Lookout, Tubby - you may have some competition for the post game spread!

Came across this article from the NY Post today hinting that David Wells wants to return to the Yankees for round III.

team spokesman Team owner Hank Steinbrenner had this to say:

"I've thought about it," Steinbrenner told The Post. "I saw him on TV, and I did think about it when I was watching."

In true NY Post tabloid fever fashion, there were no direct quotes from Boomer about the possibility of returning to the NY Yankees, but just returning to baseball in general:

"I'm in shape, I'd just have to fine-tune a couple of things," Wells said. "I'd need a little bit of time, but not much. Physically I feel fine, real good."

The article also mentions that the 10 year anniversary of Wells' perfect game is fast approaching, at which time I ran into the bathroom, threw on some anti-aging cream and then put some headphones in and blasted Eve 6's Inside Out.

But seriously, if the Yankees could sign Roger Clemens to a RIDICULOUS contract in 2007, surely they can sign David Wells to an incentive laden deal in 2008, when they don't have a 4th or 5th starter who can get past the 5th inning or earn a win.

We need innings right now and he has a rubber arm. All we need is a 5th starter. Maybe he can do it?

PECOTA thinks he can be right around replacement level.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/pecota/wellsda01.php

What do you think??

C'mon some of you 1990's Yankee nostalgics must be out there and agree with me! This is so unlike me, but I just want a guy who can give some innings and not walk the ballpark. Boomer is that guy.

I know one person who wants no part of Boomer returning to the Yankee clubhouse:



Even though Boomer is on a diet due to his diabetes, he is still a threat to Tubby's alpha-male status as clubhouse eating champion.

Editors note: After reading some anecdotes similar to mine about the egomaniacal beat blogger on the NoMaas.org discussion boards, I have decided to return to the low-road and bring back the fat jokes. They never go out of style.

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New Yankee Stadium Construction set to conclude on 2/17/09

There is a GREAT article on Yankees.com about the New Yankee Stadium today, and I recommend it to any baseball fan. Many nuggets within this article (none of which pertaining to tickets or relocation packages). Here are the highlights:

And around the construction site, many of the upbeat workers are wearing dark blue buttons with the name of the famous ballpark in white capital letters set above this date: Feb. 17, 2009, less than two months before Opening Day.

"That's when we're turning the stadium over to the Yankees," said Harry Olsen, the project manager for the company that's overseeing the construction and site.

Pretty cool to have a completion date! Right around pitchers and catchers next year, the New Yankee Stadium will be complete.

Every seat in the new Yankee Stadium will have a full view of home plate. (Stephen Chernin/AP)

It will seat 53,000, but somehow, as MLB.com learned on a recent tour that traversed almost every nook and cranny of the new facility, every one of those seats has an unencumbered view of home plate, even though the new stadium reaches about the same height as the existing one.

Most are much closer to the field than the current stadium, where the catcher squats about 70 feet from the backstop. In the new park, that distance will be about 50 feet. The grade, which seems nearly flat at 35 percent in the current lower deck, has been changed to a much steeper 45 percent. That's akin to a pitcher peering down from a mound 10 feet above the ground, as opposed to a mound that's about six feet high. There are also many fewer rows in each deck.

All of the above is some good news for the people who sit in the main reserved in the outfield and wonder why they are paying way more than most of the people in the Stadium, but get a worse view.

It is airy and open. The congestion in the concourses and the problems of ingress and egress in the current stadium will be left in the past.

You had me at airy and open. I'm sick of being molested when attempting to exit the current "Cathedral" (appropriate nickname for all of the wrong reasons?)

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Yanks fan runs over Sox fan with her car

A woman accused of running down a man in her car after a Red Sox-Yankees argument in a bar never hit her brakes as she accelerated toward the small group he was in, a prosecutor said Monday.

"She never braked, and she accelerated at a high speed for about 200 feet. She went directly at this group of people," prosecutor Susan Morrell said of Ivonne Hernandez, who is charged with reckless second-degree murder in the death early Friday of Matthew Beaudoin, 29.

Hernandez was ordered held without bail after being arraigned Monday in Nashua District Court. The charges, including aggravated drunken driving, are felonies, so Hernandez could not enter a plea.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/story?id=3382644




Update by Ross: This guy gave me a call and said she was just doing what any real Yankee fan would do in that situation.

Sadly, IPK will have to pleasure himself in lesser facilities...

Kevin Devaney of LOHUD is reporting that Ian Kennedy has been demoted to AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre to make room for Darrell Rasner on the 25 man roster.

Just a couple of weeks ago, he was reportedly getting jerked off in a major league bullpen (thanks again for the laughs, David Cone). Now he will be riding the bus to face teams like the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs.

