OF MANY THINGS

 While he has posted excellent numbers for AAA Scranton/Wilkes --

Barre, Aaron McGarity is a realist. The parent New York Yankees

won’t be bringing him to the Big Apple any time soon. Possibly

(probably?) never.

You would think the pinstripes could use a pitcher who throws strikes

in building a 6-2 record, with three saves (in five opportunities) and

has finished 13 games. McGarity, a 6-3, 195-pound right-hander from 

Richmond, has been used primarily in short relief and, except for 

atypical outings against Norfolk and Worcester, Mass., he has been 

virtually untouchable.

Nevertheless, the Mills Godwin High (Class of 2013) and Virginia

Tech alumnus finds himself with little to no chance of being called up. 

Unlike five other members of the Rail Riders’ staff, McGarity is not a 

member of New York’s 40-man roster … which means they are first in 

line to be summoned. And no one in authority with the Yankees – or 

any other MLB organization, for that matter -- wants to risk admitting 

they made a mistake. It’s just that simple. 

So, instead of being among several new faces promoted by the

Yankees -- who have been major-league disappointments, McGarity 

has no choice but play the “wait until next year” game. Funny, but he 

doesn’t sound upset about it, either.

“My velocity has been down a little bit … but, yes, my numbers have

been pretty solid,” he said earlier this week. “It’s been going pretty 

good. [pause] Of course, it could have been better.”

In case you missed it, or forgot … this is the A. McGarity who once

rejected a signing bonus of $450,000 and later had to accept $125,000. 

Lack of confidence hasn’t been a problem. Still isn’t … despite not 

playing in 2021 (when minor-league baseball was shut down because 

of the COVID 19 pandemic) then missing 2022 for Tommy John 

surgery.

“My arm feels great,” McGarity said. “It’s the best it’s ever felt, to be

honest.”

In 41 games, second most on the team, he worked 59.1 innings,

striking out 60 – both first among relief pitchers. As for that sub-par 

5.31 ERA …

“My first outing after the all-star break was against Norfolk. I gave up

four runs. I got a bit unlucky. They got a flare hit to keep the inning 

alive … then at Worcester, I gave up a couple of home runs and four 

more runs there,” McGarity said. “The WooSox had my number all 

year. After I came out of the game, the [team’s radio] announcers said 

I would be leading the International League in ERA with three and a 

half but against Worcester it was eleven.”

Maybe manager Shelly Duncan would be well advised not to call on

McGarity to face the predominantly left-hand-hitting lineup of 

Boston’s top affiliate, eh?

“No … NO!” the 28-year-old, born in Allentown, Pa., but raised in the

Capital City, said. “I’m here to get better. We all are.”

Whether or not the Yankees will allow McGarity to let it happen

remains to be seen. He will be a free agent five days after the 2023 

World Series ends and, to date, no one from the organization has 

mentioned a new contract to him.

One thing is for sure: McGarity isn’t ready to get on with his life. If

the Yankees don’t have plans for him, surely some other team will. So, 

his fastball isn’t what it once was – upwards of 95 mph. He has a nasty 

slider that is especially effective against righthand hitters.

“Whether it’s with the Yankees I’m not sure,” McGarity said. “I know I 

don’t want to hang it up until I can’t do it any more.”

In the meantime, he knows what it will take in the short term.

“It’s just a matter of throwing harder,” McGarity said, adding, “How 

I’m going to do that … I’m not sure.”

….. THE YANKEES are raising ticket prices – again – despite a team 

only Devoted Haters of Pinstripes, Inc., could like. Early reports say 

anywhere from 2-to-10 percent to watch the 2024 edition … and you 

probably won’t be able to direct your frustration at manager Aaron 

Boone, who will be fired.

As Boone’s successor, one writer in NY -- with an over-the-fence 

imagination -- recommended his replacement from among a foursome 

of Raul Ibanez, Joe Espada, Troy Snitker and David Cone. The 

latter you should know – former MLB right-hander of some success 

who gets high grades from the tough Big Apple press as purveyor of 

wisdom on YES cable coverage.

The rest will need introduction for all but the most knowledgeable … 

Snitker, son of Atlanta Braves’ MGR Brian Snitker, is batting coach 

of the Astros for whom Espada has worked since 2018. He currently 

works as Dusty Baker’sbench helper and was a candidate for 

managerial openings with the Cubs, Rangers and White Sox in recent 

years. Ibanez is a vice-president with MLB.

….. GIGANTE, 22-1 upset winner of the Secretariat Stakes (Gr. II), 

returns to Colonial Downs for the Virginia Derby Sept. 9. The 

Virginia-bred colt trained by Steve Asmussen was entered Monday for 

the $300,000 Gr. III race.

Purchased at the 2021 Kenneland sales for $120,000, Gigante certainly 

likes the New Kent County track where he broke his maiden and also 

won a stakes race in 2022 as a two year old.

Gigante started from the No. 2 slot in a six-horse field Aug. 12, and 

jockey Javier Castellano brought him from last to first, beating 

Nairroc by a neck and paying $47.80 to win. Favored Northern 

Invader was fifth in the $500,000 Secretariat held for the first time at 

Colonial.

It was the first graded stakes victory for Gigante and built his winnings 

overall to $585,550. For Castellano, it was his first appearance in 10 

years at Colonial Downs … and he made it two for two by winning the 

$500,000 Gr. 1 Beverly D Stakes aboard favored Fen Rover on the 

same card that featured the Arlington Million.

This will be the 23d Virginia Derby … and 20^th held on Colonial 

Downs’ famed Secretariat turf course. Among previous winners were 

Kitten’s Joy (2004) and English Channel (2005), both subsequently 

named Male Turf Hose of the Year.

….. HARD TO BELIEVE but it has been three seasons since Odicci 

Alexander dazzled college softball by leading upstart James Madison 

U., to the final four where the Dukes became the first unseeded team 

to reach the semifinals.

A redshirt senior, she collected all kinds of awards including top 

college player of 2021. Alexander had a career record of 81-18 (2.17 

ERA) as well as a composite .337 batting average and 39 home runs.

Since then the Park View High School product from Mecklenburg 

County has played professionally in Japan as well as this country and, 

most recently, was player of the year for Athletes Unlimited, described 

as a “fantasy-like” league.

Don’t ask.

Suffice to say, Alexander was at her best, hitting as well as pitching 

(her specialty), in collecting the most performance points over the 

course of a short, 30-game season that began in July and was televised 

by ESPN.

She also joined Howard University as assistant women’s softball coach 

after serving as volunteer on the North Carolina/Chapel Hill staff.

….. FINALLY, let’s hear it for the University of Michigan where 

football coachJim Harbaugh will be suspended – voluntarily – for the 

first three games despite being cleared of any recruiting wrong doing 

by the NCAA. 

We would feel a lot better if Harbaugh sat out games against worthy 

opponents and not such walkovers as 36-point underdog East Carolina, 

UNLV and Bowling Green, all at home where the second-ranked 

Wolverines were last embarrassed by a non-conference team 15 years 

ago.

Toledo came to the Big House and left with a 13-10 upset. Both teams 

would finish 3-9. A year earlier 33-point dog Appalachian State won 

34-32 in the season-opener after Michigan missed a short field goal.

Until next time ...