Five Facts: Andy Pettitte

Here are five facts about one of my favorite Yankee, Andy Pettitte.
Other five facts can be found in here: Ellsbury and Betances, Tanaka, Rivera, Ruth, Sabathia, Gregorius



1. Andy Pettitte is MLB's All-time postseason wins leader, 19.
John Smoltz is the second with 15, Tom Glavine is the third with 14. CC Sabathia is the leader among active pitchers with 9, followed by Justin Verlander, Cliff Lee, John Lackey, Cole Hamels, and Madison Bumgarner (?!) all with 7.

2. Once threw this as his two-strike pitch: knuckle ball.
It is in this article from 2010. Posada is not known for his catching, so it is not so hard to imagine that Posada had a trouble catching Pettitte's knuckle balls. In the article, it says that Pettitte used a knuckle ball briefly when in minors then coaches told him to cut it out, so he forgot how to throw it.

3. First pitched to Jorge Posada in 1992, last pitched to Jorge Posada in 2010.
We are so lucky to have both of you on the team for the long period of time.

4. The Yankees drafted his son in the 2013 MLB draft, Josh is currently enrolled at Rice University.
We do have Michel O'neill in the system, a nephew of Paul O'neill.

5. One of the only two players in the history to have four of the same consonant in his name, Mickey Tettleton is the other. 
Here is his reference page.

Eovaldi Trivia

I saw this from facebook and it was actually quite fun!

Nathan Eovaldi was originally an 11th-round draft pick of which MLB team?
1. New York Yankees
2. Miami Marlins
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Atlanta Braves

This was kinda easy. I've heard his name since he was a Dodger prospect. Answer: 3.

In what year did Eovaldi make his MLB debut?
1. 2012
2. 2009
3. 2011
4. 2013
5. 2008

Ha! I read this article and I knew his service time was 3.xxx. Answer: 3.

Eovaldi was once traded for Hanley Ramirez and which ex-Yankee?
1. Randy Choate
2. Ted Lilly
3. Jerry Hairston Jr.
4. Luis Cruz
5. Bobby Abreu

Hmm.. This trade must be from the Dodgers to the Marlins. I don't recall Ted Lilly nor Bobby Abreu playing for the Marlins. I guessed Randy Choate and it was right. Answer: 1.

Eovaldi is a graduate of Allen (TX) HS, as is which Hall of Famer pitcher?
1. Catfish Hunter
2. Gaylord Perry
3. Randy Johnson
4. Nolan Ryan
5. Warren Spahn

I had no idea, but to me, TX = Nolan Ryan so I guessed him and it was right. Answer: 4.

Against which team did Eovaldi make his MLB debut?
1. San Diego Padres
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. New York Mets
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Tampa Bay Rays

I don't know. He made debut with the Dodgers, so it is more likely that he pitched against an NL West team. I guessed 1 but the answer was 2! Answer: 2.

What college did Eovaldi forego his commitment to when he was drafted?
1. Cal State Fullerton
2. Texas A&M University
3. University of Oklahoma
4. University of Texas
5. Louisiana State University

Since he went to school in TX (from two questions ago) so I thought 2 or 4 is more likely. Longhorn? Answer: 2.

Which 2014 Yankee was the first MLB batter Eovaldi ever struck out?
1. Chris Young
2. Kelly Johnson
3. Chase Headley
4. Martin Prado
5. Brian McCann

So he pitched against D-backs in his first game. He is not a strikeout pitcher, but maybe he got at least one K? In 2011, Headly was in SD, Prado and McCann in ATL. I wasn't sure about the first two, but guessed 2. Answer: 2.

Which ex-Yankee hit the first MLB home run allowed by Eovaldi?
1. Lance Berkman
2. Chase Headley
3. Brian McCann
4. Carlos Beltran
5. Ichiro Suzuki

Again, it is more likely that he gave up his first home run against someone from the NL West. Headley? Answer: 1.

Entering 2014, Eovaldi has 11 career hits. Who surrendered his first?
1. Jeff Francis
2. Matt Cain
3. Joe Saunders
4. Jake Peavy
5. Randy Johnson

Hmm.. If he hit 11 in 4 years (about 3 per season,) the first is probably in 2011. Meh. I don't know. Answer: 3.

Which former Cy Young Award winner beat Eovaldi to hand his first career defeat?
1. Felix Hernandez
2. Zach Greinke
3. Tim Lincecum
4. Cliff Lee
5. Johan Santana

Probably not King since he has pitched for an AL team. In 2011, was Lincecum still good? Answer: 2
I got 5 out of 10. You?