As bad as this sounds for IPK, it may be worse for us Yankee fans. With Hughes on the DL and Kennedy back in the minors, it can't be long until we see the return of this guy:



Your move, fake IPK

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Take ya hood off. Seriously

Rare occasion - I was at the game tonight. The following video chronicles the experience I had in my "assigned seats". I'm going to predict that yelling guy behind me had a cigar in his mouth.



Yeah Wang. C'mon Wang. AWWW Wang. I'm really sorry in advance for how annoying that was. Just think about if you had paid money to sit in front of that. It may not sound as bad on that video as it was in person. I get that you pay money to yell and cheer, but this was outrageous.

Anyway, the 7th inning stretch comes and another typical Yankee fan starts yelling "hats off" and "take ya hat off". Sadly, I am not wearing a hat, so I cannot oblige. However, I am wearing a hood, because it is about 45 degrees with a windchill in the 30's. Around a quarter of the way through God Bless America during the 7th inning Stretch, I hear "Take ya hood off". I thought I was imagining things. After all of these days of making fun of "take ya hat off" was somebody REALLY yelling at me to "take my hood off". After hearing it a few times more, I was convinced - someone was REALLY demanding that I take my hood off.

Guess what? I didn't take my hood off, and I proceeded to laugh hysterically for the rest of the inning. Take ya hat off guy has really progressed to "take ya hood off guy". What's next? "Take ya hairpiece off"? Sadly, I didn't have my cell phone cam to chronicle this experience.

Seriously, this is getting out of hand.

I'm going to miss the old Stadium. I feel like stuff like this won't happen in the new Stadium...

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What makes you "the typical Yankee fan"

A couple of weeks ago, I touched on the "typical Yankee fan" (I'll spare everyone that creepy picture of the guy with the cigar).

Now, let me relay what I feel are the key aspects that make you "that guy".
(I am going to try to keep these timely).

1) You have already booed A-Rod this season - c'mon guys, that is so 2005
2) You booed LaTroy Hawkins for wearing "Paulie's" #21
3) You think that the reason the Yankees have been losing in the playoffs all of these years is because they didn't have "clutch" players like Scott Brosius (career OPS + of 94)
4) You honestly believe that a player who is a "homegrown" Yankee will help the team win more than a free agent or someone acquired via trade
5) You were still chanting "we want Bernie" last year
6) You have ever, in your life, uttered the words "Fire Torre" (in a serious manner). I didn't have a problem with people who wanted Torre replaced as the manager of the Yankees ( I was one of them), but certain people said "Fire Torre" in a certain way that made them the typical Yankee fan. Maybe this doesn't translate well on a blog.
7) Hank Steinbrenner is your hero
8) You wanted the Yankees to trade for Johan Santana in the offseason
9) You were at the game the other night and you booed Phil Hughes
10) Peter Abraham is your idol.

UPDATE (5/3/08 10:00 AM) - I can't believe I left out 11) You yell "take ya hat off" as soon as the PA announcer talks about rising and honoring America for God Bless America. We get it, you think we should honor our country. Everyone does it in their own way - it isn't your job to make everyone in the stadium take their hat off. Take a chill pill, dude.
(This list can go on and on. Please add more in the comments section)

I run into these people all of the time at games, on the internet, in the workplace, etc etc. I'm sure many of these people are smart, funny, friendly, etc etc. However, when they step into Yankee Stadium, the become that cigar guy.

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Yankees send out All-Star game invoice, second job needed

Invoices are due no later than: May 23, 2008.

The Yankees sent out an email to season ticket holders today, alerting us that our All-Star game invoice is in the mail. Check out the link to the official Yankee website for all of the info.

No real new information here except for the prices. This disclaimer is put in capital letters:

NOTE: THE SEATING LOCATIONS FOR ALL-STAR SUMMER EVENTS AT YANKEE STADIUM MAY NOT BE THE SAME SEATING LOCATIONS AS LICENSEE’S FULL SEASON, A PLAN OR B PLAN TICKETS.

So, if you sit in great seats behind home plate, don't expect the same thing for the All-Star game. Also, they force you to buy a whole strip of tickets for each seat you have:
[UPDATE (4/30 - 10:20 AM): On my invoice it indicates that the seats are in the same location as my season tickets, so I am assuming that means the tickets will be there? Or are they just referencing my season tickets? I'm confused. Any input in the comments section would be appreciated.]

DHL All-Star FanFest Tickets and All-Star Program: All Full Season, A Plan and B Plan Licensees identified above must purchase a minimum of two (2) Tickets to the DHL All-Star FanFest and one (1) All-Star Program for each full strip of Tickets purchased for All-Star Summer Events. For example, if such Licensee purchases four (4) full strips of Tickets for All-Star Summer Events, such Licensee must also purchase eight (8) DHL All-Star FanFest Tickets and four (4) All-Star Programs.

