But Where Is My Plaque?

One can dream

It's hard to believe, but December 12, 2014 was the 9th anniversary of My Pinstripes.  You would think that by now the Yankees would have contacted me to put a plaque in my honor, or the blog's honor, in Monument Park. I have no number to retire, but I've been writing about the Yankees longer than Tino Martinez was a Yankee and they had a day honoring him. And he got a plaque in Monument Park.

Sarcasm, not necessarily at its finest. You know the story by now. Family owned team builds new stadium and overspends in doing so.  Ticket prices go way up. Area parking goes way up. Food and souvenirs follow suit.

The new place holds less seats and less seats are filled. After five years and one World Series title, and two missed post-seasons (for the first time since the early 1990's), it's time to pull out the gimmicks.

Retiring endless numbers and/or putting numerous plaques in Monument Park, is just that, a gimmick to boost attendance. Prior to the 2014 season, the Yankees had retired numbers 1 (Billy Martin), 3 (Babe Ruth), 4 (Lou Gehrig), 5 (Joe DiMaggio), 7 (Mickey Mantle), 8 (Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey), 9 (Roger Maris), 10 (Phil Rizzuto), 15 (Thurman Munson), 16 (Whitey Ford), 23 (Don Mattingly), 32 (Elston Howard) 37 (Casey Stengel), 42 (Mariano Rivera) 44 (Reggie Jackson) and 49 (Ron Guidry).

Some can argue that some of those number(s) should not have been retired. (I'll argue that number 1 should not have been retired and was only done so due to the guilt George Steinbrenner felt for the way he mistreated Martin as a manager and the tragic circumstances surrounding Martin's death.)

Along comes the 2014 season, a season following one in which the Yankees missed the playoffs. It was Derek Jeter's last season, Alex Rodriguez was suspended for the year, and one player after another was felled by injury. Time to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get some fannies in the seats.

On May 8, the team announces that Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, Goose  Gossage, and Joe Torre will be honored with plaques in Monument Park. In addition, Torre's number 6 will be retired and Bernie Williams will be feted in 2015.

Torre was one of the most successful managers in team history and had the longest tenure, by far, of any manager since the big guy with the boats purchased the team. He and Gossage were both inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  No matter how big a fan you might have been of O'Neill and Martinez - and I was a huge fan, especially O'Neill - neither deserves a plaque in Monument Park.

Bernie Williams will have his number 51 retired on a Sunday night, yes at night, in May and Andy Pettitte will have his number 46 retired in August. Plus plaques in M.P. of course. Both well deserved for home grown products, especially Williams who suffered through the very lean years in the early 1990's. In addition to a plaque, Jorge Posada will also have his number 20 taken out of the available numbers. This is where things get a little iffy.

There's already been a debate as to whether Posada is worthy of the Hall of Fame. Those in favor point to his offense and how it stacks up against the catchers already in the Hall. The same type of debate has tkaen place about retiring Posada's number. His detractors point to his defensive shortcomings. A home grown talent, who spent 17 years in the Majors, I have no problem with Posada receiving a plaque. Retiring his number, I believe, is going overboard.

Willie Randolph, one of the classiest people around, will also be honored with a place in Monument Park this Summer. I would actually rather see the former Yankees player and coach's #30 retired, along with Mel Stottlemyre, who wore the number prior to Randolph.

Notice anything about the players being honored? Only Randolph and Gossage were not part of the 1996-2000 dynasty. The Yankees, obviously, are appealing to the fans who became fans or were already fans during that stretch. It makes sense if they are looking to help fill the empty seats and bring some excitement back to the Bronx.

But in doing so the Yankees have ignored some players that are a deserving of the honor. In addition to Stottlemyre, who pitched for the Yankees from 1964-1974 and was their pitching coach from 1996-2005, other players from the lean years should be recognized.  First and foremost, and yes I am definitely biased, is Bobby Murcer.

The late Oklahoman was one of the few name players the Yankees had in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Bobby Ray was with the Yankees from 1965-66, missed two years in the service, 1969 through 1974 and returned during the 1979 season until his retirement in June, 1983. He immediately joined the Yankees broadcast team and remained in that role into 2007.

Roy White was never flashy, he just quietly did his job. The Yankees smooth left fielder played his entire 15-year Major League career (He also played in Japan) with the Bronx Bombers. He too played on the weak teams of the 1970's with Murcer and Stottelmyre, but earned World Series rings with the 1977 and 1978 squads.

Others to consider - Sparky Lyle, Graig Nettles, Lou Piniella, Bill Skowron, and Allie Reynolds.

I may not get my plaque, but please don't tell me that Bubba Crosby is getting a plaque.

Two Days Later Mariano's Day Still Fantastic

It was a long day in the Bronx Sunday afternoon. It was very hot if you were on the third base side, cool if you were seated in the shade along first day, but a gorgeous day all in all. It was a very perfect day to honor the one and only Mariano Rivera.

The game itself, a 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants, could not diminish the remarkable ceremony prior to the game nor the emotion and love expressed by the fans towards Mariano and the humility and grace displayed by #42.

With Mariano being the last active player to wear #42, the day began with the Yankees closer, his wife Clara and sons Mariano Jr., Jafet, and Jaziel, joined in Monument Park by the Steinbrenner extended family and Randy Levine to present Jackie Robinson's widow Rachel and their daughter Sharon, with a special plaque commemorating the late, great Jackie Robinson. A circle with the #42 inside in Dodgers blue and white was also set aside from the other numbers inside of Monument Park.

Then it was time for the unveiling of Mariano's #42 in the row alongside all of the Yankees retired numbers, right next to Ron Guidry's #49. Mariano was blown away by the fan's response throughout the day and it began with the announcement that his number was retired while he was still an active player.

Emcees John Sterling and Michael Kay then introduced a number of Yankees luminaries. The man who was the Yankees savior, who kept the prospects and avoided the poor trades during George Steinbrenner's second suspension, Gene Michael, was the first to come out. There was Mo's manager from 1996 - 2008, Joe Torre. Former teammates Jorge Posada, David Cone, John Wetteland, Jeff Nelson, Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams (who received the largest ovation and should have a day of his own already), and Hideki Matsui (what a great surprise that was), and former trainer Gene Monahan. They were re-joined by the Steinbrenner family and front office members, and the Robinsons.

