Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

From September 1st: the Phanatic gets a good look as J.T. Realmuto hits against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park.

...without a plane heading to or from LaGuardia Airport soaring over the ballpark.

The day after Christmas 1919 remains one of baseball's true landmark dates. That's when the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $25,000 "and other true and valuable considerations." Officially, the Uniform Agreement for Transfer of a Player, that business form sent the player who was beginning to change the game to the city known for big stages. Over the next 15 seasons, Ruth would make his home ballpark -- especially from 1923, Yankee Stadium -- into a venue more recognizable than any theater or opera house. After all, didn't well call it The House That Ruth Built? Thanks to CBS radio colleague and fellow Yankee fan Phil DeGasperis for his image of the original Stadium's entrance. 

Dellin Betances was a mainstay of the Yankee bullpen from 2014-'18. At six foot eight, the native New Yorker with the blazing fastball was an intimidating presence on the mound. With a strikeout rate of 14.6 over nine innings (in layman's terms, three every two innings), he was an ideal 8th inning setup man. The four time All Star was one of Joe Girardi, and then Aaron Boone's most effective weapons. Until 2019. A shoulder issue forced him to start the season on the disabled list. Then, it was a lat muscle problem. Finally, finally, he returned to the mound September 15th, two weeks before the ALDS. Having Betances healthy at this point was like trading for a star -- and giving up nothing. But the smiles and excitement lasted all of 2/3 of an inning. At the end of an effective first appearance, Betances made an awkward hop off the mound -- and partially tore an achilles. Season over. Yankee career over. After the signing of Gerrit Cole, Betances eight-figure salary...

Baseball's greatest leadoff hitter ever is a Christmas Day baby. Rickey Henderson , turning 61, burst into stardom with the A's, spent 4-1/2 productive seasons with the Yankees, and made several other stops during his 25 big league seasons -- a career that spanned four decades over two centuries. The game's all time stolen base leader led his league in steals 12 times -- including seven years in a row. He scored more runs than anyone ever, and by walking 2190 times, maintained a career on-base percentage over .400. His speed and power earned him another distinctive mark -- his 81 leadoff homers are the most ever. Following the post-World War II example of Jackie Robinson, and then Maury Wills and Lou Brock, Rickey -- even though just 5 feet 10 -- was an intimidating force to any and all pitchers. While today's advanced analytics downplay the importance of speed -- though it does respect his knack for home runs and walks -- tell me you wouldn't want to write ...

Non-tendered by the Phillies, Cesar Hernandez has found a new home. Two days before Christmas, the veteran 2nd baseman signed with the Indians for one year and $6.25 million. In a time many franchises are increasingly cost-conscious, it's worth noting that not only will be earning far less than the estimated $11 million he'd have likely received had he won his arbitration with the Phillies --  but it's lower than the $7.75 mm he made in 2019. It's not that Hernandez is a bad player; but he may have peaked with back-to-back seasons hitting .294 in 2016-'17. So a pricey 2nd baseman, turning 30, whose name isn't Altuve or LeMahieu just isn't valued as highly these days -- especially with the mega salaries the Phils are paying Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler and Jake Arrieta -- and a younger, promising alternative in Scott Kingery already locked in.

Two more veteran lefthanders came off the Free Agent board over the weekend. Hyun Jin Ryu puts Dodgers Stadium in his rear-view mirror and heads to Toronto for four years, $80 million and unlimited Labatt's (not sure about that -- his agent has been mum). Since returning from a 2018 groin injury, the South Korea native has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. In 44 starts over the last two years, his ERA has been 2.21. Unhittable during the first half of 2019, he finshed second to Max Scherzer for the NL Cy Young. About to turn 33, the only question relates to age and projected durability -- apparently Toronto GM Ross Atkins feels more confident about what he sees in his crystal ball than his Dodgers counterpart Andrew Friedman. Dallas Keuchel (below) is also leaving the National League for the American; of course, in his case, it's a return visit. After a ridiculous delay in landing a free agent contract -- was a top draft pick really that  valuable?? -- he turned...

Michael Conforto steals 2nd base against Max Scherzer and the Nationals last April 7th at Citi Field.

I haven't yet seen the MLB Network special on the Year's Best Bat Flips, so I'm not sure that this one from Spring Training will qualify. From the Yankees/Blue Jays exhibition game on March 23rd: Giancarlo Stanton heads to first after a walk, with his bat in suspended animation.

This was the date in 2002 that Hideki Matsui and the Yankees agreed on the contract that brought the Japanese star to the Bronx. Coming off a 50 home run season in his native country, "Godzilla" would flash his talent in pinstripes for the next seven seasons, capped by earning MVP honors in the 2009 World Series. During 20 pro seasons, split equally between Japan and the USA, Matsui hit 507 home runs – 332 in NPB and 175 in MLB. More importantly, along with Ichiro, he helped strengthen the baseball ties between our two countries. A small sidebar: four years later on December 19th, 2006, the Yankees officially landed another Japanese free agent. To be kind, things did not work out as well with Kei Igawa . The consolation prize for not signing Daisuke Matsuzaka, posted a 2-4 record with a devilishly bad 6.66 ERA over parts of two seasons.

