A Yankee/Cub Dream

Change For Cano

2007-01-24T18:09:00.000Z

Robinson Cano has made a decision this week that has the whole Yankee nation talking. Robinson Cano has decided to change his number from 22 to 24, sparking rumours that Roger Clemens is on his way back to New York. Clemens used to wear the number 22 for the Yankees, up untill his 'retirement' in 2003.

However the Yankee organization did not ask Cano to give up the number, it was a decision made by Cano for serveral reasons:

1) He would love Clemens to be a Yankee, and he woud love to be a team mate. So if Clemens decideds to come back to the Bronx his jersey will be there.

2) Robinson Cano was named after Jackie Robinson, Jackie Robinsons jersey (Number 42) was retired by MLB so Cano was unable to take that number on coming to the Yankees. Now he is taking 24 a reverse of Robinson's number to pay tribute.

Who knows what meaning is behind this? if any?

Jeff Samardzija

2007-01-19T23:28:00.000Z

The mystery surrounding Jeff is finally over, the will be wont he sign with the Cubs, the will he or wont he enter the NFL draft is finally over. Jeff signed a 5 year 8 million deal with the Cubs on Friday to secure his future in the MLB.

Jeff started out well as a right handed pitcher finishing second in the Big East Conference in both ERA (2.95) and opponents' batting average (.209), and being named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball magazine.

Jeff is one of the few people who have a choice which professional sport to go into, and many thought he would enter the 2007 NFL draft after he was selected as one of the three finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top wide receiver.

However Jeff saw his future in the MLB with the Cubs and now he is signed up he will start the season most probably at Class A Daytona.

Welcome to the Cubs Jeff.

CF? Anybody? No?

2007-01-19T17:56:00.000Z

So the big question this week as the Cubs go on caravan tour answearing questions about the Cubs in 07 is: Who will be roaming CF on opening day for the Cubs? When Lou was asked could be give a answear? the answear is no. Simply because nobody knows who will be roaming the open gap. Checking the roster on Cubs.com if you revert your eyes to CF a nice patch of green will meet them, no player names at all. So who are the contenders for the CF space?

Soriano: A Very very very long shot, its so unlikerly that Soriano will be the starting CF come opening day as i write this i wonder why bother adding his name to the list!

Jones: Jones has been looking for a trade and the Cubs have been looking into granting him just that. If he stays then he might just be the starting CF. I think he is one of the front runners for the Job at this moment in time, although i think and hope he will be traded in the near future.

Pie: The minor league prospect has been penciled in as the most likely to take the field on opening day, he is a bit anxious at the plate for a starter in the bigs, and he often swings at pitches that he really shouldnt be doing as a minor leaguer let alone a starter. Saying that, he is young and he has a lot of ability, he has a above average defense, and with some tips from the hitting coach he could well be the man. I dont think he will be a starter come opening day, but when it comes to the last game of the season i expect to see him in CF. His speed is also another thing going for him, last year he swiped 32 bases. He is a winner, 3 of the teams he has been on has won championships, and if his team is winning then Pie is happy even if he mayby is not doing to well at the plate himself.

Church: How can someone who is not even a Cub be a contender? well really in all reality he isnt, the Cubs have been linked through rumours, but we are yet to hear (and i dont expect to) anything on this trade. If we were to get him i would love to see him out there on opening day.

So there are the contenders, if you are asking me now who i think it will be, my answear will be PIE. Mayby Hack Wilson can get his Cleets on again? hey :)

2007-01-06T15:00:00.000Z

Hello, Again!

For the secound time today i am having to update the blog thanks to the Yankees picking up momentum in the wheeling and dealing area. The Yankees today decided to resign Utility infielder Miguel Cairo instead of bringing in Mark Loretta who they have been looking at over the past few weeks.

This move is likely to be accepted whole heartedly by the Yankee base, Cairo is both popular with Torre and the Yankee players.

The deal is worth 750,000 for one year, and it is rumoured that Cairo may even platoon at first with newly signed Doug Mientkiewicz.

I personally am very happy about this signing, another clever move by Cashman and the Yankees, the team is really shaping up well for the 2007 season.

Welcome back Cairo.

