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October 31, 2005
George M. Nostradamus III
And I thought the Sparky Lyle "From Cy Young to Sayonara" move was an unbeatable record. Go figure.
From Messiah to 'Bye ya'
- now takes the top spot in the baseball one-eighty department.
So, unless he pulls a Ken Macha, Theo Epstein is no longer with the Boston Red Sox. And, we have Larry Lucchino to thank for it.
Big Stein warned them about Larry. Remember when he said (just about three years ago):
I've learned this about Lucchino: he's baseball's foremost chameleon of all time. He changes colors depending on where's he's standing. He's been at Baltimore and he deserted them there, and then went out to San Diego, and look at what trouble they're in out there. When he was in San Diego, he was a big man for the small markets. Now he's in Boston and he's for the big markets. He's not the kind of guy you want to have in your foxhole. He's running the team behind John Henry's back. I warned John it would happen, told him, "Just be careful." He talks out of both sides of his mouth. He has trouble talking out of the front of it.
Edward G. Robinson's voice is echoing in Fenway Park this evening. And, it's saying "Where's your messiah now?"
Throw in the Josh Byrnes and Mike Port moves and all of a sudden there's a whole lot of empty desks in the Boston Front Office.
It's damn hard work to make that Boston Schlemiels label stick, I guess. And, if you have to shed some blood in the process, so what if organizational directory starts looking like a Schilling ALCS sock, I suppose.
I wonder if Bill James should give Brian Cashman a call in the next day or two?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:27 PM | Comments (5)
BB Pro: A-Rod AL MVP
Well, he is, according to more than 1,300 cyberspace baseball fans.
David Ortiz was the number two choice on most ballots.
Up next, the BBWAA.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:04 PM | Comments (2)
Julian Tavarez
From a story in the Post about the current Yankees organizational meetings:
Items on the table include where to find a center fielder (Torii Hunter, Milton Bradley) and bullpen help (B.J. Ryan, Julian Tavarez). For the first time in eons, the Yankees aren't expected to chase starting pitching in the free-agent pool.
Tavarez? Are they kidding me? The Pine Tar and Tantrum boy?
Pass. Pass at 118 MPH.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:41 PM | Comments (5)
Tony Pena To Join Staff?
From the Daily News:
The Yankees may have several former managers on their coaching staff next season, as they have looked into hiring former Royals skipper Tony Pena, the Daily News has learned.
There are several advantages to bringing in Pena, who won the 2003 AL Manager of the Year award in Kansas City but stepped down in May after a difficult start. First, the Bombers are looking for a Latino presence on the staff since former third base coach Luis Sojo is not expected to be with the major league club in 2006. Sojo, who will be replaced by former Phillies manager Larry Bowa, has expressed interest in becoming the manager of the Class-A Tampa Yankees because that is where he lives, and he likely will be accommodated.
Sojo was very popular with the Spanish-speaking players on the Yankees and had a particularly good relationship with Robinson Cano.
....
The second benefit to adding Pena is that the Bombers currently are without a specialized catchers coach.
Pena has fire - like Bowa. It seems to be a theme with the new Yankees coaches. But, for the record, Pena did not step "down in May after a difficult start" - he quit because of some other messy business in K.C.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:31 AM | Comments (6)
Scott Eyre
From the San Fran Chronicle:
Scott Eyre will be wooed elsewhere: The Giants already made Eyre a multiyear offer, but relievers (especially effective lefties) will be a hot commodity for big-market teams, including the Yankees and Red Sox, who easily could outbid the Giants, a team that doesn't generally re-sign its guys once they become free agents.
34-years-old. Lefty middle reliever. Over his career, been just average. Became somewhat effective once he moved to the NL and a pitchers park home field. Had a career year last year in his walk season.
Oh, this has Yankees signing written all over it.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:44 AM | Comments (4)
The Oldest All-Timer
With the recent passing of Al Lopez, Phil Rizzuto now becomes the oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Frankie Crosetti lived to see 91. I hope Scooter - assuming he maintains good of quality of life - matches that number or betters it.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:06 AM | Comments (2)
Happy Halloween
Mike Blowers
Dave Collins
Rich Dotson
Andy Hawkins
Hideki Irabu
Jeff Johnson
Tim Leary
Bobby Meacham
Omar Moreno
Joel Skinner
Rondell White
Ed Whitson
Mike Witt
Tony Womack
Boo!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:47 AM | Comments (10)
October 30, 2005
Bernie Williams & Ken Singleton
I was just playing around with the latest edition of the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia, running some sorts and the like, and then I can across this one:
These are Ken's lifetime stats and Bernie's through the 2005 season. Could they be any closer? And, it's fun because they were both switch hitters.
What's telling to me is the last season for each batter. Singleton's last year was 1984. And, it was the worst season that he had in his career. Last year was Williams' worst season in the bigs with the bat. Ken elected to retire. I think Bernie should do the same.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:32 PM | Comments (5)
Coaching Carousel Cranks Crazy
From the Daily News:
The reshaping of the Yankees' coaching staff continued yesterday as the Bombers informed Neil Allen that he no longer will be the bullpen coach.
Reached at home, GM Brian Cashman confirmed the move and said Allen had been offered a new position within the organization that is not on the major-league level.
Former Phillies manager Larry Bowa will be the Yanks' new third-base coach, former third-base coach Luis Sojo has been moved - likely to a minor-league managerial spot - and first-base coach Roy White has been let go.
Lee Mazzilli is expected to become the new bench coach, replacing Joe Girardi, the new manager of the Marlins, while hitting coach Don Mattingly will remain in his role.
The reshuffling is part of the Yanks' stated commitment to giving Torre and Cashman more authority, in hopes that will quell the internal bickering between the New York and Tampa offices.
Why do I have a strange feeling that Tino Martinez will be the new 1B coach?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:48 AM | Comments (2)
October 29, 2005
Hunt For Everyday Eddie
From the Boston Herald:
Left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado, one of the Red Sox’ backup choices two offseasons ago had they not been able to sign Keith Foulke away from Oakland, can be added to the list of free agent closers - a list that also includes B.J. Ryan and Billy Wagner - that the Red Sox are expected to peruse.
The Mariners are not going to pick up the 2006 option worth $6.25 million on Guardado but have not yet officially declined to do so. As part of his complicated deal, once the Mariners decline the option, Guardado can then test free agency before deciding whether or not he will exercise his option, which is now worth $4.5 million plus incentives.
Guardado and David Ortiz, both former Twins, are friends and the lefty is interested in the Red Sox. The Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are also expected to be suitors of Guardado.
The Yankees have to be players on this chase - even if it's just to run up the price for the Red Sox. Guardado is not a great pitcher - but, he's been good and steady for the last decade. Cashman and company cannot let the Sox get him as a gimmie.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:17 PM | Comments (3)
The Hot Stove Begins
From Newsday:
An internal debate among team officials already is taking place about whether it would be prudent for them to commit big money to Red Sox free-agent centerfielder Johnny Damon or give up young talent to acquire the Twins' Torii Hunter, who likely would want an extension and perhaps a raise from his $10.75-million salary.
The Yankees like the thought of Orioles free-agent closer B.J. Ryan, 29, setting up for Mariano Rivera and are expected to push for him. He has said he is open to setting up, but many teams, including the Mets, will be interested in having him close, which means a higher price tag.
The only starting pitcher the Yankees were expected to go after probably won't be on the market after all. According to a report in the Japan Times, the Seibu Lions say they will not give up Daisuke Matsuzaka, 25, a hard-throwing righthander.
Bummer on Matsuzaka. If the choice is Damon or Hunter, I would take Hunter - even though he's just an average batter at best. Damon's defensive play in Yankee Stadium for 81 games is not an attractive thought. But, no one knows how Hunter will rebound from his injury. Do you really want to wait until Spring Training to see and potentially miss another CF on the market? Is there a Plan C? I hope there is one.
Ryan is an interesting call. I just have a feeling about him not doing well in a big market like New York or in post-season pressure. It's just a hunch. I have no facts to back it up. It just seems like he's folded in some big spots before. But, maybe that's just my memory playing tricks on me?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:00 PM | Comments (13)
October 28, 2005
Mystery 'Roider
Thanks to James Varghese of YanksBlog.com for bringing the story of the AL post-season OFer mystery 'roider to my attention.
First of all, I doubt this is a Yankees player. I would be shocked if it's Matsui. And, if it were Bernie Williams, at this point, do we even care? As Jen of NoSenseWorrying.com points out in a comment over at BaseballMusings.com, if there's an agent involved, that sorta suggests that it's not Sheffield.
Therefore, from the Yankees fans perspective, this should just be a "fun" wait and see rumor/story - and not something to fret over.
There are at least a dozen suspects - and at least 3 or 4 strong ones in that group. Let the speculation begin.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:53 AM | Comments (14)
October 27, 2005
Yankees 2005 2nd Half Pitching
A recent comment to an entry made earlier today had me wondering about how well the Yankees pitched in the second half of 2005. So, I looked at their performace, compared to the rest of the AL, from July 4th through season end, using Runs Saved Above Average (RSAA):
Not bad. New York had the best pitching in the AL East during the 2nd half of the season. But, it's still not in the class of the very good pitching teams in the AL Central and West.
How do the Yankees close the gap?
Well, their starting pitchers are sorta locked in. You know that it's going to be Johnson and Mussina at the top. And, because of his contract, if he's healthy (and not traded), then Pavano gets a spot. And, Chacón and Wang each warranted getting a slot in the rotation next year (based on what they did in 2005). That's five. Also, there's Jaret Wright (who's much like Pavano in terms of status) in the wings.
To improve this bunch, and how they did in the 2nd half, the Yankees need Pavano and Mussina to be healthy and pitch well - and for the others (Chacón, Wang, and Johnson) to do what they did in the 2nd half last year.
And, in the pen, there are huge areas where they can improve. Basically, the Yankees need to add 3 to 4 quality arms in the pen to assist Mariano. (And, I'm assuming that Gordon is gone.) Here, in the end, it may be Brian Cashman who is the person who can make the most positive impact.
Mussina, Pavano and Cashman - three to watch for 2006.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:19 PM | Comments (8)
The Stein On Cashman
From the Sports Network:
"I am very happy that Brian will continue as General Manager," said Steinbrenner. "Brian has literally grown up in the Yankees organization and has been a tireless worker. He is very knowledgeable about the game and the business of Baseball and is extremely loyal. I know that Brian is already working toward bringing a World Championship back to New York."
This may be something to look back at next October.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:45 PM | Comments (1)
Godzilla: Sorry Joe
From the Record:
He [Yogi Berra] was the first to know, for example, that Hideki Matsui personally apologized to Joe Torre after the Yankees' collapse in the division series. After batting .200 against Anaheim and making the final out in Game 5, the Japanese outfielder told the manager, "I played bad for you. I'm sorry. I hurt the team."
Berra knows this because Torre told him so during a recent golf outing. It was the manager, Lee Mazzilli and Berra on the links for an afternoon, during which Torre confided that George Steinbrenner has been "better" about communicating lately.
Gotta love Yogi - but, should he be the one to tell the media this story? It was between Joe and Hideki - and, if they wanted the public to know, they would have shared it.
Somewhat related - Matsui and A-Rod missed zero games last year - and then ran out of gas in the ALDS. Memo to Torre: Think about this in 2006.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:39 PM | Comments (4)
Cash's New Deal
From the Hartford Courant:
Cashman, 38, accepted a three-year deal that will pay him between $5.5 million and $6 million over the course of the contract, making him one of the highest-paid GMs. He was looking not only for money, but for assurances that the continual discord in the Yankees organization will ease next year.
The language in the contract spells out the job description more specifically, giving Cashman more conventional GM powers to shape the roster. After long negotiations with Steve Swindal, who is George Steinbrenner's son-in-law and heir apparent to run the Yankees, Cashman was apparently convinced things will improve. One thing under discussion is more frequent and inclusive meetings, in which Cashman, manager Joe Torre and possibly scout Gene Michael, whom Cashman regards very highly, will have Steinbrenner's ear nearly as often as the Boss' Tampa-based advisers. Billy Connors, Bill Emslie, Mark Newman and Damon Oppenheimer, all of whom work at the Tampa minor league complex, are among the chefs stirring the broth, a source of irritation to Cashman and Torre in New York.
Cash should be careful. Job descriptions, outside of a union shop, are usually not worth the paper that they're printed on.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
A-Rod On The White Sox
From the AP via ESPN.com:
Rodriguez said that the White Sox have shown during the postseason that they are the best team in the American League.
"That exhibition of pitching and defense we've been able to see, with timely hitting, just really reminds us of what wins championships, and the White Sox have done a beautiful job," he said. "It reminds me of the old Yankees team."
Pitching, defense, and timely hitting. Maybe that can be the T-shirt for 2006?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)
'05 White Sox vs. '98 & '99 Yankees
I've been hearing a lot in the last 12 hours where some folks are saying that the 2005 Chicago White Sox compare to the Yankees teams of 1998 and 1999. Do they?
Let's look at the Runs Created Above Average (RCAA) and Runs Saved Above Average (RSAA) for each squad:
For those not aware -
Runs Created Above Average (RCAA) is a Lee Sinins creation. It is the difference between a team's Runs Created total and the total for an average team who used the same amount of outs. (A negative Runs Created Above Average indicates a below average team in this category.)
And, Runs Saved Above Average (RSAA) is another Lee Sinins creation. It is the amount of runs that a pitching staff saved versus what an average staff would have allowed. It is similar to the statistic Pitching Runs detailed in the book Total Baseball - except (1) both have different ways of park adjustments and (2) Total Baseball added a procedure to take into account the amount of decisions the staff had while Runs Saved Above Average does not. (A negative Runs Saved Above Average indicates a below average pitching staff in this category.)
The 2005 White Sox were a poor offensive team. The 1998 and 1999 Yankees were strong offensive teams. There is no comparison here.
