text:
Deutsche Börse on the hunt for fintech tie-ups
Deutsche Börse is opening its doors to fintech startups, offering firms the chance to pitch ideas with the potential of investment from the German exchange group.
Deutsche Börse will next week officially launch an online platform, titled Open Innovation, through which early stage companies will able to present their ideas. Fintech firms with relevant propositions will be supported by Deutsche Börse in areas ranging from technology development, to regulatory affairs, and will be connected to the bourse's network of member firms and vendors.
The move is the latest example of a large financial company seeking to import innovation from the growing ranks of European fintech startups. On Monday Financial News will publish its first Fintech 40 highlighting the key people in fintech for institutional finance.
Deutsche Börse's Open Innovation is a new, more open approach. Others institutions, such as HSBC and CME Group have launched corporate venture funds to invest in young technology companies. Deutsche Borse is casting a wider net, through an open-ended call for innovative ideas via an online platform.
It will allow the company to help nurture early stage fintech firms, while giving it an opportunity to find innovative companies to potentially partner with or invest in, according to Brendan Bradley, member of Eurex's executive board, the Deutsche Börse-owned derivatives exchange.
Bradley, who also serves as Eurex's chief innovation officer, said: "The changing environment means we can't be on top of all the developments that are happening within the fintech space."
He added: "As an exchange and a clearing house we will always build the core systems because we are a systemically important entity and have to be responsible for that. But there are other pieces of technology around the trade cycle that other players are building, where we may be able to partner."
The new initiative will open the group's internal innovation programme, called YouNovate, to external participants for the first time. YouNovate is a platform where employees can pitch ideas to improve the company's business areas, to from new products to cost efficiency.
YouNovate has generated a number of success stories since its launch, according to Bradley, including Deutsche Börse Cloud Exchange, a marketplace that aims to allow trading of cloud computing capacity.
Open Innovation is also a reflection of Deutsche Börse's growing portfolio of strategic investments in early stage companies, said Bradley.
In February, Deutsche Börse acquired a minority stake in Bondcube, a new fixed income trading system seeking to help boost liquidity in the global bond markets. The Frankfurt-based group has also invested Global Markets Exchange Group, a London based exchange start-up that is looking to shake-up derivatives trading, and RFQ-hub, a trading platform vendor.
Bradley also added Deutsche Börse has also been looking at disruptive fintech models, such as peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding, and thinking of ways it could be applied to its domains.
He said: "These are areas we are very interested in, which we would call market structure,"
As part of its efforts to lend its support and expertise in the space, the exchange group has also been engaging with London's fintech accelerators, such as Canary Wharf Group-owned Level39 and St. Katharine Docks-based StartupBootCamp FinTech, Bradley said.


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Mylène Boulet says
You could also try green smoothie! A few recipes ate available on pinterest : http://m.pinterest.com/according2kelly/green-smoothies/
Natalie D says
I try to juice a couple of times a week. You are right. It is a pain but well worth it! Which juicer do you have?
Lex LB says
I love that cup!! I've never really been into drinking my calories but someday i'll have to try!
annie and m says
We bought an Omega juicer with this year's Christmas money (got a great deal on Amazon). We've tried the ingredients you shared in your post (minus the lemon) and my kids thought it had too much celery taste. So it's back to the drawing board with that one. But we love it so far and like that it only takes a few minutes to clean up.
pretty little things says
i'm a big fan of juicing so I'll have to try to recipe. also, that glass is adorable! xo
Cathy Falcon says
My husband and I watched that documentary and he immediately ran out and bought a juicer. After about a week he was as well tired with the chore of juicing. He loved the taste and how he felt, but it just took too much time. Any suggestions on how to make the process a little faster or easier?
Juice It Up Marly says
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Brandi says
Just bought a juicer..so excited!!!!! Thanks for recipe, gonna try it!!
Juice It Up Marly says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alissa says
This looks so yummy! I love drinking juices on my way to school in the morning!
kristinwithani says
That sounds yummy! I'd add a bit of fresh ginger too. But I don't have a juicer. My blender is crap. Waiting for a good deal on a better one.
Heather Carson says
REALLY want to start juicing.
and watch 'fat, sick, and nearly dead'
BUT not looking forward to cleaning a juicer.
anyone know of any EASY to clean juicers?
– heather
This Life Is Yours Blog
kelly says
We bought the Omega 8004, and it's really a breeze to clean. It still takes time, but just as much time as it would take to clean up my dishes from a meal or snack. We are very happy with it! Hope this helps. 🙂
scariebass says
I have the Omega J8003 Juicer and it is SO easy to clean! It does take time, but if you clean it right after you make your juice it's really easy. Good luck!
Nana T says
Go to the reboot site from the movie and look at the one they used. Brevelle, very easy to clean. Put a Baggie in the waste container and you can save fiber to use for soups, baking or just compost but no cleaning there!!
Good luck! Lovin it
Ashley Hayne says
My Brevelle is super easy to clean.
Kari says
Great post Kate! I am more of a fan of blending, but I think I'm going to try out this juice recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Juice It Up Marly says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Corinne says
While my sister lived in Miami she worked at a juice bar and fell in love with it and then gave me a juicer for Christmas (2 years ago). I did a cleanse for a week but haven't since really juiced on a regular basis. I definitely do think there are great benefits to juicing, and if the machine wasn't so darn big I would have it out on my counter in hopes that it would motivate me more to use it! Maybe I'll bring it back out and start using it again! The clean-up is the biggest complaint from me – and the fact that I feel that I'm wasting a lot of fruit (although we've recently decided we can composte the remains).
scariebass says
My favorite juice is: ginger, lemon, green apple, carrot, and beet. It is a beautiful red color, and it tastes delicious! I think ginger, lemon, and green apple are the staple ingredients to any juice, and you can add anything you want from there! So many unique combinations you can make, and it makes me feel great to drink one every morning.
i have a juicer and have never used it because it's a lot of work. in fact, it still sits at our old house in storage, but i have been wanting to use it here lately. when i do, i'll definitely have to try this recipe. thanks!
Looks pretty tasty to me! Not to mention all the nutrition! I think I need to watch this documentary…I've heard a lot about it…but I'll admit…I'm scared what changes it might spark!
Good for you for exercising and eating good!
rachel alise says
Yum! I've heard that you can pretty much throw any yucky vegetables then add apples and it's tasty. Definitely want to try this! 🙂
WOM-MOMS says
My bff has a juicer and loves it – she even says the broccoli is good. They were inspired by that same video. I don't have one, but I make lots of fruit and veggie smoothies for my girls and myself in my bullet/blender. I use whatever I've got around, including kale, spinach, apples, cherries, oranges, watermelon, mango, blueberries, carrots, avocado, strawberries, raspberries, peaches – though I try to keep them complimentary to each other so it tastes good, FYI! I add spinach or kale to almost everything though, and they have no taste so my kids don't care in the least. I try to make sure some fruits are fresh and some frozen, so it's smoothie-like, and then to make it a juicy-smoothe consistency, I add whatever juice I'd like, or soy milk. Awesome!
Applebypie says
We have just invested in a better quality juicer so am looking forward to trying some new juices.
Amy says
My hubby and I started juicing last summer. We replaced two meals a day for a couple months. I never felt better. It was a ton of work to make that much juice and have it ready for my hubby to take to work. Not to mention the cost involved. We have the Omega vert 350 and had the Breville. While the Breville is much much quicker to juice, the juice would oxidize very quickly and there was more waste in the pulp bucket. We sold it and stuck with the slower Omega because the juice tasted better and lasted longer so I only had to juice once a day. Probably too much info, but it may help someone decide on a juicer. Also, we added parsley to the above recipe which gave it a wonderful taste. I liked ginger too. We've been preparing to move and packed up the juicer a couple months ago. I can certainly feel a difference in my body. I can't wait to get it out and working again. 🙂
The Smith Family says
We have had our vitamix since Aug and WOW what a difference! My skin, nails and hair are so much more healthy and I have a glow to my skin. I have tried so many different smoothies and juice recipes. Believe it or not this is one of my favorites that you added today. Just love to freshness of the flavor. Sometimes I will add a frozen banana for extra sweetness.
Sarah says
I love the idea of juicing, but feel like I would do what you guys did. Buy a juicer and then only use it a few times. I've made some pretty good fruit smoothies in a basic blender. Maybe I should try the veggie smoothies. I find it so hard to eat veggies during the day!
Juice It Up Marly says
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Anna P says
If I had a juicer I was use it to make tomato juice… for a Saturday morning bloody mary! 🙂
Hailey says
Sounds awesome and super healthy.
Here's my favorite blender version to try:
handful of spinach
1/3 fresh pineapple
1 pear
1 nectarine
water for consistency
sooo delish and a fabulous green colour!
Christine says
Someone gave me a juicer a few years ago and I haven't even taken it out of the box! I watched the same documentary as your husband and got the urge…. and before I could get the ingredients it was gone. Recently I have been thinking about it again but have no idea where to start. I might be able to handle your combo above, though!
hkschulte says
Ack! That just makes me so nervous. I'm not very open to new things :-/
TC says
I love juicing. My husband and I just started doing this daily to substitute/add to our meals. It is less of a chore if you have a good juicer. We have this one http://www.brevilleusa.com/food-preparation/juicers/juice-fountain-compact.html. I don't have to peel carrots, i only peel all citrus and cut apples in half. We have juiced just about everything. Pinapple, mango and papaya are our favorites. Of course adding vegetables is the way to make it a meal replacement. We love kale, spinach, beets, apples and ginger with either an orange or grapefruit, and of course carrots! Glad you into juicing!
We started juicing last year and after a few weeks quit too! The clean up was such a hassle! ha 🙂 We found that using the produce bag in the trash bin part of the juicer helps catch all the juiced parts and makes for much easier cleanup! It's still work, but we've gotten used to it since we started back up this year! 🙂 We got a Cuisinart Juicer at Bed Bath & Beyond and LOVE it! 🙂 It has worked SO WELL! Thanks for the recipe, I can't wait to try it. I typically haven't loved carrots in any of my juices because they are SO strong, but maybe with the lemon and apples it will balance it out a little better! 🙂
Jennifer says
try cabbage, carrot, and grapes.
