Posted by admin on April 17, 2009 under Featured Photos | 
Just spotted some amazing photos of opening day at the new Yankee Stadium at Stiletto Sports. I’m very jealous, I would’ve loved to go to the first day. That’ll be something to tell the grand kids, even if the Yankees lost big time, I’m sure there were some great memories made that day.
I still miss the old Stadium, but the new one is beginning to grow on me. I’m starting to plan a trip New York to see my friends, family and most importantly the new Stadium.
Posted by admin on April 3, 2009 under New Yankee Stadium, Ramblings |
Here, I am watching the Yankees play in the new Stadium. All I can think about is what kind of season they’ll have this year.
I went to a Spring Training game this year and watched them dominate the 2008 World Series Champions Philadelphia Phillies. Watching that game, I had a feeling that this was going to be the season. This was going to be the year when the Yankees come back and win it all, the 27th World Series. There will be another parade through the Canyon Of Heroes in lower Manhattan this October.
However, a part of me is very nervous. Ever since George Steinbrenner took over the Yankees, they’ve been expected to not just be good, but to win the World Series. But this year, if it’s possible, the expectations are even higher.
The Yankees have always been the team with the target on their back. They’re the team that all of the other teams want to beat. They’re the team that all of the other fans hate. And this year the target is even bigger.
To start with the Yankees spent an amazing amount of money this off season on pitchers C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixira. The Yankees spent $423.5 million on these guys alone and for the price, I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who is expecting those guys to take the team well into October.
I became a Yankee fan in the eighties when the Yankees were pretty much horrible. However, we were all spoiled in the late nineties with all of those championship teams. But the Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2000. For most teams, that isn’t a long time. But for a Yankee fan, that becomes a lifetime. The pressure is on this year to get well past the first round of playoffs.
Last year, the Yankees didn’t even make it to the playoffs, the first time since 1993. You know the Yankees management/owners are just as hungry for a post season run as any die hard Yankee fan.
The season hasn’t even started yet, but there’s already rumors that manager Joe Girardi isn’t going to be around for long unless the Yankees come out the gate charging. Of course, I was disappointed last season, but it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to give Girardi more of a leash. I know that spring training doesn’t really count for much, but the Yankees did have the best record in the Grapefruit League, that has to count for something.
And of course, you can’t miss the brand new stadium. It looks amazing, but who would really care what it looks like if the Yankees have another mediocre season.
My prediction is that the Yankees are either going to win it all or fail big. The Vegas odds are that the Yankees win the World Series and right now I’ll take that bet.
Posted by admin on March 29, 2009 under Required Reading |
Saddest picture I have ever seen as a baseball fan.
From The Purist Bleeds Pinstripes, a picture of the old Yankee stadium with all of the grass gone. It really is one of the most depressing pictures that I’ve ever seen. Really don’t need to say anything more, I’m sure all Yankee fans understand my pain.
New Stadium not TV friendly?
Peter Abraham had this quick post this week on LoHud. So not only are there lots of places where you can’t see all of the field at the game, but if you watch it from home, it’s not going to have the same views/quality as the old stadium. With all the money they spent, you think they’d really have done a better job on this. Seems like they really don’t care about the fans, just making more money.
King of Beers reigns in the Bronx.
Also from LoHud, the Yankees will be serving Budweiser products, as well as “beers from around the world” stands. Having had more than a few beers at the old Yankee Stadium, this was very important news to me. However, I’ll never forget the last beer that I had at the old stadium.
New Stadium Photo Update
From the Chuck Knoblog, photos from the new Yankee stadium. I have to admit, it really does look beautiful. I can’t wait to go to a game there. And it almost makes me a little less depressed about the old stadium being demolished.
Posted by admin on March 26, 2009 under Spring Training |
If you’re looking for the news and stats from the game, you’re probably reading the wrong blog, but I can tell you a few things that I noticed.
Joba Chamberlin looked a little rough in the first inning. By a little rough, I mean he let up a couple of home runs in the first inning. That’s never sexy, but at least it was better than what happened the last time I saw him pitch. It was in Cleavland, there was a bunch of bugs and it was during the playoffs. Need I say more?
