Alex Rodriguez Hits 660th Home Run to Tie Willie Mays

In the eighth inning of Friday night's game at Fenway Park, Alex Rodriguez hit a pinch-hit solo home run to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. It was also his 660th career home run, tying Willie Mays for fourth place on the all-time list. (Watch it here: http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v97083583) 

The crowd of 35,444 went silent when his pinch-hit homer -- the first of his career -- off reliever Junichi Tazawa on a 3-0 pitch, went into the seats high atop the Green Monster. The Yankees won 3-2 and his homer broke the 2-2 tie in the eighth inning.

He rounded the bases, touched home plate, and when he came to the bench, was greeted by all of his teammates, led by Yankee manager Joe Girardi.

The fan did not throw the ball back and I don't blame him one bit. Red Sox fan or not, that's a mighty valuable baseball.

The historic home run was never mentioned on the public address system, or on the scoreboard, and the announcement in the press box didn't occur until several minutes later.

"Willie Mays has always been a hero to me," Rodriguez told MLB Network after the game. "A year ago today, I never would've imagined even playing baseball. But a day like today, I think of my mother, my daughters, the people at the Boys and Girls Club where I learned to play baseball."

A-Rod came into the season with 654 career home runs after sitting out the 2014 season due to his Biogenesis related suspension. Needless to say, the validity of those 660 homers is in question.

The home run triggered a $6 million marketing bonus in A-Rod's contract, a bonus the Yankees are prepared to fight. They plan to claim Rodriguez's PED ties have rendered the milestone unmarketable.

"It was very emotional for me," said Rodriguez. "The last few years have been rough. To see their reaction...it was pretty emotional."

A-Rod is now tied with Mays and trails only Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762) on the all-time home run list.

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Highlights of MLB Opening Day 2015 in the American League.

The best day of the year is over. Opening day has come and gone, and we're left with stats, highlights and memories of the first full day of MLB action in 2015.

​We saw some dominant pitching performances, quite a few homers and some close games. We also saw teams playing better than we expected and teams playing worse than we predicted.

Image Credit: Thearon W. Henderson

The A’s 25-year-old ace held the Texas Rangers hitless until the eighth inning of a 8-0 win at the Coliseum, helping the A’s snap a streak of 10 consecutive losses to open the season. Gray came within six outs of throwing the second Opening Day no-hitter in major-league history before Texas’ Ryan Rua singled to right field leading off the eighth.

An announced sellout crowd of 36,067 applauded Gray and chanted “Son-ny!” as Rua rounded first base. Gray finished the inning with help from first baseman Ike Davis, who snagged a Mitch Moreland line drive and stepped on first to double off Rua, then made a diving play on Rougned Odor’s grounder to end the inning.

The A’s last win in a season opener had come April 5, 2004, and they’d scored a total of six runs in their past six openers combined. Their new-look lineup eclipsed that total on Monday night with an 11-hit blitz. New No. 3 hitter Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer off Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo in his first A’s at-bat, and catcher Stephen Vogt added a towering three-run homer to right off reliever Phil Klein in the seventh inning.

The spotlight, though, belonged to Gray. 

Gray allowed his first runner when he clipped Odor with a pitch with two outs in the third inning. With two outs in the sixth, Zobrist – playing left field because of injuries to Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick – dropped a Leonys Martin fly ball that allowed Martin to reach second base. Zobrist was given an error, keeping the no-hit bid intact.

Prince Fielder scorched a liner to right leading off the seventh inning that Craig Gentry hardly had to move to catch. Adrian Beltre then hit a sharp grounder that second baseman Eric Sogard gloved sliding to his left for a routine putout. Gray threw a 93-mph fastball past Shin-Soo Choo for the third out, bringing the crowd to its feet.

After Vogt’s homer made the game a blowout, Gray got two strikes on Rua to start the eighth inning before the Rangers’ left fielder hit a sharp grounder through the right side of the infield. Gray still became the first A’s starter to win a season opener since Tim Hudson beat the Seattle Mariners in 2003, striking out three and throwing 98 pitches in his eight innings. Evan Scribner finished the game with a scoreless ninth.

The first A’s pitcher to start consecutive season openers since Barry Zito in 2005-06, Gray was also one of only two returning starters from last year’s Opening Night lineup (Sogard was the other), matching the fewest year-to-year in Oakland history.

Image Credit: Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

Mike Trout had the kind of opening-day performance that could have been legendary if the outcome of his team's game had been different. Instead, chalk it up as a great individual effort that couldn't overcome Felix Hernandez and a sprinkling of key hits by the Seattle Mariners.

The 2014 American League MVP got off to another valuable start for the Los Angeles Angels in 2015, hitting home run in the first inning against Hernandez, and preventing a home run by Logan Morrison with a leaping grab at the fence later on.

Aside from that, King Felix dominated the Angels, and Jered Weaver could not match his performance in Seattle's 4-1 victory. Hernandez improved to 6-0 on opening day.

Trout put the Mariners behind in the first inning by connecting on a 92 mph fastball to straightaway center, his third homer in 50 career at-bats against Hernandez. He did likewise in his first at-bat of 2014, too. 

Image Credit: Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Hopeful No. 1 starter Clay Buchholz outpitched ace Cole Hamels, and the Red Sox beat the lowly Philadelphia Phillies into submission with five home runs in an 8-0 shutout. By night, the Sox signed Rick Porcello to a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension that locks up the right-hander through what should be his prime, specifically ages 26-30.

