Thursday, March 31, 2022

Yankees To Honor Jeter's Hall Of Fame Induction September 9th

@Yankees.


The Yankees will honor Derek Jeter's Hall of Fame induction on Friday, September 9, with the Captain in attendance and set to throw the first pitch that night. 

In what is sure to be one of the most-coveted promotions of the season, the first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica Derek Jeter Hall of Fame plaque.

The plaque those lucky fans will receive. Courtesy New York Yankees.


Jeter was elected to the Hall of Fame as part of the 2020 class, but due to the pandemic, he wasn't inducted until September 8, 2021, when both the '20 and '21 classes were enshrined together. 

Fans will get to see Jeter's Cooperstown plaque displayed on the field prior to the first pitch, and fans can view it throughout the game in the New York Yankees Museum on the 200 level of Yankee Stadium near section 210.

The Captain is one of the faces of the Yankees dynasty in the late 1990s, leading the team to five championships, starting with four in five seasons (1996, 1998-2000), and the fifth in 2009, part of a twenty-year run of excellence. 

The Yankees won seven American League pennants as well, and made the playoffs 17 times in Jeter's franchise-record 20 years with the Yankees.

The Captain retired as the Yankees' all-time leader in hits with 3,465, games played with 2,747, doubles (544), stolen bases (358), and at-bats (11,195). He had eight 200-hit seasons, and his career hit total is sixth all-time in baseball history.

Jeter, whose number 2 was retired by the Yankees on May 14, 2017, and was a 14-time All-Star, 1996 American League Rookie of the Year, and 2000 World Series MVP. 

In his post-playing career, Jeter was part of the pwnership group that purchased the Miami Marlins in 2017 and served as the CEO of the team until he abruptly stepped down recently. Could a return to the Yankees organization be possible? There is no hint of that, but Yankees fans can dream of having him back in the fold at some point.

 


Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Yankees Top Prospect Volpe Named 2021 Minor League Position Player Of Year

Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Yankees announced the 2021 Kevin Lawn Awards on Wednesday morning, with  top prospect, shortstop Anthony Volpe being awarded the Position Player of the Year honor, and right-hander Hayden Wesneski receiving the Pitcher of the Year Award.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Mets To Honor Santana On 10th Anniversary Of No-Hitter

 

Johan Santana talking to the author (and BrooklynFans.com) after his rehab start with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2012. 


The Mets announced on Monday morning that they will honor Johan Santana this season, the 10th anniversary of his no-hitter, still the only one in franchise history.

The pre-game ceremony commemorating this historic event will happen on Tuesday, May 31 before the Mets take on the Washington Nationals at 7:10 p.m.

Santana's date with history occurred on Friday, June 1, 2012, when he no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished the night with his signature changeup to strike out David Freese. 

"I still remember how I felt that night," Santana said in a statement. "I knew how much it meant to New York Mets fans. I was very proud to be a part of the first no-hitter and I can't wait to celebrate with the fans on May 31. It holds a special place in my heart."

It took 134 pitches for Santana to complete his achievement, the first in franchise history after 8,019 games.

Santana's battery partner that night, catcher Josh Thole, will also be on hand for the occasion, and the team also announced that they both will be on hand for Old Timers' Day on Saturday, August 27 before the Mets take on the Colorado Rockies at 7:10 p.m.

One of the most-remembered plays from the no-hitter was left fielder Mike Baxter's catch on a liner from Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina with one out in the seventh inning. Baxter, a Queens native, crashed violently into the fence, but still held on to the ball.

Santana touched on that moment in this comment on that night, "I was in a zone with Josh all night. I remember I was holding my breath before Baxter's catch. It was amazing. He really saved me."


Friday, March 25, 2022

Yankees Announce Fun Promotions For 2022 Season


The Yankees released their promotional schedule for the 2022 season on Friday, with the highlights being the retirement of Paul O'Neill's number 21, and plenty of bobbleheads, seven in all, including one of their beloved radio team of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Fourth Annual Yankees-Stonewall Scholarships

Yankee Stadium's famous facade. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees, New York City Schools Chancellor David C. Banks, and The Stonewall Inn announced on Tuesday that applications are open for the fourth annual Yankees-Stonewall Scholarships.

