ME of little faith

Yesterday, the Yankees were down 2-0 against the Cubs for almost the entire game. I checked the score on my phone as I got in the car, about to make my way home. When I saw they were still down 2-0, in the top of the 9th, I didn't bother to tune in and listen to the last three outs. After all they were playing the current World Series Champions. The Yankees got two on and Brett Gardner swung for the fences; the score going into the bottom of the ninth was 3-2 Yankees. Chapman came in and closed the game, on the day the Cubs gave him and Adam Warren their WS rings. Of course I found all this out on the news and not having seen or heard it live. Me, of little faith.

I should have known better. This team for the first time in years is never completely out of any game, whether they are down 2 or 9 runs; whether it's the 2nd inning or the 9th. The Yankees, filled with youth and exuberance, are showing it's fans and all of baseball, "It ain't over till it's over"

Yesterday taught me the lesson of never giving up on this team, my team. They won't always come back, but when they do, I won't miss it.

As usual, Go Yankees!

The Streak Ends at Eight

The Yankees came into today's game five games over .500, on an eight game winning streak and tied with Baltimore for 1st place in the division. Yankee fans would have given anything of any of those three last season. It took the Yankees until August last season to get to 5 games over .500. But, when your team is on a winning streak, you don't think or want it to end; despite the fact they play a 162 games a season. Tomorrow we start another streak...


To Catch a thief

Brett Gardner has finally put the fear of getting caught stealing aside and is using his speed when getting on base. As of game 13, Gardy has five stolen bases; he had 16 total all of last season. Run Forrest Run!


Starters finally found their rhythm

The starting rotation was lights out during Spring Training and then the light seem to go out on Tanaka, Pineda amd Severino (CC surprisingly looked good from his first start), with the team going 2-4 on the road. Then came the team home opener. It seemed like coming home was exactly what each starter needed. Pineda kicked it off taking a No Hitter into the 7th, going 7 2/3 innings, giving up 1 run on 2 hits. It was, it seemed, the turning point for the starters and the start of the a aforementioned 8 game winning streak.

Comeback Kids

Unlike last season's team, the 2017 Yankees have late inning rallies in their bones (to use a Michael Kay phrase).  Of eight home wins, three were come from behind. Judge being a big part of it. Judge is looking like the player eveyone had expected him to be.

Bird is the Word

Greg Bird got off to an awful start. It seemed every Yankee who got up, got a hit(s) except Bird.  Following Saturday's game, Greg was hitting .038 and starting to hear the boos from Yankee fans. With a home run and two doubles in Sunday night's game,  Bird came off the interstate; raising his BA to .138 and more importantly his confidence. (That said, he went 0-3 tonight; but the team as a whole only eeked out four hits total). Bird, like all players that go cold, have to remember they made it to the bigs for a reason and the hits will eventually come. Baseball is a sport of ebbs and flows.

Tonight's game saw another good start from Severino. It also saw the "no quit" this team has. The potential 9th inning rally, brought back memories of teams past.

Only time will tell what the rest of the season will bring, for now; I'm enjoying the games that are more fun than frustrating to watch.

As usual, Go Yankees.

Tanaka time

It's been almost one week since Tanaka had his terrible first start against Tampa. Although we are only four games into the season, Tanaka and the Yankees need to start winning and getting back on the same track they were on during Spring Training.

Tanaka needs to go out and throw a good game and go deep into the game. Last season the starting pitchers had a hard time getting past the 5th inning, taxing the bull pen. Relying on a bull pen through your entire season rarely works. There are too many moving parts and room for error.  Who would have thought CC right now is the team's best pitcher? No one, because frankly he shouldn't be. When you have pitchers on your team like Tanaka, Pinada and Severino; CC should be your third best starter, because of his age and all those pitches he has on his arm.  The guy has been a horse for the Yankees since joining the team in 2009; but he has more starts in is past than his future. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the game he pitched on Tuesday and he gave us our only win so far; but the other starters need to get their shit together (for lack of a better term) or Cashman needs to look elsewhere.

That said, the defense has been sloppy and hitters spotty at best. Consistency, in both offense and defense, is what will win games. Not amazing home runs or the occasional spectacular plays, but playing sharp, consistent baseball.

