And just like that, here we are again. I’ve written about this many times here, but I still haven’t gotten used to how quickly the season rolls back around again. When I was a boy, the stretch of time between October and April was interminable. I was interested in football and basketball, but really just as placeholders for my true love. Long before the James Earl Jones soliloquy, baseball was marking the time for me.
In December and January I would catch an article in the sports section about a trade or a free agent signing, in March I’d begin to see baseball cards and preview magazines in the grocery store, and then finally, at long last, there would be baseball. Back then it would likely be weeks before I might get to see a Yankee game on television out here in California, but just knowing that my heroes were back playing in the Bronx was enough. The boxscores that popped up in the morning paper were the daffodils in my flower bed; signs of spring signaling the end of a long, cold winter.
Things are different now. After fifty-three trips around the sun, each orbit seems shorter than the last, so last season’s exploits are still fresh. Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run seems to have just landed, and the team’s eventual (and disturbingly annual) demise at the hands of the Houston Astros couldn’t have been more than a month ago.
But even if I haven’t been counting the days through a long off-season, today is no less exciting, because today we have baseball. Today we’ll see Aaron Judge take his first swings, and wouldn’t it be great if he picked up where he left off and launched a ball deep into the left field stands? We’ll watch as Gerrit Cole takes the mound, and wouldn’t it be comforting if he threw seven shutout innings and struck out twelve?
Oh, and we’ve got the added fun of watching a young kid at shortstop, the team’s top prospect and the jewel of the organization. As hard as it is for me to believe, it was almost three decades ago that Derek Jeter opened his rookie season as the starting shortstop in the spring of 1996, and today we’ll get to watch Anthony Volpe. It isn’t fair to compare him to one of the greatest ever to wear the pinstripes, but this is what we do. This is the way.
We can’t possibly know what the next six months will bring, but today brings baseball, and that’s always enough.
Happy baseball!
Think about this for a moment and then put it away forever -- just imagine if Judge were wearing a Giants jersey today...
Wooh! Let's go!
Doh! Was posting in the other thread!
Happy Opening Day!
Three strikeouts in the first for Cole. Not a bad start.
ALL RISE!
ALL RISE!
I mean, did you expect anything less?
Number 1 for Judge!
One down, sixty-two to go!
Well that didn't take very long!
Cone's already in mid season form himself. "Not Logan's run, Logan's sinker."
Judge goes deep, Donaldson gently lays down his bat after watching a called third strike. And they said these rules changes were gonna change the game...
Cole’s dealing.
9 outs ... 9 Ks
So Judge hit the home run I asked for, and although I can't imagine Cole will get through seven innings, he's half way to the twelve strikeouts I hoped for in the post.
For those not watching, here's a mind-boggling factoid dropped by the YES crew. In the seventeen opening days since Barry Bonds retired, the Giants have had SEVENTEEN different starting left fielders. I'm not sure how that's possible.
So 11 of 12 outs have been strikeouts.
VOLPE TIME!
Walk
Volpe walks on 5 balls
And a steal
1st SB
10 ... 17 overall ... LOL
EVERYBODY GLEYBER NOW!
Hey I was still lurking in the previous thread! Wondering why nobody except Cult was there.
I made the same mistake!
OOF ... Oontz Ks for the 3rd time.
Seriously, it's obvious that Webb is getting a considerably bigger strike zone than Cole.
That was a nice nap.
[30] Diaz has been f'ng terrible all afternoon. Across the board.
That was low, for example ...
[18] Someone at BP - maybe Craig Goldstein? - pointed it out when it hit 10 or 11 straight, I think. Or maybe Sam Miller brought it up on Effectively Wild around that time? Tried searching for it but couldn't find it now. It really is crazy.
I do remember when the Yankees seemed to have a new LF every year in the 90s, but it never got THAT bad.
[32] You pointed out Volpe's 5 pitch walk earlier, too. Diaz loves attention as I recall... #umpshow
MO!!!!
DJ!
Whew.
OONTZ, OONTZ, OONTZ!!!
Insurance.
And more.
Honestly, the banter with Mayor Adams was excruciating. Just the quantity of fake laughs.
That interview with Eric Adams was ... well ... something.
What was I saying about Diaz???
Strewth.
[41] [42] when the inning was ending, I was so happy that was over. And then Michael Kay managed to make it worse at the end.
I hope any writeup that mentions Cabrera's four strikeouts talks about how awful Diaz's strike zone was. That last pitch was ridiculously outside. What is this, 1998?
The Yankees win!
Great pitching, decent hitting, good start!
Couldn't have been better! Welcome back, baseball!
1-0 ...fantastic beginning ... see you next game!
Just tuning in over breakfast, All Rise!!!
