GLIMMERING APRIL

Sometimes life throws its own curveballs at us, personally.  I’ve experienced that most recently, but decided it’s time to step aside from that (at least briefly) and write this article about the Yankees and one about the other NY baseball team today.  There’s been too much baseball news not to write; so, I’ve taken myself out of hiatus - at least today.  Here’s the first of 2 articles today:

The Yankees have been unbelievably great during their first month of the season.  Currently, they are tied with the Orioles for first place and the best record in the American League (15-8)!  Aaron Judge has basically replaced Gary Sanchez’ bat in respect to breaking rookie records, while Gary remains on the disabled list with less than a week to go.

Judge is currently hitting .303 with 10 homeruns and 20 RBIs.  Most of his homeruns are still orbiting the earth!  In fact, Judge presently owns the highest exit velocity record in baseball (a stat that has been recorded since 2015 by Statcast).  It happened this past Saturday when he smashed a homerun which was recorded at 119.4 mph.  Fans, please take my advice…if you are at the ballpark and attempt to catch a ball hit by Judge into the stands, not only should you wear a mitt, but you should also pad your palm and fingers under the mitt!!

Some of the other heroes who have helped the Yankees in April include their backup catcher (Austin Romine) and their backup shortstop/infielder (Ronald Torreyes).  Neither one of them is Gary Sanchez or Didi Gregorius respectively, but both have certainly offered more than enough offense and defense towards the team’s success.  With Didi back now and Sanchez about to return, it’s great to know that we certainly have superb “backups”. 

Without going through each and every player on the 25-man roster, I must acknowledge two other names who have demonstrated a lot of new reliance (so far) towards the team - starting pitchers Luis Severino and Jordan Montgomery.   Both offered hope during spring training and both carried over their performances into this early stage of the season.

It will certainly be interesting to watch the Yankees in May to see if they can continue on such a positive path.  If most of the Yankees’ players contribute similar contributions, Gary Sanchez returns with most of his historic offense and defense, and Greg Bird catches up to fastballs again, then May should be yet another great NYY month.