Results tagged ‘ Burnett ’
Yankees Awake to See May 1: Players Feel Differing Emotions
As the clock struck midnight on Friday morning, the calendar had officially flipped over to the month of May.
The Yankees awoke from a fulfilling night’s sleep, basking in the positivity of their recent three-game winning streak.
Currently sitting at 12-10 in the standings, New York has climbed back into striking distance of the leaders in the American League East.
The team’s record is rather remarkable considering the turmoil and misfortune that suffocated the Bronx during March and April.
The Yankees have won 54.5 percent of their games, on pace to finish 88-74 over a full 162-game season.
Virtually identical to New York’s 2008 finish of 89-73, it has done so without the luxury of even one at bat from Alex Rodriguez.
It seems more impressive when reflecting on the additional losses of Xavier Nady and Brian Bruney to elbow injuries, as well as the incompetence of the Yankees bullpen and high-priced free agent acquisitions. Chien-Ming Wang did not quite succeed as a No. 2 starter this season either.
Mark Teixeira, Damaso Marte, and Wang feared becoming the stars of their own version of Groundhog Day, unable to escape the nightmare of a never-ending April.
Many other Yankees, including Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, and Melky Cabrera, would have leaped at the opportunity to avoid the arrival of May 1.
Swisher and Cano combined for 12 HR, 35 RBI, 21 BB, and 39 R in just 22 April games. Cano had added 34 hits and a .366 AVG to his list of accolades.
Cabrera, on the other hand, has entirely rejuvenated his Yankee career. In hitting .327 with 4 HR, he has won back the starting center field job in the Bronx, and subsequently rediscovered his confidence and swagger.
While assuming the reasonable statistical comebacks of Teixeira, Burnett, and Sabathia, it is easy to see why Yankees fans have reason for optimism and hope.
The ultimate success of Wang, A-Rod, and the bullpen are still in doubt. The simple return of A-Rod to the lineup, however, should help the team’s overall lineup depth. Teixeira should also feel more comfortable and assured at the plate with legitimate protection behind him.
If “April showers bring May flowers,” then perhaps the Yankees will be purged of their troubles; once again able to perform at the highest of levels.
May will almost certainly “come in like a lion” in terms of scheduled opponents, as the month’s first seven games are against the Angels, Red Sox, and Rays. A three-game series with the World Champion Phillies also looms later in the month.
The Yankees will be tested early and often in the season’s second month, but can feel very fortunate to be in their current position.
April “showered” the Bronx with controversy, injuries, underperformance, boos, and even a strange wind current dilemma.
I’m sure those players sad to see May’s arrival will be willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. I, for one, am not waiting until Cinco de Mayo on May 5 to start celebrating.
The Man of “Steal”: Ellsbury Sends Yankees Season into a Tailspin
The Yankees had just suffered two of the more demoralizing defeats of their young season at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.
Making things worse was the fact that the losses mimicked the emotional and physical collapse of the 2004 ALCS. Worst of all, New York lost each game in a new and different manner.
Game one was supposed to display the ability of the Yankee lineup to grind out at bats, forcing Jon Lester off of the mound innings earlier than he had hoped.
It was supposed to be an uplifting and slightly ho-hum victory, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend.
Instead, even the most bulletproof member of the Yankee bullpen was not immune to a contagious disease debilitating the pitching staff arm by arm. Mariano Rivera was just one poorly thrown cutter away from handing over a win neither team ultimately deserved.
Although it didn’t seem possible, game two managed to shake the Yankees confidence even more so than a heartbreaking ninth-inning collapse.
New York’s roster could live with Rivera having a bad day. They could keep telling themselves that it was a fluke loss, and they did everything in their power to earn a road victory.
Game two, however, had an entirely different dynamic. After building a 6-0 lead in the early innings off of Yankee nemesis Josh Beckett, New York was well on its way to a convincing rebound.
A.J. Burnett was equally as potent a Red Sox killer in recent years, and the offense had shown every facet it lacked in going 4-19 with runners in scoring position the night before.
