Yankees Baseball

Stephen Lars asked:


Player Chien-Ming Wang made a four hits ball right at the seventh inning while Hideki Matsui hit a two careers home run taking the New York Yankees to a victory against the visiting team Tampa Bay Blue Rays.

Other players who put their two cents in were NY Yankees Joe Girardi who had not participated in the previous two games due to a respiratory infection and was substituted by his assistant Rob Thomson. Girardi now on the lines and well is back along with teammates; the Dominican Robinson Canó and Joba Chamberlain

Girardi commented that it is good to be back again in the team, “is good to be in the fresh air. Although it is a little cold, one simply feels better when is there”, said Girardi.
So far in the 2008 season New York has only scored 17 runs, which is still a slow offensive; situation the Panamanian Yankees star closer Mariano Rivera tried to improve during the game.

This season has been the best in Tampa’s 11-year history registering five games with a 3-2 record but now with an additional generated by New York.

On the other hand, in Toronto, Frank Thomas hit his eleventh home run of his career. Vernon Wells hit another of two scores and both took the Blue Jays to win over World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox 7-4.

The Red Sox could not get a good launch from their star player Josh Beckett, who debuted in the 2008 season after being amongst the injured list.

It is the very first time since April 10, 2005 the Red Sox are ranked in the last place of their division. Perhaps they were affected by their season beginning in Japan, with visits to Oakland and to Canada, a 26,000 kilometres trip.

In Minneapolis, Kansas City Royals defeated 3-1 the Minnesota Twins. Brett Tomko got five innings without allowing runs and permitting annotations and Alex Gordon managed two careers while the Mexican Joakim Soria did this thing during the ninth inning.

In the National League (MLB) John Smoltz got five innings without runs during his season’s debut and the Braves defeated 3-1 the New York Mets. Cuban Yunel Escobar contributed to the Braves’ victory by scoring a run.

On the other hand, in Cincinnati Ken Griffey Jr. achieved his 594 home runs in the Major League, with a two careers hit that helped the Reds defeat 8-2 Philadelphia. It is Griffey’s first home run in the season; in the first inning over Brett Myers (0-1); this makes him the sixth ballplayer that reaches the mark of 600 home runs and now has a place along with Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, **** Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.

In Milwaukee, Ben Sheets got five unstoppable hits and punched out eight players in his first complete game in almost seven years; the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-0.

Sheets (1-0) began to activate his speed of almost 155 kilometres per hour as well as his curves from the beginning then punched out three players in the first inning.

Other additional baseball action includes: the Diamondbacks win of 5-2 over to the Rockies in Denver. In sunny San Diego, the Dodgers defeated 3-2 the Padres; in Chicago, the Cubs won 3-2 over the Astros.

In St. Louis, the Cardinals defeated 3-0 the Nationals and finally in Miami the Marlins fell for 9-2 against the Pirates.



JIMMIE

Steve Cullen asked:


As we emerge from the long, dark, cold, damp tunnel that is winter, we also face the culmination of the long, cold, damp hockey season in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Watching an ice-based activity while temperature is high and the sun up doesn’t strike me as natural. It puts the hockey fan at odds with his environment. I would just as soon forget about snow and ice until I absolutely HAVE to in November or December. That’s one reason why I’m a baseball fan.

Spring brings with it the prospect of warmth and long days outside in the sunshine, of lounging idly and watching the kids play. That is what the Baseball season fosters. Hope springs eternal as the ritual of Opening Day is enacted across the continent and ushers in another season.

What makes Baseball so special is that it is MORE than just the visible game in front of you; it is meta-Baseball which every true fan sees just as clearly.

Computer geeks are familiar with this prefix. “Meta”, from the Greek means “after”, “beyond”, “with” expands Baseball from the strict confines of what the rulebook governs between the foul lines. Meta-Baseball embraces the activities that occur BETWEEN the bursts of action, as well as BEFORE and AFTER.
It embraces the History of the game, over 150 years of it, but most fans can only recall details going back to about 1900. Today’s game can be compared to previous games that have been played over the last 120 years.

Baseball Lore allows for truth and myth, but that is all part of its charm. Proof being in the location of the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York, the counterfeit “home” of the game. The debates are endless. Did **** Ruth really make the “called shot” home run in the 1932 World Series? Could Ted Williams hit .400 in today’s game?

There were Criminal Misfortunes, such as the (villainous in my books) exclusion of non-whites for so long, denying us a good look at top-notch players such as Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige and so many others. The 1919 “Black Sox” scandal ended the careers of some players and changed the way the game is overseen. Pete Rose got himself banned for life in 1989 for gambling-related activities.

