Enter Sandman

Well if Rivera just wants to go on another team then fine, later, thanks Mo but later, I'm not going to beg you to stay. Like I said before I think Joba should take over the closer role, I question he stamina as a starter, I know he was a starter in college but starting in the majors and lasting until at least the six,seventh inning is a whole new ballgame. And I'm guessing Joba intro song would be "Shout At The Devil".

Didn't Billy Wagner say the that "Enter The Sandman" was his song? And Rivera said I don't care I don't even listen to Metallica, you can have that song Billy...oh,good times, I'm so bored, someone help me.

Wagner had the song in Houston and Philadelphia, and no one seemed to care, but then he came to the Mets and it became this whole big fuss. New York proved to be big enough for two closers with the same entrance songs.

I've been defending Arod all year long (actually all of the last 4 years), as many of you know, but there's one thing that I potentially will NOT be able to defend him on. It sounds more and more like Arod is going to allow Boras to do the talking for him. That to me, an Arod defender, is just really hard to hear. I realize he's not the only superstar to let an agent take control. I'm sure MOST superstars do that. I just thought that it might be possible Arod would be above that. I'm not even saying that I'll be mad if he opts out, but I really have a hard time dealing with this whole Boras making these ridiculous statements of Arod's worth and all of that.

I enjoy watching him play more than any player in history because he does things that no one can do. So yes, I'll be very disappointed when if/when he leaves. I would just rather it be on "his" terms than his agent's.

Such is the story of multimillion dollar atheletes.

Metallica has plenty of songs to go around, I like "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Fight Fire With Fire", "Whiplash", we don't need to fight over intro songs boys, jeez, God I soooo bored someone help me...

Well Elf man I have you beaten by at least 3, 4 years I have been taking garbage for Alex forever, but I'm done, I don't have it in me anymore. I thought when Alex was going to come to New York I was so stoked, because I have loved the Yanks and Alex separate, like chocolate and peanut butter, but when they came together I thought it was going to be like a Reese's peanut butter cup, and it was until the postseason came around, and Alex choked four years in a row I can't defend that anymore. Soooo Bored, help.

The Phillies or Cubs should sign Mo.

http://fansonthefield.mlblogs.com

jeterstar what do u do on a typical texas day? its so cool to me to like live in texas or idaho! but if your bored try on of red soxlooses's l-etter thingies...that should kill time. i dont know whats on tv cuz i dont really watch it...
how bout tell me more reasons for girardi to practice law and presuade me more...

elfman i also hate the fact that boras is stealing arods life...who knows he might move in with him, speak for him, brush his teeth for him, dress, him, act like his baby's daddy....boras is an idiot who needs his own life and cannot continusuly live through his customers....

jeterstar, ive never heard of all these bands u talk about...what era are they from 70's, 80's? im open to all music but in my day and age (right now) there's ****. i like canos music taste though...what style of music are all these people?

I want A-Rod to stay. He was lights out in the post-season in 04, until the last 4 games of the ALCS. He single handedly destroyed Minnesota, and was awesome in the first three games v. Boston. His post-season slump WILL end. The only question is, do you want that to happen when he is playing against us? That would **** me off more than anything. He hit .267 in the postseason this year. Which is 40 points higher than the rest of the lineup.

im more bored btw...im in spanish class....

things for arod to do:
fire boras

get new agent (prefferably with a brain this time)

stay in NY

hit

accept MVP award

hit in postseason

continuously shine his new ring

That's funny. If you want to come to Idaho, Sportsgirl, I'll take you hunting with me. You'll love it.

hunting? im up for it...sounds cool lol ppl do actually hunt in upstate NY but its rare.
actually depends what animals u kill...deer is cool!

I wouldn't say Boras does not have a brain. The fact is, he's the best sports agent in the country, and he is Satan born here on Earth. He reps so many athletes that it's ridiculous. If A-Rod does not stay with NYY, it will be because of Scott Boras. If he stays it will be because he goes against what his agent tells him.

My favorite hunt is Elk. But, I also hunt mule and whitetail deer, ducks, pheasants, quail, and geese. In fact, my Grandfather and I are going into Northern Idaho on Monday to hunt Elk. We'll be in the woods, on horseback, kickin' it wild west style.

i always thought that type of thing was only portrayed in the movies, its real and its cool! here in NY you want a blood battle? take the last pair of manolo blahnik shoes in bergdorf goodmans...
im bored....i was talking to much so im in the bak of the class all alone...

