Yogi Berra : A Baseball Legend

Yogi Berra meant so much to the Yankees and meant so much to baseball. If you are a baseball fan you are a Yogi fan. Berra was a ten time World Series champ and a three time MVP. Berra was a 285 career hitter and had 358 homers. Berra was known as a great pitch caller. He also had a .522 winning percentage as a manager. Berra was not only an amazing baseball player but an amazing man. Berra put his career on hold when he was a young man to serve in World War 2. Berra will always be remembered for his wit and his sayings that made no sense but made complete sense. Berra had his number retired by the Yankees and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Berra left his mark on the Yankee franchise. You loved seeing him at Spring training , playoff games , old timers day or opening day ceremonies. Berra will always be remembered as a Yankee and a baseball great. It's crazy to think about Yogi being gone. Yogi was this character that you viewed as a living legend. You viewed him as someone who was immortal. You viewed him as not a baseball icon but an American icon. You can learn a lot by just observing Yogi and during his time on this Earth I hope you did. When Yogi Berra comes to a fork in the road I know he will take it. He will take it to heaven to play baseball their. He will take it to baseball immortality and he will always be one of baseballs biggest figures. Rest in Peace Lawrence Peter Yogi Berra.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

A Year Ago Today Who would Think Arod would have 30 ?

It's amazing what a year can do. It's no lie when people say time heals. When it comes to Alex Rodriguez a year ago he was suspended from baseball out of the game and many questioned if he would ever play again. A year ago today the Yankees were out of the playoff race and everyone was just enjoying the closing act on the career of Derek Jeter. All year the Baseball fans said A-Rod had nothing left and probably would not return to baseball. If you told a baseball fan on September 8th 2014 that A-Rod would have 30 homers they would probably laugh at you. Fast forward a year and he hit his 30th of the season.

Rodriguez retuned in February to the Yankees Spring Training facility in Tampa and then some Yankees fans said they would embrace him. Some said they still wanted no part of him. When the Yankees opened up at home against the Blue Jays and Alex Rodriguez stepped up to the plate he received the loudest ovation a standing ovation by most. As the time continued to go Rodriguez continued to slug and Yankee fans continued to embrace the once forgotten slugger. He
became the guy fans wanted to see and he became the guy fans wanted to cheer. He went back to the place he was when he was just 20 years old breaking into the bigs.

As time continued to pass Rodriguez continued the magic. He tied and passed Willie Mays on the all time home run list. He passed Lou Gehrig on the RBI list. Some would say his milestones are tainted and that's fine but Rodriguez isn't focused on the milestones. He slugged three home runs in one game . He homered for his 3,000th hit of his career and continues to climb up baseballs home run , RBI , and hit lists. Rodriguez has had some of the more clutch hits including a go ahead grand slam against the Twins in August when he was in a brutal slump. He homered off of Chris Archer for the go ahead run over the weekend.

Alex Rodriguez has been a major contributor to this team. He has done everything. Move to DH , play third , play first , stop playing the field. Rodriguez has been a leader for the team and no one can say he hasn't. The Yankee team has all embraced each other and people around the team can't remember a team that liked each other this much. Rodriguez has mentored young guys like Nate Eovaldi and Didi Gregorius all season. He has been a huge reason for the Yankees success especially considering many people thought he could not play anymore. The year off helped him both mentally and physically.

Is all for given with Alex Rodriguez ? Well if you ask a Yankee fan most will tell you yes. If you ask a baseball fan a lot will say no and a select few will say yes. The bottom line is Alex Rodriguez has won back baseballs biggest city. Rodriguez still has a lot of baseball left to play this season but when he hit his 30th home run this season a lot of people remembered just how great Alex Rodriguez was no matter what. So if you ask a Yankee fan if time heals and if production heals many of them would say yes.

Nate Eovaldi : Will the injury force him out

The Yankees will have to shutdown Nathan Eovaldi for the next two weeks. It is obviously a huge blow to a Yankee team that is .05 games back of the first place BlueJays. The Yankees need Eovaldi to get healthy most importantly for the playoff run. The Yankees should absolutely be in the playoffs even with Nate out for two weeks. Eovaldi has been one of the best pitchers in the Yankees rotation and it will be a blow for the team.

I think the Yankees can weather the storm and at worst the Yankees will be in the Wild Card game. If Eovaldi is just out the two weeks he will have two weeks to pitch before the playoffs. If he has time to pitch before the playoffs begin it will be ideal because you do not want him going into the playoffs blindly. Hopefully Nate Eovaldi just has inflammation and it will be no big deal. In two weeks he will return and he can be a major part of the Yankee team in the playoffs.

Obviously their is plenty to worry about with Nathan Eovaldi however if it is just inflammation and he comes back in two weeks the Yankees will be okay. Come playoff time if healthy he will be in the rotation.

