twilightdawning

A writer's thoughts – mainly about music, sport and theatre. Shakespeare, Bob Dylan, live shows, New York Yankees

A New York Yankees Diary – Day Seven – September 8th, 2026

Posted on September 9, 2026 by twilightdawning

Well, having arrived earlier in the preceding week to prepare for my personal residency at Yankee Stadium, I now took up my seat. I have decided to alternate between a seat in the 320 section and the 120 section both of which overlook homeplate. I tend to sit in these areas anyway but this year it is of particular interest to me, so that I can study this ABS (Automatic Ball & Strike system) which I have to admit to being somewhat prejudiced against as it seems to detract from the naturalness of the game and the autonomy of the umpires, but I shall do my best to keep an open mind over the next 13 home games.

An evening game against the weak pitching, weak fielding Colorado Rockies. Their hitting is good but is obviously boosted by the favourable conditions in Colorado. It would seem to me that in this game which began at 7.08pm New York time, a win is likely – and maybe even a sweep over the 3 games.

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The New York Yankees in June – Part Two – The Pitchers (2026)

Posted on July 11, 2026 by twilightdawning

The Yankees’ pitching in June was not what they had hoped for. They were still carrying injuries – Max Fried is a long-term absentee, and the rest of the starting rotation – which was a strength in May – was not handling things well.

David Bednar who struggled in the previous month was back on form and Tim Hill who was improved on his last month’s performance too was getting little run support and despite a healthy WHIP was conceding more runs than he should.

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A New York Yankees Diary – Day Twenty-Eighth – September 28th, 2025

Posted on October 3, 2025 by twilightdawning

And so we came to the last day of the season…

Not only did the Yankees need to win to clinch the bye through the first round of the playoffs, but they needed the Toronto Blue Jays to lose in their final game – against the Tampa Bay Rays, who had struggled almost as much in 2025 as the Yankees’ opponents on the final day – the Baltimore Orioles.

For the Yankees, it would be Luis Gil on the mound. This was a role that indicated to him that if the Yankees didn’t bypass the first round of those playoffs, he might not even make the roster for the Wildcard series. This then was a crucial game for him as he sought to show that he was worth a relief role and a spot on the roster as a starter for the second series.

Meanwhile, Kyle Brandish would be playing his last game of the season for Baltimore and an opportunity to improve on his 1-1 record in 2025 as he closed out his fourth year in the Majors.

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Working with gospel great, Randy Matthews

Posted on August 22, 2025 by twilightdawning

I’m going to be the producer on Randy’s re-release programme. In September, I’m flying in from the south of England and Randy will be flying in from Florida. We’ll be meeting in New York City to flesh out plans. We’ll be meeting at Yankee Stadium and living in Manhattan. Please pray for us. If everything comes together there will be a Kickstarter programme to finance everything.

Again, I want to emphasise that there will be no streaming releases and those that are out there are doing that to Randy’s financial disadvantage. There will be downloads, cds, and vinyl (depending on demand).

Consideration is also being given to a possible new album. We’ll see.

Bim Ingersoll is also prominently involved. He has been a great help in planning this.

The New York Yankees in June – Part Two – The Pitchers (2025)

Posted on July 4, 2025 by twilightdawning

13-14? 13-14 on the month of June? How did the New York Yankees suddenly collapse to a point where they are winning less than half the games in the month?

Well, as we have seen in my first article. most of the batters (with the exception of Jazz Chisholm and Cody bellinger) are no longer hitting. And whilst the starting rotation (injuries aside) is holding up, the bullpen is falling apart…

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A New York Yankees Diary – Day Sixteen – September 26th, 2024

Posted on October 1, 2024 by twilightdawning

So, 4 games to go and 4 games in front. And to be frank things were not going well for the Yankees as the Orioles were two up in the series already.

Now this evening game had a very tough pitching matchup with Gerrit Cole leading off the pitching for the New York team and Orioles’ ace Corbin Burnes the other guy on the mound. This one was wide open and could have gone either way.

Gunnar Henderson hit a fly out to Aaron Judge in centerfield which was followed by two gentle ground outs – Jordan Westburg out 6-3 and then Anthony Santander hitting directly to Antony Rizzo to finish out the Baltimore time at bat.

Burnes suggested he might have the edge tonight. In 9 pitches, he got the first three Yankees’ batters to strike out swinging (Gleyber Torres, Juan Soto and
Aaron Judge).

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The New York Yankees in May – Part One – The Batters (2024)

Posted on June 5, 2024 by twilightdawning

The New York Yankees had a sensational month in May. They went 21-7 and dominated the league and their division.

Aaron Judge, who had struggled in April, bounced back with strength. Juan Soto continued at the high level he set in April. Their starting pitchers exceeded expectations. The bullpen had as much depth as anticipated.

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New York Yankees Diary – September 30th, 2023

Posted on October 2, 2023 by twilightdawning

So, my month at the Stadium is over.

What can I tell you? It didn’t work out quite the way I had anticipated it when I accepted the commission at the beginning of the season.

Then the Yankees looked like one of the strongest, if not the strongest team in Major League Baseball. I would have ranked them alongside the Atlanta Braves as the strongest team in the majors

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New York Yankees Diary – September 11th, 2023

Posted on September 14, 2023 by twilightdawning

Value for money. It’s a big issue in the times when your baseball team are not doing so well.

Unlike most critics, I don’t think the Yankees have got some divine right to win – no matter how much the Steinbrenners and Cashmans of this world promise it. However, I do think the Yankees have a duty to take care of their fans and treat them well.

Stadium tours. If you look at what is being charged, and what is being given, it doesn’t seem to be happening.

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New York Yankees Diary – September 9th, 2023

Posted on September 11, 2023 by twilightdawning

Mike Jerzembeck.

Mike Jerzembeck?

Mike Jerzembeck was introduced to the crowd at Old Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium, and a large percentage of the crowd (including those in the row near me) seemed to collectively go “who?”. Especially since Old Timers’ Day concentrated on the squad of players who played for the Yankees in 1998, and Jerzembeck was one of them.

Now, the 1998 Yankees are one of less than a handful of teams who are considered when the question is raised as to who is perhaps the greatest club Major Leagues history so to even be a minor figure in that story is quite something…

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