“That’s where the emphasis hit with how big he was outside of the game,” Granderson said. “These were people that the furthest of their baseball knowledge or playing has gone is little league or high school. Male or female, old or young were just consistently informing me.”

Those who Granderson didn’t trade texts with, however, were his teammates.

“I hadn’t talked to any of them about it,” he said. “I think everyone thought once we got here it would be discussed, or everyone knew the news at that point.”

Granderson, who is in his first year as the Yankees center fielder, had never met Steinbrenner; only saw him from a distance on several occasions. Yet, he is still well aware of the legacy being left behind by someone touted as the most powerful owner in the history of professional sports.

Steinbrenner was 80 years old when he passed away at his home in Tampa, Fla on July 13. The man known for his fiery attitude bought the Yankees in 1973 for $10 million. Seven World Series championships later, including one last season, the franchise is now valued at $1.6 billion by Forbes.

Many current Yankees have had the opportunity to spend time with and get to know Steinbrenner, who made his last public appearance at the new Yankee Stadium at the 2010 home opener. Veterans Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte not only considered Steinbrenner their boss, but also a friend.

“The first time I saw him was in Tampa for Rookie Ball,” Rivera said. “I didn’t know much English. Seeing him there, I was like ‘wow.’ I was in front of The Boss, and I liked it. I didn’t know much about him at the time though.”

Posada spent five seasons in the Yankees’ minor league system before slipping into pinstripes. He describes their first meeting at Spring Training in 1997 as casual, nothing more than a quick hello.

“Being in the minor leagues since ‘91, you’d seen him, but he doesn’t really approach a player until later,” said the Yankees catcher, referring to an “I-made-it” moment. “He did in ‘97,”

The Yankees honored Steinbrenner, as well as longtime public address announcer Bob Sheppard, on Friday night before taking on the Tampa Bay Rays. Sheppard passed away last Sunday at the age of 99. Following a 10-minute video tribute to The Boss, Rivera laid a bouquet of flowers, including two red roses, on home plate. Jeter then spoke about both men before asking for two minutes of silence. Later, Jeter said that was the first time he ever had to speak at a memorial for someone. The Yankees closed out the occasion with the playing of taps.

Starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia had the honor of taking the mound following the short service. The Yankees ace said he watched the tribute instead of continuing his warm-up routine.

“It was tough, but the best thing was that it was a baseball game,” Sabathia said.

“He’s been the horse. That’s what they paid him to do,” Swisher said of Sabathia. “They paid him to be our number one and go eight innings every time to give us our best chance to win.”

In the game, New York trailed 3-1 before back-to-back seventh-inning home runs by Robinson Cano and Posada tied it up. After the Rays pulled ahead by one in the top of the next frame, Swisher knotted the game again with a home run of his own.

Both teams went into the bottom of the ninth with the score tied at four. With Yankee baserunners on first and second and one out, Jeter struck out swinging. Swisher followed with a single to right field, scoring Granderson, for the 5-4 win. It was a fitting way to pay tribute to Steinbrenner, who preached hard work and perseverance.

“They’re a tough team,” Sabathia said. “They’re in our division. To be able to get a win to start the series is a big thing. They would have wanted us to win”

Jeter was slightly more modest about the victory over the Rays, who are three games back of the Yankees in the A.L. East.

“We want to play well regardless who we’re playing against. I guess because they’re right behind us people will make more importance of this game,” Jeter said. “We’re trying to win the series and play well. We did that pretty good in the first half and we’ll try to improve in the second half. There’s still a lot of room for improvement, but we’re happy to get the first one.”

If anything, Friday night’s game proved that baseball will go on, even without the voice of their once outspoken leader or the man who announced their names so eloquently. The fitting way to pay tribute to both is through wins, and Steinbrenner and Sheppard wouldn’t want it any other way.

The following blog was being updated from the Press Box at Yankee Stadium during the Yankees/Rays game on July 16.

1:22 a.m.: Check out ScottStanchak.com for audio interviews with Derek Jeter, C.C. Sabathia, Jorge Posada, Dave Robertson, Mariano Rivera, Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson. I expect to have a feature story up Monday.

10:39 p.m.: I’m headed down to the locker room to get interviews. Check ScottStanchak.com for audio, and look for a feature early next week.

10:38 p.m.: Swisher comes through with the game-winning RBI hit in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. The Yankees win 5-4. Granderson started off the bottom of the ninth with a single. Girardi then pinch hit for Juan Miranda with infielder Ramiro Pena to bunt Granderson over to second. Gardner followed with a walk on a 3-2 count. Rays manager Joe Maddon decided to go to his pen again, this time calling the name of Dan Wheeler to face Jeter. Wheeler was able to strikeout the Yankee captain. Maddon, for the second time in the inning, made a call to the pen, bringing in Lance Cormier. It was Cormier who would surrender Swisher’s game winner.

10:17 p.m.: Joba Chamberlain is warming in the Yankees bullpen. This time, I’ll stay away from making a prediction as to when — or if — he’ll enter this game.

10:13 p.m.: Rivera caught Evan Longoria looking for the third strike and third out of the top of the ninth. Longoria completely disagreed with the call, slamming his bat on the plate and yelling as he walked back to the dugout. Choate is now the game for the Rays.

10:08 p.m.: Rivera gave up an infield single to B.J. Upton to start the inning. Upton, who has great speed, kept creeping further and further away from the bag, and Rivera kept throwing over to first. Finally, Rivera caught Upton in too much of a lean and was able to pick him off.

10:06 p.m.: I spoke too soon, forgetting that Rivera hasn’t pitched since July 8. Rays closer Rafael Soriano and former Yankee Randy Choate are up in their respective bullpen.

