Yankee Stadium
The Bronx, New York

CELEBRATING 30 SEASONS

April 26, 2011

The New York Yankees Press Box
Auxiliary Press
Second Row
Third Seat from the left
The view “Priceless”
This is prime realestate.
Who am I, what am I doing here?

Yankee Stadium
The Bronx, New York

April 17, 2011

The Voice That Announced  Millions of Yankees Names
Today we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the very first game worked by Public Address Announcer Bob Sheppard at Yankee Stadium in 1951 (o4/17/51).  It was also Mickey Mantle’s first Major League Baseball game.  Yankees 5 – Boston 0

LINE-UP

Boston Red Sox
CF – Dom DiMaggio
RF – Billy Goodman
LF – Ted Williams
3B – Vern Stephens
1B – Walt Dropo
2B – Bobby Doerr
SS – Lou Boudreau
  C – Buddy Rosar
  P – Billy Wright   

New Y0rk Yankees
LF – Jackie Jenson
SS  – Phil Rizzuto
RF – Mickey Mantle
CF – Joe DiMaggio
  C  – Yogi Berra
1B – Johnny Mize
3B – Billy Johnson
2B – Jerry Coleman
   P – Vic Raschi

In his Major League debut,  Mickey Mantle went 1-for-4 with a 6th-inning single off Bill Wright.  

Bob Sheppard worked 121 consecutive postseason contests, including 62 games in 22 World Series from 1951 – 2006.  He worked his final Yankees home game on September 5, 2007 vs. Seattle Mariners, before being sidelined by illness.  Although he passed away on July 11, 2010, Bob Sheppard’s voice is still heard during Yankees games at Yankee Stadium in a special recording as he announces “now batting for the Yankees #2 Derek Jeter, #2”.

PLAY BALL!

“TAPE MEASURE HOME RUN”
April 17, 1953
Mickey Mantle clears the left-field wall at Washington’s Griffith Stadium with a 565-foot home run of Chuck Stobbs in the 5th inning of a 7 – 3 Yankees win.  The Yankees PR Director Red Patterson retrieves the ball and measures off the distance, it was the start of the phrase “tape measure home run”.    On May 30, 1956 Mickey Mantle connected the longest home run in Yankee Stadium History.

TOMORROW IN YANKEES  HISTORY
April 18, 1923
The original Yankee Stadium opens its doors for its Inaugural Game as the Yankees defeat Boston 4 – 1.  Starter Bob Shawkey records the win and Babe Ruth hits the park’s first home run, a three-run shot in the 3rd inning.

New York Yankees
Yankee Stadium
The Bronx, New York

April 15, 2011

Throughout Major League Baseball, today is Jackie Robinson Day.  A salute to the 64th anniversary of the day Jackie Robinson made his big league debut at 1st base with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field.  On April 15, 1947, he became the first African-American player in the Majors, thus breaking the color barrier.  In tribute to Robinson on this special day, all Major League Baseball players, coaches and umpires will wear No. 42 for tonight’s games.

Mariano Rivera, the Yankees pitcher/closer is the last active player wearing No. 42.  In 1997, the number was retired throughout the Majors to honor Jackie Robinson, though players wearing the number at the time could continue using it.  The Yankees 2nd baseman Robinson Cano wears No. 24 and is named after the legendary first baseman/2nd baseman/3rd baseman/outfielder.

Jackie Robinson played his Rookie Year at 1st base.  In 1948, during his second season, he played 116 games at 2nd base, 30 at 1st base and 6 games at 3rd base. From 1949 to 1952, Jackie Robinson thrilled the fans at 2nd base.  During his career he played in 1,382 games, 745 games at 2nd base.   

As part of the pregame celebration, Major League Baseball and the Yankees held an on-field ceremony which included the first lady of baseball, Jackie’s wife, Rachel Robinson, Founder of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and their daughter Sharon Robinson.

Let’s play ball.

Tom0rrow in Yankees History: 
April 16, 2009
Inaugural game at the new Yankee Stadium a 10-2 loss vs. Cleveland Indians.
CC Sabathia throws the game’s first pitch, Johnny Damon records the first hit and Jorge Posada hits the first home run.

Freelance writer and photographer Aris Sakellaridis is at Yankees Spring Training to assist community advisor and author Ray Negron, writing stories about heroes and unsung heroes that surround the Yankees Universe. Aris visited Apopka, Florida, a suburg of Orlando on Saturday, February 26th, to report on a movement led by local businessman Armando Gutierrez to possibly relocate the Class-A Tampa Yankees to the area by 2013.

