Bleacher Report - Articles by Frank Negron

Alex Rodriguez Due for MVP in '09?

Frank Negron — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:40:55 -0500

In 2007 Alex Rodriguez had one of the greatest seasons known to man. He hit .314 with 54 HR and 156 RBI. He went on to win his third AL MVP.

Last year A-Rod didn't have that kind of year; he hit .302 35 103. That's a far cry from the previous season, but now with Mark Teixeira on board, could Rodriguez put up those inhuman numbers?....

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Mets Have Shot At Perez and Lowe For Price Of One

Frank Negron — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:05:08 -0500

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com the Mets are in a good position to sign free agents Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez. That's because the Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers and Braves are no longer in the mix for both starters.

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One More Chance for Brett Favre and the New York Jets

Frank Negron — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:58:02 -0500

So it comes down to this: Brett Favre vs. Chad Pennington in the final week of the season for a shot at going to the playoffs. Everything is on the line today at Giants Stadium. Eric Mangini's tenure as Jets head coach, Favre's career, the Jets credibility, and Pennington's status. A lot to play for today.

It'll be interesting who comes out on top.

To continue reading this article please visit www.ChasingRecords.blogspot.com

The NY Area NBA Teams Need Help ASAP!

Frank Negron — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:55:20 -0500

Does anyone notice these days that the Knicks and the Nets are two really bad teams? The Knicks made their franchise changing trades a few weeks and haven't been good since. The Nets have gone on a roller coaster all season and find themselves hovering the .500 mark again. The two NY area NBA have taken a backseat to everything and I have to say that's disappointing.

To continue reading this article please visit www.ChasingRecords.blogspot.com

Chasing History: Hansbrough Sets UNC All-Time Scoring Mark

Frank Negron — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:08:03 -0500

North Carolina's top-ranked Tyler Hansbrough scored 20 points to break North Carolina's career scoring record, and to help the top-ranked Tar Heels beat Evansville 91-73 on Thursday night.

"I'm usually not nervous before games, and I was a little nervous before tonight just because I felt like there was a lot of pressure," said Hansbrough, who sat between Ford and coach Roy Williams during the postgame news conference. "One thing for me, I didn't want us to strictly focus on trying to break a scoring record. We had a game and I was trying to do whatever I could to help the team."

To continue reading this article please visit www.ChasingRecords.blogspot.com

Yankees Show Off Their Christmas Gifts

Frank Negron — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:40:26 -0500

The Yankees offically introduced CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett on Thursday at the old Yankee Stadium. It was really surreal to see those two men standing next to eachother wearing pinstripes. They were the top of the free agent market and the Yankees were able to get them to commit to the Bronx. It was a good day in Yankeeland.

To continue reading this article please visit www.Chasing800.blogspot.com

Andy's Bluff May Cost Him Yankee Pinstripes

Frank Negron — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:51:19 -0500

The more time that goes by the more I start to think that Andy Pettitte won't be a Yankee next season. Mysteriously he was given a three-year $36 million offer from an unknown team, sure he did. I love Andy but I'm calling his bluff here.

To continue reading this article please visit www.Chasing800.blogspot.com

A-Rod Will Be Dominican For '09 World Baseball Classic

Frank Negron — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:46:00 -0500

By: Frank Negron

Alex Rodriguez is making headlines again, this time it's actually about baseball.

Rodriguez says he will play for the Dominican team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. A-Rod played for Team USA in 2006 after months of indecision on what country to represent.

“I am 100 percent sure that I will play for the Dominican Republic team,” he said. “This time, there will be no doubts and it is a dream of my mom’s that I intend to fulfill.
”....

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New York Yankees: Need More Than Luck to Reach October

Frank Negron — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:04:56 -0400

With the 2008 All-Star game behind us, the second half of the season is upon us. This is where the contenders show their worth and the pretenders fade away.

The Yankees have been known as a good second half team over the past few seasons but this might very well be the toughest second half of recent memory.

To read the entire article please visit www.HotStoveNewYork.com

New York Yankees: Who Should Be in Center?

Frank Negron — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:26:12 -0400

Orginally posted on www.HotStoveNewYork.com—Click to read full article

One of the things that made the Yankees great during their last dynasty was their stability in centerfield.

Bernie Williams, following in the cleats of greats like Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio, patrolled center in six World Series, winning four rings along the way. Bernie could run, he could hit, and he could field.

Ok, so he couldn't throw but with all the upside, the throwing aspect of Bernie's game was his only downside.

Nowadays, Melky Cabrera mans CF. But there's some debate about whether or not he should be the man out there.

New York-Baltimore: Joe Girardi Goes Crazy, Yankees Win in Nine

Frank Negron — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:47:00 -0400

This article was orignally posted on www.HotStoveNewYork.com

Joe Girardi got his money's worth last night in the bottom of the 9th inning, and minutes later, the Yankees pulled out a 2-1 win.

