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Simply put, Harold is a science teacher who loves baseball. Actually, he is a self described "baseball fan who became a science teacher because he couldn't hit or throw." He has been involved with the New York City Education system in various capacities since 1962 and he received his doctorate in science education from NYU in 1968. He credits Casey Stengel with being responsible for his first baseball "degree," and in 1998, Joe Torre and Don Zimmer saw to it that he received the advanced version. For that he says, "I cannot thank them enough." It is April 16, 2003. The New York Yankees have played 13 games and won 11 of them. This is not last year's Yankees team. On Saturday, April 12, the Yankees beat Tampa Bay, 5-4. In the second inning of a scoreless game, Bubba Trammell doubled home two runs and Todd Zeile hit a two run home run to stake number five starter Jeff Weaver to a 4-0 lead. Tampa Bay eventually tied the game in the eighth inning when Bernie Williams failed to make a great catch on an Aubrey Huff double, but Hideki Matsui singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Antonio Osuna his first win as a Yankee. Trammell, Zeile, Matsui, and Osuna were not Yankees last season. Neither was Juan Acevedo, who was the losing pitcher in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay or John Flaherty, one of the best defensive catchers in the game. All six should contribute greatly this year. Trammell is
a fine fourth outfielder and a right-handed hitter who does
well against lefties. Zeile can play third base or first
base and is a right-handed hitter who also does well against
lefties. Both can be the designated hitter if manager Joe
Torre wants to "protect" Nick Johnson from a nasty lefty.
Trammell and Zeile fit into the team well because their
presence removes a potential weakness in certain situations
and allows Torre to rest some regulars without losing much
for a game or two. Veterans such as Robin Ventura, Raul
Mondesi and Bernie Willams should be less fatigued than in
past Octobers. John Flaherty not only allows Jorge Posada to
rest---he improves the defense greatly.
The Yankees strength is starting pitching and so far it has been outstanding. Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, and Weaver are topflight right-handers with lefties David Wells and Andy Pettitte balancing the staff. The offense is more than adequate while the defense is good but could be better. The bullpen is another story. Writers and fans are awaiting the return of Mariano Rivera from a groin injury but many forget that he had arm problems last season. It is not a given that he will be the Mariano of old despite having a strong spring before getting hurt. But Juan Acevedo can close, which means that Rivera can be brought along slowly and that Acevedo can close some games so Rivera can rest for October. The closer role should be a strength. The other relief pitchers may not be. Antonio Osuna is questionable, Jason Anderson was in A ball last season before moving up to AA and then AAA, and Steve Karsay, the set up man, is also coming back from an injury. How good will Karsay be when he returns? This is not the first time that he has had arm trouble. This brings
us to Jose Contreras, a right-handed starting pitcher who is
being used in relief. He is not doing well. With five
starters set, Torre has little choice other than to use
Contreras as he has, but one should remember what made
former Yankees manager Casey Stengel the greatest manager of
all time. Stengel never asked a player to do what he could
not do.
The Yankees
fast start has been accomplished without Rivera, Karsay, or
Derek Jeter. Their return will make this Yankees team even
better. There is little doubt that they will win the Eastern
Division, which means that Torre has almost six months left
to get the team in shape for the game that really matter.
What happens in October should be different from last year.
Or the year before. |
How ya' doin? Best sites on 'da 'net! New York Yankees Mighty Yanks The Bombers NY Yankees Downtown.com Fast Facts: Betcha' didn't know "The Old Professor" had a 54-year professional career that led him to become one of the greatest managers that the game has ever seen. Leading the Yankees to 10 pennants and 7 World titles in a 12-year span ranks as the most amazing managerial record of all time. In 1927, New York outscored its opponents by nearly 400 runs and hit .307 as a team. They also set major league records with 975 runs scored, 158 home runs, 908 runs batted in, and a .489 slugging average. "I never had to cheat, I get them with what I got." Dave Winfield Yogi Berra Everyfan.net has taken up the cause of the average NY sports fan who cannot access the Yankees on their cable system. www.everyfan.net Trivia: Mickey Mantle hit for the cycle only once in his career. When? Where? and against Who? Answer In Next Issue Have a trivia question? Email it to us and maybe we'll use it in an upcoming issue. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the brave men and women of our armed forces currently engaged in the conflicts overseas. Thank you for your service to our country and the world. God Bless You. |
