Jane Heller

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

  • About
    • Bio
    • FAQ
  • Publications
    • Books
      • Romantic Comedies
      • Caregiving
      • Baseball
      • TV Tie-In
    • Articles
  • Blogs
    • Mainly Jane
    • Confessions of a She-Fan
  • Media
    • Videos
    • Audio
    • Press
    • Press Materials/Three Blonde Mice
  • Speaking
  • Contact

How Depressing Was That?

September 19, 2016

depressed

I guess I should say it was a nice run while it lasted. I guess I should be excited that Gary Sanchez continues to be a superstar (although I wonder why he wasn’t brought up from the minors sooner). I guess I should be satisfied that the Yankees gave fans something to hope for when, after losing so many good players in the so-called rebuilding phase, they won games anyway.

But I’m not. I’m depressed this morning after they were swept in Boston over the weekend. It was a heartbreaking series on so many levels. The first couple of losses were mostly on Betances and by last night’s finale we had already lost Ellsbury and Castro to injury and Headley, too, was out of the lineup because of a stiff something or other.

So there’s the season in a nutshell. The Yankees had chances but couldn’t capitalize and it looks like they’ll be sitting the playoffs out.

I do have one request of all pitchers in spring training next year: Learn how to throw the ball to the bases. Whether it’s Betances not being able to throw home or CC not being able to throw to first base, the errors were really costly and I wonder why. Isn’t this a drill they practice over and over? If not, they should.

As for the series in Boston? All I can say is if we’d had our old bullpen (as in Miller and Chapman), I don’t think we’d be in the shape we’re in. At all.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, CC Sabathia, Dellin Betances, Gary Sanchez, Red Sox, Yankees

Post Subway Series, Now What?

August 5, 2016

subway-series-tickets

We saw Gary Sanchez get his first major league hit and serve as DH. We saw the successful return of Luis Severino out of the bullpen. But the Yankees held fast to their tendency to play .500 baseball with a series split against the Mets. They’re a different team but their results are the same. And so be it.

The big question everyone’s asking going forward – and Girardi is getting peeved about being asked day after day, can’t blame him – is what’s to be done with A-Rod? He gets no playing time. He’s just….there. I read an article in the NYT the other day about what a great mentor he’s been to the younger players and how baseball-smart he is (we could see that from watching his commentary on the TV playoff coverage). So what happens to him?

My guess is the Yankees organization will retain him for the duration of this season and then release him (unless the Marlins are willing to take him). And then he’ll either play for another year (again, for the Marlins most likely) to reach his milestones, or settle into the broadcast booth. As I said, he’s good in front of the camera when talking about the game as opposed to himself.

Meanwhile, the Yanks take on the now-powerhouse Cleveland Indians this weekend and that means facing Andrew Miller. It’ll make me sad to see him in their uniform.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: A-Rod, Andrew Miller, Cleveland Indians, Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino, Mets, Subway Series, Yankees

Gone With the Wind

August 1, 2016

Gone-With-The-Wind-Poster-gone-with-the-wind-33266936-386-500

First Chapman. Then Miller. Then Beltran. Then Nova. Gonzo.

The Yankees turned the page for real today at the trade deadline. Cashman acknowledged that the team’s inconsistency – or, as he admitted, the team’s losses in Tampa – put an exclamation point on the disappointing season. We are now officially in rebuilding mode, and I don’t consider that a bad thing. I think the kids will be exciting to watch as they make their mark at the major league level. Sanchez. Judge. Severino. Green. Plus the new prospects we just got in trades.

Chapman, Miller and Beltran will be huge assets to their new teams. Nova? I have no idea how he’ll do with the Pirates. I wish him well.

Is A-Rod on his way out? There doesn’t seem to be a place for him.  He’s taking up a roster spot, blocking a kid from coming up. The Yanks are going to have to decide what to do with him. If I were A-Rod, I’d pack my bags.

Meanwhile, the Yanks beat the Mets tonight in extra innings so that was something. As for the rest of the season and beyond? We’re off to the great unknown.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Brian Cashman, Carlos Beltran, Ivan Nova, Mets, trade deadline, Yankees

Chad Green?

