March 3, 2016

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees

George M. Steinbrenner Field

Tampa, Florida

By:  Rocky Julich

The A-Rod Home Run

The Philadelphia Phillies left their Bright House Field in Clearwater and crossed the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Tampa to play the New York Yankees second game of during Spring Training.

While the Phillies have been getting lots of media attention regarding rebuilding, at Steinbrenner Field, there was no real mention regarding the issue, “tanking”.

As expected from the visiting team, the Phillies put on the field and pitched a line-up of Rookies and non-roster players.  No matter, it was a 15 hits, 13 runs scored by Phillies game vs. the Yankees 6 hits, 4 runs scored.

During the first inning, the Phillies starter, Rookie LHP Adam Morgan faced his challenge with the Yankees starting line-up which included rightfielder Carlos Beltran, DH Alex Rodriguez and first baseman Mark Teixiera.  Morgan threw Beltran a good pitch to hit to get on base with a single.  The next batter was a Rookie pitcher’s dream come true, to pitch to Alex Rodriguez.  The first pitch was a ball.  The second pitch was simply in the right place for A-Rod to use his signature swing to send the ball flying near the 318” left field wall.

“It certainly was surprising” A-Rod said.  “That was the last thing I was expecting.  I haven’t taken a swing in live pitching, that was my first one.  It caught me by surprise.”

Rodriguez allowed himself a few extra moments to watch the homer clear the wall in left before beginning his homerun trot.  After coming out of the game and speaking to the media in the Clubhouse in front of his locker he said that he “enjoyed the trip around the bases”.

RHP Ivan Nova made is first start of Spring Training.  In his second year back from Tommy John Surgery, the 6’5” 235 lb. pitcher from Palenque, D.R., in his seventh season with the Yankees, is competing with CC Sabathia as the Yankees No. 5 starter.

It was the first opportunity for Gary Sanchez as catcher for Ivan Nova.  After the game Nova praised his catcher.  “He was good, I like the way he catch”.  “His return was real nice”.   “I told him “don’t be afraid to call the pitches that you want me to throw”.  “He was great”.

It was a typical early Spring Training game.  Philadelphia used 17 players, including five pitchers.  RHP Alec Asher, RHP Mark Appel, LHP Daniel Stumpf, RHP Edwar Mujica.

The most recognizable, non-roster invitee RHP Mark Appel.  The No. 1 selection by the Houston Astros from the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft enters his 4^th professional season as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, this season showing with Philadelphia.

The Yankees used 26 players, including eight pitchers.  RHP Diego Moreno, LHP Jacob Lindgren, RHP Anthony Swarzak, LHP James Pazos, RHP Branden Pinder, LHP Tyler Webb, RHP Brady Lail.

Jacob Lindgren was the loosing pitcher (0-1).

The most notable change in the line-up, DH Alex Rodriguez.  The Yankees have no plans to play the 40-year-old in the field and A-Rod has accepted his new assignment as a full-time designated hitter.  Rodriguez explained after his first game of Spring that he has modified his training so as to avoid wearing down late in the season.  He added, “the biggest thing is, I don’t have any distractions and understand my purpose on the team.”

It was a Spring Training game of Player Development at the Major League Baseball level.

Final:  Phillies 13 – Yankees 4

WP:     Alec Asher (1-0)

LP:      Jacob Lindgren  (0-1)

Time:  3:14

Attendance:    7,897

RTFR Radio – Stay Tuned

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues  or its clubs.

March 2, 2016

New York Yankees
2016 Spring Training
George M. Steinbrenner FieldTampa, Florida

Aroldis Chapman Suspension

By:  Rocky Julich

On March 1^st, Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, using his jurisdiction under baseball’s newly adopted domestic violence policy,  announced that the New York Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman had accepted a 30-game suspension without pay for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.  The suspension will be effective on Opening Day of the Yankees’ 2016 regular season.

The suspension will cost Chapman about $1.8M of the $11.325M he was awarded in arbitration.  The loss of time will not affect his free agency status in 2017.  Chapman said that was a factor in his decision not to appeal.

“I accept the decision,” Chapman said of the suspension through an interpreter.  “I thought about it and I believe this is the best decision for me, my family and for my teammates.”  “I have to take responsibility for it”.  “I want to put this behind me, move on, help this team win.”

Aroldis Chapman becomes the first Major League player to receive a suspension of its kind under the new Policy.

Chapman’s girlfriend alleged that he choked her after an argument over some text messages on his phone.  According to police reports, Chapman then went out to a detached garage on his property and fired eight shots from a handgun, one which flew through a window and into an open field.

After a comprehensive investigation, the Commissioner found Chapman’s acknowledged conduct to be inappropriate under the negotiated Policy, particularly his use of a firearm and the impact of that behavior on his partner.

Aroldis Chapman agreed to comply with the confidential directives of the Joint Policy Board established under the parties’ Policy to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.

In the interim, Chapman will be allowed to take part in all spring training games and activities and he will be allowed to continue training at the Yankees’ minor league complex where he will be able to pitch in extended spring training and simulated games.  The lefthanded Closer will not be allowed to pitch in minor league games that charge admission.

