Results tagged ‘ Damon ’
In a Weekend Filled with Heroic Yankees, Alfredo Aceves Goes Unnoticed
Amidst a sea of heroes and inspiration in the Bronx over the weekend, one quiet and unsung hero was left unnoticed.
Yankees pitcher Alfredo Aceves helped to stabilize a bullpen recently diagnosed as bi-polar, ensuring that a tie score would carry over into the bottom half of the inning.
Without Aceves, New York likely would have stepped to the plate with its tail between its legs, having just allowed a horde of base runners to score.
Aceves pitched a scoreless and uneventful inning in consecutive games, lowering his ERA to 2.16. He has collected 9 K while surrendering just 2 BB, and currently displays a 0.84 WHIP in 8 1/3 IP.
While Brett Gardner, Mark Teixeira, Melky Cabrera, Alex Rodriguez, and Johnny Damon allocated the role of hero over the weekend, Aceves quietly earned back-to-back victories on Sat. and Sun.
A.J. Burnett covered the faces of Cabrera, A-Rod, and Damon with a celebratory whipped cream pie, but it was Aceves who prevented New York from being left with the proverbial “pie in the face.”
Aceves has been the model of consistency is his time with the Yankees, holding hitters to a .214 BAA in 38 1/3 innings pitched. His 1.09 WHIP and 2.35 ERA help too further uncover the secret of his covert successes.
Though he is a rather unassuming man, do not be fooled by his lack of unbridled emotion.
Aceves uses his calm focus as a weapon, and is capable of handling pressure situations with poise. This is of course the most important section of the Yankees prospective player application.
Most importantly, he has the ability to–you might want to sit down for this–immediately throw strikes out of the bullpen. This is a skill the rest of his mound mates seem to purposely avoid.
Manager Joe Girardi seems to have finally granted Aceves the respect and trust that he deserved all along, and will look to place him into additional important situations down the road.
It is anyone’s guess why pitchers like Jonathan Albaladejo, Anthony Claggett, David Robertson, and Steven Jackson received shots on the 25-man roster before Aceves, but it is safe to say that he is here to stay.
New York has been waiting for six weeks to find a reliever not named Mariano Rivera willing to step up in clutch pitching scenarios.
Aceves has finally thrown his hat into the ring, and could provide a much needed emotional respite for a fan base steadily reaching for Xanax in the latter innings.
Continue to underestimate and disregard the inconspicuous Aceves, as it will further feed into his drive to succeed.
Don’t let his name confuse or mislead you…Alfredo is out to prove that he is anything but “chicken.”
Also Seen At: Heartbeat of the Bronx
Yankees Lineup Dissected, Evaluated: Where Do the Bronx Bombers Stand?
In the wake of countless college graduation ceremonies being performed across the Untied States, it is once again time to put the Yankees through the GPA gauntlet.
After giving out the individual April awards during a May 1 banquet, we will now focus on where New York stands after a 2-6 stretch following that date.
The issues surrounding New York’s starting rotation and middle relief have been well documented and assessed, and represent a major catalyst for the team’s 15-16 start to 2009.
This grading evaluation will instead focus on the Yankee lineup; a group of men that were anticipated to pummel opponents’ rotations until they cried in the corner of the dugout in the fetal position.
Before I hand out the A’s, C’s, and F’s, let’s first focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the offensive attack at this juncture of a marathon baseball season.
Offensive Strengths:
The Yankees currently stand at 8th in MLB with a .273 team batting average, as well as 6th with a .353 on-base percentage. Additionally, they are 2nd in the league in slugging (.468), 4th in OPS (.821), 2nd in home runs (48), and 5th in runs scored overall (172).
They have shown flashes of greatness, and have had a knack for hitting the long ball when they need it most in recent weeks. The bullpen has helped to mask this fact, but there is some reason to view the situation as “half full” moving forward.
New York sits near the top of baseball in a bevy of offensive categories, all while performing far below its expectations and skill set.
Offensive Weaknesses:
The season has produced many games that have been first round knockouts, as the starting rotation has left New York with seven and eight run deficits to overcome.
Many other games have come down to clutch performance, a skill once the lifeblood of any Bronx lineup. This season, however, the team is currently third to last in the AL with a .244 AVG with runners in scoring position (RISP).