Dasha Boguslavskaya says
Great post! I just did an entry about juicing as well – please check it out.
Jennifer says
my fav is: beet, carrot, spinach or romaine, cucumber, grape, blood oranges.
I juice every morning after my workout. and all of my kids love it too so I usually have to make a ton.
Meghan says
I don't juice, but I am intrigued after this post:)
Misty Friedrichs says
i don't have a juicer, but found a new recipe from pinterest that i tried this morning as a smoothie – i tweaked it a little but it was fabulous!! it was almost the same as above – spinach, 1/2 orange, 1 apple, yogurt, strawberries. i left out the strawberries but added protein powder & a tad of milk. it was great!!
Amber says
This blog has an awesome post about a 3 day cleanse.
JJ says
I have a Nutribullet… Keeps the pulp and super fast and easy easy to clean. Highly recommend it! I have tried lots of different combos.. So far have loved them all.
Briana Favors says
My parents bought a juicer last year and ever since I've wanted to juice. I never wanted to bite the bullet and buy a juicer though. I found one online at Target that got really good reviews from customers and it was decently priced ($80), so I ordered it with a gift card I got at Christmas. It is supposed to ship tomorrow actually.
I know it's not going to be the best juicer, but I don't need to go out and buy the top of the line one since I don't plan on becoming a huge fanatic with it, and if I decided that I LOVE to juice, I can go later and upgrade.
Emma says
i really need to try this! your blog is adorable, by the way 🙂
Lisa says
I just had my first green juice at a juice bar that opened up by my house. I loved it! This one was kale + parsley + apple + lemon Now I want to get a juicer.
Rebecca S. says
I would love to get on the juice wagon, it is SOOO healthy. Really curious about the taste :S
....... says
yum! im more of a fruit smoothie gal but love the idea. also great use of the chalkboard mug. thanks for reminding me that I want to partake in that fun creative diy! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com
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Hailey says
My husband starting juicing about a year ago because of this documentary! I am trying to get used to drinking them, not a huge fan of celery 🙂 I need to find my something to take its place. My brother in law lost 40lbs in 2012 by juicing and watching what he ate!
Hailey @ Love, Laughter and Lipstick
Ashley Hayne says
I don't ever remove anything from the fruit & veggies just cut it small enough to fit in the whole. Makes the whole process a lot easier. Can't decide if I love juicing though. I have problems with my blood sugar and can't really juice any fruits too much sugar.
SH says
I've heard a lot of about juicing but have yet to try it. If I do, I'll try this recipe!
Juice It Up Marly says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amy Chaiken Wolffe says
I just went to a juicing seminar yesterday. Janesjuice.com
Jane has recipes etc to try She's a juice therapist!! Try a lime in lieu of a lemon, it makes a huge difference in taste. I live my Breville juicer. Drink up! Cheers
Anonymous says
Juicing is actually really unhealthy, particularly when you include fruit. The sugar in fruit is only burnt off in the act of eating it, drinking fruit is NOT good
melissababcock says
Thanks for the receipe! I love your glass too!! Did you add the chalkboard paint yourself??
techseo07 says
Awasome !!! This is a really Useful information, that many people wants to know.I heartly thnx to you !!!
Omega 8003 juicer
Juice It Up Marly says
This comment has been removed by the author.
zaxista khan says
That's a great information. I love your blog very much. This very helpful our health. Green juice also very healthy so if you share green juicing recipes it will be very helpful to us.
Jeselle Arce says
This is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to know about this topic. Veggies work hard to keep you moving so they deserve some time in the sun. They're just relaxing on their towels – butternut squash, carrot, sweet potato, peaches, and mangos. Wake them when it's time to hit the surf. Thanks and keep sharing. omega vrt350hd juicer review
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Lucas Moore says
Awesome post! I know that drinking juice everyday is very beneficial for us. Raw vegetable and fruit juicing offers your body a myriad of essential vitamins and minerals in their most natural and potent state. I drink goji berry juice some time. Thanks for sharing us this nice post.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Results tagged ' New York Yankees '
Shipp'd up to Boston
Without you, there's no us. The greatest lesson I took from these past two days.
I spent this weekend up in Boston, Mass., my first trip to Beantown since a field trip I took with my seventh grade class in either 1999 or 2000. The primary reason I was in Boston this weekend was for the WWE's annual November event, Survivor Series, which was held at Boston's TD Garden.
My best friend and main bro Brian Chaires was able to snatch incredible floor seats for the show, and we even managed to get ourselves in the line of the TV cameras during World Champion and Boston native John Cena's entrance for his title match vs. Alberto Del Rio.
Some inside jokes and infamous quotes of this trip include:
"This looks like a post office, not a rest stop."
"Dude, Zack Ryder is in the bathroom!"
"These drivers are Mass-holes."
"I'm a New York driver. … I got this."
"We are stuck in this hotel stairwell. We may need to call 911 to get us out. Help! Help!"
(Walking the TD Garden in Yankee gear) – "Where'd this guy come from???"
"Sweet home Oklahoma! Lord, I'm coming home to Normand!"
"Break me off that whole Kit-Kat bar, King!"
You had to be there to really appreciate how funny the situations were from which these quotes stemmed, but believe me, it was a riot. The wrestling event last night was just awesome, and today the baseball journey of our trip commenced.
Brian and I took a tour this morning of (you guessed it) Fenway Park, home of the reigning World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox.
Typing that made me cringe, but the ballpark and the tour itself were absolutely marvelous. It was a little different than the Yankee Stadium tour, which I experienced last year, but overall I'd rate the tour of Fenway with a solid A+.
The tour, believe it or not, began at the Red Sox team store across Lansdowne Street. Each tour begins at the start of every hour; we missed the 10 a.m. tour and settled for the 11 a.m. go-around. We made some bad timing, arriving at Fenway only a little after 10, and had to brave the arctic freeze for a little while, but it didn't stop us from some shenanigans while we waited.
Our tour guide took notice of our obvious Yankee apparel, and joked with us about it. He went on to tell us that he doesn't know what all the Yankees-Red Sox hype is all about sometimes, and that there are teams far more hated by the Red Sox right now than the Yankees. In his words,
"I probably hate the Rays more than the Yankees, at this point!"
After everyone assembled, we journeyed from the team store into the historic Fenway Park to begin the jaunt. Our tour guide first explained (briefly) the history of the ballpark; its age (101), how many World Championships the team occupying the park has won (8), and even went on to explain that a number of movies have been filmed at Fenway, including a pair of my favorites: Ted and Field of Dreams.
The first thing I took notice of upon entry into Fenway was the "Boston Strong 617" jersey hanging from the wall, and in light of the tragedy that took place at the Boston Marathon earlier this year, I thought it was pretty neat.
From there we ventured inside and saw the field. It was quite a sight, not having seen Fenway in-person and only seeing it on TV, watching Yankees-Red Sox games. The television really doesn't do the ballpark justice; you have to see it for yourself to truly understand its glory.
They then let us into the visitor's clubhouse. With couches and HD TVs, it looked like pretty nice accommodations, for a visiting team's locker room. While we were in there, all I kept asking was, "Which one is Jeter's locker?"
We were then taken to seats along the left field line, which we were told are the oldest seats in Fenway; a section of wooden, navy blue seats. There we sat and got a more in-depth history of Fenway, with a lot of facts I didn't know – and some I already knew. Here are some of my favorite factoids spoken about today:
- Harry Frazee is the person most Red Sox fans blame for the Curse of the Bambino. Frazee, owner of the Red Sox in 1920, apparently disliked Babe Ruth so much because of his hardcore lifestyle (partying after games, etc.) that he sold him to the Yankees – that was of course after the Red Sox won five of the first 15 World Series in history. Additionally, Frazee cared more about Broadway musicals than baseball.
- The Yankees owned Fenway Park when they signed Ruth, because the pact included a $300,000 loan backed by a mortgage on the Red Sox home field.
- New England schoolteachers apparently disliked the spelling of "Sox" initially. Also, the Red Sox only started spelling their team name with an "x" because the White Sox had done it.
- The Green Monster was built to keep fans from watching the games for free behind the left field wall. Our tour guide called this "the biggest overreaction in baseball history."
- The ladder on the Green Monster: "the most pointless ladder in baseball history," according to our guide.
- Three men work the manual scoreboard inside the Green Monster. "There were four, but Manny Ramirez left," kidded our tour guide. (I'll admit, he was a knowledgeable joker). There are only three light bulbs inside the monster and no air conditioning during the summer or heat in the fall/early spring/winter. Two of the scoreboard operators have been doing their job for 20 years; the other has been there for 10. Those positions won't be opening up anytime soon.
From there we scaled our way up to the top of the Green Monster to take in the view.
I liked how "Boston Strong" was still mowed into the outfield grass.
After the view from atop the Green Monster we climbed up to the press box, which seemed like a longer ascension than going up to the monster. Not for nothing, it was a hike! On the way there, we came across an artifact that made for a great story.
The Los Angeles Angels apparently gave every team in baseball a statue of Mickey Mouse for their respective ballparks – and each statue corresponds to each team. For instance, they gave the Yankees a statue of Mickey Mouse painted with pinstripes and interlocking NYs, looking like a real Bronx Bomber.
The Red Sox were given their Mickey Mouse in poor condition; in fact, his arm was broken when they received him. They made a joke out of it though, going as far as putting a sling around his broken arm. However, they eventually fixed him– and almost immediately after they fixed their statue of Disney's lovable mouse, they started winning. And, as we know, went on to win the World Series this year.
Perhaps I should've re-broke the arm before leaving.
Once we arrived at the press box, we got some more history of the park. A cool fact about the Fenway press box is that there is a row reserved for the Baseball Writer's Association of America. It's fantastic that Fenway acknowledges that elite group of baseball writers.