The $10,000 college scholarships that celebrate the achievements of New York City public school graduating seniors who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and impactful support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Applications will close on April 15, and one student from each borough will be selected for the scholarships. All New York City public school seniors are eligible to apply at www.schools.nyc.gov.lgbtq

NYC Schools Chancellor David C. Banks said in a statement, "I'm thrilled to partner with the New York Yankees and so proud to continue the powerful work we've done with The Stonewall Inn in support of our amazing LGBTQ+ seniors. This inititiative uplifts our graduating LGBTQ+ seniors as future leaders, and I am deeply confident that the bright, inclusive future they shape for us will be a home run."

The Yankees-Stonewall Scholarships were created in 2018 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn uprising and celebrate the achievements of New York City public school students, and the first class of recipients were named in the spring of 2019. 

Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman said in a statement, "In the first three years of the program, we have been able to provide resources to a truly inspiring group of graduates as they pursue their educational goals and dreams for the future. Our support of this program also reflects our deep respect for the LGBTQ+ community and the legacy of tolerance and inclusivity that it has fought for. We celebrate the continued advancement of those ideals and look forward to participating in the selection of the Yankees-Stonewall Class of 2022."

Stacy Lentz, the CEO of the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and Co-owner of The Stonewall Inn, said, in a statement that, "it's incredible to see the impact it has had on the students who have received the scholarship. We are excited to keep partnering to make sure LGBTQ+ students are able to thrive and succeed. This annual scholarship demonstrates the Yankees' commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community by giving funds and bringing awareness to creating future change-makers."





Monday, March 21, 2022

Amazin' Mets Foundation Partners With America's VetDogs

 


Mr. Met will have some competition for the hearts and minds of Mets fans.

The Amazin' Mets Foundation (AMF), the charitable arm of the New York Mets, announced a partnership with America's VetDogs in which the team will sponsor a future service dog, the Mets announced on Monday.

America's VetDogs is a New York-based nonprofit that provides specially trained service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, to name and co-raise a future service dog. 

Alex Cohen, the President of AMF said in a statement, "We are very excited to be sponsoring our first service dog with America's VetDogs. We hope that this AMF puppy will bring awareness to an organization that provides renewed independence to veterans and first responders, as well as create fun and interactive opportunities for our fans."

The AMF Pup is an 11-week-old, male, yellow Labrador Retriever, who will undergo basic training and socialization with the AMF staff, Mets players and fans for the next 16 to 18 months, basically through the summer of 2023. 

The pup will take residence in the Mets front office, attend community events and select home games at Citi Field to expose him to various environments that will help mold him into a confident and calm future service dog. 

Fans can follow this adorable pup's actions on Instagram at @MetsVetDog to keep up to date on his training and appearances. Fans will also have a chance to help name him by casting their vote on his name through the @Mets Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages. Voting will run from today, March 21 through Tuesday, March 22 and the winner will be announced this Wednesday, March 23.

It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog. VetDogs' services are provided at no cost to the individual, with funding from the generosity of individuals, corporations, and service and fraternal clubs.

John Miller, the president and CEO of America's VetDogs, said in a statement, "America's VetDogs is thrilled to partner with the Amazin' Mets Foundation on co-raising the team and league's first future service dog. The Amazin' Mets Foundation's passion for supporting our nation's heroes aligns with our mission to provide trained service dogs for veterans and first responders with disabilities. This opportunity offers a unique environment for the pup to grow and thrive in. A well-socialized puppy will have fewer adjustments to make when he returns to VetDogs for advanced service dog training. When it's time, that confidence will help someone with disabilities conquer any challenges they may face together as a team."

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Mets Sign Shreve and Jankowski

Citi Field, home of the Mets. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Mets signed a pair of seasoned veterans on Thursday, as they added left-handed reliever Chasen Shreve to their strong bullpen, and outfielder Travis Jankowski to minor league contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training.

