River Avenue News

The New "River Avenue News"

2009-04-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Loyal Readers of River Avenue News;

The 2009 season is finally here and the Yankees are in their new stadium. We thought, since the Yankees upgraded their digs, so should we.

So we're announcing the end of this site as we move forward to a bigger, brighter, flashier, more Yankeefied website:

Announcing the new River Avenue News.

If you are a site owner that happened to be so kind in adding our old site to your blog roll, we'd appreciate if you would update our links to http://riveravenuenews.com (whenever you get the chance, of course).

If you subscribe to our email list, we'll be manually moving you over to the new site, so you don't have to worry about missing a single update.

As with the old stadium, we'll keep this site up and running for you to look at, if you ever get that nostalgic feeling.

Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you on the new site.

-Chris Lima
River Avenue News

Wang Toes Rubber Against O's

2009-04-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (0-0, -.--)
Koji Uehara, RHP (0-0, -.--)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Wang made 15 starts for the Yankees last season before his year ended due to a right foot injury suffered while running the bases on June 15 at Houston. The blow was crushing to the Yankees, as they were 12-3 in games the right-handed sinkerballer had started. Despite missing much of last year, Wang's 46 victories since 2006 are tied for third-most in the American League and eighth-most in the Majors. His .754 combined winning percentage over the past three seasons is the second highest in the big leagues, behind only Boston's Jon Lester. Wang did not face the Orioles in 2008 and is 3-1 with a 5.13 ERA in nine career games (eight starts) against Baltimore.

Orioles: Uehara, a former ace of the Yomiuri Giants, will make his Major League debut in the second game of the season. Uehara is undefeated in international competition in his career and was highly decorated in his homeland, winning his league's equivalent of the Rookie of the Year Award once and the Cy Young award twice. Now, Uehara has come to the United States for a new challenge and will immediately slot in as one of Baltimore's most experienced pitchers. Uehara, who learned a circle changeup in Spring Training, is known as an extreme strike-thrower.

ThunderBolt: A Film By Nick Swisher

2009-04-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

Thunderbolt - watch more funny videos

Yanks Send Cash Cow to Mound

2009-04-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

CC Sabathia, LHP (0-0, -.--)
Jeremy Guthrie, RHP (0-0, -.--)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: The Yankees prioritized starting pitching immediately after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993 and set their sights on Sabathia, who inked a seven-year, $161 million deal during the Winter Meetings.

In 35 combined starts with the Indians and Brewers, Sabathia led the Majors in innings pitched (253), complete games (10) and shutouts (five), ranking second in strikeouts (251) and fourth in ERA. Despite the midseason trade to Milwaukee, Sabathia finished fifth in the National League Cy Young Award voting and sixth in NL MVP voting. With a 117-73 career record, Sabathia's .616 winning percentage is the 12th highest among left-handers with as many or more decisions (190) since 1900.

This will be Sabathia's sixth career Opening Day start, and Sabathia leads all active Major Leaguers under the age of 29 in career wins (117), strikeouts (1,393) and innings pitched (1,659.1).

Orioles: The Orioles may have waited until an appropriate moment to name Jeremy Guthrie their Opening Day starter, but it's a role that virtually everybody in the organization knew he would fill. Guthrie was far and away Baltimore's most effective starting pitcher in 2008 and has been outstanding since arriving as a waiver claim in '07. Back then, he was a floundering former prospect with Cleveland, but he's managed to fulfill his potential in Baltimore.

Guthrie will become one of just four starters in the last 20 years -- along with Rick Sutcliffe, Rodrigo Lopez and Mike Mussina -- to start on Opening Day in consecutive years for the Orioles. Guthrie, a former first-round draftee, is the only member of last year's rotation to remain in the same role. The Orioles will keep him on his turn as often as possible, meaning that he'll likely throw again on April 11.

Guthrie was a true standout last season, finishing seventh in the American League in opponents' batting average (.242), 14th in ERA (3.63) and top 25 in both starts (30) and innings (190 2/3). Guthrie made 19 quality starts last season, and 10 of them followed a Baltimore loss. At one point, in fact, he threw six straight quality starts.