9:52 p.m.: Mariano Rivera is tossing in the Yankees bullpen. It’s unlikely he’ll come in unless New York takes the lead. Right now, Teixeira is on first after a walk and Rodriguez is at the plate.

9:48 p.m.: Swisher helps Sabathia avoid his fourth loss on the season with a bomb over the rightfield wall. That’s his 16th of the season. The home run ties the game at four apiece.

9:46 p.m.: The Rays move on to their third arm of the evening. Right-hander Joaquin Benoit is now on the hill. He’ll face the heart of the Yankees lineup in Swisher, Teixeira and Rodriguez.

9:42 p.m.: Outstanding performance by Robertson, who struck out the side during his inning of work.

9:39 p.m.: 47,524 witnessed Sabathia’s last pitch. Girardi pulled the southpaw after seven innings, during which he surrendered eight hits, four runs, three earned and struck out six. Sabathia also walked four. Robertson is now on the mound for New York.

9:28 p.m.: Shields is out; Balfour is in. Shields would get the win should the Rays not allow any additional Yankee runs.

9:25 p.m.: Carlos Pena hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring a run from third with the bases loaded and one out. That puts Tampa Bay up by one. Robertson is still throwing out beyond the right-center fence. It looks like Girardi may go with him in the eighth. Rays 4, Yankees 3 in the bottom of the seventh.

9:18 p.m.: David Robertson is now up in the Yankees’ pen. Sabathia will definitely hit the 100 pitch mark this inning. My guess is manager Joe Girardi will send him out there for the eighth, but will take him out if he gets into any kind of trouble. That is, if he gets out of the seventh. Currently, he has runners on second and third with no outs.

9:13 p.m.: This Stadium crowd was starting to get a little too quiet, until Robinson Cano stepped to the plate. The Yankees second baseman drove Rays starter Jamie Shield’s pitch over the centerfield wall, putting the Yankees within one. With the crowd re-energized, Jorge Posada did the same, knocking the ball over the fence in left, tying the game at three. This was the third time Yankee players have gone back-to-back this season. Grant Balfour is now warming up for Tampa Bay. Yankees 3, Rays 3 in the top of the seventh.

9:00 p.m.: Swisher with a strange play in right. Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach hit a high fly that Swisher had to run towards the line to grab. Suddenly, the ball shifted back towards center, fooling Swisher. He dropped it and Shoppach ended up on second. Sabathia would get out of the inning. So far, no one warming up for the Yankees in the bullpen.

8:52 p.m.: Heck of a catch in right by Rays outfielder Gabe Kapler. The veteran climbed the wall to rob Nick Swisher of a sure extra base hit.

8:45 p.m.: Tampa Bay pulled ahead by two once again, this time on a fielder’s choice double play with the bases loaded. It was a strong play by Alex Rodriguez, who was playing in on the hitter, Evan Longoria. Sabathia’s up to 84 pitches already, and went to two 3-0 counts this inning–he walked both guys. Rays 3, Yankees 1 in the bottom of the fifth.

8:08 p.m.: It only took an hour, but the Yankees have finally put a number up on the scoreboard. Nick Swisher singled home Brett Gardner, who was on second after a single and fielder’s choice. Rays 2, Yankees 1 in the top of the fourth.

7:58 p.m.: Evan Longoria gave the Rays the 2-0 lead on a double just inside the foul line in leftfield. Sabathia looked to the sky in disappointment following the hit. He came right back and struck Carlos Pena out on three straight pitches. Rays 2, Yankees 0 heading into the bottom of the third.

7:36 p.m.: The Rays scored first on Willie Aybar’s sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring Ben Zobrist. Zorbist reached base after driving the ball down the line, which Alex Rodriguez stopped, but threw it away. Aybar was able to advance to second on the throwing error. The run is unearned for Sabathia. Rays 1, Yankees 0 in the top of the second.

7:13 p.m.: Rays leadoff man B.J. Upton goes down swinging for the first out of the game. Upton didn’t appear happy when Sabathia strolled off the mound after the strikeout. Upton kept staring at Sabathia, hoping the pitcher would see, but never got a return glance.

7:10 p.m.: It was just announced that in honor of Sheppard, the public announcer booth will be silent tonight. That means no player introductions. Fans in the bleachers also held off their roll call for the evening in remembrance.

7:05 p.m.: The Yankees have their stud lineup out there tonight. Derek Jeter, Nick Swisher, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada, Curtis Granderson, Juan Miranda and Brett Gardner. C.C. Sabathia is on the mound for New York. He’s won his last eight starts, and the Yankees are 8-1 in their last nine games.

Pre-game: A five-plus minute tribute to George Steinbrenner was followed by a minute-long standing ovation by the fans and players from both teams. All of the Yankee players lined up outside of the dugout to watch the video. Afterwards, Mariano Rivera placed a bouquet of flowers on home plate. Captain Derek Jeter then took the microphone and said a few words before asking for a moment of silence.

Each player is wearing a patch over the Yankees logo on the left breast. Inside the oval is George Steinbrenner’s name, initials and date of birth and death. The Yankees, and their minor league affiliates, will wear this throughout the season. A Bob Sheppard patch will be worn on the sleeve.

I spoke with a few of the guys–Rivera, Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson–before the game. Mariano told me that his first meeting with Steinbrenner was in Tampa when he was just entering the Yankees system. He said he knew very little English, but was still wowed by him. Granderson, meanwhile, said he never met “The Boss.” He received the news through text message from a few of his friends.

