See the numbers below – which are this season to date:

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What is “Clutch” above? It’s WPA divided by aLI – WPA/LI. The context dependent WPA is divided by the average leverage minus context-neutral situational wins. You can read more about it here. But, in everyday speak, it tells you who is stat padding with garbage time production – if I understand it correctly.

If you want a point of comparison, A-Rod was best in the A.L., at his position, in 2007 in this stat during his opt-out year:

Of course, this season is still young and Alex can improve on his mark here – and hopefully he will.

Via Mark Feinsand –

Alex Rodriguez topped this year’s Sports Illustrated “Most Overrated Player” poll, followed by Joba Chamberlain and Derek Jeter.

A-Rod received 18 percent of the vote among the 185 major leaguers that participated, while Chamberlain was listed by 12 percent and Jeter by seven percent. Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth (4%) and Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon (4%) rounded out the top five. Nick Swisher also received four percent of the vote.

Chamberlain topped this list a year ago, while A-Rod finished second.

I guess A-Rod and Joba just rub a few of their peers the wrong way…two years in a row now.

I just finished reading Ian O’Connor’s The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter.  And, I loved this book. 

What do you get with this one?  It’s more than just the story of Derek Jeter through 2010.  It’s the history of the Yankees from 1996 through 2010 as well.  And, it’s full with inside stories that you’ve probably never heard. 

What I truly enjoyed was the pacing/timing used by O’Connor in this book – both in telling the whole story and each sub-story therein.  Too many times with biographies authors get bogged down with minutia. And, before you know it, you’re drowning in the details and getting bored. But, that does not happen with this book. O’Connor tells you what you need to know and does it in a manner that is smooth and enjoyable.

As I was reading this book, I began to think “This is the Yankee book of the summer.” But, it’s more than that. Ian O’Connor’s The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter is a must read for Yankees fans, of all ages and level of devotion, period. And, it’s a highly recommended read for any baseball fan who wants to know the back-story of someone who was a Mount Rushmore face for the game of baseball over the last 17 years.

It’s been a long time since a right-handed pitcher as old as Colon threw a complete game victory for the Yankees on the road.  And, it’s been even longer since a non-PED and/or non-knuckleballer did it.

Via Pete Caldera –

Manager Joe Girardi clearly was dissatisfied by Ivan Nova’s lack of aggression in Saturday night’s no-decision, and the right-hander might have a loose grip on his rotation spot. Girardi said Nova would take his next turn Friday at Anaheim, though Nova should fix the wildness he displayed in his 3 2/3-inning start at Safeco Field.

“He has the ability to do it. He’s just not doing it,” Girardi said, noting that Nova was a predictable two-pitch pitcher Saturday without any command of his curveball. “At times he looks very, very good for us. And then at times he’s had trouble throwing strikes.” In his past four starts, Nova is 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA.

During those 18 2/3 innings, he’s yielded 30 hits and eight walks. Is that a sign of regression? “I guess we’ll have a better idea after his next start,” Girardi said. Meanwhile, ex-Cubs veteran right-hander Carlos Silva is starting at Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre and soon might be an option.

I’ve found it interesting to watch Nova. There’s nothing about him that screams future star. But, I believe that he could be a useful major league pitcher and is merely dealing with the learning curve that most young pitchers have to navigate when they first make the big leagues. He’s never going to be Ramon Martinez or Joaquin Andujar. But, there’s no reason why he can’t be Nino Espinosa or Hipolito Pichardo. Of course, if the Yankees think he should be a star and not a joureyman, then his time here will be short.

Congrats Captain!

Via Ben Shpigel –

It has been a disappointing season for [Nick] Swisher, the team’s lone everyday player yet to embark on a hot streak.

Through his first 152 at-bats entering Friday, Swisher was hitting .204 with two homers — none since May 7 — and a .321 on-base percentage. His .289 slugging percentage ranked 175th among the 183 players who were on pace to qualify for the batting title according to Stats, L.L.C., lower than those of Chris Getz, Elvis Andrus, Juan Pierre and Ronny Cedeno. Manager Joe Girardi has repeatedly expressed his faith in Swisher, but on Friday he acknowledged the possibility of a right-field platoon with a left-handed hitter (Chris Dickerson is the most appealing option).

“There’s some different things you could do, but my hope is, let’s get him going,” Girardi said before the Yankees’ game against the Mariners, adding, “We miss his bat in there. There’s no doubt about it.”

Last season Swisher hit .288 with 29 homers and 89 runs batted in. And if his hitting does not improve, the Yankees could seek an upgrade before the July 31 trade deadline, a move that would almost certainly end Swisher’s time with the organization. The Yankees hold a $10.25 million option on him for 2012 with a $1 million buyout.