New Yankee Stadium Pictures #2

2009-04-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

Here's the second set of photos from our trip to the New Yankee Stadium:

New Yankee Stadium Pictures

2009-04-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

Here's the first set of photos from our trip to the New Yankee Stadium:

We were lucky enough to score (pay $80) some tickets to the Yankees Exhibition Series against the Cubs this weekend; so without further delay, here are some of our favorite shots:

Gardner Wins Centerfield Job

2009-03-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

Joe DiMaggio. Mickey Mantle. Bernie Williams.

Brett Gardner?

Sounds a lot better than hearing Melky Cabrera's name in the starting lineup come Opening Day.

Yankee manager Joe Girardi confirmed the fact that Brett Gardner has one the position battle for the prestigious spot in the Yankee outfield.

Gardner hit .385 (20-for-52) with three home runs, six RBIs and five stolen bases in 22 spring games for the Yankees.

CC to Take Hill on Both Opening Days

2009-03-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Being the face of the new look Yankee rotation has some perks.

Just ask newly anointed "Dual Opening Day Starter" CC Sabathia.

Sabathia got the nod from skipper Joe Girardi who (in an interview with MLB.com) said "It was pretty low-key, his response, I don't necessarily think he felt that way inside, but I caught him in the gym and he was working out, and he was kind of breathing hard. He seemed excited."

Burnet Sharp in Spring Outing Against Former Mates

2009-03-20T06:12:00.000-07:00

AJ Burnett won his third spring start and lowered his ERA to an eye popping 0.96 as he went 3 1/3 innings against his former team.

Burnett held the Blue Jays to one run and three hits as the Bombers continued to pound away this spring, winning by a final 7-4 score.

Eduardo Nunez homered and added two RBI's in his only at bat of the game. Nick Swisher continued to prove that last season was a fluke; Swish went 2-2 and added a RBI.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Posada, C	3	2	1	1	0	0	0	.357
Cash, C	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.350
Damon, LF	2	0	1	0	1	0	1	.278
Jackson, A, LF-CF	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	.310
Swisher, 1B	2	0	2	1	0	0	0	.281
Duncan, S, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	1	5	.417
Matsui, DH	2	0	1	1	1	0	1	.316
a-Cervelli, PH-DH	2	0	1	0	0	1	2	.182
Nady, RF	3	1	1	0	0	1	3	.286
Linden, RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.053
Ransom, 3B	3	0	0	0	0	1	4	.333
Leone, 3B	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.167
Cabrera, M, CF	3	0	1	1	0	0	0	.250
Rodriguez, J, LF	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.333
Berroa, 2B	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	.415
Bernier, 2B	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.190
Pena, SS	3	1	1	1	0	0	0	.270
Nunez, E, SS	1	1	1	2	0	0	0	.455
Totals	37	7	14	7	3	6	22
a-Singled for Matsui in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Pena (2, Burres), Posada (4, Burres), Swisher (2, Burres), Cash (3, Purcey). 3B: Nady (2, Burres). HR: Nunez, E (1, 8th inning off Purcey, 1 on, 1 out). TB: Posada 2; Cash 2; Damon; Jackson, A; Swisher 3; Matsui; Cervelli; Nady 3; Cabrera, M; Rodriguez, J; Berroa; Pena 2; Nunez, E 4. RBI: Pena (7), Posada (7), Swisher (8), Cabrera, M (6), Matsui (6), Nunez, E 2 (5). 2-out RBI: Swisher; Matsui. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Ransom 2; Matsui; Leone; Cervelli. GIDP: Berroa. Team LOB: 9. FIELDING DP: 3 (Ransom-Berroa-Duncan, S, Berroa-Pena-Swisher, Bernier-Nunez, E-Duncan, S).

Mo Looking Sharp

2009-03-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

According to the Associated Press:

Mariano Rivera struck out two during a perfect fifth inning in his first game since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 on Tuesday night.

"I feel real good," Rivera said. "I don't want to say I was expecting this, but I was happy with the results. It went well. Location. Pitches. I think everything will be fine."