So, for today's game I would like to see Tanaka go at least 6 innings, no ugly throws by Headley and hits from the lineup top to bottom.

Win or lose, though, I'll be watching games, cursing and cheering at the tv.

To quote Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton "Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now" (come on you KNEW a Hamilton quote was inevitable!) ❤

As usual, Go Yankees!

And a new baseball season begins...

The 2017 Baseball Season officially began yesterday, April 2, and the Yankees had the honor of being the first game, against the Tampa Bay Rays. With the way the Yankees looked in Spring Training, especially Tanaka's pitching; yesterday's game promised to be the beginning of winning baseball for Yankee fans. Well, as the saying goes "You plan, God laughs", apparently that holds true for baseball Gods as well.

Tanaka looked terrible. He gave up seven runs and couldn't get out of the 3rd inning (which apparently gives him the dubious honor of having the worst opening day start in franchise history-YEAH!).  I truly believe it was nerves. There is no indication he is hurt; Tanaka himself said he was disappointed in his start but no mention of an injury. The problem with playing for a storied franchise is the pressure of starting the season looking like the great teams that came before you. Added to that was the fact Tanaka only gave up one run through all of Spring Training. The good news was that the bull pen pieced together the remaining innings, without allowing any additional runs. Additionally, it's the first game of 162. The players and fans need to turn the page, especially Tanaka. As Mariano Rivera always said "Pitchers need to have short memories. Forget the results by the time you leave the clubhouse, regardless of how you pitched".

In other baseball news, Commissioner Rob Manfred is clearly worried about how much time baseball will take from my life, so he is looking for ways to speed up the game and allow me to do other things. His latest idea is to fore go the long tradition of a four pitch intentional walk to the team pointing to 1st base and the hitter just taking it. Baseball geniuses need to understand baseball and football will never have the same revenue share, if for no other reason, the number of games in a season.  I'm a baseball purist. When pitchers are forced to throw four pitches outside the strike zone, it lends to the possibility of a wild pitch. Besides, there is nothing better to do than watch a baseball game on a hot Saturday summer afternoon, whether it be at home, at a bar or at the stadium.  Mr. Manfred can worry about his own lack of free time and leave mine alone.

Lastly, with the baseball season now here, I am attempting to restart this blog.  Yankee girl has many point of views and those who know me personally will be glad it's not all about the current administration.

As usual, Go Yankees!

Turning the Yankee page for the next generation

I hate change. I also love sports. Loving sports and hating change are completely counter intuitive. I remember a CEO of a corporation I worked for in my 20's would say "the only thing in life that is certain, is change". No truer words when it comes to the current Yankees.

Over the 30 plus years I have rooted for the Yankees, I like everyone, have seen them come and go. I know trades, retirements and releases are inevitable. In the last 5 years, the Yankees ever changing roster has made me at times frustrated. Two release/retirement announcements, three trades resulting in a countless number of AAA call ups, all since August 1, has made my headspin and is giving the baseball gods a good laugh.

The Yankees, for better or worse, have turned and continue to, turn the page for next the generation. As a faithful fan, I will too.  And who knows, maybe creating the next great Yankee team (fingers crossed). 

As always, Go Yankees! 

Another Yankee chapter closes - Alex Rodriguez

The Yankees have become experts on farewells. It's not surprising given the talent that gave had over the last 20 years. At times the farewells have come during the season like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera; some have come after as Andy Pettitte, Joe Torre and Jorge Posada all experienced recently. Last night came another farewell. This time it was Alex Rodriguez. This time the Yankees failed.

Alex has had a tumultuous relationship with the Yankees, his teammates and the fans since his arrival in 2004. There were post season fails, embarrassing personal life headlines and of course accusations of PED use. But Alex was also one other thing, the guy who no matter how many times he tripped and fell, he always got back up and always came back swinging.

ARod was notorious for having horrible post season numbers (even being dropped in the batting order by Joe Torre). Season after season the Yankees made the playoffs and season after season Alex struck out, popped out and could never get that clutch hit. Then came 2009. Alex hit .455 and .429 in the series' against the Twins and the Angels respectively.  The man who was considered a jinx finally found his swing. Alex may have fallen in the post season in years past; but he found the ability to get up and help the Yankees win their 27th World Series.

