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March 04, 2008
Doing It In Dunedin
Whether you call it hopes, dreams, aspirations or fancies, for Yankees fans, you’ll see both extremes of “it” on the mound today during New York’s exhibition game with the Blue Jays – as both Phil Hughes and Kei Igawa are slated to pitch for the Yankees.
Hughes will start and go 2 or 3 innings – depending on his pitch count – and Igawa will follow. If Hughes goes three, it could help Igawa as some of the Jays’ regulars may be leaving the game by the time Kei is getting his work in today.
It will be interesting to see how both these pitchers throw today – even if it’s just an exhibition game, and, a very early game in the spring training season, at that.
Either they’ll both pitch well, or not. Or, one will pitch well and the other will not.
If both pitch well, Yankees fans will be happy. If Hughes shines and Igawa does not, most in Yankeeland will still be happy with that. If both struggle, Yankees fans will probably just write it off. But, what happens if Hughes gets cuffed around today and Igawa is lights-out?
In the end, that latter scenario probably means nothing – because it is very early in the spring. But, it would set the stage for an interesting next appearance for the two – to see if Hughes struggles in back-to-back games and if Igawa can post good outings two times in a row. And, if both of those things happen, then appearance after the next one gets even more interesting.
But, that’s getting way ahead of things here. In all likelihood, Hughes will be fine today and Igawa, well, let’s just say the ball boys in Dunedin better be ready to give the umps plenty of new balls in case some of them start leaving the park when Kei is throwing.
Posted by WW Staff at March 4, 2008 10:25 AM
Comments
Your thirst to see Hughes fail is naked -- and bizarre.
You'll notice lately I'm almost never the one who takes you to task for negativity or what you write about, but on this subject, man, I just don't get it.
Posted by: baileywalk ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 4, 2008 12:26 PM
i see it as EXTREMELY cautious optimism. I remember many more burnout first round blue chippers than the ones that succeeded. Although, I think that Yankee fans in general have eased up on their expectations of Hughes. He was "Phil Franchise" before most of us heard of Joba and IPK. Now that there are three (and maybe more), we don't see the future of the organization riding on his right arm, but on our minor league system in general.
Posted by: unmoderated at March 4, 2008 01:02 PM
"Your thirst to see Hughes fail is naked -- and bizarre."
Didn't I write "In all likelihood, Hughes will be fine today"?
Posted by: WW Staff at March 4, 2008 01:08 PM
Yeah, you did, but so what? Why is the thought "what if Igawa soars and Hughes collapses" even in your mind? Why are you always speculating about Hughes failing?
Listen, I think you get roughed up around here too often -- sometimes the attacks you receive make me cringe (which is why I was reluctant to even write the above) -- but a part of me can't help feeling like if Hughes struggled, you would be satisfied.
Maybe I'm totally off-base, but reading what you write about him leaves that impression.
Posted by: baileywalk at March 4, 2008 01:49 PM
"Either they’ll both pitch well, or not. Or, one will pitch well and the other will not."
That's some insightful analysis right there ;)
Posted by: Ben K. at March 4, 2008 02:36 PM
Hey, we cover ALL the bases here! [wink]
Posted by: WW Staff at March 4, 2008 03:49 PM