Yankees Voice

Jeter Still Captain Clutch

2011-09-04T23:44:00.003-04:00

By Frank Solares

At the end of April Derek was batting .256 at the end of May he was batting .274, he had a total of 57 hits at the end of that month. When Jeter went on the DL he had 2 Home runs and 20 RBI and a total of 68 hits all while batting .260, he had yet to accomplish his 3000 hits and many idiots wanted him to retire. They were beating the drums, calling radio stations and suggesting that the Yankees needed to move him down the order or bench him. Now this is Derek Jeter our Captain and the best short stop of his generation. If you don't agree with that statement tell me what other baseball players at his position accomplished 3000 hits 5 World Series rings and countless Postseason Records.

I fought with these idiots all day explaining to them that Jeter was still in the prime of his life and not only was going to retire in the top ten in career hits list he would end up in top ten in runs scored, all while not even hearing a whisper of his B12 usage.

Since his return from the DL Jeter has accomplished 3000 hits, batting .348, has 70 hits, 11 doubles, 3 Triples, 3 Home Runs and 34 RBI.

I am a Notorious Jeter apologist and love the Yankees, but even a none Jeter fan would tell you he is far from being washed up. People are too quick to retire DJ or to want to see his demise, why don't we give him the benefit of the doubt and enjoy every moment.

He Ranks 20th all time (on hits list) and he is behind Dave Windfield (3110) for 19th, sitting at 3064 hits. Unlikely he will get 46 more hits this year but I would never count out our Captain.

His Bio

Drafted: 1992: 1st Rnd, 6th by NYY

Rookie of the Year
1996
Gold Glove
2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2004
Silver Slugger
2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
World Series MVP
2000
Hank Aaron Award
2009, 2006
Roberto Clemente Award
2009
All-Star Game MVP
2000

Yankees career hits leader and first Yankee to 3000.

Big Reason why Sabathia is not Cy Young

2011-08-07T11:58:00.004-04:00

By Frank Solares

CC is 16-2 against MLB this year, and he is 0-4 with an ERA above 7 against the RedSucks.

He is still the best Yankee pitcher and a top 5 pitcher in the AL. All the talk regarding Cy Young he is not the Cy young this year. When you can't beat Boston a team in the division and your archenemy, your performance must exceed all others. I hate to admit this but until the Yankees get another front line pitcher, they are not beating Boston this year. Keep asking Colon and Garcia to continue pitching the way they have and not expect a let down?

The definition of crazy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. That is what Girardi and Cashman are doing every time they send AJ to the mound. They are expecting a different outcome.

I would like say, we are 8 games up on the Wildcard and need to trust in the future, letting Brackman Banuelos and Betances come up and seeing if they belong. I would make the rotation 1 CC 2 Nova 3 Hughes 4 Betances 5 Brackman/Banuelos

The future is now!

Mr 3000 Only Yankee ever!

2011-07-09T14:15:00.002-04:00

By Frank Solares

At 2pm JULY 9TH, #2 in the scorecard number one in our hearts, achieved his 3000 hit on a Home Run to left. The 4th youngest to 3000 and now officially a Hall Of Fame player.

Jeter's 3000 hits brings me back to my youth, and the truth is we all grew up with the Captain. The baseball history has had many captains but their is only one Derek Jeter, our Captain. We all grew up watching every pitch, every strike and every hit. When Jeter got injured we felt it, when he lost his first playoff game we suffered along with him. Now that he became the 28th man to 3000 and first Yankee ever we sit and cheer!

Read his article from 1992 The year it began it all.

Sunday, September 13, 1992 - New York Times Author Jennifer Frey
"A Game Just 2,971 Short of 3,000 Hits"

The article discussed a slug fest between the Yankees and the KC Royals, what made this article archive and history worthy was the drop story at the bottom, titled Inside Pitch. A look back the article reads DEREK JETER , the Yankees ' 1992 first-round draft choice, worked out in uniform with the team before the game.

The headline is what made me wonder if it was meant to be. Here is Frey writing about the game and the total amount of hits and the Man that would go on to break the All Time SS hits record, the All Time Yankees hits record and the only Yankee in history to record 3000 hits in attendance.

While reading every article written on the Captain in the last 15 years one of my favorites was the one written by Jack Curry that year June 2 1992, New York Times under the headline.

"Schoolboy Shortstop Gets a Bronx Invitation"
Before injuring an ankle running over a slippery base in April, Jeter was considered a possible No. 1 choice overall because of his speed,arm strength and hitting. He wound up the first high school player chosen.

The Yankees must now begin the process of signing the 17-year-old. When they tabbed Brien Taylor as the No. 1 pick overall last season, the Yanks had acrimonious negotiations with the pitcher's adviser, Scott Boras, before finally signing Taylor to a record-setting $1.55 million deal.

With the draft rules changed so that team now holds a high school player's rights for five years, it may be easier to sign draft picks. The 6-foot-3-inch, 175-pound Jeter has accepted a baseball scholarship to Michigan. He completed high school with a 3.82 grade point average out of 4.0 and said today the odds were "50-50" on attending college or signing with the Yankees.

"We'll make a decision as a family," said Jeter , who hit .481 with 23 runs batted in for Kalamazoo Central High. "It is my dream to play professionally, whether it is now or after college."

As the sixth pick, Jeter could probably command a contract of close to $400,000. But Jeter downplayed monetary issues.

"I enjoy playing the game," said Jeter , whose mother, Dorthy, is an accountant. "I think the money part is just an extra."

End of Article.

Derek Sanderson Jeter is the 27th man to 3000.

1.
Pete Rose
4256
B
2.
Ty Cobb+
4189
L
3.
Hank Aaron+
3771
R
4.
Stan Musial+
3630
L
5.
Tris Speaker+
3514
L
6.
Cap Anson+
3435
R
7.
Honus Wagner+
3420
R
8.
Carl Yastrzemski+
3419
L
9.
Paul Molitor+
3319
R
10.
Eddie Collins+
3315
L
11.
Willie Mays+
3283
R
12.
Eddie Murray+
3255
B
13.
Nap Lajoie+
3242
R
14.
Cal Ripken+
3184
R
15.
George Brett+
3154
L
16.
Paul Waner+
3152
L
17.
Robin Yount+
3142
R
18.
Tony Gwynn+
3141
L
19.
Dave Winfield+
3110
R
20.
Craig Biggio
3060
R
21.
Rickey Henderson+
3055
R
22.
Rod Carew+
3053
L
23.
Lou Brock+
3023
L
24.
Rafael Palmeiro
3020
L
25.
Wade Boggs+
3010
L
26.
Al Kaline+
3007
R
27.
Roberto Clemente+
3000
R
28.
Derek Jeter (37)
3000
R

Jeter is the third shorstop the Yankees have selected first. Neither of the others, Dennis Sherrill (1974) and Rex Hudler, (1978) ever became regular players.

Over Rated?

2011-06-03T06:44:00.004-04:00

By

Frank Solares

I have been on a writing vacation from my blog due to a little setback and the fact that since I started writing my book, I cant write a simple sentence.

That said, the article that included baseball cowards that voted A-Rod, Derek and Joba as the top 5 overrated players in baseball had me a little ticked off. When writing something or stating an opinion always attach your name.

These baseball players came off as a little jealous and frankly a little sad. We will not even discuss Joba, he is who we thought he was. The fact that this kid is still in the league after he was "miss used" is a great thing.

What left me in shock and confused were the two names at the top 5 of that list. Please explain to me how a baseball player that moved positions for the best interest of his career and team, a player that has 622 Home runs, 1862 RBI, 2728 hits and 1789 runs scored, be overrated? A player that is a career .303 hitter and player that has 3 MVP awards and a world series title be overrated. He is the greatest right handed hitter of his or any generation.

The other name on this list was Derek Jeter, now I am a Jeter fan and a self proclaimed Jeter Apologist, BUT JETER?

Ok where do I start? He is 16 hits short of 3000 hits, and ohhh by the way no Yankee in the 100 plus year history as ever achieved this. He has the most career hits by a short stop, a list that include the following names, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken, Ernie Banks, Robin Yount and Honus Wagner.

The Captain of the New York Yankees, 5 World Series rings, will finish in the top 10 all time in runs scored, All Star MVP, Rookie of the Year, and World Series MVP!

Holds the All Time career mark in the post season in, HITS, Runs Scored, and is 3rd only to Manny and Bernie in Home Runs. (yeah yeah he had more chances, shut your mouth, that comes with the territory, he still had to hit the ball.)

So to the idiotic, shameless, cowards that voted Alex and Jeter as top 5 OVERRATED baseball players, look in the mirror and SHUTUP! DONT HATE!

Ohh Mother

2011-05-08T23:33:00.003-04:00

By Frank Solares

Derek Jeter has always made his mother proud and today he demostrated why he is still an elite baseball player and the Captain of the greatest franchise in the world.

DJ had 4 hits two bloops and two blasts, all while scoring two runs and getting three RBI.

Let's not start his retirement party yet!

The Captain is not back he never went anywhere, dude faces the media and always stands up.

12 runs
16 hits
4 errors oops

CC wins his 3rd victory and the Lakers lose. Great Sunday!

Ohh by the way the Yankees win and are still in first place.

Jeter Manifesto

2011-05-05T20:08:00.003-04:00

By Frank Solares

Jeter Manifesto

I have been called a right wing nut job, a left wing sympathizer, Derek Jeter’s bitch and a Yankee Homer. Depending who is telling the story they are all telling the truth. I put my fandom one leg at a time and bleed Kentucky blue, Niner Scarlet, Penguin Black and Yellow, Blazer Red and Black and Yankee Dark Blue. Yet despite that this year I have not been the over zealous or a crazed Yankee fan self.

I think at tender age of 30 I have mellowed, or it could be that these past months I have seen my 49ers struggled and under achieve, my Penguins lost Crosby and Gino, my Blazers choked away two games to an inferior, less talented, over rated, poor excuse of a team. But I digress, this year I will not give up on the Yankees.

Yes Jeter is 36 and showing his age, but who else do you want to play short? Phil Rizzuto is not walking through that door, and not one player is beating down the door in the Minors to replace him. Look at Nunez today, two errors and he is a “superior short stop” according to insert “writer” here, so tell me please who is going to replace him.

Do you want Reyes? Do you want to trade the Farm for Hanley Ramirez? No lets go get Tulo out of Colorado! Lets over pay for Jimmy Rollins! NOT ME!

I need all you Yankee fans that started watching Baseball in 96 to stop the madness. No one cares you are spoiled, entitled and over critical but stop the maddness.

BUT COME ON! Stop listening to the pundits and talking heads. Not one Yankee beat writer is a die hard Yankee fan, and despite the fact that they cover the team they get paid to piss people off. They make more money and sell more News papers when they trash the Yankees.

Watch ESPN, they are the greatest thing on Television, I rather never see Television again than lose ESPN, if I had a choice between never having an alcoholic beverage or never watching ESPN again I would throw out my liquor. That said, they are all paid to Hate the Yankees, they get better ratings when they trash any member of the Yankee family and the Team. DON’T Spread the Hate.

You can all go ahead, I am not giving up on my Captain, he is 47 hits away from 3000, the Yankees have him signed for 3 more years and you never here a bad thing come out of his mouth. He is never in trouble and could never be accused of using PED’s. When he is injured or beat up he never says a word, he keeps playing.