Eight runs later, Burnett was in the dugout asking for the license plate number of the truck that had just run over him. A Yankee comeback was thwarted after eight additional Sox runs, and nothing but embarrassment remained.
Game three was a whole different species of loss. It was a perfect example of the proverbial “throwing of salt onto an open wound.” The symbolic “salt” was named Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury.
Already respected as one of the fastest players in all of Major League Baseball, Ellsbury always needs to be accounted for. Apparently even the game’s best pickoff artist, Andy Pettitte, underestimated his skill.
Ellsbury not only stole second base off of Pettitte; he later forced fans to reminisce about the 1955 World Series played between the Dodgers and Yankees.
Realizing he was again going unnoticed, Ellsbury broke from third in an attempt to steal home off of the crafty lefthander. He slid in safely, and subsequently put the final nail into an already buried Yankee coffin.
Though not as significant a theft as the aforementioned 1955 series, Ellsbury’s feat was nearly as unsettling to New York as Jackie Robinson’s. To this day, Yogi Berra still contends that he tagged Robinson in time.
Ellsbury’s 10th steal of the season left the Yankees in a state of flux, completely unsure of what lies ahead of them. New York will have to do some serious soul-searching in attempts to right the ship, and may be forced to rely on Phil Hughes and Mark Melancon more heavily than anticipated.
When the Red Sox were done putting away their brooms, they had swept the Yankees right out of Fenway. Their 10-game winning streak has once again established themselves as the team to beat in the American League.
Joe Girardi will have to figure out a contingency plan quickly. If Alex Rodriguez is not the cure to what ails him, Tony Pena may be the one running out the team’s scorecards by the All-Star break.
Green Monster Knockout? Yankees Head to Fenway without a Right Uppercut
The game of baseball’s biggest and most passionate rivalry is once again unleashed on America tonight in Fenway Park.
In fact, the bad blood has already begun to boil over before the series’ first pitch, as David Ortiz has warned Joba Chamberlain to steer clear of his patented “chin music.”
It should be an entertaining and spirited clash, with an A.J. Burnett vs. Josh Beckett matchup representing baseball’s “must see” of the weekend.
The Yankees enter Fenway Park with a clear disadvantage offensively, however, which may prove to be the difference in the three-game series. With the absence of Alex Rodriguez and Xavier Nady, New York does not possess a right-handed power bat.
Lacking power from the right side is normally a moot point in baseball, as the majority of the game’s pitchers are right-handed as well. Many teams choose to stack their lineups with left-handed hitters as a result.
The Philadelphia Phillies are a perfect example of this, as they won the World Series with just two power hitters from the right side (Pat Burrell and Jayson Werth). They then let Burrell walk in free agency, and replaced him with another lefty in Raul Ibanez.
One of the strong exceptions to the rule is Fenway Park; the Red Sox proud and historic home for 97 years.
Due to its peculiar architecture and presence of the short “Green Monster” in left field, Fenway Park has favored righties since the massive wall was constructed in 1936. So much so, in fact, that the Yankees and Red Sox once considered exchanging Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams in order to take advantage of each park’s dimensions.
The current Yankee roster consists of only three right-handed hitters. After quickly disregarding Jose Molina and Cody Ransom as threats, we are left with only Derek Jeter.
Though Jeter is a solid offensive player and thorn in the Red Sox side, he has never been known to drive the ball to left field. His inside-out swing has instead produced countless home runs and doubles to the power alley in right-center field. During his last three years at Fenway, Jeter has hit just .286.
New York does employ a bevy of switch-hitters, including Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada, Nick Swisher, and Melky Cabrera.
Boston’s only lefty starter is Jon Lester, whose hard cutter should somewhat neutralize their ability to lift balls with authority. They will be forced to hit lefty for the remainder of the series, aside from late-inning matchup situations.
The Red Sox, on the other hand, have assembled a roster to harness its stadium’s home-field advantage. They have littered the heart of the lineup with talented right-handers such as Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay, and reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia.
