Good King George looked down, and the Yanks began the pre-season.
Good King George
Author Archives: Dan McCourt
300 Yards, 300 Miles
That's Jesus Montero wearing No. 83 in 2010. He will be one of the most watched Yankees in Tampa -- and hopefully New York -- in 2011.
Tampa, Fla., February 26, 2011 — Our Spring Training Trek starts anew Saturday, and we’re continuing our 2010 strategy, hoteling it just a short walk from George M. Steinbrenner (GMS) Field. So our 10-day trek is a series of short strides and long(er than ideal) drives. Saturday begins with the 1,000-mile flight South, shuttle to the hotel, and shuffle to the park to watch the Yanks host the Phillies, with Bartolo Colon throwing the first Yankee pitch of the preseason — 300 yards.
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Hot Off the Presses
Although I just served as a grunt (and lowly scribe), I’m delighted to announce the fifth annual Maple Street Yankee Annual, this one subheaded 2011. Compiled by the brilliant writer, editor (and Yankee fan) Cecilia Tan, the annual is a grab bag of everything a Yankee enthusiast would want at this soon-to-be magical time of year. Continue reading
Escape From Winter
We've seen the best — and the worst — accompanying a Yankees trip to Dunedin to play the Blue Jays.
Three Times a Fighter
Bronx, N.Y., October 20, 2010 — The Yanks survived with a 7-2 win in ALCS Game 5 Wednesday, so I guess it follows that CC Sabathia was his automatic self and just mowed the visitors down. Well, not exactly. Continue reading
Better All the Time
Bronx, N.Y., October 9, 2010 — Although the larger story may have been that the Yanks swept the Twins in three games to win the 2010 ALDS in Yankee Stadium 6-1 on Saturday night, for Phil Hughes the bigger aspect may have been a more personal one. Exactly one year ago, the Twins put an ugly inning on Phil at the worst possible time, and although to all accounts he seems to be a pleasant young man, he really seemed to have enjoyed the chance to get back this time around. Continue reading
Being and Time
Bronx, N.Y., September 26, 2010 — Joe Girardi restored his frayed relationship with portions of the Yankee fanbase Sunday night when he and the Yankees “went for it,” sending out young stud Phil Hughes to rescue a home series with the Red Sox, a last homestand of the season that stood at 2-4, and a shot at home field in the playoffs. True, the stubborn magic number of three needed to be subtracted from, but only the most pessimistic of the fans thought the game was a must-win, or the postseason could be lost. Continue reading
Showin’ Somethin’
Bronx, N.Y., September 24, 2010 — The Yankee losing streak reached three games in the Bronx Friday night, and the magic number to clinch a spot in the playoffs remained hovering where it had been before the game, at three. And the team and their fans were left to absorb the sobering news that if the 2010 Yankees were going to win 100 games, their task was clearly laid out for them. Once they suffered their 62nd loss in a 10-8 defeat to the visiting Boston Red Sox, they simply need to win their eight remaining games. Continue reading
Curtis Pays His Respects
Mariano Rivera was the last to leave Monument Park after the ceremonial unveiling of The Boss's monument.
Bronx, N.Y., September 20, 2010 — The Yankees had another special day in the Bronx Monday night, in a way that only they can. Fan favorites Joe Torre and Don Mattingly joined the Steinbrenner family, the players on the current team, and some other beloved retired players in honoring late owner George Steinbrenner, and the team came through with another victory over Tampa Bay. They won 8-6, just as they had beaten the Rays 62 days earlier 5-4 in the first game in the Bronx following “The Boss’s” lamented passing in July. Continue reading
Not All of the Time
Bronx, N.Y., September 8, 2010 — Yankee rookie righthander Ivan Nova got his second Bronx start Wednesday afternoon and, as with his first, he earned no decision for his trouble. But it had nothing to do with his inability to get outs in the middle innings, but rather the Yanks’ offensive troubles. Continue reading