A-Rod…Oh, and those other Yankees :)

Last night’s game was loaded with homers.  And I mean LOADED.  There were a total of six, including one solo blast by the Royals.  Three of the six came by the way of Alex Rodriguez’s hot bat.  That’s right, I said three.  His first was in the 6th inning off of Kansas City starter Sean O’Sullivan.  He then belted a two-run blast an inning later.  The last of his blasts came in the 9th inning, also a two-run shot. It was a monstrous 439-foot homer that plunked into the water fountain in left center.

Homer #1:

Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees hits a home run during the 6th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals on August 14, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

(after) Homer #2:

Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by teammates after hitting his 2nd home run of the night during the 7th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals on August 14, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Homer #3:

Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees hits his 3rd home run of the night during the 8th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals on August 14, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

The home run hitters always come in bunches, and last night definately proved that statement correct.

There was a bit of competition between who would have the longest blast of the night between Jorge Posada and A-Rod.  Posada hit one that landed 421 feet dead center two batters after A-Rod’s first homer.  Then, Curtis Granderson joined the homer party with a solo shot of his own on the first pitch after Jorge’s.

Jorge Posada Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees waits to congratulate Jorge Posada #20 after Posada hit a home run during the 6th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals on August 14, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

(all photos courtesy of zimbio.com)

Before all the fun started in the sixth inning, the game had been a tight 1-1 contest.  Phil Hughes pitched well, allowing 3 runs in the 6 innings he pitched.

It always makes me feel better when:

  • the offense has a good night
  • our pitching staff does their job
  • the game is fun to watch

The series with the Royals wraps up with a 2:00pm (EST) day game.  Then the Yankees come back home for seven games.

Till next time!

-yL4L

Haha I just looked at the pic I put of Jorge after his home run, and the expression on Derek’s face cracks me up :)

Still Looking for No. 600

At the beginning of the Rays series, I thought for sure that if A-Rod was going to hit his milestone homerun soon, it was either going to be the last at-bat on Sunday, or the first of today’s game at home against the Blue Jays.  What I didn’t expect was for Joe Girardi to rest A-Rod yesterday.  He did come in to pinch-hit in the 7th inning.  Unfortunately, the first half of my prediction did not come true, but the other half is still there and waiting.

It would be fitting for A-Rod to hit the homerun tonight or sometime during the home stretch, at least to the Yankees fans who will be there.  The Wall Street Journal today had this for it’s headline: A Milestone Home Run Feels Restless.  I love the talk about how this is the longest ever stretch between homer #599 and #600 in history.  Blah, blah, blah.  Can’t wait till it’s over with and we can get back to actually focusing on, oh I don’t know, the pennant race?!? 

Alex Rodriguez Infielder Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees warms up to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on July 30, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
(zimbio.com)
Let’s talk about the pennant race, shall we?  This weekend, the Yanks faced off against the second-place Rays in a battle of the AL East crown.  All three games were tightly fought.  On Friday, Nick Swisher hit a two-run blast in the first inning and the Yanks would hold that lead until the 6th inning when Matt Joyce went yard for a 3-run blast of his own.  The final score was 3-2 Rays.  
Saturday’s game looked for a while to be all about the Rays until Mark Teixeira hit a game-tying blast off of Matt Garza, fresh off his no-hitter against Detroit.  Joyce was at it again, hitting a monstrous solo-shot to go-ahead 4-3.  Swish answered with a solo homer of his own to tie the game at 4 all.  The big blast came off of Robbie Cano and his ever-so-hot bat in the top of the 9th against Rays’ closer Rafael Soriano.  Final score: 5-4 Yanks.
Robinson Cano Infielders Derek Jeter #2 (left) and Alex Rodriguez #13 (right) of the New York Yankees celebrate with Robinson Cano #24 after his home run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 31, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
(zimbio.com)
Girardi decided to rest A-Rod, Brett Gardner, and give Tex a half-day off as the DH.  Newly acquired 1B/DH Lance Berkman was not so great in the field, or at the plate.  He flubbed two plays that Tex probably could have made, but he did snab a base-hit on a diving play and did eventually get his first hit as a Yankee.  Ugh, it was not pretty.  The whole game I was like why are they DH-ing Tex in such an important game?! 