We don't hunt for sport, though. We hunt for the freezer.

what do u do with the animals after? (btw ive never heard of half of them)

u eat them?

We eat them. Pheasants are birds, Quail are smaller birds, an Elk are horse-sized deer. The males are called "bulls" and the females are "cows". The males have huge antlers that can grow back to their hind end.

I would never kill an animal and just leave it dead on the mountain. In fact, you can go to jail for a long time if you do that. If we can get an Elk, we don't have to buy meat for a whole year.

thats so cool to me cuz i never knew it was real
new york intriguing?

ABSOLUTELY. It would be a dream come true if I got a chance to go to NYC.

we have processed meat...
but most new yorkers by kosher meat cuz its healthier

its really a great city...i just explore it daily and know all its secrets

google pictures its beautiful! its almost like being there

We buy kosher meat here too.

I just want to stand on the field of Yankee Stadium.

W-T-F are you guys blabbering about? Jeez. Sports Girl I would love to talk music with you what do you like first of all?

jeterstar,

Sorry, I'm a thread behind the rest of you guys, my response to the Andruw Jones issues is on the previous thread. Hint: You'll be surprised by my response.

Letting Boras do his talking may definitely be a bad sign for the Yanks.

If you guys want to hear two new songs I have been tripping over, Chaz this is for you, go to myspace.com and do a search for Thrice and Avenged Sevenfold, and on Thrice's page listen to 'Firebreather' and on A7x's page listen to 'Almost Easy', do it, go on listen, if you dare and report back to me.

Hey,

I'm 29, and 31 IS NOT OLD. Be careful, ladies. You'll be at 30 before you know it, trust me.

Jeterstar, I'm still not disappointed or defeated by Arod's PLAY, just the possibility that he might not be on the Yankees because he let his agent do the thinking. I'll actually be rooting for him wherever he goes. Even if it's...well...you know where...

I'll even root for him in the postseason. Unless of course he's hitting right after Vlad in game 5 of next year's ALDS.

Men do not FULLY physically mature until they are around 32-33. Of course, once they hit 36 or so, it starts going downhill, but still.

Matt S. , I read yesterday you thought I would be too hammered to post yesterday, jeez thanks alot Matthew, just kidding, I only knock back a few when I'm in Yankee denial, but I kind of knew the Yanks just didn't have everything fall their way to win.

Elfman,

A-Rod hitting behind Vlad is NOT impossible. In fact it's likely. I guarantee that we will hate watching him turn it on for another team more than we hate seeing him struggle for us.

Chaz I suggested you listen to some real music, what are you doing posting here...

jeterstar,

Still there? Hope you're not off somewhere in a dark corner crying your eyes out after reading my response.

Guys are lucky to age well, you can be forty something and still be smoking hot, Brad Pitt anyone?

I'm listening. Good songs.

Cry about what Matt?

Do you love it Chaz, what exactly are you listening to right now?!?

The fact that I didn't agree with you on the Andruw Jones issue. I think it's the first time we didn't agree on anything this season.

Actually Matt you talked me out of being to excited about Duncan, not signing Brad Lidge, and I think Jon Garland, but that was early in the season. I just have never been impressed by Jones personally.

You guys should all listen to MY music. That's the best music in the world, heh. Although, it sounds like your tastes might not be in tune with my music. Does anyone like film music?

http://myspace.com/stefansfilmmusic

it is time to have Cashman clean out his desk. He is the one most responsible for the Yankee issue -lack of a solid pitching staff for starters. If you look at all the games where the YANKEES haved scored over 5 runs and lost, its awful, probaly the worst in both leagues.
Cashman kept Joe aorund 3 years too long he makes too many coaching errors- bunitng for one. Yankees think they can musckle through good pitching and they cannot. they have constantly lost to good pitching all year.Cashman opted for big bats and no pitching. He MUST go. Until he is gone there is NO hope for the club to win the World Series.

if I were AROD I'd go to a club where is chance of having your contribution really count.

