Hermosillo, Mexico, February 7-8, 2013 — In September 1988, the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees “treated” me to the longest live ballgame I ever witnessed in person, a 5-4 Yankee walkoff that took a little more than six hours. Twenty-five years later, I got to see a similar contest, 18 innings again, and a full hour longer. Only this one was broadcast to me, attentively watching in my recliner, over my TV, and in Spanish.

It took a real marathon to settle the 2013 Caribbean Series. The heavily favored Dominican Republic team, fielding the most current or one-time major leaguers – Hanley Ramirez, Miguel Tejada, Fernando Tatis, Jordany Valdespin, Julio Lugo, Fernando Rodney, Tony Pena, Jr., Jhonny Nunez – would have already won the Championship in former years with its 5-1 record in the round robin games. But in 2013, a Championship game pitting the top two finishers was added. Continue reading →

November 12, 2012, Port Chester, N.Y. – It was an inscrutable moment, this past Saturday, traveling by train, then subway, to New York’s Central Park for an event. The first 50-degree-plus day in a week that represented the second straight seven-day period the city and its environs remained recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and the first time many New Yorkers were emerging for any purpose that was more than survival-based. Why was everyone smiling at me? Continue reading →

Exhibiting confidence and pride on a bitterweet day, Jorge spoke frankly about his career, and his proudest moments.

Bronx, N.Y., January 24, 2012 – Jorge Posada made it official Tuesday morning, announcing his retirement as he sat with his family in front of a crowd of worshippers at Yankee Stadium. Team officials, players, ex-players, broadcasters, members of the press and, most important of all, a group of his most passionate fans listened to Posada explain what his 21 years toiling in the franchise, 17 of them in the big leagues, has meant to him, and how bringing it all to a graceful conclusion makes him feel. Continue reading →