Major League organizations attribute millions of payroll dollars each year to the scouting process.  But despite meticulously watching prospects, scouts can never be too sure their present findings will completely predict future failure, or success.  The same could be said for anything in life; we just don’t know where this path we’re on will eventually lead.

I have a particular viewpoint on the top part draft which relates to all sports: Heading into it, so-called “experts” blow up our televisions, radios and computer screens with mock boards.  Most of the time, there’s a consensus over the first handful of picks.  Basically, teams would be out of their minds if they didn’t go with the 20-1 left-hander or the shortstop from South Florida who hit .650.  But some of the time, those sure things don’t pan out.  At that very moment they were the right moves, year later, not so much.

When the Yankees took – earmuffs – Brien Taylor first overall in the 1991 MLB Draft, teams were envious of their position.  The minor-league bible, Baseball America, named him the best available prospect, a can’t miss.  Sounds enticing, right?  The Yankees called Taylor’s name, Manny Ramirez went 12 spots later to the Cleveland Indians and the rest is history.

What I’m getting at is that years later we look back and say the Yankees completely blew their 1991 draft by taking Taylor, who never made it to the majors.  Really, it was Taylor that blew the Yankees draft.  The Yankees simply did what everyone else in their situation would have done by taking the best player on the board.

Some of these so-called “experts” have already proclaimed Yankees 2010 first-round draft pick, Cito Culver, a future dud.  Already? Really?

Culver batted .561 — does any high school or college hitter make the pros without batting over .500 these days? — with 38 RBI and nine home runs last high school season.  Baseball America had the shortstop near the bottom of their Top 200 players available, yet the Yankees jumped on the 17-year-old with the 32nd pick, the last of the opening round.  Yankee officials said Wednesday that they heard rumblings another team would snatch up Culver before their next pick so they pulled the trigger.

Here’s where it gets interesting because if Culver bombs, we’ll all say the Yankees made a horrible pick.  Culver would be at fault too, but the Yankees, as opposed to the Taylor scenario, would get most of the blame.  Not everyone agreed Culver was the best available during when the Yankees’ turn came up; in fact, there were about 130 players rated higher.  The margin for criticism is wider in this case.  It also comes down to risk verses reward later in the draft, where teams like the Yankees typically pick because of their winning tradition.

The first thing that comes to my mind about Culver, who committed to the University of Maryland, is he could be the shortstop of the future for the Yankees.  Now, there’s no urgency in getting him to New York, not as long as Derek Jeter is there, but the timing may be perfect.  Jeter is entering free agency this offseason, and there appears to be no way the Yankees will let him walk because of age — this soon-to-be 36-year-old is no Johnny Damon.  If New York agrees to a deal with Jeter, it will most likely be for three years with a fourth-year option.  That contract will then take the Yankee captain into his forties, or more than enough time for Culver to develop into their middle infielder of the future.

I checked in with my good friend Mike Ashmore, who covers the Trenton Thunder and runs one of the top Yankee minor league blogs on the Web, and he tells me that Culver has little competition on the organization’s depth chart at short.

“New York hasn’t really had anyone who’s been capable of replacing Derek Jeter in their system for quite some time now, and they arguably still don’t,” Ashmore said. “Eduardo Nunez came through Trenton last year and is currently in Scranton, but still leaves a lot to be desired defensively.  Ramiro Pena, Reegie Corona and Kevin Russo, all on the 40-man roster, can play short, but none are ideal as long-term starting options either.”

There’s no doubt the Yankees hope that Culver turns out better than the last shortstop they selected in the first round: C.J. Henry, who was was taken 17th overall in 2005.  He spent only 68 games in two stints with the organization, was traded, retired and is now playing college basketball with the Kansas Jayhawks.

Now, I’m not guaranteeing that Culver will rise to anywhere near Jeter’s potential, but I see what the Yankees are doing here.  They are positioning themselves for the future, and rightfully so with shortstop for the New York Yankees being one of the most coveted spots on any team in any sport.

The crosstown-rival Mets selected earlier in the night, grabbing North Carolina sophomore right-hander Matt Harvey seventh.  Harvey, who spurned the Los Angles Angels a few years back after being taken in the third round, was 8-3 with a 3.09 ERA for the Tar Heels this season.  The Mets view Harvey as a front-of-the-rotation starter, someone who can throw a lot of innings.  During one college game, Harvey tossed 157 pitches, while also battling sickness.  It’s a tale of Bunyanesque proportions, one the Mets hope can grow in the Show.

Harvey became the fourth arm taken off the board when the Mets turn came around yet Baseball America had seven other available pitchers ranked higher.  In this case, does that mean the Mets made a bad choice?  Not at all.  Nor am I saying Baseball America should be the gauge for how teams should draft.  What I’m getting at is that the Mets felt Harvey was the best fit for their organization.

Opposite of Culver’s case, since the Mets drafted earlier, the circle of criticism should be slightly smaller.  Harvey was one of the top pitchers available, thus they shouldn’t have passed him up.   If they did, that circle would widen.  It really is only fair.

So let’s not jump on the Yankees and Mets right now, tossing negative energy in the direction of their recent draft selections.  While the Yankees took a bit more risk with their pick, in due time we’ll know if these were the right moves.

Remember, there’s always next year.

So today begins my coverage of the 2010 baseball season.  The season is less than a week away, and this is the one time of year that every team – the Pittsburgh Pirates may be the exception – feels it has a chance at the world championship trophy.  We expect the New York Yankees to be good, but there are a number of teams with younger talent who could be on their heels very shortly, namely the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are managed by New York’s ex-skipper Joe Torre.

