02/26: Phil and the Blog
Posted by: Patrick
Tyler Kepner has a feature on Phil Hughes and his blog.
Meanwhile, Lisa Kennelly discusses concern within the Yankee organization about this new fangled technology.
The way to think of blogging and communicating online is also the way to think about communicating with the press... or anywhere. There are some things you don't say. That isn't just for blogging. If you don't want Phil Hughes saying something on his blog, you don't want him saying it to a reporter, right? So, it comes down to judgement and, I suppose, media training. But, to single out blogging or social networking as some sort of pariah isn't fair or wise.
I think Phil should keep doing what he's been doing. I have no concerns about it as a distraction - he can't be all baseball, all the time - and I enjoy reading it. If he enjoys providing it - rock on, I say.
Via Alex (who was quoted in Kepner's story) and Steve.
“The fans are very important to me,” Hughes said. “Without them, I wouldn’t have a job, basically. I try to give back as much as I can. It’s almost a no-brainer.”
As a homegrown Yankee with talent, Hughes was bound to be popular. But his blog has forged an uncommon connection. A young medium has further endeared a young player to the fans.
As a homegrown Yankee with talent, Hughes was bound to be popular. But his blog has forged an uncommon connection. A young medium has further endeared a young player to the fans.
Meanwhile, Lisa Kennelly discusses concern within the Yankee organization about this new fangled technology.
"We warn them about putting their private lives in the public arena," GM Brian Cashman said, "because it comes back to haunt you, depending on what you put out there."
And it's entirely possible, said Yankees director of media relations Jason Zillo, that in the very near future blogs could be banned for Yankee players. All it takes is one bad incident.
"It's a way to relate to your fans," Zillo said, "but you need to be hyper sensitive to the type of information you're putting out there and understand there can be ramifications."
And it's entirely possible, said Yankees director of media relations Jason Zillo, that in the very near future blogs could be banned for Yankee players. All it takes is one bad incident.
"It's a way to relate to your fans," Zillo said, "but you need to be hyper sensitive to the type of information you're putting out there and understand there can be ramifications."
The way to think of blogging and communicating online is also the way to think about communicating with the press... or anywhere. There are some things you don't say. That isn't just for blogging. If you don't want Phil Hughes saying something on his blog, you don't want him saying it to a reporter, right? So, it comes down to judgement and, I suppose, media training. But, to single out blogging or social networking as some sort of pariah isn't fair or wise.
I think Phil should keep doing what he's been doing. I have no concerns about it as a distraction - he can't be all baseball, all the time - and I enjoy reading it. If he enjoys providing it - rock on, I say.
Via Alex (who was quoted in Kepner's story) and Steve.
02/26: BA Top 100
Posted by: James
As many other blogs have mentioned, BA came out with their top 100 today. As expected, Joba is very high (#3), followed by Jose Tabata (#37), Austin Jackson (#41), and IPK (#45).
I am pretty surprised about Alan Horne not making the top 100, especially with some of the guys on there but what're you gonna do. He was mentioned with a list of guys who just missed out though (subscription req). He was on 3 peoples lists with a high of being #68. Jeff Marquez made 2 lists with a 129 high and Jesus Montero got 3 mentions with an 81 high. A little surprised that Brackman didn't make it on any lists but that has more to do with his injury as less with his potential.
John Manuel hosted a chat later on and here are a few highlights:
I am pretty surprised about Alan Horne not making the top 100, especially with some of the guys on there but what're you gonna do. He was mentioned with a list of guys who just missed out though (subscription req). He was on 3 peoples lists with a high of being #68. Jeff Marquez made 2 lists with a 129 high and Jesus Montero got 3 mentions with an 81 high. A little surprised that Brackman didn't make it on any lists but that has more to do with his injury as less with his potential.
John Manuel hosted a chat later on and here are a few highlights:
Q: Jose Martinez from Suffolk County asks:
Fernando Martinez or Jose Tabata...which player makes their MLB debut first (and what year)?
