The Yankees looked aggressive Monday night against Boston. While they did win 6-2, they left the equivalent of the population of a small city of base runners stranded on base. However, I liked the fact that they ran on Tim Wakefield. Granted, Wakefield’s delivery is slow, and he pitches like he's a union employee on overtime. But, it was a good way to follow up on Tyler Clippard's excellent start against the Mets the day before. If they can keep this type of play up, win or lose, then this writer can keep respecting them as a team.
As Johnny Damon said while being interviewed on the field after the game "We need the fans to rally behind us." Johnny is good in the clubhouse, and he's capable of helping to lead a team of "idiots" to the World Series for an historic win. Maybe his attitude last night can help lead desperate fans who are crying for Torre's head back to their TV sets and to the stadium as the Yankees try as the team tries to piece together a respectable season and a possible post-season run.
As for the fans and writers calling for Torre’s head, I have an answer for them. Let him manage this season until it is over and done with. Its way too early, and he deserves the right to finish the season on his past accomplishments alone and not to be let go because of an almost historic run of bad luck and because of sloppy and desultory performance from some players. Torre has always been praised for pressing the right "buttons" to make his team work. He may have been pressing them a bit frantically last night, like someone dialing nine-one-one, but he pushed the right ones, got the running game going, and got decent pitching from Chien-Ming Wang. That's enough for one ball game, but it also may also be enough to convince his players that the rest of the season is worth fighting for.
Terry Francona, when interviewed by Michael Kay before the game Monday night on ESPN was quick to say the right things. Eager to avoid being quoted in every newspaper, website, and blog across the nation as being boastful, pointed out earnestly that “There’s plenty of baseball left to play.” He was also quick to note that the Yankees “Will heat up soon” or words to that effect. Essentially, Francona was trying hard not to run around with his arms in the air shouting “Yee Ha! The Yankees are toast!” Francona also doesn’t want his team to lean back and take a break and allow the Yankees to somehow catch up to them. They have their own historic comeback, being down three games to none in the 2004 ALCS to refer to in terms of realizing historic upsets.
Francona may very well be right. The Yankees can make a comeback, and it’s too early for them to consider the Yankees out of the race. A week ago, this writer would have thought the entire season was doomed. After last night’s game, the Red Sox remained a comfortable 9 ½ games ahead of their bitter, division rivals. There’s a lot of breathing room still between them and the Bombers. However, a wildcard berth for the Yankees is very probable for the Yankees, and Francona knows that. Also, we all remember the 1978 Yankees who overcame a fourteen game deficit and eventually won their division.
If Boston has to face a Yankees team with a healthy starting lineup consisting of Roger Clemens, Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, and possibly Phil Hughes in July through August, and, if the Yankees, who appear to awakening from their slumber, continue to play hard, things may not be so easy for the Red Sox down the road. The Yankees have had more than their fair share of injuries to their starting rotation, while the Red Sox currently have only one of their starters on the disabled list. That pitcher is Josh Beckett. As Terry Francona also stated in his interview Monday evening: “It’s good to play well early, but it’s also good to be playing well late in the season,” or words to that effect. Also, there's the possibility that the "injury bug" may catch up to the Red Sox as well. This writer hopes it doesn't as one does not hope for injuries either to the team you're rooting for, or their opponents. However, realistically speaking, such is the game of baseball. Injuries do happen, and at times with alarming regularity.
Last season, the Red Sox lost key players to injuries and finished the season in third place. No doubt that bit of history hasn't been forgotten either by the Red Sox management, or in their clubhouse. Maybe that is why Francona was reluctant to celebrate an early win for his team in the AL East. This writer doesn’t carry a tape recorder in his car and is unable to quote either Michael Kay or Terry Francona directly; but, the message Francona was making was clear. The Yankees can still be a formidable opponent, anyone on his team can succumb to injuries at any time, and there’s plenty of baseball left to play.
Showing posts with label Andy Pettitte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andy Pettitte. Show all posts
May 22, 2007
May 3, 2007
Do The Yankees Need Clemens?
A lot can happen in a month. Players who were hitting the month before can go into deep slumps, pitchers who were effective and able to record outs suddenly become very hittable. So, if it can happen to a player, then whole teams can either begin to win games, or begin to slump. Considering the Yankees awful start in April due mostly to injuries to their starting rotation, things can only get better.
