[Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons]
‘Twas the first day of baseball, and in every town
Each fanbase was ready, and hope did abound.
The bunting was hung from the grandstands with care,
In hopes that the masses soon would be there.
The clubhouse was calm as the game time drew near,
The players all eager to begin the new year.
The fielders were ready and pounding their gloves,
And thrilled to return to the game that they love.
Then out on the field there arose such as clatter,
I sprang from the dugout to see what was the matter.
And what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a team clad in pinstripes, unloading their gear,
Then onto the field not a moment too soon,
Stepped the team’s leader, our man Aaron Boone.
More rapid than Red Sox, his savages came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, DJ! now, Stanton! now, Judgie and Soto!
It’s time to line up and take the team photo!
On, Gleyber! on, Volpe! Let’s pick up the pace!
Stand shoulder to shoulder, don’t leave any space!”
Boone looked at his team, all lined up with big smiles,
And announced that they’d beat all their rivals by miles.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And his once curly locks were now sprinkled with snow.
But his faith in his team was so pure and so right,
I was stunned to admit that try as I might,
I just couldn’t argue or question his take,
And started to wonder if I was awake.
The dream of one hundred and sixty-two games,
Each one with an ending exactly the same.
The Bronx Bombers alone at the top of the heap,
Their opponents beneath them, their deficit deep.
The perfection of spring would extend to the fall,
A six-month long win streak, vanquishing all.
I struggled to shake off the grip of my dream,
To lower the hopes that I had for this team.
But Boone, he just stood there, shaking his head,
Wondering why I’d choose doubt, not belief instead.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.
He hit a few fungos, then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
He winked and I wondered just what he might know.
He sprang down the steps, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he ran out of sight,
“Happy Baseball to all, the future is bright!”
Because what's more poetic than baseball? Happy Opening Day, everyone!
Happy baseball!
Nice, Hank.
Let’s Go Yankees!!!
I've got the yankees playlist on and am ready for opening day! Hopefully the team is ready to go!
GREETINGS, ALL!
Can't wait until 3!
At least the Yankees game is the free game on MLB.com ... I can't believe they aren't showing more games on ESPN ... siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.
Yeah, cult, I’m surprised it’s not on MLBN. But I signed up for mlb.com.
I will too, but I forgot to cancel at the end of last year and they charged me $160 at the end of last month and I was rather irked, so ...
The larger point is ... there are TWO games "available" today ... 1 on ESPN and one on MLB.com, today should have been Noon to Midnight baseball, but, you know ... fuck building the future of the game, right?
ARGH ... the FUCKING game has been blacked out in my area ... even though Houston is like 500 miles from me ... AAAAAAAAAAAAARGH
Blackouts suck. Archaic policy.
[9] that sucks. It’s opening fucking day, can’t they bend the rules for that?
Ha, Altuve strikes out
Well ... finally pissed me off enough to get a VPN, so ... suck it MLB Blackout Policy!
Now watching ... also ... SUCK IT TEXAS!
Not helping my blood pressure Nestor.
blah
Well, poop.
Well ... poops.
Happy Opening Day. I've resolved not to complain about anything our GM or manager does this year.
[19] So ... what does that leave to complain about?
double plays killing us already.
Well ... I suppose there's still THAT to complain about, thanks for the DP Trevino ...
Ah, Yankees offense is in mid season form. Bases loaded one out, double play.
AND ... Nestor picks the offense up with the leadoff homerun allowed.
Farewell to the immortal Ben Rordverdtegbort
[20] I complain a lot about TFG.
Happy Opening Day, all! Nice poem to start the season. Home in time to see a 4-0 deficit and now a bases juiced opportunity.
And a double play.
Yup, mid season form.
I'm going to complain a lot about all the double plays we've hit into tonight ... Jebus.
Glad we're getting 2024 off to an appropriate start ...
Just don't blame the GM who put this offensive juggernaut together
Lots of baserunners. These DPs though...
How will we DP this time?
I smell triple play coming.
C'mon Soto ... make it right!
There's ONE!
nice soto!
Soto missed his opportunity to become a True Yankee.
Tough strike zone for the tall Bombers tonight.
Who needs a another dp when one can get 2 KS on garbage?
ump assist on these at bats...
