Jeter & A-Rod Respond to the Newest Idiot in Beantown

If you didn't know, new Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine, has already gotten into the habit of bashing the Yankees every two weeks for apparently no reason whatsoever. His most recent barrage came yesterday when he questioned whether the Yankees actually practiced the flip-play and also said Jeter was "out of position" on the play. He also said that Jason Varitek was a "man's man" who was "able to beat up Alex", obviously referring to the 2004 brawl when Varitek tackled A-Rod while wearing full catcher's gear.

Here are the responses via Mark Feinsand:

Derek Jeter had a question for Bobby Valentine Wednesday after hearing what the Red Sox manager had to say about his legendary flip play.

“Why are we talking about this?” Jeter asked.

...

“I don’t know Bobby well enough to tell you what he’s trying to do,” Jeter said. “I could care less, I guess that’s the best way to put it. I just don’t know why it’s being brought up. I don’t know what to tell you.”

Jeter said the Yankees have practiced the play since he first came up. His job is to be on the first base line to cut off a throw and get the runner at third – “I don’t flip it home when we practice it,” he said – so whether Valentine believes that or not didn’t matter.

“Am I supposed to convince him?” Jeter said. Asked if he was annoyed or amused by the comments, the Captain replied, ““I’m indifferent, really. Think about it. We don’t practice it? We do; you guys see it. What else can I say? I was out of position? I was where I was supposed to be.”

...

“But who cares?” Jeter added. “Why are we talking about this? He must be bored over there, huh?”

...

“I’m not going to win many battles here when it comes to words – especially against Bobby,” A-Rod said. “I have my new press secretary that should be landing in the next couple days – Reggie Jackson – so I’ll let him handle that.”

Jeter wondered why the 2004 scrap was brought up in the first place.

“Talking about Varitek, you point out the good things,” Jeter said. “Varitek had an unbelievable career, I’m happy for him, I enjoyed competing against him all these year; that’s what we should be talking about as opposed to what Bobby said.”

Sure, this fool might be adding a little fire to the rivalry, but it's freaking February and obviously this guy is far too preoccupied with the Yanks. I guess that's just what happens when you put on those Red Socks.

Sherman: Hughes Will Be The 5th Starter

From Joel Sherman:

We can pretend there is a competition going on for the Yankees’ No. 5 starter spot, but that is what it is. Pretend. The WWE stages more realistic battles.

The Yankees are saying it is Freddy Garcia vs. Phil Hughes. But their general manager is also saying this: He believes Hughes is, right now, a top-of-the-rotation starter. That has not been said about Garcia since, oh, about 2001.

So this is a competition only because the Yankees want to sell you that this is a competition. They do not want a prideful veteran in Garcia to be offended. They do not want Hughes, who showed up out of shape last year, to feel he is being handed anything. And with six weeks to Opening Day, the potential for injury or stumble means the Yankees see no reason to publicly declare even a front-runner, much less a winner.

But understand this: The competition is rigged. If it is close, Hughes wins. If it is advantage Garcia, but only slightly, Hughes wins. Hughes can only lose this by doing what he did last spring, having his fastball go on a mysterious hiatus. The early signs are Hughes’ better dedication to offseason conditioning has led to less gut and more heat.

Normally anything in February or March should be ignored, but it was obvious in his first live batting practice session yesterday that Hughes’ arm was quick and his fastball had life.

“It is a heavier ball,” Russell Martin said. “He changed his body. He looks more explosive. He has more arm speed, which leads to a better breaking ball and more deception on the changeup.”

Sherman may be right, but to me, I think this article is more of a product of a slow Tuesday in New York sports than anything based in reality--or at least a reality that can actually be based on one BP session on February 27th. Like Sherman himself said, "normally anything in February or March should be ignored".

If Hughes had ever met, or at least come close to expectations I might feel otherwise, but sadly that has not been the case. He's had many opportunities to prove himself to this team as a starter, and he's failed virtually every time. Between that, and the fact that Garcia was solid for the Yanks last year, Garcia at least deserves a fighting chance at that fifth spot.

