LatinoSports BB: Two Balks Don’t Make It Right but CC Sabathia had his Night

El Bronx –C.C. Sabathia started the night looking for his first victory of the season.  After giving up 3 runs through the first 3 innings on four hits, it could have been in doubt if he would get it with his shaky start.

The Twins Josh Willingham, named the American League Player of the Week (Period ending April 15^th ) and who had hit safely in each of the Twins first 10 games (now 11), got the Twins on board on the top of the second inning with his 5^th home run of the season (had been tied for first in HRs). Missing from the Twins lineup was Justin Morneau – batting .452 in 11 career regular season games in New York.

The Yankees tied the game on a walk to Curtis Granderson who advanced to second base on a balk* by Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano; later reached third on a bunt single by Eduardo Nuñez and scored on a RBI double down the left field line by Brett Gardner.

The Twins who usually leave New York with a feeling of rejection if not outright dejection (The Yanks have a home 175-110 win-lost advantage and an overall 334-245 record against them) regained the lead with two runs the following inning; had their center fielder Denard Span and skipper Ron Gardenhire ejected from the game on the top of the 3^rd.

Span on what appeared to be an argument on balls and strikes with the plate umpire Greg Gibson, and the skipper for standing up for his player. He would later say: “He (Span) got ejected, and then I said my piece. I got dejected and then ejected.”

On that bottom of the inning Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia balked** second baseman Alexi Castilla who singled after one out. Clete Thomas, in for the ejected Span doubled in a run and would later score on an RBI single by short stop Jamey Carroll. So, in consecutive innings each pitcher had a balk; this would not necessarily be a sign of what was to come, but in case someone is into premonitions, why not…

But the Yankees answered back with 4 runs in the bottom of that frame; this got Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano out of the game: would be 0-2 and would be winless in his career at Yankee Stadium. Skipper Gardenhire would say after the game: “It was a battle. It’s a battle for him right now. He’s not able to execute well enough.”

Then the Yankees added a run in the, 4^th, 5^th and 7^th innings. A highlight of the scoring was Yankees second-string catcher Chris Stewart driving in two runs with single to left. Later he would add another RBI in the bottom of the 7^th after a Brett Gardner steal of second base. Steward wound up with 3 RBI (a career high).

The second highlight came in the 4^th on Andrew Jones’ homerun, his second of the season. Jones was batting fifth in place of not-in-the-lineup first baseman Mark Teixeira, scratched from the lineup due to flu-like symptoms.

C.C. Sabathia would not allow another hit from the 4^th through the 6^th and faced one batter in the 7^th; he got that one out before David Robertson replaced him on the mound. CC. would strike out 7 and allowed only one base on balls. 

David Robertson is part of a bullpen that is second in the American League with a 2.36 ERA behind Texas and fifth best in the Majors before tonight’s game.

On another note: Derek Jeter who needed 7 RBI to tie Bill Dickey (1,210) got two tonight.

So with all the mini-highlights – not leaving out Brett Garner’s sparking catch earlier in the game, and not to be mentioned, a fan running  on the field in what would be “on the field delay,” – would be an 8-3 Yankees win with the Yankees Ace gaining his first win of the year.

* (baseball 101: a balk is a technicality on the pitcher’s movement: stepping towards the plate and throwing to first. It awards a runner (s) to advance to the next base.

Written for Latino Sports.

A familiar place for Dominican Republic: 2012 Caribbean Series Champs

El Barrio, NY – As anyone with access to the internet will see, the final standings of the Caribbean Series has the Dominican Republic winning the 2012 title.  Winning the Caribbean Classic (not withstanding that it has become mostly a rookie roster series devoid of established MLB Stars) is a familiar place for the Dominican Republic as they have been champions 19 times since 1970 and 13 times since 1990.

So this year’s standings are as follows with two teams tied for second place.

Dom. Rep. 4 2 .667 -

Puerto Rico 3 3 .500 –

Venezuela 3 3 .500 –

Mexico 2 4 .333

Last year’s champions, Mexico, came last with a 2-4 record beating only Puerto Rico and Venezuela for its two wins. Venezuela who began with a 0-3 record won 3 straight to come up with a .500 record. Both Venezuela and Puerto Rico wrested a victory from the Dominican Republic (4-2).

