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January 31, 2006

T'when-Tee, Double-O

In 2000, the Yankees won their third ring in a row.

In 2001, the Yankees added free agent Mike Mussina.
In 2002, the Yankees added free agent Jason Giambi.
In 2003, the Yankees added free agent Hideki Matsui.
In 2004, the Yankees added Alex Rodriguez and free agent Gary Sheffield.
In 2005, the Yankees added Randy Johnson.

And, in 2006, the Yankees added free agent Johnny Damon.

Do any Yankees fans out there feel that, just maybe, someday we'll be looking at the Mussina/Giambi/A-Rod/Damon Yankees and say "Wow, they had a lot of great names, and won a lot of games, but never won any rings"?

Really, we're half-way through the first decade of the twenty-hundreds with no rings in the Bronx. What happens if it's October 31, 2010 and the last ring for the Yankees was 2000? How should the last Yankees decade be viewed?

I think this Yankees run will then become the poster-child for the notion of you can't buy a ring.

I hope it doesn't happen. I hope the Yankees do win a ring (or more) within the next 5 years. But, as we've seen the last 5 years, it's not easy.

I would hate to have to wait until something like 2018 for the next Yankees ring. Imagine hearing "T'when-Tee, Double-O" for the next dozen years?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:34 PM | Comments (4)

Big Rube Lives!

From the AP:

Ruben Sierra agreed Tuesday to a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins and was invited to spring training.

Sierra, a 40-year-old switch-hitter who is usually a designated hitter, batted .229 with four home runs and 29 RBIs in 61 games with the New York Yankees last season.

The four-time All Star, who was injured for much of last year, had filled a reserve role with the Yankees since 2003. But after the Yankees re-signed Bernie Williams and then signed Johnny Damon, there was no room for Sierra.

I bet he shows up to Spring Training looking like Al Roker before the staple.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)

I'll Believe It When I See It

From the Daily News:

Yankees president Randy Levine pitched the team's new stadium plans to a different set of pinstripes yesterday, but the crowd was clearly on his team.

Pledging that seats would remain affordable and that the project would create jobs for Bronx residents, Levine basked in a lovefest from the borough's business community at the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce lunch as he outlined what he called "the largest private investment in the history of the Bronx."

"This stadium is going to be affordable," said Levine, "affordable for everyone."

I'm a season ticket holder - since 2001. The seats are in the Loge by 1B. Not the best seats in the house - but not the worst either. They're "good seats."

My seats, in 2001, were $37 each. This season, the seats are $55 each. At this rate, the seats will be (at least) $65 per seat in the new digs.

So, if you a buddy want to sit in my "good seats" for a game, it's going to cost close to $150 for the game. That's a lot of money for 9 innings of baseball.

How many people can afford that?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:57 AM | Comments (10)

January 30, 2006

Sickels Take

The John Sickels Baseball Prospect Book 2006 arrived today. It has a garish blue cover and lacks text on the spine; but, it's full of great stuff (as always).

John says Melky Cabrera isn't "going to amount to much." But, he loves Jose Tabata - and says he's the 40th best batting prospect in baseball. Sickels also ranks Phil Hughes as the 26th best pitching prospect in baseball - but says "keep a close eye on his health." He also writes that J. Brent Cox "should move very quickly."

If you're into knowing more about minor league players, this is a good book to have - and fun to read.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)

January 29, 2006

No Garden Party For Damon

From the Daily News:

The high-flying Rangers are becoming quite the celebrity draw. But Rangers fans don't shower their affections on just any pretty face that appears on the center-ice video board.

New Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon, who arrived with stubble on his face, learned that when he heard a mixture of boos and cheers on being introduced to the crowd midway through yesterday's romp over the Penguins. A couple of minutes later, Giants running back Tiki Barber received a standing ovation when his face appeared on the video screen.

After the game, Damon visited with Jaromir Jagr. The Rangers' star, an avid fan of all sports, asked Damon when Manny Ramirez was going to join him in New York. No word what the answer was.

Makes sense. Probably 45% of the fans there were Yankees fans. And, another 45% were Mets fans - with another 10% being either Red Sox fans or fans of some other team not the Yankees.

The odds were in the favor (55%) of Damon getting booed.

As far as Tiki's hand, well, maybe people mistook him for Mr. Potato Head? No one would ever boo Mr. Potato Head.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:54 PM | Comments (4)

Candy Striper Cano Honored

From Newsday:

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, who has done superb work for children's hospitals around the country, will be honored Tuesday at the 26th annual Thurman Munson Dinner, along with Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte and former Met Kris Benson.

No word on whether or not Antonio Belize gets a nod for his assist.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:03 AM | Comments (1)

January 28, 2006

Shameless Plug

I hope that any fan of baseball would be interested in this news.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:02 PM | Comments (0)

Mango Met Rips A-Rod

From Newsday:

Pedro Martinez and Alex Rodriguez are longtime friends, so much so that last winter, during Martinez's free agency, the right-hander met with and confided in the Yankees' third baseman.

Yet Martinez, who wound up signing with the Mets, is disappointed that A-Rod has chosen to play for the United States -- instead of the Dominican Republic -- in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Martinez chose to share this sentiment publicly.

"Alex is American because he was born in the United States, but after what Mike Piazza -- a future Hall of Famer -- did, who will be playing for Italy, and Nomar Garciaparra, who will be playing for Mexico, he had an excuse to do the same with the Dominican Republic," said Martinez, who intends to pitch for his native Dominican Republic. Martinez's statements were spoken to the Dominican-based television network Color Vision. ESPN.com first reported of the interview here.

"Now Alex must prepare for the nasty comments that will arise in the Bronx, where almost half of the citizens are Latino and purely Dominican," Martinez said. "In fact, when Alex gets [to the Dominican Republic] it's possible that not even the reporters will be here to welcome him."

Now Alex must prepare for the nasty comments that will arise in the Bronx, where almost half of the citizens are Latino and purely Dominican.......

Hey, Petey - Does this mean that Piazza will hear nasty comments when he plays in San Francisco where almost half of the citizens are American and purely, well, you know?

This whole WBC-DR-thing is getting to be way too Wisteria Laney for me - esp. when Mango starts chirping on it too. And, of course, poor A-Rod is A-Lightning-Rod - again.

Beam me up Scotty Brosius. This scene is getting out of control.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:22 AM | Comments (4)

January 27, 2006

Girardi In 2008

Now I think Joe G. will replace Joe T. as the Yankees skipper in 2008. He's already kissing up for it:

{Marlins} Manager Joe Girardi, taking a page from George Steinbrenner's grooming manual, has issued a no facial hair policy for his players. For the first time in franchise history, the Marlins will be cleanshaven.

Girardi figures the rule won't be an issue with this team.

"With our guys, it shouldn't a problem,'' he said, adding with a laugh: "They're probably too young to shave anyway.''

Girardi didn't wear facial hair as a player, so he had no problem with Steinbrenner's long-standing rule that allowed neatly trimmed mustaches but no beards and shaggy hair.

"To me, the idea is to look professional,'' Girardi said Thursday. "I understand it's important for players to have their own style, and I don't have a problem with that. But I want players to look neat and clean.''

Not a bad idea. Let Girardi cut his teeth for two years in Miami and then grab him. It's probably why they let him go without a fuss.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:10 PM | Comments (3)

Damon's Legs Value

According to David Pinto's stats:

Off the top of my head, it looks like Damon will save the Yankees 30 to 35 outs versus having Bernie in center for the full season.

Hmmmm. The Yankees allowed about 4.9 runs per game last year. Let's say that 35 outs equals 1.3 shutouts - on, in the case of last year's Yankees defense, about 6 runs over the course of the season.

Doesn't sound like much, right?

Well, if you assume that they Yankees score this year like they did last year, and start playing around with the Pythagorean theorem application, yeah, it only comes down to maybe something like one extra win in 2006 (with Damon out there).

(And, this is very rough math here - I'm sure there's a smarter way to figure out what 35 more outs means.)

But, hey, sometimes one win is the difference between making the post-season or not. So, if it's there for the taking - why not go for it?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:48 AM | Comments (6)

Villone's Can Do 'Tude

From the Bergen Record:

And yes, there was celebration among Villone's family and friends upon the news that the left-hander from Bergenfield would be fitted for pinstripes.

"It was probably one of the best days in my life," said Villone, who recalled "a quick, little adrenaline rush" when he learned of his official transfer to the Yankees.

"My role is going to be whatever Joe Torre wants it to be," Villone said. "I'm willing to do anything at all. If he needs me to pinch hit, to bunt a runner over, I'll do it."

Refreshing. But, I still think they should try and limit him to facing LH batters.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)

January 26, 2006

The Season Of Their Lives

Tonight, I decided to pop this old MSG VHS puppy into the VCR:

It's the perfect fix for the "It's so close but I can't wait for Pitchers & Catchers" Yankees fan blues. Man, I still have to pump my fist when O'Neill catches the final out of Wells' perfecto. I wish they would do a DVD boxed set of all the "highlight" games from that season. Now, that would be a must-have!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:14 PM | Comments (3)

Feel The Breeze

It must be almost baseball season. Curt Schilling's lips are moving!