We owe him another bad year, especially after the great years he has given us, and through out the years he gave us 5 rings and 15 magical years. Stop trashing my shortstop, only because he started the year off in a little slump. THE WHOLE Team is in a Slump. Not 1 starter is hitting over 300 and we are in first place.

This is a man that will be the first Yankee to get to 3000, the all time hit king among all shortstops and he is the BEST postseason hitter in the HISTORY of the GAME. I don’t care that he had more chances and more games in the postseason, So did Many Ramirez and every one at the 4 letter network use to get an orgasm every time the mentioned his name.

Give up on my captain all you want. Boo him for the rest of his Yankee career, trash him and tweet bad things about him.

When it is all said and done, he will go down as the Greatest Yankee leader,and will retire the only shortstop in MLB history and only Yankee to achieve 3000 hits.

AJ

2011-04-25T22:42:00.002-04:00

AJ was awesome tonight, I said he would have a big bounce back year. Great pitching line tonight.

Game 11 Orioles vs Yankees

2011-04-14T22:57:00.002-04:00

By Frank Solares

Lets start with the good news, the Yankees are 7-4 and in sole possession of First place and after being down 5-0 they came back with the help of Posada’s bat (seven hits but five of them are HR)

Bartolo was brilliant again, I would keep him as the long man.

2936 for Jeter with a hit up the middle

Swisher got pie!

Only three hitters on the Yankees are currently hitting, Arod stays on fire he is hitting .412, had 3 hits with an RBI. Cano batting .326 on the year had two hits tonight to add to his totals and Martin is batting a respectful power full .289.

Mo saved his own victory! (I know he does not get a save)

Now the bad news, Yes the Yankees are in first place, Yes the Yankees have played ok through 11 games but that said.

No one else is hitting just look at the outfield from left to right Gardner .150, Granderson .194, Swisher .211.

The captain is under the Mendoza line, He is JETER he will bounce back he always does (I look at the back of the baseball card). Jete, please don’t lose your confidence we need you this year!

Recap

HR: Posada (5, 9th inning off Gregg, 0 on, 0 out)

RBI: Cano (8), Teixeira (11), Rodriguez, A (9), Martin (9), Posada (8), Swisher (7)

Game 10 Orioles vs Yankees

2011-04-13T22:51:00.001-04:00

The Yankees are finally in first place. It took them 10 games but it actually came through fruition. The Baltimore Orioles are a nice good team, hell they are the team of the future. That said they had not played a team of the Yankee caliber. Both teams are now 6-4 tied for first and they are 5 games ahead of the Red Sox in the loss column.

Sprinkle 2 hits from the Captain, Yeah MAN he is now 66 hits away from 3000 hits and OHH by the way, he tied Barry US Bonds in career hit list.

Alex goes boom for his fourth, and Jorgie Juiced number four for his first hit in 20 AB.

AJ has 3 victories, so much for the bloggers and internet hacks (like me) wanting him to be traded. I did say he was going to have a bounce back year.

Sori scoreless 8th

Mo scoreless 9th for his 563rd save of his career, Mariano raised his save total to 5.

The Yankees have played the Tigers, Redsox, Twins and Orioles a 6-4 start at this point is awesome.

OHH AND THE SOX ARE NOW 2-9, Just incase I failed to mention it.

Game 8 Yankees vs Red Sox

2011-04-10T02:47:00.003-04:00

by

Frank Solares

The Yankees tied up the series at one with a win on Saturday vs Boston. NY is now 5-3 on this young season and the Sox are now 1-7. Its still early but the Yankees want to continue winning ballgames and will await the eventual low in the season. The experts say that a good team is expected to win 54 games in a season and lose 54 games in a season. It’s what you do with the other 54 games that define you as a team.

Yanks offense has been great so far this year. They have combined for 18 homeruns in eight games.

The bullpen for the most part kept them in the game and the lineup had several contributors.

The Captain had a hit to bring the magic number down to 67 and the captain had a good play on the field when he though out a runner at the 3rd.

HR: Martin 2 (3), Granderson (2), Cano (2)

The Birthday boy wins the game and all is great with the world again.

Yankees vs Redsox Part1

2011-04-08T00:21:00.001-04:00

Friday
RHP Phil Hughes (0-1, 11.25) vs. RHP John Lackey (0-1, 22.09) 2:05 p.m

Saturday
RHP Ivan Nova (1-0, 4.50) vs. RHP Clay Buchholz (0-1, 5.68) 1:10 p.m

Sunday
LHP CC Sabathia (0-0, 1.38) vs.RHP Josh Beckett (0-1, 5.40) 8:05 p.m.

Game 6 Twins vs Yankees

2011-04-07T23:51:00.002-04:00

By Frank Solares

The Yankees AJ Burnett had a horrible year both on and off the field. This year has started better than anyone hoped or expected and AJ won his second game of the year.

Yes the Yankees are now 4-2 and AJ has half the victories. Every day he is on the mound he is improving not to mention healing. When your personal and professional life has turmoil nothing is easy and all that is being changed one pitch at a time.

Much to the dismay of the Media and the four letter network the captain had two hits today he is now 69 hits away from 3000.

Sori scoreless 8th after a bad outing two nights ago

Mo scoreless 9th for his 562 save of his career. Mariano now has saved all 4 of the victories.

Now they take on an angry Red Sox team who are 0-6 for the year and the crazy and ridiculous fans are giving up on the season. This is a team that arguably might win 97 games. People should have perspective and cut these guys a break. Its April 7th you insane crazy fans.

Game 4 Twins vs Yankees

2011-04-04T21:49:00.002-04:00

By Frank Solares

Yankees improve season record to 3-1

The hitting Stars of the Game were Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada each driving two runs on Homeruns.

HR:
Rodriguez (2, 1st inning off Baker, S, 1 on, 2 out)

Posada (3, 2nd inning off Baker, S, 1 on, 0 out)

RBI:
Rodriguez 2 (4),
Posada 2 (6)

Ivan Nova was impressive he had 6 strong innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. Nova the fourth starter earned his spot on the rotation by pitching great in spring training.

The bullpen this year has been a tale of two bullpens. The 7th, 8th and 9th innings guys have been solid, the rest of the bullpen not so much.

Joba scoreless 7th

Sori scoreless 8th

Mo scoreless 9th for his 561 save of his career. (SV-3)

Game 2 Tigers Vs Yankees

2011-04-02T20:32:00.001-04:00

By
Frank Solares

Yankees win 10-6

The Bombers had another impressive hitting game. Tex had another 3 run homerun it was his second in as many days.

Russel Martin had a 3 run blast himself and caught AJ’s 5 impressive innings despite having a cold.

Jete had 2 hits bringing his Avg to a shocking .333 some one should tell DJ he is on the down side of his career. How dare he get 2 hits oh and his D was surprisingly well for today he could stay at short and the Captain is now 72 hits away from that magic number.

Four players had multi hit games, three hitters had multi RBI games. Alex goes Boom, Tex was on the Mark and Russell had muscle.

HR:
Teixeira (2, 2nd inning off Penny, 2 on, 1 out),
Martin (1, 5th inning off Thomas, B, 2 on, 2 out),
Rodriguez, A (1, 6th inning off Villarreal, 0 on, 0 out).

RBI:

Rodriguez, A 2 (2), Cano (1), Swisher (2), Teixeira 3 (6), Martin 3 (3).
2-out RBI: Martin 3.

The Bullpen was not impressive and Mo had to come in and get his second save of the year. He is now 40 away from 600.

Game 1 Tigers Vs Yankees

2011-03-31T17:32:00.004-04:00

By
Frank Solares

Game one is in the books, Yankees win 6-3 behind a strong pitching performance from the bullpen.

3rd M Teixeira homered to right, R Martin and D Jeter scored.

7th C Granderson homered to right.

7th D Jeter hit sacrifice fly to center, R Martin scored.

8th N Swisher singled to right, A Rodriguez scored, N Swisher tagged out at first attempting to advance on play.

HR: M Teixeira (1, 3rd inning off J Verlander 2 on, 1 Out); C Granderson (1, 7th inning off P Coke 0 on, 0 Out)
RBI: M Teixeira 3 (3), C Granderson (1), D Jeter (1), N Swisher (1)

Joba scoreless 7th (Victory 1) 1-0

Sori scoreless 8th

Mo for the 1st save 559 of his career. (SV-1)

Great win let Go Yankees.

2011 Predictions

2011-03-30T23:50:00.003-04:00

2011 Predictions

I hate doing predictions unless is college football, where I won 89% of my games.

That said this year I will not pick an MVP a Cy Young Rookie and all the other awards. I do not have time and frankly I don’t care.

Even if I wasn’t a Yankee fan I wouldn’t pick the RedSox to go the World Series. They are loaded and yes other than Salty behind the plate they are on paper the best in American League. Nothing is ever a given and nothing is won on paper.

AL East

Yankees with 94-68 win East

AL Central

I love the Chicago White Sox 90-72 win the Central

AL West

A’s pitching, hitting and division is weak 88-74

WildCard

Redsox with a 90-72 record

NL East

Philadelphia 97-65 record, pitching staff will be the best in baseball.
Some are comparing them to the Braves of the 90’s, I highly doubt it since they are expected to win more than one world series. I am sorry Braves fans but they cant be the best of all time if they lost 4 world series. (People have always overrated the Braves Staff).

NL Central

Milwaukee in a bad division 86-76 record

NL West

Second year in a row I will pick the Dimondbacks, young and really good

Wild Card

Braves with 88-74 record.

