Around the Empire: Yankees news - 8/24/18

NJ.com | Randy Miller: MLB Network analyst Pedro Martinez sounded off on the Yankees, saying their “energy level is down.” After getting pushback — including from Brett Gardner, who suggested Martinez’s comments have to do with his loyalty to the Red Sox — Pedro doubled down on those thoughts during a segment on MLB Network. Martinez also revealed that he was always a Yankees fan, and even paid $250 to get an autographed ball from Bombers icon Reggie Jackson while pitching in the Dodgers minor-league system.

Newsday | Erik Boland: Greg Bird plans to “keep going” to play his way out of a season-long slump, but the Yankees finally seemed worried. Bird is now 0-for-13 since hitting a grand slam in his first at-bat on Sunday. Some pinned the Bombers’ anemic offense in Miami on Bird. “It is what it is, show up Friday,” Bird said. Meanwhile, Bird also responded to criticism from Tyler Austin’s father.

MLB.com | Mandy Bell: Yankees reliever Zach Britton will wear ‘Anglada’ during Players’ Weekend to honor his Dominican ancestry. Britton’s maternal grandmother is from the Dominican Republic, and her maiden name is Anglada. In his introductory news conference after being acquired from Baltimore on July 24th, Britton revealed that he is part Dominican, while joking that he may not look the part and is unable to speak Spanish. He recently said that while he made the decision about his Players’ Weekend jersey while he was still with the Orioles, it may mean even more to his family now. His Dominican family are “huge Yankee fans.”

In other bullpen-related news, George A. King III of the New York Post writes about Aaron Boone’s plan to use his relievers while Aroldis Chapman is on the mend. King also talks about how the Yankees can add David Robertson to their huge list of worries.

CBS Sports | Dayn Perry: Hall of Famer Goose Gossage ripped today’s version of MLB, saying “they’re going to have nerds in the dugout.” Goose also had some choice words for Joe Torre and Brian Cashman, as he lamented finding today’s game “very difficult to be able to watch.” Regardless of his propensity to make controversial comments, I miss watching Gossage pitch. He was an imposing presence on the mound, and a great Yankees reliever.

Other former Yankees made the news as well. Don Mattingly said he is content and has no regrets, A-Rod has been taking a young Yankees player under his wing, and Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter said he will always be a Yankee and “always be The Captain.”