July 4, 2016

Photo: Elsa/Getty Images North America
Photo: Elsa/Getty Images North America

Yes, Chad Green. The rookie was our savior in the finale yesterday against the Padres. Yes, the Padres, the lowly Padres, who beat the Yankees in a couple of heartbreakers in Games 1 and 2. Why we don’t beat the teams we’re supposed to beat beats me, but at least we salvaged the last game with the help of Betances and Chapman and – surprisingly – two homers by Teixeira, including homer #400. Maybe the California weather agrees with him. I’ve come to stop counting on him for his power or even for his presence in the lineup, but he certainly delivered both yesterday.

Miller and the AWOL offense were the problems in Game 2, and Evo was just awful in Game 1 – again. What happened to that guy? Earlier in the season, it looked as if he was going to be a solid, even great, starter for us. Now? He loses. That’s what he does. He gives up runs, particularly homers, and put the Yankees hitters in a hole from which they usually can’t come back.

And so the season of mediocrity continues in Chicago for a July 4th matinee. We’re almost at the All-Star break. Are the Yankees buyers or sellers? Or, in the case of A-Rod, releasers? We’ll know soon enough.

 

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Chad Green, Mark Teixeira, Nathan Eovaldi, Padres, Yankees

Worse and Worser

May 6, 2016

I think I’ll let the NYT tell the story of last night’s debacle in Baltimore that represented yet another game loss, series loss, and deeper sinkage into last place. After the game Teixeira said, after being shut out 1-0 and not hitting, “It’s not rocket science.” Clearly, with the Yankees these days, hitting is tougher than rocket science. In the article, it’s also hard not to detect the feeling that Girardi is not managing the team properly. I mean seriously. Not using Miller in that game? Ouch. And poor Tanaka. A brilliant performance for nothing.

Punchless Bats Doom Yankees Once More

By BILLY WITZ

BALTIMORE — Perhaps Manager Joe Girardi could have saved himself some teeth-gnashing Thursday night when he was kicked out of the game in the fourth inning if he had showered and headed somewhere bucolic with a glass of red wine in his hand.

Instead, he retreated to his office and watched the Yankees’ 1-0, 10-inning loss unfold in Technicolor high definition.

The loss, the seventh in eight games for the Yankees, was a case study in poor execution, mismanagement and squandered opportunities that joined the familiar hallmark of their season so far: a conga line of meager at-bats.

The cherry on top of this frustration sundae was that when Pedro Alvarez lofted a sacrifice fly to shallow center field, scoring pinch-runner Nolan Reimold from third with the winning run, it wasted eight sublime shutout innings from Masahiro Tanaka, who has a 2.29 E.RA. in six starts, but just one win to show for it.

“It’s kind of been the story of the season — we haven’t hit,” first baseman Mark Teixeira said. “It’s not rocket science.”

The Yankees return home from a 2-7 road trip languishing last in the American League East, six and a half games behind Baltimore and Boston, against whom they open a three-game series on Friday.

They were shut out for the third time this season, this time managing just four hits — three of which came in eight innings against Kevin Gausman, who was every bit Tanaka’s equal. Until the 10th, the Yankees put runners in scoring position just twice — each time leaving Starlin Castro with regrets and anger.

Castro was picked off second with two outs in the ninth, getting caught by catcher Matt Wieters when Brian McCann swung through a 3-1 pitch. If that irked Girardi, he was infuriated earlier when the third-base umpire, Chris Guccione, refused to call Gausman for a balk for not coming to a stop in the set position when Castro, who had doubled, had reached third with two out. A balk would have sent Castro home with a run.

“He’s balking,” Girardi said. “And they can say he’s not trying to deceive the runner — he’s not stopping.”

He added: “I still don’t understand why it’s not a balk. It’s too loose of a rule, it’s not enforced and I don’t understand it.”

Girardi, who is usually stationed at the top dugout railing closest to home plate, went to the far end to harangue Guccione. When Beltran popped out, Girardi’s barking continued for a few seconds before Guccione turned and ejected him as Girardi began to walk up the dugout steps.

“He threw me out when I was coming to get an explanation,” said Girardi, who was ejected for the first time this season. “That bothers me. If you want to throw me out because I’m arguing the balk call, that’s one thing when I’m out there. But I was telling him he was balking, he was balking. He was saying no he wasn’t, no he wasn’t. So I’m going, trying to get an explanation after the inning. Before I say anything, I take one step and he throws me out. Clearly that bothers me.”