That looked and sounded like a foul ball. I think Rizzo is acting.
sigh.
at least it's a game now.
I feel like I'm going to be irritated with the amount of playing time Trevino gets before too long ...
BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!
oswaldo!
Lasagna time!
Double for Judge, nice.
That's a very, VERY good at bat from Volpe
5-4!
Supper, feed the terrorists, and walk them. And now a lead.
Ugh, Apple TV game tomorrow. Nope.
Alvarez is so scary at the dish. Phew. As to that little midget at first. Fuck that guy.
[54] Only because I am still subscribed from Masters of the Air.
That'll do Johnny, that'll do.
5 times up for Soto ... 25 pitches ... 1 single, 2 walks ... that'll do
One down.
Gulp, two on
Fucking Bollocks! I hate these fucking assholes.
Hmmm
Maybe?
Need an overhead shot.
Should. Not. Take. This. Long.
YES!
Out! Yes. Call had to stand.
[65] I'll allow.
Phew. Cheers y'all! Go Yankees!
That'll do, Yanks, that'll do!
Come from behind Opening Day win.
Great, great game and win!!
I just realized the game was on MLB Network. I switched to YouTube TV so I apparently don't have many options for watching baseball for an IL Yankee fan.
Hey youse, GG today -- despite Nestor needing some warm-up innings to get himself good.
Loooooved Soto and Volpe today.
Sorry to have missed the Banter!
Cole now on the 60 day DL.
Soon to be followed by TJ surgery and out all of 2025.
Sweeping generalization here, but that same game last year I feel would’ve seen the four run deficit creep to 6-0 or 7-1 and the. The Yanks would muster a few meaningless runs in the latter innings.
Guess time will tell.
It definitely feels like Soto and Verduto (who I'm still working on accepting haha) make the lineup much deeper. And so it feels possible to overcome deficits in that way. Hope we can sustain that.
[73] Download the MLBTV app to your device and you can watch the free games at least. I'm a frustrated Youtube user too but I've got the radio app and that also gives me access to watch minor League games on the MLBTV app.
[75] I seem to remember a fella who managed to avoid TJS ... a Tanaka fella ... IIRC?
[76][77] I'll just say I thought Soto and Volpe had *great* at bats last night ... if they both keep that up ... I predict great things this year.
[78] Thanks for the idea! Hopefully MLB TV and Youtube will come to an agreement.
Well ... tonight might just be me, myself and I ... but ... here we go!
I think I like this Soto guy.
The Yankees seem to have adopted the "let's let the pitches we could hammer, go ... and swing at the pitches we can't hit" approach ... annoying.
I really hate this move to Apple TV.
At least I'm subscribed to Apple TV for another month, so ...
AAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!
I feel like this season is going to be a frustrating combination of ARRRRRRGH why can't get a hit with RISP and nights when we score in bunches.
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.
Strewth.
Oh, joy ... double steal.
Great.
PLAYS BITCHES!!!
I turn on Fox on March 30th and I see football??
UFL. With no soap opera drama, just guys hoping to make it to the NFL.
Oh good, Gleyber is back.
Greetings, gents.
I suppose I should start turning in to games in the 4th inning ... since it seems the Yankees don't quite seem able to manage anything the first time through the order.
Number 0 seems to be a workaround for no single digits left.
Wells turning into a starting C would make me happy.
Well, at least we will reset in the 3rd instead of the 4th.
Oh ... joy.
What’s this? RISP base hits?
Well, there's one ... but Verdugo should not be batting 5th.
My batting order ... 1-6 (against RHP)
Volpe
Soto
Judge
Rizzo
Torres
Wells
Knowing Boone-y ... he'll try that out in Game 161
Should have just gone for second and hope for a bad throw.
Stroman has given up 1 hit ... and losing.
ANNOYING!
Sorry ... 2 now.
Walking the terrorists backfired.
Wait ... appeasement didn't work?
Nope.
Cabrera!
So getting them to bed does work.
Wow ... it seems like Oswaldo wants the 3rd base job.
Sigh.
Picked off????
I sorta like this Soto guy ...
Yay, Soto!
TONY THE FOX!
Insurance
Pretty interesting that Cabrera isn’t hitting right-handed anymore. If there were ever a time it would be against Josh Hader.
