Your Last Place New York Yankees

[GannonFan]

Geez, the Yanks have been in the basement for a good 5-6 hours now and no posts on it???? Maybe since the Yanks are just a middle of the road team anymore no one really cares? Kinda like kicking a corpse on the side of the road. Apparently the curse of Bobby Abreu is still in full effect - that and an amazing decision to stick with Hughes and Kennedy rather than giving up one of them for Santana. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[Cleets]

Geez, the Yanks have been in the basement for a good 5-6 hours now and no posts on it???? Maybe since the Yanks are just a middle of the road team anymore no one really cares? Kinda like kicking a corpse on the side of the road. Apparently the curse of Bobby Abreu is still in full effect - that and an amazing decision to stick with Hughes and Kennedy rather than giving up one of them for Santana. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

Last Place:
A-Rod & Giambi combined 2008 salary = $51,428,000.00
First Place:
Devil Rays 25 man roster Salary = $43,000,000.00

Hmmm....xeyebrowx

[bluehenbillk]

The Yankees have become irrelevant anymore so it's not as much fun to make fun of a team that is not expected to even be a challenger. Plus, add the injuries they've had & the fact that their rotation was never addressed & is a joke...well you get the picture.

[andy7171]

Everyone said the same thing last year. I hate 'em as much as anyone, but I ain't saying anything until September.

[SideLine Shooter]

Geez, the Yanks have been in the basement for a good 5-6 hours now and no posts on it???? Maybe since the Yanks are just a middle of the road team anymore no one really cares? Kinda like kicking a corpse on the side of the road. Apparently the curse of Bobby Abreu is still in full effect - that and an amazing decision to stick with Hughes and Kennedy rather than giving up one of them for Santana. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx



I love it!!!!xnodx The yanks are in their rightful place and I hope they stay there for a long, long, long time.xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

Now bring on all the negative comments about the "Yankee Hater".xbowx

[TheValleyRaider]

Geez, the Yanks have been in the basement for a good 5-6 hours now and no posts on it???? Maybe since the Yanks are just a middle of the road team anymore no one really cares? Kinda like kicking a corpse on the side of the road. Apparently the curse of Bobby Abreu is still in full effect - that and an amazing decision to stick with Hughes and Kennedy rather than giving up one of them for Santana. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

False choice

The Twins were asking for both, plus Melky Cabrera and another prospect. Way too steep a price for the Yankees. The Twins tried to fleece NY and the Yankees weren't having any of it. Santana would be nice, but we'll just keep them all, then spend the money on Sabathia this winter :D xthumbsupx

[AshevilleApp2]

Everyone said the same thing last year. I hate 'em as much as anyone, but I ain't saying anything until September.

Ditto that. I also can't gloat much because my Tigers are in last place as well.

[bulldog10jw]

False choice

The Twins were asking for both, plus Melky Cabrera and another prospect. Way too steep a price for the Yankees. The Twins tried to fleece NY and the Yankees weren't having any of it. Santana would be nice, but we'll just keep them all, then spend the money on Sabathia this winter :D xthumbsupx

Do they still have David Wells uniform? Should be the right size.

[JoltinJoe]

The Yankees will make the playoffs again for the 13th straight season.

Quite a middle of the road team. xlolx

Next year, when the fat contracts to underachievers come off the books, look out.

Playoffs this year. World Series championship in 2009, with Sabathia at the head of the rotation.

[Marcus Garvey]

The Yankees??? Meh.
They'll probably make the playoffs, then get bounced short of the Series for the nth time in a row. I got bored of that this team doing that the first time around.... only then we called them the Atlanta Braves! ZING!!!!!

By the way, that Abreu trade is turning into the best salary dump ever! Fans of virtually every other NL team, but especially Mets fans, thought it was the dumbest trade ever. But most Phillie fans had no problem with it. The biggest complaint went something along the lines of, "Well, I wish we'd gotten more for him, but whaddayagonnado?"

[citdog]

The Yankees??? Meh.
They'll probably make the playoffs, then get bounced short of the Series for the nth time in a row. I got bored of that this team doing that the first time around.... only then we called them the Atlanta Braves! ZING!!!!!



at ease on my Braves...the first time around they were called the BUFFALO BILLS

[Marcus Garvey]

at ease on my Braves...the first time around they were called the BUFFALO BILLS

Well, I'm starting to get the Yankees confused with the Ohio St. Buckeyes too!

