Fan catches ball with face

((ht: mlb.com))

Hate it when this happens. A poor New York Yankee fan obviously didn't read the note at all stadiums to be careful when sitting close to the field, "Ball can enter stands at a 'Rapid' pace".

Either that or he didn't think Erick Chavez of the Yankees could hit a foul ball that far. Watch the catch...and then, the replay, and then the other replay...

Thanks MLB.com:

Jeets Goes Off, Goes 5-For-5 For 3,003

((HT: MLB/YES/youtube))

The New York Yankees Derek Jeter became the 28th player to be a part of the 3,000 hit club. He's the first Yankee and the first shortstop to go there and joins Eddie Collins as the only player to have 3,000 hits with 5 championship rings.

His accomplishments are ridiculous and he's the third-youngest to get to the mark.
\
So, you figure Jeets would do it in style in the Bronx.

Sho'nuff, he went berserk and joined Wade Boggs as the only other player to get hit 3,000 for a homerun.

Here's Michael Kay calling history


And Craig Biggio is the only other player to get his 3,000th hit as part of a five-hit day...

One-Armed Man Makes Great Catch

((HT: YES/youtube))

Michael Kacer took his 13-year-old nephew, Isaiah, to his first New York Yankees game Friday. And as part of a group with Achilles International — a non-profit organization devoted to athletes with disabilities — Kacer got to hang out on the field before the game, meeting Nick Swisher and Joe Girardi. Kacer served 11 years in the National Guard and lost his left arm in a 2008 rocket attack.

But the night got even better after the game began. During the Yankees' half of the first inning, Curtis Granderson popped a foul ball behind home plate. Kacer stuck out his hat and caught it on the bounce...

It's a little difficult to watch from quality, but it's still cool...


Kacer was interviewed by Marty Myers of the Scranton Times-Tribune...

"I had no intention of going after the ball," said Kacer, who is in New York to run a 5-mile race through Central Park today as part of the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans. "All I remember is the fly ball went up and my nephew is like, 'Catch it!' Then I realized it wasn't coming toward me. I was about to sit back down and I saw it take the high bounce and reached out and crossed my fingers."

Way cool, Michael...
And thanks...

Andruw Jones Showered With Onion Rings

((HT: YES/MLBAM))

And, no, the HQ isn't kidding...until it gets pulled...
The guy almost made the catch before Andruw did, and we're surprised he didn't partake of the food in the five second rule...

Sigh!....Cliff Lee goes to Philadelphia

Cliff Lee/Courtesy: michael s. wirtz-philly.com

Really, Major League Baseball isn't fair. It's the only game where the rich get richer and the Pittsburgh Pirates are a Triple A team.

Yes, in a move that left Sports Journalists and Philadelphia fans excited, top free agent pitcher Cliff Lee spurned the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers, to sign a 5-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

More from the gloating Philly.com RIGHT HERE

We truly are conflicted here. While we are very happy he didn't go to the Yankees, we are a little disappointed he ended up in the National League East. Particularly a team that already has Roy Halliday, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.

Here is the reaction from an odd sounding...and gushing reporter Ross Klavens from NBC Philadelphia who we suspect may be getting his 1st ever Sports related story.



Now....the part of this we take humor in. The Yankees are not getting any of the "High Priced" Free Agents they wanted. And the New York fans, media and team...are already whining, not understanding how anyone could spurn them.

Enjoy your New York perspective from Mike Lupica of the DailyNews RIGHT HERE

While Daily News columnist Andy Martino says "Surprise"Lee will regret it. RIGHT HERE

There isn't much TV coverage in the Big Apple, so we'll do a quick breakdown. Short of injury, the Phillies are now your team to beat in Baseball. It's safe to compare them to the Miami Heat. We can't fathom how much money they must take in every year, because their payroll is quickly approaching Yankees/Red Sox status.

As for the Yankees, they'll be alright. They still have their mega-gazillionaire's in the field and C.C Sabbathia on the mound. Sure, they'll have to rely on Andy Pettite to be good--and healthy, but they will hit well enough to win most of the time.

