And We're Off

The Yankees were quiet at the deadline. I give you my rapid reaction.

It's apropos that Episode '96' features one of the stars of the Dynasty squad. Jeff Nelson was throwing frisbee sliders when Adam Ottavino was an 11 year old Yankees fan! He and I hosted the Yankees pre/post game out of the break and had such a good time we will continue our conversations on this podcast until the season comes to an end. On this episode he talks about what the Yankees need before the deadline, a player coming to and dealing with everything New York throws at you, and where he sees this team when the dust settles on the 2019 season.

YES Network Analyst John Flaherty joins me to discuss his Yankees first half surprises, and gives an outlook towards the second half for the Bombers. We also talk about the resurrection of some careers based on simply putting on the pinstripes. It happened this year with Cameron Maybin and it happened back in the day with Flash. Plus a pretty cool story of Flash attending a game at the old stadium and being in awe of a HOF he saw come to the on deck circle who later became his teammate.

Anthony Puccio joins me to discuss the Brooklyn Nets winning free agency. He has covered the team for six years and has written pieces for NY Daily News, Nets Daily, ESPN during the improbable playoff run last season, and more. He is an up and coming talent and hustles. Nothing but the utmost respect for Pooch. Enjoy the episode.

Bob Lorenz joins me in my office to talk about Tim Anderson's suspension that just came down today from his angry bat flip against the Royals that led to a bench clearing brawl. We also hit on analytics and Bob coins a hashtag. I was going to say phrase, but its all about hashtags nowadays.

Scranton Wilkes Barre Manager Jay Bell joins us to discuss 1B Mike Ford who was recently promoted to the Yankees. We also talk his Railriders and the start they have gotten off to this season as well as a story from when the manager got called up in his big league career.

Ian Eagle comes on to talk about a surprise appearance by the Nets in the NBA Playoffs this year. We discuss the culture that is still being built, the emergence of D'Angelo Russell, Jared Dudley's veteran leadership down the stretch and more!

Celebrating an early Gleyber Day for the Yankees, and hopefully an entire Gleyber Day weekend.

Rapid reaction to the Yankees dropping their second consecutive series of the season. Mad? You should be. However, injuries are the prime reason for the early season issues.

Breaking down all the injuries with the Yankees right now. The recent call ups and my orthopedic surgeon offering his knowledge on torn labrums. Plus I give you a lineup that I would use if I were filling out the lineup card based on what is happening right now.

YES Network Research Director, Jeff Quagliata makes his seventh appearance on the show to discuss rule changes hitting MLB this year and potentially beyond.

Slade Heathcott was the 29th overall pick by the New York Yankees back in 2009. He recently walked away from his own baseball career and is now trying to help others flourish in theirs. He and other former MiLB players and current players formed More Than Baseball. It is a group that helps farm team rosters gain the access they need to food, equipment, and housing. Scott Orgera a contributor to Forbes wrote a tremendous article about the struggles of players in the minors as they struggle to reach their dreams. He also describes in detail what More Than Baseball is trying to accomplish. Slade is the Director of Business Development for MTB and we talked about what they are trying to accomplish.

CC Sabatahia announced a week into camp that this would officially be his last season. I was down there for his press conference and when I got back up to the New York area, YES Research Director Jeff Quagliata and I discussed the potential for CC to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

Before I went down to Tampa for Spring Training, I was extremely moved by the story of Danny Farquhar. He nearly died of a brain aneurysm last April. He is back in baseball ten months later, in camp with the New York Yankees. I talked to him about his comeback story. I also talked to coaches, teammates and members of the media. One of those media members, Peter Gammons, went through the same ordeal nearly 13 years ago. He lends hope and light at the end of the tunnel for Farquhar and his family. I hope you enjoy it.

Caught up with new member of the bullpen Adam Ottavino, Austin Romine, and Aaron Boone and I reminisced about his shot heard round the rivalry in 2003. Yankees 2019 Spring Training fever. Catch it!