[Go...gate]

Geez, the Yanks have been in the basement for a good 5-6 hours now and no posts on it???? Maybe since the Yanks are just a middle of the road team anymore no one really cares? Kinda like kicking a corpse on the side of the road. Apparently the curse of Bobby Abreu is still in full effect - that and an amazing decision to stick with Hughes and Kennedy rather than giving up one of them for Santana. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

It's not as if Santana has turned the Mets into world-beaters. The rest of the team is struggling and Willie Randolph is in trouble.

[slycat]

Last Place:
A-Rod & Giambi combined 2008 salary = $51,428,000.00
First Place:
Devil Rays 25 man roster Salary = $43,000,000.00

Hmmm....xeyebrowx

classic

[bandl]

You were sayin'.... :D :D

[tribe_pride]

The Yankees will make the playoffs again for the 13th straight season.

Quite a middle of the road team. xlolx

Next year, when the fat contracts to underachievers come off the books, look out.

Playoffs this year. World Series championship in 2009, with Sabathia at the head of the rotation.

You realize that CC is 3-6 with a 5.14 ERA right. I'll give you that he has pitched better as of late but he still only has a better ERA than Kennedy and Hughes among regular Yankee starters.

[Reed Rothchild]

Ugh, its down right embarassing and laughable now. I'm starting to not care.

[andy7171]

Nice game last night Moose! At least you can comfort yourself with the World Series rings you won up there after ditching us here in BaltimoreEERRRRRR Opps, sorry!

[JoltinJoe]

The Yankees will make the playoffs again for the 13th straight season.

Quite a middle of the road team. xlolx

Next year, when the fat contracts to underachievers come off the books, look out.

Playoffs this year. World Series championship in 2009, with Sabathia at the head of the rotation.

You realize that CC is 3-6 with a 5.14 ERA right. I'll give you that he has pitched better as of late but he still only has a better ERA than Kennedy and Hughes among regular Yankee starters.

Sabathia will turn it around. If not, the Yankees will pay for someone to be the head of the rotation next year.

[ASUMountaineer]

Enjoying the Yanks being in last and riding it as long as I can. Perhaps they all need to get gold thongs like Giambi.

[Reed Rothchild]

Interesting that journeyman Darrell Rasner is one bright spot this year. He was cut by the NATIONALS prior to joining the Yanks.

[BobbyMo]

LETS GO BUCS

[Col Hogan]

I'm not gonna say a thing... xwhistlex

[bonarae]

When I was younger, I used to root for the Yankees.

But no more.

Since 2001, the M's, then the Angels, then the Red Sox, finally the Cubbies. (I follow the last 2 now)

I am sure delighted that the Yankees have taken a fall this early in the season!

[bluehenbillk]

It's amazing an irrelevant last-place club gets this much attention. The Dynasty in Progress, that's in the same division is just starting to purr its motor & pull away...again.

[HiHiYikas]

New York and Boston are conjoined twins that don't get along with each other.

I can't enjoy the early demise of one bloated, ultra-payroll juggernaut while the other is in first place.

Let me know when it's September and both the Yanks and the Sox are fighting to get win #50. Then I'll have something to smile about.

[TheValleyRaider]

It's amazing an irrelevant last-place club gets this much attention. The Dynasty in Progress, that's in the same division is just starting to purr its motor & pull away...again.

You wish your team was this important xrotatehx :p

No one ever wrote a play called "Damn Orioles" xreadx xcoolx

[JoltinJoe]

It's amazing an irrelevant last-place club gets this much attention. The Dynasty in Progress, that's in the same division is just starting to purr its motor & pull away...again.

Before you call Boston a "dynasty", let's see them win a second straight division title and make the playoffs for the second straight year.

One division title in 12 years is not yet a dynasty.

[Golden Eagle]

You're right, division titles are the only legitimate measure of success in baseball.

[JoltinJoe]

Interesting that journeyman Darrell Rasner is one bright spot this year. He was cut by the NATIONALS prior to joining the Yanks.

Rasner looks big-league ready. He actually pitched pretty well last year as a fill-in when almost the entire Yankee starting staff was DLed. Of course, he then took a line drive off the leg and broke his leg.

On the news this morning: Joba Chamberlain is moving to the rotation. Don't know if I like this idea right now. I'd rather see young pitchers throwing to Posada rather than Molina.

So right now, it lines up like this: Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Kennedy, and Rasner. So who gets bumped for Chamberlain? Rasner? Doesn't seem fair given the way he's pitched. Does Kennedy go back to Triple A?