The only potential saving grace here is that the team with the biggest salary doesn't always win the World Series. The San Francisco Giants proved that again this year. We hope that trend will continue, because as much as we like baseball, we really don't want to see a forgone conclusion before the season even starts.

An oldie, but something you'll probably here in Philly....

Roger Clemens won't let his Federal Arraignment deter him from golfing....

Clemens swearing to Congress/Courtesy: Simon Bruty/SI.com

It must be nice to be a multi-millionaire celebrity or former athlete.

Roger Clemens, facing a federal indictment on 6 felony counts including lying to Congress, is scheduled to be arraigned early Monday afternoon.

That unto itself is a big deal. Not only as a big story, but for most people, that would indicate that there is a really good chance you may be in a bit of trouble.

Well, not our pal Roger. Sure, he'll be in Washington to face a judge in federal court. But as soon as that formality is over, it's time to get on a private jet and fly to Myrtle Beach so he can be in a golf tournament. No, we aren't making this up.

More details on the Rocket's adventures from the New York Daily News RIGHT HERE

Well. It's good to know that Roger is concerned about all of this. Granted, like we said, it is a formality. Just an opportunity for a judge to say "Do you understand these charges?" But, it is still a pretty big deal so we probably should not try and judge here, rather...just read the story and judge for yourself.

If this trial really happens, it's going to get ugly. Fast. The last thing that anyone should want is a circus around this. Heck, we would wager that the New York Yankees especially would want this done since if it goes to trial, Andy Pettite will be a central character to the drama.

Here is some video of Clemens' opening statement when he testified to Congress back in 2008. Thanks C-Span and YouTube:

Criminal Charges For Paterson For Lying About Yankee Tickets...???

((HT: MyFoxNY/WNYW-TV))

A special investigation concluded New York Governor David Paterson's testimony about his plans to pay for World Series tickets last year was "inaccurate and misleading" and warrants consideration of criminal charges by a prosecutor.

Okay... we'll bite...

A report was released Thursday by former state Chief Judge Judith Kaye notes that "four of five tickets to the World Series opening game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies were paid for later."

She says there's a question whether Paterson gave "intentionally false testimony" to the State Public Integrity Commission about having written an $850 check in advance for two tickets.

Albany County ((NY)) District Attorney David Soares is reviewing the case.

The governor, naturally, denies doing anything wrong.
He eventually paid for two tickets and staff members paid for two, but he maintains going to the game was part of a "ceremonial public duty" that entitled him to a ticket.

"Entitled him to a ticket...?"

You've got to be kidding...

Here's a live shot on the sidewalk, thanks to our friends at Fox5 New York

Bob Sheppard Service Held On Long Island

WABC-TV's Lauren DeFranco was outside the ceremony of a Yankee great...
Not really a whole lot else to say here...

It's Sheppard's time for good-bye...

More Reaction To Death Of George Steinbrenner

More reaction to the death of George Steinbrenner. Here's New York Yankee pitcher C.C. Sabathia's reaction. (Thanks NY Post.com/Fox News)

<>

Yankee manager Joe Giradi along with Andy Pettite and Alex Rodriquez react to the news of The Bosses death. (Thanks WPIX-TV)



Here's a look back at the life of George Steinbrenner. (Thanks WSJ.com)



Reaction from Tommy Lasorda and Derek Jeter. (Thanks WTSP-TV Tampa, Fla)

11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0">

Finally, here's one titan of capitalism talking about another...
Jerry Jones joins Michael Kay and Jack Curry on the YES Network...
((HT: YESNetwork/MLB))

BREAKING: Steinbrenner Dead At 80

((Another Update 10:07am: CNN has a statement from the family. READ IT HERE))

((UPDATED: 9:49am. The New York Daily News is reporting that Steinbrenner has passed away. The report says he died around 6:30am this morning. The story RIGHT HERE))

((ht:wabc-tv))

Breaking News: New York TV station WABC is reporting that the owner of the New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner, was rushed to the hospital this morning with what is described as an apparent massive heart attack.

