Yankees News and Notes: A-Rod, Sporcle, and Yankees of Days Yore
by Andrew GM on Feb 26, 2012 6:00 AM EST
in New York Yankees News
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PrintWelcome to the start of another week of Pinstripe Alley fun-tivities. Now, some Yankees news...
- Alex Rodriguez told reporters that he intends to train in camp as a third basemen and that he doesn't consider himself a DH. I appreciate this news, as the Yankees are going to need him to play a great deal at third base this year, but I do hope that A-Rod will not feel slighted if Joe Girardi tries to DH or bench him at least once per week (if not more). He has not played more than 140 games in a season since 2007, and the team has to keep him healthy.
- Robinson Cano is excited about the prospect of having A-Rod bat behind him for a full season. If he is indeed named the number three hitter for 2012, he expects to get plenty of more pitches to hit. That being said, I think that teams are much more scared of Cano in his prime than an almost-37-year-old A-Rod and probably will not hesitate to pitch around Cano.
- Sporcle has a quiz up of the players at the Yankees' Spring Training, and it is hard to remember some of those names. I got 42/68 on my first shot; good luck.
- Dan Barry of the New York Times wrote a very nice piece about a time when the Yankees could actually be considered underdogs- the forgotten "Horace Clarke years" of the late-60s and early-70s. Barry seems to have had some bad luck, as he first became a big fan of the team at age seven in 1965, the first of eleven consecutive non-playoff seasons. Nonetheless, it is certainly difficult to remember teams from childhood in a negative light; I know people who remember names like Fritz Peterson just as fondly as Andy Pettitte.
- LoHud had a good summary of Saturday's activities, and it was concerning to hear that Austin Romine was having back problems. That's not good news to start off Spring Training with for the young catcher. Joe Girardi also mentioned that he expects new DH/outfielder Raul Ibanez to make the major league roster so... sorry outfield invitees, I don't even know why you're here then.
- Everyone loves young prospects, and Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News wrote a story about Mason Williams and why everyone likes the 20-year-old so much. He undoubtedly has the skills to succeed, and I hope he continues to progress this year in A-ball.
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I think A-Rod's due for a bounce back
And while Cano is probably the best hitter in the lineup and certainly the most consistent, I don’t think anybody in the league is more dangerous than A-Rod when he gets hot. So if Alex is hitting well and staying healthy, there’s going to be a lot of “pick your poison” moments this year (and I’m sure Kay will be quick to point it out every-single-damn-time). And then Tex after them? I love it.
The lineup doesn’t concern me. This team will score a lot of runs as usual. The most interesting thing this spring, as it is every spring with this team, is the fifth starter spot. Hughes has to win that job. And not just because I took him in fantasy with the expectation that he’ll be starting this year.
Another random fantasy baseball point- the fact that Yahoo doesn’t even have Jesus Montero listed as a catcher (he’s just utility) is a complete joke. That had better change.
"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada
Thanks for the memories Jorge
Players have to earn eligibility in most fantasy leagues. It’s the same reason you’re going to have to draft Miguel Cabrera at 1B or Hanley Ramirez as a SS to start the season even if you plan on having one of them at 3B.
It’s usually around 20 games for a player to earn eligibility. Unless you have Michael Young. Face does what Face wants.
The general attitude of the preceding comment is frowned upon by upper management.
#JEDI4PSA
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Feb 26, 2012 10:23 AM EST up reply actions
Didn't know that
Kind of assumed they were thinking Montero wouldn’t last at catcher just like “every scout in the league”. But he’ll catch for Seattle this year so I expect that’ll change soon.
"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada
Thanks for the memories Jorge
No narrative, just simple procedure. Can’t label a player at a position when you have no idea what his role is going to be.
The general attitude of the preceding comment is frowned upon by upper management.
#JEDI4PSA
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Feb 26, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
Enjoyed the article about "The Horace Clark" years
I’m a few years older than the author of that article. I was 7 and just starting to be into baseball in 1960 when the Yankees lost that heartbreaking series to the Pirates. So for the first 5 years of my active Yankees fandom, the Yanks were in the World Series every year winning the Series twice in 1961 and 1962. That made the collapse of the late ’60s even harder to take. It also made the three trips to the series and two championships of the Bronx Zoo years even sweeter.
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Feb 26, 2012 10:22 AM EST reply actions
me too
I became a fan during the Horace Clark years when everyone else around me became Mets fans. I think it probably had something to do with watching Yankees games on WPIX and hearing all the stories about Mickey Mantle when he was playing in his last year. It was tough to be a Yankee fan back then.
And speaking of Horace Clark, my friends and I used to play a game where we’d imitate a player in the batter’s box and try to guess who it is. Horace Clark certainly had a distinctive routine …one that included lifting his package a couple of times before he was comfortable. Still makes me laugh.
6 years, 100 mil for Ryan Zimmerman.
