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Pallet racks have been established for a few generations. Many know how to use this type of racking. But what if we want to obtain more storage within the same amount of space? What are your choices?
Here are many of the options for you:
Situation select pallet rack: Virtually all pallets are unique, or with little or no repeat of stock keeping unit numbers. You need to have good choice capability.
As far as the rack types are concerned, you're locked into normal select pallet racking. You might, however, use narrow aisle forklifts along with your select pallet racking. Most of us run with having a 12' aisle for the sit-down, 8-9' which has a standup, and 5' with a turret truck.
Situation drive in or drive thru racking features redundancy with the SKU numbers. You may wish to consider drive in racking for LIFO or drive through rack for First In First Out. These drive-in racks may be for 2 pallets deep or ten deep or more. Depending on how many SKU's you might have and how many of each pallet per SKU which you typically have readily available. Drive in rack could help reduce the amount of aisles you've got by over 50% or even greater.
Situation push back rack has many SKU's, with a small percentage of pallets per SKU. You will retain significant selectivity while still lowering aisle space by over 50 percent. While simultaneously reducing aisle space, you additionally boost forklift productivity and having the driver not being forced to drive into the racks like you would with drive in rack. Typically, push back racking runs 2-5 pallets in depth.
Using situation pallet flow is a reasonable method in times where there is a constant flow of units. For this option, put the pallets in the back end and pull it out at the front. This is by definition FIFO. This option is fantastic for a forced discipline of rotation calendar date. Using this strategy saves your company a great deal in forklift productivity. This may be two pallets deep or thirty if you have enough overhead space.
Making the transition may not be easy, so if you need help to liquidate used warehouse equipment and pallet rack then click the link to discuss your specific situation.

subset: commoncrawl


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Celebrity quotes of the month, February
Ben Affleck quote: he has a thing for Brad Pitt
"If I could be somebody, it'd definitely be Brad Pitt. I love the way he looks."
BEN AFFLECK ADMITS HE HAS A MAN CRUSH ON FELLOW A-LISTER BRAD PITT (Access Hollywood)
Other Galleries
» More Enterainment Photos
election 2014: latest
- Famous people, infamous quotes: In pics
- Congress suspends Kerala leader calling Rahul a 'joker'
- AAP to think small again: Focus on Delhi, may not contest Haryana
- Lessons from the Narendra Modi campaign
- Patnaik: From reluctant inheritor to four-time CM
- Cong-NCP will benefit if decision-making fast-tracked: Pawar
- Bengal elects 26 multi-millionaire MPs
- Akhilesh Yadav sacks 36 state-minister status leaders
- JD(U) leaders demand Nitish's return
- Stalin withdraws his resignation


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Welcome to the new look Slave Zero website.
We are delighted to announce that we will be launching
our new EP 'Disambiguated Visionary' in November.
In advance of the launch we will be releasing a new Video
for the first track from the EP
'Mathematically Legitimate Solution'. Watch this space for more details.
In the meantime click here to hear track 2 from the EP –
Limitless Peripheral Perspectives.
We hope to see you at the EP launch gigs!
Slave Zero formed in 2000 and released their first album 'The Defiant Stand' in 2002 to critical acclaim.
Merging a variety of genres from Death Metal, Thrash, Hardcore and Grindcore the band gigged extensively across Ireland before recruiting the services of Graeme V Flynn, Andy Coade and John Roche for the 2006 EP 'The Pain Remits'.
The strengthening of the members and hard work ethic of the band saw them shortlisted for the BWBK unsigned band of the year in 2006 and subsequently attracted interest from international labels on the back of the EP release.
Over the next 3 years the band would go on to gig in venues in Europe and play with lots of reputable Hardcore, Thrash and Metal bands including Hatebreed, Cephalic Carnage, Exodus to name but a few.
In 2009 the band released their 2nd album 'Exempt from all Tolerance' through their independent label 'Double Standard Productions' which saw the musical direction incorporate more technical, grind and death metal influences.
Shortly after the initial Irish tour, long time drummer Bob Ryan departed ways with band and in stepped Ben Wanders.
In 2010 Ben played his first gig with band at the 10 year anniversary show. The band also played gigs with bands such as Cattle Decapitation (Andy's last show with Slave Zero) as well as Soilent Green and Desecration with Karol Kosc taking over bass duties.
Karol parted ways with the band in 2012 but continues to work with the band to promote the new release. Slave Zero are due to release their new EP 'Disambiguated Visionary' in November 2013.
They have recruited Paddy Kiernan on bass to fulfil gigging duties. The new release incorporates new lyrical themes; new musical influences and is the bands most progressive and heavy musical work to date.
Play video 'MATHEMATICALLY LEGITIMATE SOLUTION' from new EP
Contact Slave Zero
General info: firstname.lastname@example.com
For bookings please phone: +353 (0)86 399 0331


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Start learning with our library of video tutorials taught by experts. Get started
Self-contained tips on the latest online tools, such as Google Apps, Skype, YouTube, Mint.com, Etsy, and more.
Learn the basics of composing, sending, and replying to messages with Gmail, the free email service from Google.
Learn to choose the right equipment, set up productivity tools, and keep connected on the go, in this course on setting up a mobile office.
Manage your personal and professional schedules better with Google Calendar.
Create and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms with Google Drive.
Teaches the basics of creating, editing, and sharing presentations with PowerPoint 2013.
Learn how to leverage the power of Outlook to stay on top of all your important connections.
"I don't know how many times I've come back to review a topic or to watch a video as supplementary training to a class I'm taking, but you guys have helped me stay ahead of the curve." —Derek M.
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AUGUST, Ga. – Washington State University's Reid Forrest is one of ten semifinalists for the 2010 Ray Guy Award, signifying the nation's top collegiate punter.
Forrest, a senior from Ephrata, became WSU's all-time leader in punts (264) and punt yardage (11,267) earlier this season ranks second-time in career punting average (42.7). Forrest is also the active career FBS leader in punts and punt yardage.
This season Forrest is averaging a career-best 45.7 yards per punt and ranks fourth in the Pacific-10 Conference and 12th nationally. He has connected for 17 punts of 50-plus yards and four punts of 60 yards or more, including a career-best of 84 yards last week against California. It marked the second-longest punt in WSU history and tied for the fourth-longest by a Pac-10 player. Forrest's net punting average of 40.7 yards per punt is more than four yards better than any of his previous three seasons.
This year marks the first time Forrest has been named a Ray Guy Award semifinalist as he is one of two Pac-10 players on the list. The last time a WSU player was named a semifinalist was Kyle Basler in 2003.
Three finalists will be announced November 22nd with the winner presented the Ray Guy Award during The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 9th.


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P.S. 199 is hosting a holiday boutique in its cafeteria with free admission. There will be clothing, accessories and gifts for sale for both kids and adults.
P.S. 199 Holiday Boutique Fair
P.S. 199 is hosting a holiday boutique in its cafeteria with free admission. There will be clothing, accessories and gifts for sale for both kids and adults.
The controversial Dyckman Street venue will stay open all winter for the first time.Read More »
East Williamsburg's Blanca is the only two-star Michelin Star restaurant in Brooklyn.Read More »
A thief grabbed the cash from the West Broadway restaurant in an overnight break-in, police said.Read More »
Sean Shaynak had already been charged in August with sending a lewd photo to another student.Read More »
Demid Lebedev, 17, was arrested Monday night after posting pictures from 432 Park Ave. to his Instagram.Read More »
The time capsule contains microfilmed documents related to the construction of 370 Jay St.Read More »
The project aimed to improve traffic flow on the Staten Island highway.Read More »
Success Academy has submitted a proposal to create charter schools in Districts 2 and 3.Read More »
The blaze sent smoke into the department store Monday morning, workers said.Read More »
The Historic Districts Council is organizing a tour of the Loews Valencia on Oct. 4.Read More »
"Drawings Along Myrtle" will feature works by more than 20 Pratt students, alumni and local artists.Read More »
The festival, based in Fort Greene since 2005, also may expand to Oakland.Read More »
Joshua Acosta, 18, was stabbed to death Monday in The Bronx.Read More »
NYU Langone Medical Center will serve as the facility's operator, officials announced.Read More »
During a recent trip to Liberia, Mahmoud Ideraabdullah was in close contact with man who died of Ebola.Read More »
A local volunteer gardening group said they find syringes and human waste in Juan Pablo Duarte Square.Read More »


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Wednesday Oct 1st, 1:57am (EDT)
Our Weekly Dorm Package; Reserve 7 nights in a dorm room and the last night is only $10.00!
Sunday 3 Night Package; Reserve a bed in a dorm room for 3 nights including any Sunday and your last night is only $20.00!
97 Reasons to Visit Philadelphia
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Wednesday:Join us in our dining area for a FREE Pasta Dinner every Wednesday @ 7pm. Don't forget to bring your own beverage and have fun meeting new people!
FREE Pasta Dinner
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Like us on Facebook for inter-esting movie poster-related stuff:
Black Angel posterCopyright by respective production studio and/or distributor. Intended for editorial use only.
Directed by: Roy William Neill
Cast: Peter Lorre, Dan Duryea, Hobart Cavanaugh, Constance Dowling, Wallace Ford, Junius Matthews, John Phillips, June Vincent
Links: Black Angel movie stills


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"I don't think so. Here is why: The books are centered around Bella and her goals/needs/wants. She has attained all those goals and got even more than she asked for. She's become a vampire, she got married, had a baby, got to…"
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:19pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
During the honeymoon, Why did it have to be so stressful for edward... isnt it supposed to be a romantic Thing ?
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Label Focus: Tri-Angle Records
A Tri-Angle Records focus by Ferndown Mistake.
