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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Pinstriped child's story 'Henry & Me' to be released as animated movie, voiceover cast includes Richard Gere as Lou Gehrig, Chazz Palminteri as Babe Ruth, Paul Simon as Thurman Munson, and Arod as himself

2/27/13, "Steinbrenners A-OK with Alex’s portrayal in Yankees kids movie," NY Post, Ken Davidoff

"On the fourth floor at Steinbrenner Field yesterday afternoon, while the Yankees visited the Phillies in nearby Clearwater, chieftains Hal and Hank Steinbrenner and resident legend Reggie Jackson convened with a handful of others in a dark conference room and took in a movie.

It wasn’t “Argo” or “Pride of the Yankees” or “The Naked Gun” (still Reggie’s best work). Rather, this was an animated film called “Henry & Me” that has been a long time in the making and serves as homage to the Yankees’ history.

It has been so long in the making, in fact — about six years now — that the film’s producers face a potential dilemma: Alex Rodriguez plays a small but important role in the film, hitting a big home run with the help of the film’s protagonist, Jack, a boy battling cancer.
Is it OK to keep portraying A-Rod in such a positive light, given the Biogenesis story?

Upon viewing the near-completed project yesterday, Hank Steinbrenner, who contributes his voice to the role of his late father, George, said that would be just fine. “I think it doesn’t matter,” Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ co-chairperson with his brother, told The Post. “The movie is about a child with cancer and his love of the Yankees. Everybody else is in it, too, Ruth and Gehrig and everybody else, so it’s really a small part of it.

“The focus really needs to be on what the movie is about. It’s really sad at the beginning and luckily a happy ending. It’s not about whether Alex is in it or not. Maybe it is to the baseball press, but it’s not going to be to anybody else.”

The film’s producers, Joseph Avallone and Joe Castellano, and director Barrett Esposito presented the movie along with executive producer Ray Negron, the longtime Yankees adviser whose pinstripe-centric children’s books are the foundation of the story.

 Said Negron: “This is my tribute to The Boss and the Steinbrenner family and [team president] Randy Levine for all the things they’ve done for me.”

The intention of yesterday’s screening was to run it by the Steinbrenners, because the Yankees insignia and brand name are being used significantly, before continuing to pursue their goal of releasing the movie in tri-state area theaters sometime around Father’s Day.

Though Hal Steinbrenner and Jackson declined comment, the producers departed the meeting with the organization’s green light, as expressed by Hank Steinbrenner.

Negron helped secure a star-studded voiceover cast featuring Richard Gere as Lou Gehrig, Chazz Palminteri as Babe Ruth and singer Paul Simon as Thurman Munson. Myriad Yankees dignitaries such as Jackson, Yogi Berra, Bernie Williams, CC Sabathia, Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman play themselves, and public address announcer Bob Sheppard taped a few lines from his Long Island home in January 2010, less than six months before he died.

In exchange for a $1,500 donation to a charity of his choosing, A-Rod met with the producers for two recordings — first in Manhattan in June 2009, just months after he confessed to using illegal performance-enhancing drugs, and then in Miami during the 2009-10 offseason, following his fantastic October 2009.

The film carries the vibe of those 2009 Yankees. There’s a trademark come-from-behind victory as well as A-Rod getting a pie in the face, though you won’t see pie-master A.J. Burnett.

“Alex hit a lot of big home runs for us in ’09,” Hank Steinbrenner said. “Realism-wise, it’s fine.” Of course, allegations now have emerged that A-Rod continued to use illegal PEDs through last year, creating another cloud of controversy over him. It’s not ideal for the film. But for anyone to get caught up in that and miss the greater meaning of the film — about not giving up — well, that would be pretty silly.

“We could change it,” Avallone said. “Give me another million, give me another year, we could change it. We don’t have a million. We don’t have a year. And you know what? It’s really bigger than Alex. It’s about giving back. It’s about the children.”

The film intends to donate $2 from each DVD purchase or download to the charities of the film’s actors."...

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Three US states sue Anheuser-Busch alleging watered down beer

2/26/13, "Beer drinkers accuse Anheuser-Busch of watering down brews," LA Times, Stuart Pfeifer

"Beer drinkers in three U.S. states filed lawsuits accusing brewing giant Anheuser-Busch of watering down and mislabeling Budweiser, Michelob and other brands to cut costs.

The lawsuits, filed in the last week in California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, said the brewing giant cheated consumers by listing a higher alcohol content than the beers actually contained.

Ten Anheuser-Busch products were named in the lawsuits: Budweiser, Michelob, Michelob Ultra, Bud Ice, Bud Light Platinum, Hurricane High Gravity Lager, King Cobra, Busch Ice, Natural Ice and Bud Light Lime.

Former employees at the company’s 13 breweries -- including some in high-level positions -- are cooperating with the plaintiffs, said San Rafael, Calif., lawyer Josh Boxer, the lead attorney in the case.

“Our information comes from former employees at Anheuser-Busch, who have informed us that as a matter of corporate practice, all of their products [mentioned in the lawsuit] are watered down,” Boxer said, according to the Associated Press. “It's a simple cost-saving measure, and it's very significant.”

The excess water is added just before bottling and cuts the stated alcohol content by 3% to 8%, he said. Anheuser-Busch InBev called the claims “groundless” and said its beers fully comply with labeling laws.

“Our beers are in full compliance with all alcohol labeling laws. We proudly adhere to the highest standards in brewing our beers, which have made them the best-selling in the U.S. and the world,” Peter Kraemer, vice president of brewing and supply, said in a statement.