As noted in my earlier blog, Panama, Nicaragua and possibly Columbia would be participants if it were not for economic woes that keep them from competing and participating Caribbean Series.

Puerto Rico had a similar scenario when its winter baseball was suspended in 2007. The formally named "Professional Baseball League of Puerto Rico" (Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico) started with 6 teams in its inception. Now they only have 4.

So, it appears that democracy and capitalism falls short for some countries in having competitive baseball in their winter baseball seasons (winter-cold for us in the States, that is). The Dominican Republic, deemed as a “poor” Caribbean nation does not show the same deficiency as the other countries cited above given the possible correlation of how MLB has set up baseball academies (farms) that churn out a large number of major league baseball players over the years.

So now there is talk of Cuba’s possible comeback into the Caribbean Series, and putting into context some of the above elements of the issues mentioned above would be food for thought – con comida criolla, that is.

First published at 

www.latinosports.com  

Caribbean Series: Tidbits on the eve of showdown between DR and PR

El Barrio, NY- February 4, 2012

So far in their home turf, thru mid-Saturday of day 3, the Dominican Republic team, the Leones del Escogido, has been undefeated as they face Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayagüez (1-1) in the evening game.  In the afternoon game, Mexico’s Yaquis de Obregon (2-1) handed Venezuela’s Tigres de Aragua (0-3) their third defeat in a row in a 4-2 game. 

Except for the Leones del Escogido 5-2 victory over Venezuela on Day 2, the other 4 contexts have been relatively low scoring games. On the same day Mexico’s blanked P.R. 2-0.  The day before on Day 1, the Dominican Republic beat Mexico 2-1; followed by Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayaguez 3-1 victory against Venezuela.

Two pitchers that have been featured by writer Jesse Jackson of MLB are Boricua Nelson Figueroa and Mexican Luis Ayala. These have been two hang-in-tough pitchers who seem to have some of what it takes to pitch in the Majors here and there, but with a struggle of not making their last season their last. In particular, Luis Ayala who had a very good season with the Yankees; He has not been added to their 2012 roster and is looking for the best offer from several teams.

On the other hand, Nelson Figueroa has the distinction of having pitched and won a game for 3 different countries that wind up sending a team to the Caribbean Series. These are Mexico, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Moreover, his winter baseball stint was in the Dominican Republic and with the team that is representing that country in the series: Leones del Escogido. He left them after they won their country’s championship. When the series is over Figueroa is heading for Spring Training where he hopes to get another opportunity with the Toronto Blue Jays.

In another related article, Cuba may play in the 2013 series. Last time Cuba sent a team to the Caribbean Series was in 1960. While it is said that the blame falls on the leadership of the Cuban Revolution for its baseball absence in the Caribbean Series over the last 50 years, more research on this matter is forthcoming as Cuba became a target of U.S. aggression (“Bay of Pigs” invasion) and economic sanctions and blockade. On the other hand, three other nations, Panama, Nicaragua and Columbia have not been able to send a team to the series because of economic hardships in their respective leagues.

More to follow after the showdown between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, a rivalry of sorts made possible by the large Dominican migration to Puerto Rico over the years after the U.S. invasion of the Quisqueya to topple just another Latin American government in 1965.

Jorge Posada’s playing days officially end; Road to Yankees Legends club begins

Todo tiene su final; "Nada dura para siempre. Tenemos que recordar; Que no existe eternidad."
Part of Lyrics " Todo Tiene Su Final "by salsa singer Hector Lavoe


Yankee Stadium, el Bronx-NY- If a musical tune were to accompany Jorge Posada's farewell, such as when a batter comes out of the dugout on to the plate, Hector Lavoe's song would surely be the one.

The first two lines of the song say: “All has an end. Nothing lasts forever.” Sooner or later every any prominent  player has to come to grips with the fact he will one day have to say adios - goodbye. None is more true of  Jorge Posada, a possible Hall of Famer.

