Connery’s Views from a recliner

Yesterday, was my first game live at the ‘New’ Yankee Stadium. Man, what a place.

The stadium itself is just pristine. The grass, the infield, the views, oh my gosh, the views!!! Outside of the lack of lighting in the stairwell exiting Monument Park, There wasn’t one place in the whole park where you thought, ‘this could be better’. It was just great.

A massive thank you to my cousin Tim and Uncle Ron for being there with me. Being with Tim’s extended family was neat just listening to all the stories, there was even one involving my Dad, which was really cool.

One of the cool crowd interaction things at Yankee Stadium is ‘The Roll Call’. ‘The Roll Call’, is where the bleacher creatures will clap out and chant a fielder’s name, until they get some sort of acknowledgement, which then they cheer wildly about. Most players tip their caps will wave or point back at the crowd, not Aaron Judge. Judge, perhaps the most popular Yankee, as an ode to fellow outfielder Brett Gardner, flexed. The crowd went nuts!!!

The game itself was great too. It was impossible not to get swept up in the atmosphere almost immediately. The crowd was into every pitch, plus Gerit Cole pitched, and pitched well, which him being my favorite player, I was very happy about.

The highlight of my watching Cole came in the first inning. Cole was facing Twins hitter, Josh Donaldson. Previously, Donaldson complained about Cole’s alleged use of substances to improve the spin on his pitches. Nothing, I repeat nothing, has come of these allegations. My feelings of Donaldson being a complete prick aside, I was interested to see how the matchup would play out. In an awesome turn of events, Cole won the battle, striking Donaldson out, punctuated by Cole glaring at Donaldson and mouthing a few choice words before walking off the mound towards the Yankee Dugout. The crowd ate it up!

Back to the game itself. Cole pitched well, weaving in and out of some trouble and earned the win. The game turned offensively in the fifth inning. The Yankees scored 5 runs in the frame, including a clutch run scoring hit by Giancarlo Stanton, and would go on to win 7-1.

The last thing of note that happened ganewise involved two homeruns. One was an absurd non homerun, and the other was a really special home run. The absurd involved Rougned Odor. Odor hit a bomb of a 3 run homerun to the delight of the crowd, for about 3 seconds, the joy faded to a obscenity filled crowd wide tirade.

Apparently, Odor had called for time as Twins reliever, Ralph Garza Jr had finished his wind up qand and threw his pitch, Home plate umpire Angel Hernandez granted Odor time, the only problem was Odor then swung and crushed the pitch. The bottomline was Hernandez was correct, Odor had a brain freeeze, and the crowd quickly went from instantly overjoy to collectively confused, to collectively pissed in the span of about 2 seconds. It was definitely a unique circumstance.

Luckily, and thankfully, the crowd’s venom quickly turned to cheers in the Bottom of the 8th. Yankee Shortstop, Andrew Velazquez, a rookie, hit first home run of his career, at Yankee Stadium! The special part of this is, Velazquez is the definition of a ‘Home Grown Yankee’. He’s 24, from the Bronx and still lives in the Bronx still with his parents! How cool is that? You couldn’t write that story if given 100 tries.

It was a hell of a day in the Bronx, and one I will never forget!

The New York Yankees continued their hot play, beating the Minnesota Twins 7-5 last night.

Yankee starter Jameson Taillon was good enough before running out of gas to collect his 8th win on the year, Chad Green picked up his 6th Save, more on him in a bit.

The Yankee Offense was keyed but their light hitting, mediocre fielding catcher, Kyle Higashoika, who had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and drove 3 runs in. As it turned out, the Yankees would need all 3 of his runs batted in and more to win last night.

Back to the red flag. Chad Green, yeah remember him, and Zach Britton, the guy with the shaky confidence and nasty slider and sinker? Yeah they pitched last night, too.

My advice to both relievers? Just pitch! Stop trying to nibble! Britton, he’s a bit of an enigma right now, he has 0 confidence, you can tell, he can’t spot pitches right now. The nasty slider and sinker just go all over the place, brutal. And Chad Green? STOP TRYING TO BE GREG MADDUX!!!! Stop being cute! Stop trying to paint corners. You have a plus fastball, use it!

