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!

WELCOME BACK MATSUI AND PETTITTE PREPARED

Hideki Matsui was the Yankees 2009 World Series MVP. Since departing the team, he has been an Anaheim Angel and an Oakland A. Upon his return to Yankee Stadium with each of those teams, he was greeted with cheers and applause from the Yankee fans. Well today, Matsui comes back again to Yankee Stadium. This time as a Tampa Bay Rays player.

Matsui being with the Rays changes things just a little. The Rays are, of course, in our division unlike his two previous teams. In addition, the Rays currently have a 1.5 game advantage over the Yankees for first place. However, keeping all that in mind, I still expect Hideki to receive the same warm welcome he enjoyed previously from the Yankee faithful. So, let me be the first to say Welcome Back Hideki Matsui!

Now, as for our guys, we have Andy going to the hill tonight. He has already said he is prepared to face this first place Rays team, including Matsui. He knows he was a little roughed up in his last outing, giving up too many home runs for his liking. I think we will see an even more determinded Andy Pettitte tonight.

The bats seemed to have started getting hot again. RISP still seems to be a problem and tonight they face "Big Game" James Shields. But you never know what will happen. That's why you can't predict baseball!

As usual, GO YANKEES!

FREE SPEECH AND BASEBALL

Free speech and baseball do not always go hand in hand.  Lately, baseball umpires have come under fire by many over blown calls and quick ejections in the game.  Apparently, the commissioner, Bud Selig has reached out to at least one of those in the media who have made their voices heard and he may not be done yet.


Ken "Hawk"  Harrelson, long time White Sox announcer went on a tirade recently over the quick ejection of a White Sox pitcher and their manager. Recently,  White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana was tossed from the game after a seemingly retaliatory pitch in the direction of Ben Zobrist of the Rays. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was plunked the previous inning, but no warnings were made. Harrelson went on to say about he incident:


"What are you doing? He threw him out of the ballgame, you've got to be bleepin' me! What in the hell are you doing? What are you doing Wegner? You got to be kidding me. That is so bad that is absolutely brutal. That is unbelievable. I'll tell you what, they have got to start making guys be accountable. That is totally absurd. Here's an umpire in the American League that knows nothing about the game of baseball. They have got to do something about this. They have got some guys in this league that have no business umpiring. They have no business umpiring because they don't know what the game of baseball is about."


Whether you agree with Hawk or not and regardless about how you may feel about the man, he is still entitled to his opinion. 


A few days later, Bud Selig contacted Hawk and let him know he was not pleased by what he said and scolded the announcer.  Harrelson has since said he left a voice mail message of apology for the umpire.  Hawk said he thought about it later and realized he was wrong.  Wrong?  About what?  The umpire DID give the pitcher a quick hook.  That wasn't untrue.  The rest was Harrelson's OPINION.  Are those associated with baseball no longer entitled to their opinion? My guess is he was pressured by the owners of the White Sox to fall on his sword.   


Umpires in general are much quicker than years ago to throw a manager, coach or player out when they express their feelings about any call during a game.  Case in point during last night's Yankee game.  The home plate umpire went over to the Yankee dugout staring at the hitting coach, Kevin Long.  Long has some words during the game, from the dugout, about the umpires calls of balls and strikes.  When the ump stared in at Long, he asked him "what are you looking at?" That five word sentence got Long ejected, followed by manager Joe Girardi who came out and let the umpire have a piece of his mind about what had just taken place with Long.  Years ago, the rule of thumb was if you cursed at the umpire, you were tossed. (actually it was one specific word that started with an F and ended with a UCK). After the game, Joe was still mad.  He told reporters later that he questions what the umpire Bob Davidson was trying to do.  Some think it was to show players and coaches anything you say in the dugout will not be tolerated.  Umm, this is still America right? So now no one is allowed to voice their opinion during a game?  Keep in mind, this same umpire was just coming off being suspended for "repeated violations of the Office of the Commissioner's standards for situation handling".  Let me translate, he was suspended for being an asshole. Clearly the punishment didn't work because as we saw last night, he's still an asshole. 


During the post game show on YES, Ken Singleton, also weighed in on the incident.  He also questioned the motives of the umpires to today.  Wonder if Kenny got his call from Bud yet?


This still is the land of the free and home of the brave, right?  We are reminded of that during every baseball game, when they sing the National Anthem and America the Beautiful.  Maybe the umpires should start listening to the words of those two songs.


I'll let you know if Bud Selig contacts me on the off chance he were to read this (which I am 1000% certain will not happen).  If he does, I have two words for Bud.  The first word starts with an F....well you get the point.

SOMEWHERE "THE KID" IS SMILING..

On July 18, 1999 David Cone threw a perfect game for the Yankees. It was Yogi Berra Day and he and Don Larson threw out and caught the ceremonial first pitch. The number 8 (Yogi's number with the Yankees) was painted on the field on both the first and third base sides, forming an 88. After the game, David Cone discovered he threw 88 pitches to get that perfect game that day. Cone always felt It was a sign for sure it was meant to be. Tonight, number 8 once again was shinning down on a no-hitter - this time for the Mets.

Gary Carter, lost his battle with cancer this year. "The Kid", as he was known, was beloved by so many Mets fans and players. He spent 4 years as the Mets catcher and was remembered for his smile and positive attitude on and off the field. No one would have loved the Mets getting their first no-hitter in franchise history more than Carter. Well, Johan Santana got the no-hitter tonight by striking out 8 batters. In addition, the offense helped his cause by scoring 8 runs off 8 hits. Gary Carter wore number 8 during his time in Flushing Queens. Somewhere "The Kid" is smiling that great broad smile of his down on Citi Field.

Johan Santana is coming back this season after having not pitched the entire 2011 season due shoulder surgery in 2010. He just wanted to pitch well for his team. Tonight, he "no" doubt did just that. Johan was the perfect guy to acheive this more than anyone.

I am so happy for the Mets and their fans. It's never easy to root season after season for a team that has struggled for as long as the Mets have. But that's what fans do. 

Congratulations to Johan and the Mets. You have made the city of NY proud and Yankee fans, like myself, are so happy for your historic acheivement.

SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO BE LUCKY THAN GOOD

The Yankees left LA 1.5 games out of first, thanks to a win against the Angels and both the Rays and Orioles losing. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

The pitching last night was so-so at best. Nova pitched 6.2 innings, giving up 5 runs. The Yankees, for their part, scored 5 runs in the the 3rd and found one more in the 6th to edge out the Angels and avoid being swept. Soriano got the save - it wasn't pretty but it was still a save. Nova wasn't awful; but he didn't make it look easy. He looked liked he was struggling the entire time he was on the mound. Unlike some, I am not giving up on Nova. He is not the phenom everyone was calling him last year, but he is still a good pitcher and is navigating towards his role as a starter in his sophmore year in the majors. He will find his way.

It's now on to Detroit. I refuse to give up on this team or anyone on it. The Yankees can be frustrating and at times maddening; and at other times uplifting and exciting to watch. The one thing they are always is - MY team.

As usual, GO YANKEES!