Yesterday’s earthquake in NYC not only shaken my feet a little bit also triggered reminders of the 1989 World Series game 3 between the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants. The Loma Prieta earthquake struck on October 17, 1989 at 5:04 p.m. Game 3 that were scheduled to start at 5:35 p.m. at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The game was interrupted during the earthquake and there was no World Series baseball for 10 days. I was 8 years old and living in Brooklyn, NY during this time period. Its one of the earliest World Series I could personally remember. The only way I knew what was happening in San Francisco was from watching News on TV and whatever was discussed in school about the earthquake. During 1989 our only media was Radio, Television and Print. These days we have Internet, Social Media, Print, Podcasts, Smartphones, IPhones, Ipads, Mobile Apps, Satellite Radio and AM/FM Radio. Thanks to twitter & facebook I was able to find out within seconds why the floor of my office located in midtown Manhattan was shaken and where else was affected. Thankfully there was no major damage to New York State, New York City and other sounding states that was affected.
Let’s now flash forward to Yesterday August 23rd 2011 around 2 pm an earthquake is felt in NYC. Ironically Oakland Athletics are in town for a three game series against the Yankees this week. The Yankees game last night was not delayed due to the earthquake. However the Yankees lost last night to the final score of 6 – 5, which makes me wonder if Mother Nature inspires the Oakland Athletics win games after being jolted. After all the Athletics did win game 3 and 4 of the 1989 World Series and also won last night against the New Yankees. I know sounds a little far fetched and the Earthquake should not be a scapegoat why the Yankees lost last night. However Yankees didn’t score any runs until the 8 inning last night, they left runners in scoring position stranded and Bartolo Colon didn’t have a good pitching performance either. Hopefully the Yankees will turn this series around and win tonight and tomorrow.
Ivan Nova is having an impressive season so far with a record of 13-4. There are plenty of Nicknames I’ve seen him being called so far this season. My current favorite is Super Nova which is defined as “extremely luminous and cause a burst of radiation that often briefly outshines an entire galaxy, before fading from view over several weeks or months” There was certainly been a burst of wins for Ivan Nova due to consecutively winning his last 6 starts. Another popular nick names I’ve seen for Ivan Nova is named after Russian tsars. During this past weekend we watched Ivan the Great pitched against the Minnesota twins (7 IP, 5H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 5K). Only once Ivan the Terrible has made a start for the Yankees which was 5/12/11 against the Kansas City Royal (3 IP, 10H, 8R, 4ER, 2BB, 2K, 2HR).
Other notable Ivan’s are Ivan Vanko (Iron man villain) and Ivan Drago (Rocky Balboa 4 opponent). I’m sure you can think of other nick names. Hopefully Super Nova and Ivan the Great will pitch for the Yankees for a long time. I'm hoping to see Ivan Rookie of the year for another nickname annoucned after the season is over. Ivan World Series Champion also sounds great as well. Time will tell. What other Ivan Nicknames do you think we can call him? Let me know what you think.
When Mariano Rivera is not happy you know something has gone wrong. It certinaly did last night as Billy Butler's double was ruled a homerun. Mariano Rivera had to be held back. You can clearly see the Anger in his eyes.
For the second year in a row I’ve participated in the Damon Runyon Yankee Stadium 5K run/walk for cancer research. It’s a very well organized event and for a great cause. If you ever have any aspirations doing a 5K race for the first time or having the ability to run along the warning track at Yankee Stadium. I highly recommend sign-up for this event next year. Since it’s an annual event, it feels good to give back. We all know someone that has passed away from cancer so why not make a difference and run inside Yankee Stadium.
The race starts off inside of Gate #4. You run 2 laps around the Field, Main and Terrace concourses. You also run up a few staircases and down some ramps. Mostly import you also run along the warning track two laps. What an amazing experience. You totally see Yankee Stadium in a very unique point of view. Words can’t fully describe it. Hopefully these photos will.
After completing the race you are given a medal.
