Yankees GM Hurt Skydiving

You can add another member of the New York Yankees to the "Walking Wounded" list.

Team general manager went skydiving Monday with the U.S. Army Golden Knights to raise money for charity, when, well, this happened.

According to the New York Daily News, bystanders said Cashman's ankle appeared to broken.  Another onlooker said the bone "was sticking out of his leg". 

Yuck.

The skydive was the GM's first, but Cashman is no stranger to performing stunts for charity. Late last year, he rappelled down a 22-story building in Stamford, Connecticut to raise money.

Ichiro Unhurt in Car Accident

 

If you were wondering what that sigh of relief was coming from New York earlier Saturday night, it was Yankees fans finding out that outfielder Ichiro Suzuki walked away from a car accident in Florida unscathed.

"He is fine," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the New York Post. "His interpreter called to let us know."

According to police, the perennial All-Star was southbound on a Tampa highway around 4 pm Saturday when he hit a woman making a left hand turn in front of him. 

“He struck her,” Tampa Lt. Ronald McMullen said. “She ended up hitting a third car, but there were no injuries.”

"The car was turning left and turned into me. I slammed on the brakes and couldn't do anything about it, but I had the green light," Ichiro said through his interpreter, Allen Turner.  "I realize that air bags actually do exist. You can trust the car makers that they do make good air bags and safe cars."


The Yankees are already without Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez, so, yeah...they're in no position to lose their starting right fielder.  In 67 games with the Bombers last season, Ichiro hit .322. 


 

Andy Pettitte's Kid Throws a No-No

 

Not long after dad Andy got done throwing a 24-pitch batting practice session on Friday in Tampa, Josh Pettitte put on his own pitching display.

The Deer Park (Texas) High School senior no-hit the Boerne Champion Greyhounds 9-0, scattering 10 strikeouts and walking just one.

"What a fun game to be apart of," the 6'1" righty said on Twitter following the game. 

But probably equally as fun...the congratulatory messages the young Pettitte received from his dad's New York Yankees teammates.  I mean, it's not every day that a Texas high schooler gets tweets from CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, right?

Pettitte is heading to Baylor University in the fall having made his intentions known this past November.

"Josh knows how to pitch. He has a great presence on the mound and command of three pitches," Deer Park coach Chris Rupp said. "He is a good student with a good work ethic and will only continue to get better. Josh is very coachable and will be a good college pitcher.”

Last season, as a junior, Pettitte went 4-0 with a 0.89 ERA, striking out 32 in 23 innings pitched.

 
 

C.C. Ditches The Cap'n Yet Again

C.C. Sabathia is (officially) listed at 290 pounds, but, clearly, he was a bit bulkier when he donned the pinstripes last season.

Now, looking a little more trim than he did this past October, the New York Yankees ace has a simple reason for his new look.

"No Cap’n Crunch," the 32-year-old told reporters Tuesday. "I worked out every day, just made sure I watched what I ate."

If this all sounds familiar...it should. This isn't the first time he's turned his back on the S.S. Guppy and its skipper.

Two seasons ago, when Sabathia came to camp down 25 pounds, he made the same claims about ditching the breakfast cereal. At the time, the lefty claimed to eat a "box at a time" or, 15 times the recommended serving size of the crunchy kernels.

Ouch.
  

 

Granderson to Fund Stadium Build

Follow me here, but as a rule, unless you are a fan of the New York Yankees, you aren't supposed to cheer for the New York Yankees, right?

Well, after Wednesday night, Curtis Granderson is making it a little harder to hate on the Bronx Bombers.

During the University of Illinois-Chicago's inaugural Diamond Dinner, the former Flame had his number retired by his alma mater and, oh yeah, this...Granderson pledged to fund the building of a new multi-million dollar baseball stadium on the Chicago campus.

"I am in a position where I have the ability to help kids pursue whatever dreams they have, whether they are educational, athletic or just life in general," the three-time All-Star said.  "I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to team up with UIC, which has helped me get to where I am today."