Again, Sherman could be right because we all know a lot more goes into these types of decisions than just X's and O's. The Yankees might not want to continue to look bad over all the hype surrounding this guy and do everything in their power to get him back in the rotation for yet another chance. Though, if they do that despite a strong spring from Freddy they'll deserve all those April losses thanks to their forced decision.

This quote from Brian Cashman makes that seem like a strong possibility:

“Aside from last year [Hughes] was viewed, and not just by us, as one of the better young arms in the game; with success to prove it. He was a dominant reliever for us in 2009 and an All-Star as a starter in 2010. Why would I judge him by last year when he was injured? It feels like everyone wants to take him down a peg. I think he is a top-of-the-rotation starter.”

If it were up to me I'd base this decision on performance and not saving face. What about you?

Joba Throws First BP Session, Says He's Cured

From Wallace Matthews:

Cue the James Brown-style funk guitars. Joba Chamberlain threw his first session off a mound this morning and proclaimed himself not only cured, but reborn.

"They fixed what was there, and then Dr. (James) Andrews went ahead and added some extra strength to it," Joba said after throwing 16 pitches off the mound following a couple of weeks of throwing off that oddity known as the half-mound. "It's a new arm, for me, that's how I feel. It's a new year, and it's a whole new chapter of what I would like to accomplish here and help this team."

Is this the song you were referring to, Wally?


Anyway, as for his return to the Yankees pen, Joba expects to be back well before the projected date:

"I can tell you it's not going to be three to four months," he said. "Three or four months puts us out a long time. "It's weird because (the ball) comes out of my hand different. Sometimes I blow up Roman (Rodriguez, the bullpen catcher), and he gets kind of mad at me. But I just can't help it. It just happens. I think that's a good sign. It's just coming out a lot more free and easier. I trust myself enough, I trust my arm and my elbow. It's been great for me."

However, according to Matthews, the Yankees are already concerned about Joba's eagerness to return and don't want him to rush his comeback. Usually these things take a year to recover, and Joba had his surgery just last June. Either way, this is very good news for the Yanks, who will have a very deep bullpen, even without Joba.

This Week in Yankees History (2/26-3/3)

This Week in New York Yankees History 

February 26th - March 3rd

February 26th

1896 - Former Yankees P Harry “Rip” Collins (1920-1921) was born (1896-1968). On August 20, 1919, Harry “Rip” Collins was purchased by the New York Yankees from Dallas (Texas League). “Rip” Collins went 25-13 in 64 games for the New York Yankees before being traded to Boston Red Sox. On December 20,1921, Harry was traded by the New York Yankees along with INF Roger Peckinpaugh, P Jack Quinn, P Bill Piercy and $100,000 to the Boston Red Sox for Pitchers Bullet Joe Bush, Sad Sam Jones and INF Everett Scott. Rip would also pitch for the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns.

1933 - Former Yankees reserve 1B/OF/C Johnny Blanchard (1955,1959-1965) was born (1933-2009). Johnny Blanchard was a 3 sport All-City whiz at Central High School in Minneapolis, MN; he not only attracted the attention of MLB scouts as a 3rd baseman but also the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA who made him an offer. In 1951, Blanchard was signed by New York Yankees scout Joe McDermott for $20,000 as an outfielder. While in the Yankees minor league system, he made the transition to catcher. "I had to work my fanny off," said Blanchard. "I was not talented like Yogi or Elston. I think I got all the mileage I could out of my ability." Blanchard served in the U.S. Military Service during the Korean Conflict in 1953-1954, but when he was released from active duty.

