REMEMBERING 9-11: WHY IT'S STILL FRESH

I still remember it, clear in my mind although some of the minor details have started to fade. It was a Tuesday. The weather was warm. The sky was a bright shade of blue with very sparse clouds. It was a gorgeous late summer day. I drove the hour-plus to my job at TV job in Connecticut, like I did every day. I arrived around 7am and was enjoying a quiet morning. I worked in Master Control, a room filled with lots of monitors and different television channels. I was sitting a desk off to the side, away from everything, sipping a cup of coffee, checking emails, and updating some log sheets. My coworker Anthony always liked to watch the last hour of Good Morning America, followed by Regis & Kathy Lee. Everything was normal....

At some point I remember him saying, “Hey come look at this”. I walked over and ABC had started talking about a small Cessna that had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York (We later learned it was a large 747). The only initial pictures were from a static camera on top of the Empire State Building. As the next 20 minutes progressed other camera angles had been established and our own channel had begun to cover the events in New York City. I remember a lot of speculation and confusion about what was transpiring. At some point I called my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) and tried to explain to her what was going on. She didn’t have a television at her job. I remember thinking I'd never seen anything like it before – nobody had.

As the time approached 9am, Tony & I were watching multiple monitors with different coverage, all with the same, tight, angled shot that had both towers in it, one with smoke billowing from it. Then Bam - a 747 flew right into the other tower in clear view; broadcast around the world on live television.

At some point later in the morning I decided to walk over to the newsroom to see if I could do anything to help out. I sat down on the corner of a desk and this guy Will came over, sat next to me and bluntly said, “Some shit, huh?” I looked at him, shook my head, looked back to monitors on the wall, just to see the first tower drop out of camera view, buckling under its own weight. Right then everything seemed to slow down for me. It was like one of those scenes from the movies where everything around the main character is swirling around them in a blur.

The day went on very solemnly. Everyone did their jobs, really only talking when necessary. It was very strange being as far away as we were (about 40 miles) yet it felt like it was my backyard. I remember driving home that day, listening to an afternoon talk show that was about as serious as it gets. People were calling in talking about what floor of the towers they worked on and how they escaped or why they weren’t at work that day.

During the day the FAA ground all commercial flights in the US and my house was near an airport. Later that night I remember standing outside taking in the cool night air, trying to come to grips with what had happened earlier in the day and realizing how eerie it was to not hear anything overhead. Its one of those noises you don’t even realize you hear until its not there anymore.

In the days following I remember feeling some anger, but mostly a sense of pride and patriotism as those little annoying things people do, didn’t really seem to matter. We were all Americans and we all were feeling the same way. People were more courteous, kinder, dare I say - less self-absorbed.

MLB and the NFL both took a week off and rightly so. With so much going on, it wasn’t a time for playing games. Although as the days passed, Baseball was something I looked for… a distraction; some normalcy. When it was time to return the Yanks were on the road. However, the Mets were home.I remember a very touching pre-game ceremony. A bunch of surviving first responders were on the field. The Mets also had a replica skyline above their scoreboard and it was lit up at night. On this night, everything was illuminated up except the Twin Towers. Touchingly a red, white, and blue ribbon had been placed over the darkened section of the skyline. Even today, that image still sticks with me.

The following Sunday, before the Yanks returned home, the Stadium hosted a memorial service for the souls lost on that fateful day. Watching the families of those who died, gathered in the Grand Cathedral of Baseball, surrounded by the ghosts of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Thurman Munson, celebrating life and the spirit and resolve of New Yorkers… I can’t think of a more fitting place.

-- Lem Allen, BYB Freelance Writer
bybcurmudgeon@gmail.com




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WHEN HONORING BASEBALL HEROES GOES REALLY WRONG

Can someone explain to me why the worst, ugliest highway, the West Side Highway in New York City is named after one of the greatest New York Yankees that has ever lived? Yes, it’s true, Joe DiMaggio Highway, also known as the West Side Highway may have a beautiful view of the mucky Hudson river and New Jersey, but the road itself is a potholed, abandoned-car death trap and I’m sorry, that’s not how Joe DiMaggio needs to be remembered. Then mayor Rudy Giuliani changed it's name in 1999, read about it HERE. I have never agreed with the idea.

