Through the Facade - A Yankees Story

[Kevdog1020]

June 1, 2014

Yankees Go 13-15 in Rough May

BRONX- The month of May was a little rough for the Yankees. Michael Pineda was out for most of the month with an arm injury and they found out that Eduardo Nunez would be out 6-8 weeks with plantar faciatis. The Pineda injury ended up being a blessing in disguise, because his replacement Adam Warren went 0-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 3 starts. Once Pineda came off the DL, Warren stayed in the rotation, Pettitte moved to the bullpen, and David Phelps was sent down to Triple A Scranton. See the visual below for more stats and information.

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June 15, 2014

Jeter Reaches 3500 Hits in Yankees 7-6 Win Over Texas

BRONX- Derek Jeter reached yet another milestone in his historic career, 3,500 hits. He entered Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers with 3,499 hits. He grounded out to first in his first at-bat, but then lined a 1-2 fastball to left field for his 3,500 hit. Jeter was not done though, finished the game 3-5 with 2 doubles, 2 runs and 1 RBI, including a walk-off double in the 9th inning. His performance was eerily reminiscent of the game he had on the day of his 3,000 hit, where he went 5-5 and had the tiebreaker single in the bottom of the 8th.

Other Yankees providing offense yesterday? Mark Teixiera a solo homerun, his 16th of the year, and Alex Rodriguez hit his 18th homerun of the year on a 3-run blast. Ichiro also provided 1 RBI. Phil Hughes went 5 innings and let up 3 runs before being lifted due to injury.

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July 4, 2014

Yankees Improve in June, Onto the Dog Days of Summer

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July 25, 2014

Cano's Hit Streak Snapped at 25 Games

BRONX- For once, it was the Yankees picking up Robinson Cano.

Their offensive catalyst, as the New York manager calls him, saw his 25-game hitting streak snapped as Cano was held hitless by the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. The 31-year-old second baseman went 0-for-4. It should have made for a lousy day, but his teammates picked up the slack and whipped the Blue Jays 5-2.

At the press conference after the game, Cano told reporters, "Everybody did the job but me. No problem, we won the game."

Asked how he felt about the streak ending, he grinned and replied, "It was a good run. I'll try to start another one tomorrow."

Hitting .334 to date, Cano has 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. He has played in 76 games.

[Kevdog1020]

September 1, 2014

Rough August Leaves Slim Chance of Playoffs For Yankees

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October 4, 2014

Yankees Miss Playoffs, Hank Steinbrenner Vows Change

BRONX- The Yankees finished the 2014 season with a record of 73-89, exactly the reverse of the 89-73 record they had in the 2013 season when they won the World Series. The team just didn't seem to have it throughout the entire season, and looked especially uninspired during the final month of the season when they went 10-20 to knock themselves out of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Following the final pitch, Yankees team owner Hank Steinbrenner talked to the media and vowed that "changes will be made" and that "everyone is accountable, from the top of the organization all the way to the bottom". He also promised to crack his checkbook open a little more, after forcing General Manager under the $189 million mark. This season's high point is set at $200 million.

Also announced after the game was the retirement of two Yankee legends and surefire Hall of Famers. Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera who both entered the league with the Yankees in 1995 will be hanging up that cleats. Andy Pettitte compiled a 261-162 record with a 4.00 ERA in 540 career starts. He was an incredible playoff performer, compiling a 20-11 record with a 3.70 ERA. In August, he recorded his 2500 strikeout. Mariano Rivera will go down as the best closer baseball has ever seen. He recorded 651 saves while going 79-63 with a 2.25 ERA and that's not including his 46 playoff saves.

[Kevdog1020]

October 30, 2014

DODGERS WIN WORLD SERIES!! FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 1988!!

LOS ANGELES- The celebrations have begun. The streets are alive with people and the confetti is flying. The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it -- they won the 2014 Championship Series. The Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 at Dodger Stadium to take the title. Los Angeles took the series 4-1 for their 7th Major League championship.

After the game, the victorious Dodgers manager told the secret to his team's great season and Championship Series triumph, "The harder you work, the luckier you get," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm the luckiest guy in the world today."

The new champions finished second in the regular season with a 90-72 record in the National League Western Division.