Welcome Doug Mientkiewicz

2007-01-06T11:08:00.000Z

Just a quick little post to welcome Doug Mientkiewicz to the New York Yankees. The Yankees announced the signing of Mientkiewicz to a 1 year 1.5 million deal ending the rumours of who would platoon first base with Josh Phelps and Andy Phillips. Although Doug is by no means a offensive superstar he has a good ability to get the ball into the outfield and hit for a decent average, he also doesnt hit into too many DP's. The main reason the Yankees put there faith in Doug is for his defensive capabilities, the gold glover from 2001 will be a upgrade from Giambi and Phillips who shared 1st last season.

Doug is no stranger to New York after spending 2005 playing 1st for the Mets, he also was a influential figure in the 2004 Boston Red Sox championship team. Doug wont be coming into a hostile locker room tho, the Yankee players understand that Doug can help them win, and he has many friends in the locker room, including Ex team mates Damon and Rodriguez.

So a warm welcome once again to Doug Mientkiewicz

2007: The Chicago Cubs

2007-01-03T20:29:00.000Z

What a difference a day makes, or should that be what a difference a few months make? oh and outgoing cheques for over $300 million with the Cubs logo firmly emblazed in the corner cant be bad either!

One thing is for sure, the players receiving the cheques wont mind and neither will the fans. Is it not time that the Cubs spent big, Passing up on big free agents is one critisism that has been made on the Cubs in the past, but now are they are actually challenging for the NL Central honours?

Lou Piniella replaced age old/tactic old Dusty Baker with the understanding that the Cubs will show there desire and commitment to becoming a winning team. Something which has eluded them as much the treadmill has David Wells. $300 Mill later and desire and commitment have both been firmly ticked of the check list.

The inportant question is can the 'curse' be broken in 2007? or mayby even more inportant is, is there even a curse to be broken? or is this so called 'curse' a phycological barrier needing to be broken down? Mayby a bat with the power of Soriano's will help do such a thing?

The pitching staff has been a problem for the Cubs for a few years now, the ever dependable Prior and Wood, the Cubs can always count on those two.............................. to find some way to make it to the physio table! Mayby they share a secret attribute with the phantom of the Yankees A.K.A Carl Pavano?

For the first time in many years the Cubs are not heading into spring training counting on Prior and Wood , either are they heading into spring training with a abundance of recovering arms fighting there way back from some kind of injury. Zambrano,Lilly,Hill and Marquis, its starting to look rosey in the pitching department!

A lineup with a 40-40 Soriano, power hitters Lee and Ramirez, this Cubs lineup has the potential to beat teams on both sides of the ball. Any team which has the potential to beat you with pitching and offense are going to be dangerous when push comes to shove and its time to book your tickets to the final dance.

The Chicago Cubs have made a commitment to 2007 and for the future.

The Cubs fans as loyal as ever will be positioned as usual come opening day, stands filled. Ivy reflection complimenting the glimmer of hope in every Cubs fans eye. The new found confidence filling the aura of a sunny day at Wrigley. When Soriano takes his stance in the batting circle for the first time the start of something special will be well under way.

You know the feeling you get when you know something positive is going to happen, a sense that the waiting and longing for success will be over very soon? thats the feeling i get when thinking of the Cubs in 2007. It doesnt nessasarily mean that they will win the World Series. But who knows?

Development, achievement and success are possible for anyone who is willing to take a chance. You can be stuck on a 3, the only way to progress is to take a chance and roll the dice again . It could come out bad and you could role a 1 and everything you worked and hoped for comes crashing down or you could role a 6. You dont know untill you take that chance!Jim Hendry rolled that dice, it will be a hell of a slalom untill we see what number that dice settles on.

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

2007-01-03T04:37:00.000Z

At the start of the season the play-offs seemed as far away as a NBA title does for the Knicks in the next 5 years. Here we are January the 3rd 2007 5 days away from a wild card playoff game in Foxburgh between the Jets and the old rival Patriots.

I have no hopes the play-offs absoluterly none, im just still happy to be able to talk about football after the regular season has closed out. The Jets are here and were not gonna go out quiet, the team ethic is there, and we are gonan give it a good go.

How are we going to beat the Pats? simple plug the run and pressure Brady, without the run the Pats will struggle, they still have a awesome QB in Brady but there receiving core is nothing to write home about. Maroney and Dillon is where the trouble will come, plug that up and we have a chance.

Everyone wants to win, the pressure is off the Jets and firmly placed on the Pats shoulders, nothing can keep me away from this game on Sunday, even if it was my wedding day i would have a hand held Tv tucked in my wife to be's veil, thats the delight i have for the Jets achievement this season.