Nice to see you all again, Baseball is back, フレーーーー!!!!
Today's game took 2 hours and 33 minutes!!!!
:0
Okay I'm pretty much sold on the new rules.
[50] The Brewers - Cubs game was 2 hours and 14 minutes. 2:14!! A bunch of the high-scoring games were over 3 hours but some only by a few minutes. Just incredible.
As a kid I remember having a strict 10PM bedtime and I don't remember having to miss the end of many games that started just after 7. Retrosheet confirmed that in 1989, most Yankees games were well under 3 hours. Getting back to that sounds great to me!
Great to see the Banter bubbling again.
I let my MLB package expire. Credit card info change issues. I need to sort that out if they are going to keep winning.
Seeya'll next time.
Thanks Hank, and it's a pleasure to rekindle the fellowship of the Banter. I note that Judge is on pace for 162 HRs, and 324 RBI. Actually nice to hear Susan and John on the radio. The pitch clock cuts down on the jabbering and forces them to stay within the lines a bit more.
One factoid of interest I heard on MLB radio: the biggest impact of the shift rule change may be in pitch selection, since pitchers will have to use more of the plate with the fielders spread out, and won't be able to keep it inside on lefties as much.
Radar looks bad right now, hopefully it’ll be clear by game time.
Afternoon, Team.
Happy new season.
So who had Schmidt as the second game starter?
Oh joy, the Fox feed.
[56] if you did, I want the lottery numbers.
I think it woulda been real cool if Cole had not thrown his first pitch until after a time violation. He'd join Ron Blumberg on the list of Firsts.
I’ll take that error!
Ha!
That's Donaldson for you
Congrats, Anthony!
Nice hit, kid.
A Jeterian hit!
Nice catch, Aaron.
First Catch of the Year candidate
Stanton!
Crap
Ha
Always nice to the umpire destroy a rally.
Bullshit strike three
Ugly inning
Nice, Josh
Rats
A lot of missed opportunities, including there in the ninth, but also a lot questionable calls behind the plate. Sigh.
Schmidt starting Game 2 and Brito Game 3. Yo, rbj, are you starting Game 4?
Huh? Twice on “moderation”
Hurt my back last night
Stop with the count down, fans.
Only 61 more to go.
I thought the wind was blowing in?
Don't think small. Only 72 more to go
Heh.
This is how it's supposed to be.
God. Line drives, both of them. SCORCHED.
I kept thinking Michael was telling me that our pitcher was a Burrito. I had to look it up.
Higgy joins the party
Higgy picking up where last season's spring training ended
The Big Three. Judge, Stanton, Higgy.
Phew
Darn. Nice play, but it's going to be overturned.
Okay come on boys, everyone settle down and let's get out of this mess.
Like some say, that inning was bigger than the ninth
So if I couldn't look at the game score or anything like that, I would think Burrito started for the Yankees and Jelly came on in relief for the Giants.
Hmm, a jelly burrito does not sound yummy
But a satisfying win
Yeah that's good.
Very good to see solid, top-notch pitching, especially. (I also enjoy Volpe on the base path.)
Nestor as nasty as last year, looks like.
Tough error there.
I ACCEPT two rbi on infield dribblers!
Not a DP and an infield, I’ll take them.
Hmmmm. I don't think Infield Fly was called. Volpe could have dropped that for a really good chance at a DP!
Hallo!
I'm splitting my time between the game and making Midjourney images of "senator ted cruz as a mermaid wearing a brazilian bikini on a beach in cancun"
Gleyber!
EVERYBODY GLEYBER NOW!!!
Cult, I actually stayed at the hotel where Cruz spent his hour vacation the following week.
[105] Now I wish we could emoji here!
That deserves a total goofy one!
GAH ... doesn't even take Windows emojis.
Poop, Alex!
Ha, Nestor nailed him!
Wow. Very well done.
Rizzo gets that run back. Day-um.
RIZZZZZZZZZ!
Franchise pays off.
I'm warming to the Frenchy. Starting to forget his recent past.
Hell, I thought Frank got that one.
Slom-bio ... that's a new one for me.
SLOMBIO!
Efficient.
2 walks for Gleyber?
Awesome!
[119] Three!
3 walks for Gleyber!
Beauty.
Just me?
Not a good start by German so far. At least they are solo homers.
Hmmmm.
The Jonas Brothers???
Siiiiiiiiigh.
I have this nonsense on mute.
Ugh.
AFTERNOON BASEBALL!
Judge with a steal.
GLEYBER TIME!
Argh ... that should count as an 0/2 for Donaldson
Ruh roh, hammy?
Some injuries don't bother me at all
Ha!