We then went over a lot of things I already knew about, such as the instance of assigned seating in the press box, the names of the foul poles: the left field being the (Carlton) Fisk pole and right field being the (Johnny) Pesky pole, and the Red Sox retired numbers.
Number 42, as we all know, is retired throughout all of baseball. Our tour guide asked us, "who is this number retired for?"
In the spirit of the pinstripes I vociferously answered, "Mariano Rivera!"
"Nice try," he replied, as everyone laughed. He assured us that Boston, collectively, is relieved Rivera has hung 'em up.
Relieved. Get it?
(Of course we all know 42 is retired for Jackie Robinson).
We were also told a wonderful story in the press box – fitting, because wonderful stories are usually produced in the press box.
According to this tale, the Citgo sign is Boston's proverbial North Star; if you see the Citgo sign, you know Fenway isn't far.
A great player by the name of Joe Carter, famed for being a Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero, loved hitting at Fenway because of the Citgo sign. A reporter remarked,
"C'mon, Joe. Citgo's a gas station."
Carter replied, "When I hit, I can C-IT-GO (see it go)!"
You can't script baseball. And you have to be romantic about it.
After our time in the press box we walked down to the right field deck, where we got a good look at the famous lone red seat in the right field grandstand – denoting where the farthest-hit ball landed in Fenway's 101-year history. Ted Williams owns the blast measured at 502 feet, crushed on June 9, 1946.
The ball struck a straw hat-wearing gentleman in the head, who apparently fell asleep at the game. When the man woke up he was flanked by a medic and a reporter. The journalist asked him, "how do you feel?"
He replied, "How far away must one sit to be safe in this park?"
Poor guy.
The tour concluded in the Red Sox archive room, where a plethora of notable memorabilia is shown off. Among the hardware displayed: a bat signed by Babe Ruth, lineup cards, pictures of Red Sox teams past, ticket stubs to notable games (including the 1999 All-Star Game held at Fenway), MVP awards won by various Red Sox players, and the American League Championship trophies.
I asked for the whereabouts of the World Series trophies, as they weren't present in the archive room. They are stored in the corporate offices and there aren't any replicas of them showcased. I explained how, at the museum in Yankee Stadium, there are replicas of the 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009 trophies for show.
Even the tour guide and personnel at the end of the tour admitted there should be replicas for Boston's trophies on display.
I would say Brian and I had a lot of guts, strutting around Boston this weekend with enemy colors. It wasn't easy; we heard some boos, received some heckling, ran into only two other Yankee fans, and we were even told the "NY" on our hats stands for "next year."
On the tour a professional photographer took our picture at Fenway. He looked at us and asked, "Yankee fans?"
We apologized. "Sorry."
But he didn't make a joke out of it. He said something that'll stick with me for the long haul:
Hey. Without you, there's no us.
I had never really considered that. Every hero needs a villain. Every team needs a nemesis. Batman needed The Joker. Superman needed Lex Luthor. And the Red Sox need the Yankees, although in our minds, the Yankees are the heroes and the Red Sox are the villains. If it weren't for the Red Sox, would the Yankees be . . . the Yankees?
I knew going to Fenway I would learn a lot I didn't know – and I did learn a lot. Harry Frazee's role in the Curse of the Bambino, the history of the Green Monster, and even an amusing anecdote about Mickey Mouse.
But I didn't think going to Fenway would teach me a lesson. I suppose that's the beauty of baseball.
Can we take it down to about a 4?
The Boston Red Sox are your 2013 World Series Champions. And in case you haven't heard, just look to your left. Or your right. Or up. Or down. You haven't been able to look in any direction without seeing or hearing about "Boston Strong" these past few days, and not one to be a sore sport, congratulations to the Red Sox.
The team that wins the World Series is the best team, and there's no doubt Boston put the best team in baseball on the field in 2013, capping a tremendous turnaround. Any Yankee fan or Red Sox hater would clearly look like an idiot trying to deny the resiliency, power, and fortitude the BoSox put forth this year.
Boston winning the World Series doesn't bother me. However, there is an issue that has gotten underneath my skin, not just as a Yankee fan, but as a baseball fan.
Since the Red Sox clinched the title last Wednesday, the Twitter and Facebook feeds of MLB Network, MLB, and ESPN have gone absolutely berserk. Each social media contingent has gone fawning over Boston's World Series victory – almost to the point of absurdity.
Sure, there was bound to be a lot of chatter on social media the night of and the day after Boston beat St. Louis in Game 6. That's acceptable and inevitable. Yet now, some four (nearly five) days after the fall classic has ended, social media is still abuzz with Red Sox pictures, posts and praise.
It's funny. I do not remember the San Francisco Giants receiving this much laud days after winning it all last year. In 2011 I do not recall the Cardinals being shoved in the MLB fan base's collective face so strongly.
Even in 2009, the Yankees were not worshipped this much by MLB and ESPN. It's almost as if everyone (running these social media sites) believes the 2013 Red Sox represented the second coming of Christ. In fact, I'm not even positive the New York Giants received this much adulation from the world in the days following their upset of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42.
We understand. We comprehend. We get it. The Red Sox won. Point taken.
Probably the cheesiest picture and aspect of it all was the Twitter account I came across representing the World Series trophy. Yes, a Twitter account made for the World Series trophy. The "trophy" sent out a picture of itself with a fake beard on it, coinciding with the Red Sox trademark, scraggly facial hair this season.
Could you get any tackier, or any more shallow, MLB?
I also found it quite ironic that, on ESPN Baseball Tonight's Facebook page, posted was a photo of Boston celebrating. Adjacent to it was a story with an attached picture of Alex Rodriguez, posing the question, "when his career is over, will Alex Rodriguez have been bad for baseball?"
It should come as no shock. Ever since 2004, a lot of fans have been under a well-founded impression that ESPN does the Red Sox bidding. Something like this only helps prove the point.
When Boston swept Colorado in 2007, it was much easier to take, at least for me. I was a junior at Mercy College in New York with no Facebook and no Twitter. I had no interest in watching Boston win, and only watched briefly during Game 4 when Rodriguez opted out of his contract, a few short innings before Boston went on to win the title.
The Red Sox clinched the '07 World Series on a Sunday night. With an early Monday morning class, I didn't watch any TV; I was not subjected to the agony of watching the Red Sox dog pile, or the pain of the Boston champagne party.
The only tidbit I heard from anyone in 2007 – on Boston's World Series victory – was from a professor, when I arrived at school that Monday. Wearing my Yankee jacket, the prof spotted me with a (bleep)-eating grin and remarked,
"Yankees, huh? I'm from Boston. A Red Sox fan. I'm having a good day today!"
I forced a laugh and replied, "Yeah, man. Live it up."
That was it. Other than that, I heard absolutely nothing about it.
Fast forward to 2013 and it's a totally different story. The advent of Facebook and Twitter did all but whack me over the head with a "Boston Strong" sign. The posts have gotten way out of hand and taking it as far as creating a Twitter account for the trophy is downright ridiculous.
This year took winning the World Series to a new atrocious level – and I mean a whole new level. Boston won. Congratulations Red Sox Nation.
Now, can we "take it down to about a 4" in terms of glorifying the Red Sox?
We can only hope the Yankees are not visiting Fenway Park when the Red Sox receive their rings next season. The Yanks had to suffer in 2005 (for the '04 ceremony), the least the schedule maker can do is keep them away from Fenway for the 2013 ring party.
Then again, looking back on all these tweets and posts, MLB just might give us Yankee fans one final kick in the face for good measure, and schedule the ring ceremony on a day the Yankees are in Beantown.
Joe Girardi will return … oh, and my dad met him!
News broke this afternoon that Joe Girardi, Yankee skipper since 2008, signed a new four-year contract to return as manager of the Bronx Bombers. The pact is worth $16 million with postseason bonuses, and it quells all the rumors of him leaving the team – rumors that have been swirling since the Yankees' season ended on Sept. 29 in Houston.
Sources said the Chicago Cubs were prepared to offer Girardi a lot of dough to lead their fledgling ballclub in 2014. This writer, however, can forgive Girardi if he wasn't ready to accept a pool filled with dollar bills in exchange for leading a team that hasn't won the World Series since 1908.
Cubs fans should forgive him too.
Girardi is 564-408 as Yankee manager, and will unquestionably pick up a lot more wins by the time his new deal is done at the conclusion of the 2017 MLB season.
Had Girardi not re-signed, there were only three individuals, realistically, in mind to succeed him. The first choice would have been the obvious choice: bench coach Tony Pena.
With experience managing not only the Kansas City Royals from 2002-05, Pena was at the helm of the 2013 Dominican Republic team that won the World Baseball Classic.
The next possible choice was Willie Randolph, who, although has never won a title as manager, led the New York Mets to a near World Series berth in 2006 and a league-best 97-65 record. Randolph also served as a Yankee third base coach and bench coach from 1994-2004 – and despite not possessing any World Series jewelry as a skipper, owns six rings as both a Yankee player and a coach. What's more, Randolph has been a part of the Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles coaching staff in recent years.
The last prospective successor to Girardi was Don Mattingly, but the former Yankee first baseman is currently in the middle of a hunt for a ring at the helm of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Donnie Baseball quickly shot down any notion of managing the Yankees, saying he had no interest in being Yankee skipper just six days ago. Mattingly's contract is up for expiration at the end of this season, but given the huge turnaround the Dodgers have had, it's likely he'll be staying put in LA-LA Land.
Of course winning a ring this year can't hurt his odds at a return as manager of the big blue team out west, as well.
On a personal note, I'll probably remember this day not just for the announcement of Girardi's return, but for my little anecdote about the whole deal.
At the risk of keeping all readers guessing, I'll explain.
Exactly 17 minutes after the news broke of the Yankee skipper's new contract, my dad sent me a text message that engulfed me with envy:
"I was doing some work here at our deli in Purchase and I just met Joe Girardi! … He went next door to the restaurant with his two kids. I told him to stay and that #28 was next year! He just smiled and said thanks. And I shook his hand!"