The 2005 White Sox were an excellent pitching team. In fact, they were one of the best pitching staffs the American League has seen in the last decade - if not the best.
Still, the 1998 Yankees were a very strong pitching team as well. And, the 1999 Yankees were an above average pitching team.
This all said, because of the 2005 White Sox offensive attack - or lack thereof - there's no way that they should be compared to the 1998 and 1999 Yankees. Yes, they are World Champions - but, they're a one dimensional team. And, that one dimension was so strong that it covered their weakness and carried them to a World Series victory.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:49 AM | Comments (6)
October 26, 2005
Tomonori Maeda
I wonder if Tomonori Maeda is on the Yankees radar at all? Yes, he's not young. But, he's a CF-speed type player. And, Brett Butler (who Tomonori Maeda is like in size and style) was still productive in his late 30's. And, yes, Maeda is a free agent now. This is another guy that would warrant an invite to Spring Training - if that's something he's willing to do.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:06 PM | Comments (12)
162
Who are the only three right-handed batters in Yankees history to play in 162 games during a season?
Bobby Richardson 1961
Roberto Kelly 1990
Alex Rodriguez 2005
Who are the only three left-handed batters in Yankees history to play in 162 games during a season?
Chris Chambliss 1978
Don Mattingly 1986
Hideki Matsui 2003, 2004 & 2005
I think Roberto Kelly is the one that very few would guess at correctly.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:39 PM | Comments (2)
Cashman & Theo In Cahoots?
If you believe the scuttlebutt from the GMs at the World Series, Brian Cashman's prolonged negotiation with Yankees general partner Steve Swindal is directly related to Theo Epstein's holdout in Boston.
"They're pals," said one GM, "and I'm sure they're both holding out as long as they can, if nothing else, to give Theo additional leverage so he gets what he wants from the Red Sox. In any case, Brian's going to get his money."
I doubt this is true. But, if it were true, I would find it troubling that there is a friendship between the two GMs.
Mutual respect and admiration are fine. But, if there's a chance that having Theo Epstein as GM helps the Boston Red Sox, then it should be Cashman's concern that he does not get the job - and Cash's goal should not be that Theo gets the job and is rewarded financially for doing it as well.
But, again, before I really start to rant, I would want to see more proof that this could be true.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:58 AM | Comments (7)
Two Foul Ball Battered Thumbs Up
From the Hollywood Reporter:
It may not be "Dinner and a Movie," but legendary New York Yankees Hall of Famer Yogi Berra will co-host a series of sports-related movies on the YES Network.
Berra and YES studio host Bob Lorenz will introduce a movie night called "Yogi and a Movie" that the regional sports channel will screen Thursday nights through March as well as discuss the movie in brief vignettes between reels and commercials. Up first: "The Bad News Bears," the 1976 movie about a ragtag youth team starring Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal.
Most but not all of the movies are baseball-related, from "The Natural" and "A League of Their Own" to "Major League: Back to the Minors" and "The Bad News Bears Go to Japan." Others include "Jim Thorpe: All American" and "The Joe Louis Story."
What's next - rebroadcasts of "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" hosted by Bernie Williams?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:41 AM | Comments (1)
October 25, 2005
Peter Bergeron
Peter Bergeron is now a six-year minor league Free Agent. The Yankees should sign him to a contract to play in Columbus with an invite to the 2006 big league Spring Training camp.
Bergeron has average range in CF and was once a prospect (albeit 5 years ago). He was rushed to the bigs by the Expos a few years back. Still, he's presently under 30.
Maybe there's something there that can help the Yankees in some way next year? Hey, they invited Doug Glanville down to Tampa last Spring. A Bergeron invite is not bad compared to that.
A minor league deal is no risk with the potential for some reward.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:42 PM | Comments (4)
Chicken Stanley
When I see the Houston Astros' Adam Everett play in this current World Series, I cannot help but think of Fred "Chicken" Stanley. There's just something about the kid Everett that makes me think of Chicken.
Ironically, Stanley (like Everett) was drafted by the Houston Astros (back in the 8th round of the 1966 amateur draft).
Here's a trivia question for you: How many Yankees players appeared in at least one game in the pinstripes, every year, for the period 1973 through and including 1980? The answer: Just two - Fred Stanley and Graig Nettles.
Try that one on your Yankees fan friends someday.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:10 PM | Comments (4)
Pitchers & Catchers....
....report in just 3 and a 1/2 months.
Sorry, I just felt like saying that.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:21 PM | Comments (4)
Tim Kuhls: Torre Endures As Yankees Struggle
Reading the recent edition of Tim Kuhls' That's Kuhls, Baby got me wondering.
The White Sox might win the World Series this year - with Ozzie Guillen in just his 2nd year as their manager. (If the Astros win, they will win with Phil Garner also in his 2nd year with the club.)
The Red Sox won the World Series last year - in Terry Francona's first year as their skipper. The Marlins won the World Series in 2003 - in manager Jack McKeon's first year with the team. The Angels won in 2002 - in Mike Scioscia's 3rd year with the club. The Diamondbacks won in 2001 - with rookie manager Bob Brenly.
Maybe there is something to this new blood theory? Michael Kay always likes to talk about the Jeff Van Gundy line of 'You can only tell the same speech so many times before it loses impact - then it's time to get a whole new audience for it to work.' By this, he means that either it's time for the coach to move to a new team - or to replace all his players - after being in one spot for a long time.
Ah, but, Torre did keep the team focused this year after the bad start - and, he got them to within one win from reaching the ALCS.
Plus, most of the guys on the Yankees have been with New York less than four years. So, it is basically a new team (since the last Torre ring teams).
So, I don't think that Tim Kuhls' theory holds anything here.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:06 PM | Comments (4)
Where The Balls Are
USA Today is running a fun story on the final resting place of last out balls from recent World Series. Here's the Yankees info:
1996
• Where's the ball? Displayed in [Charlie] Hayes' living room.
1998
• Where's the ball? With [Tino] Martinez's glove in a safe-deposit box. "I'm never going to use the glove again," Martinez says.
1999
• Where's the ball? [Chad] Curtis gave it to a security guard, Dan Weiss, who helped Curtis and his family when they lived in New York. When Weiss said he wanted to give the ball back, Curtis said he autographed it, "To Dan," and said, "Now what am I going to do with a ball that says, 'To Dan?' He would have never sold it, but I wanted it to have value to him as a friend."
2000
• Where's the ball? [Bernie] Williams had it signed by his teammates and keeps it in his trophy case at home.
I'm a little down on Bernie for his comments on the 2000 ball:
Williams has the final-out ball from the Yankees' 2000 World Series win and said the team would have to win a court case to get it from him.
Too bad he wasn't as greedy with the ball from the 2001 World Series:
Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams picked up the ball and gave it to [Luis] Gonzalez, who gave it to team owner Jerry Colangelo. It was in Colangelo's desk drawer until he left the team last year. "I've been chasing that dream of a championship my whole life, as a competitor, an athlete and then in terms of management and ownership," Colangelo says. "It signifies the culmination of a lifetime pursuit."
I would rather have seen that ball blown up into a million pieces.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:37 AM | Comments (3)
October 24, 2005
NYT: Cash Very Likely To Return
From the Times tonight:
Brian Cashman may announce his intention to return as the Yankees' general manager as early as Tuesday. Cashman's contract expires next Monday, but he has interviewed coaching candidates for the Yankees in recent weeks and has given no internal signals that he intends to leave.
A person who works for a major league team and spoke with Cashman recently said that he would be shocked if Cashman decided to leave. The person requested anonymity because he did not want to betray Cashman's confidence and because Cashman has not announced his intentions.
I am the Cashman, I got the cash man.
I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:33 PM | Comments (3)
Kim Jones, The Stealers Wheel
From Bob Raissman of the News:
You know [Kim] Jones. She sometimes was forced to ask Joe Torre postgame questions fed to her by Yankees brass, through her boss John Filippelli. The questions had one - and only one - purpose: To placate George Steinbrenner by second-guessing his manager in an attempt to make Torre look bad, stupid, or both.
On Thursday, [YES Network spokesperson Eric] Handler said Jones was "not available." I asked if she might be "available" on Friday. Handler said he would check. On Friday, Handler called to say Jones, again, was "not available."
Please. John Madden might be "not available" for two days, but Kimberly Jones?
Something's happening here. What it is is exactly clear. Al Yankzeera suits put Jones in such a bad position (they set her up to fail when they hired her) it would serve her - or them - no purpose to talk to me.
If I asked how it felt being a tool of Yankees management, forced to deliver questions designed only to second guess Torre, would she say she absolutely "loved" the experience?
Or if Jones decided to turn around and rip the suits who manipulated her, well, her chances of returning for a second season on YES would be flushed down the toilet.
So, Jones ain't talking. That is understandable.
I can just see Kim doing her next YES pregame, throwing back an answer to Bob Lorenz........
You know Bob....
Well, I don't know why I came here tonight.
I got the feeling that something ain't right.
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair.
And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs.
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am
Stuck in the middle with you.
I think Kim should take this whole thing to a higher power and ask "WWSWD?" (What Would Suzyn Waldman Do?)
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:46 PM | Comments (1)
Mole In The Doggie House?
From the Post via S.I.:
Word is, George Steinbrenner is blaming Billy Connors for allowing Leo Mazzone to use the Yankees to get a sweeter deal with the Orioles and has eliminated Connors, a friend of Mazzone's, from meetings.
Big Stein is getting soft. In the old days, he would have made Connors drop down and give him twenty - followed by three laps.
Actually, is it such a bad thing that he got the O's to spend more than they would have without the extra bidding from New York?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:22 PM | Comments (3)
THT Gassko: A-Rod's No Gold Glove
David Gassko over at The Hardball Times has an interesting look at the best and worst with the leather this year.
According to his findings, Alex Rodriguez stunk with the glove this past season. I wonder how this would look if one were to use first half stats versus second half stats? Earlier this year, I thought A-Rod was a stiff at 3rd - esp. going to his right. But, in the second half of the season, he seemed to be stellar in the field. It was night and day.
Even more interesting to me are the low ratings in this study for Juan Pierre and Vernon Wells. I thought Wells looked great in CF this year. And, I wished that the Yankees had a chance to get him. Also, we all know that Pierre is on the Yankees radar. If the glove is not there for Juan, then why bother?
Juse trade Pavano for Nook Logan and then bat him 9th when he gets here.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:38 AM | Comments (7)
October 23, 2005
The Gator Mater Strikes?
And I thought that M'sieur le Crocodile's "Gator Mater Dating Service" went out of business.
From the Star Ledger:
Ron Guidry's attorney yesterday confirmed the Yankees have approached him about becoming pitching coach.
"There are talks going on, and I think that's all we really want to say at this point," Reggie Ringuet said.
Guidry, the 1978 Cy Young Award-winner while with the Yankees, has been serving as a spring-training instructor. But Ringuet said now that Guidry's youngest child is out of high school, he is willing to consider spending the seven or eight months away from home required by a full-time position.
"He does have interest in this job," Ringuet said. "If he's ever going to do this, this is the time. If the Yankees afford him the opportunity, he'll take a good, hard look at it."
Guidry's just 55. So, it's not like he's a fossil. And, it's not like he was 100% talent-gift-driven as a player. He was a thrower who was taught the slider by Sparky Lyle and then taught how to pitch by Dick Tidrow. Plus, Gator was a starter and a closer - so, he can relate to guys in the rotation as well as the pen.
He and Donnie were teammates for a half-dozen full seasons. So, there's someone on the staff that he knows well. (Here, I assume that Roy White is history.)
I'd still prefer to see Joe Kerrigan get the job. But, I guess there are worse guys that could land it over Gator.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:53 PM | Comments (1)
Making Comments
The SPAMers have been coming at WasWatching.com fast and furious lately. (Gosh, I hate those guys - almost as much as the Spyware and Adware guys.) In an effort to stop their game, registration is now required to comment at WasWatching.com.
Sorry about this.
If anyone has any issues with the registration process, please drop me a line, to, staff at waswatching dot com
and, make sure your subject line in the e-mail has something in there to let me know it's not junk mail. Thanks.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:09 PM | Comments (5)
Daisuke Matsuzaka
From the Japan Times:
The New York Yankees could show interest in Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka if he becomes available for a switch to the major leagues in the upcoming offseason, the New York Times reported Tuesday.
But the daily indicated the Yankees will likely keep most of their starters and other pitchers with starting potential for the next season, leaving them with limited choices in adding new signings to their rotation.
"If Japan's Seibu Lions make their ace pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka, available to bidding by major-league teams, the Yankees could be tempted," The New York Times said in its online edition.
It is uncertain whether Seibu will allow Matsuzaka to pursue a career in the United States via the posting system, in which MLB teams present sealed bids for Japanese players.
Some Japanese press reports have said the Lions want to keep the 25-year-old, who needs to use the posting system if he wants to join a major-league team before he becomes a free agent after the 2008 season.
Matsuzaka finished the 2005 season with a 14-13 record and a 2.30 ERA. He led the Pacific League with 226 strikeouts, 15 complete games, three shutouts and 215 innings pitched.
As a kid, this pitcher threw 250 pitches in a 17 inning game. To quote Annie Savoy, "Oh, my!"
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:39 AM | Comments (1)
Kenji Jojima
From the Japan Times:
Softbank Hawks catcher Kenji Jojima will declare free agency after the Japan Series and is aiming for a move to the major leagues, baseball sources said Friday.
The move would see Jojima become the first Japanese catcher to try his luck in the major leagues. Jojima was ruled out of the Pacific League playoffs after breaking his shin in September.
The Hawks had hoped he would not declare himself a free agent and stay in Fukuoka but club representative Masashi Tsunoda, who is in charge of negotiations with the player, admitted that dissuading Jojima from leaving would be a tough task.
"He has the desire, the dream and the right to go to the United States but we have to talk to him about it," said Tsunoda. Jojima hit .309 with 24 homers and 57 RBIs in 116 games this season.
