The Voice of the Yankees laid to rest today
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Jul 15, 2010 
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Over the past two days, hundreds of people – including many wearing Yankees gear – have reportedly shown up at the wake for Bob Sheppard. Today, he will be laid to rest.
The funeral for Sheppard, who died Sunday at the age of 99, will be at 10:45 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Church in Baldwin, N.Y. When I spoke to Brian Cashman yesterday, he said he didn’t know the specifics of any tributes the Yankees would do for Sheppard (or George Steinbrenner) at tomorrow night’s game but said he expected there would, obviously, be something.
Like many writers who spent a lot of time around the team over this past decade or so, most of my interactions with Mr. Sheppard were when he buzzed past me on the way to the elevator right as a game ended. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories from others by now, but seeing him wait at the back of the press box as a would-be final out was at the plate was endearing; as soon as the last out was made, he’d tuck his book under his arm (he would read between announcing hitters) and then zoom towards the elevator so he could be downstairs, in the car and on the way home before the traffic snarled. Even when he was in his 90s you didn’t want to be in his way.
The few times we spoke – I remember interviewing him at least once – he was kind, warm, cordial and exactly as he sounded on the job. He was, quite simply, a class act. He will be missed.
Tough week for us Yankee fans
Wow that is a really nice patch.
I hope they change the one for George, it is really ugly. It looks like it took them 5 minutes to make it.
Even when he was in his 90s you didn?t want to be in his way
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LOL
RIP Bob Sheppard.
RIP, Voice of God.
It would be helpful if the Yankees would announce what they are doing in honor of both George and Bob Sheppard for Friday’s and Saturdays games, if applicable. Some of us have to choose between going one or the other day, and an announcement would help us make the decision as to which game to attend.
Agreed. That is a nice patch.
Btw, does anyone know why Marte played in place of Jose Ramirez again? I heard J-Ram had an illness when he missed the start before this one; however, he has now missed another start. Any ideas?
http://www.pinstripealley.com/…..-selection
Good read about joba’s pitch selection
Friday’s game, with it’s tributes, will be very emotional for many, many people.
My hope is that everyone concerned with the Yankees will use those moments to reflect a bit and redouble their their efforts to win # 28 to help honor the memory of 2 great men.
What a great tribute it would be to win # 28 to honor their memory.
As you sometimes hear “Win 1 more for the Gipper”.
That is a beautiful patch.
I’m not partial to the patch they showed for George the other day, either. It’s kind of loud. But then again, so was he in his prime.
Don’t like the Steinbrenner patch on their chest. It’s going to look as stupid as Varitek’s “C”. They should have a patch on each arm, IMO.
I agree that the Sheppard patch is awesome.
The Steinbrenner patch really does have to be changed. The shape and color reminds me of the bumper stickers people use to show what beach they go to or airport they use.
The thing that bothers me about having Moseley on the roster as I referenced last night has nothing really to do with how he has looked. He was pretty good in those 2 appearances.
The last thing the Yankees need to worry about on this team is how their long men are performing considering the strength of the starting rotation and the innings the routinely provide.
Maybe waste of a roster spot was a poor use of words. It is really more of an opportunity cost.
Considering the state of the Yankee bullpen, they need someone that can step up and pitch in high leverage innings. At the very least they need someone that can be consistently reliable alongside Marte so Joe can play matchups.
Therefore, each spot in the Yankee BP represents an opportunity for someone to step up and seize that role. If the Yankees believe in Moseley and will work him into higher leverage innings as long as he continues to perform well, that is great.
But if Moseley is here just to fill the back of the BP, it is costly to the Yankees. Someone else could be up here like Dejo, Nova, Noesi, Phelps, etc. trying to earn those more important innings.
And as we inch closer and closer to the deadline and as more games are blown it becomes more and more costly to not give guys opportunities to succeed and step up.
I don’t mind that the patch is going to be worn on the chest so much.
Wasn’t there one year where they had a patch on each arm?
Wearing it on the chest will be view as symbolic of close to the heart
Billy D July 15th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Don’t like the Steinbrenner patch on their chest. It’s going to look as stupid as Varitek’s “C”. They should have a patch on each arm, IMO.
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Well, they want it close to their hearts. Touching, but the patch doesn’t compare with Sheppard’s classier more subtle one. George’s should either just say George of The Boss; the full name does have the ring of a military general, and kind of gives off a cold feeling. Probably not what they intended…
LGY -
You’re really trying to make “Dejo” stick aren’t you?
mikey 487 -
That’s exactly what the GMS patch looks like.