Dustin Pedroia, healthy for the first time in three years, went deep twice, his first multi-homer game since 2011. Not to be outdone by his former minor league double-play partner, shortstop-turned-outfielder and absolute manchild Hanley Ramirez belted two homers, including a grand slam in the ninth inning.

Then, there is 22-year-old leadoff hitter Mookie Betts, already the most dynamic player the Sox have had since Jacoby Ellsbury and now their youngest to homer on Opening Day since Tony Conigliaro in 1965.

Image Credit: ​John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star

Lots of doubters out there for the defending AL champs, but the Kansas City Royals looked mighty fine on opening day. They torched the Chicago White Sox by the score of 10-1. Eight of the nine batters in the Royals' lineup had hits, including newcomer Alex Rios, who had three. Yordano Ventura looked good too, before leaving the game with a thumb cramp. 

Jose Abreu got the White Sox on the board in the seventh inning with a 418-foot homer to left-center. But the White Sox had a forgettable start in a season with high expectations based on their offseason maneuvers.

Jeff Samardzija walked Morales twice during his White Sox debut but also hit two Royals. He plunked Alex Gordon in the second with Morales on first, after Garcia was hit by Ventura in the top of the second. The right-hander then hit Lorenzo Cain in the fifth, on the ensuing pitch after Mike Moustakas drove out an opposite-field homer. Cain took exception to that HBP, jawing with Samardzija and catcher Flowers.

"All I know is that Moose hit a homer, [Samardzija] hit me," Cain said, "... and then we started talking."

​Image Credit: Leon Halip/Getty Images North America

For the first time in eight years, somebody other than Justin Verlander was starting on opening day for Detroit.

David Price looked plenty worthy.

Price came within one out of a shutout in the Tigers' 4-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday, retiring the first 13 batters he faced and allowing five hits before being pulled with two on and two out in the ninth.

Joe Nathan struck out Torii Hunter for the save as the Tigers handed Paul Molitor a loss in his first game as Minnesota's manager.

"It's always big to go out there and put up zeros and pitch late into the game," Price said. "To be able to do it on opening day, that definitely makes it a little bit more special. I felt good."

The Tigers acquired Price at last year's trade deadline, and manager Brad Ausmus picked him to start the first game, snapping Verlander's seven-year streak of openers. Price struck out five without a walk.

J.D. Martinez and Alex Avila homered off Phil Hughes, and Yoenis Cespedes doubled, tripled and scored twice in his Detroit debut. Cespedes also reached above the wall in left to catch Kurt Suzuki's drive in the third.

Image Credit: AP Photo/Patric Schneider

In his final five starts of 2014, a stretch that propelled him to the top of the American League Cy Young ballot, Corey Kluber posted a 5-0 record and 1.12 ERA, with five walks and 54 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. The right-hander lasted at least eight frames in four of those five outings. 

Kluber carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. With two outs, Houston's diminutive hit machine, Jose Altuve, slapped a bloop single into center. Kluber said he was aware of the goose egg in Houston's hit column, but it was too early to concern himself with the potential of a historic feat, especially in a scoreless deadlock.

"I wasn't pitching to not give up a hit," Kluber said. "I was more so pitching to keep them off the scoreboard."

​Image Credit: baltimoresun.com

The Orioles won their fifth straight opening day game on Monday afternoon, dominating the division rival Tampa Bay Rays with a 6-2 victory in front of an announced sellout crowd of 31,042 at Tropicana Field, backed by a strong performance by right-hander Chris Tillman, who was steady making his second straight season opening day start.

An Orioles team that led the majors with 211 home runs last season hit three homers Monday, a two-run blast by left fielder Alejandro De Aza and solo homers by first baseman Steve Pearce and shortstop Ryan Flaherty.

Right-hander Chris Tillman set the tone, holding the Rays to one run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking three batters.

Newcomer Travis Snider, the first Orioles player other than Markakis to start in right field since 2006, had three hits and drove in two runs, including an opposite-field single against a shift to score De Aza in the top of the first inning.

After Asdrubal Cabrera hit an RBI double off Tommy Hunter with two outs in the eighth, the Rays brought the tying run to the plate with two on and two outs, but Longoria popped up weakly to second base on the first pitch of the at bat.

Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports Images

In his first game back from a year-long suspension, New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez went 1-for-2 with a walk and represented one of the few bright spots for his club in a 6-1 opening day loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

“It definitely felt good, that’s for sure,” the 39-year-old Rodriguez said after the game. “I have a lot of love for the city of New York, especially our fans. But let’s make it clear: The fans don’t owe me anything. I have to earn their cheers and their respect.”

Rodriguez’s single was one of only three hits for the Yankees against Blue Jays starter Drew Hutchison, who earned the win with six innings of one-run ball. Outfielder Brett Gardner accounted for all of New York’s scoring with a solo home run in the sixth, but it was the return of Rodriguez that seemed to draw the most attention during and after the game.

Drew Hutchison, at 24 the youngest Opening Day starter in Blue Jays' history, held the Yankees hitless until Brian McCann laced a ball just inside the first base line for a single with two outs in the fourth.

Hutchison (1-0) allowed three hits, including Brett Gardner's homer in the sixth inning, to help Toronto improve to 20-19 in openers, including 1-2 vs. the Yankees.

Ex-Yankee Russell Martin hit a two-run single in a five-run third inning against Tanaka (0-1). Devon Travis homered later in the game for his first career hit.

Kevin Pillar led off the third with a single and the Japanese star, making his first Opening Day start for New York, struggled to get an out after that.

