Tag: New York Yankees

Jontay Porter Receives Lifetime Ban

by Miguel Mike Medina

Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban from the NBA for violating the league’s gambling policy. According to reports, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using someone else’s betting accounts. This is a sad case. Porter is 24 years old and was a member of the Toronto Raptors. 

It’s not easy to make it to the NBA and for Porter to gamble his life away and throw his career to the toilet makes me sick to my stomach. I can’t imagine what the family going through at this time. Porter had a chance to play in the league for a long time if he dedicated himself to his performance rather than betting. This story would’ve been a way big deal had it been a superstar or an All-Star player. Porter was a role player for the Raptors. Porter just like Pete Rose will be remembered for this foolishness. 

Coby White scored a career-high 42 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to victory over the Atlanta Hawks by the final score of 131-116. Chicago will play Miami on Friday for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. 

Texas Rangers top prospect Jack Leiter will make his starting pitching debut today against the Detroit Tigers. Jack is the son of former pitcher Al Leiter, who won three championships in his career and played for a variety of teams. Pitching runs in the family. 

The Yankees overcame a 4-1 deficit and snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4. Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton hit solo home runs. Lee Trevino tied the game in the top of the 9th inning. Aaron Judge hit a clutch2-run single passed third base to give the Yankees a 6-4 lead. The Yankees needed to win that game. They improved to 13-6 in the season. 

Subway Series Recap

By Miguel Mike Medina

The two-game Subway Series is over. Yankees won the first game. The Mets won the second game. This Subway Series felt like a playoff atmosphere. Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso were not in the lineup due to them being in the injury list.

I collaborated with a passionate Mets fan twice this week to talk about the Subway Series. His name is Anthony Rivera. He’s the creator and host of ‘Subway to Shea’ Podcast.

Listen and watch the Subway Series recap video with special guest Anthony Rivera on our YouTube channel. The video premieres at 7pm.

Sunday Sports Shorts

By Miguel Mike Medina

Miami Heat’ defense played outstanding against the New York Knicks on Saturday afternoon. If they can play like this each game, then they could make the Finals and possibly win it all. The Heat were dominant in Game 3. Heat defeated the Knicks 105-86. Jimmy Butler led Miami with 28 points. Bam Adebayo added 17 points with 12 rebounds. Game Four will be on Monday night at 7:30. 

Edmonton Oilers were on fire against the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s the fourth playoff game where the Oilers score five goals or more. Leon Draisaitl is having an unbelievable postseason for the ages. He scored two goals in Game 3. Draisaitl has 13 goals in 8 games this postseason. Evan Bouchard had a goal and two assists. Bouchard leads all defensemen in scoring with 15 points. Oilers won 5-1 to take a 2-1 series lead. 

After two seasons, Gerald Gallant is out as the New York Rangers. When the Devils eliminated the Rangers in the first round, we knew how bad this would look on the team, especially on the head coach. Letting go of Gallant won’t solve all of their problems, though. The Rangers had a lot of moves during the trade deadline to compete for the Stanley Cup. We will see what other decisions the front office will make during the off-season. 

The Yankees rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, 3-2. The Yankees were trailing 2-0 in the game until DJ LeMahieu hit a double to right field to bring the first run. Harrison Bader went 2 for 2 in this game and got two hits. He had two RBIs in this game and was one of the heroes for the Yankees. The Yankees have split the series so far. 

Brandon Belt’s Big Night

By Miguel Mike Medina

Toronto Blue Jays traveled to Yankee Stadium to take on the New York Yankees in a 3-game series on Friday night—two of the best teams in the AL East, alongside the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays. Before the season started, many of us thought the division would be between the Yankees and Blue Jays. The Rays intervened and told the world to “don’t forget that we exist.” It’s still early in the season, but there’s something about this series that will be the start of a fascinating AL East race. Who will strike first in this series?