[JoltinJoe]

You're right, division titles are the only legitimate measure of success in baseball.
xrolleyesx
If you're calling a team a "dynasty," yes, you need more than one division title in 12 years, more than one "straight" playoff appearance, and more than one "consecutive" WS title. On this record, calling the Red Sox a "dynasty in progress" is laughable.

At a bare minimum, "dynasty" discussion opens with two straight WS titles, or perhaps two in three years. The Sox still have a lot of work to do before even entering the conversation. If they win the WS title this year, I think you could say they've earned the right to be called a "dynasty in progress."

[JoltinJoe]

It's amazing an irrelevant last-place club gets this much attention. The Dynasty in Progress, that's in the same division is just starting to purr its motor & pull away...again.

Much like last year, when the Yankees roared back and nearly won the division.

The Sox were lucky last year that the Yankees were injury-plagued. They are the beneficiaries of similar luck this year at this point.

[UNHWildCats]

Much like last year, when the Yankees roared back and nearly won the division.

The Sox were lucky last year that the Yankees were injury-plagued. They are the beneficiaries of similar luck this year at this point.
oh you mean sorta like how when the roiles were reversed in 2006?

[JoltinJoe]

oh you mean sorta like how when the roiles were reversed in 2006?

I'll grant you the Sox were crushed with injuries in 2006, as the Yankees were in 2007.

The difference was that the 2007 Yankees still made the post-season.

The Yankees have already suffered the one injury to the guy they could least afford: Posada.

The Sox can't afford to lose Varitek. That was the injury in 2006 which, IMO, crushed them.

[GannonFan]

The Yanks also have that one, little glaring problem of having a bad pitching staff. Talk about injuries all you want, but Hughes and Kennedy being as bad as they were/are, and then having no bullpen outside of Chamberlain and Rivera (and now just Rivera if they follow through and move Chamberlain) is really what has and what will kill the Yanks this year. Mussina's shown that you just don't know what you'll get from him start to start (could be very good, could be very bad) and Wang and Petitte aren't the automatic stoppers such a limited pitching staff would need. Just like the past few years, the Yanks will need to lead the league in runs scored in the regular season just to squeeze into the playoffs, and once they are there (if they make it this year) they won't last long as the pitching isn't playoff capable. Again.

[TheValleyRaider]

Kennedy goes 6, gives up 4 hits and 1 run, striking out 4, and working out of a bases-loaded, 1 out jam in the 3rd. Turning a corner, perhaps? xwhistlex

[Golden Eagle]

xrolleyesx
The Sox still have a lot of work to do before even entering the conversation. If they win the WS title this year, I think you could say they've earned the right to be called a "dynasty in progress."

But if they don't win it this year, and then win it again next year, does that count?

[JoltinJoe]

But if they don't win it this year, and then win it again next year, does that count?

Perhaps.

Might depend on whether they get in as a wild card, or a division winner, and what kind of season they have.

If they play .600 ball, yes. If they play .540 ball and squeeze in as a wild card, no.

Dynasty teams don't just win WS titles, they dominate.

[JoltinJoe]

The Yanks also have that one, little glaring problem of having a bad pitching staff. Talk about injuries all you want, but Hughes and Kennedy being as bad as they were/are, and then having no bullpen outside of Chamberlain and Rivera (and now just Rivera if they follow through and move Chamberlain) is really what has and what will kill the Yanks this year. Mussina's shown that you just don't know what you'll get from him start to start (could be very good, could be very bad) and Wang and Petitte aren't the automatic stoppers such a limited pitching staff would need. Just like the past few years, the Yanks will need to lead the league in runs scored in the regular season just to squeeze into the playoffs, and once they are there (if they make it this year) they won't last long as the pitching isn't playoff capable. Again.

You are a Phillies fan, correct?

[GannonFan]

You are a Phillies fan, correct?

Yup. And having a lifetime of watching bad Phillies teams, I'm pretty much an expert at spotting mediocre teams. There's something familiar about the Yankees. xnodx

[JoltinJoe]

Yup. And having a lifetime of watching bad Phillies teams, I'm pretty much an expert at spotting mediocre teams. There's something familiar about the Yankees. xnodx

There is? Have the Phillies made the post-season 13 straight seasons, and won 4 World Series titles during that span?

Your May postings about the Yankees have become as predictable as the Yankees' inevtiable post-season appearance.