양키스가 계약한 여섯 명의 마이너리거

원문은 이 곳에서 보실 수 있습니다.


뉴욕 양키스는 오늘, 여섯 명의 선수와 마이너리그 계약을 맺고 스프링 트레이닝에 초청하기로 했다고 밝혔다. 그 여섯 명은 다음과 같다: 우완 스캇 베이커, 내야수 콜 피게로아, 내야수 조나단 갈베즈, 포수 후안 그래터롤, 내야수 닉 누낸, 포수 에디 로드리게즈. 팀은 여기에 추가로 20명의 선수를 더해 26명의 선수(11명의 투수, 5명의 포수, 7명의 내야수와 3명의 외야수)를 스프링캠프에 초청한다. 이제 스프링캠프에는 66명이 오게 되었다.

33살의 베이커는 미네소타 트윈스 (2005-11), 시카고 컵스 (2013), 텍사스 레인저스 (2014)를 거치는 9년간의 메이저리그기간동안 191경기(170선발)에서 66승 52패 평균자책점 4.25 (1,053.2이닝 497자책)를 기록했다.  그는 2014 시즌의 대부분을 텍사스에서 보내면서 25경기 (8선발)에 등판해 3승 4패 평균자책점 5.47 (80.2이닝 49자책)과 55삼진을 기록했다. AAA 라운드락에서는 여섯번의 선발등판에서 4승 1패 평균자책점 3.32 (38.0이닝 14자책)를 기록했다. 베이커는 루이지애나의 쉬리브포트에서 태어났으며 오클라호마 주립대학출신으로 2003년 드래프트 2라운드에서 트윈스에게 뽑혔다.

27살의 피게로아는 2014년 탬파베이에서 메이저리그 데뷔를 했고, 23경기에서 .233의 타율 (43타수 10안타)과 6타점을 기록했다. 그는 AAA 더램에서도 71경기를 뛰었는데, .282의 타율 (262타수 74안타)과 3홈런, 33타점을 올렸다. 통산 마이너리그에서의 성적은 674경기 타율 .290 (2439타수 707안타) 26홈런 and 325타점이다. 플로리다 탈라하시 출생인 이 좌타자는 플로리다대학교출신으로 2008년 드래프트 6라운드에서 파드레스에게 뽑혔다.

Noonan, 25, appeared in 62 career Major League games with San Francisco (all in 2013), batting .219 (23-for-105) with 12R, 2 doubles and 5RBI. In 793 games over eight minor league seasons, he has hit .262 (787-for-3,008) with 149 doubles, 40HR and 351RBI. In 2014, he appeared with Single-A San Jose and Triple-A Fresno, combining to bat .234 (93-for-398) with 4HR and 26RBI in 108 games. Born in Poway, Calif., Noonan was originally selected by the Giants in Compensation Round A of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft (32nd overall).

RHP Andrew Bailey was signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract on March 7, 2014, but spent the season recovering from right shoulder surgery, which was performed on July 24, 2013. In 206 career Major League relief appearances with Oakland (2009-11) and Boston (2012-13), he has gone 11-12 with 89 saves, a 2.64 ERA (218.0IP, 64ER) and 227K. Bailey was born in Voorhees, N.J. and graduated from Wagner College (N.Y.). He was selected by the Athletics in the sixth round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.

RHP Luis Severino earned an invitation after combining to go 6-5 with a 2.46 ERA (113.1IP, 31ER) and 127K in 24 starts with Single-A Charleston, Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton in 2014. Following the season, during which he led all Yankees minor league pitchers in strikeouts, he was named the Yankees' top prospect by Baseball America. In 48 career minor league appearances (46 starts), he has gone 14-9 with a 2.23 ERA (221.2IP, 55ER) and 225K. A native of Sabana de la Mar, D.R., Severino was originally signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on July 20, 2012.

Of the Yankees' 26 non-roster invitees, 14 were originally drafted by the Yankees, including the Yankees second round pick in 2014, LHP Jacob Lindgren. Lindgren made his professional debut after being drafted, combining to go 2-1 with one save, a 2.16 ERA (25.0IP, 6ER) and 48K in 19 relief appearances with the GCL Yankees, Single-A Charleston, Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton. Following the season, he was tabbed by Baseball America as the Yankees' eighth-best prospect. A native of Mississippi, Lindgren played three seasons for Mississippi State, going 12-6 with a 2.64 ERA (139.2IP, 41ER) and 189K.

