A sad day in Yankees Universe, the boss passes away

The day that ever Yankee fan has dreaded, owner George Steinbrenner has passed away. The boss purchased the team in 1973 from CBS for nine million dollars, today the Yankees are worth an estimated 1.3 billion.

Steinbrenner was known for wanting to win and firing managers. His will to win was only second to breathing, Steinbrenner changed the game with the way he would put money into the team and was never afraid to take risks on players who had a troubled past (Steve Howe,Doc Gooden, Darryl Strawberry). For years people around baseball and fans have criticized George and the Yanks for spending so much money money on players. But what is never realized is how the Yankees put all the money that they make back into the team, unlike other teams that pocket that money.

Big Steins first big free agent signing that would change the game was Dave Winfield, signing him to a 10 year 23 million. It wasn't long before the Boss had lost his patients with Winfield calling him Mr.May and trying to dig up dirt on him by contacting Howie Spira a known gambler. Steinbrenner was suspended from baseball for attempting to dig up dirt on Winfield, when it was announced fans at Yankee Stadium began to cheer, they had had it with the boss.

The 1980's are know for being a low point in Yankees history, they didn't win a single title and found themselves often at the bottom of the standing. But George never quit trying to turn his struggling club into a winner, going out and trying to get the best player and managers. Some players didn't want to come to New York because of Steinbrenner because they knew they would be in his firing line even after the smallest of slip ups.

In 1993 Steinbrenner was reinstated to baseball, many say George came back and wasn't the same type of owner. His will to win was still the same but he seemed to trust the people around him alot more. Steinbrenner made the right choice to trust his people since the Yankees won titles in 4 of 5 seasons. At the same time , as he was satisfied with the clubs winning record George would find ways to increase revenue by signing record endorsement deals with Adidas and selling the TV rights to MSG. Once MSG's right to the Yankees TV rights ran out , Steinbrenner though outside the box and created the YES Network. The YES Network changed the sports industry dramatically and started the trend from other teams to create their own networks.

In recent years the boss really began to mellow and wasn't seen around the Yankees as often. It was known how in the past Steinbrenner would never be afraid to rip into an employee or player, but as he got older he showed his softer side. Steinbrenner would often donate money to Charity's and always wanted to help out under privleged kids, service men, fire men and police officers. Following the Yankees championships and winning teams, the fans began to realize what a great owner they truly had. In 2004 on opening day, with Steinbrenner in the house giving a live interview the fans began to chant "Thank You George". Steinbrenner tried to hold back tears as the fans continued to chant his name. With the all star game in the Bronx in 2008, Steinbrenner rode out to the field on a golf cart to hand out the baseballs that would be used for the first pitch. The fans stood and applauded to give him the respect that he had earned.

Two of my favorite Boss moments are more recent. One is when he called Hideki Irabu a "Fat pussy toad" for failing to cover first base in a spring training game. My other favorite story about George comes from Buster Olneys book "The last night of the Yankees dynasty". During the 2000 World Series against the Mets at Shea Stadium, a water pipe broke inside the Yankees clubhouse. George was furious and insisted that the Mets had planned this as a way to distract the Yankees from their goal of winning a championship. While he was inside the clubhouse ranting about the Mets and how this was planned out, pitcher David Cone was also inside the clubhouse. There had been a hanging light fixture that had been flickering the entire , Cone said to George that the Mets were trying to record/tape the Yankees. With out hesitation Steinbrenner yelled for someone to get the light, but at the same time grabbed the closest bat and began smashing the light.

.556 winning percentage, 16 division titles, 11 American League pennants, 7 World Championships under the boss. Last seasons championship was dedicated the George, and every time I walk into the new Yankee Stadium I will think off the boss. Here is a clip of him being portrayed on Seinfeld.

  

Thank You Mr.Steinbrenner, for being the greatest owner in sports. You will be missed R.I.P

Yankees Mid-Season Report Card

So with the All Star break among us, we are at the half way point of the 2010 season. It seems like just the other day the season was starting up in Boston, with Curtis Granderson hitting a home run in his first at bat and Chan Ho Park blowing the game. The Yankees find themselves with the best record in baseball, and it seems as if the team has not clicked yet. The offense hasn't been consistent all season and their is still no obvious option to Mariano Rivera, but the starting pitching has held them afloat. So on that note, let the grading begin !

Pitchers

Alfredo Aceves- B : Ace was pitching just as well as he was in 2009 before he got hurt. Aceves was suppose to be back following the all star break, but has had multiple set backs and may not pitch again this season.

