Comments on: Statement from Derek Jeter

By: JimmyH

JimmyH — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:13:38 +0000

Tom,
Of course you’re declaring that Jeter never wrote the statement. As a former press release wonk, you’re just too jealous and unable to admit that it would take you all day and then some to come up with something so succinct yet classy and, it still wouldn’t hold a candle to what Jeter comes up with.
Let’s face it, some have natural abilities and some don’t. You happen to fall into the second category.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:10:45 +0000

What rubbish and pablum from Jeter. None of the Yankees liked Mike, he is a quirky iconoclast, what a steaming bunch of hoo haw

By: MattNC

MattNC — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:30:07 +0000

Someone needs to point out to those who don’t think that Moose is HOF worthy that Mike was +117 wins over losses while pitching in the AL East during the steroids/weight training era. EVERY OTHER +100 wins over losses pitcher in the entire history of baseball (including dead ball era pitchers, NL pitchers not facing a DH, etc.) is either in the Hall of Fame (16 pitchers) or headed to the Hall of Fame (Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens*, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine).

In addition, when someone brings up the 20-win argument, we should keep in mind that pitchers used to make up to 42 starts a year in the 70s and even more than that in earlier years, instead of the 33-34 of today. Mussina won 18 games 6 times and 17 games 8 times. If he had an extra 6-8 starts a year (keep in mind that Mussina has winning decisions in fully half his starts — 270 wins in 536 starts) he probably would have won 20 games at least 5 times.

Mussina has an ERA+ of 123 (ERA adjusted for league average and ballpark; 100 is average, higher is better). Here are some HOF pitcher ERA+ values (every HOF starting pitcher who pitched most of his career post-WWII is here, under 300 wins has win total listed):

Catfish Hunter 104 (224 wins)
Early Wynn 107
Don Sutton 108
Nolan Ryan 111
Robin Roberts 113 (286 wins)
Jim Bunning 114 (224 wins)
Ferguson Jenkins 115 (284 wins)
Steve Carlton 115
Phil Niekro 115
Gaylord Perry 117
Warren Spahn 118
Bob Lemon 119 (207 wins)
Don Drysdale 121 (209 wins)
Bob Feller 122 (266 wins)
Juan Marichal 123 (243 wins)
Mike Mussina 123 (270 wins)
Jim Palmer 126 (268 wins)
Bob Gibson 127 (251 wins)
Tom Seaver 127
Sandy Koufax 131 (165 wins)
Whitey Ford 133 (236 wins)

Mike Mussina’s Bill James HOF Monitor: Pitching – 121.0 (67) (Likely HOFer > 100)

Mussina also has one of the best K/BB ratios of any HOF pitcher, 2813/785, or 3.58/1.

Mike Mussina is a HOF’er.

ERA + of 5 other +100 wins pitchers not inducted yet:

Tom Glavine 118
Greg Maddux 132
Randy Johnson 137
Roger Clemens* 143
Pedro Martinez 154

By: mel

mel — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:46:25 +0000

I predict that 4 years from now it’ll be Hawaii vs. Montoursville in the LLWS U.S. Championship game with Moose in the dugout.

When his kids grow up, we’ll see Moose in a uni as a pitching coach.

By: Tucson Ken

Tucson Ken — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:45:18 +0000

Great pitcher, great career, and one of the few high priced free agent pitchers who actually were worth the $ the Yankees spent. His comeback & reinventing himself last year was truly amazing.
Head and shoulders smarter than the average baseball buffoon he played with and against, Moose was just not interested in being one of the guys. Was always engaging when questions of substance were asked.
I love Derek to death. Gives his all, plays hurt even when he shouldn’t, but he is the blandest interview or spokesman in the world.

By: Al from BK( Its time to start weighing our options beyond CC.)

Al from BK( Its time to start weighing our options beyond CC.) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:44:09 +0000

“Our offer to CC is now on hold pending his Moose statement.”

LMAO.

According to MLBTR the Angels have zeroed in on Tex and have made it the number 1 priority to sign him. Given the fact they traded Casey Kotchman for him it is certainly in their best interest. The SF Giants are rumored to put it in a bid soon, however they are leery of going to high given the enormous contract they gave to Zito 2 years ago. The Dodgers have taken their bid for Manny Ramirez off the table however he is still considered their number 1 priority this off-season.

Here come the Dodgers. This has a CC bid written all over it should Manny not sign there.

By: Nick in SF

Nick in SF — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:44:07 +0000

Isn’t that what she and Jeter have been doing already?

Oh, you said STUMPING.

Never mind.

By: Jeter

Jeter — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:43:28 +0000

Blazing Copper!

By: kd

kd — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:43:01 +0000

thanks mel.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:41:00 +0000

My first job involved writing press releases. There is no way on earth Jeter wrote that. Some media relations wonk wrote it, an editor read it, and somebody gave it the green light to run it.

All the while Jeter is most likely driving in his burnt orange Ford edge to meet Minka at some palatial pleasure dome.