When Girardi, frustrated, turned to head back to the dugout after he had said his piece, Guccione said something that caused Girardi to pivot and engage the umpire again. Finally, Girardi returned to the dugout, handed his lineup card to the bench coach, Rob Thomson, and headed into the clubhouse where he meted out instructions.

The most puzzling came in the 10th inning when, after a 10-pitch inning from Dellin Betances in the ninth, Girardi turned not to Miller, the closer who has yet to allow a run this season, but to the rookie right-hander Johnny Barbato, who has begun to look vulnerable after a strong start to the season.

Girardi said he was trying to save Miller because he did not think he could pitch two innings and wanted him to be able to close out the game if the Yankees had taken the lead. Miller, who had pitched just twice in the previous nine days, said he was well rested and could have pitched two innings.

“I’m trying to get a couple of outs out of Barbato and maybe you can get an inning and a third,” Girardi said. “It just doesn’t work.”

Barbato was victimized by a high-chop infield single by Kim to lead off the inning, then Jonathan Schoop laced an 0-2 pitch into center field that sent Kim to third without a play. Miller then was summoned but his 0-1 pitch was lifted to center, where Ellsbury delivered another weak throw that was far too late to make a play at the plate on Reimold.

Allowing Ellsbury to play center field with Aaron Hicks — who has one of baseball’s strongest arms and is just as athletic as Ellsbury — in left field seemed another puzzling move. Hicks did not have a ball hit to him all night.

The Yankees sent the game to extra innings when Dustin Ackley, starting in right field for the second time in his career, leapt at the wall in the bottom of the ninth to catch Wieters’s towering drive, then recovered in time to double up pinch-runner Joey Rickard at first.

Ackley had a chance to be a hero in the 10th when pinch-runner Brett Gardner stole second with two outs. But Ackley struck out against Zach Britton.

“It’s frustrating,” Ackley said. “That’s the game you want to win 9 out of 10 times. I mean you’ve got to manufacture a run, at least one or two there for Tanaka. We weren’t able to do it. We had a couple of opportunities with guys in scoring position, but weren’t able to come through.”

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Joe Girardi, Masahiro Tanaka, O's, Yankees

Always Satisfying to Beat This Guy

April 13, 2016

jose-bautista-beard-4

He kills the Yankees and Toronto is such a tough opponent, but last night in their series opener of the new season, the Yanks edged out a 3-2 win. Bautista had a two-run double, naturally, but Betances struck him out in a big situation.

Tanaka…What to say about his performance. He limited the Jays to 2 runs, which was no small thing, but he reminded me of early Phil Hughes who took forever to get outs and let his mounting pitch count send him out of games. Which is where our crack bullpen comes in. Betances was “on.” You could see it. He reared back and fired and set the stage for Miller, who took care of business.

After misjudging a couple of balls in center, Ellsbury (maybe he needs glasses?), along with McCann were the offensive heroes – McCann’s homer all the more impressive because he was hobbling around after being hit on the toe by a foul tip. Thankfully, the toe’s not broken, but he’s not a great runner in the best of circumstances and he really lumbered around the bases last night.

It’ll be Pineda’s turn tonight. No idea what to expect, but I’d love a repeat of last night.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Blue Jays, Brian McCann, Dellin Betances, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Bautista, Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees

Opening Day Coming Up

April 2, 2016

No matter what shape the Yankees are in as the season begins on Monday, there’s this.

Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Matsui will be throwing out the first pitch, and that alone makes me smile. Love Hideki.

So, the 2016 contest begins. I was excited about the bullpen since we didn’t get a front-line starter this off-season, but of course there have been setbacks already. Andrew Miller will be pitching with a fractured right wrist. His hand specialist gave him the go-ahead to pitch if he can tolerate the discomfort. Does that sound like a recipe for success? I don’t think so either. I can’t concentrate if I have a hangnail.

And then there’s poor Bryan Mitchell. The kid was all set to make the roster, having had a great spring, and then – bam. Broken toe. Is covering first base really that hard for a pitcher to do without getting injured? Apparently.

CC will be the rotation’s 5th starter “for now,” as Girardi and Cashman make a point of clarifying, so as to give Ivan Nova hope that he’ll escape from the pen if CC falters. As for Tanaka, he gets the nod to start on Monday despite having had a less than stellar spring.