"We are grateful to Curtis for his generosity, which will impact UIC baseball and our student-athletes for generations," said UIC Athletic Director Jim Schmidt. "Curtis is once again demonstrating his strong core values in assisting the youth of Chicago. He is a special person and a great representative for UIC."

Suffice it to say, Granderson's contribution is expected to be the largest gift in UIC Athletics history and that's probably why the joint is also going to be called "Curtis Granderson Stadium".

Mark Teixeira Rocks

I'm pretty sure Mark Teixeira is doing it wrong.

The New York Yankees slugger opened up to the Wall Street Journal, admitting that, among other things, he is, well...not the player he used to be.

"Maybe I'm slowing down a tick. Look, I'm not going to play forever," the 32-year-old said.  "Eventually you start, I don't want to say declining, but it gets harder and harder to put up 30 (home runs) and 100 (RBI)."

He also admitted to being overpaid.

"I have no problem with anybody in New York, any fan, saying you're overpaid. Because I am," Teixeira said. "My first six years, before I was a free agent, I was very valuable. But there's nothing you can do that can justify a $20 million contract."

Ummm...come again. 

Why, you ask, would the five-time Gold Glove winner openly discuss his inability to perform at what used to be a top notch level?  My guess...to take everyone's eyes off this.

Earlier in the week, the first baseman hit the stage as part of the Broadway hit "Rock of Ages" rocking a vest that would make Kenny Powers proud.

"I was born in 1980 and rocking out as a young pup in Severna Park, Maryland, to some of the great '80s songs," Teixeira told the New York Daily News. "It was a good time."

I'm sure it was a good time and all, but c'mon, dude, in the wake of the latest "A-Rod did steroids" stories, the last thing the Bronx Bombers need right now is someone admitting they're making too much money and out there hitting the stage and not the batting cages.

Also, lose the headband.

 

A-Rod is Probably Showing Poor Judgement

It seems like just yesterday I was claiming to be done with these two.  But, unfortunately, it's been just over a year and, more unfortunate...I'm not.

New York Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez and his ex-WWE Diva lady friend Torrie Wilson were out biking this past weekend in Miami.

Now, I'm no doctor (far from it), but should a guy who is awaiting hip surgery really be out there riding cycling through the streets of South Beach?  Furthermore...if I'm the Bronx Bombers and I'm on the hook for $28 million for this guy this upcoming season, should I be allowing this?

Ugh.  At least he's wearing a helmet.

Derek Jeter Phones Slain Teacher's Mom

I've made mention before that I'm not the world's biggest fan of the New York Yankees, but, man...it's hard NOT to like team captain Derek Jeter.

And dude just keeps making it harder to say anything bad about him.

Victoria Soto, the young 27-year-old teacher who died last Friday in the Sandy Hook shootings was, according to everything written about her, a huge fan of the Yankees and, well, Jeter found out.

"Vicki loved the Yankees...that was part of her eulogy," her cousin James Wiltsie told the New York Daily News.  "No one in the family reached out, so (Jeter) must have heard about it and ... reached out.  It was a surprise and unexpected. (Victoria's mother) spoke to him for quite some time."

There aren't any details about what the two discussed, but, honestly...do we care? 

All we need to know is that the future Hall of Famer is a class act.

Yankees Ink Kevin Youkilis to One-Year Deal

It wasn't long after news of Alex Rodriguez's hip surgery made headlines that the baseball world began to speculate about Kevin Youkilis joining the New York Yankees.

Well, speculate no longer.

According to FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal...the third baseman will be joining the Bronx Bombers having just inked a one-year, $12-million deal.

The 33-year-old split time last season with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox, hitting .235 with 19 home runs and 60 RBI.

Naturally, the world is waiting to see what Scott Youkilis has to say.  You'll recall that when the deal went down sending his brother to Chicago..."Chef Youk" had a little bit of a social media meltdown.

Derek Jeter Is (Not) Fat?

You know the old adage "the camera adds ten pounds"? 

Sure, you do.

Last week, the New York Post published some pictures of Derek Jeter looking notso svelte.  But, days later...the New York Yankees captain waas spotted (and photographed) in what looks like an abandoned warehouse district hanging out with MLB Network's Harold Reynolds.

