The Sommer Frieze

Reports from Fox and ESPN today indicate that Mike Mussina will indeed retire. If so, he goes out on top. Other than Mussina, the only other pitcher I can think of to retire after winning 20 or more games in his final season is Sandy Koufax (27 in 1966). If you know of another, please comment. I’d have typed this earlier but had DSL trouble and it’s about bedtime. So sorry if I don’t look it up.

Boston will have to find a new “breakfast.”

The Red Sox traded Coco Crisp to KC today for reliever Ramon Ramirez. Ramirez, 27, was 3-2, 1 save, 2.64, ERA+ 162 for the Royals this year. 9-7, 1 save, 3.62, ERA+ 127 for his career. Crisp was .283-7-41-20 SB, OPS+ 93 for Boston this year. It looks like a nice move for Boston to shore up the bullpen. With Ellsbury, Crisp was expendable. As for the Royals, I’ve always liked DeJesus and he had a nice year. The person on the Royals hurt by this will be Joey Gathright (71 hits, only 4 for XB, OPS+ 59). Now we see what the Royals do with him.

I saw a posting that Boston is looking to make a push for Burnett. With Schilling probably retiring (seriously, can you see anyone right now picking up 38pitches.com or Pedro?), Boston, who didn’t have 38pitches last year, could be looking at a rotation of Dice-K, Beckett, Burnett, Lester and Wakefield. Scary. Masterson in the bullpen then? Then look at Tampa, who according to King, George A. III could be looking at Giambi for DH to help out the AL champs even further. Tampa’s rotation was solid. All the more reason for the Yanks to shore up a rotation that had Darrell “Now in Japan” Rasner as the guy who was third in IP last year.

BTW, Seattle’s Wakamatsu, by his hiring, becomes the first Asian-American manager in MLB.

A few years ago on Yankee Fan Club Radio I gave the plusses and minuses for Mike Mussina and Gary Sheffield for the HOF. Since I am tired and need to get to bed (damned DSL problems), I won’t get into Moose’s career stats right now (I probably have already) but will refer you to an excellent piece by Jason over at Heartland Pinstripes on Mussina’s career.