Meta-baseball incorporates that fact that Non-Athletic Types make a contribution. When Harvard paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould died he left a behind a book about baseball, published posthumously as “Triumph and Tragedy in Mudville”. When astrophysicist Stephen Hawking recanted a previously published theory he paid off a bet with another astrophysicist by sending him a copy of the encyclopedia “Total Baseball”. Actor Billy Crystal fulfilled a life-long dream this year in spring training by having at-bat as a bonafide, contracted New York Yankee in a live game. Sadly, he struck out. But he went down swinging.

There is Cast of Thousands in meta-Baseball. There are Good guys and Bad guys, just think of Stan Musial and Gary Carter, then think of Ty Cobb and Barry Bonds. Towering Legends such as **** Ruth and Cy Young and Tragic figures like Lou Gehrig and Roberto Clemente.

Baseball has seen Heroic Figures like Jackie Robinson and the Warm Personalities of Buck O’Neal. There were “If-Only” players . What if Mickey Mantle wasn’t injured most of his career?

We’ve seen Funny Guys like Casey Stengel and Yogi Berra, and Oddballs like Rube Waddell, a pitcher who would bolt from the game to follow fire trucks to a fire, and Mark “the Bird” Fidrych, a pitcher who stood on the mound and talked to the ball. Novel Players like Eddie Gaedel, standing 3ft 7 inches, who had a single at-bat in a real game.

Then there is the game itself. There were Dramatic Seasons such in 1941 when Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio’s streak of hitting in 56 straight games. In 1961 Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle chased and Maris beat, **** Ruth’s 60-homer record and 1998 when Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire chased Roger’s home run record.

And Magical Moments, Willy Mays’ “the catch” in the 1954 World Series. Ted Williams’ final at-bat home run. Henry Aaron’s 715th home run. Joe Carter’s 1993 World Series-winning home run for the Toronto Blue Jays.

While the Major Leagues provide most of our memory fodder, Minor League baseball at all levels makes its own contributions. In a 2007 Ottawa Lynx game, as a batter successfully hit a single and arrived at first base we turned back to home plate to find the umpire spread-eagled across the plate, unconscious after being hit by the bat’s back-swing.

It’s all part of meta-Baseball and it only grows with time.

And let’s not forget that you can enjoy the game on a warm summer’s evening with a cold glass of beer and hot dog while carrying on an animated discussion with your companions without missing a beat of the game. And you might catch a ball!

So as the hockey season winds down, cheer up. Baseball is here for another season!



DEXTER

Al Terry asked:


When you buy the Yankees playoff tickets, you are buying tickets to see one of the most popular, as well as the most hated team in baseball. Yankees playoff tickets are never easy to procure. For one, the fans of the Yankees are eager to watch their favorite team play, and for another, the fans of the opposing teams come in hordes, hoping to see the Yankees lose! Just for this, the Yankees playoff tickets are sold out much in advance, as soon as the schedules are announced.

It is never easy trying to procure your Yankees playoff tickets directly from the venues. Your only alternative is the many ticket brokers in New York. These licensed and competent ticket brokers ensure that your Yankees playoff tickets are procured on your behalf for the games of your choice. They have the wherewithal to arrange and procure the Yankees playoff tickets for away and for the home games.

The ticket brokers in New York are a professional lot. You just need to contact them, and their courteous staff will make sure that your Yankees playoff tickets are delivered to you.

The Postseason Plays

Even though the World Series started only in 1903, and the baseball postseason plays began nearly 20 years prior to this in the 1884 season, the Major League Baseball (MLB) does not ‘officially’ recognize these postseason plays as part of the World Series history. The MLB did set a foundation for what is known as The Fall Classic, right from 1903 and continued up to 1968.

The split between the American and the National League, in 1969, caused the creation of the League Championship. This caused a number of spectacular postseason moments in baseball history. The extra playoff games under the aegis of the MLB – to placate the highly disappointed fans and to recoup the losses - came about in 1981 due to the mid-season strike by the players. The League Championship series were converted from the best of five to the best of seven series in 1985, to increase match revenues.

Baseball teams were expanding, and in 1991, three divisions were created to take care of the expansions. These were the East, Central, and the West Divisions. Division Series were introduced in 1995, for the playoffs.

New York Yankees And The Playoffs

Up to and including 2006, the New York Yankees have made 44 postseason appearances. Their overall All Time Postseason Record happens to be quite impressive. Their win-loss record in the Division Series Games is 16–9; in the Championship Series Games, it is 24–12; and in the World Series Games, it is 121–79. Overall, their win-loss record is 161–100.

Now for some trivia! During the 1947 World Series, the Yankees set a record of sorts in the game 6 by using 21 players in a nine innings game!

On October 8, 1956, there occurred a most memorable postseason moment. Don Larsen required just 97 pitches to create the only perfect game ever thrown in postseason play. This was the greatest pitching performance in the history of World Series.