Anheuser-Busch, based in St. Louis, Mo., merged with InBev in 2008 to form the world's largest alcohol producer, headquartered in Belgium. In 2011, the company produced 22 billion gallons of alcoholic beverages, 3 billion of them in the U.S., and reported $22 billion in profits, the lawsuit said.

According to the lawsuit, the company has sophisticated equipment that measures the alcohol content throughout the brewing process and is accurate to within one-hundredth of a percent. But after the merger, the company increasingly chose to dilute its popular brands of beer, the lawsuit alleged.

Following the merger, AB vigorously accelerated the deceptive practices ... sacrificing the quality products once produced by Anheuser-Busch in order to reduce costs,” said the lead lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco.

Boxer told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the plaintiffs did not independently test the alcohol content in the beers. That was a significant omission, said Eric Shepard, executive editor of Beer Marketer's Insights.

"Right now, I'm skeptical," Shepard told the Post-Dispatch. "Brewers and other large companies are often the targets of class-action lawsuits, and A-B wouldn't have had its vice president of brewing Peter Kraemer come out with their statement if they weren't confident in their standing.""





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Monday, February 25, 2013

Josh Pettitte throws no-hitter in Texas, CC Sabathia tweets congratulations

2/25/12, "One-Upping His Dad, Josh Pettitte Throws No-Hitter," NY Times Bats Blog, Lynn Zinser

"He is only a senior at Deer Park (Texas) High School, but young Josh Pettitte has already earned one accomplishment in baseball his dad Andy, in 491 major league starts, has not. Last Friday, in a game against Boerne Champion High, Josh Pettitte struck out 10 batters and gave up no hits in a 9-0 victory.

Josh, a right-hander, kicked off his season by committing to play at Baylor next year, which followed his excellent junior season, when he was 4-0 with a 0.89 earned run average and 32 strikeouts in 23 innings. His start against Boerne, a perennial Texas powerhouse, earned him even more acclaim, particularly on Twitter, where his dad’s Yankees teammates rushed to congratulate him.

Those greetings were joined by more from C.C. Sabathia and Joba Chamberlain.

Josh, the eldest of Pettitte’s four children, had his hands full fielding all the congratulatory notes on his Twitter page, which gives him another leg up on his dad, who apparently has no Twitter page."








Josh Pettitte 8/15/09 with Derek Jeter in Seattle












Josh Pettitte with Andy in 1999, Andy stretches with  rubberband during workout at Fenway Park, 10/15/99, ap






2/24/13, "Andy Pettitte's Kid Throws a No-No," hallofverygood.com
  Top, Josh Pettitte in 2013, hallofverygood.com 

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

3 watch flyover of Yankee spring training game vs Blue Jays in Tampa











2/24/13, "From left, New York Yankees' Tom Kahnle, Rob Segedin and Jim Miller watch a flyover before a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays" in Tampa, Fla. ap

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Saturday, February 23, 2013

Posada watches Rivera throw first live bp

2/22/13, "Rivera Pitches and Posada Jokes," NY Times Bats blog, Scott Cacciola

















"Spring training had a nostalgic flair for the Yankees on Friday, as two familiar faces made returns of different types.

The longtime catcher Jorge Posada, who retired in 2011 after 17 seasons with the Yankees, arrived at camp to spend five days here as a guest instructor. Posada had a nice vantage point to watch a former teammate, the All-Star closer Mariano Rivera, throw his first live batting practice since he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last May.

“I was glad to see Mo,” Posada said, adding that he teased Rivera, 43, about throwing 20 pitches. “I told him that’s a lot for him.”...“He looked like what you’d expect him to look like, which is a good thing,” Girardi said. He ticked through a list of positive signs. “Delivery, ball movement, the strikes he’s throwing, throwing it where he wants to, not taking a lot of time between pitches. Looked normal to me.”

 As for Posada, he arrived at camp at the behest of the team co-owner Hal Steinbrenner, who extended an invitation. Girardi said Posada had free rein to interact with players, and in particular with the team’s young catchers. “I like teaching,” Posada said, emphasizing that he was enjoying retirement with his family. “I have no interest in playing ball.”

Girardi refused to buy into that completely. He recalled how Andy Pettitte showed up at spring training last season as a guest instructor. It only took Pettitte a matter of weeks to unretire, and he eventually joined the Yankees’ rotation last May.

“I think any time we have a guy who’s doing what Jorge’s doing, people are going to speculate,” Girardi said. “And I think it’s fair to do. I mean, Jorge’s a guy who loved to play the game.” Girardi added, “I don’t rule anything out anymore.”" photo Reuters. photo, Posada with Cervelli, 2/27/13, via nyyfans

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"Mariano Rivera is the oldest player in the majors, Pettitte the oldest starter:" Sherman

2/23/13, "But there are no throwaways when the oldest player in the majors (Rivera, 43) and the oldest starter (Pettitte, 40)
lift their arms. They know they are way beyond the life expectancy of their careers. Yet even in the twilight there is a same-as-it-ever-was resonance to this camp because of this: Pettitte and Rivera are as important to the Yankees in their 40s as they were in their 20s and 30s....

The winningest handoff in major league history — Pettitte to Rivera looked just fine on a sunny Tampa morning. They already have combined to earn a win and save, respectively, in the same game a record 68 times. And considering how important they remain to the Yankees, the hope around here is: 68 and counting." [79 win-save total including post season]

"Andy-to-Mo handoff as important as ever," NY Post, Joel Sherman

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Jeter with guest instructor Posada, spring 2013, reuters via ny post





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How many more millions would Boras want for Cano if Cano ran to first base?

2/22/13, "How many more millions and for how many more seasons would Scott Boras want for Robinson Cano if Cano ran to first base? Has that come up? And why do agents now play hardball harder than their clients?