In my eyes they are one of the most consistent labels around right now, sitting smartly alongside Hyperdub and R&S Record's recent revival. Tri-Angle, like many great labels, has an aesthetic that links all of their releases together, rather than a single genre. This is translated through their stunning artwork:
To give you a proper overview of the Tri-Angle sound it is only right we take a brief look at some of their releases. The veins of Tri-Angle are coursing with a love for R'n'B starlets, drones, melancholia and haunting reverbs. Right from the off this is demonstrated with their free mixtape "Let Me Shine For You". A six track ep re-interpreting Lindsey Lohan songs. Released during her stint in Jail and with no 'Free Lindsey' agenda, this ep features tracks from the likes of Laurel Halo, Babe Rainbow and Oneohtrix Point Never. My personal pick is Autre Ne Veut's - 'Bossy'. A demented eighties pop track. Be warned the vocals are love or hate.
This release was swiftly followed up by Balam Acab's - See Birds. It was here where my attention was caught. See Birds opening tracks, See Birds (Moon) and Regret Making mistakes, are pieces of blissed out digi-dub, perfect for chilling out in the sunshine and is succeeded by further 'Big Boy' being my pick here as it sets the tone for his later album Wander/Wonder.
In my eyes one of the best albums of 2011 Wander/Wonder is all about the little nuggets of sound that keep the listeners attention. The washes of white noise, bird song and water drops make this the perfect album for escaping all the stresses going on in life. Each tracks progression giving the album a real sense of nature. Tracks start off small with tiny bits of sound before slowly filling up the frequency spectrum before dying down back to tiny sounds, much like how plants grow and die over the seasons.
oOoOO came next with 'oOoOO' and he recently released followed this up with 'Our Loving Is Hurting Us'. 'oOoOO' is five tracks of MPC style beats combined with amazing vocals and synth work. I'm all about the arpeggio in the first half 'Sedsumting' however it cuts through the mix beautifully before the tracks a turn into the sinister. 'Our Love is Hurting Us' is the follow up to 'oOoOO'. Immediately noticeable upon first listen is the amount of space on this ep compared to his last. Gone are the bright synth pads of the first ep. Instead the focus is on the vocals and the drum work. I don't wanna say too much about it yet as I haven't really had time to properly take it in and everyday I seem to pick a new favourite track.
Much of what is released on Tri-Angle are songs that need to experienced in a setting where the music will wash over you. Be that sat at home with your headphones on or loud over a pa. Holy Other's EP, With U, is no exception to this rule. It is incredibly simple music but incredibly emotive. The EP leaves you with a feelings of warmth and calm. It is music that desires your attention.
When it comes to the next release I wanna look at there are two things you need to know. He's worked with artists such as Lil B, The Weeknd and A$AP Rocky and his beats are off the fucking chain. Clams Casino fuses ethereal vocals, trap beats and bitcrushing on the Rainforest EP. Each track evokes images of sprawling landscapes from flowing english fields and woodland on 'Waterfalls' to sweltering mirages in the desert on 'Natural'
So who is left? How about How To Dress Well. I'm gonna say something a little controversial here. I really went off this album to begin with. I'd heard 'Ready For The World' and was expecting something very different to what I got. Suffice to say it sat unloved on the shelf for a while. However I've recently revisited while I've been writing my dissertation and it is fucking great. It sounds like some old rnb album that's been chewed up and spat out by the wonkiest tape machine ever, and sounds fucking sick for it. If the crunch of the album get's all a bit too much though, I highly recommend picking up the How To Dress Well ep 'Just Once', out on Yourstru.ly, as it features Orchestral Versions of three of the tracks found on the album as well as a new track in the form of 'Suicide Dream 3'
Continuing on the RnB tip is AlunaGeorge - 'You Know You Like It'. Three tracks of smooth Cassie-eqse vocals over quirky beats. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I always head straight for 'Put Up Your Hands' for its saccharine sweet pitched up vocals before checking out the rest. This one will be stuck in your head for a while.
So we're almost closing up now. There's not much left to discuss. But we couldn't go without mentioning the awesome 'Kings and Them' EP from Evian Christ. I'm not gonna say much more than it's a collection of beats utilising pitched down vocals from Tyga, Baby Bashy and others all culled from his Youtube channel and released for free over at their website. Grab it, listen and love it. (http://tri-anglerecords.com/)
Tri-angle have recently signed Haxan Cloak, Howse and Vessel so expect new bits from them soon, there's the forthcoming 12" from Tr-Angle head honcho Lie due imminently and finally, watch out for the for the Tri-Angle showcases hitting Manchester and Glasgow this month, as well as Holy Other in London.
I couldn't do this article without linking you up with a couple of bits that have been given away by the artists mentioned.
Firstly Holy Other - We Over. Originally released on what is now the defunct Transparent records. We Over is a right bobby dazzler. Follow the buy it now link to grab it for free
Also make sure you grab Clams Casino's instrumental ep featuring this one :http://www.mediafire.com/?rj1opi3oa3r8l24
One last thing in case it wasn't already clear Clams Casino is God...


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Sometimes I wonder about us English Majors. As kids, many of us liked stories: we liked reading sings and wading in imagery and language and being overtaken. We stood by as the plot unfolded before us.
Is it possible that we do the same thing in relationships? I tend to approach situations like they're texts: I look for signs; I overanalyze. I'm so afraid of being alone that I become secondary. I'm on the outside looking in, uninvolved in the story when I want to be a main character. And in all the fantasy of what could be, I lose myself—and that's not attractive. I take on her loves, her hates, her passions. Do I depend on other's stories for my own happiness?
As literary critics, though, we can't just take a passive role. We read closely — we read actively. It is our own experiences and social contexts and opinions that shape the significances of a text to us. It's the same in relationships; no matter if we're alone, or who we're with, we're still us. We have to be content in ourselves as people if we're ever going to get understanding or satisfaction from any relationship. We have to write our own stories.


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Sasha Grey gangbanged
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April 21st, 2012
dem sum fine azz men except da old and fat man but that is sum bull shit cause i bet ha fucken pussy hurt but it was probuly awesome to hair
April 18th, 2012
god damn pull out them dicks tell dat bitch get out fuck the gurl hard i could not even handle dat cause that is too many men


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Results tagged ' Bernie Williams '
YES, please!
I have been told in life there are three types of people: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.
As a current high school sports reporter and MLBlogger trying to take the next step in his career, I'm at the point where I want to make it happen. And what I have in mind might provide me with that chance.
Recently I was tossing ideas around in my head, thinking of companies to apply to while job hunting, and I somehow managed to venture over to the YES Network's career page. In the past I've checked out the YES Network's career page, but there was never anything listed. This time was a little different; there was one job posted:
Social Media Specialist.
As soon as I noticed the listing, I jumped on it. I tweaked my resume, pieced together an appropriate, well-written cover letter, and gathered the right material together to apply for the job – the right material basically being proof of all the times YES has used my insight via social media on its TV shows.
On May 8, 2010 YES used a comment I posted on its official Facebook page for the "Extra Innings" postgame show. There were no words to describe my excitement level, seeing my name and comment on TV when it first happened.
Fast forward to April 10, 2011. I wrote in another Facebook comment, and once again YES used my name and my words on "Extra Innings."
June 9, 2012, same thing.
All of this YES Network social media craze reached new heights on Aug. 6 this year when YES actually used my question during the "YES Network Games," a contest designed for viewers to tweet in trivia questions with the commentators trying to answer them.
After my name appeared, a few of my friends attempted to stage a Twitter hashtag rally entitled, #HireAJMartelli.
The YES Network should already know (just based on the history) how finely tuned my skills are when it comes to social media. In fact ESPN should also have the same idea, considering two of my comments made it onto the exclusive Baseball Tonight show during the "Chatter Up" segment in 2008 and 2009.
It's also not as if I'm an uneducated, inexperienced stranger. My past work in other media outside of social media speaks for itself. If I could show something to the YES Network right now, this would be it; some highlights of my young career:
- B.S. in journalism from Mercy College (class of 2010) where I served for two years as the sports editor of the Mercy student newspaper. The Mercy student paper won two New York Press Association awards while I served as sports editor, and I was awarded two Quill Awards (2009, '10) for sports reporting, given to me by Mercy's media studies department.
- Interviewed former Yankee and current YES personality John Flaherty while at Mercy and wrote a feature story about his career for the paper.
- Interviewed Brian Sweeney, a Major League relief pitcher who had faced the Yankees weeks before I conducted the interview.
- Worked for the Hudson Valley Renegades in 2010, assisting with baseball operations.
- Went on to cover the 2012 Hudson Valley Renegades this past season. The 'Gades captured the New York-Penn League Championship, beating the Tri-City Valley Cats. For their successful and winning campaign, the Renegades were voted the 2012 Minor League Baseball team of the year.
- Interviewed two-time Super Bowl Champ and MVP Eli Manning at the sixth annual Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic this year.
- Have worked for the past two years (and continue to work) as a high school sports reporter. To coincide with the Yankee motif, one of my favorite times covering a high school game was sitting next to Bernie Williams, covering his daughter's basketball game this past February. I even wrote an OP/ED that ran in the paper about how interesting it was, sitting next to a Yankee legend while working.
But I think what puts it all over the top for me is what you're reading right now. Yankee Yapping has been lauded by MLB. It has been ranked in the top three MLBlogs and featured multiple times; it has garnered a solid amount of fanfare since I launched it in July, 2009.
The bottom line is, I have done a lot of work and paid a lot of dues. And now, if there is a chance to move up the ladder, I'd like to take it.
To anyone reading this with a Twitter page, and would like to help, tweet the link to this blog to @YESNetwork and help #HireAJMartelli.
Together, we can make it happen. Not watch it happen, or wonder what happened.
In the meantime, I have high school ice hockey to cover this weekend after the holiday. And if you were to ask me what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving, it's having a job in the print media field, covering sports. No matter what level it happens to be on.
Top 12 of 2012
Following the untimely and bitter end of the 2012 season last night, the Yankees are undoubtedly heading back to Yankee Stadium to clean out their lockers, and are going to prepare for what will be about a five month layover until Spring Training kicks up in February.
