How Bad Was Cano?

Robinson Cano had 634 Plate Appearances in 2008. And, on the whole, he did not bat well. How bad was he - compared to other Yankees who had at least 630 PA in a season who also batted poorly? To the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia! And, here’s your answer:

PLAYER		YEAR	OWP	PA
Frankie Crosetti	1940	.227	633
Bobby Richardson	1961	.318	706
Frankie Crosetti	1937	.348	721
Bobby Richardson	1965	.352	713
Horace Clarke	1973	.356	650
Bobby Richardson	1966	.364	648
Bobby Richardson	1964	.365	728
Horace Clarke	1970	.371	732
Frankie Crosetti	1939	.377	743
Ro. Peckinpaugh	1914	.378	635
Aaron Ward	1922	.382	641
Mark Koenig	1926	.389	678
Robinson Cano	2008	.397	634
Joe Dugan		1923	.398	684
Red Rolfe		1940	.399	647

PLAYER		YEAR	RCAA	PA
Frankie Crosetti	1940	-45	633
Frankie Crosetti	1937	-32	721
Bobby Richardson	1961	-29	706
Bobby Richardson	1965	-23	713
Frankie Crosetti	1939	-23	743
Bobby Richardson	1964	-22	728
Aaron Ward	1922	-21	641
Horace Clarke	1970	-20	732
Joe Dugan		1923	-20	684
Horace Clarke	1973	-20	650
Mark Koenig	1926	-20	678
Robinson Cano	2008	-18	634
Red Rolfe		1940	-18	647
Bobby Richardson	1966	-18	648
Ro. Peckinpaugh	1914	-17	635

This tells us that Cano, in terms of guys with 630+ PA, had the worst season with the bat, for the Yankees, since Horace Clarke back in 1973.

Can a guy be that bad and also be a future superstar (as many claim Cano can yet be)? I dunno…

October 6, 2008 | Filed Under Yankees History | 2 Comments

Waiata…Minute

Going back to 1981 with this one…a little music for your Monday…

October 6, 2008 | Filed Under Random Thoughts | Leave a Comment

Comparing Danks, Pelfrey & Hughes

Lately, it’s become fashionable to point at pitchers like John Danks and use that as a defense of sorts regarding Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy’s 2008 seasons.

Via Joel Sherman’s blog last Thursday -

I know it is fashionable to give up on [Phil] Hughes and Ian Kennedy. But if you watched how the White Sox pitched themselves into the playoffs behind John Danks and Gavin Floyd, then remember how many starts and stops that duo had before flourishing this year. Look at how Mike Pelfrey finally got it with the Mets and Scott Baker with the Twins and, well, you get the point. And I keep going back to Eli Manning, who was a bust as late as last December. I have no idea if Hughes and Kennedy actually have the durability, mental makeup and stuff to thrive for the Yankees. What I do know is that their whole story has not been written yet either.

Via Peter Abraham’s blog on Sunday -

On a serious note, perhaps you noticed John Danks win two huge games for the White Sox in the last week. This would be the same John Danks who lost 13 games and had a 5.50 ERA for the White Sox last season when he was 22. The lesson is you have to be patient with young starters.

Sure, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy had poor seasons for the Yankees. But there was a reason they were first-round picks (just like Danks) and you have to give them time. If the playoffs can serve as a blueprint, that is what the Yankees should take from it.

But, here’s the deal with all this…

First, forget Ian Kennedy…because the Yankees have forgotten about him. He’s so low on their list now that he’s looking up at guys like Darrell Rasner and players found in the Mexican League. In fact, I would be very surprised if Kennedy is not sent packing this off-season.

Next, Mr. Hughes…well…actually…let’s look at Danks and Pelfrey…since their names were brought up here. Specifically, let’s look at how many starts they made, including the minors, in their pro-careers over the last three seasons.

Mike Pelfrey:
2006: 22 GS - Age 22
2007: 28 GS - Age 23
2008: 32 GS - Age 24

John Danks:
2006: 26 GS - Age 21
2007: 26 GS - Age 22
2008: 33 GS - Age 23

Now, let’s look at Phil Hughes…

Phil Hughes:
2006: 26 GS - Age 20
2007: 21 GS - Age 21
2008: 14 GS - Age 22

See the difference? Sure, Danks and Pelfrey may have had growing pains when they were younger - like many pitchers. But, at least they were taking a regular turn and getting their work in…learning their craft and improving. Phil Hughes is going backwards…in terms of his ability to get on the mound and put in his time.

