2K24: New York Yankees

[chancellor]

I'm not a Yankees fan, so I have no axe to grind. I could even care less about Pettitte's PED use. But retiring his number? Seriously? A career ERA+ under 120, and a 1.35ish WHIP? This is tragic.

[revo]

It's like attempting to watch the Olympics. They spend so much time on The Narrative that there's precious little time for The Competition to be shown.

Let the player rise and fall on his own merits (and I hope this one rises) and never mind The Heart-Warming Story.

Who exactly are you referring to?

[heyelander]

It's like attempting to watch the Olympics. They spend so much time on The Narrative that there's precious little time for The Competition to be shown.

Let the player rise and fall on his own merits (and I hope this one rises) and never mind The Heart-Warming Story.

Is the off season, in a thread about the Yankees n from a guy who writes about new York. If there's a narrative bring pushed here, it's yours.

[revo]

I think he was referring to Refsnyder getting some sort of affirmative action-esque promotion to the big leagues because of his color and not the merits of his performance.

Yes, but he posted this because of what he said was historical Yankee "narrative." Such as with who?

[Don Quixote]

Yes, but he posted this because of what he said was historical Yankee "narrative." Such as with who?

For as long as I've been alive (which is pretty long compared to most here), the Yankees more than anyone else have made big deals about the backgrounds of their players. As far as I'm concerned, there doesn't have to be some big "human interest" story behind every player. Let them play, let them win, and there will be interest enough. Perhaps I'm wrong and/or in the minority on this, but I don't care about a player's race, culture, background, religion, relations, preferences, education, or much else. I care about whether he can play the game well.

So good luck to Mr. Refsnyder. I wish him a long and successful career. I hope he becomes that 21-century rara avis--an internally-developed Yankees regular. The rest is BS in my book.

[revo]

For as long as I've been alive (which is pretty long compared to most here), the Yankees more than anyone else have made big deals about the backgrounds of their players. As far as I'm concerned, there doesn't have to be some big "human interest" story behind every player. Let them play, let them win, and there will be interest enough. Perhaps I'm wrong and/or in the minority on this, but I don't care about a player's race, culture, background, religion, relations, preferences, education, or much else. I care about whether he can play the game well.

Such as....?

I've lived in the NYC area forever. And I've hated the Yankees over that entire time. But honestly, I don't have a clue what you're talking about. Who are we talking about here? What player has won a job because of a "human interest story?"

[Judge Jude]

I posted the Refsnyder story, and I'm not a Yankees fan, either.

He's a good, though not great, prospect, and it's an unusual background.

I would greatly respect the player as passionately wanting to be the role model for adopted kids.

The story suggests that's not really his passion, but even at his young age he realizes that many will look up to him, and he will stand up for that. I find that even more impressive.

No matter what team he was close to reaching the majors with, it's still a nice human interest story. I'd have posted it no matter what team it was.

And if he ain't good enough, he won't make it. It took 100 years or so, but we found ourselves a meritocracy.

[Bob Kohm]

Ray, enjoy life. Stop finding something negative to say about everything. Maybe try decaf

[Don Quixote]

Ray, enjoy life. Stop finding something negative to say about everything. Maybe try decaf

Enjoying my coffee, man. Admiring the pretty snow on the ground outside, now that it's mostly cleared from the streets. Joyful that I haven't watched Fox News in months or MSNBC in weeks, even accidentally. Congratulating myself on being tied for first place in all my leagues. Counting the days until Opening Day, when the blather subsides and what matters starts.

Conversation with my pal Joel (New Rochelle native, Columbia Law grad, rabid Yankees fan) last month, one we enjoy every winter--

Joel: The Yankees are in first place!
Me: And last. We're both happy. Isn't the off-season great?

[Moonlight J]

Sabathia reported to camp at 305 pounds....by design

http://t.co/VHyu5rxfwK

[chancellor]

Sabathia reported to camp at 305 pounds....by design

http://t.co/VHyu5rxfwK

Is aiming for more wins than the Knicks a worthy goal?

[onejayhawk]

Is aiming for more wins than the Knicks a worthy goal?

If you happen to play for the 76ers it is.

J

[revo]

Stephen Drew has been turrble (5-for-31) while Rob Refsnyder (7-for-24) and Jose Pirela (10-for-27 w/.630 SLG) have been great. Will the new-look Yanks really go with Drew over either one of these two? Pirela got a concussion yesterday, which was bad timing on his part, but I think Drew needs to show some signs of life here.

Carlos Beltran has also shown signs of slowing down, but there's nothing really on the horizon here besides Chris Young to help out.

CC Sabathia got smoked by the Mets, but apparently was hitting 93 on his fastball, up a few mph from last season.

[joncarlos]

Garrett Jones is going to get his first game in the outfield soon. He isn't good out there but it's not like Beltran is the Gold Glove version of himself either. While Teix and A-Rod are 'healthy' you may see some GI Jones in the outfield

[Bob Kohm]

They'll open with Drew at 2B while Refsnyder works out his fielding kinks-- the infield defense should be very good (Tex, Drew, Headley, Gregorious) so they'll see what Drew has for a couple of months and hope that Refsnyder, who is converting for a corner OF position, can get the glove right.

Sabathia's lack of location after so long a layoff isn't a big worry; the fact that in March he's up on the gun compared to where he was last year at the time he got hurt is good news. Beltran is Beltran at this stage; if he's really bad they'll give Heathcott or Flores a shot (if Heathcott hasn't hurt himself again).