Really, though. How much more if Cano plays as if he cares?"

2/22/13, "From Cano’s contract to NFL gun-toting, too many issues go unquestioned," NY Post, Phil Mushnick

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Friday, February 22, 2013

2013 MLB Spring Training games and channels on Sirius XM radio, MLB Network Radio, beginning Friday, Feb. 22

SiriusXM MLB games and channels beginning Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. Click on 'x' and scroll down.







                                                           

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Half of Detroit property owners don't pay property taxes-Detroit News

2/21/13, "Half of Detroit property owners don't pay taxes," Detroit News, MacDonald and Wilkinson

"Nearly half of the owners of Detroit's 305,000 properties failed to pay their tax bills last year, exacerbating a punishing cycle of declining revenues and diminished services for a city in a financial crisis, according to a Detroit News analysis of government records....
.
Delinquency is so pervasive that 77 blocks had only one owner who paid taxes last year, The News found. Many of those who don't pay question why they should in a city that struggles to light its streets or keep police on them.

"Why pay taxes?" asked Fred Phillips, who owes more than $2,600 on his home on an east-side block where five owners paid 2011 taxes. "Why should I send them taxes when they aren't supplying services? It is sickening. … Every time I see the tax bill come, I think about the times we called and nobody came."

This week, a state-appointed review team concluded the city can't fix its financial problems. Any emergency manager appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder would have to grapple with a broken property tax system. The city's share of uncollected taxes last year was $131 million — an amount equal to 12 percent of Detroit's general fund budget.

A four-month News investigation found:

Detroit has the highest property taxes among big cities nationwide and relies on assessments that are seriously inflated. Many houses are assessed at more than 10 times their market price, according to new research from two Michigan professors.

Detroit relies on a shrinking sliver of businesses and neighborhoods to pay the bulk of the bills. The three casinos, General Motors Corp., DTE Energy, Chrysler Group LLC and Marathon Petroleum Corp. paid 19 percent of collected property taxes. Five city neighborhoods, most of them downtown and along the river, paid 15 percent of the city's taxes and represent only 2 percent of the city's total parcels. In all, only 41 percent of the city's parcels produced tax revenues last year because of delinquencies and a large number of tax-exempt land.
.
Detroit's delinquencies are so pervasive that some owners have been allowed to keep their property even if they don't pay taxes. Wayne County treasury officials are so overwhelmed by foreclosures that they ignored about 40,000 delinquent Detroit properties that should have been seized last year and said they will look the other way on about 36,000 this year."...via Free Republic

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Ed. note: Please excuse unpleasant white background behind this post. It was put there by a hacker.

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Humans don't cause weather, carbon dioxide 'lags' global temperature, 'changes in atmospheric CO2 don't track changes in human emissions,' Jan. 2013 peer reviewed study

January 2013, "The phase relation between atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperature," Global and Planetary Change, ScienceDirect.com

Ole Humluma, b, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author,Kjell Stordahlc, Jan-Erik Solheimd 

a Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1047 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway, b Department of Geology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, c Telenor Norway, Finance, N-1331 Fornebu, Norway, d Department of Physics and Technology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway

"Abstract

"Using data series on atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperatures we investigate the phase relation (leads/lags) between these for the period January 1980 to December 2011. Ice cores show atmospheric CO2 variations to lag behind atmospheric temperature changes on a century to millennium scale, but modern temperature is expected to lag changes in atmospheric CO2, as the atmospheric temperature increase since about 1975 generally is assumed to be caused by the modern increase in CO2.  
In our analysis we use eight well-known datasets: 1) globally averaged well-mixed marine boundary layer CO2 data, 2) HadCRUT3 surface air temperature data, 3) GISS surface air temperature data, 4) NCDC surface air temperature data, 5) HadSST2 sea surface data, 6) UAH lower troposphere temperature data series, 7) CDIAC data on release of anthropogene CO2, and 8) GWP data on volcanic eruptions. Annual cycles are present in all datasets except 7) and 8), and to remove the influence of these we analyze 12-month averaged data. We find a high degree of co-variation between all data series except 7) and 8), but with changes in CO2 always lagging changes in temperature. The maximum positive correlation between CO2 and temperature is found for CO2 lagging 11–12 months in relation to global sea surface temperature, 9.5–10 months to global surface air temperature, and about 9 months to global lower troposphere temperature. The correlation between changes in ocean temperatures and atmospheric CO2 is high, but do not explain all observed changes.

Highlights

Changes in global atmospheric CO2 are lagging 11–12 months behind changes in global sea surface temperature.Changes in global atmospheric CO2 are lagging
 9.5–10 months behind changes in global air surface temperature. Changes in global atmospheric CO2 are lagging about 9 months behind changes in global lower troposphere temperature. ► Changes in ocean temperatures explain a substantial part of the observed changes in atmospheric CO2 since January 1980. ► Changes in atmospheric CO2 are not tracking changes in human emissions." via Tom Nelson

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Ed. note: Translation: Man-caused global warming does not exist per latest peer reviewed science. The 2007 US Supreme Court 5-4 ruling is null and void. A multi-trillion dollar criminal industry is bankrupt. A generation of humanity has been wasted on the fraud of CO2 danger. Human induced CO2 doesn't cause weather to change. MLB has promoted "carbon offsets" which to be polite are meaningless. . The "offsets" don't decrease "man caused climate change" or "man caused global warming" because neither one exists. 

