Now Batting, Number 2, Derek Jeter...On Broadway

"Hey Mo, lets put on a show!"

The New York Yankees have been part of the Broadway scene before as the villainous, never lose team in "Damn Yankees". For those that don't know, it's the tale of Joe Hardy, a big fan of the Washington Senators that makes a deal with the devil. The show was a huge success and a movie version followed.

Now the Great White Way has a mix of old and modern day Yankees in the play, "Bronx Bombers". The play is written by Eric Simonson, who also brought (Vince) "Lombardi" and "Magic/Bird" (Magic Johnson/Larry Bird) to the stage.

Act I revolves the infamous 1977 contest between the Yankees and Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. Yes, it is the game that Billy Martin pulled Reggie Jackson out of right field in the middle of inning. It was a national embarrassment as Martin and Jackson and their enormous egos nearly came to blows. Joining them in the stage version are actors portraying Yogti Berra and Elston Howard, who kept the two combatants apart in the dugout, and team captain Thurman Munson

The second act builds off of the first with Yogi stressed about the possibility of becoming the Yankees manager. He dreams of having dinner with his wife and Yankees Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Howard, and Derek Jeter, despite the fact the Yankees shortstop was three at the time and not a twinkle in the eye of a Yankees scout.

The play wraps up with the last game played in old Yankee Stadium. It sounds odd to say the least, and New York Times reviewer Daniel M. Gold described it as a "mawkish and sappy effort", and "...the play is no more than a schmaltzy sketch of athletes sitting around congratulating themselves."¹

I think I'll stick to watch the real drama that occurs every day with the Bronx Bombers. 


1 - NY Times, Oct. 9, 2013

The Boss and Billy the Kid With An Eye on Cooperstown

They once formed a crazy triumvirate that were splattered across the headlines of the New York Sports pages. From 1977 - 1981, Reggie Jackson, George Steinbrenner, and Billy Martin could not be mentioned without one of the other names being mentioned.

Jackson was overwhelmingly elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 and now the Boss and Billy the Kid's names will come before the Veterans Committee for election to Cooperstown. Results will be announced on December 6.

In addition to the duo, former Yankees Ron Guidry, who had some of his best seasons under Martin, and Tommy John will also be on the ballot.

Vida Blue, Davey Concepcion, Steve Garvey, Ted Simmons, Al Oliver, Marvin Miller, Rusty Staub, and Pat Gillick round out the ballot.

Dallas Braden is Now a Perfect DBag

First things first. I have to give major credit to Dallas Braden on his accomplishment on Sunday. Pitching a perfect game is the hardest thing to do in baseball. To do it against a formidable lineup such as that of the Tampa Bay Rays makes it an even greater accomplishment. Unfortunately, it was done before only 12,000 plus fans at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. (Catfish Hunter's perfecto in 1968 was in front of almost half that amount.)

Now back to Braden. He really reminds me of Billy Martin. Especially due to his close relationship with his grandmother, who raised him when Braden's mother died of cancer at just 39 years of age. Needless to say, Mother's Day had not been a good day for Braden in prior years.

Like Martin, Braden grew up in Northern California and had a bit of an attitude. While Martin's Mom was said to be even tougher than him, Braden's grandma, Peggy Lindsey, has some spunk herself. After the perfect game she said, "Stick it, A-Rod". Apparently, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

The perfecto comes on the heels of more statements Braden made last week about the A-Rod incident, hinting that a fight might be in store. A-Rod, to his credit, took the high road and said he was done talking about it (he did give Braden credit on Sunday.).

So while Braden has now given a major boost to his resume, things should still be interesting when and if he faces the Yankees. He should just let the whole thing go, but after shooting his mouth off so much, I doubt he will. Which would be a mistake for him, the A's, and the Yankees. No good could from it, but plenty of bad could result in injuries, bad feelings, and a black eye to baseball.

Let it go Dallas. Enjoy your time in the sun. And, oh yeah, STFU.

Vets Tab 5 for Fame

The Veterans Committee has spoken, and 5 people have been selected to enter the Hall of Fame this summer. Managers Dick Williams (who nearly became a Yankees manager in the '70s), and Billy Southworth, commissioner Bowie Kuhn (oh, did I loathe him back in the day), and owners Walter O'Malley and Barney Dreyfuss.

Among those passed over were player's union head Marvin Miller, manager Billy Martin, ump Doug Harvey, and general manager Buzzy Bavasi.

