Best off season move for 2010 season : Marcus Thames

When the Yankees gave Marcus Thames a non guaranteed contract in February, it seemed like an after thought. Many teams sign players that are trying to catch on with a team to spring training and then either send them to AAA or cut them.

The Yankees had gotten Nick Johnson to fill the DH spot, along with Randy Winn to be the fourth outfielder, so Thames had a slim chance of making the team. But much to my surprise Thames made the team, and the Yankees carried five outfielders, Thames role was to hit against lefty starting pitching. I figured it wouldn't be long before Thames was gone, hes a great hitter but the Yankees had Nick Johnson at DH and Girardi planned to rest the older regulars at that spot. Thames is a poor defender so at the time was it really necessary for the Yanks to just have one player on the team to hit against lefties?

This season Thames got off to a good start and Yankees fans embraced him for his walk off home run against Jonathan Papelbon and the Red Sox in May. The love for Thames, who go the first pie of the 2010 season didn't last long, as the next night he dropped a key fly ball in the outfield and the Yanks lost the game.

Thames spent some time on the DL and missed most of June. But looking at his current numbers, it is easy to say that this has been the best pick up that Brian Cashman made this past off season. Thames already has 11 homers in only 165 at bats, not only is Thames hitting homers but he is hitting .327 against left handed pitching.

Thames recently gave the Yankees a huge spark while Alex Rodriguez was out, but even with A-Rod back Thames should see more playing time. Lance Berkman has struggled since coming to the Bronx and Austin Kearns can play the field instead of Brett Gardner.

I understand that during the playoffs Thames may not get many chances, other then at DH against a lefty pitcher. But Thames could always come off the bench and pinch hit, making a team re-think about bringing a lefty in for Curtis Granderson or Brett Gardner. With the Postseason arriving, and Thames possibly being on the bench as a pinch hitter, we should enjoy these Happy Thames !

This one was for the boss

For the first game back from the all star break, there was a lot of buzz around Yankee Stadium. As mentioned in my previous post, ticket prices were sky high and hard to come by following George Steinbrenner's death. The buzz around the house that George built would quickly turn to somber feelings before the game when the Yanks held a moment of silence for Sheppard and Steinbrenner. Their was also a video tribute to the boss, Jeter gave a quick speech and Mariano Rivera put flowers on home plate during the ceremony.

Once the game began, the crowd was in a quiet hush, still mourning the loss of two iconic figures in Yankees history. What has been over shadowed this entire time is that the bombers were facing the Tampa Bay Rays who are only two games back.

The game may soon become a Yankees Classic following the out come. The Yanks were down in the 8th inning when Nick Swisher blasted a solo shot to tie up the game. With the game still tied in the bottom of the 9th, and with two runners on Derek Jeter stepped to the plate. Earlier in the week Jeter had called Steinbrenner more then a owner, but a friend. With a base hit Jeter could win the game, add to his legacy and include a story book ending all with one swing. Jeter wasn't able to get the job done and passed on the opportunity to be the hero to Nick Swisher. Swisher,who was born in Ohio, just like Steinbrenner, came through with a base hit to right field to score Curtis Granderson from second.

The Yanks won in dramatic fashion and allowed for a player not named Marcus Thames to get pie this season. Not only was it a big win, cause they won it in walk off fashion for the boss. But the Bombers also picked up a game on the second place Rays.

A few quick hits before I go

•  Nobody was in the public announcer booth in honor of Sheppard. Throughout the night their were no announcements over the P.A
• Saturday is Old Timers Day, the plan was to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1950 World Series team. With the death of Sheppard and Steinbrenner expect it to be a bit over shadowed.
• The Yanks wore patches on there jerseys honoring Sheppard and the boss. They will continue to wear them throughout the season, Sheppard's patch is on the sleeve while Stienbrenner's is above the interlocking NY on the home jerseys and above "york" on away jerseys.