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Arod spotted on Upper West Side in Manhattan, Wed., Feb. 20













2/21/13, "Alex spotted for first time since scandal,"
NY Post, Don Burke

"Alex Rodriguez was spotted leaving an Upper West Side restaurant yesterday."...photo J. Oak, INFphoto.com

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Seven 2013 Yankee spring training games to be broadcast on WCBS radio

2/14/13, "Army game part of 19 Yankees telecasts on YES," HudsonValley.com, Ken McMillan

"Seven games will be broadcast on flagship radio station WCBS 880-AM. The schedule:.
.
Sun. Feb. 24 – Toronto, 1 p.m. (also WCBS) (MLB Network-blacked out in N.Y. market)
Sat. March 2 – Detroit, 1 p.m. (also WCBS)
Tues. March 5 – Atlanta, 7 p.m. (also WCBS)
Sat. March 9 – Atlanta, 1 p.m. (also WCBS)
Wed. March 13 – Philadelphia, 7 p.m. (also WCBS)
Sat. March 16 – Philadelphia (split squad), 12 p.m. (also WCBS)
Sun. March 24 – Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. (also WCBS)"...     

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Jorge Posada on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio with Jeff Nelson and Jim Memolo, 2/19/13

2/19/13, "Jorge Posada, former Yankees Catcher, discusses working with the team's young catchers, Kevin Youkilis and his expectations for Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera in 2013 on First Pitch with Jim Memolo and Jeff Nelson on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM."

Link to SiriusXM MLB Network Radio Posada interview Tuesday AM, 2/19/13. It lasted 2-3 minutes, Brian Hoch from MLB.com provides quotes of Posada's responses. Brian says he hasn't seen Posada in camp yet but assumes he must be coming soon. The podcast I heard seemed to end abruptly and go into an interview from another sport.

2/19/13, From Brian Hoch, Bombers Beat, MLB.com

"Jorge Posada: Mariano Rivera “is a freak of nature”"

"Jorge Posada hasn’t yet arrived in camp for his duties as one of the Yankees’ guest instructors, but we must be getting close, because the five-time World Series champion is starting to talk a little ball.

Posada was a guest on Sirius/XM MLB Network Radio this morning with hosts Jim Memelo and Jeff Nelson. He shared his thoughts on several topics around the 2013 Yankees, including Posada’s prediction that Mariano Rivera will be able to return to the same dominant level for this team.

On Mariano Rivera: “Mariano is going to be 100 percent. Mariano is a freak of nature. One of those things about Mariano, he has great control, that cutter will not go away. I expect Mariano to be the old Mariano.”

On Derek Jeter: “He said it perfectly the other day, he’s going to be sore all over because he hasn’t been able to train like he wanted to, but he’s going to push himself to be ready for Opening Day. I know him, he’s going to probably be doing two-a-days and working really hard off the field to get back to 100 percent when it comes to Opening Day.”

On the Yankees’ catching competition: ”Obviously whoever has the best spring is going to start. That probably changes throughout the year. We’ve got three young catchers and we’re going to hopefully look forward to seeing them compete. This is what baseball is all about. You don’t get the job, you earn the job. I think it’s going to be good.”

On scouting reports for Cervelli and Romine: “Cervelli, very energetic, very athletic, very quick behind the plate. He has a good arm. He’s a lot more mature now so I think it’s perfect timing for him right now. Romine, obviously a little younger, smart kid behind the plate. We like him very much but they don’t want to rush him, so we’ll see. He’s got a shot too. We’ll see what happens in the spring.”

On Kevin Youkilis: “It’s going to be fun. I think it’s going to be great. The guy plays hard, that’s another guy that wants to prove himself. He had a tough year last year and I bet he worked really hard during the offseason to be a Yankee and be a part of this team.”"





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Cashman and Girardi watch Youkilis in the cage


















Cashman and Girardi watch Youkilis in the cage,  2/18/13, erik boland twitter 11. Youkilis B-R


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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Obama spent weekend at Florida golf resort owned by Houston Astros owner Jim Crane

2/18/13, “President finally shows his face after $1m golfing weekend with Tiger Woods that White House didn’t want world to see,” UK Daily Mail, Keneally and Boyle

St. Louis Cardinals v Houston Astros
Jim Crane, who owns the golf club and the Houston Astros, is a Democratic donor and has played golf with the President twice this weekend.”

The President was relaxing on a trip to the Floridian, an exclusive club along the Treasure Coast. The club’s owner is Jim Crane, a Houston businessman who also owns baseball’s Houston Astros. Crane also has given money to Obama’s political campaigns.

The White House had barred media coverage of the president’s golf holiday but released the names of his partners. Obama arrived in Florida late on Friday and returned to Washington on Monday night….

The outrage over the lack of transparency comes as much of the bill for the pricey trip will be paid for by tax payers, yet President Obama did not feel it appropriate to even release one photo of his time out on the course….

ABC News reported that in 2012, it cost $179,750 per flight hour to run Air Force One.
Going off that rate- even though it is likely higher now since gas prices have risen- the cost of the flights to Florida and back to Washington on Monday totaled $943,687.50….

For three guests to play two rounds of golf over the weekend, greens fees come to $1,800 and the caddies fees for the foursome total $1,600….

The Floridian also features a gourmet dining room, full service spa and a marina with 68 boat slips so members can arrange to go on fishing outings during their stay. Because the press were banned from getting past the maintenance shed outside of the gates of the club, it is not known whether the President indulged in any of those amenities.”…via Lucianne

floridianphtobutchharmonviaukdailyumailfeb182013

“The Floridian Yacht and Golf Club owned by Jim Crane”


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During 1996 spring training The Boss considered trading Rivera to Seattle for Felix Fermin and demoting Jeter to Triple-A but was persuaded otherwise by Gene Michael and Willie Randolph

2/18/13, "A Steinbrenner confidant, Clyde King, privately stated the Yankees could not win a championship that year (1996) with Jeter at short. That so unsettled The Boss that he convened a late-March executive meeting to mull whether to obtain Felix Fermin from Seattle for Rivera and demote Jeter to Triple-A. The Yankees — thanks to the calming voices of people such as Gene Michael and Willie Randolph — decided not to make what arguably would have been the worst trade in sports history."...

