To be fair to Albany, they were told that they had to build a new stadium; MLB handed down an “edict” of what amenities a park should have.

Weren’t they in Oneonta, NY?
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That was the single-a club. The club currently playing in Staten Island

Weren’t they in Oneonta, NY?

Still, it would make sense to put the Yanks AAA team in Albany.
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At one time they had the AA team there. They moved to Norwich and are currently the CT Defenders. The reason the team moved was because the city didn’t want to build a new stadium

There is already a team playing in Troy, in a new facility, I don’t think that they would allow a AAA franchise in Albany, and even if they did, I don’t think Albany would pay to build a new ballpark.

RBJ, how did you get to be a Yankee fan while living in Toledo? Do you have roots in NY area?

I’m sure the northeast region can squeeze in one more minor league team, especially in a place like Albany. They could build a ballpark on the waterfront, behind the Pepsi Arena where the hockey team plays. It would enhance a Yankees-Red Sox rivalry with Pawtucket being so close, as well.

MJ, actually I’m in Toledo. Columbus is about a 3 hr. drive. Not bad, but I’d have to stay overnight for a game. I usually go to the Columbus at Toledo games, there are a fair number of NY jerseys at those games.

Interesting fact, the Clippers are owned by the city of Columbus. That doesn’t help with why the Yankees AAA is out here. I suspect that it is hard to keep all of one’s affiliates nearby. Many affiliates were originally independent teams and so it’s easier to put an affiliated team where there’s a ready base of support. Plus maybe it’s too crowded in the NE for all the teams. Still, it would make sense to put the Yanks AAA team in Albany.

I’ve always wondered about this but does anyone know why the Yanks have their AAA team in Columbus, OH (besides the fact that RBJ lives there).

Is it because Steinbrenner is from Ohio? Is it because the Yanks want to have a wider reach in a part of the country that would otherwise detest them?

I’ve always preferred the Red Sox or Orioles model of keeping all the minor league affiliates close by so you could a) get players to and from spots easily and b) provide your local fans with relatively easy access to all levels of the system.

I’ve been to several SI Yankees games and a couple of AA games on the weekends and I’d go to AAA games if they were close by.

//..Hughes gets a lot of comparisons to Clemens, but I see a lot of Andy Pettitte and Mo in him. Not stuff-wise, but in that cool, nerves-of-steel way of going about his business. //

Interesting observation. No less of an authority that Gene Michael told me that for the first several years of Andy’s career he lacked the required mental edge and toughness. Clemens was a big part of his maturing. If Hughes has that in his tool kit already, look out. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles getting knocked around for a couple of outings in a row. He may never have faced that in his life, and it will happen. Some time in AAA will only help.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Hughes has to start at AAA. It’s the only way I’ll get to see him.

And Redding was good last night. (I was at the game.) But the Mudhens are a free swinging group, they lead the IL in homeruns (154, IIRC) and strikeouts (1100+). It’s amazing they actually made the playoffs.

MJ, it’s a good thing we don’t hang out. You got hammered after the Yankees lost, I’m prone to leaving holes in walls with my fist after they lose — if we saw a Yankee loss together we might go on a shooting spree or something.

I have to agree with Johnny here. If the Yankees feel Hughes established that he’s ready for the big leagues, and it’s all about getting innings in, then I would start him in the Bronx out of spring training. Pitching for AAA isn’t really going to do much for him, development-wise. More times than not, he’s probably facing better competition in Trenton. If he’s going to throw innings, he might as well do it in the Bronx.

Having said that, unless Mussina doesn’t re-sign (which I think he will) and they have to fill an extra spot in the rotation (assuming Wright is gone), then I think Hughes is going to Columbus with Clippard and Cox.

Since it’s what everyone does — and you know how baseball teams do whatever everyone else does — Hughes will probably come up some time around the All-Star Break and stay.

Hughes gets a lot of comparisons to Clemens, but I see a lot of Andy Pettitte and Mo in him. Not stuff-wise, but in that cool, nerves-of-steel way of going about his business. This kid does not sweat. He’s had to face enormous pressure and expectations, and he hasn’t blinked — which makes me think he can easily handle the Bronx once he gets here.