Voting Summary:

Managers/Umpires Ballot results (by vote percentage): *Billy Southworth (81.3%), *Dick Williams (81.3%), Doug Harvey (68.8%), Whitey Herzog (68.8%), Danny Murtaugh (37.5%) and Hank O'Day (25%). Davey Johnson, Billy Martin, Gene Mauch and Cy Rigler each received fewer than three votes. (* earned election to the Hall of Fame)

Executives/Pioneers Ballot results (vote percentage): *Barney Dreyfuss (83%), *Bowie Kuhn (83%), *Walter O'Malley (75%), Ewing Kauffman (41.7%), John Fetzer (33.3%), Bob Howsam (25%) and Marvin Miller (25%). Buzzie Bavasi, John McHale and Gabe Paul each received fewer than three votes. (*earned election to the Hall of Fame)

Source

Vets Tab 5 for Fame

The Veterans Committee has spoken, and 5 people have been selected to enter the Hall of Fame this summer. Managers Dick Williams (who nearly became a Yankees manager in the '70s), and Billy Southworth, commissioner Bowie Kuhn (oh, did I loathe him back in the day), and owners Walter O'Malley and Barney Dreyfuss.

Among those passed over were player's union head Marvin Miller, manager Billy Martin, ump Doug Harvey, and general manager Buzzy Bavasi.

Voting Summary:

Managers/Umpires Ballot results (by vote percentage): *Billy Southworth (81.3%), *Dick Williams (81.3%), Doug Harvey (68.8%), Whitey Herzog (68.8%), Danny Murtaugh (37.5%) and Hank O'Day (25%). Davey Johnson, Billy Martin, Gene Mauch and Cy Rigler each received fewer than three votes. (* earned election to the Hall of Fame)

Executives/Pioneers Ballot results (vote percentage): *Barney Dreyfuss (83%), *Bowie Kuhn (83%), *Walter O'Malley (75%), Ewing Kauffman (41.7%), John Fetzer (33.3%), Bob Howsam (25%) and Marvin Miller (25%). Buzzie Bavasi, John McHale and Gabe Paul each received fewer than three votes. (*earned election to the Hall of Fame)

Source

The Daily Yankeeland

All is quiet on the Yankees free agent front- no word yet from either Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, or their representatives concerning the deals that have been offered. No shock that Posada is waiting until he hits the open market to see what teams like the Mets and Blue Jays have to offer.

* * *

Now that reports say that Johann Santana turned down a Twins long term deal, one has to wonder if they'll start to market him now. We think it would still be a big mistake for the Twins, especially if they end up losing Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva to free agency. The Twins would certainly insist on one of the big 3 - and the Yankees would certainly be much more open to it for the 2-time Cy Young winner.

* * *

Scott Boras knows that Miguel Cabrera's availability hurts his chances of a bidding war for Alex Rodriguez's services. So Boras' cohorts have taken to criticizing Cabrera in attempt to scare teams off. Team reps aren't that dumb (though one will give A-Rod his money) and they do their homework. Source

* * *

Billy Martin has a chance to make the Hall of Fame this year as part of the veterans committee voting. Martin had many demons - The Bronx is Burning barely touched on them - but he was a great manager until those demons took too much control. Source

The Daily Yankeeland

All is quiet on the Yankees free agent front- no word yet from either Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, or their representatives concerning the deals that have been offered. No shock that Posada is waiting until he hits the open market to see what teams like the Mets and Blue Jays have to offer.

* * *

Now that reports say that Johann Santana turned down a Twins long term deal, one has to wonder if they'll start to market him now. We think it would still be a big mistake for the Twins, especially if they end up losing Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva to free agency. The Twins would certainly insist on one of the big 3 - and the Yankees would certainly be much more open to it for the 2-time Cy Young winner.

* * *

Scott Boras knows that Miguel Cabrera's availability hurts his chances of a bidding war for Alex Rodriguez's services. So Boras' cohorts have taken to criticizing Cabrera in attempt to scare teams off. Team reps aren't that dumb (though one will give A-Rod his money) and they do their homework. Source

* * *

Billy Martin has a chance to make the Hall of Fame this year as part of the veterans committee voting. Martin had many demons - The Bronx is Burning barely touched on them - but he was a great manager until those demons took too much control. Source

The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects

The Bronx is Burning, Part I

SPOILER ALERT

As enjoyable as the HR derby was last night, it couldn't end fast enough. I was really looking forward to seeing part one of the ESPN mini-series, "The Bronx is Burning". As we talked about back in January , the series is based on the Joseph Mahler book by the same name.

