Man, you hold your breath each day and hope that another Yankee doesn’t get hurt. The big boppers, Stanton and Judge, muscular and impressive as they are, certainly aren’t durable.
We’re in March now, exhibition games are being played, and we’re gearing up for the start of the season. With the world gone topsy turvy—with no end in sight to the craziness in this election year—there is something comforting about the inevitability of Opening Day and the long season.
Picture by Bags
[0] Glad you got your post in before me, because I would have gone on a rant...
I believe Boston fans are getting nervous about the impending punishment from MLB, for whatever that could possibly be worth; not much in terms of operations I can imagine, but the stain on their 2018 championship coupled with low expectations because of the Betts trade and the revelation that the main component of the trade has a known injury that will keep him out for a month into the season (and they were so worried about Gratirol's potential combustibility and lowered ceiling) has their loudmouth contingency already trashing the poor kid's reputation and personality before he even plays a game for them. Good job, Boston faithful; making Houston look like a cheery destination is a tough trick.
There's word that the team is interested in Steven Matz over in Queens; I've seen him pitch a gem at Citi Field last season and he definitely has potential, but he also has Zack Wheeler inconsistency (though you can probably blame the Mets bullpen for much of that). But the main thing is that he'd fit right in with the current oft-injured motif in the Bronx, so I'd say pass.
Jose Bautista also wants to come back as an Otahni-type two way player. Good luck with that; can't imagine why no one would bite on that, but maybe Yasiel Puig should give that some serious consideration. I have thought about him as a replacement for Cameron Maybin, who they (really) should have re-signed in the first place. It's probably just a matter of time before Cashman slips him in somehow, or maybe Puig has to come down on his contract expectations before he gets a shot anywhere, never mind here.
Every time management says they don't believe injury x is serious it becomes serious. At this rate they should put an organization-wide gag order on discussing any injuryvso they don't keep looking incompetent.
[2] You mean like the Mets?
Not looking good for Judge and Stanton.
From MLB morning Lineup: the Yanks’ Opening Day outfield projects to feature Clint Frazier, Mike Tauchman and perhaps Miguel Andújar flanking Brett Gardner.
[5] Whoa! A four-man outfield?
Ball is carrying today.
The only thing I'm taking away from today's homer-fest is that it looks like Montgomery is getting stretched out. Fifth starter? Fourth?
Stress fracture in the ribs for Judge, fer crying out loud. Surgery not ruled out.
(reminds self to remain calm and not kick the dog.)
There's a rather moving piece in the Athletic (subscription required) about a remarkable young woman named Kelly Rodman who scouted for the Yankees; she passed away today and reading about her left me a little choked-up, yet motivated and appreciative of the Yanks in yet another way. Much props to Lindsey Adler for this piece...
https://theathletic.com/1657958/2020/03/06/everyone-with-the-yankees-loved-her-remembering-amateur-scout-kelly-rodman/?redirected=1
Between Sevy and Judge, I think the entire organization took the concept of off-season a little too literally this year. WTF
I at least hope Judge and Stanton are healthy enough to come off the bench for the Astros brawl.
[9] Removing a rib?! That sound biblical. I hope it doesn't come to that. Team seems cursed. We need some voodoo.
You know that line players often say when they win it all, about it being a team effort from management on down? That couldn't be more accurate. Maybe this team should have invested 300 mill on an elite medical / training staff and not on Cole?
[12] They really just need an order of ribs...
If they do have to take out Judge's rib, he's done for the season.
[14] Good one! I'd never seen that. Now you made me hungry for BBQ.
Hi Team/Friends!
Been way too long. Miss you all, and our pinstriped heroes. I'll tell ya what - it seems as though I'm a little guy, who's accident prone and exceedingly fragile, yet I play the most physically demanding instrument in the world and I show up to work everyday. I play more hours than these fit athletes who are paid STOOPID money. I never complain or take a day off. I also barely make any money and always have to worry about things like health insurance. The injuries, and how they're handled in Pinstripe Land, are ridiculous.
That said, I'm still super psyched about the upcoming season. I bought 2 packs of Topps cards yesterday and got 3 Yankees! Judge, Masa/Tank, LeMachine. I hope all the Banterites are reading every single Views From 314 Ft. post and subscribing to Mike Axisa's Patreon. CC's R2C2 is so much fun, and EVERYTHING Jomboy is pretty much essential. I even joined Twitter just to follow baseball news. It really keeps me up to date.
Every time I think I'm out, I'm sucked in more. I hope you're all well and I'm looking forward to chasing #28. Let's freak out together about 8 months from now!!!
[16] Of course, I hate everything about BBQ! Chyll Will - you, buddy?
Orioles have some boring broadcasters for their ST games.
[18] Heh-heh, you haven't been around my personal blog in a while, have you?
My main problem is finding GOOD barbecue. In Westchester, it's a real stretch. Then if you do manage to find something halfway-decent, the service is lacking. For now, I will either do without or make my own; we used to have a propane grill at one place I lived, but had to give it up when we moved to where we presently live. We manage to get in some real grilling on our summer trips upstate, but that's all cookout, not authentic barbecue. They also have rib festivals near here every year, but it's pricey and you don't get much bang for your buck.
A couple of my favorite spots in the Greater NYC area are John Brown's Smokehouse in LIC Queens (awesome brisket) and Hometown BBQ in Red Hook Brooklyn.
[20] nice!
[19] You know what they say, practice makes perfect...
The rest of spring training canceled, the start of the season postponed two weeks. NBA season suspended, NCAA tournament canceled, NHL suspended. Sad, but absolutely necessary.
If it's as serious as they say, why isn't everyone being put on house arrest, so to speak?
I am surprised they canceled March Madness, I guess after the Utah Jazz players caught it, even empty arenas aren’t safe enough. CWS also canceled along with everything else.
It’s not particularly deadly for young people but it is for elderly with underlying health issues. My dad is 86 with a bad heart and just got over bronchitis, narrowly missing hospitalization, mom is 84 with diabetes. They are the ones in danger.
[24] Not enough National Guard to go around, for one...
Mid May? I'm thinking June 1st will be an optimistic start to the season, wiping 6o games off the schedule. Realistically they have to redo the whole schedule. What a mess.
I’m thinking more like half the season has already been lost. 81 game season would probably make scheduling easier as well.