When it was time for Mo to make his way in from the bullpen to a live version of Metallica's "Enter Sandman". James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo rocked from a stage in front of Monument Park. Mo didn't take his usual run in from the pen, that would take place in the 8th inning of the game, but a casual walk that enabled him to soak up the moment and all of the cheers. It also was one of the many moments that Mariano raised his arms in overwhelmed thanks and disbelief. The current Yankees team then joined him when he reached the infield.

Next came the gifts, and there were many.

Four former Yankees that are now part of the visiting San Francisco Giants coaching staff were first. Pitching coach Dave Righetti, the Yankees saves leader until Mo came along, hitting coach Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens, first base coach Roberto Kelly, and assistant hitting coach Joe Lefebvre. They presented Mariano with a guitar that Hammett helped design, emblazoned with the number 42 on it and signed by Hall of Famer Willie Mays.

There was also a watercolor painting of Mariano's June, 2007 appearance against the Giants in their AT&;T Park.

Metallica presented an autographed speaker that had #42 on it.

The New York Yankees Foundation presented Mariano with a $100,000 check for his foundation and Hal Steinbrenner gave his closer a beautiful Waterford crystal version of his glove. Of course, he also received a #42 jersey encased in glass.

Long time teammate Derek Jeter and his current manager/former teammate Joe Girardi brought out a rocking chair made from baseball bats, complete with leather seat. The honoree immediately tried it out and laughed.

Then it was time for the speech. Surrounded by everyone near the pitcher's mound, Mariano first expressed his faith in thanking God for the opportunity he was given in life and for the very special day that was taking place.

He thanked his wife Clara for her love, kindness, and patience. He thanked his sons Mariano Jr., Jafet, and Jaziel, who giggled when his Dad said, "thanks for your support man."

He thanked his native country of Panama and spoke for a few minutes in Spanish.

He thanked his parents for having him, his former and current teammates, the fans, the organization, and George Steinbrenner, of whom he said he loved and missed.

He thanked the Robinson family and said how grateful and honored he was to be the last Major Leaguer to wear 42.

He wrapped it up by saying "..so let's play ball guys, we gotta go. I love you guys!"

Throughout the day there video tributes on the Yankee Stadium scoreboard, ranging from Vin Scully to Magic Johnson to Jason Kidd to Mel Stottelmyre

It was an emotional ceremony, followed by an emotional game. Andy Pettitte, who had announced his retirement just a few days earlier, pitched marvelously. He was perfect for 4.2 innings until he walked Pablo Sandoval and had a no-hitter for 5.1 innings until Ehire Adrianza homered to left to tie the game at 1-1. (Mark Reynolds had hit one out for the Yankees in the 3rd inning.

Pettitte hadn't gone very far in games this season, but after 101 pitches and seven full innings, Girardi sent him out to start the 8th inning. Sandoval reached on a double that caused Pettitte, always his own biggest critic, to slam his glove on his thigh. When Girardi came out to pull him in favor of David Robertson the crowd erupted in applause and chants of "An-dy Pett-ite". Pettitte tipped his capped before he ducked into the dugout, but then came back on the field and acknowledged the love the fans were showering down upon him.

Unfortunately, Robertson gave up an RBI single to Tony Abreu that broke the tie and saddled Pettitte with a loss in his final home game. Robertson than departed and again the Stadium roared as #42 jogged in from the bullpen to the sounds of "Enter Sandman" for the last time on a Yankee Stadium Sunday afternoon.

He broke a couple of bats before it was over and got an inning ending double play to shut down a Giants threat in the 9th, but it wasn't enough as the Yankees lineup couldn't get push a run across the board.

99% of the fans stayed in their seats until the end, and though disappointed and frustrated by the score, went home with smiles on their faces and a great memory in their hearts and heads.

I know this fan did.

Mariano's speech
 
#42 Retired
 Mariano reflects on the day
 
 Joe Torre, Jorge Posada, and Bernie Williamd Discuss Mariano's Career
 

Tino Expounds On Incidents That Led to Resignation

Which is the real Tino Martinez?

It's been two days since Tino Martinez resigned as hitting coach of the Miami Marlins and that was long enough for the BamTino to keep quiet about the details of what caused the complaints by some players to manager Mike Redmond.

Martinez actually spoke with FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal Monday night to give his side of the story.¹ The anger, the exchange between Martinez and a handful of players all came down to following baseball protocol, according to the first year coach. It's customary practice to help pick up the baseballs after taking part in a soft-toss drill in the batting cage. The three players, Martinez claims, refused to do so.

Martinez stated that altercations with Derek Dietrich, Chris Valaika, and Justin Ruggiano were nearly identical, with the exception that Martinez admitted that he grabbed Dietrich by the jersey. Dietrich told Redmond that Martinez grabbed him by the neck and the chain that went around his neck. No other player has stated that Martinez laid his hands on them.

The former Yankees first baseman added that his run-ins with the three players were each"one time incident(s)" and did not "linger" any further. After he discussed things with friends over the weekend, the four time World Series champion decided to talk to the press.

“Do you realize I’m out of baseball basically because a couple of players didn't pick up balls in the cage when I asked them to? As a coach, when I asked them to pick up the balls, why didn’t they just say, ‘Absolutely, no problem, I’ll do it right now.’ ”

Added Martinez: “I started thinking about it, thinking I’ve got to say something, not just let it go away. I’ve had a great reputation in this game for years. I walked away from the game with integrity. But now, to have a couple of kids try to ruin my name, I felt I had to say something and fight back.” 

Martinez then talked about his time as a player to emphasize the normal ritual.

“If Bernie Williams is hitting in front of me and I’m waiting with Paul O’Neill or whoever, there are no questions asked,” said Martinez, who played 16 years in the majors and won four World Series with the Yankees. “You help pick the balls up, and the next guy hits. Whoever is hanging around helps pick the balls up. It's standard.” 

Valaika would often hit after outfielder Juan Pierre, a 14-year veteran in the big leagues. According to Martinez, Valaika was content to watch Pierre pick up the baseballs.

“One day I told Juan Pierre, ‘One of these days, he’s going to help us pick up the balls. He’s a 27-year-old journeyman. You’re a 15-year big leaguer. He will help us pick up the balls,’” Martinez recalled. 

