That’s true, Raf. And don’t get me wrong, I appreciate what Bernie’s done in the past. I just don’t think what he did 3+ years ago should get him CF playing time today, at least not in the same capacity. I still think he has value to the team or could in the proper situation.

“You can’t help the current team with what you did in the past.” Up to a point; based on what they did in the past, you have an idea of what to expect in the present, and future.

The reason the Yankees have Womack, Pavano, and Wright on the roster is that management has no idea how to evaluate players. It has no relevance to playing a guy based on sentiment and talent that he no longer possesses. There are two reasons to play a player : he can help the team now or he can help the team in the future. You can’t help the current team with what you did in the past.

FWIW, Pavano has value, just not the value that they paid for. Heck, even Womack could have value if they used him properly (pinch running).

Just thinking… is Matsui, Bernie, Sheff that much worse than Bernie, Matsui, Sheff? I mean, maybe its a little better, but either way, Matsui is covering more ground. Whether it be the left field line to left center or left center to right center.

You would probably know where to find this out… of balls hit to the outfield this year off Yankee pitchers, how many were hit to left/center/right?

//”What have you done for me lately” is how you win ballgames.//

Pfft. “What have you done for me lately” is the reason the Yanks have Womack, Pavano, and Wright on the roster.

Have you seen Bernie’s play in CF this season?

Why- because he can’t throw? He hasn’t been able to throw for 10 years- and somehow we managed. Other than that- granted- he’s lost a step- but I don’t think Matsui is leaps and bounds better.

I go back to consistency. There needs to be consistency in the field and in the lineup. Changing everything around every two days is not helping anyone.

They should notlook like a team that is rebuilding and trying to figure out what works. they don’t have that luxury.

We are too old!!

And don’t knock the Brewers- last I checked they were a pretty well built team….not worth mentioning in the same breath as the Royals.

but I agree- 4 of 6 or bust…unless we go 3-3 and the O’s and Sox go 0-6 (could happen!)

“What have you done for me lately” is how you win ballgames. You don’t win games on what you did last year or your HoF credentials. It’s been three years since Bernie was among the league’s top CF offensively (2003 8 RCAP, 2004 1 RCAP) and he’s clearly a liability defensively. He couldn’t throw out a crippled catcher crawling to second. Every team in the majors knows that and takes an extra base any time he fields a ball. He plays too shallow at times for his dwindling speed. I don’t blame Bernie for that, though. I blame the guy who keeps sticking him out there. Bernie could have been more productive offensively in the past few years if he hadn’t been tearing up his knees playing the field.

As for his reluctance to move, why should he? If the manager is just going to pacify every whiner on the team, why shouldn’t they just stick where they’re most comfortable? All of Torre’s defenders say he’s limited in what he can do. His hands are tied. He can’t make the players try to take a swing with the game on the line. No, he can’t, but he can bench them when they do dumb things. He can tell them to play in the position that will help the team or sit.

What really struck me about yesterday’s game was the bases-loaded suicide squeeze. When was the last time Torre tried anything like that? Or anything at all to get the team fired up? Or at least try to get one freakin’ runner across the plate for a change? You know…managing.

Jason – I can make it even shorter – if they don’t win 4 of the next 6, we can pretty much stick a fork in them.

Their confidence will be blown if they pull another KC job with the Brewers.

//I think Matsui in LF, Bernie in CF and Sheff in RF is still the best way to go.//

Have you seen Bernie’s play in CF this season?

The season hinges on the next 15 games.

Anything worse than 10-5 and I’m having a hard time seeing the team make the postseason.