Don't Count Out CC, It's Just One Game

I finally got to watch a game on the YES network.

As an out-of-market Yankee fan, I don't get to watch as many games as I'd like to during the year. I realize I don't have much to complain about, as ESPN/FOX love to show the Bombers whenever they can. However, I don't get to see my team play nearly all their games like I would if I rooted for the Cubs, White Sox, or Reds here in Indiana. (My thanks again to Jake's for their satellite TV.)

What did I get to witness during this game against the Royals? I got to see that 36 year old Andy Pettite is still able to throw good stuff and record outs like he did during the Dynasty run.

But can we really look ahead to a whole season based on a single start? If I were to behave like every other Yankee fan and baseball analyst, then of course I would.

You see, Pettite was amazing in his season debut. His line (7IP, 3H, 6SO, 1.29ERA) was amazing and to be honest if Nick Swisher is a half step faster and plays that pop-up in the second inning better, Pettite likely gets a 2 hit shutout. If he pitches every game of the year like this, ESPN has him projected to start 41 times, winning all of them, throw 243 strikeouts, and keep his ERA below 2.00. What?!? Obviously, Pettite nor any other player this season is going to live up to those projected stats. This is what happens when you project that far forward based on one game.

As ridiculous as this example with Andy Pettite is, people have had no problem doing the exact same thing with CC Sabathia and believing his horrible projected numbers. CC pitched a terrible game on April 6th. His Yankee debut was atrocious (4.1IP, 8H, 6ER, zeroSO, 12.46ERA). I hope that CC never pitches another game like that again. But to think that this one bad start means his season is a failure and that he is going to be a bust is idiotic. His one bad start is no more evidence of a potentially bad year than Pettite's gem is an indicator that he'll defy the odds and his age and put up Cy Young-caliber numbers.

What will happen? I'm no psychic (see below for the real deal) but I'm guessing that Andy Pettite won't start 41 games and that CC will bounce back. Is he going to be a bust? No one knows, but it is too early to make that decision. If he's still stinking it up in July, then we've got a problem. However, I'm guessing that when that time comes and he's leading the league in strikeouts and the Yanks are in first place everyone will magically forget his bad debut and how they wrote him off for the rest of the season.

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Trying to Find Some Humor in Steroids

I love baseball. I always have and probably always will. I remember watching Yankees and Cubs games with my dad and cheering on my favorites: Mattingly, Grace, Tartabull, Leyritz, and Jeter. I respected the Gwynns, Ripkens, Sandbergs, and Big Hurts of the world.

Now I can't help but wonder if the sport that I love is dying? I thought that the strike in '94 would kill baseball. Had it not been for McGwire and Sosa's slugfest in '98 that death sentence would have likely been true. But it seems we are now paying the price for that magical summer at the end of the last millennium. Every day it seems a new star or another living legend is being connected with this horrible black eye that is steroids/performance-enhancing drugs.

I have not yet made up my mind as to where I stand on issues such as the legitimacy of Bonds' records or the place of some of these athletes in the Hall. I will continue to wrestle with these issues as a fan of the game and will post them on here as they come to light. There are even some who argue that most of these so-called issues are moot (Billynho being one, and I hope he will expand the conversations we've had into full articles). Regardless of my stance or anyone else's on the issue of sterioids, I do stand by one thing...

In any case involving scandal or alleged scandal, I think that humor is one of the best ways to expose and shed light on the issue and I think it is one of the best uses of our freedom of speech to lampoon and satirize the issues of our day. With that said, I came across a very funny picture on ESPN's Page 2 today. The original can be found here. Click the image below to see it in full size.

Does it answer all of the questions we have about this dark time in baseball? No. Is it 100% fair to all parties? No. But, does it make us laugh a little and maybe not feel so horrible about the direction that baseball has taken? I hope.

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New York Yankees 85th Anniversary Team

On September 21, 2008 Yankees fans witnessed the final Major League Baseball game that will ever be played in the Cathedral known as Yankee Stadium. Despite hosting numerous other tenants over the course of its 85 year history (New York Giants, New York Cosmos, Army/Fordham/NYU College Football), the Stadium was built for and is most famous for its namesake franchise: the New York Yankees.

Much will be written about this period in time due to the changing of venues, but let us not forget that this year also marks the 85th anniversary of the Yankees' first World Series victory which would be the first of a record 26 titles over the 85 year span. So in honor not only of 85 years in the House That Ruth Built, but 85 years of World Championships, I present my personal picks for an 85th Anniversary Team.

