Today’s news is powered by the one and only Frank McCourt, who passed away yesterday at 78. I had him for three different classes during my years at Stuy (of course, before he became the best-selling author):
- Don’t expect a trade for a starting pitcher anytime soon:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman admits that the team’s starting rotation “as a whole did not perform well at the end of the first half” and acknowledges that a part of the team that was supposed to be a strength “didn’t play out that way” as the Bombers haven’t had any starter perform at a consistent level.
But, Cashman says, pursuing an outside option for starting help is “unlikely right now … I don’t feel we need a guy. We’re going internal and we’ll wait and see how that works out.” In fact, Cashman said, it would probably be easier to make a deal for a reliever, which would allow the Yankees to free up either Phil Hughes or Alfredo Aceves to go back into the rotation, if they decide they need more help than new No.5 starter Sergio Mitre, slated to start Tuesday against Baltimore.
Of course, with the July 31 trade deadline approaching and Toronto ace Roy Halladay available, Cashman could be playing coy. And, Cashman acknowledged his opinion could change if “our circumstances changed.”
But Cashman stressed that the Yankees are sticking to the don’t-pay-twice philosophy that he says they applied to Johan Santana’s availability before Santana became a Met. The Yanks, Cashman says, don’t want to both give up prospects and pay a megabucks contract extension.
- Old-Timers Day brought back Mike Mussina . . . and Don Zimmer:
. . . Zimmer, the 78-year-old baseball lifer who was permitting pinstripes to drape his body for the first time since the 2003 World Series.
Greeted with a kiss on the cheek from Andy Pettitte and a bear hug from Tony Pena, Zimmer had vowed never to return to Yankee Stadium after a spat with principal owner George M. Steinbrenner. Time has healed those wounds. He spent time around the batting cage chatting with Tigers manager Jim Leyland, one of his best friends in the game.
“I thought it’d be a good time to come back and see the guys, the Old-Timers,” Zimmer said. “I didn’t hesitate when they asked me. I didn’t even know the young kids who asked me. I just said, ‘Yes.'”
Now an advisor with the Rays, Zimmer said that he moved on immediately after that night in autumn 2003, but said that he feels badly about Steinbrenner’s declining health and said he had no words to say to him at this time. Yet Zimmer remains richly appreciative of his time serving as Joe Torre’s trusted bench lieutenant.
“Nobody will ever know how special it was,” Zimmer said, his eyes welling with tears.
- David Cone threw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday:
It has been 10 years since David Cone hurled his perfect game against a team that no longer exists at a stadium that is no longer used, setting down 27 Montreal Expos in succession at the old Yankee Stadium.
And there is just one thing about that sweltering afternoon that Cone might change — his reaction after the final out. With Orlando Cabrera’s popup safely nestled in Scott Brosius’ glove, Cone planted both hands on his heads and dropped to his knees before being tackled by catcher Joe Girardi.
“I look at that last part and I say, ‘What am I thinking about, dropping to my knees?'” Cone said. “It was completely unrehearsed. That’s not something you think about doing. I just remember collapsing from exhaustion, and now I look at it and think, ‘Maybe I should have done something different there.'”
For the rest of the world, the story of Cone’s 88-pitch performance on July 18, 1999 needs no revision. Cone relived his day of perfection on Saturday, throwing a ceremonial first pitch before the Yankees’ matinee against the Tigers.
- You can indeed now go to the bathroom during the playing of “God Bless America”:
Even though many fans interviewed on Friday were aware of Mr. Campeau-Laurion’s suit and its outcome, few actually chose to leave their seats during the seventh-inning stretch, which, at the stadium, includes a moment of “silent prayer” for soldiers, and the song traditionally played during the stretch, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
But most fans said they were glad to have the right to opt out of the singalongs, even if they chose not to exercise that option.
“If you have to go, you have to go,” said Shirley DeMeo, a jewelry consultant from Suffolk County, explaining that she felt sympathy for Mr. Campeau-Laurion because she had an illness that sometimes required ill-timed trips to the bathroom.
- On this date in 1965, Mel Stottlemyre becomes the first pitcher to hit an inside-the-park grand slam since Deacon Phillippe did it for the Pirates in 1910. Stottlemyre’s bases-loaded drive in the 5th off Bill Monbouquette assures him a 6-3 victory over the Red Sox.
- On this date in 1973, Chicago’s Wilbur Wood starts and loses both games of a doubleheader with the Yankees 12-2 and 7-0.
- On this date in 1987, Don Mattingly ties a major league mark as he is credited with 22 putouts in one game. The feat was last accomplished in the American League by Hal Chase in 1906.
Zim had a classic line to Kim Jones yesterday. He said coming to Old Timers' Day was something he'd never forget. "And I don't have much time left to forget."
Hey D, what was McCourt like as a teacher? What did he teach you about writing and reading?
Mr. McCourt taught me to appreciate the cadences of spoken dialogue and to appreciate the poetry of everyday speech. He taught me the importance of reading more. He taught me the value of a joke. And he taught a lot of high strung overachievers how to relax, for at least 40 minutes a day.