[Kevdog1020]

November 1, 2014

Around the MLB: HoF Inductions, Moving Day for Managers

NEW YORK- The Baseball Writers Association of America announced today the Class of 2014 for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The class is made up of two top notch pitchers this year, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz.

SP Randy Johnson
Today Randy Johnson attained the highest honor a player can get in the Major League -- he was admitted to its Hall of Fame.

His exploits on the mound are legendary. Year after year Johnson was one of the league's elite pitchers with 303 total wins. Baseball greats of the past and present were in attendance at this year's ceremony. Friend and foe alike had nothing but good things to say about this year's honoree.

A manager, who Johnson played for, described his pitching success this way: "Randy always had good stuff and good location. His ball would start out looking like a baseball and when it got to the plate -- it looked like a marble."

When he retired from baseball at age 51 with a career 303-166 won-lost mark, Johnson had pitched in 618 games, fanned 4875 batters, tossed 4135.1 inningand posted an impressive 3.29 ERA.


SP John Smoltz
John Smoltz has just become immortal -- the star pitcher has just been selected to the Major League Hall of Fame.

What a fabulous career he has had.
Smoltz's career record shows a 213-155 won-lost mark and an ERA of 3.33. In 723 game appearances he fanned 3084 batters in 3473 innings and held opposing hitters to a .234 average.

His name will now added to the list of legends this weekend at the induction ceremonies at the Hall of Fame. Smoltz was 47, when he retired from baseball.

One of his former manager commented on what it was like to hit against the new Hall of Famer.
"When you think it's a ball, it's a strike. When you swing at what you think is a strike, it's in the dirt. He was a remarkable pitcher.

Smoltz was well-known for winning ballgames and for pitching inside. "Show me a guy who can't pitch inside and I'll show you a loser." Writers once asked him on Mother's Day, if he would brush back his mother. He curtly replied, "Only if she was diggin' in."

Today was also moving day for Major League Managers and General Managers. Six managers or general managers were given the pink slip today for not fulfilling their owner's request. They are as follows.

Manager Melvin Axed by Oakland Athletics
Bob Melvin knew that firings are part of the job, he just didn't think it would happen to him. "I was stunned. I didn't think it would happen," said the Oakland Athletics skipper. "I recently sat in a meeting with the owner and general manager and it seemed that my job was secure." A new manager is expected to be named soon, but Oakland has kept a tight lid on specifying any names.

GM Hoyer Fired by Chicago
Not a good day to be Jed Hoyer, as the general manager of the Chicago Cubs was given the heave-ho, marking the end of an up-and-down tenure at the helm.

Hoyer will be replaced by an interim GM while the Cubs hunt for a replacement.

Skipper Sveum Let Go by Chicago
The general manager of the Chicago Cubs today fired his manager, Dale Sveum, citing "failure to utilize all elements of his roster properly." Speaking to reporters while cleaning out his office, Sveum was asked to comment on that assessment. He responded, "Part of a team's success comes from the talent that is put on the field every day. It's common knowledge that the Cubs are missing a few key components. I got the best out of the talent I was given. Maybe the wrong person was fired."

Brewers Give GM Melvin Pink Slip
The Melvin era has come to a close with the firing of the Brewers general manager. Seen as inconsistent and lacking direction by the club's brass, Doug Melvin will be free to seek employment elsewhere, though his tenure at Milwaukee leaves a dark mark on his resume. Brewers officials haven't begun looking for a replacement as yet, but announced that a search would begin tomorrow.

Milwaukee Gets Rid of Manager Roenicke
Ron Roenicke has been terminated as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and he's certainly not happy about it. "I had a great rapport with the players and I did everything that was asked of me from the front office. I think it's a terrible decision and one the team will regret," said Roenicke, who was informed of his dismissal today by the team's owner. "I jumped through hoops for this organization and this is how I'm repaid?"

The Brewers GM told BNN, "I'm sure Ron will be okay once he cools off and steps back from the situation a bit. It just gets to a point where you can't just let things keep going as they are. Eventually you've got to try to make some change and hope it is for the better."