RICH

Kyle asked:


Yankees, Tigers, Dodgers, and Cardinals are the only ones I can think of. All 4 have one home, and one away. None of that crap like the Mets or D’backs who got like ten alts. Am I missing any other teams without alternates?

JAIME

Jack Scrafford asked:


2005 Overview:

The New York Yankees simply weren’t themselves for much of the 2005 season. The Bombers starting pitching proved spotty for much of the year while their offense regularly scratched and clawed for runs during the entire first half of the season. Newly acquired starter Randy Johnson struggled to become the power pitcher the Yankees had hoped for, while the rest of the pitching staff battled with constant injuries and poor starts. Somehow Manager Joe Torre was able to keep his team in the mix of things until after the All Star break. And as the Orioles and Blue Jays began slumping in the second half of the season, the Yankees hit their stride.

Rookie 2nd baseman Robinson Cano (.297 14 62) provided the Yankees with an impressive bat and steady defense while 3rd baseman Alex Rodriquez (.321 48 130) assembled a stellar MVP campaign hitting behind Shortstop and Captain Derek Jeter (.309 19 70). Outfielders Hideki Matsui (.305 23 116) and Gary Sheffield (.291 34 123) also helped anchor the Yankee offense while 1st basemen Jason Giambi (.271 32 87 108 walks) rebounded from his admission of steroid use and a dreadful 2004 campaign. Giambi turned in an impressive offensive second half and forced fan favorite Tino Martinez (.241 17 49) to the bench despite Tino’s hot offensive production prior to the all star break.

Closer Mariano Riveria (7-4 1.38) proved once again why he is one of the most valuable closers in baseball appearing in 71 games while saving 43. And Randy Johnson (17-8 3.79 211K) finally settled in to provide some needed consistency in the rotation. The Yankees also caught some much needed “lightening in a bottle” from newcomers Aaron Small (10-0 3.20) and Chien-Ming Wang (8-5 4.02) while starting pitcher Mike Mussina was able to string together a number of quality starts in order to improve his overall record to 13-8. The July addition of Shawn Chacon (7-3 2.85) acquired from the Colorado Rookies for RHP Ramon Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra also provided some much needed help for the starting rotation.

The Yanks ended their season in a classic “fight to the finish” battling rival Boston for first place finally clinching the AL Eastern division in the final weekend series against the Red Sox.

The Yankees postseason didn’t prove quite as exciting as they lost to the Angels in 5 games exiting quickly in the first round of the playoffs.

Off Season Moves:

After a disappointing postseason, Steinbrenner and company quickly re-signed GM Brian Cashman and began focusing on the tasks at hand. First in line was extending leftfielder Hideki Matsui’s contract for another four years. Next, Yankee management added bullpen strength by signing free agents Kyle Farnsworth (1-1 2.19 16 saves) and Mike Myers (3-1 3.13) while trading for pitcher Ron Villone (5-5 4.08).

Yankee fans were also given a special Christmas present on December 21st when Boston free agent outfielder Johnny Damon (.316 10 75) agreed to terms as the Yankees new centerfielder. Free agents Octavio Dotel and Miguel Cairo were also signed while fan favorite Bernie Williams (.249 12 64) agreed to return - at least for one more season - as the team’s DH.

2006 Analysis:

The Yankees addressed some key bullpen concerns with additions of Farnsworth and Myers who will join Tanyon Sturtze (5-3 4.73), Aaron Small and Chien-Ming Wang as the bridge to Riveria. Dotel is coming off surgery but his save numbers (36 in 2004) have the Yankees hoping he is worth a chance. Damon finally gives the Yankees the leadoff hitter they have lacked for the past few seasons and will solve the defensive problems that eventually forced the benching of centerfield Bernie Williams prior to the all star break.

If both are healthy, Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina should have an easier first half then last season but the 4th and 5th starters for the Yankees may need some help - so expect Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano to receive some competition. It will be interesting to see just how Joe Torre fits Chacon, Wang and Small into the mix.



DAMIAN

College Credit Builder asked:


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The Major League Baseball™ Extra Bases™ Credit Card from Bank of America has valuable features, including:

•           No annual fee.

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At a time when everyone’s nerves are frayed because of uncertainty in the stock market, illiquidity in the credit market and the softening real estate market, one thing remains constant – sports fans are crazy about Major League Baseball.  Historically, baseball has given the public something to believe in and something to hope for, particularly in tough economic times.   With the MLB™ Extra Bases™ credit card, Yankees fans can be reminded of their favorite team every time they take out their wallets.  Real fans carry the card with pride.  Visit www.yankeescreditcardoffer.com  to complete the credit card application online in a few short minutes.