Now that the season has come to a close, it's time to reflect on everything that made 2012 a great baseball season. There's no need to dwell on the tragic ALCS sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers, so instead, let's take a look back at some of the best moments and times of this past season.
Just a note, I'll be including some personal highlights as well; some moments that made it personally a fun season for me, as a writer, a reporter, and most importantly, a fan. Without any further ado, Yankee Yapping is proud to present its Top 12 of 2012!
12. Catching up with Bernie Williams
Believe it or not, one of the best highlights of the season (for me) came before the season even began!
While I was covering a high school girls' basketball game in February, I happened to be sitting next to none other than the former Yankee center fielder, Bernie Williams. His daughter Bea led her team to a win, and getting to sit next to a Yankee legend – and a proud father – while it happened was truly an honor.
Read all about my evening with Bernie here!
11. The return of Andy Pettitte
He had an itch to come back, and he went ahead and scratched it.
In March, retired longtime Yankee favorite Andy Pettitte announced that he would be coming out of retirement. He signed a contract, got back in shape, and unfortunately it didn't work out for him in the end.
Pettitte was sidelined for the majority of the season after getting struck in the left ankle with a come-backer on June 27 – fracturing his fibula.
I've discussed my feelings on the whole "coming-out-of-retirement" spiel, but when Pettitte went down, I legitimately felt bad for him, knowing he wanted to pay dividends for the Yankees. At the very least, however, he pitched well in the postseason, as he always does.
10. Home opener shutout
There is nothing like Opening Day. Spring; the feeling of new life is in the air, and baseball is back.
The Yankees made their home opener this year one to remember, beating Albert Pujols and the LA Angels 5-0 behind a brilliant start from Hiroki Kuroda. The Yankee win was one of the first of their 95 victories in 2012, setting the table for yet another strong, winning campaign.
9. Beating up the BoSox
On April 20 the Yankees' most hated rivals, the Boston Red Sox, honored Fenway Park; their home that turned 100 years old. Red Sox Nation could only hope a nice ceremony and a champagne toast would be followed by a Red Sox win over the Yankees.
No such luck.
The Yankees beat the Red Sox quite decisively, 6-2, ruining their centennial celebration.
And it only got sweeter the next day.
Boston rebounded from the loss with a bang, touching up the Yanks for nine runs through the first six innings. Leading 9-1 in the seventh, the Red Sox had seemingly answered their loss with a win, but things are rarely what they seem in Beantown. The Yanks came back with a vengeance; plating seven runs in the seventh and adding another seven in the eighth, clawing their way back for a huge, 15-9 win over Boston.
Without question those two losses took a lot of air out of Red Sox Nation, and the BoSox went on to have one of their worst seasons since the 1970s.
8. A YES contribution
On June 8 the Yankees absolutely clobbered the Mets, beating their inferior cross-town rivals, 9-1. Robinson Cano led the way with two homers off Mets' ace Johan Santana, and Nick Swisher and Andruw Jones followed with homers of their own.
As a matter of fact, the Yanks smacked three consecutive homers that night.
During the game, I submitted a tweet to the YES Network, and they used it on their "Extra Innings" postgame show – marking the third time they have used my insight on TV.
Hosts Jack Curry and Bob Lorenz even agreed with my comment.
More YES Network action to come later.
7. A win over Atlanta
There's nothing like going out to your first game of the season. It took me a couple months, considering covering Minor League Baseball basically consumed my summer, but on June 18 (three days after my birthday!) I finally got out to the big ballpark in the Bronx.
The Yanks hosted the Atlanta Braves in an inter-league showdown, and backed by a dominant, complete game performance from CC Sabathia, won 6-3. The victory kept a 10-game Yankee winning streak alive; Cano and Mark Teixeira each going yard to pace the Yanks at the plate.
I did get out to one more game on Aug. 31 – yet it wasn't as memorable, the Yankees losing 6-1 to the team they eventually ousted in the ALDS, the Baltimore Orioles.
6. Welcome, Ichiro!
The Yankees made a splash before the trade deadline, acquiring Ichiro from the Seattle Mariners. The 38-year-old veteran outfielder joined the team on July 23, and certainly did a fine job on both sides of the field.
Ichiro played in 67 games for the Yankees – and 162 overall, proving just how durable he really is. In those 67 games in pinstripes he recorded 73 hits and scored 28 runs with 14 stolen bases, 13 doubles, and five homers.
Yes. He's still got it. Much like Derek Jeter, Ichiro has shown he is ageless. And he certainly helped propel the Yankees down the stretch and into the postseason.
Domo arigato, Mr. Suzuki.
5. YES Network Games
Another game, another YES Network appearance.
On Aug. 6, my tweet was used on the YES Network, during their "YES Network Games" competition. Michael Kay even admitted my question was difficult, although he, John Flaherty, and Meredith Marakovits all came up with the correct answer.
It's only too bad the content and nature of the question in a way foreshadowed the season's end.
4. Not so fast, Oakland
The 2012 Yankees had a handful miraculous late-game wins under their belt – maybe not as many as the '09 Yankees – but when the Bombers fought back this season, you could be sure they would win.
Case in point: Sept. 22 at home vs. Oakland.
Tied 5-5 in the top of the 13th, the A's were able to score four times and take a 9-5 lead.
Facing a surefire loss, the Bombers showcased some resiliency, and battled back to knot it up at nine, highlighted by a game-tying, two-run homer off the bat of Raul Ibanez. Ichiro later scored on an error for a 10-9 Yankee victory.
To think, while all this was happening I was hanging out with (of all people) Hulk Hogan.
3. Taking the tour
Game after game, the Yankees sit in their dugout; chill in the clubhouse. On Sept. 30 I got a taste of what that feels like.
The Yankee Stadium tour is offered year-round and on Yankee off-days during the regular season. It was something I had wanted to do for awhile, and I finally had my day.
Read all about my Yankee Stadium tour here!
2. Raul Ibanez's heroics
Baseball in October is sometimes defined as, "unlikely hero." And the Yankees certainly had one this year.
At the end of the regular season and into the postseason, Raul Ibanez proved to be the Yankees' most clutch player. With game-tying and game-winning hits, he made a name for himself and earned the respect and love of all Yankee fans.
Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth on Oct. 2 vs. Boston, Ibanez slammed a two-run home run, tying it all up, 3-3. Three innings later he came up and sank the Red Sox with a walk-off single – a hit that gave the Yankees a 4-3 win over their humiliated hated rivals, but more importantly, kept them alone in first place in the AL East going into the game number 162 of the regular season.
Talk about enough drama for one season. But it was only the beginning.
Against the Orioles – the team that crept up on the Yanks for first place in the AL East towards the end of the year – in Game 3 of the ALDS, Ibanez put on an encore performance.
Down 2-1 this time in the ninth, Ibanez swung his bat hard, lifting the ball deep into the New York night and into the seats for another incredible, game-tying homer. He came up, again in the 12th, and clubbed another death blow; another long ball to give the Yankees a 3-2 victory, sending the Bronx faithful home with smiles on their faces.
Two game-tyers and two game-winners within eight days of each other. And he still had some left.
Last Saturday in Game 1 of the ALCS when defeat looked imminent, Ibanez tied the game with one swing yet again, taking Detroit closer Jose Valverde's offering into the seats in right field.
Sadly for Ibanez and the Yankees the magic stopped there. But there's no question that Ibanez had the best October of any Yankee player on the roster.
1. Getting past the O's
The ALCS may not have ended the way the Yankees would have hoped for, but if nothing else, they should take winning the ALDS away from this postseason as a huge step in the right direction.
After all, the Yankees had not beaten a team in the ALDS not named the Minnesota Twins since 2001, when they beat the A's. By the numbers, the Yankees were 4-0 vs. the Twins in the ALDS – and 0-5 vs. everyone else. The biggest question on my mind entering October was, "if it's not the Twins, can the Yankees even win?"
Yes, they can. And moving forward, hopefully it gives them confidence. Let's say (hypothetically) the Yankees are up against the Chicago White Sox, or the Texas Rangers, or the Angels – or even the Tigers again in the ALDS next year. With the win over the Orioles this year, they now know they can win an ALDS against a team other than the Twins.
Beating the Orioles may have taken a lot of effort, but perhaps it gave them some knowledge.
Honorable Mention: The Hudson Valley Renegades
As I've written about several times, I had the pleasure of covering the Hudson Valley Renegades this season, a MiLB team. The 'Gades were a huge part of my summer. I spent many nights in the Dutchess Stadium press box, watching the team battle to win after win.
The Renegades went on to beat the Tri-City Valley Cats in the New York-Penn League Championship Series, winning their first league title since 1999 – and only their second league title in team history.
I had so much fun covering the Renegades, and it meant a lot when their manager, Jared Sandberg, told me that not only had he read several of my articles about the team/game recaps, but he was impressed with how well-written they were.
Very encouraging to hear, especially from a former big leaguer and the nephew of a Hall of Famer.
It's tough to say goodbye to the 2012 baseball season, because it was one heck of a time.
My only hope now is that 2013 will be just as awesome.
Makin' Moves
Despite going 2-5 on their recent road trip which included a sweep at the hands of the suddenly "Moneyball" Oakland Athletics team, the Yankees still possess the best record in baseball at 59-39 and continue to sit atop the AL East, looking eight games down at the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays, and 10 1/2 games down at the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.
A number of things have happened in Yankees Universe and the baseball world in general these past couple of days. Therefore in the spirit of old-fashioned blogging, I figured I would give some thoughts, opine on some topics, and even throw in a story or two – just for old time's sake.
Ichiro Joins the Yankees
Before Monday's series opener vs. the Mariners huge news broke via the Twitter wire: the Yankees had acquired Ichiro Suzuki from the Mariners in exchange for minor league pitchers D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar.