What we learned about the Yankees in this first part was nothing we didn't already know: Reggie is an egomaniac, George is a megalomaniac, and Billy was just a sad story. The show opened as George discusses hiring Billy Martin with Gabe Paul during the 1975 season. Despite Paul's protests, George hires Billy to be his man.

A quick montage is shown of the Reds sweeping the Yankees in the '76 World Series. At the end of Game 4, Billy, (as portrayed by John Turturro), gets tossed by 1st Base ump Bruce Froemming. After the game, a furious Steinbrenner, (played by Oliver Platt), storms into the Yankees' dressing room looking for Martin. He finds him alone, sobbing in the trainer's room. Instead of consoling him, Steinbrenner rips into him for humiliating him and promises that he will be running the show in '77.

An off-season discussion follows between Steinbrenner, Paul, and Martin concerning free agents. The Yankees decide they want to concentrate on getting Bobby Grich to play shortstop, even though he's a natural 2nd baseman. Martin was happy with Fred Stanley at short (of course later on Bucky Dent would be brought in). Then, the discussion turns to getting a big bat. Martin wants Joe Rudi, but Steinbrenner wants Reggie; a guy who is as big as the game. Neither Paul or Martin want Reggie, but Steinbrenner is insistant that once they go after Grich they'll concentrate on Reggie. Once Grich signed with the Angels the full focus went to Reggie.

Spring Training arrives and first impressions are not good ones. Reggie ("Rescue Me"'s Daniel Sunjata) goes in to meet Billy and Martin is less than warm in greeting him. Then Reggie quickly puts off Thurman Munson and his new teammates by refusing to run before taking batting practice. This all leads to the eventual disastrous Sport Magazine article in which Reggie is quoted as saying, "I'm the straw that stirs the drink". Making it worse, of course, was his comment about Munson only being able to "...stir it bad".

The actor playing the SPORT Magazine writer was no actor- it was the writer himself, Robert Ward. There was an interesting epilogue to the first episode in which the real Reggie and Ward, in separate interviews, each defend their side of the story. Reggie, of course, says his comments were taken out of context.

The final scene of episode one concludes with George and Billy clashing in the clubhouse over Billy not taking the bus with the rest of the team and for the team losing to the Mets in an exhibition game.

Just a few comments in general about the show and performances: Very little, thus far, has been shown about the Son of Sam murders or the city's turmoil. I have not read the book, so I don't know if the show is true to it or not. It may also be the intention of the producers and director to concentrate more on the Yankees for ratings purposes.

I don't remember Billy Martin having the drawl that Turturro is using, but he's believable in the role. The fake ears are a riot.

It's going to take some time to get used to Platt playing Steinbrenner, though there were certain nuances that were definitely on the money. But they should have gotten the guy who voiced Big George on Seinfeld.

I didn't like the quick portrayal of Mickey Mantle, which was basically some actor having trouble staying upright in his chair because he was drunk.

The Bronx is Burning, Part I

SPOILER ALERT

As enjoyable as the HR derby was last night, it couldn't end fast enough. I was really looking forward to seeing part one of the ESPN mini-series, "The Bronx is Burning". As we talked about back in January , the series is based on the Joseph Mahler book by the same name.

What we learned about the Yankees in this first part was nothing we didn't already know: Reggie is an egomaniac, George is a megalomaniac, and Billy was just a sad story. The show opened as George discusses hiring Billy Martin with Gabe Paul during the 1975 season. Despite Paul's protests, George hires Billy to be his man.

A quick montage is shown of the Reds sweeping the Yankees in the '76 World Series. At the end of Game 4, Billy, (as portrayed by John Turturro), gets tossed by 1st Base ump Bruce Froemming. After the game, a furious Steinbrenner, (played by Oliver Platt), storms into the Yankees' dressing room looking for Martin. He finds him alone, sobbing in the trainer's room. Instead of consoling him, Steinbrenner rips into him for humiliating him and promises that he will be running the show in '77.

An off-season discussion follows between Steinbrenner, Paul, and Martin concerning free agents. The Yankees decide they want to concentrate on getting Bobby Grich to play shortstop, even though he's a natural 2nd baseman. Martin was happy with Fred Stanley at short (of course later on Bucky Dent would be brought in). Then, the discussion turns to getting a big bat. Martin wants Joe Rudi, but Steinbrenner wants Reggie; a guy who is as big as the game. Neither Paul or Martin want Reggie, but Steinbrenner is insistant that once they go after Grich they'll concentrate on Reggie. Once Grich signed with the Angels the full focus went to Reggie.