The last piece of advice for them both, trust your stuff! There are going to be games where the offense struggles and the pitching needs to step up. Giancarlo Stanton won’t hit a lead extending home run every time to let you guys breathe easier.

Trust yourselves and just pitch!

This blogger is going to Yankee Stadium tomorrow! Gerrit Cole! I cannot wait!

Blog tomorrow or Sunday. Enjoy the weekend all.

Facts are facts: Andrew Haney was AWESOME last night. A Quality Start for a fly ball pitcher at the New Yankee Stadium to sweep a rival? Incredible.

I have to admit, with the Red Sox struggling, I thought ‘oh boy…this could get ugly.’ Kudos on a job well done and proving the irrational fan wrong.

The Offense used a big second inning, and the aforementioned great pitching for a 5-2 win and a sweep of the 3 game set against Boston. I would have told you this was impossible on July 4th.

The Yankees just keep finding a way, with all the injuries and Covid-19 scares and protocols, the turnaround has been nice. Our Fearless Leader has pushed the right buttona at the right times, lately.

My only gripe: Why use Chapman in the 9th? Coming off the IL, he can’t be at full strength. I mean, he pitched like it, gamely throwing 20 pitches and giving up a home run to Hunter Renfroe.

I get it, Boone when with his gut on that decision, but I just questioned it. A win is a win, they swept Boston, so I’ll take it and be happy.

The Yanks conclude this homestand with the first of 4 games against Minnesota, whom they should beat, hopefully.

Bavk tomorrow with a recap and finally some Giants thoughts.

Let’s be honest, division games have a different feel and are tough. Tough on players and coaches, tougher on the fans, especially those watching from home and those following on their phones. The last 24 hours in the Bronx has been no exception.

After a thrilling victory in Game 1 of their Day/Night Doubleheader with the Red Sox, Yankee fans had to feel pretty good. The bullpen came thru, they had timely hitting, it was a great win. Then, Game 2 happened.

The Red Sox had Nathan Eovaldi on the mound. Eovaldi, used to pitch for the Yankees and now seems to pitch really well against the Yankees. The Yankees countered with rookie Luis Gil, who had been impressive in 2 starts.

Gil was again solid for 4 and 2/3 innings, Wandy Peralta, who made the necessary pitches and a great defensive play to kill a late Boston rally earned the win. Chad Green, yes the much maligned, where are my pins for my Voodoo Doll, Chad Green earned the save by pitching a clean 9th.

The Yankees were paced by two homeruns, one each from Luke Voit and Giancarlo Stanton. You knew the results were good if those two are controbuting! And incredibly, the Yankees, left for dead on July 4th, if the season ended today would host the American League Wild Card play in game!!!

Now, wins are nice, to ‘unbiased’ baseball journalist Jarred Carrabis, tweet more about how the Yanks are a desperate 3rd place team. What happened to that 9 game lead the Red Sox had? Don’t blame injuries or key guys missing time, the story of the 2021 Yankees could be titled, ‘Injuries and Missing Time’, but I digress, this is not a blog to bash someone I don’t know, eveh if his fandom and arrogance drives me nuts.

Now, wins are nice but they need to continue. Tonight, I am worried. The Yankees have throw out Andrew Heaney, a fly ball pitcher who when I watch him, have to remind myself that I love and will not destroy my home.

Back tomorrow with a recap, Go Yankees!

Afternoon games are tough, particularly the weekday afternoon games are tough. Early for the players ane coaches, tough on the fans watching in between work tasks, they’re just tough.

The Yankees stepped up in a big way today with a 5-3 win over The Boston Red Sox. Texting co-workers, ‘this is brutal! Im gonna drop an F bomb on a caller’, and it was brutal at points. The Yankees took a lead, then fell behind 3-2, after Christian Vazquez of all people, homered off Jordan Montgomery. Shit!

But, they came back. Luke Voit and Giancarlo Stanton has big hits in a 3 run 5th inning to make the game 5-3. The Yanks would hang on for the win, Nice!!! Remarkably, thankfully, Aaron Boone stayed out of his own way, or own head, however you want to phrase it, by trusting Jonathan Loaisiga to pitch 2 scoreless inning of relief and to dance out of a bases loaded jam in the 7th. Color me impressed by both Loaisiga and Our Fearless Leader!!!

