- In an underattended 2021 Spring Training game in Tampa on March 5, the Yanks almost beat visiting Detroit on Gleyber Torres‘s fourth-inning home run, but the Tigers tied in the eighth, a frame in which righty Addison Russ walked four guys and delivered a wild pitch as well, for a 1-1 final. Continue reading
Author Archives: Dan McCourt
March 4 in Yankee History
- The Yankees bunched four singles into a three-run first inning that was barely enough to hold off the visiting Phillies 3-2 on March 4, 2020. A guy in Yankee camp in 2021, veteran outfielder Jay Bruce, plated both Philly runs with a two-run home run in the top of the sixth. Ex-Yankee infielder Ronald Torreyes stroked two of the five hits the Phillies scratched that evening. Continue reading
March 3 in Yankee History
- Although an error at shortstop by young CJ Chatham set up Boston lefty Martin Perez for disaster, it was two singles by DJ LeMahieu that both started the six-run first-inning rally and drove in the final run in 9-1 Yankee win in Tampa on March 3, 2020. Three strong innings from Masahiro Tanaka at the start, and two dominant frames by Jonathan Loiasiga at the end, held the visiting Red Sox largely at bay, and Gio Urshela kicked in a home run as well. Continue reading
March 2 in Yankee History
- The lead to this report on the Yankees 9-1 victory over the Pirates in a Spring Training game in Bradenton, Fla., on March 2, 2023, is rightly the leadoff home run from shortstop Anthony Volpe that gave the Bombers an instantaneous lead. And outfielder Rafael Ortega, one of several invitees, made an early bird for a backup spot with a home run and RBI triple that had the visiting Yanks up 5-0 in the fifth. But this obsessed fan couldn’t help being thrilled when young Andres Chaparro added a grand slam in the ninth. Two disappointing things: the Prates scratched out a run in the bottom of the ninth for the final tally, and Chaparro has since been named a free agent, and signed with the D’Backs. Continue reading
March 1 in Yankee History
- The Yankees got a game winner from an unlikely source in their 4-2 victory over the visiting Washington Nationals in a Spring Training game on March 1, 2023. They overcame a 1-0 deficit with a two-run fourth, on an rbi triple by Harrison Bader and a wild pitch, but the Nats tied it in the sixth. Following two quick outs in the bottom of the ninth, however, a Jasson Dominguez walk and home run from backup AA catcher Carlos Narvaez gave the good guys the walk off win. Continue reading
February 29 in Yankee History
- The Yankees hosted, and won, a Spring Training game against visiting Detroit on February 29, 2020, shortly before the Covid 19 pandemic struck, suspending all professional baseball activity for several months. In the 8-2 Yankee victory, Gerrit Cole went almost three innings, with a three-run homer off the bat of Gleyber Torres being the biggest blow. But also of note, continuing a great Spring, Rosell Herrera had another three hits. Continue reading
Soto Sono Buoni
Tampa, Fla., February 26, 2024; Yankees 9, Twins 2 — Although the Yankee offense got off to a sluggish start in their game hosting the Twins Monday afternoon, they came roaring back to win. And newly acquired Juan Soto provided the spark that got them going. Continue reading
A Bear Poked
Lakeland, Fla., February 24, 2024; Yankees 22, Tigers 10 — The 2023 Yankees barely posted a .500 record, garnered a fourth place finish, and missed the playoffs altogether. A not pretty season to be sure, but it was uglier than that. In both August and September 2023, this team suffered losses in nine different games in which they failed to score as many as three runs. Continue reading
Fun, After the Sun
Tampa, Fla., March 6, 2023; Yankees 9, Pittsburgh 2 — There are a couple of things that need to be said about this Spring Training game. First, although many (assuming there are many?) reading this cannot presently appreciate it, the pleasure we experienced tonight is one you’ve all enjoyed, though we got to do it on March 6. It was a perfect baseball night, high 70s under a largely cloudless sky, as a full moon arose over the center field wall. Your day is coming, friends, but we were privileged to an early sight. Continue reading
When 8 > 3 + 5
Northport, Fla., May 5, 2023; Yankees 10, Atlanta 6 — Early, it looked to be a tough day for the Yankees in their game visiting the Braves at CoolToday Park Sunday afternoon, as the superb trio at the top of the home team’s lineup pounded new Yankee starter Carlos Rodon for five quick runs. Down 1-0 to an Oswaldo Cabrera home run to right in the top of the first, table setter Ronald Acuna Jr. started the first and third innings with well-struck shots, for an infield single, then a double, both down the third baseline. First baseman Greg Olson drove him in both times with a home run and hard single, and third sacker Austin Riley followed the latter with a two-run home run to left. Continue reading