The strategy has already paid huge dividends for the Red Sox in 2009, as these hitters have played pepper with the Green Monster every chance they get. While Bay has struggled at Fenway thus far, the other sluggers have relished their home games:
Lowell:
Home – .367
Away – .250
Youkilis:
Home – .560
Away – .375
Pedroia:
Home - .361
Away – .185
The Yankees will need to rely heavily on their pitching staff in order to have a chance to win the rivalry’s opening series in 2009. If it becomes an offensive “pissing contest”, New York will not be able to compete without A-Rod and Nady in the lineup.
Expect some fireworks tonight as Joba is unlikely to back down as a result of Ortiz’s caveat. In the event of a benches-clearing brawl, the Yankees better restrain Posada before his surgically repaired shoulder is compromised.
Friendships created during the World Baseball Classic are now jettisoned to the trash can…it is time for contention to again takeover.
The Yankees Are High on Coke: May Need a Trip to Rehab
Yankees relief pitcher Phil Coke was left pinching himself on Sunday night, hoping to awake from an early season nightmare.
After allowing three hits and two runs in just one-third of an inning pitched, Coke’s current ERA has ballooned to 13.50.
More importantly, his failures represented the Yankees first blown save of 2009.
One of the true “darlings” of the Yankee bullpen, Coke earned the respect and trust of manager Joe Girardi following a sterling 2008 rookie campaign.
In his first Major League season, he went 1-0 with a 0.61 ERA in 12 September appearances.
After throwing nearly 136 innings of minor league baseball as a starting pitcher, Coke was moved to the bullpen to attempt to stimulate a late run at the AL Wildcard.
Coke was nothing short of dominating, and consistently reached 94-96 MPH on the radar gun. The ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes simply elevated his worth.
While his control has remained strong in his sophomore season, his velocity has experienced a noticeable drop-off.
The Yankees originally told Coke to prepare to be a starting pitcher in 2009, potentially competing throughout spring training for the team’s fifth starter role.
Upon acquiring both C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett in free agency, the plans were quickly revised. Coke was now being thrust back into the Yankees late-inning bullpen mix.
Part of the problem lies in his offseason preparation.
This does not at all discount Coke’s work ethic or dedication to his craft, but instead highlights the limitations that his new role placed on his initial arm strength.
By entering the season as a reliever, Coke was unable to build up power and lasting stamina in his pitching shoulder.
In the minor leagues, he was consistently throwing six to seven innings per game. This allowed him to regularly approach 100 pitches.
Coke could then make a seamless transition into the Yankee bullpen, as his previously mentioned control allowed him to jog onto the mound throwing strikes.
Due to his increased and established arm strength from his innings as a starter, Coke could now let loose for an inning instead of conserving energy and velocity.
The same does not hold true in 2009, as Coke has been generally clocked between 88-92 MPH.
It is likely that Coke will gradually regain his velocity as time wears on, but there should be concerns in the season’s initial months.
Coke earned an important role in this year’s Yankee bullpen, but he may have to regain Girardi’s trust in order to find himself on the mound in a meaningful eighth inning again.
The Yankees have always been high on Coke.
I just hope that they do not suffer a painful relapse before he can figure out his problems.
A Day of Firsts: A Look into Attending the Yankees True “Opening Day”
The early morning fog and clouds cleared to reveal nothing but blue sky and sunshine.
The baseball gods would not allow anything to ruin the unveiling of the most remarkable structure its sport has to offer.
Crossing over the Macombs Dam Bridge as I have done hundreds of times before, my eyes grabbed hold of the place I once called my second home.
I could not help reflecting on all of the timeless moments that I had witnessed within the stadium’s high walls, and was forced to realize that there would be no further stories to tell.
Having to almost wrestle with the steering wheel in order to leave “The House that Ruth Built” in the rearview mirror, I quickly approached the new stadium.
At first it appeared much like a stepfather, forced into your life as a replacement for what you once loved.
Your mother would comfort you by saying, “Everything will be ok. It will just take time to adjust.”
You didn’t want to learn to like this new part of your life. You wanted back what you always had.