The RISP number is also slightly skewed toward the positive, as many of these hits have occurred in convincing victories. The reality is even more dismal than the statistics indicate.
To make matters worse, the Yankees hit just .240 with RISP and two outs, a stat that truly encompasses the team’s struggles to produce with pressures magnified.
The inability to drives in back-breaking runs late in games has left the bullpen in a position to instead break the hearts of Yankees fans.
Semester One Grading Assessment
Valedictorian: Johnny Damon (A+)
After yet another clutch home run against the Orioles on Sunday, Damon now has 9 HR, 25 RBI, 23 R, and a .314 batting average.
Damon has had an incredible resurgence in 2009, and has helped to keep a struggling lineup afloat in recent weeks. In nine May games alone, he has produced 5 HR, 15 RBI, and a .350 average.
The Good:
1. Melky Cabrera (A)
Once left for dead within the Yankees organization, Cabrera was as much trade bait as he was a prospective starter. He has saved a center field situation that had become a black hole, hitting .333 in 81 at bats. He has also added 4 HR, 10 RBI, and a .407 OBP.
2. Robinson Cano (A-)
Cano has often been considered a lazy or nonchalant athlete, appearing to approach the task at hand without full dedication. His hard work during the offseason has paid off, as he is hitting .321 with 6 HR, 18 RBI, and 21 R. A recent homecoming of certain bad habits at the plate has caused Cano’s consistency to slip, preventing an A grade.
3. Nick Swisher (B+)
The true darling of the Yankees roster in 2009, Swisher had box scores treating him as kindly as fans during April. He ended the month at .312 with 7 HR, 19 RBI, and a stellar .430 OBP.
An ‘A’ grade has quickly fallen to a ‘B+’, as Swisher is just 3-for-23 in May (.130). The three hits have occurred in consecutive games, however, so perhaps he is ready to get back on track.
The Bad:
1. Derek Jeter (C+)
If Jeter’s stats were stretched over a full season, he would produce the lowest AVG, OBP, and RBI totals of his entire career. He had two 0-for-5 games in the last week alone, and has been rather pedestrian overall.
The Captain nearly climbed out of the “bad” category as a result of numerous clutch performances in the early weeks of April, helping to prevent an even more embarrassing start for the Yankees.
2. Hideki Matsui (C-)
“Godzilla” was counted on to provide pop from the middle of the lineup in order to compensate for the losses of Alex Rodriguez and Xavier Nady. In 98 at bats, he has produced just 2 HR and 12 RBI, offering nothing more than a keen eye to New York.
A .410 OBP for the month of April is the only thing saving Matsui from the “ugly” category, as he is just 7-for-33 in May (.212) with 3 RBI and a .250 OBP. He also has a propensity to clog up the bases due to his damaged knees.
The Ugly:
1. Mark Teixeira (D-)
Teixeira arrived in New York with a $180 million contract and lofty expectations. The subsequent injury to A-Rod then placed the lineup squarely onto his shoulders, and he couldn’t handle the responsibility. Still hitting an appalling .198, Teixeira has turned a “historically slow starter” moniker into fears of a never-ending train wreck.
While “Big Tex” is still on pace for 40 HR and 97 RBI, he has come up very small. He has resembled Pedro Cerrano from Major League, as he looks as though he has never seen a professional curveball before. Boos will turn into disownment is he does not turn it around with A-Rod hitting behind him.
2. Third Base (F)
The combination of Cody Ransom, Angel Berroa, and Alex Rodriguez collected just 1 HR, 9 RBI, .178 AVG, and .233 OBP in 25 games. Yankees 3B were also leading the league in errors at the point of A-Rod’s return. Ramiro Pena played admirably, but his individual moments cannot overcome the calamity of New York’s “frigid corner.”
The Infirmary:
1. Jorge Posada (A-)
Before an injury placed him on the DL, Posada was also in the running for valedictorian. His .312 AVG, 5 HR, 20 RBI, and .402 OBP in just 23 games were numbers fit for an All-Star starter at the position. He reenergized the lineup, and had proven that a surgically repaired throwing shoulder would not at all affect his production in the batter’s box.
2. Xavier Nady (Incomplete)
Nady played just seven games before injuring his throwing arm, hitting .286 with 2 RBI. He is very important to New York’s second half success, but has not played enough to earn a grading evaluation.