Just like that, Ichiro is a Yankee.
The news came as a shock to most Yankee fans, as well as me, seeing as how Ichiro spent his entire MLB career with the Mariners. Not only that, but the move was on no one's radar; nobody saw it coming. It was obviously a trade General Manager Brian Cashman kept under wraps until it became official.
The first notion that entered everyone's mind was the jersey number. Throughout his career Ichiro has always worn number 51, a number that has meant a lot to the Yankees – being that Bernie Williams wore it for 16 years in pinstripes.
To everyone's relief, Ichiro chose to take 31, respecting Williams and the jersey number. Unfortunately Dave Winfield didn't seem to take too kindly to Ichiro taking 31.
Right on, Dave.
In his first three games as a Yankee, Ichiro has collected three hits and has stolen a base. He hit eighth in the batting order in his first two games, and led off yesterday, showing his versatility in the lineup. Plug him in anywhere and he can still hit.
This was a good move for the Yankees. With Brett Gardner's season over and Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones signed to be designated hitters and fourth outfielders, the trade makes sense. The Mariners organization is becoming tailor-made for young players and the veteran Ichiro, 38, didn't feel he fit in with them – hence why he requested the trade.
Hats off to the Mariners not only granting his wish, but commenting on how he deserves to a chance to win a title before his career ends. It's obvious Seattle isn't going anywhere this season while the Yankees, now with Ichiro's help, could potentially go very far.
After the final out was made in yesterday's 5-2 win over the M's, Ichiro waved goodbye from right field to the Mariners faithful. The fans seemed heartbroken at the thought of their golden boy for so many years leaving town.
The sight of it all made me sad. I couldn't help but remember the way I felt when Joe Torre managed his last game in October, 2007. When someone has meant so much to a franchise, I know first-hand that it's extremely difficult to see them leave.
Alex Rodriguez out 6-8 Weeks
On Tuesday night in Seattle, Alex Rodriguez was beaned on the left hand during an at-bat in the eighth inning – the third HBP in the game (Ichiro and Derek Jeter had previously been plunked). Rodriguez fell to the dirt in agonizing pain and left the game.
Afterward it became known that A-Rod has a broken hand and will miss 6-8 weeks; the Yanks are hoping to have him back by the middle of September.
Losing A-Rod is a blow, but perhaps it's better the Yankees lost him now as opposed to a time when they really needed him. For example, if this injury occurred in 2005 or 2007 when Rodriguez put the team on his back and carried it, the Yanks would be in serious trouble.
Thank God we live in the year 2012.
Because now there are several players who are capable of coming up in big spots to bring the runs home, like Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson, and Robinson Cano, among others. Not to mention in '05 and '07 the Yanks were constantly battling for first place, locked in a dogfight with the Red Sox for the division.
Obviously that's not the case this year.
Although taking Rodriguez's bat out of the lineup basically takes an offensive threat and a presence out of the Yankees' arsenal, there's more than enough power to compensate for it. As far as defense is concerned, Ramiro Pena was called up to fill A-Rod's roster spot and will obviously see time at third base along with Eric Chavez and yesterday's hero, Jayson Nix.
There's also speculation the Yankees might go after Chase Headley, the Padres' third baseman, before the trade deadline on Tuesday. Headley, 28, is hitting .267 this year with 12 homers and 51 RBIs.
A-Rod looked devastated after the game; he was clearly not just in physical pain from the HBP and the fracture, but emotional pain as well. It was apparent the news of him missing more time due to another injury impacted his psyche and left him in disbelief, as evidenced by his words when he met with the press.
"It's difficult; tough break," he said, masked in a shell-shocked expression. "I never thought 'fracture' but it was. Tough blow. Tough blow."
Rivalry Renewed
The Boston Red Sox will visit Yankee Stadium for the first time this season tomorrow night, as the Bombers and BoSox get set for a three-game weekend series. The last time these teams met, the Yankees took three of four from the Sox in Beantown.
The Red Sox are coming off a losing series to the Texas Rangers while the Yanks (as it's known) just took two of three from the Mariners. Aaron Cook (2-3, 3.50) will start for Boston tomorrow night while the Yanks will counter with Phil Hughes (9-8, 4.09 ERA).
Saturday afternoon in a match-up of aces, CC Sabathia (10-3, 3.30 ERA) will toe the rubber, facing off with Jon Lester (5-8, 5.46 ERA). Finally on Sunday night, 10-game winner Hiroki Kuroda will gun for win number 11 – while Boston has not yet listed a starter for the finale.
MLB posed an excellent question a couple days ago:
Has the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry lost its luster?
Right now, I think it's almost dormant. With Bobby Valentine shooting off his big mouth about Derek Jeter over the off-season, I thought for sure the rivalry would be ignited and something would happen this year; perhaps the boiling of some bad blood.
So far, however, nothing. But I suppose it's not necessary when the Red Sox are AL East cellar dwellers and not pushing for first place at all. If Boston was in the pennant race, there might be more of a competitive element thrown into the mix.
Yet, it is clear that the days of A-Rod and Jason Varitek duking it out are long gone; Curt Schilling wanting to "make 55,000 people from New York shut up" is surely passé. It could take awhile – maybe even a number of years – before the Yankees and Red Sox go back to where they were in 2003, 2004, and even 2005.
Then again, you never know. It only takes one bean ball to start a fire.
Some Encouragement from Sandberg
As promised, I'll throw in a little story to close this one.
The last time I blogged, I wrote about my experience covering the Hudson Valley Renegades, as most readers probably know by now, the same team I interned for. I wound up covering them again last Friday after I saw "The Dark Knight Rises" (go see that movie if you haven't yet done so).
Escaping damage in the ninth inning and with some eighth inning heroics, the Renegades beat the Aberdeen Ironbirds 3-2 – the Ironbirds being a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles, for the record.
After the game I went from the press box to the clubhouse and interviewed Jared Sandberg, the Renegades' skipper, former Tampa Bay Devil Ray, and nephew of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.
Tampa Bay Rays' 2011 first round draft pick Taylor Guerrieri once again started, and Sandberg actually noticed that I had been there for Guerrieri's previous start.
"You were here the last time Taylor pitched (against Mahoning Valley) weren't you?" he asked me after the interview.
"Yes," I answered.
Jokingly he looked at me and asked, "Oh, so you only cover the games Taylor pitches?"
I let out a chuckle and said, "Well, we're a newsweekly with so many coverage areas, so there are a lot of games and only so many we can get to every week."
Sandberg answered, "Oh, I understand. I was just kidding. Which paper are you with again?"
The Examiner," I replied.
"Oh, I saw that article from last week!" he exclaimed. Frightened, I had no idea what he was going to say next.
"That was really well-written and very nicely done; nice spread – and the pictures came out great, too."
I thanked him and told my editor about it. He was happy Sandberg saw it and basically said, "Now the pressure's on us. He might expect great articles from now on."
Honestly though, I am having a great time covering this team. They are performing extremely well, and are in first place in their division in the New York-Penn League, ahead of the likes of the Brooklyn Cyclones and Staten Island Yankees.
I'm looking forward to covering more of their games and I'm anxious to see how they are going to finish. When I interned for them in 2010, they ended at 39-36, missing the playoffs. At 24-13 right now, it looks as if they will indeed eclipse their 2010 record and go who knows where.
Hopefully to a League title.
Another Evening with Bernie
At work yesterday, my editor (also a photographer) decided it would be funny to take a shot of me sitting courtside next to a certain person. He e-mailed it to me, calling it a "souvenir" from the game he sent me to cover.
Although I look like the Angry Video Game Nerd in the photo, I'm happy he took it.
On Feb. 7 I had the honor of meeting Yankee legend Bernie Williams, covering his daughter Bea's basketball game. Bea's team made the playoffs and I was once again assigned to cover her team yesterday evening. Just being able to shake Bernie's hand and the fact that he signed an autograph for me was enough of a memory to last me the rest of my life.
But it got even better. More good times. More great memories.
I hit some traffic on the way to the game, but got to Byram Hills High School in Armonk, N.Y. and sat down literally right before the girls tipped off. Bea gained possession of the ball, drove to the hoop on a fast break, and banked in the first basket of the game.
Maybe a minute later, Bernie walked in, and I was the first person he noticed. He smiled at me, reached out to shake my hand, and said,
"Hey! How's it going? Good to see you again."
I shook his hand and answered, "Good! Nice to see you again, too."
Bernie took the seat right next to me. He leaned over to me and said, "This is going to be a tough game for them." I replied, "Yeah, the playoffs are always tough." He gave me nod and a look expressing agreement.
I mean, Bernie would know a lot about postseason play. In 12 out of his 16 seasons with the Yankees he was playing in October. He would know about playoff difficulty better than anyone.
Bea's team fell behind 12-7 late in the first quarter, and the coach called a full timeout. While the teams were in the huddle, Bernie leaned over to me again and kind of tapped me on the shoulder.
"So really, how've you been? Everything good?"
I tried to mask my amazement. As I described when I first met him, I felt just like Max Kellerman in "Rocky Balboa." I grew up watching him belt home runs at Yankee Stadium, and afford me and the rest of the Yankee fans wonderful memories. Now he's asking me how I'm doing?!
In the words of Kellerman I wanted to scream, "This is unbelievable! I'm a fan, I can't help it!"
But I couldn't express it. I had to show him I'm normal person, not just another Yankee fanatic.
Calm, cool, and collectively I answered, "Yep. Everything's good. I hit a little bit of traffic getting here, but walked in right before tipoff. Bea actually had the first basket of the game, right before you came in."
Bernie chuckled, and then gazed at his daughter. I could just tell by the look in his eyes how proud he was of her. It's funny, because I bet when she was younger, watching him patrol centerfield at Yankee Stadium, she had the same, spirited look.