So, if you’re expecting Phil Hughes to pitch in 2009 the way that Danks and Pelfrey did this season, you’re probably in for a disappointment.

Repetition is the mother of skill.
Skill lends towards confidence.
Confidence takes away doubt and enables success.

Bottom line, Hughes hasn’t gotten his reps in yet…so he’s a long way from being close to a position where he can succeed…like Danks and Pelfrey did this season.

October 6, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 13 Comments

Ten Years Ago Tomorrow

Doing some research into the recent ALDS game between the Angels and Red Sox - which the Angels won in 12 innings! - caused me to look back at Game 2 of the 1998 ALCS.

You remember that one, don’t you? It was the famous “Blauch Head” game where Chuck Knoblauch had a brain cramp that probably cost the Yankees the game.

Well, that game was played on October 7, 1998. That’s ten years ago from tomorrow.

Man, has it really been ten years? Where does the time go…

October 6, 2008 | Filed Under Yankees History | 3 Comments

Brad Ausmus

If you haven’t seen this video yet, don’t wait to see it - watch it now. It’s too damn funny. (Hat tip to Pete Abe.)

The Brad Ausmus transaction timeline:

June 2, 1987: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 48th round of the 1987 amateur draft.

November 17, 1992: Drafted by the Colorado Rockies from the New York Yankees as the 54th pick in the 1992 expansion draft.

July 26, 1993: Traded by the Colorado Rockies with a player to be named later and Doug Bochtler to the San Diego Padres for Bruce Hurst and Greg Harris. The Colorado Rockies sent Andy Ashby (July 27, 1993) to the San Diego Padres to complete the trade.

June 18, 1996: Traded by the San Diego Padres with Russ Spear and Andujar Cedeno to the Detroit Tigers for John Flaherty and Chris Gomez.

December 10, 1996: Traded by the Detroit Tigers with Jose Lima, Trever Miller, C.J. Nitkowski, and Daryle Ward to the Houston Astros for Doug Brocail, Brian Hunter, Todd Jones, Orlando Miller, and cash.

January 14, 1999: Traded by the Houston Astros with C.J. Nitkowski to the Detroit Tigers for Paul Bako, Dean Crow, Brian Powell, Carlos Villalobos, and Mark Persails.

December 11, 2000: Traded by the Detroit Tigers with Doug Brocail and Nelson Cruz to the Houston Astros for Roger Cedeno, Chris Holt, and Mitch Meluskey.

Ausmus went out with a bang this season. Good for him.

You know, Brad went on to play 1,914 big league games in his career. I wonder how many players were drafted/signed by the Yankees who went on to play close to 2,000 major league games - without ever playing for the Yankees? That’s got to be a small list.

O.K., how about this? How many guys were drafted by the Yankees in the 48th round of the draft and then went on to play close to 2,000 games, period, in the bigs? That’s got to be a small list as well.

How can you not be happy for a guy like Brad Ausmus - getting as far, and doing it for as long, as he did?

October 6, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 5 Comments

SNY.tv Blog Network One Stop Shop

I just wanted to say that this link is pretty cool - for those into the SNY.tv Blog Network scene…

October 5, 2008 | Filed Under Site News | Leave a Comment

Yankees Pitchers 2008 BABIP Splits

Data for this entry came via Baseball-Reference.com.

Here’s a look at the Yankees pitchers in 2008 - with respect to their BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play).

First, some context. In 2008, the overall BABIP mark, in the American League, when pitching at home was .293 - and, overall, for Yankees pitchers working at home it was .298. What follows are the individual “home” BABIP marks for the Yankees hurlers this past season:

PITCHER		PA	BABIP
J Albaladejo	38	.478
A Pettitte	452	.351
C Britton		55	.350
P Hughes		62	.326
J Veras		134	.324
M Mussina		479	.315
S Ponson		175	.310
R Ohlendorf	84	.309
K Farnsworth	101	.305
D Robertson	62	.303
I Kennedy		61	.302
D Rasner		234	.299
J Chamberlain	213	.298
L Hawkins		95	.280
E Ramirez		129	.265
C Wang		213	.263
B Traber		32	.259
M Rivera		145	.255
C Pavano		66	.250
D Marte		37	.238
D Giese		120	.233
A Aceves		53	.231
B Bruney		53	.167
P Coke		24	.125
H Sanchez		3	.000

Observation: The Yankees defense, while at Yankee Stadium, did not really help Andy Pettitte this season.