“So finally after about a month or so goes by, I decide I’m going to tell him something: ‘Hey Chris, help us pick up the balls.’ And he goes, ‘Why should I? I didn’t hit ‘em.’ And I said, ‘Pick up the balls, you’re part of this team.’ And he goes, ‘But I didn’t hit ‘em.’ So, I got in his face and I said, ‘Pick up the f------ balls. You’re part of this f------ team.’ I got in his face and said it kind of angrily. And he picked up the balls.”

Martinez stated he never had an issue with Vailaka again, but he clearly lost his cool with Dietrich.

“I go, ‘Derek, help us pick the balls up,’” Martinez recalled. “He goes, ‘Why, I didn’t hit ‘em.’ I said, ‘I don’t give a s--- if you didn’t hit ‘em, help us pick the balls up.’ He walked toward me, not angrily, and said, ‘Hey, I didn’t hit the balls, why should I pick ‘em up?’

“I grabbed his jersey and said, ‘Because you’re f------- part of this team, pick the f------ balls up right now. Pick the f------ balls up. I’m tired of your s---.’ I probably pushed him backwards. That was it.”

Like Valaika, Martinez said he never had an issue with Dietrich again. However, Dietrich may feel otherwise since his agent contacted the MLB front office when his client was sent to the minors. Martinez was taken aback by Dietrich's claim.

“Derek, a day after he gets sent to the minor leagues, decides to say, ‘Tino grabbed me by the throat two months ago,’” Martinez said. “This came out of nowhere. We were working together for two months, fine.”

Martinez's version of events was confirmed by batting practice pitcher Tim Smith. As for Ruggiano, Martinez says the outfielder went back to the clubhouse after he hit and left all of the baseballs in the cage for another player to pick up.

“I was like, ‘Why did you let him do that?’” Martinez recalled saying to the player. “He said, ‘That’s just the way he is.’ I said, ‘We’ve got to change that.’ So one day I confronted (Ruggiano) and told him how he was a terrible teammate, how he treated the players, how he was this and this and this.

“I got in his face. There was no contact. I got in his face and told him he needed to change; he had one year in the big leagues, and he shouldn’t treat people like that. And I went on and on and on, probably dropped a few F-bombs. And that was it — a one-day deal there.”

The three players aside, it was another unnamed player that was quoted in the original report as saying Martinez used "intimidation tactics from day one." There was also a report that Martinez came down hard on minor leaguer Matt Downs during Spring Training for working with minor league hitting instructor Greg Norton after Martinez had been working with him.

“I didn’t want another coach telling him something different from what I was telling him,” Martinez said. “I said, ‘What’s he telling you?’ He said, ‘This and this and this.’ And I said, ‘That’s the same thing I’m telling you.’ 

“I kind of did it in a frustrated way. ‘You don’t trust me as a hitting coach? If you don’t want to work with me, you don’t have to work with me anymore.’”

The only veteran involved was first baseman Casey Kotchman, whom reportedly Martinez challenged to a fight. Martinez stayed away from discussing the alleged challenge, but was remorseful about what happened.

“That’s probably the only one I regret — he’s a good guy,” Martinez said. “I questioned his injury (a strained left hamstring that Kotchman suffered on April 5). I shouldn’t have done that. I felt bad about doing that.”

Finally, Martinez spoke about his discussion with management that led him to definitely resign.

“When I went in to talk to the general manager, the president, the manager, all the guys who were in Redmond’s office, I basically felt guilty, like I had done something wrong, because of what I had read in the paper,” Martinez said.

“I apologized. I honestly didn’t know why I was apologizing. I did it because I felt the public was going to read that, and it made it sound like I yelled at those guys every single day. But if you ask those players how many times after that I yelled at them or said something to them, they would probably tell you zero, not one day after that.

“I resigned because I felt the manager and general manager had lost trust in me somewhat. They kept asking me, ‘Did you grab (Dietrich) by the throat?’ And I kept saying no. I felt like I was being isolated by some of the coaches, the manager and the general manager. I felt that they didn’t want me around at that point.”

Martinez categorized reports that he was bi-polar as being "ridiculous" and pointed out his stable family life. Finally, Martinez added “It was one day, it was one outburst (with each player). I had just bottled it up for so long. “I had to say something. And that was it.”

As a Yankees fan and a fan of Costantino Martinez, I would like to be able to believe him, but where there's smoke there's usually fire. While Martinez tried to dismiss each incident as a one time deal and there was nothing more to it, the incidents with Kotchman and Downs, and the remarks by the anonymous player seem to indicate that Martinez's statements is attempting to simplify a much larger problem.



1 - FOXSports.com

Tino Martinez Resigns as Marlins Hitting Coach Amid Abuse Allegations

Things with the Miami Marlins have gotten crazier and crazier, but today they hit a little closer to home. Marlins' hitting coach Tino Martinez resigned after allegations of physical and verbal abuse made by several players.

The Miami Herald's Clark Spencer¹ reported in Sunday's paper that second baseman Derek Dietrich said that Martinez grabbed him by the neck and the chain around his neck. He told team officials of this incident several months ago. Since then other players made similar remarks and said the incidents started from "...day one".  An unnamed player accused Martinez of coaching with intimidation tactics.

Spencer reported that Martinez was ready to resign before Sunday's game with Pittsburgh, but owner Jeffrey Loria would not accept the resignation. Things apparently changed during Sunday's game when Martinez met with Loria.

clarkspencer @clarkspencer 

#marlins hitting coach tino Martinez has resigned

18 minutes ago 

Martinez was an intense player in 16 Major League seasons, his best with the Yankees and Seattle Mariners, but seemed like a nice guy off the field. Apparently his idea of coaching is something better suited for the NFL or MMA.

UPDATE - 6:05 PM: Tino Martinez released the following statement:

"I want to apologize to the Marlins organization for my behavior," Martinez said. "I have made some comments to certain players at certain times that I thought was more constructive criticism. Obviously, they didn't feel that way, and it kind of backfired on me." 

"It has been building for a few days," he said. "I didn't know this was going to come out publicly. When this came out, I thought it was the right thing to do." 

"I just thought with some young players you needed to be a little firmer and try to get them on the right track," he said. "I probably used some four-letter words. I thought I was doing the right thing. Obviously, I wasn't." 