As it happened, Bea's team rallied from behind to win, 48-46. They were trailing 34-27 after the third quarter and staged a come-from-behind victory, outscoring the other team 21-12 in the fourth. Bea led her team with 19 points, and bucketed three shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
Afterward I caught up with her and interviewed her about her outstanding performance. She was so happy that her team won – not only because she didn't want her team to be eliminated from playoff contention, but to keep her High School basketball career alive.
Bea is a senior, and it's never fun to be playing that last game.
I pretty much burst out laughing at what Bea's mom (and obviously Bernie's wife) said to me right before I conducted my postgame interview. She got behind her daughter and teased her with a big smile on her face, saying,
"It's all her mother! She gets everything from me!"
All three of us just started to laugh. I thought it was classic; such a "mom" thing to do and say.
After I was done interviewing Bea, I offered my praise and let her know Bernie looked incredibly honored watching her play.
"Congratulations on the win Bea," I remarked. "I was sitting next to your dad and he looked very proud."
She thanked me with an ear-to-ear smile.
I know I said it last time, but I have to say it again: I feel extremely lucky to be doing what I'm doing as far was my job is concerned. Not many die-hard Yankee fans can say they get to go to work and sit next to a Yankee legend – and then get to write about it.
This is just another memory I'll carry with me forever, and I'll never forget.
Later on, Mike D'Antoni's son (who I believe I mentioned before) played in the second game I covered. Obviously his father wasn't in attendance, as the Knicks and their new phenom Jeremy Lin dropped their game at Madison Square Garden to the New Orleans Hornets, losing 89-84, thus ending their seven-game "Linning" streak.
If you're wondering, D'Antoni's son's team also lost, 53-40, eliminating them from the High School postseason. Mike, Jr. is…well…a junior, however. He still has another year to win a basketball championship.
As for Bea's team, I hope they keep winning and go all the way to win the Gold Ball in the Section 1, Class A finals. For as nice as the Williams family has been to me the two times I covered her team, she deserves to win.
It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
In the last Rocky film produced, "Rocky Balboa," HBO boxing analyst and commentator Max Kellerman becomes overwhelmed with emotion when one of his childhood heroes acknowledges him.
"Rocky Balboa just asked me how I'm doing!" he exclaims, with an ear-to-ear smile. "I grew up watching this guy; I never thought I'd be calling one of his fights! This is unbelievable! I'm a fan, I can't help it!"
Last night I had that same feeling Kellerman had in the movie.
Although having to do my job as a High School sports reporter, the fan in me came out; the little kid who gets star-struck being in the presence of a hero. The childhood hero in my presence:
Former Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams.
A few weeks ago I blogged about writing a possible story involving Bernie, being that his daughter Beatriz plays for the Byram Hills High School varsity girls' basketball team, one of the teams my newspaper covers. My goal was to write a feature story about Bea, getting some quotes from her dad and insight from his perspective.
Think about it: Bernie is famous; one of the greatest players to ever put on the Yankee pinstripes. His family undoubtedly attended many of his games at Yankee Stadium and watched him play. What must he feel like now, on the other end of it watching his daughter play?
My editor thought it would be a unique, original concept for a player profile to put in the paper – that is if we could get the story. I would have to cover one of her games in the hopes he would be there in order to set up an interview of some sort.
Monday night I received an e-mail from my editor, letting me know the Byram girls had a home game Tuesday. The odds of Bernie being in attendance were pretty high, so he gave me the assignment of covering the game. Bea is a senior and yesterday afternoon was her final regular season home game, so naturally I thought I had a good shot to meet Bernie and inquire about the interview.
I was pretty excited. But of course when I got to the game, Bernie was nowhere to be found.
At halftime Bea's team was trailing by one point, and my editor (who was photographing the game for the paper) came up to me and pointed out that Bernie had arrived, and was sitting near the front of the gym.
"Do you want to maybe go talk to him now?" my editor asked. "I'm sure it'll be alright. We've interviewed him before, and we don't have to do the interview today. We can just ask about it."
We made our way over to where Bernie was sitting, and just being so close to him put me in a state of awe. I couldn't believe I was literally standing inches away from a Yankee legend, when all those years watching him from the grandstands at Yankee Stadium, I felt as if I was lightyears away from him.
My editor showed Bernie some shots of Bea he took on his camera for the paper and then introduced me to him, asking about the story idea. Bernie looked at me and said,
"A story on her? Yes, you can interview me for that. Do you have a card or something where I can reach you?
I didn't, so I went for the next best thing.
"Can I give you my e-mail address?" I asked.
"Yeah, that's fine," he replied.
While I was jotting down my contact information for Bernie, an older gentleman approached him and asked for an autograph. He happily signed for him, and gave the man a smile.
After the gentleman walked away, I handed over my e-mail address to Bernie. Even as I write this, I cannot believe I gave my contact info. to a man I grew up idolizing; a true Yankee warrior. Before I walked away, with a shy look on my face, I asked Bernie for an autograph.
"Sure," he said with a smile.
I had no baseball for him to sign; not even a baseball card. Technically, I was at work. I didn't bring anything with me, save for my reporting materials, so I just tore a blank page out of my reporter's notebook and handed him my pen – the same pen I was using to write down the number of baskets his daughter was scoring in her game. (Just for the record, Bea netted 17 points to lead her team to a 49-39 win!)
Not just because I was thankful for his time, but as an objective reporter, I gave his daughter a polite compliment.
"Bea is a terrific ballplayer," I remarked.
Bernie gave me a proud look and replied, "Yeah, she works hard."
He signed my autograph, "To A.J. Best Wishes! Bernie Williams 51"
I reached out my hand in gratitude, and he shook it.
"Thank you so much Bernie, I really appreciate this."
He nodded at me with a gentle expression and said, "It's no problem."
It is times like this I feel blessed in life; blessed to have a job that gives me chances like this. There aren't many people in the world who get to go to work and run into a recognizable and famous athlete – and incorporate that famous athlete and his family into their work.
In a lot of respects I'm extremely lucky, only because Bea isn't the only child of a famous sports-related figure I have seen play this year.
The past two weeks I had the pleasure of covering varsity boys' basketball games featuring Mike D'Antoni, Jr., who is the son of New York Knicks' Head Coach Mike D'Antoni. Coach D'Antoni didn't attend either game to watch his son, as the Knicks had games both nights I saw Mike Jr. play.
I guess I take comfort in knowing that even though I'm not on the big stage yet – I'm not writing for ESPN or the YES Network, or even MLB – but at the very least I'm getting a small taste of it, even if it's at the bottom level.
And days like this that only give me more confidence, as a journalist.
Right now I can really only think of the TV show "Smallville," which tells the story of a young Clark Kent (the hero who went on to become Superman). Keep in mind, Kent occupied his time as a journalist when not saving the world as the Man of Steel.
There was an episode in which Kent's friend Chloe gets a job at the Daily Planet newspaper. They gave her an office on the ground floor and a position as a cub reporter, not exactly her dream job. Yet it didn't matter to her. She was just happy to be there and grateful to be doing what she loves to do.
Chloe's feelings match so well how I've felt this last year and a half, covering High School sports. It may not be the top, but it's a start and it's what I love: sports. And Chloe's words after they gave her the job keep echoing in my mind:
"OK, so it's actually the basement. But it's the Daily Planet…The way I look at it, I have no place to go but up, up, and away."
A Talk With Bernie?
On Thursday night I was working, covering some high school hockey here in upper Westchester, New York. My job doesn't require me to take photos of the athletes I'm covering, so usually my editor (who is also a photographer) will show up at the games and shoot the players for pictures.
In between periods during the hockey game I received some really interesting news.
My editor was giving me some background information on the game I covered last night, which happened to be a boy's basketball game. After he let me know what to watch out for at the boy's hoops game, he looked at me and said,
"I should be sending you to the Byram Hills/Fox Lane girls' basketball game. Bernie Williams might be there."
"His daughter Beatriz is a senior and plays on the Byram Hills team, and he attends a lot of her games," he continued. "She's pretty good; she got her 1,000th point the other night."
I had no idea Bernie's daughter plays on one of the teams my newspaper covers – and I didn't know she was that good! 1,000 points in a high school career is quite impressive.
The news got even better when my editor explained to me that Bernie is very approachable at these games. In fact, one of the other reporters working for our paper met him at a game last year and has interviewed him already.
I was then told I could ask him for an interview as well, and maybe write a feature story on him and Bea. I can't think of anything more amazing than writing a story on one of my favorite Yankees; a player I grew up with and might have the chance to interview.
Not to mention it would put Yankee Yapping over the top! If I can get this interview, I will undoubtedly write about the experience here. Maybe it would put Yankee Yapping into the category of elite internet Yankee blogs?
In any event, according to the local schedule, the Byram Hills girls play their next game on Friday Feb. 3 at home – most of the teams are off next week because of high school midterms. I remember those, and no, I do not miss them.
My editor is probably going to send me to that game, and that could very well be the night I get to talk to and possibly interview (or set up an interview with) Yankee legend Bernie Williams. I don't want to get my hopes up if for some reason it doesn't work out, but nonetheless I think it's pretty cool his daughter is on one of the teams I'll be covering.
Just getting the chance to shake Bernie's hand and maybe getting to talk to him for a minute will be enough for me. He has always been and will always be one of my favorite Yankees, ever.
And speaking of communicating with Yankees, I was on Twitter this afternoon and noticed Joba Chamberlain tweeting about the New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins game. I decided to switch over to the hockey game and attempted to tweet with the Yankee hurler.
Eventually I got Chamberlain to re-tweet me about the action. The Rangers were supposed to be going on a power play, and I asked him if he thought the Blueshirts could convert. But right after I tweeted the question, the referees reversed their decision and didn't call a penalty.
"4-4. No PP."
I can now put Chamberlain with Russell Martin on the list of Yankees who have replied to my tweets. Remember, if you want to follow me on Twitter, my handle is @AJ_Martelli.