The Mets have had good luck turning prospects into major league regulars. Over the last few years, their oft-derided farm system has produced 2019 Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso, a solid everyday player in Jeff McNeil and an everyday shortstop in Amed Rosario. There was one other product of the Mets system I expected to blossom into a regular. Infielder Philip Evans , whom I first saw while with Double-A Binghamton in 2016 , first made the majors a year later, and hit over .300 during September. But he didn't produce in 2018 and eventually left the Mets organization. The Southern California native spent 2019 with the Cubs top farm club in Iowa, where he hit over .280 while smacking 17 homers. Tuesday, in a rather minor move, Evans signed a minor league deal with Pirates that came with an invitation to big league camp.  Let's see if this turns into a path back to the show for a hitter I thought was destined for bigger and better things.

...you share it with Chase Utley . The National League's best 2nd baseman from 2005 - 2009, he was the heart and soul of the Phillies clubs that won five consecutive NL East titles and the 2008 World Series. He reached his post-season peak the following year, belting five home runs as they lost to the Yankees. Injuries slowed the six-time All Star as the next decade began. Utley finished his career as a valued bench player on the Dodgers teams from 2015-'18 that all made their way to October. Great memories for Delaware Valley and Southern California fans. But New York fans remember him in a different light: his hard slide into Ruben Tejada left the Mets shortstop with a broken leg (and altered the course of his career) -- and led MLB officials to change the rules for what we used to call "take out slides." It's a lock that his name and likeness will eventually be added to the Phillies Wall of Fame. Utley's career numbers might fall a little shy of Coopersto...

The latest big free agent pitcher to come off the boards might be heading to the most surprising destination. It was no shock for Madison Bumgarner to part company with the Giants. After three World Series championships this decade, his place in franchise history is assured. One day, his number-40 will be posted in Oracle Park's left field corner near Mays, McCovey, Marichal and Hubbell. With 10 seasons in the books -- and significant injuries in two of the last three seasons -- the already lefty might not be the best investment for a club that needs to rebuild. His new team -- and the amount of his contract -- will raise eyebrows. We knew he wanted to stay in the National League. He knows the opponents and enjoys having the chance to hit. And while rumors pointed him to Atlanta or San Diego, with a lesser chance to land in still pitching-thin Philadelphia, the D'backs weren't in the conversation -- until news broke over the weekend. MadBum will help fill the voi...

From June 9th at Citizens Bank Park, Maikel Franco of the Phillies took a big swing, but the result was just a foul pop down the right field line.

Not quite as headline-worthy as the signing of free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole, were the departure of two longtime Yankees, both fan favorites. After nearly a decade's apprenticeship, backup catcher  Austin Romine   will finally get the chance to become an everyday player with the Tigers. And shortstop Didi Gregorius , who accomplished the near impossible, capably taking over for the beloved Derek Jeter and winning the hearts of Yankee fans, heads down the Jersey Turnpike to bring his talent and leadership to a Phillies club that teased but never lived up to expectations. Timing factors in, as well. Romine, at $4 million, and Gregorius at $14mm -- especially with a younger and cheaper replacement in Gleyber Torres -- might have priced themselves out of the Bronx in a winter when signing Cole at all costs was the top priority. Sports talk radio callers can gripe that "this wouldn't have happened if George was still alive." But the current Steinbrenner is Hal, and h...

In this bowling ball edition of the Baseball Winter Meetings, another big pin fell Wednesday. The Angels, spurned by Gerrit Cole hours earlier, wrote their big check to Anthony Rendo n. Coming off four escalatingly great seasons in Washington, the 29 year old 3rd baseball heads to Anaheim for the second biggest annual salary among position players -- $35 million a year for the next seven years. He'll beef up a lineup that already includes Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani (when he DH's), Kole Calhoun and Tommy LaStella. And there's the power potential, but otherwise diminishing skills of Albert Pujols. But the Angels' biggest issue remains -- who is going to pitch? Ohtani, now a year and change past Tommy John surgery is expected to take the mound once a week. That's 26 or 27 starts. What about the other 135 games? If GM Billy Eppler can fill those holes by trade or luring a Madison Bumgarner, the "other" Southern California club might start to close the gap o...

Gerrit Cole was the (Big) Apple of Brian Cashman's baseball eye for 11 years. First, while coming out of high school. But the young pitcher's heart was set on pitching for UCLA. Two years ago, when the Pirates thought he'd become too expensive or was better used to restock their organization with young talent, he went on the trade block. But the Astros outbit New York. Two years and one ALCS win over the Yankees, Cashman was not to be denied. The news broke around midnight, that the most coveted free agent of the winter had agreed to a record-setting nine-year, $324 million deal. $36 million a season or roughly $1.2 million per start. We know all the risks, Cashman and the Yankees are rolling the dice for the rewards. The pitcher, who like CC Sabathia or David Cone, in earlier times, would be the difference-maker. Look at things this way: you're in game six of the ALCS or the World Series. Someone has to pitch, to give you quality innings, five or six or more. If...