Travis walked and Jose Reyes put down a bunt that third baseman Chase Headley threw away, allowing a run to score.

After Reyes was checked by a trainer at second base, Martin, who signed an $82 million, five-year free-agent contract this winter, singled. An out later, Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run homer off Masahiro Tanaka, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 6-1 in Monday's Opener. 

Christine O'Connor

Twitter: ChristineeeeO

Alex Rodriguez to Debut at 1B Sunday, Mark Teixeira's New Diet, and David Ortiz Fights Steroid Allegations Once Again.

On Sunday, Alex Rodriguez will play first base in a major-league ballgame -- in fact, in a ballgame at any level -- for the first time in his life.

Image Credit: Corey Sipkin/ New York Daily News

"I'm excited about it," he said. "I told Joe [Girardi] to really keep a close eye on me. He said he will."

Rodriguez has taken a few grounders at first this spring, and earlier this week Girardi said he worked on some of the finer points of the position, such as where to go on relays from the outfield and how to defense the bunt. But in truth, Rodriguez has only scratched the surface of learning the position; his brand-new first baseman's glove is still being broken in for him by a clubbie.

"I haven't even started to learn," he said. "I've done a few things. I'll tell you about it after [the game]."

Rodriguez has had a pretty good spring at the plate (.303, 2 HRs, 3 RBI), is the  third option at first base, behind Mark Teixeira and backup Garrett Jones. Mainly, his responsibilities will be to DH and play a little third base to give Chase Headley a day off now and then.

Image Credit: Associated Press

According to Mark Teixeira, he lost 13 pounds of fat and added 15 pounds of muscle this offseason in hopes to stay healthy and get back to his old production.

“Last year was really, really difficult, physically and mentally,’’ said Teixeira, who was limited to 123 games due to a lingering right wrist problem as well as a back injury. “I felt like garbage all season. When you are feeling like that and trying to perform, you get beaten down and you wonder, ‘Am I ever going to be the same?’ This offseason I asked my body to do a lot of things, and it responded. That’s the exciting thing, everything I wanted to accomplish I did, and I feel great going into the season.’’

So the latest cure-all, the latest bid to get back to the 30-home run, 100-RBI plateaus that Teixeira has been chasing since he last reached them in 2011, is diet. This winter, he hired a new trainer and embarked on a quest to reduce inflammation in his body via the food he eats.

“I think the diet was a big thing; I had a really high inflammatory diet,” Teixeira said. “When I told my trainer I had three cortisone shots in my wrist and two in my back, he said, ‘It sounds like you have a lot of inflammation in your body.’ Hopefully taking care of those type of things, the aches and pains, the little muscle pulls and the inflammation in your joints, hopefully those things go away.”

With that goal in mind, Teixeira did away with foods containing dairy, gluten or sugar—he calls it the “no-fun diet”—and replaced those perceived offenders with leaner foods like bison and salmon. It’s a variation on a health movement known as “elimination diets,” wherein entire food groups are cut out in an effort to avoid either their fattening or inflammatory effects.

“No gluten, no dairy, no sugar,’’ Teixeira said of the diet Prentiss suggested to curb the inflammation running through Teixeira’s body. “We attacked all those things I have been having and I got myself really strong. I feel really strong. I was weaker than I had ever been in my entire career last year.’’

I think I can speak for all Yankee fans when I say that it would be great to see Tex get back to his old- 30 home run-100 RBI form.

Image Credit: thebiglead.com

For whatever reason, David Ortiz decided the dog days of spring training in 2015 were the right time to take on the topic of his suspected steroid past again, seemingly throwing some caution to the wind while laying out his timeline of events, as well as some other inaccuracies that pepper his  2,396-word piece at The Players' Tribune.

He wrote, “I never knowingly took any steroids.’’ This is the old Barry Bonds defense. The word “knowingly” is an indicator of ignorance. You are a professional athlete. It’s up to you to know what you are taking. Don’t use the ignorance defense.

“In some people’s minds, I will always be considered a cheater,” Ortiz writes. “And that’s bull****. Mark my words: Nobody in MLB history has been tested for PEDs more than me. You know how many times I’ve been tested since 2004? More than 80. They say these tests are random. If it’s really random, I should start playing the damn lottery. Some people still think the testing is a joke. It’s no joke. Ten times a season these guys come into the clubhouse or my home with their briefcases. I have never failed a single one of those tests and I never will.”

Those are the bold, harsh, and defiant words from Ortiz, who probably doesn’t want it pointed out that Alex Rodriguez has never failed an MLB drug test under those parameters either. For all their profane bravado, Ortiz's words managed to do little to silence his critics. If he accomplished anything, it may have opened old wounds and invited further question of his motives.

Ortiz’s name was linked to performance-enhancing drugs in 2009, when The New York Times reported that he and former teammate Manny Ramirez were among the roughly 100 Major League Baseball players to test positive for illicit substances in 2003. Ortiz has varied his handling of the topic over the years, from vehemently pledging to get to the bottom of it six years ago, to ignoring the accusations outright, to coming out guns blazing at a time when nobody was publicly pressing the issue.

It's baffling as to why Ortiz felt the need to bring up such a controversial issue when nobody was talking about it. Is this an indicator of guilt? Or is he that desperate to clear his PED tarnished name?

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

José Pirela Injury, Stephen Drew Still Struggles, and Roy Halladay Isn't a Fan of A-Rod

One of the New York Yankees' top prospects José Pirela sustained a concussion after crashing into the center-field wall on a play in the first inning that ended up an inside-the-park home run for the New York Mets' Juan Lagares.