So all i can say is J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

Im proud of what they have done and all the best, whatever the outcome on Sunday this season will not be forgotten lightly.

Making a Return

2007-01-03T01:36:00.000Z

Howdy Folks

In between starting Uni and following my Jets to the play-offs i lost track of keeping this up to date.

After a long long absence i have decided to resurect my blog that i love so dear with a few new things, Lately i have developed a facination with the Cubs, even tho i have liked the Cubs since i have started watching baseball i never really considered myself a 'fan' in the typical sense of the word, well now thinking about it i have decided to dedicate some time to talking about the Cubs. Of course this blog is still dedicated to the Yankees, it will also have Cubs news and also mayby a Jet article spalshed in here and there. Being 2007 i wont concentrate on the horror showing in the play-offs, this is a new year and its time to look ahead to the future not back to the past.

So what to say about how the Yankees are forming in 07, all i can say is im happy on deals that have been done and ones that we passed on I.E ZITO (Crazy Money).
First i will say welcome back to Andy Pettite, back to where he belongs, since his absense the yankees have been absent from the World Series so im hoping Andy can help us get back to where we belong.
Another good thing about this Pettite trade is the fact that it enhances our chances of bringing back another Yankee legend in Roger Clemens, give him the money for a year and get him in spring training.

Kei Igawa, i really like this deal, hsi control and his command are going to be major factors in surviving in the unfriendly pitcher surroundings of the AL East, he has some good stuff, his fast ball and his curve aswell as a good change up, not many people are expecting him to do much but i expect a lot for the lad.

I think we still need to get some help in the Bullpen but talks of a trade with the Pirates for Gonzalez seems to have some to a stand still, and with Randy looking like he will be headig to Arizona it doesnt look like Linebrink will be wearing Yankee pinstripes next season. Also the 1st base position is a problem at the moment, Doug Mientkiewich is a possibility.

I like what Brian Cashman is doing with the Yankees, the fact that he is stocking the farm system (And a new sight to see was the Yankees farm system rated 6th in baseball almanac) Humberto Sanchez among ohers for the exspendable Sheffield was a genious move in my opinion and signing Juan Miranda was a clever thing to do.

But anyway untill randy is traded and there is something in Yankee land to talk about i bid you farewell.

Yankees @ Inidians 5th July 2006

2006-07-06T22:33:00.000+01:00

Final Score- Yankees 11 Indians 3

Could not of been a better night in Cleverlands Jacobs field, the sun was shining to get the game under way, which was a welcome sight after all the rain of late in the Bronx.Jeter lines one into centre field to add to his .341 average in the first inning, and then proceeds to steal 2nd on a Giambi stikeout on some dubious calls by the official behind the plate. A-Rod groundout to 3rd kills any chance of a yankee run in the 1st.Yankees starting pitcher Mike Mussina has been the spark in an otherwise dull pitching rotation this season, and he will be pitching agaisnt a strong Indians lineup including the powerhouse Travis Hafner. 3 up 3 down for Mussina to cap the 1st.Andy Phillips snaps a 0-17 streak with a shot through to left field in the 2nd inning and proceeds to steal 2nd on Martinez who has gained the reputation as a catcher easy to steal on. Yankees take the lead when Cabrera lines one into right centre field to bring Phillips in to score and give the Yankees a 1-0 Lead.Hollandsworth sends one to the right field stands in the bottom of the 3rd to tie the game up, and to pile on the misery for the Yankees, Centre Fielder Jhonny Damon has to leave the game with a Oblique soreness muscle injury.Cabrera smashes the game open with his first major league Grand Slam, Posada,Williams,Phillips and Cabrera come into score to give the Yankees a 5-1 Lead. Followed by a RBI Single by Crossby to bring Cairo in to increase the lead to 6-1. It soon becomes 7-1 when Alex Rodriguez lines one to left centre to bring in Crossby for an RBI.The Yankees who look for retribution after taking a drubbing last night increases there lead to 9-1 after Posada brings Jeter and A-Rod home, also forcing Indians starting pitcher Byrd from the game.The inning finally ends with a Bernie Williams strikeout, but with the damage already being done with the Yankees leading 9-1 going to the bottom of the 4th.Ben Broussard starts the fight back for the Indians with a 2 run blast to centre field to bring the game back to 9-3. But Cairo lines one to right to bring Cabrera home to lengthen the lead to 10-3, followed by a Sacrify Fly by Jeter to cap the scoring with the yankees winning 11-3.The Yankees got a welcome relief pitching display from Kris Wilson whos contract was bought from AA Trenton Thunder only hours before the game, with him pitching 2 scorless innings.The Sandman comes in to close the game out and does just that.Yankees win game 3 of a 4 game set, to bring the series to 2-1 in favour of the Inidians. Mussina picks up win number 10 on the season on the back of some good offensive displays, headed by Melky Cabrera.