World Series I have Yankees over Philadelphia

2011 Yankee Schedule

2011-03-30T21:47:00.000-04:00

Date Opponent Time
Mar. 31 Detroit 1:05
Apr. 2 Detroit 4:10
Apr. 3 Detroit 1:05
Apr. 4 Minnesota 7:05
Apr. 5 Minnesota 7:05
Apr. 6 Minnesota 7:05
Apr. 7 Minnesota 1:05
Apr. 8 at Boston 2:05
Apr. 9 at Boston 1:10
Apr. 10 at Boston 8:00
Apr. 12 Baltimore 7:05
Apr. 13 Baltimore 7:05
Apr. 14 Baltimore 7:05
Apr. 15 Texas 7:05
Apr. 16 Texas 1:05
Apr. 17 Texas 8:00
Apr. 19 at Toronto 7:07
Apr. 20 at Toronto 7:07
Apr. 22 at Baltimore 7:05
Apr. 23 at Baltimore 7:05
Apr. 24 at Baltimore 1:35
Apr. 25 Chicago Sox 7:05
Apr. 26 Chicago Sox 7:05
Apr. 27 Chicago Sox 7:05
Apr. 28 Chicago Sox 7:05
Apr. 29 Toronto 7:05
Apr. 30 Toronto 4:05
May 1 Toronto 1:05
May 2 at Detroit 7:05
May 3 at Detroit 7:05
May 4 at Detroit 7:05
May 5 at Detroit 1:05
May 6 at Texas 8:05
May 7 at Texas 8:05
May 8 at Texas 3:05
May 10 Kansas City 7:05
May 11 Kansas City 7:05
May 12 Kansas City 7:05
May 13 Boston 7:05
May 14 Boston 7:10
May 15 Boston 8:00
May 16 at Tampa Bay 6:40
Date Opponent Time
May 17 at Tampa Bay 6:40
May 18 at Baltimore 7:05
May 19 at Baltimore 7:05
May 20 NY Mets 7:05
May 21 NY Mets 7:10
May 22 NY Mets 1:05
May 23 Toronto 7:05
May 24 Toronto 7:05
May 25 Toronto 1:05
May 27 at Seattle 10:10
May 28 at Seattle 10:10
May 29 at Seattle 4:10
May 30 at Oakland 4:05
May 31 at Oakland 10:05
Jun. 1 at Oakland 3:35
Jun. 3 at LA Angels 10:05
Jun. 4 at LA Angels 9:05
Jun. 5 at LA Angels 3:35
Jun. 7 Boston 7:05
Jun. 8 Boston 7:05
Jun. 9 Boston 7:05
Jun. 10 Cleveland 7:05
Jun. 11 Cleveland 1:05
Jun. 12 Cleveland 1:05
Jun. 13 Cleveland 7:05
Jun. 14 Texas 7:05
Jun. 15 Texas 7:05
Jun. 16 Texas 1:05
Jun. 17 at Chicago Cubs 2:20
Jun. 18 at Chicago Cubs 4:10
Jun. 19 at Chicago Cubs 12:00
Jun. 20 at Cincinnati 7:10
Jun. 21 at Cincinnati 7:10
Jun. 22 at Cincinnati 12:35
Jun. 24 Colorado 7:05
Jun. 25 Colorado 1:05
Jun. 26 Colorado 2:05
Jun. 28 Milwaukee 7:05
Jun. 29 Milwaukee 7:05
Jun. 30 Milwaukee 1:05
Jul. 1 at NY Mets 7:10
Jul. 2 at NY Mets 4:10
Date Opponent Time
Jul. 3 at NY Mets 1:10
Jul. 4 at Cleveland 6:35
Jul. 5 at Cleveland 7:05
Jul. 6 at Cleveland 7:05
Jul. 7 Tampa Bay 7:05
Jul. 8 Tampa Bay 7:05
Jul. 9 Tampa Bay 1:05
Jul. 10 Tampa Bay 1:05
Jul. 14 at Toronto 7:07
Jul. 15 at Toronto 7:07
Jul. 16 at Toronto 1:07
Jul. 17 at Toronto 1:07
Jul. 18 at Tampa Bay 7:10
Jul. 19 at Tampa Bay 7:10
Jul. 20 at Tampa Bay 7:10
Jul. 21 at Tampa Bay 7:10
Jul. 22 Oakland 7:05
Jul. 23 Oakland 1:05
Jul. 24 Oakland 1:05
Jul. 25 Seattle 7:05
Jul. 26 Seattle 7:05
Jul. 27 Seattle 1:05
Jul. 29 Baltimore 7:05
Jul. 30 Baltimore 1:05
Jul. 31 Baltimore 1:05
Aug. 1 at Chicago Sox 8:10
Aug. 2 at Chicago Sox 8:10
Aug. 3 at Chicago Sox 8:10
Aug. 4 at Chicago Sox 8:10
Aug. 5 at Boston 7:10
Aug. 6 at Boston 4:10
Aug. 7 at Boston 12:00
Aug. 9 LA Angels 7:05
Aug. 10 LA Angels 7:05
Aug. 11 LA Angels 1:05
Aug. 12 Tampa Bay 7:05
Aug. 13 Tampa Bay 4:10
Aug. 14 Tampa Bay 12:00
Aug. 15 at Kansas City 8:10
Aug. 16 at Kansas City 8:10
Aug. 17 at Kansas City 8:10
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 18 at Minnesota 8:10
Aug. 19 at Minnesota 8:10
Aug. 20 at Minnesota 7:10
Aug. 21 at Minnesota 2:10
Aug. 23 Oakland 7:05
Aug. 24 Oakland 7:05
Aug. 25 Oakland 1:05
Aug. 26 at Baltimore 7:05
Aug. 27 at Baltimore 7:05
Aug. 28 at Baltimore 1:35
Aug. 29 at Baltimore 7:05
Aug. 30 at Boston 7:10
Aug. 31 at Boston 7:10
Sept. 1 at Boston 7:10
Sept. 2 Toronto 7:05
Sept. 3 Toronto 1:05
Sept. 4 Toronto 1:05
Sept. 5 Baltimore 1:05
Sept. 6 Baltimore 7:05
Sept. 7 Baltimore 12:00
Sept. 9 at LA Angels 10:05
Sept. 10 at LA Angels 9:05
Sept. 11 at LA Angels 3:35
Sept. 12 at Seattle 10:10
Sept. 13 at Seattle 10:10
Sept. 14 at Seattle 10:10
Sept. 16 at Toronto 7:07
Sept. 17 at Toronto 1:07
Sept. 18 at Toronto 1:07
Sept. 20 Tampa Bay 7:05
Sept. 21 Tampa Bay 1:05
Sept. 23 Boston 7:05
Sept. 24 Boston 12:00
Sept. 25 Boston 1:05
Sept. 26 at Tampa Bay 7:10
Sept. 27 at Tampa Bay 7:10
Sept. 28 at Tampa Bay 7:10

2011 Yankee Baseball Roster

2011-03-30T21:14:00.002-04:00

Starting Lineup

Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeria 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Russell Martin C

Bench

Eric Chavez
Andruw Jones
Eduardo Nunez
Gustavo Molina

Relief Pitchers

Bartolo Colon
Luis Ayala
Joba Chamberlain
Boone Logan
David Robertson
Rafael Soriano

Closer

Mariano Rivera

Todays 2011 lineup

2011-02-08T17:16:00.002-05:00

Today is the first day that I can imagine the Yankee Lineup.

Curtis Granderson CF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada DH
Nick Swisher RF
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF

We will miss you Andy!

2011-02-04T23:24:00.002-05:00

Andy Pettitte was my 4th favorite Yankee of all time!

Thank you for giving us your best every night and thank you for the 19 postseason wins. That is the only number that matters, the 5 rings and the 19 victories in October.

In my eyes based on the victories and total postseason contributions you should be in the Hall of Fame. I find it funny how when “Little” Ben and Brady win football games people already put them in Canton. See Football writers, fans, players all respect and give props to the great players.

These baseball nerds these geeks who never played baseball and all they do is write about it, they decide who gets in the Hall. Sad your conscience is pure, yet your sport is not, how the Hell is Pete Rose not in the Hall? I digress…

Andy you won 5 World Series titles and will retire the All Time wins leader, and some 80 year old dude baseball writer named Peter that never played the game gets to decide your place among history.

The only thing that matters is that you retired a Yankee, will have your number retired and will have a place in a circle of players that is more exclusive than the Hall of Fame.

We will miss you Andy!

Letter to Brian Cashman

2011-01-27T13:26:00.005-05:00

By Frank Solares

Dear Brian Cashman,

Big fan and hope you retire a Yankee as well as continue working towards lowering the payroll, all while dominating the Major leagues. One criticism (Dont have one) but, Bartolo Colon? Really?

I know that everyone would like to remember the past and live it all over again, hell I would love to be 25, and have long luscious hair, so the thought of Bartolo Colon as the fifth starter does not comfort me for the future of your Yankees.

The hope here at Yankeesvoice, is that this experiment never gets off the ground and fails.
Mr. Cashman you should continue concentrating on the youth movement, not some 37 year old who might be 42 (A man that has not seen a salad bar in years, a man that reminds me more of a left end than a pitcher).

Back on October 24th I said, make Larry Rothschild pitching coach, I blogged that on this site ( http://yankeesvoice.blogspot.com/2010/10/hot-stove-wish-list.html ) and you listen to us.

Now I beg you please continue with the youth movement, that is the most important equation of the Yankee Future.

I know that Baseball America is the standard and have great “experts” that rate every team and I might not disagree with the Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Andrew Brackman and Hector Noesi. That said how many times have experts been able to identify talent and been at least 30% correct.

As a Yankee Fan that follows the team and has seen a minor league game or two, I have a different perspective. The Farm system is full of great pitchers.

I hate to admit this but the RedSux have the best pitching staff in AL on paper, but Baseball is not played on paper. Brian Cashman agrees with us "I would agree because they have a deeper starting rotation. I’m not saying they’re going to beat us. We’re not conceding anything. But if somebody asked me right now, they might be a finished product. We’re an unfinished product," he continues "But you don’t win championships in the winter, you win them in the summer. We’re looking forward to going head-to-head with everybody and anybody.”

It’s true but let’s give the Sox the Eye Ball test. I love Lester, he is awesome, I love Buchholz he is a stud. That said they have questions on the staff as well, where is the famous Matsuzaka gyroball (46-27 in 98 starts for 100 million dollar pitcher), Lackey is 32 and looked very old at times last yr (14-11) and Josh Beckett the most hated Red Sox pitcher since Pedro (1-2 with a 10.04 ERA vs Yankees last year).

We all know that the three Yankee starters are set in stone.

CC (Best lefty in the game!! Period! I SAID PERIOD!), AJ ( A J It’s not easy MAN, it hurts but it gets better, Trust me, you will have a monster year) and the franchise (Phil the future, the now).

If Andy does not pitch this year, IF! (ANDY GIVE US ONE MORE YEAR,, PLEASE)

Make Ivan Nova the fourth starter.

I love what I saw last year, both in the minors and majors. The kid has an it quality about him, he reminds me of a younger Felix Hernanadez, he has that kind of stuff and at 24 he is just getting started, He was 12-3 with 115 strikeouts and 2.86 ERA.

5th Starter

Sergio Mitre

• Honorable mention to Mitre not as a starter, (NO!) only as a spot starter or 6th man yes.

Kei Igawa
• Heck NO! (I like him waking guys at Scranton, he should stay in Scranton)

We need a young new arm as the 5th starter = not Colon.

On that note I will run down the bright starts at pitching for any readers that might not be aware of the pitching talent pool. Not named Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Andrew Brackman and Hector Noesi.

David Phelps

Selected out of Notre Dame by the New York Yankees in the 14th round (440th overall) of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Notre Dame guy not the singer.
1. His career bio Hazelwood West High School, compiling 2.96 career ERA, 14-4 record and 172 Ks in 109.2 innings.
2. At Notre Dame he went 10-5 with a 2.85 ERA, striking out 125 batters in 137 innings.
3. In the minors since 2008 he is 31-8 with a 2.36 ERA, striking out 315 batters in 380 innings.

Very impressed, a non-Yankee scout told me he has 3 out pitches.

Lance Pendleton

Selected out of Rice University by the New York Yankees in the fourth round (139th overall)

A late bloomer but a man that is coming into his own, his bio in 5 years in the minors he has a 32-22 record with 3.60 ERA, 421 strikeouts in 470 innings. But his last two years he is 24 and 13 with 263 K’s.

Adam Warren

Selected by the New York Yankees in the fourth round of the 2009, graduated from the University of North Carolina

1. North Carolina Tarheel 2006-2008 22-2 (32-4 college total) 3.22 ERA 137 strikeouts in 178 innings.
2. While in the Minors, 2 years he has a 15-9 record 2.26 ERA striking out 176 in 191 innings.

I see why the Yankees are high on him and refused to add him in a trade. (Some one told me that or I read that)

D.J. Mitchell

Selected out of Clemson University by the New York Yankees in the 10th round of the 2008 Draft

His numbers impress me the most, he has grown into a complete pitcher, while at Clemson 6-5 with a 3.47 ERA in 14 Starts.

In two minor league seasons DJ is 25-11 with 3.11 ERA, 237 Strikeouts in 290 innings.

