Shriners 1

Shriners 5

Shriners 3

Shriners 4

Shriners 2

Earlier today, Yankees Manager Joe Girardi visited patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Tampa.

Shriners 1 – Joe Girardi and Shawn play tee ball in an activity area at the hospital.

Shriners 2-4 – Joe Girardi joins Josiah in his hospital room and later gives him a signed baseball.

Shriners 5 – Joe Girardi gives Charlie a high five.

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March 11, 2016

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees

George M. Steinbrenner Field

Tampa , Florida

Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka WINS vs. Orioles

By: Rocky Julich

The fans who were lucky enough to watch the Orioles seasons with the Ripkins, Cal Sr., Manager, Cal Jr., and Billy Ripkin, remember glory days of the team of Baltimore. During the 1980s and 1990s, every game was special, especially with the run that Cal Ripkin, Jr. had on Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive game playing record. Those baseball seasons were awesome as Cal Ripkin challenged to became the new “Iron Man”. On September 6, 1995 he surpassed the record with 2,131 consecutive games played. Ripkin continued playing to establish a record of 2,632 consecutive games. A record that now will never be broken. The Hall of Fame shortstop retired from Baltimore in 2001.

Spring Training is another story for the Baltimore Orioles. It seems the team has experienced difficulty deciding where to call home. In 1954, they started training in Arizona, moved to Daytona, Florida in 1955 then back to Arizona in 1956. During 1959 they returned to Florida to train in Miami. Then during 1989 they started training in Sarasota; while moving to different locations in 1991, 1992. The team trained during 1995 St. Petersburg. In 1996, the Orioles moved into Ft. Lauderdale Stadium, which the New York Yankees vacated when they move to Tampa. During 2010 the Baltimore Orioles moved their Major League operations to the newly renovated Ed Smith Stadium and Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex in Sarasota. They have never had a Spring Training camp built for their organization.

In a recent article, I wrote that during early Spring Training games the starting pitcher rarely gets a win. The reason, because the starter is limited to 2-3 innings and an under 50 pitch count.

Then came the visiting Baltimore Orioles to face the Yankees starting pitcher RHP Masahiro Tanaka.

The O’s posting a record of 0 wins – 9 losses – 2 ties. During Spring, in last place in the American League East. The Yankees spring record at 2 – 6 – 2.

Masahiro Tanaka limited the Orioles to an infield single with 3 Ks and a hit batsman with 30 of 40 pitches for strikes. It was Player Development at the Major League level as the Orioles were held scoreless for seven innings, until the Yankees third pitcher in relief RHP Vicente Campos gave up a hit to RF Nolan Reimbold who then scored a run with a sacrifice fly to left by 1B Christian Walker. It proved to be the only run by the Orioles.

Masahiro Tanana pitched 3 innings, gave up a hit, struck out 3 of the 11 Orioles he faced and received the rare early Spring Training win and remained at 0.00 ERA.

After the game, Tanaka said through his interpreter “I feel that I am exactly where I need to be at”. The most encouraging sign about Tanaka is that the Yankees can hardly tell there was ever an issue at all with his surgically-repaired right elbow. Tanaka expressed some hesitation upon reporting to camp last month about his starting on opening day. As of this date, He continues to be on track to start the Yankees 2016 season opener.

Pitching in his third spring start, Baltimore RHP Mike Wright in 2-2/3 innings was charged with 5 hits – 2 BB – 5 runs. The right-hander struck out six Yankees, including DH Alex Rodriguez and 1B Mark Teixeira. Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorious got 3 hits, 2 runs scored and an RBI. C Brian McCann got a hit, a walk, scored a run and two RBIs. The defeat dropped the O’s to 0-10-2 this spring. After the loss, Mike Wright was quoted “that’s the game of baseball”.