Next, some further context. In 2008, the overall BABIP mark, in the American League, when pitching on the road was .306 - and, overall, for Yankees pitchers working on the road it was .320. What follows are the individual “road” BABIP marks for the Yankees hurlers this past season:

PITCHER		PA	BABIP
K Igawa		24	.542
B Traber		48	.433
R Ohlendorf	103	.377
P Hughes		95	.366
D Robertson	69	.364
D Marte		43	.364
J Chamberlain	204	.354
C Pavano		88	.354
I Kennedy		133	.352
M Mussina		340	.335
L Hawkins		77	.333
S Patterson	7	.333
H Sanchez		5	.333
D Rasner		279	.332
A Pettitte	429	.324
S Ponson		185	.324
D Giese		66	.306
C Wang		189	.301
P Coke		28	.300
J Veras		119	.282
E Ramirez		105	.279
K Farnsworth	84	.275
C Britton		50	.263
A Aceves		67	.235
J Albaladejo	20	.214
B Bruney		84	.204
M Rivera		114	.173

Observation: On the whole, when on the road, the Yankees “defense” didn’t really help their starting pitchers at all - sans Alfredo Aceves (who was also pretty “lucky” at home).

And, at first blush, this begs the question “What’s so different on the road?” To that question, the first thought is “Rightfield is bigger, on the road, compared to Yankee Stadium.”

This ties back to an earlier thought that I had here - regarding the shortcomings in Bobby Abreu’s defense.

Just some more food for thought…in regard to what the Yankees need next season…

Add “A Right Fielder Who Is Not A Defensive Liability” to the Yankee wish-list for 2009.

October 5, 2008 | Filed Under Math Class | 1 Comment

2008 NLCS

Feels like ‘77, ‘78 and ‘83 all over again…in the NLCS.

But, you won’t be seeing Bill Russell, Rick Monday, Dusty Baker, Burt Hooton, or Steve Yeager playing. And, there will be no sight of Mike Schmidt, Ron Reed, Tug McGraw, Garry Maddox, or Steve Carlton in action on the field.

Who will win this time?

Shoot, I’m beginning to think this is Joe Torre’s year…so, how can you not pick the Dodgers? And, if Mr. Torre makes it past this round, expect to see ol’ Joe cryin’ like it’s 1996 all over again…

October 5, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 13 Comments

Suzyn Sings Seaver

Via It Is High… who got it from The’ Ropolitans who got it from The Final Score…

I can’t remember the last time I was so moved. It’s a toss up between the prep for a colonoscopy that I had in 1986 and the aftermath of a bad fish dinner that I got at the Keyport Office back in December of 2000…

October 5, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 2 Comments

The Curse of the Rings?

Via Ken Davidoff -

When the Yankees won the 2000 World Series, they declined to distribute championship rings to the entire organization, as they did after their 1996, 1998 and 1999 triumphs. The group of dissed employees, numbering between 20 and 25, privately placed a curse on the team, proclaiming there would be no more parades until they received their jewelry.

They called it The Curse of the Rings.

The Curse is now 8 years old. It attended a sleepover party last night and is going to see “High School Musical 3″ today.

Brian Cashman tried putting this issue to rest when he gained full power as Yankees GM three years ago. These people aren’t getting their rings, Cashman told Newsday in 2006. So consider this our annual plea for Cashman to change his mind. His job is hard enough without having to worry about bad karma.

This sort of ties back to what I found back on January 28, 2007 - where, reportedly, George Steinbrenner fired some employee not long before the 2001 World Series and then the displaced guy’s wife supposedly cursed the Yankees.

Then again, the Carroll Curse hasn’t exactly killed the Red Sox, has it?