Rivera had the AC joint in his right shoulder repaired on Oct. 7. The Yankees closer threw eight of 11 pitches for strikes.

"Mo looked like he has been pitching for a couple of weeks," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It was incredible. It was more than I expected."

Ah Crap....

2009-03-05T10:46:00.000-08:00

According to ESPN News Services, A-Rod's brother is going around telling everyone that Alex will have hip surgery and be out for 10 weeks:

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will have surgery to remove a cyst from his right hip and will be out 10 weeks, Rodriguez's brother told ESPNdeportes.com on Thursday.

Joe Dunand, Alex Rodriguez's older brother, told Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com during a phone interview that immediate surgery was recommended, and that rehabilitation would take about 10 weeks.

A source close to the situation told ESPNdeportes.com that the surgery is scheduled for Monday in Colorado.

There has been no confirmation from the Yankees regarding the scheduled surgery.

Is this a good time to look into trading back for Aaron Boone?

Yanks and Astros Tie, Wang Doesn't Wind Up Hurt

2009-03-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

The last time Chien Ming Wang faced the Astros, his season ended thanks to an awkward base running situation.

This time, Wang looked sharp tossing two innings, allowing only two hits.

The Yanks and Astros played to a tie, with each team scoring five runs.

Melky Cabrera, playing for a spot in the starting lineup, knocked in two runs and went 2-3 on the day (triple). Jorge Posada added another run and Angel Berroa homered.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	3	1	1	0	0	1	1	.143
Jackson, A, LF-CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Cabrera, M, CF	3	1	2	2	0	0	0	.273
Linden, LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.125
Swisher, RF	2	1	0	0	1	0	1	.222
Curtis, RF	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.200
Posada, DH	3	0	1	1	0	1	0	.625
a-Anson, PH-DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Ransom, SS	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	.167
Pena, SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.167
Molina, J, C	3	0	1	0	0	1	0	.143
Pilittere, C	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.500
Miranda, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	.182
Leone, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.286
Berroa, 2B	3	2	2	1	0	1	0	.571
Russo, 2B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Bernier, 3B	3	0	0	0	0	2	1	.200
Nunez, E, 3B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.400
Totals	34	5	9	4	1	8	8
a-Flied out for Posada in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Berroa (1, Hampton). 3B: Cabrera, M (1, Hampton). HR: Berroa (1, 4th inning off Ortiz, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Damon; Cabrera, M 4; Curtis; Posada; Molina, J; Pilittere; Berroa 6. RBI: Cabrera, M 2 (2), Posada (3), Berroa (1). 2-out RBI: Cabrera, M. GIDP: Ransom. Team LOB: 3. BASERUNNING CS: Curtis (1, 2nd base by Paronto/Quintero, H). FIELDING DP: 2 (Tomko-Ransom-Miranda, Berroa-Ransom-Leone).

Yanks, Reds Take Part in Pitching Staff Bash

2009-03-02T05:39:00.000-08:00

So much for needing spring training to get used to live pitching.

The Yankees and the Reds combined for twenty four runs and thirty three hits and eight home runs.

On the Bomber side of the box score, Brett Gardner added his second homer of the spring while Robinson Cano and John Rodriguez each hit one of their own.