Then, there’s the St. Louis Cardinals, who boast a rotation that rivals any in baseball.  Imagine them taking on the Boston Red Sox, who I believe have the game’s five best, in the Series.

Those are simply two of the endless storylines that help us maintain our passion for the game.  I’m hopeful, as you’ve come to expect with my NFL coverage, I can continue to bring you beyond the field with some truly captivating tales.  This is my third year providing coverage of MLB and MiLB on “The Cheap Seats: Notebook,” and here’s to 2010 being the best yet.

Here are my fearless predictions for the 2010 season:

American League

East: New York Yankees – It’s impossible to write off the Yankees after they acquired a top-notch center fielder (Curtis Granderson) and a potential gem in fourth starter Javier Vazquez.

Central: Minnesota Twins – Minnesota is young, hungry and full of potential.  Any lineup card with Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer written on it is poised to do damage.  Let’s just hope the arms throwing to Mauer are just as reliable.

West: Anaheim Angels – The Angles don’t really have any competition in this division. Rocking one of the best starting rotations in the American League with Jered Weaver, Scott Kazmir, Erwin Santana, Joe Saunders and Joel Pineiro also helps.

Wild Card: Boston Red Sox – Replacing Jason Bay with Mike Cameron isn’t the sexiest of moves, nor is it a better one.  And aside from having the best pitching staff in baseball, there are too many question marks offensively, especially on the left side of the infield (Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutaro).  Also, it remains to be seen whether David Ortiz will return to being “Big Papi” instead of 2009’s “Deflated Papi.”  That said, Boston is still one of the Top 4 teams in the American League.

MVP: Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

CY Young: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox

Rookie Of The Year: Austin Jackson, Detroit Tigers

Manager Of The Year: Ron Gardenhire, Minnesota Twins

National League

East: Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies have the best infield in baseball (Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco) and a number of offensive threats in the outfield.  Pitching wise, Roy Halladay makes their staff better, but there are still some potential holes, including at closer with the always unpredictable Brad Lidge.

Central: St. Louis Cardinals – The one-two punch of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday will put the Cardinals in any game.  The top of their rotation isn’t too shabby either with last year’s CY Young candidates Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter.

West: Los Angeles Dodgers – Wherever Torre has gone over the past two decades, he always seems to compile the perfect mix of young talent and veteran leadership.  Top to bottom, Los Angeles owns one of the best lineups in the game.  They could be good for many years to come.

Wild Card: San Francisco Giants – The Giants just aren’t consistent enough to take the top spot in the West; however, with little competition behind them, the Wild Card spot should be theirs for the taking.  Led by reigning CY Young winner Tim Lincecum, San Francisco’s rotation is the best young staff in the majors.  In the batter’s box, they found a star in the making in third baseman Pablo Sandoval.

MVP: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

CY Young: Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

Rookie Of The Year: Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves

Manager Of The Year: Bruce Bochy, San Francisco Giants

Playoffs & World Series:
Yankees over Angels
Red Sox over Twins

Phillies over Giants
Dodgers over Cardinals

Phillies over Red Sox in the World Series

Past MLB Season Previews: 2009 |   2008

Beginning tonight, the reigning-champion Philadelphia Phillies travel north on I-95 to take on the New York Yankees. The teams reside so close, pop the movie “Chairman of the Board” — an underrated comedy starring Carrot Top, if there ever was one — into your portable DVD player and by the time the credits roll, you’ll be pulling into your parking spot.

Despite the proximity, this World Series is about more than just two passionate group of fans divided by the state of New Jersey. It’s a match-up between teams that should, and deserve to, be playing one another.

The Phillies have won the NL East in back-to-back-to-back seasons. Not since the Atlanta Braves of the early 90s have we seen such dominance by a team in that division. Should the Phillies emerge victorious, they’ll be the first club to win consecutive titles since the Yankees did between 1998 and 2000.

New York missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994 last season, but rebounded to finish as the top team in baseball in 2009. The Yankees are back in the Fall Classic after a six-year absence, and they are aiming to pop champagne for a 27th time in franchise history. But before that can happen, as is customary in Yankee lore, an unlikely hero must emerge. Right now, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will follow in the footsteps of Aaron Boone or Scott Brosius. Nick Swisher, perhaps?

This series has no “They Came Out of Nowhere” tales like the Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Marlins or Colorado Rockies of seasons’ past. These two teams were supposed to be here, and that’s what makes the next few days even more entertaining. This is the best against the best.

I grew up in Kingwood, N.J., exactly 60 miles from New York City, 60 to Philadelphia. I didn’t have cable at the house so we’d use an antenna on the roof to draw in a TV signal. Twist the antenna dial one way, all Philly stations. Go the other direction and you’d be watching what those in North Jersey saw. Since games weren’t on every day, I’d have to wait until the weekend to decide between Darren Daulton or Alvaro Espinoza. Believe me, it was tough. My 10-year-old mind would have been blown had these two teams met up. Which channel do I watch? Do I put the antenna dial in the center?

I remember watching Mitch Williams blow Game 7 of the 1993 World Series from my living room recliner. I can still picture Luis Gonzalez’ game-winning hit in the 2001 Series as I sat on my bed. I actually cheered at that moment. It was years before that I had eventually realized I was not a Yankees fan.

As I transitioned from sports fan to sports fan/journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to cover both of these teams on several occasions, the Yankees as early as this year. I’ve also been fortunate to speak with the managers and key players who are taking part in this Series. Not only that, but I’ve spent time on the field at both the new Yankee Stadium and Citizens Bank Ballpark, and let me tell you something: there could be a few run records being broken over the next couple of days.

