Respect

Bronx, N.Y., April 29, 2017; Yankees 12, Baltimore 4 — It wasn’t excruciating exactly, but you might have thought so given the explosion of joy released when Aaron Judge finally sent his 10th 2017 home run over the wall in right center Saturday afternoon, increasing the Yankee lead over Baltimore to 12-2 in the seventh inning. After all, it came 160 minutes from the beginning of the game, and 19 hours after he stroked his ninth the night before. Continue reading

To Kill an Oriolebird

Bronx, N.Y., April 28, 2017; Yankees 14, Baltimore 11 — Quick turnaround before we’re back at the Stadium, so it would be foolish to attempt a blow-by-blow description of what transpired in the Bronx Friday night. Suffice it to say the Yankees fell way behind, staged a furious comeback, and walked off with an unlikely win. Why much of a crowd reported to be about 37,000, but that seemed actually bigger, stuck around despite the Yankees being down 9-1 in the sixth, and 11-4 in the seventh, is anyone’s guess. The team is playing very well, it features a group of young stars (or stars-to-be), and it was not only a Friday night, but a perfect one for baseball in a city where the nights (and days) have been dreary for some time. If they stayed because it was date night, or for the weather, they got quite a bonus. Continue reading

My Pitcher From Itami

Bronx, N.Y., April 14, 2017; Yankees 4, St. Louis 3 — Already on something of a roll, the Yankees got a better start from staff ace Masahiro Tanaka Friday night, and their stellar bullpen pulled out another one-run win, 4-3 over the visiting Cardinals. Following a dreadful outing in Tampa, and an uneven one in Baltimore, Tanaka pitched very well for six innings after a bumpy first frame. Continue reading

Debuting in the Bronx

Bronx, N.Y., April 12, 2017; Yankees 8, Tampa 4 — If Yankee lefthander Jordan Montgomery, making his major league debut vs the Tampa Rays in the Bronx Wednesday afternoon, wanted some knowledge about what it would be like, he would have been well advised to look to the mound and the guy who opposed him, fellow southpaw Blake Snell. Almost exactly one year ago, Snell was making his debut as a visitor on the same mound. He pitched well, made one mistake in the first inning, and he failed to cash in a deserved win. Both young guys threw well enough to win today, though both would leave one out short of qualifying for the elusive “W.” Continue reading

20 Up, 20 Down

Bronx, N.Y., April 10, 2017; Yankees 8, Tampa 1 — “Big Mike” Pineda and Mother Nature collaborated in giving Yankee fans one of their best days in years, perhaps decades, Monday afternoon in the Bronx. The offense chipped in with three home runs, but Pineda was clearly the reason the team came away with an 8-1 victory in the home opener. Continue reading

Tanaka With a K

Tampa, Fla., March 5, 2017; Yankees 3, Pirates 2 — The Yankees continued their winning ways Sunday afternoon, subduing Pittsburgh in a low-hitting affair, yet again under blue skies and pleasant temps. Mild to strong breezes were more prevalent this day, as we sadly bade Florida goodbye and flew North, actually leaving the game in the middle innings. Continue reading

Best in Show

Lakeland, Fla., March 4, 2017; Yankees 11, Tigers 1 — Perhaps smarting from their second road loss Friday, this to the Blue Jays by one run, scored in the bottom of the ninth (the same manner in which they lost their first), the Bombers pounded out an early 3-0 lead against the Tigers in Lakeland Saturday afternoon, and added to it frame after frame. Continue reading

For What It’s Worth

Dunedin, Fla., March 3, 2017 — The Yankees lost for the second time in their 2017 Spring campaign Friday afternoon. As was the case with their first loss, last Saturday, it was a game played on the road (losing to Philadelphia in Clearwater); they lost by one run; they staged a game-tying rally in the top of the ninth, only to lose when their opponents rallied with one out. Oh, and the pitcher giving up the run was lefty Joe Mantiply. Continue reading

This Team Has Just Begun

Tampa, Fla., March 2, 2017; Yankees 8, Orioles 1 — As meaningless exhibitions go, Spring Training is the Championship season of the year. Our sojourn along Florida’s West Coast the last week or so began as a decision to pursue baseball, and all that wonderful sport involves, rather than waiting for it to find its way North to us. We know that the outcome of the games doesn’t count, that the fact that the Yankees led the Grapefruit League, for instance, in home runs entering Thursday wouldn’t earn them one win in the 162 following contests that will count. But who are we kidding? We are fans as well, and we’re eager to see perceived strengths in our team confirmed, and to have the array of questions every season brings answered in a positive manner. Continue reading

Wild Wild West Florida

Tampa, Fla., March 1, 2017; Yankees 8, Atlanta 7 — The Yankees managed to survive a one-run win hosting the Braves in their first night game of 2017 Wednesday in a game almost comical for its dramatic turns. The home team blew out the visitors 8-0 over the first six frames, and the Braves won the last three innings 7-0: thus, the 8-7 final. Continue reading