DAVE - FATHER, FRIEND AND METS FAN

My friend, Dave Brown, passed away today.  He was a father, friend and a Mets fan.  As a Yankee fan, we would give each other grief but we also respected each other's team.  That's because Dave was a good man.

Last season when I was writting my Yankee blog, he reposted it every time on Facebook.  Always telling me how good of a writer I was, how entertaining my blog was, encouraging others to read what I wrote.  He was one of my biggest fans, thakfully I told him that.  When Johan Santana got his no hitter - he was the first person I contacted. 

He was a very proud father.  He was alway telling people how his daughters made his so proud.  Every chance he had to spend with them he took full advantage.  His love for them will live in their hearts forever.  

He was a friend. Always ending any conversation with "I love you".  He was never shy about telling the people he care about how much they meant to him.   If I could take away anything from knowing Dave, it's that.  To never let a day go by without letting those you love how important tney are.  

The last comversation we had was about ARod and the "shut the fuck up comment" Cashman made.  We both laughed about it and shook our heads. That's the memory I will keep of Dave, laughing and talking sports.  

I love you Dave.  The world was a better place with you in it and has lost a father, friend and true Mets fan.  Rest in peace.

MY MOM AND BASEBALL

Most people assume I get my love of baseball from my Dad.  That's only half true.  Yes, it was my dad who taught me how to hit, throw and catch a baseball.  And it was my father who played catch with me when I was little and bought me my first Yankees cap; but baseball was a family pastime when I was growing up and still is.

Every since I can remember the Yankees playing games, I can remember my mom cheering them on.  She can recount memories of listening to games on the radio as a kid, just as my father can.  It was my mom and dad who took me to my first game at Yankee stadium. She wasn't there because she had to be; she was there because she wanted to be.  

As the Yankees of the 90's and 2000's came into the spotlight, she along with my Dad and I cheered on the likes of Jeter, Pettitte, Bernie, Tino, Posada, Mariano, etc.  We would call each other after post season wins and losses starting each conversation with "Did you see that game?!"  We still do to this day. 

Last season when Andy Pettitte broke his shin bone on combacker, the first thing my Mom said to me that night when I called her after work was "Did you see what happened to Andy?"

My mom isn't a "fan girl" either.  Her love of the Yankees and baseball is about

the game itself.  She gets frustrated with bad plays, lack of hitting or bad pitching as well as a great win or steller pitching, just as any fan would.  She truly loves the game and she has past that on to me.

So, on this mother's day I will thank my beautiful mother for one of the great gifts she has given me..the love of baseball and specifically the Yankees.  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM! 

As usual, Go Yankees! 

YANKEES GETTING WINS....AND INJURED

Last night the Yankees got another win, Mo got another save and unfortunately another player got hurt. After only 5 pitches into the game, a foul ball hit Cervelli's hand and he was immediately taken out of the game. Turns out "Cisco" not only broke his hand, it requires surgery and will miss a minimum of six weeks. Romaine has been called up from the minors and will probably share the catching duties with Stewart. Cervelli has got to be wondering what exactly he did to piss off the baseball gods. In his short career he has had a broken wrist (spring training collision at the plate), a broken foot (fouled a ball off it) and got hit in the head by a pitch sustaining a pretty good concussion. The tough part for Cervelli is how hard he worked after spending last season in AAA, finally getting his chance to be the starting catcher, only to have this freak injury happen. He is a fighter, a grinder and although this must feel like a devastating setback to his career, he needs to find the fight again to come back once again. No doubt he will.

We also saw Nova get pulled in the 3rd after experiencing elbow pain. One must wonder how long he has really been feeling this pain and never said anything. He knows he had been fighting for a starter position and may have hoped the pain would just go away. Elbow pain for a pitcher can be scary and the first thing everyone thinks is Tommy John surgery. Nova is scheduled for an MRI and we'll just have to wait and see.

Youkilis was once again a scratch with back stiffness and may actually wind up on the DL, joining his teammates Jeter, Teix, A-Rod, Granderson, Cervelli and possibly Nova. Well if nothing else he is in all-star quality company. *sigh*

Yankee fans are starting to feel snake bit for sure when it comes to player injuries; but every team goes through it and though it may sound cliche, it's better this happen in April versus August. That said, the Yankees REALLY need to stay healthy because we are starting to run out of catchers and infielders.

Despite all this last night, Mariano got his 8th save, Robertson got his 3rd hold and the Yankees won the game, due to timely hitting and a little bit of luck. Sometimes in baseball it's better to be lucky than good. Last night the Yankees were both..well kind of lucky..

As usual, GO YANKEES!!

TWITTER - SAINT OR SINNER?

Twitter. The website that basically changed the way we interact. Although there are various other types of social media, Twitter is the most familar to everyone on the planet. So, Twitter - Saint or Sinner?

The upside to Twitter is our ability to connect with those we otherwise may not be able to. People with the same interests (for me it's mostly sports) get to share their frustrations and exhilirations of their team. It allows us to share moments in our lives - good and bad. For some it may be, for one reason or another, a way for them to have contact with the outside world. Ten years ago I broke my ankle and was completely homebound (my parents home, no less) for six weeks. Twitter would have kept me a much more sane person!

Twitter should never completely replace human contact, but enhance our social world. Bottom line is, Twitter can't make you anti-social, only you can do that to you.

