>> I don’t remember the AL East being as tough as it is now. >>

And don’t forget who created that monster — namely, us.

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….

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.

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.

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.

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.