3. Jose Molina (B)
Molina is potentially the best backup catcher in all of baseball. His defensive prowess is unquestioned, and he quickly became the biggest luxury on New York’s bench.
Not known for his offense, Molina’s .273 AVG is more than serviceable considering his expectations. Unfortunately, a recent quad injury has left the Yankees scrambling for a worthy and dependable backstop.
Also seen at: Heartbeat of the Bronx
Yankees Victim of “Fowl” Play: Orioles Fly High on Opening Day
The 2009 season began with hopes and dreams of a deep October playoff run.
The Yankees hoped to turn back the clocks and recreate dominance reminiscent of the late 1990s.
Monday’s season opener was not quite the initial progress they had hoped for, as the Yankees were surprised by an upstart Oriole team with something to prove.
Prized pitching acquisition C.C. Sabathia had hoped to have a New York debut so successful that fans would think his initials stood for “Chevy Chase.”
Unfortunately for the hefty lefty, his pitching prowess reminded much more of the post-Friends acting career of “Courtney Cox.”
Though there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to hit the panic button after nine innings of baseball, the loss provides dissenters some early fuel for their Yankee-hater fire.
Even if you had not watched one pitch of yesterday’s game, a single statement could explain the day’s events for the Yankees.
Of all the high-priced free agents obtained by New York during the offseason, it was Nick Swisher (1-for-1, ground rule double) who had the most promising Opening Day performance.
Considering Swisher was not in the starting lineup, and managed to accumulate about 60 seconds of field time, it is clear that Sabathia and 1B Mark Teixeira struggled in game one.
When taking a much broader perspective on the game’s events, there were many positives to cling to.
Injury concerns Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui both hit mammoth home runs, and rookie CF Brett Gardner displayed the skills necessary to start in the league.
Additionally, the unveiling of the Derek Jeter leadoff experiment was a success. Both he and Johnny Damon had multi-hit games and helped to jumpstart a stagnant offensive attack.
The Yankees did nothing to quiet the voices of those who questioned their defensive abilities or bullpen depth.
They struggled mightily in each area, and will need to make adjustments quickly in order to keep pace in the league’s toughest division.
Luckily for New York, there are 161 games remaining on their schedule. It is only a matter of time before their talented roster straightens themselves out.
It could begin tomorrow night in Baltimore, as former Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang takes the mound to prevent an immediate 2009 losing streak.
Regardless of the Opening Day disappointments, it feels incredible to once again be talking about meaningful baseball.
Buckle your seatbelts. It is going to be a wild ride.
A Day of Firsts: A Look into Attending the Yankees True “Opening Day”
The early morning fog and clouds cleared to reveal nothing but blue sky and sunshine.
The baseball gods would not allow anything to ruin the unveiling of the most remarkable structure its sport has to offer.
Crossing over the Macombs Dam Bridge as I have done hundreds of times before, my eyes grabbed hold of the place I once called my second home.
I could not help reflecting on all of the timeless moments that I had witnessed within the stadium’s high walls, and was forced to realize that there would be no further stories to tell.
Having to almost wrestle with the steering wheel in order to leave “The House that Ruth Built” in the rearview mirror, I quickly approached the new stadium.
At first it appeared much like a stepfather, forced into your life as a replacement for what you once loved.
Your mother would comfort you by saying, “Everything will be ok. It will just take time to adjust.”
You didn’t want to learn to like this new part of your life. You wanted back what you always had.
After parking the car in a newly built garage next to the stadium, I looked for a way to get back to ground level.
An elevator stood just twenty feet from my parking spot. Wow, the Steinbrenners had really ensured comfort to the finest of details.
Upon approaching the stadium’s Gates, I realized that I was standing within Babe Ruth Plaza.
What better way to attempt to appease the ghosts of Yankee past than to pay tribute to the man that began the franchise’s legacy?
Still somewhat uneasy about taking my first steps inside, I felt as though I was cheating on a long-term girlfriend.
As soon as I entered the stadium, however, I was welcomed by “The Great Hall.”
A miraculous passageway lined with huge banners of Yankee greats, it made me forget my trepidation and begin to drop my jaw closer and closer to the floor.