A Lack Of Faith!

2006-05-23T15:53:00.000+01:00

So the Yankees have been on a bit of a slide, every team will go through one of these during the course of a 162 game season, and i would much rather it come in May than in September. Losing to the Mets was no embarrasment, they are hitting the ball very well laterly and Glavine/Martinez are 2 pitchers that are deffinaterly feeling there stuff at the moment, and then losing to Boston last night was hard to take but things might be on the turn....

Gary Sheffield started a rehab assigment on Monday and straight after the game he announced himself fit and he was heading to Boston, so we could see him in the lineup to wace Wakefield and the Sox tonight, one thing is for sure the outfield of Long, Williams and Cabrera is a far cry from the opening day outfield trio of Matsui, Damon and Sheffield.

Its a strange feeling to sit down and watch the Yankees without expecting them to win, as that is what im doing at the moment, i hope that they can win but i dont expect them to, and it says something when you have more faith in your Number 5 starter over your supposed Ace, the fact that Randy Johnson has looked poor in more outings than i can remember does nothing to raise the confidence of a depleted line-up.

Anyway with Sheff back that should raise the moral around the club house, lets hope so anyway as surely George is not to happy with what he is seeing right now....

My YouTube Collection

2006-05-17T17:59:00.000+01:00

Laterly i have made a couple of Yankee video's so i am going to post them here so you can view them if you want, i will probably be making a few more so keep your eyes on this space:

Robinson Cano: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9ypYsU7iao

New York Yankees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZsXWqI6DYg

The 06 Yankees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkYoa0pBelM

Derek Jeter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcxfOgGjhrE

Yankees World Series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmtqgH6-4pk

A Cool/Hot Night in Beantown for Damon

2006-05-04T20:32:00.000+01:00

When the Yankees took the field Monday night in Boston there was no doubt where all the eyes were Fixed, Johnny Damon back in Boston but this time back as a enemy, in a Park where he has been cheered for the past few years it was no surprise that them cheers quickly turned to Boo's as the Red Sox crowd quickly made it obvious that although he had played an integrel part in bringing a World Series title to Fenway only a couple of years earlier, when your wearing a Yankee uniform you dont deserve any respect. That is not to say that he did not receive any Aplause, that he did at his first AB when he tipped his hat to his old team mates and settled in to take his first pitch as a Yankee back in Beantown. The Night was not a pleasent one for Damon, not only was he jeered everytime he came near to the ball but he also went 0-4 on the night, the crowd even went as far as to throw money at him from the Bleachers, Damon would leave Boston with the Yankees taking the Loss 7-3 on a Ortiz long 3 run shot into the Red Sox Bullepen.

Damon might not of had the best night agaisnt his former team this time but with a lot of games still to play, he still has the attributes to make the Red Sox suffer for letting him go, we will see how he does in the upcomign series at Yankee Stadium early next week.

Player Profile:Robinson Cano

2006-04-27T16:58:00.000+01:00

Each Week i will profile one Yankee player, and keep doing it each week untill i get through the whole team.
This week i am going to start with Robinson Cano

Full Name: Robinson Jose Cano
Born: 10/22/1982
Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Height: 6'0" Weight: 190
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
College: N/A
MLB Debut: 05/03/2005

Robinson Cano grew up in the Dominican Republic, where he played both baseball and basketball in high school. After graduating, he was signed by the Yankees in 2001 and began playing in their minor league system. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming well-regarded.

Robinson Cano, son of Jose Cano who was also signed by the Yankees in 1980 but made his Major League debut with Houston in 1989 spent his first professional season with Tampa of the Gulf Coast League compiling 3HR and 34RBI in 57 games, he then went on to have a short stint with short Stanton having 8 AB getting 2 Hits.