As of Friday night, it would be the Blue Jays to strike the first punch. Vlad Jr got things started when he hit a two-run home run in the first inning off pitcher Domingo German. Brandon Belt had a good game against the Yankees. He went two for four which included a 2-run home run in the top of the 6th inning to give the Blue Jays a more comfortable lead. In the top of the 8th inning, he hit a 2-run double to bring Bo Bichette and Vlad Jr home. He is responsible for adding four insurance runs for the Blue Jays. They went on to win 6-1.

Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi pitched for six innings, had three strikeouts, and gave up one earned run and two walks. He got the win and improved to 3-0 in the season. Blue Jays tied with the Yankees with a 12-8 record. Game Two of the series will be on Saturday at 1pm in a battle of two good pitchers: Alek Manoah vs. Gerrit Cole. 

“Never Gave Up A Day in My Life” – Ep. 6 Reaction

Episode Six of Derek Jeter’s “The Captain” Docuseries, which is called “Never Gave Up a Day in My Life,” focuses on many different moments of Jeter’s career: 2009 world Championship run, collecting 3,000 hits, the broken ankle during the 2012 ALCS against the Tigers, contract issues with Brian Cashman, and meeting his wife.

The 2009 world championship run is unforgettable. When the Yankees signed CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Nick Swisher, and Mark Teixeira, you knew they were on to something special that year. It’s also the first season playing at the new stadium. After missing the postseason in 2008 for the first time in 15 years, the Yankees wanted to prove this was a fluke. 

Statistically, Derek Jeter had one of the best seasons of his career. He had an MVP-caliber season. Unfortunately, Joe Mauer got the AL MVP honors.

As for the Yankees collectively, they don’t want to miss the playoffs again. The Yankees went on to win the AL East division, swept the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS, defeated the Angels in 6 games to win the pennant, and dethroned the Philadelphia Phillies in 6 games to become world champions.

Alex Rodriguez was unreal throughout that postseason run. Without Alex, they would’ve not won it all. Sabathia stepped up, Hideki Matsui stepped up, and the Core Four were aging, but they were young at heart. 

3,000 Hits

Derek Jeter reached 3,000 hits at Yankee Stadium was spectacular. It happened on July 9, 2011. The pressure to hit 3,000 at home was immense. He did it in a very Hollywood-scripted way. He hit a home run off a great pitcher David Price, and he went 5-for-5, including a game winning hit in the 8th inning. 

2012-2014

Derek had the toughest last few seasons as a Yankee. He was playing through injuries in the 2012 season, and it got worse when he broke his ankle during Game 2 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers. He was miserable. He hated missing time off from baseball. But he got back on his feet. 

In 2014, the Yankees kept Derek Jeter in the leadoff and sometimes hit the No. 2 spot. Some would say that the Yankees were trying not to disrespect him because he’s Derek Jeter. He’s the captain. So probably, they wanted to please him and keep him on the leadoff spot. There are no problems in that regard. He earned it through his production throughout the years. 

Buster Olney, one of the most recognizable baseball writers, had the nerve to say that Derek Jeter should’ve volunteered to tell manager Joe Girardi to bring him down from the lineup. That’s utterly ridiculous. Jeter said it best when that champions don’t give up or volunteer to take a day off or quit on their team. I’m paraphrasing, but that’s his attitude. He’s not going to let his team down. He’s not going to quit. He’s going to play through the pain no matter what. He wants to win and contribute at all costs. Many of these sports writers have said some of the most foolish things at times, and in this case, Olney said something beyond ridiculous.

Review

4.5 out of 5 stars

“I Don’t Have to be Your Best Friend” – Ep. 3 Reaction

Episode three of “The Captain” documentary series, the episode is called “I don’t have to be your best friend.” It’s one of the best series episodes because it dives into Derek Jeter’s trust issues and keeps a tiny right group of people in his circle. It also goes into detail about his once-close friendship with Alex Rodriguez.

