meetings coverage starting Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. The fans also have the option of doing live streaming of all news conferences on MLB.com.

While the "Big Boss" general partner Hal Steinbrenner has said that he expects to add at least one starting pitcher before next spring, the Yankees so far have stayed away from acquiring any big-ticket names in free agency, for instance, we let David Price go to our rivals the BostonRed Sox!

"Steinbrenner has often said that the Yankees shouldn't need a $200 million payroll to win a World Series, and as such, Cashman has actively pursued the trade market in another attempt to improve the team's youth and flexibility" (Hoch).

The bottom line is the Yankees had only about $12 million come off this past year's payroll. That is not enough folks. 

I guess the timing doesn't seem right to make a play for any big names out there in the market. The fact is, over the next two years following the 2015 season; the Yankees will see the deals of Mark Teixeira, Carlos Beltran, Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia all expire.

Is that good news? That remains to be seen!

"The fact that we do have rather large commitments that we're tied into currently will affect the ability to strategize to every level, but it doesn't mean you don't have the ability to have those conversations nonetheless," Cashman said recently. "We will" (Hoch).

The Yankees still have the second base issue they need to address, and to be honest with guys we could benefit from having another starting pitcher. We just don’t know what we are going to get from CC Sabathia.

The rest of pitching staff is okay, but at certain times the staff is kind of suspect with the exception of Nathan Eovaldi.

So we will just have to sit back and see what kind of "wheeling and dealing," Cashman can do this winter. I leave you guys with the a Yankees Hot Stove Video, enjoy.

Until my next post enjoy and be well :)

Source: http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/158567976/yankees-could-talk-trades-at-winter-meetings

Robinson Cano Back To The Yankees?

Stay In Seattle

As usual this is that time of year when rumors start to float around, "like crazy." 

The word on the "street" is that Robinson Cano is unhappy in Seattle and missing New York City!

Robinson Cano. Photo Courtesy by EricEnfermero

Really are serious? Give me a freaking break, why the heck did you leave in the first place, Robby?

I tell you why folks one-word greed! That's right Cano went for the money; baseball is a business and the players will go where the money is at.

It is very rare these days, that will you have players; that play their whole entire career with one ball club, e.g., Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams.

So is there any real chance that the Yankees make a play Cano?

Now there are new rumors that Brett Gardner is going to the Seattle Mariners?

Brett Gardner. Photo Courtesy by Keith Allison

C'mon guys don’t do it! If you are trying to cut back the payroll, this deal will not help you.

I mean it sounds like a terrific idea, especially since the Yankees have not been able to replace Cano.

Whether Cano does or doesn't miss New York, is a moot point!

One of Cano's representatives has sent the word out to the Mariners on Monday that everything is great.

The money alone that remains on his humongous deal with the Seattle Mariners would rule out a potential reunion with the Yankees.

Folks, let not forget that Cano, still has eight years and $192 million remaining on his contract.

The Yankees are trying to climb out of their long-term commitments, with the aging veterans that they have on their ball club.

"Hal Steinbrenner again stating that his team shouldn't need a $200 million payroll to win the World Series"(Hoch).

In a fantasy world, "it has been suggested that the Yankees could pitch the Mariners on a Cano-for-Jacoby Ellsbury swap, flipping one massive contract for another"(Hoch).

Now even if this fantasy deal would go through, the Mariners would have to swallow a huge part of the difference, as Ellsbury still has five years and $105 million remaining. 

Now the good news is that Ellsbury is from the Pacific Northwest. 

Now bear in mind once again, this is wishful thinking on my part, that Ellsbury would be willing to waive his no-trade clause in favor of moving back closer to his "stomping grounds."

But like I said, this is all wishful thinking and not baseball talk.

Until I see Robby back in a Yankee's uniform and Ellsbury somewhere else, this is just a bunch of talk that is going nowhere! 

For now I leave you guys with one of Cano's Highlight reels when he was with the Yankees. 

The video will demonstrate, why he is missed by the fans and at this point of game why he is irreplaceable!

Until my next post enjoy and happy holidays :)

Source: http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/158068394/yankees-fans-ask-about-robinson-cano-and-more

Brett Gardner in trade rumors?