His secound season in 2002 came with Single-A Greensboro where he Hit .276 (131-for-474) with 20 doubles, nine triples, 14HR and 66 RBI In 113 games and was named to the South Atlantic League All-Star Team all be it as a Short Stop, after his impressive start in Greensboro he went on to play in 22 games for Staten Island, hitting .276 (24-for-87) with 1HR and 15RBI.

After an impressive 2002 season, Robinson was hoping to have just an impressive seaosn in 2003 where he Began the season at Single-A Tampa, batting .276 (101-for-366) with 5HR and 50RBI in 90 games where he opened the season with an 11-game hitting streak from 4/3-13. Soon after this he was promoted to Double-A Trenton where he hit .280 (46-for-164) with 1HR and 13RBI in 46 games where at the end of the season he was ranked the #6 prospect in the Yankees organization by Baseball America.

Cano began the 2004 season with Trenton, batting .301 (88-for-292) with 7HR and 44RBI in 74 games He also reached base in 22 consecutive games from 4/16- 5/9...hit safely in 23 of last 31 games with Trenton was promoted to Columbus on 6/28 went 4-for-4 with 1 double and 3 RBI in his Clippers' debut...in 61 games with the Clippers, hit .259 (56-for-216) with 6HR and 30RBI. He also made an appearence in the 2004 Future all star game. Robbie was certainely rising through the ranks of the Yankees farm system quickly and at the end of the 2204 season was ranked the #2 prospect in the Yankees organization by Baseball America.

2005 season was the season that the rest of baseball strted to hear and see this Yankee talent, he Began the season with Triple-A Columbus before being recalled on 5/3, Made his Major-League debut that night at Tampa Bay, starting at 2B and going 0-for-3. Recorded his first Major-League hit with a third-inning single on 5/4. ... Established a single-game career high with four hits in 5/15 win at Oakland. ... Hit his first career home run in 5/24 win vs. Detroit. ... Was named the American League's co-Player of the Week for the week ending 9/18 after batting .429 (12-for-28) with a league-leading 13 RBIs and nine runs scored. ... Was named AL Rookie of the Month for September, batting .381 (40-for-105) with 22 runs, nine doubles, two triples, five homers and 16 RBIs. At the End of the 2005 season Robinson Cano had Hit .297 (155-for-522) with 14 HR and 62 RBIs in 132 games with the Yankees in 2005 (130 starts at 2B). ... Ranked first in the American League with a .335 road batting average. ... Was the third-highest road batting average by a rookie since 1969, behind only Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki (.356 in 2001) and Toronto's Bob Bailor (.347 in 1977). ... Led American League Rookies with a .297 batting average, 78 runs, 155 hits, 34 doubles, 47 multi-hit games and 239 total bases. Ranked second with 52 extra-base hits and a .534 slugging percentage, fourth with 62 RBIs and fifth with 14 HR.

