No agreement at deadline. First couple of series of the season cancelled. How many more?

There was no agreement between the owners and the player’s union at the deadline, and the first couple of series for the baseball season have been cancelled. With no talks on the immediate horizon, you wonder how many more games will be cancelled. When will they finally come to an agreement?

What’s your guess? A 140 game season? 120? 100? Will there be a season at all?

Enjoy your minor league games and get a good look at the prospects. It looks like that is all you’ll have for a while.

Jeremy Giambi, tagged out on Jeter flip play, dead at 47.

Jeremy Giambi, brother of Jason, died yesterday at the age of 47. Sadly, reports are that it was a suicide at the home of his parents.

Giambi played for the Royals 1998-1999, A’s (alongside his brother for a while, before Jason came to the Yankees in 2002) 2000-2002, Phillies 2002 and Red Sox 2003.

He had three decent seasons. In 2000, he hit .254-10-50, OPS+ 95 (100 is average). In 2001, it was .283-12-57, OPS+ 124, and in 2002 his combined total was .259-20-45, OPS+ 147. He was a platoon player.

In 2001, in Game 3 of the ALDS, he was the runner tagged out at home plate on the famous Derek Jeter “flip” play. The Yankees, down 0-2 in games at that point, won that game 1-0 and went on to win the AL pennant.

Later, Giambi confessed, along with his brother, for using the “cream and the clear”—steroids—during the BALCO scandal.

So his career stats are (and probably skewed because of the steroid use): 510 games,
.263 career average, OPS+ 111.
162 game average .263-17-66. He was a corner OF, 1B.
In 9 postseason games, all against the Yankees, he was 7 for 22 (.318) with 1 double, 3 RBI and 1 SB.

Sad ending to a life, and a sad footnote to an iconic baseball play.

Yankees add Beltran to YES broadcasting team.

The YES network will have a very different look this year (that is, if there IS a season).

For one thing, Ken Singleton has retired. Buck Showalter is now the Mets manager.

David Cone will be doing games not only for YES, but also Sunday nights on ESPN.

Michael Kay will be doing games with A-Rod, kind of like that Manning brothers style that Eli and Peyton do for football.

To help fill in the gap, Carlos Beltran will be doing 36 games.

For Beltran, its redemption for his part in the Astros cheating scandal. That part may hurt him as he comes on the HOF ballot next year. Beltran, according to baseball-reference. com and an elaborate grading scale, is ranked as the 9th greatest CF of all-time. He played for the Royals, Astros, Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, Rangers and finished up back with the Astros (and the scandal). He hit .279 in his career with over 2700 hits, 435 HR and 312 SB. An OPS+ of 119 (100 is average; 119 means 19% above average).

He was supposed to become the Mets manager, but his involvement in the cheating scandal had him fired before he even managed a game.

I’m all for redemption and giving someone a second chance, as long as the person is contrite. It matches my faith (not to get religious, here, but the comparison is apt). That goes for me in my own life. I make mistakes and ask the Lord to forgive me.

So for Beltran, a chance to redeem himself (much like A-Rod as A-Rod in trying to do with his broadcasts). I get the hunch that Beltran will be more successful, simply because A-Rod is more flamboyant than Beltran, and, it seems, more likely to mess up again (hope he doesn’t).

You have to wonder if this step back into baseball may lead Beltran into the manager’s office. Will some team forgive Beltran and give him the managing job that Beltran was going to have with the Mets?

Aaron Boone just did get an extension. But with Beltran now working for YES, if the Yanks were going to make a move, could Beltran now be on their short list of possible replacements?

Yankees news; Former CYA Hoyt dies.

All quiet in Yankeeland but some ex-Yankees found new homes.

Darren O’Day==Braves
Clint Frazier—Cubs
Rougned Odor—Orioles
Phil Nevin—now 3B coach for Angels.

Chris Gittens was released and is going to Japan.

With the catching market thin, the Yankees did tender Gary Sanchez a contract. A couple of potential catching targets dried up. Florida traded Jorge Alfaro to San Diego, and Yan Gomes signed a 2 yr, $13MM deal with the Cubs.

Former CYA winner LaMarr Hoyt died at the age of 66. Hoyt won the 1983 CYA with the White Sox, going 24-10, 3.66 ERA+ 115 in leading them to the AL West crown. He also finished 13th in MVP voting that year. He led the majors in wins.

From Wikipedia: He pitched a complete game victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of the 1983 American League Championship Series, giving up only one run on five hits with no walks.

Hoyt had led the league in wins with 19 in 1982 (19-15), but led the majors in losses in 1984, going 13-18. After spending 1979-1984 with the White Sox, Hoyt went to San Diego, where he was 16-8 in 1985, and the All-Star game MVP, but (from Wikipedia, below) Hoyt frittered away his career.

