Tagged: Alex Rodriguez
“Cashman Three” Not Paying Dividends
There’s not a lot to take issue with when you’re 20-8 and coming off a 10-3 drubbing of Josh Beckett and your archrivals, but there is one major cause for concern: all three of Cashman’s off-season acquisitions have conspicuously come up snake eyes so far. Curtis Granderson struggled mightily at the plate (.225, 2 HR, 7 RBI), then proceeded to strain his groin last weekend and is expected to spend a month on the disabled list. Nick Johnson has been downright awful when he’s actually been on the field (.167, 2 HR, 8 RBI) and, after missing a few games in April with back stiffness, is now–SURPRISE–headed to the DL with an undisclosed right wrist injury. Then, of course, there’s the enigmatic Javier Vazquez, who has been so dreadful that the fact he has been the only one of the three to stay healthy could actually be considered unfortunate.
Random Thoughts on Home Opener
- The highlight video shown before the start of the ring ceremony was a bit of a disappointment–too short and not enough of a narrative. I thought the Yankees could have put together something a little more dramatic and comprehensive to commemorate the 2009 championship.
- The diamond-encrusted white gold ring is absolutely beautiful. Elegant. First-class. It’s probably the nicest championship ring design in sometime. Oftentimes teams get carried away and design a gaudy monstrosity, losing sight of aesthetics in pursuit of excess. Not the Yankees. This is a ring that manages to do majesty to Yankee dominance while simultaneously remaining stylish and tasteful enough to wear without shame.
- The standing-ovations for Matsui were well-deserved and all class, and I expect Johnny Damon to receive the same kind of treatment when Detroit visits the Bronx in August. Unlike the rabble in Boston, we don’t deride and torment our former heroes, we honor them.
- Flying all 27 championship pennants along the roof of the Stadium was a great way to honor Yankee tradition. My only minor criticism is that the pennants themselves were kind of bland–simple blue lettering on a plain white background. It would have been nice if each pennant included the World Series logo from its particular year.
- I also thought they should have made the raising of the 2009 champions flag a highlight of the ceremony, as it has been in years past when dignitaries like Yogi, Reggie Jackson, or Rudy Giuliani would do the honors at the flagpole in Monument Park to culminate the festivities. This year, however, YES did not even televise the flag raising, and the championship pennant was already flying at the start of the ring ceremony. Very disappointing.
- YES dropped the ball with the first pitch. They were late coming out of commercial and viewers missed Bernie’s introduction and the crowd’s reaction to it.
- Speaking of Bernie–what an embarrassing first pitch for such a great player! He’s only been (unofficially) retired since the end of the 2006 season, he played during last year’s WBC for Puerto Rico, and yet he unleashed a shocking 50-footer to home plate. Everyone knows Bernie’s arm was never one of his strengths, but still, this was downright Obama-like.
- As for the game itself, the Yanks couldn’t have drawn it up much better. Pettitte was terrific, Jeter and Johnson treated the crowd to a couple of long home runs, A-Rod knocked in a couple, and Signor Magnifico wrapped it up with a nice little bow. The only cause for concern is the continuing struggles of Dave Robertson, marked yesterday by a grand slam home run from Bobby Abreu that made the final score closer than the game actually was. Robertson emerged as an integral part of the bullpen last year with nasty strikeout stuff, but has been getting pounded to the tune of a 15.43 ERA in 2 1/3 IP in 2010. The Yankees need him to get on track if the relief corps is to be as big of a strength this year as it was last.
C.C. Dominates
It seemed destined, didn’t it? After spectacular defensive plays by Tex, A-Rod, and Cano in the sixth, seventh, and eighth, it sure had that no-hitter “feel.” But alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Kelly Shoppach broke-up C.C.’s no-hit bid with two out in the eighth and Yankees Universe had to settle for a mere stellar pitching performance, not a historic one, and a 10-0 drubbing of a division rival. What better way for the Yanks to respond after the Rays rubbed their noses in it last night?