In conversations with Girardi, Swisher has remained upbeat, his perpetually caffeinated self. When asked Friday about his struggles, Swisher’s response was “you guys shouldn’t be so worried about me.”

A Yankeeland without Nick Swisher?

Hey, it’s a start.

The Boston Red Sox started this season by losing 10 of their first 12 games.  Yes, that’s right, they went 2-10.  And, now, they’re a game better than the Yankees in the standings!

How did that happen?

Simple, since April 16th, the Red Sox have gone 27-12 and the Yankees have gone 20-17. 

But, more so, since April 25th, the Yankees have gone 15-16 and the Red Sox have gone 19-11.

New York better get their act together, and soon, or else they’re going to get left in Boston’s dust.

Another gem from Katie Sharp –

The opening game of the Subway Series turned into an unlikely pitcher’s duel between R.A. Dickey and Ivan Nova, with the Mets prevailing 2-1. The Yankees suffered through another frustrating day at the plate, with just four hits and 11 strikeouts.

If that sounds like a familiar line, you are correct. It’s the fourth time this season the so-called Bronx Bombers have been held to five hits or fewer while whiffing at least 10 times in a game.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, never before in the last 90 seasons has a Yankee team had that many games of five-or-fewer hits and at least 10 strikeouts this early into the season (through 43 games).

And, yet, the Yankees lead the A.L. in R/G with a mark of 5.21 R/G. Just goes to show, with these Yankees bats, it’s all or nothing…way too many times this season.

I mean, let’s face it, without being 6-0 against the Orioles, to date, the Yankees record would be .500 on the nose…losing as often as they win. And, since April 25th, the Yankees are 15-15. Not exactly a ball of fire, eh?

Have you seen his results so far this season?

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Is it just me, or, is there a chance that Cashman screwed the pooch on this one when he cut Aceves?

Have you seen this?

When did Laura Posada turn into the Latin Anna Benson?

Joe DeLessio did a Q&A with David Cone. It’s a must read. Check it out.

Last night, I saw the Somerset Patriots host the Bridgeport Bluefish. The Pats won by a score of 6-3. 

Bill Pulsipher got the win for the Patriots – allowing just one run on one hit during his 6 2/3 innings on the mound. Yes, it was that Bill Pulsipher.  Hey, give the guy credit for hanging in there.

Former Yankees farmhand Willie Upshaw is the manager of the Bluefish. And, former Yankees Angel Berroa plays for him – but was not in the game last night.

Former 1999 National League Rookie of the Year Scott Williamson closed out the game for Somerset.  Yes, it was that Scott Williamson who saved three games for the Red Sox against the Yankees in the fabled 2003 ALCS.  Another, hey, give the guy credit for hanging in there.

Of course, when you see the Pats play, you’re always going to see Jeff Nettles and Sparky Lyle.

My buddies and I sat in the third row, behind home plate.  The tickets were $10.50 each.  We bought them 15 minutes before the game started at the box office.  Oh, and, the cost for parking was $2.

If you’re ever in the area, I suggest heading over to TD Bank Ballpark and checking out a game there. I’ve been doing it for years now. (It’s been at least ten years – maybe twelve?) It’s a fun baseball time, with major league ties, at a cost nowhere near what it is in the big leagues.

Please consider taking the following poll:

Thanks in advance. And, please feel free to add comments on your opinion in the comments section.

I had a dream last night that the New York Yankees signed Brian Cashman to a 4-year extension paying him $4 million a year to stay on as G.M. of the team.

That, of course, would be some raise – considering that Cash is already the best paid G.M. in the game at $2 million a year.

Andrew Brackman isn’t doing so well, is he?

Shame the Yankees passed on Brett Cecil, Tommy Hunter and Travis d’Arnaud to pick this guy.

Great pictures.

I’m surprised the fellas didn’t opt for the Ramones “Beat on the Brat (with a baseball bat)” as a soundtrack.

Well, at the least, none of the Fenway Faithful tried to push the bear’s fudge in…as far as we know. (Who knows what happened off camera?)

Seriously, Dave, Mike and Scott are awesome with these features. Can’t wait to see next year’s edition.

Captain Presto!

If Derek Jeter doesn’t get his 3,000th career hit by June 16th, the odds are strong that it will not be happening at Yankee Stadium. (I’m still thinking June 18th will be the day, if anyone is asking.)

The Yankees visit the Cubs from June 17th through 19th and the Reds from June 20th through 22nd.  And, there’s no way the Yankees would sit Jeter for those six games to allow that milestone to happen in the Bronx.  (Jeter would flip if they did that.)