Yankee pitching, on the other hand, was a different story. Each pitcher gave up at least one run (earned or otherwise) and Damaso Marte gave up a pair of home runs during his inning of work.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	3	1	2	1	0	0	0	.500
a-Jackson, A, PH-CF	2	0	0	1	0	1	3	.286
Jeter, SS	3	2	3	0	0	0	0	.455
Nunez, E, SS	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	.400
Teixeira, 1B	3	1	2	0	0	0	1	.500
1-Miranda, PR-1B	2	1	0	0	0	2	1	.250
Rodriguez, A, 3B	3	0	2	2	0	0	0	.429
2-Leone, PR-3B	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	.333
Cano, 2B	3	1	3	4	0	0	0	.556
3-Russo, PR-2B	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	.000
Nady, RF	3	0	0	0	0	1	3	.125
Duncan, S, RF	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.375
Rodriguez, J, LF	3	1	1	1	0	0	1	.286
Linden, LF	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.143
Ransom, DH	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.222
b-Bernier, PH-DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.500
Cash, C	3	1	2	0	0	0	0	.667
Montero, C	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.750
Pilittere, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	42	11	19	11	1	6	12
a-Grounded out for Gardner in the 6th. b-Popped out for Ransom in the 7th. 1-Ran for Teixeira in the 5th. 2-Ran for Rodriguez, A in the 5th. 3-Ran for Cano in the 5th.
BATTING 2B: Rodriguez, A 2 (2, Harang, Rhodes), Gardner (2, Rhodes), Cano (2, Rhodes), Cash (1, Cordero). HR: Gardner (2, 3rd inning off Harang, 0 on, 0 out), Cano (1, 4th inning off Weathers, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, J (1, 4th inning off Weathers, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Gardner 6; Jeter 3; Nunez, E; Teixeira 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Leone; Cano 7; Rodriguez, J 4; Ransom; Cash 3; Montero. RBI: Rodriguez, A 2 (5), Cano 4 (4), Gardner (2), Rodriguez, J (1), Jackson, A (1), Nunez, E (1), Leone (2). 2-out RBI: Leone. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez, J; Russo; Jackson, A. GIDP: Nady; Teixeira. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING SB: Nunez, E (1, 2nd base off Cordero/Denove), Leone (1, 2nd base off Cordero/Denove). CS: Cash (1, 2nd base by Weathers/Hanigan). FIELDING E: Russo (2, fielding), Nunez, E (1, fielding). PB: Montero (1). Outfield assists: Rodriguez, J (McDonald at 2nd base).

Twins Slap Joba Around

2009-03-01T05:42:00.000-08:00

Joba was knocked around in his only inning of work yesterday, giving up two runs on three hits.

Relax, its only spring training.

In more alarming news, Jorge Posada was scratched from the lineup, after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Posada was stretching in the on deck circle when he said he "tweaked" the shoulder.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Curtis, LF	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000
Jeter, SS	2	1	1	1	0	0	1	.250
Pena, SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.200
Teixeira, 1B	3	1	1	0	0	1	1	.400
Miranda, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.333
Rodriguez, A, 3B	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	.250
Berroa, 3B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500
Swisher, RF	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	.286
Rodriguez, J, RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Cano, 2B	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	.333
Bernier, 2B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.000
Molina, J, C	2	0	0	0	0	0	3	.000
Cervelli, C	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.167
Duncan, S, DH	3	1	2	0	0	0	0	.429
a-Montero, PH-DH	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.667
Cabrera, M, CF	3	0	1	0	0	1	1	.125
Jackson, A, CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.400
Totals	30	3	7	2	3	3	14
a-Singled for Duncan, S in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Teixeira (1, Liriano). TB: Jeter; Teixeira 2; Cano; Duncan, S 2; Montero; Cabrera, M. RBI: Rodriguez, A (3), Jeter (1). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Molina, J; Teixeira. S: Damon. SF: Rodriguez, A; Jeter. GIDP: Swisher; Miranda; Jackson, A. Team LOB: 7. FIELDING Outfield assists: Curtis (Machado at 3rd base). DP: 3 (Molina, J-Jeter, Berroa-Cano-Miranda, Curtis-Pena-Berroa).