An Early Look at the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 Free Agent Pitching Markets
With the Red Sox locking up Josh Beckett this week with a contract extension and the Phillies and Royals having done the same recently with Roy Halladay and Zack Greinke, respectively, it’s looking like slim pickings in next year’s crop of free agent pitchers. Jason Stark lists the top pitchers on the 2010-2011 market, in order, as Cliff Lee, Javier Vazquez, Jorge De La Rosa, Aaron Harang, and Ted Lilly. And things look even worse for 2011-2012, with Tom Verducci projecting Mark Buehrle as the best of a very weak class.
A New Generation of Retired Numbers
In the wake of this whole controversy over LaTroy Hawkins’ selection of Paul O’Neill’s old number, the timing is apropos for a look at which of the key figures from the more recent Yankee teams deserve to have their numbers retired.
- #2 Derek Jeter – Duh.
- #6 Joe Torre – Despite managing chronically underachieving teams during the latter half of his Yankee career and the acrimonious way his tenure ended, 4 World Series championships, 6 American League pennants, 10 American League East crowns, and 12 straight post-season appearances speak for themselves.
- #13 Alex Rodriguez – Likely all-time home run king is arguably one of the five best to ever play the game and will have spent 14 years in pinstripes by the end of his current 10-year contract.
- #42 Mariano Rivera – Greatest closer in baseball history. Plus, #42 has already been retired league-wide by MLB because of Jackie Robinson, so the Yanks don’t even lose a number here.
- #21 Paul O’Neill – Heart and soul of the World Series winning teams from ’96-’00. Beloved by both the fans and teammates. Earned the highest praise from Big Stein when he designated O’Neill “a warrior.” Batting champion. Five-time All-Star. Terrific fielder. Career .303 batting average as a Yankee is 11th in franchise history. Verdict: No. 21 should be retired and it will be eventually.
- #22 Roger Clemens – Possibly the greatest pitcher in baseball history is also possibly a cheat. Won 2 World Series, a Cy Young, and his 300th game as a Yankee. A Big Stein favorite. Whether his number adorns Monument Park depends on two factors: (1) the outcome of the steroid and perjury accusations, and (2) which cap he wears into the Hall of Fame. Verdict: Inconclusive.
- #51 Bernie Williams – Another beloved Yankee. Batting champion. Five-time All-Star. Four-time Gold Glove winner. Hit over .300 in 8 consecutive seasons. Career .297 hitter would have finished well-above .300 had he retired a few years earlier. All-time postseason leader in RBI and extra-base hits, second in home runs, runs, and hits. He certainly accomplished more as a Yankee than Winfield. I don’t think some of the younger and newer fans really appreciate what a great player Bernie was because they only saw him at the very end of his career when he was a shell of his former self. This was a guy who would hit .320-.340 with 25-30 HR and 100-120 RBI every year, all the while playing a Gold Glove centerfield. He was clearly the best offensive player on the four championship teams. Verdict: A worthy successor to DiMaggio and Mantle, the Yankees will rightfully retire his number.
- #46 Andy Pettitte – Yet another fan favorite. 200+ wins. 2-time All-Star. Led AL in Wins in ’96. Screwed out of ’96 Cy Young Award. 164 wins as a Yankee are 6th in franchise history. 1996 World Series Game 5. Reputation as a big game pitcher is slightly exaggerated (14-9, 3.96 career in postseason). Pettitte has had an excellent career, but he probably falls into the same “good-but-not-quite-good-enough” category as guys like Ron Guidry, Lefty Gomez, and Mel Stottlemyre. The HGH controversy doesn’t help, either. Verdict: No. 46 remains in circulation.
- #18 Scott Brosius
- #20 Jorge Posada
- #33 David Wells
- #36 David Cone
There Goes the Perfect Season…
Not too much to dissect about last night’s game. The Jays got strong starting pitching. The Yankees didn’t. Simple as that.