Shreve, 31, will be returning to the Mets after spending time with the team in 2020, as well as being known to New York fans for his time with the Yankees. He spent the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He appeared in 57 games for the Pirates and posted a 3-3 record with a 3.20 ERA (20 earned runs in 56.1 innings) with 28 walks and 45 strikeouts. He posted the ninth-lowest ERA in the National League among left-handed relievers (minimum 50 games pitched) and held opposing hitters to 15 hits in 101 at-bats with runners on base (.149 average).

In eight major league seasons, Shreve has appeared in 292 games, with a record of 20-11 with two saves, a 3.63 ERA (115 earned runs in 285 innings) with 142 walks and 313 strikeouts. He has been particularly tough on lefthanded batters, holding them to a .222 (91-410) batting average during his career.

Shreve appeared in 17 games for the Mets in the shortened 2020 season, going 1-0 with a 3.96 ERA (11 earned runs in 25 innings) with 12 walks and 34 strikeouts. Lefties were just 2-32 (.063), the third-lowest mark in the Majors that season.

Jankowski appeared in 76 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021, and had a slash line of .252/.364/.351 with one home run, 10 RBI, 22 walks, 24 runs, six doubles, two triples, and five steals. In 426 games over seven seasons, the left-handed hitter has slashed .239/.322/.318 with nine home runs, 52 RBI, 118 walks, 35 doubles, nine triples, and 69 steals.

 


Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Mets Announce Updated Schedule

 The Mets released an updated 2022  schedule on Wednesday to account for the week of games lost to the work stoppage.

The original opening series, in which the Mets would have hosted the Washington National from Thursday, March 31 to Sunday, April, will now take place from Monday, October 3 to Wednesday, October 5 at Citi Field. 

The two games in the following series, which would have been against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, April 4, and Tuesday, April 5, will take place as part of two doubleheaders. On Tuesday, May 3, the Mets will host Atlanta in a single-admission doubleheader at 3:10 p.m. On Saturday, August 6, the Mets will have a split doubleheader with the Braves, with the first game starting at 1:10 p.m. and the second game at 7:10 p.m. 

The Mets also announced that their Wednesday, June 29 game against the Houston Astros will now start at 1:10 p.m.

Sunday afternoon home games will now begin at 1:40 p.m. to accommodate Major League Baseball's national media rights requirements.




Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Mets Bring Brooklyn Boy Back Home

Adam Ottavino at Mets camp on Tuesday. @Mets.


The Mets announced the signing on Monday of right-handed reliever and Brooklyn native Adam Ottavino to a one-year contract.

This marks a return to New York on a personal and professional level for the dominant reliever, as he pitched for the Yankees in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He graduated from Berkeley Carroll School in Park Slope in 2003.

The Yankees dealt Ottavino to the rival Red Sox ahead of the 2021 season, and he was a pivotal part of a team that reached the American League Championship Series.

The 36-year-old Ottavino was tied for the American League lead with 22 holds last season, and he has the most wins (7) and saves (11) in his career.  He was the only American League pitcher with 20 or more holds and 10 or more saves. In 69 games with the Sox, he pitched in 62 innings, with 71 strikeouts, 55 hits, 31 runs (29 earned), 5 home runs, and 35 walks. 

Ottavino did not allow a home run against a left-handed hitter. He faced 101 lefties, making him one of just nine pitchers in the Majors to face 100+ from the left side and not allow a dinger.

In his two seasons with the Yankees, he posted a 2.76 ERA (26 earned runs in 84.2 innings) with an 8-8 record, while notching 113 strikeouts. 

Ottavino is known for racking up the K's, as he has 296 strikeouts over 224.1 innings during the last four years (2018-21), the sixth-most strikeouts in the Majors in that span. He has 648 career strikeouts in 559.2 career innings. He debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2010 before establishing himself as an elite relievr in his seven seasons with the Colorado Rockies from 2012 through 2018.

Friday, March 11, 2022

With Lockout Over, Mets Release New Spring Training Schedule

The Major League Baseball lockout ended yesterday, and with that, the start of spring training is imminent.

The Mets announced that the spring training schedule will open on Saturday, March 19 against the  Washington Nationals, with the first Mets home game in Port St. Lucie happening against the St. Louis Cardinals the following day.

There will be 15 spring training games, pared down from the usual 25-30 they would play, with the spring schedule concluding on Tuesday, April 5 at Washington.