Following the 1985 season, he was arrested twice within a month (between January and February 1986) on drug-possession charges, checking into a rehabilitation program nine days after the second arrest.
This prevented him from playing most of spring training. He pitched through an injury to his rotator cuff rather than risk a surgery that could end his career, and he logged an 8–11 won-loss record with a 5.15 ERA.

(This was his last year as a MLB player).

Barely a month after the season ended, Hoyt was arrested again for drug possession when he tried to bring 500 pills through the San Ysidro Port of Entry on the U.S.–Mexico border.^[3][10] He was sentenced to 45 days in jail on December 16, 1986, and suspended by then-Commissioner Peter Ueberroth on February 25, 1987. An arbitrator reduced his suspension to sixty days in mid-June and ordered the Padres to reinstate him. Though the Padres still owed Hoyt $3 million under the terms of his contract, the team gave him his unconditional release the following day.^[3]

Later career
The White Sox gave him a second chance, signing him after his San Diego release and giving him time to get back into shape. A fourth arrest on drug charges in December 1987 ended his return.^[11] He was sentenced to one year in federal prison in January 1988.^[12] He began to serve his sentence at Federal Correctional Complex, Allenwood,^[13] and was transferred to a halfway house in Columbia in July.

Just 31, and just 3 years after his CYA winning season, Hoyt was done. Drugs ruined him.

Hoyt was originally drafted by the Yankees in 1973, and was traded to the White Sox in 1977 with Bob Polinsky, Oscar Gamble and $200,000 for Bucky Dent.

Hoyt was 98-68, 3.99 in his career, ERA+ 99. His 162 g. average was 16-11, 3.99.
.

Yanks trade Wade; ex-all Star closer Doug Jones dies; 2022 HOF ballot

Having DFA’d Tyler Wade a few days ago, the Yankees traded the utilityman to the Angels today for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Since Clint Frazier and Rougned Odor were also DFA’d we will see what happens with them.

Doug Jones, a 5x All-closer closer who saved 303 games in his career, died at the age of 64 due to COVID symptoms. Jones pitched for the Brewers (1982), Indians (1986-1991), Astros (1992-1993), Phillies (1994), Orioles (1995), Cubs (1996), Brewers again (1996-1998), Indians again (1998), and A’s (1999-2000). He got MVP consideration 4x. He went 69-79 in his career with an ERA of 3.30 (ERA+ 129). His 162 game average was 6-6, 24 saves, 3.30.

The 2022 HOF ballot (writers, not Veterans’ committee) is out.

New to the ballot are: A-Rod (should get in on accomplishments, but steroids and the suspension will most surely keep him out). David Ortiz (will get in, but had steroid accusations himself and I wonder about that). Also Mark Teixeira, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Carl Crawford, Jake Peavy, Justin Morneau, Prince Fielder, Joe Nathan, Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Papelbon, and A.J. Pierzynski. Some MVPs in that list, also some Cy Young Award winners, Teixeira over 400 HR but I don’t think any of them make it.

Returning are: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling, all for the last time. Steroids has kept Bonds and Clemens out while Schilling’s political views and outspokenness hasn’t helped his cause. Also back are Scott Rolen, Billy Wagner, Omar Vizquel (recent accusations against him won’t help him), Todd Helton, Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent, Manny Ramirez (steroids won’t help him), Sammy Sosa (steroids), Andy Pettitte (HGH hurts him, too), Mark Buehrle, Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, and Tim Hudson.

One crowded ballot.

The early baseball ballot has: Bill Dahlen, Lefty O’Doul, Allie Reynolds, George Scales, Vic Harris, Dick Redding, John Donaldson, Buck O’Neil, Bud Fowler and Grant Johnson. This Yankees fan would love the see “Superchief”, Allie Reynolds, get in. As for Dahlen, he is the best SS that is NOT in.

The Golden Days Ballot has: Ken Boyer, Dick Allen, Minnie Minoso, Billy Pierce, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, Roger Maris, Maury Wills, Danny Murtaugh and Gil Hodges.

Braves win NL pennant, to face Houston in WS

107 wins? Nope. 106? Nope. 95? Nope. Instead of say the Giants, Dodgers or Brewers going to the WS, the NL Pennant was won by the 88-win Atlanta Braves last night with their 4-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 6 of the NLCS. For the Braves, it is their first trip to the WS since the Yankees swept them in 1999.

They’ll face the Houston Astros, with Houston having the home-field advantage. I’ll be rooting to the Braves, who will be the underdog. There is no way I forgive Houston for the cheating of a few years ago.

For the Dodgers, no repeat. No team has repeated as WS champ since the Yankees three-peated in 1998, 1999 and 2000 (and came oh so close to winning four in a row in 2001).