Fingers are fingers. One's a fastball. Two's a curve. If the price is right, perhaps the Yankees should look into this one? But, be warned now, they don't have to block the plate in Japan on tag plays. So, if that's your Posada beef, this kid will not make that any better.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:32 AM | Comments (8)
October 22, 2005
Clemens & Contreras News
From an AP report tonight:
Clemens is the second-oldest pitcher to start a Series game, behind Jack Quinn, who was 46 years, 3 months, 7 days when he pitched for the 1929 Philadelphia Athletics. If Clemens wins, he'll eclipse Dolf Luque of the New York Giants as the oldest pitcher to win a Series game. Clemens is 15 days older than Luque was when he got the win in the finale of the 1933 Series against Washington.
Clemens and Luque share Aug. 4 as their birthday, but Luque won on Oct. 7 while Clemens will be pitching on Oct. 22.
In another coincidence, Luque was born in Havana, also the birthplace of Contreras, who played with Clemens on the 2003 Yankees. That team made it to the World Series but lost to Florida.
"I have to thank Roger very much because in Cuba I was throwing a two-seam fastball and he taught me how to throw a four-seam fastball," Contreras said through a translator. "Every time I did something wrong with my mechanics, he helped he correct my errors."
OK, so........
Mo Rivera has to teach Tanyon Sturtze the cutter.
Sheffield has to tell Leiter that he's tipping pitches.
Joe Kerrigan has to be brought in to fix Randy Johnson.
And, now, we hear that Clemens had to teach Contreras to change the grip on his fastball.
Note also that Jose said "Every time I did something wrong with my mechanics, he (Clemens) helped he correct my errors."
Hmmmm. Let's see: Contreras in 2003, with Clemens as a teammate being his "helper," actually was a productive pitcher - according to the stats. In 2004, in New York without Clemens to "correct" him, Contreras pitched so poorly that the team was happy to give him away - for just about nothing.
Just what did Mel Stottlemyre do with the Yankees pitchers while he was in New York?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:36 PM | Comments (10)
Can You Hear Me Now?
From an interesting Post article on Stein and Cashman (where George called Brian to ask him to stay), an item thrown in, at the closing:
Pettitte said while he was playing golf Thursday with pal Roger Clemens, The Rocket handed him a cell phone and Torre was on the other end wishing his two former pitchers good luck in the World Series.
Why do I think that Contreras and El Duque did not get that same call from Torre?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:44 PM | Comments (2)
The Devil's Stick?
From the St. Pete Times:
The Rays are likely to meet again with former Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker, who looks to be the top candidate for a front office position but is also in the running for the Philadelphia GM job. They are also expected to request permission to talk to Yankees executive Gene Michael.
It will be interesting to see how Big Stein handles this request. The Devil Rays are number three on the "must beat" list for George (after the Red Sox and Mets). Would he let Michael go?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:38 PM | Comments (2)
Nah, It Must Have Been Something I Ate
I had a dream/nightmare last night that the Yankees stalled on Hideki Matsui's contract offer this winter, and, as a result, he went to Spring Training with the Houston Astros. It was very strange seeing him (in the dream) on ESPN in an Astros uniform.
Pettitte on the brain, I suppose.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:27 PM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2005
New WasWatching.com Stuff
Since we were asked for a more "fun" WasWatching.com shirt design, the decision was made to do something fresh on the WasWatching.com Gear front - albeit now almost 2 months since we were asked about it. Better late than never, right?
Thanks to WasWatching.com friend Jen for providing some inspiration on the shirt logo!
Here's what's on the back of the new shirts:
There's a bunch of shirt styles to choose from - for both guys and girls - to see the whole lot, click here.
If you like this blog, buying one of these shirts is the best way to support it! Thanks in advance for checking out the new gear!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:58 PM | Comments (2)
Quilt An Idea
Breaking news from the Bethel Senior Center:
Mostly blue and white, the quilt is large enough for a king-sized bed. It features the playing field at Yankee Stadium, surrounded by bleachers filled with people and tiny athletes sliding into home and catching fly balls. All this is against a New York City skyline, replete with familiar landmarks like the Chrysler Building and the Statue of Liberty. There are fireworks overhead conveyed in various patterns of sewn metallic thread. On the bottom half are squares of fabric appliqué showing athletes making plays.
The scene portrays the Yankees' season-opening game against the Boston Red Sox.
The women that quilt at the senior center started working on it in August. Roughly six months later, the quilt was finished.
The project is an annual fund-raiser for the center. Raffle tickets are on sale for $2 through Nov. 19, when the winning ticket will be picked. Last year's senior center quilt had a floral theme and raised $3,500.
Raffle tickets for the "Opening Day Yankee Quilt" can be purchased by calling the Bethel Senior Center at (203) 792-3048. Tickets will also be sold at St. Mary's Festival this weekend and at the Bethel Senior Center Craft Fair Nov. 18 and 19.
Two dollars and a dream.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)
Bowa To Coach 3rd?
From mlb.com:
Larry Bowa has been offered the job of third base coach for the Yankees next season, the former Phillies manager told MLB.com on Thursday.
Bowa, who has been working this season as a baseball commentator for ESPN and XM Radio, said he has had several conversations in the past two days with Yankees manager Joe Torre and general manager Brian Cashman, and he expects to speak to Cashman again this weekend.
Bowa said he hasn't made up his mind about whether he wants to take the position.
"We're still talking," he said.
Well, he has a ton of experience coaching third. And, he has some fire in him. He might just add something to the equation.
But, I'm not sure of the Torre connection. When Bowa was with the Angels, Torre was already in New York. So, it's not like they crossed there. They did play against each other for 8 years. Could that be it?
I wonder if Tim McCarver has anything to do with this? Joe and Tim were tight from their St. Louis days. And, Timmy played with Bowa for a long time in Philly. That's the best connection that I can think of now.
If Bowa turns it down, would they offer it to Wally Backman next? Crazy? Hey, how many saw the Bowa offer coming?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:46 AM | Comments (15)
October 20, 2005
Leo To O's
This move makes sense. It's a much better fit for Mazzone. Better pitching prospects at the big league level and he has his friend Sam there. What was Leo going to do with the Johnsons and Mussinas anyway?
I doubt that Rags takes the job. He went with the Giants in the first place because it was close to home.
If Cashman comes back, look for Kerrigan to get the job. If not, it's really an open game now. Torre was really tight with Bob Gibson. I wonder if he's interested? At the least, if they get Gibson, maybe then Ortiz has to learn to move his feet in 2006.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:33 AM | Comments (7)
The Power Of Pettitte
World Series appearances by the Yankees while Andy Pettitte was on the team: 6 in 9 years.
World Series appearances by the Yankees since Andy Pettitte left the team: 0 in 2 years.
World Series appearances by Andy Pettitte since he left the Yankees: 1 in 2 years.
Never mind the fact that Pettitte's old number has found it's way to the backs of the likes of Donovan Osborne and Alan Embree.
Big Stein should have listened to Sweet Sensation. Never let you go.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:00 AM | Comments (14)
October 19, 2005
Calling Mr. May!
May 2006 looks to be tough for the Yankees - according to some reports on an early look at the 2006 schedule.
8 games against Boston.
6 games against Texas (and Buck Showalter).
And 3 games each against the Mets and Oakland.
Last season, the Yankees went 17-10 in May - and still had a bad (for them) overall first half record (42-39).
It's still not 100% clear as to who the Yankees will be playing in April 2006. Nonetheless, whatever teams they may be facing, it's probably pretty important to get off to a good start in 2006 and have a little wiggle room with that May schedule (for next year).
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:02 PM | Comments (1)
October 18, 2005
Out Here In The Fields
I spent 13 hours in the office today. On the long drive home, I started to get very tired. So, I decided to crank up the radio to keep me alert. And, on comes Baba O’Riley.
No matter what that song may have meant to me back in my youth, today, when I hear it, I think "Winning Yankees Baseball." I wonder how many others feel the same today about that tune?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:20 PM | Comments (8)
I See Your 2010 With A 2008
From Ken Rosenthal:
The Yankees haven't won the World Series since 2000 and might not win another before 2010, no matter how much money they spend, no matter how many additional mercenaries they acquire.
They're too old, too unathletic, too reliant on unheralded performers like pitchers Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon.
What the Yankees need is an infusion of young talent, similar to the one they received in the mid-1990s — back in the day before owner George Steinbrenner formed the YES Network and started pursuing television stars first, baseball players second.
From 1993 to 1997, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Bob Wickman, Mo Rivera, and Andy Pettitte were the only "young" Yankees talent that strongly helped those teams. That's five players.
Cano and Wang are a start towards matching that five (say lining-up with Jeter and Pettitte). I like to think that someone (Henn? Clippard?) can step up become a useful member of the bullpen, like Wickman did.
That leaves the issue of CF and closer-type RP.
Just how far away are Brett Gardner and J. Brent Cox?
Maybe it's only going to be 2008 until the next ring?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:09 PM | Comments (12)
Help Me
At this moment, I cannot stop from wondering how Terry Whitfield becomes Matt Winters. (Yes, I know there's a Marty Perez and Mike Torrez sandwiched in there.)
Yup, I have it bad.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 06:49 PM | Comments (3)
Torre: A-Rod & Big Unit Too Uptight
Today, on WFAN, Joe Torre mentioned that Alex Rodriguez needs to enjoy himself more while playing. With this, I'm assuming that Joe is saying that A-Rod is too tense.
Torre also said that Randy Johnson's issues this year were the result of him not anticipating the "New York" factor as much as he should have this year.
Torre said that it was not an issue of Unit being unable to handle New York (like a Whitson) - that it was more that Randy didn't realize the level of distractions that New York can cause.
Joe added that a "throw away line" in Arizona or Houston or Seattle dies in the air whereas in New York, it's a headline. And, that Randy was too sensitive to this. Torre even hinted that Unit's problem in Game 3 of the ALDS was that he was being too shy, and worrying about results, than just letting it fly.
Somehow, without question, the Yankees need to get these guys on chill-pills next season. Anyone know where Manny cops his loosey goosey tablets?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:34 PM | Comments (4)
Georgie Being Georgie - Torre Stays
From the AP:
NEW YORK New York Yankees' manager Joe Torre says he's coming back to run the team in 2006. Torre told reporters today that he met with owner George Steinbrenner yesterday and that the two agreed that Torre would return next season.
Saying that "George is George," Torre said he knows what the job entails and that dealing with the fiery Steinbrenner is part of the job.
George is George.
That's the difference between Big Stein and Manny - General Von Steingrabber is a present tense kinda guy.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:35 PM | Comments (1)
Cash & Kerry
From the S.I. Advance:
Wherever Cashman ends up, he is believed to be interested in hiring Joe Kerrigan as pitching coach. Cashman brought in Kerrigan -- a former pitching coach with Montreal, Boston and Philadelphia and briefly the manager of the Red Sox -- to help with the advance scouting over the second half of the season and gave him significant credit for the Yankees' late surge.
Hmmmmm.......
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:03 PM | Comments (5)
Dan Duquette
From the Post:
As for money, Cashman could command $2.5 million a year for four years because The Boss' list of replacements is super-model thin. The in-house leader is VP of scouting Damon Oppenheimer, who is inexperienced. Steinbrenner likes former Red Sox GM Dan Duquette but that would be a PR disaster.
Why would Dan Duquette be a "PR disaster"? Because of the Clemens comment? Heck, you can make a case that Duquette built the foundation of that Red Sox team that won the ring. It's possible that he has some skills that a team like the Yankees can use.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:36 AM | Comments (3)
October 17, 2005
Rockin' & Rollin' Leo?
From MLB.com:
The Yankees have received permission to speak with Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone, targeting him as their top choice to replace Mel Stottlemyre.
Mazzone, who has been on Atlanta's staff with manager Bobby Cox since June 1990, is considered one of the top pitching coaches in the Major Leagues, helping the Braves win 14 consecutive division titles.
A source confirmed that the Yankees had asked for and received permission to speak with Mazzone, though it is unclear when the two sides will speak. Mazzone has one year remaining on his contract with the Braves.
Something smells. If you ran the Braves, and had this guy for another year, why would you let him interview for a lateral move? Is there more to the gift of Mazzone than meets the eye?
Or, is this just a game? Let them talk, see if they agree, and then demand some compensation before letting him go?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:41 PM | Comments (19)
October 16, 2005
Frank Torre Speaks
From The Post:
[Frank] Torre noted that his brother had ended an 18-year drought when he won the first of his four World Series in 1996. "Let's call a spade a spade," Frank said. "George acts like the Yankees have been a winning organization for the whole time he's been there."
Frank Torre believes that 2005 was his brother's best managing job. "If push came to shove, I know my brother would much rather finish his career here," Frank Torre said. "He knows he can manage this team better than anybody else."
And if not this team? "He might even manage the Red Sox, you never know," Frank Torre said.
When does Sister Marguerite chime in?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:28 PM | Comments (9)
Mother A-Rod Speaks On ALDS
From Fox Sports:
Alex Rodriguez played poorly in the Yankees' American League division series loss in part because he was saddened by the death of the uncle who raised him, the slugger's mother said in an interview published in a local newspaper Sunday.
Lourdes Navarro said her son kept the Sept. 30 death of his uncle to himself because he was committed to helping his team win.
"I think he should speak with the team and tell them that his uncle, who was like his father because he raised him since he was 8, died in a hospital in Miami," Navarro told Listin daily newspaper.
"I know how much he suffered from the death of his uncle without being able to do anything, from listening to me crying and not being able to be there," she said, suggesting some New York fans were being unfair to her son.
"I would like ... for the baseball fans to know that my son is a great human being, that they're seeing a human and not a robot, that he can fail, especially when there are reasons like this," she said.
Navarro said Rodriquez spoke with his uncle for three hours by phone the day before he died.
"We buried him in Santo Domingo...(Rodriguez) didn't come because of the high sense of responsibility that Alex has for his work," she said.