Joe DiMaggio to this day still holds the longest hitting streak record in Major League history, 56 games and to me, we need to come up with a gorgeous statue and unveil it next to one of Derek Jeter in front of the new Yankee Stadium or something...again, the West Side Highway?? Or, how’s this? a gorgeous ball field in Central park for kids to play baseball, or a school or baseball academy. Something, anything is better than the West Side highway.

Similarly, in the back roads of Rutherford, New Jersey there are some real shitty roads surrounded by hotels and Meadowlands weeds and suddenly, on the side of a potholed blacktop slab of street is another sign that reads, Larry Doby Highway. OK, are you kidding? Larry Doby was not only the first African American the play baseball is the American League, he was the second African American behind Jackie Robinson to break the color barrier and this is how we honor him? A street dedication and you just happen to stumble by the sign on the side of the street? It’s disgraceful. Read about that HERE.

Look, Bleeding Yankee Blue isn’t powerful enough to have these signs removed and new landmarks replace them in a better, more memorable location like parks, or stadiums, but we can make a stink. At Target Field, there is a statue of the great Rod Carew, it's in the right place, in front of a stadium where his former team plays. It's viewed by millions who take pictures of it and honor a great ballplayer, why can't we do the same for Joe DiMaggio and Larry Doby?

(Rod Carew Statue at Target Field in Minneapolis-Getty)

Yes, it’s true, the highway dedications were good intentioned, but in this "hustle and bustle" of the world these days, the infrastructure breaks down and with it, memories are forgotten. Bottom line, our Joe DiMaggio and Larry Doby dedications are part of the infrastructure and they've broken down too. If there is a staff dedicated to preserving these landmarks, they’ve failed. If there isn’t, there needs to be.

Bottom line, Joe DiMaggio and Larry Doby deserve something better, don't they?

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WHY OVERRATED IS OVERUSED

"A deep drive to left..... Number 3000!!!!"
5 for 5, Game winning RBI. Congrats Derek! I can't think of a better performance.

(Photo: Getty)
Now, on to my original point... We hear it all the time. "Derek Jeter is the most overrated player in baseball." Well, as far as I'm concerned that's both an inaccurate and tiresome statement.

While his stature and legend may be inflated, there is no possible way he is THE most overrated. Fact is, you don't get 3000 hits by being average. You don't have a .312 career batting average by being an average ballplayer. You don't have a .309 career post-season batting average by being an average player. And lets face it, Jeet has played 147 career post season games, so that .309 isn't a small sample; it's a testament to a great hitter. You don't amass the stats Jeter has accumulated by being overrated. Jeter is at or near the top of many of the Yankees career stats lists. His name is up there with the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle.

Terry Francona has said that Jeter "is the last guy you want to face with the game on the line." Derek always seems to come through when it counts. Great players do great things in big spots. When I think big gamers, I think Joe Montana, Reggie Jackson, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Derek Jeter.
Back in the late 90's there was an argument about who the best young shortstop was. Well, Derek (.312 BA, 236 HR, 1157 RBI, 5 Championships) has outlasted both Nomar Garciaparra (.313, 229, 936, 0 Championships) and Alex Rodriguez (.302, 626, 1883, 1 Championship) at shortstop. Was he the best of the three? Probably not, but he's definitely been the most consistent and the most professional.

The Captain has never been a controversial guy, never getting into trouble.... Would he be this God-like figure if he played in a small market? Doubtful, but that's part of the lore. It's no secret A-Rod has had issues with the New York media. It takes a special person to be a superstar here in New York and that's part of what makes Jeet so special. As the song says, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."(Photo: Getty)
So, rather than saying Jeet is overrated, I argue he is a product of circumstance, a class act, a future Hall of Famer, and most of all, the Captain of the New York Yankees!!