DARRIN

Jason Oconnor asked:


It’s true that football, basketball and hockey have their fans, but the sports year begins in February and ends in October - preferably the end of October. And even during the other three and a half months, the hot stove league consumes the city’s consciousness, even eclipsing the Jets and Giants playoff runs.

This love for the game of baseball dates all the ways back to the 19th century as baseball was played throughout New York in its earliest forms. The birth of the National League in 1876 eventually brought the city the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants and when the American League set up shop in 1901, the New York Yankees soon set up shop.

Rooting for a baseball team in New York wasn’t about what team was better, it was an absolute birthright. People were born into a fan base and there was no switching side. As the Yankees established themselves, their fans came from the Bronx and also attracted the corporate visitor and tourists.

The Dodgers and Giants were different. Working class, blue collar fans in the first half of the 20th century tended to back one of the two National League teams. Giant fans were generally from Manhattan, while the city’s largest borough had their beloved Dodgers. Much like the class system of the early 19th century, which broke down people by nationality and religion, New Yorkers were identified with the teams they followed.

The best example of that came in 1951, where the Dodgers and Giants finished tied after the 154 game season. A three game playoff was ordered by the National League, which culminated with “The Shot Heard Around the World” by Giants’ Bobby Thompson. Fans fought with each other and until this day old Brooklyn Dodger fans still feel the pain.

After the Giant win, they proceeded to be swept by the Yankees, who had a young and talented Mickey Mantle in the outfield.

The Dodgers had their day in 1955, giving Brooklyn their only championship, but the days of the Boys of Summer ended two years later when the Bums and Giants upped and left for the West Coast.

With only one team in town, the fans of the Dodgers and Giants left behind did not back the Yankees, rather they followed their teams from afar or stopped watching all together. Only when the New York Mets were formed in 1962, did these spurned New Yorkers find a team.

Much like the their predecessors, the Amazins’ quickly established themselves as a people’s team. Although they were inept, fans flocked to the old Polo Grounds - and eventually Shea Stadium - to watch the Mets and root against the Dodgers and Giants when they came into town.

The Yankees, meanwhile, just kept winning. Champions in 1961 and 1962, they lost the Fall Classic the next two years. Then the bottom fell out. They finished close to the bottom or last for the rest of the decade, as the team aged and the mighty farm system went barren.

That gave the Amazing Mets a chance to take the city. And in 1969 they won the World Series against insurmountable odds. Led by young pitchers like Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, the Miracle Mets won their first the Series 4-1 over the Baltimore Orioles.

They stayed in contention for the next seven years, but never got back to the top.

The Yankees resurged after George Steinbrenner bought the team and through free agency built the 1977 and 1978 champs. But the Boss’s hands on approach eventually cost those Bombers due to too many bad moves.

As the Yankees went down, the Mets came back and in 1986 won the Series again, beating the Boston Red Sox in seven games. Much like the team of a generation before, these Mets were competitive until 1991, but never won the big game.

But like before, when the Mets faded, the Yankees came to the forefront. This time winning four crowns in five years (1996, 1998-2000). Unlike past teams, these Bombers were built from within, while cheery-picking the other talent through free agency and trades. Led by future Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, the Bombers remain a force in the American League.

The Mets enjoyed a resurgence in 1999 under controversial manager Bobby Valentine and catcher Mike Piazza. They even went to the Series in 2000, only to lose to the cross town Yankees. Then, after five years of mediocrity, the Mets came back in 2006 behind young stars David Wright and Jose Reyes and were one strike away from the World Series, losing to the eventual champion St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

What makes baseball in New York unique these days is the rivalry between the Mets and Yankees. The teams didn’t play each other in non-exhibition games until 1997 and the Subway Series is the highlight of every season. Both Shea and Yankee Stadiums get a mixed but behaved crowd when the two teams play each other. As both the Met and Yankee fans root for their teams, you can hear chants for both clubs back and forth for all nine innings.

And that’s unlike any other sport in the city. Hockey games tend to have more violent outbursts in the stands, while games between the Knicks and Nets and Jets vs. Giants matches could be played anywhere, since the intensity just isn’t there in comparison.

And that’s why New York, first and foremost, is a baseball town.



DOMINGO

Shootmeinthebuttwithanarrow asked:


http://www6.comcast.net/sports/articles/general/2007/10/29/BBA.Yankees.Rodriguez/

People asking for 350 million? Has the lack of a salary cap ruined baseball?
Nobody has won a world series with him. And its not like he has any class like Barry Sanders. So ridiculous.

MARCOS

pjre_81 asked:


And also, how is interleague schedule based on?
Seems like Angels/Dodgers, or Mets/Yankees play every year.

ERNESTO