Uh no Elf but nice try, hey elf I gave you my Christmas list a few weeks ago, if you are an elf and every thing, shouldn't you be getting ready for Christmas?

I like that Thrice track. They sound like a heavier Chevelle.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7318254?MSNHPHMA

Apparently this guy said it better than I could.

Yes I knew I could talk you into a little Thrice,***** I'm good, and A7X video for Almost Easy, is on their myspace page, and the songs Walk and Critical Acclaim are must listen to tracks.

FYI Chaz Critical Acclaim is a political song, but it is pro Bush, not far left potitical, if your are a patriotic man, you might like Critical Acclaim's lyrics.

I like cano’s music jeterstar…like stuff to just move to that’s not emotional music or anything….i don’t think it’s really like your music but I want to try yours

Sports G. I don't know what Cano listens to ....Hip Hop maybe? I haven't heard his intro songs.

**** ure persuasive

something like hiphop

Have u ever been to the stadium while cano was playing?
Chaz the age of 30 is forever away….like literally almost like half my life….

Well I would recommend Tiger Army's new CD to anyone it is called 'Music From Regions Beyond', anything by Thrice, Strung Out is awesome fast punk, but still easy to sing along to....

R u a punk? (jk)

I don't really listin to too much hip hop, I like Run DMC, and sometimes I download whatever Jeter's intro songs are, like Gold Digger and Go Getta...What else did Jeet play this season?

I'm too old even at 23 to be a punk anymore, but I listen to it.....

Oh and one more thing on Girardi I forgot to mention he won freakin manger of the year in 2006!

Ure never to old to be punky! (im personally party not punky) do u like avril levigne (bleh) her fake pink hair? Hair black nails? Is that a punk? Or no…that’s my definition of a punk..or maybe the Ny definition…btw im going to maroon 5 tonight

U mentioned u like them…

I kind of like them, but I think their new CD blows...Avril is exactly what punk is NOT...you can't really define punk but it is not Avril please don't mention her name again...

NY is full of Punk Rockers....you should know that Avril has nothing to do with punk!!!!

Alright guys I got mad stuff to do today, maybe we will know more about the manager job tomorrow, if not we can always talk music baby! Have a great day guys. I'm Out.

Lol hate her too
I dont like maroon 5 but my friends bought me a ticket (and I had to pay them back) like who does that..it was an expensive firkin ticket to a band I dislike but…my twin loves them (were so different) but it still should be fun afterwords

meager memory molders,

mysty month manages:

music melodies, MO mopping money, Manny (mister mighty) maintianing many more muscles, mets mainly memorizing mediocrity, meager men & married ministers mark

main mainstays, more moolah, more memories, more miracles, more monkeys must meet Mr. monster, make, mike,manny & middle men move majority momentum. media max, mauls microphone,,more madness mixes mixed mindsets. Must move major mountians, monument may murder mediocrity melodrama may make MO mighty man, (mucho-moolah) must meet minimum mandates make means more meaningless.

are ya still bored, i got more, just give me a Letter or a perosn or theme, and i will post you away.

i bored too,

arod

apple autumn

arod angry against any & all areas aiming angels as arena airs an awkward announcement and adding another athele as accomodating

listen guys n gals, this one (A) is too easy for me, how bout someone else giving it a shot, try your best,,,

I can understand these guys' loyalty to Joe Torre, but do they possess any loyalty to us? It seems to me that the Yankees' front office needs to make a decision about Joe ASAP. We need to be in a position to make moves to replace these guys if they leave because Torre is leaving. Maybe Mo doesn't realize that Francisco Cordero is available? Come on, Mo! you are awesome, but you're 38, too. If he wants to bail out, see ya!

Here is my 25 man wishlist for 2008:

C

Jorge Posada

1B

Adam Dunn (v. R)/Shelley Duncan (v. L)

2B

Robbie Cano

3B

Alex Rodriguez

SS

Derek Jeter

LF

Melky Cabrera (v. L)/Johnny Damon(v. R)

CF

Aaron Rowand (v. L)/Melky Cabrera (v. R)

RF

Bobby Abreu

DH

Hideki Matsui

Bench

Wilson Betemit

Yorvit Torealba

Jason Giambi

Johnny Damon

Shelley Duncan

Rotation

Chien Ming Wang

Andy Pettite

Joba Chamberlain

Phil Hughes

Ian Kennedy

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera (Closer)

Scott Linebrink (Setup RHP)

Jeremy Affeldt (Setup LHP)

Mike Mussina (Long Relief/Spot Starter)

Kei Igawa (has the whole off-season to get better)

Edwar Ramirez (he needs work, but is going to be great)

For those of you not familiar with Yorvit Torealba, watch the NLCS this year.