Image Credit: (John Bazemore | AP)

Pirela, who complained of dizziness, was taken by ambulance from the complex to Tradition Medical Center, where a brain CT scan and a cervical MRI both came back negative and he was released from the hospital. But he does have a concussion, the Yankees tweeted. He will be out an indefinite period.

With manager Joe Girardi looking on earlier Sunday, a Yankees trainer examined Pirela, a versatile 25-year-old who has played several positions this spring. Pirela was able to walk and was helped into a golf cart.

Pirela had been hot this spring, hitting .370 (10-for-27) with three doubles and two triples; he was appearing to play himself into the lineup, especially with the Yankees' Jacoby Ellsbury out with an abdominal injury.

Pirela played briefly with the Yankees last year after being called up. He collected eight hits in 24 at-bats.

"You just don't know. Some guys respond quicker than others. You wouldn't think a second baseman has had a significant number [of concussions] like a catcher, so sometimes the response is quicker. We have to wait and see. I hope not," he said.

He also went on to say how valuable Pirela is and what he could provide for the Yankees. 

"He provides excitement with his speed, and we're moving him all around. We think he could possibly help us in a lot of different spots," Girardi said. "That makes a player very valuable when he can play four or five different spots on a field. That flexibility is a great thing to have."

José Pirela clearly seems to be a way better option than the current situation at second base Stephen Drew. 

Image Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Drew, who batted .162 last year for Boston and the Yankees, is hitting .161 this spring, after going 0 for 3 and striking out twice on Sunday.

Image ​Credit: baseball-reference.com

The Yanks have made clear that Drew is not competing for the second base job. He will be the Opening Day second baseman. But with the experts seeing a slow bat and wondering if the 32-year-old Drew is shot, you wonder if we’ll see Jose Pirela or Rob Refsnyder before summer.

"We signed him to be our second baseman," Girardi said. "Our plan for it is to be Stephen." 

He asked to play second base, a position he had never played much, having been a shortstop all of his career. In the first home game last week in spring Drew booted the first ball hit to him. He said afterwards he's still learning the right angles to take to the ball and that he's still getting comfortable playing the position. 

In the view of most scouts, Pirela is already far more deserving -- although the buzz on him accumulated before Sunday’s ugly concussion, which makes his immediate future uncertain. As for Refsnyder, expect defense closer to Daniel Murphy levels: Competent, but not exactly smooth. Pirela is more nimble and versatile.

One player that surprisingly has not been a disappointment this spring training is Alex Rodriguez, who is currently fighting for a spot on the Yankees as a DH. He has been having a decent spring training for a guy who didn't play at all during the 2014 season.

Image Credit: baseball-reference.com

But while many people have been pleasantly surprised with A-Rod, some people have not forgotten what he has done and continue to take jabs at him. You would like to say this little tweet by retired former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay was all in fun, but it was a needless, direct shot. Anyway, even with Alex Rodriguez on his best behavior, Halladay chose to take a dig at No. 13.

Image Credit: twitter.com/RoyHalladay

Then he followed that up with another Tweet:

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Seems like someone was getting feisty on social media in their retirement. 

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Latest on the Yankees; a Look at Spring Training, A-Rod, Gardner, the Bullpen, and more.

Between spring training games, the A-Rod spectacle, significant questions floating around and statements Sent from my iPhone

For most teams, spring training is a time when players compete for a roster spot. The biggest competition in Yankees camp this year is which roster spot should cause the most concern.

Take the day Alex Rodriguez attracted all the attention for his spring debut. Obviously, what remains of his ability will be one of the most scrutinized issues all spring and for the entire season.

Image Credit: www.springtrainingconnection.com

There hasn't been much discussion on whether CC Sabathia can rebound from the worst year of his career. Or if an apparently healthy Michael Pineda has regained the consistency and stamina to provide more than year's 76 stellar innings.

Masahiro Tanaka, with the seven-year, $155 million contract he signed before last season, is the Yankees one legitimate chance for a dominant ace at the top of the rotation. He was 11-1 with a 1.99 earned run average in mid-June last year. He reported elbow pain after July start in Cleveland, but counting the three outings before that one through the two he made in a September bid to check the progress of his ongoing rehab project, he was 2-4 with a 4.91 ERA. 

Tanaka says he's been building his strength, continuing the treatment that includes platelet-rich plasma injections and expects to start a spring game next week. If this doesn't work, especially if it takes a bit longer to decide he's not beating the odds that catch up to most pitchers trying to rehab a partial tear, Tanaka could be nearly halfway through the contract before he pitches again.

Image Credit: (Lynne Sladky | AP)

While Alex Rodriguez has been getting back to form, what his time in Tampa will not tell is if he is ready for regular-season major league at-bats. This is a man who didn't look like A-Rod we knew when we saw him in a batter’s box, and then he took a full year off, plus he’s had two hip surgeries and will turn 40 this summer. So unless he is completely overmatched during the Grapefruit League, it won’t be possible to make an accurate judgment.

So, if we learned anything over Rodriguez’s first 12 days at Yankees camp, it is that he is just as curious as all of us to find out how he matches up with other major leaguers at this point in his career.

Amid the worries, there have been some positive finds during spring training. 

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Image Credit: nydailynews.com

While the current crop is no "Core Four," there might finally be some decent position player prospects on the near horizon for the Yankees. Three of the best, second baseman Rob Refsnyder, first baseman Greg Bird, and outfielder Aaron Judge, are making strong impressions in big league camp, and Refsnyder could possibly open the season in the majors.   