If it happened in Cincy that would really burn the Reds – since they opted to pass on Jeter in the draft and take Chad Mottola instead (as documented in Ian O’Connor’s book.)

In any event, as a Yankees fans, would this bother you?  There’s never been a 3,000-hit player in Yankees history.  And, I think it would be special to have it happen at the Stadium.

Of course, Jeter could get red-hot and the event could come on the Yankees homestand of June 7th through 16th.  But, I couldn’t count on that.

Yup. This is why you don’t leave early.

Nice to see the fellas be able to jump around like happy little kids.

Sweet tweet –

With his next appearance, Mariano Rivera will become the first hurler in MLB history to pitch in 1,000 games for one club.

Click here to read the report.

I don’t want any part of CC in 2016 or 2017.  If he thinks he can get someone else to match his Yankees salary and give him a contract that pays into 2017, the the Yankees front office should tell him what they told Jeter last winter:  Go shop yourself.

My son had a Little League game this evening.  So, we were out of the house at five-thirty and didn’t get home until close to eight.  When we got in, I turned on the Yankees game and it was the bottom of the 4th inning.  A-Rod was just in the process of striking out.

I had some work things that I needed to address – since I logged off at five today.  And, we had to get the kids tucked away in bed, etc.  By that time, it was close to eight-forty-five.  I took another peek at the Yankees game and it was the top of the 6th inning.  Colon was just in the process of giving Juan Rivera an IBB.  Sure, the bases were then loaded – and it was a one-one game – but the Yankees were just a DP away from getting out of it.

In any event, my wife and I wanted to watch the finale of House – which we had recorded.  As a result, I gave up on the Yankees game until I had another chance to tune in.

That would come just before ten o’clock.  When I switched to YES, I saw Yankee Stadium looking like a ghost town.  Seeing all those empty seats in the bleachers and the field level, and without knowing what the score was, I figured something terrible had happened – and it was a blow-out in the Jays favor.

Frank Francisco was warming for the Jays and it was the top of the 9th inning. 

And, then, they showed the score:  7-3, Jays.

WTF?

A four-run game at 10 pm?  That’s not a huge hole or a late hour?  Where the heck was everyone?  It’s pretty warm out now – and not raining.  I don’t get it?

I wanted to see the Yankees come back and tie this one in the 9th.  I wanted to see it because I’m a Yankees fan.  But, tonight, even more, I wanted to see it so that all those who left this game before it was over would be kicking themselves after they heard about the comeback.

But, it didn’t happen.  Gardner did his job.  And, Granderson had that loud foul.  But, that was all that the Yankees could muster in the end.  Too bad.

And, it’s too bad about what’s become to the Yankee Stadium crowd.  They get there late.  They leave early.  And, in between, half of them are inside doing things other than watching the game.  Add all that to the fact that the upper decks are farther from the field, which means less surround sound at the games, and it’s a totally different ballgame than it was at the old Stadium.

Via mlb.com –

In his final swing of batting practice, Nick Swisher hit a popup into the roof of the batting cage. After dejectedly tossing away his bat, he went to gather the loose balls strewn over the field. Then he got ready to rest for the second straight day.

Swisher, who had started 41 of the Yankees’ first 44 games, sat out Monday’s series opener against the Blue Jays. Chris Dickerson started in his place in right field.

For manager Joe Girardi, Swisher’s struggles — especially from the left side of the plate — triggered the decision to give the right fielder an extended rest.

“His left-handed swing has been a struggle,” Girardi said of the switch-hitter. “I figured it would be a good time to give him a couple of days to just take a deep breath. He’s important to us.”

Swisher is hitting .214 with a .330 on-base percentage and two home runs in 176 plate appearances. As a left-handed batter, those numbers drop to .170 with a .305 OBP, though both homers have come from that side of the plate.

“I don’t know, I’m not really a numbers guy,” Swisher said. “I don’t really check it out. Obviously, left-handed I don’t know if I’m doing that well. But hey, so what? I know I can hit left-handed, I’ve done it, I’ve proved it year in and year out. So I’m not really worried about it.”

For his career, Swisher is a .251 hitter with a .356 OBP, but his power has been glaringly absent this season. The owner of a lifetime .462 slugging percentage, he has posted a .303 mark this season.

With Swisher, I always think back to those reports when he was with the A’s – about him spending $1,000 on vodka at a club in New York in 2006.  The dude is a party animal.  I wonder if this has anything to do with his performance this year?  Then again, he was just fine in 2009 and 2010.  So, it would seem strange if it’s suddenly an issue now.

