Is it just me, or, is Cashman being too quiet this past week?

At some point, yesterday, or today, should he not come out of hiding with a statement saying that the current state of the Yankees is unacceptable? Don’t you want to hear that from the man in charge of a team with a payroll near $200 million and a sub-.500 record at this point in the season? Or, on the other hand, should he at least come out and say that he’s confident that the team will turn this around?

Bottom line, should he not be saying something at this point? Isn’t that what leadership and accountability are all about – standing up in front of everyone when things are not going so well and being willing to talk about it?

Eh, maybe it’s just me?

The days of Mike Mussina registering 21 outs in a ballgame seem to be just about over. Click here to see the details.

When Bobby Abreu plays in a game that the Yankees have won, he’s had at least one hit in 32 of those 36 games.

When Bobby Abreu plays in a game that the Yankees have lost, he’s had zero hits in 20 of those 37 games.

I’m beginning to believe, as goes Bobby Abreu, so does the Yankees offense. Either the Yankees have to get Abreu going well again…or, they have to get another “three-hitter” in the line-up who can bat well consistently.

Then again, the Yankees also need to start getting more than 5 innings (or less) from their starting pitchers. And, they need to have guys come out of the pen and be able to hold a game close. And, they need to play better defensive baseball…the list goes on.

The 2007 baseball season is now 45% in the books for the Yankees. And, it’s not been a pretty story – sans a period from May 30th to June 17th. (In those 19 good days, they played 17 games and went 14-3.) If you take out that nice run from May 30th to June 17th, the Yankees record is 22-34.

When the Yankees are hot, they’re red hot. But, when they are not, they’re down right terrible. It will be interesting to see if they’re hot more than they’re not over the remaining 55% of the season.

Totally unrelated to anything…we took the kids to go see the Lakewood BlueClaws play today. Antonella Barba sang God Bless America during the seventh inning. Ronan Tynan has nothing to worry about.

I had a lot more fun watching the BlueClaws today than seeing (the last four innings that I caught of) the Yankees game this afternoon. Why do I have a feeling I’m going to be able to say “I had a lot more fun doing ‘X’ than seeing the Yankees game today” at least a few more times this season?

From the AP -

Former Yankees outfielder Mel Hall has been charged with sexually assaulting two girls in 1998 and 1999 when he was coaching them on a select basketball team.

The 46-year-old Hall was released from jail Friday on $35,000 bail. He was arrested the previous day on charges of sexual assault of a child under 17 and aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, police said yesterday. The second charge carries a possible life sentence because of the age of the alleged victim.

When Hall was arrested, there was also an unrelated outstanding warrant on a theft charge, police said.

Hall could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press yesterday. Several phone numbers listed in his name were incorrect or disconnected.

Police said they are looking for other possible victims because Hall was a girls basketball coach and organized a baseball camp in the area.

Hall played in the majors from 1981 to 1992 and again in 1996 for the Cubs, Indians, Yankees and Giants. He hit .276 with 134 home runs and 620 RBI in his career.

Mel Hall played 4 years in Chicago, 5 years in Cleveland, and 4 years with the Yankees. So, why is he “former Yankees outfielder”? Why not say “former major league outfielder”? Or “former Cubs, Indians, and Yankees outfielder”?

Don’t get me wrong here. If Hall did what they say, then he should be locked up and have the key thrown away. That’s not the issue to me.

I just want to know why his “Yankees” connection is being singled out here – above his other connections of equal or greater merit.

That’s not being very fair to the Yankees organization, is it?

Thank you Brian Bruney, Bobby Abreu and Robinson Cano.

Bruney, for coming in during the 7th, with two outs and runners on first and second, and then allowing a single, walk, and another walk – pushing in two runs and permitting the Giants to take the lead in the game (5-4).

Cano, for grounding into a DP in the fifth with runners on first and third with one out. And, for whiffing with runners on first and second with one out in the seventh. And, for grounding out with the bases loaded in the eleventh – albeit with two outs.

Abreu, for grounding out in the sixth with runners on first and third – to end the inning. And, for whiffing to end the eighth with a runner on third and the Yankees down by a run. And, for bunting into a FC in the eleventh.