Over the last 48 hours, I have gone back and forth over which team I think will win it all. It really was as tough as trying to decide which channel to settle on when I was younger. The Phillies feel like the right decision. The Yankees sound like the right decision. I’m going with my gut: Phillies in six.

At least I know where I can watch the game.

The best day of my professional career is something I’m very proud of.  There have been other eventful moments in my career, but none that can surpass the array of emotion I felt during the 2009 Atlantic League All-Star Game.  If I can somehow dip into a tiny portion of my past to give you an idea as to why it was so important to me, then maybe you can sense some of that emotion too.

My career has been a movie to say the least.  Sometimes I fall asleep at night wondering if anyone would be interested in scripting the “unusual path to success”, or whatever you want to call it.  You see, playing in Independent Ball to most players is a letdown, because they were already in the Big Leagues, or they were knocking on the door, or they received their signing bonus and expected big things, yet before they knew it they were back to square one…fighting once again for an opportunity.

For me, playing Indy ball was the opportunity.  The word opportunity in my life, when associated with baseball, has been few and far between.  However, when I received a call in July of 2006 to play for the River City Rascals in the Frontier League, opportunity rang.

You see, out of college I wasn’t drafted, yet I had the numbers to certainly achieve that honor.  I broke records offensively and defensively of many who were drafted and some who even played in the Big Leagues.  A scout, later verified by another coach from the same school, told me that my Head Coach had something to do with it…that he said negative things about me to scouts.  I could believe that because I have more info I won’t disclose.  Sadly, these things happen all the time for copious reasons.  I was devastated when I was told by that scout the day before the draft that I was not going to get drafted by any organization because of what was said about me.  The scout turned out to be right.  As a matter of fact, he felt so bad for my situation that he made a call for me and got me signed with the Rascals to start somewhere in pro ball.

After leading the Rascals in hitting in 2006, I was willingly traded to the Northern League in ’07 for 5 guys.  I was impressed yet shocked that some team in North Dakota thought I was worth half a starting line-up!  That year I received Rookie of the Year and was signed by the Houston Astros.  Another opportunity and a grand ‘ol one as it seemed!  The way I saw it was that I finally made it!  I proved that I was supposed to be there.  Entering Spring Training I made sure I was ready.  I practically did everything right.  I played hard, hit well, fielded well, stole bases, and threw hard…what more can you do?  I was the last release from their organization at the end of March.  I was told it wasn’t because I wasn’t good enough because my nickname amongst the coaches in the organization was “Secret Weapon”, but that there was no room for me.  They had to keep the guys they invested money in and see them through.  It was just like any other business on Wall Street.  Should I have expected them to keep the best guys or play politics?  Welcome to what we as business men in the country do best.

Devastated from that false opportunity I called up the Newark Bears who saw me at a tryout in Florida with the Phillies.  At that tryout, I went 6-for-9 with two stolen bases and was told by scout Mal Fichman that I could not field and throw.  Did he know I had the assists record at my four year college?  Did he also know that I only committed 10 errors my entire college career at second base?  How about the fact that I only made 23 errors in over 360 games of playing second and third base in pro ball?  That’s about an error every 16 games, but that guy can’t field, right?  Well Bears manager Wayne Krenchicki and the Bears thought otherwise!

They gave me an opportunity and started me opening day at third base.   I couldn’t believe I was playing amongst the guys I was pitching with in video games.  I was honored to be on the same field as them, but you better believe when I stepped in the box that their life was not going to be easy.  I would make them work to get the “no-named” Just guy out.  The season was going well and I was hitting right below .300 at the All-Star break.  Not long after that, a Big Leaguer was brought in to play third.  I found myself on the bench.  Krenchicki gave me an option, he said that I could stay and get in here and there, or I could get traded to a team in another League and start every day.  It seemed like a no brainer to me.  I can’t get signed unless I’m playing so I guess I needed to take the other opportunity and play everyday.

Before I went in to talk to Krenchicki, Benito Baez (a pitcher for the Bears and strong Christian man) asked me if I prayed about the situation.  I myself am a Christian too, but in this situation I figured what was there to pray about?  It seems pretty obvious to me.  I have to take the opportunity right?  Well I decided to pray and I felt a strong peace about staying on the team.  We had a Bible study group daily with this team and I was helping some guys out with their life situations.  I went in and told Krenchicki and he said “that sounds fine with me.”

The rest of the ’08 season I didn’t play much.  As a matter of fact, my average suffered some because of it.  But is the most important thing in life someone’s batting average, or the difference they make in someone else’s life?  Not long after that Bears season ended, Patrick Stanley turned his life around and became a strong Christian because of our daily talks on the team.  God had a plan all along!

During the off-season I wasn’t sure if I should play an ’09 season.  I called teams in the Atlantic League, but no one was interested.  With one week to go before the start of Spring Training, Butch Hobson and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs traded for my rights to get me aboard.  I was ecstatic!  Not only was that the team I wanted to play for, but also my fiancée lives 45 minutes from that field in Maryland.

My motto from the start of the season was to “have fun.”  Over the past years I played in pro ball, I was always trying to make it up to the next level that I was forgetting to enjoy my time at hand.  I guess life is that same way sometimes.

The season started off well for me and I was confident I was going to prove everyone wrong and do something great.  Around the All-Star break I had great numbers!  I thought that I had a great shot of making the All-Star team.  When the ballots were released and my name was left off of them I was once again disappointed.  I discussed the matter with our announcer Paul Braverman and he said that it was completely ridiculous!  He did give me hope however because he told me that I could get enough write in votes to still get in.  Was this the same false hope that Houston promised when signing me?  Also, when you go to a presidential ballot and the occasional idiots write in Hulk Hogan, does he even get a percent?  Based on the odds, I figured my “opportunity” was dwindling once again.  I played each game hard and hoped and prayed for votes.  When Butch sat me down and told me one-on-one that I had made the All-Star team I was in shock.  I told him about how I always get screwed in those situations and how I was so thankful I was going!  He responded with, “Not this year.  I’m your manager now.”  What a relief to hear that!  My manager was pulling for me!  It felt like the first time since high school.

