The Sommer Frieze

Joe Gordon joins his predecessor, Tony Lazzeri,
in the Hall of Fame.

Only one player was selected today by the Veterans Committee to join the HOF, and it’s a former Yankee. 2B Joe Gordon received the nod today. Gordon had surprising power for his size, and also for the fact that as a righty hitter, he had to hit into the old Yankee Stadium’s “Death Valley.”

In 1942, Gordon won the MVP award despite Ted Williams hitting for the Triple Crown. In that season, Gordon hit .322-18-103, OPS+ 155. He finished in the top 10 of the MVP vote four other times, and was a 9x All-Star.

Gordon took over the 2B position from Tony Lazzeri in 1938, and played 1938-1943 and 1946 with the Yankees, playing in five WS with them, and winning four. In 1948, Gordon hit .280-32-124, OPS+ 134 in helping the Indians (1947-1950) win what is to date their last WS Championship.

In 1940, Gordon hit 30 HR. He, Bob Meusel and Joe Dimaggio were part of a special breed—right handed hitters to hit 30 or more HR in a season at the “old” Yankee Stadium before the fences were brought in from the 457 LCF.

Phil Rizzuto only played with Gordon three years, but his praise for Gordon was unending. After the 1950 season, Gordon (seeing Bobby Avila on the way for the Indians and also missing his West Coast roots), retired from the majors. He did play some Pacific Coast League ball after 1950. He later became a manager, guiding the Indians to a second-place finish in 1959. He also managed the Tigers and both Kansas City clubs (A’s and Royals). He was the Royals’ first manager.

Gordon only hit .268 in his career, but had a 162 g. average of .268-26-101, OPS+ 120. Seven times in his 11 year career he topped 20 HR, and twice hit 30 or more. He had four 100 RBI seasons. In 29 WS games, he hit .243-4-16. His best postseason was 1941, when he went 7 for 14, seven walks, a double, triple, and HR, 5 RBI vs. the Dodgers in a Series the Yanks won in five.

Gordon died in 1978 at the age of 63.     

More baseball news:

 From MLBTR…

According to Ken Rosenthal, free agent starter A.J. Burnett talked to former teammate Carl Pavano about the Yankees.  Pavano did not steer Burnett away, despite his poor experience. 

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers and Yankees have resumed their discussions about second baseman Robinson Cano at the Meetings.  The Dodgers also like Melky Cabrera, while the Yankees hope to get Matt Kemp and pitching from L.A.

12:03pm: Joel Sherman says Brian Cashman brought Joe Girardi and Reggie Jackson along for their recent meeting with Sabathia.  Privately, the Yanks feel that Sabathia would be entirely invested in New York if he signs with them (despite his West Coast leanings).

11:49am: Jon Heyman has a Brewers update.  He says they’re open to adding a sixth year, bringing the total to $120MM (closer to $110MM with deferred money).  He also heard an opt-out clause could be added after two years.  Heyman says Sabathia hated having Spring Training in Florida, a slight mark against the Yankees.

10:30am: Dan Graziano was told yesterday that the Brewers added a sixth year to their Sabathia offer, but he admits there are conflicting reports on that.

9:33am: Buster Olney says to take it for what it’s worth, but his source says the meeting between Sabathia and the Yankees went “great.”

8:44am: According to George King of the New York Post, the Brewers could offer C.C. Sabathia an opt-out clause after three seasons to entice him to sign (similar to the Blue Jays’ deal for A.J. Burnett).  At this time, only the Brewers and Yankees have offers on the table for Sabathia. King talked to a source who said in regard to the Giants, “It would have to be a total default position in terms of years and dollars.”  Perhaps that indicates the Giants can’t really go beyond the Brewers’ five-year, $100MM offer.

Kemp, of course, would go to CF, with Gardner being a def. replacement/bench player/PR. Swisher would stay at 1B and you could then probably forget all the Teixeria/Manny talk. As for 2B, the Yanks would then target Orlando Hudson, who wants to come to NY. Kemp, 24, hit .290-18-76 for the Dodgers in 2008. 35 SB, OPS+ 108. He does need to develop more plate patience, as his walk to K ratio was 46/153. He is a righty bat, and after losing Abreu and Giambi, you do hope Matsui and Posada can comeback. They’ll have to.

Sorry about my vocal inabilities on our finale of YFCR (and thank you very much for the kind letters, messages and e-mails we received!!). To see more about Lorne Greene and his #1 hit, go here.  

Be sure to check out the good blogs and sports betting places linked at the right.

More later.

Update, a few hours later: Duelling sportswriters.

Pete Abraham reports:

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti just said, literally two minutes ago, that has not had any talks with the Yankees since July.

So those rumors about talks involving Robinson Cano and Matt Kemp are false.

Lovely thing about rumors and the Winter Meetings. You get one sportswriter contradicting another. Since it’s Vegas, why not set up the ring, take bets and let sportswriters go at each other?

Might be fun.