Stadium Giveaways: Priceless Treasures
Last night was a brutal night to be a Yankee fan, as the Bronx Bombers let a middle-innings lead slip away. The Seattle Mariners eked a 4-3 win over the Yanks. With the win, the Mariners are now a .500 team.
The highlight of the game was perhaps Mark Teixeira's first inning solo home run off rookie phenom Michael Pineda, his 14th round-tripper of the year. Seattle's defense played a huge role, considering Franklin Gutierrez's brilliant thievery in centerfield, robbing a scuffling Nick Swisher of a home run in the top of the fourth.
After the game I asked myself, "How would this game have played out if Swisher had hit that home run?"
Probably a lot different, because it was a one-run game.
Instead of focusing on that ugly loss last night, I figured I would lighten the mood with an interesting blog topic: Stadium Giveaways.
Whenever I purchase tickets to a Yankee game or have the chance to go to a game, the first thing I ask myself is, "Are they giving anything away at this game, and if so, what?"
There's nothing like taking a free keepsake away from the game you attend, along with memories of a day at a ballgame. Some of those Stadium Giveaways can become extremely valuable, depending on what happens in the game.
I'm not exactly sure what the precise value is, but something tells me if you went to David Wells's perfect game on May 17, 1998, and received the Beanie Baby giveaway, you have yourself a truly valuable item worth a good amount of money.
Every Stadium, not just Yankee Stadium, uses promotions as a means to bring fans out to the park and get butts in the seats. And in the spirit of Stadium Giveaways, I am going to share my favorite treasures, as well as share the action that specific game provided.
Get ready for some stories! Here goes…
Batting Glove Day, July 22, 1999
I will never forget this day, only because it was the first time I sat in the upper deck at Yankee Stadium. It was quite interesting, considering me and heights mix about as well as peanut butter and ketchup.
The Yankee batting glove was given to children 14 and younger and it was a nice prize to carry up to the last row of seats at the old Stadium.
The Yanks hosted the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and beat them by a count of 5-4.
Bernie Williams went deep for the Yanks that day and Andy Pettitte tossed six innings on his way to his sixth win of the year.
Andy Pettitte Bobble Head Day, May 24, 2001
To this day, I am bitter about this.
My eighth grade class took a field trip to Yankee Stadium toward the end of the year. We were treated to a classic Yankees-Red Sox game, in which the Yankees won 2-1.
Mike Mussina and Pedro Martinez dueled it out, each fanning 12 batters in the game. Bernie Williams supplied some Yankees offense with a home run and Paul O'Neill notched an RBI.
The giveaway story was not a happy one, however.
The Pettitte bobble head was given to fans 14 and younger. I was only 13, turning 14 the next month. Because I had hit my growth spurt and I was tall, the Yankee Stadium bobble head distributors did not believe I was actually 13; they thought I was older and thus I did not receive a bobble head.
That day each of my eighth grade classmates got a bobble head and I didn't. Words cannot describe how much that hurt me; I felt so left out. I was looking forward to a bobble head and I did not get one.
At least I still have the memory of a Yankee win over the Red Sox and a day with my eighth grade class at the Stadium. When we got back from the trip we all took a picture together. I guess I can carry that around with me instead of a bobble head.
Bat Day, June 30, 2001
Bat Day has been a longstanding tradition at Yankee Stadium, going back decades. It was my friend Vito's 14th birthday and we celebrated at Yankee Stadium.
The Yanks played the Devil Rays that day; Ted Lilly vs. Ryan Rupe. Down 4-0 in the sixth, the Bombers struck back with a three-run inning. They put up two runs in the eighth and went on to beat the Rays 5-4.
Williams crushed two homers (his 13th and 14th of the season) and Tino Martinez also went deep for his 13th long ball of '01.
I left the Stadium that day with a bat and a Yankee win. And looking back it was almost déjà vu from the batting glove game; the Yanks beat the Devil Rays by the same score and the same player (Williams) went yard.
Yankee Binder Day, August 7, 2003
Although it was only the beginning of August, the Yankees knew school was soon set to begin. And what better way to bring us back into the school spirit with a Yankee binder, featuring legends and present players?
The Bombers were hosting the Texas Rangers on that hot afternoon, and played them to a 7-5 win.
The ball was jumping off the bats that day, and a number of players had big-time home runs. For the Rangers, Rafael Palmeiro smacked his 28th homer of the year in the first inning, a three-run bomb which gave Texas a quick lead.
But the Yanks answered in the bottom half of the second with four runs, all coming from the same source. Enrique Wilson stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and clubbed a grand slam, his second home run of the year, to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead.
Soon-to-be Yankee Alex Rodriguez also homered, his 30th of the season.
Starter Mike Mussina settled down and tossed 7 1/3 innings, allowing just four earned runs on eight hits. He walked none and struck out five en route to his 12th win of the year.
Not a bad way to end a day at the Stadium.
Old Timer's Day: July 9, 2005 and July 7, 2007.
I was fortunate enough to be at Old Timer's Day twice. If you are a Yankee fan, do yourself a favor and get out to an Old Timer's Day at least once. You will not be disappointed.
Every Old Timer's Day, the Yanks issue all fans a commemorative pin.
The first time I had the pleasure of attending Old Timer's Day was July 9, 2005. The ceremonies were cut short because of rain, but the weather held up for the actual game.
The Yanks played the Cleveland Indians and lost 8-7, but nearly made miraculous comeback at the end.
Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield, and Ruben Sierra each homered for the Yankees, as the ball was once again exploding off the bats.
Darrell May started for New York and did not impress anyone, pitching 4 1/3 innings and giving up seven earned runs on eight hits. On the bright side he didn't issue any walks and K'd three.
On July 7, 2007, it was a much better experience.
We arrived at the game early, and it was a beautiful day – a contrast to my previous Old Timer's Day experience. Our seats were behind home plate and Jorge Posada's wife Laura was sitting a few seats in front of us.
The ceremony was classic; Don Mattingly, Reggie Jackson, Paul O'Neill, Scott Brosius, Ken Griffey, Sr., and many, many more were on hand to play in the Old Timer's game.
With the retired players divided, they split up into teams: the Bombers and the Clippers. The Bombers beat the Clippers, 4-0.
As for the modern-day Yankees, it was a slow game. They wound up losing 2-1 in 13 innings to the Angels.
What was so ironic about the whole day was that Roger Clemens started for the Yankees in their game vs. the Angels – and he was older than three players who participated in the Old Timer's Game!
May 24, 2008, Yankee Baseball Card Day
It wound up being my third-to-last game at the old Stadium, and it was a good one. All fans received a pack of collectible Yankee baseball cards.
Let's be honest, who didn't love collecting baseball cards as a kid? It certainly brought me back to my youth in a good way.
The Yanks played the Seattle Mariners and (unlike last night) beat them 12-6.
Mike Mussina pitched rather well, capturing his seventh win of his eventual 20-win campaign. The Yanks did it with their bats too, receiving home runs from Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu.
July 15, 2006, Collectible Stamp Day
This was one the best days I can remember from 2006. A day at the Stadium with my Uncle John and his two sons, my cousins Thomas and Gordon.
Each fan was issued an envelope with stamps of all-time great players: Mickey Mantle, Hank Greenberg, Mel Ott, and Roy Campanella.
Before the game the Yankees held a special ceremony behind home plate with relatives of each player represented on the stamps, including Mantle's sons.
The Yankees played the White Sox that afternoon and crushed them, 14-3.
Bubba Crosby and Andy Phillips were the only two Yanks to go yard, but they played plenty of small ball. Derek Jeter had three RBIs and two doubles.
July 22, 2009, Yankee Stadium Puzzle Day
One of my fondest memories of the magical 2009 season was going out to Yankee Stadium on July 22, when they faced off with the Baltimore Orioles. Every fan in attendance was given a Yankee Stadium puzzle.
Jorge Posada homered, backing a solid outing from A.J. Burnett. The Yanks won 6-4.
I never put the puzzle together. It's still in the box.
Hopefully this year I can get out to a Yankee game on a day they give away something neat. It's always fun to collect and reflect on each game and the memories attached to each giveaway.
Yanks' Rooks Stage Comeback vs. Houston, Burnett Strong
You know it's Spring Training when you witness what happened in the ninth inning of today's Yankees vs. Houston Astros exhibition game. Down 5-1 in the ninth, the Yankees capitalized on some sloppy defense by the Astros and won 6-5 on the strength of a walk-off bases-loaded walk drawn by Russell Martin.
Martin scored earlier in the frame on a throwing error by Jiovanni Mier, cutting the lead to 5-2. Then Astros' pitcher Douglas Arguello, who labored in the ninth, tossed a wild pitch allowing Daniel Brewer to score.
Melky Mesa came up and singled to plate Austin Romine and Jordan Parraz to tie the game at five. In the bottom of the second the Yankees scraped their first run across the plate on a RBI groundout to third by Andruw Jones, which scored Alex Rodriguez.
But the game was secondary. There were bigger pictures to look at coming into today:
A.J. Burnett
Obviously he was the biggest storyline coming into his first start of the spring today. A.J. Burnett had the worst statistical season a Yankee starter has ever had, going 10-15 with an ERA of 5.26 in 2010. In an interview before the game, Burnett said "he can never have another season like he did last year" and "he could throw fastball after fastball to every hitter this year and still do better."
On Sunday it was documented that Burnett beaned Greg Golson in the head throwing batting practice. Faith may have waivered in Burnett after learning of his HBP to Golson on Sunday, but he quickly renewed his credibility with a good outing today.
Burnett pitched two innings and threw 21 pitches (15 for strikes) while only allowing two hits. He induced five groundball outs and recorded one strikeout. He did not issue a walk.
It was only Burnett's first appearance of the spring, but there's no doubt that he looks like a different pitcher. As Ken Singleton described on Saturday, his delivery has been "re-visited."
Singleton was correct.