October 5, 2008 | Filed Under Possible Bad News | 3 Comments

How Bad Were The ‘08 Yanks Up The Middle?

Runs Created Above Average (RCAA) is the difference between a player’s runs created total and the total for an average player who used the same amount of outs. (A negative RCAA indicates a below average player in this category.)

Using the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia, I looked at how the Yankees “up the middle” (meaning their C, 2B, SS, and CF) did this past season with respect to RCAA. Here’s the answer:

PLAYER		YEAR	RCAA	PA	POS
Robinson Cano	2008	-18	634	2B
Melky Cabrera	2008	-20	453	CF
Derek Jeter	2008	-2	668	SS
Jose Molina	2008	-22	297	C

That’s pretty bad. It’s always said that winning teams are strong “up the middle.” And, in 2008, the Yankees bats “up the middle” were all below league average - and actually terrible, offensively, at C, 2B, and CF.

When was the last time that the Yankees had all four players (min 300 PA) “up the middle” with negative RCAA marks in the same season? That would be 1992:

PLAYER		YEAR	RCAA	PA	POS
Pat Kelly		1992	-9	362	2B
Matt Nokes	1992	-9	430	C
Roberto Kelly	1992	-5	632	CF
Andy Stankiewicz	1992	-8	451	SS

Note: Yes, I realize that Molina only had 297 PA in 2008 - and here I’m using 300 PA for the cutoff. Since 297 is so close to 300, I decided to round it up and use that.

Funny. The Yankees didn’t finish in first or second place this season. The last time that happened? Like this “up the middle” thing that was also in 1992.

That year - 1992 - was also the last season of a four-year period which has a strong claim towards being the worse run in the Yankees’ timeline – in terms of the team’s relative and collective shortcomings.

This all just gives you a little perspective as to how bad things were in Yankeeland this season.

October 5, 2008 | Filed Under Yankees History | 3 Comments

Dodgers Advance In N.L. Post-Season

Congrats to Mr. Torre. The Dodgers have won their NLDS this year. Man, those Cubs…

If Torre and his team can now win the NLCS, get ready for some Torre-Zimmer storylines (if the Rays win the ALCS) or some Torre/Manny-Bosox storylines (if the Red Sox win the ALCS)…and, either way, the Yankees are not going to come out smelling like roses in either story…

Great.

October 5, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 1 Comment

What Abreu Wants, And What Mets Need, A Match?

Via Mark Feinsand -

[Bobby] Abreu has said several times that he would like to remain with the Yankees, having enjoyed his 2-1/2-year stint in pinstripes. But the 34-year-old also is seeking at least a three year-contract, leading most baseball insiders to believe the outfielder will wind up in a new uniform this winter.

Reportedly, Ryan Church hated playing in New York and with the Mets. I could see the Mets letting Church go, or, trading him. And, it would not shock me to see the Mets make a run at Manny Ramirez on the free agent market. However, should the Mets not get Manny, I would bet that they would be willing to consider Abreu on a three-year contract.

So, maybe Abreu does stay in New York…playing in Queens?

How about the Yankees? No way should the Yankees give him a three-year deal. Thanks for the memories Bobby. Don’t let the door hit you in the fanny on the way out…pretend it’s a wall if that allows you to run away from it faster…

October 4, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 5 Comments

Torre Talks About Comebacks & Pettitte

Via the Toronto Globe and Mail:

Since baseball adopted its current postseason format in 1995, only Torre’s 2001 New York Yankees came back to win a best-of-five series after losing the first two games at home. The turning point in the series came in Game 3, a 1-0 win in Oakland, in a game remembered for Derek Jeter’s instinctive run and lateral toss to home plate to nail Jeremy Giambi. But Mike Mussina’s seven runless innings set the tone.

“The best way to do it is to pitch,” Torre said.

“I had Andy Pettitte, who probably in postseason play I trusted more than anybody else other than Mariano Rivera, and if you watched Andy get ready for a game you’d think he was scared to death, until you watched him pitch,” Torre said. “You realized that even though he may have been a little uneasy, he was able to just put that away and channel all of his energies in the right direction.”

Courage is not the absence of fear. More so, it’s being afraid and doing it anyway.