Mr. McCourt was a great New Yorker whose like we shall not see again. He spent 22 years in retirement and I'm glad he had so long to enjoy it.
RIYank is on the case:
"Joba has now pitched 95 2/3 innings.
Six more starts, maybe seven, and they have to think about shutting him down, right? For the rest of the season? Or what’s the plan?"
There needs to be one, anyhow. I have said a couple of times now that I half expect a Joba/Phil reversal in mid-late August, Phil to rotation, Joba to pen, because otherwise I just can't see what they'll do with Joba. RI, at 6 innings per, he CAN go 9-10 more starts though if 150 is the more-or-less cap (that's what I remember it to be). If so, then he could run towards end of year and be bullpen in playoffs. Then CC/AJ/Pettitte (?) are our main three, and perhaps Hughes switches? But Hughes would need a month in the rotation ... and he has been dominant in his current role which is a huge one ... this gets tricky and is worth watching, going forward.
I'm actually quite encouraged by that Cashman quote. Based on recent experience, I interpret it to mean that he is actively looking for a starter. And that seems to me to be the best approach.
I'm almost impressed that the Yankees have managed to complicate Hughes's situation almost as well as they did with Joba. It's a mighty feat considering they just went through this.
Well, Hoss, Joba only pitched 100 innings last year. By strict Verducci rules, he should only be throwing 130 this year. Stretch that a bit, maybe, but 150 seems risky. That's why I was thinking seven more starts, tops.
[1]
Alex .... I couldn't put it much better than [2] ....
McCourt was a character, an actor, a showman and a terrific storyteller.
He'd tell you if your writing was rubbish, and he'd tell you if it was great, or how to make it better.
He really got into the books we read .... "Beowulf" sticks in my mind as a favorite of his.
I think he got as much out of his time in front of us as we got out of him.
[6] Ah, but have you looked at the schedule?
If the Yanks skip Joba when his regular turn falls on an off day, and do this for no other starter (that is, bump the staff up a day when a non-Joba pitcher has an off day), Joba gets just 11 more starts the rest of the year.
5 IP/start in 11 starts is 55 IP, or 150.7 for the year.
But if the Yanks want to be more careful, they can play lots of games. My suggestion above gives Joba 2 more July starts, 4 August starts, and 5 (!) September starts. Skip him once in August - say Wang is back and they briefly go with a 6-man rotation - and then twice in September, and that's 8 starts the rest of the year. Off-days and the double-header with TB in September will be a big help.
I have no doubt whatsoever that the Yanks are very much prepared for this.
[7] I wish I attended Stuy when McCourt was a teacher. One of my teachers at Stuy talked about him as a teacher, but it definitely wasn't the shame. At least she had us read Angela's Ashes.
And I don't see the Yankees acquiring a starting pitcher. Maybe a reliever to allow Hughes to stretch out and fill the rest of Joba's innings?
I still think putting Hughes back in the rotation will become a necessity before the season is over.
Shaun, that's a plan, but it assumes (1) no need to skip any other starter, (2) 5 IP/start, which seems awfully low, and (3) they're willing to go to 150, which seems high.
Rich, that's what I'd do -- but the talk has suggested the Yankees have no intention of putting Hughes back in the rotation this year, so I assume that is not their plan. (What would be the point of Cashman or Girardi misleading the public about it?)
As to the starters, the reality is we're just guessing madly. Much turns on a) if Wang is worth anything in the rotation this year or is done like a dinner and b) if Cash gets a back-end starter or 3rd starter like Washburn (who is amazingly good this year). Right now Seattle is in the hunt, and so it would be very hard for them to deal Wash or Bedard without alienating a LOT of fans.
I agree there's a hint of deja vu all over again with Hughes in the pen, as Yogi once (may have) said. But I'm not sure this is a mistake on the Yankees part or pretty smart improv. Joba is surely worth exploring as a starter (easier to say after yesterday) and Hughes WILL be there but is currently of tremendous use while we chase hard for a playoff spot. (Wish the hell KC's bullpen had held at least ONE lead over the weekend, jeez!)
Oh, and c) what kind of Pettitte we gettitte, going forward.
[11] (What would be the point of Cashman or Girardi misleading the public about it?)
Yeah, they've never done that before, why start now? >;)
[11] Rich, that’s what I’d do — but the talk has suggested the Yankees have no intention of putting Hughes back in the rotation this year, so I assume that is not their plan. (What would be the point of Cashman or Girardi misleading the public about it?)
I was under that impression as well, but Ken Davidoff had a quote from Cashman in his column yesterday that, like the article that Diane excerpted above, leaves open the possibility that Hughes could be shifted to the rotation, contrary to Girardi's public comments:
[3] Agree 100%. I can't imagine how to effectively use both Joba and Phil any other way. Actually, Phil could stretch out in the later innings of Joba's last 3 or 4 games, and once inbetween Joba starts. Like 2 IP for a Joba start, 2 IP once between, 3 IP for a Joba start, 3 IP between, etc.
It would be INSANE to trade young talent for Halliday. We must remember that even if the Yanks can financially afford a well over $200m payroll, I don't think Cashman wants to go there. We have like $90+m/year just in ARod, Tex, CC and AJ. We NEED young, cheap players simply to afford paying the big contracts.