Bill Simmons had a great exchange with Schilling - where Curt confirms that there was no curse, and that Boston just sucked all those years:

You can throw every Sox team from 1919 on against that club, but at the end of the day, none of them could have beaten us {the 2004 Sox}. We did what none of them ever could. I don't buy, nor did I ever buy, the curse crap. The curse was one of TEAM. Great teams overcome bad breaks, great teams overcome adversity, and in the end we proved that up to that point, we were the greatest Red Sox team ever put together.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:19 PM | Comments (1)

Russell Branyan

From news sources:

Tampa Bay is close to signing third baseman Russell Branyan, released by Milwaukee.

Damn the Yankees missed another one!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:52 AM | Comments (1)

Blank Generation

Just this AM I read another (print) report about how the future of the Red Sox will be nothing but rosy, and that they're all set up, thanks to having pitching prospects like Jonathan Papelbon, Craig Hansen, and Jon Lester in their stable.

When I see stuff like this, three words come to mind: Wilson, Pulsipher, and Isringhausen.

TINSTAAPP baby. I'll believe it when I see it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:56 AM | Comments (6)

January 25, 2006

Schill The Pill

According to GQ, Curt Schilling is #4 on the list of "The Ten Most Hated Athletes" -

“Between the white lines, it’s all real,” says one reporter who has covered Schilling. “But outside the white lines, there’s a huge gap between the man and the image he projects.” Take, for instance, Schilling’s self-glorifying display during Congress’s steroid hearings last March or his absurdly patriotic open letter to America on ESPN.com after 9/11, for which his teammates mocked him on a late-night bus ride with a chorus of “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy.” “They know what he’s about,” says the sportswriter. “I’d say a large percentage of them like him—every fifth day. He wears on people.”

On days he doesn’t pitch, Schilling is notorious for striking TV-ready poses on the dugout stairs. (His manager in Philadelphia, Jim Fregosi, dubbed him Red Light Curt.) “He’s somebody who’s always positioning himself in terms of what’s best for Curt Schilling,” says ESPN’s Pedro Gomez, who described Schilling as “the consummate table for one.” (Speaking of which, Schilling also has a reputation for sneaking into the clubhouse late in games to get a head start on the buffet.)

So avid is Schilling’s longing for the spotlight that some of his peers raise doubts about his now legendary turn in the 2004 postseason, when he pitched on an ankle tendon that had been sutured in place. During Game 6, cameras cut repeatedly to the bright red stain on Schilling’s sock. It was blood, right? “The Diamondbacks people think he definitely doctored that sock,” says the sportswriter. The ex-teammate laughs: “All around baseball, people questioned that. It was funny how the stain didn’t spread.”

I've been saying this for over a year. Don't believe the saint-stuff that you hear on Curt.

Related, no Yankees made the GQ list. Wow.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:24 AM | Comments (7)

In Dreams

You know that dream that everyone reportedly has - where you're back in school and not prepared for a test, or you can't find your class, or you show up for a big day in school and you're still wearing your pajamas? Supposedly, it's all about having a feeling of not being prepared for something in real life.

I've never had that dream.

For me, it's different. It's always about baseball. Either I have a game and I can't find the field. Or, I'm late and the game has already started. Or, and this is the most common one for me, I'm at the game but I can't find my glove. Sometimes it's my spikes instead of the glove, but, usually it's the missing mitt.

I still have this dream today - shoot, I had it last night. (Big meeting at work today.) It's odd - considering that it's been something like 16 years since I played any form of organized ball.

I suppose once you have baseball on the brain, you become baseball insane.....

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:45 AM | Comments (1)

January 24, 2006

Small Deal

The Yankees signed Aaron Small for $1.2 million.

It's nice to know that Cashman listens to me sometimes.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:19 PM | Comments (0)

Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

Tell me that I didn't see A-Rod doing sit-ups on a Nike commercial tonight.

Does this mean Trot Nixon will say he's a loving couch potato dad sometime next month?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)

Another Hall - Holy Cow!

From the AP:

Holy cow! The Scooter has been named to another hall of fame.

Legendary New York Yankees shortstop and announcer Phil Rizzuto, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994 will be inducted this spring into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame.
W.O. McGeehan, whose "McGeehanism"-laden columns were a favorite in the now-defunct New York Herald Tribune before his death in 1933, will be inducted in the writing category, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association announced Tuesday.

Can he top his Cooperstown speech? I doubt it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 06:08 PM | Comments (0)

Will They Have A High Sign?

I found this quote from Johnny Damon (about his days in Beantown) to be interesting:

"I was such an integral part of that team, too. When I got there it was 25 guys and 25 cabs. Everybody was doing their own thing.

"I helped change the culture there. I helped them win a world championship. I made a difference on the field and in the clubhouse."

There's no way now to forecast the impact of Damon being out of the Sox clubhouse and moving to the Yankees clubhouse. In fact, do the Yankees even need help in the clubhouse?

I've heard whispers about there being a "Jeter's guys" and "A-Rod's followers" division in the Bronx. But, who knows, outside of those close to the team, if it's true?

Perhaps Damon can serve as some comic relief - ala' Mickey Rivers and/or Tim Raines - and act as a harmony unifier for the Yanks? And, perhaps his absence in Boston will be felt outside of the playing field?

We won't know the answers to this until some time this summer. But, it's worth keeping a pulse on once the season starts.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:35 PM | Comments (6)

Yanks Interested In Piazza?

From Newsday:

Mike Piazza has turned up on the Yankees' radar, of all places.

The Yankees have some interest in Piazza and will consider whether to offer the Cooperstown-bound catcher a contract, American League sources told Newsday yesterday.

Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano, has called Yankees general manager Brian Cashman regarding the free agent's interest in playing for the Yankees, and Cashman did not dismiss the offer.

On the contrary, it is expected that the Yankees soon will consider the merits of signing Piazza - primarily as a designated hitter - if they haven't already.

Reached yesterday by phone, Cashman, back from a rare Caribbean vacation, indicated that organizational higher-ups hadn't yet weighed the pros and cons of the Piazza possibility. But he didn't close the door at all.

"We're fairly set. Our designated hitter spot is taken by Bernie Williams and Andy Phillips. But I'll keep an open mind," Cashman said. "I'm always open to consider any possibility that may help the ballclub."

Memo to Cashman: Piazza is cooked. Didn't you read WasWatching.com last month? Pass. Please, pass!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:31 AM | Comments (6)

January 23, 2006

For Love Of My Country

Today's curious thought:

How many days until we hear/see the first Steiner Sports commercial for getting our "official" A-Rod and/or Jeter signed "Team USA" paraphernalia?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)

January 22, 2006

2005 Road Woe-is-me-ers

I was just looking at the team splits database over at BaseballMusings.com and I noticed this data for the Yankees, last season, on the road:

In 2005, the Yankees road On-Base Average was very low - according to their standards in recent seasons. And, clearly, the reason for this was the Yankees #1 and #9 batters in their order.

Three weeks ago, I mentioned that (perhaps) having Damon now (and having him bat lead-off) will cure the road issue at the top of the line-up.

But, the #9 slot - Wow! Something has to happen there. Last year, it was mostly Cano and Womack who batted 9th. But, combined, as #9 hitters, their OBA was still over .300 - overall. (I can't find the splits for home and the road. But, I do recall Cano being a good road hitter last year. Therefore, I don't think he hurt the team batting last on the road.)

So, who killed the Yankees when they batted last in the line-up?

Actually, it was Bernie Williams. In 50 PA as a #9 hitter, Bernie's OBA was .260 - overall. Yes, his On-Base Average, overall, was two-sixty when batting 9th last year. Maybe Bernie just couldn't get into it when he batted 9th?

Maybe I should re-think that idea of having the D.H. bat 9th for the Yankees this season?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:52 PM | Comments (2)

Jeff Maier Update

Baseball America just ran a nice story on Jeff Maier. From Jeff's mouth:

"My first priority is to the team," Maier said. "I believe we have the tools to compete and win the NESCAC. But as soon as I hang up my spikes at Wesleyan, the first thing I am going to be doing is waiting for a phone call from somebody saying they would like to take a chance with me and see what I can do (in pro ball)."

Watch out Red Lanning.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:11 PM | Comments (3)

Minding My P's and MLE's

Yesterday, I identified a half-dozen "rookie" (for the most part) pitchers who I think could help the Yankees at some point in 2006. And, then the question of "Why these and not some others?" came up.

To come up with my list, I used 2005 Major League Equivalencies (MLE) which is basically taking last year's minor stats and adjusting them to what the numbers would mean in terms of major league level performance. The source that I used for the MLE data was Ron Shandler's Baseball Forecaster 2006.

