The New York Yankees did play a game on Saturday afternoon and lost 2-1, there were some notes but the day belonged to Mariano Rivera. Mariano Rivera announced his retirement following the 2013 season on Saturday morning. He was as always very humble, appreciative and classy. There will never be another Mariano Rivera, he simply is one of a kind both as a player and a person.
Phil Hughes back has been a big deal and he threw today but today it was really no big deal. Jose Ramirez is a 23 year old pitcher who is making noise in camp. He pitched well again today and has now has started two games totaled nine innings and given up four hits. He has walked one and struck out five, his fastball can run into the mid 90’s and he can locate a changeup. He should be in AA Trenton to start the season and I think the Yankees will really be paying attention. He is a guy who if does well this season can end up in AAA and maybe be in the big leagues next season at some point.
Derek Jeter saw his first action today and was 1-2, he will sit out tomorrow and DH again on Monday. Jeter will get the green light after that and be back at SS sometime next week. Rivera had a 1-2-3 inning in his first appearance with two strikeouts. He is truly amazing, this is a man who hasn’t pitched in a game in 10 months and he didn’t look rusty at all. He said he felt great, that he wanted to cover first base or something like that but it didn’t happen. He said it will happen next time, he should see his next action on Wednesday.
There was good news today as all Hughes, David Aardsma and Dave Robertson all threw off a mound today and reported no problems. There were two more cuts from big league camp today which were Kelvin Perez and Tom Kahnle. Slade Heathcott returned from his minor thumb injury today and was 1-2. Ronnier Mustelier is a guy to watch, he could be an interesting option for third base, we will see what happens.
Chris Stewart threw out a runner today, Joba Chamberlain threw a scoreless, hitless and walkless inning. Ichiro Suzuki had the only two hit game for the Yankees and he even stole a base, he has looked very good this spring.
Showing posts with label retirement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retirement. Show all posts
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Hideki Matsui retires from baseball and the Yankees react
Hideki Matsui announced his retirement from professional baseball today. Matsui played in the United States for ten years after coming over from Japan where he played for ten years. Matsui was nicknamed Godzilla, he played with the New York Yankees from 2003-2009 after playing for the Tokyo Giants which is Japans version of the Yankees. He was a very good player, very clutch and also very classy.. He batted 292 with the Yankees, scoring 536 runs, hitting 196 doubles, 140 homeruns and driving in 597 runs. He became the first player in Yankees franchise history to hit a grand slam in his Yankee Stadium debut. He accomplished that feat against the Minnesota Twins on April 8, 2003. He was a two time all star who didn’t miss a game in his first three years, 518 consecutive games which is a record still today for longest streak to start a career. Matsui always had a flair for the dramatic and in his final game as a Yankee he went 3-4 and drove in six runs to clinch World Series Game 6 on November 4, 2009 against the Philadelphia Phillies. He was loved by everyone and that came out today upon the news of his retirement. Here are some of the Yankees reacting to the news.
Hal Steinbrenner: “Hideki Matsui in many ways , embodied what this organization stands for. He was dedicated to his craft, embraced his responsibilities to his team and fans, and elevated his play when he was needed the most. He did all these things with a humility that was distinctly his own, which is why he was such a big part of our success and why he will always be a cherished member of the Yankees family.”
Brian Cashman: “Hideki is proof that baseball is an international attraction that brings people from all over the world together in their passion for the game. He was the type of player and person you want young fans of this game to emulate. He played with pride, discipline and of course talent, and flourished when the lights were at their brightest. People naturally gravitated towards him, and that’s a direct reflection of his character. He was a true professional in every sense of the word and it feels good knowing he was able to raise the championship trophy as a member of the Yankees.”
Derek Jeter: “I’ve said numerous times over the years, but it’s worth repeating now. I’ve had a lot of teammates over the years with the Yankees, but I will always consider Hideki one of my favorites. The way he went about his business day in and day out was impressive. Despite being overshadowed by a large group of reporters, having the pressures of performing for both his fans both in New York and Japan and becoming acclimated to the bright lights of New York City, he always remained focused and committed to his job and to those of us he shared the clubhouse with. I have a lot of respect for Hideki. He was someone we counted on a great deal and he’s a big reason why we became World Champions in 2009.”