When Cliff Lee failed to sign with the Yankees, and when Andy Pettitte retired, the Yankee rotation became a major concern. Sure, there was CC Sabathia, but after that things got shaky, especially with Burnett coming off a terrible season, Hughes’s inconsistency in the second half, Nova’s inexperience, and Freddy Garcia…well, being Freddy Garcia. I go to school in Boston, so all I heard was how the Red Sox rotation, coupled with their improved offense, would dominate the A.L. East. Who did the Yankees have? Ivan Nova? Bartolo Colon? Ha!

Early on, things looked bleak. Phil Hughes couldn’t throw a fastball. Ivan Nova had some rough starts. But ever since Hughes went on the D.L., and Bartolo Colon took his place in the rotation, the Yankee starters have dominated. Sabathia, Burnett, Colon, Nova, and Garcia have combined for a 3.47 ERA in 42 starts. Ivan Nova’s 4.29 ERA is actually the highest in the rotation. The only time in the last 30 years that the five primary starters all had ERA’s under 4.30 was 1998 (of course).

What was once the Yankees’ biggest concern is now their biggest strength. The Yankees caught lightning in a bottle with Colon, who has somehow found the fountain of youth and is throwing high 90’s fastballs with movement on the black. Sabathia has been his typical self, Burnett has rebounded, Nova has been effective, and Garcia has been fantastic. In fact, all five had a quality start in their last outing.

The bullpen has also been dominant, led by Rivera and Robertson, who both have ERA’s under 2. As a team, the Yankees have a 3.59 ERA. That’s their lowest mark since 1981, when the team posted a 2.90 ERA in a strike-shortened 107-game season.

Maybe I’m misreading the success of the starters for a wider trend throughout baseball. After all, pitchers are dominating this year. A.J. Burnett’s 4.02 ERA actually gives him an ERA+ under 100. Run scoring is lower than it’s been in 20 years. The league average is .249.

But considering the Yankees are hitting just .254 as a team (seventh in the A.L., though their OPS and OBP are first and third, respectively), they have needed their starters to step up. All five have done so.

It is unlikely that Colon and Garcia will continue to post ERA’s in the low 3’s for the rest of the season. Burnett and Nova might become more inconsistent as the year goes on. But for the time being, I am enjoying the success of the starters, and hopefully it continues throughout the summer.

Some crazy stuff here.

What happened, did Fred Wilpon and Hank Steinbrenner do a change-up?

Via the AP –

One of the doctors who assisted in a stem cell procedure last year on Yankees starter Bartolo Colon says that 10 other pitchers have expressed interest in undergoing the treatment that is being scrutinized by Major League Baseball.

Dr. Leonel Liriano said Sunday in a Dominican TV interview that 10 pitchers between the ages of 21 to 37 have contacted him about the contentious medical treatment. He did not disclose the identities of the athletes.

Liriano is the medical director for United States-based Regenocyte in the Dominican Republic. The company specializes in the use of stem cells for regenerative therapy.

“We didn’t use human growth hormone with Bartolo,” Liriano said previously to the Associated Press. “It was a totally clean process in which we did not use anything out of place or regulated by the major leagues.”

The New York Times first reported the procedure on its website earlier this month.

Colon, the 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner, was treated in April 2010 with a procedure designed to regenerate tissue in his shoulder and elbow. The treatment took place in the city of Santiago, about 90 miles north of Santo Domingo.

Joseph R. Purita, an orthopedic surgeon in Boca Raton, Fla., told the Times that he flew to the Dominican Republic to assist with the treatment. Purita also acknowledged using HGH in similar procedures before, but denied using it in Colon’s case.

Yeah, but, do they know the doc left Colon with a Butta Face?

Curtis Granderson hit his 16th HR of the year yesterday – in the Yankees 45th game of the season.  Prior to this, how many other Yankees have hit 16+ HR within the team’s first 45 games of the year?  Here’s the list:

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That’s pretty crazy company for the Grandy Man, ain’t it. So, is he the next Roger Maris?

I don’t know the answer.  But, to be candid, if Granderson had been traded to the Red Sox instead of the Yankees and, all of a sudden, starting blasting homeruns at a Ruthian pace, I’d probably be on the front of the line of those demanding that someone gets him to pee in a cup.

Maybe Curtis’ 2011 is a lot like Ryne Sandberg’s 1990 – just one of those HR spike years at age 30?  In any event, it will be interesting to see if Granderson keeps up his pace this season.  Can he hit 50 HR this year?  If he keeps cranking them out at his current rate, he’ll clear that with no problem.

I wonder what the winning percentage is, all-time, of teams to score 8 runs or better in the bottom of the 7th inning of their game?

8-ball! The answer is yes!