Related, I thought this would be a good time to look at the MLEs for some of the pitchers in the Yankees system. Here goes:

Jason Anderson - 2005 MLE ERA: 3.04
Colter Bean - 2005 MLE ERA: 3.67 (Nice, but, he walks too many batters)
Jorge DePaula - 2005 MLE ERA: 5.28 (But, note, this was a rehab year for him)
Matt DeSalvo - 2005 MLE ERA: 3.96
Sean Henn - 2005 MLE ERA: 3.17
Jeff Karstens - 2005 MLE ERA: 4.95
Charlie Manning - 2005 MLE ERA: 4.62
Ramon Ramirez - 2005 MLE ERA: 4.73
Eric Schmitt - 2005 MLE ERA: 6.54
Matt Smith - 2005 MLE ERA: 3.65
Jose Veras - 2005 MLE ERA: 4.26
Steven White - 2005 MLE ERA: 8.13

When you look at these numbers, I think it explains why I chose the pitchers that I did pick. Now, some might say "What about Phil Hughes, Christian Garcia, Tyler Clippard, Jeff Marquez, J. Brent Cox, and T.J. Beam (among others)?"

To that I would answer "How many innings have they logged at Double-A or above in 2005?"

Seriously, the jump from Double-A to Triple-A is huge for a pitcher. And, the jump from Triple-A to the Majors is even bigger than that. So, how can you expect someone who's never pitched at Double-A yet to be a help in the big leagues this year? That's asking a lot.

Now, personally, if someone like J. Brent Cox can make that leap in 2006 and help the big team, well, I would do a hand-stand out of sheer joy. But, I'm not going to count on it.

Of course, MLE ERAs are not fool-proof. Wang and Small had less than great 2005 MLE ERAs - and they pitched better at the major league level. But, neither of them were typical "bush leaguers" - as Small had major league experience and Wang pitched in big games for his country.

Still, based on the numbers, I like the chances of Henn and DeSalvo the most (out of all Yankees farm system pitchers) to be the ones to help at the major league level in 2006.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:10 PM | Comments (1)

January 21, 2006

Farm Aid 2006

Three days ago, I said that Randy Johnson just might be the most important player on the Yankees team in 2006.

Taking it a step further - I began to ponder today about who may be the most important player not on the Yankees 25-man roster (but still in the organization).

If I had to rank the prospects for this in order, I would list them as follows:

1. Sean Henn
2. Matt DeSalvo
3. Jorge DePaula
4. Matt Smith
5. Jose Veras
6. Jason Anderson

Let's face it - between the health status of Mussina, Wang, Pavano and Wright - coupled with the chance that Chacon reverts back to previous form - the Yankees are going to need someone from the minors to come up and help with the rotation at least once during this season.

Henn, DeSalvo and DePaula are probably the three pitchers in the system closest to being ready to make that leap. And, if none of them can do it, then someone like Small or Villone will have to step into the rotation and then a Smith, Veras or Anderson will need to come up to the majors and help out in the pen.

Yankees fans should watch these six pitchers very closely this Spring Training. Those in this group who do well just might be the Chien-Ming Wang or Aaron Small story of 2006.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:50 PM | Comments (7)

Jeter House Hunting?

From the CT Post:

Point Lookout resident Leslie Lang never gave much thought to rooting for the New York Yankees.

After all, her brothers are diehard fans of the Yanks' archrival, the Boston Red Sox.

But the persistent, albeit likely unfounded, local rumors that Derek Jeter, the Bronx Bombers' captain and star shortstop, is looking to buy a home in Lang's neighborhood has her reconsidering her attitude toward the Yankees.

"We are all kind of hoping that he will move here," Lang said. "But if there is a secret deal, I don't know about it."

Indeed, residents in the city's shoreline neighborhoods were experiencing a sort of Jeter-mania late this week, as word spread that the popular Yankee may have scoped out waterfront homes in Woodmont and Point Lookout, which offer some of the city's best Long Island Sound views.

Even if it's only hearsay, many residents Friday were having fun with the idea of Milford competing with Gold Coast towns like Greenwich and Westport in attracting celebrity home buyers. "We would welcome Derek Jeter to the neighborhood," said Point Lookout resident Pamela Staneski, a Board of Education member. "We would accept him like everybody else."

A representative for Jeter's agent, Casey Close, said Friday the rumor was false, but declined further comment. A Yankees' spokeswoman also declined comment.

I know Jeter has a house in Florida (next door to Gerald Williams). And, someone I work with once told me he was buidling a house in New Jersey near them - with one next to it for his parents and sister. It must be nice to have a place to flop in just about every state.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:36 AM | Comments (6)

Ron Shandler's Baseball Forecaster 2006

FYI, you might enjoy the review of Ron Shandler's Baseball Forecaster 2006 that I just did for NetShrine.com. Click here to read it.

It was a very good book. From a Yankees fan angle, it looks like we should be very concerned about Shawn Chacon's performance in 2006. According to their findings, he was very lucky in 2005.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:23 AM | Comments (8)

A-Rod & Sheff To Be In Charity Poker Tournament

From PokerMag.com:

Once again, another baseball star is putting his fame and celebrity aside and unlike his previous excursions into the world of poker that were so well documented by the New York City media, this time around, he's playing cards to help others.

A-rod is without a doubt one of the most well known of the New York Yankees and he draws the spotlight wherever he goes. On Saturday, January 21, 2006, A-rod and a host of other celebrities and athletes are set to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Miami in the 2nd Annual Dewar's 12 Hold'em Poker Tournament.

300 players will get the chance to mix it up with a "who's who" of A-list artists and athletes like Michael Jordan, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Lenny Kravits, Vin Diesel, Glenn Rice, and Gary Sheffield.

A-rod's sometimes playing buddy and poker legend Phil Hellmuth will act as emcee and will also be providing some tips when he's not busy with his announcing duties.

Held at one of Sotheby's International Realty's exclusive multi-million dollar listings on the private island of Indian Creek Village, the event is sure to be the talk of the town as players battle it out on the felt for the grand prize of a one year lease on a Mercedes-Benz C230WZ courtesy of Alex Rodriguez Mercedes-Benz.

Sometimes, I do wonder if it's just easier for these guys to write a check and then spend the day with their families instead. Actually, it shows more commitment to a cause when you fork over your own money rather than just lend your name and face to get others to spend their money.

Michael Kay always quotes Buck Showalter with the line of "If you do something good for someone, and somebody other than you and them knows about it, you have to question what your intention was really all about."

Part of me wants to question this whole charity poker thing - but, the other part says, well, at least the kids are getting something here. But, again, for A-Rod's rep, and the Yankees' as well, I just wish the players involved had thought of another theme to get this done.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:04 AM | Comments (0)

January 20, 2006

Mad Hatting

Am I the only person in the world who sometimes finds it strangely comforting to wear a baseball cap?

There's just something about the snugness of the cap-part itself that provides a feeling of protection and warmth that's associated with physical contact. And, the bill of the cap, when crowned properly, serves a mechanism that sharpens your desired focus by acting as quasi-blinders to any unwanted outside noise and/or distraction.

Then again, I've been under a tremendous amount of stress the last two weeks - so, maybe I'm just losing my mind?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:46 AM | Comments (12)

January 19, 2006

We Were On A Break

Theo Epstein will be returning to the Boston Red Sox.

I hope this reversal/return gets as much public poking, and is subject to joke after joke, as when the Yankees kept bringing back Billy Martin (in the days of the Big Stein Circus).

Hey, I guess it's true - once you go Lucchino, you can never leave-o.

Think about this for a minute. When someone who you work with quits, and then comes back to your firm weeks later, saying that they're happy to be back, etc., what's the general perception of them among the working staff? In one way or another, they're usually painted as being some sort of a baby, no?

It's like the person who moves out of their parents house and then moves back in years later. Fair or not, that person gets a label in the public eye. And, it's usually not a nice one.

Theo may be a bright guy and all that, but, I'm sorry here - he's gotta take some heat for pulling this three-sixty route. Perhaps his new handle should be: Baby Boomerang?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:06 PM | Comments (10)

Nando Mania

I recently had the pleasure to "chat" with Ferdinando (Nando) Di Fino of Fantasyland fame - who is also a Yankees fan. And, I thought others may enjoy what we had to say. Our exchange went as follows:

Before we get into your adventures in "Fantasyland," let's talk Yankees shop for a minute or two. When and why did you become a Yankees fan? How would you describe your level of Yankees fanaticism?

Nando: Since birth. Seriously, there are pictures of me in my crib with a Yankees hat on and tiny bat. I was born in May of '78, and, apparently, I was watching games by June. My younger brothers are all over the map--one is a Mets fan, one likes the Blue Jays (their AAA team plays in Syracuse, where we grew up), and another doesn't even watch baseball--but I was indoctrinated into Yankee fandom from the womb.

My level of fanaticism was pretty high going into college, and then reached new heights when I went to BC, if only to antagonize all the Red Sox fans who surrounded me.

Strangely, it got to the point where the Yankees were so dominant, and I had gone to so many Sox games just by being there and my roommates' parents giving us their season tickets (really good season tickets, too), I began to warm up a little to the Sox. That was when the Orioles, Indians, and Rangers really threatened the Yankees more than Boston did, anyway.

I couldn't--and still can't--stand the Sox fans, but I started to like their teams a little bit. My Yankees love never waned, but I did kind of like guys like Mo Vaughn, Pedro, and John Valentin.

Still, I'll hang up anything that says "Mattingly" on it in my apartment to this day, and refuse to drink before or during Yankee games at the Stadium (although I have no rules whatsoever for after), just so I can enjoy it without having to get up and pee every half-inning.