((Steinbrenner at school dedication in may//Courtesy: TBO.com))

Steinbrenner, who is 80 years old, hasn't been in great health the past couple of years and has not been seen much in public for that very reason. Obviously, it goes without saying that he is one of the original "Personalities" to ever own a professional sports team and had a lot to do with the changes in baseball since he took over the team in 1973.

We will follow this story and bring you updates when we are able.

((Update 9:40am: He is in the hospital in Tampa, near his home in what has been called critical condition))

Here's our friends at MyFoxTampaBay, WTVT, with their coverage...

Bob Sheppard Passes At 99

You always knew when you were at Yankee Stadium...

The HQ has covered their fair share of All-Star Games and World Series in the Bronx, and Sheppard's tones made you feel at home. They also reminded you of the history of the sport.

If you didn't get goose bumps when Sheppard spoke, you simply weren't human.

Sheppard passed away at the age of 99- we think... One of the aspects of Sheppard's privacy was that none of us really knew how old he was...

Because, it simply wasn't important...

Here's the tribute that ran inside Yankee Stadium on "Bob Sheppard Day" in 2000.
((HT: YanksAtShea))


Here's Buster Olney's recollections from the four-letter...
((HT: ESPN))


Derek Jeter had it right. And Sheppard will always introduce the shortstop...
As it should be...

BREAKING NEWS: Cliff Lee To Texas, Not The Yanks

((HT: Fan590/Toronto))

Multiple sources are reporting that the Seattle Mariners have traded starting pitcher Cliff Lee and reliever Mark Lowe to the Texas Rangers for first baseman Justin Smoak and three others.

This flew in the face of every other report that had the Mariners other-ace heading to the Yankees as a done deal...

Earlier in the day in the New York Post, the Yankees were planning on sending prized catching prospect Jesus Montero to Seattle as part of a package deal.

Other teams reportedly interested in the 31-year-old veteran were the Mets and Twins.

According to CBS11/KTVT's Gina Miller and her Twitter Feed, Smoak walked out of a meeting a few minutes ago in the Rangers clubhouse.

A 6PM eastern presser had been scheduled and the Rangers clubhouse was closed to reporters and other non-Rangers personnel.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post has the deal as: RHP Blake Beavan, OF Matthew Lawson, reliever Cory Lueke, and Justin Smoak for Lee, reliever Mark Lowe, and cash to cover Lee's salary since the Rangers are in bankruptcy proceedings at present.

SI's Jon Heyman adds that Chris Davis is being called up to the big club for Texas.

Here's a little bit of the press conference explaining the trade with the front office and Rangers Manager Ron Washington
((HT: KTVT-TV Dallas))


Here's what Mariners fans are missing with the trade
((HT: MLB/Seattle Mariners/sporto10101010))

Do Not Dangle Your Porkchop In Public

((HT: YES Network via Deadspin))
There are the hazards of reporting and then there are hazards of reporting...

The YES Network's Kimberly Jones experienced a new level of hazard when she was alerting the masses of all the cool food at the Minnesota Twins new ballpark.

Her hazard... beer-swilling Yankee fan...


Whaddya wanna bet she really wanted to take what's left of the porkchop and poke the Yankee fan's eye out...???

Bonus... and Michael Kay was right...

Squirrel versus Target Field

The joys of outdoor baseball. The Minnesota Twins can now say that they've had a game interrupted by a varmint.

The varmint in question, a squirrel that popped onto the field during the 4th inning of yesterday's game against the New York Yankees

Check out the video: (You Tube)

This gives me the opportunity to showcase my favorite "Squirrel" moment...from Doug, the dog from the movie up: (More You Tube)

"Get Off My Mound..." Braden to A-Rod

((HT: Traina))

The HQ heard about this driving from the Nationwide tournament in Valdosta yesterday.

The Oakland A's Dallas Braden didn't like A-Rod returning to first by running across "his mound." Is the pitcher's mound sacred territory...???

Dunno, but to Braden it is... here's the reaction from afterwards...

"He's a tremendous player and a tremendous talent, and I don't care if I'm Cy Young or the 25th man on a roster; if I've got the ball in my hand and I'm out there on that mound, that's not your mound. You want to run across the mound? Go run laps in the bullpen. That's my mound."