The All-Star game took place in Newark, NJ.  I live 25 min. north of there.  I had a block of 50 tickets set aside for my friends and family to attend and just about every ticket was accounted for.  I knew that this could be something great.  My whole career had been a letdown for opportunity up until this point.  Carpe Diem came to mind when I was warming up in left field.  Could I seize the day?  I figured players and scouts might think, “The little Just kid who never had an affiliated at bat should just be thankful he is here.”  Perhaps that crossed my mind too, but also what if?  What if I take full advantage of this day and do everything right.  Would I get signed?  It’s not even about that anymore.  It’s about much more than a little contract of politics.  It’s about proving my right to play against Big League players and making them remember the little Just kid…respect.

It was the fifth inning and we were losing, but not by much.  I remember thinking that I have at least two more at bats in the game.  What if?  What if the game is on the line and I get up?  If the score remains similar, they will bring in none other than Armando Benitez…the pitcher I rooted for as a kid.  I grew up a Mets fan and I remember thinking as a child, it’s a good thing I don’t have to face that guy.  Now I was thinking, that could be my moment to get MVP of this All-Star game and shock my antagonists.  But what are the odds everything would fall into place for that to happen?  I guess we will see how the pace of the game goes.

Before I knew it I was on deck in the top of the 9th.  We were down two runs with runners on second and third and Benitez was on the mound.  I knew my friends and family were rooting for the same moment.  They knew my career, they knew the letdowns, they wanted me to succeed.  “The Art of War” was a book that a friend of mine recommended me to read a few years ago.  It primarily discusses how to outsmart your opponent via strategic maneuvers in war.  It also tells you to be more prepared about your competition than he will be about you.  In battle of “David vs. Goliath” as one article put my encounter with Benitez, I was ready.  Watching him throw as a kid, knowing his aggression is his sign of weakness when he gets rattled, even throwing with him on video games…I was prepared.  Knowing how all 5’8 of me looks walking into the box, even with a base open, he was going to come after me.  Sometimes size can be an advantage if you can strategically plan accordingly.

I was up with two outs.  I had visualized the moment an hour ago in the field.  I had known I was more prepared than he stepping into that box.  I knew this moment for me was a hundred times the moment for him (given where he has been and what he has accomplished.)  I was ready.  First pitch…fastball, ball one.  He snapped at the ball with his glove when the catcher returned the ball back to him.  Based on his frustration after that pitch I could figure out that he wasn’t trying to throw a ball.  Therefore concluding with what I had originally thought; he was trying to go after me, regardless of the open base.  Next pitch…fastball, ball two.  Men are on base and the tying run is at second.  He knows this, and wants to go after me.  Next pitch…fastball, ball three!  Could I have over-analyzed the situation?  Was he pitching around me?   Now I stepped out of the box to take a breather and re-gather my thoughts.  I’m not going to second guess myself.  The moment is here and it’s now.  I’m sticking with the original plan.  He’s going after me and I’m not walking.  I step in and wait for the 3-0 delivery.  Strike.  And it was about two inches off the outside corner.  Had I made any gestures to go to first, I might have gotten the walk because good umpires can read the hitter’s body language on close pitches.

Instead, I stayed in the box as if I knew it was a strike all along because I wanted to hit.  I was destined for this moment.  I re-gathered myself under control and waited for the 3-1 fastball.  The pitch was on its way and it was hittable.  I took a swing and swung right through it.  At least I thought it was hittable because I was sitting dead, red fastball.  It was a 3-1 slider.  As a hitter, if you convince yourself that a certain pitch is coming, you can almost change the look of the pitch halfway to the plate believing that you are right…that is until reality sets in and it moves in a different direction.

It was a 3-2 count.  Runners still on second and third with two outs in the top of the ninth.  He had thrown a slider on 3-1?  The slider wasn’t even his best pitch.  His diving split complements his 94 mph sinking fastball exceptionally well.  I stepped back into the box with the 3-2 count.  I was now thinking slider, but was ready to foul off the fastball if he went with it.  It was a good plan because of Benitez’s experience; he saw me look foolish on the 3-1 slider and would most likely throw something off-speed again.  The pitch was on its way.  I recognize it and instantly think, not a fastball…wait…wait…swing!  Foul ball!  He threw me a 3-2 splitter.  Now I had him right where I wanted him and here’s why.  I showed him I’m waiting on his off-speed when I fouled off that splitter.  Meanwhile I have yet to swing at one of his fastballs.  He knows I’m not a power guy and has no reason to throw three off-speed pitches to me in a row when he throws a sinking fastball at 94!  I stepped out and when I stepped back in the box, I stepped a half inch further out from the plate than I had previously set up.  It was enough for me to notice a difference, but not enough for the catcher or Benitez.  I did this because when he throws that fastball, I want to make sure I stay inside of it.  Being it’s sinking hard in on my hands, if I try and pull the ball, I will most likely ground out.  I was playing the odds and I was ready for the 3-2 pitch.