Mike Mussina is back from the DL, as is Chien-Ming Wang. With Andy Pettitte, Mussina, and Wang at the top of the rotation (not necessarily in that order), and with Kei Igawa maybe pitching fourth, the Yankees should survive with a mix and match of rookies and call-ups taking turns in the number five spot. One of them may even perform well enough to earn a permanent spot in the rotation. Phil Hughes was well on his way to doing just that until he pulled a hamstring while throwing a no-hitter for 6 1/3 innings in the Yankees' 10-1 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday. Speaking of injuries, who knows, but maybe even Carl Pavano will come off the DL to pitch a game or two?
But Roger Clemens? Do the Yankees really need him? This writer thinks so. The Red sox aren't going to fall into third place like they did last year, injuries or not. The Blue jays are a better team, and even the Devil Rays play the Yankees tough. Forget complaining about money and special considerations as part of a potential deal to sign The Rocket. A man like Clemens deserves special treatment if he comes to a team because he can be a real difference maker.
This writer does not doubt that Brian Cashman has been speed dialing Clemens' Agents, the Hendricks brothers, for weeks now. But after George Steinbrenner’s last public statement about the state of the Yankees, I'm sure the Yankees will do whatever Roger wants and pay him whatever his agents have the nerve to ask for. You only want to play home games, Roger? Sure, we'll make that happen. You want twenty five million dollars for a half a season worth of work? Gulp, yeah, we'll make that deal. We'll even give you another brand new Hummer like the one we gave you when you retired three years ago.
The Yankees will do all of that and more so that they can save their season, win the World Series, please George Steinbrenner, save Torre's and Cashman's jobs, keep him away from the Red Sox at all costs, and oh yes, win one for the fans. Come back Roger, now, please.
Mike Mussina is back from the DL, as is Chien-Ming Wang. With Andy Pettitte, Mussina, and Wang at the top of the rotation (not necessarily in that order), and with Kei Igawa maybe pitching fourth, the Yankees should survive with a mix and match of rookies and call-ups taking turns in the number five spot. One of them may even perform well enough to earn a permanent spot in the rotation. Phil Hughes was well on his way to doing just that until he pulled a hamstring while throwing a no-hitter for 6 1/3 innings in the Yankees' 10-1 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday. Speaking of injuries, who knows, but maybe even Carl Pavano will come off the DL to pitch a game or two?
But Roger Clemens? Do the Yankees really need him? This writer thinks so. The Red sox aren't going to fall into third place like they did last year, injuries or not. The Blue jays are a better team, and even the Devil Rays play the Yankees tough. Forget complaining about money and special considerations as part of a potential deal to sign The Rocket. A man like Clemens deserves special treatment if he comes to a team because he can be a real difference maker.
This writer does not doubt that Brian Cashman has been speed dialing Clemens' Agents, the Hendricks brothers, for weeks now. But after George Steinbrenner’s last public statement about the state of the Yankees, I'm sure the Yankees will do whatever Roger wants and pay him whatever his agents have the nerve to ask for. You only want to play home games, Roger? Sure, we'll make that happen. You want twenty five million dollars for a half a season worth of work? Gulp, yeah, we'll make that deal. We'll even give you another brand new Hummer like the one we gave you when you retired three years ago.
The Yankees will do all of that and more so that they can save their season, win the World Series, please George Steinbrenner, save Torre's and Cashman's jobs, keep him away from the Red Sox at all costs, and oh yes, win one for the fans. Come back Roger, now, please.
April 9, 2007
Yankees: Pavano, A-Rod & Pettitte
We thought things weren't going good for the Yankees when Carl Pavano was the opening day starter; and, he pitched okay until the defense made three errors behind him and then he tired early. Given the fact that he hasn't pitched in a year and a half we can forgive him. His heart is in the right place and he's displayed the guts necessary to make a comeback. Fans and critics can't keep goading him for not wanting to play when he is in fact going to the mound and giving it his all. Pavano's start against the Twins on Monday justifies this line of thinking. He's a pitcher again, and he's earned the right to be judged on current performances and not by the injuries of the past year and a half.
A-Rod has gotten off to a terrific start this season. Apparently exercising his demons during spring training, Alex has accumulated six home runs and fifteen RBIs in seven games. In terms of production, this surpasses even A-Rod. As quoted in Newsday (Tuesday, April 10, 2007) "No Yankee had ever hit five home runs in the team's first six games, as Rodriguez has, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."