"I don't know long term how it's going to affect me," he said. "Right now I'm disappointed in myself. I'm embarrassed. Right now I'm not worried about the future. I just want to make sure my family is OK."²

UPDATED 6:30 - More from the Miami Herald:

 Tino Martinez - “That only thing I’ve done is, I did grab Dietrich — we had a little thing in the [batting] cage one day — by the jersey,” Martinez said. “That was it. I never touched his neck. I never grabbed his neck. If anything else, [I want] his parents to know that because I have a 20-year-old son and I would be very upset if someone grabbed my son’s neck. That never happened.”

According to sources, Martinez erupted over seemingly minor issues that didn’t merit such anger. In addition to Dietrich, who was demoted to the minors last week, Martinez became excessively angry with outfielder Justin Ruggiano, first baseman Casey Kotchman, infielder Chris Valaika and minor-league infielder Matt Downs, among others.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/28/3527423/miami-marlins-hitting-coach-ready.html#storylink=cpy

1 - Miami Herald Sports
2 - ABC News

CC Debuts, Musty Banged Up

CC Sabathia made his much anticipated Spring Training debut against the Florida Marlins Friday afternoon in Tampa. After he allowed a pair of 1st inning runs, the Yankees' ace blanked Florida for the remainder of his five inning outing. (The Yankees scored a pair of runs in the 7th and 8th innings for a 7-3 win.)

Win or lose the Yankees need Sabathia to be healthy this season. After two stints on the DL last  year and off-season surgery to clean up his pitching elbow, the Yankees brought Sabathia along slowly. After he was limited to simulated games and bullpen sessions, Sabathia scattered eight hits, walked one batter, and struck out two.

Outside of a four pitch walk to Kevin Kouzmanoff, the Marlins came out swinging against Sabathia in the 1st inning. Juan Pierre started things off with a single, moved to second on an errant pick off by Sabathia and moved to third on Donovan Solano's single to right.

Former Yankee Austin Kearns hit into a running-scoring 5-4-3 double play that was started by Ronnier Mustelier. The Cuban native later had to leave the game when he banged up his knee on a dugout railing. The initial diagnosis was a bruised knee, but the Yankees will send the 27-year old for further tests.

Rob Brantly's RBI single made it a 2-0 game before Sabathia got Matt Downs to fly out. An inning later Sabathia retired Adeiny Hechavarria, acquired in the off-season blockbuster deal between the Marlins and Blue Jays, but gave up back to back singles to Nick Green and Gorkys Hernandez. (On a bunt.) Sabathia got Pierre on a ground out and Solano to line out to escape further trouble.

Kouzmanoff started the third with a single, but Kearns hit into another twin killing when he lined out to Derek Jeter and Kouzmanoff got caught too far off of first base. Sabathia picked up his first strike out on Brantly  to end the frame. Sabathia gave up a pair of back to back two out his in the 4th, but got Pierre on a fly out to Ichiro in right to maneuver his way out of another jam.

Sabathia's final inning of work was his first 1-2-3 inning. He retired Solano, Kouzmanoff, and Kearns in order and left with a 3-2 lead (Florida tied things up against Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson in the 6th inning.)

Bats waking up

There were some good signs at the plate in the game, namely Travis Hafner and Francisco Cervelli both hitting their first home runs of the exhibition season. Youngsters Jose Pirela (RBI triple) and Thomas Neal (RBI double) added some insurance runs in the 8th inning.

Vidal PitchSoon

Vidal Nuno continued to an impress with a scoreless 9th inning. The left-hander allowed one hit and struck out one and could make the 25-man roster if either Boone Logan and/or Clay Rapada are not healthy in  time. In his four appearances Nuno has struck out 12 batters in 8.1 innings pitched.

The BamTino

Former Yankees stand out Tino Martinez is in his first year as the Marlins hitting coach and got a chance to visit with pals Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada before the game. It was old home week as Paul O'Neill was in the YES broadcast booth.

Remember the Maine

Former Met John Maine started for the Marlins and was charged with three earned runs in three innings pitched.

Now Batting-Number 2-Der-ek Je-ter

So much of what went on with the Yankees over the last few months and what will be happening in the upcoming season has been unsettling. It's not all about the wins and losses. It's about the injuries, a different look and approach, and what the future holds.

We've been able to look out on to the baseball field for 19 years and see numbers 2 and 42, and except for a handful of years, number 46. The last links to the mini-dynasty that formed from 1996-2001 (yes, you can lose during a dynasty).

As time has gone by over the last decade and my hair has grayed, we've seen O'Neill, Bernie, Coney, Tino, Boomer, Posada, and others fade away from the game. Players come and go, some successful, some not, but most do not have the longevity of the players those three numbers belong to.

It's difficult not to feel melancholy about the 2013 Yankees. With injuries and inexperience, it will be a difficult 162 days from April through September. More difficult will be the day that number 42 (the last 42), baseball's version of Gandhi, Mariano Rivera steps away from the game. The setup for a press conference that will take place shortly is underway. Mariano's family has flown in to announce that this will be the last season for the greatest reliever (Not just closer) in baseball history.

Likely to be sitting at that press conference as well will be number 46, Andy Pettitte, who stepped away from the game once already and may very well join Rivera in saying good-bye to the Bronx after this season. He and Rivera have been linked together forever since Mariano has saved more games for Pettitte than any other reliever-starter in baseball history. 

Since he's a spring training instructor, Jorge Posada, who donned number 20 until he hung it up after the 2011 season, will probably be in attendance this morning too. And then there's the Captain. What lies ahead for him?

Derek Jeter has gotten the clearance to step into the batter's box in real game action, his broken ankle sufficiently healed. That day may be today or possibly tomorrow (Sunday). And whenever the 2013 season ends for the Yankees, Jeter might just be the lone man standing from those 1996-2001 years. I don't even want to think about the off-season that leads into 2014.

Jeter is to make $8MM next year, with incentives that could pump it up to $17MM. That is if the Yankees greatest shortstop decides to exercise the option for the fourth and final season of his current contract. I don't believe for a second that at this moment in time Jeter has any ideas of not playing next year. But what if he doesn't pick up that option and wants a brand new contract? The contentious negotiation that took place in 2010 could be repeated and that would be horrible.

So for now let's just enjoy what lies ahead. Mariano being celebrated, not only in the tri-state area, but to each road ballpark he enters and listening to Bob Shepard's voice over the Yankees' PA system introduce Derek Jeter.

