Dunedin, FL, March 4 — Anyone who has heard the complaint some Spring Training venues have levelled at the Yankees in the past, that they do not send representative teams on the road, would have been silenced just looking at the starting 10 penciled in to play the Blue Jays in Dunedin Tuesday afternoon: Hughes on the mound, with Damon, Jeter, Abreu, Rodriguez, Giambi, Posada, Duncan, and Cabrera. If that wasn’t enough, the sight of Yogi Berra telling Billy Connors that they had seen a no-hitter as they walked out after the rain-interrupted game was called should have done the trick. Continue reading
Author Archives: Dan McCourt
Something Happenin’ Here
Kissimmee, FL, March 3 — The Yankees experienced their first significant drawback to 2008 Spring Training when Mike Mussina failed to record an out in the third inning of a 7-6 win over the Astros in Kissimmee. A less than glowing subplot involved some shaky play at first base, the most unsettled defensive position on the team. Continue reading
7 Great Innings, But a 7-7 Tie
Tampa, FL, March 2 — It was incumbent first baseman Jason Giambi’s turn to pole a three-run first-inning home run to give the Yanks an early lead on the Phillies on Sunday, this time in Legends, soon to be Steinbrenner, Field. The lefty power hitter did nothing to hurt his case playing first base in the field either, and he collected both the homer and an even more impressive line double to the gap in left against lefty pitching. Continue reading
Clear Winner at First in Clearwater
Clearwater, FL, March 1 — Yankee fans have a lot of change to adapt to in 2008. Hank and Hal Steinbrenner are replacing their aging father at the helm. Joe Girardi slips into the manager’s chair, vacated by Joe Torre after 12 years. And the team opted not to trade young pitching for an older experienced stud. Continue reading
All But One Pass a College Test
Tampa, FL, February 29 — A few years back, the Houston Astros broke a long streak and lots of Yankee fan hearts when they strung together a no-hitter against the Bombers, the first no-hitter in major league history shared by six pitchers. Friday, six of the Yanks’ most promising new arms allowed one single among them, pitching to just 25 batters in eight innings of an 11-4 victory. Continue reading
Wintry Stadium(s) Day
Bronx, N.Y., January 18, 2008 — I’ve been pretty deep in thought since my annual pilgrimage to Yankee Stadium over the New Year holiday this year, but the news (and pictures) about the name “Yankee Stadium” being added to the new edifice across 161st Street has prodded me to share some thoughts and photos. It’s always with a somewhat sentimental turn of mind that I take these midwinter trips to the Bronx. I feel reassured paying off my season plan invoice in person, it’s true, but there is also something contemplative about seeing a great baseball venue in the throes of winter. Continue reading
An Orwellian (1984) Dilemma
Bronx, N.Y., January 6, 2008 — Hall of Fame selection days have been frustrating and disconcerting trials for some ballplayers, an annual cycle in raised then banished hopes that ex-Yank closer Goose Gossage hopes to escape in 2008. It has been a great day for others, though, including one-time Yank Phil Niekro, who celebrates the 10th anniversary of his selection Sunday. Continue reading
In Medias Res
Bronx, N.Y., December 2, 2007 — Heard any good Yankee rumors lately? Just kidding. If you’re breathing and linked to the rest of the planet in the most rudimentary fashion, you know New York (and baseball) is abuzz with the Yanks’ attempts to trade for Minnesota southpaw Johan Santana. And if you have a 24/7 hookup? Well, forget the cold. Back away, step outside and clear your head. Continue reading
Tell-Tale Heart, Bronx Style
Bronx, N.Y., October 7, 2007 — A Yankee season that was imperiled when the Indians beat Chien-Ming Wang in Cleveland was pushed further to the edge by a swarm of gnats Friday night, resulting in an 0-2 record in the five-game ALDS. One wonders how a confident yet nervous Yankee crowd in the Stadium for Game Three Sunday night would have reacted had they known going in that aging vet Roger Clemens would not last three frames. Continue reading
Munsters in Pinstripes
Bronx, N.Y., September 23, 2007 — The good news for the majority of Yankee fans that showed for the rare daygame in the Bronx Monday afternoon was that hard-throwing A.J. Burnett, who had shut out the club in Toronto little more than a week ago, would not be arriving to make his scheduled start. The bad news was that much of the Yankee club did not arrive either, or so it seemed. Continue reading