Know what may be the worst part of this series? A-Rod. He’s been awesome – and delivered another clutch ninth inning homer today. He’s been a terror at the plate in these first two games – and making a huge impression on the Giants and their fans.

I’m sure that Alex has been equally impressed with the park in San Fran…everyone is during this series.

If the Giants let Bonds go at the end of the year, they can use that money to go after A-Rod, if he opts out.

This weekend series is starting to shape up like the beginning of a lovefest between Alex, the Giants, and the city of San Francisco. This could all mean that the Giants will be in the A-Rod hunt this off-season…should there be one.

From Our Sports Central -

NEWARK, NJ – June 19, 2007 – Newark Bears starter Bobby Brownlie (4-3) pitched six-plus scoreless innings striking out a season high ten batters and second baseman Javier Colina hit his team leading ninth home run of the season as the Bears defeated the Road Warriors 7-0 Tuesday evening at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

I know that the Bears play in a league that’s close to being just Double-A caliber. And, I know that the Cubs released Brownlie because he, in their opinion, was not showing them anything that said he was progressing towards being a good big league pitcher. But, five years ago, he was a stud at Rutgers.

In nine starts at Newark, Brownlie’s got an ERA of 3.30 and he’s averaging 6.3 IP per start. His K/BB ratio is 2.6 to one. And, he’s not tremendously old – he’s three and a half years away from being thirty.

It just seems like the Yankees should give Brownlie a shot. Sign him, stick him in Trenton (Double-A) and give him a month or two. See how it goes from there.

The way teams need pitchers, someone is going to sign him soon. Why not beat them to the punch?

From the AP -

Jason Giambi won’t meet with baseball steroids investigator George Mitchell until July at the earliest.

In announcing Giambi’s agreement to cooperate with the probe Thursday, baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Mitchell assured him “Giambi’s interview will be scheduled promptly.” But the busy calendars of the various lawyers who will attend the session make setting the date a complicated task.

There’s a lawyer joke in here somewhere, I’m sure.

Something like: “How many lawyers does it take to have a meeting between a baseball player and a steroids investigator?”

The answer: “Enough to be able to use the ‘calendar conflicts’ card in order to stall on having the meeting.”

Good game to win. This victory puts the Yankees now 5 games back, in the loss column, of the wildcard. With 91 games to go, it’s possible to make up those 5 games.

Joe Torre had this to say about Igawa last night:

“He was consistent for four innings and to me that’s darn near half the game,” Torre said. “It may have just been the point where you maybe look up at the scoreboard and you see it’s going to be an official game here in a minute and he may have just rushed himself.”

Yes, Igawa was consistent for four – and, then, just around midnight eastern time, he imploded in the fifth. (Holy Cinderella Batman!)

In fact, if not for that awesome catch by Matsui to end the fifth, we could be looking at a different game outcome here thanks to Igawa.

I’m very anxious to see Igawa’s next start – against an American League team, in a hitter’s ballpark. I think that game will tell us more about whether or not he’s made any improvements to his game.

The Yankees won this contest because of their bullpen and because the Giants’ Matt Cain had a rough night. Kei Igawa really didn’t have that much to do with it, at all.

As you may or may not be aware, for the last 20 hours someone has decided that it would be fun to SPAM the comments sections of this blog with slander about me, my family, and some others that comment here. This is not a problem. I can close accounts and delete posts just as fast as this individual creates them.

Please ignore any of these slanderous attacks if you should see them in between the time they are posted and the time it takes to remove them. You should not waste any time from your day being concerned with this individual’s attempt at pleasing themselves.

Thanks in advance for your assistance with this matter.

At the close of business, yesterday, June 21, 2007, the Yankees are 10.5 games back of first place.

The last time the Yankees were 10.5+ games back of first on the morning of June 22nd: 1990

That “1990″ number keeps popping up this season. As I have mentioned before, the 1990 Yankees were one of the worst teams in franchise history.