The Yankees Are Crazy

You guys want to trade away Brett Gardner are you freaking kidding me? The Yankees need speed, and they need people to get on base.

Brett Gardner. Photo Courtesy by Keith Allison

Gardy can provide in both of these areas, that the Yankees are lacking severely. If anything what about Jacoby Ellsbury?

Jacoby Ellsbury. Photo Courtesy by Keith Allison.

Clearly the guy is talented but since being injured, he has not nearly produced; anywhere near what this guy is capable of bringing to the ball club.

Ellsbury has a "super blown up" contract.

It is no secret that the Yankees are notorious for giving away a "boat load" of cash to players and for some reason, once they come over to the Yankees, they falter.

"They should have never let Curtis Granderson get away." Huge mistake!

Here is what Brian Cashman had to say about the trade rumors.

"I am open to anything that anybody wants to talk about, whether it's a full no-trade contract, a limited no-trade, no no-trade, a prospect, a low-level, mid-level or high-level player," Cashman said. "I'm just open to anything. It's business as usual"(Hoch).

If Cashman decides to trade Gardy, there will be plenty of Yankee fans livid and that would include this writer as well…smh!

This is the time, when the Yankees are always trying to cut some corners from their payroll.

Unfortunately, the Yankees have to sever ties from some of their long-term commitments to veteran players.

For example, Player's like Gardner, who is 32, happens to have  $39.5 million remaining on his contract over the next three seasons.

The Yanks are contemplating a way, that they could swap Gardner for a second baseman or a starting pitcher -- or possibly both -- they are willing to entertain this madness.

My response to that, don't make that critical mistake guys. Move Ellsbury and keep Gardner! That of course, is wishful thinking :)

I leave you guys with some of Gardy's highlight's from the first half of the 2015 season.Until my post enjoy and be well.

Source: http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/157413122/yankees-inbox-brett-gardner-in-trade-rumors

The New Yankee Stadium

"The House That Ruth built" is Gone

Babe Herman Ruth, was a man who transcended the sport of baseball. The Babe was a man who was larger and than life, he was a true legend. 

Historians believe that Babe Ruth, was somewhat responsible for saving baseball. After the "Black Sock scandal" people had lost faith in the game of baseball; but the Babe helped to change of all that. 

There was never a player a like Ruth, not before or after. In honor of Babe Ruth, here is an image of him.

Babe Ruth- Photo Courtesy by Jimdob

I still remember like it was yesterday when the New YorkYankees were making the announcement that that were tearing down the Old Yankee Stadium and building the new one. "I was extremely sad to see "The House of Ruth, come down." Here is an image of the original Yankee Stadium.

Main entrance to Yankee Stadium during the 1920s- Photo Courtesy by Matanya

The entire baseball ghost of the past, the legends, the championships, the only perfect game ever pitched in a World Series game was coming to an end.

Rumor has it that they were thinking of moving the team out of the Bronx.

I said, "Are you freaking kidding me, why the heck would they move the Yankees out of the Bronx." 

"We are called the Bronx Bomber's for a reason."

Thankfully, that never took place, and the team moved across the street. This new stadium is beautiful, but it has no identity. The tickets are way too expensive; the stadium has evolved into a more corporate environment.

Inside The New Yankee Stadium. Photo Courtesy by Codeepthought4

Gone are the days of people actually being intimated, by coming to the Bronx to play the Yank's. 

That is mostly due to the fact, that the real fans like me; can't afford those ticket prices. Well, maybe the bleachers…lol!

Even the bleachers have lost its mystique, no more "bleacher creatures."

I remember the Captain, Derek Jeter, thanking the fans and saying; now we need to make some new memories at the new stadium.

The whole speech sounded great, but I was still in shock over the old Yankee Stadium coming down!

Well in all honesty since, 2009 that Yankees haven't done "squat" to get us to another championship.

Thanks to Arod and Godzilla (Hideki Matsui) for making that happen for us.

Of course there were other Yankee ballplayers that contributed, but the real fans know whose back; we rode all the way to becoming World Champions in 2009.

So my friends,  "The House That Ruth Built"  is no more; but the legacy of the Yankees continues, but it sort of feels like we will have to do in corporate environment! 