With only Stephen Drew standing in his way, Refsnyder has a decent chance of winning the Yankees’ second base job at some point in the near future. On Friday, Refsnyder continued his hot hitting against the Phillies and looks like a guy who should bat .275 or better in the majors. With a compact swing, good plate discipline, and plus bat speed, Refsnyder has all the tools to be solid No. 2 hitter in a big league lineup. He doesn’t have much power and isn’t a big base-stealing threat, but he’s a guy who could contribute batting average, runs, and RBI in the majors as soon as this year. 

 

Bird’s future is a little less certain. He’s limited defensively and has had a history of back injuries. On the plus side, he has good power, above-average plate discipline, and a smoother, shorter swing than most players his size. Bird has handled everything he’s seen thus far in big league camp and hasn’t been phased by quality pitching in the at-bats I’ve observed. Here in spring camp, he’s demonstrated a patient approach, used the whole field, and punished the mistakes he’s gotten. Bird will likely return to Double-A to begin the season, but he’s starting to look like he might be the Yankees first baseman of the future. If he continues to develop, a .270-20-90 line is within reach.   

 

Judge is the furthest from the majors, having split last season between Low-A and High-A. He can still get beaten by quality stuff, but his excellent plate discipline and simple swing will help keep his batting average in the .270 range. Judge has huge raw power, but he doesn’t sell out for home runs during at-bats. As he matures, that power could start to show up in games, making him an intriguing prospect who profiles as anything from a fourth outfielder to a power-hitting right fielder with 25-plus home run pop. While he’s not there yet, Judge is definitely a guy to track.

Image Credit: cbssports.com 

The New York Yankees have officially had 16 Captains in their history, names ranging from Babe Ruth to Lou Gehrig, Thurman Munson to Ron Guidry, Don Mattingly to Derek Jeter.

In an appearance on The Mike Lupica Show on ESPN Radio 98.7 FM on Thursday afternoon, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that when Jeter's No. 2 is eventually retired, the Yankees' captaincy should be retired as well.

"I think Derek did it as well as anyone can,'' Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com. "He wore it well, and I'm not a big advocate of giving out the captaincy anyway. I'm not going to recommend anyone being named captain of the New York Yankees right away.''

Jeter was named captain in 2003, eight years after Mattingly retired, and he held the title until his retirement at the end of last season. Among the current Yankees who could be considered possible successors to Jeter are Brian McCann, Mark Teixeira, Chase Headley, Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez.

While there isn't a rush to name a captain, there should be a time in the future that a leader emerges in the clubhouse. 

While the theme for this season seems to be uncertainty, the Yankees may be able to put something together and hopefully will make it to playoffs this season. 

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Yoan Moncada: Why the Yankees Didn't Get Him and How It Might Hurt Them

Switch-hitting Cuban sensation Yoan Moncada, just 19, will be playing his future home games at Fenway Park because the Yankees reportedly did not want to spend an extra $9 million. 

After months of speculation and rumors, the auction for Yoan Moncada's services has ended and the Red Sox have signed the Cuban prospect for about $63 million in total bonuses and penalties. People had initially blamed Brian Cashman for for not signing him, but it seems that he couldn't Hal Steinbrenner to get any higher than $32 Million. 

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Image Credit: bostonglobe.com 

The days of the blank checkbook seem to be over the Yankees. 

The Yankees clearly have the money and financial might to acquire a player in that dollar range, so seeing the Steinbrenners place a hard cap on bidding is quite illogical. This all under the assumption that Hal did in fact place a cap, which is not obvious, so we may never know the truth. If the front office's dollar value estimation was at all higher than their rival's bid, then this strategy is not only illogical, but largely damaging to the long-term health of the club. 

The Yankees, under GM Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenner family without George, spend most of their time figuring ways to pay less luxury tax and scheming for angles to avoid paying Alex Rodriguez bonus money on a contract they stupidly agreed to extend back in 2007.

When they fell to last place in the AL East during the lost summer of Bobby Valentine, the Red Sox took a fire hose to both the manager’s office and the roster, and stormed back to win the World Series in 2013. Now, after again finishing last in the AL East in 2014 at 71-91,they’re again positioned to make significant hay in the division. They played it smart in July, dealing away most of their rotation and jump-starting the rebuilding process toward 2015. Then this offseason, the acquired Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, which will greatly boost both their offense and defense. 

The Red Sox have acted wisely in order to revamp their team. The Yankees, however, have been less than efficient in rebuilding their team. They could learn a lesson from the Red Sox in the art of wheeling and dealing. Boston formed a team that all the teams in the AL East will struggle greatly against- especially the Yankees. 

Yoan Moncada’s talent is unquestioned, and he would have immediately bolstered a lackluster Yankees farm system that desperately needs a boost. That bonus money would not count against the Yankees’ salary number, and would get them a high-end player that they would control for years to come at a reasonable yearly salary. The Yankees might not have access to that type of player ever again.

Not only did Boston acquire a five-tool, 19-year-old infielder who has been the talk of baseball all winter, the Yankees failed to acquire young talent- which they desperately need- and let the talent fall into the hands of their rivals.

Brian Cashman made a mistake on Monday, one that he might regret in a big way in a few years. Hopefully, Moncada will not pan out the way people thought, and the Yankees will have made the right choice. 

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

The Media and Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez finally said he was sorry to the public with a handwritten apology on the eve of his return to the New York Yankees.

