Results tagged ‘ Jeter ’
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
The New York Yankees Awards Ceremony: April 2009
MVP of the Month:
He has already produced more clutch hits in enormous situations than anyone not named Melky Cabrera, and has silenced critics of his perceived offensive decline.
Pitcher of the Month:
Pettitte’s arm appears fresh and revitalized, and he could provide a huge lift in a division he historically dominates.
Hitter of the Month:
Swisher has stabilized the Yankees right field situation after Nady’s injury, as well as provided a much needed emotional spark on and off the field.
Rookie of the Month:
Melancon has helped to pull hands away from the bullpen panic button, and keeps hopes alive of the rebirth of a reliever in the mold of Joba Chamberlain. He throws hard, and more importantly, he throws with conviction. He has 3 IP, 1 H allowed, 2 K, 1 BB, and a .100 BAA.
Comeback Player of the Month:
Cano ended April hitting a robust .366, with 5 HR and 16 RBI. His defense has rapidly improved to Gold Glove levels, and he has displayed a more developed eye for pitch selection.
Rolaids Relief Man of the Month:
Following Brian Bruney’s last pre-DL appearance on April 21, Coke has pitched 4.1 scoreless AND hitless innings, lowering his ERA from 9.00 to 3.72. He picked up an important win on the month’s final day, and has limited the impact of Bruney’s injury.
Biggest Surprise:
Brett Gardner’s poor start, coupled with Xavier Nady’s injury, reopened the door for Cabrera in a Yankee uniform. He responded with a .327 AVG, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R, and two game-winning hits. The success may not be sustainable, but Cabrera has been invaluable thus far.
Biggest Demise:
Wang failed so miserably that New York had to invent an injury just to figure out what is wrong between his ears. A recovery from last season’s foot injury could be contributing to the problem, but it also appears that he has lost all confidence in himself. His power sinker has become as flat as people once believed Earth to be.
The “Luis Sojo” Unsung Hero Award:
Molina may not produce gaudy numbers, but he may be the best backup catcher in all of baseball. Hitting .276 with 1 HR and 5 RBI, he has actually been a better offensive contributor than anticipated.
Molina’s defense, however, is what truly sets him apart. He was the league’s best backstop in throwing out runners in 2008, and has already caught 50 percent of attempting thieves this season. His importance is elevated due to long-term concerns about Jorge Posada’s surgically repaired throwing shoulder.
Honorable Mention: Jorge Posada’s Right Arm – Speaking of Posada, his shoulder has responded very well to the extensive rehab he put in during the offseason. Often maligned across MLB, Posada’s arm has thrown out 10 of 25 runners (40%) this year. He has added 3 HR, 14 RBI, .275 AVG, and .366 OBP; showing that he is still a premiere AL catcher.
Green Monster Knockout? Yankees Head to Fenway without a Right Uppercut
The game of baseball’s biggest and most passionate rivalry is once again unleashed on America tonight in Fenway Park.
In fact, the bad blood has already begun to boil over before the series’ first pitch, as David Ortiz has warned Joba Chamberlain to steer clear of his patented “chin music.”
It should be an entertaining and spirited clash, with an A.J. Burnett vs. Josh Beckett matchup representing baseball’s “must see” of the weekend.
The Yankees enter Fenway Park with a clear disadvantage offensively, however, which may prove to be the difference in the three-game series. With the absence of Alex Rodriguez and Xavier Nady, New York does not possess a right-handed power bat.
Lacking power from the right side is normally a moot point in baseball, as the majority of the game’s pitchers are right-handed as well. Many teams choose to stack their lineups with left-handed hitters as a result.
The Philadelphia Phillies are a perfect example of this, as they won the World Series with just two power hitters from the right side (Pat Burrell and Jayson Werth). They then let Burrell walk in free agency, and replaced him with another lefty in Raul Ibanez.
One of the strong exceptions to the rule is Fenway Park; the Red Sox proud and historic home for 97 years.
Due to its peculiar architecture and presence of the short “Green Monster” in left field, Fenway Park has favored righties since the massive wall was constructed in 1936. So much so, in fact, that the Yankees and Red Sox once considered exchanging Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams in order to take advantage of each park’s dimensions.
The current Yankee roster consists of only three right-handed hitters. After quickly disregarding Jose Molina and Cody Ransom as threats, we are left with only Derek Jeter.
Though Jeter is a solid offensive player and thorn in the Red Sox side, he has never been known to drive the ball to left field. His inside-out swing has instead produced countless home runs and doubles to the power alley in right-center field. During his last three years at Fenway, Jeter has hit just .286.
New York does employ a bevy of switch-hitters, including Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada, Nick Swisher, and Melky Cabrera.
Boston’s only lefty starter is Jon Lester, whose hard cutter should somewhat neutralize their ability to lift balls with authority. They will be forced to hit lefty for the remainder of the series, aside from late-inning matchup situations.
The Red Sox, on the other hand, have assembled a roster to harness its stadium’s home-field advantage. They have littered the heart of the lineup with talented right-handers such as Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay, and reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia.