First Team

C	Yogi Berra
	Aside from his 3 MVPs, 10 WS titles, and 15 All-Star game selections, Yogi earns this spot for being the face of the franchise for almost 60 years. Even with his own personal issues with The Boss, no other player has had such an association with one team for so long. Ruth will always be king, Gehrig and Munson will always be the fallen heroes, but Yogi embodies the soul of the greatest team in North American sports history.
1B	Lou Gehrig
	He will forever be known for his streak, his speech, and sadly his death, but what I think eludes many members of my generation is how great of a player he truly was. 493 HR, .340 BA, 2x MVP (finished 2nd twice) all while sharing the Babe's spotlight for most of his career. Following his death, the distinction of Captain would not be issued for 35 years to honor his memory.
2B	Willie Randolph
	Upon researching this article, I couldn't help but notice that this was a somewhat weak position for the Bombers over the years. However for 13 years the Yankees did have a great one in Willie Randolph. A five-time All-Star while wearing pinstripes, Randolph started 1688 games at second base for the Yankees. He later joined the team's coaching staff and during his 11 years as a base and bench coach helped oversee the most recent Yankee dynasty.
3B	Alex Rodriguez
	Perhaps one of the more controversial picks on this list, it should be noted that at the end of next season A-Rod could be third amongst Yankees for games started at 3rd base. Despite putting up a majority of his gaudy personal statistics in Seattle and Texas, Rodriguez has the potential to shatter every major hitting record in baseball. Thanks to his massive contract, it looks like he will finish his historic career in pinstripes. He has already won two MVPs while in New York (the first since Mattingly in '85) and could easily win a couple more. Currently he has hit 553 HR, and he's only 32 years old.
SS	Derek Jeter
	One of only 4 players to play on all of the most recent dynasty's championship teams and still wear pinstripes. On a team that is often criticized for its lack of a farm system, Jeter is one of the glaring exceptions. Drafted by the Yankees in 1992, he played 15 games in '95 but '96 was his true rookie season. He won the ROY, and in 2006 was narrowly beat out for the MVP. A 4-time world champion and 8-time All-Star, he has risen to not only be the Yankee's captain and leader but has positioned himself as one of the faces of MLB.
OF	Joe DiMaggio
	When Paul Simon and Ernest Hemmingway allude to you in their art, chances are you have transcended your sport and you are a national treasure. When he wasn't busy marrying possibly the most famous actress of all time, and despite missing 3 years because of WWII, Joltin' Joe compiled a 56-game hit streak, won 3 MVPs, and 9 world titles. The epitome of grace on the field, it was once said that the only way to get a hit against the Yankees was to "hit 'em where Joe wasn't".
OF	Mickey Mantle
	For anyone who had any doubts about his inclusion on this list, I believe that Mickey's wikipedia page says it best:"He played his entire 18-year major-league professional career for the New York Yankees, winning 3 American League MVP titles and playing for 16 All-Star teams. Mantle played on 12 pennant winners and 7 World Championship clubs. He still holds the records for most World Series home runs (18), RBIs (40), runs (42), walks (43), extra-base hits (26), and total bases (123)."
OF	Bernie Williams
	His statistical accomplishments speak for themselves, but Bernie's reception at the final game speaks volumes for what he meant to the team during the 90s and into the new millennium. Another home-grown player, Bernie played in 2076 regular season games and 121 playoff games, all of them for the Yankees. He currently hold the record for most postseason games (121), doubles (29), RBI (80) and extra base hits (51). He also is in the top 6 in Yankee all-time categories, such as hits, HR, and RBI. 4 world titles and 5 All-Star selections round out his phenomenal list of accomplishments.
DH	Babe Ruth
	I realize that the Babe played pitcher and outfield (with a little 1B), but I have extrapolated this anniversary team to play in the modern era. With that concession, I think everyone knows what position the Bambino would be filling in a modern roster: DH. Since that's clarified, I think the fact that Ruth is the greatest player of all-time is reason enough for inclusion on this list.
SP	Whitey Ford
	The best Yankee pitcher of all-time. He recorded 236 wins for New York, a team record that still stands. The Chairman of the Board won six World Series (he was the MVP of the 1961 WS), was selected to 8 All-Star teams, and won the Cy Young Award in 1961 (25-4 record).
SP	Ron Guidry
	Louisiana Lightning not only pitched for the World Championship teams in '77 and '78, but won the Cy Young Award in 1978 (he finished second in the MVP ballot). He won 170 games with a 3.29 ERA, playing his entire career in the Bronx.
SP	Lefty Gomez
	Lefty was a 7-time All-Star, won the World Series 5 times, and played for the Yankees for 13 seasons. He pitched in seven World Series games, with a 2.86 ERA, 31K, and 6 Wins. He won the pitching Triple Crown in '34 and '37. The Yankee sluggers may have gotten most of the attention during the 30s and 40s, but together with Red Ruffing, Lefty Gomez supplied the high-caliber pitching needed to win championships.
SP	Red Ruffing
	Charles Ruffing played 14.5 seasons with the Yankees, and recorded 216 wins while wearing pinstripes. He was a six-time All-Star, six-time World Champion, and led the league in strikeouts in 1932. He won 20+ games 4 times during his career and recorded a 2.63 ERA in World Series play.
RP	Mariano Rivera
	481 career saves. 2.29 ERA over 1022+ IP. All while with the Yankees. No one has done so much with only one pitch in the history of the game. His cutter has a legend of its own, rivaling the likes of Nolan Ryan's fastball and Randy Johnson's slider. Arguably the greatest relief pitcher ever.