Lance Berkman First baseman Lance Berkman #17 of the New York Yankees gets into defensive position at first against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on August 1, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. 
(zimbio.com)
The feeling in the pit of my stomach was not a good one.  CC Sabbathia was not terrible, and yet not great.  A-Rod came in and struck out in the 7th.  3-0 read the final score.
The Rays took two of three in the series.  It wasn’t the worst outcome, considering they could’ve swept us and we would be tied for first place going home.  It’s already August, which is hard to believe.  I hope A-Rod does hit #600 sometime within the next 24 hours.
There’s baseball to be played.
 

Forth Series of the Young Season Clinched

(my comments are in bold)

In only the eleventh (11th) game of the season, the Yankees have secured their 4th series victory of the season.  Tomorrow the team will try for the sweep.  Yes!  I’m lovin’ it!  Imagine… last season, they didn’t win their 4th series until May, but this season, it has happened in the midst of April.  They also have a key component that they didn’t at this time last year: Alex Rodriguez.

Alex Rodriguez #13 of The New York Yankees hits a home run against The Texas Rangers during their game on April 17, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.
(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)
Today, with one out in the bottom of the 4th, A-Rod hit his 584th homer of his career, putting him in sole possession of 8th place on the all-time home runs list.  Another monkey off his back…The inning prior, Jeter blasted his third home run of the season, a 3-run blast bringing the score to 6-0.  Yay Derek!  I love you! :)

Derek Jeter #2 of The New York Yankees celebrates his two-run home run with Brett Gardner in the third inning against the Texas Rangers during their game on April 17, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Borough of New York City.
(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)
I was happy in the second inning when the Yanks scored their first two runs.  Poor Mark Teixiera got only one hit all game.  I know the feeling.  It’s not a good one.  He has really been slumping, but he’s usually a slow starter anyway.
A.J. Burnett pitched a brilliant game.  He went 7 innings, and gave up no runs over 6 hits.  Those pitchers really do try to outdo the other on this staff.  The bullpen, mainly Alfredo Aceves was a bit shaky, but Demaso Marte and Joba finished the job without a blemish.  Joba!  Joba! :)  Aceves gave up a 3-run home run to Nelson Cruz in the top of the eighth with one out.   :( <– my face when Cruz hit the homer.

Joba Chamberlain #62 of The New York Yankees pitches against the Texas Rangers during their game on April 17, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Borough of New York City.
(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)
So far, I like what I am seeing from the Bombers.  They are playing good baseball.  How can I complain when the team is 8-3 :)  I hope this continues for the rest of the season.
Peace and Love
yankslove4life 

And the Season Begins…

I really wish it had been a win to start off the season strong, but overall, it wasn’t a bad performance for the team.  Everyone seemed to get on base.  We slapped around Josh Beckett, and the Red Sox got some good shots off of CC during his last inning.  There was good pitching and bad pitching from the bullpen, but it wasn’t terrible.  And it was the first game of the season, and against our biggest rival.

Curtis Granderson started his Yankee career off with a bang with a solo shot in the second inning, after Jorge Posada banged one off the pole right before Granderson got up.  That was when it was 2-0.
There were a couple of two-out rallies, some not ending with scoring, but some nice rips.  I can’t complain.  I can only feel bad that it was a loss.  It was a really entertaining game, to be honest.  Then again, when you’re talking Yankees/Red Sox, it usually comes down to the last few innings.  And it did.  Oh well, tomorrow’s another day…
One down, 161 to go…
Go Yanks!
YanksLove4Life <3
When Jon Sterling said, “Curtis, you’re something sort of Grand-ish!” after he hit the homer, I couldn’t stop laughing.

Wait…The 2010 Season Starts in Less Than 5 Days?!?!