A.J Burnett- C- :Burnett started the season out great, and was 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA. His season would go south from their going 3-5 and has raised his ERA to 4.75. Burnett's last two starts before the break were an improvement, Burnett is going to be inconsistent the rest of the way as he has been his career.

Joba Chamberlain- D : Joba has not found his 2007/2008 form. No lead is safe any more when he comes into the game. If the Yankees have one big need, it would be this area.

Chad Gaudin- C- : Gaudin was with the Yankees last season and in spring training before he was let go. Gaudin went to Oakland,pitched poor and was released. Gaudin came back to the bombers and has mostly pitched in mop up duty.

Phil Hughes- A- : Hughes did not make his first start until April 15th, and was expected to pitch like a fifth starter. Hughes has exceeded expectations and made the All Star team. Hughes hit one rough patch in late June but it seems to be past him. My only concern with Hughes is the Yanks plan to limit his innings.

Boone Logan- C- : Logan has been called up and down a few times this season. He has pitched the same way, one outing is great, the next is awful. Logan's biggest problem is he walks too many.

Damaso Marte- B+ : Has been living up to his role of getting lefties out (.146 BAA). Marte can also get righties out (.190) and should be given a shot at the set up role if they don't get help.

Sergio Mitre-C : Before the "Meat-Tray" went on the DL, he had been pitching well in his limited time. Sergio got hurt at a time when the Yanks really needed him but should be coming back soon and may be taking Gaudin's roster spot.

Chan Ho Park-F : Park has been an area of concern, from the moment he made his 2010 debut he has been awful. Park has gotten hit hard often and spent time on the DL. If he continues to pitch so poorly he could be designated for assignment.

Andy Pettitte-A : For years we have seen Andy pitch well in the regular season and then pitch phenomenal in the post season. This season Pettitte has pitched like it was the post season having his best season since 2005 and is on his way to an all star appearance.

Mariano Rivera-A : Mo is having another great season at the age of 40; he has battled knee and oblique injuries but still has been able to save 20 games.

David Robertson- D :  Has been inconsistent all season, last season pitched well following the break and the Yankees hope he can do that again this season.

CC Sabathia- A : Sabathia started the season off well, before hitting a rough patch in May in which he did not win a game. Since May,CC has rolled off eight straight wins before he heads to Anaheim to be in the ASG.

Javier Vazquez- B : Had a forgettable start to the season, heard the boo"s from the fans and even had his start skipped a few times. But since May 12 Javy has pitched to an ERA of 2.75

Infield

Robinson Cano- A+ : What can you say bad about the MVP candidate? Nothing. Cano has been an offensive threat all season picking up alot slack left by A-Rod and Tex, especially early in the season. Cano will be starting in the all star game Tuesday, and has quited many critic's who loved to call him lazy.

Francisco Cervelli-B : A fan favorite for his passion and love of the game, Cervilli got off to a hot start and was a given when it can to hitting with RISP. Cervelli since the end of May has slumped and behind the plate he can get a bit lazy. But still brings the energy that is needed on an older team.

Derek Jeter- B : The captain hasn't had his best season this far. Jeter has swung at alot of first pitches this season, and more then even seems to be hitting ground balls at an alarming pace. Jeter still has driven in alot of runs, even though from July 12 to July 6 he didn't drive in a single run.

Nick Johnson-F : This was the player that was suppose to replace Hideki Matsui ? Johnson has been a bad signing by Brian Cashman, with the option to sign Johnny Damon or Matsui he picked Nick. Although Johnson is a great fit for the Yanks line up with his extreme patients, but he didn't hit and got injured.

Ramiro Pena-C+ : Sure the young utility player is only hitting .195 but in a line up full of stars, his main goal is to play defense and he has done that job well. Pena does have 10 RBI in only 82 AB's.

Jorge Posada- C+ : The veteran back stop is the only member of the core four to not be at this years all star game, and of the four has started to show his age. Posada has been beat up all season, but can still hit. Georgie's defense on the other hand has been awful, allowing alot of passed balls and not throwing many runners out.

Alex Rodriguez-B+ : Much has been made of how A-Rod hasn't hit for power this season, but he still has 14 homers and 70 RBI. The main concern with Alex is his hip, but it hasn't effected his defense. What is considered a below average season for A-Rod would be a career year for many other players.

Kevin Russo- C : Doesn't get much playing time, when he was first called up he got a few clutch hits but since then his average has dipped along with his playing time. Still an asset in the late innings of a close game if called upon for defense.