Hurry back Nate because the Yankees will need you if they are going to win the World Series. Personally I think in two weeks they will ease him back baring no set backs and he will be ready for the playoffs.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

The Home Stretch

The Yankees are in a dog fight for first place in the AL East Division and leading a wild card spot as we go to September.

10 Questions Going into the Final Month

1. Can Michael Pineda return to earlier season form ?

Personally I don't see why not. Pineda has great stuff and looked really good tonight  in Boston. He has to get some innings under his belt since the injury but I trust him to get it right.

2. Can Alex Rodriguez bounce back from the awful August ?

Rodriguez has talked about the highs and lows this season. Obviously August was a real low. However A-Rod had the big grand slam and had two home runs late in the month. Hopefully the days off in Atlanta help.

3. How good can Luis Severino be ?

Through five starts Severino has a 2.17 era and despite being 21 he looks extremely polished. Severino can be an ace for years to come and can be a dominant arm for the Yankees the rest of the season.

4. Can the Yankees survive the Mark Teixeira injury ?

I think the Tex injury is a huge blow to the lineup but if A-Rod , Beltran , and McCann can produce
in the middle of the lineup they will survive the two weeks. The defensive loss is the bigger blow.
Offensively Greg Bird will produce. He is not the defensive player Tex is.

5. What happens with CC Sabathia ?

Ultimately if CC comes back the Yankees may use him in the rotation because of Brian Cashman. I think Cashman is dead wrong here. I don't like his thoughts on this. It's not about who is making the most money. CC should be in the pen during  the regular season. Come playoffs I would be shocked if he was in the rotation.

6. Who should start the Wild Card Game ?

This is of course if the Yankees do not win the division. If they make it to the Wild Card game many would pick Masahiro Tanaka but I would ride the hot hand and start Nathan Eovaldi.

7. Can the Yankees ride the bullpen to a World Series appearance ?

I think the Yankees rotation is under rated but make no mistake about it Chasen Shreve , Dellin Bettances , and Andrew Miller have been possibly baseballs best bullpen trio. So yes they can take them to a World Series.

8. Which September call up can help the most ?

Andrew Bailey is a former stud closer and I think he can be the guy. Perhaps I go with him because I am a Bailey fan and I am rooting for him.

9. Can the Yanks win the division ?

If Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda pitch like they can , absolutely yes. Overall this team is just as good as the Bluejays

10. If the Yankees are in the Wild Card who will they face ?

I think the Texas Rangers. They have a big time lineup and the rotation has been excellent. I expect Josh Hamilton to comeback and the veteran lineup to perform. Of the second wild card teams they have the best true ace in Cole Hamels. They have veteran bats like Prince Fielder , Mike Napoli , Adrian Beltre , and others.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

A-Rod Turns 40 and there's Much to Talk About

Alex Rodriguez was born on July 27th , 40 years ago. Rodriguez was drafted first overall in the 1993. Rodriguez is regarded as one of baseballs most polarizing , controversial , and statistically one of the best. Rodriguez has won three MVP awards , a World Series title , and has 3,000 hits. Rodriguez has over 600 homers. Rodriguez of course has been involved in PED scandals. Rodriguez has a career like no other and it's hard to sum it up with just your basic numbers.

The Seattle Years 

Rodriguez started his career in Seattle as a dominating shortstop. Rodriguez debuted with the team when he was just 18 years old. He won the batting title in his first full season in 1996. Rodriguez played seven years for the Mariners before leaving for his mega deal in Seattle. It's in Seattle where Rodriguez began to get his fame and star power. He had a 40-40 season in Seattle. 

The Texas Years 

Rodriguez signed a 10 year , $250 million deal with the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez only played three years with the Rangers. Rodriguez won the 2003 MVP award and two Gold Glove awards at short stop. He had at least 45 homers in every of those years. He was an all star in every one of those seasons. 

The Yankee Years 

Alex Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees after his 2003 MVP season. Rodriguez agreed to move to third base and become a Yankee. Rodriguez would go on to win 2 MVP Awards in his Yankee career. Rodriguez has had his ups and downs with the club personally but was always a top performer for the team. 

The Stats 

Alex Rodriguez is the longest tenured member of the current New York Yankees. He has 332 home runs with the club and a World Series title. Rodriguez was a key member of the 2009 World Series Club. 

The Troubles

Alex Rodriguez of course missed the 2014 season due to a PED suspension. Rodriguez was involved in the Biogenesis PED scandal. Rodriguez lost a whole year of his career and many people doubted if he would ever put a uniform on let alone a Yankee uniform. Despite making some huge mistakes Rodriguez was determined to get back.