We, as a society need to remember the same rules in life apply to Twitter. Posting on Twitter is no different than talking to someone in public; and that being insensative to people, whether it be in person or on Twitter, makes you a jerk - plain and simple.

Granted, there is (or should be) a whole differet set of rules for children. I think kids need to be closely monitored when it comes to any kind if social media.

As with people, Twitter is neither all saint or sinner. It is what you make it, just like life.

Besides, if you are reading this, it is because of Twitter. : )

JETER CALLS A PRESS CONFERENCE - SHOULD FANS BE WORRIED?

Today Derek Jeter is going to talk at a press conference.  This will be the first real time we have heard from Derek since the team broke spring training camp and the regular season started.  The time between then and now has been filled with ups and downs for both Jeter and Yankee fans.  The latest set back came last week when we learned that DJ has another hairline fracture in his surgically repaired ankle.  So what many Yankee fans are wondering - why now? So, should fans be worried about what Derek will say later today?

Possibly. We know he's not expected to come back until after the all star break.  All updates regarding his health and his expected return have come from the Yankees.  Derek is notorious for never wanting to discuss his injuries - especially this one.  In addition, the Yankees were just in Tampa Bay, where Derek has been rehabbing.  Yet, the press conference is scheduled for today at Yankee Stadium.  Granted the Yankees are back home for a series against the Blue Jays; but why not just have the presser in Tampa.  Well one could say it's because any big announcement always comes at Yankee Stadium. Generally, reporters will speculate what will be announced at something like this.  They have a general idea of the nature of the press conference. However, there really has been none of that this time.  Even the YES broadcasters have said very little as to what the reason for Derek speaking is.  Can it be those close to the organization, including reporters, already know and told not to say a word?  Conspiracy theorists would say yes. Some are wondering if Derek will say the "R" word.  Is it possible Derek is announcing his retirement? (Pause for gasps).

Honestly, I don't know what he will say.  I would be surprised if he did announce his retirement like that now.  Derek is always more about the team than himself.  An announcement like that could be seen as a disruption to the other players, as they would be constantly asked to comment on his retirement. Also, like Mariano, I don't think he wants to the last memory people have of him as being carried off the field last October.  My guess is this has more to do with the rest of this season than his career. But then again nothing really surprises me any more when it comes to baseball or the world in general for that matter. And I also have been known to be wrong once or twice before.  I guess we all just have to sit tight and wait for Derek to speak later today.

As usual, GO YANKEES!

ATLANTA BRAVES BRING BACK MEMORIES OF THE 1996 WORLD SERIES

When I think of the Yankees playing the Atlanta Braves, I think of the 1996 World Series. The Bronx Bombers went to Atlanta down 2 games to 0. The Yankees won all three against the Braves and not since the civil war were the people of Atlanta so stunned by a bunch of yankees.

The Yankees, of course, went back home to the Bronx and won the World Series. The Yankees Dynasty began that year, with them going on to win four more World Series rings.

For the most part everyone involved with that 96' "dream team" are no longer in baseball. Only Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera (although on the DL) are still donning the pinstripes. Joe Girardi was a Yankee player and is now the Yankee skipper. Players, coaches and one manager have come and gone since that epic win.

So much has changed and evolved in the world of baseball and the world in general since 1996. In baseball we now have interleague play, instant replay and the addition of a second wild card. In the world the iPhone, Facebook, Harry Potter and reality tv shows are just a few things to come into our everyday lives since 1996. The world overall is a much different place; but knowing Jeter and Pettitte are going down to Atlanta for three games against the Braves starting tonight, brings back all those great memories of the 1996 World Series.

So, tonight in a different stadium, with different managers and for the most part different players, the Yankees face off against the Braves. These next three games may have much less meaning than those three played almost 16 years ago on those cold October nights; but the memories and love for this team remains the same.

As usual, GO YANKEES!

THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS OF BASEBALL

Teams have up and down seasons. Players go through ups and downs during the season and even during a game. There was a great example of the peaks and valleys of baseball today during the Yankee game.

Andy Pettitte started the game and gave up three runs (two earned) in the second inning and appeared to be headed for a bad outing. He went on to go six innings and only gave up those three initial runs. Unfortunately, he left after the sixth when he caught a bouncing comeback ball with his bare hand. Looks as though Andy will be ok, with only some swelling in his pitching hand.

The offense were stymied by the Mets starter Jonathon Neise during the first six innings. They were unable to score any runs until the seventh inning, when an error and a homerun by Russell Martin scored two. The Yankees were able to pull ahead in the bottom of the eighth and it appeared Yankees had the win in sight. However, the Yankees de facto closer, Rafael Soriano, gave up back to back doubles in the top of the ninth and the Mets had the game tied. Boone Logan came out and got the remaining outs needed to keep the score 4-4 for the Yankee offense in the bottom of the ninth. With one swing of the bat, Russell Martin hit his second home of the day and the just like that, the game was over - Yankees win.

Ironically, two players who had a big impact on the game were Mark Teixeira and the aforementioned Martin. Ironic because these two have been struggling for a good part of this season.

The Yankees have had their share of ups and downs throughout the first part of the season-but what team doesn't. Peaks and valleys are just a part of baseball. The hope is, like the game today, you finish on a peak.

As usual, GO YANKEES!