So, what gives?  And how soon until pitchers and catchers report?

A-Rod Shelved Until Mid-Season

Well, we now know why Alex Rodriguez disappeared during the playoffs.  Dude was playing with a bum hip.

It was announced Monday morning that the New York Yankees superstar will be undergoing hip surgery in January and, subsequently, miss a big chunk of the upcoming season.

Early estimates have the third baseman returning in June or July.

You'll remember that the 37-year-old had surgery on his right hip in 2009.  When news starting swirling about this new development, thoughts were that he had re-injured that hip at some point this past season, but Joel Sherman from the New York Post reports that it is Rodriguez's left hip that needs surgery.

Sherman also tweeted that the Yankees hope A-Rod can still be a successful player again (obviously), and that this is not a retirement for the slugger.

So yeah, memo to the GMs at the Winter Meetings...the Yankees are in need of a bat.  And if that bat can also cover a little gound at third...all the better.

Ichiro Hoping to Don Pinstripes in 2013

Immediately following their collapse in the ALCS, speculation was that the New York Yankees were planning on blowing up the team and starting anew.

Now, it's too early to know if the Yankees are going to do that or not, but acording to a New York Post report, one veteran is hoping to return to the Bronx Bombers.

Ichiro Suzuki has been telling those close to him that "he so enjoyed playing in a professional, winning atmosphere with so many contemporaries near his age range" and that a one-year deal, perhaps with an option, in the $5 million-to-$8 million range might be enough to keep him in pinstripes.

You'll remember, the Japanese superstar was sent to the Big Apple from the Seattle Mariners back in July.  In 67 games with the Yankees, he hit .322 while spending time at all three outfielder positions.

The 39-year-old 2001 American League MVP is a free agent and will enter 2013 fourth on the active hits list with 2606.

Is A-Rod Back with The Diva?

Now that the World Series matchup is set, it's time to get back to the real business at hand.

What's the latest with Alex Rodriguez and those chicks he was hitting on during the ALCS?

Well, apparently, nothing. 

According to the Thirty Mile Zone the New York Yankees slugger hit the sidewalks of Miami with his gal pal Torrie Wilson.  No word as to whether or not "A-Rod" is back with the former WWE diva, but if the matching "his and hers aviator sunglasses" are any indication they, well, nevermind.

Yes, I realize I threw "gal pal" out there for all of you to read.

And, yes, I also realize that, once again, I went against my promise to NOT talk about these two.

 

Derek Jeters Collects 200th Postseason Hit

Is it fair to call Derek Jeter "Mr. October" yet? I mean...dude does have more anythings than anyone else ever has during the postseason.

And Saturday night, the hits just kept on coming for the New York Yankees captain.

Literally.

With a second-inning single off Detroit Tigers starter Doug Fister, Jeter became the first player in baseball history to record 200 career postseason hits. Sure, Jeter has played almost an entire season's worth of postseason games (158 to be exact), but, still, any way you slice it...200 base knocks in the playoffs is pretty impressive.

Behind the shortstop on the all-time postseason list, former teammate Bernie Williams (with 128 hits) and slugger Manny Ramirez (117). The next closest active player is Albert Pujols who, in 74 postseason games for the St. Louis Cardinals, collected 88 playoff hits.

If you want to have some fun playing with numbers, Jeter has 3504 combined regular and postseason hits. At the same age (38 years, three months and 17 days), baseball's all-time hit king Pete Rose had 3344 (3289 regular season, 55 post). And, yes, I realize combining the two totals is pretty much irrelevant. But, it is worthy of a little cyber ink...if that is such a thing.

You see, the "Hit King" has been very vocal of late, dismissing Jeter's climb up the all-time hits ladder and eventually approaching his hits record.
　
"I don't think he will break the record," Rose said in a recent interview. "He still needs 950 hits, right? He had a great year this year, but you think he can do that again? At 39? A shortstop? Let's say he does it again. Let's say he gets 200 more hits next year. And let's say he gets 200 more hits when he's 40, though I don't think he can. Okay, can he get 200 more hits when he's 41? You think he can?"

