The Return of Alex Rodriguez: Are Yankees fans ready to Forg1v3?

(Rodriguez photo Credit: Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel)

By: Cyndi Riegger
Twitter: @Label_Whore_Art

With a somewhat harsh reality settling in for Yankee fans, a post Core
Four season starts in 2015. The thought of what the team is currently
capable of is the subject of some worry. For most, the thought of what
it means to be without beloved captain, Derek Jeter, is sending folks
into a “The sky is falling” type of mentality and giving life to the
idea that hope is lost for the team unless Brian Cashman makes some
important moves in the offseason.

The start of the 2015 season also means the return of one of baseballs
most notorious headline grabbers: Alex Rodriguez.

His eminent return is receiving mixed reviews, as one would expect
given the reason he had to leave baseball to begin with (For those of
you who have been living under a rock, Rodriguez was suspended the
entire 2014 season due to his involvement in a Bio-genesis scandal). A
theme of perhaps offering forgiveness, as per a timely shirt designed
by Bleacher Creature extraordinaire, Vinny Milano aka Bald Vinny, that
emulates The Captain's Jordan “Re2pect” campaign; is making its way
around social media.

(Bald Vinny t-shirt photo is courtesy of Vinny Milano's Twitter: @baldvinny)

Rodriguez's t-shirt simply reads “Forg1v3”, which it sounds like most
fans are prepared to at least try to do next season. But, what does
this mean for the Yankees?

Already, the once star third baseman's age and physical condition has
come into question. The effectiveness that a 39 year old could
possibly have in the physically demanding position of playing 3rd base
and the possibility of A-Rod spending some time at 1st base to relieve
a frequently injured and ailing Mark Teixeira.. Via a report by Bryan
Hoch on MLB.com, it was said Manager Joe Girardi has run the idea by
Rodriguez. It, however, did not mention Rodriguez's reaction or
readiness to do so.

Still, with the 2014 Yankees season over, the return of Alex Rodriguez
could serve as some sort of comfort for those missing a more familiar
name and face on the roster. With big names like Jeter, Rivera,
Pettite and Posada now gone, thus ending an era for the team, perhaps
a newly invigorated Rodriguez might be what the team needs.

At 39 and having missed an entire season of play, Rodriguez's at bat
presence is sure to have suffered, though given his work ethic which
no matter what scandal he has been involved in, has always been
reported as remaining at a high level; this Yankee fan is certain it
has been worked on at length in his time away. With any luck, A-Rod
can be reconditioned in Tampa next Spring and Bronx ready by Opening
Day.

Til then, Brian Cashman has some work ahead of him to hopefully
rebuild the team known for its love of championships and with any
luck, they'll see one in 2015 with an enthusiastic and focused Alex
Rodriguez perhaps leading the charge.

The Captain Derek Jeter, "Walks Off" With His Final RBI Walkoff Win EVER at Yankee Stadium, Before Closing Out His Final Game EVER in Style, at Fenway Park.

by: Dana P. (E.I.C.)

September 25th, 2014 was probably one of the most painful, heartbreaking days, any TRUE Yankee fan has come to experience. Watching our captain hang up the hat, at his last game EVER played at Yankee Stadium, just truly is so hard to put into words. We all knew for a while that this day was coming, but I didn't let it hit me in full force until Thursday night. 

The first set of tears ran down my face while John and Suzyn were talking during the pregame on WFAN; then watching Jeter walk out on the field in the first inning for the last time, is when it got me even more. But it hit me even harder in the 9th.....I broke down.

No one knew how the game would end. We didn't know if he was going to be pulled off the field in the 7th, 8th, or 9th. We didn't even know if he would be pulled at all. Predictions were being thrown all over the place by many fans, and even former Yankee great like Mariano Rivera. I myself thought he would be pulled off the field in the 9th, similar to Mo being taken out in the 8th inning last year, with a PROPER farewell to "The Sandman." But I don't think ANYONE could've predicted the game would end the way it did. 