How difficult was it watching the Yankees play in Fenway? Did you ever watch a game there in Yankees garb? Any interesting tales from that experience?

Nando: I actually went to a couple Yankees games in Fenway, under a couple different sets of circumstances. The first time was freshman year in college (1996), and I went with a couple guys on the dorm floor who were also Yankees fans. We got the Standing Room Only seats off the street for something like 40 bucks each, and, immediately upon entering the stadium, heard it from every goateed Masshole in the stadium. "Yankees suck!" From everywhere. I used to hear that chant at BC football games, hockey games, and in random bars late at night. It's like some weird co-dependency thing they have with us.

Anyway, I kept my hat on for the entire game, and the fans--although annoying and with bad accents--didn't bump into us, or do anything besides their dumb chants and Jeter-bashing. And, this was in '96, before Jeter really even blew up.

The second time I went, I got to sit with my friend Bruno--a die-hard Sox fan--in the high-roller seats, next to Pedro's little brother, about six rows behind home plate. I had no Yankees gear on (images of that Seinfeld with the Orioles hat flashed through my head), and sat there in silence as the Yankees eventually won. Bruno called me a wuss for days, but even he knew it was probably the right thing to do. I will say this--Fenway is a park that everyone should probably go see a game in at least once. It just looks right, and isn't as big and cavernous as Yankee Stadium. Plus, you have to see the Green Monster in person. It's like seeing Paris Hilton or Tom cruise on the street--maybe not your favorite, but still pretty cool to see with your own two eyes.

This summer, when the Pirates came to Boston for interleague play, my friend Sias--who is a big, somehow, Pirates fan--convinced me to get dressed as a pirate (complete with eye patch, hat, parrot on the shoulder, fake beard, and plastic sword) and go to the game with him in Fenway. I obviously agreed, because I hate the Red Sox, so we hopped on the 2 PM Fung Wah bus ($15 each way from Chinatown to Chinatown) and were in full Pirate garb on Yawkey Way at about 6 PM, drinking Guinness and talking to every girl who walked by. He got the tickets through work, and, once again, we were sitting about FOUR rows behind home plate. We had all kinds of little kids asking for pictures with us, and we actually made some Red Sox season in review DVD. So, in a strange way, I managed to atone for that one game in the good seats where I had to stay quiet. Granted, the Pirates lost, and they weren't exactly the Yankees, but we still managed to get drunk in Fenway, hit on all kinds of girls because of our fake beards, and have a good time.

Ah, the difference between the Bronx and Boston. Just try to get into Yankee Stadium with a plastic sword! Heck, just try and get into Yankee Stadium with a plastic water bottle. While you were in fake beard, etc., did any of the kids or girls ask if you had a Johnny Damon fetish? Somewhat related, as a Yankees fan, what are you thoughts on the acquisition of Damon?

Nando: My friend actually tried a couple days before to bring it in to Yankee Stadium (yeah, he went for the double dip of Pirates/Yankees and Sox/Yankees). Not only did they take the sword, but they made him take the beard off, too. He put it back on when he got in, and security stopped him inside and told him to take it off again.

No Johnny Damon comments in Fenway. I think the fact that we had gone as far as the eye patch and fake parrot may have thrown them off a little bit.

I hate to say this, and hope I am wrong, but I would have liked to have seen us go after Torii Hunter harder, maybe even going so far as to give up Cano for him, and then grab Nomar or someone to play second.

Throughout our last dynasty, we did it with a myriad of guys at second--Knoblauch, Sojo, Duncan, Soriano--but we always had a solid Bernie in center.

I like Damon, and I got just as pumped as anyone when he said he'd run through walls for the Yankees, but he has a little injury history, and is older than Hunter, and has a pretty weak arm. It's great to take a jab at the Sox like that, but I don't think there's a CF in the game who compares to Hunter.

Granted, they actually may have tried, and then gone for Rowand or a couple other younger guys. But Damon is legit. He'll drop Jeter back to where he's comfortable in the lineup (although he was a great leadoff hitter), and will piss off Sox fans, which is always fun. I would have liked to see someone out there in their 20's, who they could sign to a long deal, and we could get used to and who won't be 36 at the end of the contract, but I am fine with Damon running around. I like how he's already embraced the Pinstripes.

How have your aforementioned Sox fan friends taken to Damon's move?

Nando: It's funny you ask...I just got back from a weekend in Boston. They are beyond anger, shock, or disbelief--it's like they are ignoring it until one of these rumored trades (Gathright, Reed, etc) comes through, and all will be well and good.

I had the pleasure of being there when the Patriots lost, so I got to needle them about their Pats losing, AND then asking how it felt to have Crespo at short, and no centerfielder. Usually they get all fired up about it, but it's more regsignation now than anything else. The most they could muster was, "Our bullpen is going to be awesome...we just got Tavarez," and then tried to change the subject to Kyle Farnsworth or Miguel Cairo. Or, the $209 million number again. They also showed me some bookmarked page of a guy burning and burying his Damon jersey in his backyard... It's definitely a good time to be a Yankees fan in Boston right now.

I've seen that website. It's pretty funny. OK, here's something that I'm curious about - say that it's November 2004, and you're in an elevator and an old friend just enters. It's someone who you have not seen since the year before. And, they say to you "So, how was your summer?" How would you answer in the time that you had left before reaching your floor?

Nando: Have you ever noticed that we Yankee fans don't really get burned like that? Pettitte was probably the only one to pull that in recent memory, but there weren't too many people burning his jersey and burying it in his backyard...

Explaining 2004's summer? I've been working on a book project with this guy from the Wall Street Journal, about fantasy baseball. No, not where you play against old Yankees...it's Rotisserie, like where you pick teams with your friends. Yeah, he played in the hardest league in the world, and used all his contacts and inside information to try and win. I did get to meet Garth Brooks, actually. He was in Spring Training with the Royals.

Oh yeah, it was crazy. I pretty much worked 16 hour days and stayed up until the last out of the last west coast game was made every night. No, I don't remember what my family looks like...why? Have you seen them? Can you give them this note for me? Oh, this is your floor? It was good talking to you, too... Next year? Definitely the White Sox. I'd say against the Astros...

Hey, I still have my Pettitte jersey! Sixteen hour days? But, did it really seem like work?

Nando: Hahaha...yeah, I guess I could empathize with Pettitte, too... he just wanted to go close to home and get out of New York... it was pretty much an open secret that he was going to Houston, kind of like Damon coming to New York.

But Boston lost Damon and Joe Thornton in something like a two-week period? How funny is that? Could you imagine if the Celtics did something like trade Scalabrine and Paul Pierce for Iverson? They'd burn down the city.

Are you a Boston-hater, too?

The 2004 season was definitely not hard work. I flew to Vegas for the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, went to Arizona for three days to watch games and interview players, and was sent to a Yankees/Red Sox game to stuff the All Star ballot boxes with the players on our team. However, once that last out was made, we switched to edit/factcheck mode... that was probably the yin to the season's yang. I remember sending Sam an e-mail at 6 AM with a file I had fact-checked, just as I was about to go to bed, and he called me two minutes later, saying he had about four more hours of writing to go until he was going to sleep. I slept for about four hours, woke up, and there were two new files waiting for me. Still, I was fact-checking things like the correct plural usage of "Poland Spring," and the state in which Shaeffer beer is made.

There were long hours and a lot of work, but it was all pretty fun, and I rolled through every Roto and fantasy league the next year because of it...

I've got nothing against the city and residents of Boston. Now, the Red Sox organization, well, I think there are some things there not to like - in my opinion.

What's the one story, from your relationship with Sam Walker during the "Fantasyland" experience, that you will never forget as long as you live?

Nando: That's actually pretty funny. I started to like what they were doing with Theo in there, but just couldn't stand the fans...I am your doppelganger.

I don't think I will ever forget being in the Kansas City locker room during spring training. Sam wanted to follow Jason Grey--one of the main characters--around the locker room, just to see how he goes about interviewing players, and what questions he'd ask. But he didn't really go over what he wanted me to do. So, we get in the locker room, and Sam immediately deserts me to follow Grey around. I go to Joe Randa and Tony Graffanino, and they tell me to come back after the game.

Now, this is my first MLB locker room experience. I had been backstage for a ton of concerts with all kinds of musicians and singers (although on the production and booking side, not having anything to do with journalism), thanks to a job I had before this, but nothing really prepares you for going in there with a pad and tape recorder, with very little guidance or ammunition.

So, I start copying down the quotes they had framed on the walls. Eventually, I run out. Just at that moment, DJ Carrasco comes over, pulls a water out of the fridge, points to his shirt, and reads it off to me, "Together, we can!" I walked with him back to his locker, and asked him a ton of questions, ranging from why he wasn't in MLB 2004 (he was a Rule V draftee and not on the 40-man at the time) to how his sidearm pitch was developing. I had seen him a few times on TV, when I was scoring games for SportsTicker in grad school, so I knew a little bit about him. He instantly became my favorite MLB player.