Also invited are four players who were selected by the Yankees in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft: OF Aaron Judge (first round, 32nd overall), RHP Nick Rumbelow (seventh), LHP Tyler Webb (10th) and C Trent Garrison (28th). In 2014, Judge made his professional debut, combining at Single-A Charleston and Single-A Tampa to hit .308 (144-for-467) with 24 doubles, 17HR and 78RBI in 131 games, leading all Yankees minor leaguers in RBI, while ranking fifth in home runs and sixth in batting average. Following the season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the second-best prospect in the Yankees organization.

The Yankees remaining draft picks attending spring training as non-roster invitees are selections from 2012: INF Rob Refsnyder (fifth round), RHP Nick Goody (sixth), LHP James Pazos (13th); 2011: INF Greg Bird (fifth round) and OF Jake Cave (sixth) and 2010: INF Cito Culver (first round, 32nd overall) and INF Kyle Roller (eighth). Rounding out the Yankees draft picks in attendance are OF Slade Heathcott (first round, 29th overall in 2009) and C Kyle Higashioka (seventh round in 2008). Bird, a native of Cordova, Tenn., combined at Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton to bat .271 (100-for-369) with 14HR and 43RBI in 102 games. Following the season, he played for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League and hit .313 (31-for-99) with 21R, 6HR and 21RBI in 26 games en route to being named the 2014 Joe Black MVP after ranking among league leaders in runs (first), home runs (tied for first), RBI (second) and batting average (sixth). The left-handed batter enters the 2015 season tabbed by Baseball America as the fourth-best prospect in the Yankees organization. Refsnyder, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, combined with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to bat .318 (164-for-515) with 82R, 14HR and 63RBI in 137 games in 2014, ranking third among Yankees minor leaguers in batting average. He attended the University of Arizona and finished the season ranked as the Yankees' seventh-best prospect by Baseball America.

Rounding out the Yankees' invitees are C Francisco Arcia, RHP Vicente Campos, RHP Diego Moreno and RHP Wilking Rodriguez.

Five Facts: Didi Gregorius

Here are five facts about Sir Didi Gregorius.
Other five facts can be found in here: Ellsbury and Betances, Tanaka, Rivera, Ruth, Sabathia.



1, Didi Gregorius' father played pro baseball in Netherlands.
His name is Johannes and he played in Honkbal Hoofdklasse.

2. Named a Knight of the order of Orange-Nassau in 2011.
According to Mike Vorkunov of nj.com, the Netherlands team won the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup, and each player on the team was knighted in Curaçao instead of getting money as a reward.

3. Biggest hobby off the field: Art.
This is quite good.

4. So much that he drew this Yankee legend.
You can also see it here.

5. His first home run at Yankee Stadium on April 18, 2013.
He hit if off Phil Hughes, and you can see it here:

Five Facts: Babe Ruth

Here are five facts about Babe Ruth.
Other five facts: Ellsbury and Betances, Tanaka, Rivera.



Babe Ruth hit his first pro home run during a game in which he played shortstop in 1914
Unfortunately, baseball-reference does not have that record.

Only made two All-Star teams... because the first game wasn't until 1933
The starting lineup for the very first ASG was the following (bold fonts for the Hall of Famer.)

National League
1, Pepper Martin 3B
2. Frankie Frisch 2B
3. Chuck Klein RF
4. Chick Hafey LF
5. Bill Terry 1B
6. Wally Berger CF
7. Dick Bartell SS
8. Jimmy Wilson C
9. Bill Hallahan P

American League
1. Ben Chapman LF
2. Charlie Gehringer 2B
3. Babe Ruth RF
4. Lou Gehrig 1B
5. Al Simmons CF
6. Jimmy Dykes 3B
7. Joe Cronin SS
8. Rick Ferrell C
9. Lefty Gomez P

Hit the first home run in All-Star Game history in 1933.
It was off Hallahan. The second home run was by Frisch off General Crowder. The American League won 4 to 2, thanks to Ruth's home run. Ruth went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI's with a home run in 1933, 0 for 2 with 2 BB's in 1944. AL won both games.

Was once a pitcher... a side-arming power pitcher.
In 1916, Ruth started 40 games (41 games on Fangraphs), pitched 323.2 innings, and went 23 - 12 with 1.75 ERA. In '17, he started 38 games (completed 35 games!), pitched 326.2 innings, and went 24 - 13 with 2.01 ERA. He collected 20.6 WAR (14.3 on Fangraphs) from 10 years of pitching, although it seems like he did not pitch too well for the Yankees.

Originally supposed to be a shirt maker.
I'm glad he played baseball instead.