But when it comes to Jorge there is a paradox in the lyrics. The next two lines read: “We have to remember. There is no eternity.” In a very emotional farewell, in front of a packed media room at the stadium, he  assured himself a space in eternity in the most renowned team in sports.

He played with a passion and it was just as fitting that an emotional press conference was the closing to an illustrious career for a Puerto Rican player who is in essence a true a caribeño – born in Puerto Rico of a Cuban father and Dominican mother.

Jason Zillo, media relations director, acted as master of ceremonies. Before giving the mick to Jorge, Mr. Zillo acknowledged the names of several notables in the audience, from top brass CEOs to Yankee players including former Yankee Willie Randolph.

Jorge opened by saying that whenever he would walk through the doors of the stadium, it would often remind him of Joe DiMaggio’s quote: "I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee.” He acknowledged his parents’ role for the support they gave him to realize his dream: to be a Major League Baseball player and a Yankee. He thanked the Steinbrenner family as “my family away from home.”

He went on to say “I played the many games I played (after being called up to the team in 1995) with only one goal: to win a championship and bring the trophy back home.” A total of 5 Fall Classic Championships trophies (out of 7 World Series) were on display to the left of Jorge, his daughter Paulina, wife Laura and Jorge Posada Jr.

A video clip played during the press conference showed season ticket holders expressing their appreciation for Posada while highlighting his on-the-field exploits

“Playing for the New York Yankees has been an honor,” he said, and followed by stating that “I could never wear another uniform.” Later press questions were asked on the possibility of playing for another team, but he made it clear that he would not pursue that path. “I will always be a Yankee,” is what Jorge wanted to cherish. In today’s baseball, playing out a career with only one team is indeed a rare occurrence.

Jorge then introduced the Spanish language to the press conference that would be followed with several tearful emotional pauses: the first one came after he acknowledges his mother Tamara, his father Jorge and his sister Michelle. He went on mention his wife (firm support on his baseball career) and children, thanking them for always making him smile. At this point his daughter Paulina broke a wide cute smile while his son Jorge raised his arm when his name was mentioned and this tickled the audience into laughter.

He thanked his teammates (there was an emotional pause here) and quipped to Derek Jeter, “I hope you don’t miss me that much… Mariano Rivera, my brother, we would not have any of those without you (referring to the trophies).” Jorge went on to mention a number of other players and personnel (except Skipper Joe Giraldi who may have been over sighted – twice, but with no further ado in this article).

Jorge thanked the Media not only for his playing time, but for promoting the work of the Jorge Posada Foundation.

In Spanish he went to say, “Finally for all the Latinos and my people of Puerto Rico, my friends and family I love you very much with all my heart and I am grateful for all your support throughout my career (emotional pause). As my father would say, I bid farewell and I hope you are proud of me. Thank you.”

Fans, Latinos and Boricuas in particular are certainly proud of Jorge Posada. As yet-to-announce-his-retirement and former teammate Bernie Williams said in a sent message: “”I can’t believe that ‘Jorgito,’ is actually announcing his retirement before I do…he will be missed by the Yankees family, all of his teammates, coaches, and most of all, the great Yankees fans.”

But as the song says: “Todo tiene su final. Nada dura para siempre. But for Jorge, there is a window to eternity in Yankees folklore – where legends are made.













Photos by Lation Sports Photographer Bill Menzel
Article first published at www.latinosports.com on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Second Publishing with editing by Julian Gerena Quiñones

Mets unveil 50th Anniversary Logo, redesigned uniforms and much more

Queens, NY – The New York Mets will celebrate their 50 years of history in the 2012 Season with an Anniversary Logo, a return of Banner Day, a Mets50.com web site, Anniversary Ticket Packs and a few other offers and events. The players will wear 3 redesigned uniforms: a home stripe, home white and Road Grey reflecting the look of the original uniforms from their inaugural season of 1962. All of the above was part of a news conference at the Caesars Club at Citi Field. Mets third baseman David Wright, first baseman Ike Davis and outfielder Lucas Duda were present and each modeled the uniforms during the event.