Mark Teixiera-C+ : Tex has always been a slow starter but it took him till late June to finally hit. Tex still plays gold glove defense, and should be a force with the bat in the second half.

Outfield

Brett Gardner- A- : Gardner has played a solid left field and has hit so well many have forgotten about Damon. Gardy has exceeded all of my expectations for him this season and was a borderline all star. If Gardner continues at this pace, this off season their will be no need to chase Carl Crawford.

Curtis Granderson-C- : The big off season trade landed Granderson in the Bronx. In his first at bat he hit a home run, and hit well the first month of the season. Following a stint on the DL Curtis has come back and struggled at the plate especially against lefties (.212 AVG).

Nick Swisher- A- : During the off season Swish lost a lot of weight and worked on his swing. The dedication has worked out, Swisher has his highest average ever and made the all star team.

Marcus Thames- B : The king of the walk off this year has done his job of hitting lefties. His defense on the other hand.....

R.I.P Bob Sheepard

It seems as if long time Yankees announcer and "the voice of god" as Reggie Jackson said, has passed away today at the age of 99. It's amazing how Sheppard was able to announce from Joe Dimaggio till Derek Jeter along with many other greats. Here is a great video from 2000 when it was Bob Sheppard day at the old Yankee Stadium, its ashame he never was able to announce in the new one. R.I.P

I have finally lost my patience with Joba

Joba Chamberlain came in and the lead quickly left. That has been a sight that Yankee fans have seen often over the past two seasons. Through out that time i have always hoped Joba would revert back to 2007 form, even in 2008 he was solid in the bullpen and as a starter. But since 2009, Joba is not close to the same pitcher he was before. Their are many possible reasons why, some include his weight,the Yankees innings limits, walks to many, and he cant repeat his release point at the exact same spot.

Most Yankee fans would love to see Joba succeed, since hes a home grown kid and seems like a likable person. Many Yankee fans have quick knee jerk reactions, we saw in April that fans were already booing Javier Vazquez after his first start. Joba is the latest to join that list, since the second half of 2009 when Joba really started to struggle. Joba was once the fan favorite trotting out of the bullpen to a loud ovation, the fans loved the Joba fist pumps and the excitement the young pitcher would bring. Their was once talk the Joba would likely take over for Mariano Rivera, the Joba we have seen this season is far from that pitcher.

So tonight with the Yankees winning 1-0 against the Mariners and King Felix, Joba came into the game and the lead became a deficit. Joba gave up a long grand slam to Jose Lopez. Javier Vazquez had pitched seven shut out innings and with one swing his victory was turned into a no decision. So with the Mariners up 4-1 and myself venting anger at Joba, I finally realized that i have also joined the many that have lost there patience with the hefty right hander. I still like the Joba the person, but when he comes into the game my blood pressure rises. I do partially blame the Yankees for juggling him back and fourth between the rotation and the bullpen since 2008, but enough is enough. Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman need to realize quickly that if they plan to win the 2010 World Series, Joba can not be the set up man to Mo. Girardi needs to either give another pitcher a try (Marte or even dare i say Robertson) and Cashman should be looking to add an arm through a trade.

When will the All Star game return to the Bronx ? Not for a while

In 2008 with the original Yankee Stadium set to close Bud Selig picked the old stadium to host that season's all star game. When the event rolled around the old stadium was packed and held a great pre game ceremony honoring many of the living Hall of Famers. George Stienbrenner even made an appearance to hand out the baseballs for the ceremonial first pitches. Unlike this season when half the Yankees roster is headed to the game, only four Yankees were there to represent the club. Joe Girardi was chosen by Terry Francona to be a coach, Derek Jeter and A-Rod were voted in by the fans and Mariano Rivera also made the team. The game was a classic with the American League winning in the 15th inning. The night before the Home Run Derby was one of the best to date, Josh Hamilton put on a show but eventually lost to Justin Morneau.

So the other day I started to think about the 2008 game and how I wished I was able to attend, that lead me to wonder, when will be the next time there is a mid summer classic in the Bronx. Well it wont be for a while that the new Yankee Stadium gets to play host.

What makes it worse is that the Mets have not hosted an all star game since 1964, so it looks like in 2013 they will get the game at Citi Field.If  Major League Baseball gives the 2013 games to the Mets, then the Yankees might not host a game until the 2025-2030 range the earliest. MLB is going to want to spread the wealth of the ASG around, especially to smaller cities that actually get a financial boost from the game, unlike New York. But Yankees fans should not worry to much about the all star game since, the Yankees have a team of all stars on the field every night.