Now, let’s see if the Cubs, Brewers, Angels and White Sox can check their fears and maybe make some of these LDS match-ups a little more interesting this weekend…

And, by the way, if the Yankees and Pettitte slow dance too much this season, any chance that Andy might go west for a season and go join Joe?

October 4, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 4 Comments

Doyle Alexander

Reading this (below), on SignOnSanDiego.com got me thinking about Doyle Alexander…

A grievance the Padres are pursuing against shortstop Khalil Greene likely will not be heard before spring training, said Mike Weiner of the major league players association.

The union is representing Greene in response to the club’s attempt to recover up to $1.47 million in salary paid after Greene’s self-inflicted hand injury ended his season July 30.

“We’re confident that Khalil’s position in this case will be upheld,” said Weiner, general counsel for the union. The Padres stopped paying Greene in August, according to the union, which responded by filing a grievance. The Padres paid the amount they had withheld from Greene, then filed a grievance.

Weiner said Yankees pitcher Doyle Alexander won a grievance after the Yankees tried to recover salary paid while he was sidelined for two months in 1982; Alexander had fractured a knuckle when he punched a dugout wall in Seattle’s Kingdome.

Padres CEO Sandy Alderson has said the grievance goes beyond trying to recover money. “In the larger sense, it’s about deterring this kind of conduct in the future because the consequences can be critical to a team,” he said Tuesday.

As a rent-a-player, in 1976, Alexander did a good job for the Yankees. But, his second time around in the Bronx was terrible - back in 1982. And, the whole thing went bad. The Yanks traded for him to start the ‘82 season - and he gives them an ERA of 6.08 that season. The following season, New York releases him. He signs with the Blue Jays and does a great job for them - until 1986 when they trade him to the Braves for Duane Ward. Ouch.

Anyway, thinking about 1976 for a minute reminded me of something else. After that season, somebody…I can’t remember if it was the Yankees or the Daily News or someone else…issued this magazine/yearbook:

It was great. If I remember it correctly, it had the boxscore for every Yankees game that season and a small story on each game. I had it, back then, and loved it. Then again, I was 13-years old and had only been a Yankees fan for four years…

Lord only knows what happened to my copy. Sometime in the 1980’s, it bit the dust. Gosh, I wish that I had kept it. I’m sure it would be cool to look back at that today. For sure, it would be a lot cooler than looking back at Doyle Alexander circa 1982.

October 4, 2008 | Filed Under Yankees History | 7 Comments

One-Sided LDS Action…So Far

The Dodgers are up, 2-0, on the Cubs.
The Phillies are up, 2-0, on the Brewers.
The Rays are up, 2-0, on the White Sox.

And, as I write this, the Red Sox are winning, 5-2 in the top of the 5th, and close to going up, 2-0, on the Angels.

Will any of these series see a Game 5? Shoot, how about a Game 4?

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 22 Comments

Squaring The Ledger On The Big “G” Bet

Yes, I am a man of my word. It’s October, so, here’s the picture, as promised:

True story: My wife had to work this evening. So, I asked my daughter, who is 6-years old, to take the picture for me. As always, she was full of questions:

Why am I taking this picture of you holding that sign?

I promised someone that I would pose holding this sign and have my picture taken, holding it. It’s sort of a joke, actually.

[After she reads the sign] That’s not really much of a joke. It’s not even funny at all. I’m not even sure it makes sense.

Well, some people may find it funny. You really have to know the whole story.

What is the whole story?

O.K., here goes… Back in February, I said that Jason Giambi wouldn’t do something - and, if he did, and I was wrong, that I would have my picture taken holding this sign.

And how is that funny?

Because I was wrong and now I have to take the picture.

O.K., can we just take the picture now so that I can go back to watching T.V.?

Absolutely.

No bets on Giambi for next year - I swear! I won’t do it. Why? Just to avoid another session of grilling questions from one of my kids is reason enough!

Sorry “G,” - you and Kevin were right. Good job. Attaboy.

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 11 Comments

Would You Trade Cano For A Pitcher?

The thought, via Ken Rosenthal:

Trading second baseman Robinson Cano certainly is an option for the Yankees; virtually every club with a need at the position has expressed interest.

Cano, however, finished strong after adjusting his stance and setup in mid-September, and some with the Yankees believe that he will be more at ease in 2009, saying he tried too hard this season to justify his new four-year, $30 million contract.

