Dropped Third Strike

Mike Mussina - Hall of Famer??

FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Yanks' Mussina to retire after first 20-win season.

After a great deal of speculation, Mike Mussina is retiring.  There has been a great deal of discussion during the past year about whether or not he should be in the Hall of Fame.  He doesn't have the numbers that make him a lock (300 wins, 3000 K's), although he is close.  

These standards, however, are long outdated.  Why should he be compared statistically to pitchers who pitched in four-man rotations and during times when a 40 home run-season was considered huge.  How many times was the home-run record broken during Mussina's career.  Here are some reasons why he should be a lock for the Hall of Fame:

- He 11 or more wins in 17 consecutive seasons, every year except his first. 

- 11 of those seasons he won 15 or more.

- He finished his career with 270 wins, 2813 K's, and a 3.68 ERA, all while pitching in the American League East, half of which as a member of the Orioles where he faced the Yankees and Red Sox many times.

- .638 winning percentage - not bad at all.  

- 15 seasons in the top 10 for strikeout to walk ratio.

- 5-time All-Star, 7 gold gloves.

- He pitched against players who were on steroids.  If Roger Clemens didn't juice, would his stats be any better?  

I kept hearing all year that not having a 20-win season would hurt his chances, now what's going to stop him?

Joba gets D.U.I.

Update: Turns out Joba's blood-alcohol level was .134 - which is pretty high (that state limit is .08). Sounds like he had plenty to drink, far too intoxicated to be driving around. Hank Steinbrenner says he is only 23, and is a good kid? Last I checked, 23 is an adult. If he is old enough to drink, he is old enough to get the consequences that come with drinking and driving. How can everyone be sympathetic towards him? If he were a lesser pitcher, would he get the same treatment?

Update - Joba released a statement apologizing for his stupidity: "I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the fans for an error in judgment and for putting myself in a difficult situation," Chamberlain said in a statement released by his agent, Randy Hendricks. "I intend to properly resolve this situation, and do not intend to be in such a situation again. My goal is to focus on pitching for the Yankees in the 2009 season." (ESPN)

Wow, the well-worded apology written released by his agent sounds so sincere, it makes me want to believe him....

Link: FOXNews.com - New York Yankees Pitcher Joba Chamberlain Arrested for DUI - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News.

Joba Chamberlain was arrested in Nebraska for driving under the influence, speeding, and driving with an open container early on Saturday. Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo refused to comment on Chamberlain in an e-mail. I am looking around online and have not seen much else about it yet, but will keep looking...

I am not sure what to make of this - the guy hangs out in New York City for the entire season, then gets arrested because he's partying in Lincoln, Nebraska?? I am surprised with all of the rules the Yanks have for him, that this could happen. I figured they had a well-guarded facility for him somewhere in the Bronx, maybe a 24-hour chaperone. I guess they didn't, but maybe he needs one. Don't look for the Yankees to react much about this, they don't seem to mind when their players behave badly. Oh, and don't forget the whole steroids and HGH thing...

IMHO - 10.5.08

What a week - not only did the Mets miss the playoffs, but the two teams that caused this are playing each other, so one of them will get to move on.

The Cubs, however, will not get to move on. I feel badly for Cubs fans (at least they made the playoffs...), but I don't care that they have waiting 100 years. I have not been alive for most of those 100 years, as is the case with the vast majority of the Cubs fans, so lets stop using that battle cry. I thought this might be the year though, they just ran into a Dodgers team that played very well.

I am sorry to see that the Phillies moved on - I was hoping for a humiliating defeat. Maybe the Dodgers can do this. The Dodgers have been good - Manny has been huge, and Joe Torre is one of the best. What if the Dodgers played the Red Sox in the World Series. That would be some story line - Manny coming back to Fenway, and Joe Torre vs. the Sox yet again. This won't happen though, I think the Rays will come out of the A.L.

Good for Joe Torre, finding success in L.A. It goes to show you, he wasn't the problem in NY, it was everyone else. I wonder how the view is from third place.

It's not fair, I have been to Rays games when there were 7000 fans in attendance. They become successful, and I lose a lottery to get tickets to a playoff game. Meanwhile, the other winners are selling them on Ebay. Oh well, at least a soda doesn't cost $5 when I watch the game at home.

Yankees and Free Agent Pitchers

Now that the season has officially ended for the Yankees (and all other baseball players in New York) and I figure it's about time to look at the Free Agent pitchers that will be impacting the roller coaster ride Yankee fans will be on this Winter. First let's take a look at the current Yankee starters that will be free agents:

Andy Pettitte - He's been a solid start for the Yankees in the past, but during the tail end of the season he's begin to drop off a bit. He's again stated that he will either pitch for the Bombers or retire, and if you ask me - every pitcher should have that attitude. With his stuff declining (perhaps as the HGH has worn off) I think they should try to bring him back at a reduced rate. Maybe aroudn $8 million a year with incentives for innings pitcher, wins, or k's?