Howie Rose, the radio voice of the Mets emceed the event after a video clip showed highlights of Mets history minus José Reyes, the franchise first batting champ. The very first thing Mr. Rose did was to acknowledge Jay Horowitz (some writers use Horwitz), Vice President, Media Relations, who during the season suffered multiple displaced fractures in his right ankle. He sat in his wheel chair and Mr. Rose quipped “I would ask Jay to take a bow, but I am not sure his insurance covers that, so stay just where you are (some laughter, but still an ironic truth of health coverage in general).”

Mr. Rose then gave way to Mets Vice President of Business operations Dave Howard who went on to give the details of the features of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Later the first question to him was basically: "Given the problems the Mets have had during the last couple of years, do you think this celebration will be a welcomed distraction?" His reply was immediately to disagree with the proposition that it was a distraction, gave positive feedback and ended by saying "So there are better days ahead for this team and this franchise. To call this a distraction would be a great disservice."

Another interesting question was to the effect of how the fan content on the Banner Day will be monitored. This could be an interesting scenario in the wake of the Occupy Wall Street protests, and the quagmire created by Bernie Madoff and the Ponzi scheme that has made shambles of the Mets financial situation. Mr. Howard dismissed the notion of possible censuring by saying, "We believe Mets fans will act appropriately."

But on a possible note Mr. Howard said that not only the outfield dimensions were scaled back, so were ticket prices. He also affirmed the Mets commitment to diversity when asked by Latino Sports CEO Julio Pabón how the 50th celebrations would take into account the booming Latino community. “The Latino community has always been front and center for our promotional efforts. One of the things we are seriously considering is post game concerts including a merengue contest.

One may note overall that celebrating diversity could have begun with a Latino player donning one of the new uniforms.

And so it will be that the 50th Anniversary will have a 50th Anniversary Logo, redesigned uniforms, Post Game Concerts and a Merengue Contest and much more, but not likely of fan chants of José, José, José…

First published in www.latinosports.com
Photo by Damien Acevedo

After “A Game 6 Texas Should Have Won,” The Cardinals celebrate “Number 11 in 11.”

Spanish Harlem, NY - The Cardinals counted on veteran starter Chris Carpenter in a decisive 2011 Fall Classic game and he came through after giving up just two runs in the first inning. Carpenter, who had tossed a three-hit shutout vs. the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the Division Series, took the hill with everything on the line again and the two runs he surrendered over six innings of pitching would be all the Texas Rangers would muster in the final decisive game – making St. Luis ‘World’ Champions for the 11th time in franchise history. So, a slogan emerged from this accomplishment: “The numero 11th on the 11.”

Carpenter who had beaten the Rangers in Game 1, also had limited them to two runs over six innings in St. Louis' 3-2 win. Carpenter squared off against Texas left-hander Matt Harrison who had gotten knocked around for five runs (three earned) on six hits through 3 2/3 innings in a 16-7 loss in Game 3.

So it was that after St. Louis, down to its final strike on two occasions in Game 6 on Thursday, stunned Texas, and winning 10-9 on David Freese's walk-off solo home run off reliever Mark Lowe in the 11th inning to force Game 7.

It will long be remembered in Game 6 -- that one strike on multiple occasions -- was all that separated the Texas Rangers from winning their first World Series.

After losing to the San Francisco Giants in 2010, once again, World Series accolades and history was denied to Texas whose former owner and President George W Bush would be seen in every home game in Arlington.

St. Luis with their remarkable late-season run and the incredible Game 6 victory became the team of destiny.

Kudos to the Latino players in both teams with outstanding performances and in some cases what characterizes baseball – really: a game mostly of failure.

Albert Pujols hit 3 homeruns in one game – a feat done by two other players in WS history.

Boricua Yadier Molina with his excellent catching of every game for the Cardinals batted .333 with 9 RBI; and Mexican Jaime Garcia who pitched Game 2 did not allow a run in 7 innings of that game (Cardinals would lose 2-1).