After parking the car in a newly built garage next to the stadium, I looked for a way to get back to ground level.
An elevator stood just twenty feet from my parking spot. Wow, the Steinbrenners had really ensured comfort to the finest of details.
Upon approaching the stadium’s Gates, I realized that I was standing within Babe Ruth Plaza.
What better way to attempt to appease the ghosts of Yankee past than to pay tribute to the man that began the franchise’s legacy?
Still somewhat uneasy about taking my first steps inside, I felt as though I was cheating on a long-term girlfriend.
As soon as I entered the stadium, however, I was welcomed by “The Great Hall.”
A miraculous passageway lined with huge banners of Yankee greats, it made me forget my trepidation and begin to drop my jaw closer and closer to the floor.
Everything around us was an impressive sight, from the record-breaking center field video board to the pinstriped hot dog boxes.
Even the team’s memorabilia stores are lines with countless HD televisions so that no game action is missed while you max out your credit card.
After working my way around the stadium, I began to catch my first glimpses of the players and field surface.
Equally as magnificent as its amenities and awe-inspiring façade, the field is as well-groomed as the front lawn of the White House.
The backdrop of the stadium is far superior to its older version, with the exception of no longer displaying the beloved black seats in center field.
As the stretching was completed and the workout began, I was able to witness a bevy of stadium “firsts.”
Ranging from C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett’s first stadium tosses to Mariano Rivera’s first bullpen appearance, everything I saw was being done for the first time.
Most notably, Rivera chose to jog out of the bullpen after his tour was completed.
Metallica’s Enter Sandman began to play louder and louder in my head. I could imagine the stadium beginning to shake as he makes his first real appearance on the mound.
Batting practice commenced shortly thereafter.
Derek Jeter continued the trend of firsts, as he fittingly took the stadium’s first swings. As if the Yankees would have had it any other way.
Johnny Damon then christened the new right field porch, making sure fans did not have to wait long to witness the cathedral’s first home run.
Just when I thought that this day could not possibly get any better, Robinson Cano casually fielded a deep drive into center field.
He turned and smiled into the bleachers, and tossed a ball high into the air. As soon as it was released, I knew that my 20 years of playing baseball was about to come in handy.
I jumped into the air with the aid of an obnoxiously long wingspan, and came down with a baseball in my hands. I did receive a right cross to the temple which knocked my hat to the ground, but it was well worth it.
Thrown balls into the stands quickly led to another Yankee Stadium first. This is of course referring to the breakout of the first fight.
A wrestling match over another Cano souvenir resulted in violent pushing, countless threats, and the utilization of five security guards to escort the men from the building.
That certainly did not take long…and between two Yankees fans no less?
Every day has its end, regardless of your wishes for its continuance. As it was time to leave, I was again forced to pass by the eerie view of the original stadium.
Its grass appearing as grotesque in color as Nick Swisher’s spit tobacco residue, Yankee Stadium looked nothing like I had always hoped to remember it.
Though somewhat against my will, I decided one last photo was needed to complete the stadium’s timeline.
As I lifted the camera to my eye, however, the screen turned black. At that exact moment, the camera had run out of power.
The timing was almost impeccable, as the spirits of “The House that Ruth Built” sent a clear message to one of its most passionate fans.
They wanted me to remember the greatness of their home the way I always had. They wanted the final photographs in my Yankees album to consist of the farewell ceremonies of September 21.
It is ok to feel saddened at the removal of the Bronx’s most famous sanctuary, but it is also ok to appreciate what lies in front of us.
Ruth, Mantle, DiMaggio, and Gehrig sent their message loud and clear. It is time for us all to attempt to follow their advice.
Joe Girardi Is Learning from the Tom Coughlin Instruction Manual
Two seasons ago, Tom Coughlin sat in a dark office, wondering what he could possibly do to save his job.
He had ultimately lost his locker room, and the veteran presence was beginning to shut him out.
The implementation of a leadership council, coupled with the brightening of a stern personality only a soldier could love, eventually paved the Giants path to a Superbowl title.