Rodriguez responded by saying, "He just told me to get off his mound. That was a little surprising. I've never quite heard that -- especially from a guy that has a handful of wins in his career."

A-Rod with the burn... haven't heard those since high-school...
Here's the play...
Thanks to MLB Network/CSNBA/baseballjeremiad

Yankee Stadium Memories

Yankee Stadium is closing and everyone from the famous to the infamous has a story about their experience at the House That Ruth Built. Sadly, I only went to a Yankee game at the stadium once, but it was a great experience.

It was May 14, 1996. My fiancée’ (now my wife) and I went to an early season game with her cousin to Yankee Stadium. The Seattle Mariners were in town and I was excited about seeing Ken Griffey, Jr. and Alex Rodriquez play. Dwight Gooden was starting for the Yankees and though his dominant days on the mound were behind him thanks to his addiction to drugs, it was a nice side bar for me to at least see Doc Gooden bring it to at the time was a potent offensive line up for the Mariners. One that featured Griffey, A-Rod, Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez.

The game moved on rather unspectacularly as it turned into a pitching duel between Gooden and Seattle starter Sterling Hitchcock until the 6th inning, when the Yankees erupted for 2 runs and and Hitchcock’s night was done.

It was about that time when that half of the 6th was over that I suddenly realized that Gooden had not allowed a hit. My soon to be wife leaned over and said that this game is boring, no body is hitting.

“Boring game!!!” I thought. I’m sitting at Yankee Stadium and I might witness a no hitter. I’m on the edge of my seat.

As it turned out, the clock for Doc Gooden turned back to 1986 as he stymied the Mariners potent offensive line-up. As the drama built the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium was electric. By the time the top of the 9th came, the stadium was rocking and when the final out was recorded, the place went wild. My Yankees cap that I wore to the game became soaked after took a beer shower from fans sitting above me. I never could get the stale beer odor out.

My first and as it turned out, my only trip to see a game at Yankee Stadium I witness Doc Gooden’s no hitter. My soon to be wife and her cousin couldn’t understand why I was so giddy over this. It was big thrill for me and one I will never forget.

I hadn’t come down from that thrill 4 days later when something else very special happened. That’s when I married the love of my life. My wife said tongue and cheek “so much for the wedding being the highlight of your week.”

Marrying my wife is one of the biggest moments of my life but that night at Yankee Stadium was special. How many people can say they saw a no hitter the first time they saw a game at Yankee Stadium.

Photo Courtesy: New York Daily News, St. Petersburg Times

25 Years Ago George Brett Lost His Mind

When I was a junior in high school I was up in the Kansas City area with a friend and his family. We stopped at I think a Quik Trip store in an upscale part of Kansas City, Kansas when a sports car pulled up with a hot blonde as I recall in the passenger seat getting out and buying some alcoholic beverages (beer). By the time we saw the car pull out my friend and I noticed it was George Brett driving the car. (Thanks SI.com)

George Brett was my idol growing up. I loved the way he played the game, always going all out which explains why he was injured a lot. I even pattered my batting style after him.

I bring this up because as I’m writing this, it’s been 25 years since the infamous Pine Tar Game when George Brett absolutely lost his freakin’ mind at Yankee Stadium. (Thanks Baseball-Almanac.com)

Here’s the history lesson for you kids. Back then the Kansas City Royals mattered in the American League and the Royals/Yankees rivalry was on par with the Yankees/Red Sox today. It was a hot lazy Sunday afternoon in Yankee stadium and the Royals were trailing the Yankees 4-3 when George Brett stepped to the plate facing the best reliever of the game then, Goose Gossage, with 2 outs in the top of the 9^th with U.L. Washington on base. Brett promptly launched a Gossage fast ball into the seats to give the Royals a 5-4 lead.

Yankee manager Billy Martin claims Brett used an illegal bat, too much pine tar. Umpire Tim McClelland examines the bat, looks toward the Royals dugout and calls Brett out, game over Yankees win, Thaaaaaaaaaa Yankees win. That’s when Brett changed out of the dugout to confront McClelland and had to be physically restrained. (You kids do yourself a favor a watch the video, its good TV.)

