tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55828377290956549032024-02-08T05:32:08.970-08:00The Hot CornerGiovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-12725658625383997072012-06-17T07:56:00.003-07:002012-06-17T07:56:45.517-07:00Yankees stay red hot<span style="color: blue;">The Yankees continue a dream June to remember, as they find another way to win against the red hot counterpart Washington Nationals. Another surprise this season as the youthful Nats and superstar phenom Bryce Harper took to the diamond. The Nationals entered saturdays matinee with a 4 game edge over the Atlanta Braves. Things would remain that way as the Yankees slugged their way to a 5-3 14 inning win. The Yankees would get 1 run back in the fourth inning on a gift run when Eric Chavez reached on a fielding error by shortstop Ian Desmond to score Nick Swisher. Yankees would tie it up and eventually take the lead in the 7th inning scoring 2 runs to make it 3-2 Yankees. Alex Rodriguez received a day off by coach Joe Girardi and it proved to be a smart play because Eric Chavez delivered the Yankees that 3-2 lead with a 2 out 1 run double. It would remain 3-2 Yankees until the bottom of the 8th inning when Nationals shortstop would make up for his error by belting his 10th homerun of the season to tie it up. It would remain tied until the Yankees would eventually regain their lead in the top of the 14th inning Jayson Nix would lead off with a single then steal second base. Jeter would send Nix to third on a single. With runners on the corners with nobody out Curtis Granderson would strikeout, then Mark Teixeira would clear the bases and give the Yankees a 5-3 lead with a 2 run triple. The Yankees would be retired after the triple, coupled with a Cano intentional walk, Freddy Garcia would strike out swinging and Dewayne Wise would pop up to. Yankees closer Rafael Soriano would come in and shut the door on the Nats hopes at a comeback for his 12th save of the season. Freddy Garcia would receive the win in relief.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">The New York Yankees have gone 9-1 in their last 10 games and have stayed as hot as the June weather here in the New York area. They seem to be clicking on all cylinders. The pitching performances all moth have been above par and very strong quality outings something that April and May where very questionable now seem to have fixed the rotation has stepped up huge and now seem to be rolling along quite nicely. </span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-29109213471715936282012-03-02T16:25:00.000-08:002012-03-02T16:25:37.204-08:00Going Wild!<span style="color: #0b5394;">Things are about to get a bit more "wilder" in the Major League Baseball world come 2012. By wild, I mean MLB has just okayed its plan on adding another wild card for both leagues. This not only makes things more interesting it also puts a premium on winning every game possible, and makes teams want to win their respective division outright avoiding a possible upset, where both wild card teams would meet in a single elimination winner take all game, hosted by the team with the better regular season record.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">This is why baseball is so great, they are always trying different ideas, and a quirky one such as this is just the icing on the proverbial cake. I for one love the idea of an added wild card for both the National and American league. I think it makes what happened to end last years epic final day/night that much more interesting. Not only that, but this will create a ratings explosion for t.v revenues such as FOX or TBS, whichever has the broadcasting rights to broadcast these games! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"I greatly appreciate the MLBPA's cooperation in putting the new postseason format in place this year," Commissioner Bud Selig said on Friday. "The enthusiasm for the 10-team structure among our clubs, fans and partners has been overwhelming.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">That enthusiasm will lead to more nail-biting for hardcore baseball fans as they know they have a greater chance of reaching the playoffs or a chance to maybe go further then expected! With the added two wild card berths the League Championship Series as well as World Series format will remain the same. Another change has it possible for a team in the same division to meet in the League Championship Series, where this wasn't the case in the old playoff format. So it will increase the divisional rivalries that much more. Teams who win their respective divisions will get at least two off days to prepare and rest up while the wild card teams battle it out for contention, this is the incentive for the team who wins the division.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I think everyone will adapt to the new additions and it will make for a very exciting season to come and even greater playoffs this year.</span></span><br />
