Top Five Yankees Commercials Of All Time

# 5- New Era

Most people reading this have likely found themselves in this situation at least once in their life. In the past decade and half, it has been almost unavoidable. Alec Baldwin and New Era exact perfectly the Yankees attitude. Most long standing Yankees may want to applaud after seeing this commercial.

#4- Visa

Following his occasional ritual of filming commercials to parody highly publicized feuds, The Boss and Derek Jeter came together for this 2002 Visa commercial. It followed a situation where Steinbrenner believed the Captain’s performance was being hindered by over indulgence into the limelight of New York. Needless to say, they buried the hatchet while line dancing.

#3- Adidas

Louis Sojo thought what we were all thinking in 1998, “Hey Coney, why don’t you have a dance?” This Yankees classic really deserves airtime on YES. Like many Yankees fan’s, I too remember the first time I saw Orlando Hernandez’s leg kick . It harkens back to a year when the Yankees just did not lose, and David Cone appalled the cities more colorful residents with his dance moves.

#2- Miller Lite

This commercial is a close runner up to our final selection. As mentioned earlier, this comes from a handful of commercials starring Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner, commemorating their otherwise ridiculous relationship. This Miller Lite commercial is by far the best of all the times they spent together on the small screen. It is not as funny as number three, but there comes a time when a classic just deserves its due.

#1- Adidas

This commercials answers the question every Yankees fan had on their mind, “What the hell is ANSKY?” Adidas created a commercial that is clearly king among men. It had everything. Sweaty and body painted fans. A foul mouthed cabby. A completely believable error that everyone has stumbled into during their life. Simply put, it is a stroke of marketing genius. Its fair to say that sometime in my life, I will name a pet frog ANSKY. Oh wait, I already have. Only in New York.

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Why The Cliff Lee Situation Feels So Familiar

There are times when we must all look to history, or be doomed to repeat it. As injuries have decimated the Yankees original 2014 starting staff, and baseball settles its landscape on the trade market, Cliff Lee appears to be atop many fans wish list for a revamped Yankees rotation as a battle tested ace. Yet, Cliff Lee demonstrates a desturbing historical parallel to the Yankees 2004 persuit of Randy Johnson.

Lee is on a struggling Phillies team (43-55, 5th in the NL East), one that will inevitably be forced to deal many of its stars by the July 31st trade deadline in order to rebuild. Lee is owed an overwhelming amount of money over the next year and a half. Lee's current deal entitles him to $7.5M for the remainder of 2014, $25M for 2015, and a $27.5M option in 2016, with a $12.5M buyout for declining (per Baseball Prospectus' Cot's Contracts). Lee has made a career out of firing bee-bee’s at the Yankees during critical playoff moments, and is also the top flight pitcher that has always been just out of reach for the Yankees in the past. In essence, Cliff Lee is Randy Johnson from 10 years ago.

Some may recall the fixation that began when a Daily News’ article in July 2004 quoted Johnson as saying “I’d play for the Yanks.” In 2004, the pitching needs were very similar to those of the 2014 Yankees. Both are the product of injury and under performance. Yankees fans were clamoring to fit Johnson for pinstripes as an answer to their championship prayers. In fairness, Johnson in 2004 was having a much more memorable season than Lee’s 2014. In fact, Johnson was downright dominant (16-14 W-L/245.2 IP/2.60 ERA/0.90 WHIP/44 BB/290 K). He was the lone figure that made Arizona Diamondbacks (55-111) baseball palatable, albeit once every five days. Ultimately the Yankees were not able to acquire Johnson until the off-season, two months too late for the 04’ campaign. Once the Yankees managed to trade for him, his two year tenure was highly tumultuous. Beginning with a bevy of mechanical problems that affected his velocity and slider command. Johnson also endured an endless string of back ailments that clearly hindered his performance. His time in the Bronx ultimately lead him to be traded back to Arizona during the 2006 off season, to both the relief of Johnson and the Yankees alike.

I bring this vivid example to light because it feels like the situation the Yankees face with Cliff Lee. Like Johnson, Lee was never known for his fondness for playing in the Bronx, or for their fans (A notable incident with Lee’s wife in the stands at Yankee Stadium during the 2010 AL Championship Series did not help), and both have spurned significant Yankee interest during free agency. More pointedly, both come with high prices tags in the form of major contractual obligations, and a potential haul of the few valued prospects in the Yankee system. Lee, like Johnson, is not in the prime of his career, and further stands a realistic probability of re-injury. Lee has been on the DL since May 10th with a pitching elbow strain. Lee is is 35 years old, Johnson was 40.

It is fair to say Cliff Lee is by definition a high risk investment, potentially even greater than Johnson. Not only will the Yankees in all likelihood be forced to grant Philadephia major concessions, they also run the risk of acquiring a player who’s body, mind, and heart appear far from lockstep with the challenge the Yankees face. Granted, Lee has a full no-trade clause, one that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. would have to convince Lee to waive (Editor's Note: Cliff Lee has a partial no-trade clause to 20 clubs, that includes the Yankees). Even if Amaro manages to do so, the Yankees face the prospect of acquiring a player with little initial desire to be in New York. There is no physical injury that can compare when an athlete, even a professional athlete, is not fully committed to their playing situation. Unfortunately, there is no sabermetric measurement, nor scouting report, that can tell Brian Cashman what he needs to know about Lee’s heart before possibly pulling the trigger on that deal.

As a Yankees fan, I cannot help but recall how dominant Lee has been in big spots, especially against the Yankees. Since 2007, Cliff Lee has been everything on the mound, and more. Though it is no stretch to label any deal for him with the old adage “buyer beware,” no matter the potential great reward it may bring to a Yankees club firmly in need.