After similarly losing touch with the countless stars in the Yankee dugout, Girardi watched as his team finished six games out of the AL Wildcard race.
Even more concerning were reports of Derek Jeter’s displeasure with the locker room and coaching situation in the Bronx.
Permanently stuck within the league’s strongest division, Girardi knew that cosmic changes were necessary during this past offseason.
While $423.5 million of expenditure seems cosmic enough in itself, it has been the changes Girardi has made with his own attitude that may loom even larger.
Enter Tom Coughlin playing the role of Socrates, and Joe Girardi trying out for the role of his finest pupil Plato.
Actually, with as much talent as is present within the Giants and Yankees locker rooms, it is more so a revised copy of Coaching for Dummies.
Girardi’s job is even more simplistic than Coughlin’s. Coughlin needed to show a team’s core how to win, while Girardi needs to remind his core how to win.
Girardi’s “leadership council” has already been in power for fourteen years. By allowing Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera to handle their business, the Yankees will be far better off.
This is what Joe Torre always did best. He knew that he had the keys to a Ferrari, and he set it on cruise control. He never belittled his players, nor attempted to fix the unbroken.
Girardi has cancelled practices for team social gatherings, attempting to create a unified dugout. His relaxed demeanor has also been very well received by his players.
Aside from Girardi’s own behavioral changes, the Yankees have brought in an excellent compliment of personalities to the clubhouse.
Nick Swisher has already been dubbed the Yankee jester, making sure there is never stale air in the room.
He also works as hard as anyone on and off the field, showing a normally businesslike roster how to work and play. Damon will finally have a partner in crime.
CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira are two of the true fun-loving players in the league as well, and will deliver as many smiles and laughs in the dugout as they will victories on the field.
Even AJ Burnett has already made an impact on the Yankee roster. His relentless recruitment of Andy Pettitte during his contract negotiations made him realize how important he could become as one of the final pieces to the puzzle.
The likes of Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom will bring a toughness and gritty intensity from its role players that have been missing since the dynasty years.
Beasts from the Far East: Wang and Matsui Revive Yankee Confidence
After a tumultuous 2009 season that saw the Yankees finish six games out of the Wild Card race, the Bronx called for change.
It is well documented that Brian Cashman gave $423.5 million in commitments to just three players in hopes of revitalizing the roster.
On Friday night, one of those investments gave a glimpse into the kind of performance that is to be expected of him this season.
CC Sabathia pitched two strong innings in his Yankee debut, and virtually went the entire outing without throwing a pitch outside of the strike zone. He also collected two strikeouts.
The “three-headed blank check” of Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira will undoubtedly play a major role in the success or failure of the Yankees this season. The uncertainties surrounding Alex Rodriguez have only added to the pressures they face.
Meanwhile, two players used to being at the center of the team’s core have gone somewhat unnoticed this spring.
The recent comebacks of Chien-Ming Wang and Hideki Matsui will be as important to the 2009 Yankees as the health of Alex Rodriguez.
Wang is a pitcher that has compiled a 46-15 record over the past three seasons, which represents a winning percentage of 75 percent. His heavy sinker is the perfect compliment to the flame-throwing of Sabathia and Burnett.
Matsui is a patient and disciplined hitting machine, collecting 100 RBI seasons in his sleep when healthy. He has arguably been the best clutch Yankee over the last six years.
Yankee supporters can find an excellent silver lining in Saturday’s spring training loss to the Braves. Wang and Matsui were a part of the same game for the first time since June 15 of last season.
Wang looked fantastic is his second start of the spring. His fastball had great life, and it was on a sharp downward plane all game long. Seven of the nine outs that he recorded were via a groundout or strikeout.
More importantly, Wang bounced off of the mound to field a bunt from the first batter of the game. He showed solid mobility, and shoveled the ball with his glove to Teixeira for the out.
Matsui’s day could be considered a success simply by his participation. However, he did show signs of his improving health.
With a runner on first in the fourth inning, Matsui was able to drive the ball through the right side of the infield. Though seemingly routine, this is a great sign for Yankee fans.