-- Lem Allen, BYB Freelance Writer

bybcurmudgeon@gmail.com

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JETER: MR. 3000

(Photo: New York Times)
Derek Jeter has done it. On a hot and humid day in the Bronx, Derek Sanderson Jeter has hit his 3000th hit and what do you know... it's a home run. This guy is destined to be the greatest Yankee of our time.

Jeter is the first ever to hit 3000 hits as a New York Yankee. Here's the Top 10 list:

1. Derek Jeter: 3000
2. Lou Gehrig: 2721
3. Babe Ruth: 2518
4. Mickey Mantle: 2415
5. Bernie Williams: 2336
6. Joe DiMaggio: 2214
7. Don Mattingly: 2153
8. Yogi Berra: 2148
9. Bill Dickey: 1969
10. Earle Combs: 1866

So, to all you haters that continue to tell me that Derek Jeter is overrated, this hits list shows me he's among legends. I'm still not getting that ridiculous argument you have. What else does he need to do? Maybe win a few more championships? Well... he's working on it.Congrats Jeet, I've been a Jeter fan since you began, like many of us fans today. This is extra special pal. Like I said in WHY 3000 COMES BEFORE 28, enjoy this day, all day long and thanks for making 3ooo special for all of us.

By the way Ladies and Gentlemen, you can see some other BYB posts we wrote about Jeter and 3000 below:

WHY JETER IS EPIC FOR 1 GOOD REASON
DEREK JETER: THE MOVIE
WHY WINNING WOULD MAKE 3000 BETTER
WHY IT'S 2994 AND COUNTING
WHY I KNOW WHEN JETER HITS 3000

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WHY I ROOT FOR THE ITALIANS

(in photo: Mike Pagliarulo)
I remember 1987 like it was yesterday. The Yankees weren’t too good finishing in 4th place in the American League, yet, as an Italian American kid who loved the Yankees, there was always a connection between me and the Italian Yankee ballplayers and this goes all the way back to my dad’s days in the Bronx and my grandfather before him.

Phil Rizzuto was huge to many of us in my family and before that, it was Tony Lazzeri. These 2 guys defined Italian. Joe DiMaggio was the the biggest guinea of them all and for good reason, he was a God and my grandfather loved that he represented Italians and played for the greatest baseball team in the world.Rick Cerone was around when I watched the Yankees play. I remember the old Yankee Stadium and Eddie Layton, the organist, playing his best Italian music as Cerone came up to the plate. You just got into it.

(in photo: Danny Pasqua)

Then came the mid 80's and 1987. That was when I became seriously attached to 2 other Yankee players, Danny Pasqua and Mike Pagliarulo. For 1, they could hit home runs, which was always a fan favorite, but besides that, they were Italian Americans playing in pinstripes and at the time, I didn't really have what my father and his father before him had, true legends. Instead, I had guys you hoped could be legends. Following and rooting for a 4th place Yankee team all season, you really wanted them to shine, it was really all you had.

As a kid in the 80’s, you couldn’t help but love these guys. Let’s not forget, the Yankees were about to take a dive to 7th place in the American League East. That happened in 1990, so we were on our way to empty stands and forgotten games. In 1987, you really felt bad for players like Don Mattingly, Dave Winfield and Ron Guidry. We had players like Bobby Meacham, and Joel Skinner and Lenn Sakata and we had no real decent pitching with guys like Steve Trout. We were going no where fast, but it didn’t matter, as a kid, I wanted my guys to do well; Danny Pasqua and Mike Pagliarulo. I remember lining my baseball cards up according to the order of the lineup and just crossing my fingers.

Danny Pasqua was a William Paterson University graduate and he was local and for us, he was a symbol of life in the Yankees lineup with 17 home runs that year. Yes, Mattingly was on this team and we all loved Donnie, but Danny was the new young stud with something to prove and you just wanted him to do well. I remember being at one batting practice at Yankee Stadium, standing with my family on the right field side and Danny Pasqua cranked one and it accidentally hit a poor woman in foul territory and she fell right to the ground in pain. It was devastating for me to see, but you just knew how much power was in that swing. Pasqua went to the White Sox after that season and then retired, but to this day, I still think of him and smile.

