The post-game harvest at Yankee Stadium
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 16, 2009 
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Richard Sandomir of The Times, whose work I admire, wrote an interesting piece Saturday on the Yankees and how they are assisting a program that donates unused food from sporting events and concerts to charity.
George Steinbrenner wrote a lot of checks to charities and individuals in need over the years and that was a good thing. But here is yet another example of the Yankees demonstrating their concern with actions and effort, not just money.
Jenny Steinbrenner and the people involved in the team’s charitable foundation deserve a lot of credit.
Evil Empire? I think Not!
Nice to see the Yankees getting some recognition for the charitable work they do.
Thats really great. I love our team
“Being a former dairy farmer I’m very familar with the subject”
: )
viewing the YES encore (last night’s game)
David Robertson. WOW
Karma!
Just for fun: The end of “Rookie of the Year” is on AMC right now. I love that movie.
check Robertson’s performance. Then check is K/inning ratio. Then check his minor league resume.
and then tell me he’s not an untouchable
Robertson is good as I’ve been following his professional career since the Yanks took him in the 2006 draft. The main thing he needs to continue to work on is his fastball command. If he gets his command under control, he’ll be a real good ML reliever, maybe not elite closer material, but an effective late inning reliever.
There has been a program that does the same thing with many NYC restaurants’ unsused food for years.
LOL at the “Ichiro sucks” joke……..this team is as relaxed as can be, and why not? They expect to win every single game – I love that confidence. They don’t even have to wear it on their sleeves – they don’t walk around outwardly arrogant in their abilities, strutting like some other teams do. Rather, they have an inner confidence in themselves – that’s what the best Yankee teams had. They just showed up that day, knowing they were going to win…..and they did, in a respectful way.
Robertson has been very good-.208 Batting-average against, 13.1 per nine innings, and a 3.15 ERA. I’m glad to see he’s getting a shot to show what he can do.
YES had stats yesterday that were mindboggling. Since June 1, the Yankees bullpen leads the AL in wins, saves, ERA, BA against, strikeouts…..and some other statistics that I can’t remember right now. Basically the Yankees pen has been the best in every conceivable stat since June – that’s pretty remarkable. Granted, there was no stat for inherited runners…….
The Yankees now get wider praise for their good works. What changed? Is it – like HOPE WEEK – all due to Jason Zillo’s vision? Is it a new focus brought about by a bigger, more diverse management group?
A kinder, gentler Evil Empire… to quote Dr. Evil:” You’re semi-evil. You’re quasi-evil. You’re the margarine of evil. You’re the Diet Coke of evil. Just one calorie, not evil enough. “
The following is from YES post game.
Since June 1st, the Yankee bullpen performance in AL:
Wins 17 1st in AL
Saves 28 1st in AL
ERA 3.21 1st in AL
Opp Avg. .209 1st in AL
S/O 210 1st in AL
Off topic, but that 2006 draft could turn out to be one of the defining moments in recent years for the Yankees. They had quite the haul: Joba, Kennedy, McAllister, Betances, Melancon, Robertson, Kontos….
Girardi deserves a lot of credit for his handling of the bullpen. Last night on the postgame, Robertson said that he was really strong when he came in because Girardi is not overworking any of the bullpen pitchers.
“Off topic, but that 2006 draft could turn out to be one of the defining moments in recent years for the Yankees. They had quite the haul: Joba, Kennedy, McAllister, Betances, Melancon, Robertson, Kontos”
Tom:
definitely. It looks to be an unbelivable draft. Of the group Kontos is the least mentioned, and i still really like him too
props to Oppenheimer
Its as if the franchise was sold and new people are running it.
The Steinbrenner children have really taken control of the organization.
Unlike Dad, who loved being “The Boss” and all that implies, the children’s imprint on the franchise is more subtle.
From all of their community outreach work this year, to the franchise investing smartly on Latin American free agents and the amateur draft, to Cashman (with Hal allocating the money) completely changing the culture of the team AND the clubhouse, the organization is really firing on all cylinders.
A lot of people were questioning whether the Steinbrenner children were up to the task of running this franchise.
I think its safe to say the answer is “yes” in every way.
And Kontos & Coke almost went to Pittsburgh for Marte & Nady.
“Girardi deserves a lot of credit for his handling of the bullpen. Last night on the postgame, Robertson said that he was really strong when he came in because Girardi is not overworking any of the bullpen pitchers”
fran:
yes. Very refreshing interview.
if this were a previous Yankee team, Robertson would either be on the roster and not pitching. Or used every day, and ready to be fitted for a prosthesis
“And Kontos & Coke almost went to Pittsburgh for Marte & Nady”
good point. People complain about this Pittsburgh trade. But it could have been worse. Much worse.