Today Burnett's motion was smooth and he pitched the ball; he didn't fling it. He didn't turn his back to the batter as he normally does in his usual delivery. It was smooth and side-to-side, almost like Mariano Rivera's delivery. He kept his front leg toward home plate and wasn't swinging it around toward second base in the wind-up.
If today was any indication about the type of season Burnett might have, he just might be able to pull off a turnaround year. Burnett added that he wants to "close people's mouths" about his ability to win games.
Maybe he can. We'll have to wait and see.
Derek Jeter
The Captain only has two hits this spring and has been the subject of a lot of discussion lately. Analysts have been talking about Derek Jeter's adjustment in his stride. So far he hasn't shown much of that adjustment and has been frequently grounding out. He did have a hit today, although he grounded out to short and flied out to center.
Jeter himself has stated that his swing and batting stance aren't going to change. He is simply eliminating the stride with his front leg. Today it looked like he used a bit of a toe-tap, something Bernie Williams used and perfected over the course of his career.
Joe Girardi said that eventually Jeter will get it right and make the adjustment completely. In the manager's words, "Rome wasn't built in a day."
When it comes to Jeter there is very little to worry about. The Captain will come around. He is 2-for-9 at the plate to this point in the spring.
Notes & Things to Look Out For
· The Astros started a kid named Bud Norris (if that isn't a name meant for someone in Texas, I don't know what is. Notice the Walker, Texas Ranger reference. Norris!) It was revealed that his actual first name is David, but he got the nickname Bud because he was at a restaurant when he was a kid and his parents ordered Budweiser. He said he wanted a Bud (even though he was too young) and from there they called him Bud.
· Relieving A.J. Burnett today was Sergio Mitre. His line: One inning pitched, no runs, one hit, no walks, one K. He is working hard, I'll give him that.
· After Mitre was Joba Chamberlain. He pitched an inning and only gave up a hit while not allowing a run. No walks and no strikeouts for him, but he looks pretty good this far. Like Burnett he still has to prove himself, though.
· Russell Martin didn't even have to record a base hit to be called a winner. In his first game of the spring he had two at-bats, no hits, the game-winning walk, an RBI, and he left two men on base. He didn't catch behind the plate, as he is still nursing his surgically repaired knee, but he will be back behind the plate eventually.
· Mark Teixeira went 1-for-2 with a walk and a double. After he came out of the game he went to the batting cages and got some extra work in. And that's Tex for you: always looking for improvement and working hard. He is in mid-season form, batting .571 through the first five Spring Training games.
· Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, and Brett Gardner did not start today.
· Michael Kay compared centerfielder Justin Maxwell to Alex Rodriguez during the broadcast. Looking at Maxwell's mannerisms at the plate and his batting stance, I understand where Kay was coming from. He did look like a miniature version of A-Rod. Maxwell drew a walk and recorded a base hit, but he did make the first out of the fifth inning at third base, trying to reach third from first on Jeter's single. Rookie mistake: never make the first or third out of an inning at third base. I learned that in Little League.
· Francisco Cervelli fouled a ball off his left foot during an at-bat today in the second inning. He was noticeably hurt, limping before getting back into the batter's box. He is likely to miss a couple of days and will probably undergo x-rays.
· Alex Rodriguez was 1-for-2 with a walk, a double, and a run scored. He is batting .429 so far this spring.
· 2010 Pitcher of the Year David Phelps gave up four runs in the seventh inning after tossing a perfect top of the sixth. All four of the runs he surrendered were unearned.
· Hector Noesi (two innings pitched, no runs, one hit, no walks, and two strikeouts) registered the win. As noted, Arguello struggled mightily in the ninth (threw 37 pitches and was charged with five runs ) and as a result took the loss.
· The Yankees will play the Tampa Bay Rays in an exhibition tomorrow and then will come back to Steinbrenner Field Friday night to host the Boston Red Sox–which is the next televised game on the YES Network. Bartolo Colon will start Friday vs. Boston's Clay Buchholz.
Reliving History: 1998
Yesterday I added a new piece to my seemingly never-ending Yankee memorabilia collection. I purchased the official "Winning Streak Dynasty" banner from Modells, since they were having a sale and marketing it for a relatively low price.
Just by glancing at the banner, and each of the 27 years the Yankees have won the World Series, gave me an idea: a look inside some of the World Series the Yankees have won. I figured I would explore the reasons why the Yankees won that specific year, provide some background on the regular season, examine turning points that made each fall classic special, and identify the key players who made it what it was.
I figured I would first relive a very magical season: 1998.
Regular season record: 114-48
Postseason record: 11-2
Manager: Joe Torre (3rd season)
Key off-season additions: David Wells, Scott Brosius, Chili Davis, Chuck Knoblauch
Home Run Leader: Tino Martinez (28)
RBI Leader: Tino Martinez (123)
Hits Leader: Derek Jeter (203)
Wins Leader: David Cone (20)
Saves Leader: Mariano Rivera (36)
Slow Start
The 1998 Yankees, who went on to set a Major League record for most games won overall in a season, began their year in a slow fashion. They lost four out of their first five games to start the year, including a 10-2 beat-down at the hands of the California Angels.
Manager Joe Torre called an "angry meeting" and aired out some of his feelings to his players. The pitchers and the position players noticed somewhat of a rift between each other; some batters were hit and felt the pitchers did not do enough to retaliate.
They eventually found their groove on April 7 against the Seattle Mariners, beating the M's 13-7. From there, they won their next seven games and wound up ending April with a record of 17-6.
On May 17 starting pitcher David Wells tossed a perfect game at home vs. the Minnesota Twins. He retired 27 consecutive batters leading the Yanks to a 4-0 win. It was only the 15th perfect game in MLB history and only the second perfecto thrown by a Yankee.
Later in the season on Sept. 1, Wells almost threw another perfect game. Facing the Oakland Athletics, Wells was perfect through 7 2/3 innings. Needing only seven outs for another perfect game, Jason Giambi lined a single off an 0-2 count to break it up.
May 19 marked a turning point in the season. After Baltimore Orioles' closer Armando Benitez allowed a three-run home run to Bernie Williams, he pegged Tino Martinez in between his shoulder blades. He was immediately run from the game, but the HBP practically caused a riot.
A fracas ensued and the Yanks and O's exchanged shoves, and eventually punches.
The Yankees went on to beat the Orioles 9-5 in that game, and also swept them in that series three games to one.
A Year-Long Tear
The Yankees only lost 17 games in the summer months of July and August, while winning 42. Williams described the season as a "year-long tear," as there really was no other way to characterize how the Bronx Bombers played.
They basically rolled into towns and beat teams up, clinching the American League East with a 7-5 win over the hated Boston Red Sox on Sept. 4–the earliest they had clinched the AL East since 1969. To that point in the season they won 102 games and were set to meet the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series…
In the ALDS, the Yankees easily handed the Texas Rangers a clean sweep. Juan Gonzalez, the player who eventually captured the 1998 A.L. MVP Award was no match for the starting pitching the Yanks had. David Wells, Andy Pettitte, and David Cone shut down the Rangers three games in a row, each notching a playoff win.
Rookie Shane Spencer, Brosius, and right field warrior Paul O'Neill led the Yanks, all hitting home runs in the first round of the postseason.
The American League Championship Series pitted the Yanks against began the defending A.L. Champs, the Cleveland Indians. New York was looking to erase their 1997 ALCS defeat and beat the Tribe 7-2 in Game One.
Game Two however was an ugly defeat for the Yanks. The game was tied up until inning number 12 when Travis Fryman laid down a bunt. Reliever Jeff Nelson threw the ball to first base, as the second baseman Knoblauch covered the bag. The ball hit Fryman in the back and Knoblauch argued with the umpire instead of retrieving the ball, which at that point was trickling down the first baseline.
Enrique Wilson scored and the Indians went on to win 4-1. The momentum carried into Game Three, as the Indians brought the lumber with them. Playing at home, sluggers Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez left he yard twice, and Mark Whiten added a homer en route to a 6-1 win over the Yanks. They pounded Pettitte while newly acquired Yankee Bartolo Colon cruised to a complete game victory.
But the Game Three loss marked the last time the Yanks would lose a playoff game in '98.
Down two games to one, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez took the hill, needing a clutch outing to keep the Yanks alive. Seven shutout innings later, and with some help from O'Neill (who homered) Hernandez and the Yanks picked up a 4-0 Game Four win.
Game One winner Wells took the ball again in Game Five. Now with the ALCS even at two, the Yanks rolled to a 5-3 win, under the strength of a fourth inning home run off the bat of Davis to give the Yanks a three-run lead. Kenny Lofton and Thome both hit home runs, but the Yankee bullpen was able to hold off the rest of the Cleveland lineup.
Now needing one win to get the fall classic, the Yanks came home to play Game Six. They jumped all over Charles Nagy, scoring six runs in the first three innings. Cleveland did not give up easily however, scoring five runs in the fifth, with the main blow being a grand slam from Thome.
The Yankees answered with three runs in the six, plating runs on a triple by Derek Jeter and a single by Williams. They went on to make a winner out of Cone, beating the Indians 9-5 and winning the A.L. pennant for the 35th time.
The Yankees were then headed for the World Series, set to play the San Diego Padres.
ALCS MVP: David Wells (2-0, 2.87 ERA, 15 2/3 IP, 12 Hits, 5 ER, 2 BB, 18 K)
The World Series
1998 was the 94th World Series played in MLB history and the Yankees were gunning for their 24th title in franchise history. The Padres were looking for their first World Series victory, having lost the fall classic in 1984–the only other year in their history that they won the National League pennant.
In Game One, San Diego took a 5-2 lead, getting home runs from sluggers Greg Vaughn and Tony Gwynn. But going into the seventh inning, the Yanks came up with a plan. Knoblauch atoned for his ALCS blunder, smacking a game-tying three-run home run into the left field seats.
Later in the frame with the bases loaded, everything changed.