We have to use Giambi and Moose for one more year.

We need to get something out of Igawa, maybe if we start him out of the bullpen, he will perform better. He did great out of the bullpen this year (it was 1 time, but he was lights out)

Edwar earned reliver of the year honors

Do you guys think we should let Abreu go? He was pretty **** good this season.

I think that we should bring back Clemens. Not as a pitcher but as an assistant pitching coach.

Here's some info on a hot SS prospect:

Torres Lands New Cuban Client

Posted Sep. 18, 2007 7:03 pm by John Manuel

Filed under: Daily Dish

Miami-based agent Jaime Torres, who has represented Cuban defectors such as Jose Contreras and recent signees Yohannis Perez (Brewers) and Yoslan Herrera (Pirates), has a new client available to meet with major league teams.

Alexei Ramirez led Cuba’s Serie Nacional in home runs last season with 20 and was a member of Cuba’s top-level national team for the last three seasons, winning an Olympic gold medal in 2004 in Athens and playing for Cuba’s World Baseball Classic team, which placed second to Japan. His birthdate has been listed as being either April 25 or Sept. 22, 1981, depending on different international tournament records. Torres reported the Sept. 22 birthdate in a call to Baseball America.

Ramirez, who went 6-for-16 (.375) in the WBC, has played shortstop for Pinar Del Rio but has played the outfield and second base for Cuba in international competition. He hit .335 with a .574 slugging percentage this season for Pinar del Rio.

“He’s going to be available to teams this Thursday at the Hilton hotel in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic,” Torres said Tuesday. “He is in the process of establishing legal residency in the Dominican Republic.

“I think this is one of the top two players in Cuba. He’s an exciting hitter who led the league in home runs and can play infield or the outfield.”

Ramirez, who played in Cuba for Pinar del Rio (Contreras’ old club), is married to a Dominican citizen. Once he establishes residency in the Dominican and goes through the U.S. government’s “unblocking” process–a procedure aimed at preventing Cubans from funneling money back to the Castro government–he will become a free agent.

chaz,

I get the feeling Clemens won'twant to come back as a coach. As for Abreu, he did have a good year , but was a little too inconsistent seemed like he had a harder time getting going than the others. I remember Torrealba from his Giants days, he's good defensively, but I'm apprehensive about any hitter who comes from Colorado. Ramirez didn't showmuch at the major league level, he might be better off going backdownand learn another pitch to go along with his change, hence too soon to call him a great pitcher. I wouldn't mind reshuffling the outfield, and trying for Jones. I like your choice of Affeldt, but I would also go with Veras, Vizcaino, Rivera, Ohlendorf, Steven White, Humberto Sanchez only if, and it's a big "if" he can come back from TJ surgery. I would still like to try and trade Igawawful if possible along with maybe Betemit for bullpen help.

I forgot about Humberto Sanchez!

Again, it will be a big "if"

It's amazing what you people say about Moe make me want to hurl.....cowards never played a sport before. All for one and one for all"

Redsunkktt,

Mariano Rivera is the best closer ever. Bar none. Period. But, if he's not a Yankee, then he's the enemy, and it looks like we may have to get used to a Yankee team without OUR closer. The decision to leave the team is his, and his alone. For the record. I don't want to see him retire in different gear. I want him to retire a Yankee.

I never really post anything personal but the comments through out the blogs are horrible. I must say some Yankees might see the departure of Torre as a personal failure....

I always said that Bobby is a Yankee fit, due to his style of play at the plate. I just hate that he doesn't hustle. It also seems he gets down easy. Not a personal favorite but I see why he is adored. I backed Damon and still think he is great.

I wouldn't argue with that. I would hate to be on the team that spelled the end of Joe Torre's tenure. That just might stick in your craw.