Brett told Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star: “When I was running out of the dugout I had no idea I looked like that,” Brett says. “When I first saw (the video), I said, ‘You gotta be (kidding) me. I ” really did that in public?’

George Brett accomplished a lot during his 20 year career. A championship ring 3,000 hits and a first ballot induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. But he will always be remembered for an at bat on July 24, 1983. I’m sure that’s better than being remembered for sitting out Game 2 of the 1980 World Series because of hemorrhoids.

The post script to this is that American League President Lee McPhail ruled that Brett’s bat was illegal it did not violate “The Spirit of the Rules.” That the rule only provided for the removal of the bat, not calling a batter out. McPhail ordered the game resumed at the point of Brett’s home run. They played a month later with the Royals winning 5-4 and oh yeah, Billy Martin got tossed from that game.

Now let’s have some fun. Just think if the Pine Tar Game happened today. Can you imagine the wall to wall coverage on ESPN. The Baseball Tonight Crew demonstrating in studio how Brett broke the rule, Bob Ley would have an Outside The Lines show ready within hours and Jeremy Shaap would have an investigative piece done for the next days Sports Center. It would be gavel to gavel coverage for months.

Of course the Par Tar Game 25 years ago happened before sports talk radio came along. This would give Mike and the Mad Dog, The Herd or Point/CounterPoint (wait, damn, we not on the air right now, sorry.) months and months of material. You think the Brett Farve saga has a shelf life beyond its expiration date, this would be replayed, rehashed and re told to the point where you a screaming ENOUGH. That’s the difference between 1983 and 2008. Of course where I live, it might have been talked about today but SEC Media Days took priority and it was Georgia’s day to talk.

Kind of ironic that the stars of the “Par Tar Game”, George Brett and Goose Gossage, are in the Baseball Hall of Fame but they will be forever linked to a bizarre afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

That's it... I'm spent...

--John Wilkerson

Like Father, Like Son...

Whether you’re a fan of the New York Yankees or not you had to respect them under Joe Torre’s watch. Torre didn’t take crap from George Steinbrenner and protected his players from the boss’ wrath. Now Torre is gone, enjoying the laid back lifestyle in Los Angeles. His old team is reverting back to its pre-Torre ways and the boss is yelling at the employees. This time George Steinbrenner isn’t micro-managing the team into chaos, it’s his son Hank.

Hank’s first act was a low ball offer to Joe Torre and off he went to L.A. Now Hank is imposing his will on player personnel issues. Case in point, Joba Chamberlain.

Joba Chamberlain

The Yankees has arguably the best bullpen in the American League if not baseball and Chamberlain was the perfect set up man for Marino Rivera. That wasn’t enough for Hank Steinbrenner, Boss, Jr. wanted Joba Chamberlain to start so, Joe Girardi did just that Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays. Chamberlain’s night, he threw 62 pitches in 2 and 1/3 innings and gave up 2 runs. But the Yankees lost a big element to their bullpen which reared its ugly head later in the game. The bullpen imploded because of Chamberlain’s absence as the Blue Jays pounced on Edwar Ramirez for 4 runs in the 7th to blow the game wide open.

Hank Steinbrenner called it a work in progress. You think. This is how papa George ruined the Yankees in the 80’s with the low point being a last place finish in the American League East in 1990. Interfering with his employees who know baseball and not letting them do their jobs. This kind of micromanagement usually gets you mediocrity at best (sound familiar Washington Redskin fans). ((Editor's Note: Wilkie, that was cruel - yet totally true.)) Where are the Yankees right now? Next to last place in the American League East.

Already this move is being questioned in the Yankee clubhouse. Johnny Damon was asked by John Harper of the New York Daily News if he would have kept Chamberlain in the bullpen. Damon’s response was “You know what, it’s not up to me but I like winning ball games.”

So go ahead Hank, keep imposing your will. You might drive the Yankees to a finish not seen in 18 years in the Bronx - last place. What a hell of a way to close out Yankee Stadium.

That's it, I'm spent.

--John Wilkerson