Until my next post, enjoy and be well. I leave with you guys this video from the man who they called "Sultan of Swat,"The Yankee Legend." Babe Ruth.

The" Big Fella" is out of Rehab!

 CC Comes Clean Since Out of Rehab With Robin Roberts!

According to " Good Morning " co-anchor RobinRoberts, "New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia says he had “no other option…but to get help” when he left his team last month during the playoffs to go to rehab"(Roberts).

C.C. Sabathia. Photo Taken by Keith Allison

For the fans, we felt that we somewhat cheated out of a starting pitcher and that this was bad timing on his part; to announce his decision to go into rehab.

In the interview with Roberts Sabathia, 35 spoke for the first time, completing his stay in rehab to treat alcoholism.

“It was just the time,” Sabathia said of his decision to leave the Yankees on the eve of the American League Wild Card elimination game against the Houston Astros" (Roberts).

Sabathia continued with his interview, with Roberts and this what he said, "like I said, I know it was a bad time of the season, but I woke up on that Sunday morning in Baltimore and there was no other option for me but to get help,” Sabathia said"(Roberts).

This decision came during a critical time for the Yankees'; Sabathia was in Baltimore at the time with his teammates for a series against the Orioles. 

The Yankees were consequently, swept in three games by Baltimore. This was the last game, coming just days before Sabathia; would announce to the team that, he was leaving them for the rest of the season.

The dagger for us fans, was that the Yankees went on to lose to the Houston Astros 3-0 and were eliminated from the playoffs.

Consequently, whether CC was there or not, I am not sure if that would have made a difference or not! The Yankees simply got outplayed in all facets of the game.

During, the interview with Roberts; Sabathia, had with his wife Amber, by his side. 

He expressed his empathy towards the fans, by saying that he understands the shocked reaction of Yankee fans; but added that he had to treat his alcoholism like the disease it is.

“I understand where, you know, fans would be upset and people would not understand,” Sabathia said. “If it was my knee or if it was anything else, then people wouldn't have a problem with it.”(Roberts).

“You know, it being alcoholism, it was tough for people to swallow, but it's the same thing,” he added"(Roberts).

The good news is that Sabathia, has completed his rehab and said that he is already looking ahead,  to next season. We wish the "Big Fella" the best of luck.

“Just getting back with my teammates, being back in Yankee Stadium, enjoying the fans and, you know, pitching,” Sabathia told Roberts. "That's what I love to do, competing. I'll be back out there 100 percent, ready to go"(Roberts).

Source : https://gma.yahoo.com/york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia-says-had-no-182313384--abc-news-celebrities.html#

27 Championships and Counting!

The Heart of a Champion

When you think about the Yankees, you think about, the prestige, the glory and the fame. In addition, what also comes to mind, when one thinks about the Yankees' is they that define; what a being a champion is all about. Twenty-seven times proves that. In memory of the Boss George Steinbrenner, I've include this image of  him.

George Steinbrenner, 2003. Photo courtesy of New York Yankees & MLB

Steinbrenner while he was alive ruled with a "iron fist."  He was very demanding and as result of his authoritative nature, it brought back the winning ways to Yankee Stadium. We survived and endured an 18 year drought, that ended in 1996; when the Yankee's beat the Atlanta Braves in Six games.

Steinbrenner always tried, to put together the best team possible and give the Yankee organization; a chance to win a championship.

Now some people could say, "yeah well that Yankees bought those some of those championships."

Well my answer to that is, you still have to put nine men out in playing field and play well enough as one unit to win ballgames! And no amount of money can do that for you.

A good example of that statement, would be; when the 2003 Yankees who on paper should have demolished every team that stood in its path. The Yankees, lost to a team that was not filled with superstars and blown up contracts as were 2003 Yankees.

Folks they simply lost to a team, that outplayed them in all aspects the game! That team was the 2003 Florida Marlins.

There are more examples that one can cite here, but you guys my  point! You still have to go out there and play the game for nine innings and on any given day, any team can be beaten! 

The Yankee would not have a chance to taste some of the "Bubbly" until 2009 when they beat the Phillies.

It is 2015 and as a Yankee fan, along with tons of Yankee's fans, we await our 28th Championship banner and trophy; to hang up and put on display in Yankee stadium. Until my next post, enjoy and be well :)