2/18/13, "Yankees worried about Jeter and Rivera for first time since '96," Joel Sherman, NY Post

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2013 MLB Network TV spring training game schedule

2013 MLB Spring Training Games and Channels on Sirius XM radio

7 Yankee spring training games to be broadcast on WCBS radio.

2/14/13, "2013 MLB Network spring training game schedule," Albany Times-Union, Pete Dougherty

"MLB Network will have 49 lives games and more than 150 overall during spring training, including some exhibition games involving World Baseball Classic teams.

The schedule (live games in boldface; strikethrough type indicates Yankees and Mets telecasts blacked out in Capital Region that should be available on YES and SNY, respectively):

Saturday, Feb. 23
1 p.m.: Washington Nationals at New York Mets
11:30 p.m.: Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers
2:30 a.m.: Tampa Bay Rays (ss) at Boston Red Sox
 Sunday, Feb. 24
6 a.m.: Houston Astros at Philadelphia Phillies
1 p.m.: Toronto Blue Jays (ss) at New York Yankees
4 p.m.: Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels
 Monday, Feb. 25
1 p.m.: Detroit Tigers at Philadelphia Phillies
6 p.m.: Washington Nationals at New York Mets
9 p.m.: New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles
Tuesday, Feb. 26
1 p.m.: New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies
4 p.m.: Arizona Diamondbacks (ss) at Los Angeles Angels
Wednesday, Feb. 27
1 p.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets
4 p.m.: San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Angels
7 p.m.: Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles (ss)
2 a.m.: Baltimore Orioles (ss) at New York Yankees
Thursday, Feb. 28
1 p.m.: Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
6 p.m.: New York Mets at Washington Nationals
10 p.m.: Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees (ss)
2 a.m.: New York Yankees (ss) at Houston Astros
Friday, March 1
1 p.m.: Detroit Tigers at New York Mets
4 p.m.: Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees
7 p.m.: Pittsburgh Pirates (ss) at Boston Red Sox
Saturday, March 2
1 p.m.: Miami Marlins at New York Mets
4 p.m.: Philadelphia Phillies at Toronto Blue Jays
Sunday, March 3
9 a.m.: Detroit Tigers (ss) at New York Yankees
1 p.m.: Toronto Blue Jays at Philadelphia Phillies (ss)
4 p.m.: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
8 p.m.: Detroit Tigers at Atlanta Braves
11 p.m.: Chicago White Sox at San Diego Padres
Monday, March 4
9:30 a.m.: Chicago Cubs (ss) at Los Angeles Angels
1 p.m.: Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
4 p.m.: Colorado Rockies at Seattle Mariners
8:30 p.m.: Houston Astros at Detroit Tigers
Tuesday, March 5
1 p.m.: Dominican Republic at Philadelphia Phillies
4 p.m.: Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres
9 p.m.: Mexico at Arizona Diamondbacks
Midnight: Atlanta Braves at New York Yankees
Wednesday, March 6
9 a.m.: Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Angels
1 p.m.: Dominican Republic at New York Yankees
4 p.m.: Italy at Los Angeles Angels
9 p.m.: Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies
2 a.m.: Washington Nationals at Houston Astros
Friday, March 8
9 a.m.: Miami Marlins at New York Mets
1 a.m.: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels
Saturday, March 9
1 a.m.: Minnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates (early morning Sunday)
Sunday, March 10
Midnight: Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies (early morning Monday)
3 a.m.: New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays (early morning Monday)
Monday, March 11
10 a.m.: Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros
4 p.m.: Oakland Athletics at San Diego Padres
9 p.m.: Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers
Midnight: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees
3 a.m.: Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland Indians
Tuesday, March 12
4 p.m.: Detroit Tigers at Philadelphia Phillies
Midnight: San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants
Wednesday, March 13
4 p.m.: Los Angeles Angels at San Diego Padres
11 p.m.: Milwaukee Brewers at Arizona Diamondbacks
3 a.m.: Atlanta Braves at Miami Marlins
Thursday, March 14
8 a.m.: Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees
1 p.m.: Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals
4 p.m.: Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels
11 p.m.: Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles
3 a.m.: Detroit Tigers at New York Mets
Friday, March 15
8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Pirates at Philadelphia Phillies
1 p.m.: Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros
4 p.m.: Texas Rangers at San Francisco Giants
11 p.m.: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox (ss)
3 a.m.: Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals
Saturday, March 16
6 a.m.: New York Mets at Atlanta Braves
9 a.m.: Miami Marlins at New York Yankees
4 p.m.: Texas Rangers (ss) at Chicago Cubs (ss)
8 p.m.: Houston Astros at Washington Nationals
Midnight: Miami Marlins at New York Mets
3 a.m.: Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees (ss)