Skipper Matheny Told to Go, Sacked by Cardinals
Mike Matheny has been released as the St. Louis manager. The Cardinals say it is time to make a change and get the club headed in a different direction. The dismissed skipper was philosophical about his fate, telling reporters, "When things don't go right, the first thing management does is get a new manager. That seems to be the quickest solution to making things better -- or at least, making them seem better. That's just the way baseball is."

[Kevdog1020]

November 12, 2014

Jeter Signs 3-Year Deal with Yankees, Will Try for 4000 Hits

BRONX- 40 year old Derek Jeter will be returning to the Yankees for his 20th season. And judging by the contract he signed, he will be there for his 21st and 22nd season's as well. Yesterday, the Yankees announced that Jeter and the Yankees had agreed on a 3 year, $8.9 million contract. That contract was negotiated by Yankees Assistant GM Kevin West, which has raised speculation that GM Brian Cashmen is on his way out.

Over the last two season's, Jeter has hit exactly .260 and has been a model of consistency. He has driven in around 55 runs the last three season's and has hit on average 10 homeruns over the last two years. His on-base percentage has also stayed at a steady .315, so there is no doubt that he should continue to hit like that for the rest of his contract.

[Kevdog1020]

November 22, 2014

Yankees by the Numbers: Arbitration Hearings

BRONX- The annual MLB arbitration decisions were revealed this morning so without further ado, here are the decisions.

MR David Phelps $1.6 million
MR Shawn Kelly $1.3 million
MR Louis Coleman $865,000
SP Ivan Nova $2.2 million
1B Dan Johnson $750,000
C Francisco Cervelli $850,000
SP Michael Pineda $5.78 million
SS Eduardo Nunez $750,000

The Yankees Assitant GM Kevin West also announced that the Yankees and OF Ichiro Suzuki agreed to terms on a 1 year, $1.37 million contract which will being Ichiro back with a chance to earn his 3000 hit as a Yankee.

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December 16, 2014

Yankees Ink Star Pitcher Bailey to 6 Year, $63 Million Deal

BRONX- In what local scribes are hailing as huge, the Yankees inked a $63,000,000 deal with starting pitcher Homer Bailey. Team Officials expect Bailey to fill an immediate void on the roster and felt the deal would make them an instant playoff contender.

During his career Bailey's won-lost record is 65 wins and 57 losses with a 4.17 ERA. He has limited other teams to a .254 average. He is expected to be the anchor on a staff that is without CC Sabathia, due to a torn flexor in his elbow.

[Kevdog1020]

December 26, 2014

Rodriguez to Retire Following Freak Accident

BRONX- New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez says he has decided to retire from playing baseball in order to begin a career in the broadcast booth. Coaches and teammates have always considered Rodriguez to be highly intelligent and articulate. "He's a smart guy and he knows a lot about the game," said Yankees bench coach Tony Pena Sr.. "He should do very well as a broadcaster." Team officials have confirmed that Rodriguez will be invited to sit in as color commentator during local broadcasts next season. If all goes well, they said, he may eventually be elevated to the position full-time.

Rodriguez bounced back last season from an injury riddled 2013 campaign, hitting 28 homeruns and driving in 69 RBI. He hit a solid .263 and had a fantastic .382 OBP. He retires with 3059 hits, 688 homeruns and 2057 RBIs and a career .298 average.

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December 27, 2014

Yankees Acquire 3B Moustakas Less Than 24 Hours After They Lose A-Rod

BRONX- You can't always get what you want, but sometimes you find a deal anyway. The Baseball News Network is reporting that New York and Kansas City have made a swap with 27-year-old minor league center fielder Melky Mesa and 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Brett Marshall being shipped to the Royals and in return the Yankees would get 26-year-old third baseman Mike Moustakas and $2,000,000 in cash.

The Kansas City general manager said the two sides were close to a blockbuster trade before agreeing upon a smaller scale transaction. "This is just a bit of housekeeping compared to what we wanted to do," he said. "I won't name names, but the potential deal we were close to making would have certainly grabbed some headlines." A source inside the New York organization said the two sides might not be done dealing, and another transaction could be in the works.