Now, yes, of course, the 2007 Yankees are not as bad as the 1990 Yankees. The talent level of these two clubs is not the same. And, the 2007 Yankees, to date, are a .500 team – whereas the 1990 Yankees were 24-40 at C.O.B. June 21st.

Still, in terms of being “behind,” well, you can make a case that, at this junction, the 2007 Yankees are just as “behind” as the 1990 Yankees were at the same time (thereabouts).

On the bright side, because the 2007 Yankees have talent, they should be able to make up some of that “behind-ness” (for lack of a better term). The question is: Can they make up all of it?

On May 22, 2007, the Yankees were 10.5 games out of first. Therefore, in the past month, this means the Yankees have made up zero ground in the standings.

At that pace, I think it’s safe to say that they won’t make up all of it.

Play for the wildcard boys. Play for that card.

From the Florida Ledger -

Can Kei Igawa be the Yankees’ stopper?

That’s what they will be looking for tonight in San Francisco as he makes his first major-league start since May 4. At the very least, the Yankees need Igawa to pitch well enough to give them a chance to win.

“I think we’re all going to watch it,” Manager Joe Torre said. “I want to see comfort, I want to see him in a good rhythm, in a good tempo.”

Igawa, a 27-year-old rookie who pitched the previous eight seasons in the Japanese Central League, was optioned after that early May start against Seattle so he could overhaul his delivery.

From the Daily News -

After spending more than six weeks in the minors, Kei Igawa will make his return to the Yankees’ rotation tonight in San Francisco, hoping the adjustments he has been working on will result in success at the major league level.

Igawa was 2-1 with a 7.63 ERA in his six appearances for the Yankees before being sent down on May 7.

“Has been working on his mechanics, trying to keep his body over the mound instead of getting in front of his arm,” Joe Torre said. “I expect to see all of his stuff.”

From Ed Price -

Kei Igawa returns to the Yankees tonight after working on a new delivery in six minor-league starts. Yankees minor-league instructors worked with Igawa, who is scheduled to start against San Francisco tonight, to get him moving more directly toward home plate with his entire body.

What pitching coach Ron Guidry wants to see is more pitches down in the strike zone, especially changeups. In his six outings before being sent down May 5, Igawa threw too many letter-high pitches. As a result, he allowed eight homers in 30 2/3 innings and had a 7.63 ERA.

So, here’s your Kei Igawa checklist for tonight:

1. Not allowing his body to get ahead of his arm.
2. Working at an acceptable pace.
3. Keeping the ball down.

Can he do it? We’ll know for sure later today. My guess? Well, check out this line from Igawa’s Triple-A start on June 14th:

Ground outs-fly outs: Igawa 1-13

Does that sound like he’s getting the ball down? Barry Bonds could have a lot of fun with Igawa tonight.

From Combined Wire Services -

The Yankees, looking for a first baseman, have some interest in the Reds’ Scott Hatteberg, ESPN.com reported. Hatteberg, 37, is hitting .292.

Hatteberg has some skills at the plate – but, overall, he’s just a tad better than league average in terms of production. Sure, in terms of make-up, he’s a great guy to have on a team. Yet, why would the Yankees have an interest in a LH-hitting first baseman? This makes me suspect that one of the Giambi, Mientkiewicz, and Damon crowd is expected to be done for the year. Since Damon is not yet on the D.L. and Mientkiewicz is reportedly due back in a month or so, that leaves Giambi.

Hatteberg has replaced Giambi once before…so, he should be used to it.

Jason Giambi comments, today, via an AP report on his upcoming meeting with George Mitchell -

“I will address my own personal history regarding steroids.”

“A direct conversation the commissioner impressed upon me the idea that the game of baseball would be best served by such a meeting. I will continue to do what I think is right and be candid about my past history regarding steroids.”

I recall reading that Giambi’s contract has a clause in it that reportedly says he cannot use illegal drugs and needs to stay away from chemical use/dependency. While that does not say “steroids” specifically, will the Yankees now try and make a case (that steroids are illegal, etc.) and then try and void Giambi’s contract?

It would save the team $26 million and a roster spot for next year.

It’s very tempting, if you’re New York, no?