A-Rod should be given credit where it is due. No matter how he apologized, he would be criticized for it. But the fact is he did apologize. Rodriguez should realize every time he does something, anything at all, writers are going to kill him for it.  If it had been a typed apology, he would be criticized for being disingenuous. If he held a press conference, he would be criticized for his body language and tone. A lot of people are criticizing him for handwriting the note, but it does add a personal trait to the apology.

Apologizing is hard to do, as evidenced by the difficulty Lance Armstrong has with them. He went on with Oprah to confess that he cheated to win all seven of his Tour de France titles in an appearance that was widely panned as staged and insincere. 

Image Credit: ridethepine.com

Athletes have a distinct responsibility as a public figure to have class and an attitude that Rodriguez hasn't always exemplified.  There has always been a lot of comparison between Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, but they have become complete opposites. Alex Rodriguez is the most hated player in baseball and Jeter serves as a role model to many people and his career is often considered to be done "the right way." 

Let's face it, Alex Rodriguez has cheated with PEDs, lied numerous times, and attempted to sue the Player's Association. His behavior was inexcusable.The punishment fit the crime. 

But while he does seem to be the poster child for Performance Enhancing Drugs in the MLB, people seem to forget there are other players that have used and lied. He is the sole punching bag for sports writers and baseball fans. 

Does anybody remember Ryan Braun? Let's take a walk down memory lane for a second. 

The Brewers star told players around MLB prior to 2012 spring training that the man who collected his urine sample that tested positive for synthetic testosterone was anti-Semitic in an attempt to discredit him. He took oath upon his own life that he was telling the truth. He stood before microphones a few years ago and talked about how he would never cheat, and how he was offended at the accusation, and that he literally would stake his very life on his integrity. "I would be bet my life that I'm clean," Braun told CBS Sports in 2012.

Here a few questions: What makes A-Rod so different from players like Braun? Why does he remain the reoccurring joke of baseball? When will it finally be the time to move on? 

Yes, Alex Rodriguez did lie and cheat, but there are far worse things that other have athletes have done off the field, yet are welcome back to play their sport. The media and fans have moved on from those athletes. While I think Performance Enhancing Drugs have greatly hurt baseball, I don't think A-Rod is that different from the rest of us. I think many people would take a drug to improve at their occupation to get paid more money. 

#FORG1V3

Article by: Christine O'Connor

Twitter: @christineeeeO

Alex Rodriguez Says Sorry

In a hour and a half meeting at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Alex Rodriguez apologized to New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and team executives for his suspension for performance-enhancing drug use and the inappropriate behavior he exhibited in attempt to defend himself. 

A joint statement was issued on behalf of four key Yankees executives as well as Rodriguez and his legal counsel.

Image Credit: hellogiggles.com

"Today we held a meeting at Yankee Stadium between Hal Steinbrenner, Randy Levine, Brian Cashman, Jean Afterman, Alex Rodriguez and (legal counsel) Jim Sharp," the statement read. "Alex initiated the meeting and apologized to the organization for his actions over the past several years."

A-Rod was suspended without pay for the entire 2014 season for his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The suspension was ultimately reduced to 162 games, or the length of a complete baseball season.

A-Rod was then was out of the spotlight. He appeared at a couple of sporting events and took to social media a couple of times, but he remained quiet. Rodriguez dropped his lawsuits against the players' union and the Yankees' medical staff. He stopped giving obnoxious interviews proclaiming his innocence in the wake of a massive investigation that found him guilty of using performance enhancing drugs from the Biogenesis clinic in Miami.

Yankees pitchers and catchers must report for spring training in Tampa on Feb. 20, and position players such as Rodriguez have a reporting date of Feb. 26. The Yankees reportedly told the 20-year veteran to schedule a press conference before then, in order to clear the air as much as possible before re-joining the team.

The Yankees owe Rodriguez $61 million over the next three seasons, not counting the potential home run bonus money. They signed Chase Headley for four years and $52 million to play Rodriguez's position of third base. The general idea is that A-Rod will be the DH if he shows that he can still keep up with fastballs at 40 years old. 

Some of Rodriguez's teammates such as Ivan Nova and Dellin Betances have spoken out and showed their support for the fellow Yankee. If his teammates can support him, Yankees fans should be able to rally behind him, especially after a season with such an offensive struggle. A-Rod wants to prove himself and earn those home run bonuses. The Yankees organization should support him and keep the incentives on the table in order to boost the offense. 

"He's going to be there (in spring training)," Hal Steinbrenner said during last month's owners' meetings. "And if Alex is Alex, he'll show up in shape; he always does. There certainly are some unknowns for all of us, including him. His age. Two surgeries. We'll just have to see. He'll be there, but the situation is the situation. We just need to concentrate on keeping him healthy, and he needs to concentrate on staying healthy, and we'll go from there."

If A-Rod sees support from Yankees fans, teammates and the organization, that might be the motivation he needs to get back to his old ways.

 #FORG1V3

Article by: Christine O'Connor

Twitter: @ChristineeeeO

Yankees Will Try to Void A-Rod's Milestone HR Bonuses

Article by: Christine O'Connor
Twitter: @ChristineeeeO

Image Credit: bronxbaseballdaily.com

Alex Rodriguez, who is fifth on the all-time home run list, has 654 career home runs. If he hits six more to equal Willie Mays' 660, Rodriguez would be in line for a $6 million bonus. He would then make another $6 million each time he ties Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762).

