Do you remember where you were on June 6, 2006 at 9:38 p.m.? I was in my apartment in Upper Manhattan (Inwood) watching the Yankees take on the Red Sox in a tight game.

It was a well pitched, nerve-wracking contest and in the top of the eighth inning, with two outs and Manny Ramirez stepping into the batter’s box, the Yankees were clinging to a flimsy 2-1 lead.

Kyle Farnsworth came in to pitch the eighth inning for the Yankees, replacing starter Chien-Ming Wang who pitched brilliantly for seven strong innings. Farnsworth got Mark Loretta out on a fly ball to center and I’m pretty sure I wrote, “Get back home Loretta.” on a Yankees message board or I at least said it out loud to my cats when Loretta was jogging back to the dugout. Farnsworth struck out the next batter, you know, that David Ortiz guy. Yes, him. So far so good for the Yankees. But, of course, it wasn’t going to get any easier for Farnsworth. The threat was nowhere near over because Manny Ramirez was coming to the plate.

After a first pitch ball, Manny hit the 1-0 pitch to deep left center field and this is what happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvuo_uNBGAY

When the ball was in the air, I nearly kicked my computer desk and started cursing at the TV. From the way he swung the bat to the way the crowd reacted, I figured Manny was going to be his usual thorn in our side and tie another game; poor Wang would get a no decision and we’d possibly have to sweat out a few extra innings.

Instead, by the grace of some God somewhere, Melky Cabrera tracked that ball down and caught it, reaching over the wall to rob Ramirez of a game-tying home run. I jumped up out of my chair and cheered. And knowing me, I also had a few choice and somewhat colorful expletives to yell at Manny as well. It was a good thing I was living alone at the time.

Everyone’s reactions to the catch were hilarious, especially Farnsworth’s, Manny’s and Alex Rodriguez’s. Farnsworth looked like he was going to faint. Manny was cursing at Melky in Spanish – at least I think he was – and of course, there was Johnny Damon dropping to one knee and pumping his fist.

It was a big catch, in what felt like a big game – weren’t all Yankees/Red Sox games big six years ago? – and that catch helped erase the memories of Cabrera’s not so stellar defensive debut the previous year.

The Yankees went on to win the game 2-1 and keep their slim 1 and 1/2 game lead over the Red Sox in the American League East.

So anyway, Happy Anniversary Melky! Thanks for that catch and the numerous other great moments you provided for us Yankee fans.

I went to my first game of the season on Saturday, which ended in 7-1 drubbing of the Yankees and my liver.  I started the day with a group of friends and my cousin at Stan’s, the visual proof is in the picture to the right.  My expression in the picture is very prophetic.  I look angry, but was still in a great mood at this point.  Gorgeous day, afternoon baseball and we started to throw them back, what could go wrong?

I like the new look over at Stan’s.  They re-did the bar and the snack stand.  It has more of an open feel, which goes hand in hand with the sunlight that now pours in, which is also shown in the photo.  It used to get no sunlight due to the old Yankee Stadium being there. Moment of silence, please…………..

We were sitting in Section 203.  I pretty much always sit there.  Even if the section is sold out, I’ll sneak my way in and sit there.  By definition, I’m not a Bleacher Creature, but I get out to 10 games a year and always sit there.  I sit there for the same reason I like the changes at Stan’s.  It’s open.  The lack of seat separation leads to better conversations and a feeling of collectiveness.  We always seem to make friends with someone and this time was no different.  I called this guy “Bramon” because I told him he looked like Johnny Damon and he said people tell him he looks like Tom Brady.  Hey, I’m a man of compromise.

The game was atrocious.  I’ve had dates with women where they’ve gone to the bathroom and never came back that have gone better. Yes, I said “dates”.  Apparently discussing the possibility of an open relationship is a turnoff.  Prudes.  But I digress, as the Angels beat down, so did the sun.  My nose is so sunburned and blotchy; I look like P.T.Barnum.  Going to games like this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  I get a little surly and annoyed when the runs keep tacking on and we go through the whole “THROW IT BACK” scenario for what seems like the millionth time during the game.  Hopefully the next game I go to ends better.  I don’t want to say I was unbearable to be around, but everyone I was with went to the bathroom and didn’t come back, but I’m used to it.  Even Bramon left and didn’t come back.  I don’t blame him, even Tom Brady himself is used to teams from New York ruining his day.

In case you missed the hullabaloo yesterday, an app called Baseball Boyfriend was exposed to the world.

Lots of people – myself included – didn’t appreciate the app’s message.

Among them Rebecca Glass of Pinstriped Bible and Steven Goldman of Baseball Prospectus.

Rebecca talks about why she doesn’t need a baseball boyfriend.

Steven’s piece is called, “Pardon Me, Sir, But Have You Ever Talked To a Female Baseball Fan?”

Other people tweeted about their dislike for the app.

And then there were some who thought some of us were being knee-jerky in our response to Baseball Boyfriend. I was even told I was being too serious.

Well, here’s a funny take from Diane of the Value Over Replacement Blog who tries to find ways to improve Baseball Boyfriend.

Oh and hey there was some Yankees news – this is a Yankees blog after all.