I’ve just finished reading “The Stark Truth: The Most Overrated and Underrated Players in Baseball History” by Jayson Stark.

In the book, Stark provides his picks for the top five most “overrated” and “underrated” baseball players for the eight non-pitcher defensive positions, designated hitters, right-handed starters, left-handed starters and relief pitchers.

For the Yankees fans reading this, here’s the “bad news” – there’s at least a dozen Yankees that made the “overrated” lists whereas around only four Yankees made the “underrated” lists.

In any event, I enjoyed reading “The Stark Truth.” It’s a quick read. And, Stark has a very casual way of writing that makes you feel as if you’re having a conversation with one of your baseball buddies – rather than having some supposed-hardball-genius preaching to you from their ivory tower.

You won’t agree with all of Stark’s picks…I know that I did not agree with some of them. Nonetheless, “The Stark Truth” presents many thought-provoking cases. And, they’re presented via a nice blend of hard statistical facts mixed in with non-quantifiable yet illuminating supportive evidence.

Baseball fans who enjoy having their perceptions challenged will enjoy “The Stark Truth: The Most Overrated and Underrated Players in Baseball History.” Granted, the cases may or may not change those perceptions. But, again, it’s because of the overall concept of Stark’s book, his presentation, and the succinct cases therein, that will make this an enjoyable read for them.

Swept-ville.

I caught the last third of this game, on the radio, driving home from work. (Tons of I-287 traffic, rain, and a long drive meant I had lots of time to listen.) I cannot pick up 880 AM by my office – so, I listened to the feed on X-M Radio…which was the Rockies broadcasters. I did this until I got closer to home…where I was able to switch to Waldman and Sterling for the last inning.

I always find it strange to listen to a Yankees game being done by the other team’s broadcasters. It’s like I’m Michael Stivic asking Gloria to put on the black wig.

In any event, I was glad to catch the post-game with Sterling and Waldman. They said that the Yankees played a terrible game in terms of making “mental mistakes” – Jeter getting thrown out on the bases, Cano getting doubled up, and Abreu missing a sign. They said that Jeter, after the game, agreed that the team is pressing.

Not exactly what you would expect to hear from a team that won 11 of 12 before this three game set.

So, the Yankees are now “just” a .500 team again. And, there’s a great chance that they could be around four games under .500 (or worse) by the All-Star break.

Hmmm…less than .500 at the break and making mental mistakes. Well, if Joe Torre can survive that, then he really is the Teflon Torre.

Michael Weinreb does some scratching and sniffing in Pavano World. It’s a good read – click here to see the entire report.

(Thanks to all those who alerted me to the story.)

I know that the A’s are cutting Milton Bradley loose. And, given the Yankees injuries to Giambi and Damon, I’m sure that many Yankees fans would like to see New York grab Bradley, if possible.

However, let’s look at the facts. Bradley had one super season in 2003. Since that time, he’s been a tick over league average…when he can stay sound enough to play. And, it’s that latter thing that’s the issue. Bradley’s spent so much time on the D.L. in the last three years that sometimes he mistakenly gets Carl Pavano’s shirts handed to him when he shows up at the Dry Cleaners.

Oh, and, there’s the whole anger management matter.

Milton Bradley is brittle, bad tempered, and, for the most part, an average bat. How is adding a player like this going to help the Yankees?

From the AP -

Joe Girardi has declined an offer from the Baltimore Orioles to become their next manager, his agent, Steve Mandel, told ESPN on Thursday.

Girardi interviewed with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, and ESPN’s Peter Gammons reported that the team offered him their vacant managerial job.

A former coach for Yankees manager Joe Torre, Girardi returned to New York this season as a broadcaster for the YES Network.

Whew!

At the worst, we still get to listen to Joe on YES. At the best, he’s still in the running to be the next Yankees manager. It’s all good.

If the Yankees lose today, and then Kei Igawa loses on Friday (against the Giants), then New York would find themselves under .500 (again) on Saturday morning.

The last full-season (meaning excluding 1994 and 1995) where the Yankees were below .500 on the morning of June 23rd was 1992.

No pressure today Roger. None at all.