The Celebrity 

Through his 40 year life and his 21 year baseball career , Alex Rodriguez has become quite the polarizing figure in the sports world. Rodriguez has become one of the most famous athletes ever. He is one of the most famous men in America. Rodriguez's comeback story has been a huge topic of discussion. 

Still Swinging

Today A-Rod turns 40 and is having a remarkable season. On Saturday Night Rodriguez blasted three home runs in one game to put away the Twins. Rodriguez has accomplished many milestones this season as he passed Willie Mays on the all time home run list , reached the 2,000 RBI club and hit a home run for his 3,000th career hit. Rodriguez also has been a main factor for the Yankees who are in first place. Rodriguez is a favorite to win MLB comeback of the year. Rodriguez no longer plays the field as the Yankees DH. 

By Peter Vitella 

@Realpete13

How History Plays Into The Demotion Of Rob Refsnyder

Throughout the 112 year history of the New York Yankees the team has had great players play second base. The names of Billy Martin, Jerry Coleman, Bobby Richardson, Willie Randolph, Tony Lazzeri, and Joe Gordon, are just to name a few of the greatest second basemen to play for the Yankees, all had great careers in pinstripes. More recently the names of Chuck Knoblauch, Alfonso Soriano, and Robinson Cano have played second base but in 2015 the names have been Stephen Drew, Jose Pirela, Gregorio Petit, and Brendan Ryan for most of the season. None of these players have been close to being as good as the names mentioned before them. But there is one name that makes fans eyes light up and that is Rob Refsnyder.

Rob Refsnyder is a top prospect who converted from a right fielder to become a second baseman. Refsnyder was called up on July 10th and played a very good second base. He played better than the 2015 names combined in a short period. Refsnyder was then optioned to Triple A on the 19th of July. Why are Yankees fan livid about this? Its because we want to see another name on that legends list. Ever since Robinson Cano left for Seattle the Yankees have been struggling to find an adequate replacement for him. Brian Roberts, Stephen Drew, Gregorio Petit are just three names that tried and failed miserably. The Yankees fan heard about Refsnyder in Spring Training and in the minors and believed that he could be the answer at second base. Refsnyder is the future but I pose one question to the front office why not have Refsnyder and Didi Gregorious grow together and play in the playoffs together? It could be the start to the next dynasty.

The Yankees First Half Review

Believe it or not we are at the All Star Break. The Yankees sit in first place , 3.5 games up on the second place Rays. The division is tightly packed but the Yankees are leading as of now. The Yankees have been streaky but they continue to play good. The bullpen has been a strength. The rotation has been streaky but good enough. The lineup has knocked the ball over the fence. Carlos Beltran and Stephen Drew have struggled but have contributed at times this season. The Yankees ended the first half taking 2 of 3 from the Red Sox. They finally called up highly touted second basemen Rob Refsnyder. The Yankees news additions had their ups and downs but contributed. Andrew Miller has been a dominant relief pitcher and teamed up with Dellin Bettances as baseballs best relief pair. The re emergence of Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez is why the Yankees are second overall in the MLB in runs scored. Brett Gardner had a great second half as well. Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka have pitched well and Ivan Nova and Nathan Eovaldi continue to improve.

MVP - Mark Teixeira may not have the batting average any more but his average has been respectable. He has 22 home runs. He also leads the AL in RBI with 62. His greatest strength however is his defense. Teixeira is having a Gold Glove caliber defensive season.

Best Pitcher - I will go out on a limb here. I'm not going to pick a starter or one pitcher in particular. I'm going with the Miller -Bettances combo. No one has been more dominant at the back end of a bullpen. When they come into games the game is over.

Best Moment - Alex Rodriguez belted a 1st inning home run off of Justin Verlander into the right field seats it was Rodriguez' 3,000th hit. Last year at this time many people suspected Rodriguez would never play baseball again. Rodriguez  hit the home run at Yankee Stadium and the fans celebrated. Again last year at the time no one , not even Rodriguez could expect it.

Best Story Line - The reemergence of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira has turned the Yankee lineup into a force to be recon with. Of course guys like Brian McCann ,  Garnder and Jacoby Ellsbury have done a great job also. Rodriguez was written off after sitting out a year as being done. He couldn't hit a fastball and wouldn't make the team. Rodriguez finished the half with a 278 average , 18 homers and 51 RBI. Teixeira sits at 240 with 22 home runs and 62 RBI. Rodriguez and Tex have turned back the clock and if thy can keep it up the Yankees will keep it up. Rodriguez has supplied the magic tying and passing Willie Mays on the home run list and getting his 2,000 RBI.

What to Look Forward To - Rob Refsnyder is finally up and he looks like a promising player for the Yankees in the future. He belted his first home run way out of Fenway Park in the Yankees final game of the first half. He should be the Yankees second basemen of the second half and of the future.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13