Bill Hall tweeted that he signed with the Yankees yesterday. Then took an instagram picture of himself in a Yankees cap. That’s kind of awesome. It’s a minor league deal and he can be let go if he doesn’t make the Majors by Opening Day.

The Yanks are still trying to shop A.J. Burnett and they’re also still deciding between Johnny Damon and Raul Ibanez for the DH spot.

Happy Wednesday!

It’s Saturday February 4, 2012 and here are some Yankees links to get your weekend started off right.

Joba Chamberlain threw off a half mound as part of his rehab from Tommy John surgery.

Joe Girardi wants another bat in his lineup. Could it be Johnny Damon?

Over at ESPN NY, Wallace Matthews asks if Brett Gardner should bat leadoff or ninth.

It’s a little quiet in the baseball world in New York. The city is consumed with Super Bowl mania and can you blame them? I sure can’t.

Go Giants.

Last Saturday morning Yankee fans were still buzzing about the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda deal and the Hiroki Kuroda signing. This Saturday morning most fans are starting their countdown to Spring Training – now less than a month away.

The Yankees were relatively busy this week avoiding arbitration with key players – Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson and Brett Gardner. Those signings leave Boone Logan and Russell Martin as the only two arbitration eligible Yankees who have not yet agreed on a contract.

Gardner and the Yankees were $8 million apart but settled in the middle – he wanted $3.2M, they offered $2.4M, they agreed on $2.8M. Not shabby for Gardner who made $549,500 in 2011.

» Continue reading “Yankees News and Notes: 1/21/12″

Bartolo Colon has signed with the Oakland A’s. Colon who made the team out of Spring Training started off strong – including pitching a complete game shutout against the A’s in May – but faded in the second half. Colon finished with an 8-10 record and a 4.00 ERA.

Help Wanted: Designated hitter. Among those mentioned as possible DH candidates, former Yankee Johnny Damon and Carlos Peña. Peña spoke with MLB Network Radio and said the Yankees had contacted him. Damon who last played with the Tampa Bay Rays had harsh words for his former team after they signed free agent Luke Scott.

“Didn’t realize the DH and 1B brought the offense down. Thought we would’ve had an offer.”

» Continue reading “Yankees News and Notes: 1/16/12″

Good afternoon Yankees fans, it’s time again for what seems like the weekly meeting of the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays!

Okay, so I am exaggerating but it does feel like we played them last week, right?

After another rough outing against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday in which he was knocked around for seven runs on nine hits in a 10-4 loss, CC Sabathia (16-6, 2.81 ERA) is looking for win number seventeen of the season against the Rays tonight in the Bronx.

Sabathia’s last game against the Rays came on July 21. It was a tough luck loss for Sabathia who pitched eight innings, gave up only two runs and struck out eight batters. He was matched up against James Shields (11-9, 2.80 ERA) who after a complete game 1-0 loss on July 10 against Sabathia and the Yanks, exacted his revenge with a one run, six hit performance to beat the Yankees 2-1.

Tonight, it’s David Price on the hill for the Rays. Price is looking for his first win in nearly a month. He has three losses and one no decision in his last four starts. One of those games was a 4-0 loss to the Yankees on July 20. Price only gave up two earned runs on six hits and recorded five strike outs but his opponent that night was Freddy Garcia (10-7, 3.16) who was on his game, pitching into the seventh inning and did not allow a run.

Phil Hughes will start tomorrow and he will be matched up against Jeremy Hellickson (10-7, 3.05 ERA). In his last start, Hughes had a strong – albeit rain shortened – outing against the Chicago White Sox. Hughes pitched six innings, didn’t give up a run and only allowed three hits. Joe Girardi said that he plans to reduce the Yankees’ rotation from six pitchers to five by the end of the weekend which means that Hughes, who pitched successfully out of the bullpen in 2009, could be headed there beginning next week.

Essentially, his start tomorrow is his last chance to prove that he belongs in the starting rotation.

Hellickson has won four out of his last five starts, including a 3-2 victory over the Yankees on July 19. He pitched seven strong innings and gave up only two runs on five hits while striking out seven Yankees.

Sunday’s matchup features the aforementioned Garcia and Shields. Shields has won three out of his last four starts. His most recent win was on Tuesday against the Royals. He allowed only one run in seven and 2/3 innings which giving up only six hits and striking out six batters. Garcia pitched five innings against the Red Sox on Sunday night but didn’t factor into the decision. He allowed only one run on five hits.

More About the Yankees:

Curtis Granderson has hit a home run in three consecutive games and had four home runs total. He now has a career-high 32 home runs this season and has had three game home run streaks on three separate occasions. He also now leads the AL in with 93 RBI and 105 runs.

Rafael Soriano has not been charged with a run in his last 11 outings, including all six outings since returning from the disabled list July 30.

More About the Rays:

The Rays just completed a four game sweep of the Kansas City Royals and after playing in New York, they head to Fenway Park in Boston to battle the Red Sox. Right now, the Rays are in third place in the American League East, 8 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the Wild Card Race and 9 1/2 behind the Red Sox.

Johnny Damon was mired in a 2-for-31 slump but with another hit on Thursday, he has now moved into sole possession of 65th place on the all-time hits list with 2,684.

TV Schedule
Tonight – YES Network 7 p.m.
Saturday – FOX 4 p.m.
Sunday – YES Network 1 p.m.