I will admit I myself was in better shape last year then this year. Next year I plan to be in much better shape running. For more details check out
It’s been awhile since I’ve wrote a blog. A majority of us are creatures of habit. For me a typical Yankees game at the new Yankee Stadium my rituals consist of the following: Walking down River Avenue saying “Hello” to Bald Vinny during the time batting practice occurs inside the stadium, visiting the home plate team store, then visiting the Steiner Sports Store and getting a Lobel’s steak sandwich. I normally sit in the terrace when I attend games at Yankee Stadium however due to a unique opportunity I was able to sit in the batter’s eye section seats which are located above the Mohegan sun club.
This week marks Yankee Stadium 3rd annual Hope week. The Yankees record during hope week is currently 9-2 .818 Winning percentage prior to last night’s game. Our ACE pitcher CC Sabathia was on the mound. We are use to seeing CC pounding the strike zone and keeping the score low when he's very effective. CC’s previous start against the Tampa Bay Devil Ray he was out dueled by James Shields. The odds are in CC’s favor for his 15th victory of the season, since the Settle Mariners are currently in there worst losing streak of there franchise. The Mariners are also lacking hitting and pitching this season.
As soon as the first pitch was thrown the skies above Yankee Stadium became gray. CC was dealing strikeout after strikeout after strikeout. The guys sitting behind me started to talk about this season’s Curb your enthusiasm, which is a very popular show on HBO that stars Larry David. I was intrigued by there conversation and decided to throw in my own two cents. Once I’ve got them to talk about the Yankees and the actual game that we are physically at, one of them decided to point out that CC is currently pitching a perfect game. I’ve learned during my younger years attending baseball games at the Old Yankee Stadium that you’re not supposed to mention or point out that the pitcher is throwing a perfect game. However Yankees Radio CBS 880 radio personalities and YES network TV announces always mention what’s going on. Everyone get’s superstitious whenever these rare event occurs. Regardless of what the fans do in the Stadium or at home it doesn’t truly affect the pitcher so there’s no one to blame.
CC was a strikeout machine then all of a sudden it started to rain and then there was a rain delay during CC’s perfection. 6.1 innings pitched, 12K’s and 0 hits until Brendan Ryan singled.
CC received a huge cheer from the crowd. If only it didn’t rain. There will always be that question that starts with “WHAT IF” CC Pitched a great game regardless. Granderson and Teixeira both hit Solo home runs. Eric Chavez had an RBI single. Mariano Rivera got the save and mostly important the Yankees won.
Follow Michael LaPayower on Twitter: @BigYankeesFan
The Yankees were Robbed of two hits two nights ago by Brent Lillibridge and social media exploded about him. People are tweeting as if Brent Lillbridge has just won the world series. It's a game during the month of April. Plenty of baseball left. Check out my video rant.
(Sorry Yesnetwork my file size was too big to upload )
We all know that CC Sabathia is a dominating pitching. However during the month of April he starts the season off on a slow pace. Since 2001 CC has had 48 Career starts during the month of April (As of April 17th, 2011). CC currently has a .312 winning percentage (48 GS, 15W, 14L, 29ND). CC two best April's were 2007 (5 GS 3W) & 2009 (5GS 3W 1L) Captain Crunch or not, April isn’t CC’s month during his current career. There’s no need to panic here folks. It’s only April. We all know as the season advances that CC will flourish. CC is currently 0-1. But we all know he should be 1-1 right now. CC starts each game giving the Yankees an opportunity to win ball games. He throws a ton of pitches. Since CC put on Yankees pinstripes out of his 72 starts only 16 times his pitch count was under 100.
As of today I’m happy the Yankees are currently in First place. Let’s go Yankees.
Follow Michael LaPayower on Twitter: @BigYankeesFan
Finally the game we have been waiting for. The Yankees recalimed 1st place and they did it with a walk-off win. The Pie hae returned last night. So in honor of last night's amazing come back from behind win. I've posted a new video.
This video was actually filmed last year. The clip was originally part of my "Yankeesland:Updated" video. However I had additional footage which was perfect for this newer video.
Last night we learned when it’s the 8th inning and the Yankees have a 4 run lead, our Manager Joe Girardi will go with Rafael Soriano to pitch. What happens when the Yankees have a 5 run lead, or a 6 run lead or a 7run lead or even a higher lead! When does the threshold start and end? Its obvious Soriano can’t pitch every 8th inning.
