“By being the guy, who, no matter what his season stats, wins the games that you need to win.”

All a starting pitcher can do is put his team in a position to win. Can’t worry about anything else, like run support, defense, bullpen, etc.

In the comparision I mentioned above, Mussina/Clemens, Moose has better numbers than Clemens; threw more innings, more CG, shutouts and has a better ERA. Mussina gave his team more chances or a better chance to win than Clemens. Yet Clemens is viewed as the “ace” of the Yankee staff because he has more “wins.”

I see why Blyleven is on the outside looking in the HoF, and people talk up Jack Morris…

weird.

//How so?//
By being the guy, who, no matter what his season stats, wins the games that you need to win.

Mussina is here through 2006, at $17 million this year and next. Not worth it. There is a club option for a seventh season or they can pay him $1.5 million if they opt out. I wish that option was for 2006 and not 2007.

“Sometimes, the quality of being an ace, goes beyond the stats.”

How so?

Sometimes, the quality of being an ace, goes beyond the stats.

Last year Mussina had an off year. He’s 35, so I don’t know if it’s a random thing, or if this is the beginning of the end. Steve, you want to run the RSAA?

As for the “ace” comment, Mussina had better numbers than Clemens for the time they spent together on the Yanks.

Jen – it was bang-bang – but, on the replay he was out by an inch, if that. But, Kaat thought the ump made the right call.

Don – Mussina is a see-saw. He would get ripped more – but, just about the time he should, he wins a big one and buys himself some rope. I think that helps him. But, the fact that he does not win the needed game more often is the reason why he’s never been considered an ace – - and is just a #2 man, at best.

It amazes me that Mussina gets so little criticism. But another instance of the team needing a big effort from him and he fails.

Just one question. Not that it matters much, but was Womack out at first on that bunt?