[134] Not sure I'm super psyched for "IKF ... starting 3rd baseman", but at least his at bats will be annoying in a different fashion ...
Is it just me or does Volpe seem to lead off an inning every time he comes to the plate?
Double ha!
Not a great throw ... but a strong one!
Good tag from Volpe!
[138] Honestly ... being asked to choose between IKF or Donaldson is like being asked ... would you prefer to die from Cholera or the Plague???
OONTZ!11
EVERYBODY GLEYBER TORRES NOW!!!
Gleyber day
Pitch clock!
Ooops.
Um, not good.
FALAFEL!
Anybody here from OK Jazz lately?
hear ... dammit.
I’m getting moderation again.
Oh, Ratso ... if you didn't swing ... that would have hit you.
Don't order the Lasagna today ... it's off.
So it seems like Gleyber isn't interested in being traded.
Who had Gleyber turning into Rickey 2.0?
6 walks ... 5 steals!!!
One down
Two
Three!
Good thing tody’s game is postponed as the radar shows absolutely nothing. Yeesh.
[147] No need to worry. Jazz is a live and well. He just been very busy. He posted on Twitter just the other day.
[157] Excellent! Good to hear!
[157] Today's game is still on, but I'm rather uncertain of the chances.
Uh, the first was supposed to be in reference to Boatzilla's post [158].
Well the tarp is off the field.
What's up, gang? Today is my Opening Day! I have not seen an entire inning all season due alone the first pitch to a game, yet. Thanks to that damn mouse in Florida. Go Yankees!
Aw crud, I was dealing with the Chewy box.
This is not good.
Well, this sucks.
Franchy!
Perfect time for a rally killer. ; )
Nice catch, Judge
Oswaldo!
Rats.
Kay is in mid-season form. Losing his shit over a Rizzo fly out that didn't make the warning track.
Boo
This is not the game I was looking for.
That’s better, a bit.
But not that
Crap ballgame
So Lasagna on the DL, but Burrito is back up and suddenly I’m hungry.
Good to see that David Robertson is off to a nice start with the mutts
DJ was robbed.
Tied up
Triple for Volpe!
And untied.
Phew, safe.
Giancarlo!
Single short of the inning cycle.
I just watched my first half inning of Yankee baseball this year. Got to see a Stantonian blast. Good fun.
Just heard Kay use the word "gritty". My work is done here.
He just said, "gritty, gutty innings"
Woo-hoo. I'm in heaven
[187] Ya got to see Volpe's first XBH as well!
[190] Sigh. I missed the triple.
Was booking a flight to Hawaii for the end of June. Will be the first time I have left Tokyo proper in 3-plus years.
Kay keeps saying "Vol-pee". Isn't it pronounced "Vol-pay"?
Nah, I’ve heard others on MLBN and their Sirius channel use Vol-pee.
[193] That's quite unusual for Spanish.
Well, I've never been to Argentina.
But I kinda like the music.
Check out the top of the 7th for this MiLB game ...
https://www.milb.com/gameday/lookouts-vs-trash-pandas/2023/04/08/720939#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=play-by-play,game=720939
The Lookouts scored 7 runs in the game on NO hits ... and all in the top of the 7th.
Yankees win!!!
See you tomorrow!
Wasnt it Ron Davis who lost a no hitter 4-0? I watched that game. Horrible defense.
Andy Hawkins
"Hawkins allowed no hits while pitching a complete game but lost a 4–0 decision to the Chicago White Sox in the Yankees' final appearance at Comiskey Park on July 1, 1990."
Thanks
Sunday day game!
42 straight games on base for Judge!
I got it, I got it, it’s yours!
A ribbie for Frank!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Not the time for that, Gleyber
Nestor starts Nasty!
All rise
ALL RISE ... AGAIN (in this thread)!
[207] That's the only time you can say exactly that in this thread!
Franchise!
Oh way to waste the balk!
jk. I accept the Big Franchy Fly.
Je suis heureux!
Yay .... more people!
I had to go the bathroom right after the balk ... I come back to a doubled lead.
I guess I should poop during games more often!
Nestor is one of my favorite Yankees pitchers in a while.
ARGLEBARGLE ... GAH!!!
GAH, GAH ... ARGLEBARGLE!!!
Torres got a hanger and completely missed it.
That's it for Nasty.
Abreu sucks
Whew.
Okay cult WTF DO I SAY NOW?????
Add things ... ALL RISE IN THE COURT!
All rise again
Oh ... and caps vs non-caps or a mix, doesn't matter
Anybody want 3 boxes of matzoh? I can't eat anymore
Bloody hell ... watching Rutchsman, I feel like Jack Nicholson in the original Batman ... "Where does he get those wonderful toys?"