Game 158. Jays edge Yanks, 6-5. 4 games left and 4 team WC scramble.

Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole didn’t have it last night as the Yankees’ 7-game winning streak was snapped by Toronto, 6-5.

A few starts ago, Cole had to leave the game early with tightness in his hamstring. The Yanks have not said anything since, but Cole hasn’t been the same since. I wonder if there is a correlation, and if it is still bothering him. Cole could be forced to start Sunday on three days rest if the Yankees need to win Sunday to make the postseason.

It is a 4-team scramble for the two wild card spots. Oakland has been eliminated.

Wild Card Standings:

YANKEES 90-68 — top wild card for now, four games to go
Boston 89-69 -1 2nd wild card for now
Seattle 89-70 – 1 1/2 just 1/2 game behind Boston
Toronto 88-70 -2 1 game behind Boston

By the way, Houston still hasn’t clinched the AL West. Their magic # is 1 over Seattle. And how would you like to be San Francisco or the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West? 104 wins for SF, 102 for LAD so far. One will have to host a one-game, sudden-death wild card game despite winning more than 100 games!

If the Yanks do make the postseason, here is hoping no one on the Yanks does what P Devin Williams of Milwaukee did in celebrating. He punched a wall and broke his throwing hand. No postseason for him, and a big loss for the Brew Crew.

Bo Bichette has killed the Yanks this year, hitting seven HR. Last night he hit two in Toronto’s win.

Cole gave up a 2-run HR in the first inning to Marcus Semien. Semien’s 44th HR of the season set a new record for second basemen in a season.

Cole gave up a run in the second. Bichette hit his first HR of the game in the third. After three, it was 4-0, Toronto.

With two out in the top of the fifth, the Yanks got two runs when Gleyber Torres doubled, Gio Urshela singled in Torres, and Brett Gardner doubled in Urshela. Torres was the first Yankee to reach base.

Cole gave up another run in the fifth, and on one double, wasn’t helped by his defense, especially Joey Gallo. 5-2, Toronto.

The Yanks got a run in the top of the sixth to cut it to 5-3. D.J. LeMahieu led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a SF by Aaron Judge.

The Yankees tied it at five in the top of the seventh, but not without injury cost. Gallo led off the inning by getting HBP and had to leave the game later. Torres singled. After an out, Luke Voit PH and struck out but on a WP, both runners advanced, and Voit got injured. Kyle Higashioka singled to tie the game.

Gallo had to go for x-rays, and had to be PH for in the ninth inning. No word yet. Voit may be day-to-day.

In the bottom of the eighth, Bichette hit his second HR of the game, this one off reliever and losing pitcher Clay Holmes, and it was the game-winning blow. 6-5 Toronto.

Before the game, Jonathan Loaisiga activated of the IL, and Andrew Heaney optioned down.

Torres 3 hits
Higashioka 2 RBI


Cole 6 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 0 W, 6 K. Gave up 2 HR. 3.23
Loaisiga 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 2.22
Holmes (L, 8-4) 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K. Gave up 1 HR. 3.71 (Pit/NYY stats).

Game 143. Yanks drop to 4th in division, out of wildcard spots, after 7-6 loss.

Francisco Lindor hit 3 HR against the Yankees as the Mets won Sunday night 7-6 in a game that featured a bench-clearing incident regarding whistling/tipping of pitches.

The loss was the Yanks 12th in their last 15 games. It dropped them to 4th in their division, and as of now, they are out of the wild card picture.

Wild Card Standings (Tampa Bay, The Chicago White Sox and Houston lead their divisions)

Boston (81-64)/Toronto (80-63) in a virtual tie for the two wild card spots.
NYY 79-64, one game back
Oakland and Seattle each 77-66, three games back of Bos/Tor, 2 back of the Yankees.

The Yanks have an afternoon makeup game against the Twins today (Monday afternoon). They have to pick things up. Just 19 games to go.

The Yanks got two runs in the top of the first inning. D.J. LeMahieu and Anthony Rizzo both walked. Aaron Judge, who had to leave the game later because of dizziness, struck out. Giancarlo Stanton doubled in one run, and Joey Gallo hit a SF to bring in another. Amazing stat in that it was only the second SF of Gallo’s career.

The Yanks were forced to start rookie Clarke Schmidt because of their pitching woes. It was just Schmidt’s second MLB start and his fourth MLB game. He gave up a run in the bottom of the first, and stranded two.

In the bottom of the second, an error by Gleyber Torres led to three unearned runs when Lindor hit a 3-run HR, his first of three homers for the game. 4-2, Mets.

A SF scored a run for the Mets in the fifth, and it was 5-2.

With one out in the top of the sixth, Gallo walked and Torres hit a 2-run HR (7) and it was 5-4.