“Wearing it on the chest will be view as symbolic of close to the heart”
Yeah, I get the symbolism. I suppose that’s more important than aesthetics.
You’re really trying to make “Dejo” stick aren’t you?
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That’s right!
When Dejo goes on to become a lockdown EIG and eventually Mo’s heir apparent I will get all the glory for creating his nickname
Sheppard’s patch almost designed itself. And it is as eloquent as Sheppard was in life.
How do you put everything that GMS was on a patch? It’s virtually impossible.
LGY-
And if Alby doesn’t succeed we will be left with a bitter “aftertaste”.
I hope you get all the glory but I urge you to come up with another moniker for him.
What a great patch. Its a perfect way to honor the Voice of God.
On a side note, even though the game tomorrow is on MY9, there is a pregame show on YES at 6:30 even though it was originally unscheduled
LGY-
examples. “duro”, “fuerte” , “macho”.
Alby will get his shot.
The move should be made tomorrow so we have a few weeks before the deadline.
If alby gets the job done problem solved,now we just have to worry about a bat.
Doreen – GTLU Stuff & Photos July 15th, 2010 at 9:27 am
How do you put everything that GMS was on a patch? It?s virtually impossible.
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You’d have to type REALLY small
Ugh-the game is on MY9 tomorrow? That means I’ll probably get stuck with the Tampa feed.
On a side note, even though the game tomorrow is on MY9, there is a pregame show on YES at 6:30 even though it was originally unscheduled
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Erica, thanks for that information. Have to set the DVR just in case I am not home in time.
Erica -
Thanks for the info on the pre-game.
Ugh. I hate My9 games, and it stinks that they get that particular game.
That story about Bob Sheppard being ready to go after the final out reminds me of Phil Rizzuto skipping the later innings to beat traffic.
Thanks for that info on the pre game Erica.
So Albie is now Dejo? Well it does sound tougher
Fran & Doreen-
You’re welcome. According to the DVR it’s Yankees On Deck, however there was a commercial I saw for the pregame show that I watched 3 times to make sure I had my info right.
(I geniously had the idea to set my cable box to automatically turn on to the YES Network so I wouldn’t miss any precious seconds when I run in from my car to the TV during games. This also pays off cause I now catch randdom things I might not normally catch)
Kate-
I have been trying to gently persuade LGY to change his mind on Dejo.
If you look up the literal translation of “dejo” it means, at least in some contexts, “aftertaste”.
IMO, that is not what we want our EIG to be- an aftertaste.
Kate,
At least Sheppard stayed until the end of the game
Erica -
“You’d have to type really small.”
Very funny!!
MTU
you could think of it as him being a bitter after taste to the other team
Kate-
Whatever LGY wants. It’s his project and his glory. If it were me I’d play it safe and go with something else.
MTU -
But perhaps you want your EIG to LEAVE an aftertaste?
I didn’t see this posted here, so here is an article on what Steinbrenner thought of “his” Seinfeld appearances
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/artic.....r_seinfeld
Apparently he was supposed to make an appearance in the Season 7 finale and wound up on the cutting room floor. Which completely stinks
http://yankees.mlb.com/video/p.....id=7587557
Hughes near no hitter video with his mom at the game.
A must watch especially for betsy.
Doreen-
Perhaps. We can only hope it is a “bitter” one for the opposition.
MTU is just trying to steal all the glory!
I had no idea dejo meant aftertaste until MTU told me haha. I have only heard it used as a form of ‘dejar’ to mean leave or let.
But aftertaste can work! An aftertaste can be good.
Or when Dejo is blazing 4 seamers by people, I can say…
The batter only got the dejo on that heater!
LGY-
OK. “Dejo” it is !
Now if they would just call him up.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just a traditional, simple kind of guy – but I’d have gone with just a simple arm band. But, I’ve no problem with the patches.
Cashman has to make a conscious decision on the bullpen structure leading up to Mariano within the next 16 days.
- Mitre due to come off the DL this week
- Bring up Albaladejo and give him chances to make a case of staying in a defined role
- Two of Mosely, Gaudin, or Park replaced
- Don’t give Joba high leverage situations until he shows some consistency in no pressure situations.
Erica in NY July 15th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Apparently he was supposed to make an appearance in the Season 7 finale and wound up on the cutting room floor. Which completely stinks
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Not really. No disrespect to The Boss, but those scenes really didn’t work.
And if Dejo comes in and starts blowing games like Joba all you have to do is add a ‘Pen’ in the front when you are yelling at your tv
LGY-
Let’s hope we don’t have to.
“Don’t give Joba high leverage situations until he shows some consistency in no pressure situations.”