Even typing that, the jealousy continues to envelope me. The day Girardi gets the big contract, my dad meets him. What a story. With that, it's possible my dad was the first person to congratulate Girardi – or at least acknowledge him remaining in pinstripes the day the news broke of his deal.
You cannot script Yankee Yapping.
Girardi's name is now added to list of sports figures my dad has met while working; now it's up there with Vernon Wells (who my dad saw while working the day after Opening Day this past April) and Lawrence Taylor, whom he met working at the Westchester Airport this year.
Again. Jealousy.
At least I had my moments with Bernie Williams. And Eli Manning.
And hopefully someday (soon) I'll get to meet, or at least interview, a lot more famous athletes.
Yankee Yapping on your phone
I would be hard-pressed to come up with a song wittier or more entertaining than "Football on Your Phone" as performed by Peyton and Eli Manning.
On a side note, I wish I had seen the video before I interviewed Eli in June. It would have made for an interesting inquiry for the struggling New York Giants' QB.
Anywho, I may not have a silly song, but I do have a way to bring Yankee Yapping to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Having recently become an iPhone owner, I discovered a way to read the blog easily from my smart phone. Since I figured it out, I thought it might be nice to share how to do it in six easy stages.
Simple enough.
Not a problem, right?
Should be the first URL you see.
Self explanatory.
Rounding third. Almost home.
That's all. Enjoy it! I also must apologize for only offering this blog post instead of a cool music video. I failed to upstage the Manning brothers, but I'm OK with it.
End of the Year Awards
For the first time since 2008 and for only the second time in 19 years, the Yankees are enjoying October from the comfort of their respective living rooms. Uncharacteristically, the 2013 Bronx Bombers failed to clinch a playoff berth, thanks to a cavalcade of injuries to key players, a lack of home runs, shoddy pitching, and coming up short when men were in scoring position.
Whatever negative notion you might have in your mind, the 2013 Yankees fit the bill.
However they were still able to finish with a winning record; boasting 85 wins – a feat teams like the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, and a host of others could only dream about. Yes, just because the Yanks are not a part of this year's postseason tournament doesn't mean we shouldn't be proud of them.
In the meantime a number of former Yankees including Nick Swisher, Bartolo Colon, Russell Martin, A.J. Burnett, Jose Molina, Freddy Garcia, Mark Melancon, and even the great Don Mattingly have had – or are going to have – a taste of autumn baseball this year with a chance to capture a ring.
Only problem is, all of them are not wearing those beloved pinstripes.
Yet, in keeping with tradition, Yankee Yapping is pleased to introduce this year's version of the end of the year awards for our Yanks. As per the end of every year, the awards are adjusted to fit each of the winners.
Without any further ado, here they are! …
Yankee Yapping Platinum Slugger Award
Winner: Robinson Cano
In a season plagued by injuries and a power outage, Robinson Cano was a constant. The scorching second baseman from the DR demonstrated his solid durability, playing in 160 of the 162 games, and he led the team in basically every offensive category for the full season.
Cano smacked 27 homers (Alfonso Soriano launched 34, though only 17 of them were hit in pinstripes), and knocked in 107 runs with a batting average of .314 – the same BA Alex Rodriguez posted in his absurd, 2007 MVP campaign.
2013 may have been difficult to watch because of the woes at the plate, but Cano was good enough swinging the bat to be named "Platinum Slugger."
Congrats Robinson!
P.S. Please come back next year.
Yankee Yapping Ace of the Year Award
Winner: Andy Pettitte
When veteran southpaw and longtime fan favorite Andy Pettitte came out of retirement before 2012, there was no bigger critic of his return than me. Personally, I'm not a fan of players sitting in front of a podium becoming teary-eyed, proclaiming to the world "I'm done. I'm not playing anymore. Thank you"…
Only for them to come back and have the "retirement show" be just that: a show. A meaningless, attention-hogging show. Brett Favre, Roger Clemens – I'm looking at you.
Pettitte entered that class, but it made little difference. He barely had the chance to pitch in 2012 after being struck in the leg with a comebacker, forcing him to the sidelines for most of the season. And 2013, in a lot of ways, was his final round, as he announced toward the end of the season this year would be his last.
Perhaps he meant it this time. I suppose we'll find out in 2014.
At any rate, there was no reason to be a critic of Pettitte in 2013 because, in all honesty, he became the Yankees' best pitcher. CC Sabathia went through some sort of pitching neurosis this year; couldn't get batters out and served up an inordinate amount of taters. Hiroki Kuroda would have won this award, had he not been the victim of fatigue toward the end of the year.
Pettitte made 30 starts at the ripe old age of 41, going 11-11 in a season where run support was in short supply. He even tossed a complete game and logged 185.1 innings, which is impressive for a pitcher who went a full season without playing, only to come back – and sat out with injury upon his return.
Nonetheless, Pettitte was an integral part of the Dynasty of the late 1990s, and turned back the clock in a way this season, in being the best pitcher on the staff. He also dethroned Sabathia, who has won "Yankee Yapping Ace of the Year" every year since the inception of this blog.
Congrats Andy!
Yankee Yapping Warrior Award
Winner: Derek Jeter
In Game 1 of the 2012 ALCS, the Yankees took a critical blow when their Captain landed awkwardly on his ankle fielding a groundball, fracturing it to effectively end his postseason. All offseason Derek Jeter rehabbed and in his first game of spring ball came up a bit lame after knocking a single to left field in his first at-bat.
It was obvious Jeter just wasn't ready.
Upon further examination, the Captain had another smaller fracture in his bone, and all systems were not go for Opening Day. A slew of other players including Eduardo Nunez, Jayson Nix, and David Adams all saw time at short in the absence of the legendary number 2, but reality eventually became evident:
You cannot replace Derek Jeter.
Despite a bad ankle, the Captain worked as hard as he could to return to the field and played 17 games this season when he could have just as easily packed it in; not played a single inning because of his bad wheel.
There weren't too many moments to write home about this season for Jeter (simply because he didn't see enough playing time) yet his best moment was probably his first at-bat of the season when he clobbered a home run on the first pitch he saw vs. the Tampa Bay Rays on July 28.
You cannot say Jeter didn't try. Not this season, not any season. And for that, he is indeed a warrior that deserves recognition.
Congrats Derek!
Yankee Yapping Hot Hot Hot! Award
Winner: Alfonso Soriano
Before the trade deadline Alfonso Soriano was acquired from the Chicago Cubs and became sort of the metaphorical life preserver for a drowning Yankee offense. Soriano, a Yankee from 1999-03, was welcomed back with open arms by Yankee Universe, and he gave them a lot of reasons to cheer upon his arrival back to the Big Apple.
On Aug. 11 he recorded his 2,000th career hit, and two days later drove two pitches out of the ballpark and knocked in a career-high six runs in a single game. It's difficult to top a performance like that, but he upstaged himself the next day, recording seven RBI.
From Aug. 13-16 Soriano had 13 hits and 18 RBIs, becoming the talk of SportsCenter, Twitter, and the baseball world in general. Fonsy also became the only player in history to knock in 18 runs and have at least 12 hits in a four game span, earning himself AL Player of the Week honors.
He capped off August with a two home run game on the 27th – the second round-tripper being the 400th of his career.
Milestones, home runs, records and a nightly hitting show in the dog days. Soriano was, in a word, hot. And for that, he gets the nod.
Congrats Alfonso!
Yankee Yapping Reliever of the Year Award
Winner: Mariano Rivera
Obvious, right?
After suffering an ACL tear on the warning track in Kansas City on May 3, 2012 while shagging fly balls during batting practice, I had doubts that Mariano Rivera, at age 43, would be able to return back to his normal, dominant ways. Those doubts weren't well-founded however, because the Sandman dazzled this year, and went out with one last solid round of work.
Rivera might have hit a rough patch in the middle, blowing seven saves, yet it didn't stop him from showcasing that always-dangerous cutter, as the great Rivera nailed down 44 saves in 2013 – after only posting five saves in six chances last year because of the injury.
David Robertson earned himself Yankee Yapping Reliever of the Year in 2010 and '11, while Rafael Soriano, who supplanted Mo last year, took it home for 2012. But now, for the first time since 2009, Rivera is rightfully the YY Reliever of the Year.
Congrats Mariano!
Yankee Yapping Yakety Yak, Don't Come Back Award
Co-Winners: Phil Hughes & Joba Chamberlain
In 2007 two young pitchers emerged into Yankee land, with stuff that promised bright days ahead for the Bronx Bombers, at least in terms of their pitching. Their names were Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain. Hughes was dubbed the "Pocket Rocket" by the Sports Illustrated because his style resembled the style of Roger Clemens so closely.
Chamberlain came in with all the hype in the world, sporting a 100 mph fastball and sliders that clocked out at 85. He was given the moniker "Joba the Heat" and as a reliever, some even went as far as saying he would be the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera.
Yet both have only proved the folks who claim the Yankees don't draft well.
Proved them right, that is.
Outside a stint in the bullpen in 2009, and an 18-8 regular season record in 2010, "Phil of the Future" has been anything but good. This year alone Hughes posted a record of 4-14: completely ineffective as a starter. He let up 24 home runs to opposing hitting, coming off 2012 when he was second in the league in the home runs allowed category with 35.
Hughes's ERA after seven years is an unsatisfactory 4.54. Not to mention the fact that he was the losing pitcher in two pivotal games of the 2010 ALCS vs. Texas, a series in which he posted an 11.42 ERA and gave up 11 earned runs in 8.2 innings pitched. What's more, he's been riddled with arm and rotator cuff issues throughout his career.
So much for him.
Chamberlain was in and out of the starting rotation, and also battened down with injuries. Tommy John surgery and all, Chamberlain never gave the Yankees more than 28.2 innings in three of the seven years the organization has let him hang around (24 IP in '07, 28.2 IP in '11, and 20.2 IP in '12). 2013 was not his year either; his ERA up around 4.93 and control was a problem: 26 walks in 42 innings pitched. The once-electric reliever was relegated to mopping duty.
Had the Yankee brass not reversed their roles so many times, it's possible things could have worked out nicely for at least one of these youngsters – who aren't youngsters anymore. They are now ineffective pitchers in the middle of their careers on a team that desperately needs solid pitching.
As both are free agents now, the so-called "Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain era" is likely over in New York. Hence, their winning of this award.
Happy blowing elsewhere, fellas.
Yankee Yapping MVP
Winner: Mariano Rivera
I can't think of anything better than the night of the All-Star Game this summer, July 16, when Mariano Rivera entered the game to a standing ovation from every living, breathing person at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens. And after a perfect inning was named ASG MVP.
Oh, wait. Maybe I can.
The afternoon of Sept. 22 when the Yankees retired his number 42 in Monument Park with a collection of his past teammates and friends; a beautiful send off to a bona fide baseball legend.
Can you top that?
Um. How about when his "Core Four" brothers Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte took him out of the game on Sept. 26: his final appearance ever on an MLB mound; a packed Yankee Stadium crowd becoming misty-eyed.
There were too many unreal "MOments" this season, and each of them were well-deserved by the great Rivera. Other teams, even the hated Boston Red Sox, recognized what Mo has meant to this sport, and showered him with earned love, praise, and respect.
For all the wonderful memories he afforded us all throughout his Hall of Fame worthy career; for his stellar numbers this season, and the fact that he bounced back from a potentially career-ending knee injury, and most importantly for his humble nature during his farewell tour, Rivera is unquestionably the Yankee Yapping MVP this year.
If you were to ask this writer, he should be the league MVP too. But that's just me.
Congrats Mariano, we love you and we will sorely miss you!
Yankee Yapping Rooting For You Award
Winner: Don Mattingly
As it's already been documented, the Yankees are not playing this October. Yet, a beloved Yankee who will forever live in the hearts and minds of the Bronx Bomber faithful is playing a key role this postseason. Of course I'm talking about the former, graceful, popcorn-stealing Yankee first baseman, Don Mattingly.
Good ol' number 23 is now wearing number 8 in Dodger Blue, having been at the helm of a huge turnaround season for LA, leading them to the NL West crown and a shot at a World Series ring.
A ring, by the way, Mattingly missed by one year. Back problems forced Mattingly to retire after the 1995 season, and the Yankees supplanted him with Tino Martinez. Mattingly's successor and the new wave (which included Jeter, Pettitte, and Rivera) went on to win it all in 1996, the sacred ring eluding "Donnie Baseball" by one year.
That was of course after Mattingly spent his entire career in pinstripes.
As I'm typing this, the Dodgers are up 6-1 in Game 1 of the NLDS over the Atlanta Braves, certainly off to the right start; the quest for the ring Mattingly never got beginning the way a manager would want it to begin.
It's only fitting to root for him, given all the loyal years of service Mattingly gave the Yanks, coming away empty-handed year after year and coming up short by just one season.
A lot of folks I've chatted with want the Pittsburgh Pirates to win, given their postseason drought. The St. Louis Cardinals disposed of them 9-1 in Game 1 of their NLDS, however. Unlike the Dodgers, they're off to a slow start.
I've heard others say they are rooting for Oakland; wanting A's General Manager Billy Beane to win the last game of the season he never won in the Moneyball movie.
Even some fans would like to see Tampa Bay do it, since the Rays have never won. No surprise: no Yankee fan I've spoken with wants to see Boston win it all.
Not one. Including me.
If an NL team wins the World Series this year, the Yankees can still claim they were the last AL team to win it all, obviously in 2009. (SF Giants 2010, Cardinals '11, Giants '12).
Again, perfectly fitting to root for Donnie. Yankee Yapping is pulling for you, Mr. Mattingly! You "think blue" and go get that ring.
Well, there you have it. The 2013 Yankee Yapping awards are a wrap. Congrats again to all who won!
Dear Mo
Yankees.com recently gave fans the chance to instagram their version of a goodbye card to Mariano Rivera. The Yanks started a campaign entitled #DearMo which is almost like the fans' personal way of saying thank you to the greatest closer to ever live.
I do not have an instagram account, so instead I took matters into my own hands and simply tweeted the card I made. My words were simple and genuine; they can even be found at the end of my story on yesterday's festivities.
Here's my little ode to Mo:
Off to Never Never Land
One of the most overused and clichéd phrases is perhaps "bittersweet." In the sports context it means pleasure coupled with pain. Pleasure and pain. Joy and agony. The only visible emotions present and felt by everyone in attendance at Yankee Stadium yesterday afternoon. There's no other way to describe the ceremony given for the great Mariano Rivera.
So much to cover here. We'll begin with…
The Number Retirement
If you follow me on Twitter, you'll believe me when I tell you I predicted the surprise number retirement.
Now Rivera's number 42 will rightfully sit alongside the rest of the Yankee legends in Monument Park.
What first came to my mind was, without sarcasm, professional wrestler Ric Flair. In 2008 the WWE (formerly WWF for fans who grew up in the 1980s and '90s) inducted the "Nature Boy" in its Hall of Fame the night before his final match in the company. Flair was the only active wrestler to ever be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
You can't help but make the comparison to Rivera, who – to this writer's knowledge – is the only Yankee to have his number retired while on active roster.
Familiar Faces
The Yankee organization did a fine job bringing back all of Rivera's noteworthy former teammates and dignitaries. From the man he succeeded as closer, John Wetteland, to Jeff Nelson and David Cone. From Bernie Williams to Tino Martinez, Jorge Posada, Paul O'Neill; and Hideki Matsui, it was truly a "Dynasty reunion," if you will.
Even the man who led the charge during those winning years of the '90s, the great Joe Torre, was on hand to send Rivera off.
With each name announced, I found myself getting more and more misty-eyed. Eventually I put my head down and realized I was full-on crying; tears pouring down my face. I can't say exactly why I became so overwrought with emotion. Possibly because each player – each face – was a happy reminder of the teams I grew up watching.
And the years I fell in love with baseball.
What was also special was the presence of Rachel Robinson and her daughter Sharon. Of course it was only fitting representatives and relatives of Jackie Robinson – the innovator of the number 42 – were in attendance to pay their homage.
As for Rivera, he couldn't have looked any happier to see his old friends. The expression on his face told the whole story.
Enter Sandman
It wasn't just old teammates in the house to send Rivera off into the sunset. The band that performs his entrance theme was in the Bronx to play him off. That's right; Metallica appeared at Yankee Stadium and gave a live rendition of "Enter Sandman" for Rivera and the crowd.
This ceremony (again, without sarcasm) could have been the most extravagant and brilliant way to send a person into retirement.
Heartfelt Words
Without any notes, Rivera was given the microphone. Extemporaneously, he addressed everyone with words from the bottom of his golden heart.
I had trouble embedding the video. Click HERE for Rivera's speech!
The Game
Up until the sixth inning, it looked as if the day was going to get even more special than it had already become. Given the fact Andy Pettitte announced his retirement from baseball at the end of this season (again) on Friday, it seemed perfect that he started the game on the day his longtime teammate Rivera was honored.
And perfect he basically was. That is until he faced the Giants' rookie shortstop.
Yes, Ehire Adrianza smacked his first career home run in the sixth inning off Pettitte; a solo shot over the left field fence to tie the game, 1-1. The shot took away a no-hitter the veteran lefty was throwing up until that point. Pettitte in fact lost his perfect game bid in the fifth when he issued a two-out walk to Pablo Sandoval.
Mark Reynolds had gotten the Yanks on the board in the bottom of the third with a solo shot of his own, but by the eighth inning it was a moot homer. Tony Abreu doubled in pinch-runner Nick Noonan. Noonan pinch-ran for Sandoval, who had doubled earlier in the frame to set up the game-winning run.
Rivera, albeit in a non-save situation, made an appearance on his special day. As per usual, he was lights out. 1 2/3 innings pitched, one hit, no runs, no walks, and a strikeout.
A 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants. But certainly not a loss Rivera – or Pettitte, for that matter – should apologize for. The two veteran aces pitched their hearts out.
Final Thoughts
Think back to the movie "Rocky Balboa" for a second. Right before Rocky walks to the center of the ring for the final round of his last career match, his brother-in-law and corner man Paulie yells back to him.
"Rock-O! Last round of your life! The last round…"
It's almost as though today, Rivera took on the role of Rocky and the Yankee organization played the part of Paulie. It did have the feel of the start of Rivera's proverbial final round, in light of the Yankees' slim chances of making the 2013 postseason.
And there only being six games left on the regular season schedule.
He may not collect a World Series ring in his final season, but it's pretty much understood the great one, the man they call "Mo," is his own "walking championship," so-to-speak. He himself is a title; an institution. He earned that by being an instrumental part in championships and important games, all while maintaining a humble attitude with undying faith.
Basically, Rivera is the Yankees' version of, well, Rocky Balboa.
Rocky may not have gone out a technical winner – he lost his final match to Mason Dixon – but if you paid attention, it didn't matter. What he accomplished throughout his career transcended everything about his final match: the same way everything Rivera has done throughout his illustrious career goes above and beyond the Yankees' 2013 foibles.
He closed out games, slammed the door, won our hearts…and became so much more.
He ain't heavy, he's our third baseman
If you remember the movie "Spiderman 2" you may remember a scene on a New York City train that involved Spidey trying to protect innocent citizens from the hijinx of the evil Dr. Octopus. The Daily Bugle newspaper had done all it could to make Spiderman look like a menace rather than a hero, but being the true guardian he is, Spiderman still fought the villain.
As "Doc Ock" began to get the better of Spidey, a large Italian man – dare I say a stereotypical New Yorker – went to bat for Spiderman and said, "We're New Yorkers. You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us!"
Might as well have been the slogan of last night's fireworks during the Yankees-Red Sox game.
As Yankees fans, we may not be happy with Alex Rodriguez. There's usually a media circus in baseball every season, but this year, it's A-Rod who is driving the tiny car. The Biogenesis mess has turned Yankee fans on one of their own, as evidenced by A-Rod's mixed reaction the day he made his first start at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 9. Up until last night, Yankee Universe only made time to cheer for A-Rod whenever he did something noteworthy at the plate, while booing him at every other chance.
But after last night there's a better chance more Yankee fans will rally behind him.
After Red Sox starter Ryan Dempster threw behind Rodriguez, he buzzed him inside on two more pitches – and it's worth mentioning all three pitches were fastballs. On a 3-0 count, Dempster plunked A-Rod on the elbow, singlehandedly igniting the Yankees-Red Sox feud: a feud that's been dormant for the better part of five years or so.
The benches cleared, the bullpens emptied, giving Fenway Park the ambience of old: the heated atmosphere once made famous by Thurman Munson and Carlton Fisk, and Pedro Martinez and Jorge Posada – and even Rodriguez and Jason Varitek. Heck, even Joba Chamberlain and Kevin Youkilis.
This time however it wasn't Rodriguez who was all that upset, but Yankee skipper Joe Girardi, who had some choice words for Dempster. Girardi was absolutely infuriated with home plate umpire Brian O'Nora, as he never issued Dempster a warning, or even ejected Dempster, after clearly throwing at Rodriguez with intent.
Girardi got his money's worth and then some, vehemently arguing with O'Nora; getting in his face for a bad judgment call, not punishing a pitcher for an oh-so-obvious wrongdoing. Girardi may have been ejected as the Fenway faithful cheered wildly, but A-Rod had the last laugh.
In the sixth inning, Rodriguez took Dempster's offering deep; 446 feet, as a matter of fact, over the center field fence, an A-Bomb which, according to ESPN, was the longest home run tape measured by a Yankee this season. The solo tater cut Boston's lead to 6-4.
Brett Gardner ironically enough stood up for Rodriguez during the fracas, and wound up clearing the bases later in the frame with a triple to give the Yankees a 7-6 lead, which they never relinquished. The Yanks got what they called "ultimate payback" by going on to win 9-6, taking the series from the Red Sox.
Rodriguez called Dempster's decision to hit him "stupid, silly and "unprofessional" – and the thought never occurred to this writer that Dempster beaned Rodriguez because, being heavily involved in the union, he doesn't like the fact that Rodriguez is allowed to play while his 211 game suspension is being appealed.
Actually, it didn't occur to me until Girardi's postgame presser.
"Ryan Dempster has hit six guys in 320 innings; he threw the first ball behind him – intentionally – he threw the next one inside, he didn't hit him – intentional. At some point Brian O'Nora's got to give him a warning," Girardi told a crowd of reporters around his desk in the clubhouse.
"The one thing you can't do is start changing the system because you don't like it. Ryan Dempster has been a player rep, he has been very involved in the union, and he knows, this is what these guys decided to do [allow suspended players to play while appealing]. You can't change it, just take your potshots.
"I thought it was handled very poorly. Ryan Dempster didn't hit Nelson Cruz. He didn't hit Francisco Cervelli, you know? I think it's flat wrong."
Girardi went on to mention that he would be disappointed if Dempster didn't get suspended and miss a start. In his own words, "it has to cost him (Dempster) something." The Yankee manager added how he thought the Boston fans – more specifically the kids in the stands – cheering a hit-by-pitch was not right.
"What is wrong with people?" he continued. "You cheer when someone gets hit? What if that was your son? What if your son got hit? Breaks an arm, gets hit in the head, gets a concussion? I'd be embarrassed. And I see little kids in the stands. I wonder what's wrong with our world today."
After Girardi said his peace, Red Sox manager John Farrell and Dempster both denied the intent behind A-Rod's HBP; both said he was just trying to set up pitches on the inner half of the plate and establish the strike zone.
Now that it's become apparent, what really may not make sense to many people is that Dempster and the union voted that players can play during suspension appeals, yet he still went after Rodriguez. Then again with the news of Rodriguez supposedly outing Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers and teammate Cervelli, dropping their names in connection to
Biogenesis – perhaps he took issue with that.
Maybe that was the real reason he hit him?
What's bogus were Dempster's postgame comments. It was obvious there was indeed intent behind the bean ball; although there haven't been too many pitchers who have struck batters intentionally like Cole Hamels (as he did with Bryce Harper) and openly told the tale of how he proudly and maliciously plunked a hitter.
If nothing else, A-Rod may have gained back support from Yankee fans. It's possible, in fact likely. He himself even said the whole thing brought he and his teammates together. Yankee Universe of course has the mentality of, "it's OK for us to be angry with our guy – with A-Rod – but it's sure as heck not OK for anyone else to kick him when he's down. Especially Boston."
Fully expect Rodriguez to get a huge hand during tomorrow' doubleheader vs. Toronto at Yankee Stadium. Dempster may have done him a favor by plunking him, and in the process, refueled the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry tank: a tank that's been seemingly running on empty for awhile now.
Boston and New York have seven games remaining against each other this season (four in the Bronx Sept. 5-8) and the last three at Fenway (Sept. 13-15). Therefore it's possible Dempster and Rodriguez may meet again, which you can be sure, will
be quite an interesting encounter.
Rodriguez described himself as "pissed" after Dempster hit him. He added that the thought of charging the mound never entered his mind, because getting ejected and punished for a fight wasn't an option. He called himself "too valuable to lose" when the Yankees are trying to win games. And while that may seem like an egotistical statement, A-Rod went on to say every Yankee player is too valuable to lose when they are trying so very hard to make a run right now.
Instead of starting more trouble Rodriguez kept his cool and got revenge a much better way: obviously a long, loud, momentum-swaying home run. Better than getting ejected and (gulp) suspended for a basebrawl.
Yet keep in mind, Girardi mouthed off to Dempster, and in his haste before getting ejected by O'Nora defiantly claimed, "Someone's getting hit." It may not have been last night, but with seven games remaining – bank on a Red Sox player getting beaned by a Yankee pitcher at some point in retaliation.
Again, it will undoubtedly be interesting, however it all unfolds.
Because after all, we're Yankees, right? You mess with one Yankee, you mess with all Yankees. Even if it's A-Rod. I mean, he's not heavy. He's our third baseman.
Back to yapping
Editor's note: I know, it's been awhile. Sincerest apologies for the lack of blogging. Life has once again gotten in the way of Yankee Yapping, but I assure you I am alive and well; I'm here, and we're back in action!
This 2013 MLB season, which is almost ¾ of the way over, has quickly turned from interesting to nearly unwatchable – at least if you are a Yankee fan. At the end of April the Yankees were a group of unlikely heroes; a vanguard of veterans taken off the scrap heap that carried the team to the top of the AL East.
But since then, the vanguard has vanished.
The battered and aging Yanks fell off, due in large part to their inability to score runs. Of course the surging Red Sox, Rays, and Orioles didn't help matters, either. It's always difficult to reach the top when the teams in front of you won't get out of the way.
While first place in the division seems so far off with the Yankees (54-48) sitting 6.5 games out in fourth place at the moment, a chance to make the play-in game for the AL Wild Card spot isn't impossible: the Bombers just three games out.
During this up-and-down stretch, a number of storylines have surrounded the Yankees. A lot needs to be discussed, and we'll start with the giant elephant in the room…
The biggest news of the week involved the suspension of Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers for his connection to the infamous Biogenesis clinic – a clinic in Miami, Fla. which was responsible for selling PEDs (namely HGH) to players. Braun, who was banned for the remainder of this season and postseason, was one of 20 players on the Biogenesis list. A list, by the way, which an injured-yet-nearly-ready-to-return Alex Rodriguez's name is also on.
Rodriguez underwent surgery on his hip in the offseason, and was originally scheduled to return to the Yankees on Monday after rehabbing in the minor leagues. A grade one left quad strain, however, put his comeback on hold.
And now, a suspension could put potentially set his comeback even further back.
Many believe in light of Braun's suspension A-Rod is next, but in fact, some feel it could be worse than just a season-ending ban. Rumors are floating around that the three-time AL MVP could face a lifetime exile from baseball by MLB for his involvement in Biogenesis – probably because A-Rod already admitted, prior to the 2009 season, he used steroids in his career.
Or, perhaps it's just because baseball dislikes him.
The Yankees seem to be distancing themselves from A-Rod; almost excommunicating him by keeping him in the minors and dragging out the process of his return as much as possible. As we all remember, General Manager Brian Cashman had some choice words for him when he tweeted that he was cleared to play baseball, making it clear the Yankees aren't happy with him. According to reports today, Rodriguez will rehab his quad, start playing in simulated games, and will be reevaluated after the first of August.
Is a lifetime ban fair to A-Rod?
Probably not. No one else on the list, including Braun, is facing a possible lifetime banishment from baseball; no one else linked to Biogenesis is in danger of never playing another game. A-Rod is under intense scrutiny because he's the highest-paid player in the league, and for that reason, every critic wants nothing more than to see the mighty fall – and no, it's not fair.
Yet, would a lifetime ban for Rodriguez benefit the Yankees?
Probably. The organization, at this point, seems to be doing everything and anything possible to void the fat contract they handed A-Rod following his monster 2007 season – an MVP campaign in which he averaged .314, smacked 54 home runs, and batted in 156 runs. The third baseman is still owed $86 million over the next four years, and if the Yanks are able to somehow get around paying him that sum, they could potentially use the money to rebuild their thin lineup.
The so-called "A-Rod drama show" is bound to continue for the rest of the season, and undoubtedly will keep on playing throughout the offseason. But if the baseball brass has its way, it could be curtains for the Yankee third baseman; the "A-Rod drama show" closing on Broadway.
Could they hit land if skydiving?
The Yankees have used 46 different players this season, constantly trying to figure out how to right the offensive ship which has been off course for the entire year.
Consider these rankings:
The Yanks are currently 22nd in the majors in runs scored (393), 25th in the majors in hits (817), 25th in the bigs in batting average (.242), 24th in the bigs in homers (88), 29th overall in slugging percentage (.371), 24th in on-base percentage (.306), and 28th in on-base plus slugging (OPS, .677).
For such abysmal numbers and terrifying offensive ranks, it's actually quite miraculous the Yankees are only three games out of one of the Wild Card spots. The 2013 Yankees are the masters of soft grounders, lazy pop flies, and lead the league in at 'em balls. Sometimes watching this team, it begs the question:
Could the Yankees hit land if they were skydiving?
Well, according to the truthful numbers, the answer is no.
Three guilty parties that stick out like sore thumbs are Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner, and Lyle Overbay. Each are being run out basically every game by Joe Girardi, only to come up short in key spots.
Wells started off hot but cooled off in a jiffy, now only batting .240 after he was averaging close to .300 in April and the beginning of May. His production has been spotty at best, and despite some great moments in the 93 games he's played, he's enjoyed several moments of infamy as well.
Hafner has been next to useless, batting .209 with 76 strikeouts – out of the designated hitter hole, no less. His only job is to hit the ball, and it's evident he hasn't been showing up to work the past few months.
Overbay has been the best of the three, averaging .247 right now, yet a sore 0-for-6 with two Ks in the rubber game of the Yanks' series in Boston on Sunday – a crucial series the Yankees needed to win – puts him in the same breath as Wells and Hafner.
If the Yankees are even going to think about making the postseason, the silent bats need to get loud – and an adjustment, any kind of adjustment, must be made.
Sori, not Sori
During the All-Star break, it was reported that Cashman was working the phones like a madman asking other GMs around the league for help on offense. One name that came up was former Yankee and current Chicago Cub Alfonso Soriano.
Though Soriano isn't what the Yanks need in terms of field positioning (an outfielder when the Yanks are desperate for a hand on the left side of the infield) he could certainly provide them with a jolt with his bat. With 17 home runs on the year, a .254 BA, and 51 RBIs, his offensive numbers are a step up from basically every player the Yankees are currently sending to the plate other than Robinson Cano.
On Tuesday morning George King reported the Yankees and Cubs were "close" to a deal for Soriano, but nothing has come to fruition just yet, other than Soriano announcing he would waive his no-trade clause for the Yankees and knowledge that the Cubs would pay off the majority of the $23.9 million he's owed on his contract.
Thus meaning a return to the Bronx for Soriano is indeed possible.
Concerns about Soriano's age, 37, are being raised; the common Yankee fan arguing, "why take on another aging player?"
A fair point.
But then again, take a long, hard look at who is stepping up the plate in pinstripes these days. All things considered, Soriano would be an improvement.
A "Mo"ment for the ages
Although the Yanks are in a state of flux, the biggest sports thrill of the summer (for me, at least) had to be the All-Star game at Citi Field on July 16 when Mariano Rivera made his entrance in the eighth inning.
As "Enter Sandman" blared through the speakers of the Mets' ballpark (sounds weird saying that), and Rivera ran onto the field from the bullpen – all by himself – the fans and players stood and clapped, giving him the respect he so rightfully earned and deserves.
One way to describe it: beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
Watching it gave me goosebumps and only made me wish I was there, in-person, to witness such a wonderful moment.
It may have been a little strange to see Rivera in the eighth inning, and he probably should've been in there for the ninth, but as long as he didn't mind pitching the eighth (which he didn't) it was fine with me.
Rivera was named All-Star Game MVP, becoming the first Yankee to earn the honor since Derek Jeter in 2000.
A look at the Baby Bombers
As noted, life has gotten in the way of my blogging – and a huge part of my life is being a reporter. For the summer I'm covering the Hudson Valley Renegades again (as I did last summer) and the first game of theirs I covered this year was a matchup vs. the Staten Island Yankees, the big club's Single-A farm team.
I got a good look at some of the Baby Bombers, including Michael O'Neill, nephew of beloved former Yankee Paul O'Neill, of course. Michael collected a hit and scored a run on the Renegades, but perhaps the best performance I saw was out of young third baseman Eric Jagielo.
Jagielo drove in three runs, leading the Yankees to a 6-0 shutout of the Renegades, and after that game was batting a robust .444 for the season. Given A-Rod's current foibles, it's nice to see a third baseman in the system show some promise.
Also taking into account the age of most of the Yankees, the organization should consider giving one of the Baby Bombers an opportunity. It seemed to work out for players like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and Yasiel Puig, among others.
They have to listen to that popular Imagine Dragons song and take to heart the lyrics:
"Welcome to the new age, to the new age!"
Final quick hits
- Derek Jeter came back for one game, went 1-for-4, and got hurt again (quad strain, what else is new?) The Captain is eligible to come off the DL on Saturday, and from the footage shown today, he looks to be moving even better than he did in his first game back. I guess we'll see what happens on Saturday.
- CC Sabathia hasn't been himself this season. Tough to pinpoint what's wrong with the big ace, but his slider doesn't have much bite to it and his breaking balls belong in a closet, because they hang. I don't think the Yanks can win if he doesn't get it right soon.
- Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain were reportedly being pushed hard (by Cashman and the front office) to be traded. If neither gets moved this season, I don't see them returning next year, as their contracts are up and they haven't done much to help the Yanks win in recent times.
- Austin Romine has been part of the Yankees' offensive struggles, earning the Yankee Yapping moniker "Stone Cold Austin Romine." However he's picked it up the last couple games, going 3-for-4 in this afternoon's 2-0 victory over the Rangers in Arlington with two doubles and a run scored.
- ·"42" was released on DVD last week. I picked it up. Be sure to read the Yankee Yapping review of "42" here if you haven't seen it!
Phil Fails: Nothing looking good for Hughes
If you were on Twitter last night and went to the search box and typed in "Phil Hughes" this came up:
Appropriate, because these days if you're watching Hughes pitch, you might need aspirin.
In the Red Sox 11-1 thrashing of the Yankees last night, Hughes was the losing pitcher, dropping to 2-4 on the season with an ERA in the sky at 5.37. The big blow yesterday came off the bat of Mike Napoli, a grand slam home run in the third inning, a blast that stuck a pin in the Yankee balloon effectively giving the short-handed Bronx Bomber lineup no chance at a comeback.
Napoli's slam marked the second time this season Hughes has let up a home run with the bases loaded – and the 12th meatball he's served up this year. What's more, it was the 100th tater he surrendered in his career – a career in which he's made 114 starts, coming out to nearly one home run allowed per start.
Opponents are taking advantage of every pitch Hughes throws at them, on average batting .292 against the right-hander this season. He's also allowed 69 hits in the 58.2 innings he's pitched this year, not exactly fooling anyone he faces.
The 24-32 Seattle Mariners proved that to be true when they beat Hughes up on May 15, chasing him from the game after just two-thirds of an inning pitched in what wound up being a 12-2 Yankee loss. (Worth noting Hughes delivered a grand slam in the first inning of that nightmare stinker to former Yankee Raul Ibanez).
Putting it nicely, this season Phil Hughes has been "Phail Hughes."
To his credit, he recently went on record as saying, "Everyone has been taking me out of the park these days." At least, if nothing else, he's self-aware of how poorly he's been pitching. Yet it doesn't change the fact that every time he toes the rubber, Yankee Universe has to hold its collective breath because there's usually a good chance Hughes will put the team in a hole, not giving the Yankee offense – which has only mustered 223 runs this year (11th in the American League, 18th in the majors) – a chance to come from behind.
A la, last night.
There hasn't been anyone who has been a bigger critic of Hughes than me. Ever since Game 6 of the 2010 ALCS, an elimination game that Hughes lost decisively to the Texas Rangers (the Yankees ousted and unsuccessful in their attempt to defend their 2009 World Series title) I've never had faith in him.
He hasn't given me reason to trust his stuff. His fastball is flat with no tailing action, he hooks his breaking balls, and he gets ahead in counts, but somehow always manages to fall behind and turn what should be easy innings into long, dragged-out marathons.
Just sitting through a Hughes start is torture.
In what might be an upside for most Yankee fans that are becoming tired of every home run derby that ensues each time Hughes takes the ball, this is the final year of his contract – and he isn't exactly making a great case for a return to the Bronx in 2014, given his crummy numbers and ineffectiveness. Additionally, considering his age (26, 27 on June 24), one has to wonder,
If he hasn't found it yet, when the heck will he? There are pitchers younger than Hughes finding significantly more success than he is. If you don't believe me, talk to Matt Moore, Chris Sale, and Alex Cobb.
On the downside, the Yankees may be stuck with Hughes for the remainder of 2013. Even if the Yankee brass looks to move him, Hughes's trade value, at this point, is incredibly low. If the Yanks wanted to move him for purposes of finding a player to help them reach the playoffs, the odds of anyone taking him are likely astronomical, despite the fact that he'll come cheap. I just cannot think of a team that would take him, otherwise.
After all, no team wants a pitcher who does nothing but toss batting practice, right?
I suppose what the Yankees could do is put Hughes into the bullpen; give him a relief role. To fill his void in the rotation, they can always call on Vidal Nuno, Ivan Nova, or David Phelps – or try to make a trade before the non-waivers deadline, although it'll be difficult to make a swap, seeing as how the market for a starting pitcher is, as FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal described last night, "uninspired."
In 2009 Hughes flourished in his role of setup man, bridging the gap to Mariano Rivera in the eighth inning. In fact he pitched so well, he filled in for Rivera a few times and picked up three saves that season; striking out 96 batters in 86 innings and posting a respectable ERA of 3.03 along the way.
That almost begs the question, "Why did they pull him out of a role which he clearly embraced and succeeded at?"
I'll never know.
Luckily for Hughes, the Yankees (31-24) are only two games behind Boston in the AL East standings heading into their series finale/rubber game tonight; a chance to close the deficit to just one game.
So throughout all the bad news, there's a shred of decency.
Yet whether Hughes sticks it out as a starter or is placed in the bullpen this season, an adjustment needs to be made; a solution must be found to this ongoing problem. If we see more of what we saw out of Hughes last night – and this entire season, thus far – it's going to be a long summer.
A very, very long summer.


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Goalkeepers Coach
New England Revolution
Remi Roy is in his fifth season as the goalkeepers coach of the New England Revolution after joining the coaching staff in 2010. In addition to coaching the first-team keepers, Roy also manages the team's collegiate scouting efforts and provides additional training for the Revolution Academy's youth teams' goalkeepers.
During his time with the Revolution, Roy has mentored the Revs' goalkeepers as they've worked with an entirely new defensive structure and personnel each season. In addition to coaching former Rev Matt Reis in his pursuit of MLS longevity and success records, Roy has helped Bobby Shuttleworth develop into one of the league's top young keepers.
In 2012, Shuttleworth held MLS' best goals against average (0.71 GAA) among back-up keepers making three or more starts. In 2013, the Revs had one of MLS' top goals against averages all season – finishing tied for third with a 1.12 mark – and Reis lead the league (0.72) with his best-ever single-season mark. Shuttleworth was also among the goalkeeping leaders much of the season – garnering mid-season All-Star consideration – before ceding to Reis in August.
Roy joined the Revolution after 10 years as the assistant coach/goalkeepers coach for both the men's and women's soccer teams at the University of Mobile (Ala.), his alma mater. During his tenure in Mobile, Roy was also a member of the Region III goalkeeping staff since 2003, and head coach for the Port City Futbol Club, where he also served as the academy's director. Additionally, Roy served as the Puerto Rico National Team's goalkeepers coach in its preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In addition to his various coaching positions, Roy simultaneously spent five years as a player-coach in the United Soccer League (USL) with the Syracuse Salty Dogs (2003) and the Virginia Beach Mariners (2004-07).
Roy played collegiately at the University of Mobile from 1997-99. In his final season in 1999, Roy garnered all-conference, all-region and All-America honors. Roy also played five seasons in the Premier Development League (PDL).
Roy holds a USSF "A" License and Level I and II NSCAA Goalkeeping Licenses. A native of Peter Rocher, New Brunswick, Canada, Roy lives south of Boston with his wife, Jessica, and newborn son, Zachary.


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Created with legendary angler, TV host and lure designer, Larry Dahlberg, the River2Sea Larry Dahlberg Wide Glide is a high performance walking bait that zigs and zags, side-to-side with a wide gliding action rather than slapping the water in a narrow back and forth motion like other "walk-the-dog" type baits. Available in two very distinct models, the WideGlide offers actions to suit a wide range of fishing opportunities. The sub-surface model is deadly when the fish are deeper and refuse to come up to take a look at your topwater baits, while the surface (floating) model not only "walks the dog" on top, but can also dart and glide lazily just below the surface, twitching and flashing its colors to any willing predator below. Made of high impact plastic, the WideGlide features state-of-the-art "internal scaling" which adds realism and belly flash for a treat no big fish can resist. Also equipped with a full stainless steel harness and 3X strong River2Sea hooks, the rear hook has a matching feather trailer with a sparkle of flashabou. Available in several proven colors, the River2Sea Larry Dahlberg Wide Glide has been proven to trigger mega strikes from large bass and a variety of game fish the world over.
|Wide Glide
|Wide Glide
|Slow Sink (0-8ft)
Learn how to fish the River2Sea WideGlide with Larry Dahlberg.
0 Colors
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Customer Reviews
Comments: Interesting reading all the reviews. All I can say about guys bashing the Wide Glide is, they don't know how to work it, and/or can't learn to work it. I've had no problem. Just returned from a 2-day float of the Susquehanna in PA, between these 2 days and 1 day two weeks ago my buddy and I hooked over 75 smallmouth at 4 to 5+ lbs. This lure doesn't work? You've got to be kidding.
From: A.J.: Baltimore, MD USA
Comments: I felt like a lot of guys here when I first bought the Wide Glide. Frustrated with the action and with myself for not being able to figure out the problem. But it is like Larry pointed out, "You have to learn the technique". Im now able to effectively walk it and also get some decent erratic glide action using the slow sink model. This past week end I had a big large mouth blow up on it and a chaser that missed down on the coast. In my humble experience, some anglers are better with certain baits, that others struggle with. I fall in that example. Saying that, however, Im now a believer in the wide Glide.
From: Charlie: TX
Comments: This lure does not have the side to side gliding action as advertised. I called the manufacturer and they said to remove the feather on the rear hook. I did that and it performed better but not great. It does not entice fish to bite. I was fishing for stripers under birds where the fish where in a fenzy. I caught fish on everything I threw except the Wide Glide. Don't waste you money on this lure.
From: Bob: Baltimore, MD
Comments: Not a terrible bait but also didn't perform as advertised. I have been using glide baits for over 20 years and this one didn't impress me. Good fast tight walk/glide but it's an under performer as a wide glide type bait. Takes way too much force with way too much slack to get a wide glide from it. Then it doesn't glide to far. I tried without the feathers and with lighter hooks it still didn't help much.
From: RK: Georgia, USA
Comments: Tried this product for muskies and its glide was horrible!!! Sorry larry your products are normally wonderful, whopper plopper is great, need to work on the WG. Glide was a roll at best, not worth the buy.
From: Brett: WI
Comments: I feel the wg gives better action than any other jerk bait I've ever used, and I've used them all. It's great in 2' or 12 feet. And as Larry said, to get the best action, cut the feathers off. If it isn't working for you, you're pulling it to far with the tip. Just pop it. with the little one pop is soft. with the big one pop it hard, and be sure to give it slack to allow it to glide to the side. You can zig zag it fast and tight, or really slow and wide by timing your pops. I'm catching pike, huge smallmouth and largemouth.
From: Todd: MN
Comments: Larry here. Honestly, the lure will do just what I say it will do, but it's a little more difficult to catch on to than the average glider. MOST IMPORTANTLY I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU CUT THE FEATHERS OFF! People have been creaming stripers, tunas, muskies and pike on the big one. Bass and tarpon on the small one. (a local guy in Surinam caught 14 tarpon in one day a couple of weeks back, using the small sinking version with a hand line! ouch) You will see it in action catching tarpon in Colombia and the large size sinking one catching stripers in Cape Cod on this years HFBF shows. I did not approve of the way the feathers were added but in the rush and translation it just happened somehow. If you want an added "tail" the best way I've found is to thread some flashabou through a tiny duo lock snap where you'd normally tie your line, secure it with a tiny drop of crazy glue, then attach the snap to the rear hook hanger. Otherwise, like I said, loose the feathers!
From: Larry Dahlberg: Minnesota, USA
Comments: Have had great success with this lure. Maybe those who don't know the "gliding" technique will eventually learn...this is not a spook. Gliding is easy if you change your retrieve technique. Have you used a screw driver as a hammer lately?
From: John: El Sobrante, CA
Comments: Does not perform the way it is advertised. Don't waste your money. Only good to say is it looks real nice
From: Tom: California, USA
Comments: This lure isn't what I expected. Doesn't walk the dog well, and doesn't glide. It will swing a little wider than a super spook, but you have to jerk hard, and leave tons of slack. Seems to want to dive a little when you do this. Tried mono and braid, just to see if either worked better--neither one provided any type of gliding action. Too bad, really great color and finish to the bait. No lack of quality from what I can see, just doesn't have the right action. Save your money, and buy a Super Spook or a Black Dog Punker.
From: Brad: Texas, USA
Comments: Very difficult to walk, and not as effective when it does as the name implies.
From: Victor: South Carolina, USA
Comments: Bought this expecting it to glide WIDE as named. Don't glide at all. Just runs straight to me. I have to work it real good and give lots of slack to make it glide somewhat. I've tried it on all my rods: powell, vendetta, carrot stick, dobyns. Stick to the spooks and punkers. Thought it would be a great bait since Larry designed it. BAH.
From: Chris: California, USA


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News Releases
/ Easement program to help states recover from Hurricane Sandy, prevent damages f
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Sarah Maxwell
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2013 – USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing up to $124.8 million in Emergency Watershed Protection Program-Floodplain Easement (EWP-FPE) funding to help prevent damages from significant storm events in the states affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Floodplains store water, helping to protect lands downstream from future flood damage. When the health and integrity of the lands deteriorate, so do the environmental, economic and social benefits they provide.
Restoring these ecosystems ensures they are resilient to future threats and impacts. NRCS purchases the permanent easements on eligible lands and restores the area to natural conditions. A healthy floodplain enhances fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, flood water retention and ground water recharge.
The program complements traditional disaster recovery funding and allows NRCS to purchase a permanent easement on lands within floodplains that sustained damage from Sandy.
NRCS will accept applications for EWP-FPE from July 8 to Sept. 2, 2013.
Funds are only available in counties affected by Hurricane Sandy and where a major disaster was declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.
Private lands and those owned by local and state governments are eligible if they are located in a floodplain, not subject to tidal influence or action from storm waves, and meet one of the following requirements:
Damaged by flooding at least once within the previous calendar year or damaged by flooding at least twice in the past 10 years (in both cases, the land must have been flooded during Hurricane Sandy);
• Would contribute to the restoration of flood storage and flow, provide for control of erosion, or improve the practical management of the floodplain easement; or
• Could be inundated or adversely impacted as a result of a dam breach.
Easement compensation rates and ranking priorities vary by location and depend on where the land is located within the floodplain and whether it's agricultural or vacant land or land with homes or other structures.
The program easements are permanent in term. Lands with structures, such as homes, are eligible for enrollment as well as open or agricultural lands. If a structure is present, NRCS will cost-share the removal or demolition of that structure and enroll the remaining lot in a permanent easement.
Interested landowners should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more about the program and submit an application prior to the Sept. 2 deadline. More information is also available on the NRCS floodplain easement website.
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USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service helps America's farmers, ranchers and forestland owners conserve the Nation's soil, water, air and other natural resources. All programs are voluntary and offer science-based solutions that benefit both the landowner and the environment.
Follow NRCS on Twitter. Check out other conservation-related stories on USDA Blog. Watch videos on NRCS' YouTube channel
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