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</span></span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-90102367288454790692012-03-01T17:59:00.002-08:002012-03-01T19:51:05.098-08:00Houston Astros 2012 preview<span style="color: #134f5c;">Houston, we have a problem. Who here wants to venture a guess at what the Astros starting lineup will be on opening day? Anyone? Ok well neither will I. It can be a very long summer for the Astros, and their fan base. With a 2011 record of 56-106 mark it is quite possible that this Astros team might be close to that number although I am going to say they wont hit the 100 loss mark this season, but will be very close. They do have a few good starting pitchers in Wandy Rodriguez and Bud Norris. Astros general manager Brad Mills has his work cut out for him. </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">After losing two thirds of their outfield through trades last season seeing Hunter Pence going to the Phillies, and the speedy Michael Bourn going to the Atlanta Braves. The Astros had to fill in a lot of holes. They will now have youth in the outfield in; J.D Martinez, Jordan Shaefer, and Brian Bogusevic patrolling the outfield. You might be asking yourself who are these guys? I found myself asking the same question! J.D Martinez is a rookie and had some playing time with the Astros last year he played in 53 games and had a .274 average with 57 hits and 35 rbi. Jordan Shafer is the player who came in the Michael Bourn deal. He is a raw outfielder with speed and a subpar bat. Shafer swiped 22 bases with Atlanta/Houston last year, but only a short sample size he played in 82 games and only had a .242 average with 73 hits and 13 rbi's. Power has to come up for Shafer to be in the lineup everyday, he only hit 2 homeruns last year, albeit in limited time. Brian Bogusevic is another young talent drafted by the Astros in 2005 in the first round 24th pick overall. Bogusevic saw playing time last year and made the most of it hitting at a .287 average, 4 homeruns but just 15 rbi's. Bogusevic is an average type hitter not known for his power but can get a hold of one every now and again.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">The usual suspects are back in the fold in that of; Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris, Carlos Lee and Brett Myers. Wandy Rodriguez is considered the ace of the team. He went 11-11 for the Astros last year with a 3.49 era and struck out 166 batters. Bud Norris is the trailer to Wandy Rodriguez, or 1a. Norris has similar splits the only difference is he doesn't get quite the same run support as does Rodriguez. Norris went 6-11 last year for the Astros with a 3.77 era and fanned 176 batters. Carlos Lee is the grandfather of the ball club. He has been through all the high's and lows with the Astros. Lee is entering his 13th season in the MLB and the 6th with the ball club. He had a great season last year with absolutely no protection in front of him once Pence and Bourn left. Lee went on to have a respectable year with a .275 batting average and he drove in 94 rbi's and clubbed 18 homeruns. I look for Lee to have a similar year around .270 average and 15-20 homeruns 85 rbi. The shocker of group has to by Brett Myers. Who as of this week will start the season as the Astros closer. This amazes me because Myers is an innings eater and can give the Astros pitching staff length in the games in which he starts instead of relying on the pen to come into games after 5 innings practically every game not started by Wandy and Bud!</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">I see the Astros finishing last in the NL Central with some growing pains but no worse then last year.</span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-45474671909495259712012-03-01T17:24:00.001-08:002012-03-01T17:26:02.545-08:00New York Mets 2012 preview<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Well the 2012 Major League Baseball season is just over a month away before getting started and the Mets are roaring to go. With the anticipation of a new season and new optimism with any season, comes the excessive questions; are we good enough, will Johan pitch like an ace, etc! I will do my best to break down this years preview of the Mets.