Sunday, March 17
6 a.m.: New York Yankees (ss) at Atlanta Braves
9 a.m.: Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs (ss)
1 p.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins
4 p.m.: Cleveland Indians at Cincinnati Reds
1 a.m.: Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants
4 a.m.: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels
Monday, March 18
7 a.m.: Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles
10 a.m.: Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers (ss)
4 p.m.: Milwaukee Brewers at Cleveland Indians
1 a.m.: Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers
Tuesday, March 19
8 a.m.: New York Mets at St. Louis Cardinals
Midnight: San Francisco Giants at Seattle Mariners
3 a.m.: Miami Marlins at St. Louis Cardinals
Wednesday, March 20
6 a.m.: Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers
9 a.m.: Los Angeles Angels at Milwaukee Brewers
4 p.m.: Cleveland Indians at Los Angeles Angels
8 p.m.: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
11 p.m.: Pittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves
Thursday, March 21
1 p.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets
6 p.m.: Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves
9 p.m.: Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers
1 a.m.: Chicago Cubs (ss) at Seattle Mariners
Friday, March 22
6 a.m.: Houston Astros at Detroit Tigers
9 a.m.: Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees
1 p.m.: Detroit Tigers at Washington Nationals
4 p.m.: Kansas City Royals at Los Angeles Angels

9 p.m.: Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
Midnight: Chicago White Sox at Oakland Athletics
3 a.m.: Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Indians
Saturday, March 23
6 a.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros
9 a.m.: Seattle Mariners at San Diego Padres
1 p.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins
4 p.m.: Cleveland Indians at Seattle Mariners
8 p.m.: Pittsburgh Pirates at Boston Red Sox
Midnight: Washington Nationals at New York Mets
3 a.m.: Texas Rangers at Cincinnati Reds
Sunday, March 24
6 a.m.: Philadelphia Phillies at Baltimore Orioles
9 a.m.: Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants
1 p.m.: Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
4 p.m.: Cincinnati Reds at Texas Rangers
8 p.m.: Baltimore Orioles at Pittsburgh Pirates
Midnight: Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox
3 a.m.: Miami Marlins at Houston Astros
Monday, March 25
7 a.m.: Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Indians
10 a.m.: Los Angeles Dodgers at Oakland Athletics
5 p.m.: Detroit Tigers at Miami Marlins 
9 p.m.: Los Angeles Dodgers at Kansas City Royals
Midnight: Cleveland Indians at Colorado Rockies
3 a.m.: Washington Nationals at Houston Astros
Tuesday, March 26
7 a.m.: San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs
10 a.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at Minnesota Twins
4 p.m.: Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers
7 p.m.: Houston Astros at New York Yankees
11 p.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets
2 a.m.: Los Angeles Angels at Arizona Diamondbacks
Wednesday, March 27
7 a.m.: Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies
10 a.m.: Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers
4 p.m.: Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels
7 p.m.: New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles
11 p.m.: Washington Nationals (ss) at St. Louis Cardinals
2 a.m.: Chicago Cubs at Kansas City Royals (ss)
Thursday, March 28
7 a.m.: Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays
10 a.m.: Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox
4 p.m.: Miami Marlins at St. Louis Cardinals
7 p.m.: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox
11 p.m.: Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants
2 a.m.: Los Angeles Dodgers (ss) at Los Angeles Angels
Friday, March 29
7 a.m.: Seattle Mariners at Chicago Cubs
10 a.m.: Toronto Blue Jays at Philadelphia Phillies
2 p.m.: New York Yankees at Washington Nationals
7 p.m.: Toronto Blue Jays at Philadelphia Phillies
10 p.m.: Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants
Midnight: San Diego Padres at Texas Rangers
3 a.m.: Seattle Mariners at Colorado Rockies
Saturday, March 30
1 p.m.: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox
4 p.m.: San Francisco Giants at Oakland Athletics
9 p.m.: Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels
Midnight: San Diego Padres at Texas Rangers
3 a.m.: Seattle Mariners at Colorado Rockies"

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Ed. note: I found the above MLB TV 2013 spring training schedule in the course of looking for the radio schedule for Yankee Spring games, whether WCBS or XM/Sirius/MLB Network. I'm still looking for the radio sked though I heard mention that John and Suzyn might be doing the Blue Jays-Yankee game on Sun., Feb. 24 on WCBS radio.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Gas prices up 51 cents in just two months, this Presidents Day marks full month of prices rising every business day

2/18/13, "Gas Prices Soar 51 Cents in Just Two Months," CNS News. Julia Seymour

"Gas prices are soaring ever closer to $4 a gallon and have jumped 51 cents a gallon since Dec. 20. According to the Oil Price Information Service, the national average for a gallon of unleaded was $3.21.9 on Dec. 20, 2012. Today, that price is $3.73.0. While there has been a steady increase, prices shot almost 9 cents just over the weekend.

This President's Day also marked a full month of rising gas prices every single business day, following a very small early year drop. Gas prices began rising Jan. 18, from $3.29.3-a-gallon, and have soared since. If this increase continues, gas prices could threaten or even top the all-time high price of $4.11, set in 2008.

February 2013 saw record high gas prices for the time of year according to news reports. CNBC noted the national average was the highest ever for the time of year on Feb. 1. As of Feb. 11, The Los Angeles Times reported that the national average that day ($3.587) was also a record, "7.8 cents higher than the record for Feb. 11, set last year." Today's price is now 17.6 cents higher than 2012.

It took the media some time to catch on to rising gas prices, as "Good Morning America's" Josh Elliot said two weeks after the climb began that "we have just learned that gas prices have skyrocketed."

Those higher pump prices hurt consumers, who were already paying more for gas than in decades. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported recently that the average household spent more on gas last year, as a percentage of income, than it had in 30 years....

The media actually forecast falling prices in 2012, during the heated presidential election. Many of those predictions failed."...via Free Republic

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"If you're paying more at the pump, you've got less to spend on shoes, dining out and going to the movies. In many respects, higher oil prices act as a tax on consumers....Each 50 cent increase in the price of gasoline adds almost $60 billion to annual consumer bills....The most immediate response is for consumers to alter their behavior. Households reduce their leisure driving and use more public transportation."...