The potential is strong at 6-2 165 pounds and still developing his stuff. Has the ability to be swing and miss guy the two games I saw him in this year, he pitched to contact and was impressed with the Pawtauket game he went after hitters.

In my opinion we did not need a 32 year old left handed pitcher that has only 3 good years, who 5 years ago was demoted to the minors and over pay for him.

The future is now!!!

Oh and that note.., I was flying to Vegas to see my parents and was sitting at the Airport waiting for my connecting flight out of Harts Field Jackson and sat next to a guy who claimed to be a Red Sox scout. I failed to mention to him that I was a Yankee fan. He told me something very interesting. The guy had a few drinks and was bragging about a Pitcher in Brazil, he told me he was going to be the next big thing and that no one knew about it. I was very sober (not by choice) and would not shut up about it, so I wonder if he was really a scout or an over zealous RedSux fan who was making stuff up. But you know if he was telling the truth, they are worried about the future and so should you.

Regards

Frank Solares

My College Bowl Picks

2010-12-05T23:33:00.002-05:00

By Frank Solars

This Year I was 89% on my college pick.

UTEP over BYU

Fresno State over Nothern Illinois Dec 18

Troy over Ohio Dec 18

Louisville over Southern Mississippi

Boise State over Utah

Navy over San Diego St

Hawaii over Tulsa

Toledo over Florida International

Ga Tech over Airforce

NC state over W Virginia

Missouri over Iowa

Maryland over East Carolina

Illinois over Baylor

Oklahoma St will kill Arizona

Army over SMU

Syracuse Over Kansas St at the house that Jeter Mariano Posada Andy, Arod and the Boss Built. In Pinstripe Bowl

North Carolina over Tennessee

Nebraska will kill Washington

Clemson over south florida

The Irish over Miami

UGA will kill UCF in the who cares Bowl

Florida State over south Carolina

Texas Tech over Northwestern

Florida will kill Penn State, JOE PA please retire already.

Alabama Over Michigan st it will be a great game

Miami of Ohio over Middle Tenn how the hell do they get a primertime game Jan 6 @ 8 pm.

LSU will kill Texas A&M

Kentucky over Pitt

Boston College over Nevada

Wisconsin will kill TCU in the Rose Bowl

Oklahoma will Kill Uconn in Fiesta Bowl

Arkansas will kill the Ohio State

Stanford will beat VaTech in Orange

Ducks will lose by 30 to the $cam Newton Tigers (payforplay)

Ok that was all the Bowl Games I picked.

51 million for 3000 hits

2010-12-05T04:46:00.003-05:00

By Frank Solares

My first thought is, who cares how much money he is paid. Who cares if he will end up at short or not. WE GOT OUR CAPTAIN BACK!!!

It’s not my money, it’s not my team, and my baseball IQ is the lowest in the world. That said I would have given Jeter a blank check and would have told him to pick a phone number and make him a minority owner, with only one condition, that his baseball career end in 3 years and then he move into the front office.

He is arguably the face of the Yankees, his legacy might not reach the Berra, Mantle, Ruth, or Dimaggio section of Monument Park but his is an Icon and the face of the organization.

Derek is my second favorite Yankee of all time and despite what you might read in the papers, he is a big reason why I and others go to Yankee Stadium and why we pay all that money to watch him play. I was in a road game with my child in Atlanta and half the Park was filled with Yankee fans and about half of them wore his famous number 2 Jersey.

True Yankee fans don’t care how much money Jete got as long as he hits 3000 in a Yankee uniform. The only Yankee in the History of the sport to accomplish that, the all time hit leader in his position.

Taking a lighter side of his 3 year 51 million dollar contract, we focused on what the Yankees got for that money.

At 51 million the Yankees purchased the rights to have him finish his career as a Yankee, as well as insure that he hit 3000 in pinstripes. 74 hits away from that great accomplishment, for every hit he gets until 3000 the Yankees will pay $689,189.

Compared to The American I-dl got 30 million for 9 victories for a total of $3,333,333 for each victory. Or if you want to take it one step further AJ has been paid
33,000,000 for only 1 win in postseason. I can fill 10 pages with examples at the end of the day No one else is Derek.

Regardless of the amount paid to Jeter just remember that he ranks 36 Career all time with 2926 hits, no one has ever accused him of Roids (specially how he has declined) he is not in the news for doing something stupid and he is The face of the Franchise.

I am glad our Captain will be a Yankee for at least 3 more years, so that I can watch him retire with 3301 hits.

Hot Stove wish list

2010-10-24T14:03:00.005-04:00

By Frank Solares

We are all fans, we are all experts, we are all general managers, we are all hard on our favorite teams, but we are not Brian Cashman and we do not make the decisions.

That said I will take a look at the Yankees off season of change and redemption and attempt to help Cash on how to spend his cash

First Base Tex needs a backup that can play around 25 games at first, hit off the bench and DH. Lance Berkman is the Perfect match. Keep him and show Nick Johnson the door not the Bench.

Second Base Canoo is young enough to play 162, but that said we need to keep Ramiro Pena can sub at 2nd, 3rd and short.

Shortstop Sign the Face of the Yankees Sign the greatest winner since Joe D, sign the icon sign the Captain and sign the first Yankee in history to hit 3k as a Yankee. Yes he had a bad year but his D was great enough. To warrant keeping him at SS at least two more years, if you wish move him after wards. Pena is the backup..

Third Base The Hall of Famer will finally have an off-season that does not require surgery or drama (we hope). Pena is the backup..

Catcher I love Jorge Posada he is in my top 5, but we need a new face and a fresh young legs and bat. Jesus Montero should be our opening day catcher next season. Posada can be the teams DH and Pettitte personal Catcher, give Cervelli one more year as the back up.

Outfielders Granderson in Center, Swisher in Right and in left sign Jayson Werth. Stay away from Carl Crawford and make Brett Gardner one of the Key Bench Players.

Starting Pitchers Trade AJ, they will need to eat most of the contract.

CC Sabathia
Cliff Lee Sign him to a long term deal
Brandon Webb Sign him
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes

Relief Pitchers

Mariano Rivera
Sign Rafael Soriano groom him to become your next closer/
Kerry Wood
David Robertson
Boone Logan
Joba Chamberlain

Them mix in the rest of the invited players to camp and the 2011 team will win with pitching.

Make Larry Rothschild pitching coach.

AJ Pitches for his Yankee Career

2010-10-19T15:16:00.001-04:00

By Frank Solares

AJ Burnett is 1-1 with a 5.27 ERA career in his postseason. Now he will make the biggest start of his career, a start that might determined if he will remain a Yankee. With Lee on the free agency market at the end of the year and with Nolan Ryan saying “Ask the Yankees how much they will pay him”, they might not have room for him in the roster next year. He can be traded to at least 5 teams in the National League, as long as the Yankees are willing pick up the rest of the contract and or eat 90 percent of the 3 years left on it.

That will allow them to Go hard after Lee and have CC, Lee, Pettite, Hughes and Nova. The pitching staff will be an upgrade from this year and might even be as good as any pitching staff in Baseball.

No pressure AJ, but tonight might be your last start as a Yankee so make it a good one or you will become a distant memory and just another name Yankees pitching history that never made it.

Yankees vs the Rangers pitching staff

2010-10-15T00:12:00.002-04:00

The quest for number 28 continues Friday October 15, Game 1 in Texas. The Yankees will have CC, The Franchise, Andy and AJ. The Rangers will counter with CJ Wilson, Colby Wilson, Cliff Lee and Tommy Hunter.

Lineup vs Texas Pitching

Yankees batting .248 vs C.J Wilson
.167 vs Colby Wilson
.280 vs Cliff Lee
.364 vs Tommy Hunter

Jeter .417 vs Cliff Lee has 15 hits and 6 RBI
.357 vs C.J Wilson
.500 vs Colby Lewis
.667 vs Tommy Hunter

Nick .320 vs Cliff Lee has 2 HR 3 RBI
.300 vs C.J Wilson 1HR 6 RBI

Teixeira .320 vs Cliff Lee has 1 HR 6 RBI
.333 vs Tommy Hunter

A-Rod .272 vs Cliff Lee 2 HR 7 RBI

Cano vs Cliff Lee 6-28 1 RBI 6 Hits
vs C.J Wilson 4-14
vs Tommy Hunter .400 Avg

Granderson .286 vs Cliff Lee 1 HR 3 RBI
.667 vs Tommy Hunter

Berkman .375 vs Cliff Lee has 3 RBI
vs C.J Wilson 3-13 4 RBI 1 2B
vs Tommy Hunter 2-4 1 RBI

Gardner .375 vs Cliff Lee has 1 RBI

If your wondering Posada had horrible numbers vs the Rangers (so he will win the ALCS MVP)

Captain Clutch

2010-10-11T13:18:00.014-04:00

By Frank Solares,

The pundits and baseball experts will tell you Derek Jeter is overrated, they tell you he is not a Hall of Fame player and they will even tell you that his stats in the postseason are inflated due to more opportunities in games played and AB.

The latter might be true but they still need to hit the ball and perform at the highest level. Yankees still needed to win games and play the next series. He would have to do it at the highest level for 15 years and maintain an Avg that ranks in the top 10 all time.

In every category as you can see Derek ranks in the top 10 all time, doing this research you come to several conclusions DJ is a great player and Bernie Williams was great as well.

Everyone in the media made a big deal out of MO numbers and his achievement of getting 600 combined hits in his career, both in the regular season and postseason. Yet not even one mention of Jete getting over 3000 hits as a Yankee, Jeter has 2926 hits in the regular season 179 hits in the postseason he has a combined 3105 hits in his career.

The Man is cool hand Luke under pressure and looks relaxed.

(This is why DJ is always relaxed under stress, thanks to Minka)

http://entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/10/11/minka-kelly-named-esquire-magazines-sexiest-

Might be that his personal life has always been personal, in contrast to Alex Rodriguez who is always in the spotlight, something to be said about his upbringing, his work ethic and desire.

He is a free agent after the season he will command millions not for his great numbers, not for his postseason heroics, it’s due to everything he stands for

15 out 16 Years

2010-09-28T22:57:00.001-04:00

Its pretty sad that Yankee fans cant celebrate another post season birth. As a long time Yankee fan that witnessed and remembered the 80’s falling short every year hurt. The first 3 years in the 90s brought us hope thanks to Stick Michael, and then we were spoiled with 4 titles and a 5th in the Jeter era finally coming last year. But no one passes out cigars for entering the playoffs and no one expects the Yankees to fall apart in the first round, after all this is no longer the Joe Torre era.

Every Yankee Fan expects a postseason birth each and every year. It is a birthright specially if you were born after 1988 and expect this every single year.

Well my friends 15 out of 16 years are nothing to sneeze at, the Yankees might have the largest payroll in baseball and yes the infield makes more money than every single player in the Japanese league. Despite all that the 4 letter network gives the Yankees no chance and are secretly routing for them to crash and burn. ESPN thinks the Tampa Bay Rays and all 22,000 thousand fans are a better story for baseball if they win. ESPN thinks that King Felix with only 12 wins makes a better Cy Young. ESPN thinks that the poor Red Sucks would have made the playoffs if it was not for the injuries (like the Yankees had not injuries). ESPN thinks that Jeter is washed up despite the fact that he scored over 100 runs had over 150 hits and played a great Defense.

Despite that Yes 15 out of 16 should be celebrated, Lets remember that it is not easy to go through the AL East.

Champions play better in October and when you win 5 titles in 15 years, we should enjoy Jeter, Andy, Posada, Mo they will not be around forever.