Someone I know who is a Yankee fan cynically sneered at A-Rod's early and impressive numbers by saying "He's just taking advantage of weak pitchers." If that's the case, what's Doug Mientkiewicz’ excuse? How about the very talented fan favorite Melky Cabrera? They've both started this season in hitting slumps. Are they facing stronger pitchers than Alex Rodriguez? Even when A-Rod does something right, he's still criticized. Yankee fans, listen and listen hard: It's time to give Alex Rodriguez a break. He's going to strike out, leave men on base, and hit into double plays. If you want to trade him, think again. Who are you going to get for him? Scott Brosius is retired and anyone else who fills in at third is going to be lacking the skills that A-Rod possesses. If you want to make an argument that he's been less than productive for the Yankees in the post season, my answer is simple. This is no longer 2006, and he's still a member of the Yankees. If he goes one for eleven n in October, then you can gripe all you want; unless, of course, the Yankees actually win the World Series.
Andy Pettitte was back to being the Andy of yesteryear last night at the Metrodome. We can erase his last start and look forward to him being a leader on this pitching staff, even helping Carl Pavano who is often seen talking with Andy as they are now locker-mates. If you're a Yankee fan, you like the fact that Pavano is looking to Andy Pettitte for guidance. That’s the mature, responsible and smart thing to do.
After going 2-5 in the first week of the season, every Yankee fan was ready to panic here in Panic-ville. With that said, reasonable baseball fans with a sense of history and how baseball seasons often play out realize that the actual time to sweat is somewhere around June if the Yankees aren't performing well. The games in April are mere baby steps. This team will right itself not only because the pitching staff has ability, but because they have to. Here's to Carl Pavano as he grabs the ball tonight and helps make this team competitive. Remember one other thing; Chin Ming Wang will be back soon. And, if that isn’t enough to make you sleep better at night, Roger Clemens is likely to charge back into the Bronx in his Hummer sometime in June.
A-Rod has gotten off to a terrific start this season. Apparently exercising his demons during spring training, Alex has accumulated six home runs and fifteen RBIs in seven games. In terms of production, this surpasses even A-Rod. As quoted in Newsday (Tuesday, April 10, 2007) "No Yankee had ever hit five home runs in the team's first six games, as Rodriguez has, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."
Someone I know who is a Yankee fan cynically sneered at A-Rod's early and impressive numbers by saying "He's just taking advantage of weak pitchers." If that's the case, what's Doug Mientkiewicz’ excuse? How about the very talented fan favorite Melky Cabrera? They've both started this season in hitting slumps. Are they facing stronger pitchers than Alex Rodriguez? Even when A-Rod does something right, he's still criticized. Yankee fans, listen and listen hard: It's time to give Alex Rodriguez a break. He's going to strike out, leave men on base, and hit into double plays. If you want to trade him, think again. Who are you going to get for him? Scott Brosius is retired and anyone else who fills in at third is going to be lacking the skills that A-Rod possesses. If you want to make an argument that he's been less than productive for the Yankees in the post season, my answer is simple. This is no longer 2006, and he's still a member of the Yankees. If he goes one for eleven n in October, then you can gripe all you want; unless, of course, the Yankees actually win the World Series.
Andy Pettitte was back to being the Andy of yesteryear last night at the Metrodome. We can erase his last start and look forward to him being a leader on this pitching staff, even helping Carl Pavano who is often seen talking with Andy as they are now locker-mates. If you're a Yankee fan, you like the fact that Pavano is looking to Andy Pettitte for guidance. That’s the mature, responsible and smart thing to do.
After going 2-5 in the first week of the season, every Yankee fan was ready to panic here in Panic-ville. With that said, reasonable baseball fans with a sense of history and how baseball seasons often play out realize that the actual time to sweat is somewhere around June if the Yankees aren't performing well. The games in April are mere baby steps. This team will right itself not only because the pitching staff has ability, but because they have to. Here's to Carl Pavano as he grabs the ball tonight and helps make this team competitive. Remember one other thing; Chin Ming Wang will be back soon. And, if that isn’t enough to make you sleep better at night, Roger Clemens is likely to charge back into the Bronx in his Hummer sometime in June.
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