Second Team

C	Elston Howard
	This spot on the roster was without a doubt my hardest decision. Bill Dickey and Thurman Munson deserve to be considered, though I chose to go with the player that combined Munson's explosive statistics with Dickey's longevity. Howard was the 1963 MVP, won 2 Gold Gloves, was named to 9 All-Star teams, and won 4 titles. He broke the Yankee's color barrier and would go on to notch a career fielding percentage .993. Howard still ranks amongst the top 25 all-time for catchers in OPS.
1B	Don Mattingly
	1985 MVP. 1984 batting title. 9 Gold Gloves. 14 seasons with the Bombers. Sadly he never played in a World Series, but was the leader of the squad for a decade and a half.
2B	Tony Lazzeri
	An All-Star and a 5X World Champion, Lazzeri had seven seasons with 100+ RBI and batted .300+ five different seasons. He started 1441 games for the Bombers at 2B, second to only Willie Randolph.
3B	Graig Nettles
	Nettles started 1509 games at 3B for the Yankees, the most in franchise history. He made 5 All-Star teams while with the Yankees and was the 1981 ALCS MVP. He won 2 Gold Gloves and 2 World Series (both in '77 and '78).
SS	Phil Rizzuto
	1950 AL MVP, 5x All-Star, he started 1647 games for the Yankees at SS (second only to Jeter). After his stellar playing career, he would continue to be a part of the Yankee family by being a broadcaster for 40 years.
OF	Paul O'Neill
	4x All-Star with the Yankees, won 4 rings with the Bombers, and won the 1994 AL batting title. More than his stats, Paulie was one of the leaders and veterans that helped turn the Yankees from mediocre to legendary in the 90s.
OF	Dave Winfield
	One of the greatest athletes to ever live, Winfield chose baseball over basketball and football for his career. He played 8.5 years for the Bombers (mostly in RF), making 8 All-Star teams. He batted .340 in 1984 and tallied 226 HR during his time in New York.
OF	Roger Maris
	2x MVP, 3x All-Star with the Yankees, and 61 HR in '61. Forever overshadowed by Mantle, but a solid player in his own right.
DH	Reggie Jackson
	He was notoriously bad in right, which is why Mr. October would be a perfect fit for a DH spot. His powerful swing helped lead to world titles in '77 and '78. While with the Yankees he hit 144 HR, 461 RBI, and finished 2nd in the 1980 MVP race.
SP	Catfish Hunter
	Though he only played 5 seasons in New York, Catfish made the most of them. His record-setting contract ushered in an entirely new era of free agency that has come to be the Yankees' hallmark. On the field he lived up to his hyped billing. With the Yankees, he won 23 games in 1975 (finishing second in the Cy Young race) and won two World Series titles.
SP	Don Larsen
	He only played 5 years for the Yankees, but he was able to cement his legacy. He pitched on two World Series championship squads and threw the only perfect game in World Series history.
SP	Andy Pettitte
	Pettitte was oh-so-close to making my first team. The only starting pitcher to play on all four of the most recent championship teams, he went on to be known as one of the best lefties to ever play and one of the most feared pickoff men to ever set foot on the mound. ROY, 2nd in Cy Young voting, and ALCS MVP are just some of his career accolades. If not for his stint in Houston, he might not only be a member of my first team, but go down as the greatest pitcher in Yankee history.
SP	Roger Clemens
	Won 2001 Cy Young (first Yankee to win Cy Young since Ron Guidry in '78). Key part of pitching rotation for two world championship teams.
RP	Goose Gossage
	151 saves while with the Yankees. 4-time All-Star. HOFer. 33 saves in 1980.