"I don't think he can get 200 more hits at 41, but let's say he does. Okay, now he's 42. He’s gonna get 200 more hits then? At 42? Let me tell you, I've been there, the body locks up," Rose continued. "Jeter's a great hitter. I'd say he hits like I did. But he's gonna get 200 hits when he's 42? I don't think he will. And even if he does all that, he's STILL 150 hits short."

I've got to agree with Rose on this one...I don't think Jeter gets to 4256. But, then again, no one is dropping good money at a Las Vegas store to hear what I think.

 

Trump: A-Rod "Can't Perform Without Drugs"

Alex Rodriguez does poorly in the playoffs...that's what he does.

That said, fans are calling for New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi to move the struggling slugger down in the batting order.

"I trust our guys...I'm with them every day," the skipper said when asked about moving A-Rod.  "Nothing that we do will be something that is just a knee-jerk reaction."

But, when you consider that the three-time MVP is in the midst of a 1-for-9 postseason so far and hasn't hit a postseason homer in his last 87 plate appearances...the critics might be on to something.

One of the most critical, "Johnny New York" himself...Donald Trump.

Now, I'm not sure what Trump knows about baseball, steroids or, well, sports for that matter considering he ran the USFL into the ground and, just last year, allowed Jose Canseco to join the cast of  "The Apprentice", but dude sure isn't afraid of letting everyone know his opinion.

Talkin' Jeffrey Maier with the Ballhawks

Sixteen years ago, Jeffrey Maier became a household name in both New York and Baltimore.

Alright, it might be a stretch to call dude a "household name", but the 12-year-old did, at the very least, get his fifteen minutes of fame.

You see, on October 9, 1996, Maier stuck his glove over the rightfield fence at Yankee Stadium and snared what would be a Derek Jeter home run ball.  It was that home run that tied up the game between the Yankees and Orioles and, ultimately, led to the Bombers having the chance to win the contest in extra innings.

And, as is customary when you're reminded of an incident like this (the Steve Bartman fiasco also comes to mind), you've gotta track down those who have "been there" and "done that" and no one epitomizes that more than baseball's premier ballhawk, New York native Zack Hample and Charm City's finest, fellow ballhawk, Tim Anderson.

HOVG:  Gentlemen, as guys spend part of your time at the ballpark trying to get your hands on baseballs...do you agree or disagree with what Jeffrey Maier did 16 years ago?

HAMPLE:  I totally disagree with what Jeffrey Maier did.

ANDERSON:  Do I agree with what he did...interfering with a ball that was in play? Absolutely not. I have never been presented with that exact situation during a game, but there have been a few times where I tracked a ball down the aisle and, as I realized it would be close to wall, made a conscious effort to make sure I was behind the wall.

HOVG:  But can you blame the kid?

ANDERSON:  Do I blame Maier for, at 12 years old, reaching out to catch a ball hit toward him? Not really. He was twelve and he didn't know; as much as I hate to say it.

HAMPLE:  I can't really blame him for interfering, though, because he was pretty young at the time, and it's only natural to reach for a ball in that situation. What bothers me about the whole thing is that (a) the ball clanked off his wrist and he has always been credited with "catching" it and (b) he has been glorified for breaking a rule that I've obeyed countless times over the years.

HOVG:  You've had something similar happen to you, Zack, have you not?

HAMPLE:  I was nearly ejected from Yankee Stadium in 1992 for ALMOST interfering. I was sitting in that exact same spot and reached over the wall for a deep fly ball off the bat of Joe Orsulak that I easily could've caught. At the very last second, I yanked my glove back, enabling Yankees right fielder Dion James to jump and make the catch...and I was STILL berated by security. As they were walking me out of the section, the highlight was shown on the jumbotron; I made them stop and watch it, and they saw for themselves that I pulled my glove back before the ball reached me. Only then did they allow me to return to my seat, so yeah, I'm pretty annoyed by the whole thing.