The problem for the Yankees is that they need to acquire two starting pitchers, and the top of the free-agent market is thin. CC Sabathia might prefer to go to the west coast and/or stay in the National League. Some baseball people question whether A.J. Burnett possesses the right makeup for New York. Derek Lowe might command a contract too large for the Yankees’ liking at age 35.

Thus, trading Cano for a starting pitcher might be necessary.

If you told me that I could trade Robby Cano, one-up, for a pitcher like Roy Oswalt, Chad Billingsley, Matt Cain or Kevin Slowey…and I’m the Yankees…well…you’d have to think about pulling the trigger on that one, no?

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 8 Comments

Brewers To Yanks: “More Money Please”

Via Bloomberg.com -

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, seeking a “fair fight,” said high-revenue clubs like the New York Yankees should share more with the other teams.

“It’s always amusing to me to hear the Yankees, they can’t get into the playoffs with $200 million, and they say, `well, we’ve done enough,”’ Attanasio, the chief investment officer at money management firm TCW Group Inc., said in an interview with Bloomberg Radio’s “On the Ball” program that will air tomorrow. “The advantages that you’re given in the bigger market teams — if they really wanted to have a fair fight they would do more revenue sharing, but I guess the obvious battle lines are drawn on that.”

The Brewers qualified for the postseason with a payroll that climbed to about $90 million after the acquisition of left- handed pitcher CC Sabathia, a free agent after the season. The Yankees, meantime, had a Major League Baseball-high $209 million payroll and missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1993 season.

The Yankees are among the teams that’ll be seeking pitching help during the offseason. General Manager Brian Cashman wouldn’t say whether Sabathia tops his wish list.

Cashman, during a separate “On the Ball” interview, said he’s also operating under a budget.

“Things are different in our industry from 10-15 years ago, when the Yankees could just show up and outspend everybody,” he said. “Everybody has a ceiling. There’s nothing limitless in any business equation.”

He wasn’t specific.

Cashman said the success of the Brewers and Rays is proof that the existing revenue-sharing agreement works.

“The Yankees have been very charitable,” he said.

Attanasio, meantime, said the Brewers will be charitable toward fans who are struggling with a difficult economy.

While the Brewers will raise ticket prices next season, Attanasio said the cost of a bleacher seat will remain $10, the same price when he bought the team three years ago. In addition, Attanasio said his preference is to drive revenue with sponsors, not ticket holders, especially in a challenging economic climate.

“We know that people are feeling the pinch and we want to make sure that we can get families to come out to the ballpark who are otherwise hurting a little bit,” Attanasio said. “We feel it’s a bit of a social responsibility to do that.”

Hey, if the Brewers want some more money from the Yankees, why don’t they offer to sell Ryan Braun to New York or something? It worked for the Red Sox, way back when…to raise some cash…selling some dude named Ruth…

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | Leave a Comment

Klapisch: Mets & Yanks Want CC

Bob Klapisch writes that the Yanks and Mets are poised for a CC Sabathia bidding war.

Something tells me that CC’s agent just went from six to twelve hearing this news…

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 9 Comments

Baumbach & Rieber’s Final Score

Today’s question: If you’re not reading Jim Baumbach and Anthony Rieber’s blog, “The Final Score,” on a regular basis, why aren’t you? Man, there’s some good stuff happening there.

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Reviews | 1 Comment

Bad News…

If this tune doesn’t stir you in some manner, you’re probably dead.

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Random Thoughts | Leave a Comment

Cashman & Media To Be At Odds Now?

From Bob Raissman:

At a Wednesday Stadium press conference, where Cashman announced he would be steering his Good Ship Autonomy for another three years (unless it sinks), the GM all but said that scribes who held him accountable for the Yankees’ failed 2008 season provided him with the motivation necessary to remain in the Bronx.

Cashman didn’t put it quite that way. He was not so nice. This was a man in total how-dare-they mode. A guy who usually expresses himself in a calm and rational manner came off tough and edgy. The way we heard it, Cashman was staying put because some fools in the media can’t get anything right. And he’s staying to make it right.