After being suspended for alleged PED use and not being honest about what he did, Alex was forced to sit out the entire 2014 season. When he came back he was boo'd and villified. But Alex never quit, said the right things and worked hard to repair his relationships with fans, teammates and the organization. He smiled when they boo'd. He waived to fans if there was one fan cheering and celebrated his teammates successes. He is known for metoring young players and they appreciate his tutelage. 

This past week the Yankee decided to release Alex from the team and his final game in pinstripes was set for August 12th. For as great as the Yankees have been at farewells, this one for the most part was a fail. From Joe Girardi saying ARod could play every game that final week and then changing his mind, to his denial of Alex's request to play 3rd in his last game.  The Yankees half hearted pregame ceramony that was poured on peppered with thunder and dark clouds.  The Yankees bounced between kicking him out and celebrating his years as a Yankee. 

But like Alex, the Yankees found a way to get back up. After the pregame storm past, a rainbow formed just beyond the outfield. In the 9th inning, up 6-3, Joe Girardi put Alex in at 3rd base for one batter. ARod grabbed a glove and bounded to the position he spent 10 seasons playing. After Betances stuck out the hitter, Alex came off the field to 40,000 plus cheering and hugs from his teammates. As he sat in the dugout, the fans chanted "A-Rod" as if to say "thank you and all is forgiven". Two outs later, Alex high fived his teammates on the win, walked around the field, collected some infield dirt and waived one last time to the Yankee fans. He walked off with a smile that could light up the Bronx. He was, as he said, at peace.

Thank you Alex Rodriguez for 12 yesrs of home runs, amazing plays on the field and most of all showing us that it reallly isn't about the falling down; but the getting up.

Embarrassing night for the Yankees

Last night the Yankees lost 7-1 to the Mets, the last out being made by Alex Rodriguez and I was embarrassed.  Not because of the loss, the lack of offense, Tanaka giving up home runs or even the booing of ARod by Mets fans (your house, your right to boo). What embarrassed me and frankly pissed me off was how Joe Girardi and the YES network handled that last out.

It started by Michael Kay announcing ARod was coming in to pinch hit. Michael made sure they "pause to hear fans reactions" and the booth went quiet. Really??? Did be think they were going to cheer the man at Citifield? They all knew the expected reaction and Mets fans came through.  Did Michael and those at the YES network take joy in that? Shameful behavior. Then there was Joe Girardi. Alex was not in the lineup last night. He has clearly struggled all season. So with the Yankees down by six runs, with two out in the 9th inning, he puts ARod to pinch hit? Was that just another opportunity to make him feel so bad he walks away? Joe wasn't asked why he had Alex pinch hit. He was too busy stuttering when asked if that was Alex's last game (every way imaginable), to which he said he didn't think so (way to commit). 

I have never been ARod's biggest fan; but I also will never understand the vitrial that people have for him. Has he made mistakes? Yes. Has he had bad judgement? Yes. I don't dispute that; but to act like the man is baseball's version  of Saddam Hussain is ridiculous. Yankees from the past (some not so distant) have committed FAR more terrible acts, which include manslughter, drug abuse and domestic violence; all committed by Yankees, none of which are named Alex Rodriguez.

Jim Leyritz killed a woman as a result of being drunk, running a red light and smashing into the side of her car (how he avoided jail is ridiculous). Yet, after all the smoke cleared and Jimmy was found not guilty, he was welcomed back to Old Timer's Day with open arms. 

Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden have been arrested for cocaine/crack possession, solicitating protitutes and DUI. Straw, like Leyritz, was welcomed and cheered at Old Timer's Day. I havr no doubt Doc would be too.

And let's not even discuss Aroldis Chapman (who's Yankeeography is probably in production on YES).

Have all of these men paid for their mistakes, I suppose; but hasn't Alex paid for his? "Judge not lest ye be judged" should maybe be a sign hanging next to "I thank the good lord for making me a Yankee"

The current presidential election has produced ugly words and disgraceful behavior. Yankee games have always been a way for me to escape the ugliness of the outside world; that is until last night. But I am for second chances. So, let's try to stay classy Yankee fans. 

As always, go Yankees!