Everything around us was an impressive sight, from the record-breaking center field video board to the pinstriped hot dog boxes.
Even the team’s memorabilia stores are lines with countless HD televisions so that no game action is missed while you max out your credit card.
After working my way around the stadium, I began to catch my first glimpses of the players and field surface.
Equally as magnificent as its amenities and awe-inspiring façade, the field is as well-groomed as the front lawn of the White House.
The backdrop of the stadium is far superior to its older version, with the exception of no longer displaying the beloved black seats in center field.
As the stretching was completed and the workout began, I was able to witness a bevy of stadium “firsts.”
Ranging from C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett’s first stadium tosses to Mariano Rivera’s first bullpen appearance, everything I saw was being done for the first time.
Most notably, Rivera chose to jog out of the bullpen after his tour was completed.
Metallica’s Enter Sandman began to play louder and louder in my head. I could imagine the stadium beginning to shake as he makes his first real appearance on the mound.
Batting practice commenced shortly thereafter.
Derek Jeter continued the trend of firsts, as he fittingly took the stadium’s first swings. As if the Yankees would have had it any other way.
Johnny Damon then christened the new right field porch, making sure fans did not have to wait long to witness the cathedral’s first home run.
Just when I thought that this day could not possibly get any better, Robinson Cano casually fielded a deep drive into center field.
He turned and smiled into the bleachers, and tossed a ball high into the air. As soon as it was released, I knew that my 20 years of playing baseball was about to come in handy.
I jumped into the air with the aid of an obnoxiously long wingspan, and came down with a baseball in my hands. I did receive a right cross to the temple which knocked my hat to the ground, but it was well worth it.
Thrown balls into the stands quickly led to another Yankee Stadium first. This is of course referring to the breakout of the first fight.
A wrestling match over another Cano souvenir resulted in violent pushing, countless threats, and the utilization of five security guards to escort the men from the building.
That certainly did not take long…and between two Yankees fans no less?
Every day has its end, regardless of your wishes for its continuance. As it was time to leave, I was again forced to pass by the eerie view of the original stadium.
Its grass appearing as grotesque in color as Nick Swisher’s spit tobacco residue, Yankee Stadium looked nothing like I had always hoped to remember it.
Though somewhat against my will, I decided one last photo was needed to complete the stadium’s timeline.
As I lifted the camera to my eye, however, the screen turned black. At that exact moment, the camera had run out of power.
The timing was almost impeccable, as the spirits of “The House that Ruth Built” sent a clear message to one of its most passionate fans.
They wanted me to remember the greatness of their home the way I always had. They wanted the final photographs in my Yankees album to consist of the farewell ceremonies of September 21.
It is ok to feel saddened at the removal of the Bronx’s most famous sanctuary, but it is also ok to appreciate what lies in front of us.
Ruth, Mantle, DiMaggio, and Gehrig sent their message loud and clear. It is time for us all to attempt to follow their advice.
“The House that Steinbrenner Built”: The Yankees First Workout Digitally Captured
As one of the lucky 15,000-20,000 fans that walked through the turnstiles and into baseball Heaven yesterday, I was not sure what to expect.
My mind was overcome with a violent mixture of sadness, bitterness, excitement, awe, admiration, and amazement.
The adjectives stop there, because shortly thereafter I was rendered speechless.
There exists countless areas of the first base side of the stadium which provide an eerie glimpse inside “The House that Ruth Built”.
Joy quickly turns to depression as if I am struggling with bipolar disorder, but it was virtually impossible to remain in that condition.
Sadness brought a knife to a gun fight, and everyone in attendance was left scooping their jaws up off of the newly finished stadium floors.
Here is a glimpse into the team’s first steps, swings, and throws in their new home:
“The Great Hall”
The New Facade
Team Stretch
CC Sabathia Warms Up
Melky Showing Off His Cannon
Stadium View: Right-CF Bleachers
“The Captain” Turning a Double Play
Mariano Enters the Bullpen
Cue Metallica’s Enter Sandman
Damon Hits Stadium’s First Home Run
Teixeira’s First Cut
Swisher Acknowledging “The Bleacher Creatures”
Bleacher’s “Obstruct-O Vision”
Stadium View: Looking Out (CF Video Board Turned On)
Matsui Long-Tossing
Melky & Garnder Playing Nice in Center
Me Amids
t the Fans
…and we end the sneak preview with….