3/13/12, "The $110 Effect: What Higher Gas Prices Could Really Do to the Economy," The Atlantic, Russ Devol

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2/18/13, "Gas prices approaching $4 per gallon, up 60 cents from a month ago," Detroit Free Press, Reindl

"AAA Michigan said the average statewide price of regular, unleaded fuel has risen 16 cents during the past week to $3.91 a gallon. That is 60 cents higher than a month ago and nearly 50 cents more than a year ago, according to the auto club’s Daily Fuel Gauge report."...

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10/22/12, "Gas prices could soon drop 50 cents a gallon," USA Today, Gary Strauss

"The drop could provide a boost to consumer spending and influence next month's presidential race, where gas prices have been a hot-button issue for much of the campaign. Several battleground states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, are enjoying big price drops.

"Certainly, lower gas prices are helpful in terms of consumer spending by increasing disposable income,'' says Brian Bethune, chief economist at Alpha Economic Foresights."...






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Derek Jeter arrives at camp, speaks to reporters


















Derek Jeter speaks to reporters on day of arrival at Yankee spring training, Sun., 2/17/13, Star-Ledger, Munson

















Jeter signs for a fan in Tampa, Mon., 2/18/13, Star-Ledger, Munson


















Jeter walks back to dugout after bp, 2/18/13, Star Ledger, Munson



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Sunday, February 17, 2013

TriBeCa museum dedicated to Jackie Robinson may never open despite fortune spent on yearly rent-NY Post

2/17/13, "TriBeCa Jackie Robinson museum is long overdue - and may never open due to rent costs," NY Post, Kate Briquelet

"A TriBeCa museum dedicated to Jackie Robinson is three years overdue — and may never open despite spending a fortune on rent.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation has raised only a fraction of the $42 million it says is needed to honor the Brooklyn Dodger who shattered Major League Baseball’s color barrier.

The museum was first slated to open on the ground floor of One Hudson Square in lower Manhattan in 2010.

Instead, its founders are paying $500,000 a year to rent a shell where the 11,000-square-foot exhibition is supposed to be.

The museum has long been a dream of the legendary second baseman’s widow, Rachel Robinson, who founded the nonprofit 40 years ago to provide college scholarships to minority students.

At 90 years old, she’s living in New York and still pushing to keep the museum alive. One day it will house a theater with historic footage and home movies and letters and artifacts from No. 42 himself.

Robinson’s foundation — which had an operating budget of $6.4 million last fiscal year — has collected several five- and six-figure donations from heavy-hitters like MLB, the Mets and the Yankees. Goldman Sachs, Nike, GE and Unilever are also donors, according to 2011 tax documents.

But roughly $6.9 million of that has gone to rent since 2007, when the nonprofit signed a 20-year lease with Trinity Real Estate.

Tax documents reveal the nonprofit spends about $1.3 million annually to rent the vacant first floor and a second-floor space housing the foundation offices. That’s more than the $1.2 million it gave out in scholarships in 2011.

More than a third of that rent expense — $546,000 per year in 2011 and 2012 — goes just to pay for the empty museum space. All told, the group has spent at least $2.1 million since 2007 on space it has never utilized.

The foundation also burned through $613,798 in salaries in 2011, paying president and CEO Della Britton Baeza $229,572 and chief operations officer La’Tonya Johnson $144,694.

The foundation had to take out a $3.8 million mortgage to “finance the foundation’s operation,” according to 2007 tax forms.

“We ran into a difficult period during the market recession,” said civil-rights lawyer Norman Siegel, who’s been on the museum’s board since 1979. “That’s why we’ve had delays.”

Spokeswoman Allison Davis said the foundation needs $20 million for construction and $22 million for an endowment to get the museum to first base.

So far, the nonprofit has raised only $13 million in “firm commitments,” she said.

Jackie Robinson’s son, David Robinson, 61, wouldn’t comment on the museum’s troubles but said he was hopeful that it would open soon.

“Current and future generations need to have examples of men of courage who showed how integration and equality benefited [our] entire society,” he said.

“For my mother, personally, and this generation, the timing is wonderful for it to happen now.”"


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Chamberlain jumped into a laundry basket and asked if someone would push him around

2/16/13, "Fortunately for Girardi, he was not in the clubhouse when the goofball reliever Joba Chamberlain jumped into a laundry basket and lobbied for someone to push him around — a questionable idea for someone who dislocated his right ankle on a trampoline last March and did not pitch for the Yankees until Aug. 1. The clubhouse attendants wisely ignored him."

"Sabathia and Rivera Pass Another Test," NY Times Bats blog, Pat Borzi (item at end of post)

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Pettitte, Sabathia and Rivera run after bullpen sessions















Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, and Mariano Rivera run after bullpen sessions in Spring training, Sat. 2/16/13, Star-Ledger, Munson

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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Three year old Christian Haupt throws first pitch at Sept. 2012 Dodgers game v Padres











"In this Sept. 4, 2012, file photo, 3-year-old actor Christian Haupt throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers' baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Los Angeles. Haupt threw a perfect strike. The photo was part of a series of images by photographer Mark J. Terrill which won the Thomas V. diLustro best portfolio award for 2012 given out by the Associated Press Sports Editors during their annual winter meeting. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)"

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Friday, February 15, 2013

Mike Francesa interview with Mike Piazza on WFAN, Thurs., Feb. 14, 2013

Mike Francesa interview with Mike Piazza
on WFAN, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013.