His comments were not only bizarre, but revealed his exterior to be more Charmin than rawhide. Is Cashman really as thin-skinned as he appeared to be on Wednesday? Or was this a one-time thing, a case of temporary insanity, so to speak?

Cashman has already chided Joe Girardi for his inability to manage the media during his first season as the Yankees’ skipper. Going forward, can Cashman manage how he reacts to it?

Up until this season, for obvious reasons, he has not been the target of any significant media criticism. He is also, as some gushed Thursday, cooperative, accessible and fair.

That kind of track record earns you major points (and slack). As far as media heat goes, Cashman - even in this season of failure - has not exactly been deposited in a blast furnace. Not even close. His current critics are best described as being part of a vocal minority.

Nonetheless, their critiques were enough to bring out the insecure side of Cashman and land him in a difficult spot. With his Wednesday proclamation, Cashman raised the stakes and turned the pressure up on himself.

It was always about winning. That never changes with the Yankees. Now he’s made it about his legacy, too.

Cashman can disagree with the ultimate “story line” all he wants.

But he can’t control it.

It does appear that, while there are some members of the media who think Cashman has done a good job and is the right man to be the Yankees G.M., there’s an increase of media members out there who are more than willing to question Cashman’s track record and ability.

What’s that old line? On a ballclub, as a manager, you’ll always have ten guys who love you and ten guys who hate you…and it’s the five who haven’t decided that you have to worry about…

I would offer that now to Cashman…because if those members of the media out there, now, who haven’t picked a side of the Cashman fence yet, decide to join forces with those who are not raving fans of Cashman, it could be a very long season for the once Teflon G.M….

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 4 Comments

October Candy

Evan Longoria, in today’s ALDS game between the Rays and Chisox had three hits - including two homers. Which player has the most post-season games in his career where he had three (or more) hits with two (or more) of them being for extra bases? Thanks to Baseball-Reference.com’s Play Index Post-Season Batting Game Finder, here’s the leaders with such games:

                   Games Link to Individual Games
+-----------------+-----+-------------------------+
 Reggie Jackson        6 Ind. Games
 Bernie Williams       4 Ind. Games
 Duke Snider           3 Ind. Games
 Gary Sheffield        3 Ind. Games
 Babe Ruth             3 Ind. Games
 Alex Rodriguez        3 Ind. Games
 Manny Ramirez         3 Ind. Games
 Trot Nixon            3 Ind. Games
 Fred McGriff          3 Ind. Games
 Jeff Kent             3 Ind. Games
 Andruw Jones          3 Ind. Games
 Derek Jeter           3 Ind. Games
 Billy Hatcher         3 Ind. Games
 Steve Garvey          3 Ind. Games
 Jack Barry            3 Ind. Games
 Roberto Alomar        3 Ind. Games

I guess Reggie really wasn’t kidding with that “Mr. October” thing?

October 2, 2008 | Filed Under Yankees History | 7 Comments

Carsten Charles Choker?

CC Sabathia’s five career post-season starts, including today:

October 2, 2008: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 5 ER

October 18, 2007: 6 IP, 10 H, 2 BB, 4 ER

October 12, 2007: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 BB, 8 ER

October 4, 2007: 5 IP, 4 H, 6 BB, 3 ER

October 13, 2001: 6 IP, 6 H, 5 BB, 2 ER

Oh, yeah, he’d be great for the Yankees…pass.

October 2, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 13 Comments

By The Way…

…Happy 30th Bucky.

October 2, 2008 | Filed Under Yankees History | 1 Comment

A-Rod’s Very Brady Dinner Plan Fizzled?

This is too funny…via the Post:

It rained and it rained and then it stopped long enough to rain on Alex Rodriguez’s parade.

The Yankees slugger reportedly had plans to have dinner with injured Patriots quarterback Tom Brady last Friday night, but the game between the Bombers and Red Sox went on after a 1 hour, 38 minute rain delay.

According to the Boston Herald’s Inside Track, Rodriguez was giddy in hopes the game would be called.

“A-Rod was running around the clubhouse asking everyone, ‘Are we gonna play? Are we rained out? Are we postponed?’ Every few minutes he’d come around and ask his teammates - or anyone else who was around - the same thing,” according to one of the Herald’s “spies.”