Holy crap, the Nations love to blow their money, don’t they? Nothing against Zimmerman – he’s solid and still young – but in what universe is he a $100 mil player?
The Horace Clarke era is always interesting to me. Those of us who aren’t old enough to remember that decade are sometimes accused of never having suffered with the Yankees, but 1988-1992, albeit not as long, was pretty brutal too. I loved those teams growing up despite their total ineptness, and I hated the A’s who would routinely come in and beat us 19-3.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Feb 26, 2012 10:33 AM EST reply actions
The Nats are my NL team
Go figure, given my handle :-) If Zimmerman stays healthy he is absolutely worth it. Even with an injury shortened 2011, he is 12th in MLB in WAR since 2009 (17.1, including two seasons of >7 WAR). By any metric he is right there with the best third basemen in the game (with Longoria and Beltre). Zimmerman is also good for 25-30 HR a year and 40-45 2b. His RBI totals are low, but that’s really a function of the fact that the Nationals have had a constant problem finding top of the order hitters who actually get on base. He’s the one guy on the Nationals you really don’t want up in a crucial situation – in six years Zimmerman already has a startling eight walkoff home runs, his first against the Yankees on Father’s Day in 2006 against Chien-Ming Wang.
It’s nice having him stay in DC, but if they hadn’t gotten this done I was all for the Yankees picking him up for the 2014 season and moving Rodriguez to DH.
I remember the Horace Clark era, though only the tail end of it. That was worse than the 1982-1993 drought, IMO, because the early 70’s Yankees teams were often simply dreadful. The mid 80’s teams were at least generally around .500. Your comment about the A’s is also right on, but there were some wins in there. I went to a game at the Stadium a Sunday afternoon, I guess in 1988. John Candelaria whiffed 14 A’s in a huge win, and as the crowd filed out everyone started chanting “METS SUCK METS SUCK.” Good times :-)
His RBI totals are low, but that’s really a function of the fact that the Nationals have had a constant problem finding top of the order hitters who actually get on base.
Which is why I won’t be surprised if they try to make a trade for Gardner. I kinda expected one this off season, really.
A baseball park is the one place where a man's wife doesn't mind his getting excited over somebody else's curves.
I have to admit
I was shocked he got that much as well. Still though, good for him. In my “teams should have a superstar” philosophy, this should be a good fit for them in the long run.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
ImNotAHRHitter
Pinstripe Alley Podcast
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 26, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
He put up back to back 7+ WAR seasons before getting hurt last year, 29.4 WAR in six full seasons., and he was about to be a free agent. It would not surprise me if he got $100M on the open market.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Feb 26, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
Thirty Seven?
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
ImNotAHRHitter
Pinstripe Alley Podcast
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 26, 2012 1:12 PM EST reply actions
In case anyone wants to see some batting practice!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
ImNotAHRHitter
Pinstripe Alley Podcast
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 26, 2012 1:24 PM EST reply actions
What ever happened to Kevin Russo?
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
We DFA’d him last season, but he’s hanging around Scranton.
Tweets
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 26, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
65/68. Boom.
Tweets
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 26, 2012 1:36 PM EST reply actions
I don’t consider Feliciano a legitimate player!
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
Who did you miss?
"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth
Whitley, Cedeno, and Burawa
Tweets
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 27, 2012 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
Justified.
"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth
I shut off the quiz in protest
It wouldn’t accept several tries to spell Tex’s name. Is it a baseball quiz or a spelling test?
by long time listener on Feb 26, 2012 1:40 PM EST reply actions
Ha, you should know by now!
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
Wonder if there’s a quiz for “Yes Network Personalities” my first guess would be Kim Jo-….nevermind.
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
Read the Times piece.
I remember that era well, going from a mindset where the postseason – and the Series – was a foregone conclusion to that level of futility was humbling indeed. I blame it all on the absentee management style of CBS and that clown Burke. Before they sold out to some shipbuilder from Cleveland, can’t quite remember his name.
Marc Carig @MarcCarig
Yanks announce that Chris Dickerson cleared waivers. Outrighted off 40 to Triple-A but stays in big league camp.
WOOOOOOOOOOOO
The general attitude of the preceding comment is frowned upon by upper management.
#JEDI4PSA
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Feb 26, 2012 2:50 PM EST reply actions
Dickerson is gone from the roster
Dick has disappeared.
by long time listener on Feb 26, 2012 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
Like a frightened turtle
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
ImNotAHRHitter
Pinstripe Alley Podcast
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 26, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
horace clarke yrs
i remember horace as a .280 leadoff hitter who could swipe 20 a yr. his d was average, poor guy has a bad rap because of the nyy terrible team during his time. old #20 could hold his own. he was the pride of the virgin islands. anyone remember danny cater & see ya later? excellent article, as that was the same exact time my blood became pinstriped. i remember every player mentioned.
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