The strategy has already paid huge dividends for the Red Sox in 2009, as these hitters have played pepper with the Green Monster every chance they get. While Bay has struggled at Fenway thus far, the other sluggers have relished their home games:
Lowell:
Home – .367
Away – .250
Youkilis:
Home – .560
Away – .375
Pedroia:
Home - .361
Away – .185
The Yankees will need to rely heavily on their pitching staff in order to have a chance to win the rivalry’s opening series in 2009. If it becomes an offensive “pissing contest”, New York will not be able to compete without A-Rod and Nady in the lineup.
Expect some fireworks tonight as Joba is unlikely to back down as a result of Ortiz’s caveat. In the event of a benches-clearing brawl, the Yankees better restrain Posada before his surgically repaired shoulder is compromised.
Friendships created during the World Baseball Classic are now jettisoned to the trash can…it is time for contention to again takeover.
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.
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.
Beasts from the Far East: Wang and Matsui Revive Yankee Confidence
After a tumultuous 2009 season that saw the Yankees finish six games out of the Wild Card race, the Bronx called for change.
It is well documented that Brian Cashman gave $423.5 million in commitments to just three players in hopes of revitalizing the roster.
On Friday night, one of those investments gave a glimpse into the kind of performance that is to be expected of him this season.
CC Sabathia pitched two strong innings in his Yankee debut, and virtually went the entire outing without throwing a pitch outside of the strike zone. He also collected two strikeouts.
The “three-headed blank check” of Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira will undoubtedly play a major role in the success or failure of the Yankees this season. The uncertainties surrounding Alex Rodriguez have only added to the pressures they face.
Meanwhile, two players used to being at the center of the team’s core have gone somewhat unnoticed this spring.
The recent comebacks of Chien-Ming Wang and Hideki Matsui will be as important to the 2009 Yankees as the health of Alex Rodriguez.
Wang is a pitcher that has compiled a 46-15 record over the past three seasons, which represents a winning percentage of 75 percent. His heavy sinker is the perfect compliment to the flame-throwing of Sabathia and Burnett.
Matsui is a patient and disciplined hitting machine, collecting 100 RBI seasons in his sleep when healthy. He has arguably been the best clutch Yankee over the last six years.
Yankee supporters can find an excellent silver lining in Saturday’s spring training loss to the Braves. Wang and Matsui were a part of the same game for the first time since June 15 of last season.
Wang looked fantastic is his second start of the spring. His fastball had great life, and it was on a sharp downward plane all game long. Seven of the nine outs that he recorded were via a groundout or strikeout.
More importantly, Wang bounced off of the mound to field a bunt from the first batter of the game. He showed solid mobility, and shoveled the ball with his glove to Teixeira for the out.
Matsui’s day could be considered a success simply by his participation. However, he did show signs of his improving health.
With a runner on first in the fourth inning, Matsui was able to drive the ball through the right side of the infield. Though seemingly routine, this is a great sign for Yankee fans.
To drive an inside pitch to right field, Matsui is forced to rotate his hips and apply large amounts of torque to his knees.
It is this same torque that allows a hitter to generate power, something Matsui struggled with last season while attempting to play through injuries.
Sportswriters will continue to use names like Teixeira, Sabathia, Burnett, Rivera, Jeter, and Rodriguez ad nauseum for the duration of spring training.
Do not forget about the “beasts from the far east”, as the Yankee season may hinge on their success.
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.
Derek Jeter to Play AGAINST Yankees: Twilight Zone Episode No. 265
Derek Jeter has suited up as a visiting player in Tampa Bay many times. He has yet to do so at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a complex as easily referred to as Derek S. Jeter Field.
He has seen many promising young pitchers leave New York for other uniforms, and after last season’s disaster, he unconsciously expected it.
The difference this time is, a box score will be printed and statistics will be tallied. Although it is a glorified exhibition game in reality, it will still send shivers down Yankee fans’ backs.
They will look on as Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis surround Jeter in the batting order, and congratulate him in the dugout.
Fans have witnessed this before, and have even seen it in Yankee Stadium as recently as July 15th at the All-Star game.
This will be the first time that Yankees will be standing across the field in the opposing dugout, however.
The Yankees must hope that Phil Hughes’ control is slightly more dependable than his first spring start.
Last week, Hughes plunked two hitters by simply trying to establish the inside corner with his fastball. Yankee fans know how susceptible Jeter’s approach is to a hit-by-pitch.
The last thing the Yankees organization would need is Hughes to break a bone in Jeter’s hand with a wayward heater.
It would officially stamp his Yankee legacy before his 23rd birthday. Brian Cashman would have to immediately trade him to the National League to avoid threats of a violent uprising.
It will be strange to watch Jeter dig into the batter’s box against his Yankee family, but at least it is for Team USA as opposed to another ML franchise.
I just have one minor request for USA manager Davey Johnson regarding Jeter. Could you throw him out in CF for a few innings? You know, just to see how it looks.
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