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Greetings Bomber Buddies, Say it ain't so Mo! Is Mariano Rivera human? Or has the rest of the league caught up to him? Mariano has had five blown saves in his last ten appearances. One theory is that the pitching has not been that good in front of him. He hasn't been able to come in and shut down the opponent the way he has in the past. However on the games where his set up guys do well he seems to follow suit. Rivera is not automatic any longer; he seems to need a two run lead like his predecessor and mentor John Wetteland. He tends to make us all reach for the Zantac. Maybe it's time to find a closer and bring Mo back to the set up role. You have to ask yourself what could Seattle be thinking? Do they really think Armando Benitez is better than Jeff Nelson? True Nelson lost something off his fastball and his Frisbee type curve doesn't always break the way he wants but at least he can take the pressure. It eases the pain of losing Jason Anderson for the big stiff from the Mets slightly easier. When Gabe White gets healthy our pen should vastly improve. Aaron Boone is in pinstripes but the cost may have been a bit too high. Boone is a team player and may be a factor at the hot corner but was not worth Claussen even up never mind with Charlie Manning. The arrival of Boone to the Bronx may be paving the way for Drew Henson to return to the gridiron. He denies the speculation but realistically he is not going to break into the Yankee outfield. With Raul Mondesi gone the Yankee outfield has one of the weakest set of arms in the majors. While David Dellucci has given us some big "D" he bat has been quiet, although some of his hits have been big ones. Jason Gaimbi's eye is healthy and so goes his bat. He now leads the majors in home runs. Hideki Matsui has shown he know how to stay alive at bat and run the bases. While his power numbers are considerably less in the USA he is a real threat in our line up. Bernie Williams has returned to the Bronx after a brief rehab in Trenton. He has yet to get his timing back although he is coming round. Nick Johnson returned to the line up and has taken up right where he left off. Welcome to the majors Mr. Johnson. Jeff Weaver is one of the biggest head cases in the major leagues. He is definitely playing in the wrong city. A player makes an error or an ump gives him a bad call and Weaver falls apart. No guts no glory. One Yankee fan has taken his displeasure with Jeff Weaver to the Internet by trying to auction off the struggling right-hander on EBay. The fan -- known as "free range veal" on EBay -- describes Weaver as a pitcher "in fair-to-good condition, hardly used and showing minor wear." The auction ad was placed Aug. 13, and bidding began at one cent. The fan also said he'd accept a white turtle neck and a bag of batting practice balls in lieu of payment for Weaver. Alfonso Soriano is in a slump of sorts. The Yankees are leaving to many runners on with his silent bat. Utility infielder Todd Zeile was released and the Yankees recalled pitcher Jorge DePaula from the Columbus Clippers of the International League (AAA). RHP Jon Lieber pitched in a game Aug. 15 for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery one year ago. Lieber allowed two runs and three hits over two innings in a Gulf Coast League game against the Gulf Coast Phillies. Gabe White, who was obtained from the Reds and currently on the disabled list with a groin strain, threw 40 pitches off a bullpen mound Aug. 15. He could pitch in a minor league game Aug. 18. David Wells will test his sore back with a bullpen session on Aug. 18. Boomer had an MRI on Aug. 13 and received an epidural to treat a painful sciatic condition. If he can't make his next start, Wells will be placed on the 15-day DL. Jorge DePaula has been called up just in case. According to a report in the Aug. 15 editions of Newsday, the Yankees are ready to part ways with 3B Drew Henson. The newspaper says the Yankees will likely sit down with Henson and his agent during the offseason to work out a buyout on the remaining $12 million they owe him. Jason Giambi's problematic left knee might require offseason surgery, the New York Post reported Aug. 13. "I will get an MRI at some point in the season," Giambi told The Post. "I would do that just to know what I am dealing with, but right now I am playing too good - so why (mess) it up?" Not much else going on but that was just my views IMHO. That's all for now. Here's hoping all your hits go for extra bases. Phil is publisher of the longest running Yankee fan site on the Internet http://www.behindthebombers.com and did the 2000 season update of The Yankee Encyclopedia 5th Edition published by Sports Publications LLC.
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Web Links: Yankees Fan Network UltimateYankees Fast Facts: Betcha' didn't know On May 24, 1936, Lazzeri became the first player in history to hit 2 Grand Slams in one game. He did it against the Philadelphia A's in a 25-2 win while driving in 11 runs for an American League record. On June 17, 1978, "Louisiana Lightning", struck out 18 against the California Angels, setting an American League record for a left-hander. "When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a baseball player and join the circus. With the Yankees I have accomplished both" Graig Nettles Reggie Jackson, upon signing with the Yanks in 1976 Trivia: Joe Torre is the 4th man to manage both the Yankees and Mets. Name the other three. Answer In Next Issue Have a trivia question? Email it to us and maybe we'll use it in an upcoming issue. Fan Feedback: Cartoonist Wanted! We have received several emails suggesting the addition of jokes and baseball cartoons. |