[119] According to John and Suzyn, he prefers to hit left handed against "hard throwing" lefties and right handed against soft throwers from that side.
This is the first game I've watched. Good fun.
Anyone catch The Master's call for Volpe. I heard it, but could not make it out.
For Oswaldo, Wizard of Oz is cool, IMHO.
The Master?
Who needs LeMaheiu?
[122] John in the booth.
Well, first 3 out of 4 to open the season?
That'll do lads, that'll do.
Nice win.
[124] Oh ... there are MANY things I can call John Sterling, but "The Master" is NOT on the list.
ICK.
back, Back, BACK ... ... caught behind 3rd base.
Here’s the thing. If last year’s team had lost three straight to the Astros in this fashion — blowing leads late — would you even have been surprised?
uh oh Volpe scratched due to stomach ailment. Hope he didn't eat some bad chicken parm!
A manufactured run? Is that legal for the Yankees
Ha, out!
[130] Thanks ... was coming here to ask why he wasn't playing today.
Poop
This sucks
Phew
Well, bend don't break ... still in it to win, so ...
Helping with dinner preparations, missed that.
I like this Soto fellow ... now if that chump Judge can start hitting, we might something going this season!
Um . . .
Berti!
Greetings.
I think this qualifies as a nail biter.
Two down
Oh yeah baby.
Well that was tense but very satisfying!
That's a pretty damn great start to the season ... sweeping the trashcans.
Yes!
Sure, it’s only four games, but everything seems different. My son and I are heading to Arizona tomorrow to catch all three games. Can’t wait!
Next two are 9:40 pm starts, way past my bedtime.
[147] It really does seem different. I guess it's Soto's presence in the lineup. Stats are meaningless at this point but he seems imposing. Hopefully, Judge will take his cue and start hitting.
Sorry I missed the first couple of games. I heard that the Yanks are doing pretty well.
Two critical questions:
1) What was Sterling's call on Soto's HR?
2) What will the Bleacher Creatures roll-call be for Juan?
[150] There is a Soto photo... He's... Juan-derful... Marvelous...
Wow, 75 pitches and we are still in the third.
Volpe now has a higher average than both Cabrera and Soto.
Does anybody know how to get the Yanks streaming when you are outside of the NYC market? I cut the cord and don't have access to MLB TV any longer.
[154] I am only aware of mlb.tv
[153] he leads MLB in average. I'll enjoy it for now...
I’ll expand on this later, but it is UNBELIEVABLE how many Yankee fans are walking around in Phoenix and how many were at the game last night. There are always a lot of Yankee fans for the games in Anaheim, but nothing like this. It’s crazy and so much fun.
I noticed how loud the crowd was when the Yankees did something good. It was very noticeable.
To give you a gauge, the Yankee fans in the right field bleachers did a roll call last night, and it was loud enough that all the players heard and acknowledged.
Volpe is now 5 for his last 5 ... that'll do Fox, that'll do.
Nasty Nestor, OTOH ... has turned back into a pumpkin.
Gamechatter without chatter is like:
https://garfieldminusgarfield.net/
Frankenstanton really IS in the best shape of his life ...
Say g'nite, cult.
G'nite, cult!
sorry you were solo! I was unable to watch live tonight. Wish I had watched something else haha. Alas...
let's go Yankees!
crap
Rodon keeping it close. But our bats are struggling.
judge!
so many double plays...
darn. Marte seems to be on Rodon pretty good.
Yikes, forgot about the game. Actually doing bank account reconciliation. Even with two checking and two savings accounts the problem is backing up to two external drives & a thumb drive. When only one of the eight USB ports works.
And Rodon is out
Nice DP.
verdugo has been bad so far.
He’s a lace holder until the Martian comes back.
[176] fair point. Just hope he does better than this while we wait...
Free baseball!
that's more like it!
That is acceptable Martian replacement
One down
Ugh
yikes.
Jeez
Crap
darn. that could have gone better.
[180] when is the Martian scheduled to return?
A balk, I’ll take it.
Dunno, maybe after ASB.
Another XBH from Judge. That'll work.
[189] I hope so.
Two down.
I’ll take that as a strike
Ballgame.
That was an interesting inning.
And an excellent road trip to start the season!
Now home for the Jays.