Don’t necessarily disagree, but would point out that nobody else has thrived in high leverage situations either. If you don’t give them to Chamberlain, who do you give them to?
All you get with Jonathan Albaladejo is Colter Bean with a fast ball. Too good for AAA and barely good enough for AAAA. He vultured 5 wins in 2008 with an ERA of 5.24 and as many walks as strikeouts.
Erin-
Have you seen the scene that got cut?
GB7 -
If Albaladejo has re-invented himself as they say and is not throwing the same pitches, I don’t know that you can compare his 2010 self with his 2008 self.
With no one else stepping up consistently, it certainly can’t hurt any worse to give him a look-see. At best you end up with a solid piece in the bulllpen; at worst, you send him down and try someone else.
I would give Marte to the 8th inning role.
He has been death to lefties this year and is just having control issues vs righties.
VS LHB: .146/.200/.268
VS RHB: .190/.419/.333
So while RHB are not really getting hits off him and when they do they aren’t hard as evidence by the SLG% he is walking too many.
I have not actually investigated it at all, but it seems that with consistent work Marte has better control and is more predictable like in the playoffs last year.
Erica in NY July 15th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Erin-
Have you seen the scene that got cut?
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I have. He was in a couple of scenes. They just didn’t fit with the show, IMO. Plus, I don’t think Larry David’s Steinbrenner would have had the same effect if George had been left in.
Albaladejo has never been this good in AAA & apparently is using different pitches than before.
With players especially relievers you can’t condemn them forever,it is not smart.
It is like the rs saying buchholz never did well with us so we are never going too give him another chance.
He has been absolutely light out & will be given a chance,nothing too lose.
Also if he does well it is a cheap in house solution & all cashman has too do is worry about a bat.
Erica,
here it is.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.c.....nfeld.html
“All you get with Jonathan Albaladejo is Colter Bean with a fast ball. Too good for AAA and barely good enough for AAAA. He vultured 5 wins in 2008 with an ERA of 5.24 and as many walks as strikeouts.”
Relievers are erratic. Good ones have bad years, average and bad ones have good years. However good or bad Albaladejo may “actually” be, he might be having a good year and it would be a shame to waste it in AAA. Call him up and see what he can do.
Couldn’t hurt; could help.
Dejo’s performance in the ASG last night supports the reports that he is throwing different pitches now.
He was exclusively 4 seamer and curveball last night.
Before he was a sinker and slider guy.
From ESPN NY:
The Steinbrenners are going to be the Yankees’ bosses for a very, very long time.
On Wednesday, Marc Ganis, a sports business consultant who has worked with the Yankees for nearly a decade, said that the team will not be sold “basically forever.”
“That I can tell you with knowledge of the situation,” Ganis told ESPNNewYork.com. “They won’t sell. This team is going to stay in the Steinbrenner family. It is both because they desire it and it has been set up this way. This team is going to stay in the Steinbrenner family for a very long time.”
Ganis, the president of SportsCorp Limited, had been friends with George Steinbrenner for 15 years and consulted the Yankees on a number of projects.
There has been speculation that the Steinbrenners could sell following the death of their father. Hal and Hank Steinbrenner had been reluctant to be involved with the Yankees until three years ago. Before that, it appeared that Steve Swindal, then Steinbrenner’s son-in-law, would take control of the team upon George’s passing.
After Swindal and George’s daughter, Jennifer, were divorced, Hal and Hank took charge of the team. Now, Hal is the one who is most in charge.
“It is not just George’s wishes, but it is also the wishes of the family,” Ganis said of keeping the team. “I have gotten to know George’s children over the years and they know this is a part of their lives basically forever — and they want it to be.”
Ganis said the Yankees are worth roughly $1.6 billion, and the team owns 40 percent of the YES Network. Ganis valued the Yankees’ YES stake at about $1.2 billion, going on the assumption that YES is worth $3 billion in total.
Rick, at 9:55, nailed it, I think. Cash needs to make some decisions, and the clock’s ticking.
With regards to Dejo/Albie, I think it might be easier to reinvent your nickname than yourself. But, America is the land of opportunity and baseball is a game of redemption, so it might be worth giving him yet another chance if he really has changed his pitching style. The thing is, while it’s one thing to post AAA numbers, it’s another to do it in the bigs (Edwar, Colter Bean,…). I think a big part of the decision making will be based on direct observation by Dave Miley and Scott Aldred, as to how Dejo’s FB is moving and his command of it.