But here’s the thing. If Ellsbury can stay healthy for decent periods of time (a big “if,” I know; ditto: Headley) and if A-Rod, Beltran, McCann and Teixeira can hit bombs and if Didi and Starlin turn out to be a really good defensive team, the Yankees will be in a position to challenge the rest of the division. They might even make the playoffs.

The real problem is the YES-Comcast battle. I have Charter, so I’m okay for watching the games, but I do feel for my friends in the Comcast area. It’s a pity that these big companies can’t put the fans’ interests ahead of their own for once, but such is life.

Meanwhile, play ball! And may the 2o16 season be filled with wins or at least lots of hilarity.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: 2016, Andrew Miller, Bryan Mitchell, CC Sabathia, Hideki Matsui, Opening Day, Yankees

Ugh

June 11, 2015

Photo: Elsa/Getty Images
Photo: Elsa/Getty Images

I suppose I should start with the good news: Andrew Miller doesn’t need Tommy John surgery (so far). There’s no tear. No ligament damage. Just a “muscle strain” in his forearm. There’s no rush to have him consult with specialists, no talk of another Chase Whitley, no talk of losing him for this season and next. I’m relieved.

On the other hand, he’s been such a fabulous closer for the Yanks and they’ve been on such a nice roll that it hurts to lose him even for a short term. Yes, Betances will step up, but who steps up in the eighth inning now?

This is the nature of baseball nowadays. Injuries. Who’s out. Who’s filling in. How a team fares under adversity. The Yankees have managed more than well after losing Ellsbury, but I’m not so sure how they’ll weather the loss of Miller.

Back to the positive side of things, Tanaka was superb in that first game against the Nationals, so his arm is holding up right now. (Knock on wood.)

kevin spacey knock wood

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Yankees

Happy Ending to the Subway Series

April 27, 2015

subway4rk162831-525x300

Game 3 was pretty sloppy in terms of the defense, but the Mets really played whoopsie with the ball. Yikes. Maybe they get nervous whenever they come to the Stadium or maybe it was the cold weather this time since the Yanks made their share of bonehead plays too. But in the end it was a Yankee victory, powered in part by the seemingly indestructible A-Rod. As everyone in the world knows by now, he’s one homer shy of Willie Mays’ milestone and the drama that’s getting front page news is will the Yankees pay him the bonus or won’t they? My guess is the two sides will reach some sort of settlement. I can’t see the Steinbrenners or A-Rod/Players Union wanting to drag this out during the season, nor can I see A-Rod wanting to ruin the good will he’s established with the fans and his teammates. But I’ve been wrong before. And when money’s involved, people act crazy so who knows.

The emergence of homer-happy Teixeira is also a nice story. Whether or not it’s his gluten-free diet that’s brought him back from last year’s mediocrity, it doesn’t matter. I’m just glad to see that swing again. Maybe Ellsbury should go gluten free so he doesn’t get injured so much. While he’s nursing his sore hip, Gardner’s been speedy. I’m just not wild about the mustache. Not on him or any of the others. They look like porn stars.

Andrew Miller, our closer for all intents and purposes, is doing a terrific job so far. Good signing, Cashman.

On to the Rays. I’m enjoying these games where the boys are playing better. There’s just one problem. Now that I’m on Eastern Standard Time, I’m going to sleep before the ESPN games are over, plus last night there was no way I was missing “Mad Men” for the end of Yankees-Mets.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: A-Rod, Andrew Miller, Mets, Subway Series, Willie Mays, Yankees

Looking Up

April 20, 2015

Look-up1

After this weekend’s sweep of the Rays, who are admittedly not the Rays of old and don’t look to be contenders for anyplace but the AL East cellar, I’m thinking the Yankees might be in better shape. Tanaka’s performance the other night was stellar and, unless A-Rod is using some new, undetected form of enhancement, he’s hitting like a guy who could actually help the team. Other contributions have been heartening too (McCann et al), but the real standout for me has been Miller. If he keeps getting those saves, I could become a believer.

As for the Didi Experiment, oh my. Nobody expected him to hit, but field? Yeah. He was supposed to be a defensive upgrade over Jeter and faster. Unfortunately he’s made errors, both mental and literal, and his baserunning has been head scratching. But I’m chalking it up to nerves. He has huge shoes to fill, plus he’s new to the league, new to New York, new to the major leagues. There’s a learning curve and I hope he comes around before the boo birds make things worse.