Two minutes later, Garth Brooks walks by, and just starts up a conversation. My roommate in college was from New Orleans, and used to blast "Callin Baton Rouge" every Saturday morning to wake us up for football game tailgates, so I told him that story, and we got on to talking about everything. Before I knew it, Jason Grimsley and Curtis Leskanic had gotten in on the conversation, and we went on for a good fifteen minutes about touring, Leskanic's dollar value in an AL-only auction, and Grimsley's tattoos.

Eventually, we had to exit the locker room, as the game was starting, but I found out that Sam was waiting for me to finish up, I met up with him, he asked me what I had, and it was a notebook full of notes on video games, racing cars, and then a listing of every player Brian Anderson had on his fantasy football team. And, Carrasco was a member of out Tout Wars team that season, and again in 2005. I'm not sure it was the crowning achievement of my time in the book process, but I will definitely remember the KC locker room for a long time, and will probably follow Carrasco's stats in Japan as long as he plays there.

In the "Fantasyland" saga, you were in charge of collecting the non-quantifiable information on players - like you did in K.C. Is this something that you still find yourself doing today?

Nando: Oh, definitely. I have gotten in the habit of reading more biographical stuff about players than getting lost in the statistics. If I end up with Chris Snelling on my team, for instance, it will be more because he signs his autograph with "Yoda" underneath it than because of his OPS in the minors. Granted, he hit .370 in AAA last year, which I don't ignore, but I think a lot of the extracurriculars kind of reflect an approach to the game that could be beneficial. A guy like Snelling plays hard, has a wide-open approach to everything, and uses Jedi wisdom to push himself.

If everything else is pretty much even--or close to being even--I'd take that any day over a lot of the Trot Nixon "Jesus Christ hit that homerun" kind of guys. It just makes your team a little easier to root for and follow throughout the season.

Are you still keeping a database on this type of information?

Nando: No...Hunchmaster 2021 [database] was the last version, and that pretty much ended right after the draft.

There were way too many elements in there that we would have needed a press pass for...like "clubhouse chemistry" or "personality"...it would probably be unwise to guess on a lot of this stuff, because we aren't going to locker rooms anymore.

There is a pitcher for the Tigers (now), Jason Grilli, who Sam met in the locker room when he was pitching with the White Sox in Spring Training, and he was just the nicest guy, and got a Hunchmaster bump because of that. Or Bill Mueller. Or Sidney Ponson. There are just things like that you can't really quantify without being there.

But I still keep up with some of it. I mean, you look at stuff like Leo Mazzone going to the Orioles, and then they trade for LaTroy Hawkins, while letting B.J. Ryan go. So you start to think there may be something behind that. Or the Yankees, real quietly, throw Joe Kerrigan in there as bullpen coach, so you'd expect a new approach from a lot of the guys this year. He was regarded as a genius in Boston before he took over as manager.

See, this is the trip around my head. I don't have the actual Hunchmaster spreadsheet working anymore, but I think in that manner, and know which players I like, and which players are just kind of bland and unexciting.

So, what are you up to these days - with that information in your head?

Nando: Well, about halfway through the book, Matt Berry asked me to write for him, so I joined the staff at Talented Mr. Roto and have been there for about a year.

I finished second in Tout Wars Mixed last year as a last-minute replacement. I unwittingly became the personal oracle for one of my old roommates for his fantasy baseball teams--I get about five e-mails a day from him, asking who he should pick up, or if he should accept proposed trades; and I am now just waiting for the book to come out, to see if more people feel that Hunchmaster or the "SigScale" is the way to go.

I still talk to Sig on a regular basis, and Sam pretty much every day. I helped him run the Street Walkers last year, and will probably end up doing the same this season, too.

My life is ruled by fantasy baseball, Steve. If you haven't noticed.

Girls just nod and look for an exit route when I start explaining how I spent 18 months of my life working on a book "about fantasy baseball," and I remember sitting in an office in New Orleans last summer, scrolling through Rotoworld for our FAAB moves, while all my friends were at Pat O'Brien's getting drunk.

Still, it was 18 months on fantasy baseball, and I'd probably do it again, given the chance...
___________________________________________

That's the end of it. A huge "WasWatching.com" thanks goes out to Nando for his time and allowing me to share our discourse. And, make sure to pick up Fantasyland when it comes out next month - it's a great book.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:08 AM | Comments (1)

January 18, 2006

Can't Miss

I've been trying to think of the one Yankees player this season that the team cannot afford to lose for one-third of the season or so.

On offense, I think, if they lost one of the big guns - even if it was A-Rod - there's enough guys to cover it.

Maybe Sheffield out of all the hitters is most key? He is, to me, the Yankees "Oh, Crap!" guy. By this, I mean, when he comes up in a big spot, the fans of the other team says "Oh, Crap!" - like I do now when Manny or Ortiz is batting against the Yanks (or when guys like Harold Baines and Kirk Gibson batted against New York in their prime).

But, even if Sheff was out for 50 or 60 games, I think they could survive.

So, what about Mo? Well, in a span of 60ish games, Rivera might pitch 25 times. I have to think that The Farns & Friends could baby sit the 9th for a couple of dozen games.

The more that I think about it, I want to say that Randy Johnson is the one guy who the Yankees cannot lose for two months or more this year. He's the one stud in the rotation. Even if the rest of the rotation goes something like 62-58 this season, Johnson can make that O.K. by throwing in an 18-8 record. But, if Unit misses a dozen starts, he's not going to be 18-8 this year. Therefore, right now, I think Randy Johnson is the one guy that the Yankees will miss the most in 2006 - if he's out for a couple of months or more.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:54 PM | Comments (2)

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

Last night, I watched American Idol for the first time ever. And, while I'm not sure if I will watch it again, last night I wished that there was no age limit on the wannabes - because I would love to audition and sing:

Katie Casey was base ball mad.
Had the fever and had it bad;
Just to root for the home town crew,
Ev'ry sou Katie blew.
On a Saturday, he young beau
Called to see if she'd like to go,
To see a show but Miss Kate said,
"No, I'll tell you what you can do."

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

Why? Just to say that I did it. And, I would wear a Yankees cap in the process. It would look a lot better than some of the stuff that I saw last night, for sure.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:26 PM | Comments (0)

Carl Pavano Speaks

From the Courant:

Pavano appeared uncomfortable with the large number of reporters following the Yankees, something the front office hopes will improve.

"I don't think any [off the field issues] held him back," Cashman said. "It was all because he was hurt."

As Pavano struggled, he was also adjusting to life as a high-profile New Yorker, a radical change from his previous addresses, including Southington, Montreal and Miami.

"That was a big adjustment for me, learning how to get around in the city," Pavano said. "I'm a lot more comfortable with that now."

OK, the reporters are one thing. But, this is a guy who dated TV stars - and had the media spotlight before with that. And, Miami is a big/hopping city too (just warmer than NYC). Sounds like excuses to me.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:16 AM | Comments (1)

January 17, 2006

One Down, Two To Go

A-Rod is going to play for the U.S. in the WBC.

Reportedly, millions are now sleeping better at night with the disclosure of this news. And, this only leaves the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, and the Riddle of the Sphinx, as great unresolved cosmic mysteries.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:23 PM | Comments (1)

Arbitration News

From the AP:

Shawn Chacon asked the New York Yankees for $4.15 million in salary arbitration on Tuesday and Aaron Small requested $1.45 million.

New York offered $3.1 million to Chacon and $1,025,000 to Small.

Gosh, if I'm Cashman, I call up Small's agent and say "Here's $1.2 - let's get this done." And, I bet that would be grabbed quickly. Shoot, I'd do the same with Shawnie and make the number $3.6 mill.

It would be a shame for these two to end in a hearing - since they're close.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:11 PM | Comments (0)

January 16, 2006

2006 Nicknames

Last year, I gave you "Obi Wang." So, I decided to throw out some nominations now for nicknames to use this season, with the hope that some of them stick.

Jorge "Bare Hands" Posada

I've always thought this should be Jorge's handle - considering that he never wears batting gloves (and uses a homemade hand-toughener).

Jason "Neoprene" Giambi

Let's face it, the guy needs a wet suit.

Robinson "Tippy" Cano

Works when you pronounce his last name the way that Jeter refers to him.

Alex "Abner" Rodriguez

I always thought A-Rod was too J-Lo-ish. "Abner" fits on many levels - from "thinking you invented the game" to the incredible likeness to the Al Capp creation.

Derek "Cupid" Jeter

Who broke my heart?
You did, you did.
Bow to the target,
Blame Cupid, Cupid.
You think you're smart,
Stupid, Stupid.
Shoot that poison arrow to my heart,
Shoot that poison arrow.

Hideki "Simba" Matsui

Tough one here - considering that Godzilla is such a cool handle. But, I'm sorry, if you're going to wear your hair ala' a late '70's Ted Simmons, you're going to be called Simba by me.

Johnny "Happy" Damon

Only because I think he's the mental reincarnation of Happy Felsch.

Gary "Shaft" Sheffield

Simply because he's one bad mother - - shut your mouth!

Bernie "Keanu" Williams

If Telemundo ever does a TV-version of Bill & Ted, Bernie's gotta get the part as Ted Logan.

I'll start working on the bench players another day.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:25 PM | Comments (1)

Best Yankees Team

Roger Weber uses the stats to pick the best team ever. Personally, I think there's a difference between best team and best season.