The footage of the 1999 brawl between the Yankees and Mariners was great because you saw Jeter and A-Rod chatting away from the brawl. It didn’t sit too well with Chad Curtis, and he and Jeter had an exchange privately. Curtis had issues with his teammates. His problems with whatever he had with Jeter became the beginning of the end during his tenure with the Yankees. Curtis spent three seasons with the Yankees (1997-1999)

In September 2000, the Yankees were struggling. The final week of the regular season was a disaster. When they clinched the division, they didn’t celebrate with champagne. That’s a great attitude to have. In Game 5 of the American League Division Series, third baseman Eric Chavez made a wrong decision to talk about how it’s time for someone else to win because the Yankees have won 4 titles in the last five years. Yankees heard those comments loud and clear, and they made the A’s pay the price. Yankees closed out the series on their home turf, and Chavez recorded the final out of the game with a pop-out fly to Tino Martinez. Chavez should’ve known better not to talk too soon. 

The 2000 World Series brings back many memories because there was a lot of pressure on the Yankees to win the series. They needed to defend New York, and they did. The Yankees beat the Mets in 5 games. Derek Jeter set the tone and put the lid on the series after he hit a leadoff home run in the first inning of Game 4. 

Jeter and A-Rod Scene:

Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez had a true brotherhood in their early 20s. The two were close in the ’90s and even crashed at each other’s apartments while Derek was coming up on the Yankees and A-Rod was playing for the Seattle Mariners. There was great respect and admiration for each other. Rodriguez ruined that friendship with two interviews. His interview with writer Scott Raab was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and the one with Dan Patrick. But here’s what he said during the interview with Scott Raab that caught the attention from everyone: 

“Jeter’s been blessed with great talent around him,” he added of Jeter’s Yankees teammates. “So he’s never had to lead. He doesn’t have to; he can go and play and have fun and hit second. I mean, you know, hitting second is different than hitting third or fourth in a lineup because you go into New York trying to stop Bernie [Williams] and [Paul] O’Neill and everybody. You never say, ‘Don’t let Derek beat you.’ That’s never your concern.”

Rodriguez eventually met up with Jeter and apologized for how the comments came out. Jeter was bothered because he was a loyal person, and he would never do that to a friend. 

Jeter and A-Rod seem to be cool nowadays. No issues between them. They won a Championship together in 2009. They also did an interview together in 2022. After Jeter lost one of his closest friends, Gerald Williams, to cancer, he’s been a “not hold any grudges” type of guy.

Review:

4.7 out of 5 stars 

The Captain: No Blueprint for Success – Reaction

“The Captain” sports documentary is about Derek Jeter’s life and career. It is one of the most highly anticipated documentaries of 2022. Jeter is one of the most beloved and respected athletes in the history of New York Sports. He wasn’t the greatest shortstop ever, but what made him people gravitate to him was his personality, the way he carried himself on and off the field, and his willingness to win at all costs. Jeter has an incredible work ethic. There’s a reason why he won five championships with the Yankees and should’ve had more. 

Episode One of the documentary series is called “No Blueprint for Success,” It focuses on his humble beginnings, how his parents met, how the kids were raised, and where they were raised. Jeter’s parents endured racism because his mother was white and his dad was African American. Interestingly, Jeter’s mom said that in Europe (Germany), where she met Derek’s dad, it wasn’t a big deal about interracial couples, but in the United States, it is a huge deal, and it was tough what they had to go through. Jeter’s parents instilled in both of their kids that they would go through trials and tribulations because of their skin color and to continuously work hard in anything they set out to do. 

Derek Jeter said during the episode that his father taught him a lot about being a fierce competitor. He didn’t allow Derek to win at anything. It’s a valuable lesson that nothing comes easy and quickly in life. You have to go out there and work for it. You have to earn it. That’s an excellent parenting skill. Another great example of parenting skills and why a father’s presence in their kids’ life is vital is when Jeter was feeling homesick and wanted to go back home because he was struggling in his first year in the minors.

The Yankees drafted Jeter as the 6th overall pick in the 1992 Draft. Jeter was discouraged that he didn’t go into the Too five pick of the draft, but it all worked out. He’s playing for the team he always wanted to play for New York Yankees. Houston and Cincinnati had a chance to draft him, but they dropped the ball. It’s great footage to see of Jeter and his family celebrate when they called him name in the Draft. 

Tony Fernandez getting injured during the 1995 season was a blessing in disguise for Jeter. He got called up and made his debut in Seattle. It’s the same city where he collected his first hit. 