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>With a relatively quiet offseason the Mets really didn't make any moves to speak of, outside of a major loss in Jose Reyes leaving and bringing his talents to "South Beach". The Metropolitans did sure up their bullpen with the addition of a few good arms in that of. John Rauch, Frank Francisco, and Ramon Ramirez. Ramirez came in a deal which also included new Mets Centerfielder and potential lead-off hitter Andres Torres. The Mets acquired both Torres and Ramirez in a deal that sent Angel Pagan to San Francisco. The long winter after those signings would come to a screeching halt and the Mets would stand pat and consider themselves ready for battle. The Mets are cutting payroll significantly this year, with a starting 2012 payroll of 92 Million dollars. It is definitely the doing of the Madoff scandal, and horrible previous long-term bad contracts from the Manaya tenior. That is why the Mets are operating like the Pirates, Astros, Padres organizations. With David Wright and Johan Santana anchoring the ball club this year as the only true "stars" of the team. Their is still uncertainty about Johan Santana's shoulder after last years surgery he had. Santana is trying to get back to his old ways but age and inactivity might be working against this ace. With only 20 games started and not playing last year, Santana was 11-9 in 2010 and he saw his K/9 rate drop to 6.5, and his fastball lost 2mph as well. So that is just one of the many questions working against the Mets this year. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>The good news is that David Wright, Daniel Murphy are healthy and ready to have monster years in the newly renovated Citi-Field! During the offseason the Mets bought in the outfield walls to make it more of a homerun friendly ball park for the Mets. Jason Bay, David Wright and Ike Davis should feast off the new dimensions of the field. The last question I have is will the Mets trade David Wright at the trade deadline in July? Wright has a club option for 2013, but the Mets are in financial straights, and dont want to see him walk for nothing. I expect the Mets to trade him for major league ready top prospects and possibly a starting pitcher or two in return.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Whatever the record if you are a Mets fan just enjoy the park get a good seat, because there will be many to be had and just have a fun summer at the ballpark,</b></span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-24820612799253776142012-02-08T16:16:00.000-08:002012-02-08T16:16:14.457-08:00Spring training countdown<span style="color: #0b5394;">As the months start getting warmer, and the days longer. The sounds of baseballs meeting gloves and bats are echoing in our collective minds. We have about a month to go before spring training games get underway. As players start to unthaw from the long winter, there is little doubt that Florida, and Arizona will be the place to be next month. Truck day for many clubs at this time are already getting ready to move out to their exact destinations, and another season will ensue. The things that I love most about spring training is seeing rookies and minor leaguers in the games. These players are vying for a roster spot amongst the regulars, another reason why spring training is so great is because you know there is only a month before the regular season it just gets you amped. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">No other sport can duplicate baseball I feel, partly because there is always a game in and sometimes more then just one of interest. When your team isn't playing you can keep track of your divisional foes and other favorite players. Did I mention fantasy baseball and its addictiveness? For those of you who play you all know what I mean. Fantasy baseball is great for the fan who loves to set a lineup everyday from a pool of players they draft before the season and it continues throughout the baseball year. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">So kick back and enjoy the spring training games. Watch your team closely, and the minor league players as well, because this way you will have an idea of what they could bring to the table later in the year when rosters expand. But best of all just enjoy and know that the crack of the bat and homerun calls are a few months away. </span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-11504508855576248252012-02-06T20:09:00.000-08:002012-02-06T20:10:01.928-08:00Gio's Back!!!!<span style="color: blue;">Sorry about long delay its been a while, actually almost four months to be exact. I have had a long offseason, but i am finally back and better then ever. Been spending some time with my G/F and the holidays as well as work took the majority of my time away from the "Blogosphere". I hope that you all have had a great off-season as much as I have! So lets have some fun now, shall we?</span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-66979564392350644402011-10-09T11:48:00.000-07:002011-10-09T11:48:04.291-07:00Yankees Playoffs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Well it was one and done literally for the Yankees this post season. After an amazing season of ups and downs, the Yankees let many fans depressed in the end. The Yankees in the first round of the 2011 playoffs where pitted against the Detroit Tigers. After a rain shortened 1 1/2 inning opener the Yankees then won the rest of the game pitched by Ivan Nova. Cano went OFF in that game collecting 5 rbi's and a grand slam. this game might just have been the best the Yankees looked in the playoffs. The Yankees would lose the next two games. A must win pitched by AJ Burnett in game 4 was won by the Yankees and by far AJ Burnett lived up to the pressure another good thing to see from him going into next year the last in his contract for the Yankees. Overall the Yankees ended up losing the series 3 games to 2. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The storyline of the playoffs where the non-existent bats in the middle of the order from Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixiera, and Nick Swisher. Both suffered greatly with runners in scoring position throughout the playoffs. Credit the Tigers for figuring out a way to pitch around Cano the rest of the playoffs limiting Cano to just 1 more homer which came in game 5. The Yankees have to think long and hard about what they want to do to the 2012 team Swisher has an option for $10 million dollars. I feel they will definitely pick this up. One other name of note who can opt out is CC Sabathia. Who laid off his Captain Crunch diet one might have never guessed it the way he pitched his last two months of the season. I also believe the Yankees will pick up his option due to the fact that their is no front-line starters on the Yankees outside of him. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Overall I saw the season as average although not that bad though since we where only predicted to win the wildcard amongst many experts predictions. I feel is wasn't as bad as what the Red Sox went through. I would rather lose in the playoffs in 5 games then to not have made them and suffer the worst collapse in baseball history like that of the dreaded Red Sox</span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-76339656062434169902011-09-25T16:20:00.000-07:002011-09-25T16:20:32.121-07:00Red Sox Collapse<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Well it has been a while sorry for the delay again.. The American League wild-card race is tightening up as no one would have ever guessed. Once a shoe in for the playoffs in early September the Boston Red Sox have seen a divisional lead go to waste as the Yankees sped right on by the BoSox, Now are trying to back into the playoffs. With a 9 game lead in the Wildcard to start the month the Red Sox have seen that more then enough type of lead less then comfy now that they only have won five games this month. The Tampa Bay Rays are knocking on their doorsteps with one more game tonight and three more to follow in Baltimore in the last three days of the season this race could be as good as tied by the end of the night. Boston lost earlier in the day to the Surging Yankees 6-2, and also lost yesterdays matinee game 9-1. To decrease the Wildcard lead over Tampa Bay to just 1/2 a game. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">The Boston Red Sox have played with pressure before but this pressure is different. This pressure is playing teams that want to play you for what you are worth. This pressure you cant cut with a knife. The only way to beat this pressure is to WIN ballgames. It is easier said then done of course, but one has to wonder if this team, this Red Sox team who signed just about everyone under the sun in the off-season is ready to step up and win or if they are just flawed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">At one point this year the Red Sox this year seemed to "Own" the Yankees now are 11-6 against them. However, the games earlier in the season won't matter if they can't close the deal these last three games, and now the Yankees are paying them back. Earlier in the Month the Yankees took 2 of 3 at Fenway. This might have been the turning point in the season for them one could say. Another would be its not how you start but how you finish.</span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-7586788638811000102011-09-19T19:50:00.000-07:002011-09-19T19:58:17.940-07:00602<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mariano Rivera has set a new milestone and Major League Baseball record today vs. the Minnesota Twins Rivera has set the record for saves at 602 in his illustrious career as a New York Yankee. An amazing feat surpassing the great Padre relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman. Rivera came into this afternoons matinee game setting the twins aside in the ninth. The first batter Trevor Plouffe grounded out, then Rivera had got Michael Cuddyer to fly out to right fielder Chris Dickerson, the last batter that would face Rivera would be Chris Parmalee who would promptly strike out. Rivera was very humble about his achievement as he always has been. Thanking the whole Yankees organization and his family, as well as us the fans for being there for the amazing ride, and what a wonderful ride it has been The Minnesota Twins organization should be proud as well and how classy they are in staying and cheering for Rivera simply a class act on their part, that is why this is such a great game.Thank You #42 the BEST closer in the game bar none!!!!</span><br />