I think Phil Coke pitched pretty well. I think he threw a bunch of strikeouts. I tried to find some stats after the game, but I couldn’t find anything. Like I said if you’re looking for stats, wrong blog. Sorry.
As far as hitters, the switch to have Derek Jeter leading off and Johnny Damon batting second seemed to workout well for both guys.
Got to see Nick Swisher for the first time. He knocked out a homer. I’d really like to see him as a starter at some point this season.
I would’ve liked to see more of Brett Gardner. He didn’t come in until late in the game. He’s another guy that I’m unbiasly rooting for. Also coming in late in the game was Shelly Duncan. I’ve never seen him play before so I was pretty excited about that.
Then my last note about the players, Cody Ransom knocked out a homer too. Who needs A-Rod. He can continue hanging out with strippers or whatever he’s doing.
This was my first spring training game ever. I just moved down to Florida last summer and I’m kicking myself for not going to any spring training games sooner. Brighthouse Field where the Phillies play is literally right down the street from where I live and the Blue Jays field isn’t far away either.
Thanks to a hook up, I had great seats, only a row back from the dugout. I was about five feet away from Reggie Jackson the entire game. Just had to share that. I was impressed by how much time he spent signing autographs before the game as well as many of the other Yankee players.
Loved the way laid back feel of spring training. There were lots of Yankee fans there (of course) and the Philly fans were pretty friendly compared to other cities I’ve seen the Yankees play, plus they seemed pretty knowledgeable about the game.
Not so happy about the sunburn I’m going to have, but I’ll deal with it. I’m definitely going to try catch a few more games before spring training is over.
Posted by admin on January 14, 2009 under World Series |
I was watching the MLB Network tonight (I can’t say how much I love this network and can’t wait to see it watch it during the season) and they showed the 1996 World Series. For me this wasn’t just the start of their dynasty in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, but it was the first time I saw the team play in a World Series.
Looking back now the players like Derek Jeter, Andy Petite (Andy, take the next offer from the Yankees) and Mariano Riveria looked so young. Now, they’re talking about the players I grew up watching retiring in the near future. I can’t believe it was 13 years ago.
There were the everyday players like Paul O’Neil, Bernie Williams and Charlie Hayes who made the team so great and likeable. How many players are there on the Yankees like that anymore? The Yankees were also the underdogs back then. When was the last time that you remember the Yankees being underdogs (not including last season).
It makes me wonder if there were be another team as special as the 1996 team with a world series as exciting as that one. The other championships were amazing, but for me this will always be the most special. I guess a good place to start would be with the Yankees winning their 27th championship in 2009, but could this team be as special as the 1996 team.
Of course, I also have to mention the World Series Parade. My friends and I, skipped school and packed into a car to wade through three feet of confetti and see our favorite players in person. Even if we got lost on the way back, it was worth it!
Posted by admin on January 3, 2009 under Top Yankee Moments Of 2008 |
Even in the turbulent seasons since their last world series win, there were a few names that were always there, holding the team together. One of them was Jorge Possada, who for the first time in his career ended up on the DL. He was part of the Yankee heart who’s reliable bat you could count on, his mind behind home plate was counted on and when he was injured so was the rest of the team.
In late July, Jorge was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. A week later, he put the mask down for the season, he would have surgery and not be able to play for the rest of the season. However, before the final game at Yankee Stadium he did catch the ceremonial first pitch from the daughter of Babe Ruth, Julia Ruth Stephens. He’s expect to be back behind the plate this spring tranning.
Posted by admin on January 2, 2009 under Top Yankee Moments Of 2008 |
Maybe it’s not the most important moment in 2008, but when the Yankees signed Billy Crystal signed to a one day contract it was definitely a feel good moment.
In Spring Training, the Yankees signed the comedian to a one day contract. He was the lead off hitter, playing the DH role in a game against the Pirates. He fouled off a pitch, took three balls but eventually struck out. Not bad for a rookie that was about to turn 60 the next day.
Maybe, I still have a chance of playing for the Yankees after all.