1995 was the beginning of many great things to come. Yankees took advantage and won the first American League Wild Card. They made the playoffs for the first time since 1981. Although Jeter wasn’t on the playoff roster, he got to get a taste of the playoff atmosphere in the Bronx by watching it from the dugout. The Yankees squandered a 2-0 series lead to the Mariners. Jeter was upset because he wanted to win and he wants to contribute. At the time, little did we all know that it would be the beginning of a dynasty. 

Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Important Notes and Observations:

– Great way to use Nas’s “The World is Yours” music while showing highlights of the 1994 Yankees season. They were in the first place before the strike happened. The fact that they used a song like that one was surprising but enjoyable. 1994 was an unforgettable year for New York sports because of the success of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.

– Gene Michael is the one who built that dynasty team. He was responsible for drafting guys like Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, and the rest of the Core Four members (Posada, Mariano, and Pettitte). God knew what he was doing when George Steinbrenner was gone as the owner for two years. Thank the good lord for Gene Michael. May god rest his soul. 

Miguel Andujar Wants to Be Traded

The moment has come, and there is no surprise about this report. New York Yankees outfielder Miguel Andújar, frustrated by a lack of consistent playing time, has informed manager Aaron Boone that he wants to be traded to another team.

Andújar, 27, has played in just 12 games this season as he has been shuttled back and forth between Triple-A and the majors and, over that span has batted .268/.279/.317 with no home runs in 41 at-bats. Andújar, on Friday, was optioned back to the minors again.

We can’t blame Andujar for feeling this way. Andujar should showcase his talent in another organization. He was too talented to go to waste. My biggest concern about Andujar is his durability. Other than that, he has the potential to be an All-Star if he is allowed to shine, and being with the Yankees is not the answer. I’m accustomed to seeing players get better after they leave the Yankees or get traded away from the Yankees (Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Nuñez, etc.). Not everyone can play in New York and deal with the New York media.

I’m rooting for Andujar to get better as a player with another franchise. 

Photo: Noah Murray/Associated Press

The Unfair Criticism

Josh Donaldson said he was hurt after his New York Yankees teammates didn’t back him up following his “Jackie Robinson” comments directed at Chicago White Sox star Tim Anderson.

Donaldson was suspended for one game last month after he admitted to calling Anderson, who is Black, “Jackie” during a game. That prompted the benches to clear during that game, and White Sox manager Tony La Russa said after the game that Donaldson made “a racist comment.” Tony, you disappointed me.

Donaldson’s comments drew plenty of criticism, including from Yankees manager Aaron Boone and teammate Aaron Judge. Ridiculous.

It was a harmful comment. There was no “racist” comment whatsoever. People are way too sensitive and fragile in today’s world. Tim Anderson called himself the “new Jackie Robinson” back in 2019 without even knowing what he was comparing himself to because Tim Anderson didn’t go through what Jackie went through. The suspension was stupid, and everyone who thinks that Donaldson was wrong is politically correct and a liberal. What Donaldson is feeling is understandable, and I’m with him. 

Yankees Minor League Signings

The New York Yankees haven’t made a big splash during the offseason so far. No status on Carlos Correa, no status on Trevor Story. However, they made some Minor League signings.

Yankees have added to their centerfield depth by signing Ender Inciarte, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and 2017 National League All-Star, to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

Inciarte, 31, owns a career .290/.333/.383 in eight big league seasons with the D-backs (2014-15) and Braves (2016-21), winning Gold Glove Awards in three consecutive seasons (2016-18).

Inciarte was among four Minor League signings made by the Yankees on Wednesday. Also signed were shortstop Wilkerman Garcia, center fielder Blake Perkins, and right-hander Vinny Nitolli.

Garcia, 23, is a switch-hitter who has spent his entire pro career in the Yankees’ organization, compiling a .234/.288/.318 in five Minor League seasons from 2015-19.

Garcia has played 252 of his 348 professional games at shortstop, appearing at second base (58 games) and third base (29 games). He spent all of this past season on the Minor League injured list.