LETS GO YANKEES!!!

BCS title game will be Oklahoma vs UGA.

2010-08-16T13:09:00.003-04:00

Georgia-Tech wins ACC

I know Virginia Tech is the favorite but GT will be the top Team in the conference.

Oklahoma wins the Big 12

I am not sold on Texas this year and Oklahoma will be the class of the Big 12 and will play for a NATI

Ohio State will win Big 10

Terrelle Pryor is going to be the runner up for the Heisman.

Oregon will win the Pac 10

Not that it matters that USC will not be allowed to Bowl this year, Oregon the last two years have been come more and more power full.

DA DAWGS will be the top Dog in the SEC

I know everyone loves BAMA and others think the GATORS will still be great despite losing Tebow. Despite all the UGA will win the SEC and Play for… Wait for it a NATI.
This goes against everything that I stand for being a die hard UK fan GO BIG BLUE,, yet my brain tells me that UGS is the best in the conference. Over the summer I had a chance to meet AJ Green the kid is a monster. He is a big time WR and will be a top 5 pick next year.

Oklahoma will beat UGA in the BCS Title game and win another NATI

Yankee Catching prospects are the best in Baseball!

2010-08-14T23:46:00.008-04:00

The Future of the Yankees is very bright Brian Cashman “The Architect” is the best GM in baseball not due to the Yankee Payroll, no sir! He has done a masterful job heading up the organization, along with the best scouting group in the game; Cash has cemented the Yankee farm system in the Top of Baseball. Not only do these people have money to burn they have the smarts and eye for talent to keep them producing top talent each and every year.

The Yankee Catching prospects are tops in Baseball.

Four out of the top Ten Yankee Prospects are Catchers.

AAA

Jesus Montero

104 games 14 HR 53 RBI 106 Hits

“Baseball America top rated Yankee Prospect”

Austin Romine

96 games 7 HR 54 RBI 100 Hits

“Baseball America 2nd best Yankee Prospect

Single A

J.R Murphy

72 games 7 HR 51 RBI 75 Hits

“Baseball America 5th best Yankee Prospect”

J.R. Murphy had nine RBIs for Single-A Charleston in a game against Hickory Aug 14.

Single A

Gary Sanchez

28 games 6 HR 32 RBI Avg .355

“Baseball America 8th best Yankee Prospect"

The Boss

2010-07-13T18:05:00.000-04:00

Today we lost a GIANT of a Man. Recently I read Bill Maddens book The Last Lion of Baseball. The Book made me angry it made me cry and it made me reminisce on all the difficult years and the great years as a Yankee fan.

The Boss was born July 4, 1930 he was 80 years young and this morning he passed away of heart attack. We will never forget Mr. Steinbrenner! Love him or hate him he was the greatest owner in sports history. I can sit here and write all the negative things you will read from everyone about the Boss, but I will let others do so. Let all the Yankee Haters write negatively about him, but in doing so they should be a shamed of themselves. He should not be a punching bag. We should celebrate his life and his great years as Yankee owner, Olympic figure and philanthropist.

To me he was greatest sports figure and arguably the most important figure in NY sports history. He donated millions of dollars to thousands of charities, he led American interest in the Olympics and was responsible for the athletes getting more money, better facilities and encouraged them when they lost and when they won.

I have been a Yankee for as long time, in the years since I fell in love with the team I saw bad teams and great teams. Behind all that was the Yankee owner. On two occasions I saw Mr. Steinbrenner one of these times he spoke to me like a regular person, I was a young man but I will never forget my encounter with the Boss.

He was polite and a man of the people, He cared about winning and about his family, about his country and most of all he was a very charitable person.

George Steinbrenner was the greatest owner of all time. We will never have another owner like him, we shall all miss him.

Yankees Announcer reaction

2010-07-11T21:20:00.004-04:00

Yankees.com wrote
Longtime Yanks announcer Sheppard dies

According to the LoHud Yankee Blog – Great Site if you can Check it out. The Yankees sent this lengthy obituary

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/

It is with deep sadness that the New York Yankees announce the passing of longtime public address announcer Bob Sheppard – “The Voice of Yankee Stadium.” Sheppard passed away this morning at his home in Baldwin, N.Y., with his wife, Mary, by his side. He was 99 years old.

A wake will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Fullerton Funeral Home located at 769 Merrick Road, Baldwin, Long Island, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day. The funeral will be held on Thursday at 10:45 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Church at 11 Gale Avenue in Baldwin.

Born in Ridgewood, Queens, Sheppard began his tenure as Yankees public address announcer on April 17, 1951—Opening Day of Joe DiMaggio’s final season and Mickey Mantle’s Major League debut. Among the approximately 4,500 baseball games he worked over his tenure with the Yankees were an incredible 121 consecutive postseason contests (1951-2006), including 62 games in 22 World Series.

“Most men go to work, but I go to a game,” Sheppard said. “How many men would love to do that?”

Sheppard’s incredible career behind the microphone started when he volunteered his services for a charity football game in Freeport, Long Island, in the late 1940s. An executive from the Brooklyn Dodgers football team of the All-America Conference was at the game. He liked Sheppard’s style (“clear, concise and correct”) and hired him. The football Dodgers folded after only one season at Ebbets Field (1948), but one of their opponents—the New York football Yankees—heard Sheppard’s booming voice and offered him their PA job at Yankee Stadium. Baseball’s Yankees then heard him and offered him the same role for them for the 1950 season. Though his teaching schedule could not accommodate the 77-game home schedule for baseball (plus World Series games) and he turned down the offer for 1950, he reconsidered the next year.

In addition to his baseball duties, Sheppard was the public address voice for the football Giants for 50 seasons—from their move to Yankee Stadium in 1956 until his retirement after the 2005 season. Sheppard also served the New York Titans of the American Football League at the Polo Grounds, the New York Stars of the World Football League at Downing Stadium, the New York Cosmos (soccer) and St. John’s University basketball and football. Sheppard also handled PA duties for five Army-Navy football games in Philadelphia.

Some of the events he listed as the most memorable of his incredible career were: Don Larsen’s perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series on October 8, 1956; Roger Maris’ 61st home run on October 1, 1961; Reggie Jackson’s three home runs in Game 6 of the World Series on October 18, 1977; and the Giants-Colts overtime NFL Championship Game on December 28, 1958.

In one of the game’s truly memorable moments, Sheppard introduced President George W. Bush before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series (on October 30) as Mr. Bush became the first sitting President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium.

Sheppard attended St. John’s College, which eventually became St. John’s University. Always a talented athlete, he received a full athletic scholarship to the school, playing quarterback on the football team all four years. He later enrolled at Columbia University, where he received his master’s degree in speech and worked his way up from teacher-in-training to substitute teacher to permanent teacher to department chairman. In order to supplement his teaching salary, Sheppard played semiprofessional football on Sundays in Long Island with the Valley Stream Red Riders and the Hempstead Monitors, earning $25 a game.

In 1998, Sheppard was presented with the prestigious William J. Slocum “Long and Meritorious Service” Award by the New York chapter of the BBWAA as well as the “Pride of the Yankees” award by the ballclub. Yankee Stadium’s media dining room was named “Sheppard’s Place” prior to the 2009 season to commemorate his legacy.

On May 7, 2000, a plaque was dedicated to Sheppard in Monument Park of the original Yankee Stadium to commemorate his 50th anniversary season.

The native New Yorker was elected to the St. John’s University Sports Hall of Fame, the Long Island Sports Hall of Fame and the New York Sports Hall of Fame. He was awarded honorary doctorates from St. John’s University (Pedagogy) and Fordham University (Rhetoric), and in 2007, received St. John’s’ Medal of Honor, the highest award that the university can confer on a graduate.

Sheppard also made cameo appearances in numerous motion pictures and television shows, including 61*, It’s My Turn, It Could Happen to You, Anger Management, Seinfeld and Mad About You.

Sheppard announced his final game at Yankee Stadium on September 5, 2007, a 3-2 Yankees victory over the Kansas City Royals.

At the request of Derek Jeter, a recording of Sheppard announcing his name has been played prior to each of his at-bats since Sheppard’s absence in 2007.

On September 21, 2008, Sheppard provided a valedictory in the bottom of the seventh inning of the final game at the original Yankee Stadium. Unable to say goodbye in person as he continued to recover from illness that had kept him away from the Stadium since the final weeks of the 2007 season, Sheppard gave his tribute through a taped segment played on the video board. He recited, “Farewell, old Yankee Stadium, farewell / What a wonderful story you can tell / DiMaggio, Mantle, Gehrig and Ruth / A baseball cathedral in truth.”

Mark Feinsand wrote the following with clubhouse reaction.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2010/07/clubhouse-reaction-to-sheppard.html

A SAD DAY! I remember two lives. A friend and a Yankee Legend

2010-07-11T12:46:00.001-04:00

By Frank S,

This morning I lost a long time family friend, Oscar Londono. He was a pillar in our congregation and to families all over. His work in the ministry and in changing peoples lives will live on in his family and friends. He passed away from Cancer a horrible ruthless illness that has affected everyone on earth. Even though his family and his friends have the promise that we will see him again as per Rev 21:4 we are truly sad.

Today as well a Yankee Legend the Voice of the Yankees for 50 years, Bob Sheppard past away. The longtime public address announcer, Sheppard will be missed by his friends, his family and the Yankee family.

Today’s blog post is about celebrating the life of these men.

The Captains Birth Day

2010-06-26T14:52:00.003-04:00

With Derek Jeter Turning 36 (June 26, 1974) today it reminds me of his debut as a Yankee. May 29 1995. The Yankees lost to the Mariners 8-7, the very next day I was moving to Los Angeles and not coming back. (I was back sooner than I thought)

The lineup that day has some players you would remember if you were a Yankees fan prior to 96. Black Jack was the starting pitcher but it was the bullpen that lost the game. Jeter went 0-5 with a strikeout.

Luis Polonia LF
Wade Boggs 3B
Paul O'Neill RF
Mike Stanley C
Don Mattingly 1B
Dion James DH
Randy Velarde 2B
Bernie Williams CF
Derek Jeter SS

It was not to the very next day that Jete got his first Career hit and he went 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Now at the tender age of 36 Derek starts his birth day with 2834 hits sitting 44th place in all time hits list, ranks 40th all time in runs scored and a career 316 batting avg. 10 All Star Games played, 4 silver slugger awards, 4 gold gloves, add a rookie of the Year and 5 World Series rings. I would say he has been one of the top 10 Yankees of all time.

While DJ is still on this team we should enjoy him and enjoy every year that he is a Yankee.

We will Beat an old Friend this weekend

2010-06-25T21:30:00.005-04:00

I have no bad blood towards Joe Torre, The book he wrote was out of anger and he might not admitted or not but that's the reason why him and Cash stop speaking to each other.

After all Cash was one of his biggest supporters and Torre knew better than that, he should have never wrote a "tell all book".

That said this weekend we will beat the Dodgers!

State of the Pinstripes

2010-05-23T19:50:00.002-04:00

First let me say that 'Steinbrenner: The Last Lion Of Baseball by Bill Madden is a great book. For all you looking for a gift for your father or brother or best friend. It is a great read!

State of the pinstripes.

This is just me channeling my inner boss, but how the hell is Randy Winn still starting or even on this team. I want him gone!!