[BlueHen86]

There is? Have the Phillies made the post-season 13 straight seasons, and won 4 World Series titles during that span?

Your May postings about the Yankees have become as predictable as the Yankees' inevtiable post-season appearance.
The Yankees suck, regardless of their record.

[Grizalltheway]

There is? Have the Phillies made the post-season 13 straight seasons, and won 4 World Series titles during that span?

Your May postings about the Yankees have become as predictable as the Yankees' inevtiable post-season appearance.

2000 was a long time ago, Joe. What have you done for me lately? xcoffeex

[BlueHen86]

2000 was a long time ago, Joe. What have you done for me lately? xcoffeex
Sucked.

[T-Dog]

I think it's different this year for the Yanks because in the past, they've had Joe Torre to hold them together. Girardi is a good manager, but he's no Torre. Torre should have gotten a raise just for holding that team together and making the playoffs last year. I just think Girardi won't be able to hold them together in his first season long enough to make the playoffs. Plus the AL East is really really good.

[Col Hogan]

I think it's different this year for the Yanks because in the past, they've had Joe Torre to hold them together. Girardi is a good manager, but he's no Torre. Torre should have gotten a raise just for holding that team together and making the playoffs last year. I just think Girardi won't be able to hold them together in his first season long enough to make the playoffs. Plus the AL East is really really good.

Add in Hank "The Roaring Mouse" Steinbrenner to add pressure to Girardi...and it will be an interesting season for Yankee fans...

joltinjoe will remain faithful to the end...defending the Yankees with all his strength...

But in his heart, he knows....he knows...

[WWII]

But have they turned a corner? Arod's back, Posada on the mend. Looking better in the last week. They were three games farther back last year after 40 games.

[JoltinJoe]

2000 was a long time ago, Joe. What have you done for me lately? xcoffeex

Other than make the post-season every year since then?

With an 8-team playoff in place since 1995, even if you make the post season every year, you still have a one-in-eight chance to win it all.

So for 13 straight playoff appearances, you would on average expected to win no more than 2 WS titles. The Yankees have four during that span -- exceptionally above average. :p

[Grizalltheway]

Other than make the post-season every year since then?

With an 8-team playoff in place since 1995, even if you make the post season every year, you still have a one-in-eight chance to win it all.

So for 13 straight playoff appearances, you would on average expected to win no more than 2 WS titles. The Yankees have four during that span -- exceptionally above average. :p

The Griz have made the playoffs for 14 seasons in a row, and catch hell every year they don't win it. Same rule applies to to the Yankees. xrulesx

Face it, Joe, they're becoming the new Atlanta Braves. xnodx

[JoltinJoe]

The Griz have made the playoffs for 14 seasons in a row, and catch hell every year they don't win it. Same rule applies to to the Yankees. xrulesx

Face it, Joe, they're becoming the new Atlanta Braves. xnodx

Can't be. The Braves won one WS title in a 14-year playoff run. The Yanks already have four. And they will win it in 2009. I've been saying that for over a year now.xnodx

[GannonFan]

There is? Have the Phillies made the post-season 13 straight seasons, and won 4 World Series titles during that span?

Your May postings about the Yankees have become as predictable as the Yankees' inevtiable post-season appearance.


And what again have been my May postings about the Yankees? I'll refresh your memory - I've said, going on about 5 years now, that the Yanks have enough offense to make the playoffs, and they have too much of a shortage of pitching, especially quality post season starters, to be able to make any noise in the playoffs. Tell me why that "predictable" posting should be any different this year? Wang's still the top of the rotation, and he's never been a shut down postseason pitcher. Pettite is 3 years past his hey days, Mussina can't remember his hey days, and Hughes and Kennedy would need to turn the biggest corner in history to be even a neutral influence in the playoffs. Oh, and now with Chamberlain moving to the rotation, it's Rivera and nobody else in the bullpen. New year, same story for the Yanks. 8 years without a title, 1.6 billion dollars down the drain.

[JoltinJoe]

And what again have been my May postings about the Yankees? I'll refresh your memory - I've said, going on about 5 years now, that the Yanks have enough offense to make the playoffs, and they have too much of a shortage of pitching, especially quality post season starters, to be able to make any noise in the playoffs. Tell me why that "predictable" posting should be any different this year? Wang's still the top of the rotation, and he's never been a shut down postseason pitcher. Pettite is 3 years past his hey days, Mussina can't remember his hey days, and Hughes and Kennedy would need to turn the biggest corner in history to be even a neutral influence in the playoffs. Oh, and now with Chamberlain moving to the rotation, it's Rivera and nobody else in the bullpen. New year, same story for the Yanks. 8 years without a title, 1.6 billion dollars down the drain.