There’s one
And two
Ballgame!
Ballgame over, Yankees win!
The Rays won 11-0.
I'm getting suspicious. Let's get the NY AG to do some kind of investigation.
Lovely, just lovely!
"The Rays won 11-0."
Shrug ...
Did Boone really let IKF bat there with a man on and no outs..??
And, HI everyone! Late to the Banter this season as been here and there but ready now for more 野球!
Lead off triple by Gleyber, big boys coming up. Wasted. That's the game. Sigh.
Calhoun's walk up song should be "Goin' Back to Cali."
[236] on 2nd thought, "I don't think so."
LOT of empty Abs in the lineup. Want Volpe to succeed but how many more games they give him before he's sent back to AAA?
YAY! OK JAZZ!!!
HUGZZZZ!
[238] Well, I would think it would go into May before they would make a move ... at the very least Peraza is injured in AAA, so ...
DO YOU SPEAK FRANCHY????
Good to see OONTZ healthy again.
Anybody?
Seeing eye!
I guess this is my show tonight?
There once was a man from Nantucket ...
Who then took a junket to Phuket ...
Dude. You're carrying the entire banter on your shoulders.
But it's working out pretty well, game-wise!
Pete Abraham wrote: for the Red Sox, Franchy Cordero his 9 homers in 369 AB. For the Yankees he's hit 3 homers in his first 18 AB.
I’m monitoring the game but not actually watching.
Double digits!
This one goes to 11!
Calhoun looks SO weird
The-he-he-he Yankees Win!
Okay let's win this series tomorrow.
Good win
Who had Franchy Cordero on their bingo card? You get a free ticket to Heaven.
I haven't watched much live this year. I've been sleeping later for health reasons, as work is keeping me up until the wee hours.
Love you guys for keeping the juice flowing. Thanks so much.
COVID had me down (again!!). Too much effort to watch and post. Hope to join the fun this afternoon.
Not joining the fun this afternoon ... (well, likely)
April 12: 2B Gleyber Torres, 2B DJ LeMahieu dealing with minor injuries
After exiting Tuesday's game against the Guardians due to tightness in his right hip flexor, Torres wasn't in the Yankees' lineup on Wednesday, but he said prior to the game that he felt "much better" than he did the previous night. Torres said he felt the injury pop up while running the bases in the eighth inning.
LeMahieu was also out of the lineup after feeling some quad tightness while running the bases on Tuesday. Yanks manager Aaron Boone said that LeMahieu's injury was "day to day," and that he wasn't sure if LeMahieu would be in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Twins.
Boone said both players were available to pinch-hit on Wednesday.
[255] Hope you are feeling better! Welcome back!
Nice start Volpe!
bleh
Not an auspicious start for Hicks
A bit better on a second chance
Hicks one for three. Ok batting ave, not good fielding
Magic words are uttered by Boonie
It's the right call but what a mess.
[262] Really discouraging to see him not catch 2 balls even if they weren't easy catches.
Crap ... just got back from errands ... what did Hicks' biff this time?
Yankees getting URP'd so far ... gah!
Argh ...
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.
Kyle!
With an assist from the ump!
Seriously, I hope the ump is fine ... but what a weird play.
Visits to Bronx Banter chats feel like extended onanism sessions ...
DO YOU SPEAK FRANCHY ... YET????
Frachy. Wonder what Sterling’s call is?
Don't ask
It's awful ... as they all are.
A conversation ...
Cat Ninja Margoo
DO YOU SPEAK FRANCHY???
Tijuana Taxi
He's the Matt Carpenter of April!
Cat Ninja Margoo
Sometime in June, when the Yankees visit Tampa Bay, he'll be attacked by a rabid 'gator stumbling home from a drunken encounter with one of dlf's dad's prostitutes and have his leg bitten off!
Tijuana Taxi
The gators in Tropicana Field will likely outnumber the fans.
Cat Ninja Margoo
I must admit ... my sentence structure is a little loose there ... I'm not sure if it's Franchy or the rabid gator who is "stumbling home from a drunken encounter with one of @dlf 's dad's prostitutes "
Sorry.
My bad.
Pinch run for Stanton
Glad they took my advice
Timely hit, Cabrera,
OCAB!
Nice.
That’s 1
That’s one
2
Missed the
Uh oh ... bugger
Um
Bases loaded
Oy
PHEWWWWWWWWWWW
Phewy phew phew!
Holmes made it a nail biter, but we won another series. Hard to believe that Holes gets a save
ON TO THE TWINKIES!!!
I'm lovin' Franchy.
But it's true, the Sterling hr call for him is among his cringiest. I'll tell if you really want to know, Gary...