I am sorry to hear, anytime, about someone having a loss in their family. Still, at first blush, this is a story that I wished could have remained private. Every player on that field for the ALDS had the potential to have something in their private life be a distraction. Maybe it's not a death in the family? Maybe it's the discovery that their wife created on them? Maybe it's a stalker threatening their children? Maybe it's finding out that they got V.D. from their secret girl friend? Maybe it's the IRS coming after them?
Do we really need to know who had personal problems that week and whether or not that impacted their baseball performance? Since when did they start counting pity parties in the boxscore?
Plus, this disclosure from Mother A-Rod just continues to fuel those who want to talk about Alex's bad ALDS numbers. You want to get someone to forget something, then stop talking about it. It will work, in time.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:06 PM | Comments (4)
Torre & Jeter On Winning In Post-Season
From the New York Times:
Joe Torre didn't say much, but he didn't have to. After his Yankees lost Monday night's do-or-die playoff game to the Angels, Torre repeated the oft-cited difference between his team and the one still playing.
"That's the thing about their ball club," he said of the Angels. "Pitches that you may have guys who are trying to hit home runs swing and miss at, they put in play."
"I think the postseason is a time to think small, yes," said Torre, who emphasized putting the ball in play rather than going for home runs. "You have to really think about fundamentals and be able to think one run at a time."
Jeter echoed Torre. "There's more attention to moving guys over, getting guys in," he said. "During the regular season, all of the home runs get the highlights. But in the postseason, people pay more attention to how each game is won and lost."
So, the manager knows it. And, the team captain knows it. Then, why didn't we see it?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:07 AM | Comments (9)
2005 ALCS
With the White Sox now in control of the ALCS, I'm torn. Part of me wants to see the Angels lose - so that their organization and fans can experience what the Yankees and their fans did in the ALDS. However, another part of me thinks that it's somewhat soothing to say that the team who knocked the Yankees out of the post-season was the best team in baseball.
It's win-win or lose-lose, I guess, depending on your side of the coin.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:51 AM | Comments (16)
October 14, 2005
Flash To Flushing?
Julian Garcia of the Daily News thinks it can happen.
I say, let him go. Other than Doug Jones and The Eck, and maybe Jose Mesa, how many recent RH closers were any good at age 38?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:23 PM | Comments (10)
Brattain: A-Rod Should Shut Up Or Move
From The Hardball Times:
I do think he needs a change of scenery. He looked like a deer in the headlights during the LDS. He’ll always be under a microscope but maybe he can find one with a less penetrating lens. Until then the less he says and the more he plays like Alex Rodriguez the better off he’ll be.
I think Alex has too much Red Light Fever to be able to stop talking. But, maybe, if he could do it, it would help?
Moving him is a mistake, in my opinion. He has talent - the kind that doesn't come along that often. The post-season thing will come around. Remember Barry Bonds? He used to get killed for being a playoff choker. Then, one big World Series in 2002 shut that all down. This is what Rodriguez needs - just one post-season series where he is the man. You can live off that. Make it a World Series, and it's even better.
Reggie, Mr. October, hit .227 in 11 ALCS series (in 163 ABs!). No one talks about that thanks to the 1977 World Series.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:41 AM | Comments (9)
Next!
From Newsday:
The Yankees have wasted no time compiling their list of replacements for Mel Stottlemyre, targeting three of the best pitching coaches in baseball.
Don Cooper of the Chicago White Sox, Dave Righetti of the San Francisco Giants and Leo Mazzone of the Atlanta Braves are considered the favorites, along with former Yankee Ron Guidry.
The Yankees consider bullpen coach Neil Allen a candidate but don't think he is ready yet. Triple-A Columbus coach Gil Patterson and Jimmy Key also are on their radar.
Wow, zero mention of Joe Kerrigan. I'm not sure what that means? But, I would love to see Jimmy Key sneak in there. From what I've heard, he's Girardi-like in terms of his smarts and the respect that he recieves from players.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:38 AM | Comments (7)
October 13, 2005
Rumored Matsui Offer
From the Post:
According to a Japanese newspaper, the Yankees are poised to offer Hideki Matsui a three-year deal worth $35.5 million. Sankei Sports reported the club is ready to open negotiations with the left fielder, who recently finished a three-year pact worth $21 million.
GM Brian Cashman didn't return phone calls pertaining to the subject. While Matsui has been mum on the topic, the offer isn't much more than the Yankees were talking about in spring training when Matsui told the team he would rather play the season than sign an extension.
Seems like a fair offer. It also allows him to hit the market again when he's just 35. However, it also allows him to leave just before the new Stadium - if that means anything to anyone.
Hopefully the Godzilla signing will get done quickly and easily.
I have no issue with his ALDS performance this year. He looked cooked. With the team needing to win until Game # 161, he never had a chance to get out of some games early and get a rest. Maybe if they had clinched sooner then Matsui does better in the ALDS? It's possible.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:40 PM | Comments (2)
Cashman In Driver's Seat
From the Post:
If Brian Cashman leaves the GM office, as many expect him to do when his contract expires on Oct. 31, Cashman will split on his own — because The Boss wants him back.
"That's safe to say," Yankee general partner Steve Swindal told The Post yesterday when asked if the Yanks want Cashman back. "I have said that all along."
Swindal, who is Steinbrenner's son-in-law, and who is in line to take over when The Boss steps aside, will handle the talks with Cashman. Swindal also negotiated with Joe Torre last year.
I can just see Swindal doing his best Hoke Colburn trying to make this deal:
Cashman: Steve?
Swindal: Yes'm.
Cashman: You're my best friend.
Swindal: No, go on.
Cashman: No, really, you are...
[Takes Swindal’s hand]
Cashman: You are.
Swindal: Yes'm.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:16 PM | Comments (2)
Recent G.M. Scorecard
I just took a very unscientific look at some recent Yankees and the G.M. who brought them to pinstripes:
Brian Cashman has more names here since he's been the Yankees G.M. four times as long as Bob Watson was - and longer (by about two years) than Stick Michael was the G.M.
Now, some might say that Cashman has more dogs on his list because he has less control than Watson and Michael did - and, therefore, he has some of these players (like a Lofton, Mondesi, or Contreras) forced on him. Still, Pavano was all Cash - as were Vazquez and Brown.
It seems, just eye-balling, that Cashman's been around a 50-50 shooter in terms of picking the right player (even factoring in the forced jobs) whereas Watson and Michael were much higher (in terms of getting players who did well for the Yankees).
Is it possible that, with the recent resurgence of anti-Stein stuff, that Cashman is getting built up to be something more than what he is (in terms of effectiveness)? Is it possible that the Yankees might be better off with a new G.M.? I dunno - but, I think it's a fair question.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:05 PM | Comments (11)
Mel Leaves Unquietly
From ESPN.com/AP:
Almost certain he's stepping down after 10 years as New York Yankees pitching coach, Mel Stottlemyre had harsh words Wednesday for George Steinbrenner and the owner's treatment of manager Joe Torre.
Speaking in the Yankees clubhouse where he's spent 21 seasons as a player and coach, Stottlemyre said he interpreted Steinbrenner's statement following the Yankees' elimination by the Los Angeles Angels as a slap at Torre. Steinbrenner said Tuesday: "I congratulate the Angels and their manager on the great job they've done."
"I laughed when I saw it," Stottlemyre said. "My first thoughts were, 'What about Joe? Joe had done a hell of a job, too.' To congratulate the other manager and not congratulate your own after what he'd done this year, I laughed."
"Sometimes you have to satisfy two separate groups of people, and it shouldn't be that way. It should be you should just have to satisfy one group," Stottlemyre said. "Something needs to be done to have everybody always on the same page."
Mel, it's the real world, Cerberus happens. Ask anyone with a real job. Read Dilbert. If you want the job, you just have to deal with it.
Ask far as congratulating Joe, doesn't Stein do that when he signs off on that $6.5 million paycheck each time?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:15 AM | Comments (19)
October 12, 2005
Trade Sheffield?
From Joel Sherman in the Post:
TRADE GARY SHEFFIELD TO ADDRESS CENTER FIELD: Sheffield remains a great hitter. But he embodies an overall Yankee problem of too much age and too many sourpusses, and the money-obsessed Sheffield is facing his walk year. The White Sox were interested in obtaining Ken Griffey during the season for his bat and now might lose their one power source, Paul Konerko, to free agency. Could Chicago start a package with defensive stud Aaron Rowand to get Sheffield?
The Blue Jays crave power and believe Alexis Rios can play center. Is there a mega-trade possible involving Sheffield for Vernon Wells? Can Sheffield be used to obtain pieces that could be redirected to Minnesota to liberate Torii Hunter?
First off, I love Gary Sheffield. He plays hard. He plays hurt. And, he's one of the best right-handed hitters that I've ever seen in my lifetime. Under normal circumstances, I would be happy to go to war with a team of nine Gary Sheffields.
But, 2006 will not be normal (maybe "everyday" is the better word?) circumstances for Sheff. He'll be in the last year of his contract. And, you can bet dollars to doughnuts (Mmmm....doughnuts) that his "next" contract will become an issue as soon as Spring Training starts. It will be "extend me or trade me" time. And, once Gary says those magic words, the Yankees lose any leverage in trade talks and it becomes give-away time.
So, why not just extend him? Here's the rub: Sheffield will be 38 at the end of next season. As great as Gary has been, do you want another old-timer on the team in 2007 and beyond? Plus, with Giambi on the team, you can't think about Sheffield as the last DH to play in the current Yankee Stadium.
Now, I'm not sure that Sheff is the bait to get a CF. But, if the Yankees can make a trade to help the team and they have to move Gary to make it happen, I may be just fine with that - given his age and contract situation.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:47 PM | Comments (12)
The Cone Curse
Dick Scanlon's The Curse of the Cone:
The Curse of the Cone haunts the New York Yankees to this day. They have not won a World Series in this century, and their 5-3 loss in Anaheim on Monday night assures that the Cone Curse will be hovering silently over the franchise for at least another year.
They can continue to live in denial and say perhaps this is just not their century.
But the evidence suggests there may be more to it, that letting David Cone go after the 2000 World Series (which was officially in the 20th century) was a mistake of Ruthian proportions. It somehow generated a curse that is bigger than baseball, bigger than New York, bigger than anything money can buy.
Huh? Carrying Cone on the team in 2000 was the curse! Getting rid of him was a smart move.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:34 PM | Comments (5)
Bob Matthews Plan
Bob Matthews of the Times-Union and Democrat and Chronicle has plan to fix the Yankees:
Retain six spots in the starting lineup. Stand pat at second base (Robinson Cano), shortstop (Derek Jeter), third base (Alex Rodriguez), left field (Hideki Matsui), right field (Gary Sheffield) and designated hitter (Jason Giambi). That's an impressive nucleus.
Unload some expensive players who've seen better days. Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, Tony Womack (remember him?), Rey Sanchez, John Flaherty, Kevin Brown, Al Leiter, Alan Embree, Ramiro Mendoza and Felix Rodriguez have to go.
Pass on signing any expensive free-agent starting pitchers. I'd spend my money to upgrade other spots.
A.J. Burnett is the best available arm, but his suspect attitude and disappointing overall performance make him a poor risk.
Trade for Jim Thome. Philadelphia hopes to trade the aging and high-priced slugger because rookie Ryan Howard has won the job at first base and the National League has no DH. Thome isn't great with the glove but he'd be a huge upgrade over Giambi and his left-handed power stroke is made for Yankee Stadium.
Sign free agents Ramon Hernandez or Bengie Molina and B.J. Ryan. Jorge Posada is fading with the bat and defensively and the Yankees need a new starting catcher.
...
Ryan would give the Yankees a superior righty-lefty shutdown bullpen duo with Mariano Rivera and could eventually replace Rivera as closer.
Trade for Minnesota center fielder Torii Hunter or Florida center fielder Juan Pierre. The Yankees need fresh legs in center field.
I'm not sold on the Thome move - I'd prefer that they try and get Olerud back. But, the rest sounds interesting. I especially like the recommendation to avoid Free Agent starting pitchers. If the Yankees do anything this year, I hope it's that.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:24 PM | Comments (13)
October 11, 2005
See Ya Jorge?
From SI, quoting the Newark Star-Ledger:
According to a person with knowledge of the Yankees' inner workings, Jorge Posada is likely to be a hot topic in off-season organizational meetings. Some in the organization still like Posada -- after all, he's a switch-hitting catcher with power who's proven over a long period of time that he can play and shine in New York. But there are other voices whispering in George Steinbrenner's ear that Posada is done, and way overpaid, and that the Yankees should look into trading him and signing a free agent such as San Diego's Ramon Hernandez.
Well, Posada will be 35 next August. And, his "star" status is basically off of two very good years (2000 and 2003). Ramon Hernandez is five years younger and has been Ok with the stick lately.
This probably should be a "hot topic in off-season organizational meetings" for the Yankees.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:42 PM | Comments (8)
Poorly Prepped Post-Season Starters
Here are the results of New York's starting pitchers in the last five "winner-take-all" American League post-season games for the Yankees:
Look at these results. In the last five "do or die" must win league playoffs games for the Yankees, their starting pitcher has failed to go five innings in any of their starts. In fact, in just two of these games did their starter manage to register two outs in the 4th inning - and the last time they were able to do that was 2001.
If this happens once, you say "He just didn't have it that day." If it happened twice in the last five, you'd say "You win some and you lose some." But, five duds in a row? And, these are "brand name" pitchers - so, it's not like it's just what happens when you throw sheep to the wolves.
Someone in the Yankees organization has been sleeping at their post in terms of ensuring that their starting pitcher, in the biggest game of the year, was ready for the game. And, they've been doing it now for five times in a row.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:24 PM | Comments (9)
Where Is The Bad Luck?