Daring prediction every year: predicting one team out of 30 won't win the WS. I think if you place that bet you still owe the house money even if you "win."xcoffeex

[GannonFan]

Daring prediction every year: predicting one team out of 30 won't win the WS. I think if you place that bet you still owe the house money even if you "win."xcoffeex


Not so much the prediction, but why the prediction is a sure thing - Yanks don't have the pitching, and they haven't had the pitching for years. Hence the lack of rings despite the $1.6 billion they've spent.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

BTW, I love the latest SI cover -

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0805/most.unusual.si.covers/images/2008-jeter.jpg

[813Jag]

BTW, I love the latest SI cover -

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0805/most.unusual.si.covers/images/2008-jeter.jpg
I need to get my hands on one of those. xthumbsupx

Everyday I drive by the Yankees training complex and laugh. xlolx

[JoltinJoe]

I need to get my hands on one of those. xthumbsupx

Everyday I drive by the Yankees training complex and laugh. xlolx

Ever hear of the Sports Illustrated jinx? xlolx

But enjoy it while it lasts.xnodx

[813Jag]

Ever hear of the Sports Illustrated jinx? xlolx

But enjoy it while it lasts.xnodx
It may have kicked in Percival left the game last night with an injury. But we're going to enjoy the ride as long as it lasts. xlolx

[Reed Rothchild]

It may have kicked in Percival left the game last night with an injury. But we're going to enjoy the ride as long as it lasts. xlolx

Its only a matter of time before injuries start to rear their head on any team.

[Reed Rothchild]

BTW, I love the latest SI cover -

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0805/most.unusual.si.covers/images/2008-jeter.jpg

I don't see why its such a "mystery". Most analysts didn't even pick the Yanks to make the playoffs. I don't see why so many people are surprised.

[GannonFan]

I don't see why its such a "mystery". Most analysts didn't even pick the Yanks to make the playoffs. I don't see why so many people are surprised.

"most"? Isn't that exagerrating a bit? I saw plenty of pre-season magazines that had the Yanks winning the AL East.

[ASUMountaineer]

I don't see why its such a "mystery". Most analysts didn't even pick the Yanks to make the playoffs. I don't see why so many people are surprised.

Are they surprised...or happy? I am not surprised, but ecstatic. xthumbsupx

[JoltinJoe]

Everyone should remain calm. The Yankees will, of course, make the playoffs. Heck, they are nine games better right now in the standings than they were on this date last year.xnodx

[bluehenbillk]

"most"? Isn't that exagerrating a bit? I saw plenty of pre-season magazines that had the Yanks winning the AL East.


Just proves there are plenty of people that get paid for a living that do actually zero homework. You couldn't look at that starting rotation & be particularly optimistic.

[GannonFan]

Everyone should remain calm. The Yankees will, of course, make the playoffs. Heck, they are nine games better right now in the standings than they were on this date last year.xnodx

Yup, it wouldn't just be an October anymore without seeing a pitching-light Yankees team get knocked out in the playoffs (and recently early in the playoffs). It's not a question of if they're going to get knocked off, just a question of when they're going to get knocked off. But hey, maybe they can start flying "Playoff Participant" banners in the new stadium? xlolx

[JoltinJoe]

Yup, it wouldn't just be an October anymore without seeing a pitching-light Yankees team get knocked out in the playoffs (and recently early in the playoffs). It's not a question of if they're going to get knocked off, just a question of when they're going to get knocked off. But hey, maybe they can start flying "Playoff Participant" banners in the new stadium? xlolx

You'd kill for a "Playoff Participant" banner.xlolx

[Reed Rothchild]

Another day, another Kyle Farnsworth meltdown. 14 hits and only 5 runs to show off Livan Hernandez and a depleted bullpen. They can't situational hit if their life depended on it. They are relying on minor leaguers in their bullpen as Cashmans terrible relief acquisitions continue to fail as he continually gets outsmarted by Theo Epstein and the Boston brass. This is all a recipe for disaster and yes the sky is falling. There will be no post season in the Bronx and Cashman won't have an office in the new stadium.

[JoltinJoe]

Kyle Worthless. But hey, he's got great "stuff."

