Jane Heller

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

“You Just Can’t Predict Baseball”

I know. That’s John Sterling’s favorite line. But as I was reading about the latest developments in Yankeeville, I couldn’t help utter the same words myself.

By the time I wake up tomorrow morning, Girardi will have already announced his roster for breaking camp, or so I assume. Judging by the buzz among the beat writers, it sounds like:

  • Nova is our #4 pitcher.
  • Garcia slots in at #5.
  • Colon goes to the pen in long relief.
  • Nunez gets the reserve job instead of Pena.
  • Gustavo Molina is the backup catcher, not Jesus Montero.

Could anybody have predicted the above? Well, except for Nova? Seriously, didn’t Ramiro Pena have the infield job locked up before Nunez beat him out? Wasn’t Montero the second coming of Joe Mauer while Molina was the so-so, non-Molina-brother catcher? Wasn’t Garcia supposed to be a long shot to make the rotation? And how about Eric Chavez? I remember writing on this very blog that I was excited about him coming off the bench, and lots of people said, “Forget it. He’s always injured. He won’t give you anything.”And yet look at the spring training he’s had, including his first ST homer in tonight’s game. Yes, I like Jorge Vazquez and I hope we’ll see him in the Bronx one of these days, but Chavez has such a good glove.

It’s all coming together. I’m still not crazy about Andruw Jones and I honestly don’t know what his contribution will be, but things could look a lot different in another month or two.

Meanwhile, the rehearsals are winding down and the show is about to start….Any day now.

"You Just Can't Predict Baseball"

I know. That’s John Sterling’s favorite line. But as I was reading about the latest developments in Yankeeville, I couldn’t help utter the same words myself.

By the time I wake up tomorrow morning, Girardi will have already announced his roster for breaking camp, or so I assume. Judging by the buzz among the beat writers, it sounds like:

  • Nova is our #4 pitcher.
  • Garcia slots in at #5.
  • Colon goes to the pen in long relief.
  • Nunez gets the reserve job instead of Pena.
  • Gustavo Molina is the backup catcher, not Jesus Montero.

Could anybody have predicted the above? Well, except for Nova? Seriously, didn’t Ramiro Pena have the infield job locked up before Nunez beat him out? Wasn’t Montero the second coming of Joe Mauer while Molina was the so-so, non-Molina-brother catcher? Wasn’t Garcia supposed to be a long shot to make the rotation? And how about Eric Chavez? I remember writing on this very blog that I was excited about him coming off the bench, and lots of people said, “Forget it. He’s always injured. He won’t give you anything.”And yet look at the spring training he’s had, including his first ST homer in tonight’s game. Yes, I like Jorge Vazquez and I hope we’ll see him in the Bronx one of these days, but Chavez has such a good glove.

It’s all coming together. I’m still not crazy about Andruw Jones and I honestly don’t know what his contribution will be, but things could look a lot different in another month or two.

Meanwhile, the rehearsals are winding down and the show is about to start….Any day now.

Three Questions

#1) Have the Yankees ever beaten the Nationals?

I’m not just talking about spring training. I mean like ever. In the history of life. Because I honestly don’t remember a victory over the worst team in the majors. I realize today’s game was meaningless and the point was to give A.J. another opportunity to practice his new delivery. But it just feels like we can’t squash the gnats Nats and it’s a little disconcerting.

#2) Why is it a given that Eric Chavez will win a roster spot over Jorge Vazquez?

Yes, I know Chavez is a former Gold Glover and the far more experienced player. But Vazquez has gotten hit after hit (not to mention homer after homer) and I think he should get a shot at the job. A bona fide shot. Girardi keeps saying stuff like, “He’s giving us a lot to think about,” meaning Vazquez. But what he’s really saying is, “He’s going to the minors and we’ll call him up if Chavez gets hurt or doesn’t perform.” Am I right?

#3) Could Mo please pitch sometime soon?

I’ve read that his spring debut will be any day now. But until I actually see him on the mound with my own eyes, all will not be right with the world.

Not A Good Day To Have A Head, Apparently

(Courtesy: cksinfo.com)

In Yankeeville, we learned that Greg Golson was hit on the noggin yesterday by an errant AJ Burnett pitch. (Is there any other kind?) Via LoHud:

Greg Golson said he feels fine after being hit in the head by A.J. Burnett yesterday. It was during live batting practice, and it was the first pitch Golson saw. He said he was shaken up initially, but he feels fine and was laughing about it this morning. He’ll go for precautionary tests, but Golson said he’s not worried about it.

OK, there were two “he feels fine”s in that paragraph, which makes me wonder if Golson does feel fine or he’s just trying to be a real man. I would at least have a headache or some ringing in my ears, wouldn’t you?

Moving over to RedSoxVille, Josh Beckett got smacked in the temple with a ball while standing in the outfield during batting practice. The culprit? A staffer named Ino Guerrero, who will probably be dragged off to an undisclosed location, never to be heard from again. Via ESPN.com:

The Red Sox said the pitcher did not need to be taken to the hospital and was treated at the park. The team initially said Beckett was OK, but he started to experience concussion symptoms and was sent home to rest.

Unlike Golson, Beckett admitted to having a headache.

So my question is…Aren’t injuries like this supposed to be caused by opposing players, not your teammates? Just asking.