파울 테러토리 by 마크 테익셰이라

리버애비뉴블루스에서 글을 보다가 시즌중에 즐겨보던 Foul Territory 전편이 모아져있는 링크가 올라왔길래 가져왔습니다. 바보 형이라는 별명이 정말 잘 어울리는 테익셰이라의 익살스러운 모습이 몇 번을 다시 봐도 재밌네요.

이 곳에서 보실 수 있습니다.

Five Facts: Masahiro Tanaka

I've posted five facts about Ellsbury and Betances. This time is about Masahiro Tanaka, also courtesy of YES Network.



1. Masahiro Tanaka's first position: Catcher.
Kenley Jansen of the Dodgers is the first one came across my mind. I googled around and found few more players such as Chris Hatcher (Marlins) who actually debuted in the Major League as a catcher, Art Doll who did the same in the 1930s, and a prospect for the Royals Kenny Swab. To get the complete list, I tried Play Index from the baseball-reference, and there were 72 players who played at least one game as a pitcher and one game as a catcher. In most cases, it was like J.P. Arencibia who made just one relief appearance. I made at least three games at each position and got 11, Drew Butera and Chris Hatcher were the only two since 1947.

2. He's also a pretty good fielder; 2011 - 2013 Gold Glove winner in Japan.
Two pitchers win the Gold Glove every year (one per each league) and a list of winners contains familar names: Yu Darvish won in 2007 and 2008, Hiroki Kuroda won in 2005, Koji Uehara won in 1999 and 2003, Kenshin Kawakami who used to pitch for the Braves won in 2004, 2006, and 2007. Daisuke Matsuzaka won 7 times; 1999 - 2001, 2003 - 2006.

3. He is a huge fan of Momoiro Clover Z.
I have absolutely no idea who that is, but I know their song "my dear fellow" is Tanaka's warm-up song.

4. His nickname in Japan: Ma-kun.
I don't think it means anything much other than Mr. Ma (from Masahiro.)

5. He and his wife got married in Hawaii.
I know his wife was an actress (not sure if she still is.) I've never been to Hawaii but I bet it's an amazing place.

Hit and Run

One of my favorite pitchers, David Wells, played "Hit and Run" with Michael Kay. He says the first thing that comes through his mind when asked each question.

Wildest or Craziest teammate?
David Cone.

Most memorable game or Major League moment?
World Series 1998.

Who's the best baseball player?
Probably Derek Jeter.

왜 로벗슨이 2015년 양키스의 마무리가 되어야하는가

YES Network의 Lou DiPietro의 글입니다. 제 개인적으로도 로벗슨을 잡았으면 좋겠습니다. 원문은 이 곳에서 보실 수 있습니다.


수준급 불펜투수의 뎁쓰가 어느 때보다 중요한 지금, 로벗슨은 내년에도 핀스트라이프를 입어야한다. AP

왜 양키스가 FA가 된 로벗슨을 잡지 않고 2015년과 그 후의 마무리 자리를 베탄시스에게 넘겨줘야하는지에 대해 덕 윌리엄스가 쓴 글도 일리가 있고, 지금 상황을 본다면 그 도박은 누구도 비난할 수 없는 해볼만한 도박일 것이다.

하지만 나는 반대편의 입장에서 양키스가 로벗슨을 왜 재계약하는지에 대해서 이야기하려고 하며, 그것은 간단한 이유 하나로 귀결된다: 보직의 전문화가 중요한 시대에, 그는 양키스 불펜 퍼즐의 가장 중요한 조각이며, 질과 양 모두 중요한 시스템에 핵심역할을 맡고 있다.

숫자로 보는 양키스 2014시즌의 나빴던 점, 좋았던 점

YES Network의 Lou DiPietro의 글입니다. 원문은 이 곳과 이 곳에서 보실 수 있습니다.


By the Numbers: The statistical downside of the 2014 Yankees

뉴욕양키스의 2014시즌은 수수께끼와도 같았다. 하나의 예를 들자면, 2013년의 85승보다 한 경기 적은 84승을 올리는데에 그쳤지만, 반면 마지막 와일드카드와 4경기 차로 시즌을 마무리하면서 작년보다 플레이오프 진출의 마지노선에 오히려 2경기 가까운 (정확히 얘기하자면 작년의 163번째 경기때문에 2경기 반 가까운) 한 해를 보냈다.

다음 두 주 동안, 이 자리를 빌려 양키스의 올 한 해를 되돌아보는 시간을 가질 예정이며, By the Numbers는 먼저 양키스를 2년 연속으로 포스트시즌 진출에 실패하게 한. 잘못된 스탯부터 알아보겠다.

