by Ben Millikan on July 23, 2010
I woke up today, went out to grab my morning paper, instinctively flipped to the sports section and, lo and behold, there he was, the most hated…err…controversial third baseman in all of baseball was right there on the cover.Yesterday, in a game against the Kansas City Royals, Alex Rodriguez placed himself on the cusp of history by driving out his 599th career home run against Royals reliever Robinson Tejeda in the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. A-Rod’s homer, his 16th of the season, was a solo shot over the the right field wall that gave the Yankees a 6-4 lead in a game where they went on to win by a final score of 10-4. It’s hard to believe that A-rod will only be the seventh player in MLB history to join the 600 home run club. With one more big-fly, Rodgiguez will join an elite list with some of the greatest sluggers who have ever played the game: Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Sammy Sosa (609) and Ken Griffey Jr.(630). Read more... (322 words, 3 images, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)
by Ben Millikan on July 18, 2010
If there is one thing that I love about professional athletes, it is there unbelievable propensity to compound an already embarrassing situation involving a self-induced injury and making it worse by coming up with half-witted lie in a futile effort to cover their ridiculous mishap. They never fail to bring a smile to our faces: “I slipped in the shower”; “I slept on it wrong”; “It was a gardening accident––I swear!” Read more... (342 words, 3 images, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)
by Deborah on July 17, 2010
The 2nd half of the MLB season is just underway and one trend has become painfully evident – the division leaders and wannabe leaders are losing. Some of the losing in their divisions and some losing to teams they should be beating. Did the All-Star break put them off their games that much?
Rays lose to the Yankees, Red Sox lose to the Rangers, White Sox lose to the Twins, Tigers lose to the Indians, Braves lose to the Brewers, Mets lose to the Giants, Phillies lose to the Cubs, Rockies lose to the Reds, and Dodgers lose to the Cards. That’s a lot of losses to start the second half. The in division losses are of course the most damaging. Will this trend continue? Read more... (250 words, 2 images, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)
by Deborah on July 16, 2010
The Yankees started making their move into first place in the AL East several weeks ago. They have kept the Rays at bay through the All-Star break. Then, the team was hit by two huge losses in the span of days. Long time announcer Bob Sheppard and their long time GM George Steinbrenner both passed away. Now, the Yankees will be playing with their hearts.
Teams always do better when they have something to play for. When there is something or someone they are trying to win for. The Braves have it this year with Bobby Cox retiring and now the Yankees have it with their huge personal losses. Not that the Yankees wouldn’t have won their division anyway, they very well might have. But one thing is certain, a winning team with even more motivation is just about unstoppable. Read more... (230 words, 2 images, estimated 55 secs reading time)
by Scott Weighart on July 10, 2010
As a Bostonian, I hate to admit this, but it’s true. Tampa and Boston have shown strength and resilience this season, but I think that nothing short of a rash of injuries will keep the New York Yankees from winning the AL East decisively this season.
photo credit: Keith Allison Read more... (390 words, 3 images, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)
by Ben Millikan on July 6, 2010
With only two days left for fans to cast their vote for the final players in each league to be named to their respective All-Star teams, the races are heating up.
Over in the American League, Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis just passed right fielder Nick Swisher of the rival Yankees for the leader in votes. However, unfortunately for Youkilis, the first baseman left Tuesday’s game with the Tampa Bays with what the team reported as pain in his right ankle. There wasn’t a specific moment during the game when Youkilis appeared to injure himself, but while preparing for his second at-bat, Youk stepped outside of the batter’s box gingerly before dropping to the ground where he was attended to by the team trainer. The extent of the injury is still unknown, but if it sounds like it’s anything remotely serious, Youkilis won’t participate in the All-Star game if he wins the fan vote. (By the way, if you are keeping score at home–Yankee Fan–that now makes 11 players on the Red Sox DL.) The other three players in the running are Paul Konerko, Delmon Young and Michael Young. Read more... (276 words, 3 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
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Youkilis’ Unknown Injury May Keep Him Out Of Final Vote For All-Star Game
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by Deborah on June 25, 2010
Tonight the Dodgers will host the Yankees at Dodger Stadium. It has been 3 years since Torre left the house that Ruth built. For him, it’s like seeing your children after a long absence and for some of the players, it’s like seeing your father.
Joe Torre was more than just a manager for the Yankees. He shaped the team into what it is today. He shaped the team AND the players. He guided them. Mentored them. And for some he was a father figure giving them so much more than just coaching Read more... (293 words, 2 images, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)
by Deborah on June 22, 2010
Newly minted second in command to John McHale, the interim executive VP of major-league operations, Frank Robinson, wants to speed up baseball games. He wants to get the 5 or 6 teams who are currently averaging games over 3 hours to cut it back. He wants to get the umpires involved. People in hell want ice water too.
The Red Sox and Yankees are the greatest offenders of this “pace of the game” rule. They consistently run games longer than 3 hours. Even low scoring games are over 3 hours. Guess what? The fans are still watching. Girardi said earlier this year when umpire Joe West had some choice words for the Red Sox/Yankees game that seemed to last all night, that the Yankees would not make hitters change the way they approach hitting. Girardi said the Yankees were trying to win games and were not worried about speeding the game up. Read more... (370 words, 2 images, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)
by Ben Millikan on June 21, 2010
Long before Las Vegas began running commercials with the slogan “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” professional baseball had a similar saying: “What goes on in the clubhouse, stays in the clubhouse. That is, of course, unless Lady Gaga shows up half-naked.
Only in America and only in the great state of New York can a pop princess waltz past security, swill whisky and fondle her chest as she makes her way through the clubhouse of one of the most traditional and historic franchises in sports history. But at least Gaga was representing––sort of. The singer was spotted wearing a half-buttoned Yankees jersey and…wait for it…a bikini bottom during Friday’s loss to the Mets at Yankee stadium. In order to not set off a media frenzy, the media, which is supposed to be allowed into the clubhouse 10 minutes after the final pitch, was held out. Read more... (337 words, 3 images, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)
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Why Lady Gaga Needs To Stay Away From Yankee Stadium
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by Ben Millikan on May 21, 2010
Today marks the beginning of the 14th season of interleague play. Where as in the past few seasons, these games between teams from opposing leagues has been lacking in intrigue, the 2010 interleague schedule doesn’t need any extra hype from the advertising wizards. Read more... (388 words, 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)