Moustakas has a lifetime .262 batting average and .310 on-base percentage in his 543-game career with 554 hits and 66 home runs. Last season Moustakas hit .316 with 29 HR and 113 RBI. Brett Marshall was 16-12 with a 4.04 ERA at Triple A Scranton last season. He is expected to compete for a spot in the Royals bullpen. Melky Mesa was shuttled between Triple A and the bigs last year, and hit .198 in 96 at bats with the Yankees and .299 with 21 HR and 61 RBI with Scranton.

[Kevdog1020]

December 28, 2014

James Shields is Next Superstar Going to New York

BRONX- The Yankees continued their parade of new acquisitions, announcing the signing of SP James Shields to a 4-year, $68 million contract. Shields will join starters Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda, Phil Hughes and fellow newcomer Homer Bailey in the starting rotation. The signing brings the Yankees payroll to $137.1 million. Shields will earn $17 million a year, essentially taking up half the money that was freed up when Alex Rodriguez retired.

The Yankees are still $62.9 million below the top of their budget, set by owner Hank Steinbrenner at the beginning of the season. Yankees Assistant GM Kevin West said that the team is hoping to save money this season in order to pay off young stars like Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams, Zoilo Amonte and Corban Joseph. Brian Cashman still has yet to be seen since the season has ended and the media is really questioning whether he is still part of the Yankees plan.

Focusing back on Shields, he went 17-9 last year with a 3.25 ERA over 244 innings with the Royals and Indians. His WHIP was 1.15 and he held batters to a .249 average. The Yankees hope that the acquisitions of him and Homer Bailey, along with the maturation of Nova and Pineda can improve their pitching staff that was one of the worst pitching staffs in the league last season who is also minus their ace, CC Sabathia.

[Kevdog1020]

January 7, 2015

Cashman Resigns, Kevin West to Take Over GM Duties

BRONX- It was a move that everyone was expecting to be made, it just took a lot longer to pan out than most expected. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman announced yesterday that he was resigning effective immediately. The 47 year old cited his family as a major reason for his resignation. This has not stopped speculation that Hank Steinbrenner offered him an ultimatum, resign with dignity or be let go by the organization.

It has been well documented that the Steinbrenners were in favor of bringing change to the Yankees ever since bringing in Kevin West 2 season's ago. After winning the World Series, Hank had to retain Cashman, because how can you fire a GM after he brought you a World Series? But after missing out on the playoffs for the 2nd time in only 20 years, Hank had all the reason to bring in new blood.

Cashman finishes his career with the Yankees with a record of 1626-1124 and has brought the team 5 World Series Championships. During his tenure, the Yankees missed the playoffs only twice. It was announced that Kevin West would be taking over the General Manager position. Since he had made all the off-season moves up to this point anyway, it only seemed right.

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April 4, 2015

Healthy Yankees Looking Forward to 2015 Campaign

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May 1, 2015

Yankees Go 9-13 in April, Hoping for Bats to Warm Up In May

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May 29, 2015

Yankees Get Veteran Catcher Montero from D'Backs

BRONX- It's all done except the paperwork. The New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a trade that will send 26-year-old catcher Austin Romine, 26-year-old minor league starting pitcher Maikel Cleto and 29-year-old minor league first baseman Francisco Cervelli to Arizona, while 31-year-old catcher Miguel Montero and $8,800,000 in cash will be shipped to New York. A top front office executive with the Yankees described the trade talks as "quick and easy." "We're glad to get this deal done. We think it's something that helps our ball club and it didn't take too long at all to sort this one out," he said.

This season Montero has hit 5 home runs and posted a .279 batting average.

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June 2, 2015

Yankees Sit 15 Back After 2 Months

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June 27, 2015

Yanks Ship Shoppach to Miami for SP Luebke

BRONX- In an effort to add some depth to its roster, the New York Yankees have swapped 35-year-old catcher Kelly Shoppach and 21-year-old minor league reliever David Bryant to the Miami Marlins for 30-year-old starting pitcher Cory Luebke, 22-year-old minor league starting pitcher Mason Hope and $2,000,000 in cash. The Yankees GM told reporters, "We saw a chance to upgrade our ball club and took it."

This season in 27 games Shoppach is batting .232 with 1 home run, 8 RBIs and has scored 5 times.

So far this year Luebke has no saves in 20 relief appearances with a 3-1 record and 3.38 ERA.