A friend sent me an e-mail yesterday suggesting that the 2008 Yankees should be able to take the Wildcard this season – because the Yankees in 1995 were just as far out of it as the ‘08 Yanks in terms of the A.L. East, and, the 1995 Yankees (like the ‘08 Yanks) had a bunch of teams to deal with in the Wildcard standings. Further, he suggested that this Yankees team has more talent, etc., than the 1995 Yankees.
Let’s take a look at this…
Yes, the 1995 Yankees, on August 20th, were not looking good. At that point in the season, New York was just 53-52 (11 1/2 games behind the first place Red Sox in the East) and they were bunched up with a lot of teams in the Wildcard chase. Here’s how the ‘card contenders looked at that time:
Team W L Rangers 56 50 Yankees 53 52 Mariners 53 53 Brewers 52 53 Royals 50 53
Now, the trick for the 1995 Yankees was that they went 26-13 after August 20th – the second best record (after the Indians) in the American League – on their way to winning the Wildcard.
How did the 1995 Yankees pull this off? They did it by riding the back of Bernie Williams and some solid starting pitching.
From August 21, 1995 through the end of the season, Bernie Williams was a monster with the bat for the Yankees. In 39 games (and 181 PA) he posted the following BA/OBA/SLG line: .367/.472/.533
And, on the pitching side, from August 21, 1995 through the end of the season, David Cone went 5-1 (in 8 starts), Andy Pettitte went 6-3 (in 9 starts), Sterling Hitchcock went 5-2 (in seven starts), Scott Kamieniecki went 4-2 (in 7 starts) and Jack McDowell also went 4-2 (in 7 starts).
Now, what do you think? Is there a Yankees batter in this 2008 line-up who is going to carry the offense on his back, from here out, while just about every member of the Yankees rotation is going to lose two games or less over the remainder of the schedule?
I’m not sure that can happen…but, it would be nice if it did…no doubt.
6 Responses to “Wildcard Dreams 1995 Vs. 2008”
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August 21st, 2008 at 11:44 am
I’m not sure that can happen…but, it would be nice if it did…no doubt.
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Agreed.
I wonder how the schedules stacked up between the two teams. Will check when I get some time.
August 21st, 2008 at 11:46 am
Brings me back to the summer before my junior year of college.
Are Sterling Hitchcock/Scott Kamieniecki that different than Sidney Ponson/Darrell Rasner? I’m actually asking because my recollection of Sterling/Kammy are that they sort of sucked.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I’m actually asking because my recollection of Sterling/Kammy are that they sort of sucked.
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Your recollection is correct. Kamieniecki was within sight of league average (about -1RSAA/season). Hitchcock would need a ladder and a telescope to find league average, but both of them had (slightly) better than average seasons in ‘95.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I think the problem this year is that the Red Sox and Twins both have to tank for the Yankees to make it. Assuming the pitching remains consistent, the Yankees can only go on a run if their offense picks it up. Right now I just don’t see it happening, especially with A-Rod and Giambi sitting in the middle of the lineup and not coming through in big situations. Cano hasn’t picked it up lately either and Nady is starting to cool off a bit. Maybe the return of Matsui will help but it might take him a few weeks to get in a groove again.
August 21st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
The difference is that the Twins, White Sox and now the Jays are in the wild card mix. I don’t remember the AL East being as tough as it is now. The Yankees actually dread playing the Os, Jays, Rays AND the Red Sox. Tampa wasn’t around back then so that’s a difference too….
August 21st, 2008 at 4:12 pm
>> I don’t remember the AL East being as tough as it is now. >>
And don’t forget who created that monster — namely, us.