Today 10AM :Welcome Cliff Lee ! Later that day : Who needs Lee !

Following a Yankee victory, late last night while many on the east coast slept Brian Cashman began to discuss Cliff Lee with the team that was just beat by the bombers. Many media outlets were reporting that a deal was close to done, with Cliff Lee heading to NY and the Mariners receiving Jesus Montero,David Adams and another prospect. Last minute the M's backed out according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports because of Adams ankle injury. The Mariners then turned to the Texas Rangers and traded Lee to them for Justin Smoak a young first baseman and three prospects.The Yankees were annoyed at how the M's backed out and one Yankees official was quoted as saying "You just don't do business that way" according to Rosenthal.

With all the hoopla surrounding Lebron James and his decsion to go to Miami and create an All Star team with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh this trade would have done the same for the Yankees(My opinion on Lebron is he took the easy way out,and should have stayed in Cleveland). The Yankees would have actually had too much starting pitching had they added Lee this season.

With the rotation the way it is currently with CC,A.J,Pettitte,Hughes and Javy their isn't anyone you can clearly just remove. CC and Andy would not be removed in any way since they are both having all star seasons. Vazquez could have been possibly traded but has pitched the best of the starting five since May 12th pitching to a 3.05 ERA. Javy is in his last contract year, and has a partial no trade clause. A.J is owed so much money that it wouldn't make sense to put him in the bullpen and make it hard for the Yanks to trade him. Hughes hasn't pitched as well the past few starts but still has had a break out season, he is still 80 innings away from his innings limit. So if Lee was traded to the Yanks it would have made the most sense to go with a six man rotation until Hughes reached his inning limit and then use him in the bullpen.

When they first announced the trade look near for the Yankees, I wasn't too thrilled at the idea of adding a pitcher that they really don't need. Then the thoughts of the famous Sports Illustrated with George Steinbrenner and the 2003 Yankees, with the headline saying "You can never have enough pitching". I also though about how great the post season rotation would be come (aside from the fact the rotation will look like something out of a video game). The negative about the deal would be killing the farm system by removing Zach Mcallister,David Adams and Jesus Montero for a player that can be easily bought this winter.

Maybe its the arrogance of being a Yankees fan but the Yanks are going to get Lee this off season anyways so why trade away a top hitter like Montero who has been compared to Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. In the mean time I was happier that the Yankees would not be facing Lee tonight and with the Texas Rangers being in a financial mess it seems very unlikely they would be able to re-sign him.

Yankee All Star happenings: Rivera Hurt and withdraws, Cano in HR derby

Today the home run derby contestants were announced, one of those participants will be the Yanks own Robinson Cano. While if this was 10 years ago i would have been delighted that a Yankee was part of the derby. But nowadays I want the Yanks to have nothing to do with the derby, the home run derby is know to have messed with the swing of many of the participants. Two past HR derby participants that struggled to regain there swing following the home run hitting contest, is Bobby Abreu and David Wright. Both batters are similar to Cano, they would hit for power but at the same time they were both more of  line drive hitters.

When Bobby Abreu was part of the home run derby in 2005, he put on a show hitting a record 24 homers in his first round. Abreu would win the event by hitting a total of 41 dingers, that season before he took part, he had hit 18 home runs and was hitting .307. Following his 41 exhibition homers he hit just .260 and only six home runs. Prior to 2005 Abreu's lowest home run output in an entire season was 20, since then his highest total has been 20.

The other example is cross town rival David Wright, in 2006 he was having an MVP caliber first half and was named to the All Star team. Wright also participated in the derby that season and in the first round hit 16 home runs. Wright would hit a grand total of 22 and would lose to Ryan Howard. That season before the derby Wright hit 20 home runs and drive in 74 runs, after the derby he hit just 6 home runs and drove in only 42 runs.

So as you can tell I am not a fan of Cano taking part in the HR derby, especially since i would consider Wright and Abreu hitters who are similar to Cano. All three are more of the line drive, gap hitting type. Cano is having such a good season and such a smooth swing that the Yankees could not afford for him to slow down and have his swing tinkered with. Cano in the past was known for getting into bad habits such as chasing pitches out of the zone, he has since taken a more pitches and doesn't chase as often.

The other news of the evening is that Mariano Rivera has pulled out of the All Star game due to injuries. Rivera had said prior to Tuesdays game against the A's in Oakland that he would not take part in the mid summer classic due to a left side injury and a knee injury. Mo will be available to pitch for the Yankees before the break, but is limited to one inning. This is a mature move by Mo to rest and help his team rather then aggravate the injuries worse.