The Sommer Frieze

Mike Mussina goes tonight for the Yanks. ESPN. That’s how many ESPN performances this year for the Moose? It seems whenever he pitches, it’s an ESPN game.

Roger Clemens is in more hot water. Apparently he had a long-running thing with country singer Mindy McCready starting when he was 28 and she was 15. The last thing Roger needs with the steroids/Mitchell report is more damage to his credibility. As Colin Cowherd said on his show, “Another reason they called him the Rocket…” Cough. Cough.

Photo Baltimore Sun

Interesting stats in today’s Post. Not counting last year’s ALDS disaster, Wang is 17-1, 3.08 vs. the AL Central. Yesterday’s save was Mariano’s 450th.

Even though Laffey is a lefty, expect Godzilla back in the lineup (weather permitting…rainout?) after two days off.

After signing a four-year deal, and coming off a big year, Jorge Posada’s season is in jeopardy. With that deal, and with no catching prospects less than say, three years away, Yankee fans hope that these four years don’t equate to Elston Howard’s 1965-1968.

Howard became the first black to win the AL MVP when he went .287-28-85 in 1963. The Yanks won the pennant that year despite losing Mantle and Maris for much of the season. Besides his hitting, Howard coaxed Jim Bouton to a 21 win season, and got 13 from Al Downing. Both youngsters had ERA’s under 2.60. When put with Ford (24 wins) and Terry (17), Howard got the most out of the staff and contributed offensively (OPS + 140). In 1964, Ellie hit .313-15-84 and finished 3rd in MVP voting behind the winner, Brooks Robinson, and runnerup Mantle. His OPS+ was 128. Then it all fell apart.

In 1965, Howard was 36, the same age Posada is now. Ellie, coming off a .313 season (Posada is coming off .338) had arm troubles and saw his production hit the skids. His dropoff in 1965, along with Maris’ broken hand, Ford’s arm troubles (he won 16 but only 4 more after that), Bouton’s falloff, Mantle’s falloff, the lack of Tresh or Pepitone to be the next star…and many other factors, led to the collapse of the Yankee Dynasty. Ellie’s average dropped 80 points to .233. The HR went from 15 to 9. The RBI from 84 to 45. The OPS+ from 128 to 77.

In 1966, Ellie went .256-6-35. OPS+ 98. In early August of 1967, he was traded by the Yanks to Boston. At the time, Howard was only hitting .196. He only hit .147 for the Red Sox, winding up at .178, but still got MVP consideration (finishing 17th), believe it or not. That consideration came from him guiding the Red Sox pitching staff down the stretch to the pennant. .178-4-28, OPS+ 42…and 17th in MVP voting for a non-pitcher. Amazing.

Ellie, like Mantle and Maris, finished his career in 1968. Ellie hit .241-5-18, OPS+ 92. So for his last four years, Howard averaged .228-6-32 as his career wore down.

From a monster year at 35 to four very unproductive years starting at age 36. Problems with his throwing arm (elbow) at age 36. The next great catcher (Munson) 18 years old in 1965 and five years away from being the 1970 Rookie of the Year.

Posada is 36. A monster year last year at 35 (he turned 36 last August). A four-year contract. Problems with his throwing arm (shoulder). The next great catcher (?) in Jesus Montero (no offense to Austin Romine, just making a comparison) who is 18…and at Charleston…five years away???

Hmm. Let’s hope the comparison ends there and doesn’t go on to where Posada’s 2008-2011 equal Howard’s 1965-1968.