Loaisiga would go one to strike out Enrique Hernandez and Hunter Renfroe to seal the win, emding with a fist pump and self talk. Yankee fans share in your joy!

Now it’s on to game 2 of the Day/Night doubleheader. The question now becomes, what do these two teams have left for a night cap? The Red Sox start Nathan Eovaldi, a former Yankee and now hired gun to shut down his former team.

The Yankees counter with young righty Luis Gil, who has been impressive in two starts, winning 1. ‘Here kid, pitch against a tough lineup, at Yankee Stadium, with playoff positioning at stake….don’t fuck up!’ (Gulp!)

After games on July 4th, The Boston Red Sox were 53-32, 21 games over .500, and held a 10 game lead over the 4th place New York Yankees. Since then? The Red Sox are 16-20 and in second place.

The Yankees on the same date were in 4th place, barely treading water in the AL Wild Card race. The team sucked, the manager was worse, it was bad. Since July 4th? They are 25-11, and one game behind Boston for the second Wild Card.

Just sayin, go Yankees!

Field of Dreams game aside, the Yankees two of three in Chicago against the White Sox. That has to amount for something. They kept pace with Oakland & Boston who faced the Triple A affiliates of the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles respectively.

The Yankees return home tonight for a make up game with the Angels. Speaking of returns, Gerrit Cole pitches tonight…full on man crush, do not care. Pitch like you are capable Gerrit, make us proud! As an aside, if the rotation holds, Cole pitches again Saturday at home against Minnesota. A scheduled start yours truly will be attending and a potential start that Yours truly is very excited about!!!

Now back to the here and now. This will proved one thing. The Yankees are a helluva a lot better than they get credit for, and mire importantly, this weekend proved the Yankees are going to have to win this year in spite of Fearless Leader, Aaron Boone. He remaina blissfully clueless and unaware.

People used to complain about Joe Torre being ‘Clueless Joe’. I got news for you Torre could adapt in game, Boone can’t, seemingly ever.

Take Saturday Night for example. Thursday Night saw ‘The Field of Dreams Game’. The Yankees fought back and led going into the bottom of the ninth, Zach Britton blew the save and the Yankees lost. After the game, it was reported, Britton lacking confidence said essentially ‘my confidence isn’t right, if I close, I will hurt the team.’ It took a lot of courage to do that.

Fast forward to Saturday Night. The Yankees had just score 3 runs in the top of the 10th, rescuing Chad Green after his blown save in the 9th. Who comes out in the 10th to pitch? Zach Bleeping Britton!!!!

Yes, that Zach, Aaron. The same guy that said ‘Skip, Im hurting the team, do not make me close!!!’ Welp Zach closed, the 7-4 lead quickly diminished to 7-5 and bases loaded. Britton was theb lifted for young Fireballer Albert Abreu. Abreu got the job done and the Yanks won 7-5. Phew!!!

Now, this isn’t a post to make Abreu the Closer while Chapman heals. But. Jesus Christ. Aaron Boone’s loyality to guys like Chad Green and mismanagement of Zach Britton, reminda of another higher up for another New York team I root for, Giants GM, Dave Gettleman.

As I said, the Yankees will win this year in spite of their leadership. And oh look Gerrit just gave up a Home Run. Without dropping an F Bomb, I’ll simply end by saying ‘Christ! Here we go!!!’

Back tomorrow with a recap and some Giants thoughts.

Okay. So last night, the ‘Field of Dreams game’, had a little of everything. The great entrance, the Yankees leading, losing then coming back, Aaron Judge hit 2 home runs. But. It also showed the Yankees biggest flaw, more often than not, they can’t close games.

Yes, the comeback was great. Judge, did his thing, even Giancarlo Stanton had a go-ahead homerun. As a Yankee fan, you thought ‘no way, they might actually’, the Zach Britton happened.

The Yankees last night, had two pitchers, where every one of their outings is a misguided adventure.

First Andrew Heaney, he’s just…ehh. Inconsistent and a fly ball pitcher, and when he misses his spots, he pays….dearly, the ball usually lands 400+ feet in the stands.