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Bleacher Creature Displays Jeter's Most Memorable Farewell Gift

Vinny Milano is better known to Yankees fans as "Bald Vinny." Milano is the Prime Minister of The Bleacher Creatures in section 203 (Previously section 39). He is also a legendary super fan, a star from the YES Network's original run of the YES Network Ultimate Road Trip, and a River Avenue t-shirt vendor. He is also the booming voice that begins the roll call after first pitch ("Heyyyyy!! Jacobyyyyy!!"). Bald Vinny has decided to leave something permanent for The Captain's posterity.

Per his Twitter and Instagram account, Milano has emblazoned a piece of street art on a security shutter, a piece he commissioned portraying Derek Jeter. However you may feel about graffiti as an art form, this is impressive. Leaving my inner art critic at home, the mural does one thing exceptionally well, it precisely fits the tone of the cities fans. More to the point, it embodies how Yankees fans think of their Captain, he is without blemish. Even though it was a bit much on the eye lashes, it is displays like these that make up the intangible sensation Yankees fan feel during game day. An experience that cannot be duplicated or transplanted anywhere else in sports, because it so embodies the generational dedication and passion for New York's top sport, and team. The next time I am on River Avenue, there is a photo-op waiting to happen.

The original stadium may be gone, but it's fans like Bald Vinny, and their unsurpassed zeal for the organization that make a trip to the Bronx unlike any other. Yankees fan may both give and take a lot in the reputation department, but they create an infectious experience that cannot be denied, or diluted.

(Below are links to Vinny Milano's Instagram Site, and his Yankees t-shirt business. Both are worth a click.)

Vinny Milano's Instagram Account with additional photo's of the mural creation.

Bald Vinny's T-Shirt Site. A classic selection! 

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July 20th, 1998: A Doubleheader to Remember

16 years ago today, I was 12 years old, and the Yankees were playing host to the Detroit Tigers. It was a single-admission double header at Yankee Stadium, scheduled as a make up game for a previously postponed rain out.

For my family, it was a unique celebration. We were attending the double header to honor my mother's recent remission from cancer after a year long battle. It would turn into a day that none of us would ever forget.

The first pitch for game 1 was scheduled for 4:05 that afternoon. David Wells, amidst his overwhelming 1998 season, started the first game for the Yankees. Despite a strong 6.1 inning start, he would come nowhere close to finishing the contest. The game was tied at three after nine innings, and remained tied until the top of the 17th. A go-ahead single by Joe Randa off of the Yankees Darren Holmes put Detroit ahead 4-3, where they would hold on to win. The last out of the first game was recorded at 10:00 PM, with game 2 scheduled for 10:30.

After a grueling loss that took six hours to play, it was decision time. We asked my Mom, who only recently had been declared in remission, if she wanted to go home. Surely no one could have blamed her for wanting to leave. She would have none of it. She made it clear we were there for the haul.

Hideki Irabu started the second game, which the Yankees would win in a comparatively brief nine innings, by the score of 4-3. It was a hard earned split for every fan still in attendance. The second game ended at 1:15 AM. 

This memory is bitter sweet, as my mother is no longer with us today. Though, even after a charmed life as a baseball fan, that day is my fondest memory of the game, and the old ballpark. Moreover, I cannot put into words how stalwart she was to remain for the entirety of nine consecutive hours of baseball. Especially for a woman who was still experiencing considerable physical discomfort. 

July 20th, 1998 was one of my mother's finest moments, among countless fine moments in her life, and specifically in 1998. It is yet another example that baseball helps heal all wounds. 

The box score for 7/20/1998. Courtesy of baseball-reference.com

                                    (The arrangement is the beautiful work of Rosie's Floral Boutique)

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The Iron Horse And His Silver Tongue

The accomplishments of Lou Gehrig are legendary. The Iron Horse can be remembered for any one of many incredible feat. Though it is his speech on Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee Stadium, on July 4th, 1939 that many recall most. When you truly analyze it, Gehrig's speech is amazingly one of the top ten speeches given in American history. Yet with applause included, he spoke for no more than 30 seconds (Revision Note: Most broadcast's of his speech are historically abbreviated). Clearly he was overcome by the moment. A moment that included an astounding outpouring of affection. As he stood there, he knew there was a very limited time left for him on earth. In all likelihood, he experienced a complex, and intense combination of emotion. Maybe even a great deal more.

Though why are his few words so lasting? So indelible? It can be said that great public speaking is a combination of both brevity, and the ability to move your audience emotionally. In that regard, Gehrig is joined by few. It is possible to believe his speech is as ingrained in the annals of American history as, "[a] day that will live in infamy," or "I have a dream." The first example being America's entrance into World War II. The second are words of an American prophet, who foresaw a greater future for all. Though Gehrig only played baseball. How is it possible to believe his contributions and illness could possibly compare to changing the complexion of the world?

Henry Louis Gehrig was a first generation German-American, a dedicated mama's boy, attended Columbia University, batted fourth in Murderer's Row, he played a record 2,130 consecutive games, and was for all intents and purposes the embodiment of the American dream. A son of immigrants who was self made, and composed of something like iron. Despite so many amazing achievements, the speech is so incredibly memorable and important because it is so human. A great man receiving his due accolades, knowing full well his time is near. Every person who has ever heard his words can feel his pain, his gratitude, and his humility. He demonstrated without any doubt that even a man of iron is still just a man. Legend or not. 

                                                   (Image compliments of cbssports.com)


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