Summer means a lot of things. But what is better than going to the ballpark and enjoying a game in the sun (we hope) with a cold one and a hot dog? Not many things top that. We in The Capital Region are lucky because there are so many great ballparks to go to within a close distance. Here are my Top 5 based on price, experience and proximity.
When CC Sabathia is on, we know what he is capable of. The Yankees were on a five-game losing streak heading into their series with Boston and needed Sabathia badly. They needed the lefthander to deliver a masterful performance. One that would right the ship back into the sea of victories.
Tim Lincecum. Remember him? He won two CY Young awards back-to-back in 2008 and 2009 at age 24 and 25. Now he can barely stay in the Giants' rotation. Phil Hughes? Bust at age 28. Ivan Nova won 16 games in 2011 and hasn't been heard from since. Ricky Romero was supposed to be the ace of the Blue Jays in 2009 and beyond. Injuries and confidence have caused him to be a below average pitcher.
A day after the city of Boston was locked down under a 'shelter-in-place' order while a massive manhunt captured the last suspect at large in last Monday's Boston Marathon bombings, the Boston Red Sox held extended pregame ceremonies at Fenway Park on Saturday to honor the memory of the victims of the attacks and celebrate the Boston police, emergency responders and marathon volunteers
The New York Yankees, with the depleted roster we all know by now, opened up 2013 losing two of three to Boston and two of three to Detroit. BUT, the last game against Detroit was a 7-0 win and the Yanks downed ace Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia rebounded for a win, so the momentum is there to ride. And now the pinstripes head to Cleveland for a four-game set. Here is a series preview:
The dog days of Spring? Maybe. The Yanks are 0-1. Uh oh. They play 162 games, sure, but the flaws are there. There is also not reason to panic. And so away we go with the things the Yanks must do to stay in it until June 1 when they get officially or unofficially healthy for the stretch run.