[193] Looked a bit outside according to MLB Gameday.
It was outside
6-1 start, on the road, against two good teams is nothing to sneeze at.
I'm glad that Boone realized they'd have to bat the pitcher there...
The Loaísaga injury is a crusher.
Yay, home opener
Nice leather Volpe
hiya rbj. Let's Go yankees!
Rats walking the terrorists didn’t work. [203] right back at ya. The earthquake must have killed everyone in NY
Crapola
I'm definitely of the mind that Stanton is on his way out.
sigh..
Hell, I set Frankenstanton's DFA date O/U at June 2025 *last* year ... and said I'd take the under, so ...
Good start for Stroman, though.
yep Stroman has looked very good.
Not looking very promising today ...
too many quiet bats.
Ugh.
Fer crying out loud
[210] Looking even LESS promising now ...
that was ugly. Now we need a bigger rally boat.
Poo!
Poop.
And there it is — Loaísiga out for the season.
Definitely feels like retribution from the baseball gods for something…..I still think it’s the curse of the Arod but it could just be about Cashman
Ugh, torn UCL. Maybe ST 2025?
Poor Johnny Lasagna ...
On a brighter note ...
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39874477/new-york-yankees-shortstop-anthony-volpe-sophomore-season-swing
Tonight's my 1st Yankees action since the last few innings of game 1. Sucks about Lasagna. Pitchers are dropping like flies already this season. Oi.
GO Yankees! Don't get shut out again.
What the hell? MLBN is showing Astros at Rangers.
Ok, let’s try this again.
Wait, other teams can waste lead off doubles too?
All rise
That'll do.
Stanton isn’t completely dead.
Oswaldo like he's taking a stroll on the beach. Peetty.
You can always see something you've never seen before.
All that and it’s a sac fly
Approved!
Cordory hats?
Nice, Rizzo!
Rizzo with some insurance
Yank this dude. Holy shite! Better luck next time.
Jeff Weaver flashbacks.
I was just thinking ... is the another one of them low-down useless Weaver boys?
An out would be nice, Ian ...
Two for one is even better!
Ooops, misread gameday ... just 1 out on the force at second.
Sigh.
Making this interesting.
Well ... THAT was a fun 9th inning, right?
Yeesh! What clusterfuck win.
I really do not need heart medication
silly that we almost blew that game last night. Hoping for a series win today! Let's Go Yankees!
Oh no, Angle Hernandez is behind the plate.
And just like that AH screws things up.
Acceptable walk
Stantonian!
Hmmmmmm...salami.....
Kyle Schwarber ( and most people with a brain) do not approve of Angel Hernandez.
Should we lead off Volpe? I think it might be time to move him ahead of Soto.
This top of the fifth does not have my approval.
Nope, don’t like it at all
Ok, phew.
Phew redux.
Remember when IKF was on the Yankees? That was an interesting experiment.
Nice WP.
Why isn’t Genesis a starter. Seems like he should be an Opening Day starter.
[258] Eh, Falafel turned out fine ... he wasn't so hot at SS, or as a starter, but he was very good at 3rd and a cromulent all around utility guy.
[253] Not quite yet, but soon, I think ... I had that thought last week ... I think he's better than Torres, but right now this is working OK ... if Volpe keeps it up for another 2-3 weeks, I'd make the move.
Ugh ... I HATE modern roster construction ... what a pile of dreck there was to PH in that situation.
Meh.
Hmm, Toronto challenging that?
THEY LOSE!
GOOD DAY, SIRS!
Nice ... run, Tony, RUN!
A genuine home grown manufactured run
[253] Here's the thing I just thought of ... Volpe's aggressive baserunning (and skill at it) is probably worth more where he's currently hitting ... if Volpe tries to steal in front of Soto and Judge and fails ... well, that's a real negative ... if Volpe tries to steal in front of Wells/Trevino and Cabrera/Berti and fails, well ... you don't expect them to do much in any case ... and if Volpe steals a base and thus can get into scoring position, I think it maximizes your chances of stealing a run from the bottom of the lineup.
Nice win…
Let’s keep the winning continuing
let's Go Yankees! Nestor off to a good start...