YD On Bonds

2006-04-20T16:25:00.000+01:00

Barry Bonds- The Man Behind The Hate Be a hater or Lover of Barry Bonds he is one of the most feared hitters to have ever played the game of Baseball, there is nothing better than seeing barry step to the plate, the stadium inhale and not exhale untill the ball makes the familiar journey to McCovey Cove How did this one athlete create such a media Hate campaign that you would be hard pushed to find a article which was to say anything good about Barry the person, not Barry the athlete his numbers are undeniable, Steroids or not, steroids dont help with hand eye co-ordination, it is believed to be able to quicken the bat, proof? theory! builds up strength yes but Barry has always worked hard on his conditioning, hittign the wait rooms many times after training. Bonds career has been nothing but awards all through his life, mayby best known for his 7 NL MVP awards or his 8 Gold Gloves for his defensive work in Left Field, Bonds is also the first 500-500 player, with over 500 home runs aswell as 500 stolen bases, and the single season Home run record with 73. And more in the highlights right now his chase of the home run record.he set single-season marks for walks (177) and slugging percentage (.863) (topping Ruth's records of 170 and .847, set in 1923 and 1920, respectively). No player right now is highlighted in the Balco scandal as much as Barry Bonds, the warm reception in all ball parks has seemed to have an effect on Bonds without him hitting a home run this season( Although that could change tonight in arizona) Bonds is highlighted in this due to his Long term trainer being implimented in supplying Performance enhancing drugs to athletes including ball players, although Bonds has always demanded that the change in his physique is due to a strict work-out regime and controlled dieting. Bonds has always had problems throughout his life, his career, if it not being having to watch his Dad die in front of his eyes, to being named 2nd most hated player in sports to his constant arguments with his team mates and media, even to his injury problems which seem to plague him, especially as of late. Bonds personality is a very cocky one, which can be traced back to his early days, thanks to his father Bobby Bonds being a good Ball Player with the giants hitting a Grand Slam in his first major league AB with the Giants, there was always a lot expected of Bonds, more pressure was put on him through his days with Arizona State, the Pirates and also with the Giants. I am not trying to defend him in any way but pressure, disaster does different things to different people. Bonds cant come to the ball park to do what he loved, he has said he is in it for the money, but is he? i think not, u can see in his eyes in the way he plays the game that he loves the game, he has always been challeneged by people to be better, if it is not the Media trying to chalenge Bonds it was his Dad and his God Father Willie Mays even his team mates San Francisco Giant Shawon Dunston said of his teammate Bonds, "He's not going to hit 70 homers, but he believes he can. That's frightening." The next year, Bonds set the single-season home run record, hitting 73 to break Mark McGwire's 70-homer mark set in 1998. But laterly thanks to the new Show Bonds on Bonds ahs given me an in sight into the person Barry and how he is not the ass that he sometimes becomes, many peoplecan say it is a publicity stunt, and i was one fo them that would not give him the time of day, but thanks to some pepleon here, i gave it a chance, and my opinion on Bonds, leave him be!! He is being broken down, i thought to myself put yourself in his situation, i coudlnt take it, and i dont think anyone but him could, he broke down in tears (Im talking real tears) Why will he not just hang up and say goodbye to the sport he has adored for years, he has pride, he wont give in to the pressure, he wont let down his father his Mother, and all the people that support bonds, not because he wants the record, not because he wants the money, he doesnt need that money. When i look at Bonds i see a broken man, a man who has heard it all, the hate is over whelming, 100's of hate emails, people see the man the media portray, not the man who is behind all the Hate! I was perhaps one of the people who was the most agaisnt Bonds, who wanted to see him go, who never wanted to see him play again, but that was before i took the time to read a lot of stuff on him, learn about him, everything he does to get through the day. I can sympathise with people who think that he cheated on the game and he deserves to be punished, there is hardly anything that i love more than the game of baseball, but if he did and all indications point to the he did use steroids, he made a mistake , he is paying for it now, but how much can you make this guy pay, i want to uphold the integrity of the game but this is a human like us, he will hurt like we would if as much hate was pointed at us, he has had pressure on him to succed since such a early age, mayby this can result in his steroid taking, who knows, but enough ie enough. I will be one hoping for a Home Run tonight!

Season/Drama has Begun!!

2006-04-16T19:43:00.000+01:00

Been a while since i have updated this blog, through lack of time mainly because of the season and the exitment of not sleeping for the next 6 months.

Yankess again this year have started slow, 5-6 on the season, last place in the East and already a Blown save for the Sandman, time to worry? i dont think so, cast your minds back to last season a start of 4-7 and an ending of the AL East crown once again the crown nicerly fitted on the Bronx's head.

The trouble has always been identified as Pitching, and so far those troubles have come to the forefront of everyones minds, but there is a new problem that is playing on my mind, the offense! now looking at our offense and the explosion of runs they put up agaisnt 2 former CY award winners you must think i am out my mine, but hear me out. The difference between the run support we give our pitchers when we win and when we lose is incredible, near 2 when we lose and near 11 when we win, concern?? mayby but im sure it will even out.

One thing is almost clear in my mind and that is the need to remove Wright from the rotation as soon as possible, i have been patient with him over the last season and the start of this one, and he has done nothing to show me that he will get any better, I would feel a lot more confident having Proctor start or mayby even Small.

Another thing to note is the signing of Carlos Pena and Jesus colome to minor league deals, not great signings but i think they could turn out to be very good signings, Pena is a ace Defensive 1st Baseman and Colome although having trouble is a fast throwing young pitcher, give him some time and teach him some control and he could be handy.

As for me im off to get ready to watch out loved Yankees try and avoid a Sweep at the Metrodome (one of the worst stadiums i have ever seen) so for now i will say Adios

Lets Go Yankees

Baseball/Life

2006-03-13T14:59:00.000Z

Ok so this may not be directly related to the Yankees but it is related to baseball and as the Yankees got me into Baseball i think that it is worth a mention on here.

