"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Walk on By

If you are a Yankee fan who thinks the team blew it not going for broke by signing either Manny Machado or Bryce Harper let me just say, I understand. Doesn’t matter if I agree or not, I understand. You root for the Yankees. You expect your team to spend on star power. Traditionally, that’s what they do, why stop now?

And for those Yankee fans who think the Yanks were smart not to sign Machado or Paper, I understand that too, though I’m not necessarily more sympathetic to that point of view.

Sure would have liked to see Harper’s sweet lefty swing in the Bronx. And the good folks at MLB would have drooled over the it too. Imagine the first time Harper got tossed from a game at Fenway arguing with an ump—social media would combust. But Harp will bring his fire to Philly and he’ll continue to be more of a problem for Mets fans than anyone rooting for the Yanks.

I talked to a kid last week, a Yankee fan in his twenties, who dreaded Harper going to Philly because half of his friends as jerky Philadelphia fans. And I told him, yeah, but it’s the Phillies—I mean, sure they won a title in 2008, and also one in ’80, but otherwise they’ve so hapless they wouldn’t even register to me—but for him, the Phillies have won as as many titles in his rooting years as the Yanks so I guess for his peers that makes the Phillies fan something to contend with. Go figure that. Kids.

Anyhow, what’s going on with the Yanks, I’m only half paying attention so far. Anything fun?

Share: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via email %PRINT_TEXT

19 comments

1 rbj   ~  Mar 5, 2019 9:05 am

Al Lieter has a new gig with the Mutts. I did like him in the booth and at MLBN.

2 Bronx Boy in NC   ~  Mar 5, 2019 1:36 pm

Another thing that informs the perspective of that "kid in his twenties" is that he barely remembers the name Carl Pavano, he may have seen very little of Jacoby Ellsbury suited up to play, and he may never have heard of Kei Igawa.

I exaggerate, but only a little. I've come to view enormous contracts as 50-50 shots at best, and the ones that flop hang around the team's neck for years and years.

Plenty of good Yankees to watch on the team we have. Cash & crew have been pretty solid with the churn. IMHO the only real subtraction from last year's 100-win squad is DRob, which ain't nothin' but is offset by some promising additions. Let's go do this.

3 rbj   ~  Mar 5, 2019 3:37 pm

Sevy scratched. Shoulder discomfort. MRI.
I'm not saying it's time to hysterically overreact and panic, but . . .

4 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 5, 2019 5:16 pm

3) He hasn’t had TJ surgery yet and that is always the fear, right? I know this is the shoulder but still...

5 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Mar 5, 2019 5:26 pm

Harper selected #3 for his uni. He is a student of the game. There is, or should be, only one #3. When he was with the Nats he wore 34, because 7 was taken and 3+4=7 (his idol, the Mick). Just a tad of ego in going for #3. BTW, reports are that his new jersey had the biggest first day sale of any jersey in history.

6 rbj   ~  Mar 5, 2019 8:08 pm

Alex, isn’t that Tanaka? Though TJ looms for every pitcher. And, it seems, for our infielders. Just stay away from Bird, he’s gone through enough.

[5] Phillies are going to retire 34 for Halliday.

I wonder if Yankees will ever retire zero.

7 Boatzilla   ~  Mar 5, 2019 9:14 pm

[3] It's time to panic. ;>) According to RAB, he won't be ready for opening day. So no CC and no Sevi to start the season. [groan]

Can never ever, ever have too many starters.

8 yankintexas   ~  Mar 6, 2019 12:39 am

[2] I don't agree with those comparisons at all. You're basically comparing some dime a dozen used cars that we over spent on with brand new, top of the line, fully loaded luxury cars. An extremely wealthy man (i.e. the Yankees) shouldn't be shopping at the used car lot behind the A&P.

9 yankintexas   ~  Mar 6, 2019 12:49 am

[7] Sonny Gray says hi.

10 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Mar 6, 2019 11:51 am

Please, please, do not sign Gio.

11 rbj   ~  Mar 6, 2019 1:55 pm

Promising outing from Lasagna today.

12 Greg G   ~  Mar 7, 2019 12:33 pm

I like them passing on Machado and Harper. The Yanks haven't done a great job of developing pitches (Save for Bettances and Severino lately) but they are flush with great home grown position players.

They are going against the old blueprint and buying up some arbitration years and who knows, maybe lock some down before they are FA and break the bank?

I don't need the shiny new car every year. The Yanks pulled off a surprising move in having Stanton fall in their lap, and that is a huge contract even with the Marlins eating some of the cash.

There is a lot to like on this team that has youth, great teammates and competitors at every position. Now we need to get back to figuring out how to move runners over and not go all or nothing to hit dingers.

13 rbj   ~  Mar 9, 2019 6:21 pm

Tanaka for opening day. Now if it can only come quicker. And no more ST injuries

14 mhoward120   ~  Mar 10, 2019 8:17 am

Figures that A-Rod would give JLo a PED-enhanced engagement ring.

15 Boatzilla   ~  Mar 13, 2019 10:10 pm

If we're talking about A-Rod's engagement to Jenny From The Block, you know we're jonesing for some real baseball. I've never been very patient.

Bring it on, already!

16 rbj   ~  Mar 15, 2019 12:55 pm

Hey Judge,save some of those taters for the regular season

17 rbj   ~  Mar 15, 2019 12:57 pm

May 1 for Sevy now? I’m predicting ASG.

18 rbj   ~  Mar 16, 2019 4:02 pm

14 runs followed by 17 runs? OK, the bats are ready. Just have to get the pitching ready.

19 rbj   ~  Mar 16, 2019 7:35 pm

And now Florial hurt.

feed Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via email
"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver