Cody Ransom is the New Erick Almonte

Before there was Cody Ransom there was Erick Almonte, a younger inexperienced player who is starting the season with the Yankees filling some pretty big shoes.

In 2003, Almonte was a relatively unknown player until an collision at third base with Toronto catcher Ken Huckabe separated Derek Jeter’s shoulder early that season causing him to miss nearly all of April.

That year, just like today, the Yankees knew they were getting their star back in a short time so they didn’t feel it was nessessary to acquire a replacement and instead put somebody in who was in just a bit over his head.

Almonte did a decent job considering the circumstances hitting .260 including six doubles, a home run, and 11 RBI’s in 31 games.

“He did the job,” said Mariano Rivera, then as now the team’s relief ace. “That’s what you can say about Erick, he did the job.”

Peter Abraham wrote a good story about Almonte over the weekend. You can read it here, it catches up with Almonte who even offers a bit of advice for Ransom as he replaces Alex Rodriguez. Arod is out until he is finished rehabbing since hip surgery.

“I don’t know Cody,” he said. “I wish him good luck. If I can do it, he can do it. One man doesn’t make a whole team. You just need people willing to do their job.”

Other Stories on Bronx Baseball Daily

• Burnett and Montero Lead the Yankees To a Sweep
• No Trades for Yankees to Replace Arod
• Ransom Replacing Arod; What About Teahen?
• Who is Going to Play 3rd Base for the Yankees?
• 5 Big Questions Yankees Need To Answer This Spring