The Yankees organization showed the town of Apopka that they are serious about bringing a pro ball club to town.  A team of Minor League players and coaches, along with staff members and team mascot Bly, made the trip from Tampa.  They put a whole new meaning into the phrase, “If they build it, we will come.”

As a full house was enjoying the opener of the Yankees 2011 Spring Training season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, over 1,000 baseball fans showed up in Apopka at the Orange County Northwest Recreational Facility to support the return of pro baseball to Central Florida.  The starving fans started entering the facility at 7:30 a.m. with a hunger for baseball, and Yankees community advisor Ray Negron complied by keeping them entertained with a Yankees version of “American Idol.”  Negron gave young fans a chance to step up to the stage and belt out a tune for a prize of a replica 2009 World Series Championship ring.  The lesson here was to instill confidence that you can become anything you desire if you focus your mind to it.  Thanks to the Yankees, there were plenty of rings available as the crowd was entertained by over a dozen talented singing  hopefuls.  Just like that, a “Yankees Idol” was created.

An introduction of future Yankees players were greeted with wild applause as bobble heads, bats and pins were handed to everyone in sight.  Legendary Mayor John Land was introduced and shared his memories of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio.  He was taken aback when he was presented with a replica 2009 ring and wanted to earn it by singing a song.  A baseball clinic followed with fielding drills, a baseball IQ and advise was offered for life skills.

With 15 million tourists and a huge residential following, the ball is on their side of the fence, Orlando.  Armando Gutierrez, Jr., president of Baseball Enterprises in Central Florida, declared the three-hour affair a success.

“The impact of the community was felt today” said Gutierrez.  “The kids were on top of the world and the rest of the world that we attract will recognize the Yankees emblem and will flock to games.”

Yankees vice president Felix Lopez is excited about the potential move of the Tampa Yankees.  “An extension of our team to the Orlando area will mean more fans representing us” said Lopez, also stressing the importance of the impact it will have on youths.  “They will focus on working to become Yankees in various positions like scouting directors or front office personnel.”

It is a real-life “Field of Dreams” and with the Yankees’ desire to relocate, Orlando owes it to their taxpayers, but more importantly to its’ future leaders, the children.  With the NBA’s Orlando Magic being the only sports team in its’ radius, it’s a win-win situation for everyone.

New York Yankees
Spring Training – 2011
Tampa, Florida

Including the United States, there are eight different countries represented on the Yankees current spring training 40-man roster:
CANADA 
Catcher     #55     Russell Martin
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Pitcher      #72     Dellin Betances
Pitcher      #43     Damaso Marte
Pitcher      #74     Hector Noesi
Pitcher      #47     Ivan Nova
Pitcher      #29     Rafael Soriano
Infielder   #24     Robinson Cano (2B)
Infielder   #67     Eduardo Nunez
Outfielder #77    Melky Mesa
MEXICO
Pitcher       #45     Sergio Mitre
Infielder    #19     Ramiro Pena
NETHERLANDS
Outfielder  #18    Andruw Jones
PANAMA
Pitcher        #42   Mariano Rivera  (closer)
PUERTO RICO
Pitcher        #31    Pedro Feliciano
Catcher       #20    Jorge Posada
VENEZUELA
Pitcher        #64     Romulo Sanchez
Catcher       #17     Francisco Cervelli
Infielder     #76     Reegie Corona

Among the non-roster invitees: 2 players are from the Dominican Republic, 3 from Mexico and 4 from Venezuela.

When camp opened for the 2011 season, it marks the first time since 2002 the Yankees do not have  a player of Asian descent on the 40-man roster

Keeping score of a Major League Baseball game during the regular season is no easy feat.

Keeping score of a Major League Baseball game during the first game of Spring Training  is as amazing as the players used on the field. 

The New York Yankees have 64 players on their Spring Training camp roster: 32 Pitchers, 8 Catchers, 13 Infielders, 11 Outfielders

February 26, 2011     New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia played with, pinch hit and pinch ran and moved around the field 16 men for a total of 37 at bats.  They produced 11 hits, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 walks and 5 strikeouts with 1 error.  One stolen base.  Zero home runs.  There were 27 putouts and 11 assists on the field.  Philadelphia left 8 men on base.  Six pitchers were used as the  final score was 5 runs by the National League Phillies.