Lindor hit his second HR in the bottom of the sixth and it was 6-4. Apparently he whistled going around the bases as if to signal and mock the Yankees for whistling and accusing them of tipping off pitches to hitters.

In the top of the seventh, LeMahieu singled, and two outs later, Stanton hit a 2-run HR (27) to tie the game. He jawed at Lindor while circling the bases and the benches emptied. Brett Gardner mocked the thumbs down gesture that the Mets used against their fans recently.

Lindor hit his third HR of the game in the bottom of the eighth to give the Mets a 7-6 lead and they hung on for the win.

Stanton had a chance to get in the last word, but with two on and two out in the top of the ninth, he popped up to Lindor to end the game.


LeMahieu 3 hits
Stanton 2 hits, 3 RBI, 2-run HR (27)
Torres 2-run HR (7) but a huge error that allowed 3 unearned runs to score which helped cost the game.

Torres and Urshela once again made errors. Sanchez had a PB. The Yanks’ defense has to tighten up.

Schmidt 4 1/3 IP, 5 R, 2 ER, 7 H, 3 W, 2 K. 1 HBP. Gave up 1 HR. 4.15
Heaney 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. 5.83 (LAA/NYY)
Peralta 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 W, 2 K. Gave up 1 HR. 3.89 (SF/NYY)
Green (L, 7-7) 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K. Gave up 1 HR. 3.28

Andrew Velazquez was sent down to make room for Schmidt.

Minor League games played 8-29-21. Gleyber homers on rehab.

AAA: SWB (59-39) lost 10-5 in a game featuring a bench-clearing brawl. The Yanks had Luis Gil pitch in relief, probably to see if he can fill in that role in the postseason. He gave up 3 runs in 4 2/3 IP.
1B/C Rob Brantly 2 hits, RBI.

AA: Somerset (59-42) won 7-4. SS Gleyber Torres, on rehab assignment, 1 for 2, 2 walks, solo HR. 2B/SS Oswaldo Cabrera (#16 prospect) 2 hits, 2 RBI, 2-run HR. C Josh Breaux (#18 prospect ) solo HR. RF Isiah Gilliam solo HR.
1B Chad Bell 2 hits, solo HR. 3B Oliver Dunn 3 hits, solo HR. All Somerset runs via 6 HR.

High A: Hudson Valley (63-38) won 9-6. Starting P Anderson Munoz 6 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 4 K. Gave up 1 HR.
DH Austin Wells (#6 prospect) 3-run HR. CF Elijah Dunham (#24 prospect) 2 hits, RBI. RF Eric Wagaman 2 hits, RBI.
1B Pat DeMarco 3 hits, RBI.

Low A: Tampa (67-33) lost 6-2. They got just 3 hits.

Covid concerns postpone Yankees’ Game/Minor League Report

The Yankees/Red Sox game on Thursday night was postponed due to Covid concerns, and the whole four-game weekend series could be in jeopardy. Things could get even worse for MLB. This could affect each team.

Besides Jonathan Loaisiga, who tested positive before the All-Star Game, Nestor Cortes, Jr. and Wandy Peralta have also tested positive. The Yanks made roster substitutions, reinstating Zack Britton off of the IL, bringing up Trey Amburgey, and putting Hoy Jun Park on the taxi squad.

Then it was reported that Aaron Judge, Gio Urshela and Kyle Higashioka are in protocol. First reports are that they are positive too, but further testing is needed to confirm.

Since Judge was just a starter and played at the All-Star Game, if he was/is positive, then every team has a problem, especially with its All-Stars, and MLB is then in a tizzy.

Hoo Boy.

Minor League Report.

AAA: SWB (40-21) won 11-3. RF Ryan LaMarre, 2 RBI, solo HR. LF Greg Allen 2 hits, RBI. 3B Aramando Alvarez 2 hits, 3 RBI, SS Andrew Velazquez 2 hits, 2 RBI.

AA: Somerset (40-22) won 6-5 in 10 innings. SS Oswald Peraza 2 hits, RBI. 2B Oswaldo Cabrera 2 RBI. DH Donny Sands 2 hits, 2 RBI. LF Isiah Gilliam 2 hits.

High A: Hudson Valley (40-23) lost both games of a doubleheader.

Game 1: Lost 3-2. CF Pablo Olivares 3 for 3, RBI.

Game 2: Lost 2-1, getting just two hits. 3B Chad Bell HR.

Low A: Tampa (43-19) won 8-1. Top uber-prospect 18 yr. old Jasson Dominguez 2 hits. Edgar Barclay 4 scoreless, hitless relief innings, 7 K. Nick Paciorek 2 scoreless IP, 5 K. DH Austin Wells 2 RBI, solo HR. 2B Trevor Hauver 2 hits, RBI. RF Jose DeLeon 2 hits. 3B Eduardo Torrealba 2-run HR.