It seems like the 2009 season just ended last week… how can it be possible that the 2010 regular season starts this Sunday?  Impossible.  Maybe it’s because the Yankees played into November or something…

Not that I’m not excited or anything, but I don’t know if I’m ready for a new season…yet.  I’m still basking in the glow of the recent championship.  I’ll be ready, just not at this moment in time.
A lot of trades and acquisitions happened during the “short” off-season.  I don’t even know where to begin.   Spring Training is still going on, as is always the case each season.  The Yankees begin defending their title on Sunday, April 4th.  Amazing that that’s only four days away.  And it’s against the Red Sox. What a way to start of the 2010 season!
Outfielder Curtis Granderson #14 of the New York Yankees bats against the Tampa Bay Rays March 5, 2010 at the George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.
(New outfield acquisition Curtis Granderson zimbio.com)
Right now, I’m still in March Madness mode, so I really need to begin to go to the baseball websites to catch up on everything.  And Easter is in 4 days as well.  Haha, I just had a revelation — the Yankees start their season on Easter Sunday.  Took me long enough… :)
I am super excited!  2010 looks to be a great year for the boys in blue and white pinstripes.  Good luck to the rest of the teams, and may they have enjoyment in looking on as the Bombers win it all for the 28th time :)
Until Sunday!
yL4L <3

We Are the WORLD CHAMPS Baby!!!

(yes, I am finishing this with less than a few days to go until the 2010 season kicks off… better late than never :)  )

How sweet this victory is!  Oh man, I cannot say enough about the game or the players who really were a team this year.  I love you guys.  They battled and battled and finally got what they deserve: a World Series Championship.  And, oh yeah, I will be pushing through the mob scene tomorrow at 11am watching the parade down the “Canyon of Heroes”.  I cannot tell you how proud I am of this team and the whole Yankees Organization.  This season has been a blast to watch.  From the come-back victories and walk-off wins to the total domination games, this New York team sure knows how to excite their fans.

Game 6 - 2009 World Series - New York Yankees vs Philadelphia Phillies
(photo courtesy of nj.com)
Last night’s game was awesome.  Andy Pettite threw a great 5.2 innings, only giving up three runs.  Hideki Matsui was exceptional, going 3 for 4 with SIX RBIs.  That’s right, I said six.  He single handedly won the game for the Yanks.  A two-run homer, a two RBI double, and a two RBI single.  Amazing.  It’s no surprise that he got the World Series MVP trophy.  In his three WS games, he hit over .600.  I’d say that is pretty impressive.  On the losing side, Pedro Martinez only lasted 4 innings giving up 4 runs.  Teixiera had the other RBI in the game on a single.
Game 6 - 2009 World Series - New York Yankees vs Philadelphia Phillies
(photo courtesy of nj.com)
I don’t think many people will remember that it was Robbie Cano who scooped up the final out, they will remember Tex stepping on first.  Robbie should get some credit, even though his batting average stunk in the postseason.  He had a great glove.
Who better to close out the game than Mo?  I can’t think of a more perfect ending.
I think all the players’ first reactions summed it all up: hoisting the trophy and letting out a BIG “WOOOOO!!!”  That’s so much better than any formal speech.  There is no better feeling than this.  Wow.  I’m still shaking with excitement as I write this.  I can’t imagine all the emotions running through the players’ minds.  It’s alright Philthies, you’ll have a chance next year. :)
Game 6 - 2009 World Series - New York Yankees vs Philadelphia Phillies
(photo courtesy of nj.com)
* * *
Maybe I should stop rambling on before this gets out of hand.  I had an awesome time at the Victory Parade down the Canyon of Heroes, even though we were the farthest from the action.
(Dad took this one :)  )
A toast to the Yankee organization for a great season.  To a happy and healthy 2010 season!
Till next year,
yl4l out :)

The Hype of Game 5 (of the ’09 Fall Classic)

There are no words to describe the feeling I have inside of me right now.  Why wouldn’t I?  I mean, the Yankees could potentially clinch the World Series title tonight in Philly.  I am so super PUMPED for this game.  As the time creeps closer to 7:57pm, the excitement increases. There is no stopping it.  I cannot help it.