A: John Manuel: Martinez should get there first but I see both getting there in '09, if things play out as scouts tell us they should. They both are bat-first guys when it's all said and done, and I think Martinez has a bit more offensive upside, but they are pretty close.
Q: bender from NC asks: Where would Brackman have been if healthy?
A: John Manuel: Ceiling-wise, he'd have to be top 10. That said, his career high in IP is 78, so he's a few years away from being big league ready not matter how high his ceiling is—and that would be assuming he was healthy.
Fernando Martinez or Jose Tabata...which player makes their MLB debut first (and what year)?
A: John Manuel: Martinez should get there first but I see both getting there in '09, if things play out as scouts tell us they should. They both are bat-first guys when it's all said and done, and I think Martinez has a bit more offensive upside, but they are pretty close.
Q: bender from NC asks: Where would Brackman have been if healthy?
A: John Manuel: Ceiling-wise, he'd have to be top 10. That said, his career high in IP is 78, so he's a few years away from being big league ready not matter how high his ceiling is—and that would be assuming he was healthy.
02/25: I Want a Window Seat
Posted by: Patrick
Update: Peter Abraham has a picture of a bit better quality. Thanks James. :)
Phil Hughes posted a blurry cell phone photo of Moose's fake window. If you look closely, propped against the left side of the fake window, you can see a picture of Joba, Ian, Shelley and Phil, dressed in their "Wizard of Oz" garb from the rookie hazing day last year.
Phil Hughes posted a blurry cell phone photo of Moose's fake window. If you look closely, propped against the left side of the fake window, you can see a picture of Joba, Ian, Shelley and Phil, dressed in their "Wizard of Oz" garb from the rookie hazing day last year.
Posted by: Patrick
From Bryan Hoch:
Captain speaks out: Derek Jeter must have nothing to hide. Jeter told Bloomberg News on Sunday that not only is he not against conducting blood tests on players for banned substances, he doesn't think it's any invasion of a player's privacy, either.
"You can test for whatever you want to test for," the shortstop said. "We get pricked by needles anyway in Spring Training, so we have a lot of blood work to begin with."
"You can test for whatever you want to test for," the shortstop said. "We get pricked by needles anyway in Spring Training, so we have a lot of blood work to begin with."
02/25: Damon Oppenheimer
Posted by: Patrick
John Harper has a profile of Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees vice president of scouting.
Via Steve.
Damon Oppenheimer, the man most responsible for Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy becoming Yankees, was sitting behind his desk recently, recalling the circumstances that allowed him to draft the two pitchers, when suddenly he felt compelled to issue a warning of sorts.
"I hope people realize this isn't the norm," he said, speaking of how quickly Chamberlain and Kennedy rose through the minor league system. "This isn't the way it's going to be every year. I hope everybody's not getting spoiled by this."
"I hope people realize this isn't the norm," he said, speaking of how quickly Chamberlain and Kennedy rose through the minor league system. "This isn't the way it's going to be every year. I hope everybody's not getting spoiled by this."
Via Steve.
Posted by: Patrick
From Ken Davidoff:
Via Ben>
Bob Sheppard, the Yankees' venerable public address announcer, recently signed a two-year extension. While he probably won't be ready for Opening Day -- last October's case of pneumonia took a great deal out of him -- Shepherd, believed to be 97, should return about two months into the regular season.
Via Ben>
02/23: Bruney: A New Man?
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports on the (perhaps) new and improved Brian Bruney, who is sporting a leaner look and a better attitude. Time will tell, of course. But, let's hope it stays true.
Posted by: Patrick
From Mark Feinsand:
When asked if he could see himself playing another position, he answered, "Right now? No." And that's fine with me. I don't know what people expect him to say, but I think some might read more into this than is necessary. All that matters is this year. This year, Jeter is playing short stop. He's been pretty consistent in that he doesn't look ahead that much.