Mike Pagliarulo was destined to be the leader on the Yankees around that time, at least to me he was. A third baseman with great athleticism and great power. No, he wasn’t among home run leaders each year, but he hit them enough so people would take notice. Pags later moved on to the San Diego Padres in 1989, then the Twins and then he eventually vanished. But one thing's for sure, if you ever want to see the best shrine of Mike Pagliarulo in all of New Jersey, you need to go to Lina’s Restaurant in Bloomingdale, NJ. As you walk in the door, there are photos, and autograph’s with the former Yankee great there. It just goes to show the Italian roots run deep and Mike Pagliarulo is still remembered fondly.

Danny Pasqua and Mike Pagliarulo were stars for some of us Italian Americans in the 80’s, long retired but definitely not forgotten. A salute to Danny and Pags. You represented the pinstripes well guys, carry on.

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WHY WE NEED A NICKNAME FOR MARTIN

(photo: AP)
Almost every player on the New York Yankees has a nickname. From Tex to A-Rod to Jeet to Mo to Swish to Grandy to even something as simple as their last name: Cano. Nicknames are something the Yankees have done and done well throughout their history. Let's take a look at some of the most memorable nicknames in Yankees history:

The Great Bambino: Babe Ruth

The Iron Horse: Lou GehrigThe Yankee Clipper: Joe Dimaggio
The Commerce Comet: Mickey MantleMr. October: Reggie Jackson

Great nicknames ARE the Yankees. Hence, there needs to be more, especially for a newcomer and immediate fan favorite like Russell Martin. For some reason, I don't feel that "Martin" really sticks when you look at Russell. When you hear the name Martin, you may think of a Butler out of a bad 80's movie wearing white gloves and serving dessert wine to people at a long table. Or how about Dean Martin, formally of Martin & Lewis and later the Rat Pack.There's no denying, Russell Martin is a huge baseball catcher, and he needs a nickname just a huge so the fans embrace it and he will respond to it fondly.

So here's my challenge, what is your best nickname idea for Russell Martin? Let me know and once I choose a winner we will post it on Bleeding Yankee Blue. Maybe then, all of Yankees Universe might just use it too. Email: will.cohen.bleedingyankeeblue@gmail.com.
Deadline is June 3rd.


--Will Cohen, BYB Staff Writer

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HELLO & GOODBYE TO YANKEE STADIUM

I know it may be hard to believe, but this past Saturday was my first time at the new Yankee Stadium. I used to live at the old stadium, going to several games a month. But working two jobs, being a wife, and mother left me with little time or money to go as often as I did.



There was also a part of me that didn’t agree with the building of the new stadium at all. I could not fathom why the Steinbrenners and the Yankees organization would ever think of playing anywhere but the on the hallowed ground where Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle once stood.



But, when the opportunity presented itself, I went to see my Yankees play at their new house. As the train pulled up into the station nearby, I had some reservations. The last time I was there, the old Stadium was still intact and still functioning as the home of the New York Yankees, and the new stadium was being built. I prepared myself for the view as we walked away and toward the grand intersection where history was made.The first view I had was of the old field. Still intact and looking ready for play, it was amazing. The walkway literally goes through the old stadium, and I looked around, trying to envision exactly where I was walking as if the stadium were still there. I heard echoes of the noises that made the Stadium come alive- the sound of cheering crowds, the sound of Bob Shepperd’s voice, the sound of Scooter’s famous “Holy Cow, it’s a hit!”



As I continued to walk, the irony of seeing the grand new house with the original field in the foreground was breathtaking. The paved stone walkway is beautifully lined with new trees, bringing signs of new life and renewal. I walked slowly to absorb all of the pride, power, and passion for baseball that is the true history of the New York Yankees.