Then, Zach Britton. A sinker ball pitcher. Let me say that again for emphasis, a one pitch pitcher, with control issues. See the problem is, no matter who they go to, Britton, Chapman, Chad Green, they are expected with winning, and they are all inconsistent.

The Yankees need to fix this and quickly. They are running out of time, excuses, and room for error. They need to stop looking longingly at the mound in the 9th for Mariano Rivera and work out the kinks with who they have. Lastly, Chapman better be healthy and right when he gets back, or they will be watching the Red Sox in the Wild Card game.

Thursday, the Yankees play the White Sox in the town where the movie ‘Field of Dreams’ took place. Fox will broadcast the game nationally, Joe Buck will call the game, of course, Kevin Costner will throw out the first pitch.

So, yeah, the stage is certainly unique. The one thing the Yankees can’t do is get swept up in the moment. Still two games back of Boston for the second Wild Card spot, the Yankees need to keep doing what they have been lately, winning games and series.

The Yankees need to strike early and hopefully, often. A good start is crucial tonight because the White Sox Bullpen has Craig Kimbrel and a host of really good pitchers. Trailing by more than 2 after the 7 innimg would be, less than ideal.

Again, winning is paramount, especially with the Red Sox losing to the Rays in the Top of the 9th Inning.

Back tomorrow with a recap. Hoping Aaron Boone stays out of his own way!!!

Enjoy the game folks!

The New York Yankees were 5-2 winners Wednesday afternoon over the Kansas City Royals. The win guaranteed the Yankees their 12 straight series win against the Royals. More importantly, it was another series win overall for The Bombers sit 1.5 ganes behind Boston for the second Wild Card.

The key to the game was Tyler Wade. Wade had 2 hits, a walk, scored a run and stole two bases. He had a game! It was necessary, because Aaron Boone had the inkling to have one of his ‘bullpen games’, starting Lucas Lutege. Lutege combined with 5 other relievers for the combined win. So, Our Fearless Leader’s strategy worked, today.

The Yankees head into a 3 game series against much better competition in the Chicago White Sox.

Some concerns I have: The health of the team. They can’t keep this up. This run has been nice. But they need healthy players as they play out the year and hopefully, the playoffs.

Secondly, the fielding. What the actual hell is going on?!? 8 errors in 3 games? Our Fearless Leader better call a meeting or have the team take Infield drills, good grief!

Back tomorrow with my Podcast Debut!!! Stay tuned!!!

The Good: The Yankees won and are 2 games out of a Wild card spot!

The Bad: They eeked past the Royals. The Royals!!!! They haven’t been good in years!!! So, slipping past a team you should beat, not a real confidence builder.

The Ugly: The Bullpen…,again. Jonathan Loaisiga, Zach Britton, Chad Green, y’all can take a bow….because y‘all SUCKED last night! And Chapman is on the IL! Learn to pitch with a lead!

And I know. I’m sorry. Yankee fans, we’re spoiled. We had the greatest closer of all time basically throwing one pitch for years and he was awesome, but his greatest trait other than his Cutter was, there will only be one Mariano Rivera. Rivera never tried to be cute, he went after guys and made them look foolish.

The problem with the Yankees Bullpen is they try to be too cute. Just fucking pitch! Zach Britton you have a nasty slider, use it. Chad Green, you are better when you mix pitches and change the batter’s eye level, do that. Pitch to your strengths. Randy Johnson had one of the best fastballs and sliders of his era, his mantra ‘here it is, try and hit it.’ Spoiler alert, he was pretty good. Johnson was never like ‘welp, I’ll throw 98 but be ever so pissed if I don’t paint the corners or put it right on the black like Greg Maddux.’ He just pitched. That’s my point, be Zach Britton, play to your strengths instead of trying to be cute, just pitch!

The Good earlier was the Yankees won, but at what cost? The bullpen is taxed and we got a young pitcher throwing tonight. Ugh, I don’t even want to consider the negatives that could result.

It’s infuriating being a Diehard fan sometimes! But being a Diehard fan, I will end with this, the Yankees are my team thru the great and the maddening times.

Back tomorrow with Yanks in KC game 2 and a catch up on the Giants.