Members of “Bronx Zoo” Yankees To Run Wild at Steiner Sports

Posted on November 11, 2010 by ByJasonKlein

By Jason Klein

Originally Written For The Official Steiner Sports Blog – 11/11/10

Deep in the heart of the ever-changing sports landscape, the Steiner Sports Corporate Office can get chaotic from time-to-time. On Saturday, December 4, it will be a complete Zoo!

That’s when members of the 1977 and 1978 World Champion New York Yankees, affectionately referred to as the “Bronx Zoo,” will be making their way up to New Rochelle, NY to meet and greet fans at Steiner Sports. Touting some of the biggest and boldest personalities ever to sport the pinstripes, this group of players draws a crowd wherever they go, holding a special place in the hearts of Yankees fans everywhere.

Rightfully so. This distinctive collection of Bombers captured imaginations in the late 1970’s, winning back-to-back Titles, the first Championships of the George Steinbrenner era. While their World Series rings secured their place in baseball history, it was, perhaps, their colorful personalities that created lasting power with their fans, even inspiring a 2007 ESPN Drama, The Bronx is Burning.

There is no doubt, fans in attendance on December 4^th will be treated to a wide-range of behind-the-scenes stories, as told by the men who lived them during the summers of 1977 and 1978. Among those in attendance at Steiner Sports will be Ron Guidry, Sparky Lyle, Chris Chambliss, Bucky Dent, Graig Nettles, Paul Blair, Roy White, Willie Randolph and Lou Piniella.

The event will be catered, Yankee Stadium-style, including the World Famous Lobel’s Steak, peanuts & Cracker Jack. Fans can take photos with the players, participate in question & answer sessions, raffles, giveaways, and a silent auction. In addition, special activities will be set up for children.

Those in attendance will get the unique opportunity to re-live historic moments like Reggie Jackson’s 3 home run performance in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series and Bucky Dent’s curse-preserving blast at Fenway Park during the one-game playoff in 1978.

It’s just the latest meet & greet event offered by Steiner Sports, the leader in authentic sports gifts and collectibles. With so many great Yankees on-hand, this particular event figures to take on a Zoo-like atmosphere…minus the giraffes and elephants, of course.

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Cashman, Yankees Look Forward to Spring Training…Already.

Posted on October 23, 2010 by ByJasonKlein

By Jason Klein

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Originally Written For The Official Steiner Sports Blog – 10/23/10

The words on his hat were sobering.

Just a half hour after the New York Yankees stunningly lost to theTexas Rangers in Game 6 of the 2010 ALCS, General Manager, Brian Cashman was seen sporting a cap that read, “Spring Training,” and featured a Yankees logo.

Symbolically, the hat represented a positive look forward to the 2011 season and the franchise’s next opportunity to capture their 28^thWorld Series Championship. But where did the hat come from so quickly? It was a curious, pre-meditated decision to have that hat on-hand, to wear at that particular moment – a choice that had some Yankees fans wondering if their team was mentally into last night’s elimination game, or had already waived the white flag and were ready for a vacation.

It’s a moot point now. The 2010 Yankees season came to an end last night, deep in the heart of Texas. There will be no parade down the Canyon of Heroes this year. To ensure the Yankees are back in the hunt in 2011, Cashman will have to remove his controversial Spring Training headgear and put on his General Manager’s hat for the next 3 months in order to re-stock his pinstriped roster with younger, and hungrier talent.

For sure, the Yankees will look to sign Cliff Lee away from the Rangers, and possibly woo the speedy Carl Crawford away from the Tampa Bay Rays, but interesting decisions will have to be made internally as well.

It will start with the future of Manager, Joe Girardi. Cashman acknowledged he wants the skipper back in 2011, but admitted he had not confirmed the sentiment with ownership yet.

The future of the “Core 4” is in question too. Captain, Derek Jeter is at the end of his 10-year deal, and will no doubt command a big contract to end his career with the Bombers. Likewise, Closer, Mariano Rivera is a free agent, and at the age of 40, is still pitching as well as he ever has. Standing at his locker last night, Andy Pettitte was indecisive about his plans for next season, admitting his desire to spend more time with his family. Finally, Catcher, Jorge Posada is likely to be pushed for playing time by top catching prospect, Jesus Montero.