Of all this winter's premium free agents, Stephen Strasburg was the one most likely to reup with his current team. So Monday's news that the World Series MVP has signed a new contract didn't surprise many. But the size and length did -- seven years and $245 million. Talk about "a rising tide floats the boats" -- not only was his pricetag larger than expected. Just think of the impact that will have on the marketplace, especially how it will inflate the size of the contract fellow Scott Boras client Gerrit Cole will likely land. (This image of Strasburg is from a Nats/Mets game at Citi Field last August 9th.)

The Modern Era veterans committee got it right in naming Marvin Miller to the Baseball Hall of Fame. In the 150 year history of the national pastime, there are three figures whose impact rose above all others: Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Marvin Miller. His tenacious leadership helped mold the Players Association into a force that remade the game. Clawing, scratching and using the power of the legal system, Miller was able to get the players a fair share of the growing revenue flowing into baseball -- and won the power to guide their own destinies through free agency. Miller convinced those he represented that they were the product and the value the owners marketed and exploited. No one went to see any owner -- except, possibly Bill Veeck, and he undoubtedly raised a toast to Marvin Sunday night in that heavenly pub; they turned in and bought tickets to see the players. Fittingly, he joins the two wise and courageous players who recruited him, Jim Bunning and Robin Roberts, in t...

Thursday's trade between the Mets and Astros helped fill an immediate hole for a righty hitting outfielder. At the very least, Jake Marisnick   will replace the declining Juan Lagares. And with Yoenis Cespedes' future still clouded and JD Davis considerd  potential trade chip, the California native could either share center field with Brandon Nimmo or start every day between the lefty swining Nimmo and Michael Conforto if the club makes Jeff McNeil the everyday 3rd baseman. Unlike most of the Mets, Marisnick also owns the familiarity factor -- he was a teammate of new manager Carlos Beltran on the 2017 champion Astros.

While plenty of free agents will be calling realtors and moving vans, here's one who won't. Michael Pineda re-upped with the Twins on Thursday, agreeing to a two-year, $20 million deal. But he won't be there for all of 2020. Pineda, whose career has been marred by a pair of serious arm injuries, will begin the season under suspension for use of a banned substance. He'll have to sit out the first 39 games, the final portion of a 60-game ban. Then, he'll try and build on his best-ever big league season, when went 11 - 5, and showed the promise that intrigued but ultimately frustrated the Mainers and Yankees.

Some significant movement Thursday in baseball free agency, with both signings coming from the National League East. Cole Hamels surprised a lot of Phillies fans when he left the Cubs for a one-year $18 million dollar with the Braves. The 14 year veteran turns 36 later this month and, after three less-than-stellar seasons, likely supplies more leadership than excellence to his new team. Within an hour, disappointment around the Delaware Valley was replaced by the double satisfaction over the signing of Zack Wheeler.   The soon-to-be 30-year old cashed in on two healthy and productive seasons with the Mets for a 5-year $118 million contract with the Phillies. He brings a 97 mile an hour fastball to join Aaron Nola and, hopefully, a rejuvenated Jake Arrieta atop Joe Girardi's rotation. Reports surfaced later in the day that Wheeler could have signed for even more had he gone with the White Sox. The deciding factor might not even been baseball related: Wheeler's wife is from ...

Major League Baseball celebrated its 150th anniversary during 2019. Compared to the 100th, in 1969, this wasn't promoted as aggressively game-wide. The roots trace back to 1869 and the start of the first professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings. I got my one and only look at this year's Reds back on April 30th, with their ace Luis Castillo on the mound.

The Phillies said goodbye to half their starting infielder on Monday. Maikel Franco and Cesar Hernandez , two longtime South Philadelphia mainstays, weren't offered contracts by the 8pm deadline -- victims of rising salaries, amidst declining expectations. Both were arbitration eligible, yet their productivity no longer seemed in line with expected salaries of nearly $7 million for Franco and $11 million for Hernandez -- especially with the versatile Scott Kingery, locked into a $4 million deal and coming off a 2019 more productive than either veteran.

A notable Yankee passed away late in the 2019 season. Charlie Silvera , seen here at the 2010 Old Timers Day, was the last surviving Yankee who played on the historic and unprecedented run of five consecutive World Series Champions between 1949 and 1953. Not surprisingly, he's probably the least known of the core led by Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. A backup catcher for nine seasons, he played in just 201 regular season games and amazingly, only once in the World Series, game two in 1949. Silvera was always ready, but "just in case" never occurred -- with the ironman Berra in the heart of his career. Who else is in that exclusive "five ring" circle? Bookended by Berra and Silvera, the group also includes Cooperstown inductees Phil Rizzuto and Johnny Mize, plus Hank Bauer, Vic Raschi, Eddie Lopat, Gene Woodling, Vic Raschi and Joe Collins. Ten players -- 12 if you include Bobby Brown and Jerry Coleman, who missed all or part of 1952 and '53 due to military ...