We have A.J. Burnett on the hill for us against the monster known as Cliff Lee for Philly.  It looks to be a fantastic game, if both pitchers keep doin’ what they’ve been doin’.  In Game 1, Lee was exceptional, yielding not a single run from the Yankees’ bats.  Derek Jeter seemed to be the only one who could actually get a hit off of this guy.  I’m positive that if all of Philadelphia’s pitchers were just like him, we would be in trouble.  Thank goodness they are not.
C.C. was so much better yesterday than in his first start.  He still gave up 3 runs, but he kept the team in the game.  If it weren’t for Johnny Damon’s smart base-running play in the top of the ninth, the series may have been tied.
The Yanks have three chances to clinch the title, one tonight in Philly and two at home in New York.  I was hoping for the series to go back to New York, but I would be just as ecstatic if they win it tonight.  Either way it would be awesome, and I would probably cry like I did about 2 years ago with the Giants when they won the Super Bowl.  Those are the only tears I shall shed — tears of joy!
For the Yankees to win tonight, there must be some of this…
 
                                  
…a good amount of this…
 
Derek Jeter, Ben Zobrist
…and a whole lot of this…
These are the three keys to success in any game, whether it be postseason or not. We want our boys to take it home.  Then there will be this…
New York Yankees players celebrate winning game four of the World Series
…all night long and for the next few days. :)
Go Yankees!
I love you guys!
^_^ yankslove4life

The Playoffs? The PLAYOFFS!

I have not posted in a very long time.  Wow.  Alright, back to business.  Well, right before the Division Series began, Jeter passed Lou Gehrig on the all-time hits list.  A-Rod got to 100 RBIs in the last game of the regular season.  A lot of stuff happened.

Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates after hitting a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins in Game Two of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)
I thought the ALDS was a lot of fun!  I mean, the Yanks swept the Twins, and life is good.  None of them Boston Red Sox to worry about.  When I learned that they had been swept by the Halos, I totally snickered.  It was such a happy feeling.  Sweeps are fantastic, when you are on the good side of one :) .
Starting pitcher CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees gets a standing ovation from the crowd after being pulled out of the game in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins in Game One of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 7, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)
All three of the Yankees wins were come-from-behind.  The first game became a blow-out though.  But that’s what we want from the team – exciting victories!  It just makes the whole postseason a whole lot more enjoyable.  I am so pumped for the ALCS!  We are gonna show those Angels what we’re made of!  And that could go either way – crappy or amazing.  I’m hoping for the later.  I think that winning these playoff games is like on Christmas morning opening up presents.  You get that giddy feeling inside of you when you get what you asked for on your list, just like when baseball teams make it to the playoffs and maybe even the World Series.
A.J. Burnett (R) of the New York Yankees pours champagne into the mouth of Nick Swisher after a win over the Minnesota Twins in Game Three of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on October 11, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)
The Angels are a tough team.  We can take ‘em.  And the ALCS begins…
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just a bit excited.  I’ll be okay, I promise :)
Go Yankees!
Peace ^_^
yL4L

Jeter Gets Three Hits, Passes Luis Aparicio On All-Time Hits for Shortstops

In case you haven’t heard, Derek Jeter tied and then passed Luis Aparicio on the all-time hits list for a shortstop!  Kudos to Derek!!  He is truly a class act, as well as my favorite Yankee! :) Unfortunately, the team wasn’t as successful today, losing to the Mariners 3-10. :(   That’s ok because we are still 7.5 games ahead of Boston for first place, thanks to the Texas Rangers who slipped past Boston in the AL Wild Card race.

Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees singles in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners on August 16, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Yankees 10-3.

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)

Good series though, taking three out of the four and gaining a game on Boston in the process.  Both CC Sabathia and Andy Pettite had strong outings, both striking out 10 batters.  The offense was also hitting well, outscoring the Mariners 23-15.  Our five-game winning streak was nice while it lasted, but we’ll just have to get things rolling again in Oakland tomorrow. 

                              vs.                                     

What is with all these West-Coast games in a row?!  I really don’t appreciate trying to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning, even though I am a late-night person.  Ah well, as long as we win, I guess it’s not so bad. :)

Hoping for the best tomorrow!

Go Yankees!!

–yankslove4life

A Conversation with the Captain

After last night’s game, I decided to sit down and ask a couple of questions of Derek Jeter.  Here’s how it all played out…

 

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