Josh Hancock....R.I.P.

This isn't a Cardinals blog. It is a blog for me to talk about my beloved New York Yankees. Sometimes in life, as baseball fans, while we are blowing our heads off screaming at an umps call that we truly think was wrong, we as human beings forget the greatest privilege of life. That privilege is life itself. Recently, a young man from Cleveland, Mississippi lost this great privilege that you and I still own. That man, was Josh Hancock.

Hancock, 29, was born and raised in Cleveland, Mississippi. He grew up dreaming to be a Major League Baseball player one day. Do those dreams sound familiar to you? Josh was lucky enough to have a god-given ability that very few in this world have. He saw his opportunity, and ran with it, perfecting his ability as a ballplayer and a good person.

In 2002, Hancock got an opportunity to realize his dreams. In a short stint with the Boston Red Sox, Josh pitched in 7.3 innings while allowing 5 hits and 3 earned runs. This was only a small tatse of many great things to come in the baseball career and life of Josh Hancock.

In 2006, Hancock pitched 77 innings while posting a 4.09 era. He was a large part in the St.Louis Cardinals run to glory, as they were crowned the 2006 World Series champions.

These great moments and happiness all came to an abrupt end on Sunday. Josh Hancock did not show up to Wrigley field on time for the Cardinals game against the Cubs. The Cardinals were extremely worried. They did not want Darryl Kile all over again. Fourtanatly, they did not have to experience Darryl Kile v2. However, they did experience the death of Josh Hancock.


RIP Josh Hancock. I only saw you pitch a few times, and I never really followed your career. But you will always have a lasting spot in my heart. While you are in heaven, say hi to Cory Lidle for me.

-Josh

(This is not my video, I got it from YouTube.)

Yankees Opening Day Preview

4/2/07-- It's Opening Day in the Bronx, with the New York Yankees facing off against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. I've been waiting for this since the minute the Bombers were eliminated in the ALDS to Detroit. Five months, a japanese import, and an old pinstriped hero back later, this Yankees team looks destined for glory.

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Opening Day Pitching Matchup

RHP Carl Pavano
2006 Stats
DNP


Carl Pavano, an injury magnet since signing a multi-year contract with the Yanks two offseasons ago, gets the opening day start, due to injuries of his peers. Joe Torre opted not to throw out Mike Musina on short days rest, saying that opening day counts as much as the other 161 games in the season. Hopefully, Pavano can rebound from his dissapointing first two years in the Bronx


v.s


On a team rich in young athletic hitting, SP Scott Kazmir is a gem. He is by far the best pitcher in the Devil Rays organization. Kazmir has four pitches in his arsenal. Arguably his best pitch is a mid 90's fastball that he throws with relative ease. Kazmir also throws a hard breaking 10-4 slider that comes in the low 80s. Scott also throws a changeup and a 11-5 curveball. Tampa is counting on Scott Kazmir to deliver in 2007.






LHP Scott Kazmir
2006 Stats
3.24 ERA, 10-8, 163 K's

Starting Lineups

New York Yankees
1.Damon CF
2.Jeter SS
3.Abreu RF
4.Rodriguez 3B
5.Giambi DH
6.Matsui LF
7.Posada C
8.Cano 2B
9.Phelps 1B

Tampa Bay Devil Rays
1.Crawford LF
2.Zobrist SS
3.Baldelli DH
4.Wigginton 1B
5.Young RF
6.Iwamura 3B
7.Navarro C
8.Dukes CF
9.Upton 2B



My Prediction: Yankees win 4-2, Rodriguez 2-5 HR, 3 rbi, Pavano 6 innings 5 hits 2 earned runs