Why is it when the Yankees lose in the post-season, as they have the last five years, in the eyes of so many it's a case of good triumphing over evil - whereas, when teams like the A's and Braves fail repeatedly in the playoffs, it's just luck and proof that anything can happen in a short game series?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:50 AM | Comments (2)
October 10, 2005
October 10th @ The Angels
I cannot help but wonder if things might have been different if the Yankees had the home field in this ALDS. And, I wonder if Joe and Stein are wondering that now too?
5-3. Soooooooo close. Worse than close considering that the Yankees had so many chances in this game. Hey, at least they went down fighting (even the Big Unit) - with the possible exception of A-Rod.
Hey, it's Game 5 of a best-of-five, the 9th inning, and you bring the tying run to the plate with no outs - that's being in it, to me. Of course, then that potential tying run hits into a DP and kills the chance for a comeback - that was clearly possible, as the singles by the next two batters showed. (Was there any doubt that A-Rod would K, or worse, in that 9th inning - based on his ALDS performance this year, to date?)
Again, man, just two lousy runs short. What a tough loss. Basically, the loss tonight was because:
1. After the Yankees catch a break with the Angels Ace, Colon, pulling a David Wells of 2003, they do next to nothing against a 22-year-old rookie with an ERA of 4.65. They allowed this kid to bend but not break for the span of the 2nd inning through the 6th inning. In fact, the Yankees, if they were to win this game (and the series) should have pounded this kid out of the game by the 4th inning - at the worst. This is unacceptable.
2. So much for the Mussina plan. Maybe he should have stayed with the team this week? Actually, the 3rd inning mess didn't bother me that much - the Angels were Wee Willie Keelering Moose to death that inning. What can you do? But, the 2nd inning - that was vintage Princess and the Pea Mussina. He sat for a long time in the top of the 2nd. And, I'm sure he allowed that to throw him off for the bottom of the 2nd. Again, for a game like this, allowing your guard to drop after a long half-inning is unacceptable.
3. The Yankees bats lost this game in the 5th and 7th innings. In the 5th, New York had runners on 1st and 2nd, with no outs and their 4-5-6 hitters coming up! What happened? No runs. Unacceptable - yet again. Further, in the 7th, New York had a runner on 2nd with one out and their clean-up hitter (Sheffield) and 5th batter (Matsui) due up. What happened? Two straight pop-ups and the end of the inning.
4. Defense. Like just about every game this series, the Angels turn hits into outs while the Yankees turn outs into base runners. That Crosby-Sheffield crash reminded me of Blair-Reggie collision back on May 12,1978 (when A.O. went inside the park). Sad part is, even without the crash, I don't think Sheffield makes the grab there.
I noticed something tonight. Anytime that a ball his hit to Giambi, and he has to throw it, I scream out "Oh, no!" as an unconscious reflex (because I know what is going to happen). And, anytime a ball is hit to Erstad on the Angels, I scream "Oh, no!" because he's making a play to get an out. That's the difference in these teams. (And, is it just me, or, does Erstad remind you of Trot Nixon enough to make you want to hate him?)
Anyway, instead of spending Tuesday AM thinking about the match-up of the Yankees with the White Sox, now, I'll spend a portion of the day thinking about why this Yankees team needs to be broken up and rebuilt - because it is obvious that this Yankees team, circa 2002-2005, is not built to win in the post-season.
And, maybe a clue to what the problem is can be found when we're watching El Duque, Pettitte, Contreras and Clemens battle in the World Series?
Then again, maybe the Angels will win it all? I picked them to win last year and was shocked when Boston knocked them out. And, every team, since 2001, who has beaten the Yankees in the post-season has gone on to take the ring.
Actually, the Angels are going to be around for a while. They have at least 20 hotshot prospects in the minors - really, that many. The Yankees better start thinking up ways to beat them, if they want to get back into the World Series.
OK, in the end, think of it this way - it's not a tsunami, hurricane, or earthquake. There are people in the world now dealing with that stuff. How can anyone allow a baseball team to get them down for too long when there are other things out there that could happen - and that are potential life-and-death matters?
This is just a fun pastime. Hang in there. Soon enough, there will more Yankees events to get our minds off the ALDS of 2005 and allow it to become a fun pastime again.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:54 PM | Comments (30)
Refried Moose
Mussina has started games twice in a post-season series five times: the 1997 ALDS, the 1997 ALCS, the 2001 WS, the 2003 ALCS, and the 2004 ALCS.
In every one of these times, Moose has provided a solid effort in his second start of the series.
Therefore, I'm predicting at least 6 innings from Mussina tonight - with 3 earned runs allowed - at the most - and maybe less.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:51 PM | Comments (32)
Do Or Die On The Road
Since October 9, 1977, the Yankees are 3-2 in "winner-take-all" post-season games on the road.
They won these types of games in 1977, 1978 and 2000. They lost these types of games in 1997 and 2001.
It's that recent history that concerns me (1997, 2000, and 2001).
Tonight is going to be all uphill. And, the boys will be wearing ice skates.
Not impossible - just a huge nut to crack.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:18 AM | Comments (2)
October 09, 2005
October 9th vs. The Angels
I think that I actually got an ulcer during a Yankees win. Yeah, tonight. Wow.
That shot of Brian Cashman in the 9th, when Vlad was batting, pretty much sums up the way I felt during much of this game.
This is not going to be the prettiest game entry ever. There's so much to say - so, I'm going to let it just fly and flow.
I too was thinking that Shawn Chacón tonight was pulling an El Duque from the 1998 ALCS - which, by the way, was seven years ago tomorrow. But, I wanted to kill Torre when he said that as well on FOX during the game. Why whammy the guy? And, sure enough, then the Angels score some runs.
Actually, if Giambi catches that SAC bunt from Finley on the fly, it's a DP and perhaps the Angels score none in that inning - and Chacón's wonderful night looks even better.
Side thought: Does Chone Figgins look a little like Seth Green? Also, now that Giambi's hair is getting a little longer, around the 4th inning of a game, when the sweat is really coming, is Jason starting to look a little like Richard Lewis?
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Second side thought: Just what happened to second "T" in "Scot" Shields? (Yes, I know that his full name is Robert Scot Shields. Still, it's strange.) And, if the Halo's bullpen is so great, just how the heck did Sheilds lose 11 games this season?
By the way, the last two WasWatching.com entries have now mentioned Shields and Yarnall. Is my mind trying to tell me to shut up?
I wanted to kill Torre when he lifted Chacón in the 7th, with one out and a slooooooow runner on 1st (Molina) to bring in Leiter to face Erstad. I think that Joe got lucky there.
I also wanted to kill Torre when he had Bernie come out to play CF after Womack pinch ran for Sierra who pinch hit for Crosby. (Yeah, not a lot of love for Joe's moves tonight.) At this stage of the thing, with a one-run game, I'd rather have Womack's speed in CF than Bernie. I think Joe got lucky there too.
Some funky slide there by Posada in the 7th. That's two for him now. In Game 5 of the 2000 World Series, he was the one sliding into home (and Piazza) when the ball hit him and allowed the runners to advance. Magic things for Jorgie when he's heading home. Or, maybe he's just lucky?
Speaking of luck, I thought for sure that after the Yankees left the bases loaded in the 7th - with the Giambi whiff and Sheffield pop - that would come back to haunt them, with the score remaining 3-2. But, they got lucky.
Almost forgot - pretty big pinch-hit there for Big Rube. Lucky? Hey, I'd rather be lucky than good.
Face it - really, face it. If I posted a picture here of the performance of the Yankees "big hitters" (Jeter, A-Rod, Giambi, Sheffield, etc.) during this game, and the ALDS as a whole, it would be so flat that you'd never be able to see it. The fact that this series is 2-2 is pretty lucky - for New York.
These guys are going to have to hit in Game 5 to allow Mussina, Wang, and whoever, to do their thing and have a chance to win this series. Basically, it's simple - Strike early, strike big, take the crowd out, and then tack on. Do not allow K-Rod to pitch in this game with a lead.
The first pitch is in about 20 hours from now. It's going to seem like 200 hours.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:53 PM | Comments (10)
October 08, 2005
Ed Yarnall
Tonight, I started to think about Harvey Edward (Ed) Yarnall.
Yarnall had the highest ERA of any pitcher on the last Yankees team to win a World Series ring. Granted, he only pitched in two games that year. The 2000 season was also the last time that Ed pitched in the big leagues.
Yarnall was a 3rd round draft pick of the Mets in 1996. (The year that the last Yankees dynasty started.) Before this, Yarnall was selected by the New York Yankees in the 44th round of the 1993 draft (but elected not to sign).
In 1998 - one of the best seasons in the history of the Yankees - the Mets traded Yarnall to the Marlins (with others) to get Mike Piazza (in an attempt to get themselves back on the New York baseball radar).
In 1999, Yarnall was traded (by the Marlins) to the Yankees for Mike Lowell. Ed did well for the Yankees in the minors that season - he was the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher. But, Yarnall pitched in just 5 games with the Yankees in 1999. Meanwhile, Lowell went on to become an All-Star with the Marlins.
During the aforementioned 2000 season, after appearing in just two Yankees games, Yarnall was traded to the Cincinnati Reds (along with Jackson Melian and Drew Henson) for Denny Neagle.
Yarnall never pitched with the Reds in the majors - his seven games with the Yankees was his whole big league career. The Reds released him in 2001 (the year that the Yankees had their hearts broken in the World Series) and sold him to the Orix Blue Wave (in Japan). He would pitch in Japan in 2001 and 2002.
In 2003, Yarnall was picked up by the A's organization. In 2003, the A's blew a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five LDS with the Boston Red Sox. Boston would then go on to face the Yankees in a tough ALCS.
In 2004, Yarnall was picked up by the Red Sox organization - who later sent him to the Phillies organization (after he pitched in just 2 games with the Sox Triple-A team). In 2004, the Yankees blew a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven LCS with the Boston Red Sox.
This season, Yarnall (now 29-years-old) pitched for Washington Nationals Triple-A team in New Orleans. Ed pitched in 19 games with an ERA of 5.59.
In summary, the Yankees tried to get Yarnall when he was just a kid, missed, and then still managed to get him six years later - and he starred for them in Triple-A at the age of 23.
The year after that good season, Yarnall had a chance to be part of a World Series winner - but was he was dealt away from the Yankees with two other (then) prized prospects in order to get a guy (Neagle) who bombed with New York (and was gone the next year).
Then Yarnall was sent bouncing around - including two years in the Far East - with stops in organizations that impacted the Yankees post-season schedule (in the years that he was there).
I almost want to suggest that there's some bad karma here - if you looked at what's happened to the Yankees and Yarnall since they parted ways in 2000 and where they've crossed paths, in a way. But, that's a reach. It's not like "Ed Yarnall" is an anagram for "A Rally End" or something.
Wait a minute, it is.
Looks like the Yankees are going to have to win it all this year - just to put this Yarnall thing to bed.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:34 PM | Comments (5)
Mussina Alone, Not Home
From the AP via SI:
Mike Mussina can only wait, watch and hope.
Bad weather is expected Saturday in New York, and if a rainout pushes Game 4 of the AL division series to Sunday, the Los Angeles Angels will consider bringing back Game 1 starter Bartolo Colon to pitch on four days' rest.
But the Yankees don't plan to do the same with Mussina. They didn't even bring him back to New York.
Mussina stayed in Los Angeles when the series moved East. He was the winning pitcher in Game 1 and would be scheduled to start a deciding Game 5 in Anaheim -- if the Yankees can force one. They trail 2-1 in the best-of-five series.
So even if the weather forces a game in New York on Sunday, Mussina isn't expected to be there.
Whoever had this brilliant idea should be fired. I hate this for two reasons.
First, it sent a terrible message to the team. "Yes, were 1-1 in the series with two games to come in our own park. But, we're so convinced that we cannot win two games in a row, that we're leaving Moose behind because we know before we even play the next two games that there will be a Game 5 back in L.A."
Second, and especially now that Game 4 is pushed back a day, what if the Yankees needed Mussina in Game 4? Face it, if the Yankees lose Game 4, there's no Game 5. It's all hands on deck - including Mussina. If it's the kind of game were you need everyone to win it, you do it, and worry about tomorrow's starter when tomorrow comes.
I have no issue with sending a guy out the day before - in fact, I recommend it. But, this move with Mussina is not that type of situation (for the reasons stated above).
When the Yankees lose this ALDS because of a spot in Game 4 where Mussina could have saved them, it will be another chapter in the legacy of Mike Mussina's Days In Pinstripes. I'm starting to think that it's no coincidence that they have zero rings since he showed up.
Why anyone on this team felt there was a need to leave Moose out west this weekend is beyond me.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:53 PM | Comments (18)
Game 5 - If Necessary
If there is an ALDS Game 5 for the Yankees, it will be interesting to see if FOX would give the game to ESPN. Right now, on 10/10 - when the Yankees Game 5 would be played - FOX has a 4 pm and 8 pm EST game already lined-up. The 4 pm game is SD-STL. But, that's probably not going to be played.
Would FOX make the Yankees and Angels play a 1 pm CT game (4 pm EST) on 10/10 - after the teams have a night game in NYC the day before? Or, does FOX go for a 8 pm CT game on 10/10 - and make the NY market stay up all night with the 11 pm EST start?
FOX is probably hoping that their 8 pm EST game on 10/10 (HOU/ATL) is not needed - then they could use that slot.
It's gong to be an interesting call. I just hope that it's needed.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:26 PM | Comments (1)
Let's-Go, Pre-Cip
A rainout today might be a good thing for the Yankees. It could reset the emotional clock of both teams. And, for sure, it gives Wang a chance to help in either Game 4 or 5. (If Game 4 was tomorrow instead of today, Wang has 3-days rest. A Game 5 on Monday would mean Wang has normal rest.)
I'd rather see Wang following Chacón or Mussina in a game at this point than seeing the usual suspects.
Start rain dancing Yankees fans.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:30 AM | Comments (12)
October 7th vs. The Angels
It was the night of the big game.
From the skies fell much rain.
Pitching for L.A. a guy, who, could be Frazier Crane.