I was at that first game in 2003 and he became an instant fan favorite. He always had a flair for the dramatic and was so clutch and that is why he was loved in New York. The Yankees today don’t really have guys like that and that is why they have struggled in the postseason. I like what they have done this off-season because I feel like they are going back to what made them successful, not so much guys that just hit homeruns but guys who can do a lot and be clutch players. I wish Hideki all the best and I am sure his fans and the Yankees look forward to seeing him at future Old Timers day celebrations.
Hal Steinbrenner: “Hideki Matsui in many ways , embodied what this organization stands for. He was dedicated to his craft, embraced his responsibilities to his team and fans, and elevated his play when he was needed the most. He did all these things with a humility that was distinctly his own, which is why he was such a big part of our success and why he will always be a cherished member of the Yankees family.”
Brian Cashman: “Hideki is proof that baseball is an international attraction that brings people from all over the world together in their passion for the game. He was the type of player and person you want young fans of this game to emulate. He played with pride, discipline and of course talent, and flourished when the lights were at their brightest. People naturally gravitated towards him, and that’s a direct reflection of his character. He was a true professional in every sense of the word and it feels good knowing he was able to raise the championship trophy as a member of the Yankees.”
Derek Jeter: “I’ve said numerous times over the years, but it’s worth repeating now. I’ve had a lot of teammates over the years with the Yankees, but I will always consider Hideki one of my favorites. The way he went about his business day in and day out was impressive. Despite being overshadowed by a large group of reporters, having the pressures of performing for both his fans both in New York and Japan and becoming acclimated to the bright lights of New York City, he always remained focused and committed to his job and to those of us he shared the clubhouse with. I have a lot of respect for Hideki. He was someone we counted on a great deal and he’s a big reason why we became World Champions in 2009.”
I was at that first game in 2003 and he became an instant fan favorite. He always had a flair for the dramatic and was so clutch and that is why he was loved in New York. The Yankees today don’t really have guys like that and that is why they have struggled in the postseason. I like what they have done this off-season because I feel like they are going back to what made them successful, not so much guys that just hit homeruns but guys who can do a lot and be clutch players. I wish Hideki all the best and I am sure his fans and the Yankees look forward to seeing him at future Old Timers day celebrations.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Posada ready to hang them up
Jorge Posada is part of the Core Four which will now be down to two members. Andy Pettitte was the first to retire before last season and now Jorge Posada is ready to make his announcement in the next two weeks according to reports. Sweeny Murti was the first one to report this story as it broke on Saturday afternoon. At first glance Posada doesn't seem like a Hall Of Famer but when you look deeper at the numbers he may have a case and I would say he is a borderline Hall of Famer much like Pettitte. Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter are the two remaining members of the core four and they soon too will be leaving the field and going into the next portion of their life.
Posada had a chance to sign with another team this year but I think he made the right choice. He decided instead of hanging on for another year of diminished playing time he would retire a career Yankee. This will also look better to the Hall Of Fame voting committee. Posada had a lot of attributes mainly being the catcher on four World Championship teams. He was considered a clutch player and the vocal leader of the team. Jeter is the captain but Posada was always considered the fiery leader, the guy who would get in your face. He wore his emotions on his sleeves and sometimes it boiled over.
There are famous stories of him and El Duque Hernandez going at it. It was mainly for Posada to motivate Hernandez though when the Yankees needed him most and it almost always worked. Posada didn't always get along with pitchers, Randy Johnson didn't want anything to do with him and he wasn't the only one. Posada though always worked hard and for a guy who came to the Yankees as a 28th round pick and a second baseman he made it work behind the plate.
Posada was a very good switch hitting catcher and that was his strength. He was never a strong defensive catcher but he did get better at it over time. Posada for all of his defensive shortcomings didn't cost the Yankees as he was part of the four titles and an integral part as the catcher. Posada got much better later in his career at throwing guys out trying to steal and blocking balls in the dirt. Calling games I didn't have a huge problem with, it depended on the pitcher in that way, some had a problem and some worked well with him.