So many wonderful memories to look back on, so many still to be written.

Tino Comes Through Again in the Clutch

This post was originally going to be called "Say it ain't so, Tino", but thankfully Tino Martinez is now a member of the Florida Marlins coaching staff and NOT a member of the Boston Red Sox' staff.

The BamTino was in the running for the hitting coach job under new manager John Farrell up in Boston. While it's nowhere near the same level of horror as Don Mattingly wearing Dodgers Blue, Tino in the Old Town team's uniform would be vomitous nonetheless.

Constantino Martinez, as Michael Kay likes to refer to him, is the new hitting coach under the Marlins' new head man, Mike Redmond. He replaces Eduardo Perez, who became the Houston Astros' bench coach.

Tino first tried his hand at broadcasting as a member of ESPN's Baseball Tonight, but was a monumental failure. His delivery, unfortunately, was cringe worthy and unbearable to watch.  He then worked as a special assistant to Yankees GM Brian Cashman also spent time as unpaid coach for his brother in-law Joe Urso at the U. of Tampa.(He also returned to UT last year to complete his bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a concentration in business and marketing.)

Good luck Tino, NY still loves ya.

Mr. November is Born

Last night as the clock struck midnight and I lamented it was November already, Derek Jeter's swing popped into my head (figuratively, not literally). For it was 11 years ago on the first of November, shortly after the clock struck midnight that Mr. November was born.

I'm talking, of course, about the 2001 World Series between the Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees were about to go down three games to one when Tino Martinez stepped to the plate (in October) and hammered Byung-Hyun Kim's pitch over the center field wall to tie the game at three apiece.

It was pandemonium in the Bronx (yeah, yeah, when there was "real" noise in the Yankee Stadium) as John Sterling roared and the fans went crazy. One inning later, the game still tied, Jeter stepped in against Kim. It's all been lost in what happened afterwards, but Kim had actually struck out the side when he entered the game in the eighth inning.

Kim had gotten two outs before Martinez's home run and retired the first two batters in the 10th when Jeter settled into the batter's box. The count went full when Jeter sent Kim's pitch into the right field seats for a 4-3 Yankees win.

One, perhaps prescient, fan even had a "Mr. November" sign ready for the big moment. The Yankees lived to play another day.

Hank: Joba to Start

The Yankees began their annual post-season meetings today and the big news out of it wasn't really that big. Joba Chamberlain will probably start the 2009 season in the starting rotation. That per Hank Steinbrenner:

“The plan as of right now is Chamberlain is going to be a starter,” the Yankees co-chairman said Thursday after five hours of organizational meetings at the team’s spring training complex. “Everybody’s pretty much in agreement with that.”

“It was a productive day,” Hank Steinbrenner said. “We didn’t make any decisions today. We just covered all the things we need to fix. Everything is open. We’re willing to do anything that will improve us. It was more of a summary and quite a lot of discussion.”

In addition to the Steinbrenner boys and Brian Cashman, the meetings were also attended by Jean Afterman, Mark Newman, Lon Trost, Randy Levine, Gene Michael, Felix Lopez, Reggie Jackson, and Tino Martinez.

Why no Joe Girardi?

Hank: Joba to Start

The Yankees began their annual post-season meetings today and the big news out of it wasn't really that big. Joba Chamberlain will probably start the 2009 season in the starting rotation. That per Hank Steinbrenner:

“The plan as of right now is Chamberlain is going to be a starter,” the Yankees co-chairman said Thursday after five hours of organizational meetings at the team’s spring training complex. “Everybody’s pretty much in agreement with that.”

“It was a productive day,” Hank Steinbrenner said. “We didn’t make any decisions today. We just covered all the things we need to fix. Everything is open. We’re willing to do anything that will improve us. It was more of a summary and quite a lot of discussion.”

In addition to the Steinbrenner boys and Brian Cashman, the meetings were also attended by Jean Afterman, Mark Newman, Lon Trost, Randy Levine, Gene Michael, Felix Lopez, Reggie Jackson, and Tino Martinez.

Why no Joe Girardi?

The Home Run

The Home Run

Live Blogging Old Timer's Day

Crappy weather, but hopefully it holds off during today's festivities. They started things out with Michael Kay interviewing the newest Hall of Famer, Goose Gossage.

1:38 PM - A tribute to Bobby Murcer, who was always miked during the OT games.

1:45 PM - Kim Jones talks to new OT attendee Tino Martinez. Some great stories from The Bamtino, including a funny one involving Moose Skowron riding him over the years for not wearing socks to the ball park.

1:51 PM - Paul O'Neill and Al Leiter on field and in uniform. Paulie's 2nd OT game, the 1st for Leiter. Paulie is already hoarse.

1:54 PM - A pre-recorded Bob Sheppard welcomes everyone to Yankee Stadium. Ed Randall, a great baseball man, will do today's intros.

Okay, actually John Sterling and Michael Kay will be doing the intros, Ed Randall just intro'ed them.

As corny as Sterling is, boy does he have the pipes. Kay always sound like he has a mouthful of phlegm (hope you weren't eating).

1:58 PM - The first player introduced is Paul Blair. One of the best CFers we ever say.

1:59 PM - "Tolly", Wayne Tolleson

Jay Johnstone...hard to still imagine he was a Yankee. Also Sterling's 1st radio partner.

And now yes, has lost the sound as Brian Doyle, one of the heroes of the '78 WS, gets intro'ed.

2:00 PM - Rich Monteleone

Steve Balboni or "Balbummy" as we sometimes called him.

The sound is back - Ron Blomberg, the first DH in MLB history. Injuries kept him from a big career.

Mickey Klutts: Not much applause, more "who??"

Scott Bradley: Smooth hitter, never quite had the career we expected. Now head coach at Princeton.

Gil Patterson: A much better pitching coach than he was a pitcher.

Ron Davis: "The Vulture" Won games he blew - was very good and then stupidly traded for Roy Smalley Jr..

Pitching Coach Dave Eiland.

2:04 PM

Pat Kelly - Great to see him back. Still looks like he could play. Had the big home run when the Yankees finally made it back to the playoffs in '95.

Oscar Gamble: The Big "O". No more 'fro, but we always loved the Big O, and how Bob Sheppard would announce his name.

