Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 06, 2009 
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Phil Hughes has found success in a different role. But what matters is how well he is pitching. Hughes got the save as the Yankees beat the Blue Jays yesterday.
Mariano Rivera is feeling just fine. This notebook also has updates on Derek Jeter, a changed home run and a roster move.
The Sunday Baseball Beat looks at the impression the Yankee veterans have made this season.
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UNINTENTIONALLY FUNNY JOE GIRARDI QUOTE OF THE DAY
On Mariano Rivera: “I’m going to ask him every day how his groin is. That’s what I’m going to do.”
When you have the ability to keep winning games despite having the best closer in the history of baseball out for a little rehab, you know you have something very special going on.
I think the comment Joe made about Mo’s groin being a little stiff was even funnier.
Nothing wrong with using caution with the greatest closer in baseball history.
When crunch time arrives, Mariano will be there.
Alan – no question. And you know that if he was needed now, he’d be there now.
Credit to Joe Girardi for pretty darned good bullpen management throughout the season – whether you agreed with all of the moves or not. The fact that we don’t have relievers sitting holding their arms on so they won’t fall off tells you eveything you need to know about saving a pen.
I will continue to give shouts out to Girardi. What he managed to do this year despite the spate of injuries to some key players is next to magical. And it isn’t the “anyone could do it with that team” syndrome. Might I point out what happened to Murderer’s Row and Cano? (Still my biggest Yankee letdown of all time, bar none – including 2004, since we went limping into 2004.)
Happy to know that Joe Girardi’s contract is safe.
Small sample size overall but knowing you have someone very capable of closing other than Mo, is certainly comforting.