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</span>Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-14793170744469381592011-09-18T17:31:00.000-07:002011-09-18T17:33:17.401-07:00National League Cy YoungWell sorry about the delay but weekends are a tough time to write so lets get into it people.. I will write about my Nominees for NL Cy Young Candidates and where they stack up amongst each other, stats, and how I feel they will end in the voting. Lets.go..<br />
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Roy Halladay- I mean what is there to say about this perennial ace of the NL east he has often showed why he is worth the big bucks. A steal when the Phillies got him a few years ago from the Blue jays. People thought he would suffer pitching in a hitters park in Citizens Bank Park has been anything but troublesome for this guy. Halladay has shown again that age hasn't quite caught up with him just yet his record is (18-5) with a 2.34 ERA and an amazing 8 complete games and a shutout to boot, he has 211 K's in 219.2 innings pitched. Halladay in that hitters park we spoke of earlier has only let up 28 runs 27 of which where earned and let up just 33 runs on the road 30 earned for a combined 61 runs so far.<br />
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Clayton Kershaw- This guy has been nothing short of spectacular pitching for the Dodgers this year a team in which isn't going anywhere but has kept them relevant when he starts and worthwhile to check out when he pitches. Kershaw has gone (19-5) one more then fellow pitcher Halladay. He never disappoints the home crowd either going a flawless (11-1) at home he has been money for them. On the road his record is (8-4). Kershaw has thrown 218.2 innings thus far and fanned 236 batters. He will definitely make things interesting for voters this year.<br />
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Cliff Lee- Another Philadelphia Phillies pitcher who has proven that age isn't a problem nor is the ballpark his welcome back party this off season made it worth while and he has shown the Philles and their fans what they have been missing. Lee is having a great year as his record of (16-7) show. He will get tons of support thrown his way in the voting with an amazing six shutouts all of which he went the distance. Lee's ERA is a sparkling 2.38 in 219.2 innings pitched. Amazingly similar to that of fellow mate Roy Halladay<br />
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Ian Kennedy- I had to put Kennedy in for the amazing season he is having. Kennedy and the Arizona Diamondbacks offense have lifted the team to a great shot at winning the NL West. Kennedy has a record of (19-9) and a ERA of 2.99. The teams ace, he has thrown 208.0 innings while striking out 182 batters.<br />
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The order I feel these spectacular pitchers will end up in the balloting goes as follows<br />
Roy Halladay (Winner)<br />
Cliff Lee<br />
Clayton Kershaw<br />
Ian Kennedy<br />
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I am sure the Phillies fans will be happy at these results if they where to pan out but with such a strong four pitchers this vote could go either way.. Stay tuned.<br />
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**Stats courtesy of ESPN.COM**Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-65449513322983885552011-09-16T20:21:00.000-07:002011-09-16T20:27:01.833-07:00American League CY YoungWell as it always seems there is a three way race for the most prestigious pitching award out there and the nominees are; Jered Weaver of the Los Angelas Angels of Anaheim, Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers,<br />
and lastly C.C Sabathia of the New York Yankees.<br />
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Jered Weaver has had a very strong season for the Angels this season continuing to be their ace he started off the season guns a blazing going (6-0) to start the season then lost the following four games. But after that blip in the road has since dominated again for an overall season record of (17-7) with an ERA of 2.40 which is the best in his career so far he has thrown 222.1 innings and has fanned 188 batters.<br />
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Justin Verlander by far the best season of his career finished a little slow going (2-3) to open the month of April but as the weather got hotter so did Verlander. He has had batters baffled all season long. Verlander has a dominating record of (23-5) and has been nearly perfect after the slow start only losing two other games. Verlander has an impressive ERA of 2.36 by far his best year in the bigs and also has a baffling 238 strikeouts in 236 innings pitched. Verlander stats dont end there though, he has four complete games two of which came by shutouts.<br />
