Yankees Introduce McCann to the Media

The Yankees introduced free agent acquisition Brian McCann to the media at 2:00 EST Thursday afternoon in what turned out to be a very quick press conference. After PR head Jason Zillo added McCann's name to the long line of Yankees' catching legends - Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Thurman Munson, Jorge Posada - Brian Cashman welcomed McCann's wife Ashley with fresh flowers and two pairs of "onesies" for their children, 16-month old son Colt and 2-month old daughter Colbie.

Manager Joe Girardi then presented McCann with his #34 pinstripes jersey and Yankees cap and turned the mic over to him. The former Atlanta Brave thanked the Steinbrenner family and expressed his excitement for the chance to play for the Yankees.

He then took questions from the floor, including one that dealt with McCann's reactions to Carlos Gomez and Jose Fernandez that nearly caused bench clearing brawls between the Braves and Brewers, and the Braves and Marlins.

A clean shaven McCann downplayed both incidents, complimented both players on their ability, and said his instincts took over with Gomez who was yelling the entire way around the bases after hitting a home run.

McCann looks forward to "pick the brains of the pitchers" to get an idea of how they approach the game and each at-bat. The catcher also said he spoke with former teammate Mark Teixeira to get an idea of what it would be like to play in New York City. He's just four months away from finding out.

Updated 3:45 PM - Here is the video of the press conference.
 

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