There’s a relatively new Yankees blog on the scene: lolyankees

If you stop by, tell them that WasWatching.com sent ya!

With their poor results over the past two days, the Yankees joined just three other teams to score that poorly for two games in a row while playing the Rockies at their home park.

You can read all about it by clicking here.

If this series at Coors, and the way the Yankees have played there (so far) ends up costing the Yankees a shot a the post-season this year, just remember this: This series was never supposed to happen in the first place.

How’s that for a kick in the pants?

Go ahead, test your Yankees fan friends on this one.

From the Post -

Two swings in the indoor batting cage at Coors Field yesterday told Johnny Damon all he needed to know about his abdominal muscle problem that had been listed as a strain but is a lot worse.

“My rib is shot,” Damon told The Post. “I am not too happy right now.”

Asked if he was looking at the first disabled-list stint of his career, Damon said, “I don’t know.”

Damon initially suffered the injury last Tuesday in the Yankee Stadium batting cages. Torre played him Tuesday and Wednesday, gave him a day off Thursday and didn’t play him Friday because of the abdominal problem. Damon returned Saturday against the Mets and went 1-for-4. He was 2-for-5 with a two-run homer Sunday in the final Subway Series game.

Asked about the home run being someplace to start, Damon wasn’t sure.

“With a rib cage, every swing hurts,” said Damon, who is hitting a disappointing .255 overall and .245 with runners in scoring position.

There’s no truth to the rumor that Joe Torre wanted to remove the rib from Damon and use it to create another player…but he did not proceed out of fear that a player created from Johnny Damon’s rib would throw like a girl.

From The Day.com -

Actors, reporters, television producers and one legend of a baseball player gathered this afternoon at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center to celebrate the upcoming premiere of an eight-part mini-series “The Bronx is Burning,” filmed partly in Norwich and New London.

The mini-series covers the intense summer of 1977 in New York City, as a serial killer stalked the streets, mayoral candidates ran a bitter race and the New York Yankees made news with clubhouse tensions to rival any soap opera.

Baseball scenes were shot last fall at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, and some familiar New London buildings can be seen in the shots supposed to be New York City streets.

The mini-series premieres at 10 p.m. on July 9 on ESPN and will continue on Tuesday nights for seven more one-hour episodes.

Actor Erik Jensen, who played Thurman Munson, looked at the promotional photos on the wall in a special exhibit at the museum. One shot showed Reggie Jackson, played by Daniel Sunjata, leaving “Fenway Park” after his biggest confrontation to date with manager Billy Martin (actor John Turturro).

“Wow, that’s awesome,” Jensen said of the photo, in which the rear wall of the ISAAC School serves as the exterior of Fenway Park.

Several participants, including the real beat writers who covered the Yankees during that tumultuous summer, said they were amazed and impressed at how Dodd Stadium became Yankee Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Tiger Stadium and Fenway Park.

It seems like we’ve been waiting on this one for a long time.

I’m now looking forward to checking this out. At the least, I want to see who’s going to play Mickey Klutts.

The New York Yankees.
At Coors Field on a warm night.
Against Josh Fogg.

And, what do you get?

Only 5 of the 26 batters that face Fogg reach base.

You either have to tip your cap to Josh Fogg or suspect that the Yankees, after a 48-hour layoff, were caught back on their heels by a Rockies team who has been playing great for a month now.

I’m going with the latter.

Here’s a little fact for you: On May 17, 2007, the Yankees were 9.5 games out of first. Today, after this game, the Yankees are now 9 games out of first. Therefore, in the last five weeks, the Yankees have gained only one-half game in the standings on the Red Sox.

When you think about that, in terms of the big picture, and then see Josh Fogg man-handle the Yanks, it tells you that New York cannot allow for games like this one to happen.

So, Josh Phelps is gone and Andy Phillips is back.

And, it’s big news in Yankeeland – if you do a google search of blogs or look at the e-mails that I’m getting from Yankees fans.

I don’t get it.

Both Phelps and Phillips are “Four-A” hitters. Give them a mistake fastball, and they can crush it. But, against major league pitchers, they’re over-matched. As hitters, compared against each other, they’re six of one and a half-dozen of the other.