Yanks Beat Up on Reigning AL East Champs

2009-02-27T06:31:00.000-08:00

Shelley Duncan and Jorge Posada both homered en route to a 5-1 Bomber win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Phil Hughes and Phil Coke were both impressive in their outings, combining for four innings of one hit ball.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Gardner, CF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200
Jeter, SS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.167
Nunez, E, SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Teixeira, 1B	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Ransom, 1B	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Rodriguez, A, 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.333
Bernier, 3B	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1.000
Cano, 2B	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.250
Berroa, 2B	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1.000
Nady, RF	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.500
Duncan, S, RF	1	1	1	3	0	0	0	.250
Posada, DH	2	1	2	2	0	0	0	1.000
a-Anson, PH-DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Molina, J, C	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Cervelli, C	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Cabrera, M, CF	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Curtis, LF	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Totals	30	5	7	5	0	6	3
a-Grounded out for Posada in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Nady (1, Abreu, W), Posada (1, Abreu, W). HR: Posada (1, 3rd inning off Orvella, 0 on, 0 out), Duncan, S (1, 7th inning off Medlock, 2 on, 0 out). TB: Teixeira; Bernier; Berroa; Nady 2; Duncan, S 4; Posada 6. RBI: Posada 2 (2), Duncan, S 3 (3). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera, M. GIDP: Rodriguez, A. Team LOB: 1. FIELDING Outfield assists: Curtis (Ensberg at 2nd base).

Yanks Cruise Past Blue Jays in Spring Training Opener

2009-02-26T06:28:00.000-08:00

Home runs off the bats of Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez set the pace for a 6-1 Yankee win over the Blue Jays.

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	3	1	1	1	0	0	2	.333
Jackson, A, CF	2	0	1	0	0	1	1	.500
Jeter, SS	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.333
Pena, SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000
Cano, 2B	2	2	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Ransom, 2B	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.000
Rodriguez, A, 3B	1	1	1	2	2	0	0	1.000
Russo, 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000
Swisher, RF	1	1	0	1	2	1	1	.000
Curtis, RF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Duncan, S, DH	3	0	0	0	0	2	4	.000
a-Montero, PH-DH	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Miranda, 1B	3	0	1	1	0	2	1	.333
Leone, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Linden, LF	3	0	1	1	0	1	3	.333
Rodriguez, J, LF	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	.500
Cash, C	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	.667
Pilittere, C	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000
Totals	37	6	11	6	5	13	22
a-Singled for Duncan, S in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Cano (1, Bauer), Jackson, A (1, Hayhurst). HR: Gardner (1, 1st inning off Cecil, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (1, 4th inning off Romero, R, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Gardner 4; Jackson, A 2; Jeter; Cano 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Montero; Miranda; Linden; Rodriguez, J; Cash 2. RBI: Gardner (1), Rodriguez, A 2 (2), Linden (1), Swisher (1), Miranda (1). 2-out RBI: Linden. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gardner; Russo 2; Pilittere. GIDP: Linden. Team LOB: 11. BASERUNNING SB: Cash (1, 2nd base off Burres/Thigpen). FIELDING E: Gardner (1, throw), Pena (1, throw), Leone (1, fielding), Russo (1, throw).

DOH!

2009-02-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

According to John Schlegel, a beat writer for MLB.com, it looks like the drug A-Rod fessed up to taking isn't exactly legal in the Dominican Republic;

Primobolan, understood to be the substance Alex Rodriguez referred to as "boli" and reported by Sports Illustrated to be what triggered his positive drug test in 2003, is not and was not legal in the Dominican Republic, that country's top drug regulatory official told ESPNdeportes.com.

Dr. Pia Veras, who oversees the agency that monitors pharmaceuticals legally sold in the Dominican Republic, refuted the account Rodriguez told during his Tuesday press conference of his cousin getting "boli" legally over the counter in the Dominican Republic.

"What Alex Rodriguez stated at the press conference doesn't make sense," Veras told ESPNdeportes. "It is important for us to clarify that such substance has not been registered and is not currently registered for legal sale in Dominican pharmacies -- not now and the same applies for the years 2001 to 2003."

Girardi Tips His Hat on Lineup Card

2009-02-18T17:55:00.001-08:00

According to multiple news sources, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi discussed with spring training reporters his plans build his lineup around Alex Rodriguez:

"I went back and forth a little bit," Girardi said. "I just know from catching and managing, you hate teams that do that left-right to you. It's hard to bring in situational lefties. Obviously, [Teixeira] is a plus, because he's a switch-hitter.

"If you want to bring in a righty to face Derek Jeter, you've got to decide what you want to do against Tex. It just makes it harder to navigate through our lineup and set up an opposing team's bullpen."

