Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Derek Jeter

Can Derek Jeter Hit .400?

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Steroids created a lot of “video game” type of results over two decades. Two records that still were elusive to jacked up hitters was Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak and Ted Williams .406 batting average. When ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst  John Kruk said Derek Jeter can hit .400 earlier this month, everyone blew it off as crazy.  Thirty-four games […]

Where Does Derek Jeter’s Ascent Up the Hit Chart Take Him?

Monday, April 16th, 2012

One of the early surprises of the season is the offensive output of Derek Jeter. Going into tonight’s matchup against Minnesota, Jeter is hitting a robust .366 with 2 HRs and 6 RBI. The slow bat that turned him into a below league average hitter the last couple of years has disappeared. I was ready to […]

When Is It Time to Say Goodbye?

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

It’s never easy to say goodbye to an icon. Yesterday, the Indianapolis Colts released their franchise player, Peyton Manning, as they look to move into a new era with the #1 draft pick that will undoubtedly be Stanford QB Andrew Luck. There was some debate on the radio about how the decision to move away […]

Second Super Bowl Doesn’t Put Manning in Jeter’s Class

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

This is a response to Mike Silva’s piece on Saturday in which he raves about New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and how if he helped the Giants win Super Bowl 46, could supplant Derek Jeter as New York’s sports darling and “catapult him to the top of New York sports.” This is not a hit […]

Eli Manning is a Breath of Fresh Air in Jeter’s City

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

For over 15 years Derek Jeter has been the sports symbol in this town. The Yankees shortstop benefitted from being in the right place/right time, as the Bombers won a World Series his first season in the big leagues. Jeter was young, playing for an up-and-coming team, and produced big moments on the big postseason stage. He […]

Derek Jeter Wins NYBD Fans 2011 “Person of the Year”

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

The results are final in the second annual NYBD “Person of the Year” and a Yankee takes the prize home for a second year in a row. Here is how you, the fan, voted: Derek Jeter - 51% The Wilpons - 21% Brian Cashman- 16% Jose Reyes - 7% Carlos Beltran - 5% Jeter now joins George […]

BBWAA Will Not Induct Anyone Until 2014

Monday, December 19th, 2011

It’s been nearly 15 years since the BBWAA elected to not enshrine someone in Cooperstown. During the 1996 election, Phil Niekro received 68.3% of the vote, followed by Tony Perez (65.7%), and Don Sutton (63.8%). Ironically, all three would be enshrined by 2000.  I believe there is a good chance no one will be inducted by the […]

Vote: “NYBD Person of the Year”

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

The NYBD “Person of the Year” is the man, woman, or idea that ‘for better or worse,’ has most influenced New York baseball in the preceding year.” You, my readers and listeners, will vote over the next two weeks, and I will announce the winner on this site on New Year’s Day. You have until 11:59 […]

’09 Yanks Finish Off ’73 Mets in Game 6

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Just like in the ’73 World Series, Yogi Berra will be questioned whether he should have started George Stone. Jon Matlack didn’t retire a batter after the Yankees scored 4 runs in the first, and Mariano staved off a late comeback with 2 scoreless innings in a 6-4 victory, which clinched the series for the Yanks 4-2. Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, […]

The “Melk Man” Delivers in Game 1

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

It was a classic start to this year’s NYBD Sim Series between the 1973 Mets and 2009 Yankees. Tom Seaver took on CC Sabathia at the new Yankee Stadium and both delivered outstanding performances. In the end, it was the most unlikely member of the Yankees roster that did the most damage to give them a 1-0 lead. Melky […]

Bobby Valentine, Executive Producer, But What’s Next?

Monday, October 17th, 2011

Big league manager on two continents, ESPN broadcaster, civil servant in Stamford, CT and now executive producer is a term you can use to describe Bobby Valentine. The man that seems to have his hand in just about everything made an appearance on Saturday at the Hamptons Film Festival. His latest venture is a film […]

After ALDS Defeat, How Bright is the Yankees Future?

Friday, October 7th, 2011

We are less than 24 hours from the Jose Valverde‘s fastball blowing away Alex Rodriguez to end the 2011 ALDS. A Yankees team that caught the hearts of its fans because of unlikely stories disappointed for the 10th time in the last 11 Octobers. You can’t blame Brian Cashman as it wouldn’t have made sense […]

Give Wally Whitehurst His ’96 World Series Ring

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Courtesy of our buddy Bob’s Blitz Wally Whitehurst spent 7 seasons pitching in the big leagues with the Mets, Padres, and Yankees. This past season he was the pitching coach for the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Whitehurst made 2 starts for the Yankees in1996, finishing 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA. News […]

Is it Time to Retire the Numbers of the 90s Dynasty?

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Mariano Rivera collecting his 600th save last night made me think about the late nineties version of the Yankees. In recent years this group was represented by the “Core Four,” which is now the “Core Three,” and soon to be “Core Two” once the team parts ways with Jorge Posada this offseason. The 2012 version of the Yankees […]

Why a Yankee Won’t Win MVP, Replay on Cervelli’s HR, Warthen’s Legacy of Failure, Val Pascucci Chant

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

We can debate the merits of Curtis Granderson or Robinson Cano when it comes to the American League MVP award, but no Yankees player will win it. Why? It has nothing to do with Jose Bautista‘s stats or the fact that three Red Sox are having MVP-caliber years. Its institutional bias against the Yankees by the baseball writers. Take this […]