Game Notes:

Orioles used 22 players – 5 pitchers

Orioles scored 1 run – 3 hits – left 2 men on base

Yankees used 23 players – 5 pitchers

Yankees scored 7 runs – 11 hits – 2 errors – left 8 men on baseball

Final:

Yankees 7 – Orioles 1

WP: Masahiro Tanaka (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

LP: Mike Wright (0-1, 945 ERA)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 9,743

RTFR Radio – Stay Tuned

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

March 10, 2016
Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees

George M. Steinbrenner Field
Tampa, Florida

Cuban Pitcher Aroldis Chapman Pitches to the Birds

By: Rocky Julich

The 2016 Spring Training is Toronto’s 40^th in Dunedin. They have trained at their Grapefruit League camp since their first season in 1977. Of the 30 Clubs in the Major Leagues, only three teams have been in their current spring training city longer than the Blue Jays (Detroit Tigers, Lakeland – Philadelphia Phillies, Clearwater – Pittsburgh Pirates, Bradenton).

The Toronto Blue Jays have outgrown their playing fields in Dunedin and as each spsring season ends there is talk of the team constructing and moving to a modern, luxurious stadium to satisfy their Major League team, also, provide spacious surroundings to accommodate their Minor League Player Development organization. Yet, the fact remains that Dunedin is the winter home to a large Canadian fan base and the Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s team.

Last season, the Blue Jays led the majors in just about every offensive category to reach the American League Championship Series for the first time in 22 seasons. Toronto is serious about staying in contention during 2016, with a team intact for another October run with a clubhouse of veterans; key players with five-plus seasons of Major League experience: LHP Brett Cecil, RHP Jose Chavez, RHP R.A. Dickey, RHP Marco Estrada, LHP J.A. Happ, (Toronto native) C Russell Martin, 1B Justin Smoak, (new to Toronto) SS Troy Tulowitzki, 3B Edwin Encarnacion, OF Jose Bautista (10+ MLB seasons).

To note, ten year veteran RHP Roberto Hernandez of the American League Cleveland Indians is in camp with Toronto, trying out to secure a relievers role in the Blue Jays bullpen.

Toronto Blue Jays projected 2016 line-up:

CF Kevin Pillar

3B Josh Donaldson

RF Jose Bautista

DH Edwin Encarnacion

SS Troy Tulowitzki

1B Chris Colabello

C Russell Martin

LF Michael Saunders

2B Ryan Goins

Toronto’s bullpen is developing home grown talent; RHP Steve Delabar, RHP Drew Hutchinson, LHP Aaron Loup, RHP Roberto Osuna and their non-roster invitees from their Triple A team; RHP Aaron Sanchez, RHP Marcus Stroman, prospects #1-3B Andy Burns, OF Dalton Pompey, OF Kevin Pillar and RH/LH pitcher Pat Venditte. While on the mound, Venditte is the only pitcher who can switch pitching from right hand to left hand, depending on the batter he faces. A feat to behold.

The Game:

Yankees starter, RHP Nathan Eovaldi made his spring debut and was pitch perfect during two innings. He recorded a no-decision. It’s too early during training for a starting pitcher to record a win as the team starters are permitted 2- 3 innings (approximately 40 pitches) per game.

The Yankees future relief trio, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Dellin Betances and LHP Aroldis Chapman took the mound in succession for the first time. Chapman who is expected to be the next Yankees Closer was wild, as he made his first Spring Training appearance, pitching 2/3 of an inning, 2BB, 1K, 1 earned run and hitting 2 batters, including Toronto star OF Jose Bautista. Chapman faced 6 batters, threw 26 pitches/9 for strikes earning a 13.50 ERA.

At the top of the fifth inning, Non-Roster invitee RHP Diego Moreno relieved Chapman and recorded the last out of the inning. Moreno pitched the sixth inning and picked up the loss in relief. In 1-1/3 innings, allowed 5 runs/4 earned (3H, 1BB, 2K).

It was a game of hits (13) and runs(11) as the Blue Jays were dominant over the Yankees bullpen.

Game Notes:

Toronto 3B Andy Burns hit a HR and a double for four RBIs.

Yankees 2B Johathan Diaz hit a HR for 2 RBIs.

Toronto used 24 players, including 6 pitchers.

Yankees used 26 players, including 8 pitchers.

Final: Toronto 11 – Yankees 4

WP: Jose Chavez (1-1) 3.66 ERA

LP: Diego Moreno (0-1) 13.50 ERA

Time: 2:51

Attendance: 8,706

RTFR Radio – Stay Tuned

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