But, whether it’s Dejo, Melancon, Nova, Noesi, whomever, the Yanks need to make a decision soon. The trade market is starting to develop, and while you can still make moves with the waiver rules, it gets a bit more complicated.
Park needs to show something soon, I think, or he’ll b gone, contract or no contract.
Albaladejo has had good seasons for year in the minors, but, it’s never translated to success in the majors. Hr’s susceptable to walks and homers and he’s always had the 94-95 MPH fastball. Nothing there has changed. Maybe trade Gaudin for a minor leaguer and substitute him with Albaladejo, but, they’re pretty much the same as far as improvement. The major difference being that Gaudin can start. Albaladejo hasn’t started for years other than 3 starts in the minors in ’06 and 2 in ’08.
Thanks Bronx Jeers & Erin-
I’ll have to check it out when I get home tonight
Melancon has pitched very poorly at Scranton, he is not going to be an option for help this year. I think Dejo and Sanchez are the next 2 recalled with a chance to become quite the formidable tag team out of the bullpen. They could challenge the Wild Samoans
Albaladejo has never thrown this well before. He is putting up numbers in AAA that are phenomenal. 59 strikeouts in 44 innings, a WHIP of .828.
He has generally pitched very well in the minors. He has had very little major league opportunity; when he has had it he has generally done well except for last year in a grand total of 34 innings.
It is beyond absurd to assume his major league ability is known. It isn’t.
Given the state of the Yankee pen he should be given another opportunity.
“Hr’s susceptable to walks and homers and he’s always had the 94-95 MPH fastball. Nothing there has changed.”
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He is giving up 2.4 BB/9 and 0.4 HR/9 this year. That doesn’t sound very susceptible. And while, he has always had the 4 seamer he never relied on it. He was always used the sinker, but now he relies on the 4 seamer in place of it and the CB as his secondary pitch instead of the slider.
He also has a 11.9 SO/9 this year. That is 4.3 more SO/9 than his career rate which is a pretty staggering improvement.
I have no clue what Dejo will do at the big league level or if any of this will translate, but there has definitely been changes.
The Yankees also used Dejo in the past as a multi-inning reliever as Girardi referenced yesterday which hurt his numbers.
This year Girardi said they now view him as solely a 1 inning guy.
Those numbers you quoted aren’t any different than most of his minor league years. His ML numbers aren’t quite as pretty. Scranton is not exactly hitter friendly, especially in comparison to YS and the AL East. Maybe they could just pitch him in KC…or trade him to KC for Soria and Butler.
He is giving up 2.4 BB/9 and 0.4 HR/9 this year. That doesn’t sound very susceptible. And while, he has always had the 4 seamer he never relied on it. He was always used the sinker, but now he relies on the 4 seamer in place of it and the CB as his secondary pitch instead of the slider.
He also has a 11.9 SO/9 this year. That is 4.3 more SO/9 than his career rate which is a pretty staggering improvement.
I have no clue what Dejo will do at the big league level or if any of this will translate, but there has definitely been changes.
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Couldn’t have said it better myself. He is a different pitcher than he’s been at any other time that he’s made it to the majors. There’s no guarantee that his 4 seam heavy approach will work for the big club, but they should definitely give him the opportunity.
I think it’s clear no one is saying Albaladejo is a guaranteed success on the big club, but that given the state of the pen right now, and given Albie’s current work at SWB, he deserves an opportunity to show what he can do before they go out and spend money/prospects on someone who may or may not be the answer. If Albie’s not the answer, they don’t lose anything, plus there’s no “uh oh, this guy cost us “x” so we have to keep giving him chances.”
Don’t go overboard quoting minor league stat lines.
Edwar Ramirez had eyepopping minor league numbers and they didn’t translate.
I think he will get a shot if they can’t upgrade via trade.
He’s not a savior though. If he was, he would have been up already.
You can get AAA-AAAA hitters out in ways you can’t do at the big league level.
Perhaps that’s the case with Albie.
Girardi must have forgotten last year when Albaladejo had as more multiple run games in 1 inning or less as he did in multiple inning games, including back to back appearances of one third of an inning with 3 runs and two thirds of an inning of 4 runs.
You, sir, are a negative nancy.
Love the Sheppard patch. I hope they produce t-shirts with that logo- they would sell like crazy and the proceeds could be donated to charity in Sheppard’s name.
Albaladejo is not likely to be much of an improvement over Gaudin. He might be Aceves reborn, but, I’m not counting on that.
SJ, exactly. I’ve got no problem with giving him another shot, but, keeping it short. Unfortunately for him, he doesn’t have the greatest track record.
