Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 05, 2009 
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Andy Pettitte was better than Roy Halladay as the Yankees beat the Blue Jays.
Joba Chamberlain got some extra rest before he faces Boston tomorrow. This notebook also has updates on Damaso Marte, some new free agents and Ian Kennedy.
RE post:
Doreen, I’m not that familiar with Phil’s ML career, but my impression is that he was incredibly dominant. I mean, never having to face a bases loaded situation, not once? That’s just incredible – and of course, that’s not the Yankees’. If they kept removing Phil after a certain amount of pitches, however, that IS their fault. How is he supposed to build stamina? Or just have the chance to work on other things?
Phil’s had injury setbacks, but I have zero doubts he’s going to be a terrific starter – a stud. People have very short memories…….and selective memories. What is it that people remember about him? They remember his 8/07 and 4/08 struggles. Hmm, well – he was coming back from major leg injuries in 2007. I find it funny that they use August of that year to show that he’s overhyped and a mediocre at best starter, but when he pitches very well in September, it’s only because the rosters have been expanded and he’s pitching against call-ups. Then, he looks great against the Indians in the playoffs….but that was out of the pen, so that doesn’t count. I am positive that something was wrong with him in April of last year – before the rib injury was diagnosed. I’m very sure that he was feeling the effects of that injury before the diagnosis – it’s the only thing that can explain his blow ups and complete lack of command. He comes back in September and looks very good and also looks good in the AFL. His struggles earlier this year were due to the fact that he’s still a kid…….but of course, no one has any patience (it also doesn’t help that Santana is pitching across town). Phil has pitched some excellent games this year – it’s too bad that he’s been stuck in the pen because if he’d been left as a starter, I think we would see him really developing into something special. Of course he’d still be somewhat up and down, but you could see the signs were there before he went into the pen (his K /BB was crazy good). I like the confidence he’s developed in the pen, but his curve has been somewhat erratic and he can’t develop his change. This is the last time I want to see Phil out of the rotation – we need to see this kid start and start consistently. If he doesn’t do that, he’s never going to develop into the top notch pitcher we think he can be.
Repost – didn’t see new thread:
8 of the 12 pitchers on the yankees active roster were developed completely within the yankees organization.
8 of the 12. I believe that is the highest in all of baseball.
No teams minor league system has produced more of it’s major league pitchers. None.
You can argue that this rate of production should be better. You should always try to constantly improve what you do.
But 75% internally developed pitchers is quite something.
For comparison – 5 of the 11 Boston pitchers are internally developed.
And despite having all of those years of high draft picks – only 2 of the 12 pitchers on the Rays was internally developed.
Both Boston and Tampa have had serious problems with their 5th starter.
The Sox are having serious problems with starters 3-5 because they were counting on pitchers who were coming back from injury or over the age of 40 to stay healthy and perform.
Yet the Red Sox are lauded everywhere, including on this board by many, as having the most brilliant office in the world.
There have been literally hundreds of posts on this board about what a dote Cashman is and how great Theo is.
Can’t imagine the reaction yankee fans would have been if the he’d planned on his #4 starter being a 42 year old with a bad back, his #5 starter Brad Penny, and his #6 starter John Smoltz.
Even genius’s have trouble finding #4 and #5 starters for an entire year because there just aren’t enough good pitchers in the world.
well said CB
Andy was great last night and he finally got some run support (not a lot but more than his last out) and the “A” team behind him – WOOOOO HOOOOOO for a good job by Andy and the Yankees…..
CB
Your right. Epstein is a good general manager but he isn’t perfect. Cashman has done a better job so far but I’ve been upset with the organization not utilizing the farm much sooner like many other fans. The number 3-5 slot in the rotation is going to come back to bite Boston in the playoffs, with their pen being over used everytime Clay, Penny, or Smoltz pitches they will be worn out in October.
Boston will crumble in the playoffs.
Smoltz-Joba tomorrow has the potential to be very one sided in our favor, especially with Boston’s bullpen currently being abused by the Rays.
Still, luck could have it where Smoltz shows a glimpse his past self for possibly the final time in his career, Joba shakes off Posada too much, and the Yanks find a way to lose. You know, like how it seems to go when they face an untested rookie for the first time.
Not that I expect it WILL happen. I think it wont, as long as the team doesn’t slip into Bad News Bears mode like they did the other night. It really should be something like an 8-1 game w/Yanks winning, not the other way around.
Sorry, I didn’t start commenting with the intention of being a Negative Nancy … or … a Negative ANSKY in this case.
Joba tomorrow! Hope he doesn’t pop Youklis…
Once again, thank you Tampa Bay Rays for last night’s win. Another one tonight would be accepted. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Sandy – I hope Jobbalicious doesn’t pop Youkie either, but I do like to watch him ‘go a little inside’ without hitting him. Youkie can be pretty amusing that way.
Just got off Yankees.com and the discussion there is who and when should Joba plunk someone. Some say it is necessary but I don’t agree. We don’t need a bench clearing brawl if it is Youk because the RS will be expecting it. High inside is OK.
Would hate to see a retalition as I would not want to see Jeter hit in the hands again. Plus Joba could be tossed out and we don’t need that in this series.
Damon was wayyyy too harsh w/ his critique of his swing on his home run. It wasn’t a mammoth blast, but he put a much better swing on it than he described. He waited long enough on that curve, obviously.