HOVG:  Tim, you're a fixture at Camden Yards.  Is Jeffrey Maier still a topic of conversation among Orioles fans?

ANDERSON:  Of course Maier is mentioned here around Baltimore and at Camden Yards, mostly to describe how a catch was made, or as a joke when something like it happens during the game. But it still hurts because who knows what the Orioles could have done if that call is overturned? Thank God we have redemption in 2012; this time with replay.

HOVG:  Is there anything teams can do to prevent something like what happened with Jeffrey Maier from happening again?

HAMPLE:  Ultimately, stadiums should just be built better to prevent fans from interfering. Just separate the stands from the outfield wall by a few feet a la Turner Field. That's all it takes. It's so easy. But it's rarely done.

Zack Hample has snagged 6452 baseballs at 50 different Major League stadiums since 1990. You can check out his website (The Baseball Collector) or follow him on Twitter at @zack_hample.

When Tim Anderson is not at Camden Yards, he is online contributing to both The Diamonds Edge and Baseball and Things.  You can find "Mr. Shagtastic" on Twitter at @TimmyWade94.

Ugandan Little Leaguers Hit The Big Apple

The Ugandan National Little League team has been on quite a roll as of late.

Not only did they become the first African team to advance to a Little League World Series (they finished their inaugural visit Thursday with a win in a consolation game), but now...they're making their way to Major League ballparks.

Tuesday night, they were in Philadelphia to catch a Phillies game.  But cooler than getting a chance to dance with the Phillie Phanatic...they got to meet Jimmy Rollins.

Rollins, you could say, is partly responsible for the youngsters even getting the chance to play baseball. 

You see, the All-Star shortstop went to Uganda in January and left as the team's unofficial sponsor.  Dude has been sending the kids money for equipment and their education ever since.

"Jimmy Rollins is a great man to us, as a brother, as a father, as a caretaker," Ugandan coach Odong Henry said. "When he's with us, he's really down to earth. He's not like a superstar. He talks to us freely. He plays with us. When he comes to our country, he doesn't care where he sits. He eats with us."

And on Wednesday, the team made their way to the Big Apple where they were able to catch a matinee at Yankee Stadium.

"It’s a wonderful story. It takes everyone back to your Little League days," New York skipper Joe Giradi said. "To watch what these kids accomplished, talking to their coaches...none of them had ever even seen an airplane before or ever traveled before. For them to accomplish what they have is truly amazing."

Oh, and almost as cool as meeting big leaguers and mascots, they even got to hang out with friend of The Hall "Bald Vinny" Milano.

Not too shabby, boys.

Now, You Too, Can Live Like A-Rod!

Before you add "dude has an elevator in his house" to the list of reasons you dislike Alex Rodriguez...the New York Yankees superstar wants you to be able to have one as well.

His. 

Yeah, according to the Thirty Mile Zone, the three-time MVP has put his Miami mansion on the block...for a staggering $38 million price tag.

A-Rod bought the super modern crib back in 2010 -- while it was still under construction -- for a reported $24 mil. But now he's looking to sell off the 20,000-square-foot pad and make a cool profit at the same time.

The 9-bedroom, 11-bath beachfront estate is freaking AMAZING if you've got the cash. It offers 275 ft. of water frontage, a home theater, a heated pool, gym, rooftop deck, an elevator AND a 3,000 square-foot sports room complete with a batting cage.

Wait, hold on...ONLY eleven bathrooms?  And since you're all thinking it...no, no word on whether or not the mythic centaur painting is included.

***Click here for a full assortment of pictures of A-Rod's pad.***

Report: Ichiro to the Bronx

According to Jack Curry, the New York Yankees aren't about to let the recent news that Brett Gardner is out for the season detour them from their ultimate goal.

And joining them in the quest for their 28th ring...Ichiro Suzuki.

The 38-year-old Ichiro is in the midst of a, now, season-and-a-half long slump.  This season, he's batting just .261...a far cry from his career batting average of .322.

And in case you were wondering how Ichiro might do in pinstripes, the former Seattle Mariner is hitting .339 in 52 career games in New York.

Your move, baseball.