This Detroit series should be interesting. They’re good. Really good. But at the moment I’m more focused on unpacking the 100s of cartons that are sitting at the new house waiting for attention as well as the NY Rangers who play Game 3 of the playoffs tonight. Onward.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: A-Rod, Andrew Miller, Didi Gregorius, Yankees

What a Newsy Friday!

December 5, 2014

Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America
Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America

I’m not sure I get Cashman’s thinking on this trade, but the Yankees have a new shortstop and his name is Didi Gregorius. He’s young and said to be a very good defender, which is positive, but he’s not much of a hitter at all. Brendan Ryan sort of fit that bill, didn’t he? Besides which, we had to give up Shane Greene and I liked the kid. He did a great job as a starter for us, was gritty and competitive and effective. But hey, I guess good shortstops were hard to come by. And while Didi isn’t Derek, at least they have the same first initial. :)

And then there was another burst of activity.

Andrew-Miller1

Andrew Miller is a great addition to the bullpen and I’m surprised the Yankees went for him and his hefty price tag. I thought the Dodgers would land him. But more to the point, I’m wondering why Cashman was hot for Miller when our homegrown Dave Robertson is asking for four years too. Maybe we’ll still sign DRob, but if not it’ll be a head scratcher. Let’s just say I’d be thrilled to have them both.

Now it’s time for a starting pitcher. I really, really hope spending $$$ on Miller doesn’t preclude that. We need help in the rotation. Seriously.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Brian Cashman, Didi Gregorius, Yankees

The Pronx Bombers?

April 3, 2013

Photo: Getty Images

The Bronx Is Vernon?

Those were John Sterling’s calls, apparently, not mine. I was watching on ESPN. In any case, the Yankees got their first homers of the season from these two.

It wasn’t enough.

Not only did the rest of the team fail to look alive at the plate, but chalk up yet another injury, this time to Kuroda. Very relieved that the x-rays of his finger were negative, but I’m guessing he’ll miss a start (it’s cold, he’s old, the Yankees will be cautious). I do wish pitchers could refrain from reaching for balls. I know it’s a reflex, but it almost always ends badly.

The only remotely interesting thing about the game was Adam Warren, who mostly excelled in long relief.

Oh, wait. The other remotely interesting thing was their bullpen guy, Andrew Miller.

Photo: Matthew J. Lee/Boston Globe

(As the Globe’s Pete Abraham said, he looks like Tom Hanks in “Castaway” with all the hair.) Why did he plunk Ben Francisco, who was pinch hitting for Ichiro? Was it because Kuroda hit two Sox players while he was nursing a bruised finger and, therefore, erratic? If so, how bizarre. Or was it because of some carry-over from last season? If so, how doubly bizarre since Miller had never faced Francisco. Maybe it was just the cold weather that got to Miller. But I sure wouldn’t want to see that big guy with the big fastball coming at me.

Notice how I didn’t say a word about Eduardo Scissorhands’ error? It really was a tough chance, so I’m giving him a pass this time.

Filed Under: Confessions of a She-Fan Tagged With: Andrew Miller, Red Sox, Travis Hafner, Vernon Wells, Yankees

Search

Archives

Food and recipes

  • Epicurious
  • Food Network
  • Seriously Simple

Hollywood

  • Company Town
  • Deadline Hollywood
  • The Bold and the Beautiful
  • The Envelope
  • The Film Geek Confidential
  • The Vulture Pages
  • The Wrap

My California Writing Buddies

  • Ciji Ware
  • Deborah Hutchison
  • Gayle Lynds
  • Jenna McCarthy
  • Laurie Burrows Grad
  • Margo Candela
  • Melodie Johnson Howe
  • Starshine Roshell

My New Connecticut Writing Buddies

  • Lauren Lipton
  • Marie Bostwick

News, politics, pop culture

  • The Daily Beast
  • The Huffington Post

Writing and publishing

  • eBookNewser
  • GalleyCat
  • Gawker
  • Publishers Lunch
  • Publishers Weekly

Follow Me!

  • Jane Heller on Goodreads
  • Jane Heller on Pinterest
  • Jane Heller on Facebook
  • Jane Heller on Twitter

Get in touch!

I’d love to hear from you! Contact me!

About Jane Heller

Jane Heller is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her fourteen breezy, witty novels of romantic comedy and suspense are now entertaining millions of readers around the world, along with her two books of nonfiction.

Copyright © 2021 Jane Heller