Jason Giambi was called out on a pitch by home-plate umpire Chris Guccione on a "foul tip." A couple of problems with that. The ball didn't appear to hit Giambi's bat, and Guccione didn't make the call until Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez pointed it out. That brought Girardi out of...

Joba Chamberlain: The Process to the Rotation has Begun

Frank Negron — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:34:00 -0400

This article was orginally posted on www.HotStoveNewYork.com

Last night, Joe Girardi announced to the world that the "process has started" with Joba Chamberlain. To many fans, and many critics, it was an announcement that has been long overdue. To some, it's a decision in question.

To any Yankee fan, you know that whether Joba pitches from the bullpen or in the starting rotation, he's an important piece to the team now and in the future. There's no debate that he...

New York Yankees Need Answers for 2008

Frank Negron — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:10:00 -0400

Things aren't right in the Bronx. That comes as no surprise.

What does, though, is the lack of offense coming from the Yankees. The Yankees lost another game, and another series. This loss might be cause for some action.

The powers that be, Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman, might need to find something to boost this ballclub. In recent years the Yanks have made additions to the ballclub when they felt...

Yankees Bench Ready for Season

Frank Negron — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:52:33 -0400

Over at Peter Abraham's LoHud Yankees Blog, he takes a look at the Yankees bench. With the addition of Morgan Ensberg Friday night to the 40-man roster, the bench is pretty much set. Here's a look at the bench manager Joe Girardi will have at his disposal:

Jose Molina (C)

Shelley Duncan (RF, 1B)

Wilson Betemit (1B,2B,SS,3B)

Morgan Ensberg (1B,2B,3B)

Not too bad, but Abraham also notes that there isn't much speed or defense on the bench. I agree with Peter on that notion.

I believe the bench was set up this season so Girardi has more of a "B" lineup than a bunch of "fill-ins". Sure these guys are not the best guys to have come off the bench, but the Yanks' have had worse.

With Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui sharing the duties in center and left, that would give Girardi another option in both positions if need be.

As the season rolls along, I'm sure we'll see changes, but for now this is the bench that will start the season. Let's hope the starters stay healthy and the bench all perform up to their potential, otherwise the Yankees might be in trouble.

(Frank's articles can also be found at OnTheBlockNY)

Yankees Add Morgan Ensberg

Frank Negron — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:03:07 -0400

The Yankees have added Morgan Ensberg to their 40-man roster. Ensberg is out of minor league options which means he will more than likely start the season in the Bronx. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, Carl Pavano was placed on the 60-day DL for the fourth consecutive year (is that a record?) Ensberg also plans on changed his uniform number. He is currently wearing No. 21, Paul O'Neill's old number. Since O'Neill is a huge fan favorite and since his number has NOT been distributed to anyone since his retirement after the 2001 season, the decision to hand out No. 21 has caused a stir.

"I can't wear Paul O'Neill's number," Ensberg said.

He plans on making an offer to Wilson Betemit for No.14, the number he wore in Houston. It's nice to see the roster rounding out as Opening Day approaches.

(Frank's articles can also be found at OnTheBlockNY)

New York Yankees: Chien-Ming Wang Named Opening Day Starter

Frank Negron — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:11:22 -0400

The Yankees announced Friday that Chien-Ming Wang will be their Opening Day starter.

The Yankees are entering their final season at the current Yankee Stadium and Wang will be the last Opening Day starter in the historic ballpark.

"I'm very happy," Wang said. "This is my first time on Opening Day. For me, it's big. I'm very excited... It shows that the coaches trust me. I still have a lot to learn."

"He's earned it," Joe Girardi said. "He's won 19 games the last couple of years and he's thrown the ball well the last couple of years. I'm comfortable starting him Opening Day."

Wang, the current Yankees ace faces questions concerning being a legit ace. He performed poorly in his two postseason starts last year against Cleveland, but the Yankees don't seem concerned.

"The two losses make me want to do even better this year," Wang said. "I want to make the coaches trust me even more in the future."

The season starts on March 31st, Wang's 28th birthday.

The Yankees rotation has a few questions surrounding them but Wang isn't one of them. He is expected to carry his share of the load. He has won 38 games over the past two seasons, more than any other pitcher in the majors in that span.

It's important the Yankees get off to a good start this season after getting off to slow starts the past few seasons. Wang hopes to help the Bombers get off to that good start.

The Yankees open against the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 pm on March 31.

Mission 27 is about to begin.

(Frank's articles can also be found at HotStoveNewYork and OnTheBlockNY)

New York Yankees Show Class While Boston Red Sox Want Cash

Frank Negron — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:49:00 -0400

In less than 24 hours the world got to see how different the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are.

The season hasn't started yet and already the comparisons and fire that go along with this rivalry are brought to light.

Yesterday, the Yankees played a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at English Field on Va. Tech's campus thanks to a promise made by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner last year.