From July 30, 1990 until March 1, 1993, George Steinbrenner was suspended from baseball due to conduct unbecoming an owner (because of his dealings with Howard Spira). Many feel that Big Stein being “MIA” during this time enabled Stick Michael and the Yankees to build New York into what they were from 1994 through 2001.
And, now, for at least the last three years – and perhaps longer – George Steinbrenner’s presence in the Yankees picture has been greatly reduced (almost to the value of zero) due to his health issues. And, it’s safe to say that Big Stein has been just as “MIA” (if not more) from 2006 through 2008 as he was from 1990 through 1993.
To me, this presents an interesting question: Does this “George missing” element get too much credit for what happened from 1990 through 1993? Or, based on the fact that Michael was able to build while Steinbrenner was away and Cashman has not been able to build (from 2006 through 2008 with Big Stein gone) mean that Cashman is not as good at his job as Michael was? Or, do we need to wait and see how the Yankees do from 2009 through 2016 to get what’s needed to compare “Stick without George” to “Cashman without George”?
And, yes, I realize that Cashman, from 2006 through 2008, has the Randy Levine factor (that Michael did not have back in the day) as well as the Hank and Hal Steinbrenner factor. However, none of those factors can equal the “George” factor, can they?
12 Responses to “The Cat’s Away Factor”
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November 18th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Or, based on the fact that Michael was able to build while Steinbrenner was away and Cashman has not been able to build (from 2006 through 2008 with Big Stein gone) mean that Cashman is not as good at his job as Michael was?
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I think the answer lies here;
1990 Yankees: 67-95
2006 Yankees: 97-65
Two completely different points in the franchise’s timeline.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
If anything, this says that Stick had less to build on than Cashman, no?
November 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
That is correct. The expectations and tasks are different. Cashman’s first year at the helm, 1998, the Yanks won 114 games. And 10 years later, 2008, the Yanks missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
A 10 year playoff run is impressive, especially when you consider the fortunes of other teams around the league. Even more so when you realize that the only other team that has done it is the Braves. And the reason their streak isn’t longer is because of the 94 strike.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
~~Cashman’s first year at the helm, 1998, the Yanks won 114 games. And 10 years later, 2008, the Yanks missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993~~
So, are you saying there’s been less building and more declining over the last 10 years?
November 18th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
So, are you saying there’s been less building and more declining over the last 10 years?
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lol, classic response
November 18th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Steve, we were consistently picking in the lower part of the draft… the top 5 seem to be the real sure bets… i dont think prior to ‘05 the Yanks were signing ’signability cases or high bonus cases’ down the draft order…
We did make the 03 WS (the loss still bums me out) and 04 was a monumental collapse that no GM can be held responsible for.. How many key games would we have won if some smart manager was in there in the last 5-6 years (and the 04 ALCS in particular).. the pen is so key… and our ‘Joe green tea’ was the worst at managing it… there is one wrinkle to the 06-08 thing… revenue sharing.. more teams are keeping the high end super starts now more than ever.. Free agents are not what they used to be… and is it only Cashman’s fault that he went with the scouts recommendation of Igawa.. (btw.. i remember around the DMat wooing period.. you writing a pretty glowing piece on Mr Kei Igawa based on his stats and how he can cost a little lesser… )
November 18th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
So, are you saying there’s been less building and more declining over the last 10 years?
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I would say more maintenance than declining, though if you were expecting the Yanks to win 114 games every year, your expectations would be a bit unrealistic
98: 114
99: 98
00: 87
01: 95
02: 103
03: 101
04: 101
05: 95
06: 97
07: 94
08: 89
If the decline angle is one you want to take, I have to admit, that’s a hell of a decline.
Funny, the 08 Yanks, that finished in 3rd place (oh the horrors!) had a better record than the World Champion 00 Yanks.
OPS+/ERA+
00: 104/101
08: 101/104
November 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
How many key games would we have won if some smart manager was in there in the last 5-6 years (and the 04 ALCS in particular)
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That “smart manager” wasn’t the reason Rivera blew saves in games 4 & 5.
In particular, game 4, people forget that Torre went for the kill, calling for Rivera in the 8th inning.
November 18th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
~~~ remember around the DMat wooing period.. you writing a pretty glowing piece on Mr Kei Igawa based on his stats and how he can cost a little lesser~~~
http://waswatching.com/2006/11/29/igawa-from-my-eyes-only/
Well, it wasn’t exactly “glowing”…
Funny, some people get on me for being negative – was I being negative about Igawa back then? Not really.
In any event, maybe I was just as stupid as the Yankees back then? Sounds like it. But, I got wise fast – and would have sent him packing the minute I heard a team like the M’s or Pods was interested. But, Cashman elected to keep Igawa. And, that’s really stupid…
Not correcting mistakes when you realize them is worse than making them in the first place…
November 19th, 2008 at 12:13 am
But, Cashman elected to keep Igawa. And, that’s really stupid…
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Steve, if its true that Cashman did indeed reject such a deal ( i doubt it.. i would be shocked if any GM had a real serious discussion abt it.. ) then its very very poor judgment on his part… i am not the biggest fan of Cashman either.. I was just trying to point out that a lot of ppl were wrong on many of these… and you have hits and misses… I think a few other teams posted for him too.. i still cannot believe they posted 26 Mill though..
November 19th, 2008 at 12:17 am
In particular, game 4, people forget that Torre went for the kill, calling for Rivera in the 8th inning
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he did get jumpy there.. how diff would things have been had Rivera held that save… i am sure the Sox’ wud have been broken up after that… what a painful year…
November 19th, 2008 at 3:32 am
he did get jumpy there.
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I wouldn’t say jumpy, it was the right move. 6 outs to go, and a rested Rivera waiting in the pen, I would’ve done the same thing