Babe Ruth Plaza: The Man We Can Thank for it ALL
I tried to use as many field/player shots as possible, as I know you are not interested in me posing all over the stadium.
Unfortunately, the bleacher seats do not have a great view of the monumentally large video board in center field, and the Yankee Museum was closed for construction.
I hope I provided a glimpse into what to expect upon your first entrance into the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
The players were having a blast out there, and I had one of the best days of my Yankees fanhood.
Derek Jeter to Lead Off: Manager Joe Girardi Makes an Interesting Switch
Derek Jeter has always been No. 1 in the hearts of every Yankee fan in the Bronx and across the globe.
However, he has always been associated with No. 2 in scorecards and anything associated with a baseball diamond.
Proudly wearing No. 2 on the back of a pinstriped jersey, he has also hit second in the Yankee lineup for seemingly his entire career.
In this tough economy, apparently even The Captain needs to ‘set the table’.
The move further hammers home the concept of Brett Gardner winning the center field spot.
Joe Girardi can now break up the back-to-back lefties of Gardner and Damon as the lineup turns over.
Jeter has generally had a much higher on-base percentage during his career than Damon. Jeter has posted a career .387 OBP in comparison to Damon’s .354 OBP.
Damon’s power numbers also add a greater dynamic to the No. 2 hole, as he can better protect Mark Teixeira.
Another interesting stat which helps to tell the story is the risk of the double play.
During their careers, Jeter has grounded into 195 double plays as opposed to only 73 for Damon. Both have played 13 full seasons in the Major Leagues.
These numbers are staggering, and have gone overlooked for quite some time.
Damon’s leadoff prowess and propensity to generate walks was being compromised by Jeter’s inability to avoid killing rallies with a ground ball.
An alarming 45 of his 195 double plays were created during the last two seasons alone.
Joe Girardi is attempting to ensure Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez (when healthy) as many RBI opportunities as possible in 2009.
Jeter strikes out at a higher rate than the typical leadoff hitter, but his savvy baserunning and ability to get on base should help to counteract that.
Fans and scouts had been calling for Jeter to be moved for quite some time now.
However, they had their sights set on the outfield, DH, or first base as opposed to the leadoff spot in the batting order.
Jeter’s range has declined in recent years, and the World Baseball Classic seemed to emphasize the point as athletically gifted Jimmy Rollins outshined him drastically.
Girardi has done a very smart thing here, and it should help to maximize the productivity of the revamped Yankee lineup.
As the Captain and unquestionable face of the franchise, no one else should step to the plate first in the new Yankee Stadium other than Jeter:
“Now batting…for the New York Yankees…number two…Derek Jee-tah…number two.”
Joe Girardi Is Learning from the Tom Coughlin Instruction Manual
Two seasons ago, Tom Coughlin sat in a dark office, wondering what he could possibly do to save his job.
He had ultimately lost his locker room, and the veteran presence was beginning to shut him out.
The implementation of a leadership council, coupled with the brightening of a stern personality only a soldier could love, eventually paved the Giants path to a Superbowl title.
After similarly losing touch with the countless stars in the Yankee dugout, Girardi watched as his team finished six games out of the AL Wildcard race.
Even more concerning were reports of Derek Jeter’s displeasure with the locker room and coaching situation in the Bronx.
Permanently stuck within the league’s strongest division, Girardi knew that cosmic changes were necessary during this past offseason.
While $423.5 million of expenditure seems cosmic enough in itself, it has been the changes Girardi has made with his own attitude that may loom even larger.
Enter Tom Coughlin playing the role of Socrates, and Joe Girardi trying out for the role of his finest pupil Plato.
Actually, with as much talent as is present within the Giants and Yankees locker rooms, it is more so a revised copy of Coaching for Dummies.
Girardi’s job is even more simplistic than Coughlin’s. Coughlin needed to show a team’s core how to win, while Girardi needs to remind his core how to win.
Girardi’s “leadership council” has already been in power for fourteen years. By allowing Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera to handle their business, the Yankees will be far better off.
This is what Joe Torre always did best. He knew that he had the keys to a Ferrari, and he set it on cruise control. He never belittled his players, nor attempted to fix the unbroken.