Five Facts - Jacoby Ellsbury, Dellin Betances

Courtesy of YES Network (and Baseball-reference:)



1. Ellsbury is the only Red Sox player to be part of the 30-30 club.
He hit 32 HR and 39 SB in 2011 with the Red Sox. It was the only year he hit more than 10 HR other than this year (16 with the Yankees.) There were only 38 people who did this: For the Yankees, Bobby Bonds did it in 1975 (32 HR 30 SB,) Alfonso Soriano did it in 2002 (39 HR 41 SB) and in 2003 (38 HR 35SB.) The next closest Red Sox was Nomar Garciaparra in 1997 (30 HR 22 SB) and Carl Yastrzemski in 1970 (40 HR 23 SB.)

2. He is 1 of 3 rookies to collect 4 hits in a World Series game.
I think YES used 'rookie' as someone in his debut year, not someone with rookie status. For example, Donnie Bush did it in 1909 and he was still a rookie, but debuted in September 1908. The other two 'rookies' were Freddie Lindstrom (1924) and Joe Garagiola (1946.) There were 65 players in total who hit 4 or more hits in WS with Pablo Sandoval being the most recent one in 2012.

3. Ellsbury is the first American Indian of Navajo descent to reach the Majors.
Kyle Lohse (Nomlaki Wintun) and Joba Chamberlain (Winnebago) are other American Indians playing in MLB.

4. For Halloween, he once dressed as Johnny Damon.
Johnny Damon was CF of the Red Sox when Ellsbury signed with the team in 2005. They were never teammates in the Majors.

5. His favorite player growing up.. Ken Griffey, JR.
Not a surprise as Ellsbury was born and raised in Oregon, only few hours away from Seattle.



1. A 10-year old Betances was in the bleachers for this: David Wells' perfect game (1998.)
That's the year I went to my first Yankee game, too! (David Cone didn't pitch a perfect game that day, though)

2. Drafted 254th overall in the 2006 draft, 270 picks ahead of current Yankees closer David Robertson.
In 2006, the Royals selected Luke Hochevar with the first pick. Other notable names include: Evan Longoria (TB, 3,) Clayton Kershaw (LAD, 7,) Tim Lincecum (SF, 10,) Max Scherzer (ARI, 11.) The Yankees selected Chamberlain and Kennedy in the first round, Betances in the 8th, Melancon in the 9th, and Robertson in the 17th.

3. He wears 68 because he is 6' 8".
I didn't know this! Pretty cool thing to know. 6' 8" is pretty big. according to therichest.com, there are currently only 6 players in mlb who are 6' 8" or taller; Chris Martin (COL, 6' 8",) Doug Fister (WSH, 6' 8",) Logan Ondrusek (CIN, 6' 8",) Johnny Hellweg (MIL, 6' 9",) Chris Young (SEA, 6' 10",) and Betances. In MLB, there were notable players who wore #68 include Josh Reddick, Craig Gentry, Joe Saunders, Yan Gomes, and Dioner Navarro. Betances also wore #61 in 2013 with the Yankees and now Shane Greene is wearing it.

4. 2014 MLB All-Star, 1947 was the last time a Yankees rookie pitcher made the All-Star team.
He didn't get to pitch, though.

5. Set the single-season franchise record by a Yankees reliever in 2014 for the most strikeouts. 135.
From 1901, there were only 14 pitchers with 135 or more strikeouts with 0 game started. The former franchise record holder was Mariano Rivera who struck out 130 in 1996. Betances' 135K is especially impressive because it was done only in 90.0 IP. That is 13.5 K/9. I hope Betances does the same for the Yankees next year and for many more years.

양키스 복귀가 타당해보이는 제이슨 지암비: 왜 지암비가 타격코치가 되어야하는가

YES Network에 오늘 올라온 Doug Williams의 글입니다. 원문은 이 곳에서 보실 수 있습니다.


로얄스와의 경기를 앞두고 배팅프랙티스에서 몸을 푸는 인디언스의 제이슨 지암비 (AP)

양키스는 지난 일요일 7년동안 팀의 타격코치를 맡던 케빈 롱을 해고하였다. 그의 해고를 불러온 타격진의 부진은 누적되어온 것이 아니긴 하다. 2014년이 특히 그랬을뿐이다. 양키스의 팀타율은 .245였고 633득점을 하면서 아메리칸리그에서 세번째로 적게 득점한 팀이 되었다. 롱이 리그 전체와 양키스 타자들에게 존중받는 코치긴 하지만, 지난 시즌 롱은 임무를 완수하지 못했다.

따라서, 그를 대체할 사람을 찾는 작업이 시작되었다.