For Texas Adrián Beltre batted .300 and one of his homeruns against Chris Carpenter in Game 5 contributed to the Texas victory by tying the game a 2-2. Nelson Cruz saw his NCL performance of batting .364 reduced to .200 and his home run total of 6 go down to 2, his presence in the lineup was always a threat. His almost smacked third home run of the series off Chris Carpenter in Game 7 was evident of that.

Alexi Orgando had a poor WS. His ERA was 10.12 in 6 game appearances even though it all summed up to 2.2 innings pitched, but he gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits while walking mucho batters: a whopping 7 total ( struck out 3 and gave up a home run).

Neftalí Feliz saved Games 2 and game 5, but blew a save in the crucial game 6. His last name which also means Happy in Spanish was not lived up to in a game that will go down as “The Game Texas Should Have Won.”

First Published in www.latinosports.com

A.J. Burnett on location to redemption with Boston deeper in frustration in 6-2 loss to Yanks

El Bronx - What kind of pitching performance could be expected from two pitchers with an ERA over 5? For one team (Boston’s Tim Wakefield 7-7, 5.08) it was practically a do or die time with 5 games remaining; for the other it was a rest-some- players (Granderson, Cano and Teixeira) while its starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (10-11, 5.28)was auditioning for a role in the post season.

The Red Sox entered the first of this twin bill (two separate admission games in one day) with a 5-17 record since September 2nd – the worst in the Majors during the month and were hanging for life to enter the postseason as an AL Wild Card team with a 1.5 game lead over the Rays.

A Call for Jorge Posada

By the end of the third inning 45 year old Tim Wakefield was catching up to his ERA (no ageist comment please) by allowing 4 runs (3 earned). In the 5th, he allowed his fifth run before departing. The first 2 runs came in the bottom of the first featuring two bunt singles by Bret Gardner and Derek Jeter, two stolen bases by both, an error and a passed ball by the catcher and a Wakefield wild pitch. In the bottom of the third Jorge smacked a two-run home run. Fans would not stop calling his name until he came out for a curtain call one pitch into the next batter.

Burnett on the mound through six, then seventh and…

Burnett on the other hand, through 5 innings had allowed just two hits: a single in the first and a homerun to Jacoby Ellsbury (29) on the top of the fourth. Burnett watchers know that from the fifth on it can all be downhill for Burnett and his ERA takes a hit. And that is because hits come in bunches interspersed with base on balls and a wild pitch here and there, if not a homerun.

Entered the 6th and all he allowed was another homerun with the bases empty. Once again it was Jacoby Ellsbury who got his 30th and his 100 RBI of the season. Big Papi Ortiz opened the 7th with a hit to right but Adrian Gonzalez’s sharp grounder to first resulted in a double play before the next batter made the last out of the inning. Later AJ would praise first baseman Brandon Laird, but also noted the importance of his covering first base on the play.

AJ in the House?

Marco Scutaro open the 8th with a double to center but Burnett struck out – bear with me – Jarrod Saltalamacchia (come on Anglo press, does he have to be Latino, do we have to wait till he makes it to call him J-Sal?) and Mike Aviles.

Skipper Joe Giraldi decided that Ellsbury had seen enough of Burnett so he brought in David Robertson. The crowd was seemingly was ecstatic with AJ and gave him roaring round of applause and ovation. Mid-way to the dugout Burnett tipped his cap to the crowd for which the fans reacted with increased joy. His line score would read 7 2/3 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks with 6 strike outs (2HR). And at the end of the afternoon, A.J. Burnett evened his win-loss record to 11-11, lowered his ERA some and maybe something else may come out of this for him. Dave Robertson finished the game with 1 1/3 innings and 3 Ks.

Post-game Quotes and then some.

Joe Girardi said that there would be meetings in Tampa to think about AJ’s role in the post season. “Very pleased with his outing …did a nicehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif job.” The skipper attributed AJ’s ability to be on location and his use of his curve. He indicated that who would be the Yankees opponent would also figure in the decision. He praised Jorge Posada whom he had penciled in as the clean-up hitter. “He was in the middle of the offense,” he said.

Published at www.latinosports.com on 2011-09-25