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Yankees Should Make Like Preston Waters and Spend Their Blank Check

Macintosh!

All I ever read these days from baseball columnists is that MLB teams should stress youth, stockpile draft picks, trade for the future, and play youngsters over free agents. It gets on my damn nerves, I suhwear. Sure Billy Beane is a (Money)baller and plays that theory to perfection, but he does it out of necessity. And for every Billy Beane, there are five Steve Phillips.

For the Yankees, money ain’t a thang. Pretending that it is has come back to haunt them this season.

Go back to last offseason and re-examine their refusal to include Phil Hughes in a deal for Johan Santana. I understand that they considered Hughes a top prospect, but he wasn’t special in his cameo last season and certainly couldn’t hold a candle to Santana’s flame.

Santana was as ready-made for the Yankees as any player in baseball; young, super successful, healthy, left-handed, and a good guy. Yes, he had high monetary demands, but Steinbrenner just wants to win. Don’t listen to all the baseball writers puckering up to GM’s, Brian Cashman in this case; fiscal issues don’t apply to the Yankees. They crashed-and-burned in passing on the Santana deal.

If Hughes and Ian Kennedy could’ve been packaged with other supposed supreme prospects in deals for Santana and Dan Haren, how could they pass? The Yankees should always target the top proven starting pitchers in baseball, acquire them at all costs, and build from there.

Tim Hudson, Carlos Zambrano, and Roy Oswalt are a few other prototypical, once available pitchers they missed out on in the past.

The Yankees starting staff is just the beginning, though. The entire roster is beginning to look like a wreck. And it will be worse in a few years as players signed to long-term deals age.

This offseason Brian Cashman should stop straining his brain. The Yankees holes are glaring and the free agent class is ready-made to fill them.

Here’s a position-by-position analysis:
C- Jorge Posada- Posada is overpaid, but they’re okay here
1B- Jason Giambi if they pick up the option- A long-term problem, must be addressed
2B- Robinson Cano- Set
SS- Derek Jeter- Set
3B- Alex Rodriguez- Obvious
LF- Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady- Damon’s playing center now, Yankees have an option year on Nady
CF- Damon
RF- Bobby Abreu- Free agent-to-be
DH- Hideki Matsui- Set
Rotation- Crudely assembled mishmash of garbage

What to do, what to do… WWPD. What Would Preston Do? Buy an eight-gallon bucket of ice cream, of course. In other words, spend that money like it's going out of S-T-Y-L-E!

At first, Mark Teixeira is 29, one of the best defensive first baseman in baseball, and a proven hitter. Sign him up and the infield is set for the next five years at least (although Jeter’s slipping play may make me revisit that statement).

In the outfield, the Yankees are already loaded with talent, but it doesn’t all fit together defensively. Ignore that, sign Manny Ramirez in left and re-sign Abreu. The troika of Ramirez, Damon, and Abreu will continue to hit well even as they age as they all have great eyes at the plate and power ranging from pretty good to ungodly. Taking a flyer on Rocco Baldelli would be good business, too.

Now the real problem, the rotation…

Right now, Joba Chamberlain and Chien-Mien Wang are the only sure things for 2009 (health permitting).

Behind those two, Kennedy, Hughes, Mike Mussina (if re-signed), Andy Pettite (if re-signed), and Darrell Rasner (if desperate) are all candidates, none ideal for a team searching for perfection at any cost.

Once again, Cashman should consult Mr. Waters.

With two of the top young pitchers in baseball available in CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, the Yankees should move quickly to sweep them up.

Then, the Yanks should package one of Kennedy or Hughes, plus Austin Jackson and other top prospects for another superstar young pitcher. Chad Billingsley, Felix Hernandez, Tim Lincecum, and Brandon Webb should be targeted here.

Finally, I’d suggest signing Mussina to a one-year deal.

That’d leave the Yankees with a starting five of:
Sabathia
Sheets
Wang
Mussina
Superstar young stud
Joba and Hughes/Kennedy

Oh, wait, that's more than five...

That's because acquiring so many elite starting pitchers would allow the Yankees the flexibility to move Joba back into a set-up role where he can once again be the dominant bridge to Mariano Rivera.

And the Yankees would still have Hughes or Kennedy to plug into the rotation should someone get injured.

That Yankees team would be among the greatest of all-time, Preston Waters would be proud, and Cashman and Steinbrenner might have the following classic exchange.

GS: OK, just tell me where the money is.

BC: I, I spent it.

GS: All of it!?

BC: All of it.

GS: How'd you spend $500 million dollars in one offseason!?!?!?!?

Juice: You must not have been shopping lately!

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