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C.C Sabathia has been very consistant as the Yankees Ace his record proves the fact. Sabathia has gone (19-9) as respectable as they come in the game. C.C has had his fair share of troubles the thing that saves him is pitching in the AL East which by far is the best division in the American league. C.C has fanned 224 batters this season, he also has three complete games as well as one shutout. Sabathia finished third last year in the Cy Young Balloting.<br />
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My predictions for where i see these three phenomenal pitchers finishing in the Cy Young Votes goes;<br />
Justin Verlander (1st)<br />
Jered Weaver<br />
C.C Sabathia<br />
<br />
An amazing season for each again and it will be interesting to see what the voters have to say on this. I didn't think that Felix Hernandez was gonna win last year so I might be wrong again, stay tuned..Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-90551870312073069852011-09-15T18:35:00.001-07:002011-09-15T18:35:06.474-07:00David RobertsonThe Yankees bullpen seemed to have taken a hit with the loss of both lefty specialist Pedro Feliciano who signed with the Yankees as a free agent but opted for arm surgery to put an end to his season. Then the Yankees lost Joba Chamberlain shortly thereafter. Just as hope for the bullpen seemed lost in came the Yankees farm hand relief pitcher David Robertson. He impressed the Yankees as a setup man last year and got his first call up to the majors in 2008. Robertson through his four years in the Majors has been nothing short of brilliant. He continues to shine. He has been the 8th inning bridge to Mariano Rivera this year and has been spectacular in practically every situation he has been put into when called upon. Robertson is<br />
(3-0) with a sparkling 1.16 ERA in 65 games this year by far the best in his big league career so far. Last year Robertson went (4-5) with an ERA of 3.82 in 64 games. So saying he has improved is an understatement he has surpassed many expectations this year. Robertson was voted into his first All-Star game this year as well. Known to many Yankees fans as "Houdini" since he seems to never show his nerves on the mound. Not only does Robertson get out of many tough situations he does so with strikeouts (95) so far this year. Robertson is a very charitable man as well. Both him and his wife set up a charity in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama called "High Socks for Hope" in which he will donate $100 dollars for every strikeout through the year that he gets. Words cant express how much of a team player Robertson is to the Yankees but an overall amazing person in general.Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-59245561476891828822011-09-14T21:16:00.000-07:002011-09-14T21:16:05.773-07:00Mariano RiveraMariano Rivera has reached a milestone for the Yankees he recorded his 600th career save for the Yankees last night (9/13/11) against the Seattle Mariners. Rivera a staple in the Yankees bullpen since 1995 when he began his career as the Yankees setup man. Rivera started closing out games towards the end of the '96 season When John Wetteland retired after that year. Rivera has compiled 600 saves in 16 years and has a career lifetime era of 2.22 which is unheard of. Rivera is one more save shy of Trevor Hoffmans MLB record of 601 saves with just over 14 games left he is sure to surpass the Padre great before seasons end. Mariano truly has cemented himself as a first ballot hall of famer and Yankees fans couldn't be more proud of Mariano "Sandman" Rivera!Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582837729095654903.post-12355235825268295382011-09-14T18:13:00.000-07:002011-09-14T20:10:53.599-07:00Baltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are in the midst of their seasonal "spoiler" role albeit not particularly having that much success this year, going into the Yankees series a few weeks ago (8/26/11) the Orioles split the 4 game set 2-2 in an awkward series due to a rain out they had to makeup from earlier in the season the Orioles had to travel back to Baltimore after winning Wednesday's game 5-4 in extra innings they had to play the Yankees the next day. The Orioles would then beat the Yankees in extras again by the same score of 5-4. The irony of it all was that the Orioles pitching staff would go on and pitch 7 shutout innings against the Yankees who only had 6 hits in the game. Clay Rapada (1-0) took the win in the 10th inning the losing pitcher was Scott Proctor for the Yankees who saw his record fall to (2-4). The Orioles have 14 more games remaining on their schedule all of which are contending for a spot in the playoffs. They can make life miserable for these teams. We will see if they can keep the role of "spoiler" going or if they fizzle out to end another last place finish in the AL East.Giovanni Tripodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939661581175317425noreply@blogger.com0