New York played with, pinch hit and pinch ran and moved around the field 18 men for a total of 35 at bats.   They produced 9 hits, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 walks, 6 strikeouts.  One stolen base.  One home run.  There were 27 putouts and 8 assists on the field.  New York left 10 men on base.  Seven pitchers were used as the final score was 4 runs by the American League Yankees.

Practice, practice, show what you learned and can do.  That is what is logged on the spring training game score sheet.

Oh yes, there were balks and double plays.  

Stay tuned,  Major League Baseball score sheet to follow.

The Yankees opened their 32-game schedule on Saturday, February 26th vs. the  Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.  The schedule is the fewest official spring training games since a 29-game Grapefruit League schedule in 2008. The Yankees will play 32 games in 32 days, with doubleheaders on 3/7 and 3/11.  It is the Yankees’ 16th consecutive season at George M. Steinbrenner Field  (formerly Legends Field).  It is the 109th Spring Training in franchise history.

• 1903-04  Atlanta, Georgia
• 1905         Montgomery, Alabama
• 1906         Birmingham, Alabama
• 1907-08  Atlanta, Georgia
• 1909         Macon, Georgia
• 1910-11   Athens, Georgia
• 1912          Atlanta Georgia
• 1913          Hamilt0n, Bermuda
• 1914          Houston, Texas
• 1915          Savannah, Georgia
• 1916-18   Macon, Georgia
• 1919-20   Jacksonville, Florida
• 1921          Shreveport, Louisiana
• 1922-24  New Orleans, Louisiana
• 1925-42  St. Petersburg, Florida
• 1943         Asbury Park, New Jersey
• 1944-45  Atlantic City, New Jersey
• 1946-50  St. Petersburg, Florida
• 1951         Phoenix, Arizona
• 1952-61  St. Petersburg, Florida
• 1962-95  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
• 1996-present  TAMPA 

April 16, 2010
Yankee Stadium – The Bronx, New York
Today in Yankees History:
April 16, 1929

Both the Yankees and Cleveland Indians head into their respective Opening Day games with numbered uniforms. After the Yankees are rained out vs. Boston at Yankee Stadium, Cleveland becomes the first Major League Baseball team to permanently use uniform numbers.  The Yankees debut their numbers on April 18 vs. Boston.  The New York Yankees were the first team to honor their Legends by retiring a player’s number.  They have since retired:

#4 Lou Gehrig (1939)
#3 Babe Ruth (1948)
#5 Joe DiMaggio (1952)
#7 Mickey Mantle (1969)
#37 Casey Stengel (1970)
#8 Yogi Berra (1972)
#8 Bill Dickey (1972)
#16 Whitey Ford (1974)
#15 Thurman Munson (1979)
#9 Roger Maris (1984)
#32 Elson Howard (1984)
#10 Phil Rizzuto (1985)
#1 Billy Martin (1986)
#44 Reggie Jackson (1993)
#23 Don Mattingly (1997)
#49 Ron Guidry (2003)

Although #42 Jackie Robinson was retired throughout Major League Baseball in 1997, Yankees pitcher, closer Mariano Rivera remains the only active player and will be the last Major League Player to display #42 on his uniform.

The Cleveland Indians have retired the following numbers:

#19 Bob Feller (1957)
#5 Lou Boudreau (1970)
#3 Earl Averill (1975)
#18 Mel Harder (1990)
#14 Larry Doby (1994)
#42 Jackie Robinson (1997)
#21 Bob Lemon (1998)

Major  League Baseball – it is a numbers game.

April 15, 2010

Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees

Yankee Stadium – The Bronx, New York

Today, all Major League Baseball players and coaches and umpires pay tribute to Jackie Robinson by wearing number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.  Number 42 was retired in 1997.  During the 2004 season Commissioner Bud Selig dedicated April 15^th as Jackie Robinson Day.  Robinson played his first Major League game as a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, on April 15, 1947.  “When Jack stepped onto Ebbets Field he set a new course for American history both in the game and in society,” said Rachel Robinson.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation, established in 1973, celebrating its 63^rd anniversary, provides four-year college scholarships, graduate school grants, including mentoring and leadership development opportunities to students who will serve as ambassadors of Jackie’s values.  Jackie Robinson’s belief was “A life is not important except in its impact on other lives.” Major League Baseball and the 30 Clubs sponsor more than 60 Jackie Robinson Scholars, to date 1400 scholarships have been provided.