Laterly i have come to think of the similarities between Baseball and life and the metaphors u can use involving Baseball to describe your life situation.

Everyone can spot the obvious ones, the fact that everyone can get into a slump, everyone can come to a point where no matter what they do they just cant get bat on ball, they just cant do anything right, but most people are clever enough to note that a slump has to end sometime, being achieved in many different ways, a revaluation of ur life situation or a look at your batting style,position, footing etc. Similary u can be on the top of the world on MVP form, everything that u do hite the meat of the bat and go's flying, outfielders drop fly balls or miss the cut off men which allows u to carry on your streak, everyone needs a bit of luck to be sucessfull.

But why stop there, why not talk about steals?? the fact that u have taken one base but u want more, u have to take a chance in baseball and in life, its a risk, sometimes u will get thrown out ut sometimes it will pay off, u will go for it and u will take an extra bag, improving ur chances in life for yourself and other people, similarily u can sacrfifice yourself for the team, but taken from one of my fave films "The Fan" a sacrifice in Baseball is a lot better than a sacrifice in Life as in Baseball u can give urself up for the sake of someone else and it wont count agaisnt your average.

How many more similarities are there between Baseball and Life??

How Much Can We Take??

2006-03-11T17:23:00.000Z

With the Yankees record at 5-5 this spring training which is impressive when we were 0-4, i found myself asking just how much can we take from these games? the line up shows no relevance to what it will be come opening day, it is a good indicator to the future talent we could be seeing in pinstripes in a few years, but when i think spring training, pre season i want to see a preperation of what is to come.

It is not possible to look at the Yankee's chances this coming season when u just look at there spring training games, although i do think that seeing the Pitchers will give us good indication what path they are on from injury, players like Pavano and Wright and then players trying to prove that last season was the start of a very successfull Bronx career in wright and Chacon.

I Am undecied how much spring training is working towards giving us a indication of how the season will go, but with players away on "International Duty" i guess we wont find that out untill opening day, although at least it is giving some of the younger players a chance o shine in front of management but with the Triplets away with the USA team it is giving them game match fitness.

No Spring to the Step

2006-03-04T14:30:00.000Z

With 2 games gone in spring training and the Yankees record at 0-2 you start to think if the spring in the step that was enthrusted onto the Yankees spring Camp at Legends Field Florida by The Owners predictions of this year being the Year that the Yankees brought the World Series back to the Bronx has ran out, but is there any grumblings from the Yankee faithfull i think not, and why? because spring training is not about the results its about certain players progression, some coming back from injury some from dissapointing season and some just from a slow Winter.

I have seen many positives come out of the Yankee Spring games and i hope to see many more with the younger players who are pushing there way through the Minor league system being given a chance to shine now that some of the Yankees more established players have flown off to represent there country in the world baseball classic which is well under way now with the Pool A matches nearly complete and 2 teams (Japan&Korea) already guranteed to be taking part in the Secound Round.

But before Damon left for camp USA we saw a glimpse of what we can expect from the former Boston leadoff man throughout the season, with his oen and only appearance as a Yankee agaisnt Philli on Thursday turning into a 2-3 batting show to remember, Chacon throwing 2 scoreless innings and Jaret wright back on the mound to allow just 1 run on 4 hits in 2 innings of work, Cabrera and Phillips also having a promising Spring to make the Yankees look Bright.

The results might not be coming through but the performance's from highlighted players are, at the end of the day its the WS that the Yankees want not a Winning record in Spring Training.

The Future Is Here

2006-02-23T19:57:00.000Z

The Futer of the New York Yankees could well be already donning the famous Pin Stripes as Robinson Cano last year showed why he had the potential to make it in the big leagues and come runners up in the American League Rookie of the Year. Was it a surprise that this Talented Dominican Republic player came into the Majors last year? if u look at his career stats then i propose that it wasnt. Son on Jose Cano who was signed by the Yankees in 1980 but didnt make is debut untill 1989 with the Astors Robbinson has been in the Yankee farm system since 2001 slowly progressing to be one of the best prospects the Yankees have.