Check out the link on Yankees.com for all of the confusing information. All I know is that there is an invoice for almost $1,000 sitting in my pending invoices section of my Yankees account, and I would be silly not to pay it by the due date, May 23, 2008.

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Robinson Cano - The worst hitter in baseball?

Obviously, we know that Robinson Cano isn't the worst hitter in baseball... Right?

Sadly, thus far in 2008, Robinson Cano is dead last among qualified batters in OPS.

Don't believe me? Check it out here.

This horrid start by Cano reminds me of simpler times back in 2005 when everyone's favorite whipping boy, Tony Womack, amassed a .556 OPS in 329 ABs. Sadly, he did not qualify for the worst in the category (not enough ABs), but one would assume over the course of the full season, he would have easily beat out 2005 OPS basement dweller Adam Everett.

Interestingly enough, that terrible season by Womack is what gave Robinson Cano the chance to do what he is doing now.

I'm still not down on Cano yet. If the date read May 28 and not April 28, I would be ready to hit the eject button. On the more negative side of things, Cano's extremely high ground ball percentage, and terrible patience at the plate certainly have me a bit worried.

Boy, what I would give to be John Sterling. I was listening to the game on the radio for a few minutes yesterday and I heard him talking about how this will be "the worst 100 ABs Cano will ever have in his career" (lets hope). He followed that up by saying that if this were someone who didn't have a history of being an over .300 hitter, one would assume he just can't hit a lick. However, John pointed out that this is Robinson Cano we are talking about, so "just think how many hits he has coming to him for the rest of the season". Sadly, it does not work that way, John. Ignorance is bliss.


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Down on the farm - Alan Horne injury update...

If you follow the Yankees farm teams, you will remember that top prospect Alan Horne came down with a strained biceps muscle in his throwing arm a couple of weeks back. The Yankees rested him for a couple of weeks, and yesterday, he threw from a mount for the first time since the injury. Here is the update directly from his father, Bill:

Also, talked with Alan today. He threw the planned work-out at 60'. Said everything went well, said his arm was strong and felt good but he could tell that he still had to stretch it back out carefully until he had the biceps back up to speed.

Hopefully there will be no setbacks and Alan can get right back on the road to the show. With all of the injuries the Yankees have been coming down with lately, I wouldn't be surprised if Alan got his shot sometime in the near future.

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What a difference a year makes

Imagine one year ago today, I told you that Phil Hughes, Ross Ohlendorf and Joba Chamberlain all pitched a couple of innings for the Yankees in a game on the previous night. First of all, you would be ecstatic that the young guns were getting a chance to shine. Next, you would wonder what crazy circumstances led to the pride of the farm turning into the core of the team. One thing would be certain - there is no way you come away from watching the game with those participants and have a sour taste in your mouth.

So, fast forward a year, and you know that all three of those guys DO play an integral role on the 2008 New York Yankees. All three pitched last night, and because of rain curtailing what should have been a bounce-back start for Phil, a terrible outing from Ohlendorf and a game-ending hit off of Joba, I am left feeling pretty bad about last night's game.

The White Sox should have been swept last night, but because Girardi was being justifiably careful with the very young Hughes, and because of a couple of disappointing outings from the other young guys, they let the sweep slip from their grasps.

We all pined for the Yankees to develop from within and have "home-grown talent" to root for again. Because of that, we'll have to take the good with the bad.

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At this very moment...

Journalistic magic is occurring as George King III writes the predictable article about the Yankees being a better team without A-Rod since they have won 2 straight since his quad injury/ birth of his child. I just can't wait until it hits the world wide web so I can ridicule it!


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Growing Pains for the manager too - Girardi lets Jorge make the call

UPDATE (4/24 8:00 AM): According to the post game show last night, there was a miscommunication between Mussina/Posada and Girardi. Girardi thought that Jorge was saying Moose had nothing left, but he was telling him there was nothing wrong with him. I know this much - no manager likes to do what Girardi did in the video below and it was embarrassing. Girardi will know to make sure before making the pitching change next time.

Very awkward moment on YES tonight. Moose gave up his second HR of the game in the 7th inning with 2 outs and Girardi came out of the dugout, met everyone at the mound and began to signal for the righty in the pen. As he was touching his arm to make the call, Jorge said something and stopped him from doing so. Girardi bowed to his former dynasty-mate and kept Moose in.

This is already the second time this year that Girardi has deferred to one of his former teammates when making a pitching decision. A couple of starts ago, he came out to the mound with first base open and Manny coming up in a game against the Red Sox. He let Mussina convince him that he could pitch to Manny that day - a game-winning double ensued. Tonight's incident was way lower leverage and had a considerably smaller downside, but it still shows Girardi's inexperience. This incident was a bit embarrassing, and the YES cameras caught it in all of its glory.