Mike Mussina - Mikey Moose really brought it back this year after what was just an awful 2007 season. On top of that, he just got his 20th win tonight which gives him (at least in my opinion) a ride to the hall of fame. With the Yankees locking up ARod until he will likely break the HR record, it would be nice if Moose was around to hit 300 winds. It would take him two pretty good seaons or 3 average seasons to rack up the 31 wins he needs. I'd say give him a 2 year deal for about $20 million with a mutual option on the 3rd for a few extra bucks.

Carl "I'm a Loser" Pavano - It's no secret, if this guy can stay healthy, he can probably pitch above average. As long as he's going to pitch somewhere, let's give him an opportunity to save his reputation and make things right with the Yankees. I'd say offer him a $1.5 million dollar deal with $100,000 for every start he makes during the season. This way if he makes only 3 starts because of a bruised butt, no big loss.

Sidney Ponson - Please clean out your locker and go back to being a sandwich artist.

Now let's take a look at some of the pitchers the Yankees will probably throw way too much money at this Winter.

Ben Sheets - I'm really scared that they Yankees will actually end up signing this guy. Yeah, he's got good stuff and would be a nice addition to any rotation if he can stay healthy, but that's a big if. If he gets signed and turns out like Pavano, fans would be calling for heads to roll.

AJ Burnett - Also, a great addition when he's healthy. The Jays have offered him a couple of more years onto his current contract at $15 million per which brings his total to 4 years and $54 million. The Yankees would have to throw a whole lot of money at him to get him to leave Toronto and frankly, I think that would be a mistake. Let him stay in Toronto or go somewhere else, but let's keep him out of New York.

CC Sabathia - No matter who gets him, he's going to be paid extremely well. The only thing of concern here is his work load the past few months. He's tossed up a couple of good #'s this year including a career low ERA and a career high in K's but since they got him, the Brew Crew have treated him like the rental they know he is - he's tossed a career high in innings pitched and complete games. He's also racked up some extremely high pitch counts - yeah, not good. The info I'm finding says all but 2 of his Brewers games have been over 100 pitches with a few being well over 120. The Yankees need him and need to pay any price needed - and they will pay it.

I think a Yankees rotation shaking down like I've listed below would be pretty solid:

1. Wang
2. Pettitte
3. Moose
4. Sabathia
5. Hughes

Now if Pavano is back, make him work for a spot in the rotation. Also, if they can pull down 2 big free agents - make Kennedy and Hughes both fight for a spot - neither of them earned it this year.

In any event, something needs to change......

IMHO - 9.27.08

Here we go again - the Mets' chances of making the playoffs come down to the last day of the season. I would imagine that Mets fans have a higher level of stress than most - and may even have a shorter life expectancy because of it.

Johan Santana is worth every cent spent on him. I have said this all along. He proved it again today by tossing a three-hit shutout, on three days rest, in a game where he was needed the most. 16-7, 2.53 ERA - only a few wins away from a Cy Young. The bullpen is to blame for this. For everyone that said his stuff isn't as good as it used to be - this is his lowest ERA over a full season. He also gave up 10 less home runs this year than last year.

I would like to change my pick for NL MVP. As much as it hurts, Ryan Howard is the correct choice. His level of production has been incredible, and the timing is even better (unless your a Mets fan).

Please come back Mark McGwire.

Where in the world is Barry Bonds? Is he still working out hoping some one signs him? I haven't seen anything.

The Rays did it. The are the Anti-Mets. The won the AL East when no one thought it was possible. Thank you Rays for knocking the Yanks out of the playoffs. I am glad to see them go, just like the Braves a few years ago.

Is Larry (Chipper) Jones going to name his next child Citi?

We could see a Cubs-Rays World Series... That would be different. I am not sure the Tropicana Dome is ready for the World Series. I love the stadium - parking might be a problem!

If K-Rod wins the Cy Young because he leads the league in saves, then Ichiro should win the MVP for leading the league in At-Bats.

Jason Giambi is a dork.

Farewell Yankees.......

Last night, the Yankees were officially eliminated from the playoffs for the year. Like most big fans, I was holding on til the end - grasping at the fragments of hope that they would win their final six and the BoSox would lose theirs. As usual, the sox can do nothing right and with their win last night, we will soon bid farewell to the Yankees for the year. On the bright side, with Knight Rider being re-made and the Rays making it, I'll have something midly entertaining to watch come October.

