Since Sherm seems to be convinced that Mike Mussina is finished, and I tend to disagree, today we will be introducing a new segment…The Moose Watch. For the rest of the season, we will track the starts and appearances of Mike Mussina, and monitor whose view of Moose is closer to accurate. I will try to get this up, win-or-lose, as an interesting reference point when the season ends.
5/3/2008 vs Seattle
6 innings pitched, 7 hits, 1 Run, 1 earned, 0 bb, 5K
Yankees win 6-1
Mussina ERA: 4.23 (-.50)
The victory was Mussina’s third straight, and matched some of his finest pitching of the season.
May 5, 2008 at 1:11 pm |
I was just coming here to joke about “Cy” Moose. It’s a long season though dude. I’ll gladly eat some crow, but I’m not prepared to recant.
May 5, 2008 at 1:30 pm |
That why the Moose Watch is here… it will be an easy reference point for discussion.
May 8, 2008 at 9:20 am |
The Moose Watch continues today weather permitting. Expecting to “watch” the Moose walk off the mound today after 5 runs cross the plate with 2 outs in the top of the fourth. But since I just wrote that, he’ll probably throw 7 innings of 1 run ball. In any event, will you now concede that the Moose” is your number 3 pitcher?
By the way, when you vehemently insisted on St. Patrick’s that Hughes and Kennedy will have better years this year than Maine and Perez, were you talking about their AAA stats this year or just their MLB stats? And have you noticed that my Maine man has a lower ERA than the Wanger, notwithstanding the reporting from the NY media that Maine has been a disappointment this year while Wang has developed into a true ace?
May 8, 2008 at 10:54 am |
A) I excuse some of my St. Pats comments due to the prodigious amount of imbibing I did that day.
B) Mussina is now, of necessity, the #3 on the Yankees. He wasn’t intended to be, but thats how these things go.
C) Don’t overlook the loss of Posada in these early season pitching struggles. Yes you can kill his SB and passed balls, but he call a precise game, and as nice a fill-in as Molina is, he’s not supposed to be an everyday catcher, and not just because of his offense. I think game and pitcher management is hugely underrated, both in Posada’s game, and in catchers in general.
D) also don’t discount the comfort that pitching from ahead affords you. the Yankees have been missing A-rod and Posada for significant stretches, and Cano is proving to be a horrible slow-starter. Young guys have a much easier time with a cushion than with a nip-tuck game
E) I will concede that some more AAA innings would have benefitted both guys before a call up. however, Hughes keeps getting hurt after signs of progress (no-hitter vs Texas, relief appearance in the ALDS)
May 8, 2008 at 12:07 pm |
Funny you should mention Posada, I just commented to Jonathon (Yankee fan) this morning — “isn’t it nice to have a defensive catcher for a change?” The difference between Posada and Molina is huge, and how many pitchers in the past have griped about Posada and used a personal catcher, including the “Moose” himself? I’m sorry, but I totally disagree with your assessment of Posada. He is an offensive player first and foremost, and his catching is sub-par accross the board. Unfortunately, great defensive catchers who can handle the bat like Posada are few and far between. And while great defense behind the plate (like Molina has been showing) is a real plus, teams just can’t afford to carry .220 hitters in their lineups anymore. The game is too offensive-minded now.
Pitching without a lead was not the offense’s fault (though the offense has been subpar), it was the kids’ fault who routinely gave up runs in the early innings. The offense rarely, if ever, had a chance to give those kids a lead.
Kennedy was a product of the New York/Yankee hype-machine. He may very well turn out to be a good pitcher, but the hype and expectations which surrounded him did not match his talent. There is not an organization in baseball without multiple pitching prospects with his abilities. He never projected to be anything more than a 3 or a 4, notwithstanding the loudmouths in the New York media comparing him to a once in a generation pitcher like Greg Maddux.
Hughes, on the other hand, was just a little rushed. They probably should have left him in the minors last year and targeted him for a May or a June call-up for this year. Reminds me a little bit of Zach Grienke, who was rushed up and had early success, but then broke down mentally when faced with failure. Now, at the age of 24 and with diminished expectations, he’s developing into one of the top pitchers in the game like everyone expected in 2005. I’m not predicting that Hughes will have a break-down like Grienke, I’m just saying that he was not ready for the majors, and he looked emotionally beaten up and totally bewildered out on the mound when faced with failure for the first time in his life. It was not fun watching a talented young kid like him look like a lost puppy while getting beaten up by major league hitters. He’ll be back, but I hope they show some more patience with him and let him get his confidence back.
May 8, 2008 at 1:18 pm |
Serve that crow on a platter — the Moose is dealing and the Giambino went yard. Unbelievable.
May 8, 2008 at 2:31 pm |
Moose Watch Update, coming soon.