The Blame Game

2009-02-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

by Chris Lima
108 Red Stitches

It’s the age-old “who-done-it” question that will continue to baffle until answered.

Who was the snitch, low life, leaky faucet who released Alex Rodriguez’s name to the media, regarding his failed steroid test in 2003?

Lets take a look at all the players in this saga, and examine who might be the culprit;

The Profiteer in the Bookstore;
Isn’t it a little too convenient that Joe Torre and Tom Verducci have a book out that centers around an A-Rod bashing story? Would someone with insider knowledge be willing to sell their soul in order to push a few more books?

Analysis: Torre is one of the most respected men in baseball, so it would be a far reach to assume that he’s the one that leaked A-Rods’ name. Verducci is a reporter held in high regard by fellow peers and wouldn’t waste his credibility just to sell a couple more copies of “The Yankee Years”.

The Spurned Lover in the Bedroom
C-Rod and A-Rod get down and dirty in their divorce, as details of A-Rod’s elicit affairs with blond Canadian bimbos and Madonna are spewed throughout the newspapers over the past year. Could this be a case of a “woman scorned”?

Analysis; C-Rod seems to like the press and limelight (remember that F-You Shirt she wore to the Stadium?). C-Rod’s stock depends on what type of a relationship her and A-Rod had; if Alex talked to her about everything between a pitcher’s tendency to throw him sliders and failed drug tests, then she becomes a prime suspect. If their relationship was “don’t ask, don’t tell” then she quickly falls out of favor.

Jealous Teammate with an Axe (to grind) in the Clubhouse;
Jose Canseco; baseball’s biggest tragedy since the invention of the Designated Hitter. The guy could hit a baseball 500 feet but never got paid accordingly (in his opinion). In his second book “Vindicated” Canseco wrote that A-Rod had taken steroids and his name was left off the Mitchell Report.

Analysis; Canseco, ever ready to make a quick buck due to financial woes, seems to be the most likely candidate out of the group. He’s got the motivation (jealousy, greed, desperation) but the question that remains is; “How did he get the names on the report?”

The Nerd in the Computer Room;
Wouldn’t it be great that we find out the guy who brought A-Rod down was a twenty five year old computer programmer in the Commissioner’s Office? This one makes the most sense.

Analysis: Dorky. Dweeby. Un-athletic. Couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Wouldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. Has to hit the inhaler after walking up two flights of stairs.
Has the brainpower to unlock the password that protects the document that has the name of all 114 failed drug-tested players in the 2003 tests.

Remembers every athlete who stuck him inside of a shower stall/locker/garbage can after administering an atomic wedgie.

Hits send on his email program after attaching A-Rod’s name with supporting documents.

Thousands of years of cruelty to the weak-bodied-able-minded erased with the click of a mouse.

Great Tyler Kepner Article

2009-02-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

NY Times Reporter Tyler Kepner, responding to the new Facebook fad of naming 25 random facts about yourself, wrote 25 facts about random Yankees on his "Bats" Blog.

Here are a few that'll get a chuckle:

25. Ramiro Mendoza – Had my favorite nickname of any Yankee I’ve covered: Brujo, which is Spanish for “witch doctor.”

9. Bubba Crosby – When the Yankees dressed their rookies like Elvis, they didn’t make him wear a wig because they figured his real hairstyle was close enough.

4. Tyler Clippard – Loved to watch “The Office” on his iPod. He’d sit there with earplugs in and just laugh out loud.

You can read them all here.