To drive an inside pitch to right field, Matsui is forced to rotate his hips and apply large amounts of torque to his knees.
It is this same torque that allows a hitter to generate power, something Matsui struggled with last season while attempting to play through injuries.
Sportswriters will continue to use names like Teixeira, Sabathia, Burnett, Rivera, Jeter, and Rodriguez ad nauseum for the duration of spring training.
Do not forget about the “beasts from the far east”, as the Yankee season may hinge on their success.
Bronx Bombers Earn Nickname Before Splitting Up for the WBC
In the final game that the Yankees powerful lineup will play in as teammates for quite some time, the score became more reminiscent of Giants-Bengals than Yankees-Reds.
Before separating to compete for their countries in the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico, Yankee starters made sure that they left on the highest of notes.
Derek Jeter (USA), Alex Rodriguez (DR), and Robinson Cano (DR) combined for an impressive 7 hits and 6 RBI.
Cano was 3-3 with 4 RBIs on his own, including a home run off of former Yankee reliever David Weathers. His dedicated winter work ethic appears to be paying large dividends.
The first five Yankee hitters went a combined 12-15 in a preview of the excitement that this potent lineup could bring to the Bronx.
Included in this success yet again was CF hopeful Brett Gardner. The gritty leadoff man collected two more extra-base hits, including his second homer of the spring.
Gardner has continued to push the gas pedal to the floor every chance he gets. Thus far, Melky Cabrera has been left at the starting line and surrounded by a cloud of dust.
The Yankees were able to rough up Aaron Harang, the Ace of a talented young Reds pitching staff. Harang surrendered six hits in just three innings of work.
This was an important showing for a Yankee team about to see seventy-five percent of its infield depart the continental United States.
However, the World Baseball Classic could prove to be a blessing in disguise for New York as they prepare for the upcoming season.
While their captain and leader by example is leaving camp, so is the team’s lightning rod of negativity.
The Yankees will be able to focus on their development and consistency without the distracting questions about A-Rod’s steroid use.
Although a good barometer for CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixeira on the media scrutiny New York can provide, all players will be glad for camp to return to ‘normalcy’.
The center of attention moving into next week will once again be fastballs and sliders as opposed to syringes and secrets.
Sabathia and Burnett will make their first starts in pinstripes, and will hope to wow the Florida crowds.
I’d like to wish the best of luck to Derek Jeter and Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
The Yankees and Lent: 40 Days of Spring Training Sacrifice
In a somewhat strange coincidence, Major League Baseball’s spring training has perfectly aligned with the Christian dedication to self-restraint.
As it turns out, Palm Sunday also represents the New York Yankees first spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays. As Lent begins, so does another baseball season filled with controversy.
The concepts of sin and abstinence from sin certainly relate to baseball more strongly than ever before. Ironically, Yankees opening day lies exactly 40 days from the official start of lent.
The team has rallied behind their sinning slugger Alex Rodriguez thus far, and more support seems to be on the horizon. What better way to show A-Rod that you are behind him in his repentance than to sacrifice some of your own vices?
Here is a list of some of the selfless commitments made by the Yankee family:
Alex Rodriguez:
No surprises here. Alex has promised to give up performance enhancers until at least April 16th, when the pressures of NY come back to haunt him.
It will be a very difficult road to redemption for Rodriguez, as “Boli” is sure to be easily accessible in the Dominican Republic locker room during the WBC. He has revoked his cousin’s passport, preventing his flight to Puerto Rico.
Joba Chamberlain:
Joba has decided to go the duration of spring training without drinking any alcohol.
He also promises to only drink in New York City, where public transportation is readily available. This will prevent him from having to attempt to drive home through the Nebraska cornfields.
Carl Pavano:
This former Yankee has not pitched for a paycheck in so long that he forgot he was a Cleveland Indian. After a discussion with Brian Cashman, he has agreed to miss all Yankees-Indians games for old time’s sake.
AJ Burnett:
Thankfully, Burnett has agreed to reach his DL quota during spring training. This will allow for at least 30 starts in his inaugural Yankee season.