Girardi has cancelled practices for team social gatherings, attempting to create a unified dugout. His relaxed demeanor has also been very well received by his players.
Aside from Girardi’s own behavioral changes, the Yankees have brought in an excellent compliment of personalities to the clubhouse.
Nick Swisher has already been dubbed the Yankee jester, making sure there is never stale air in the room.
He also works as hard as anyone on and off the field, showing a normally businesslike roster how to work and play. Damon will finally have a partner in crime.
CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira are two of the true fun-loving players in the league as well, and will deliver as many smiles and laughs in the dugout as they will victories on the field.
Even AJ Burnett has already made an impact on the Yankee roster. His relentless recruitment of Andy Pettitte during his contract negotiations made him realize how important he could become as one of the final pieces to the puzzle.
The likes of Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom will bring a toughness and gritty intensity from its role players that have been missing since the dynasty years.
A-Rod Takes Shot at Jeter and Damon? Get Over Yourselves
Most superstars experience a turbulent rollercoaster ride through their Yankee years.
Mickey Mantle was far from the exception, and Roger Maris had his darkest days while breaking the home run record in pinstripes.
For Alex Rodriguez, the journey has been more reminiscent of jumping out of a plane with no parachute. It has been a heart-stopping freefall without a safety net and seemingly no conclusion in sight.
A-Rod’s ride actually seems somewhat worse than that.
He has started in orbit, and must first reenter the atmosphere before his freefall begins. Not only must he fall to Earth, but he must be engulfed in flames before doing so.
Rodriguez has been heavily scrutinized for:
1. Being seen with a blonde stripper in Canada
2. Cheating on his wife
3. Slapping the ball out of Bronson Arroyo’s glove
4. His massive and unprecedented contract
5. Dating Madonna (far past her prime)
6. Using “Boli” and amphetamines
7. Withholding the entire truth in interviews
8. Leaving a spring training game with his ‘dealer’ cousin
9. Caring too much about his image, and
10. The failure to perform in the clutch
I am sure that I am leaving another group of blunders left unnoticed, but the point has been made. A-Rod has experienced as much negative publicity as any non-imprisoned athlete.
Most of it is well deserved, but the recent whispers around baseball regarding his ‘disrespect’ of Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon is completely uncalled for.
While being interviewed about his temporary Dominican teammates, Rodriguez praised the tools and talents of Jose Reyes.
He simply said, “I wish he was on our team,” in an attempt to compliment a superstar and build chemistry with his new team.
Rodriguez even went on to compliment Yankees CF hopeful Brett Gardner. “That’s fun to watch. Anytime you have that type of speed … I mean, we have a guy in [Brett] Gardner that’ll be fun. That’s probably the most [fun] you can have, watching those guys run.”
Somehow, in the twisted and ignorant minds of sportswriters and certain fans, this was intended as a shot to Jeter and Damon.
This of course because Jeter plays Reyes’ position as SS and Damon holds Reyes’ leadoff position in the lineup.
Even when A-Rod attempts to say positive things, they are twisted into controversy. It is becoming easier and easier to realize why he is so introverted with the media.
Had the scenario been reversed, and Derek Jeter praised USA 3B Chipper Jones, it would have been a classy move.
Simply a mutual respect earned from years of competition and World Series battles, Jeter would be patted on the back.
Why wouldn’t Rodriguez want one of the most dynamic players in MLB on his team? What exactly was he supposed to say about Reyes if not to compliment him?
The negativity surrounding A-Rod is beginning to get out of control. I am not going to condone most of what he has done and been caught doing, but give the guy a break.
Joe DiMaggio despised Mickey Mantle. They never got along, and DiMaggio always felt his legacy threatened by the new young star about to rewrite his position.
Rodriguez and Jeter do not need to be best friends. Their former relationship has been shattered, and they are now simply coworkers striving for the same goal.
Let it go. Stop attempting to create fire where there is not any smoke. The two may never like each other, but Rodriguez’s motive is not to belittle the Yankee captain…especially not now.
Yankees CF Battle: Grass is Always Greener With a ‘Gardner’
Most Yankee fans have been raised on the expectation that greatness will patrol the vast center field in Yankee Stadium.