Although bittersweet, it wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be, walking by the now named “Heritage Field” and seeing that the sacred grounds were still there, and I was closer to it than I had ever been before. I was actually pleased to see the way that it was preserved and the way the integrity of the site, giving it the historical credit that it deserves. The walls of the stadium may be gone, but the rich history and heritage will always remain.





--Christy Lee, BYB Staff Writer

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BYB REVIEW: JOE DIMAGGIO: THE LONG VIGIL By Jerome Charyn

If we asked all the Bleeding Yankee Blue die-hards for there top five Yankees of all time, I would bet that everyone would include Joe DiMaggio there top 5. In fact, I think it would be safe to say that even the casual baseball fan considers Joe DiMaggio a true legend. Well, there is a new book out called Joe DiMaggio: The Long Vigil that is a must read! BYB was approached by the book’s publicist and asked if we would like to read the book and write a brief review. We jumped at the chance because we love the Yankees and cherish the history of the team. Here is my honest assessment of the book and why I think all Yankee fans and really, just any fan of America’s favorite pastime, will enjoy reading this book.

Joe DiMaggio: The long Vigil is a book that lifts the veil a bit into the life of Joe DiMaggio, the public figure. The author of the book is Jerome Charyn and he did an amazing job of presenting “Joltin’ Joe” as the true American icon that he is. Mr. Charyn wasn’t looking for gossip or sensationalized details of Joe D’s private life and I was happy to see that. He really showed me a side of “The Yankee Clipper” that I never knew existed. We all know about Joe D’s very public relationship and marriage to Marilyn Monroe but I had no idea the impact that relationship had on DiMaggio’s life after baseball and The Long Vigil goes into great detail about how it did.

I’ve read some books over the years about DiMaggio’s life off the field and none of those books ever seem to shed him in a good light. I think that’s just because most of these writers just didn’t care for the way Joe D didn’t allow them into his personal life. Mr. Charyn paints the life of Joe DiMaggio that seems more on target to me. He shows us how DiMaggio was indeed a complex man who might have been flawless on the field but not in his personal life. But, to me, that’s what makes Joe D such a American icon. I mean, he was a real person like you and I. Sure, he was famous and couldn’t walk out his door without being mobbed by the public and paparazzi but deep down inside, he was pardon the pun, "Regular Joe". The man suffered tragedy, was madly in love, was insecure at times, even broken, (stop me when if this doesn’t describe you and me), but, he was REAL.

I really enjoyed the book and I think all of you would as well. It‘s a quick, yet detailed read. Joe DiMaggio is an American icon and a GREAT Yankee, perhaps the greatest and make no mistake, the man had flaws, but who doesn‘t? After finishing The Long Vigil I have such a new respect for Joe DiMaggio and I’m even more proud that he was a New York Yankee. To paraphrase “The Yankee Clipper“... “I want to thank the Good Lord for making me a Yankee”, fan!

You can follow Joe DiMaggio: The Long Vigil on Twitter @JoeDiMaggio2011 and on
Facebook HERE.

Jerome Charyn is on Twitter @jeromecharyn as well as Facebook HERE.

You can also read about Jerome Charyn on his personal website.

You can read all about the Book Tour for Joe DiMaggio: The Long Vigil HERE.

Joe DiMaggio: The Long Vigil can be purchased at:Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com
or at your local bookstore.

Publisher: Yale University Press


--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer




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WHY NICKNAMES SUCK TODAY

One thing that jumped out at me recently was the current Yankees lack good nicknames, and it's not just a Yankees problem, it's a baseball problem across the board, with very few exceptions.

But back to the Yankees for a moment. John Sterling says Swishalicious, but it was never his invention. The nickname started when Swish was back in Oakland and it just stuck. But it has mixed reviews probably because Sterling hijacked it. Some people love it, some hate it, but everyone knows who Swishalicious is.