Still, no matter how you slice it, it would be cool to see the 1998 Yankees play the 1939 Yankees, no?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:22 PM | Comments (0)

Taking A Regular Turn Helps

Here's a prediction: If the 2006 Yankees do not have at least three members of their starting rotation make 30+ starts this year, they will not reach the World Series. Why? Check the history of the Torre Era:

Other than 2000, any time the Torre-Yankees have failed to have at least 3 SP with 30+ starts, they have not reached the Series. And, for the record, in 2000, Cone and El Duque each had 29 starts - so, they came very close to getting three pitchers with at least 30 in that season.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:25 AM | Comments (2)

January 15, 2006

Sox Loretta On Beckett

From the Republican:

"To me, Beckett was the toughest starter in the National League," said Loretta, who came to the Sox from San Diego. "Put him with Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Matt Clement and Bronson Arroyo, and that's five deep rotation right there."

I guess Loretta never faced Roger Clemens or Andy Pettitte last season - or Dontrelle Willis, or Chris Carpenter, or Pedro Martinez, or Roy Oswalt, or that Smoltz guy in Atlanta.......

Anywho, while I still wouldn't mind seeing Beckett on the Yankees staff this year instead of Pavano or Mussina, I don't think he's going to be the "ace" that some in Boston think he will be........

My prediction: 32 starts, 200 IP, and an ERA of 3.95.

Like I said, I would take that on the 2006 Yankees in a heartbeat. But, Josh is still not the next coming of Pedro.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:42 AM | Comments (5)

Sturtze Hurtz?

From Newsday:

Tanyon Sturtze took his late 2005 right shoulder woes seriously enough to spend his offseason in Manhattan so he could make thrice-weekly visits to a Columbia-Presbyterian specialist. Tests showed the Yankees reliever's pitching shoulder to be "worn down and weak," Sturtze said Friday at Mohegan Sun.

He was scheduled to fly to Tampa today so he could attempt to throw off a mound this week at the club's minor-league complex.

The Yankees very much need a healthy Sturtze, given that Kyle Farnsworth is guaranteed to be a colossal flop and Octavio Dotel is no guarantee to get healthy.

While I do not agree with Davidoff's take on The Farns, this news on T.S. is concerning. I've already gone on record about the need for all hands to be on deck and effective in the pen this year.

Given the age/issues/questions around the Yankees starters this season, the 7th inning is going to be a very important frame, on defense, in Yankeeland this year. You do not want Myers and/or Villone facing RHP batters in close games in the 7th. So, if Sturtze is out, then it's up to Small and Wright. Yikes. Maybe this explains the Nelson interest.

Then again, maybe a Veras or Proctor could come out of the darkness and help be part of the puzzle?

And, yes, I have not forgotten about Dotel. Sorry, until we know that he can lift his right arm for sure, I cannot count on him.

Poor Sturtze - another victim of the Torre Burn'em Till Death plan. Let's hope it's not as fatal as it might be for him and the team.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:59 AM | Comments (4)

January 14, 2006

The Cost Of Posada In 2007

From the New York Times:

Some speculators thought the Yankees might trade Posada and sign Molina, but Cashman scoffed at the idea.

"We've never tried to trade Jorge Posada," he said. "I've had teams express some interest in him, but I've never picked up the phone and made a proposal for Jorge Posada. But that's been written about quite often."

The theory behind the idea that the Yankees would trade the 34-year-old Posada stems from the option in his contract for the 2007 season. If he is the starting catcher in 81 games next season, the option becomes guaranteed for $12 million and he receives an option year in 2008 with $4 million guaranteed.

In addition, 87 days into next season, June 27, Posada becomes a 10-5 player (10 years in the majors, the last 5 with the same club) and gains trade-veto rights.

"When you assess the market," Cashman said, "Posada is one of the premier catchers in the game even though his numbers might be declining. If he's with us the next two years, we'll be comfortable with that. My concern isn't what am I going to do having Jorge. My concern is what are we going to do when we don't have Jorge."

It's bad enough to consider Posada's decline in 2006 - but to think that it also means that the Yankees will have to pay him another $16 million dollars after that.....wow. Did the person who came up with this contract clause ever think to look at Jorge's birth certificate?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:38 PM | Comments (1)

Shawn Hearts N.Y.

From CBS Sportsline ten days ago:

Who had the better New Year's Eve: New York Yankees pitcher Shawn Chacon or ex-Philadelphia Eagles receiver Terrell Owens? You be the judge.

Chacon partied at the Hard Rock hotel and he was surrounded by the likes of Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton and Scarlett Johansson. Not a bad crop of 20-something hotties. You'd think Chacon was Derek Jeter!

Somehow, I don't see this happening for Shawn the Rockie.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)

13,353

No, it's not a song from Rent. It's the number of batters faced by Red Ruffing while he wore a Yankees uniform - the most ever by a Yankees pitcher.

I have to think, if some were asked, what Yankees pitcher faced the most batters all-time, most would have guessed "Whitey Ford." And, Ford was close - he's second all-time with 13,036.

Call me crazy, but, I don't think we'll ever see someone break this record. That's a lot of batters.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:54 PM | Comments (1)

January 13, 2006

Contact!

Only two Yankees players have had 9+ seasons of 500+ AB with <=50 K's:

Don Mattingly (9) and Joe DiMaggio (10).

Now, for fun, add 15+ HRs to the equation and look in the entire history of the American League.

How many AL batters have had at least 7 seasons with 500+AB/<=50Ks/>=15 HRs? The answer - just three, all Yankees:

Joe DiMaggio (10) and Yogi Berra & Don Mattingly (each with 7).

Al Simmons, Al Kaline, Goose Goslin, and Lou Gehrig did it 6 times. Ted Williams, Charlie Gehringer, Bobby Doerr and Earl Averill are the only AL'ers to do it 5 times.

Source: Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:16 PM | Comments (0)

Zingler Strikes Again!

Four months ago, I found a Zingler rant. Looks like he is still pissin' and moanin' about the Yankees:

The Yankees sign Johnny Damon.

King George's empire was in such desperate need of starting pitching that they went out and signed Johnny Damon. They also made him cut his hair because they are all class, in that owner throwing public tantrums, hiring mobsters to tail players and wasting money like a drunken rock star kind of way.

Turns out that he's from Minneapolis. I suppose this is what happens to you when you live in a town where the baseball owner pockets all his money - you take shots at the other owners who spend. Sad.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:34 PM | Comments (3)

Way To Go Mo!

If, in 2006, Mariano Rivera does what he's been doing for the last three years - meaning throw 70+ IP with an ERA under 2, he'll become the first pitcher since the late 1960's to throw 70+ IP with a sub-2 ERA for four years in a row.

Hoyt Wilhelm was the last guy - and actually did it for five years in a row: 1964-68.

Before Wilhelm, the last one to do this for four years (or more) in a row was Walter Johnson who did it for 7 years in a row, 1910-16, and, of course, throwing a lot more than 70 IP a season.

Nice company Mo, if you can do it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:16 PM | Comments (0)

Derek and the WBC

From SI:

{Jeter} On the World Baseball Classic: "If I get selected it would be a huge honor. We'll see what happens."

Is Derek kidding? Does he really think they would leave him off the team?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:19 AM | Comments (4)

January 12, 2006

Jeff Nelson Return?

From the Star Ledger:

Following the adage that you can never have too much pitching, the Yankees are talking about bringing back another old friend.

Free-agent reliever Jeff Nelson and the Yankees have had conversations about a minor-league deal that would bring Nelson to spring training next month in Tampa, Fla., with a chance to make the major-league roster. It's unclear how close it is to happening, as there are other teams (including the St. Louis Cardinals) interested in Nelson, and those other teams might be willing to guarantee more money than the Yankees are.

"I've had a conversation with him about a nonroster invitation," was all Yankees GM Brian Cashman would say about Nelson yesterday.

Please, let him go somewhere else. He's 39 - and has not had above average value since 2001. Mendoza is a flier. How many fliers do you need?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:09 AM | Comments (9)

January 11, 2006

Gossage & Rivera II

Goose Gossage, as a Yankee, finished 85.3% of the games that he appeared in - meaning that when he came into the game, he was there for the final out 85.3% of the time.

Mariano Rivera, as a Yankees closer - meaning from 1997 through 2005 - finished his games 91% of the time.

I find it interesting that the the "closer" from 1978 to 1983 was not always the guy to finish the game. Clearly, back in that day, once the game was one-way or the other, the rule was to pull your "closer" and save him for another day - instead of always letting him go to the last out (like Mo does now).

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:55 PM | Comments (7)

New Stadium Plans Snafu du Jour

At some point, I sorta wish they would just say screw it and move to New Jersey and built it on a swamp somewhere. I'd almost rather see that than have to listen to all the pols and the wannabes grandstanding on everything.

But, it will never happen. Big Stein doesn't want that on his tombstone - that he moved the Yankees out of New York. He knows what happened to Walter O'Malley's legacy.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:48 AM | Comments (5)

January 10, 2006

Gossage & Rivera

From 1978 through 1983, Goose Gossage pitched in 308 games for the Yankees and allowed 2.72 less base runners per 9 IP than the A.L. average. This was 2nd in the league for that time period - following Dan Quisenberry at 2.77.

