Jeter and Rivera: The Breakthrough Two

Ever since the news came down a few weeks ago that Jorge Posada was going to announce his retirement, I have been trying to figure out what to call Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, the two remaining members of the Core Four.  Well, I think I have figured it out.

People have been coming up with names that just don't sit right with me. My cousin Eddie felt that the name was staring me right in the face: "The Remaining Two."  To me that sounded like the other two had died. Someone else said to just call them "Jeter and Mo." That reminded me of Curly and Mo! Michael Kay asked for suggestions on his show yesterday and the winner appeared to be "The True Two." Are Posada and Pettitte false? Or, fake?

I decided this morning to try to nip this thing in the bud. I thought about what the criteria should be for choosing the name and came up with 1) It has to rhyme with "two" and 2) It has to define what Jeter and Mo (and Posada and Pettitte) were to the recent Yankee dynasty: cornerstones. Foundations. Beginnings. They were groundbreaking. What word should I choose?

Breakthrough! I believe that is the word. So, from now until one of the two retire, I will refer to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera as the Breakthrough Two.

Sound good? Then, help me get the word out about it! Pass it on. I just hope the Breakthrough Two have good years and don't end up as the Terrible Two.

Go, Yankees!

For Jesus (Montero), No Room In The Inn

I arrived home from work last night to an explosion on my Twitter timeline. Everyone was tweeting about the big trade that went down, sending Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners for Michael Pineda and Jose Campo. Shocked and saddened, I expressed my feelings as best I could by tweeting: "Did the Yankees really just ruin my weekend?"

I really felt that way, but then I got a chance to sleep on it. I woke up this morning feeling somewhat better about it because I saw it differently: Jesus Montero was expendable.

Just as there was no room for the original Jesus thousands of years ago, for Jesus Montero, there was no room in the inn. The Yankees didn't have a position for their top prospect. If there was room for him, I am pretty sure he'd still be a Yankee today. Instead, he heads to that northwest manger where he'll play everyday. Will he save the soul of the Mariners? I believe he will. Their offensive soul anyway.

Goodbye, and thank you, Jesus.

Ten Memories of Jorge Posada

Like all other Yankee fans, I experienced a flood of emotions when I learned that longtime catcher Jorge Posada will be announcing in his retirement in a few weeks. I started thinking about Posada's career and I wasn't surprised that my memories of him are not the purely statistical and on-the field variety. I am never able to hold on to those kinds of memories, but I do remember off-the-field things, some of which would be considered quasi off-the-field, such as the following (in no particular order):

1. While he was still Joe Girardi's backup he was quoted in the media as saying "I'm tired of being a prospect." I remember Ken Singleton chuckling when he read it during a game. He wasn't chuckling anymore after Posada became the starting backstop.

2. There was a game televised on FOX one Saturday which Posada started. He came up to bat early in the game and grounded out. Upset about it, he didn't run all the way to first base.  A mic'd up Joe Torre was heard chastising Posada for failing to touch first base.  He never failed to touch it again.

3. His first real job was as Doc Gooden's personal catcher. He told an interviewer that he was hopeful that more pitchers in the rotation would be impressed enough with his work with Gooden that they would ask him to catch them as well.  They didn't have to ask; his bat made that decision for them.

4. He told a funny anecdote on YES Network's "Centerstage," about an old couple he rented a room from in the minor leagues: When he failed to catch a ball he could hear the man in the stands yelling "Catch the ball!"  He sounded just like an old man when he imitated the old geezer.

5. Who can forget that All-Star Game during which Posada sent his young son, Jorge Jr, running out onto the field during player introductions? I can still see the look of pride on Posada's face during that moment. Just adorable.

6. Pitcher Hideki Irabu had to be one of the most difficult pitchers Posada had to deal with. After a game up at Fenway Park in which Irabu had pitched very well, Posada told reporters that he specifically told Irabu's interpreter to "make sure he's comfortable out there." The look on Posada's face as he recalled saying it said "and I mean it, too!" He definitely didn't take crap from anyone.

7. Posada was never great at blocking the plate. There were many days where runners passed him and I yelled at the television in frustration. But, so many championships point to the fact that things have a way of working out.

8. Fleet of foot he was not. It was painful to watch Posada on the basepaths at times. But, more often than not, he made up for it by knocking the ball out of the park. I loved hearing John Sterling say "Jorgie juiced one!"

9. I laughed at a faux pax made by Posada and his best buddy Derek Jeter on Team Picture Day years ago. It was Posada's birthday and his wife made a spaghetti dinner for the three of them before the guys went off to the ballpark. They lingered over the meal too long and showed up too late to be in the team picture. I believe they were air-brushed into the photo.