I don't pine for old sleepy Joe one little bit, but can anyone imagine this sort of thing happening with Torre at the helm? Nope, neither can I... You know what though? I'm happy about this - Girardi will learn, the players will learn and it will be a nice learning experience for everyone.

(UPDATE 4/24/ 7:45 AM): Lisa over at Subway Squawkers has pointed out the instance a couple of years back when Moose was set to pitch a complete game, but started struggling in the 9th. Torre came out of the dugout and Moose immediately pointed for him to go back to the dugout. Obviously, Torre had plenty of experience, but STILL deferred to Mike Mussina. Yes, this example was different, with the culprit being Girardi's former backup (haha) Jorge Posada, but remembering back to Torre's days, maybe I was a bit quick to assume something like this would not have taken place then.

Don't believe any of this happened? Check it out (be sure to watch all the way to the end to see Girardi and Jorge's exchange as YES went to commercial):



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FireGeorgeKingIII.com? My obsession continues - more A-Rod bashing

Wohooooo! Three A-Rod posts in a row! Guess I'm falling into the trap. Anyway, I would like to preface this with the disclaimer that I DO NOT read the NY Post (or any of the NY tabloids). However, people bring this stuff to my attention, and I just have to ridicule it.

Our good buddy George King III (thanks again for that photo exclusive G-Dog), sneaked a bit of A-Rod bashing into last night's NY Post game story, even though A-Rod was probably cooing at his baby in the hospital as the game was being played.

The win, which didn't include Alex Rodriguez who was nursing a sore right quad muscle in Miami, where his second daughter was born Monday night, was the Yankees' second straight and hiked their record to 11-10.

After watching Billy Traber and Brian Bruney load the bases with one out in the seventh and the Yankees leading 6-3, Joe Girardi called for Chamberlain.

He struck out Carlos Quentin, walked Joe Crede after being ahead of him, 1-2, to force in a run and left the bases drunk by getting Juan Uribe on a pop-up.

Chamberlain hurled a scoreless eighth when he worked with a five-run bulge thanks' to Damon's second homer in as many games.

"You kick yourself when you walk people," Chamberlain said. "I gave [the run] up for Billy."

Wang, who gave up three runs and 10 hits in six innings, won his 50th big-league game in his 85th start. That's the quickest to 50 since Dwight Gooden won his 50th game in his 82nd start. Ron Guidry won his 50th game in his 82nd start in 1979.

Since he is hitting .150 (3-for-20) with runners in scoring position, Rodriguez wasn't missed by the Yankees in the clutch. Nobody knows when he will return to the lineup. But for one night Abreu, Giambi and Damon supplied the muscle that Rodriguez is famous for.

The first mention is completely acceptable. Yankees playing without Rodriguez = big story. However, after typical game story stuff, George King III shows his typical A-Rod hatred. Someone, anyone, PLEASE tell me how that paragraph in bold above was AT ALL pertinent to the game story?

One day we will find out the truth behind a couple of the great mysteries of New York Sports. The photos that Isiah Thomas has of James Dolan in a precarious position will be revealed and we will find out some wacked-out connection between George King III and A-Rod that will lead to an epiphany about his obvious hatred.

Does a photo exist of George King III exist on the interwebs? I can't seem to find one. I want to create a logo for these posts. Let me know in the comments.

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NYYSI presents: Great Moments in New York Yankees History - Stray-Rod part deux?

What was A-Rod doing on his off day on Monday? Was he getting treatment for his strained quad? Rushing down to Miami in his private jet to be with Cyn-Rod on her final days before giving birth to their second child? Nope, Stray-Rod was at it again, causing turmoil in the clubhouse by bedding the gorgeous Laura Posada.

editor's note: Is it just me, or does Laura Posada look a lot like that Eliot Spitzer hooker in this picture?

(Some information in this story may or may not have been provided by the NY Post and especially columnist George King III). We don't really want to pile on to this whole Joba/Hank debate, so it is a slow news day coming off of the first day off of the season. We post completely random Yankee Photoshops and stir up fake controversy like the NY Post. Big whup, wanna fight about it?

The hits keep coming: A-Rod leaves 4/20 game with apparent leg injury

It seems that the Yankees will be bothered by yet another muscle tweak as Alex Rodriguez has left the game with the Orioles in the top of the 6th inning with an apparent muscle injury in his leg. No word yet on the nature of the injury.

UPDATE (4/20, 3:40 PM): A-Rod left the game with a strained right quad. Remember, Derek Jeter missed 6 games with a strained left quad. Not good. Losing A-Rod even for 6 games will cost the Yankees.

Video of the injury below:



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