The Sommer Frieze

Yes, I Should Have Known Better, but I had a Hard Day’s Night.

Hmmm. Last night before retiring, I wrote the Moose blog and wondered who, besides Mussina and Koufax, retired after a 20-win season. Today there is an ESPN article by Rob Neyer that states there are three other people who had 20 or more wins in their last year. Once I saw the article, I wanted to kick myself. I should have known two of the three. I’ll blame it on the fact I wrote last night’s column late.

I knew there had to be some kind of strange circumstance that happened. I mean, no one walks away from the game after winning 20, right? Unless you are Moose and had enough or Koufax who was in pain from chronic arthritis. So I was thinking of a special circumstance. WWI? WWII?

Instead, I forgot one very special circumstance. The 1920 White Sox had four 20-game winners. They didn’t win the pennant. Observers could sense a certain “disconnect” amongst the team. There were rumors, and in the end, two of the four 20-game winners (Eddie Cicotte and Claude “Lefty” Williams) were thrown out of baseball. You got it, the 1919 Black Sox Scandal (the other 20 game winners were Red Faber and Dickie Kerr). I should have known Cicotte and Williams. After all, I did see the film “Eight Men Out.”

As for the other guy, read Neyer’s article.

More on Mussina. King, George A. III reports that Moose will be in Tampa next spring as an instructor. Cool. Moose’s best games as a Yankee both came against Boston. His near-perfect game in 2001 (nine days before 9/11) and the relief appearance in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. More than 100 games over .500. Unfortunately for Moose, no WS ring.

Yesterday I remarked about what the Royals will do with Gathright now that they have the “Cereal Man,” Coco Crisp. I didn’t think DeJesus would be available. I thought if anything, Gathright would be getting the heave-ho. DeJesus? Not after .307-12-73, OPS+ 119. (Remember 100 = league average. 119 means DeJesus was 19% better than the average league hitter in On-Base Pct + Slugging Ave.) King writes that while a Royals official said the club isn’t looking to deal DeJesus (a Rutgers and Brooklyn guy), baseball officials believe KC will shop the soon-to-be 29 yr. old OF. The Yanks (and I) have liked him for a while. Lefty bat, 162 g. ave. .287-11-71-10 SB and 105 OPS+. Before the Yanks signed Damon, I was interested in DeJesus or Victorino. I wouldn’t mind seeing the “Road Runner,” Brett Gardner, getting a shot, but if DeJesus is available, I certainly would see what the Royals would want for him. Pete Abraham calls it a fantasy, but hey, it never hurts to ask.

ESPN states that Aaron Heilman wants to start. It’s “Start me or Trade Me” regarding him and the Mets. I don’t think someone 3-8, 5.21, ERA+ 81 should be making demands, do you? It’s not like he had great success as a starter before going to the bullpen either. 5-13, 5.93 in 25 games.

It’s hard to repeat, and the Phils could be finding out why. 2B Chase Utley will require hip surgery that will keep him out four to six months. Meaning worst-case scenario he is out until June. 3B Pedro Feliz needs lower back surgery but should be back opening day.

It looks like Trever Miller will be leaving the Rays for St. Louis. Miller will be 36 next May and was 2-0, 2 saves, 4.15, ERA+ 107 for the AL Champs this year. Career 14-14, 4.43, ERA+ 101, 10 saves.

Winter League: With my DSL problems of last night, I didn’t catch this Pete Abraham posting until today:

Phil Hughes in his final start in the Arizona Fall League tonight (last night, the 19th):

5 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 10 strikeouts. 76 pitches/53 strikes.

So Hughes stats were 2-0, 3.00, 7 starts, 30.0 IP, 21 H, 38 K, 13 walks.
When he was on, VERY on, when not…

but remember….he is 22. Inconsistency comes with that age.

For more winter league Yankee stats, go here.

Rats. Steelers/Bengals tonight (for both, a VERY short week) and it’s NFL Network. Ugh. I don’t get the NFL Network. This Steeler fan will be on the computer, radio, etc., trying to follow the game.

Finally, this from Pete Abraham.

Based entirely on the fine work of Chad Jennings, here are some of the notable players who are now eligible to be selected in the Rule 5:

Pitchers: J.B. Cox, Alan Horne, Jason Jones, Zach Kroenke, Kevin Whelan

Infielders: Reegie Corona, Ramiro Pena, Eric Duncan

Now keep in mind that a player selected in the Rule 5 Draft must stay on the major league roster the entire season or he offered back to his original club. So it’s not like the Yankees are casting these guys out. Horne is coming off surgery and is unlikely to be taken. Whelan is coming off a decent stint in the AFL (17.1 11 5 4 14 21). Jones and Kroenke had good seasons in AA.

I suspect the Yankees will at least get a player selected, maybe Cox. But other right-handed relievers have gone past him in the last two years.

The Yankees still have a few players on the 40-man who may or may not be in the plans. But for now at least, guys like Cody Ransom, Justin Christian, Chris Britton and Shelley Duncan remain Yankees.

Stats?

Cox 5-4, 4.07 (mostly AAA), Horne had a great AA in 2007, injured for most of a terrible 2008.
Jones 13-8, 3.26, mostly AA. Whelan 3-0, 4.50, mostly AA. Kroenke 6-0, 3.09, 1 s, AA.

Eric Duncan was a Rule 5 last year. No one wanted him. I didn’t like him a couple of years ago and said he’d never make it. I got blasted by some people. Still think he is a prospect? I mean, it’s the second year the Yanks made him Rule 5 eligible, and he’ll probably be passed over again.

AA (both) 2B Corona .274-3-39, 24 SB; SS Pena .266-2-45.