Neither he nor Latroy Hawkins should get anywhere near a close game.

[Col Hogan]

Well, Joba made his first big-league start...

Not bad...not good...

30 + pitches in the first...several walks...

He may some day be a staff ace...some day...but today, he's not the savior some people hoped for...

[Reed Rothchild]

Well, Joba made his first big-league start...

Not bad...not good...

30 + pitches in the first...several walks...

He may some day be a staff ace...some day...but today, he's not the savior some people hoped for...

He wasn't asked to be the savior this year. He is simply following the plan to be in the rotation for years to come.

[GannonFan]

You'd kill for a "Playoff Participant" banner.xlolx


Eh, we did get one last year. And we "Pulled a Yankees" (TM) and bowed out really early in the playoffs. It may make that $225M a year you guys spend seem worth it but I'd rather go a little further in the playoffs. Just my xtwocentsx :p

[Col Hogan]

He wasn't asked to be the savior this year. He is simply following the plan to be in the rotation for years to come.

Agreed...but reading some of the New York blogs, some people are expecting it NOW!!!!!!

That's not realistic, but the pronouncement a few weeks ago from Hank "Little Mouth" Steinbrenner has not helped quell those expectations...

Just an observation...

[JoltinJoe]

Well, Joba made his first big-league start...

Not bad...not good...

30 + pitches in the first...several walks...

He may some day be a staff ace...some day...but today, he's not the savior some people hoped for...

He looked a bit uneasy in the first and needed 37 pitches to get out of the inning. That was half his 75-pitch count right in the first inning. Wasn't helped by a balk call and then a passed ball that put Shannon Stewart on third with no one out.


Curious pitch selections, IMO. He was 3-2 on Matt Stairs, and then threw his first curve of the night, for a ball. He was 2-2 on Lyle Overbay and then tried to get him out with two sliders, both for balls.

He got two strikes on the next batter, Rod Barrajas, and then (with the bases loaded) fired a 98 MPH fastball at the letters for a swinging strike three. Duh.

I know a starter has to develop more than two pitches...

And I know a starter needs to record outs by ways other than strikeouts to preserve his pitch count ...

But when Chamberlain gets to two strikes, he needs to finish hitters off with the fastball. They may know its coming, but at 98-100 MPH, they will have a hard time hitting it anyway.xnodx

[bluehenbillk]

It's going to take a while for Joba to be a good starter. Hey I don't like the Yankees but you can't argue the fact that Chamberlain is a really good pitcher. That being said to expect similar results from him as a starter as you did as a setup guy is crazy. 2 big reasons: When you bat against a guy for a 2nd or 3rd time around the advantage tilts further away from a pitcher. Secondly, when he throws one inning he's throwing every pitch as hard as he can, not so when you start.

[JoltinJoe]

It's going to take a while for Joba to be a good starter. Hey I don't like the Yankees but you can't argue the fact that Chamberlain is a really good pitcher. That being said to expect similar results from him as a starter as you did as a setup guy is crazy. 2 big reasons: When you bat against a guy for a 2nd or 3rd time around the advantage tilts further away from a pitcher. Secondly, when he throws one inning he's throwing every pitch as hard as he can, not so when you start.

Agreed, but I still say when he has two strikes on a batter, his out pitch has to be the fastball -- no matter what the inning.

[UNHWildCats]

Tampa out of first place!

[GannonFan]

Agreed, but I still say when he has two strikes on a batter, his out pitch has to be the fastball -- no matter what the inning.

Can he keep that fastball up at the 98 mph range over the course of several innings, though? That's the big question. If it starts dipping down to 94-95 range and if he doesn't develop some other pitches, he's gonna start getting hit. I think he's a stud pitcher, but I think it may take him at least most of this year to turn into a good starter. And even then, I'm not sure his performance will match the hype - although considering the magnitude of the hype, that's to be expected. There's always the chance, though, that he won't be a great starter and I wouldn't be shocked to see him go back to the bullpen in a year or two, especially when Rivera calls it quits.

[TheValleyRaider]

Tampa out of first place!

Hey! Scram! This is a Yankee thread! xpissedx

[UNHWildCats]

Hey! Scram! This is a Yankee thread! xpissedx
love you too

[TheValleyRaider]

love you too

I'm more surprised you didn't dedicate a whole thread of your own to it :p

[grizband]

I'm more surprised you didn't dedicate a whole thread of your own to it :p
Don't give him any ideas...xoopsx