From 1995 through 2005, Mo Rivera pitched in 657 games for the Yankees and allowed 3.58 less base runners per 9 IP than the A.L. average. This was 3rd in the league for that time period - following Pedro Martinez at 3.94 and Keith Fouke at 3.60.

Dan Quisenberry and Keith Fouke. Go figure.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:52 PM | Comments (0)

Former Yankees Farm Hand's Dad Elected To Hall

In 1999, I went to see a Staten Island Yankees game - this is when they played at the College of Staten Island - and sitting way out in the CF bleachers, with this wife, was Bruce Sutter and his wife. They were there to see their son, Chad Sutter, play for the Yankees. (Chad was catching that night.)

I wanted to go out there and say hello - but, it was obvious that, based on the distance that they were from the other fans at the game, they wanted to be left alone.

It was nice to see a "star" that into his kid's career - enough to make the trip to a college field on Staten Island. It enables you to know that Sutter is just like the rest of us. (If my kid plays pro-ball, I too would travel, no matter what the distance, to go see him play.)

Thinking of this, I have to wonder if Chad will make the trip to Cooperstown for his dad? Yeah, right, he'll be there - wouldn't you?

Bruce Sutter had some nasty stuff. There's another pitcher in baseball history that compares well to him - but, if you want to know, you should read "The Baseball Same Game." Ironically, this other pitcher is not in Cooperstown - although many feel that he should be there.

In any event, it's always good to see nice things happen to an extended member of the Yankees family!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)

January 09, 2006

Missed One, Don't Miss Another!

From USA Today:

Free agent outfielder Todd Hollandsworth agreed Monday to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.

OK, I'm bummed on the Hollandsworth news. Man, the Indians are going to be tough this year - their front office is good.

But, also from the USA Today:

The Milwaukee Brewers designated infielder Russell Branyan for assignment Monday, making room for new third baseman Corey Koskie.

Branyan played 85 games for the Brewers last season, hitting .257 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI. He has a career .232 batting average with 93 home runs and 238 RBI in 536 games. Milwaukee has 10 days to trade, release or send him outright to the minors.

Branyan whiffs - a lot. But, last year he killed RHP (with an OPS of .943 in over 200 PA). He can back-up at 3B, 1B, and (in a pinch) the OF. He would be perfect "DH Insurance" should the Yankees options at DH fail this spring.

If used correctly, Branyan could be a plus to have on the bench.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:36 PM | Comments (6)

Batting Pratice, Tomorrow, Be There

By accident, I just came across a post that I made over at the NetShrine Discussion Forum - four years ago - and, believe it or not, I still feel the same way today! Here's the gist of it:

I was talking with a couple of co-workers (also Yankee fans) about Rondell White yesterday.

The issue of his leg (hamstring, groin) problems came up - - and I offered that the Yankees do a great job of stretching before games, asking my buds if they ever saw the players working out with huge rubberbands (during BP) behind 1B. (The thought was that perhaps White may have less pulls with the NY routine.)

These guys are 11-15 years my junior (ouch!) and they looked at me laughing and said something like "Dude, anytime before the start of the game, we're outside the stadium drinking - - not inside watching batting practice."

The more I thought about this, the more I thought about how much I love to watch BP.

There's so much going on - - players BSing, taking cuts, playing catch, kidding with fans, media folk walking around, guys shagging or taking INF, etc. - - it's a crazy mix of informal and formal activities, I dunno, I just love it.

Maybe it's being in the park with so few people there yet? Maybe it's one of the few "quiet times" in my life that I actually get to enjoy?

Coincidentally, I had a somewhat stressful day at work today - and I know that tomorrow in the office is going to be worse. Man, what I would give for a little BP up at the Stadium right about now............

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:14 PM | Comments (2)

Toby Hall In 2007?

Posada should be done with the Yankees after the 2007 season. Toby Hall will be a Free Agent after the 2007 season. Hall plays where Big Stein lives.

Yes, Hall is a very ineffective batter - probably the worst among A.L. catchers the last three years. But, the same could have been said about Joe Girardi coming into 1996 (subbing N.L. for A.L.).

Why do I think Toby Hall will be a member of the New York Yankees in 2008?

Brian Schneider is also scheduled to be a Free Agent after 2007. I'd rather see New York make a run at him. He would be a much better pick to take over for Jorge.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:35 PM | Comments (0)

Future Yankees

BaseballAmerica.com has a listing for the current Top 10 Yankees Prospects. As their story states:

In the last two years, New York has added high-end prospects at the lower levels with international signings and a more aggressive approach in the draft. The organization has potential impact bats such as outfielders Jose Tabata and Austin Jackson and infielders C.J. Henry and Eduardo Nunez, as well as intriging arms in Hughes, Christian Garcia and Jeff Marquez. Loaded Yankees affiliates won championships in the short-season New York-Penn and Rookie-level Gulf Coast leagues, but most of their best talent has yet to play above the Class A level.

Sounds like that's right on schedule.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:21 AM | Comments (3)

January 08, 2006

Ben Davis

I just noticed now that the Yankees signed Ben Davis to a minor league deal and invited him to Spring Training.

I know that the Yankees are very thin at catcher in the minors. And, I know that Davis was once a hyped, hot-shot, prospect. But, this is a waste of money.

This is a guy who blew three shots at big league jobs because of his two-cent head. He's a terrible person to have on the roster because of his bad attitude compounded by a lack of I.Q.

Oh, and, he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat and is a bad catcher. Letting this guy wear Yankees pinstripes, even in Spring Training, is just flat out wrong.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:29 AM | Comments (6)

January 07, 2006

Fast Take Out

Johnny Damon is a very good base stealer. This made me wonder: What other great lead-off type base stealers have the Yankees acquired in the past - and what impact did it have on the team?

Basically, before the Damon deal, the Yankees have acquired 5 "lead-off base stealer" types: Mickey Rivers, Willie Randolph, Rickey Henderson, Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch.

And, for the purposes of this study, I'm going to throw out Randolph - because he was not a "proven" big leaguer at the time that he was acquired (like the other players here).

After getting Rivers, the Yankees won 2 rings in the four years that he was in New York.

The Yankees finished 17 games out of 1st the year before Henderson joined the team. In the 1st four years that he was with the team, the Yankees averaged 90 wins a season. He was traded during his 5th Yankees season - a year in which the team finished 14.5 games out of first.

Steve Sax was with the Yankees from 1989 through 1991. While he was in New York, the Yankees averaged 91 losses a year.

And, most people know the story about Knoblauch - he was in New York for 4 seasons and during that time the Yankees won 3 rings and came darn close on a fourth.

In summary, other than Steve Sax, acquiring a lead-off base stealer has usually meant good things for the Yankees. I hope that Damon keeps this trend the same.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:34 PM | Comments (5)

January 06, 2006

The Healthy Carl Pavano

How many times in Yankeeland have you heard "If Carl Pavano is healthy next/this year........."?

Well...what? What should we expect from a healthy Carl Pavano? To that end, I decided to take the average of Pavano's last two injury-free seasons:

Now, this is a tad misleading since these were stats that Carl posted as a member of the Marlins (in a home park that favored pitchers). If you adjust his ERA for this fact, it should be a number closer to 3.92 (than 3.61).

And, if you consider that ERAs are usually higher in the A.L. - because of the DH - then you need to make another adjustment. For me, I would make that 3.92 ERA closer to 4.18 in the A.L.

And, what was Carl Pavano's A.L. ERA in 2005? It was 4.77.

That's pretty close to 4.18, isn't it? Which, then, brings up that question again - was Pavano really hurt last year? Or, did he just check out because of some issues causing him to be unhappy? It sure seems like he was pitching at a level to be expected. Oh, well, we'll probably never know - or won't know until he's no longer a Yankee.

Back to point, if Pavano is healthy this year, the expectation should be to see about 200 IP with an ERA slightly over 4, and to expect anything else (better) would be extreme wishful thinking.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:30 PM | Comments (3)

The Babe Before "The" Babe

On May 31, 1913, the Yankees traded a then lackadaisical Hal Chase to the White Sox for infielder Rollie Zeider and first baseman Babe Borton.

Babe Borton would go on to play in 33 games for the Yankees that season - batting a whopping .130 in 131 Plate Appearances. (His SLG% in New York was .148.) The following season, "Babe" was not in the majors. (For what it's worth, two years later, both Borton and Chase would be starring in the Federal League together.)

The moral of the story? You can chase for a babe, but, it may be less than what you Borton for........

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:31 PM | Comments (1)

January 05, 2006

Aaron Bleeping Boone

Why does Aaron Boone's strikeout in the 11th inning of Game 4 of the 2003 World Series still piss me off now, 807 days later?

It's like a splinter in my mind!

OK, thanks for listening.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:53 PM | Comments (8)

The 2nd Greatest Yankee Panamanian?

The Yankees, from 1989 through 1992, were a bad baseball team. The never played .500 ball in any of those years and were usually 20 games out of first by the end of the season. When thinking of those teams, and the best player on them, the conventional wisdom is to say "Poor Don Mattingly, he had to play on all those bad teams."