For the Yankees, the Unit, was busted and lame.
By the top of the 4th, it was time to lay blame.
Was this insane?
No, I was in pain!
Then, suddenly, after four, it was again a game.
However, in the 6th, my temper began to flame.
And, in the 7th and 8th, it was more of the same.
In the end, this mess was too much for my brain.
What was up with Randy Johnson? Just the LDS blues, or, was the mini-corset sighting a clue to be followed? Oh, well, maybe, if there's a Game 5, he can help out there?
Gordon. Why am I not surprised?
Gotta say, it was risky of Torre to have Posada come in the game in the 4th. If something happened to him, ladies and gentlemen, now catching for the Yankees, number 26, Mark Bellhorn, number 26. Whew.
This may sound crazy, but, after Bernie had the SF in the 5th to give the Yankees the lead, I would have taken him out for Crosby - to get the "D" in there with the slim lead. And, wouldn't you know it, in the next inning Figgins hits a ball to CF to put the Angels in the driver's seat for this game. And, it was a ball that Bernie could not reach and we'll never know if Bubba Crosby would have made the play.
As Jon Miller mentioned on ESPN's coverage, this game was a lot like the one the Yankees played on September 27th. What happened the next night? Shawn Chacón came through with a good effort.
I hope he can do it again in what is now later today. Look at the bright side, if he cannot, maybe there's a commercial in it for the Yankees?
Hey, we just lost the ALDS. But, there's good news. We just saved a bunch of money on not having to pay for airfare and hotel for another day in L.A. Think A-Rod knows how to do the robot?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:12 AM | Comments (3)
October 07, 2005
The Boston Schlemiels
It's not the official shirt of WasWatching.com, but, if there was such a thing as "runner-up" (or, should I say "co-official shirt?) this might be it.
It's not as pithy as a T-Shirt with the word "Choke" printed on it, but, it will do bunky, it will do.
The full line of shirts can be found at this link: The Boston Schlemiels - One & Done!
Buy one for yourself. Buy one for your favorite Red Sox player and/or member of the front office and have it shipped to Fenway.
Tell your friends. Heck, tell anybody. Tell everybody. The Boston Schlemiels shirts are in!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:52 PM | Comments (5)
Bernie Williams, Texas Ranger
When I got some lunch today, I noticed a guy wearing a Bernie Williams' road jersey. It started me thinking about Bernie - when he hits the road. Where will he go?
Since he'll probably need to play DH and LF, the odds are that it will be an AL team - unless Willie and Omar talk him into coming to Shea to play LF for them. But, Los Mets would have to move Floyd or Cameron first.
When you consider Bernie's agent (Boras), salary demands come into play as well. He's going to want at least $6-7 mill a year - and that will scare away some teams.
So, who does that leave? It's probably the O's and Rangers - with maybe the White Sox, Mariners and Tigers as long shots.
I could see Texas having the inside track because of Showalter. Buck's known Bernie for something 20 years and likes him. And, I think Boras is still on good ground with the Rangers owner.
Now, there's one dark horse here - Boston. If the Red Sox do trade Manny over the winter, they will need a LF. And, playing 81 games in front of the Green Monster would be perfect for Williams' lack of range and arm.
If Bernie did go to Beantown, I don't think he would get the Cone/Wells treatment from Yankees fans. It would be more like the Elston Howard move. Once he was done with the Sox, he would be considered just a beloved ex-Yankee and nothing else.
Then again, maybe the Yankees and Bernie will strike a deal and sign for two million to play the role of DH two or three days a week (like Sierra does now)? One more year with New York would give Williams 16 seasons in the pinstripes. Only Gehrig (17), Crosetti (17), Dickey (17), Berra (18) and Mantle (18) have done more.
If I'm Bernie, I would consider that deal. There are a ton of perks for him - if he stays in New York - that Texas will not provide.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:34 PM | Comments (10)
ESPN.com: A-Rod & Mo, Yes, Cano, No
The 17 baseball experts at ESPN.com have picked their award winners for this year.
They give A-Rod the MVP and Rivera the Cy Young - with close races on both. But, no votes for Robinson Cano for the Rookie of the Year. (Huston Street was the runaway winner.)
Bob Klapisch voted for Joe Blanton, over Cano. What's up with that?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:33 PM | Comments (1)
Bud: Sox Co-Champs
Five days ago, I predicted this. From the Boston Globe:
If Red Sox executive vice president Charles Steinberg and his marketing gurus wish to unveil a banner declaring the Red Sox 2005 cochampions of the American League East, it appears that will be the team's prerogative.
"If I were running the Red Sox," commissioner Bud Selig said last night, standing in the press box at US Cellular Field, "I would declare myself cochamps."
Said Steinberg: "It sounds like we agree with the commissioner."
The Red Sox and Yankees finished atop the AL East with 95-57 records but the Yankees were declared division champions, by way of head-to-head competition (10-9).
Selig's office, through a spokesperson, said the Yankees were declared champions of the East for postseason seeding purposes. Similarly, the Red Sox were declared wild-card winners for seeding purposes.
There is no established rule for whether a team is a cochampion.
"It's just a matter of common sense," Selig said.
If I were the Yankees, I would declare myself "Continuous A.L. East Champions 1998-2005." That's just a matter of common sense too.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:32 AM | Comments (13)
Fighting Whammies
Newsday has a good story today on Yankees fans superstitions.
They didn't print my worst one. I'll only tell it to someone if they tell me theirs. How's that for a tease?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:10 AM | Comments (17)
October 06, 2005
Oh, Mudder
Here's the current weather forecast for NYC: Friday, rain. Saturday, rain. Sunday, rain. Monday, rain. And, for good measure, Tuesday, rain.
What a mess this is going to be for Games 3 and 4 of the Yanks-Angels ALCS. I know in the past, for April games where snow was expected, the Yankees would sometimes borrow a tarp from (if I recall correctly) Giants Stadium to help keep the OF dry during the night. That's not going to happen now. At some point in one of these games, some outfielder is going to think he's on a Slip'n Slide.
And, of course, there's the poor fans at the Stadium who are going to have to sit in and through all this. That's not fun.
How will this rain help/hurt the Yankees? The only way that it will possibly help is that a wet rack might slow down the Angels running game. But, that's minor.
Where it's going to kill the Yankees is the bullpen - in the sense that their roster weakness will be exposed. If there's a long rain delay, and the Yankees starting pitcher has to come out of the game, and it's before the 7th inning, here comes the Leiters, Proctors, and Embrees of the world. On the flip side, the Angels have more quality arms in their pen to cover for the early loss of a starting pitcher.
Just think, if the Yankees had won home field for this LDS, it wouldn't matter if it was going to rain here tomorrow and Saturday, would it?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:31 PM | Comments (7)
As The Crow Fries
Five months ago, I wrote:
Right now, Giambi is a scarecrow in the batter's box and he's running the bases like Mr. Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. And, to complete the total package, a blindfolded Venus de Milo would be a better first baseman at this point than Jason.
The Yankees should designate June 15th as "Deadwood Decision Day" (D3, for short) for Jason Giambi. If, after another 5 weeks from today, Giambi is still playing like he was been to date this season, then make a call on him and roll with it.
Call Billy Beane and see if he would take him - assuming the Yankees pay most of his salary - in exchange for a bag of batting practice balls and an autographed copy of Moneyball. Or, find out if Howie Spira has any dirt on Giambi. Or, hire a Jeff Gillooly type and see if Giambi can be put on the DL for the rest of the year. Or, just cut the bum and eat the salary. Whatever - but, do something.
Today, it was announced that Jason Giambi is the winner of the A.L. Comeback Player of the Year award.
Best.Crow-eating.ever.
Really, I can't remember the last time I was this happy to eat crow. It's yummy in my tummy, I tell ya.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:36 PM | Comments (5)
Girardi To Sleep With The Fishes?
From Newsday:
The Florida Marlins received permission from the Yankees yesterday to speak with bench coach Joe Girardi about their managerial job, Girardi said.
Girardi, who is believed to be a favorite for the job, expects to interview with the Marlins during an upcoming day off. He spoke with Florida owner Jeffrey Loria last winter about becoming their bench coach before taking the same job with the Yankees.
This could be interesting. It's a happy/sad thing on Joe. Happy for him to get a chance and sad to see him go. But, the bigger question is: Who's next? I do not believe that White or Sojo becomes bench coach. Mattingly maybe? But, then, you need another batting coach.
Would Piniella take it? If he would, do you think Torre would like that? No way, if you ask me. How about Lee Mazz? Would they take him back? Bucky Dent is in Columbus, would he get the call?
Tom Nieto is the Mets big league "catching coach." I think Torre has a soft spot for him. Would they ask the Mets for permission to talk to him (should Girardi go)? Then again, maybe it was Tom Pagnozzi that Torre had the soft spot for? Maybe I'm confusing them?
One reason why this could be interesting is just the question of "Does Torre get to pick?" After all, that's how they got Showalter out of town - by not allowing him to pick his coaching staff.
Sometimes a small news story like this ends up being a bigger deal in the grand scheme of things. I wonder if this might be the case here.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:08 PM | Comments (10)
Yankees LDS Contests With Splits To Start
There have been six times before this ALDS where the Yankees have split the first two games of their series:
1996: The Yankees lost their first game at the Stadium to the Rangers, then came back to win Game 2 (in 12 innings, 5-4). The Yankees then won the next two games in Texas. They needed two in the 9th to win Game 3 (by the score of 3-2).
1997: The Yankees won the first game of the series at the Stadium over the Indians, then lost Game 2 (also at home). New York went to Cleveland after that - and won Game 3. But, they lost the next two games - both in Cleveland - by one run each. (This was before the LDS went to the 2-2-1 format.) Game 4 was the crusher here - when Mo gave up the HR to Alomar in the 8th.
2000: The Yankees split the first two on the road in Oakland - losing the first and winning the second. Then the series moved to New York where the team split two games - Yanks won Game 3 and the A's romped in Game 4. Then, the series moved back to Oakland for Game 5 - with the Yankees winning 7-5.
2002: The Yankees won the first game at the Stadium over the Angels, then lost Game 2 (at home). The series then moved to Anaheim where the Angels won the next two games - with 9 runs in each game - and took the series.
2003: The Yankees lost the first game at the Stadium to the Twins, then came back to win Game 2. The Yankees then had no problem taking the next two games in Minnesota.
2004: This was the same as 2003. The Yankees lost the first game at the Stadium to the Twins, then came back to win Game 2. The Yankees then took the next two games in Minnesota. However, Game 2 and 4 were close - and required great comebacks for the Yankees to win.
So, there's never been an ALDS for the Yankees where they opened on the road and then split the first two games with their loss coming in the 2nd game of the two road contests.
But, if there's anything to learn from the above summaries it is that Game 3 is the key when the teams split the first two games. In five of these six series mentioned, the team that won Game 3 took the series. And, if not for the Rivera HR to Alomar, it could probably be six for six.
This Friday is going to be a very important game for the Yankees to win.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:04 AM | Comments (8)
October 5th @ The Angels
I was doing so good in terms of staying up to watch this game. And, just then, for a handful of minutes, I nodded off - and it just happened to be for the bottom of the 7th. I cannot describe the horror of waking up, realizing that I fell asleep, and seeing that the game was now in the top of the 8th, with Bernie batting, and the score was 4-2 Angels - when the last thing that I remembered was the game being tied, 2-2, in the top of the 7th.
I didn't miss much in terms of time, maybe just 15 minutes or so, but I sure missed a lot in terms of the breakdown for the Yankees.
I actually started to get a bad feeling about this game before all this, and the Juan (Where's that golf cart when you need it?) Rivera HR, and the costly A-Rod error in the 6th. It happened in the top of the 5th - when Jeter made like his idol Winnie and threw his bat into the stands.
My first thought then was "Uh-oh. What's Torre going to hold on to now for good luck when the team is on defense?" And, if I may say it now, look at the A-Rod and Wang errors that followed in the 6th and 7th. Hmmm.
In any event, the Yankees are not going to win many games in this ALDS if they average 3.5 runs scored per game. They need to score 5-6 runs instead of 3-4 runs.
And, to get that done going forward, I'm calling on Gary Sheffield to step up. The Angels have shown that they're going to walk A-Rod as much as possible. Therefore, Sheff needs to make them pay for that - and, to date, that's not happening.
So, now, it's a best two out of three series - with the Yankees having the home field. Still, I will offer this - the Yankees need to win on Friday to have a chance to take the series. They cannot get into the position where they need to win (to stay alive) on Saturday - and then have to fly all the way out west again to play a winner take all game.
It's a big spot for Randy Johnson. I saw the clip of Unit throwing today to get his work in. He was wearing a mini-corset. That's disconcerting. What is also somewhat alarming is the weather forecast for Friday. It's calling for PM showers at this moment. It would be terrible for the Yankees if Johnson threw three innings in Game 3 and then had to come out of the contest because of an hour rain delay.
I hope Mystique and Aura remember to bring their umbrellas on Friday. And, that the Yankees remember to bring their bats and gloves too.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:28 AM | Comments (10)
October 05, 2005
Next
Within the span of four hours today, I was asked (by one person) "Do you want the Yankees to face Boston again in the ALCS this year?" and (by another) "If the Yankees make it to the World Series this year, but play the White Sox to get there, would it make it less joyful for you - since they could not get revenge on Boston for last year?"
Personally, I want nothing to do with the Red Sox in this post-season. It's not that I fear the Yankees cannot beat Boston. I know that the 2005 Yankees can beat the 2005 Red Sox. (Note that I said can and not will - anything can always happen.)
The reason why I would prefer not to face Boston in the ALCS for the 3rd year in a row is because of the focus that such a match-up generates. It becomes such a big deal that just winning that series becomes the big thing - and then you have the potential of a letdown in the next series (if you're facing a hot team in that one).
I know this happened in 2003 with the Marlins. Once that Boone HR went over the fence, the Yankees allowed themselves to exhale - and then they never managed to get their lungs full again before the next dive into the pool.