In 2001 in short A ball Cano batted .230 in about 40 games, this being his first season a .230 avergae is not bad, then in future years he raised this always improving on his average from batting .276 in single A ball in 2002 to batting .280 in single and double A ball in 2003 and then moving from AA to AAA ball in 2004 finally coming out batting a combined .285 including 29 doubles 10 Triples 13 Home runs and 74 RBI's in 135 games, a very impressive looking stat card if u are trying to catch the attention of the Major League Yankees.

Then in 2005 after a poor start by the Yankees Cano's chance to shine, after Womack was moved from 2nd Base, Cano came in agaisnt Tampa Bay and made it his own, having one of the most impressive seasons of any rookie, only narrowly missing out on the American League Rookie of the year, although through the season he was named American League's co-Player of the Week for the week ending 9/18 after batting .429 (12-for-28) and AL Rookie of the Month for September, batting .381 (40-for-105) . His end of season.335 Road BA was the 3rd hisghest recorde of a rookie since 1969 the other 2 being Suzuki and Bailor, and his .297 BA led the American League rookies, a progression in performance through the year has all Yankee fans watering at the mouth to see what kind of year the Super Star kid will have this comign season.

WBC, Help or Hinder?

2006-02-21T20:16:00.000Z

So with the baseball classic just over a week away i find myself asking the question will it help or will it hinder the Yankee players, would they be better staying at spring training and doing the usual work out with the team and the spring training games?

My innitial feeling is to agree with Damon when he said that it would just be like playing spring training games although these would mean something so it would prepare him better for the season ahead, and i would generally agree with this, i always question how usefull spring training games are in preparing players as if u look at the Yankees start last season it woudlnt look like the players were prepared, so in general i agree with the participation of the Yankee players who decided to take part

But...

I agree with players like Matsui and Cano and Rivera opting out of the event, why? well Cano because just how much playing time would he of got for the Dominican a team full of stars? i dont think a lot, and if u are going to go into a season as a starting 2B it would benefit u to be working out at legends field rather than warming the Bench for the Dominican. Matsui simply for him having to travel to Tokyo for the games, only being at spring training for jsut over a week and Rivera because it is well known that Rivera takes a bit of time to get into the swing of things and i dont think it will benefit him to have to leave training so go and play a inning or 2.

So i think that for some players the W.B.C will be a Help and for others (who cleverly opted out) it would hindered them more.

Right or Wrong?

2006-02-20T17:15:00.000Z

Ozzie Guillen Manager of the 2005 World Series winning White Sox recently took a shot at New york Yankees 3rd Baseman and American league MVP of 2005 Alex Rogriguez by slamming him for wavering between playing for the Usa or the Dominican Republic. A-Rod did not respond to Guillens comments but both Yankee Owner and Yankee Manager gave backing to A-Rod, who will be coming into Spring training with verbal attacks agaisnt him for the secound year running after several Red Sox players took shots at him last year. Was Ozzie Guillen right in what he said? is it his place to question Alex's decisions? one thing i will say in defense of Guillen is he did later come out and apologise for what he said and admitted he said the wrong things!!!

Edit: I jsut read that A-Rod has accepted the Apology of Guillen and said that it is the end of it and Guillen has stated his appreciation that A-Rod took his apology and made no more of it. Alex said that he it was a hard decision to choose between the 2 country's but is proud to be playing for Team U.S.A and will play hard for the cause of the team.

A Johnny Good Start

2006-02-19T20:51:00.000Z

So was i the only one that was impressed with Damon showing up to camp very early, showing up on Saturday instead of Tuesday when all other outfield players are due to report. But the fact that he came in earlier introduced himself to his new teamates and get accustomed to how the yankees work. Damon who spent most of the day in the weight room and Batting Cage said he reported earlier to get to know people as he would be spending a lot of time with them, and for me that shows real commitment to the team and to bring a World Series back to the Bronx, cos god knows its about time we brought another one back.

The Question still remains what kind of impact damon will have on the yankees, with A-Rod, Giambi,Johnson all having trouble adapt to the Yankees in there first year it is unclear as to whether Damon will follow suit and have a below par first season, we all know he has some might big boots to fill, mayby boots destined for Monument park to join legeneds such as Mantle, Ruth and Gehrig. Only time will show us how this will go, but i for one say that its a johnny good start!!

Welcome to the Yankee Blog

2006-02-19T19:37:00.000Z

So just getting set up but i hope to write a few story's over the coming season which i hope Yankee fans enjoy reading aswell as general MLB fans, so expect the first installmant very soon as soon as i work out how to use everything lol

Yankee Dream