Benitez released the ball and it was a fastball which started at the inner third part of the plate and was running towards the inside corner.  I kept my hands inside of it and barreled a line drive single up the middle scoring both runners!  I had done it!  My friends and family where going crazy!  I could hear them for the first time all game as I briefly zoned out.  But, I quickly regained my focus because I knew my job wasn’t done.  The game was only tied.  Knowing Benitez and how rattled he must have been at this point, I took the liberty to steal second on the first pitch, figuring that he was focused in on getting the hitter out.  I stole it standing up.  Luis Lopez, a former Big Leaguer, was up and on the next pitch he ripped a liner to left and I scored the go-ahead run.  We ended up pushing across one more run that inning and when Big leaguer Bill Simas came in to close out the game I felt I had captured the opportunity.   Could I get the MVP?  As we shook hands I heard guys saying to me, “Great job MVP!”  I had a flash back.

In high school I hit two homeruns in one game in the County Tournament which tied a County record.  They walked me three times in the championship game.  One time on four pitches with the bases loaded.  When it came time for MVP of the tournament, all the guys were cheering my name and saying you got it.  Soon after, they announced a pitcher as the MVP for making a certain amount of appearances.  I was dejected.  Would this happen again to me?

As I got to the end of the line, Butch Hobson pulled me aside and said wait here.  I knew at this point that I had done it.  Soon after, Joe Klein the commissioner said congratulations to me as they were presenting the award.  I remember the look on my Dad and Mom’s face.  My fiancée was shaking and all the pictures were blurry.  My friends and rest of the family were standing on the seats screaming.  Spencer Ross, the Bears announcer, came out and presented me with the award.  I couldn’t say too much in the mic.  I was choked up.  It was a big moment for me; the biggest of my career and I knew it right then and there.  The guys all came to hug and congratulate me.  Even guys from the opposing team did the same.  I overheard Vito Chiaravalloti say, “He deserves it after what he must have been through because of his size.”  If everyone only knew.  As the guys walked towards the clubhouse, my family and friends were still there roaring!  I held the crystal cup up and yelled to them, “I did it!”  As I walked towards my family, the GM of Newark Mark Skeels, who knows my story quite well, stopped me to say, “Walt Disney could not have written this story better.  Congratulations Mike!”

Mike Just runs the “Just Hits Professional Hitting Academy” in Montvale, NJ.  For lessons, either call (201-264-4308) or e-mail (mike at justhitsllc.com).  You can also visit them online at JustHitsLLC.com.

The New York Yankees first baseman is only 21 games into his career wearing pinstripes, but so far things have not gone as expected.  Teixeira is hitting just .182 with three home runs and 10 RBI.  Only Cody Ransom has a worst average (.280) on the team and he’s a part-timer.

“Personally, I’m not happy with the way I’m playing at all,” Teixeira said standing at his locker on Friday.

The 29-year-old hasn’t caught any breaks, including on Opening Day.  The Yankees kicked off the season on the road against the Baltimore Orioles, Teixeira’s hometown team.  For years, Oriole fans had hoped Teixeira would join their club.  But, when he hit the free agent market, Baltimore didn’t offer enough money.  From the moment Teixeira’s name was announced at Camden Yards, he was booed.  Not by just a few folks, but thousands of them.

Despite Teixeira’s struggles, the Yankees have managed to play decent baseball throughout the first month of the season.  They’re 13-11 and sitting behind the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in the A.L. East – not good by Yankee standards.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries and a few things didn’t go our way, but to be (13-11), playing so many games on the road, we’ve got to feel good about ourselves,” Teixeira, who signed a 8 year, $180 million contract this off-season, said.

The Yankees are built around big bats.  So if Teixeira struggles, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter or Nick Swisher can step up.  That’s a luxury not many teams can afford.

“This is such a great team.  I’m surrounded by great hitters,” Teixeira said. “If I’m not doing my job, a lot of guys are going to pick me up and so far they have.”

So the work begins, and there’s lots of it for Teixeira.  He’s working on getting back to being the guy who hit .308 with 33 home runs, 121 RBI and 102 runs scored for the Anaheim Angels and Atlanta Braves last season.

“Everything,” Teixeira answered when asked what he needs to fix the most. “Just got to keep making sure I’m swinging at good pitches, and the pitches that I do hit, make sure I’m hitting them hard.  Just got to keep working.”

John Halama experienced neither.

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs starting pitcher has been out of the Major League for three seasons now.  Over nine years in the big leagues, Halama racked up 58 wins, 492 strikeouts and a 4.65 ERA in 262 games — solid numbers for a back-of-the-rotation guy.

“Maybe my years are just past me,” Halama told me over the phone. “I think I’ve performed well at the big league level so hopefully I’ll get another chance.”

Halama says it was his mind, not his arm that got the best of him.  He was going through some personal off-the-field issues in 2006, which translated into a rough performance on the mound.  For a man who has never spent time on the disabled list, it was hard to overcome.

“When I was in Boston and Baltimore, I was going through some stuff,” Halama said. “That’s all behind me and I’m having fun again.”

The Baltimore Orioles brought Halama in to be their long reliever in 2006.  The club was young and needed some veteran arms to balance out their staff.  In 17 games, he was 3-1 with a 6.14 ERA.  The Orioles released him in June and he was out of baseball.

Halama went from the majors to the Atlantic League with no stops in between.  He signed with the Long Island Ducks in 2007 and worked to an 8-10 record with a 4.14 ERA over 26 starts.  Southern Maryland manager Butch Hobson took notice, and when Halama was left unprotected in the expansion draft, he snapped him up.”I have to give a lot of credit to Butch,” he said. “If you pitch well, he’ll reach out to friends he has in the majors and try and get you a job.”

The 37-year-old pitched masterfully in eight starts.  Hobson made some calls to organizations and told them about Halama, who was 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA and 48 strikeouts.  The Cleveland Indians liked what they heard and signed him to a deal.

