Wrapping up the second day of camp
-
- February
- 16
Joe Girardi spent 30 minutes after the workout meeting with Kei Igawa. “Just trying to get to know him,” Girardi said.
The manager said that Igawa would compete for a starting role.
Routine second day in camp. Half the pitchers threw in the bullpen. There were fielding drills, conditioning runs and some batting practice for the catchers, Shelley Duncan and Hideki Matsui.
Watched Phil Hughes throw and was impressed with his fastball. After his leg injury in May, he said his heater was 91-92 instead of the usual 93-95 it is. “It wasn’t until the playoffs when I felt complete confidence in my leg,” he said. “That was when I got my fastball back.”
Hughes said it’s not so much velocity that he counts on. It’s more the “late life” when he can throw harder. “You need your legs to follow throw and get that little extra on the pitch,” he said. “I wasn’t getting that.”
Jorge Posada caught Hughes and was impressed. On his last few pitches, Posada was yelling “Nice pitch!” back to the mound.
Meanwhile, Hughes has his locker moved. It was Mike Mussina’s idea. He wanted Hughes on one side and Ian Kennedy on the other so he talk to the kids all spring.
Mariano Rivera threw in the bullpen. Girardi had the same comment Joe Torre always had about the closer: Mo is Mo and as long as he’s healthy, that’s all that matters in the spring.
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on Saturday, February 16th, 2008 at 2:57 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Hi Pete, I really enjoy getting your insight on the players during ST. Thanks. Your blog rocks and is certainly one of the best around in terms of fan participation.
way to go moose. way to embrace your role, not fight it.
Pete, good to hear about Phil. I think that late life and added velocity will make a HUGE difference. Last year, after he came back, it seemed like guys were able to compensate for the curve because they didn’t respect that fastball all that much. Hopefully he learns a change or something else that can compliment the heater and the curve. Also, love to see Mussina stepping up. I can imagine it will be a benefit to guys like Hughes and Kennedy, guys that don’t seem as firey on the mound as Joba, to have someone like Moose talking to them. Every time I listen to Moose on the radio, I always think that he will eventually end up as a pitching coach if he wants to stay in baseball after his pitching days are done. Also, considering he might be forced out of the rotation by one of these guys (most likely Kennedy) it is really good to see him wanting to help these guys progress. No bitter feelings I guess. Moose has always been a class act.
thanks for the insight.
“nice pitch” from Jorge means a lot and gives me a nice sence of SP.
your doing a great job thank you
thats why I love moose!! See he’s a good guy!!
Nice to hear that from the often maligned introverted Moose. Pete, thanks as always.
John, I agree, Moose does always sounds like a future pitching coach. Unfortunately I can imagine, though, that he might decide he’s just done with traveling and not want to get involved with being a full time coach.
Hughes’ locker was next to Pettitte’s. Moose may have thought moving him got him out of the crossfire.
As an avid reader but scarce poster, I have to say it’s posts like this that get me - everyone is always so fast to rip Mussina apart; but when he does something classy that can influence the future, no one bothers to applaud. (Has there ever been a post with under 10 comments?) Regardless, I’m thrilled to see him make that gesture, and have no doubt Phil & IPK will learn plenty from him.
I’m not a fan of Mussina, but that was nice on his part!
what’s Moose gonna tell them? how to scowl at defenders who misplay a ball or how to pout after not getting a close call?
j/k!
Amanda, we’re up to 11 responses! Yea, Moose!
Amanda–
I am a big fan of Mike Mussina. I think he’s over-criticized and underappreciated here. He is anything but introverted, as was stated by a fellow blogger here - he always seems to be available to the media. He may not be in a peach mood every time he’s interviewed, but he is available.
And I am not surprised that he wants the kids next to him. This is not the first time I’ve read, including here, that he’s helped out with the newer pitchers.
So, let here it for Moose!
I’m also a big Mussina fan. As others have already said, great job by Moose stepping up. He’s the veteran in the rotation now (Pettitte too, but at least for the spring, he’s going to have other things to deal with) and if he can help Ian or Phil even a little, then he’s worth having around even if he isn’t the Moose of old. Those two could do a heck of a lot worse.
Real excited to hear about Mussina talking to the kids. Not every team can boast of this kind of relationship between the veterans and the kids… and who knows pitching like Mussina anyway?
Its a great way to quicken the learning curve, for young pitchers to speak and work with experienced, succcesful pitchers. Moose reminds mea little bit of Roger Maris. Doesnt really like talking to the Media, but he does it. Just wants to play baseball and go home.
how many st’s has moose gone to now? 16 or so give or take. you don’t get to go to that many sts uless you do something or know something well.
Nice of Moose. Not just because he must have a thing or two related to pitching experience to teach the kids, but also good to keep them grounded as they deal with their new found celebrity, to help them appreciate what someone has to go through to stay in the majors that long and the reality that the hype doesn’t last forever.
Doreen - Glad to know I’m not the only one who feels that way
He may not be the best of the best; but his games are always the ones I look the most forward to watching. Truly hoping to catch him this year, as somehow I’ve always failed to do so in the past! [And always, always by a single day. Never fails!] Honestly when this season is over I’d LOVE to see him convert to bullpen (although I hate to see him as anything but a starter), just for sake of having him on the team a few more years.
Kyle, I also enjoyed reading the post over at your blog; well done!