For those who are "watching" on Gameday ... I recommend this as a companion site ... they have all the main highlights AND, as a bonus, they come without the ads beforehand.
https://baseball.theater/game/_/745761/Highlights
Oh, dear ... Frank now has a higher BA AND OPS than Judge!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
3-0
VOLPE!
Sweet, already back from feeding and walking the terrorists.
See?
Baseball theater
https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/78a25078-2a6a-47fc-aff5-7e965eadf50d.mp4
Volpe is really fun.
You could sort of see it last year, but man.
Highlights, no commercials.
Oh, and happy 715 day
Why did they do that? Is Berti that bad at hitting?
Soto!
Holy shit.
I was a little behind.
I feel like our batters are much, much better than their numbers indicate.
This Soto feller ... good at baseball, yes?
Soto is now a True Yankee™️
I can only guess that Judge is confused by having someone else in the lineup that can steal his thunder at this current stage of the season.
Let's all have a moment of silence and be thankful that we aren't Marlins fans.
Sweet Jebus, maybe I should insult Frank more often ... what's gotten into him???
[287] This Luzardo fellow must be wondering what he did to deserve this ...
Ah, mercy, finally.
[289] The fish have four starters hurt. Probably they won't be this bad in July.
On field delay?
NVM
Nice to see Cortes the Killer back again ...
I mean ... it IS the Marlins, but this is a very encouraging start from Cortes.
It is.
Send him back out to start the 8th?
He's at 94 ... time for the showers.
Nestor for the ninth? I doubt it.
Wow.
Well, good call, Boonie.
If Nestor has a start like that in June, Boone let's him pitch the ninth, right?
Well, I was wrong, but ... very happy with Nestor's outing tonight.
Looks like no. Still, he gave the pen a night off.
Must be some scrubini who needs an inning.
Really nice -- now all the good relievers get a little rest.
Uh, well, knock on wood.
Come on down ... Josh Maciejewski
Whoa.
Maciejewski
I hope there won't be a spelling test.
Whatever MLB reliever like human type person you *might* be!
[305] Here's my nickname ... Mac
3 up ... 3 down.
Great job, Mac!
Ballgame!
Okay, I accept this Maciejewski!
GG.
Soto is really enjoying himself. That's great to see.
From Brian Hoch:
“ Some of Nestor Cortes’ fondest childhood memories involve trips to see the Marlins, a team he loved dearly.”
Gawd do I feel old.
Good start for Rodon.
Soto with the wheels!
Damn, out
Well ... at least they ran up his pitch count.
Verdugo!
[317] He almost pulled a Reggie at the end of that ... down on one knee!
Theft!
On Frank?
Not really, that was at best coming off the wall about a foot short of being a HR.
Honestly, he didn't need to jump to make the catch.
I'd some more runs right about now.
I'd love it if Stanton started drilling liners to the opposite field. Like that, I mean.
That'll do Frank, that'll do ...
That is an UGLY k from Rizzzo. Rats.
Well, we got one.
Is this a good move?
I guess we will see.
Well ... good enough, I suppose.
I would be very pleased to get even one run here. (In the bottom of the 8th.)
I would be very pleased to see Clay shut these guys down.
Welp, no insurance.
Very pleased.
Well done. Sure the Marlins may be bad (hint, don’t demote Kim Ng) but the are on the schedule, so beat them.
lets go yanks!
Yay, it’s on MLBN
AND Amazon Prime!
Volpe up top!
Gift double plays are always acceptable
Watching Jackson Holliday’s first big league AB for the Orioles. He looks like a kid.
Uh oh.
Well, that's less than optimal
Yeah that just had bad news written all over it.
Crud
Early night for the pen
Might be an early night for my attention at this rate ...
Stanton doing his part.
I have been pushing for robotic umps for 25 years. I am guessing it will happen in the next 25 years.
I'd say next 5.
I'd still like Boone-y to come back on the field with a print out of where that pitch was actually located.
Why the HELL am I being encouraged to BUILD SUBMARINES????
But walking the terrorists didn’t
SotOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Soto is quite good! He was sitting on that pitch.
Sigh ... Judge is NOT even *close* to locked in right now.
That first pitch was a hanger that should have gone about 450 feet.
Blech.
Ratso got it ... and missed it.
Barf
Crap, should have had a third run there.
Uh ... no es bueno, Tony