The bonuses, set as incentive to partake in public relations and promotional campaigns during the record chase, are tied to a deal Rodriguez signed in 2007 that is separate from his player contract, which still owes him $61 million over the next two seasons.

When the Yankees and Rodriguez came to the agreement back in 2007, the Yankees saw it as a marketing opportunity. They could sell merchandise, sell tickets, create excitement and make it something worth watching. But now with the off-the-field spectacles with Rodriguez, nobody will care if he reaches 660 home runs because those numbers are tainted. The Yankees see these bonuses as worthless because they won't be seeing the revenue from him reaching the milestones.

But the Yankees now consider the marketing bonuses invalid after Rodriguez's suspension for violating the MLB's drug policy, the report said. His tactics to launch attacks against the team and the league only further alienated Rodriguez, and the
Yankees will argue that he signed the contract under false pretenses, severing his right to the bonuses based on his lies and eventual admission to the use of PEDs.

Rodriguez, along with the MLB Players Association, would have the right to file a grievance that could return the ugliness from the Biogenesis investigation. This could reopen Rodriguez to questions about when and where he has done PEDs.

This news should add another layer of awkwardness to the team's spring training camp. The Yankees already have said that Rodriguez, who also is coming off a second hip surgery that limited him to 44 games in the 2013 season, no longer will be their starting third baseman. That job belongs to Chase Headley, whom the team re-signed during the offseason.

Nothing in here seems even the least bit surprising, since Rodriguez and the Yankees have been at odds in public for the better part of the last two years now. Presumably, the Yankees will pursue every reasonable angle for getting out from their monetary commitments to A-Rod, and A-Rod will try everything he can to salvage what’s left of his reputation and get back on the field. There will probably even be more legal proceedings.

With what we saw with the team's offensive struggle of the 2014 season, if A-Rod hits enough home runs to earn his bonuses, the Yankees should be more than happy to pay them.

Are The Yankees Done Spending This Off Season?

Article by: Christine O'Connor

Twitter: @christineeeeO

Image credit: thegreedypinstripes.com

The Yankees, to many peoples' surprise, sat on the sidelines for the most part of this wild offseason. Although they haven't been completely quiet this offseason as they did sign Andrew Miller and Chase Headley which amounted to nearly $100 million in total salary, but it pales in comparison to other offseasons. The plan this year has not been like previous Yankees' offseasons. 

More than anything, it sure wouldn't hurt to add another starting pitcher. With Max Scherzer signed to the Nationals and Jon Lester to the Cubs, the only ace on the market is James Shields, though the Yankees have said countless times that they are not going to pursue any of the expensive options. But, these are the Yankees, of course. They like to remain quiet then suddenly erupt with blockbuster contracts. Ownership could all of the sudden decide that James Shields is worth the money, but it seems unlikely at this point. 

Image credit: espn.com 

After acquiring Didi Gregorius, Nathan Eovaldi, and a legion of young relievers, the Yankees have made it obvious that their old strategy of "buy all of the good players" just doesn't work as it once did.  I'm sure they would love to splurge this year or even next, but $210-215 million is the ceiling to the Yankees' budget, then it appears they will have to work with what they have. 

Now that Hiroki Kuroda has decided to return to Japan and pitch for the Hiroshima Carp, the starting rotation is: CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda, Masahiro Tanaka, Chris Capuano and Nathan Eovaldi. CC's knee may feel better, and Tanaka's elbow may appear to be fine, but the Yankees seem to suffer many injuries throughout the season. Ivan Nova will return in May or June and take one of those spots, but the rotation would be much stronger with another reliable pitcher in the mix.

Image credit: yankees.lhblogs.com

If Brian Cashman can make the team competitive through minimal yet savvy free agent signings and trades, minor league transactions and some help from the talent in the farm system, then I would imagine the team has a bright future. 

Although the team seems very lack-luster as of right now (especially now that the core-four is completely gone), the Yankees may have learned from their past mistakes with overspending and may be onto something bigger. 

From Great to Disgrace: The Alex Rodriguez Case

Image Credit: USAToday.com

By: Kai Jones

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

Has there ever been a more polarizing figure in baseball than Alex Rodriguez? If so, Rodriguez is in the top 5 along with Barry Bonds, Pete Rose, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa. However, Rodriguez may be the most talented player out of those five. Not comparing and contrasting these players, but one thing they all have in common is, they all are looked at as liars by the media. What sets Alex Rodriguez apart from the others is that he's played under a microscope in the pressure cooker, New York City. Not to mention it's THE most popular team in the MLB, the New York Yankees. Since he  arrived to New York, he has seen some of his best and worst career moments. His worst obviously would be the steroid scandals.

Rodriguez came to New York already a polarizing figure because he was looked at as overpaid, despite being the AL MVP before he came to the Yankees. He produced in his first year with his new team, and was a big contributor in their playoff run to the seventh game of the 2004 ALCS. This was also the series where he knocked the ball away from Carlos Arroyo, which kept Jeter at first base and took the team to 2 outs in the eighth inning of a close game that could've decided the series. While Rodriguez won 2 more AL MVPs, he received criticism from the media for being a bad fielder (although he converted from a short stop to third baseman specifically for the Yankees), for struggling in the postseason, and for the way he opted out of his contract. Even worse, in 2007 came the opening of Pandora’s box: famous steroid user Jose Canseco accused Rodriguez of being a steroid user as well.

Image Credit: AtlantaBlackStar.com

Baseball was at it’s highest in popularity from the 1990’s to the early 2000’s because offense was it’s peak. The reason? MLB wasn’t trying to stop the steroids because they did not believe they had a problem. Jose Canseco’s first book: "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Popular" brought heat towards some of the game’s best players. This caused investigations from the MLB in 2003, which then caused US Congress to investigate. After the MLB investigation, they found that they had a problem and mandated testing. In 2006, former Senator George Mitchell started investigating steroid usage in the MLB. This 21-month investigation became known as the infamous Mitchell Report. This was the beginning of Rodriguez’s unraveling. 

Since steroids became a popular subject to the baseball media, Rodriguez constantly denied steroid use. In 2007, Canseco promised his book would unmask Rodriguez as a hypocrite. In 2009, Sports Illustrated attained Rodriguez’s test results from the MLB’s investigation in 2003, which was supposed to be anomyous and destroyed, but was gathered for the Mitchell Report two years. Rodriguez then tested positive in 2003, one of his 3 MVP years. After this article was released, Rodriguez started doing damage control and went on ESPN admitting to steroid use in 2001-2003, but he claimed to be clean since he came to New York. Through this criticism, Rodriguez went on to have his best postseason as a Yankee in which he won the World Series MVP, and of course the first championship of his career. In 2010, Rodriguez came under fire for being a patient of Anthony Galea, a doctor who illegally brought mislabeled drugs including HGH (a banned MLB substance) to America. Galea later cleared Rodriguez’s name by claiming he only prescribed anti-inflammatory medicine to Rodriguez. Rodriguez dodged that bullet, but he couldn't dodge the biggest bullet of his career, the Biogenesis baseball scandal.

Image Credit: SportsGrid.com

The Biogenesis of America was an anti-aging clinic in Florida. In 2013, the now-nonexistent clinic named several players that it was connected to, and allegedly sold PED’s to Rodriguez. The MLB went on the offense and pressured the owner, Bosch, to release all the players involved in the clinic. Some speculate that the MLB just wanted to finally get Alex Rodriguez, and I somewhat agree. Rodriguez was the one guy who besides media persecution, had eluded punishment in spite of being an admitted steroid user. Rodriguez was still a big name, highly paid player, while legends like Clemens and Bonds have undergone high criticism and legal problems because of their usage. They finally officially got Rodriguez late 2013. Rodriguez was suspended for all of the 2014 season (after appealing from August until the 2013 season was over). Now the situation could get worse as Rodriguez’s cousin and personal assistant are in deep trouble. Yuri Sacart, (Rodriguez’s cousin) is facing federal steroid distributing charges. In addition to that, Sacart is in the hospital after having open-heart surgery. Even worse, Sacart’s wife is threatening to expose every secret the family knows about Alex Rodriguez. The big issue for Rodriguez is the MLB has a policy against distributing steroids, and if Rodriguez is found to have helped his cousin, he could face another penalty from the MLB. With Rodriguez being owed so much money from the Yankees mixed with the combination of the Yankees being embarrassed by Rodriguez, means he will have no help from his team.

This whole situation is muggy and continues to take turns. Not even the writers from The Young And The Restless could have thought about this plot. Will Rodriguez be able to sustain further stains on his soiled name? Can he elude the MLB’s pursuit? Will he be able to collect the 60 million plus that the Yankees owe him? While all these questions are unknown, one thing I am almost sure of is that Rodriguez, one of the biggest offensive weapons in MLB history, will have a heck of a time getting into the Hall Of Fame when this is all over. It really is sad that one of the best players in MLB history has such a stained name and probably will miss being enshrined into the hallowed hall.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with former Yankees!!!! Leyritz is NOT an A-Rod fan, David Cone "sad" for A-Rod, O'Neill discusses off season saga, & more!

What an AMAZING day today was! Truly a dream come true. I attended Pinstripe Perfection, an event courtesy of MAB-Celebrity, . Their line-up was loaded with a bunch of Yankee greats! We were lucky enough to land interviews with David Cone, Joe Pepitone, Jim Leyritz and Paul O'Neill. We discussed their thoughts on A-Rod, Cano, Tanaka, and more. Watch the EXCLUSIVE interview from TODAY, January 25, 2014, right here!

By:: Dana P. (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)

BREAKING NEWS:: Alex Rodriguez suspension reduced from 211 games to 162 games

A-Rod will be out for the entire 2014 season, including the post season in a 162 game suspension, in which he decides to appeal.

In a statement given by Rodriguez, 

"I have been clear that I did not use performance-enhancing substances as alleged in the notice of discipline, or violate the Basic Agreement or the Joint Drug Agreement in any manner, and in order to prove it I will take this fight to federal court. I am confident that when a Federal Judge reviews the entirety of the record, the hearsay testimony of a criminal whose own records demonstrate that he dealt drugs to minors, and the lack of credible evidence put forth by MLB, that the judge will find that the panel blatantly disregarded the law and facts, and will overturn the suspension. No player should have to go through what I have been dealing with, and I am exhausting all options to ensure not only that I get justice, but that players' contracts and rights are protected through the next round of bargaining, and that the MLB investigation and arbitration process cannot be used against others in the future the way it is currently being used to unjustly punish me." 

“I will continue to work hard to get back on the field and help the Yankees achieve the ultimate goal of winning another championship,” A-Rod said. “I want to sincerely thank my family, all of my friends, and of course the fans and many of my fellow MLB players for the incredible support I received throughout this entire ordeal.”

Keep fighting this A-Rod...I got your back! This is a terrible thing to go through, and my heart aches for him. 

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