Welcome back to another edition of the Subway Beat. We’ve got a busy recap this week looking back at the recent action for the locals as well as honors for Dwight Gooden and a retiring legend. Let’s not waste time and hop on the uptown four train first, before there is a service delay. All aboard!
Yankees
“Now arriving at 161st Street/River Ave Yankee Stadium,” a place the Yankees haven’t been in a few days, as they continue a road trip that began in Cleveland. Since our last post, the Yankees have gone 2-3 on their road trip following a trio of frustrating losses. After a rain out in Cleveland on Friday the bombers had a double header in and they took care of business against the Guardians in both games Saturday. They took the opener by a score of 3-2 off the back of a decent start Clarke Schmidt, who gave up two and punched out seven over five innings of work. From there the bullpen took over and slammed the door, setting up game two, which featured the Yankee debut of Cody Poteet on the mound.
Poteet threw the ball well, going six innings and allowing just one run and striking out four batters. Of course, his life was made easier because of a big-time offensive outburst from the Yanks against Guardians righty Tristian McKenzie. While Anthony Volpe and Anthony Rizzo had solid nights at the plate, it should come as no surprise that the man who blew the game open was Juan Soto, who homered to dead center field.
With two wins in the bank, the Yanks looked for the sweep on Sunday but came up a bit short, as they lost 8-7 in extra innings. The good news from this defeat was Aaron Judge’s long home run early in the game, as number 99 looks to be getting his swing in order of late, something that is needed going forward for the Yankees offense to function at its highest level possible. Going hand in hand with Judge’s solid afternoon was another brilliant at bat from Anthony Volpe, one that ended in a game tying double against Emmanuel Clase. Coming through in that spot against a reliever of Clase’s caliber speaks volumes for the progress Volpe has made mentally. It has manifested itself in him becoming an extremely poised player.
While there was some good things to take from the series in Cleveland, there are a few concerns that are starting to show themselves as the Yankees head deeper into April. The first is one we have alluded to previously in these recaps, and that is the lack of innings pitched by the Yankee starters. Once again, the last several starts by Yankee pitchers in Cleveland and Toronto have seen the starter go right around five innings. As I said earlier, while the pitchers have performed well within their outings, they have to start going deeper in games for the Yankees so as not to drain their solid bullpens energy. They are fourth in bullpen ERA to this point but that won’t last if they continue to be overused.
The second issue that is plaguing the Yankees right now is a rather shaky infield defense. For the last several years, the Bombers have had a pretty solid defensive infield but so far that is far from the case. Anthony Rizzo leads the team with three errors on the year, totally out of character given his usual track record at first base. Rizzo’s difficulties have carried over to the rest of the team as the Yankees have made 16 errors so far, something that simply cannot continue. Everyone must raise their level for this group after the way the last three games have gone at the plate and in the field.
The last few games against Toronto and Cleveland are good reminders that as good as the Yankees have looked so far, they are going to have some tougher moments this season. There will be adversity over the course of 162 games, and it will be interesting to see how this group responds to it. It certainly feels like they’re better equipped to overcome hiccups than they were a year ago, but it is worth keeping an eye on as we go forward. Now, it’s off to Queens as we break down the Mets recent run of success.
Mets
“Now arriving at Mets Willets Point,” where the vibes are at a season high with the Metropolitans on a roll. We left off complimenting them on a commendable effort in Atlanta, but that effort only got better when the Mets dominated the Braves 16-4 on Thursday afternoon. Francisco Alvarez, Brandon Nimmo, and Tyronne Taylor all made their impact felt in the win and it sent the Queens crew back home on a high note. With the road trip done the Mets arrived back at Citi Field to host the red-hot Royals. The Friday night opener went to the home side by a score of 6-1, as they were keyed on offense by a big night from the lefty bat of Brett Baty who had two more RBI’s in the win. Number 22 has swung a hot bat to this point, hitting .305 with one homer and nine RBI’s, and he has seemingly improved rather dramatically in the field.
Unfortunately, the Mets couldn’t keep it rolling on Saturday, as they fell by a final score of 11-7. After two really strong starts to begin his Mets tenure, Sean Manaea struggled against the Royals going just three and two thirds and allowing six runs in the process. While the bats made a game of it, the rally would fall short, setting up a special Sunday at the ballpark, to honor a Mets legend.
Sunday was about much more than a ballgame for the Mets and their fans as they celebrated one of their franchise greats. Dwight “Doc” Gooden was back in the house to have his number 16 retired, surrounded by his former teammates and Mets ownership. Steve Cohen along with the rest of the front office deserve immense credit as they have continued to be wonderful stewards of Mets history, something the Wilpons never bothered to be. The enormity of the day was not lost on “Doctor K” who was clearly touched by the response from the Flushing Faithful. With the ceremony concluded it was time for baseball and young Jose Butto took the hill, seemingly inspired by Gooden himself.
Butto put on a show going six innings with nine strikeouts in the outing, as the Mets went on to win the game 2-1. Having won the series against KC, the Mets have gone to work on the visiting Pirates and have taken the first two of the series, getting themselves over .500 at 9-8. It’s been an impressive turn around after starting 0-5 and it gives you the feeling that the Mets can be more competitive than their initial start indicated. The key to that success has been the pitching, with the rotation holding up its end of the bargain while the Mets much improved bullpen has done the rest of the heavy lifting shutting down the opposition on a nightly basis. Pitching, defense and timely hitting is a good formula for success…long may it continue. With the recap wrapped up, its time to honor a New York broadcasting legend.
Sterling Steps to the Mic No More
Last week on this site we celebrated the legacy of broadcasting icon Verne Lundquist, who hung up the headset after a lengthy career on the national stage. But now this week it’s time to celebrate the amazing career of a local favorite as long time Yankee radio play by play announcer John Sterling announced his retirement Monday afternoon. At 85 years old, Sterling has had an incredible run calling games for the Baltimore Bullets and Atlanta Hawks in the NBA, as well as the Nets, Islanders and Atlanta Braves before joining the Yankees broadcast family in 1989. “Sterls” as he is affectionately known worked with a number of partners including Jay Johnstone, Joe Angel, Michael Kay, Charley Steiner, and of course long running partner Suzyn Waldman. Since 2005 he and Waldman have been the soundtrack to many Yankee fans lives on car rides and summer days away from the TV alike. They were of course the subject of humor and some criticism at times for some of their bizarre habits, but I always admired their chemistry on air and the passion they have, not only for baseball but for the Yanks.
Sterling was of course known for his catchphrases and bombastic style, one that led to countless impressions amongst Yankee fans and countdown lists of his best one-liners. There were “A-Bombs from A-Rod,” “Thrilla’s from Gonzilla,” and “Tex messages from Texiera,” and who could forget all the “back to backs” in a “belly to belly.” He was as unique as they come, and he will continue to be celebrated for it for a long time. He loved this team as much as the devoted Yankee fans that consumed his broadcast. Sure his “homer” stylings could go a bit overboard, but local broadcasters are by some measure supposed to love the team the way you do. It is how you connect to them and have a shared experience listening to or watching the games. So, thank you John Sterling for being there to document and celebrate Yankee history for all these years. Best of luck to Justin Shackil who will take over in the WFAN booth, I’m sure he will do great. With all that said, I figured I’ll throw my hat in the ring and share my picks for my favorite Sterling one-liners and calls.
Favorite One-Liner: Bern Baby Bern/Bernie Goes Boom
Favorite Home Run Moment: Scott Brosius Home Run, Game 5 2001 World Series
Best Moment: David Cone’s Perfect Game
And of course…BALLGAME OVER
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