Homer Bush: Wish his career could have been more. What speed in 1998.

2:05 PM

Kevin Maas, the one year wonder. Still looks like a kid.

Bobby Meacham: Lousy player, lousy 3rd base coach.

Jessie Barfield: What a great arm and tremendous power. Never could match the years he had in Toronto.

Al Leiter: ...Who happened to be traded for Barfield. Bad trade.

2:08 PM

Mike Torrez: Our hero in '77 and '78, haha

Ed Figueroa: Great, great regular season pitcher. Stunk in the playoffs. First Puerto Rican born pitcher to win 20 games.

Jim Abbott: You all know the story well. Hard to believe its 15 years since his no-no.

Ken Griffey Jr.: "Before there was Junior, there was Senior". Great intro by Sterling.

2:10 PM

Don Baylor: Always loved seeing him take those big swings. Not too many people remember he was once a tremendous base stealer.

Tony Fernandez: The last Yankee to hit for the cycle in '95.

2:11 PM

Aaron Small: Mr. 10-0 in 2005. What a shock that was and what a tremendous contribution to the Yankees making the post-season.

Tommy John: 288 game winner, much more than just a name on a surgery.

2:12 PM

Mickey Rivers: Mickey the Quick. Thought grammar was a relative. He was so much fun to watch.

Bucky "Bleepin" Dent: :) Hero of the 1 game playoff and the 78 WS MVP. And he hit that home run off Torrez with Rivers' bat.

2:14 PM

Chris Chambliss: There goes that HR off of KC's Mark Littell. The first pennant in 12 years, ending the declinasty. Should have gotten a chance to manage in the bigs.

Jeff Torborg: Long time Yankees coach and a very good major league catcher.

2:15 PM

Buck Showalter: Nice to see him back in Pinstripes for the first time since 1994.

Mike Stanley: The man that caused Joe Girardi to be boo'ed at the Yankee fanfest.

2:16 PM

Graeme Lloyd: What a turnaround. He barely made the post-season roster after being acquired from Milwaukee in '96 and then was dynamite in the playoffs and World Series.

Gene Michael: "The Stick" Give that man a big hand, he helped save the team from George.

2:17 PM

Ramiro Mendoza: What a 1999 playoff series he had against Boston.

Jimmy Key: What a tremendous acquisition. Gave the team credibility, and won the clincher in the '96 WS. He's silver and bald - it has been a while.

2:19 PM

Luis Sojo: "Coney, how come you don't have a dance?" Everyone loves Luis.

Joe Pepitone: 1st hair dryer in the clubhouse - for a toupee no less.

2:20 PM

Al Downing: A great pitcher, mostly remembered for surrending Hank Aaron's 715th home run while a member of the Dodgers.

Jerry Coleman: Hall of Fame broadcaster, but had a great career as the Scooter's double play partner.

2:21 PM

Eli Grba: 1959-1960 Yankees. Obviously not too well remembered by the crowd.

Andy Carey: 3rd Baseman from 1952-1960. Unfortunately, in a wheelchair.

2:22 PM

Charlie Silvera: '48-'56. I remember seeing these guys in 1972-73.

2:23 PM

Horace Clarke: I just had a nightmare flashback to the late '60s/early '70s.

Luis Arroyo: Unbelievable 1961 season as a closer before there were closers.

2:24 PM

Dr. Bobby Brown: Great 3rd baseman, former AL League President.

Hector Lopez: '59 - '66; tremendous sub (that's from others, not our recollection). Always comes to OT day.

2:25 PM

Rickey "I love me" Henderson: I actually hear a few boo's while Sterling intro's. Nice hand though.

Is Billy Crystal considered an old-timer?

2:26 PM

Tim "Rock" Raines: What a graet hitter. Definite Hall consideration.

Jeff Nelson: A big combo with Stanton (all but '96) in the pen in 4 WS.

2:27 PM

Daryl Strawberry: "The Straw" gets a big hand. Stay clean Straw.

David Wells: Look at Boomer! He may ask for a tryout while he's here. Did Sterling really just say he had many "huge" victories- with a wink in his voice.

2:28 PM

David Cone: Actually, Coney and Wells probably couldn't be worse than the current back end of the rotation.

2:29 PM

Some guy named Joe Girardi. ;)

Little Dante Girardi looks good in '27 too.

2:30 PM

Tom Tresh: AL ROY in 1962 Didn't quite live up to his hype, but was a good ball player. His Dad, Mike, played in the bigs too.

2:31 PM

Bullet Bob Turley: Look him up in your record books. One of the most clutch Yankee performers, especially in the '58 series.

Bobby Richardson: Tremendous 2nd baseman. We believe he is the only losing player to win the WS MVP, in 1960.

2:32 PM

Johnny Blanchard: Probably would have been a regular on another team if not for Yogi and Ellie Howard in front of him. Tremendous power.

Don Larsen: Greatest game ever pitched in Yankee Stadium. 'Nuff said. :)

2:33 PM

Bill "Moooooooose" Skowron: Tremendous power. Recently said he didn't keep his '63 WS ring he won with the Dodgers.

2:34 PM

Graig Nettles: What a 3rd baseman!

2:35 PM

Paul O'Neill: :)))))))))))

2:36 PM
Tino Martinez: :The Bamtino!" And, yes, Kay had to say "Constantino Martinez" haha. Great high 10 with Paulie.

2:38 PM

Ron Guidry: "The Gator". Never ever forget the '78 season he had. Sigh - I wish his catcher was there. Whispered to Paulie: "Nice ovation, kid".

2:39 PM

WILLIE RANDOLPH: :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
"Once a Yankee, always a Yankee" screamed out by Michael Kay. Great job. And Willie is so appreciative of the huge ovation he's getting. :) A long, great ovation for one of the classiest guys around.

2:41 PM

Wade Boggs: Hall of Fame career, Hall of Shame Hair ;)

2:42 PM

Dave Winfield: If you never saw him play in his prime, you missed something special. A true 5-tool player.

2:43 PM

Rich "Goooooooose" Gossage: Too bad Louuuuuuuuuuuuu isn't there.

Amazing how many Hall of Famers have played in the Pinstripes.

2:44 PM

Reginald Martinez Jackson: "Mr. October" Say what you want about him, he was clutch.
Wow, its been 15 years since he went into the Hall.