Posada was born August 17, 1971 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He made his major league debut on September 4, 1995 in a 13-3 win over the Mariners at home. Ironically the Yankees would take on those same Mariners in the playoffs that year and he would be along for the ride. Posada played in nien games between 1995-96 and then in 1997 he became the full-time backup catcher to ironically again Joe Girardi who would become his manager in 2008. He won his titles in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009. He also appeared in the World Series in 2001 and 2003. He was a five time all-star(2000-2003, 2007). He was a five time Silver Slugger Award winner(2000-2003, 2007).
Here are his career stats, he played in 1,829 games. He had 1, 664 hits, 275 home runs, 1,065 RBI, 273 batting average. In the postseason he played in 125 games, had 103 hits, 11 home runs, 42 RBI and a 248 batting average. His fielding stats were he played 1, 574 games as a catcher and had 12, 877 innings. He had 984 stolen bases against him, was caught stealing 387 times, had 696 assists and 90 errors. His fielding percentage was 992.
He will always be welcome back to Yankee stadium and as time goes on and eventually Jeter and Rivera retire these four, the Core Four will be recognized and celebrated for years to come. I am sure Jorge won't be a stranger and he is very active in the Jorge Posada Foundation which supports and educates on Craniosynostosis which his son Jorge Jr. has. I am sure Posada will be busy at home with his family who he has missed a lot of while playing and being on the road often. It will be interesting to see how he is viewed in five years when he is first put on the ballot for the Hall of Fame. He is worth putting in the discussion but if nothing else he will be remembered for being a great Yankee and a vocal leader of the latest dynasty.
Posada had a chance to sign with another team this year but I think he made the right choice. He decided instead of hanging on for another year of diminished playing time he would retire a career Yankee. This will also look better to the Hall Of Fame voting committee. Posada had a lot of attributes mainly being the catcher on four World Championship teams. He was considered a clutch player and the vocal leader of the team. Jeter is the captain but Posada was always considered the fiery leader, the guy who would get in your face. He wore his emotions on his sleeves and sometimes it boiled over.
There are famous stories of him and El Duque Hernandez going at it. It was mainly for Posada to motivate Hernandez though when the Yankees needed him most and it almost always worked. Posada didn't always get along with pitchers, Randy Johnson didn't want anything to do with him and he wasn't the only one. Posada though always worked hard and for a guy who came to the Yankees as a 28th round pick and a second baseman he made it work behind the plate.
Posada was a very good switch hitting catcher and that was his strength. He was never a strong defensive catcher but he did get better at it over time. Posada for all of his defensive shortcomings didn't cost the Yankees as he was part of the four titles and an integral part as the catcher. Posada got much better later in his career at throwing guys out trying to steal and blocking balls in the dirt. Calling games I didn't have a huge problem with, it depended on the pitcher in that way, some had a problem and some worked well with him.
Posada was born August 17, 1971 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He made his major league debut on September 4, 1995 in a 13-3 win over the Mariners at home. Ironically the Yankees would take on those same Mariners in the playoffs that year and he would be along for the ride. Posada played in nien games between 1995-96 and then in 1997 he became the full-time backup catcher to ironically again Joe Girardi who would become his manager in 2008. He won his titles in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009. He also appeared in the World Series in 2001 and 2003. He was a five time all-star(2000-2003, 2007). He was a five time Silver Slugger Award winner(2000-2003, 2007).
Here are his career stats, he played in 1,829 games. He had 1, 664 hits, 275 home runs, 1,065 RBI, 273 batting average. In the postseason he played in 125 games, had 103 hits, 11 home runs, 42 RBI and a 248 batting average. His fielding stats were he played 1, 574 games as a catcher and had 12, 877 innings. He had 984 stolen bases against him, was caught stealing 387 times, had 696 assists and 90 errors. His fielding percentage was 992.
He will always be welcome back to Yankee stadium and as time goes on and eventually Jeter and Rivera retire these four, the Core Four will be recognized and celebrated for years to come. I am sure Jorge won't be a stranger and he is very active in the Jorge Posada Foundation which supports and educates on Craniosynostosis which his son Jorge Jr. has. I am sure Posada will be busy at home with his family who he has missed a lot of while playing and being on the road often. It will be interesting to see how he is viewed in five years when he is first put on the ballot for the Hall of Fame. He is worth putting in the discussion but if nothing else he will be remembered for being a great Yankee and a vocal leader of the latest dynasty.
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