Morning Bits: Spring Training is here, Four free tickets to a Staten Island Yankees game & more…
Good Morning Yankee fans. Today is the day Pitchers and Catchers report. Who’s as excited as me? I can’t wait for Delia’s article later today with pictures and the report of today’s activity.
Now onto the links….
– The Staten Island Yankees are offering 4 free tickets to a game just for entering a contest. If you haven’t been to this ballpark it’s a must visit.
– Andrew Marchand of ESPN NY writes Yankees baseball is back but will it be the usual Yankee baseball?
– Yogi Berra will not be attending spring training this year but will be at several regular season games writes Anthony McCarron of the Daily News.
Posted on February 12, 2013, in Notes & Links. Bookmark the permalink. 43 Comments.
Brian D.
fishjam25
jimmytoucan
Matthew B
Delia E.
Dan H.
Matthew S.
Michael P.
Mike D.
Said that Yogi can’t attend Spring Training. But it’s best for him with his health. Ken do you have any good Yogi stories that you remember from back in the day that you want to share?
Sorry to say, I don’t have any Yogi story’s off-hand but, twasp has a book I told him about and a few others he added to it.
Maybe he can dig up something in one of the books.
Oh! one fact I remember, he was the hardest guy to strike out of anyone playing at that time. He was also the best bad ball hitter I have ever seen, he said one time when asked….something like: “If I can see and reach it, I can hit it!”
Another time in Cleveland, the Yankees were behind by one run (I think) and up came Yogi with a man on and (?) outs, Cleveland knew Yogi was the one guy they didn’t want to face (7th inning on, he was one of the best clutch hitters around) he almost never struck out! Anyhow he comes up to the plate, Cleveland decides to pitch to him but, nothing near the plate. Cleveland did a big NO, NO they forgot he hits anything he can reach, I think they had him down to 3 balls then it happened, the pitcher threw the pitch high but over the plate…so, Yogi proceeded to tomahawk it out for a two run HR and win the game, on a ball 4 pitch, over his head!
And that’s a true story, give or take a lie, here or there!
Here’s another Yogi story from book Ken gave me :
Joe Pepitone was highly regarded rookie when he came up with Yankees . In the first month Yogi invited him to dinner with the boys Mickey, Billy, Roger Maris.
Pepi is all excited ..puts on his best clothes ..and drives to the address.
No restaraunt….just burnt out store front.
Also what is everyone most looking forward to with spring training? Mine is to see the outfield alignment towards the end of spring training.
I’m looking forward to seeing Joba and Aardsma to see what they look like. Also, looking forward seeing what Nova has done to get back to what he was. Also, lots more competitions for spots this spring, which will make things more interesting.
I’m excited to see some of the minor leaguers who get invites .. and a healthy Mariano and Brett Gardner
I’m with you Monica. The Yanks invited a ton of their top prospects to camp and they will get a lot of playing time early in camp. Good time to get a long look at the kids,
The pitchers are just trying to get in shape early and work on pitches. The veterans are just trying to get their stroke back, and the rookies are trying to impress. You can’t take too much out of spring training it means something different to each player, players and teams that look good in spring training don’t always do well in the season. Most rookies unless their niave know they have little chance of making the team. Most of the teams are set. I would look for prospects like Whitley and Montgomery to get a shot mid- season, as for the rest rest they need to develop quickly to get a legitimate shot next year. The best thing for me is just getting a chance to see some of the prospects in spring training. I remember last year when Zolio Almonte looked so good.
I have a good feeling about Gardner’s year–if he can stay healthy. Also this could be the swan song for Mariano Rivera.
I’m excited to return back to the home field. Packed park is going to be a little different then the empty free range when the Tampa Yankees play. Enjoy the field so much. Excited for my sons Zander 3 and Sebastian 2 get to see something they have been asking for since off season started and that’s more baseball. Interesting to see who gets reps at 1st & 2nd with tex and cano out with WBC . The minor league guys will get plenty of play time especially in beginning when starters don’t travel together
Good for you Kevin. Make sure you come back and give us a FULL report of what you see. Enjoy!
Fish – guess what Jeters BA was senior year of HS?
I will bite T-man cause I’m interested what was it?
.685?
Believe it or not.guys,,,,,…Derek Sanderson Jeter batted .508 in his senior year.
Enjoy the time at spring training. Also who will be playing short most of spring training while Jeter is rehabing? Hopefully Nunez gets the reps he needs.
Matt/Fish……I think many people are missing the talent Nunez has.
He has plus plus speed
Good hands
Quickness
Pop in hiis bat
His throwing can be corrected.
Im seeing an All Star within 2 -3 years.
Nunez is a good player I give you that. If we could have Nunez Ichiro Gardner and granderson all in the same game that’s alot of speed.
This could be a break out year for Nunez, I don’t see an All Star but he should be a solid player. He could start on some of the teams right now.
Doug -where does Nunez fit in the lineup and where does he bat?
Nunez should play against all LHP at DH or SS and also get playing time vs RHP resting Jeter and maybe Youk.
Will be interesting to see how the bench is made up. If they carry 12 pitchers, that’s just 4 bench players……1 will be a Catcher so only 3 players….1 will be a Rh OF (Rivera, Diaz), 1 IF (Nunez or Nix) and 1 more player. Could be someone who can play If and OF like Nix or Mustelier or could be just an OF. What would your bench be?
Fish Id take Nunez, Nix,Sanchez and Diaz
t-ball….” Fish Id take Nunez, Nix,Sanchez and Diaz “….who is Sanchez.
A new name to me, or too many moldings today.
Patricklook on your arm and see if it says Sanchez.
twasp…sorry, was looking at
my forehead.
* check your mail.
Tommy T…what are you doing posting so early?
Exchangting thoughts with the yankee fans at YFU…….
twasp, nice to see you got the message, I brought up the book hoping you would look something up in it for those that may never have read anything or much about Yogi
Thanks for coming through!
More to the point about Nunez, you seem to have changed your mind somewhat, about him! Nothing wrong with changing ones mind about players we all do it once, some more often! lol
Patrick….what ever happened to/////////Cody eppsley/ /was he on the post season roster last year? i thought he did well better than Lowe
Cody Eppley? He’s still on the team. I don’t think Eppley made the postseason roster last season but I could be wrong.
Tommy T……CODY EPPLEY….I see Delia got that one.
CODY RANSOM…with the vertical leap? Is he with Baltimore, or out of MLB?
Ransom is with SD now
I agree I dont think he did either.
EPPLEY WAS A VERYUNDERRATED MEMBER OF LAST YEARS TEAM….AS PROVEN BY THE LACK OF TALK ABOUT HIM
Delia – which Yankee third baseman had an incredible vertical leap of 60 inches. (within last 5 years)
I want to say A-Rod but I’m not sure. I’m stumped.
Cody Ransom….you can see it on You Yube….pretty cool.
Delia What famous juicer was on the 2000 championship team with the Yamkees. No not Giambi
Was it Roger Clemens?
Jose Canseco…….but Roger was defnetly souped up with Piazza.
Pettitte was on same squad
You’re right Kevin. so was Chuck K.
Tommy-T….good evening. The book I sent you…was it what you asked for?
I may have others, in the back office. Don’t be shy.