But, check out this data via the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia:

Was Don Mattingly the best player on those bad teams?

It's not the runaway that people assume. Roberto Kelly was right up there with Donnie Baseball those seasons - in terms of productivity.

Maybe we should start thinking about poor Roberto?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:07 PM | Comments (7)

Hot Cornered Question

Today's question, class, is: At what point does Alex Rodriguez become the greatest third baseman in Yankees history? Some batting stats, via the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia:

The key seems to be: At what point does A-Rod's offensive greatness make up for the difference in games played between him and Graig Nettles?

Personally, I think three more Yankees-years under his belt should do it for Alex. It just seems like a guy should play for a team for at least 5 years before you can say he is their greatest "whatever" of all-time.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)

January 04, 2006

PECOTA: Farns Good, Damon Bad

From the Chicago Tribune:

What is PECOTA thinking for 2006? Silver sees a big upside for pitchers B.J. Ryan, A.J. Burnett and Kyle Farnsworth, and Tampa Bay outfielder Aubrey Huff, who has been mentioned in numerous trade rumors. He's not as excited about Thome ("when a guy hits his 30s and starts getting injured, they keep getting injured") or Johnny Damon, who recently left the Boston Red Sox and signed a four-year, $52 million contract with the New York Yankees ("He'll miss Fenway"). PECOTA sees Damon hitting .290 with 13 homers and 68 RBIs next season, and then declining slowly over the next five years.

No word on what PECOTA thinks A-Rod will now do in the WBC.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)

In The Year, Twenty Oh Eight

The year 2008 will be the last year of Brian Cashman's current contract - and, reportedly, the last year of the current Yankee Stadium. Presently there are 7 players on the Yankees roster who will still be under contract in 2008:

*Jason Giambi, who will be 37 in 2008, scheduled to make $21 million that year.
*Johnny Damon, who will be 35 in 2008, scheduled to make $13 million that year.
*Hideki Matsui, who will be 35 in 2008, scheduled to make $13 million that year.
*Derek Jeter, who will be 34 in 2008, scheduled to make $20 million that year.
*Alex Rodriguez, who will be 32 in 2008, scheduled to make $19 million that year (from the Yankees).
*Carl Pavano, who will be 32 in 2008, scheduled to make $11 million that year.
*Kyle Farnsworth, who will be 32 in 2008, scheduled to make $5.5 million that year.

That's $102.5 million for seven players who will be somewhat long in the tooth by 2008.

I hope that the likes of Eric Duncan, Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Tyler Clippard, Jose Tabata, Jeff Marquez, C.J. Henry, J. Brent Cox, Jeff Karstens, Zach Kroenke, Brett Gardner, and Austin Jackson (among others) are paying attention to this fact. The Yankees will need some cheap but good talent in the next two to three years. The opportunity is there for the taking.

And, if they're not ready to go for it, boy, that last year in the current Stadium could be a long one.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:38 PM | Comments (0)

Ruth, Mantle.....Sheffield?

The Yankees have a $13 million option on Gary Sheffield for the 2007 season. If they take it, we should see Sheffield hit his 500th career HR wearing Yankees pinstripes. Only Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle have hit "HR # 500" as a Yankee.

That's pretty good company. And, A-Rod should make it a "Gang of Four" in 2008. It will be interesting to see if Sheff gets the same hype that Clemens got going for win # 300.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:28 AM | Comments (3)

January 03, 2006

The Next Left

The question was recently posed to me: Of the following potential 2007 Free Agent pitchers, if the Yankees were to chase one after 2006, who should they go after - Ted Lilly, Andy Pettitte, Mark Mulder or Barry Zito?

First, forget Ted Lilly. Yes, he's a great guy. But, he's somewhat injury-prone and he's basically had one very good year in his career - in 2004. Plus, his BB/9 IP rate has gone up each of the last 3 years. At 31 in 2007, he's trending the wrong way.

Pettitte will be 35 in 2007. He signed a three-year deal with Houston prior to 2004. Given his age, if he wants more than a three-year contract after this season, I would probably pass on him.

Barry Zito will just be 29 in 2007. He's been a bull the last 5 years - averaging 35 starts and over 220 IP per year. In these five years, he's been a solid SP in 4 seasons. There's a lot to like here. But, for some reason, I don't like him - probably because he's a "Bill Lee" kinda-flake.

Mulder will also be 29 in 2007. He's not as durable as Zito - but he's no Ted Lilly either. Nonetheless, there's something up with him. During 2004-05, he's allowed more hits and walks and whiffed less than from 2002-03. It's the K-rate that really scares me (as it's gone down the last three years in a row). The last two seasons, his command has been off for him.

So, this all brings it back to Pettitte versus Zito. If Pettitte is willing to sign for three years, then it's a toss of sorts (at first blush) for the Yankees on which one to go after. And, they have to chose the right one - because Boston will probably chase the other one.

Actually, at the same relative spots in their career, Zito matches up nicely to Whitey Ford, see the following via the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia:

And, we know that Ford pitched well for New York in his early 30's.

OK, so, unless he falls on his face this year, my personal feelings aside, I think the Yankees have to make Zito their prime target from this group - with Pettitte as Plan B. And, they just have to hope that Pettitte's personal Plan "B" is not 'B' for 'Boston.'

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:33 PM | Comments (6)

Big Unit Year 2

I was just thinking about the notion of Randy Johnson having a better year in 2006 - because it's easier to play in New York once you've done it for a year. So, I decided to look at some other recent Yankees pitching imports to see how they did, in terms of Runs Saved Above Average (RSAA), in their second seasons in the pinstripes:

As you can see, it's no lock that the pitcher does better in his second season - only 5 out of 13 did better in year two.

What's sort of interesting here is "who" falls into what group. Those who did better in the second season, for the most part, are the extrovert types - like Clemens, Cone, Wells, Abbott, etc. And, those who did worse were more of the introvert type - like Mussina, Leary, Rogers, Brown, Contreras, etc.

This could means something - or nothing - because the sample size is not that large. But, what it does mean, to me, is that it is not a "lock" that Randy Johnson will have a "better" go at in in New York because it's his second year in town.

Then again, if he could pull a "Jimmy Key" and just match his 2005 numbers in 2006, that would be fine - after all, he was no dud last year. In 2005, Johnson was one of the "Top Dozen" starters in the league. The key, no pun intended, is for him not to do worse.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:19 PM | Comments (12)

86 Years Ago Today.......

Happy Babe Ruth Day!

Maybe someday in the future we can celebrate Johnny Damon Day too?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:45 AM | Comments (1)

January 02, 2006

Mike Mussina In 2006

I was just looking at Mike Mussina's stats for the last two years. They're very close. So, I thought, it's probably safe to take the average of the last two, and apply that as a projection for 2006. Here's the results:

Yup, look for Mussina to miss three to four starts next year, throw about 170-something innings, win about 13 and lose about 9, with an ERA in the ballpark of four-and-a-half.

Now, the twist to all this is Moose's contract after 2006. It's a team option, at $17 million for 2007, or a buyout at $1.5 million. What are the odds, given this projection, of Mussina being in pinstripes in 2007? Of course, the Yankees could "Bernie" him - meaning pay the buyout and then sign him to a cheaper deal for 2007.

But, you can do that with a 4th OF - not a member of your starting rotation. Unless Mussina pulls a miracle this year and posts huge numbers, expect this season to be his last in the Bronx.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:09 PM | Comments (12)

27

The number "27" has never been a good one for the Yankees.

Elliot Maddox wore it and then busted up his knee in Shea Stadium. Clowns like Jay Johnstone and Mell Hall wore it. And, then there were guys who were supposed to be good and then came to New York and stunk - like Rich Dotson, Rondell White, Kevin Brown and Butch Wynegar - who wore it.

Yes, Bob Wickman and Graeme Lloyd wore it. But, so did Todd Zeile and Aurelio Rodriguez.

I sure hope that none of the "new Yankees" for 2006 decide to wear it. I'm beginning to think it's a bad luck number. After all, how long now have the Yankees been stuck on #26?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:02 AM | Comments (5)

Myers & Villone

I was just thinking about the prospects of having both Mike Myers and Ron Villone in the Yankees pen in 2006. And, then I was curious about all the LH RP who have been used by New York in the Joe Torre Era. So, thanks to the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia, I ran this list:

As you can see, the only time that the Yankees, under Torre, have ever had two LHP of some quality in their pen (at the same time) was when Lloyd and Stanton were with the team from 1997 to 1998.

Considering that it's been 2 or 3 years since the Yankees had one effective LHP in the pen, I hope Torre knows what to do with the two assets that he has now.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:03 AM | Comments (2)

January 01, 2006

Fantasyland

FYI, you might enjoy the review of Fantasyland that I just did for NetShrine.com. Click here to read it.

It was a very good book. From a Yankees fan angle, there was a mention in the book that Brian Cashman checks out BaseballGraphs.com - which I thought was interesting.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)

The Sound Of Popping Mitts In The Distance

There are only 45 days until Yankees Pitchers & Catchers report for Spring Training.

That first clip this year of players jogging and soft tossing on the evening news is going to be a sight for sore eyes!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 06:36 AM | Comments (2)