Spring Training arrives and first impressions are not good ones. Reggie ("Rescue Me"'s Daniel Sunjata) goes in to meet Billy and Martin is less than warm in greeting him. Then Reggie quickly puts off Thurman Munson and his new teammates by refusing to run before taking batting practice. This all leads to the eventual disastrous Sport Magazine article in which Reggie is quoted as saying, "I'm the straw that stirs the drink". Making it worse, of course, was his comment about Munson only being able to "...stir it bad".

The actor playing the SPORT Magazine writer was no actor- it was the writer himself, Robert Ward. There was an interesting epilogue to the first episode in which the real Reggie and Ward, in separate interviews, each defend their side of the story. Reggie, of course, says his comments were taken out of context.

The final scene of episode one concludes with George and Billy clashing in the clubhouse over Billy not taking the bus with the rest of the team and for the team losing to the Mets in an exhibition game.

Just a few comments in general about the show and performances: Very little, thus far, has been shown about the Son of Sam murders or the city's turmoil. I have not read the book, so I don't know if the show is true to it or not. It may also be the intention of the producers and director to concentrate more on the Yankees for ratings purposes.

I don't remember Billy Martin having the drawl that Turturro is using, but he's believable in the role. The fake ears are a riot.

It's going to take some time to get used to Platt playing Steinbrenner, though there were certain nuances that were definitely on the money. But they should have gotten the guy who voiced Big George on Seinfeld.

I didn't like the quick portrayal of Mickey Mantle, which was basically some actor having trouble staying upright in his chair because he was drunk.

Remembering Reggie and Billy

30 years ago today, June 18, 1977, one of the most embarrassing moments in Yankees history took place. Yes, way more embarrassing than A-Rod's "Hah" moment. It was a Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park. NBC's Game of the Week was in town for a national television audience.

The Red Sox had spanked the Yankees on Friday night, 9-4. On Saturday the Yankees jumped to quick 2-0 lead, but by the bottom of the 6th they trailed 7-3. Fred Lynn singled with one out against Mike Torrez. Jim Rice stepped in to the batter's box and all hell broke loose.

Rice hit a bloop into right field for a single- well it should have been a single. Reggie Jackson looked like he was moving in quick sand as he approached the ball, allowing Rice to leg out a double.

Yankees' manager Billy Martin nearly blew a cork in the dugout. After replacing Torrez with Sparky Lyle, he sent Paul Blair out to replace Reggie. Reggie was talking with backup catcher Fran Healy, Reggie's only real friend on the team, over the bullpen wall, when Blair approached.

Reggie saw Blair coming at him and gestured at himself as if to say, "me?!". As soon as Reggie hit the dugout steps, Billy's temper boiled over and he exploded at Reggie. Reggie put down his glass expecting a brawl and if not for coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard, there may very well have been one.

Teammate Jimmy Wynn escorted Reggie from Fenway and a tale that would live in infamy was born.

~~~

On a better note, yesterday was the 29th anniversary of Ron Guidry's remarkable 18 strikeouts against the California Angels. It was the first game where fans rhythmically clapped for a 3rd strike.

Remembering Reggie and Billy

30 years ago today, June 18, 1977, one of the most embarrassing moments in Yankees history took place. Yes, way more embarrassing than A-Rod's "Hah" moment. It was a Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park. NBC's Game of the Week was in town for a national television audience.

The Red Sox had spanked the Yankees on Friday night, 9-4. On Saturday the Yankees jumped to quick 2-0 lead, but by the bottom of the 6th they trailed 7-3. Fred Lynn singled with one out against Mike Torrez. Jim Rice stepped in to the batter's box and all hell broke loose.

Rice hit a bloop into right field for a single- well it should have been a single. Reggie Jackson looked like he was moving in quick sand as he approached the ball, allowing Rice to leg out a double.

Yankees' manager Billy Martin nearly blew a cork in the dugout. After replacing Torrez with Sparky Lyle, he sent Paul Blair out to replace Reggie. Reggie was talking with backup catcher Fran Healy, Reggie's only real friend on the team, over the bullpen wall, when Blair approached.

Reggie saw Blair coming at him and gestured at himself as if to say, "me?!". As soon as Reggie hit the dugout steps, Billy's temper boiled over and he exploded at Reggie. Reggie put down his glass expecting a brawl and if not for coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard, there may very well have been one.

Teammate Jimmy Wynn escorted Reggie from Fenway and a tale that would live in infamy was born.

~~~

On a better note, yesterday was the 29th anniversary of Ron Guidry's remarkable 18 strikeouts against the California Angels. It was the first game where fans rhythmically clapped for a 3rd strike.