It's about one moment at a time, one game at a time, one year at a time. So, right now, he doesn't see himself moving. But, that can change. Jeter answers questions in the now, for the most part, and he's a competitor. I don't know how you can expect him to say anything else at this point. In fact, some might be a little worried if he said something else. He doesn't know what's ahead, and no one does, but right now - he's the short stop.
Via Steve.
Instead, he plans on playing shortstop through the final three years of his current contract, and on remaining there for however many years he plays beyond 2010.
"That's the plan," Jeter said. "I haven't really thought about how long I'm playing. I take it one year at a time; I don't sit down and say, 'Well, I hope I'm playing in two-thousand whatever.' It's a tough question, because I haven't really thought about it much."
"That's the plan," Jeter said. "I haven't really thought about how long I'm playing. I take it one year at a time; I don't sit down and say, 'Well, I hope I'm playing in two-thousand whatever.' It's a tough question, because I haven't really thought about it much."
When asked if he could see himself playing another position, he answered, "Right now? No." And that's fine with me. I don't know what people expect him to say, but I think some might read more into this than is necessary. All that matters is this year. This year, Jeter is playing short stop. He's been pretty consistent in that he doesn't look ahead that much.
It's about one moment at a time, one game at a time, one year at a time. So, right now, he doesn't see himself moving. But, that can change. Jeter answers questions in the now, for the most part, and he's a competitor. I don't know how you can expect him to say anything else at this point. In fact, some might be a little worried if he said something else. He doesn't know what's ahead, and no one does, but right now - he's the short stop.
Via Steve.
02/22: Propsects List! (Yes, Again)
Posted by: James
I swear, all I seem to post about are prospect lists! Still, when people put out solid, well-written analyses of the future Yankees, it's very hard to ignore. Today, we have a list from Pending Pinstripes where E.J. has done us all the favor of linking all the in-depth profiles the team over there have posted this offseason on one convenient page. He's got links to the Pending Pinstripes Community List, RAB's list, BA's list, etc. etc. so for one stop prospect love, head on over there. Good stuff guys.
Posted by: Patrick
Between Kat O'Brien, Peter Abraham, Ed Price and Bryan Hoch, we can piece together a couple of funny stories coming out of the Yankees clubhouse in Tampa.
Mike Mussina didn't like the view right next to his locker, which was a cement wall. So, a poster of a boat on a lake was hung up on that very wall. Either clubhouse manager Lou Cucuzza or Moose put it up. Then, it seems Cucuzza stepped his game up, creating a faux window sill around the poster, complete with Yankee drapes (from K-Mart, according to Hoch). Thus, giving it the appearance of an actual window. Moose then joked that he'd put more pictures up.
The other story is about LaTroy Hawkins wearing a "Joba Rules" t-shirt around. Apparently, he doesn't much care for the Under Armor stuff that the team passes out and he wanted a cotton shirt. So, he went to the Steinbrenner Field team shop and picked up a "Joba Rules" one. Perry offers that Joba did a double take upon seeing his name and number on another player's back with Hawkins remarking, "That's what friends are for."
Mike Mussina didn't like the view right next to his locker, which was a cement wall. So, a poster of a boat on a lake was hung up on that very wall. Either clubhouse manager Lou Cucuzza or Moose put it up. Then, it seems Cucuzza stepped his game up, creating a faux window sill around the poster, complete with Yankee drapes (from K-Mart, according to Hoch). Thus, giving it the appearance of an actual window. Moose then joked that he'd put more pictures up.
The other story is about LaTroy Hawkins wearing a "Joba Rules" t-shirt around. Apparently, he doesn't much care for the Under Armor stuff that the team passes out and he wanted a cotton shirt. So, he went to the Steinbrenner Field team shop and picked up a "Joba Rules" one. Perry offers that Joba did a double take upon seeing his name and number on another player's back with Hawkins remarking, "That's what friends are for."