Being a very attractive guy in my mid-20's, the Yankees making the playoff's have been a part of my lifestyle for longer than I can remember. They've been playing in October longer than:
1. I've been using or owned a computer.
2. iPods have been around
3. Midde School students thought it was cool to say "Phat" (that didn't last long)
4. Roger Clemens used steriods
5. Most people have had cell phones
6. Those stupid "can you hear me now" commercials
7. People began blogging so people could read their thoughts (please keep reading mine)
8. The AL East leading Rays have existed

I'm a college grad, young professional and they haven't missed the playoffs since I was in elementary school. Gosh......

You can blame it on injuries (which is the predominant cause) or you can try to find some other reason to place blame, but the bottom line is that the bombers just didn't deserve the post season this year. A combination of under performing superstars, mediocre performances from younger players, and over valuing their prospects combined to make a recipe for disaster.

Let's hope for the 09 season that Cashman decides to stick around, someone buys Hank a muzzle, and these overpaid players realize they are supposed to hit the ball on occasion. For this year, I'll get out my rays t-shirt, dust off my knight rider lunch box, and hope for a productive winter for the former New York Highlanders (and original Baltimore Orioles.)

IMHO - 9.13.08

The Mets started the day at the dreaded 145 game mark - at that point last year, they were up by 7 games with only 17 games left to play. It seemed almost impossible for them to not make the playoffs, but, they ended up one game behind the Phills - Mets fans will never be the same, myself included. We will never be comfortable with a lead again.

This year, however, I think will be different. The resurgence of Carlos Delgado, the emergence of Pelfrey, and the presence of Santana change the dynamic of the N.L. East race, and the Mets are a much tougher team to beat. Jon Niese looked good tonight, too.

I keep reading about teams' payrolls and who they can afford to sign this off-season. It is a little interesting, but I just don't care how much is spent on players. There is this backwards notion that ownership and management really care about winning and fans really care about the bottom line. As a fan, I only care about seeing my team win. I don't care how much they spend to do it. I will never say, "oh, I don't mind that they finished last because they have a $30M payroll, at least they turned a profit." For the owners, this is a business, and if they go bankrupt, winning the wild card doesn't make it any better. For them, it is all about the bottom line.

That being said, if another person tells me how great the Marlins did this year considering their payroll, I may throw up. The Marlins are full of good players who are under team control. Give me a break, every infielder has at least 25 home runs, that's ridiculous. They are loaded with great talent, and still no one goes to the games! If you are a Marlins fan and you are upset that some of your players might not be back next year, then go to some games. You can't pay salaries if you aren't making money on ticket sales. It is all about the bottom line. The Marlins management has down a good job securing great talent on a pathetic budget. Imagine if they were selling out some games...

The AL East race is a little too close for comfort. The Rays let the Sox sneak back in, but I still think Tampa Bay will hold on. It is a great story, but not as great as the story about the other New York team that is sitting in fourth place. That's right, I said it, the other New York team, the Yankees. Hank is nuts, I think he will sink one of the greatest ships in baseball, if not sports, history.

Pavano Owes the Bombers

Time to write about something I thought would never be relevant and perhaps give an unpopular opinion. Pavano has made three straight starts without needing surgery or bruising his buttocks. Doesn't it feel like there should be some sort of party or parade? Now, what should be done with him? Ready for this? You sure? You aren't going to like it........the Yankees should resign him.

Pavano has pitched in 3 games this year, has gotten the decision for two of them (both wins) and the Yankees have won all three games that he has started. Furthermore - if the Yankees were more relevant this year, they would have been very important games as they were all against teams in the AL East (Toronto, Baltimore, and Tampa Bay.)

Mr. Pavano has now made 22 starts over the course of his 4 year contract and has made a ridiculous amount of money to do this (just about 40 million bucks.) I think, putting personal opinions aside, that it's obvious this guy still has a little something he can contribute so long as he can stay healthy. Also, with his performance being so limited this year, there is absolutely no chance that the Yankees will receive a draft pick for him if he signs elsewhere.

What I would like to see is Pavano signing a significantly cheaper deal for about 2-3 years to stay in New York. The guy has already made plenty of money and now I think he needs to go ahead give the Yankees what they paid for. I think somewhere in the 3 - 4 million per year seems fair for the production he's had the past couple of years. If he won't go for it, then offer him arbitration. He's not going to have the easiest time finding work, who knows - maybe he'd accept.

Bottom line, this guy has been set up for life by the Yankees and in exchange we've gotten car accidents, surgeries, and a bruised buttocks to go along with the 22 starts he's made. Come on Carl - do the right thing, play for cheap, and earn some respect.

A.L. Cy Young: Why not Mariano??