Now, I know that RSN will say "So, then, why didn't the Red Sox lose the 2004 World Series?" The answer there, to me, is simple - because of 1946, 1975, 1986, and all that other stuff in their past, hanging over their heads, the Red Sox still had that sense of urgency about them (meaning that they had to take advantage of that World Series).
I'd be willing to bet that, if the Red Sox (as an organization) were coming off a run where they had won four of the last seven World Series (and nearly had 5 of 7), and then had that wild seven game ALCS with the Yankees, they would have not been as charged as they actually were in 2004 (during the Series).
So, to me, I say "Give me the normal, everyday, ALCS type series - and spare me the drama of Yanks in '03, Sox in '04, this one breaks the tie" stuff. Because, in the end, I think it lends more towards the Yankees having steam when they reach the World Series - if they can this year.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:02 PM | Comments (9)
Say It Ain't So Skippy!
From the Globe:
Their shenanigans Saturday night may have contributed to the Yankees' poor performance Sunday. The New York Post reported that Robinson Cano, Ruben Sierra, Chien-Ming Wang, and a couple of "bawdy bat boys" partied hard at Whiskey Park after clinching the division title. With a Grey Goose and cranberry in one hand and a champagne flute in the other, Cano canoodled with a blonde and a brunette, the Post reported. The paper also reported that Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez wisely stayed in their hotel rooms.
Cano and Wang are one thing; but, Big Rube, did you have to corrupt Skippy too!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:02 PM | Comments (2)
Welcoming Company
In 1969, baseball introduced the 5-game LCS (which was later changed to the best-of-seven format in 1985).
The first team to ever win the first two games of a 5-game LCS and then "choke" it by losing the next three games in a row was the 1982 Angels. The next team to do this was the 1984 Cubs in the NLCS.
Actually, in 1981, because of the work stoppage that year, baseball had a 5-game divisional play-off prior to the LCS that season. And, in that divisional play-off, the Houston Astros also blew a 2-0 lead in their series (by losing the next three games in a row).
Baseball later introduced the 5-game LDS series in 1995. And, in that year, the Yankees had a 2-0 lead in their LDS which they lost to Seattle (losing three straight games). Since then, the 1999 Indians, 2001 A's and 2003 A's have all "choked" away a 2-0 lead in a 5-game LDS series.
I wonder how many baseball fans on the street, prior to last year, would have picked the 1981 Astros or 1982 Angels in terms of being the greatest "choke" in baseball post-season history? After all, they just needed 1 win and had 3 chances to get it.
Of course, many now like to say that the 2004 Yankees are the greatest "choke" in post-season history (with their needing one game to win the LCS - and having four games to get it).
I wonder how close those same folks (who refer to the 2004 Yankees as having the greatest "choke") would place the 1981 Astros or 1982 Angels to the top of the "choke" list?
It's probably not that high - because those two teams have company now (thanks to the 1984 Cubs, 1995 Yankees, 1999 Indians, and the A's of 2001 and 2003).
Therefore, I predict that once a few more teams do what the Yankees did in 2004, we will hear less and less about the "greatest choke in post-season history". It might take 20 years or so for this to happen - but, it will happen. It's only the greatest when it's done once. As soon as more than one does it, it's not so great.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:14 PM | Comments (8)
Lucky Youngsters
From October 3, 1995 through this coming Friday (10/7), the Yankees will have played 119 post-season games in the span of 120 months.
In the 167 months from October 29, 1981 through October 2, 1995, the Yankees played in no post-season games.
I wonder if Yankees fans, say, age 21 and younger realize just how fortunate they've had it during this run?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:15 AM | Comments (14)
John Lackey
Tonight, the Yankees face John Lackey. Personally, when I think of Lackey....
....I see a little bit of a Napoleon Dynamite smile there. In any event, I was surprised to hear Giambi talk about Lackey after the game last night. Jason said that he expects Lackey to win a Cy Young Award in the near future. Wow. Is this guy that good?
Since the All-Star break this year, he has been that good. In fact, only Johan Santana and Kevin Millwood were better starters in the AL since the break.
The Yankees have their hands full tonight with this guy.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:39 AM | Comments (9)
October 04, 2005
October 4th @ The Angels
OK, I think I get it. Rivera must be dressing up as John Wetteland for Halloween this year and just felt like trying out the costume 4 weeks early, right? Whew.
Speaking of "looks-like" - is it just me, or, does Bartolo Colon look like the love child from the union of David Wells and Pedro Martinez. No matter, you have to give credit to Colon for keeping his team in the game after a rough start. I saw a lot of late swings after the 2nd inning.
Speaking of late, at 10:00 pm EST, Mussina threw the 1st pitch in the bottom of the 5th. Poor kids today, they have no chance of watching these games. (Never mind what's going to happen tomorrow.)
Not a bad night for Moose. I kept waiting for the meltdown - after all, many times this season he's been good and then just hits the wall from nowhere. Good thing Joe pulled him when he did in the 6th.
Speaking of the 6th, as much as I want to credit Cano's clutch hit in the 1st as the key to the game, I think the true key to this win was Vlad taking off for 2nd with 2 outs and down by four (in that 6th inning). Thanks Vladie.
Last week, I said that it was sad "watching Sturtze served up nightly these days - cooked ala' Torre." Now it's beyond sad - it's dangerous. Torre has to make Small Mr. Seventh Inning now.
Tonight was a good win. But, 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2004 were not that long ago. This is no time for Yankees fans to start getting giddy. If New York can get 10 more wins this post-season, then it's time to start feeling frisky.
Lastly, I have to wonder, what time will the Yankees land back in New York on Thursday? If the game tomorrow is starting in Cali at 7:20 pm PT, what's the earliest that they'll get on a plane back to the East Coast, 12:30 am PT on Thursday? So, would that have them landing in NYC around 9:00 am ET on Thursday, thereabouts. And, from there, they probably get home to their own beds around lunch-time on Thursday.
I hope they all stay in on Thursday night to get ready for the game on Friday. And, if I'm Torre, I'm sending the Big Unit home on a plane first thing Wednesday morning.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:26 PM | Comments (14)
Stud To Stud
Since August 11th, the Angels pitching staff has an ERA of 3.66. And, during the same time, the Yankees pitching staff has an ERA of 4.36. There's an edge for the Halos.
However, if you just look at just Sturtze, Mussina, Johnson, Wang, Small, Chacon, Rivera and Gordon since 8/11, they have a collective ERA of 3.53.
On the flip side, for the Angels, if you just use Donnelly, Gregg, Shields, Lackey, Colon, Washburn, Byrd, Rodriguez, and Escobar since 8/11, they have a collective ERA of 3.21.
Is there much difference between 3.53 and 3.21?
If the Yankees can manage to just throw their "good" pitchers in this LDS, they have a chance to go toe-to-toe with the Angels best. It's not the pitching mismatch that some like to make it out to be, at least over the last 7 to 8 weeks of performance for both teams.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:16 PM | Comments (0)
Vegas: Yanks The Fav
From Bloomberg:
The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees are favored by Las Vegas oddsmakers and futures traders to meet in the World Series as baseball's playoffs begin today.
The Cardinals are 6-5 favorites to win the National League pennant at Las Vegas Sports Consultants, a company that advises casinos on sports betting lines. That means a successful $5 bet on St. Louis would return $6 plus the original amount of the wager. The Yankees are 9-5 favorites to win the American League pennant. Each team is listed at 3-1 to win the World Series, Major League Baseball's championship.
The Yankees are 9-5 favorites to win the American League pennant.
Maybe that's the tune to grind it to?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:39 AM | Comments (1)
Cash To Stay?
From Newsday:
Club insiders say George Steinbrenner is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep GM Brian Cashman, who's popular around baseball and could get another job in an instant.
While a Cashman confidant said he's "fed up" with the front-office setup that promotes infighting and limits the GM's power, the guess here is he stays. He's had chances to leave before and has never taken them.
Cashman could have the GM job in Baltimore (or perhaps Washington), but Steinbrenner will increase his $1-million salary and promise more control over pro scouting to keep Cashman.
Considering the other options, I wouldn't mind seeing Cashman stay around.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:19 AM | Comments (8)
It's A Good Start
From the Post:
Considering the players who have started postseason games in center field for the Yankees, Bubba Crosby will be in good company tonight in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Angels at Angel Stadium. After all, Crosby is never mentioned with Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Bernie Williams. Or even Mickey Rivers.
Crosby, who made three trips between Triple-A Columbus and the Yankees this season and four a year ago, will be Joe Torre's Game 1 starter in center against Bartolo Colon. Torre will use Bernie Williams as the DH.
Crosby hit .276 in 76 games this season for the Yankees.
"It's an exciting feeling for them to have enough confidence in me from where I was two to three months ago," Crosby said after yesterday's workout. "I was able to come a long way in their eyes."
I guess that dreams can come true!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:19 AM | Comments (3)
October 03, 2005
Chacón = Mussina Insurance?
I didn't see this one coming - from an AP report:
Torre announced his rotation for the series and his lineup for the opener, but hadn't finalized the playoff roster after the team's early evening workout. He expects to carry 11 pitchers, to 10 for the Angels.
After Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang will start Game 2, followed by Randy Johnson and Shawn Chacon.
So, it's not Chacón or Johnson in Game 2. Interesting. Now, it will be Wang on normal rest for the game on Wednesday night.
And, Chacón will get Game 4 - almost a week after his short relief appearance yesterday in Fenway and on nine days rest from his last start.
If I read between the lines here, I think it says that the Yankees are concerned about Mussina in Game 1. Today would have been Chacón's normal day to pitch. So, if he throws tomorrow, in Game 1, he's pitching on 6 days rest - if you consider yesterday's work just a "throw day."
It's the perfect fit - if Moose bombs early, then bring in Chacón. Then Wang goes in Game 2, followed by Randy in Game 3. Then, if needed, and assuming that Chacón goes in Game 1 (after Mussina), Shawn can come back and pitch in Game 4 on three days rest - or, possibly Small takes the mound that day and then Chacón comes back in Game 5 on normal rest (assuming that Mussina is fried for the series).
Or, in the best case, Mussina does well in Game 1, and then he comes back in Game 5 - and Wang, Unit and Chacón handle the middle.
Very interesting.......and hopefully not stupid.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:41 PM | Comments (2)
LDS Rotation Plans
It's a given that Mussina will pitch Game 1. This also sets up Moose to pitch Game 5 (if needed) on his normal (4 days) rest.
But, what about Games 2, 3, and 4?
From most reports that I see now, it looks like Chacón going on Game 2 (on what would be 6 days rest - if you consider yesterday's game a "throw day") and the Big Unit for Game 3 (on 5 days rest).
But, some reports suggest that Johnson might go on Wednesday, for Game 2, on three days rest. I understand the interest here - because Unit in Game 2 would then give him a chance to throw in Game 5 (albeit again on 3 days rest).
Personally, I'd rather see a rested Johnson go once than try and make the old man go twice, back-to-back starts, on three days rest.
In any event, it looks like Wang will throw Game 4 (on 7 days rest).
The rotation is what it will be because of the fact that the Yankees had to play hard down to Game #161. But, it is scary to think that, if it goes to five games, in the end it will be Mussina - backed up by Johnson on one days rest, Wang on no days rest, and Chacón on three days rest.
Maybe my Aaron Small prediction ends up coming true in Game 5?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:40 PM | Comments (3)
ESPN.com Picks ALDS Winner
I was just checking out the ESPN.com page for this ALDS. Here's what their experts are predicting:
It doesn't bother me that most are picking the Angels. In a way, it's good that they're mostly predicting a 5-game series. That means it should be close.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:38 PM | Comments (18)
Moose In Game One
This ALDS will be the 5th consecutive play-off series in which Mussina has started Game 1 for the Yankees. How did he do in the other four?
Game 1 of the 2004 ALCS - Did good, but, ran out of gas in the 7th.
Game 1 of the 2004 ALDS - He pitched very well for seven.
Game 1 of the 2003 ALCS - He couldn't make it out of the 6th inning - and allowed 4 runs.
Game 1 of the 2003 ALDS - He pitched well for seven - but lost.
Hopefully, tomorrow, Mussina can once again pitch well for seven innings. It's what the Yankees need from him now.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:25 PM | Comments (7)
ALDS Roster Thoughts
From mlb.com:
Fourteen position players and 10 pitchers have secured spots on the active roster for the first round of the playoffs, but Torre and his coaches must decide whether it makes sense to take an 11th pitcher or a 15th position player.
Infielders Jason Giambi, Tino Martinez, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Bellhorn; catchers Jorge Posada and John Flaherty and outfielders Gary Sheffield, Bernie Williams, Hideki Matsui, Ruben Sierra and Bubba Crosby will all be on the roster.
The 14th spot should go to Tony Womack, who is the Yankees' best stolen-base threat off the bench.
Should they decide to take an 11th pitcher, it looks as though that decision will be between left-hander Alan Embree and right-hander Jaret Wright. If Torre opts for the position player, it would likely be Matt Lawton, unless he is taken as one of the 14 instead of Womack.
The 10 pitchers on the roster are expected to be starters Mike Mussina, Randy Johnson, Shawn Chacon, Chien-Ming Wang and Aaron Small, and relievers Mariano Rivera, Tom Gordon, Tanyon Sturtze, Al Leiter and Scott Proctor.
Leiter and Proctor were informed by Torre before Sunday's game that they had made the playoff roster.
Reserve players Mike Vento, Andy Phillips and relievers Ramiro Mendoza and Felix Rodriguez will go home from Boston. Left-hander Wayne Franklin and infielder Felix Escalona will report to the Yankees' complex in Tampa to work out in case they are needed beyond the first round.
I thought this morning that Proctor and Leiter would probably make it. I'm thrilled that Felix Rodriguez was sent home. But, why not send Andy Phillips to Tampa too - just in case?
So, it's two spots with four names.