In other news, my boy Jorge Vazquez had his third impressive day at the plate today. I really hope he’s not a fluke. Not when I’m starting to like him this much.

CC? No problem with the knee in his first outing. I guess not eating box after box of Cap’n Crunch was the right way to go, post-surgery.

Manny Banuelos seems to have impressed everybody. I wish I’d gotten to see him pitch.

Actually, I wish I’d gotten to see everybody play today. How irritating that all the games aren’t televised.

The Kids Are All Right

I’m in a movie mood, granted, given that the Oscars start in a few hours. But my headline isn’t about this.

It’s about Nova and Montero and Betances and – my fave from yesterday – Vazquez. Eric Chavez will probably get the remaining infielder job, despite his lobster claws playing first today, but Jorge the II can hit! Two homers in two days? Yeah, I know. Shelley Duncan was on that track and look what happened to him. But for now I’m liking him a lot.

Sorry, I digress. I meant to start with Nova. He was sharp. And fearless. He threw one that buzzed Polanco’s head and acted like it was no big deal. I know the word “poise” is overused, but he’s got some; you can just tell he’s ready for prime time.

It was fun seeing Montero make his debut. Did he do anything spectacular? Not really. But he and Nova seemed to be in a nice rhythm and he really worked his at bats.

I have to say that the highlight of the Yankees’ win over the Phillies was the appearance of Dellin Betances (whom I couldn’t help calling Beyonces). Um, why aren’t we FedEx-ing this kid right to the majors? He’s big and strong and throws strikes at 97 mph. As I watched him I kept going, “Who cares about Cliff Lee?” Speaking of Lee, he was interviewed by Michael Kay and said he chose the Phillies because they gave him the best chance to win a championship. Oh, yeah? We’ll see about that, Cliffy.

Photo: Kevin H./flickr

P.S. Friend of the Blog, Corinne, sent me a pic of her mom in Monument Park. As you can read from her comment below, she and her family arranged for a Stadium tour for her mother, who seems to have been given the royal treatment! Thanks for the pic and the wonderful story, Corinne!

The Kids Are All Right

I’m in a movie mood, granted, given that the Oscars start in a few hours. But my headline isn’t about this.

It’s about Nova and Montero and Betances and – my fave from yesterday – Vazquez. Eric Chavez will probably get the remaining infielder job, despite his lobster claws playing first today, but Jorge the II can hit! Two homers in two days? Yeah, I know. Shelley Duncan was on that track and look what happened to him. But for now I’m liking him a lot.

Sorry, I digress. I meant to start with Nova. He was sharp. And fearless. He threw one that buzzed Polanco’s head and acted like it was no big deal. I know the word “poise” is overused, but he’s got some; you can just tell he’s ready for prime time.

It was fun seeing Montero make his debut. Did he do anything spectacular? Not really. But he and Nova seemed to be in a nice rhythm and he really worked his at bats.

I have to say that the highlight of the Yankees’ win over the Phillies was the appearance of Dellin Betances (whom I couldn’t help calling Beyonces). Um, why aren’t we FedEx-ing this kid right to the majors? He’s big and strong and throws strikes at 97 mph. As I watched him I kept going, “Who cares about Cliff Lee?” Speaking of Lee, he was interviewed by Michael Kay and said he chose the Phillies because they gave him the best chance to win a championship. Oh, yeah? We’ll see about that, Cliffy.

Photo: Kevin H./flickr

P.S. Friend of the Blog, Corinne, sent me a pic of her mom in Monument Park. As you can read from her comment below, she and her family arranged for a Stadium tour for her mother, who seems to have been given the royal treatment! Thanks for the pic and the wonderful story, Corinne!

Hip Hip Jorge!

No, not that one. This one.

Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images/bleacherreport.com)

If you watched the game today – how cool was it to see the Yanks in action for the first time in months? – you saw the monster shot hit by Jorge Vazquez, a minor league infielder signed out of the Mexican League. He also had a single, btw. Is he the guy who could spell A-Rod at third if Eric Chavez doesn’t make the team? Probably not. And one spring training game doesn’t tell us much. But I liked his plate presence all the same.

Let’s back up and talk about the pre-game ceremony to honor The Boss. I loved how Tino, Gator, Gossage, Girardi and Jeter took turns reading from the plaque. Very classy. And a nice moment with Steinbrenner’s wife and daughters. (Apparently, Hal was there but where was Hank? Out having a smoke?) Hailey Swindall continues to do a good job in the singing department (Christina Aguilera should take a page out of her playbook).

Colon? Eh. Not horrible. Not great. A couple of innings of so-so.

Joba? I liked it. Three up, three down. No futzing around. And, if the radar gun was accurate, he was at 93-94. And what was all that business about his weight? He looked just about the same as last year except for the longer hair. Talk about much ado about nothing.

Cervelli was impressive and made a statement that he was not interested in getting in line behind Montero or Romine. Good for him.

I didn’t love when Tex got hit on the foot by a Hamels pitch, but he seemed fine. Way too early in the season for an injury.

I couldn’t see any difference in Jeter’s stride, could you?

A-Rod was swinging the bat well.

Anyhow, it was just fun watching our guys shake off the rust. Baseball is back. Yay.

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.