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Thursday, February 14, 2013

CNN panel thinks mass murderer and cop killer Chris Dorner is 'exciting,' like a 'Denzel Washington movie,' understand why he's a 'superhero'

2/13/13, "CNN Slides Ever Lower," John Hinderaker, Powerline

"There isn’t much left of the CNN brand, but there is still a little room to sink deeper–and today, CNN did. Compare and contrast: CNN’s panel is excited about Chris Dorner. They can understand why lots of people think he is a “superhero.” They think his deeds were “exciting,” like a “Denzel Washington movie,” and agree that Dorner shed valuable light on the critical issue of police brutality. Their panel is more or less a Chris Dorner fan club, with one lonely exception who thinks the most salient fact is that he was a murderer. (video at link)

So Chris Dorner is A-OK. On the other hand, we have Senator Marco Rubio: one of the most popular and admired leaders of his generation, a fast-rising political star who, far from being a multiple murderer, is often spoken of as a future president.

However, unlike Chris Dorner he is a Republican. So he gets a considerably cooler reception at CNN.

A news network can only be a bad joke for so long before it ceases to exist. I worry, frankly, about Jake Tapper, one of the best newsmen in Washington, who has accepted what I trust was a lucrative offer to anchor a CNN show. He may be joining a ship that is not just sinking, but sunk."

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Rivera in the bullpen, spring training 2013 day 1
















Rivera in the bullpen, Girardi observing, spring training day 1, Wed. 2/13/13, Munson, Star Ledger

"Mariano Rivera could not stop smiling. On the first day of workouts for Yankees pitchers and catchers, Rivera completed the most mundane of drills with a boundless joy usually reserved for children.

Nine months after tearing a right knee ligament while shagging balls in the outfield in Kansas City, the 43-year-old Rivera played long toss and threw off a mound for about five minutes on a back field at the Yankees’ spring training complex Wednesday morning.

Then he jogged without a limp through pitchers’ fielding drills. He stayed out for additional fielding work after the others in his group – C.C. Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda and Phil Hughes – headed inside....

Rivera said he wore a small brace on his right knee, and will wear one when he pitches this season....

And manager Joe Girardi couldn’t resist a wisecrack when asked whether he will forbid Rivera from shagging during batting practice, a routine since his minor-league days.
“Only in Kansas City,” Girardi said." NY Times Bats blog, "Rivera at Spring Training Debut: ‘I Feel Good’," Pat Borzi








Mo in bullpen with Girardi, spring training day one, feb. 13, 2013, Newsday, Williams






Mo in group fielding practice during the 1st official workout for pitchers and catchers, 2/13/13, NY Post, Wenzelberg

-------------------------------

Ed. note: Sorry about big gap between photos. Blogger doesn't want it to look any better than this.





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Pitchers and catchers report in Tampa, glove makes ceremonial appearance













"Michael Pineda throws in the bull pen on the day pitchers and catchers report to the New York Yankees spring training facility at Steinbrenner Field. Tampa, FL 2/12/13." Munson, Star-Ledger











"Although Jorge Posada has been retired for more than a year, a mitt with his name on it hangs on the bull pen fence on the day pitchers and catchers report to the New York Yankees spring training facility at Steinbrenner Field. Tampa, FL 2/12/13." Munson, Star-Ledger

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

'Bourn Losers,' NY Post back page, Tues., 2/12/13













'Bourn Losers,' NY Post back page, Tues., 2/12/13, 'Free agent rejects Mets for Tribe"...

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Cubs groundskeeper fortifies base paths for spring training in Mesa














"Chicago Cubs grounds keeper Domonique Thompson applies dirt to the base paths at the Cubs' spring training facility Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 in Mesa, Ariz. The Cubs pitchers and catchers first workout is Tuesday." ap

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Monday, February 11, 2013

Forgotten victims of LA mass killer, an Asian woman and her African American fiance don't fit media narrative

2/7/13, "Police say ex-cop was bent on exacting revenge," LA Times,



























 












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Mets and Yankees 2013 home openers will be for first time in history the same day and same hour, April 1 at 1:05pm

2/10/13, "A Baseball City to Be Divided on Opening Day," NY Times, David Waldstein

"For Mets and Yankees fans, this opening day will be like no other. Owing to a whopper of a scheduling quirk, the teams will open their seasons at home on the same day, at the same hour, for the first time, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

At roughly 1:05 p.m. on April 1, barring poor weather, a Yankees and a Mets pitcher — probably C. C. Sabathia and Johan Santana — will unleash their respective first pitches of the season on mounds less than 10 miles apart....

“Nobody is particularly happy about it,” said Katy Feeney, Major League Baseball’s senior vice president for scheduling and club relations. “But it’s unlikely to happen again anytime soon.”
Normally, the Yankees and the Mets do not play at home at the same time, on opening day or otherwise. There have been the occasional series when both have played in New York at the same time, including last season.

According to Feeney, the simultaneous home openers resulted from several factors. First, this is the first year with two leagues of 15 teams each and the first year there will be an interleague game nearly every day, causing some scheduling difficulties. That trend starts with the Los Angeles Angels visiting the Cincinnati Reds on April 1 for the first interleague opening day game. 

The Mets-Yankees situation was also caused by a change in the date of the All-Star Game, which is normally the second Tuesday in July. This season it is scheduled for July 16, the third Tuesday of the month, and when every other factor was taken into account, the only way to make it all work was to have the Mets and the Yankees play at home on the same day, Feeney said. 

The last time two New York teams opened their seasons at home on the same day was in 1956, when the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers did so. In those days, with three teams in the city, it was much more common. And so on April 17, 1956, the Dodgers lost to the Phillies, 8-6, at Ebbets Field and the Giants beat the Pirates, 4-3 at the Polo Grounds."...

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