If you are wondering why you have never heard of Yu Darvish, that’s because he’s only pitched in ballparks half a world away. But that’s probably going to change as MLB free agency gets underway.
Darvish just isn’t another great Japanese pitcher, he’s actually putting up some of the best pitching statistics ever in the history of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
In 232 innings for the Nippon Ham Fighters (yes, the Ham Fighters), Darvish struck out 276 batters, posted a 1.44 ERA and won 18 games to only six losses. Read more...(357 words, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)
If you were to ask any baseball fans in New York what their nightmare scenario would be, they would tell you that they lived it last night: A.J. Burnett on the mound in an elimination game.
Down 2-1 in the best-of-five American League Division Series to the Detroit Tigers, the New York Yankees had not other choice but to send out Burnett to save their season and some how come up with a must-win in Game 4.
In typical Burnett fashion, the enigmatic righty didn’t waste any time in bringing Yankees fans’ nightmare to life, allowing the bases to get loaded with two out in the first inning. However, it was former Tiger Curtis Granderson who would bail out his struggling pitcher. After Don Kelly hit a line drive to center field, Granderson took a step in and froze, then scrambled back to make a ridiculous leaping catch to end the inning. Read more...(371 words, 2 images, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)
As if the New York Yankees needed any extra help—now Mother Nature is throwing them a bone?
Following Friday night’s heavy rainstorm that forced the suspension of Game 1 of the ALDS between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers, it is being reported that Tigers ace Justin Verlander won’t pitch again until Game 3 of the ALDS on Monday.
Verlander threw just 25 pitches before Friday’s series opener in New York. The game was tied 1-1 before the rain forced play to a halt in the second inning. Doug Fister will now pitch when play resumes Saturday while Max Scherzer will get the start for the Tigers in Game 2 on Sunday. Read more...(253 words, 2 images, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)
I am one of the many who believes that ESPN and the other powers that be in the sports media world try their darnedest to make the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees “rivalry” something more than it really is.
At the end of the day, they’re just two really good teams, with really big payrolls, who happen to play in the same division.
Well, apparently, Yankees GM Brian Cashman hates the Red Sox more than you probably think.
Cashman actually admitted Thursday that he feigned interest in Carl Crawford last offseason in order to drive up the price for Theo Epstein and Boston Red Sox. Read more...(325 words, 2 images, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)
It was been said for some time now, but Monday New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera made it official: he is the top closer in baseball history.
The ageless wonder, who seems like he has been closing games for the Yanks since…well, since forever, recorded his 602nd career save in the New York Yankees‘ 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins, placing him alone atop baseball’s career saves list.
Rivera retired shortstop Trevor Plouffe on a ground ball to second base, forced right fielder Michael Cuddyer to fly out to right and then, in dramatic Rivera fashion, blew a fastball past first baseman Chris Parmelee for strike three to end the game and wrap up save No. 602. Read more...(248 words, 2 images, estimated 1:0 mins reading time)
At the end of three innings during Monday’s afternoon game at Yankee Stadium, the Oakland A’s held a commanding 7-1 lead over the Yankees.
It would all downhill from there for Oakland.
The Yankees bats came alive the next five innings as they became the first team in major league history to hit three grand slams in a game. Robinson Cano, Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson were there heros for the day, leading the Bronx Bombers in a 22-9 beat-down over the Oakland Athletics.
“You’re not going to see it again, probably,” said captain Derek Jeter. “You can’t explain it.”
The scary thing is the Yankees could have added to their grand slam total. Jeter himself batted a whopping four times with the bases loaded and drove in one run. Read more...(358 words, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)
On Wednesday, former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was found dead in his home in Rancho Palos Verdes, a wealthy Los Angeles suburb. The 42-year-old’s death is currently being investigated as a suicide by Los Angeles County coroners officials.
Paving the way for such international stars as Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki, Irabu came over to play for the Yankees in 1997 after starring in Japan for nearly a decade. There was an unprecedented amount of buzz that followed Irabu to The Big Apple, culminating in his debut against the Detroit Tigers. Irabu would strike out nine batters in 6 2/3 innings for his first major league win. When he walked off the mound in the seventh inning, Yankees fans gave him a standing ovation, and Irabu came out of the dugout for a curtain call. Read more...(308 words, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)
It’s official: Derek Jeter is now a member of the 3,000 hits club.
The New York Yankees shortstop accomplished the rare feat in dramatic fashion, homering to left against David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning of Saturday’s game. Jeter caught ahold of a hanging breaking ball and made Price pay with his third big fly on the season. After he rounded the bases, Jeter was met by his teammates at home plate where it was all hugs and high fives.
Jeter is just the 28th player in major league baseball history to reach 3,000 hits. At 37 years, 13 days old, Jeter is the fourth-youngest player to reach 3,000 hits. Pete Rose had been the fourth-youngest at 37 years, 21 days. Ty Cobb is the youngest (34 years, 244 days), while Hank Aaron (36 years, 101 days) and Robin Yount (36, 359 days) both amassed 3,000 hits before their 37th birthday. Read more...(295 words, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)
As if Derek Jeter wasn’t already sick and tired of being six hits away from 3,000.
Now he knows for sure that he’ll be there at No. 2,994 for at least another 15 days.
The New York Yankees announced Tuesday night that Jeter has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to the Grade 1 strain of the right calf he suffered in the fifth inning of Monday night’s loss to the Cleveland Indians. Jeter suffered his calf injury while while running out a fly ball.
“I’d rather not go on (the DL). In my opinion if I could play in four or five days, or six days or seven days, it’s better than waiting 15,” Jeter said. “I haven’t made a living on the disabled list.” Read more...(234 words, 2 images, estimated 56 secs reading time)
Attention all nerds—err…gadget connoisseurs, if you live in New York and are thinking about making a trip to the ballpark to watch a Yankees game, make sure you leave your iPad at home.
The stadium has a policy that prohibits fans from bringing laptops inside, and iPads are now included in that ban. The team said it was a security-and-safety issue.
While some may think that the ban is silly (nerds), the only thing that is amusing about this ban is that it had to implemented in the first place. If you want to bring your iPhone or your Blackberry, knock your self out, but if you seriously can’t go nine whole innings without playing Angry Birds on your tablet, then you shouldn’t even be at the game. Read more...(268 words, 2 images, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)