Jeter needs to start hitting or take a day off, I wonder if he is hurt lets face it he would not tell the media and does not like anyone to be sympathetic towards him.

Tex and A-rod need to start earning the millions of dollars that they are being paid. The middle of the lineup is killing us.

C H Park needs to start pitching better or get released. We need to bring someone else that wont stink up the joint, and that is not afraid to start throwing strikes.

Another series just another team.

2010-05-10T00:24:00.002-04:00

I love Jonathan Tyler Lester he is one of my favorite players in baseball. But as a Yankee fan I cheer for my team above all else. Lester who beat cancer and since 2007 he has battled back to be a great pitcher.

He beat my team today, but despite that the Yankees have won another series. Sitting at 20-9 the Yankees are half game out of first place. The sox are 6.5 half games out and have several more issues than the Yankees.

So when I tell you the Yankees have beat another team it feels like that this year. So far the team that the Yankees have to catch is the Rays. Tampa are the top dogs in the division not the Red Sux Tampa stands atop as the Alfa male not the team from the Bronx and at 21-9 the Yanks need to improve on their road record.

The sox have problems with the lineup, with starting pitching and with bench. But a very smart man once told me, don’t concentrate on what is behind you. Concentrate on the road ahead.

So the Yankees need to worry about, taking one game at the time. They need to focus on finishing the task at hand. Winning this weekend showed baseball that they are a better team and better equipped to catch the Rays.

Arod 586 ties Robinson. You all know my feeling on the homerun record now that we discovered that it is a little tainted….. A little.. Haaa

Girardi gets ejected for the first time this year. He really needed to get ejected at that moment, the call was stupid.

So now the Yankees move to Detroit, minus Andy, Granderson and several players hurt.
Despite all that they are sitting in second place with room for growth. This is going to be a great year for baseball.

Ernie Harwell The VOICE OF BASEBALL

2010-05-04T22:40:00.003-04:00

Mr. Harwell when I was a little boy and my father was at work (he worked the night shift) your love for baseball and the call of the game brought years of happiness to my youth and the understanding of a game even at a young age.
If God ever created a Baseball voice it was Ernie Harwell, he called the Tiger games for 42 years.

I remember when I was younger putting on the radio and going through the station finding the Tiger broadcast. I was not a Tigers fan but the way Ernie called a game made it ok to listen to any baseball game. He was the voice of the Tigers and a legend, he could tell a story better than anyone. His description of a game made you believe you were at Tiger stadium,. He was a genius and ahead of his time, and at the age of 92 he left us.
Leaving us with great ALCS and ALDS memories all while telling a story, He will be missed.

10 game over

2010-05-04T22:14:00.002-04:00

For the moment the Yankees are 10 games over 500 and in second place. As I say for the moment. The youngsters came alive and through today Cervelli had 3 hits and 2 runs scored, Pena had two RBI and Gardner scored 2 runs. The bottom of the lineup was key in the victory, but they are not the star of the night.

The star of the night was AJ, he won his Fourth victory tonight all while striking out eight batters.

The Yankees starting pitchers have been amazing this year, well all with the exception of Vazquez, Hughes 3-0 1.44 ERA, AJ 4-0 1.99 ERA, Andy 3-0 2.12 ERA and CC 4-1 with a 2.14 ERA. Not even the 1998 record winning team had this great of a start from the starting pitchers.

The Captain

Jeter had another hit he is batting .315, with his double tonight he passed Donny Baseball for 3rd place in doubles in Yankees history with 443 doubles.

Robby Cano

Cano had two more hits to bring him to .376 batting avg. sprinkle a great D play and he is slowly turning into the Yankees MVP.

The Yankees are now 18-8 and are rolling not letting down or seeing ahead towards this weekend when they play Boston.

Girardi after the game said he was impressed with AJ and Cervelli.

Yanks vs Chisox

2010-04-30T11:52:00.001-04:00

FridayLHP Andy Pettitte (3-0, 1.29)vs.RHP Freddy Garcia (0-2, 5.82)7:05 p.m., YES Network
SaturdayRHP Javier Vazquez (1-3, 9.00)vs.LHP John Danks (3-0, 1.55)1:05 p.m., YES Network
SundayRHP Phil Hughes (2-0, 2.00)vs.LHP Mark Buehrle (2-3, 4.68)1:05 p.m., YES Network

Yankees will play 80% of may games at home.

Jete gets hits magic number 2775

2010-04-29T23:34:00.003-04:00

With his two hits tonight Jete gets number 2775, He is now tied with Junior for number 45 all time. His next target is George Sisler 2812 he needs 37 hits.

Too Early for Panic

2010-04-25T23:51:00.000-04:00

The Yankees are 12-6 without Tex, Johnson or Javi performing like they do every year. Last year the Yankees started out 11-10 in April.

The Yanks 12-6 have lost only one series. Playing the Sox, Rays, Angels 2, Tex and Oak.

The Rays 14-5 have played, Baltimore 2, the Sox, Chi sox, and Toronto. Not the same level of teams the Yanks have.
So lets not go crazy!

The Yankees still need to play Baltimore, Chi Sox, Toronto, not to mention the Royals.

10-3 Back in First

2010-04-21T09:01:00.002-04:00

At 10-3 the Yankees sit alone in first place.

The Yankees are 8-2 with in the last 10 games. So I ask you how the hell are the Yankees only .5 up on the Rays.

The Red Sux are 6 game back in the lose column.

No hits by Jeter so only batting .345 as Posada leads the team with .357.

The Yankees are hot this year, they are on track to win 100 games this year.

A-Gone for 8th place all time

2010-04-17T23:07:00.003-04:00

Say what you want but the Yankees best and most important player is A-Rod. As he goes so does the Team, last year in May Alex came back from surgery and the Yankees started winning.

A-Rod moved into sole possession of 8th place all time on the home run list. He hit his 584th home run and number one for the year. He needs 2 home runs to tie Frank Robinson.

Sabathia Solid as Yanks win again.

2010-04-16T22:42:00.005-04:00

Robby and El Capitan became the first pair of Yankee teammates to hit safely in first 10 games. During that time period Jeter is Batting .348 and Robinson .390.

Sabathia struck out 9 as he earned his second victory of the young season.

Yankees are now 7-3 and alone in first place.

These fans came out to watch the Game despite the weather, but it was all worth it as the YANKEES WIN!

Picture Taken by Carlos P.

Left to right... Sammy,Victor & Yasman.

The Last Number 42

2010-04-15T13:43:00.004-04:00

By Frank Solares

Every Player in the Major Leagues will wear number 42 as a tribute to Jackie Robinson.

The Yankees should wear Elston Howards number as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, for making it possible for him to be on the team. He wore number 32 for all you new Yankee fans.

Mariano Rivera is the last major league to ever wear the number 42 on a daily basis. Rivera is the greatest reliever of all time and the Yankees will never replace him. His number will be retired next to Jackie Robinson and without Jackie braking the color barrier no other minority baseball player had the opportunity to join the league.

Born: January 31, 1919 in Cairo Georgia, Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson made his MLB debut April 15, 1947 for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Making him the first man of any color to join Major League Baseball, as well as making it possible for a player like Mariano to play in the Majors.

According to Wiki Jackie was the first African-American television analyst in Major League Baseball, and the first African-American vice-president of a major American corporation. In the 1960s, he helped establish the Freedom National Bank, an African-American-owned/controlled financial institution based in Harlem, New York. In recognition of his achievements on and off the field, Robinson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

The others first according to http://www.baseball-reference.com/

Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers, NL April 15, 1947
Larry Doby Cleveland Indians, AL July 5, 1947
Hank Thompson St. Louis Browns, AL July 17, 1947
Satchel Paige Cleveland Indians, AL July 9, 1948
Monte Irvin New York Giants, NL July 8, 1949
Hank Thompson
Sam Jethroe Boston Braves, NL April 18, 1950
Minnie Miñoso Chicago White Sox, AL May 1, 1951
Bob Trice Philadelphia Athletics, AL Sept. 13, 1953
Ernie Banks Chicago Cubs, NL Sept. 17, 1953
Curt Roberts Pittsburgh Pirates, NL April 13, 1954
Tom Alston St. Louis Cardinals, NL April 13, 1954
Nino Escalera Cincinnati Reds, NL April 17, 1954
Chuck Harmon
Carlos Paula Washington Senators, AL Sept. 6, 1954

Elston Howard New York Yankees, AL April 14, 1955

John Kennedy Philadelphia Phillies, NL April 22, 1957
Ozzie Virgil, Sr. Detroit Tigers, AL June 6, 1958
Pumpsie Green Boston Red Sox, AL July 21, 1959

My two Champs Bling

2010-04-14T23:57:00.004-04:00

I love the Yankees forever but the Pens Ring is better.

My Two Champs in one year.

Crosby beats Jeter on this one, but Jeter has more rings.

Jeter Starts Year on fire.

2010-04-14T23:36:00.003-04:00

The captain has 12 hits in the 37 AB, I know not TY Cobb numbers but good for .324 avg.

This is good for 47th all time, next on the list Ken Griffey 2767 (Derek Jeter 2759). He is one great wknd away.

2010 Roster for team

2010-04-03T19:36:00.001-04:00

Lineup
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner LF

Bench
Francisco Cervelli C
Ramiro Pena INF
Marcus Thames OF
Randy Winn OF

Rotation
CC Sabathia LHP
A.J. Burnett RHP
Andy Pettitte LHP
Javier Vazquez RHP
Phil Hughes RHP

Bullpen
Mariano Rivera RHP
Joba Chamberlain RHP
Dave Robertson RHP
Damaso Marte LHP
Chan Ho Park RHP
Alfredo Aceves RHP
Sergio Mitre RHP

Mr. Met Predictions 2010

2010-04-03T12:32:00.003-04:00

By Luis Pitre

2010 is here, this is not based on any out of the body predictions and Dionne Warick did not give me the information.

NL East the Phillies (My Mets will give them a run for the title)

NL Central the Cards (The Cubs do not have enough pitching)

NL West (The Giants.. Pitching Pitching Pitching)

NL Wildcard (Cubs)

AL East the Yankees (I would love to see the Rays win it)

AL Central the Twins (New Park, New look O Dog on team he will make team better,,, Leadership)

AL West Mariners (The Angels not enough pitching)

AL Wild Card Red Sox (The Rays have a stronger team but not enough pitching)

Phillies vs the Twins

Twins World Champs

Bio Mariano Rivera

2010-03-31T01:33:00.000-04:00

By Tizziana

Mariano Rivera was born November 29, 1969 Panama City, Panama. His parents Mariano Sr. and Delia Rivera raised him in the fishing village of Puerto Caimito in Panama.

Rivera began playing baseball for a team, representing his local district. A Yankees scout attended one of his games and after watching him throw, he arranged for him to attend a Yankees tryout camp in Panama City.

He flew to the United States to begin pitching for the Rookie level in the Yankees of the Gulf Coast League, he pitched 26 innings, including 15 hit-less innings. He played an important role in the Yankees advancing to and winning the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves.

In 1998, he saved 36 games in 41 opportunities. He helped the Yankees beat the San Diego Padres in the 1998 World Series. In 1999, was also voted as an All-Star, and led the Major Leagues. He was also given the World Series MVP Award for earning two saves and a win against the Braves in the 1999 World Series In 2002, he was placed on the disabled list three times for groin and shoulder strains. In 2009 Mariano saved the last game and became a World Champ for the 5th time.