The New York Yankees anticipate the alleged domestic violence incident is put behind him and media attention instead is focused on Chapman’s pitching.

Aroldis Chapman is from a different country, of another culture.   Under the confidential directives, did Chapman at anytime express that he was perplexed at all the media attention to his misconduct and did he agree to receive counseling?  Chapman has disclosed that he no longer owns any firearms.

In Chapman’s absence, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Andrew Miller would again serve as the team’s Closer.  It is expected Chapman will be able to take the Closer’s role when he is eligible to return on May 9.

RTFR Radio – Stay tuned

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its Clubs.

March 2, 2016

Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees
George M. Steinbrenner Field
Tampa, Florida

Opening Game – 2016 Spring Training

By: Rocky Julich

The first exhibition game of the New York Yankees Spring Training schedule marks the 21^st consecutive season at Steinbrenner Field (1996-2016), formerly Legends Field.  It is the 114^th spring season in franchise history.

Roll Call in camp 40-man roster and non-roster invitees total:  32 pitchers – 9 catchers – 15 infielders – 12 outfielders and 1 DH.  Numbers may change daily.

The youngest player in camp: INF Jorge Mateo, age 20
The oldest player in camp: DH Alex Rodriguez, age 40
Most tenured player in camp:  DH Alex Rodriguez 21 years, 11 days
Tall fact:  14 players on the Spring Training roster are 6’4″ or taller, all but three are pitchers.

The New York Yankees Spring Training Game Opening Program began with the customary pomp and circumstance.  The introduction of Yankees Legends Orlando “Duque” Hernandez, Hideki Matsui, Lee Mazzilli, Stump Merrill, Gene “Stick” Michaels, Willie Randolph, Rich “Goose” Gossage, Ron “Louisiana Lightning” Guidry, “Mr. October”, Reggie Jackson.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Yogi Berra who passed away September 22, 2015.  Catcher, #8 Lawrence “Yogi” Berra, the eternal favorite of the fans for 69 years.

Manager Joe Giraardi stood atop the Yankees dugout with his coaches and players as the National Anthem was sung.

Game start 1:05 pm

Luis Severino RHP (Sabana de la Mar, D.R.) starting pitcher for the Yankees was dominated by the Tigers during the 2^nd inning.  He gave up 3 hits, walked 2 and surrendered a grand slam to catcher Bryan Holaday to start Detroit in the lead 5-0.  Severino was taken out of the game after 1-1/3 innings and received a no-decision.

Detroit scored runs in 3^rd & 4^th innings against RHPs Nick Rumbelow and Mark Montgomery.

Mike Pelfrey RHP, who pitched for Minnesota last season, made his first start of Spring for Detroit.  He pitched 3 innings, 2 strikeouts.  Pitching during the 4^th & 5^th innings, Detroit relievers RHP Drew Verhagen, LHP Blain Hardy, RHP Endrys Briceno gave up 5 runs which tied the game 7-7.

In the bottom of the 7^th inning, a double by catcher Austin Romine and an RBI single by Chris Parmalee pushed the Yankees ahead 8-7.

Detroit scored 2 runs at the top of the 9^th inning,   Detroit 9 – Yankees 8.

Not to be outdone by Detroit, during the bottom of the 9^th inning, Yankees non-roster invitee SS Jorge Mateo hit a triple to start the inning.  Catcher Austin Romine drove in the game tying run with an infield single which scored Jorge Mateo from 3^rd,  9-9.  What followed is in true Spring Training fashion, non-roster invitee, infielder Tyler Wade entered game to pinch run for Austin Romain.  With two outs, non-roster invitee, centerfielder Dustin Fowler reaches first on a fielding error by Detroit leftfielder Jason Krizan which in turn scored pinch runner Tyler Wade.  The error provided the Yankees a walk-off the field victory.  The first win during 2016 Spring Training.

Final: Tigers 9, Yankees 10
WP:  Nick Goody (1-0)
LP:  Joe Mantiply
Time:  3:08
Attendance:  9,023
Official Scorer:  Nicholas Flammia (Tampa Yankees broadcaster)

Spring Training – Player Development at the Major League level.

During the course of the nine-inning, 3:08 game, between Detroit and New York – 53 players were used in the game; including 15 pitchers.

Major League Baseball Spring Training starts as a slow, developing and observing game.  The Major Leaguers on the active rosters practice and play to “warm” their skills after the off season, to get back into a daily routine.  Some of the players are recovering from previous season injuries.

Non-Roster invitees:  While some are seasoned Major Leaguers vying for a roster spot, most of the invitees are young players, the best performers from the previous season in the Minor Leagues.  These players/pitchers are offered the opportunity to experience the game within a caliber of talented Major League players.  When Spring training camp breaks for the start of a new Major League Baseball season, perhaps one/two of the non-roster invites will outperform and be asked to join the starting roster of the Major League team.

RTFR Radio – Stay tuned

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.