I’m guessing the Yankees thinking is the following:
Since they now view him as a one inning guy, is he an upgrade from Robertson and Chamberlain, their two one inning RH arms in the pen?
As bad as Chamberlain has been, I’m guessing they don’t view Albie as the new EIG.
I agree Moseley and Gaudin are redundant. That will take care of itself when Mitre is back in a week.
Personally, I’d DFA Gaudin when Mitre comes back, keep Moseley for now, give Joba two more weeks to find it, and keep Albie in the minors until the deadline.
If they can’t upgrade via trade, and Joba, Robertson and Park continue to struggle, then I get Albie on the roster.
Nothing negative about it. Just going be his many chances in his history…both majors and minors.
Albaladejo has a grand total of 13, 14, and 34 innings at the major league level. That is not enough to be meaningful.
Albaladejo is pitching better this year than he ever has in the minors.
There’s no guarantee what he will do in the majors; however, not to give him a chance is absurd.
SJ44,
Of course. I have said on here multiple times earlier in the season I am skeptical and since the Yankees haven’t trusted him enough to even give him a call up yet he is probably not the answer or an answer.
But, at this point there is nothing to lose. The bullpen has been terrible and it is hard to imagine he can be worse than some of those guys. They need help everywhere, even in the middle innings.
You can’t deny though that he has changed as a pitcher given his change in pitch selection.
Also, Edwar did come up in 2008 and help the bullpen. You just never know with relievers and even if you get a good month of out his it will help.
I am mostly just having fun with his nickname and have no expectations for him, but as Doreen said there really is nothing to lose at this point.
SJ44-
Considering the Yanks keep 7 relievers on their roster I don’t think 3 1 inning guys are too many. He doesn’t need to be the EIG, the Yanks just need to find another arm to come in and get some guys out.
Maybe he flops, who knows? But given the state of the pen, he should be given an opportunity.
I think NYYs could trade Gaudin to the NL for a low level minor league talent or a #4-5 outfielder or utility infielder. Maybe the Dodgers or Giants….a big NL park with tall, fast outfielders.
SJ44 July 15th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Don’t go overboard quoting minor league stat lines.
Edwar Ramirez had eyepopping minor league numbers and they didn’t translate.
I think he will get a shot if they can’t upgrade via trade.
He’s not a savior though. If he was, he would have been up already.
You can get AAA-AAAA hitters out in ways you can’t do at the big league level.
Perhaps that’s the case with Albie.
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All true. But the Yankees wont know until they give his new approach a shot. Might as well give it to him sooner rather than later.
Nobody’s saying not to give Albaladejo “a chance”….just don’t expect much more than he’s ever given in the ML before. This is the same BS as going through the Edwar Ramirez/Colter Bean/TJ Beam eras. Dazzling the minor leagues and disappearing. Let’s not forget the immortal Scott Patterson.
I am not sure cash & girardi view robertson & joba as the 8th inning guy but probably think joba can be,maybe even the closer.
All i am saying is give alby a chance.For 2 weeks it can’t hurt.
If it does not work make a trade.
Does anybody wan’t to overpay for a pen arm unless we really have to?
Cashman was close imo to really going for it if we got lee.Then we could of traded vaz combined with prospects for a bat & a pen arm.
We get a bat,pen arm & our rotation is better.
Remember a couple of seasons back when they had the “Sheppard sound-alike”?
I think it was his protege from St Johns. Many didn’t notice the difference. And many that did thought it was kinda creepy.
The guy they have now is “just another voice”.
New thread
The Boss and the Hall of Fame
New Post: The Boss and the Hall of Fame
I’m personally not convinced we have anyone in the minors who could be of real help in the bullpen. Toronto is selling arms, but will probably want more from us. Brandon League would be nice but he has a very favorable 1.1M contract that Seattle doesn’t need to move, and it would be dealing with two-timing Seattle again. Kerry Wood is owed too much, even though he’s been much improved in his last five outings. If we could pry away Leo Nunez of the Marlins or Joel Hanrahan of the Pirates there could be an answer.
Guessing the Yankees replace Kevin Russo with lefty Chad Tracy who has 2 homers in his short stint with AAA and might play some 3rd and share DH.
Buster Only-me thinks the Devil Rays should go after Prince Fielder by building a package around Wade Davis. Personally, I think that Only-me is actually Chip or Bret, judgung from that trade proposal. Tampa had better start with Hellickson and add Jennings or Upton and then build.
I was at Bob Sheppard’s funeral yesterday and was very disappointed that not a single player (active or retired) was present at this Yankee icon’s send off. Brian Cashman was the only representative of the Yankees. Sad. Yankee tradition?