The Robinson family, Jackie’s wife Rachel Robinson joined Major League Baseball in a special Jackie Robinson Day celebration at Yankee Stadium prior to the game vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Could National League player Jackie Robinson have envisioned commemorating his name in this 1.5 billion dollar American League ballpark?

The Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is the last active player wearing #42.  Although the number was retired throughout the Majors in 1997, players wearing the number at that time could continue using it.

The Yankees took the field for the final game of the three-game series with the Angels.  At the top of the 2^nd inning the cheers were loud and clear as the Angels DH Hideki Matsui hit a long home run to centerfield.  Matsui, after playing the Yankee Stadium leftfield for 7 seasons was the 2009 World Series MVP contributing to the Yankees win with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs.  Matsui now plays with an Angels cap but continues a fan favorite in the Bronx.

Bottom of the 2^nd inning, a Jackie Robinson namesake, Robinson Cano the Yankees 2^nd baseman who wears #24, ties the score with a home run.  Top of the 3^rd inning, another fan of #42, Yankees Captain, shortstop Derek Jeter blasts the 2^nd home run of the game for the Yankees to take the lead 2-1.

Hideki Matsui walked to start the top of the Angels 4^th inning.  The fan cheers were again loud and clear as Matsui was tagged out reaching for home plate by catcher Jorge Posada, to end the inning for the Angels.

Bottom of the 5^th inning, Robinson Cano hits his 2^nd home run in the game to earn Alex Rodriguez a run from 2^nd base, putting the Yankees score 6-1.

Los Angeles scored a run in the 6^th inning, but tonight the Angel bats were silenced by Yankees pitchers striking out 11, while allowing just 5 hits.

With the only player on the mound with the right to wear the #42 of Jackie Robinson, the Yankees closer Mariano Rivera faces one batter in the 9^th inning to notch his 4^th save of the season.

The luck of the draw?  Cuando Mariano Rivera llego a los Yankees en 1995, me confirmo Rivera que Pete Sheehy encargado de entregar los números a los peloteros, le puso el numero 42 en el uniforme de Rivera.  Fue una bendición.

New York Yankees    6

Los Angeles Angels 2

Winning Pitcher:  Phil Hughes (1-0)

Losing Pitcher:  Scott Kazmir (0-1)

Time of Game:  2:43  Attendance:  44,722

2009 World Series – The 6th game – Perhaps the finest game in the chase for the tropy and the ring between these National and American League teams.  The games have been competitive for the fans and the 2008 World Series Champions Philadelphia Phillies have played the Yankees as the champs they are.  It has been no nonsence play.

It is the battle of the senior pitchers of the game.  Phillies 38 year old Pedro Martinez vs. Yankees 37 year old Andy Pettitte.  The pitchers first started games against each other on May 31, 1998.  They remain among the best in the game.  Pedro and Andy.

Designated hitter Hideki Matsui anxious to get his first World Series ring with Major League Baseball has dominated his game and contributed during the 2009 playoffs with 4 home runs and 13 RBIs.  Matsui is in the final year of his contract.  A long career in Japan continued by record consecutive games in left field for the Yankees have rendered his knees. During playoff he has performed a perfect DH off the bench.  With Hideki Matsui, the Yankees have a 7- 2 lead at the top of the 6 inning.

Andy Pettitte out pitched Pedro Martinez who left the game after pitching 4 innings.  Martinez charged with 4 runs, 3 hits, 1 HR, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts and hit a batter.  He threw 77 pitches, 46 for strikes.

Andy Pettitte was replaced by relief pitcher Job Chamberlain at the top of the 6th inning.  Pitching 5-2/3 innings, 3 runs, 4 hits, 1HR, 5 walks and 3 strikeouts and one wild pitch.  Pettitte threw 94 pitches, 50 for strikes.

Play continues with relievers from both teams pitching for the defeat of each other.  The 7th inning stretch finds the Yankees ahead 7 – 3.

World Series victory is near at hand for the Yankees as the bull pen holds the 4 game lead for the all time saves leader with 14 career postseaon saves – Mariano Rivera.  The future Hall of Fame closer enters the game in the 8th inning.  The rest is history, sweetened by celebration of champagne.