New York experienced decades of being spoiled by the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Mickey Rivers, Rickey Henderson, Bernie Williams, and Johnny Damon.
This is a very long lineage of success which spans over 70 years. Included in this list are all-stars, sparkplugs, gold-glovers, Yankee immortals, and Hall of Famers.
Things began to change following injury problems to Johnny Damon and the diminished skills and subsequent release of Bernie Williams.
It has now been 10 seasons since a Yankee center fielder has played 150 games at that position. This trend is certain to continue in 2009, as two unproven youngsters are battling for a starting spot.
The first candidate is Brett Gardner, a one-dimensional ‘Roadrunner’ whose primary asset is his speed.
His range in the outfield makes up for his high school arm, and his base-stealing ability helps to limit the disadvantage limited extra base hits.
The second option continues to be Melky Cabrera, a promising and energetic fan favorite who has fallen out of favor within the organization.
Cabrera’s experience, decent power, and plus arm are all reasons to sing his praises. The problem is his anemic on-base percentage and limited base-stealing ability. He has also shown the tendency to embarrassingly misplay balls in the outfield.
While there is still a lot to be determined throughout spring training, Brett Gardner has clearly taken the lead in the CF race.
Already a favorite of Joe Girardi for his throwback aggressiveness and max-effort attitude, Gardner has displayed his potential early in spring training. He homered in his first spring at bat on Wednesday to send an immediate message to the coaching staff.
In today’s game against the Minnesota Twins, Gardner reached base in all three of his at bats. His day included a walk, single, double, run scored, and two stolen bases.
Establishing himself as a catalyst for the offense, Gardner was surprisingly the most impressive player on the field for either team.
On the other side of the position battle, Cabrera continued to struggle. He went 0-3 with three men left on base to maintain an OBP and batting average of .000 thus far.
He seems lost at the plate at times, and most of his child-like enthusiasm has begun to disappear. The pressures and ups and downs of playing in New York have taken a toll on Cabrera.
It is clear that neither of these CF options will produce eye-popping numbers or reach an all-star team. However, as the nine hitter in a potentially great Yankee lineup, they do not need to.
If Gardner is able to steal 35-40 bases while producing a .330-.340 OBP, the Yankees will be ecstatic.
Yankee Restraint: Patience with Pettitte and Abreu Lands Them Teixeira
The Yankees have long been considered an organization characterized by a drunken sailor, and rightfully so. They tend to throw their riches at every attractive option available, and answer to critics at a later date.
This offseason seemed to be no different, as ‘$423.5 million’ has been stamped into the brains of every baseball supporter. This time, however, the Yankees intertwined blind aggression and fiscal awareness into their negotiations.
When it came to obtaining the best pitcher on the market, the Yankees did whatever it took, regardless of the circumstances. These were the George and Hank Steinbrenner Yankees.
In denying arbitration to two established veterans in Bobby Abreu and Andy Pettitte, the Yankees showed a clear awareness of where the market stood. This was a glance back in time of the Gene Michael Yankees.
Instead of inevitably committing themselves to $32 million in aging talent, the Yankees made the difficult decision to let .300 20 HR 100 RBI 20 SB walk out the door. Then they used leverage and realism in not offering Pettitte ‘Ace’ dollars in his decline phase.
The result was a savings of $26.5 million in guaranteed money. Even if Pettitte reaches all of his incentives, the Yankees are netting a $20 million payroll reduction.
Brian Cashman could now address the Yankees’ one remaining weakness. He essentially turned a 35 year old outfielder with limited range into a slugger with gold glove defensive ability in Mark Teixeira.
What is the difference between what Teixeira and Pettitte will make compared to the 2008 version of Abreu and Pettitte? It is the cost of a Brian Bruney or two; nothing more than an arbitration eligible middle reliever.
New York may have spent their profits like Armageddon was approaching, but their payroll remains virtually unchanged from 2008.
What they did was replace Carl Pavano, Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, Abreu, and Pudge Rodriguez with CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixeira.
Next year we are sure to see more of the same. Hideki Matsui, Andy Pettitte, and Johnny Damon’s nearly $40 million will be transformed into a star outfielder and middle of the rotation starter.
What the Yankees do is retool according to the financial flexibility that they earned through a century of success and cerebral ownership.
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