Other than that, all the Yankees nicknames for example, are based on their actual names. A-Rod. Tex. Mo. I personally blame this on ESPN’s Chris Berman who made his career on the nicknames, and nothing else. The dude's not talented. But my point is, nicknames today just aren't good, not like they were back in the day.For example, I recently wrote about the 2011 Yankees and 1980 Phillies comparison a few days ago. You can read that HERE. Just look at the nicknames on this 1980 Phillies team. There was "Charlie Hustle", which was Pete Rose, "The Bull", who was Greg Luzinski. How about "Secretary of Defense" who was Garry Maddox. Even Bake McBride, whose real name was Arnold. The Yankees back in the day had great ones as well. "Mr. October" was Reggie Jackson. There was Rich "Goose" Gossage. Ron Guidry had 2, "Gator" and "Louisiana Lightning". Oh and Bucky Dent was actually Russell, just so you know.See what I mean? Today's nicknames are much much worse. Jimmy Rollins today is "J Roll". Really? Roy Halladay is "Doc". Is that supposed to be cleaver? I think perhaps, the best nickname of this generation would have to go to Shane Victorino, also known as the "Flyin' Hawaiian." Oh yeah and Derek Jeter has 2 unique ones that work depending on the season. During the year it's "The Captain", Playoff time, it's "Mr. November". Love that.

And what about the Yankees classics. Back in the day there was "Babe", real name, George Herman Ruth. "The Iron Horse", real name, Lou Gehrig. Even Joe Dimaggio was "Joltin' Joe". How do you not like Joltin' Joe? It's a classic! You just can't top that. The nicknames early on topped today's nicknames for sure.

All I can say is that today's baseball world needs to be more clever and make it fit. That's all I'm saying...and damn you Chris Berman!

As for now, I’m sorry to say, Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away...



--Moonlight Graham BYB Staff Writer

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WHY BASEBALL IS TIMELESS

This is not so much a Yankee post as it is a baseball post, although based on the Bill Dickey article we recently posted titled WHY DICKEY PAVED THE WAY, I was approached by a man who loves the game of baseball just as much as I do. And, I’m glad I’m in such good company. His name is George Case III, and his father was George Case, a pro ballplayer for many years and rubbed elbows with some of the greatest players ever. Anyway, if you haven’t seen the website Timeless Baseball, you should. George Case Jr. played for the Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians. He was a 6 time base stealing champ. While he loved baseball, he also loved 8 mm photography. I wanted to post this for all of you because I love the good old days of baseball. Check it out:


Back in 1939, baseball was a real man’s sport. Pitchers throwing 200 pitches an outing, 3 men rotations and players played until they couldn’t play anymore. Pure grit. Luckily for us, Mr. Case documented some of it. Timeless Baseball has a DVD featuring some of Case’s footage from 1939-1946.

There are rare moments like batting practice with Joe DiMaggio and others at Griffith Stadium in Washington.

And, in a recent email exchange with Case’s son George, I found out Mr. Case and Bill Dickey were friends and that friendship stemmed from playing ball against each other for many years. It was a neat piece of history I was not aware of.

So what’s my point? Baseball history. Learn about it, embrace it. People forget why players like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Reggie Jackson, even Mickey Mantle played baseball in the first place. They watched their favorite players as kids and said “That’s what I want to do when I grow up.” God I love this sport.

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WHY IT'S FUN TO LAUGH

My pal William found this joke while surfing the net and I thought I'd share it with you. Alittle weekend humor. Enjoy.
-- The Mighty Casey

A man walks into a bar with a dog. The bartender says, "You can't bring that dog in here."

"You don't understand," says the man. "This is no regular dog, he can talk."

"Listen, pal," says the bartender. "If that dog can talk, I'll give you a hundred bucks."

The man puts the dog on a stool, and asks him, "What's on top of a house?"

"Roof!"

"Right. And what's on the outside of a tree?"

"Bark!"

"And who's the greatest baseball player of all time?"

"Ruth!"

"I guess you've heard enough," says the man. "I'll take the hundred in twenties."

The bartender is furious. "Listen, pal," he says, "get out of here before I belt you."

As soon as they're on the street, the dog turns to the man and says, "Do you think I should have said 'DiMaggio'?"

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