Paul Blair, 69

Sad news out of the baseball world tonight; former Baltimore Oriole and New York Yankee Paul Blair has passed away at the age of 69. Orioles beat writer Roch Kubatko reported the news a short time ago.

Blair had suffered a heart attack at age 66, which led to the discovery that his main artery was 98% blocked. He had a stent installed and went through months of physical therapy. He apparently collapsed at a bowling alley prior to his passing.

Until Ken Griffey Jr. came along, I never saw anyone play center field with the defensive prowess that Paul Blair displayed. He would turn his back to the infield, race back towards the center field wall, turn around and be at the exact spot the ball came down and landed softly in his glove.

He was a seven time Gold Glove winner with the Orioles, a two-time World Series champion, and a member of four AL pennant winning teams. Blair was dealt to the Yankees in January of 1977 for Elliott Maddox and Rick Bladt and earned two more World Series rings.

The California native could hit too, but after being beaned in the head he was never the same player at the plate. He spent the 1979 season with the Cincinnati Reds before a return to the Yankees in 1980 for his 17th and final season in the Major Leagues. The two time All-Star's career came to an end when the Yankees released him in July, 1980.

After his professional playing career concluded, Blair held head coaching positions at Fordham University and Coppin St. College, worked as an outfielder instructor and a minor league coach in the Orioles organization

My condolences go out to his family and friends.


Paul Blair with the game winning hit in Game 1 of the 1977 World Series

This Gardner Wants to Roam the Centerfield Grass

Brett Gardner knows he has his work cut out for him. Melky Cabrera established himself as the every day centerfielder last year. Or did he? The Yankees were reportedly willing to include Melky in a deal to the Twins for Johan Santana. So if Melky doesn't improve his offensive numbers this season, does that mean his job may be available sooner rather than later? Brett Gardner can't answer that, but he is going to do everything he can to give the Yankees some additional things to think about in the future.

The 24-yr old speedster is confident in his own abilities and his play this spring has made Joe Girardi and the Yankees front office take notice.

“It’s not a knock against Melky Cabrera or Johnny Damon or whoever happens to be out there,” Gardner said. “Obviously, that’s their job now. But I know if it were my job, someone else would be behind me wanting my job, too. Ever since I got drafted, that’s been my goal.”

Gardner has hit .379 (11-29) this spring and has added 4 walks for a gaudy .455 on-base percentage. And this kid can flat out run- he's perfect in 6 steal attempts in the grapefruit league.

While basically possessing no power, Gardner has hit .288 in 3 minor league seasons, with a .381 OBP. He's averaged 14 doubles, nearly 6 triples, and has stolen 114 bases in 136 attempts (84%). He's also proven to be more than capable in the outfield, where his speed helps cut off balls headed for the gap.

“He brings a speed dimension, what I like to call a pest dimension, to the game, where pitchers can never relax when he gets on base or infielders can never relax when he’s at the plate,” Girardi said. “He plays very good defense. He plays hard. We like him.”

Gardner started last season at Double-A Trenton before playing the final 45 games at Triple-A Scranton. He's expected to start in PA again, but he most certainly will be one of the first players called up in case of an injury.

“You never want to settle for being second best,” he said. “You always want to compete. The way I look at it is, that’s what they drafted me for: to play center field for the New York Yankees.”

You can bet Brett Gardner will be ready when that call comes.


Source: NY Times

This Gardner Wants to Roam the Centerfield Grass

Brett Gardner knows he has his work cut out for him. Melky Cabrera established himself as the every day centerfielder last year. Or did he? The Yankees were reportedly willing to include Melky in a deal to the Twins for Johan Santana. So if Melky doesn't improve his offensive numbers this season, does that mean his job may be available sooner rather than later? Brett Gardner can't answer that, but he is going to do everything he can to give the Yankees some additional things to think about in the future.

The 24-yr old speedster is confident in his own abilities and his play this spring has made Joe Girardi and the Yankees front office take notice.

“It’s not a knock against Melky Cabrera or Johnny Damon or whoever happens to be out there,” Gardner said. “Obviously, that’s their job now. But I know if it were my job, someone else would be behind me wanting my job, too. Ever since I got drafted, that’s been my goal.”

Gardner has hit .379 (11-29) this spring and has added 4 walks for a gaudy .455 on-base percentage. And this kid can flat out run- he's perfect in 6 steal attempts in the grapefruit league.

While basically possessing no power, Gardner has hit .288 in 3 minor league seasons, with a .381 OBP. He's averaged 14 doubles, nearly 6 triples, and has stolen 114 bases in 136 attempts (84%). He's also proven to be more than capable in the outfield, where his speed helps cut off balls headed for the gap.

“He brings a speed dimension, what I like to call a pest dimension, to the game, where pitchers can never relax when he gets on base or infielders can never relax when he’s at the plate,” Girardi said. “He plays very good defense. He plays hard. We like him.”

Gardner started last season at Double-A Trenton before playing the final 45 games at Triple-A Scranton. He's expected to start in PA again, but he most certainly will be one of the first players called up in case of an injury.

“You never want to settle for being second best,” he said. “You always want to compete. The way I look at it is, that’s what they drafted me for: to play center field for the New York Yankees.”

You can bet Brett Gardner will be ready when that call comes.


Source: NY Times

We are SO Ready for Baseball

This song is played out, but it's Monday, we're tired and lazy, so it will have to do.

We are SO Ready for Baseball

This song is played out, but it's Monday, we're tired and lazy, so it will have to do.