The Quest for 28 Begins

Well it looks like spring is upon us and the great American past-time is back. Almost two weeks ago baseball kicked off.

Spring is always a great time. Teams are off to a fresh start. 2009 is now just a memory and everyone has a chance to write a new story in 2010. The Yankees come back as the defending world champions and with a target on their back, as the champs usually do. But it begins another season in the new Yankee Stadium and a chance to add some more history to The House George Built, which quickly had some added last year.

It was nice to see/read about the Yankees getting their rings and finally capping off the amazing 2009 season. Unfortunately I had to do a little thing called “work” all day which prevented me from parking in front of a television and watching the matinée match-up. You could see how excited Alex Rodriguez was to get his first ring, and how fitting it was that Derek Jeter was the last player called out of the Yankee dugout. But I think the part I enjoyed most was Matsui get his multiple standing ovations and ring along with the rest of the team.

I was impressed Jerry Hairston flew cross country for his. Maybe he should have just caught a flight with the Angels because somehow it worked out perfectly so Matsui could be in town and get his too. The way the Bombers stormed Godzilla on the pitchers mound, it looked as if they genuinely missed him. Everyone was happy to see the MVP again, especially The Captain. I think especially from having been at the final game of the World Series and seeing Matsui have his magical game, it was nice to see Matsui get the farewell he deserved. I know he got his parade, trophy and whatever else, but the proper sendoff was on the diamond, between the bases. The fact he had to step out of the box and tip his cap before his first at-bat, encouraged by the always classy Andy Pettitte when he stepped of the mound, was a great moment.


As the Yankees begin their quest for No. 28 I think the most pressing concern is the No.4 starter. Now I’m sure you’re thinking, “What is this guy talking about, that’s Javvy Vazquez.” EXACTLY. Now, I’m not even talking about the fact that he has sucked out the house in his first two starts. I thought this was a terrible move from the very beginning. Vazquez had his chance in New York already (see 2004 http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=134320) and he was terrible. A 4.91 ERA. So what if he had 238 strikeouts and 15 wins last year with a 2.87 ERA? It was the National League, which has been no where near as good as the AL this decade.

Look at Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia. Two very good starters in the AL (who happened to play together in Cleveland) and went to the NL for stints and could have walked on water if they wanted to. Sabathia went 11-2 in 17 starts for Milwaukee with a 1.65 ERA and 128 strike outs. The beginning of that season, when he was with Cleveland, he had a 2.70 ERA in 35 starts. In 12 starts with the Phillies in 2009, Lee was 7-4 versus 7-9 in 22 starts with the Indians. He also had 74 K’s in those 12 starts, while it took him 22 starts in the AL to get 107 earlier in the season. With the pitcher batting, line-ups become dramatically weaker and teams in general are just not as strong period.

So now back to bring it back to the 2010 Yankees, I’m not sure Javvy is going to get the job done and I certainly have my doubts. I’ll give him 11 wins for the season. He has already been booed and is 0-2, giving up 12 earned runs in two starts. Well maybe if he pitched a little better he wouldn’t have to worry about it. Bottom line is he was given a second chance because people in the Yankee front office thought he had turned into some great pitcher. More likely it was the level of competition he faced that made him so much better, but as usual, I hope I’m wrong.

Time will tell, but until then, you’re on notice Javvy Vazquez, and all on New York will be watching your every pitch.

And don’t worry, we’ll let you know when you’re back in our good graces.