Halama would spend the rest of the season in Triple-A Buffalo.  His numbers weren’t bad (8-6, 4.60), but not good enough to re-sign him.  So he returned to the last place he was successful: Southern Maryland.

This year, Halama is slated to be the club’s third starter.  He doesn’t care where he is in the rotation, as long as he gets an opportunity to throw the ball.  If things go as planned, Halama will pitch well and get another shot with an affiliate.

“I keep hearing teams are going younger and younger, but they always need a veteran presence,” Halama said. “I can be that guy.”

Major League Baseball is days away from kicking off another season, and teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers are hoping to show they were no one-hit (and pitch) wonders.

The Mets and Yankees move into new stadiums this year. Both teams handed out wads of cash to big-name players in hopes of bringing a World Series to their new home turf. Mark Teixeira is the powerful bat the Yankees had longed for at first base, while Frankie Rodriguez is the closer the Mets believe will stop them from getting beat in the ninth, and down the stretch.

When the clock strikes 8 p.m. on Sunday, there will be something on television nightly for the next seven months. Sometimes games will be entertaining, sometimes they’ll keep you up past your bed time. The only guarantee I can make is the season will be filled with good surprises (Josh Hamilton), disappointments (Barry Zito) and blockbuster trades (Manny Ramirez). Maybe even a little scandal (Alex Rodriguez) mixed in.

Here are my fearless predictions for the 2009 season:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

East: Boston Red Sox – A.L. East teams will spend another year beating up on one another, but in the end, the Red Sox will emerge victorious. Their offense is way too dangerous and their pitching staff is deep. The Sox have one of the best 25-man rosters in the game today.

Central: Minnesota Twins – It’s amazing what this team does year after year without emptying their bank account. I believe starting pitcher Francisco Liriano will rebound to his 2006 form and catcher Joe Mauer (back) should be all fixed. Worth noting: The Twins also move into a new stadium this year.

West: Anaheim Angels – A youthful pitching staff comprised of potential stars sets up a strong bullpen. Rodriguez will be missed, but Scott Shields and Brian Fuentes are viable replacements.

Wild Card: New York Yankees – I don’t want to completely write off the Yankees. I also don’t have it in me to pick the Rays and the Indians let me down last year. The Yankees seem like the logical safe bet.

MVP: Josh Hamilton, Rangers

CY Young: C.C. Sabathia, Yankees

Rookie Of The Year: Matt Wieters, Orioles

Manager Of The Year: Terry Francona, Red Sox

NATIONAL LEAGUE

East: New York Mets – The Mets have two of the best hitters in the game (David Wright, Jose Reyes), one of the top pitchers (Santana) and many solid pieces to compliment them all.

Central: Chicago Cubs – Every year Cub fans come out in droves and declare “this is our year.” For the first time in my lifetime, I actually think they’re right. This is the best group of  players in the National League.

West: Los Angeles Dodgers – Ramirez is back, and any player who puts up that much of a fuss over $45 million had better perform. I think he’ll swing the best bat in baseball this year.

Wild Card: Philadelphia Phillies – The reigning World Series champions deserve to make the playoffs, just not as division champs. Jamie Moyer, the 46-year-old-pitching version of Julio Franco, still has the stuff to be a number two or three starter — and, that’s in a hitter’s park like Citizen Bank Ballpark.

MVP: Manny Ramirez, Dodgers

CY Young: Johan Santana, Mets

Rookie Of The Year: Cameron Maybin, Marlins

Manager Of The Year: Lou Piniella, Cubs

Playoffs & World Series:
Anaheim Angels over New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox over Minnesota Twins

Chicago Cubs over Philadelphia Phillies
New York Mets over Los Angeles Dodgers

Boston Red Sox over Chicago Cubs in the World Series

“Lancaster tried to sign me at the open tryout last year,” newly acquired catcher Adam Shorsher told me over the phone Sunday. “They wanted me to backup Lance (Burkhart), but I wanted more playing time.”

Shorsher should get that playing time now that he has been traded by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for Burkhart. The swap, which should make both teams happy, was announced last week.

Crabs skipper Butch Hobson has wanted Burkhart for several years. Hobson knew Burkhart’s brother, Morgan, from his days in the Boston Red Sox organization and was always interested in his younger sibling. Last week Hobson called Shorsher and told him he was going to make the trade, citing a need for a more offensive catcher as the reason.

“He thinks he might get a little more out of his bat than mine,” Shorsher said. “I don’t think so, but okay.”

The two backstops had nearly identical offensive statistics last season. Both also battled injuries. Shorsher suffered from abdominal problems, which limited him during the first half. Despite this, he still made his first A.L. All-Star team.

“If I get a solid amount of at-bats, I think I’ll be able to hit for some good power this season,” Shorsher, who had 13 home runs in ’08, said. “I definitely think I can be a good offensive catcher.”

A.L. coaches also love guys who are solid defensively — sometimes more than the offense they contribute. Shorsher is one of the best. Last season he threw out 33 percent (22-66) of all base runners attempting to steal against him. That was tops in the league.

“The biggest compliment from my teammates and pitchers is that they want to throw to me,” Shorsher said. “I’ve been getting lots of calls from guys wondering why I was traded, but they understand.”

Shorsher, who has minor league experience with the San Diego Padres, believes he’ll be the everyday catcher for the Barnstormers. That’s all he’s asking for. It doesn’t matter which team he suits up for, as long as he gets to play.

“I think it’s a good situation for both of us all around.

“I know the window is close to slammed, but if I can put together a solid year, who knows what could happen. I’m optimistic.”