Baseball related songs: “Ichiro’s theme” by Ben Gibbard

In today's episode of  "Baseball related songs" we pay attention to "Ichiro's theme" performed by Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard. With the trade of Ichiro Suzuki to the Yankees by the Seattle Mariners, Gibbard released this song as a thank you for 10,5 great years with the M's. On the day, the Mariners …

Baseball related songs: “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z

In this episode of baseball-related songs, we pay attention to "Empire State of Mind" performed by Jay-Z. In this song, Alicia Keys is featured as she does the singing of the chorus. Empire State of Mind was released on October 20, 2009, about a week before the World Series that was played by the New …

No qualifying offer for Gregorius

According to MLB.com, the New York Yankees did not make a qualifying offer to shortstop Didi Gregorius. As a result, Gregorious will not be bound to a  draft pick compensation when he will be signed by another club. Didi came back after Tommy John surgery and still played 82 games for the Yankees. Unfortunately, his …

Today in baseball: World Series’ first perfect game

Today, sixty-three years ago, Don Larsen accomplished what no-one had ever done before: pitching the first perfect game in World Series history. Game five was a pitchers duel from both sides. Not only did Don Larsen not allow a hit, his opponent, Sal Maglie, allowed only five hits and issued two walks as he gave …

Will Didi still be a Yankee after 2019?

As you all may know, the contract of Didi Gregorius with the Yankees will expire after the 2019 season. The question remains if he will return or more important, if the Yankees will make him a acceptable offer. No doubt the Yankees will make a qualifying offer, that will pay Gregorius around $18,000,000 for the …

Baseball related songs: “Enter Sandman” by Metallica

In Baseball related songs, we pay attention to "Enter Sandman" performed by Metallica. The song itself has nothing to do with baseball but it became an instant classic at Yankee Stadium when Mariano Rivera used it as walkup song. "Enter Sandman" is a song about a little kid and his fears and nightmares. He/she is …

Hensley Meulens debuted in MLB 30 years ago

Hensley Meulens, the Curaçao-born bench coach of the San Francisco Giants made his first step in Major League Baseball, today 30 years ago. With the New York Yankees, Meulens became the first player from Curaçao to make it to the bigs. Meulens was signed by the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 1985. After …

Didi day-to-day

In Thursday's game vs the Diamondbacks, Didi Gregorius hurt his left fingers as he tried to make a play. Yesterday, in the game vs the Red Sox, he was kept out of the lineup. According to manager Aaron Boone, Didi is pretty sore. In a play vs the D-backs, Didi strained a muscle between his …

Didi has a career day

In a crazy 26-run game, Dutch Yankee star, Didi Gregorius, had a very good day at the plate. The 29-year old shortstop went 5 for 5 with two doubles and a home run. Most important of all, the Yankees stayed at the right side of the score (I know, I know, I am biased) as …

Today in baseball: David Cone goes perfect

On this day, twenty years ago, Yankee pitcher David Cone pitched a perfect game, a feat he didn't manage with Royals, the Mets, the Blue Jays and the Red Sox. On Yogi Berra Day, in a legend-filled Yankee Stadium, Don Larsen threw out the first pitch to 1956 battery mate Yogi Berra to commemorate Larsen's …

London Series: Yanks sweep Bosox

It wasn't a slugfest like yesterdays game but still, it was a high scoring game. A disastrous seventh inning was the deathblow for Boston as the Yankees won 12-8. The Red Sox took a commanding 4-0 lead in the first inning when Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer followed by solo shots hit by J.D. …

London Series: Yankees win ridiculous game

In a soccer stadium that was transferred into a baseball stadium, the Boston Red Sox "hosted" the New York Yankees. For the first time in the history of MLB, the fiercest rivalry in baseball set foot in Europe. It turned out to be a slugfest with a ridiculous final score of 17-13 in the favor …

Minor League history: Oswego Netherlands

A special piece of Minor League history today. Since this is a blog, mainly about Dutch baseball, the club in today's limelight is a perfect fit for this blog: the Oswego Netherlands of the Canadian-American League. The Oswego Netherlands was named after the local Netherlands Milk and Ice Cream Company. The team was one of …

Babe Ruth’s jersey sold for $5.6 million

An auction at Yankee Stadium brought together some fine Babe Ruth memorabilia. Piece de Resistance was a road jersey that was worn by the Bambino. This jersey was reportedly sold for a whopping $5.6 million, a record-breaking amount. At Yankee Stadium, more than 400 items were brought in for an auction, mostly by his family …

Didi is back!!

The New York Yankees lost 5-2 to the Cleveland Indians. But the most important news was that Didi Gregorius finally returned after a long period of absence due to Tommy John surgery. Looking to his numbers during his rehab stint with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders and the Tampa Tarpons (..156 with one homer and two RBI), …

Today in baseball: Lou Gehrig starts his streak

Today, 94 years ago, Lou Gehrig started what would become a record-setting streak of consecutive games played. The star first baseman of the Bronx Bombers entered the game vs the Washington Senators as a pinch hitter (his only pinch-hit appearance in his career) for shortstop Pee Wee Wanninger. In the game, a 5-3 loss vs …

Didi on his way back

After spending a long time on the Disabled List, or Injured List as it is called nowadays, due to Tommy John surgery, Didi Gregorius played his first game yesterday. Gregorius, who throws right handed, is coming back from surgery to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. At the Spring Training complex at …

May the fourth be with you

Yes, it is a returning event in baseball. A day that must please every baseball nut/Star Wars fan. May 4, in general, promoted as "May the fourth be with you" with a nod to the Star Wars saga's phrase "May the Force be with you." Also this year, many MLB and MiLB teams will have a …