Martinez came up with the bases loaded and on a full count, blasted a grand slam home run into the upper deck tier seats in right field, giving the Yankees a 9-5 lead.
Yankee Stadium exploded.
And it was the turning point in the series, simply because the Yankees carried the momentum from that home run with them the rest of the way. In Game Two, the Yankees beat the Padres 9-3, with home runs off the bats of Williams and Jorge Posada.
Heading out to San Diego and the Yankees up two games to none, Cone took the mound in Game Three. Both teams didn't score until the sixth, when the Padres plated three runs. The Yanks answered with two in the seventh, receiving a two-run home run from Brosius.
Trevor Hoffman was called on in the eighth inning. San Diego manager Bruce Bochy wanted his closer to nail down a six-out save leading 3-2 going into the frame. Hoffman folded however, giving up a three-run home run to Brosius, which gave New York a 5-3 lead.
Vaughn cut the lead to one with a sac fly in the bottom of the eighth, but the Padres could not rally all the way back, and the Yankees took Game Three, 5-4.
Many people argue that Game Four was just a formality, and in a lot of ways it was. The Padres were all but defeated in the '98 World Series after Game Three, having been outscored 24-13 in the previous three games. Pettitte toed the rubber, hoping to wrap up New York's 24th Championship.
He succeeded.
Both teams were kept off the board until the sixth, when the Yankees plated a run on a groundout by Williams that scored Jeter. The Yankees added two more runs in the eighth, with an RBI single by Brosius and a sac fly by Ricky Ledee to score O'Neill.
The Padres made an effort to come back in the eighth, loading the bases on Nelson. However, Mariano Rivera wiggled out of the jam and pitched a scoreless ninth to clinch the World Series title.
World Series MVP: Scott Brosius (8-for-17, .471 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, 14 total bases)
1998 was just one of those special seasons that nothing went wrong. They have been described as "The Greatest Team Ever" being that they won 125 total games and only lost 50. Those types of seasons don't come around very often and when they do, it's important to remember them.
I will always remember the 1998 baseball for the Yankees–not Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa breaking the home run records. I had more fun watching a team play every game as if it were their last than watching two guys race for a hallowed baseball record.
I think that says a lot about how exciting the Yanks were.
Monument Park Just Ain't What It Used to Be
First I'd like to apologize for not blogging in awhile. I have had a number of computer problems these past couple of weeks; my laptop has not been functioning properly and I haven't been able to do any writing or Yankee Yapping.
Needless to say, not being able to write has been killing me!
My dad temporarily solved the problem and allowed me to borrow his laptop while mine gets fixed. So a big thank you goes out to him for that.
Anyway onto the topic of this entry…
Last Wednesday I visted Yankee Stadium for the fourth time this season and for the fourth time they won. The Bronx Bombers beat the Detroit Tigers 9-5 and went on to take three out of four from them. Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, and Curtis Granderson led the way for the Yanks, each with a home run on the night.
Detroit's Miguel Cabrera put on a hitting show, smacking two homers of his own. Left fielder Don Kelly also homered for Detroit, as the ball was certainly exploding off the bats last Wednesday night.
The real story however was where I went before the game.
For the first time in the New Yankee Stadium I visited Monument Park. I only remember visiting Monument Park in the old Stadium once–July 2, 2002. Monument Park in the old Stadium was positioned behind the left-centerfield wall. It now sits directly behind the centerfield wall, and I have to say, the experience of going there in the new house just wasn't the same.
Watching one of the first games in the new Stadium on TV last year, and subsequently taking notice of Monument Park, I remember thinking to myself, "How can the Yankees take any pride in what Monument Park looks like? In all honesty, it looks as if they decorated the area behind the centerfield wall with used furniture."
I hate to think that way, but it's the truth.
Modern day Monument Park simply doesn't have the old school feeling anymore. With all the up-to-date features in the new ballpark, the place where the Yankees once honored their legends seems to have become just another meaningless, new-age attraction. Of course all of the same Monuments and plaques are still out there, but it is not the same.
Although I dislike the way Monument Park is constructed, I cannot say I am entirely unhappy with it. I loved seeing all the retired numbers and momentos, which I had not seen in eight years. For the first time I saw the monument built to remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, which was a moving experience.
Along with the 9/11 monument, it was great to see the plaque the Yankees put up for Pope Benedict XVI. His Holiness celebrated mass in April of 2008, following in the footsteps of Pope Paul IV and Pope John Paul II, both of whom also celebrated mass at the old Stadium.
The aren't kidding when they say Yankee Stadium is a cathedral.
After I left Monument Park Wednesday night I got to thinking: who will be the next Yankee to have is number retired? I came up with a number of possible candidates. Here they are…
Bernie Williams, 51
The Yankee centerfielder spent 16 seasons in pinstripes. He won four World Series Championships, six American League pennants, four Gold Glove Awards, the 1996 American League Championship Series MVP Award, the 1998 Batting Title, and was selected to the All-Star Game five times.
That's a lot of accomplishments for one player with one team.
Looking past all of the awards and accolades, the most telling point about Williams is that he spent his entire career with the Yankees. In this day and age with free agency and trades, it's remarkable that he was able to stay with the Yanks his whole career.
Although it almost didn't happen.
After the 1998 season, Williams came dangerously close to leaving, due to the expiration of his contract. The Boston Red Sox were one of the leading teams that seeked out Williams and believe it or not, he almost went to the Red Sox. The Yankees were trying to acquire Albert Belle and nearly gave up their prize centerfielder.
I just could not have imagined Williams in a Red Sox uniform. It would have broke my heart, but honestly, I still would have loved him for all he did as a Yankee. Thankfully it did not get that far.
The Bronx Bombers came to their senses, dumped the idea for acquiring Belle, and Williams was back in pinstripes—not only for 1999, but for the rest of his career. He went on tho scale the Yankee all-time lists in hits, doubles, extra base hits, home runs, walks, and RBIs.
No one has worn his number 51 since he retired…or I should say since he did not return to the Yankees in 2007. If you ask me, Williams deserves the honor of having his number sit in Monument Park alongside the Yankee legends of old.
Paul O'Neill, 21
"The Warrior" spent nine seasons with the New York Yankees, all of them as a fan favorite. The short-temepred right fielder was selected to five All-Star Games and won a total of five World Series titles, four of them in pinstripes.
If anyone should be in Monument Park, it's Paul O'Neill.
The late George Steinbrenner gave O'Neill his "Warrior" nickname sometime in the mid-'90s. Steinbrenner had seen how O'Neill reacted to certain calls made by umpires. When he did not agree with a call, he would let the ump know about it…most of the time in angry fashion.
O'Neill's toughness never came into question.
In the past I have given my opinion on O'Neill, and I cannot say enough good about him. He was one of my all-time favorite Yankees and one of the most fierce competitors I have ever seen play the game of baseball. He had a strong hatred for losing and he will always be remembered by me as a winner.
In 2008, LaTroy Hawkins wore the number 21. Running in from the bullpen at Yankee Stadium, he was booed overwhelmingly. He asked Derek Jeter why he was being booed at home, and Jeter responded by saying that his number was the issue.
The next day Hawkins swapped his number 21 for 22.
Since then, the Yankees have taken the number out of circulation and no other player has worn it. It is my best guess that it will be retired by the Yankees at some point.
Joe Torre, 6
Although he is the current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Joe Torre's number is worthy of retirement in Yankee lore. Torre served as Yankee manager from 1996-2007, standing at the helm of 12 playoff appearances, four World Championships, and six A.L. pennants. He is also one of the winningest managers in Yankee history.
Before the Yanks won the World Series in 1996–Torre's first year as Yankee skipper–the Bronx Bombers had not been to the World Series since 1981. There is no denying the fact that Torre brought the Yanks back from mediocrity and led the team to a Dynasty.
There's no way the Yanks would have been as good as they were without his leadership.
However, the one thing that might prevent his number from being retired was his book. "The Yankee Years" (in a way) strained his relationship with the organization, and overall his departure left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
Nonetheless he is still a legendary Yankee and like Williams and O'Neill, his number has not been used by another Yankee player since he left.
I have mixed feelings about Torre right now. I love and respect everything he did as Yankee skipper but some of the remarks he made left me thinking about him. I also don't agree with how he managed the bullpen toward the end of his tenure in pinstripes.
Yet I still believe he deserves a spot in Monument Park.
Maybe when Torre retires and all the smoke is cleared, he and the Yankees can reunite; possibly patch things up. In order for his number to be retired, I believe that has to happen. When it does, I look forward to his special day when we celebrate everything he did for the Yanks and all of his wonderfull accomplishments.
The last Yankee to have his number retired was Ron Guidry, back in 2003. Before Guidry, Don Mattingly's number was retired in 1997. Looking at every number out in Monument Park, it seems there is at least one Yankee represented for every era.
I think what the team needs now is a player from the Dynasty of the late '90s represented. Williams, O'Neill, and Torre all fit the bill and are all deserving of the honor. The question is, when will the next Yankee number be retired?
I hope they don't wait until Jeter is done playing. If you ask me, they should give some other players their due and then when Jeter retires, hold the biggest ceremony ever in his honor.
Until then, consider Williams, O'Neill, and Torre.


text:
A tumblr dedicated to Ariana Grande, Liz Gillies and their respective roles as Cat Valentine and Jade West on Victorious whenever it randomly airs. Also: Cade/Eliana
"Omg high fives for being lesbians, yay!"
NO! Sam and Cat can't get picked up! Then no Cat in season 4 of Victorious. MY OTP!!!!!!!!
But hey! Don't you want your girl hot! (x)


text:
So the Glee cover of "Keep Holding On" came on my iPod and so naturally I was kinda sad because it was a Rachel/Finn duet.
Then these lyrics were sung my Rachel, Lea's character"
"Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly"
Oh my God, the feels.
I honestly can't even imagine what Lea is going through, losing the love of your life? It's just so tragic…
Rest in Peace, Cory.