He was back in spring training camp in 1955. After leading the Eastern League with 34 HRs in 1955 playing for the Binghamton Triplets, he received a late season call-up to the Yankees. He returned for good in 1959, he stayed in the Bronx until he was sent to the Kansas City Athletics during the 1965 AL season. The lefty-swinging Yankee loved Fenway Park. Of his 1st 6 hits at Fenway Park, 5 were HRs. On July 21, 1961, the Yankees trailed the Boston Red Sox 9-8 going into the top of the 9th inning when Blanchard, pinch-hitting for Clete Boyer, hit a grand slam HR off Boston right-hander Mike Fornieles giving the Bombers a 12-9 victory. The following day, the Yankees were again down 9-8, when Blanchard, pinch-hitting again for Boyer, homered off Gene Conley to tie the score as the Yankees went on to win. A couple of days later against the Chicago White Sox, he homered in consecutive at-bats against veteran Ray Herbert. His 4 HRs on 4 straight at-bats tied a MLB record. Blanchard hit 4 pinch-hit HRs during the regular season in 1961, plus 1 more during the 1961 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. During the Yankees' storied 1961 AL season; he stroked 21 HRs in only 243 at-bats and hitting .305. Among the 1961 Yankees, only Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris had more HRs per at bat. He continued his clutch hitting in the 1961 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds with a 2-run pinch HR in game #3; another 2-run HR shot in the 5th and final game of the 1961 World Series, a game that he started.

As a result, Blanchard is arguably one of the best-known 3rd-string catchers in MLB history. Overall, he appeared in the Fall Classic 5 consecutive seasons, from 1960-1964, he batted .345, slugged at .690 with 2 HRs. Following an exhibition game against the New York Mets, he was called into manager Johnny Keane's office and was given the news he had been traded to Kansas City. On May 3,1965, John was traded by the Yankees along with P Rolland Sheldon to the A’s for C Doc Edwards. Johnny took the trade news very hard. He cried uncontrollably in the Yankees clubhouse. His long time Yankee teammate Mickey Mantle sat down next to Blanchard and attempted to cheer him up. "Don't take it so hard, John. Just think, in Kansas City you're going to get a chance to play." "Hell, I can't play Mick, that’s why I'm crying." After appearing in 52 games with the Kansas City A's, he was purchased by the Milwaukee Braves. He played the last 10 games of his MLB career with the Braves at the end of the 1965 NL season. In 1968, he tried to make a comeback with the Atlanta Braves in spring training, but he didn’t make the team. Overall he hit .239 with 67 HRs and 200 RBIs. Blanchard's heavy drinking made it difficult to cope with the real world after his MLB baseball career was over. Aware that he had a problem, Johnny checked himself into the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis for 34 days for alcohol treatment. He was then dry for over 25 years. On March 25, 2009, Johnny Blanchard passed away from a fatal heart attack.

1935 - The New York Yankees released longtime OF/P Babe Ruth (1920-1934), freeing him to sign a $20,000 contract with the Boston Braves of the National League. In 1934, Babe Ruth had endured one of his worst seasons with the New York Yankees-at least by his lofty standards-with a .288 BA with only 22 HRs and 84 RBIs.

Read more »

Yanks Sign David Aardsma

From Bryan Hoch:

The Yankees have signed reliever David Aardsma to a Major League contract.

Aardsma is coming back from Tommy John surgery performed last July 22. Aardsma is making approximately $500,000 this year with a club option for 2013.

“The move could help us in 2012, but it has a lot more eyes toward 2013,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said.

According to the article, Aardsma is about a month behind Joba in his recovery.

Retiring Numbers Soon?

The New York Yankees one of the most classiest sports organization in sports history. The reason why we have not seen any one wear 6 since Joe Torre left cause they are going to retire his number. They could have gave out recently retired Jorge Posada number 20. Also Andy Pettitte 46 have not seen that number on any ones back. No matter what your opinion is on each of the players and managers i have listed is they were great baseball players and better Yankees.

Yanks Resign Chavez to One-Year Deal

The deal is worth $900K.

Garcia and Hughes to Battle for 5th Spot in Rotation

From Dan Martin:

With one less choice to make now that A.J. Burnett is a Pirate, Joe Girardi’s decisions become clearer.

Yesterday, the manager indicated that Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia would likely battle for the final spot in the rotation and the batting order and bullpen will look a lot like they did toward the end of last year.

“You hope everyone is throwing well and that you have to make a tough decision,” Girardi said. “You go with an open mind; CC [Sabathia] is the Opening Day starter and go from there. All these guys are expected to be starters. Phil Hughes pitched well in both areas, but we envision him as a starter. Once again, we have a six-man rotation and we’ve got to whittle it down to five.”

Hughes is running out of chances quickly, so it would be great to see him step up and win this spot. That said, as a betting man I wouldn't lay a dollar on that happening.