Rivera was 17th pitcher in MLB history to record 300 saves and the only the second pitcher in history to get over 500 saves. Only one player has more saves than him and might catch him in 2 years if he does not retire.

Rivera married his wife, Clara, on November 9, 1991. They have three sons: Mariano Jr., Jafet, and Jaziel. In November 2007 he became the highest paid reliever in baseball history with a 45 Million contract for 3 years.

Rivera is a partner in a restaurant in New Rochelle, New York called "Mo's New York Grill". He is also involved with giving contributions in Panama, which include building an elementary school and a church, providing Christmas gifts to children, and developing a program that provides computer access and adult mentors to youths. He is role model to many in Panama.
When he retires from Baseball Mariano Rivera hopes to become the second Panamanian to be elected to the Hall of Fame, Rod Carew is the only Panamanian in the Hall of Fame for the moment

ESPN Yankees vs Redsox Opener Spot

2010-03-30T13:05:00.002-04:00

By Frank Solares

Colin Cowheard on his show started an argument over Red Sox Yankees Opening night baseball, lets just say he can do a week on this topic. If you know Colin and ever heard his show, the man is brilliant. His shtick is getting the masses pissed off. The reason is 99 percent of Americans are wrong on any given subject. The 1 percent does not think or react emotionally.

As a result, his radio show arguably is ESPN’s number one show. One reason why WFAN loses the mid day battle is his brilliant show. Young and relevant he relates to the 18-35 demo.

On this subject he is 100% spot on, the two best teams should open the Year regardless of league. Why wait until May June and July to have an inter league game. A Phillies Yankees Game to start the season that would be amazing.

The NFL gets it correct almost 99% of the time and each year they open with a bang.

Phil The Franchise THE FUTURE

2010-03-26T09:26:00.001-04:00

By Frank Solares

The Yankees and Joe Girardi made a great decision making Phil Hughes the 5th starter. The move makes the Yankees pitching staff 1-12 the Strongest in baseball .

The starting Pitching

CC
Burnett
Pettitte
Vazquez
Hughes

Bullpen from importance

Rivera
Joba
Chan Ho Park
Robertson
Marte
Aceves
Mitre ( The Long Man)

The they have balance in the starting rotation 1-5, as long as they all perform to the back of the baseball card, the Yankees starting pitching is a good or better than the Red Sox. The bullpen is better, any time you have 5 potential closers on your pen you are will win many close games. At one point of another Joba, Marte, Park and Robertson will be called on to close for MO that night and especially when Mo goes through his yearly struggle.
We are going to have a very exciting 2010, the Sox are better this year than last, the Rays are better than anytime in franchise history, the Orioles have good young talent, the Blue Jays are happy that Roy is gone so they can tank the season without a drill sergeant and the Yankees are the Champs for the first time since 2000

On Mauer to the Yanks or Redsox

2010-03-19T11:22:00.002-04:00

By Frank Solares

When does Fantasy baseball become reality, if the Yankees or Red Sox end up with Joe Mauer it be horrible for the game.

We cant have any team own all the best players in the game. The same way how the Sox cant have the best five pitchers in baseball. I know that it is sexy to see teams have great clubs and that they draw great crowds, but when is enough is enough.

Baseball should cap the amount of number one stars you can have a club. Lets say you have 25 best players at any position. A team should not have more than 5 total number one players at any position.

Enough is Enough guys

Final Four

2010-03-14T20:39:00.002-04:00

My National Champs Kentucky.

Final Four East Bracket

2010-03-14T20:37:00.002-04:00

Here are my Final Four East Picks

Final Four South Bracket

2010-03-14T20:27:00.002-04:00

Here are my picks for the south brackets.

Final Four West Bracket

2010-03-14T20:25:00.002-04:00

These are my picks for the West Bracket.

Final Four MidWest Bracket

2010-03-14T20:20:00.002-04:00

Here are my Picks for the Mid West Bracket.

My Cats win SEC

2010-03-14T16:44:00.006-04:00

My cats have won the SEC Title....... Let the Madness begin REFUSE TO LOSE....

They will go after another Title, just like my Penguins did last year and my Yankees. Something My Niners know about. Every Year the Cats have won the Final Four the Yankees have won the World Series. Number 28 is almost here!!!!!!!!!

Random Thoughts on Yanks and Sports

2010-03-09T09:00:00.004-05:00

Random Thoughts
By Frank Solares

Yankees Thoughts

1. A-Rod has nothing to worry about that said I hope he told the truth. He is running out of supporters and don’t get me wrong last years postseason was key to his success. At 200 million dollars and 6 years left the Yankees need him happy. In 3 years he will be the face of the organization, especially when Jete retires and he becomes the darling of the town. I am one of those hard core A-rod apologists but after a while we can not keep waiting for the shoe to drop.
2. Cash and every Yankee Fan in the Universe agree that the development of the pitching staff is of the most importance. That said you cant tell me that having Ace, or Mitre be the number 5 and have Joba in the 7th, Hughes 8th and Mo in the 9th. One of these guys will be next in line after Mariano retires.
3.Granderson continues to struggle versus left handed pitching. I know that the wind has been crazy at spring training but playing him at center might not be the correct move for him for the future of the ball club.
4. Nick Johnson getting injured will be part of the 2010 norm. I home Miranda makes the team to fortify the DH spot and use him as a backup at first.
5. Yankees need to be careful with Cervelli he is very important for the future. Catchers with concussions do not last and having a young catcher that can call a great game is very important.

On Sports

6. I can’t wait to the NCAA tournament; I might make the trip to Jacksonville to see some hoops. All depends on what side of the bracket my Cats fall under.
7. My final four team at this moment would be UK, CUSE, DUKE, Kansas. They are also my top seeds in the tournament. Everyone is going crazy on Ohio State, please give me a break, who have they played all year?
8. More than one mid major will make the sweet 16.
9. Tiger needs to play the Arnold Palmer invitational then go and win the Masters. He should send Big Ben a candy gram and a stripper. Thanks for getting him of the back page.
10. Speaking of Big Ben, dude you are a Super Bowl winning QB can you settle down please, you need to be a little more classy than that. Something tells me that his money will get him off.. Lets just hope no other women come out.

Lastly Jets stole Cromartie from the Chargers. Can you imagine the secondary the JETS will have next year. Teams better run the ball well.

More later....

Arizona D-Backs

2010-03-02T22:21:00.002-05:00

By Frank Solares

Some professionals and smart people have indicated that this team will finish 3rd in the western division. I am not a professional and people that know me can tell you that I am pretty dumb.

Well this might top it all and it might even make some people doubt my baseball knowledge.

My friends can tell you that I pick the Dodgers to win the West every year. This year The D-Backs get my pick as the best in the West? Or will they finish 3rd?

The addition of Edwin Jackson will make the difference between 3rd and 1st. The lineup is second only to the Phils, add in power and speed and you have a deadly one through eight.

One through twenty five is not bad as well.

A.J. Hinch Manager

Pitchers
Dan Haren, Ari SP
Brandon Webb, Ari SP
Edwin Jackson, Ari SP
Ian Kennedy, Ari SP
Billy Buckner, Ari SP

Chad Qualls, Closer

Bullpen
Bob Howry, Ari RP
Aaron Heilman, Ari RP
Juan Gutierrez, Ari RP
Esmerling Vasquez, Ari RP
Bryan Augenstein, Ari RP
Rodrigo Lopez, Ari SP

Lineup
Chris Young, Ari OF
Justin Upton, Ari OF
Adam LaRoche, Ari 1B
Mark Reynolds, Ari 3B
Stephen Drew, Ari SS
Miguel Montero, Ari C
Conor Jackson, Ari OF
Kelly Johnson, Ari 2B

Bench
Gerardo Parra, Ari OF
Chris Snyder, Ari C
Ryan Roberts, Ari 2B
Augie Ojeda, Ari 2B,3B, SS
Cole Gillespie, Ari OF

Not a bad squad.

My Pick and humble opinion they Finish 1st.

Sid The KID

2010-03-02T15:41:00.003-05:00

At 22 Crosby has won an MVP, a Gold Medal and a Cup. His Career is starting out like number 2 on the Yankees, Captain Derek Jeter.

This cover The cover of the March 8 issue of Sports Illustrated, on newsstands Wednesday.

Sams Army Falls Short As the Kid scores one for home

2010-02-28T21:36:00.001-05:00

Sam’s Yankee Ice Army played a great Olympic tournament.

The great American Team attempted to become the third team to win Gold for team USA in Olympic history. Down two goals to none on the shoulders of Ryan Miller they made a valiant comeback, only to be denied.

No Miracle on Ice on this date and despite that no one should be sad with Silver. They are the youngest US team lead by Captain Jamie Lagenbrunner. These Yankees have an opportunity to comeback in 2014 and avenge the defeat at the hands of Team Canada.

It was a great Hockey game one for the Ages, they battled back but it was not to be.

Team Canada lead by Coach Mike Babcock from the Detroit Red Wings won the Gold Medal by beating a good Russian Team and an American Team full of All Stars and NHL players.

But the night belonged to number 87 the son of Cole Harbour Nova Scotia. The Captain of the Penguins proved to the world why he is one of the best players in the World. He reminds me of the Yankee Short Stop who always hits in the clutch. This 22 year old won the game in overtime his Goal gave Team Canada the Gold. Sid THE Kid had 4 goals in the Olympics tonight was his night and at 22 it will not be his last Olympics or his last Gold Medal.

Sports History, a view at Black History in Baseball and the First black ball player

2010-02-06T19:05:00.001-05:00

By Frank Solares

February is known as Black History month and we all respect the hard work that Americans of any Color and Ethnic background have given us throughout the years.

I am of the opinion that Black History should not be taught one month a year. It is after all American History regardless of skin color. So each month we will cover a different aspect of black history in baseball.

Baseball has a rich tradition and the history behind this great game is unparallel. Since this is black history we will concentrate on the myth that Jackie Robinson was the first man to integrate a baseball team.

Jackie Robinson was the first to integrate MLB when he joined the Dodgers who had all white baseball players. All this is true and in fact this lead to other men joining MLB there after.

According to the book written by Christian, Ralph J. (2006) "Bud Fowler: The First African American Professional. And Wikipedia.

The first black professional baseball player Was John Walker Jackson who later changed his name to John Fowler, he was known as Bud Fowler. Legend has it was due to the fact that he called everyone Bud. According to Wikipedia Bud was born March 16 1858.

Records kept by Iowa Heritage Illustrated, 87(1): 28-32 Fowler played for a team in Niles Ohio in 1883 and in Stillwater Minnesota in 1884.

There is an image of a black man playing baseball on an all white team. According to Biographer L Robert Davis “Fowler is first mentioned as a player in April 1878 when he pitched for a team in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Later that month, he pitched a game for the Lynn Live Oaks against the Boston Nationals. He finished that season with Worcester. Largely supporting himself as a barber, he continued to play for teams in New England and Canada for the next four years.”

I am not smart enough to know if he was in fact the first black man to play organized baseball other than the Negro League but I surely know that it was not Jackie Robinson based on the accounts I have read.

We might never know who was the first but we must respect the fact that this man existed and he was not white.

2010 Yankees

2010-01-28T11:53:00.004-05:00

2010 Yankees Team

By Frank Solares

Twenty days away from pitchers and catchers. The key loses are Damon, Matsui, Melky, Phil Coke and believe it or not Chien Ming Wang as well as some pieces like Brian Bruney, Nady, Hinske and Hairston Jr.