Comparing the Stadiums: New Yankee Stadium vs Old Yankee Stadium

2009-02-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

Stadium Comparison	Current	New
Historical Date
Opening Day	1923	2009
Existing Field Dimensions Maintained
Field Dimensions	Left Field 318' Left Center 399' Center 408' Right Center 385' Right Field 314'	Left Field 318' Left Center 399' Center 408' Right Center 385' Right Field 314'
More Comfortable Seating
Total Seating Capacity*	56,886	52,325 (Including Standing Room)
Seat Width	18" to 22"	19" to 24"
Legroom Between Rows	29.5"	33" to 39"
Cup Holders	N/A	Cup holders in all seating in the general seating bowl
Home Plate To Backstop	72' 4"	52' 4"
Private Luxury Suites	19	56
Party Suites**	XXX	410
Stadium Amenities for Convenience
Average Concourse Width	17'	32'
Concession Fixed Points Of Sale Ratio	1 for every 260 Fans (not including portable and in-seat wait service locations)	1 for every 172 Fans (not including portable and in-seat wait service locations)
Restroom Fixtures Ratio	1 for every 89 Fans	1 for every 60 Fans
Family-Style Restrooms	N/A	12
Team Stores (Square Feet)	Approximately 6,800	Total Approximately 11,560 Main Store 5,825 Collectible/Art 1,735 Home Plate Store 2,435 Great Hall Store 1,565
Dining And Lounge Options	Yankee Club Stadium Club Pinstripe Pub Great Moments Room	Legends Club 2 Legends Dugout Lounges Grill Room Yankees Steakhouse Membership Club Main Level Outdoor Suite Lounge Terrace Outdoor Suite Lounge Martini Bar Sports Bar Outdoor Patio Area Outdoor Food Court Indoor Food Court
Main Video Scoreboard	25' by 33' 25MM (Standard Def.) LED	59' high by 101' wide 16 MM True HD LED
Elevators	3	16
* The total seating capacity figures include wheelchair, aisle-transfer and companion seats. ** The Party Suites capacity figure includes wheelchair, aisle-transfer and companion seats.

Wang Tosses Off Mound; Rehabbing Well

2009-02-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

According to multiple news sources, Yankee starter Chien-Ming Wang threw off the mound for the first time since injuring his foot while running the bases in Houston last season.

Wang was able to comfortably throw twenty seven pitches, as pitching coach Dave Eiland looked on:

"He's full go for spring training," Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland said. "He felt strong. He really looked good. A good day for him."

Wang will join a new-look Yankee rotation this spring, as the Yankees rebuilt through free agency after failing to make the playoffs last season.

River Avenue News Team Headed to Stadium

2009-01-29T06:22:00.000-08:00

With Canon Digital Rebels and new lenses in hand, the River Avenue News team will be attending the Saturday exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs.

This news might come as a surprise to some. Namely, my girlfriend. Hopefully she reads this website.

We'll be seated in Section 208 Row 14, similar seats to those where we began last season's summer long Stadium Tour.

Here's a shot of our view:

Welcome Back Andy!

2009-01-27T08:42:00.001-08:00

The New York Yankees have agreed to a one year deal with free agent left-hander Andy Pettitte, reportedly worth $5.5 million.

Pettitte was painted as a selfish crybaby (by the press) because he refused to accept a pay cut from his previous season's salary ($16 million). Pettitte disagreed with that assessment, stating in an interview:

"Heck, the bottom line is I'm a man, and I guess it does take a shot at your pride a little bit," he said. "But when you put all that aside, I wanted to play for the New York Yankees and, you know, that was the bottom line. I wanted to be there. I wanted to play in that new stadium."

Pettitte will likely fill out the back end of the Yankee rotation, joining newly acquired arms CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett as the Yanks open up their new ballpark with a significantly upgraded roster compared to last season.

Pettite finished the 2008 season with a 14-14 record, posting a 4.54 era in 204 innings pitched. Pettite also posted great control numbers again, walking only 55 batters while striking out 158.

Yanks to Sport New Patch for '09

2009-01-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

According to multiple news sources (mostly Peter Abraham), the New York Yankees will be wearing a different kind of patch this season, one that has an artistic depiction of the new stadium emblazoned on their sleeve.

Abraham, on his LoHud blog, jokingly notes (hopefully) if you look close enough at the patch, you might find something hidden;
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It’s a nice patch and if you look closely you can see a team official asking the city of New York for more money.
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I'd like to see some sort of uniform "nod" to the old stadium. Maybe a little D.o.B-D.o.D on the back of the hat.