SJ44 -
I agree with your assessment. Maybe it is a good thing that the kids didn’t jump into the business early on. They were allowed to find their way in other enterprises, and thus, they bring different experiences to the table. Hal’s experience in the hospitality industry, for one example, brings a different slant on the how things can be run from that aspect of the business.
It’s good times to be a Yankees fan.
Kontos had surgery earlier this year so we won’t be seeing him for awhile. Betances has been injured as well and not all that great when he played, and we all know what happened to Kennedy. But 2006 has still produced Joba, Robertson, McAllister and Melancon. You guys are right, that is sick!
Doreen,
They were all involved in the business when they were younger. They just couldn’t take Dad’s Draconian ways of doing things, left the organization, and found their career voices in other areas of the family businesses.
The generational gap with Yankee fans is fascinating to me. Those under 30 see George as the benevolent Patriarch of the franchise. The lovable “grandfather”, if you will.
Those of us a little “older”, who have had business and personal contact with him, remember him MUCH differently! lol
In all my years in the business he is EASILY the most fascinating character study of someone in the sports business.
He was never afraid to take a risk, pay big money, even if it was a dumb move, to try and win. Unlike about 90% of the owners of professional franchises in the last 40 years.
From a fan perspective, there isn’t a better owner in the history of professional sports, IMO.
On a more personal level, I’ve seen him treat good people like dirt. I watched him destroy Billy Martin bit by bit, preying on every one of Billy’s weaknesses for his own gain.
I’ve watched him fire very good people for no reason.
Conversely, I’ve also witnessed incredible acts of kindness that went beyond just writing checks. Things that will never end up in print but acts that completely changed some people’s lives for the better.
Needless to say, he’s a very interesting man.
The kids seem to have George’s nose for business and Joan’s (George’s wife) compassionate side.
I’m really happy the family has changed the culture of the franchise, finding their own unique voice along the way.
The Yankees wouldn’t be the Yankees IMO if the Steinbrenner Family were not the owners.
Its great they are receiving such positive reviews for all of the work they have put in. They deserve it.
So Gammons finally updated his blog. Do you think he could make it through to end w/out writing about what a coup it was for his beloved Red Sox to sign Junichi Tazawa?
Of course not:
‘It may pain the Rangers to face Tazawa on Sunday — Texas’ international scouting director, Jim Colborn, tried to sign him for $7 million. “That they got Tazawa at their number [$3.3 million] is testament to the relationship they built up [particularly with Craig Shipley],” says Rangers GM Jon Daniels. “It also is part of the side value of the $100 million they invested in Daisuke Matsuzaka.”‘
To be fair, the rest of his write-up wasn’t as stilted as usual.
SJ44
I forgot they got in at first and jumped out! Good that they did.
And yes, it’s amusing sometimes to read here about the “good old days” when George ran things. Oy, the vision has gotten hazy with time. He is certainly one of the most compelling individuals in sports and business of our age, though.
Not that I’m complaining but Ichiro gift wrapped that game last night. If there is anyone in the league that scores from 2nd on a single, with 2 outs no less, it is him. That play made no sense at all and was clearly the game. Not so hall of famish ehhh…;)
I once worked in the Underwriting Dep’t for American General. George Steinbrenner’s file came across my desk one day. Suffice it to say it was a very interesting read.
I’m not divulging any private details, but here is one fact that some may find interesting:
Mr. Steinbrenner, in his day, was a tremendous athlete. At one time, he held the 40 meter hurdles record for the Air Force.
Great job all around.
“Not that I’m complaining but Ichiro gift wrapped that game last night. If there is anyone in the league that scores from 2nd on a single, with 2 outs no less, it is him. That play made no sense at all and was clearly the game. Not so hall of famish ehhh”
still trying to figure out that play. And the only thing that makes sense is, he thought there was only 1 out
Having worked with Syd and Rock and Wrap it Up for years I am extrememly pleased to see that the Yankees and the Steinbrenner family are finally doing something like this.
Many of us have complained before this year how we thought the Yankees were not as outgoing as they needed to be in the communiy and making the fans feel a part of the team. This year they have done eveyrthing we could have asked for in this area. From Hope Week, to school visits, to greeting fans as they enter the Stadium, it is fantastic to see they are not taking what they mean in the community and the fans for granted.
“You seeing less RS hats and more Patriots hats now?”
maine yankee-
it is so strange down here on cape cod.
red sox hats only show up on red sox wins.
they are really down in the dumps.
my red sox friends do not even like talking about the weather or business or anything.
there is an eerie quiet that i find extremely enjoyable
That’s awesome that the Yankees are doing that, somewhere John Henry must be rolling over in his grave…OH, right I forgot, he just looks like a corpse!!
It’s nice of the Yankees to give to the community like that. Now finish up squeezing the last dime out of the old stadium and knock it down. The community is still waiting for that park you promised.
PS – I HATE THE YANKEES