So, I am sure everyone, unless you are an Angels fan, is absolutely sick of hearing about K-Rod. "K-Rod should get the Cy Young," or "K-Rod for MVP," and so on... Give me a break - I can't see anyway to justify giving this guy even one vote for Cy Young, and especially MVP.

Let's just kill the MVP argument before we go any further. His job is to come in and maintain the lead that his team gave him. He did not create the lead, just maintained it. Because of his status as closer, he is not used when they are losing, so he has no part in any walk-off victories. I mean, he has only pitched 59.1 innings in 65 games; that's less than one inning per game!!!!! How can he be the most valuable guy on the Angels, let alone the entire American League?

Now, I can see him being included in Cy Young discussions - but it stops there. On the surface, his 54 saves is quite impressive, but dig a little deeper, and he is not even the best closer in the league. The reason he has 54 saves is because he has been given 59 chances!! The rest of his numbers are as impressive - except for the saves, his numbers are not nearly as impressive as those of Mariano Rivera. So why not Mariano?

First of all, the Cy Young award is for the league's best pitcher. Often times the MVP depends on the success of your team, the Cy Young should not. Mariano would have more save opportunities if the Yankees were having a better year. Now, onto the numbers:

Rivera has 32 saves, and one blown save - percentage of 97% - K-Rod's is 92% (5 blown saves)

WHIP: K-Rod - 1.23, Rivera 0.70!!

ERA: K-Rod - 2.43 (not bad), Rivera - 1.46 (much better)

K-Rod has walked 30 batters, Rivera has only walked 6 all year... That is impressive.

Mariano's strikeout to walk ratio is a dominant 11.67.

Ready for this - K-Rod's is 2.27.

Can someone please tell me how K-Rod is a valid candidate for the Cy Young? Please leave some comments if you can find any way other than the number of saves, the K-Rod is having a better season than Mariano Rivera. Until, I will just laugh every time it is mentioned.

IMHO - 8.30.08

We're down to the final month - and some interesting story lines are developing...

K-Rod is going to destroy the record for saves in a season, probably earning over sixty by the end of the season. He has been getting some talk in Cy Young discussions, but does he deserve it? I don't think so - the save is a highly-overrated statistic. It means very little. For example, tonight for the Mets, Ayala gave up two runs in the ninth, but because he came in with a three-run lead, he gets a save. Awful performance, but gets a save... Here some reasons he shouldn't even get one vote:

- Of the 19 closers with at least 25 saves this year, 8 have a better ERA than K-Rod. His ERA is good, but not incredible for a closer.

- He has pitched in 62 games, but has only pitched about 56 innings.

- Yes, he has 51 saves, but has had 56 opportunities. This has nothing to do with his skills.

- There are other closers with a better percentage of saves per opportunities - he just plays for a team that wins more.

Jack feels strongly about this, I think he is going to go into more detail this weekend...

Staying on the "saves" topic - The Mets/Phillies game on Wednesday was the perfect example of how overrated the closer role has become. Carlos Delgado came up to bat with two outs in the eighth, he was having a good night, and was facing a pitcher who (in a small sample of at-bats) he has had some good success against. Brad Lidge was available, but it wasn't the ninth. Charlie Manuel decided to save Lidge for the ninth. The result - a very predictable hit from Delgado, specifically a game-tying home run. He then brings Lidge in for the ninth in a tie game, and Lidge gets lit up. At what point do managers stop managing for stats, and start managing for wins. That decision probably caused that loss, and is the reason the Phillies are in second place.

Another example, the Mets are 16-7 (I think) since Billy Wagner went on the DL. Not bad...

The Yankees are out. Will everyone please stop talking about the Yankees. They irrelevant.

How cool would a Twins/Rays world series be?

The Mets need to pick up Carlos Delgado's option.

The Rays continue to roll, even with poor attendance. It's about a two-hour drive to the stadium for me, but I go when I can. It is exciting, how are they not selling out every game. The stadium is very comfortable, and is air-conditioned!!

Marlins tickets should be free. They will again trade or not sign some of their best players, so they don't need the money for payroll.

I used to love Baseball Tonight, and I still like it, except when Eric Young and Eduardo Perez are on it. I'd rather mute my TV and just watch the highlights. Seriously, please let me know if there is anyone anywhere that likes it when they are on. The whole "Souvenir City" thing is old, very very old.

I do, however, enjoy watching Mets games with Gary, Keith, and Ron. They provide so much insight, and I feel like I understand what is going on much better when I watch them. Just one request for Keith Hernandez, in case he ever reads this (which I doubt he will): Please never talk about Men's underwear on TV again. I am not going to say much more, but you spent to much time talking about Jason Giambi's undergarments a few weeks ago. I couldn't stomach it, and I am still disturbed by it. I have forgiven you for this though.

That's all.