Matt Lawton offers no value whatsoever - he can't hit or field and is not a burner on the bases. He should be sent home as well. That leaves it to Wright, Embree, and Womack.
Embree has not fooled any batters this year. He should go to Tampa as well - in case Leiter breaks an ankle or something. Therefore, by default, the last two spots should go to Womack and Wright.
But, if Wright's pitching now with some sort of shoulder issue, then I might even suggest considering Wayne Franklin over him.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:13 AM | Comments (10)
Showalter's Move Impacting The ALDS
From the Star Ledger:
The Yankees lost home-field advantage in this week's Division Series because they lost yesterday and the Los Angeles Angels won, 7-4, at Texas. In that game, Rangers manager Buck Showalter pulled 2-3-4 hitters Michael Young, Mark Teixeira and Hank Blalock in the bottom of the third inning.
"He's a manager, he has a right to do as he chooses," said ex- Ranger Alex Rodriguez, who had his differences with Showalter. "I just think there's a code of honor when so much is on the line.
"You hope people do the right thing, but you can't control what people do. It is what it is."
When asked about it by reporters in Texas, Showalter pointed out that the Yankees rested Mike Mussina instead of starting him yesterday even though the Cleveland Indians needed a Yankees victory as well as a win of their own for a shot at the wild card.Showalter also said he needed to play some September call-ups.
"These guys posted up all season," he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, referring to the heart of his order. "They deserve that cookie. One of our problems is we haven't been able to look at guys because we're been trying to be fair to other teams the past month."
Yankees manager Joe Torre said, "So be it," but added that it was "a little surprising" that a team not headed to the postseason pulled some regulars.
"Buck's a good manager," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "It's not an issue to me."
I can see where some Yankees fans may have an issue with Buck's move here.
After all, the Yankees wanted to name Buck's coaches for the 1996 season and that's the reason why he left the team. It was a tense time for him - as there was a chance that he'd never get another big league job after quitting the Yankees for such a reason.
Plus, it was ugly between Buck and A-Rod in Rodriguez' last days as a Ranger. And, it was petty stuff - like Buck forbidding Alex to speak Spanish with the other Latin players in the clubhouse.
So, there's motive, perhaps, for Showalter here - screw the Yankees and screw A-Rod. This is why it makes sense for some to question his move yesterday.
But, bottom line, when the day comes that the Yankees have to rely on the Texas Rangers to help them, it's a sad day in New York. The Yankees should fight their own fights - and not count on anyone to help them.
Now, that said, this whole matter is worth filing away - to remember for another day. And, should the day come that the Yankees are in a position to help Texas and/or Showalter, that's the time to reflect back on the events of October 2, 2005.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:31 AM | Comments (15)
October 02, 2005
No-Doz With A Red Bull Chaser Please
Game 2 of the ALDS between the Yankees and the Angels has a start time of 10 p.m. ET. (It will be on ESPN.)
There's going to be a lot of tired Yankees fans out there this Thursday.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:56 PM | Comments (9)
Beating The Angels
Last year, I thought that the (then) Anaheim Angels should have been the post-season favorite to win the World Series. So, I was shocked when the Red Sox knocked them out of the playoffs in the ALDS with a sweep.
How did the Red Sox do it? Good starting pitching helped - the Sox starters all went at least 6 IP in their three games.
But, more so, the key to the 2004 ALDS between the Angels and Sox was batting. The Sox did a great job at shutting down Figgins, Vlad, and Anderson. And, on the Boston hitting side, Damon, Manny and Ortiz were just flat out from another world with their sticks.
And, looking at this, I think this approach will be the same key for the Yankees in 2005 (against the Angels). New York must:
1. Have their starting pitchers hold the game into the 7th inning.
2. Do not allow Figgins, Vlad and Anderson to hit with success in the series.
3. Have at least three batters on their team hit somewhere between .385 and .545 over the course of the series. It can be Jeter-Rodriguez-Sheffield, or Cano-Giambi-Matsui, or Posada-Bernie-Bubba, etc. The "who" is not as important as it actually happening.
All three of these things are going to have to happen for New York to win. Preferably, they will all happen in the first three games and then the Yankees can have all of next weekend to prepare for the ALCS.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:29 PM | Comments (3)
Prevent Defense
This will never happen - or, it will happen too late - but, I'll suggest it anyway.
If I'm the Yankees, for this series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, I would install Bubba Crosby as the everyday CF and play Bernie Williams at DH. Torre has been using Ruben Sierra at DH as of late. So, switching to Bernie there is no loss.
Why Bubba in CF? I'd do it for his feet, arm, and glove - and if he hits at all, it's a bonus. The Angels have guys who are very aggressive on the bases - Figgins, Erstad, Cabrera, Guerrero, etc. - and they will not be shy about testing the Yankees outfielders. In fact, three years ago in the ALDS, the Angels first-to-thirded Bernie Williams at will and to death. That was then - now, it would only be worse.
Plus, it's a pretty big CF in Anaheim (like the ballpark in the Bronx). From alley to dead center to alley it's 395-406-395 (whereas in Yankees Stadium it's 399-408-385). If a CF is not careful out there, singles can become doubles and doubles become triples pretty easily.
With Donnelly, Shields, and K-Rod in the Angels pen, there will not be too many chances for large comebacks late in a game. It serves the Yankees better to keep the score close when they cannot have the lead. Every run that can be cut off because of good OF play will be an important run saved.
If the Yankees had a monster bat at DH, I probably would say leave Bernie in CF, hope for the best, and cross your fingers for the 3-run HR from the DH. But, again, when your DH is a 39-year-old Ruben Sierra, this move (Bernie to DH, Bubba to CF) for this series, just seems to make a lot of sense - at least to me.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:55 PM | Comments (7)
October 2nd @ The Red Sox
Truth be told, to this Yankees fan, regardless of the standings and date, there's nothing worse than a Yankees loss, unless:
- it's a game where they lose ugly, then, it's only worse if
- it's an ugly loss to the Boston Red Sox, then, it's only worse if
- it's an ugly loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park, then, it's only worse if
- it's an ugly loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park when Curt Schilling pitches well, then, it's only worse if
- it's an ugly loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park when Curt Schilling pitches well and then the Sox and their fans get to celebrate on the field like they just won the pennant.
What is it with Schilling and the Yankees this year? The White Sox beat up Schilling. The Royals beat up Schilling. The Devil Rays beat up Schilling. And, the Blue Jays beat up Schilling. Even the A's hit Schilling well this year. Yet, against New York, he's still got that Cy Young form. Go figure.
Anyway, I guess the important thing today is that no one on the Yankees broke a leg or something - though Jeter decided to try and scare some folks with that ugly slide into second. Uh, thanks Derek.
After the game today, all I can think about - other than how disgusting the Yankees pitched today - was about the Indians. Man, if I knew they were going to fold in the last three games, I might have wished for a Yankees loss on Saturday - and let the Yankees take the wildcard, instead of Boston.
I think I'd rather play the White Sox in a short series where their starting pitching depth doesn't help them that much, and have the shorter travel, than have to fly to the West Coast and play the Angels in a short series (where their strong bullpen doesn't have to pitch in a lot of games). It's worse if the Yankees have to go five - because then you have to go all the way west, again.
Oh, well, maybe this can be a payback thing for 2002? Or, maybe it will be a repeat of the 2002 nightmare? The former would be great and the latter would be like a poop scented lollipop. A really stinky sucker.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:42 PM | Comments (7)
A.L. East Co-Champs?
From the Toronto Sun, back in 2002:
So, who won the National League's Central Division in 2001, anyway?
The St. Louis Cardinals or the Houston Astros?
Several Astros were upset when they saw that the Cards were displaying a 2001 NL Central co-championship banner. The Astros won the tiebreaker and are the real champions.
"I would think that they would have more serious matters than to be concerned with than something so trivial," Cards general manager Walt Jocketty said.
Both teams finished 2001 with 93-69 records. The Astros entered the 2001 post-season as the NL's top seed after beating the Cardinals in the final game of the season to win the season series 9-7.
"When we saw the Cards press guide, we scratched our heads," Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker said. "We were awarded the division championship and they were awarded the wild card. I think the commissioner's office should clarify it."
A defaced Cardinals media guide made the rounds of the Astros clubhouse with the words '2001 NL Central Division Co-Champs' modified to read `wild card.' The Astros also fly a banner in left field of Astros Field recognizing them as NL Central champs.
A Major League Baseball official called the scrap "silly" but added there is no definitive right or wrong in this instance.
"It's basically the wild card, but it's also co-champions," said vice-president of scheduling and club relations Katy Feeney. "Since the Astros had the better head-to-head record, they were determined to be the champs and the Cards the wild card for the post-season. But since they both had the same regular season record, they were both co-champs. Technically, the Astros get the champion title."
The St. Louis front office has a plaque that reads: "By virtue of having the highest percentage of games won in the NL Central, the lesser record versus co-champion Astros and better record of all second-place teams, the St. Louis Cardinals are hereby declared the 2001 Wild Card Champions and Central Division Co-champions of the NL."
If the Yankees lose today, and the Red Sox lock up the Wildcard, I fully expect Larry Lucchino to attempt that "co-champions" claim and make a banner, etc. Just another reason why it would be great to see the Sox not make the post-season in 2005 - albeit a hard nut to make happen.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:46 AM | Comments (9)
October 01, 2005
Joe Torre 2005, In Retrospect
After watching the Yankees players speak about Joe Torre during the post-game coverage today, and seeing Torre's reaction to what was said, I started to think more about his role on what has happened this season.
I've been working full-time for 20 years now. And, during those years, there were five times that I elected to switch firms. And, there were changes in management in just about every place where I've worked - some places had a lot of change. Because of this, I must have "worked" for at least 15 different "managers" in those 20 aforementioned years. And, many of these managers were different from each other.
Several of these managers were not the greatest "business" minds out there (compared to others that I worked for) and, in terms of making decisions, they probably didn't always make the best calls. However, many of these managers genuinely cared for me as a person, and were the type of people that made it easy to care for them.
Conversely, some other people that I worked for in the past were very savvy and/or experienced professionals. They did well for themselves in the work-world (and, often in their private life as well). Sadly, several of these managers were not nice people at all, when it came down to it (for sundry reasons). And, because of that, they were not very likable.
Now, I've always done my job - no matter who was my "boss" - because you have to do your job to get a paycheck. Still, when I worked for someone who cared for me, and where I cared for them in return, I would do anything for them without a second thought (even if they were not the best "business mind" in the world). I would do it because I wanted to do it for them.
On the flip side, when the time came for one of those managers who were smart, but not likable, to move on, I would never shed a tear over their leaving. In fact, once they were gone, in many cases it was a relief.
When I think of my own experience, and apply it to the Torre situation, it gives me a better appreciation to what's happening now in that Yankees clubhouse and dugout.
This Yankees team loves and respects Torre - and he feels the same way about them. Yes, Joe makes mistakes with line-ups, pitching choices, game calls, you name it. He's not the smartest manager in the world. But, because the players care about him, and vice versa, they will do what he asks from them without question. And, in this case, that means play like a pro, don't get distracted, play hard, and don't give up.
There were many times this season where I thought that Joe Torre should be fired. And, in retrospect, that was wrong. Because of his standing with the players, he was able to keep this team together and working hard.
Yes, that comes with living with his bad judgment on some matters. But, I'd rather have that than have the situation where the team couldn't care less if the guy was fired. This season, the Yankees needed "a little extra" to comeback from their bad start to this season. If they players cared nothing about Torre's fate, perhaps that something extra may have never happened?
Maybe I'm wrong here? But, in any event, for this moment, it feels right.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:35 PM | Comments (6)
October 1st @ The Red Sox
I've never seen "We Were Soldiers" - but, now, I think I have to watch it.
Thank you Chicago White Sox - and thank you the rain of September 26th. For the 8th year in a row, the Boston Red Sox have now finished 2nd in the A.L. East, behind the New York Yankees.
I feel so smart today. On September 14th, I wrote:
I think this season is going to fall in between the 92 and 96. To make a prediction, I'm going with 95 - that's how many wins it will take to win the A.L. East this season.
And, that's what it took: 95 wins.
Here's the stat for today: The only time that the Yankees had a lead with four games to go and failed to win was 1904 - and, then, they actually were the "Highlanders" and not the Yankees. And, thanks to today, that will not change for at least another year.
I thought that the Big Unit was as advertised today. Through two innings, he threw 51 pitches and I thought "He's never going to last today." But, he made it into the 8th inning (pitching on a day that Barnabas Collins would have loved) - only allowing 3 base runners after the second (with one of those being a fly ball by Ortiz that Williams "Bernied" into a double). And, this all after a start in the game where Johnson must have looked like Pam Anderson in the first two frames - considering how often the home plate ump squeezed him.
At the end of the day, it was a great game for the Yankees - lots of heroes to choose from - and it means they get to go to the dance through the front door.
If it were me, I'd start Mussina tomorrow anyway - and use Wright in relief - with the hope to force the Red Sox to have to play a wildcard play-in game on Monday. But, no matter how the Yankees handle that call - it really doesn't matter. Today is a day for partying - and not thinking.
Lastly, shame on FOX with their "FOX Watch" in the bottom of the 4th today - causing Yankees and Red Sox fans to squint to watch the whole half-inning (including Sheffield's great catch).
Go have fun tonight Yankees fans. It's a stress-free zone for the next two days. Take advantage of it.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:39 PM | Comments (8)
Come On Chisox, Just One More!
From the Minny Star Tribune:
If the Yankees and Red Sox finish tied, with better records than the Indians: New York and Boston make the playoffs, the Indians are out. Yankees win the AL East because they have the better record vs. Boston.
As Chicago beat Cleveland on 9/30, what has to happen now for the Yankees to win the A.L. East in 2005?
Yankees need to win one of their next two in Boston - and the White Sox need to win one of their last two games.
How nice would it be if that all happened tomorrow?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:12 AM | Comments (4)