Back on the Yankee Stadium mound for the first time in five years
Authentic Customized Chargers Jerseys , Andy Pettitte looked completely in control as he warmed up, throwing fastballs, curves and sliders. Then he grooved a pitch down the middle, resulting in a grounder that was misplayed by at first base by Jason Giambi.
Welcome to Old-Timers’ Day, Gramps!
Now a grandfather at age 46 – matching his number retired by the Yankees – Pettitte was joined by Giambi, Nick Swisher, Dion James and current New York manager Aaron Boone in their debuts at the annual event.
”I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend,” Pettitte said Sunday, two days after celebratig his birthday with his family in New York.
Sunday was the 72nd edition of the festive day, featuring Hall of Famers Whitey Ford and Reggie Jackson, plus the always popular Mickey Rivers, Ron Guidry, Johnny Damon and Paul O’Neill.
Swisher was a big hit, too, connecting for a home run during a playful game between the participants.
Also on hand was 93-year-old Bobby Brown
Authentic Customized Dolphins Jerseys , the third baseman who hit .439 in helping the Yankees win four World Series championships. He was a rookie when the Yankees held this event for the first time in 1947, when Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb were in attendance.
”It’s a changing of the guard,” remarked 1960s pitcher Al Downing about the ”younger” Old-Timers.
Pettitte is a high school coach back home in Texas. He posted 219 wins for the Yankees and was a key part of five World Series championship teams, but is still uncomfortable with his place in the team’s history, even when he walks into the today’s New York clubhouse.
”You never look at yourself like that,” he said.
But Pettitte got the proof of what he means this weekend, when he was visiting with current Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia. As they were speaking, pitcher Jonanthan Loaisiga wandered in – on Friday, the 23-year-old made his major league debut and pitched five shutout innings for a win.
”I turned around and introduced myself and he was just staring at me going Andy Pettitte,”’ he said.
Giambi and Boone homered in batting practice, and James attempted a diving play in center field to the delight of the crowd.
Rivers went into the stands to share a few moments with some fans before the fun-filled exhibition and 88-year-old Don Larsen, who pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series, received a standing ovation when he made his way onto the field in a walker.
Yankees rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres, who started a couple hours later in the real game against Tampa Bay, was among several active players who watched from the dugout and mingled with the past stars.
”Just to be able to able to be a part of this crop of guys
Authentic Customized Vikings Jerseys , some of my ex-teammates and all the Yankee greats is unbelievable,” the excitable Swisher said. ”There are so many amazing men that are here and it’s just an honor to be able to be here and put the uniform on one more time.”
Swisher joked after the game that he wanted to play in a doubleheader. The right fielder saluted New York’s famed Bleacher Creatures in the second inning after initially beginning the day at third base.
Giambi noted game was the first that his young children had ever seen him play in person, except on YouTube.
Pettitte, who had 27 hits during his time in the majors, took three turns at the plate. Guidry gave way to David Cone so the former teammates could face one another.
”I wasn’t expecting to get an at-bat and I got three. It was a fun experience,” he said.
PHOENIX — Like pitching?
The final game of the St. Louis-Arizona series Wednesday features a couple starters who have had strong seasons but also should be considered under-the-radar All-Star candidates, at least for those who have not been paying close attention.
You could look it up.
Arizona left-hander Patrick Corbin and St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas rank in the top 10 among NL qualifiers in ERA, WHIP, WAR and innings pitched. The only statistical difference is in strikeouts, where Corbin is tied for second and Mikolas is down the pack. Mikolas compensates by pitching to contact and getting the majority of his outs on the ground.
They are compatible in one more way — each has received below-average run support. Corbin has received the fourth-fewest, 3.65 per start. Mikolas’ support checks in under the league average.
Arizona used a three-run homer from Paul Goldschmidt to take a 4-2 victory Tuesday as the teams have split the first two games of the series. Arizona will conclude a 10-game homestand with a four-game set with San Diego beginning Thursday, when the Cardinals open a four-game series in San Francisco before finishing a nine-game trip in Chicago against the White Sox.
Mikolas, 29, has been perhaps the most pleasant surprise in the major leagues this season, signing with the Cardinals over the winter after three strong seasons for the Yomiuri Giants in the Japanese Central League. He was 3-13 with a 2.18 ERA in 62 starts in Japan after being released by Texas in November 2014.
“Obviously this season he’s been fantastic
Authentic Customized Patriots Jerseys ,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “He should be sitting on 10 wins right now. Two of the losses he had, he had us right there. He just matched up with a pitcher we couldn’t get much going against. Miles has been very good.”
Mikolas has made 11 quality starts, tied for fourth in the league. After starting the season 6-0, he has lost three of his five decisions in June despite posting five quality starts and giving up one earned run in two of his losses.
“A guy who just attacks the strike zone,” Matheny said.
“He has very good stuff. Doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Not afraid to use his defense. He has been just an incredible surprise for us. What a great pickup for our organization and a salute to our scouts who are finding people like Miles who are out there.
“He figured something out while he was in Japan. The way he goes about his business, not just how he competes but how he prepares, you could see that being something that sticks around for awhile.”
Mikolas and Corbin are tied for second in the league in WHIP (0.99). Mikolas is sixth and Corbin ninth in ERA and innings pitched, and Mikolas is seventh and Corbin ninth in WAR.
Each has one of the five shutouts thrown in the NL this season. Washington’s Max Scherzer, Pittsburgh’s Jameson Taillon and Atlanta’s Mike Foltynewicz have the others.
Corbin, 6-3 with a 3.14 ERA, has made two straight quality starts, giving up only one run and in 13 innings, but did not receive a decision in either game. He had extra rest the last time through the rotation after pitching seven scoreless innings while striking out 12 in a no-decision at Pittsburgh, when he threw a season-high 102 pitches. He gave up one run in six innings against San Francisco on Friday, pitching on six days’ rest.
“He (gets) into trouble
Authentic Customized Saints Jerseys , doesn’t get rattled, and continues to pound the zone and get big outs. He’s done a very good job,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.
Jeff Mathis, one of two healthy catchers on the Arizona roster with Alex Avila on the disabled list, will catch Corbin for the third straight start.
“I like the way Jeff gets Patrick to do certain things at certain times and shows confidence in certain pitches, and helps him execute by showing that confidence,” Lovullo said. “Jeff has such respect from anyone on this staff that when he asks for something they listen.”
Corbin has received 3.65 runs per start, tied for the third fewest in the league. He is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in four career starts against St. Louis and is 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 10 starts at home this sesaon.
Mikolas, who spent previous major league seasons with San Diego and Texas, has never started against Arizona and has given one run in 4 1/3 innings in two career relief appearances, a Justin Upton homer in 2012. This will be his first appearance at Chase Field.