Follow Michael LaPayower on Twitter: @BigYankeesFan
I’m so happy that baseball has finally returned. It was great to attend a live baseball game after what felt like a very long winter. I hope everyone had a chance to watch my video before going to Yankee Stadium Yesterday. It was very cold, windy, and rainy. It sure did feel like a post-season game based on the weather conditions. The stadium vendors were even going around selling hot chocolate. The stadium was very prepared for Opening day. I’ve noticed a few things different around the stadium for the 2011 season. In the food court area in left field level there was a Dylan’s Candy bar shop. I’ve also went inside the Yankee Museum in which they added a few new exhibits. But I would like to point out the World Series rings case. I certainly suggest you all should check it out.
Now lets talk about you’re 2011 New York Yankees players. Curtis Granderson was the player of the game. Not only did he show off the leather of his glove but also the power of his bat. I was also very impressed with the base running of Russell Martin. A few rumbles among the crowd because he’s wearing #55. Unfortunally Derek Jeter didn’t get his first hit during the Opening day. He still has another 161 games for hits. So be patient Yankees Fans. Our bullpen 7th, 8th & 9th guys did an amazing job (Joba, Soranio and Rivera) Mariano Rivera also received his 560th Save.
Buck Showalter has recently made some recent comments towards the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. An interview in the April edition of Men's Journal, Showalter lashed out at Yankees captain Derek Jeter as well as Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.
According to Buck Showalter “The first time we went to Yankee Stadium, I screamed at Derek Jeter from the dugout," Showalter told Men’s Journal” "Our guys are thinking, 'Wow, he's screaming at Derek Jeter.' Well, he's always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets -- and yes, he [ticks] me off."
"I'd like to see how smart Theo Epstein is with the Tampa Bay [Rays] payroll," Showalter told Men's Journal. "You got Carl Crawford 'cause you paid more than anyone else, and that's what makes you smarter? That's why I like whipping their butt. It's great, knowing those guys with the $205 million payroll are saying, 'How the hell are they beating us?' "
Here’s some fact’s about Buck Showalter:
Showalter never played in the majors and spent seven seasons in the Yankees' minor league system where he had a career average of .294 with 17 home runs and 336 RBIs. According to interviews with Buck, he has said it was around this time he was given the nickname "Buck," as he tended to hang out in the locker room "Buck" naked. (via Wikipedia)
Isn’t not easy being Buck, ironically the year after he managed the Yankees they won a world series. (Managed 1992-1995) Also the year after he left Arizona Diamondbacks they also won a World Series (Managed 1998-2000). I really was thinking the Texas Rangers were going to win the World Series during the 2007 season. However that wasn’t the case. (Managed Texas 2003-2006) So it’s still safe the say there isn’t a Showalter Curse. But if the Baltimore Orioles does win a World Series the year after Buck is no longer there manager it would only prove the Showalter curse wasn’t effective enough for Texas.
I do like the fact that Baseball season is a week away and Buck has already added fuel into the upcoming Rivalry’s between Baltimore and the Yankees and Baltimore and the Red Sox. Buck please be sure to expect a warm welcome the next time you’re at Yankee Stadium….NOT
Follow Michael LaPayower on Twitter:@BigYankeesFan
We all know that CC Sabathia is a dominating pitching. However during the month of April he starts the season off on a slow pace. Since 2001 CC has had 48 Career starts during the month of April (As of April 17th, 2011). CC currently has a .312 winning percentage (48 GS, 15W, 14L, 29ND). CC two best April's were 2007 (5 GS 3W) & 2009 (5GS 3W 1L) Captain Crunch or not, April isn’t CC’s month during his current career. There’s no need to panic here folks. It’s only April. We all know as the season advances that CC will flourish. CC is currently 0-1. But we all know he should be 1-1 right now. CC starts each game giving the Yankees an opportunity to win ball games. He throws a ton of pitches. Since CC put on Yankees pinstripes out of his 72 starts only 16 times his pitch count was under 100. 