The game, which the Yankees won 19-8 to end the Red Sox’s chance of winning the AL East, was played through a steady rain and was delayed another 31 minutes in the top of the fifth inning.

“He was all excited,” the Herald’s “spy” said. “You know he’s a big star (expletive) anyway and he was all worked up over his ‘date’ with Tommy.”

The Inside Track could not confirm or deny if the two superstars were able to have their date during the Yankees’ three-day trip to Boston, which ended their season.

Too bad, I could just see Alex texting Pete Rose…”You’ll never guess who I’m eating dinner with right now…”

October 2, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 2 Comments

Is It Just Me, Or, Are The Yanks & Rays…

…doing this a little bit backwards?

The Steinbrenner Family owns the Yankees - and they all live down in Tampa, Florida.

And, Stuart Sternberg owns the Tampa Bay Rays - and he lives in Rye, New York.

Maybe baseball should come up with a rule like they have in New York for their cops and firemen? With them, if you work for New York City, you have to live in New York….

In any event, it’s interesting that the Steinbrenners like Tampa so much and that Sternberg has elected to not leave New York…at least to me.

October 2, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 4 Comments

How Do You Say “Ouch!” In Spanish?

Via Dominican Today -

New York.- “I had to suppress my Dominicanness,” said Pulitzer Prize-winner writer Junot Diaz during an interview together with ‘Nuyorican’ Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, by the Web site ny.remezcla.com.

The event, “A Conversation with Junot Diaz and Lin-Manuel Miranda” was organized by the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) and held at the Malcolm X Betty Shabazz Memorial, Educational and Cultural Center, on 165th St. and and Broadway.

On a serious note, they talked about their experiences and Diaz revealed how he became the person he is.“When you’re a youngster aware of these things early (racial tensions and family issues), it’s going to inevitably be a part of your life.”

“I was told by my parents that I had to suppress my Dominicanness [...] Being a child of a survivor of the Trujillato (tyranny) is like A-Rod, you need three therapists” he admitted candidly to the crowd’s roaring laughs, ny.remezcla.com said.

¡Coño! That’s cold…

October 2, 2008 | Filed Under Trap Door Items | 1 Comment

Tony Brizzolara?

The question regarding the career starts of Cole Hamels and Jon Lester, as compared to Phil Hughes, posted here earlier today, got me wondering “If you look at the start of Hughes’ career, what pitchers have had the same relative performance, at the same game, in the same amount of opportunity, etc.?” So, I started playing around with Baseball-Reference.com’s Play Index and came up with the following list:

  Cnt Player            ERA+   IP   From  To   Ages   G   GS
+----+-----------------+----+------+----+----+-----+----+---+
    1 Frank Castillo      89  111.2 1991 1991 22-22   18  18
    2 Philip Hughes       86  106.2 2007 2008 21-22   21  21
    3 Jesse Foppert       84  111   2003 2003 22-22   23  21
    4 Pete Harnisch       80  116.1 1988 1989 21-22   20  19
    5 Tony Brizzolara     77  107.1 1979 1979 22-22   20  19

For those interested, here’s the logic that was used to cut this list: Spanning Multiple Seasons or entire Careers, From 1901 to 2008, From Age 21 to 22, Throws RH, (requiring ERAp<=90, IP>=100, IP<=120, ERAp>=70, and At least 90% games started), sorted by greatest ERAp

For the record, sans Castillo, all of these guys were high draft picks (and hopes) for their teams. Here’s the background:

Frank Castillo
Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 6th round of the 1987 amateur draft.

Phil Hughes
Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (23rd pick) of the 2004 amateur draft.

Jesse Foppert
Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round of the 2001 amateur draft.

Pete Harnisch
Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1st round (27th pick) of the 1987 amateur draft.

Tony Brizzolara
Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of the 1977 amateur draft.

Harnisch went on to have a decent career. He made an All-Star team in 1991 and three times (1991, 1993 and 1998) he finished in the “Top Ten” in his league’s ERA leaders. And, in 1991, 1992, and 1993, he finished in the “Top Ten” in his league’s strikeout leaders.

Will Hughes be better than Harnisch? Worse? The same? Nobody knows, for sure…

We’ll have to check back on this in ten years, or so, for the true answer.

October 2, 2008 | Filed Under Math Class | 1 Comment