It's no accident that our BP is almost 100% homegrown and that we didn't get a CFer (back when both Melky and Gritty looked wholely inadequate for the job).
Think of it this way. Doing a Halliday trafe now would have been like getting a stud pitcher in 1995 and ONLY giving away Jeter, Posada and Rivera.
[13] I don't mean they'd never mislead the public -- I mean they wouldn't do it for no reason.
[14] That's encouraging.
[14] Now that I like! I hope it gets no play, however, because . . .
[16] they have a good reason to "mislead the public", that is, mislead their competitors who get their info from the same sources as we the public do. If misinformation helps the Yanks make any moves - depresses the market for relievers, say, because the Yanks are not going to trade for a reliever as "they aren't putting Hughes back into the rotation", which allows the Yanks to get a good reliever at a cheap price - then I say, give us misinformation! More please!
It was when Girardi was concealing injuries for no reason, and no gain, that frustrated me. I see no advantage to lying about those. I see plenty of advantage to "Bubba Crosby is our CF" et al.
[16] Oh, well that's... better? Ollie North would be proud... >;)
[17] Ah, interesting.
I do not want to see the Yankees trade for a reliever. If they really feel they need to add someone, let it be Marte. However, I guess if they are going to trade for one, it's better that they conceal their 'need'.
[17] Okay RI, I'll stop teasing. Shaun saved you from a fate worse than mirth by presenting a more compelling argument. Besides, I really didn't want to revisit the whole Iran-Contra thing again...
[0] "We’re going internal and we’ll wait and see how that works out." - Brian Cashman
The Unabridged Yankees Dictionary defines that statement as "Ricciardi is out of his ******* mind with what he wants for Halladay!"
: )
[20] Oh, I wouldn't mind.
Deceiving the public was not exactly on top of Ollie's list of sins, at least in my book. But I guess I shouldn't say anymore, list policy and all...
[21] PJ, that's very funny. I'd say it is more likely that Ricciardi will NOT deal Doc in the AL East because he shoots himself in too many places. I think Ricciardi can get a whole lot for Halladay, myself ... as I said before, this is a massive difference-maker for a playoff-bound team.
I really did like Washburn for this team, you know. Lefty in NYS, savvy and healthy... but Seattle are too close in the West to bail and there are only 10 days left.
I'll feel much better about our rotation if Andy can give us a couple of decent starts in a row. If he messes up badly tonight it really does put pressure on Cashman to find a starter.
I'll tell you what - days like yesterday really throw the whole Chamberlain thing for a loop. I figure that was his second best start of the year, after the 8 innings in Cleveland (right?) ... Of course, even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while (allegedly), so I'm left to wonder: Who is the real Joba Chamberlain? Are those great performances just luck or is a sign of things to come?
For all his stuggles in the rotation and success in the pen, Hughes still strikes me as a starter, disposition-wise. I feel the opposite way about Joba but hey if he keeps throwing 95 mph curveballs (sic, ; ), who's to argue?
[23] I would like to see what hurlers such as Mitre or McAllister, as well as any others that may get a cup of coffee this year, bring for skill sets to help the big club before dealing them away. Maybe two or more of them can be effective. I'm not looking for Aaron Small's 10-0 or anything, but .500 from Pettitte and any kids they try will prove good enough supplemented with Burnett, Sabathia, and Chamberlain the rest of the way. Let other teams get URP'd for a change as they head into the Dog Days and into the September call-ups. If the team as is cannot make it through the six weeks until September 1ST where they are in the standings or better, then they really won't go very far into October anyway. However, if the starters "change gears" and have a second half that is indicative of what they are capable of, they'll be in great shape when the call ups are made and we may get to witness a pleasant surprise or two then. I think the offense is good enough to help carry them. I'd like to see better defense though.
As for Joba's innings, I would argue that since he did so well after extra time off during the ASB, it's possible they might skip his turn every other or third time through the rotation, which would not overload him in terms of his innings limit, enable him to continue to start through the rest of the season, and create a viable force to contend with heading into the postseason.
[24] RE: "95 MPH Curveballs"
I believe the fact they continue to do that insults our collective intelligence, don't you? I'm quite sick of it as well...
[25] Not only that, but it makes them look weak, trying to obfuscate.
The Twins got almost nothing for Santana as a result of their decision to extract a premium from an AL team in any prospective trade. Do you think that they regret that decision? I do. If he decides to trade Hallady, I think Ricciardi will take the best possible deal no matter which team offers it.
[27] Fair comment, Rich. I guess all of these things turn on what gets tabled. If it is close, he'll go out of AL East, if Bosox or Yankees are only teams coming to the table with anything of value, he'll try to swallow his concerns about that. Let's say we have a home conference penalty. We have to win by a lot to get the trade - and my bet is we aren't about to try.
Hmm, I dunno, the Santana case might equally well lead Ricciardi to decide to keep Halladay. I agree that the Twins' trade looks terrible now. So maybe Ricciardi is thinking, "Don't pull the trigger just to get something; another year and a half of Doc is better than what I'm likely to get."