It's not looking like Bernie will be there :(

2:45 PM

Whitey Ford: The Chairman of the Board.

2:46 PM

Yogi Berra: The man, the myth, the legend.

2:48 PM

Arlene Howard, widow of Elston Howard: What a great player and gentleman Ellie was.

Jill Martin, widow of Billy the Kid.

2:49 PM

Helen Hunter, wife of the great Catfish: One of the best pitcher we ever saw - money in the big games.

2:50 PM

Diane Munson: Widow of the Captain. 29 years ago today - WOW.

Guidry, Reggie, Willie...when did my boys get so old?

2:51 PM

Cora Rizzuto, widow of the Scooter. His beloved Cora :(

2:53 PM

Michael Kay talking about the magnificence of the Yankees organizations: "They are once and forever, New York Yankees."

2:54 PM

Time to remember those who have passed from the Yankees and MLB. Too many to remember, but here are some memorables.

Johnny Podres

Tommy Holmes

Joe Nuxhall

John McHale

Bill Robinson

Tommy Byrne

Phil Rizzuto

Bobby Murcer

2:56 PM

The National Anthem, sung by the late, great Robert Merrill, who wore number 1 1/2 at OT games.

2:59 PM

Cora Rizzuto throws out the ceremonial first pitch. A little delay while someone comes to get it and, appropriately it's Derek Jeter.

You Jeter haters: How can you hate a guy who does so many things right as a person, never mind as a player?

3:02 PM

Al Leiter warming up with Luis Sojo: Leiter says he's trying to hurt Luis' hand to get him back for that 10-hopper back in the 2000 WS. He's jokingly trying to impress Girardi too. Good stuff.

Singleton: "Who is starting Al?" Leiter: "Mussina" Singleton: "In the old timers game."

3:05 PM

Kim Jones talking to Reggie about Rickey Henderson's pending Hall of Fame election. Now talking about Willie Randolph's warm reception.

3:06 PM

Game about to begin with Goose on the mound. That's going to do it for the live blogging for now. Hopefully, someone followed it besides us. :)

Live Blogging Old Timer's Day

Crappy weather, but hopefully it holds off during today's festivities. They started things out with Michael Kay interviewing the newest Hall of Famer, Goose Gossage.

1:38 PM - A tribute to Bobby Murcer, who was always miked during the OT games.

1:45 PM - Kim Jones talks to new OT attendee Tino Martinez. Some great stories from The Bamtino, including a funny one involving Moose Skowron riding him over the years for not wearing socks to the ball park.

1:51 PM - Paul O'Neill and Al Leiter on field and in uniform. Paulie's 2nd OT game, the 1st for Leiter. Paulie is already hoarse.

1:54 PM - A pre-recorded Bob Sheppard welcomes everyone to Yankee Stadium. Ed Randall, a great baseball man, will do today's intros.

Okay, actually John Sterling and Michael Kay will be doing the intros, Ed Randall just intro'ed them.

As corny as Sterling is, boy does he have the pipes. Kay always sound like he has a mouthful of phlegm (hope you weren't eating).

1:58 PM - The first player introduced is Paul Blair. One of the best CFers we ever say.

1:59 PM - "Tolly", Wayne Tolleson

Jay Johnstone...hard to still imagine he was a Yankee. Also Sterling's 1st radio partner.

And now yes, has lost the sound as Brian Doyle, one of the heroes of the '78 WS, gets intro'ed.

2:00 PM - Rich Monteleone

Steve Balboni or "Balbummy" as we sometimes called him.

The sound is back - Ron Blomberg, the first DH in MLB history. Injuries kept him from a big career.

Mickey Klutts: Not much applause, more "who??"

Scott Bradley: Smooth hitter, never quite had the career we expected. Now head coach at Princeton.

Gil Patterson: A much better pitching coach than he was a pitcher.

Ron Davis: "The Vulture" Won games he blew - was very good and then stupidly traded for Roy Smalley Jr..

Pitching Coach Dave Eiland.

2:04 PM

Pat Kelly - Great to see him back. Still looks like he could play. Had the big home run when the Yankees finally made it back to the playoffs in '95.

Oscar Gamble: The Big "O". No more 'fro, but we always loved the Big O, and how Bob Sheppard would announce his name.

Homer Bush: Wish his career could have been more. What speed in 1998.

2:05 PM

Kevin Maas, the one year wonder. Still looks like a kid.

Bobby Meacham: Lousy player, lousy 3rd base coach.

Jessie Barfield: What a great arm and tremendous power. Never could match the years he had in Toronto.

Al Leiter: ...Who happened to be traded for Barfield. Bad trade.

2:08 PM

Mike Torrez: Our hero in '77 and '78, haha

Ed Figueroa: Great, great regular season pitcher. Stunk in the playoffs. First Puerto Rican born pitcher to win 20 games.

Jim Abbott: You all know the story well. Hard to believe its 15 years since his no-no.

Ken Griffey Jr.: "Before there was Junior, there was Senior". Great intro by Sterling.

2:10 PM

Don Baylor: Always loved seeing him take those big swings. Not too many people remember he was once a tremendous base stealer.

Tony Fernandez: The last Yankee to hit for the cycle in '95.

2:11 PM

Aaron Small: Mr. 10-0 in 2005. What a shock that was and what a tremendous contribution to the Yankees making the post-season.

Tommy John: 288 game winner, much more than just a name on a surgery.

2:12 PM

Mickey Rivers: Mickey the Quick. Thought grammar was a relative. He was so much fun to watch.

Bucky "Bleepin" Dent: :) Hero of the 1 game playoff and the 78 WS MVP. And he hit that home run off Torrez with Rivers' bat.

2:14 PM

Chris Chambliss: There goes that HR off of KC's Mark Littell. The first pennant in 12 years, ending the declinasty. Should have gotten a chance to manage in the bigs.

Jeff Torborg: Long time Yankees coach and a very good major league catcher.

2:15 PM

Buck Showalter: Nice to see him back in Pinstripes for the first time since 1994.

Mike Stanley: The man that caused Joe Girardi to be boo'ed at the Yankee fanfest.

2:16 PM

Graeme Lloyd: What a turnaround. He barely made the post-season roster after being acquired from Milwaukee in '96 and then was dynamite in the playoffs and World Series.