Of course, David Robertson blew the save as the Yanks were up 5-2. Adam Jones hit a two-run homer off Robertson, and Steve Pearce hit a bases-empty shot to tie the score. I have seen on Twitter and other social media networks, a few (dumb) Yankee fans saying that Robertson did this on purpose. He purposely BLEW the save to give Jeter one last at-bat. So my question is, what would've happened if he DIDN'T get a hit? Did anyone think about what would've happened in the top of the 9th IF Baltimore didn't fire back to tie up the game? What would've happened after the 3rd out, if the Yankees WON the game? It would've been just a regular win that meant nothing. Their playoff spot is gone and the Orioles have already clinched. Did anyone stop to think what would've happened if Jeter did NOT get that RBI to win the game? What was going to happen if we went into extra innings? How would it have ended properly with respect to the FINAL game ever at Yankee Stadium, for The Captain? 

You cannot plan these things. Maybe in football, or even basketball. But baseball? It doesn't work that way. For any Yankee fan to say that Robertson purposely blew the game is absolutely ubserd. 

A story book ending? Sure. For most. Not for me. This isn't how I wanted to see the game end, as crazy as that sounds. I feel it wasn't appropriate and something else might've been planned if Robertson didn't give up those hits. What was planned, IF there was something planned, we may never know. Whether the game resulted in a win or not, Robertson still ruined the game in my eyes. 

To me it looked like Joe (Girardi) was pondering, and possibly READY to do "something else" before Jones knocked out that 2 run homer. 

Derek Jeter was more known for being the shortstop of the New York Yankees, rather then being their power hitter. Coming thru clutch? Absolutely. He came thru ALL the time for us. But being on that field at shortstop is where his heart was set. Exiting the game with a winning WALKOFF RBI was definelty a way to leave in fashion, how ever I would've preferred to see him leave the game, by leaving shortstop.

(Derek Jeters nephew tipping his hat to his Uncle DJ.)

Derek made it quite clear that Yankee Stadium was the last place he wanted to play shortstop. Girardi put him in the lineup as the DH on Saturday and Sunday for the series in Boston, but requested for a day off on Friday. The guy who nearly blew Jeters final game at Yankee Stadium spoke of Jeter on Friday. 

According to ESPN.go.com

"It doesn't surprise me," said David Robertson, who earned his 39th save. "There's a lot of Yankee fans in the seats tonight and I know that the Red Sox fans love and respect him."

"I don't know if they love him," he said with a grin, "but they respect him."

Jeter left Yankee Stadium with an RBI win, and left BASEBALL with another RBI in Boston, on Sunday. 

The Core Four is gone, and baseball will never be the same again. 

New York Yankees Update:: Cashman, A-Rod, and more.

cbssports.com

The New York Yankees are suffering through an average season. As of writing this, they're 9 games back in their division and likely out of the wild card race. Mets' fans would be thrilled with this season. Knicks' fans, sadly, would be equally happy. Yankees' fans? Displeased. Who's to blame? Injuries? The players? GM Brian Cashman?

The knock on the Yankees has been the same since the strike of '94. They buy teams. They have more money than anyone else, and they use that to buy the best players. And, to a certain extent, that's true. The problem with this view, though, is no one knows who the best players are going to be this year, next year, or even, really, next game. Scouts, metric stats, and players' history can only tell you so much. After that, it's a crap shoot. You can only hope your team makes the best decision it can with the information it has.

Absent of a history of injuries for a player, injuries are impossible to predict, and they've cost the Yankees dearly this year. I'm going not to list all their injuries, but at one point almost their entire starting pitching rotation was on the DL. The Yankees' current DL would earn more than half of MLB's teams.

Professional players got where they are for a reason, and they, with very few exceptions, always play their best. Players go hot or cold, sure, but there's way too much money on the line for them to take games off. Rarely can the players be blamed, exclusive of themselves.

So injuries played a part. The players are doing what they can. What's Cashman's role? He signed all these players. He spent big money on Tanaka. He re-signed A Rod. Oh, and most importantly, his contract is up.

Blame Cashman if you want. Blame injuries. Blame average play. But what happened is this: the Yankees ran into a leagueful of bad luck. In times like this, we all would like to lay the blame on one person, one source. If we just get rid of X, everything will be fine. If it was that simple, Brian Cashman wouldn't have his job, you would. Given everything that's gone wrong since A Rod's suspension, an outside shot at a wild card ain't bad.

The Yankees have said they expect A Rod to be healthy and ready to play next year. This is part gamesmanship, and part lobbing a ball into A Rod's court. Of course they expect him to be ready to play. He's still on the payroll.