Now, in the field, Phillips is good leather at first and he can play second or third in a pinch too. Phelps was a stiff at first. But, Phelps could serve as the third catcher – - which comes in handy when your second catcher hits like Wil Nieves.

I guess having another back-up in the infield that won’t kill you with the glove is more important than a decent third catcher, to the Yankees, right now.

But, in terms of this roster move being big news, well, again, I just don’t get it.

Darn, that Oliver Perez. We almost had a record. Read all about it.

From Ken Rosenthal -

The Yankees are understandably reluctant to move [Phil] Hughes, who was eight outs away from a no-hitter in his second major-league start.

But no player is untouchable, especially not an unproven pitching prospect, talented though he might be.

Likewise, no prospect is so valuable that a deal can not be completed without him.

If the Rangers trade Teixeira, they will need to involve the Yankees, whose needs and resources make them an ideal match.

The Rangers’ plan should be to hold out for Hughes, then accept other prospects from the Yankees’ improved farm system, if necessary.

The Yankees, in turn, should demand one of the Rangers’ veteran relievers and perhaps a lower-level pitching prospect in any deal for Hughes.

For now, the Yankees say they do not want to compromise their farm system or significantly increase their payroll in a trade for a first baseman.

They are as protective of Hughes, who turns 21 on Sunday, as they were of right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, who proved to be their ace.

Makes sense. The Yankees are in the same position they were in the past few seasons, needing consistency from their rotation more than the acquisition of another slugger.

Hughes and Wang could be the Yanks’ only 35-and-under starting pitchers when Hughes returns from that sprained left ankle, most likely in August.

In the Yankees’ perfect world, Hughes will be their Justin Verlander or Matt Cain.

But prospects can be overvalued, too.

One rival GM projects Hughes as only a No. 3 or No. 4 starter, saying, “I’m not as high as the hype.”

Would you trade such a pitcher for Teixeira? How could you not?

Teixeira, 27, is a perfect fit for the Yankees, a switch-hitter with power who plays Gold Glove defense at a position of need.

He not only would be a major upgrade over the team’s current platoon of Josh Phelps and Miguel Cairo, but also is vastly better than the Angels’ Shea Hillenbrand, Mariners’ Ben Broussard or any other first-base option the Yankees are considering.

Teixeira can hit. But, is he more of a Rocky Colavito type player than a Jim Thome type player? Is he more of a Willie Horton type player than a Manny Ramirez type player?

That’s a question the Yankees would need to answer. You can trade a blue-chip pitching prospect for a future Hall-of-Famer…because, even if the prospect turns out good, you’re still offsetting it. But, if Teixeira is just going to be a very good, but not all-time great, player, then you better be sure that the pitching prospect is not a sure thing…because young, cheap, and highly effective pitchers are worth ten times their weight in gold these days.

I’m sure that most Yankees fans would scream if the team traded Hughes.

I’m not that bad about it…if the Yankees get something great in return. But, it has to be great. I’m not sure that Teixeira is great.

From the AP -

Curt Schilling has been missing his overpowering stuff since his near no-hitter on June seventh.

That bid at Oakland was broken up with two outs in the ninth.

In his last two starts, Schilling has given up 19 hits and 11 earned runs in nine and one-third innings.

The six runs he allowed to the Atlanta Braves in a 9-to-4 loss last Monday were a season-high for Schilling. His four and one-third innings was his shortest stay on the mound since opening day. In that one, he lasted only four innings at Kansas City for his briefest start since 2001.

Against the Braves, was rocked for 10 hits and had no strikeouts for the first time since July First, 1993.

Remember Coney (aka DeCicco)? After his perfect game on July 18, 1999, David Cone was never the same. That game cooked him.

Has his recent no-hit attempt done the same to the Red Sox Curt Schilling?

Once upon a time, I thought Cone and Schilling were the same. That was three and a half years ago, thereabouts. Maybe I was right – just at the wrong time?

A cooked Schilling would do wonders for the Yankees chances in the A.L. East this season.