CC Sabathia:
Sabathia has decided to give up fried Twinkies and Cinnabons until the home opener on April 16th.
He can make no promises to eat healthy thereafter, as a steakhouse in center field is simply too convenient to pass up.
Phil Hughes:
To avenge a terrible 2008 campaign, Hughes vows to give up his losing streak and live up to the hype. He forgets that this promise ends before real games begin.
He also forgets to promise to take better care of his body and avoid injury. As a result, he is expected to slip in the shower at some point during April.
Derek Jeter:
A man of virtually no sin, Jeter agrees to stop his womanizing ways in order to protect women’s hearts.
Meagan Fox’s manger calls to arrange a lunch, and he immediately rescinds his promise. Pressed for time, he promises to be nicer to A-Rod and pretend that he wants him around.
Hal Steinbrenner:
He tells Hank that for 40 days, he is allowed to give any input that he would like without any worry of disagreement or debate.
Hal never promises to actually listen to him or enforce any of what he says, ensuring the continued stability of the Yankee front office.
Scott Boras:
MLB’s super agent attempts to avoid the question, before sheepishly stating ‘no comment’.
New Rotation Ready to Put the ‘K’ Back in Yankees
Fans remember the buzz generated last season every time Joba Chamberlain reached back for 100 MPH on the stadium radar gun.
However, their memory might not be as quick to recall the last time a Yankee starting pitcher had velocity worthy of sleepless nights for opposing hitters.
Surprisingly, no Yankee rotation has had even three starters accumulate 100 strikeouts since 2004. Javier Vazquez lead the team that season with only 150, while also posting a 4.91 ERA.
To put this into perspective, Randy Wolf accounted for 162 strikeouts in 2008. Wolf will never have his fastball confused with Bob Gibson’s, and does not make hitters worry about putting the ball in play.
A pitcher equipped with ‘swing-and-miss’ ability is an incredible advantage to any rotation. While it tends to increase pitch counts, it allows for the ability to escape jams and neutralize a team’s best hitters.
The Yankees last reached the World Series in 2003. During that season, they had three starters eclipse 180 Ks, including Mike Mussina’s team high of 195. The dynasty years also saw David Wells, David Cone, and Orlando Hernandez post high strikeout totals.
Before an eventful offseason, the Ace of the Yankee staff was Chien-Ming Wang. While his career high of 104 strikeouts has not affected his regular season dominance, it has clearly affected his postseason performance.
Facing the best teams in Major League Baseball in October, a pitcher needs an out pitch to maneuver through potent lineups. It is this go-to pitch that has made Josh Beckett and Cole Hamels so electric in recent playoff runs.
Wang’s sinker is a devastating pitch, but the Yankees’ defensive liabilities up the middle make it difficult to maximize his effectiveness.
AJ Burnett, CC Sabathia, and Joba Chamberlain will add a dimension to the Yankee rotation not witnessed since the glory days. All three possess unhittable breaking pitches, and all three have approached 100 on the radar gun.
So long as Burnett and Chamberlain spend more time toeing the rubber than lying down on trainer’s tables, the 2009 rotation should keep many hitters from ever leaving the batter’s box for first base.
In their last full seasons in the American League, Burnett and Sabathia struck out 231 and 209 respectively. Even if Chamberlain is limited to only 150 innings in 2009, he would account for 171 Ks based on last year’s averages as a starter.
This would account for a total of 611 strikeouts for these three starters alone, which is already more than the entire Yankee starting rotation from 2008 (601 Ks).
While it takes much more than swings and misses to assemble a top-flight pitching staff, these three flamethrowers are not one-trick ponies.
They know how to pitch, and they can utilize all of their pitches in any count. This not only makes them intimidating, but very dangerous.
For the first time in half a decade, the Yankees will be capable of unleashing a pitcher than can truly dominate a game. Mariano Rivera may even find himself taking a few close games off this summer.
The Yankees will try to hook the Rays and reel them back in after finishing far behind in 2008. There is one key difference this season, as they will once again be fishing with dynamite in 2009.
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