Yankees' fans are pissed about this year. They're pissed at Cashman. They're pissed at A Rod. Let's remember, though, as we say goodbye to Jeter this year, that Cashman and, yes, A Rod had as much to do with the championship, division titles, and memories since 2004 as Jeter did. Maybe what's missing is the support.

Josh Henderson

T: @verybadwrong

Derek Jeter Hits #6, On The All Time Hit List.

photo credit: justjared.com

After Saturday's game against the Cleveland Indians, Derek Jeter has officially moved into 6th place on the all-time hits list. 

Jeter, who plays shortstop for the New York Yankees, has a total of 3,431 hits in his career and 1,914 runs. He has now passed Honus Wagner, who was the last shortstop on the hit list, meaning Jeter has more hits that anyone who has ever played that position. 

After the hit was made, the crowd gave Jeter a standing ovation as the ball was retrieved. 

Jeter, who announced his retirement prior to the season, stated, "It is one of those 'wow' moments." As one of the most respected and looked up to players to ever play for the New York Yankees, Jeter is definitely making his final season something to remember. 

Ashley Barela 

Tanaka finds his new home, in the Bronx

The New York Yankees are reportedly set to sign Tanaka, to a 7 year, 155 million dollar deal. 

By:: Dana Pelotta (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)

More on A-Rod, Jeter begins on-field work, 5 Yankees filed for arbitration, Brian Roberts, and more.

As we hit almost 2 weeks since MLB announced its reduced game suspension (162 games) for Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees third baseman met with the media, on January 16th.
Rodriguez told the media that he wouldn't address his suspension and other legal issues, but he briefly spoke about his future, now that he's facing a season away from baseball.

"I think that in the year 2014, the league could have done me a favor because I've played 20 years without a timeout," Rodriguez said in his first public comments since his suspension appeal was rejected last week. "I think 2014 will be a year to rest mentally and physically prepare myself for the future and begin a new chapter of my life."

Could A-Rod be giving up and admitting to his mistakes, judging on his last comments?

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rodriguez for 211 games in August, and arbitrator Fredric Horowitz cut the penalty last weekend to the 2014 season and postseason. The arbitrator found "clear and convincing evidence'' that Mr. Rodriguez used 3 banned substances and twice tried to obstruct baseball's investigation of the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic.

Rodriguez and his legal team are now suing MLB and the players' association, in an effort to overturn the decision. Rodriguez plans to attend spring training despite the suspension.



Via Fox Sports Live

The Yankees have picked up yet another free agent, who played the 2013 season for both the White Sox and Red Sox. Matt Thornton, the 37 year old left handed reliever, and the New York Yankees agreed to a 2 year deal. The Yanks also designated outfielder Vernon Wells for assignment, to make room on the 40-man roster.

On January 14, 2014, the Yankees announced they have signed two-time All-Star second baseman, Brian Roberts.

After filing for arbitration, the Yankees have agreed to terms with backup catcher, Francisco Cervelli on a one year deal, reportedly worth $700,000. In addition to other players who have filed for (and then avoided) arbitration, outfielder Brett Gardner will earn $5.6 million, along with right handed pitchers David Robertson, who agreed to a deal worth $5.215 million, Ivan Nova, who settled at $3.3 million and Shawn Kelley received $1.765 million.

Derek Jeter returned to the field yesterday for the first time since the 2013 season. The Yankees shortstop hit off a tee in a batting cage, and fielded grounders, at the minor-league complex in Tampa.

Photo via CBS Sports New York.

Questions are being asked, as to how reliable Jeter will be this season. The Yankees might be showing too much faith in his health for the 2014 season. The Yankees shortstop suffered a broken ankle, in the postseason of 2012. He returned back to the field in 2013, missing the entire 2013 Spring Training, only to reinjure himself, and be placed on and off the DL for the majority of the 2013 season.

With Jeter turning 40 in June, and 2014 as his last year remaining on his, the Yankees need to start considering an alternative plan. Edwardo Nunez will most likely be taking the "backup shortstop" role, now that Jayson Nix has signed with the Rays.

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)

MLB:: Yankees to meet with Tanaka, Rays sign Nix

The Yankees are expected to meet with Tanaka this week. Also former Yankee infielder Jayson Nix has signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. 

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)