10. And finally, I was moved when I watched Posada get emotional when he was interviewed after Jeter became the all-time Yankee hits leader last year. Seeing how close he is to the Captain was really touching.

So those are some of my memories of Jorge Posada. What are some of yours? I wish him all the best during his retirement. Congratulations Sado.

10 New Year's Resolutions 10 Yankees Should Make Right Now

Happy New Year Yankee fans! It's a new year, which means a new baseball season is right around the corner. Are you looking forward to the 2012 season?  I have to admit that I'm a little leery about it.  I have been thinking about this Yankee team and I feel that, in order for them to be successful this year, certain things have to fall into place.

I don't know how many Yankees make new year's resolutions but, whether they do or not, here are 10 resolutions 10 Yankees should be make right now (in no particular order):

1. Mark Teixeira. Tex needs to resolve to hit more balls to left field while batting left-handed. All he did during the entire 2011 season was hit into the opposing infield's shift. He did it over and over again. Sounds like the definition of insanity to me.

2. Alex Rodriguez. The 2011 season was a lost season for A-Rod. His 2012 resolution has to be to return to his 2010 form or, his form from any other successful year he has had.  Perhaps those German knee treatments will do the trick.

3. AJ Burnett.  The 2009 AJ keeps getting further and further away. He has had two bad years in a row now and needs to resolve to turn things around. Come on, AJ, forget your wild hair styles and tattoos. Your pitching style is what you need to change.

4. Phil Hughes. Another Yankee who had a lost 2011 season. I don't think Hughes was in shape last season. He needs to resolve to get in shape and work his way back to his great 2010 season.

5. Brett Gardner. Brett's new year's resolution is very simple: Get off to a good start and stay consistent.

6. Boone Logan.  Logan was the lone lefty in the bullpen in 2011 and, at times, it was as if there was no lefty in the bullpen.  His resolution should be to be a force against left-handed hitters, the way he was in 2010.

7. Joba Chamberlain. No rocket science here. Just get healthy and come back as soon as possible during the 2012 season.

8. Rafael Soriano.  Soriano's first year in pinstripes was filled with mediocrity. His resolution should be to pitch the way he pitched his last year in a Rays uniform.

9. Ramiro Pena. Can Ramiro Pena hit at the Major League level?  I'm not sure, but that needs to be his new year's resolution. Give it your best shot, Nino.

10. Eduardo Nunez. The key word here is defense.  Nunez was the error king last season. He should resolve to clean up his defense. If he does, that, along with his decent bat, will make him into a really nice player.

Of course, there are probably other things I'm leaving out. But I think this is a good start. Get it done guys.

Happy Holidays From Lady At The Bat

As another year comes to a close, I want to wish everyone who has visited the blog over the past 12 months a very happy holiday season. I will be taking a break from posting for the next week so, unless something major happens, I will resume updating the blog shortly after January 1st.

In the words of Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol, "God bless us. Everyone."

Manny Ramirez Up To His Old Antics Again

It's funny how Manny Ramirez's reinstatement came around the same time the Ryan Braun news broke. Funny, but sad. We will hear more about Braun in the coming days or weeks, presumably, but Manny has finally decided to talk.

He granted an interview to ESPN Deportes which is summarized here.  In it he claims he received bad advice on what to do after the second positive test was announced. He also expresses his support for Braun:

"Ryan is a tremendous ball player ... the information out there is pure speculation. He must be allowed to speak in order to know what is happening," 

Speculation? Is that what you're calling it, Manny? Okay, whatever.  Let's see if a team takes a chance on you in 2012, after you serve your 50 game suspension.

Fifty games! This really has me hot under the collar. Apparently his mini-retirement is being counted as "time served," and he will only have to serve 50 games, not 100. To borrow a line from Braun, I think that is B.S.. He shouldn't get off that easily. But, he is. The whole thing reminds me of when I compared him to a character in an episode of the old "Twilight Zone" TV series. He is still that small boy, getting away with everything while the adults sit nearby watching helplessly.

I'm tired of Manny and his antics. Hopefully there are 30 MLB teams out there who are tired as well.

On The Marlins And Their Busy Off-Season

The off-season continues to be a quiet one for the New York Yankees: a few rumors, a few minor signings but nothing earth-shattering. The team that is doing its best to shatter the earth is, of course, the Miami Marlins. They have been doing it since before the season ended, when they hung Ozzie Guillen on their Christmas tree, otherwise known as their new stadium.

