Boone second guessed no matter what

In his first game as a postseason manager, Aaron Boone opened himself up to second-guessing with his choice of starting pitcher.

It didn't matter who of the three contenders he picked to start the AL Wild Card game. If the Yankees don't win Wednesday night, Boone will be second-guessed unless it's the bullpen and/or offense that underwhelms.

Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, and J.A. Happ all have positive attributes and negative marks as to whether or not they should start.

Severino came into the season as the team's bonafide ace and held that position for the first half. He struggled in the second half but has pitched better of late.

He certainly is motivated to make up for his terrible Wild Card performance against the Minnesota Twins last year.

Tanaka is a dynamite pitcher but he serves home runs at Yankee Stadium like he's going to win a free car for each home run allowed.

Happ has been great for the Yankees since his acquisition from Toronto at the non-waiver trade deadline and has solid numbers against most of the A's lineup. His "stuff" is not as dominating as Severino's and perhaps Boone is thinking ahead that left-handers fare better against the Red Sox.

Of course, you first have to get the Division Series, but one would imagine that Boone will have a quick hook if Sevy struggles early. And, Boone will use Green, Betances, Robertson, and Chapman in any way he can.

Sorry, it's been so long since I posted here. My Pinstripes is coming up on its 13th anniversary in December!

Get Well Soon Aaron Bleepin' Boone

His Yankees career was a short one, but Aaron Boone hit one of the most memorable home runs in franchise history. His 11th inning blast off of Tim Wakefield gave the Yankees a game 7 ALCS come from behind victory over the hated Red Sox.

A knee injury in the off-season to follow (in a non-sanctioned basketball game) led to a trade for Alex Rodriguez and Boone's Yankees carrer was over.

Boone showed a lot of heart during the ALCS, in which he struggled at the plate until that one big swing. Now Boone's heart is under repair. He went underwent surgery yesterday to repair his aorta and replace his aortic valve. It's a condition that Boone has known about since college. Surgery became a necessity when his (Astros) team physical this spring showed some abnormalities.

Doctors called the surgery a sucess and his father, former catcher Bob Boone, said he was doing well. Boone hopes to resume his playing career once he is healed up.


photo courtesy of espn.com

The Empty Weekend

It's the weekend prior to the Super Bowl- possibly the most boring weekend ever. No football. The NHL is on break, and though we like the skills competition, the game itself is boring. (We would go baseball, basketball, hockey, football in ranking of least boring to most, though they all pretty much stink). The NBA regular season is pretty dull, though not as dull as the NCAA baseketball regular season. Spring training is still just a glimmer on the horizon.

There are plenty of good movies out there to see- we still can't understand how "Paul Blart, Mall Cop" made the most money last weekend.

In the Brooklyn area? You can go on the "A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour". Sounds delicious.

19 more days until Spring Training

Our Top 10 Stadium Moments

We'll say from 1968 - forward since that's when we started to become cognizant of what was going on. This was not easy and some of these are interchangeable.

10. June 17, 1978 - Ron Guidry strikes out 18 California Angels. The beginning of fans clapping when an opponent had 2 strikes.

9. ALCS Game 3 - Yankees ruin another Red Sox post-season. Aaron Boone becomes aligned with Bucky Dent.

8. September 24, 2001 - Yankee Stadium is the site of an inter-faith memorial for the tragic occurrences of 9/11.

7. July 4, 1983 - Dave Righetti throws a 4th of July no-hitter against the Red Sox. It's also George Steinbrenner's birthday. Game ends when Rags strikes out Wade Boggs for the third time.

6. August 6, 1979 - Bobby Murcer drives in 5 runs for his fallen brother Thurman Munson on the day of the Captain's funeral.

5. May 25, 1998 and July 18, 1999 - Perfect games by David Wells and David Cone.

4. 2001 Games 4 and 5 of the World Series - Unbelievable 9th inning comebacks on home runs by Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius.

3. 1996 World Series Game 6 - We finally had attained a World Series championship after 18 years.

2. 1977 World Series Game 6 - Reggie Jackson takes 3 swings and hits 3 home runs. The Yankees win their first World Series in 15 years.

1. 1976 ALCS Game 5 - Chris Chambliss finally gets us to the promised land with a dramatic home run.

Our Top 10 Stadium Moments

We'll say from 1968 - forward since that's when we started to become cognizant of what was going on. This was not easy and some of these are interchangeable.

10. June 17, 1978 - Ron Guidry strikes out 18 California Angels. The beginning of fans clapping when an opponent had 2 strikes.

9. ALCS Game 3 - Yankees ruin another Red Sox post-season. Aaron Boone becomes aligned with Bucky Dent.

8. September 24, 2001 - Yankee Stadium is the site of an inter-faith memorial for the tragic occurrences of 9/11.

7. July 4, 1983 - Dave Righetti throws a 4th of July no-hitter against the Red Sox. It's also George Steinbrenner's birthday. Game ends when Rags strikes out Wade Boggs for the third time.

6. August 6, 1979 - Bobby Murcer drives in 5 runs for his fallen brother Thurman Munson on the day of the Captain's funeral.

5. May 25, 1998 and July 18, 1999 - Perfect games by David Wells and David Cone.

4. 2001 Games 4 and 5 of the World Series - Unbelievable 9th inning comebacks on home runs by Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius.

3. 1996 World Series Game 6 - We finally had attained a World Series championship after 18 years.

2. 1977 World Series Game 6 - Reggie Jackson takes 3 swings and hits 3 home runs. The Yankees win their first World Series in 15 years.

1. 1976 ALCS Game 5 - Chris Chambliss finally gets us to the promised land with a dramatic home run.

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Yankees vs. Red Sox