The 2011 Yankees will no doubt look different from the team that came just 6 victories away from a World Series title in 2010. One thing is certain, whatever combination of superstars take the field in the Bronx next year, Cashman will make sure they contend for a title.

World Series hats tend to be more fashionable than Spring Training caps anyway.

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It’s Dinner Time, Are the New York Yankees Ready to Eat?

Posted on October 22, 2010 by ByJasonKlein

By Jason Klein

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Originally Written For The Official Steiner Sports Blog – 10/22/10

How are the New York Yankees going to eat this Texas-sized elephant that stands before them? If the Bronx Bombers are going to capture their second consecutive Title, and twenty-eighth in franchise history, they’ll have to do it one bite at a time.

The mission statement consistently reads: World Series Championship or bust, but this is no time to think about a confetti-littered Canyon of Heroes. Instead, the Yankees must rally around a more immediate goal, winning tonight’s ALCS Game 6.

Nothing more, nothing less.

After falling behind the Rangers 3-1 in the series, Manger, Joe Girardi addressed his squad, urging them to believe in the old cliché of “one game at a time.” He reminded his pinstriped audience that they had won multiple games in a row many times before, but that it always started with a single victory.

With that said, the Yankees pulled themselves up off the canvas on Wednesday afternoon, wobbled towards the center of the ring, and threw a series of haymakers at the suddenly mighty Texas Rangers, winning the game 7-2, and sending the series back to Texas.

Their first bite of the elephant went down smoothly.

As the Yankees prepare to chew on another piece tonight, it’s important they ignore the man waiting in the room reserved for Saturday night, Cliff Lee, an elephant unto himself. However, Game 7 doesn’t happen without a victory in Game 6, a task the Yankees are well equipped to complete with Phil Hughes pitching on regular rest, and a suddenly rejuvenated line up. Standing in their way tonight is Game 2’s winner, Colby Lewis, backed by a hungry and formidable Rangers line up.

There’s no doubt, the task is a daunting one, but the Yankees would not have boarded a plane to Arlington, TX if they didn’t believe it was one they could accomplish. They stand just six wins away from their 28^th World Series Championship, including one with the seemingly unbeatable Lee.

It all starts, and potentially ends, with tonight’s Game 6, the next bite of the elephant on their plate.

Hope they’re hungry.

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Derek Jeter Kids Clinic Scheduled for January 9

Posted on October 14, 2010 by ByJasonKlein

By Jason Klein

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Originally Written For The Official Steiner Sports Blog – 10/14/10

Many parents dream of one day watching their child play professional sports. They envision their baby playing alongside a legend someday, perhaps someone like Derek Jeter. For most, it’s a futuristic fantasy, extremely improbable, and unlikely. However, thanks to Steiner Sports, it could potentially happen before they turn fourteen!

Derek Jeter at Last Year’s Clinic

On Sunday, January 9, 2011, children ranging in age from 7-14 will have the unique opportunity to take part in the 2011 Derek Jeter Kids Clinic, presented by Steiner Sports. While Jeter will chase his 6^th World Series Title this season, he will take time in early January to work one-on-one with a hundred lucky children in New York City.

Kids will rotate between five individual stations, working on hitting, fielding, pitching and base running. Joining Jeter at this once-in-a-lifetime event will be teammate, and Yankees Centerfielder, Curtis Granderson. This dynamic duo will also participate in an exclusive question and answer session following the clinic.

Parents will be on hand to experience the day alongside their little sluggers. They are encouraged to snap hundreds of photos and bring camcorders to capture the day’s events. In addition, children will leave with a Yankees gift pack including autographed items from the players in attendance.

Throughout his legendary career, Derek Jeter has played alongside names like Rivera, Posada, Bernie, Tino, and O’Neill. Here’s an opportunity for a select group of young ball players to add their name to that celebrated list.

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