They have added two more ornaments since then: Heath Bell and, just today, Jose Reyes. They are trying their best to reach the top of the tree to add the star, a shiny bauble named Albert Pujols. If they can't add Pujols, they will do their best to decorate the tree with other high-priced free agents on the market.

What kind of a tree is it? Is it an evergreen? Will it stay filled with life after the 2012 season? Heck, will it stay filled after the All-Star Break?  As everyone knows, baseball has a terrible track record in Florida, where people go to retire, people who have already been rooting for other teams their entire lives. Why should they switch to the Marlins or the Rays?  I suppose the Marlins have resigned themselves to this, since they are going after the Latino market.

How do Latinos in South Florida feel about this?  Will it really make them want to come out to the ballpark just because Jose Reyes is flying around the bases and Albert Pujols might be hitting balls into the seats?  Or, are they insulted by this marketing plan?  My personal experience with Latinos has led me to believe that they don't really care who plays on their teams. So, I am of the opinion that this appeal to Latinos will go unanswered.

In any case, I can't wait to see how this all turns out. We will find out soon enough whether a tree grows in South Florida or non-existent fans I'll call Paul Bunyan chop it down.

Bobby Valentine as Red Sox Manager? Doesn't Sound Right

I don't know why but, when I heard this morning that Bobby Valentine probably will be the next Red Sox manager, I did a double take. Yes, I am aware that his name has been mentioned as a candidate for some time now. But, for some reason, I never thought he would actually get the job.

People are calling this a perfect fit. They are saying he will restore order to the Red Sox Clubhouse, he is the exact opposite of Terry Francona, he will out-manage Joe Girardi, and, he will put a spark in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. Really?

I don't know much about Valentine. I only know what I remember seeing when he managed the Mets: the mustache incident, the weird way he had his first basemen play first base with a runner on, and that creepy smile. He has a reputation for thinking "outside of the box." Call me crazy but, I don't think his is a personality that fits well with Boston. If I were a betting woman I would totally bet against it. Would you? Click here for your online sportsbook.

Of course, if the Red Sox win, none of this will matter. But, if they don't, watch out, Bobby. You'll be ripped to shreds faster than you can say "Steve Phillips."

10 Baseball Things To Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving

On this Thanksgiving Day Eve, I thought I would take a moment and come up with some things to be thankful for as a baseball fan. So, here they are, in no particular order, 10 Baseball Things To Be Thankful for This Thanksgiving:

10.  The new CBA. For years, baseball fans were the ones suffering through work stoppages and threats thereof. Now, with this new agreement, we can be assured of uninterrupted baseball through the 2016 season. Congratulations to both sides for getting it done!

 9.  Jackie Robinson. Need I say more?  If not for him, so many players in MLB today wouldn't be there. Thank you, Jackie.

 8.  MLB Network. Wall-to-wall baseball coverage, all day, every day of the year.

 7.  Social Media.  Thanks to sites like facebook and Twitter, fans can interact directly with their favorite players (or, the reps of those players).

6.  Sportstalk Radio. It has its drawbacks, but there are few things more entertaining than listening to fans and show hosts argue over the finer points of the game.

 5.  BaseballReference.com. Chock full of information, this site is the go-to place for anyone even remotely connected to baseball.

 4.  Tony LaRussa.  The careers of guys like Mariano Rivera might have turned out totally different had it not been for LaRussa's innovations.

 3.  Ballbug. I discovered this site years ago when, while checking my blog statistics, I noticed they had published a link to one of my blog posts. If you're looking for one place with links to all the baseball stories on the web, this is the place to go.

 2.  Bud Abbot and Lou Costello's "Who's On First" Routine. Still funny, no matter how many times I listen to it.

 1.  The (Insert favorite baseball team here.) For me, of course, that team is the New York Yankees. I hope your team has made you as happy as mine has made me.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

100 Days 'Till Pitchers and Catchers!

For a die-hard baseball fan, especially one who doesn't closely follow other sports, the off-season can be a very restless time of the year.  I find myself in that boat right now but, yesterday I welcomed good news via a couple of tweets from a few Yankee beat writers:

100 days 'til Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training

Pitchers and Catchers report date: 2/19

First Workout: 2/20

Position Players report date: 2/24

First Full Squad Workout: 2/25

Music to my ears! 

This news, with the fact that the off-season awards will be announced starting on Monday is enough to make me forget about the horrible news week it has been. Well, almost. My thoughts and prayers go out to both the Penn State victims and to Nationals Catcher Wilson Ramos.