Gene Michael: "The Stick" Give that man a big hand, he helped save the team from George.

2:17 PM

Ramiro Mendoza: What a 1999 playoff series he had against Boston.

Jimmy Key: What a tremendous acquisition. Gave the team credibility, and won the clincher in the '96 WS. He's silver and bald - it has been a while.

2:19 PM

Luis Sojo: "Coney, how come you don't have a dance?" Everyone loves Luis.

Joe Pepitone: 1st hair dryer in the clubhouse - for a toupee no less.

2:20 PM

Al Downing: A great pitcher, mostly remembered for surrending Hank Aaron's 715th home run while a member of the Dodgers.

Jerry Coleman: Hall of Fame broadcaster, but had a great career as the Scooter's double play partner.

2:21 PM

Eli Grba: 1959-1960 Yankees. Obviously not too well remembered by the crowd.

Andy Carey: 3rd Baseman from 1952-1960. Unfortunately, in a wheelchair.

2:22 PM

Charlie Silvera: '48-'56. I remember seeing these guys in 1972-73.

2:23 PM

Horace Clarke: I just had a nightmare flashback to the late '60s/early '70s.

Luis Arroyo: Unbelievable 1961 season as a closer before there were closers.

2:24 PM

Dr. Bobby Brown: Great 3rd baseman, former AL League President.

Hector Lopez: '59 - '66; tremendous sub (that's from others, not our recollection). Always comes to OT day.

2:25 PM

Rickey "I love me" Henderson: I actually hear a few boo's while Sterling intro's. Nice hand though.

Is Billy Crystal considered an old-timer?

2:26 PM

Tim "Rock" Raines: What a graet hitter. Definite Hall consideration.

Jeff Nelson: A big combo with Stanton (all but '96) in the pen in 4 WS.

2:27 PM

Daryl Strawberry: "The Straw" gets a big hand. Stay clean Straw.

David Wells: Look at Boomer! He may ask for a tryout while he's here. Did Sterling really just say he had many "huge" victories- with a wink in his voice.

2:28 PM

David Cone: Actually, Coney and Wells probably couldn't be worse than the current back end of the rotation.

2:29 PM

Some guy named Joe Girardi. ;)

Little Dante Girardi looks good in '27 too.

2:30 PM

Tom Tresh: AL ROY in 1962 Didn't quite live up to his hype, but was a good ball player. His Dad, Mike, played in the bigs too.

2:31 PM

Bullet Bob Turley: Look him up in your record books. One of the most clutch Yankee performers, especially in the '58 series.

Bobby Richardson: Tremendous 2nd baseman. We believe he is the only losing player to win the WS MVP, in 1960.

2:32 PM

Johnny Blanchard: Probably would have been a regular on another team if not for Yogi and Ellie Howard in front of him. Tremendous power.

Don Larsen: Greatest game ever pitched in Yankee Stadium. 'Nuff said. :)

2:33 PM

Bill "Moooooooose" Skowron: Tremendous power. Recently said he didn't keep his '63 WS ring he won with the Dodgers.

2:34 PM

Graig Nettles: What a 3rd baseman!

2:35 PM

Paul O'Neill: :)))))))))))

2:36 PM
Tino Martinez: :The Bamtino!" And, yes, Kay had to say "Constantino Martinez" haha. Great high 10 with Paulie.

2:38 PM

Ron Guidry: "The Gator". Never ever forget the '78 season he had. Sigh - I wish his catcher was there. Whispered to Paulie: "Nice ovation, kid".

2:39 PM

WILLIE RANDOLPH: :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
"Once a Yankee, always a Yankee" screamed out by Michael Kay. Great job. And Willie is so appreciative of the huge ovation he's getting. :) A long, great ovation for one of the classiest guys around.

2:41 PM

Wade Boggs: Hall of Fame career, Hall of Shame Hair ;)

2:42 PM

Dave Winfield: If you never saw him play in his prime, you missed something special. A true 5-tool player.

2:43 PM

Rich "Goooooooose" Gossage: Too bad Louuuuuuuuuuuuu isn't there.

Amazing how many Hall of Famers have played in the Pinstripes.

2:44 PM

Reginald Martinez Jackson: "Mr. October" Say what you want about him, he was clutch.
Wow, its been 15 years since he went into the Hall.

It's not looking like Bernie will be there :(

2:45 PM

Whitey Ford: The Chairman of the Board.

2:46 PM

Yogi Berra: The man, the myth, the legend.

2:48 PM

Arlene Howard, widow of Elston Howard: What a great player and gentleman Ellie was.

Jill Martin, widow of Billy the Kid.

2:49 PM

Helen Hunter, wife of the great Catfish: One of the best pitcher we ever saw - money in the big games.

2:50 PM

Diane Munson: Widow of the Captain. 29 years ago today - WOW.

Guidry, Reggie, Willie...when did my boys get so old?

2:51 PM

Cora Rizzuto, widow of the Scooter. His beloved Cora :(

2:53 PM

Michael Kay talking about the magnificence of the Yankees organizations: "They are once and forever, New York Yankees."

2:54 PM

Time to remember those who have passed from the Yankees and MLB. Too many to remember, but here are some memorables.

Johnny Podres

Tommy Holmes

Joe Nuxhall

John McHale

Bill Robinson

Tommy Byrne

Phil Rizzuto

Bobby Murcer

2:56 PM

The National Anthem, sung by the late, great Robert Merrill, who wore number 1 1/2 at OT games.

2:59 PM

Cora Rizzuto throws out the ceremonial first pitch. A little delay while someone comes to get it and, appropriately it's Derek Jeter.

You Jeter haters: How can you hate a guy who does so many things right as a person, never mind as a player?

3:02 PM

Al Leiter warming up with Luis Sojo: Leiter says he's trying to hurt Luis' hand to get him back for that 10-hopper back in the 2000 WS. He's jokingly trying to impress Girardi too. Good stuff.

Singleton: "Who is starting Al?" Leiter: "Mussina" Singleton: "In the old timers game."

3:05 PM

Kim Jones talking to Reggie about Rickey Henderson's pending Hall of Fame election. Now talking about Willie Randolph's warm reception.

3:06 PM

Game about to begin with Goose on the mound. That's going to do it for the live blogging for now. Hopefully, someone followed it besides us. :)