The Farm took a hit losing Austin Jackson, Arodys Vizcaino, Ian Kennedy and Michael Dunn.

Despite all that the Yankees have improved the team and upgraded both the defense and the pitching staff.

December 9th a great day for Cash he signs Andy then traded for Curtis Granderson – Last year he hit 30 HR with 71 RBI and 157 hits with 97 runs.

December 22nd Traded and acquired Javier Vazquez.

December 23rd Yankees sign Nick Johnson – .273 career Avg. 831 career OPS.

January 27th sign Randy Winn 141 career hits and .286 career Avg.

Losing the production from Matsui and Damon will diminish the Yankees productivity. Their combined homeruns hit were 52 not to mention the leadership and the other production provided in the line up. That said the Yankees saved over 26 million dollars. They are both getting older and do not contribute in the field as well as in years past.

The Winn signing will free up an outfield spot next year when they go get Tampa’s own C.C Crawford. Winn can steal bases play better D and he is younger.

Granderson is a young athletic, middle of the order guy who will benefit from hitting at Yankee Stadium.

This is how I picture the lineup and rest of 25 man roster.

Jeter SS
Johnson DH
Teixeira 1B
A-Rod 3B
Granderson CF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Winn LF

Starting Pitchers
Sabathia
Burnett
Pettitte
Vazquez
Chamberlain

Bullpen from importance

Rivera
Robertson
Hughes
Melancon
Albaladejo
Marte
Aceves

Bench

Cervelli C
Pena infield
Miranda DH/1b
Garner outfield

The Yankees are a better team than last year and they will need to out slug the Sox (since they have a better starting pitching staff than the bomber) yet despite that, the Yankees have a better Defensive team and bullpen.

GO YANKEES!!

Hall Of Shame

2010-01-26T19:00:00.000-05:00

By Frank Solares

Another year has come and gone with the veterans committee, and they have dropped the ball yet again, with a lost opportunity in not including a great player that won 283 wins, and won 16 gold gloves. They also forgot a player that ranked fourth all time in strike outs and had 287 victories.

Please! Please here me out on this one America. Once you look at the numbers you might be convinced. Trust me I was not a believer at first, soon after checking out the numbers I was a believer.

Forgotten Past

Ever since I can remember Baseball has been a part of my life. We all fell in love with the romance in the game. 3-2 count bottom of the 9th, and a dangerous hitter at the plate versus a crafty pitcher. We have always marveled at the big hitters, and read off stats left and right. The hitter has always enchanted us with the big hits, key RBI, and walk off home runs. This has been the case since the beginning of time, in our national past time. We have discussed Cobb, The Babe, Wagner, Mays, Aaron, or Stan the Man, and every time with admiration of the stats, and the romance behind them.
A Dave Winfield can play into his forty’s and get 3000 hits, and we cheer the years that he gave Baseball. Yet no one gives the pitchers the respect they deserve, if he plays 20 years or more. Well not unless your name is Clemens (accusations aside), R Johnson, W Johnson, Page or Ryan.
We say. “The Man is a compiler”, and accuse him of hanging on to long to get records. All this without even giving one thought to the obvious argument, that teams would not sign a pitcher if he could no longer get outs. The compiler argument has been made, to keep players out of the Hall of Fame. Let’s look at the numbers and forget the era that these pitchers played in, and pretend that they are playing now.
Test case number one- Bert Blyleven Played 22 years, has given baseball over 40 years of service.
287 total wins (missing the 300 mark by 13 games, I can find you the blown saves that would have helped achieved this milestone)
Ten times he Won 15 or more games.
3701 strike outs, fourth all time
3.31 career ERA
60 career shutouts Ranking him 9th all time.
Two time World Series Champion
4 career postseason wins on 36 strikeouts
685 games started & Averaged 225.9 innings per yr
242 Complete games.
1.19 Career WHIP
If he had compiled these numbers today, people would consider him one of the greatest pitchers of all time. They would mention him in the same breath as Schilling, or Smoltz who will not have the same career numbers Blyleven had. Yet they will be in the hall of fame and not Bert.

Test case number two- James Lee Kaat Played 25 years, and gave baseball over 45 years of service.
283 total wins (missing the 300 mark by 17 games)
2461 career strikeouts
Won 17 or more Games 6 times
3 time 20 game winner, won 25 games in 1966
3.45 career ERA
31 career shutouts
180 career complete games
1966 player of the year
625 career starts
1.25 Career WHIP

Can you imagine if Kaat and Blyleven had these numbers in this baseball era? They would be considered first ballot Hall of Fame candidates. Why are these two men not in the Hall of Fame? How soon we forget the accomplishments of our former athletes. We show our love to the hitters, and praise them for having a long Career. Yet some pitchers will be dissected, and evaluated for years before consideration. Tell me why it took so long for Fingers, and the Goose to get nominated that should never be the case if they merit it from the start.
Next year the Veterans committee should look at the numbers and evaluate the heart of these Men who have given Base Ball Years of there life to the sport they love. Do it while they are still with us to enjoy it, so that we can stand with them and enjoy it together.
Hall of Shame

I wanted to stay out of this argument! It has been beaten to death, nine million times over, and the story is never going away. But I am a fan, and I do not know how to keep my mouth shut. We live in a great Nation! Our forefathers have laid the ground work for excellence. Sports have evolved in to great entertainment.

When we go to an arena we expect to see a great show. Fans pay millions each year to see there beloved teams. But ask yourself the question do Fans really care about all the hall of fame talk, regarding drug allegation?

The answer might be yes in some circles but not in all, depends what team you cheer for.
Tell me why? We have a double standard in performance enhancing drugs. Why do we expect one league to be cleaner than the other? MLB is held at a higher standard than the NFL, yet The No Fun League still has a drug problem, and yet has a policy in place since the late 80’s. Why do we expect more from MLB?

If I had a dollar, every time I heard, “Steroids are killing the game”. I would be richer than Paul Allen. Why do the writers, talk show host, and TV personal focus so much on the revered baseball records on one sport and not on others.

According to everyone you listen to, Baseball records are so important, and they must be kept, and respected. Really, says who? I love the sport, and value all the records posted in the past. But, come on!! Who are we kidding here? This is the same group of people that do not value the records of former pitchers like Jim Kaat, or Bert Blyleven, and indicate that only pure records should be considered.

Is Baseball not the sport that kept minorities out for almost 50 years? Are all those records wiped out as a result of that? Is Baseball not the sport that lowered the mound, after the dead ball era to aid the hitters? Should we throw out all the records in baseball do to Amphetamine use?

Why in one sport, does a player get ridiculed and is forced out of baseball (Rafael Palmero after a positive test) Bonds mistreated and criticized for being more of a jerk than a user. Now it seems even Clemens will be in that talk while you scoff at his achievements. Then you go after players like McGuire, and Sosa.

Yet the media celebrated all the accomplishments of Shawn Merriman, who was even named to the Pro Bowl the same year he was suspended for steroids. Go ahead Google it see how many articles were written on how Merriman was unfairly kept out of the Defensive player of the year. Fact or Fiction that guys! When Shawn goes to the hall of fame, little will be said about his positive test. Yet a year later the world wide leader ran a story on the fire that burns inside him and what a great guy he is, that my friends is a double standard.

This year keeping McGuire out of the hall of fame is wrong guys, It is just wrong!! No rule was in place on steroids. Yet all you righteous writers that did not vote for him should look in the mirror.

Where? Were you in 1998 when he was breaking the homerun record? How many articles did you guys write on how great he was for the game. I would ask you to Google it but they have disappeared. Like the top secret cold war files of the 80s. Well the great news is that your local library has micro slides on old news papers. Look it up my people, look it up!

According to Wikipedia, The Sporting news in 1999 had McGuire 91st out of 100 greatest players of all time (on the all century team). What changed from that time forward? Nothing! Give the man the honor he deserves vote for him next year, put him in! Do not forget that he was the only rookie to compile all those homeruns before the alleged use. Do not forget his numbers, and do not forget the past.

Make a 90’s wing in coopers town, have all the clean players on one side, and all the alleged steroid users on the other. Put McGuire at the beginning if you like, or better yet all the righteous writers should create a cheaters hall of fame, and add all the players that you feel cheated during a certain time period in sports. The cheaters hall can be housed in Canseco’s house. But make sure that Gaylord Perry is at the head of the class

Expert Predictions Gone Wrong (2009 Yankees)

2010-01-26T17:19:00.000-05:00

Remember Its free speech!!!

1. Joe Posnanski - SI.COM

I Quote ""

1. The New York Yankees will miss the playoffs again.
CC Sabathia is one of my favorite pitchers in all of baseball. How can you not love a pitcher who is 6-foot-7, 250 pounds (ahem) and throws serious gas. I remember when he was a rookie with Cleveland -- guy was a force of nature even then. He faced off against Kansas City, and a rookie pitcher that you probably will not remember named Dan Reichert. Both were first-round draft picks, which led Kansas City coach Frank White to ask the ultimate baseball coach's question: "Why is it that other teams' first-round draft picks look like THAT while our draft picks look like THAT."

Anyway, I love Sabathia, but I have been going back and forth on how he will pitch for the Yankees. On the one hand, he's a great pitcher who looks to be going right into his prime. On the other hand, he has pitched about a million innings already and he does not have a great history at Yankee Stadium. On the other hand, this is the new Yankee Stadium, and anyway his history at Yankee Stadium was AGAINST the Yankees, which is a whole different thing. On the other hand, three bad starts in a row and he will feel like he's pitching AGAINST the Yankees again.

Anyway, Sabathia isn't the reason I think the Yankees will miss the playoffs again. And Joba Chamberlain's sudden and shocking decrease in velocity is not the reason. And the aging of Derek Jeter is not the reason. And the fact that sooner or later Mariano Rivera will either age or be forced to return to his home planet is not the reason. And the sad ballad of A-Rod is not the reason either.

No, the simple reasons are that I think that Tampa Bay will be better than last year. And I think Boston is a more complete team than the Yankees. In my view, those are three of the five best teams in baseball, and one is going to miss the playoffs. I think it will be the Yankees.

2. Ken Rosenthal (April 6 2009)

A-Rod will not make it through the season
A-Rod will work his tail off to recover from hip surgery, making it back by May 1, faster than his doctors predicted. Chances are, though, that Rodriguez will be a diminished player -- a development that will drive him nuts.

Persevering in a pennant race would make Rodriguez a more sympathetic figure; he cannot be any less of one. But remember, A-Rod still must undergo a second, more extensive surgery. And his resolve would benefit no one if he is a significantly lesser version of himself.

Come July, the Yankees might look more seriously at a temporary replacement such as the Mariners' Adrian Beltre. And A-Rod might abandon his plan to wait until the end of the season to undergo his second surgery.

3. Joel Sherman BIG, BAD EAST WILL LEAVE YANKEES OUT IN THE COLD

YANKEES pick 3rd

Obviously the rotation is better. But the defense is ordinary at best with Derek Jeter's shortstop play a big issue. There are many age/injury concerns and they already start the season with Alex Rodriguez out. He is potentially damaged goods when he returns and potentially damaging to the psyche of the team (remember Selena Roberts' book about him is due out this month). Will they get enough production from their outfield (if not the offense is good, not great). How about their set-up core? Can Joe Girardi hold this team together in crisis? There is enough talent here to win 100-plus, and enough dysfunction to fall to third.

Great Job by every expert even if they were all incorrect