Johnny has some good basball left in him, and apparently is the only guy that showed up with a bat in his hand for the post-season. I'm a Johnny D guy, too.

What do you guys think about this Cuban SS? Maybe a protege for Jeter to groom?

I liked Alfonso, he forgot his bat in Chicago aswell. What we need is no complicaton just (drum roll) Johan Santana. Does anyone miss Proctor now?

Bryan,

Get a one-on-one with Uncle George and get him in the hot-seat! We need to know who the skipper is going to be! The suspense is already driving me nuts!

We WILL get Johan in 2009. Proctor was overused, and that was why he wasn't better for us. Yes, as a matter of fact, I do miss him. If he was still a Yank, he would still have been used too much, though.

I don't know about him much. I can't beleive how long Jeter been here, seems like yesterday. So if Alex leaves will he be ****.

So what Carl Pavano has the year off next year?

Alexei Ramirez, seemed to do well in Cuba, and in the WBC. I think it would depend on where A-Rod goes. If he goes to LAA, he plays 3rd. They already have Cabrera at SS, and he deserves a GG every year he plays. If he goes to the Cubs, he'll play SS because they have Aramis Ramirez.

If Pavano doesn't, then we should just keep him locked in the basement. Who knows, though, maybe he'll actually be healthy next year (WHATEVER)

Alexei Ramirez has the feel of a Robinson Cano were shooting for a rookie team. What we need is a lesson on how to hit with runners on periode. I'm excited about the youngsters.......

I think we need to play "smaller" ball next season. I'm not saying go totally National League, but when there is a runner on, maybe mix in a bunt or two before pulling our heads off the ball swinging for a 2-run dinger. 3 run homers are fun to watch, but so is a well executed sac bunt.

If LaRussa is running the show, count on seeing "smaller" ball. Can you imagine a mean-old crotchety SOB like LaRussa in the Yankee dugout? That dude would not hesitate to rip ANYONE's head off! LOL. What a media circus......

LaRussa in 2008, "The Yankees Under the Big Top". All we need is a bearded lady, and some clowns with spray bottles and baloon animals.

Joe will go,TAKE ALL HIS CRY BABIES AND PAMPERED OLD VETS WITH HIM!!Start over Clear this roster now,it is long overdue!!!

If jeter lays down that bunt maybe we wouldn't be here. Those kind of things are what if?

LaRussa is 12-1 with the Cardinals count it one championship in twelve seasons. How is this better that Joe? They also had the NL version of Alex-Pujos/

Lets get mike scioscia over here and move the team to California. What a bunch of bums. If Moe leve because of Joe, what heart. True loyalty not here for the bucks, Boras.

Mo pitching for Joe Or Mo?I thought it was the Yankees!!

I think that Mariano is making a HUGE mistake tying his future to Torre, and so is any player who does the same. I think it is tantamount to blackmail. Instead these players should be loyal to the pinstripes, which made them what they are today. It is time for change and these players need to think more about the fans that support them than their soon to be former manager.

Maybe they sign Michael Kay from YES ,as manager you know he is Yankee guy!!

Why all the fuss I knew Torre would be gone no matter what!Get over it!!!

chaz,

This team isn't built to play small ball, it has too many older players who are too slow. Small ball relies more on players who are quicker, and faster than what this team has.

Moe is taking a stand! Finally a real person, worried about his mates. Were fans we watch they fight. Don't give me if it weren't for us bull! If your such loyl fans then why do you want to dump are heros in a moment of despair. If it wasn't for Torre having faith to Mariano.......I remember "fans" giving in on <Moe. Don't deserve championships.

Matt,

It's true bunts will get us no were in this division. What chaz's is point is that having a all or nothing mentality with the bats can backfired..

Yea Mariano is thinking about Mariano. Lets get players who think about fans and loyalty and tradition for a change. If he wants to play for Torre let him go with Torre. They will make a lovely couple.

MARIANO RIVERA .,.,MUST BE YOUNG FANS THAT HAVEN NO APPRECIATION FOR THESE PLAYERS. WHAT ABOUT JORGE YOU WANT HIM OUT ?? OR BANDWAGON FAMS WHICH IS IT? I NEVER REMEMBER SEEING ANY OF THESE EMAIL ADDRESSES. HEY, FENWAY IS STILL IN THE PLAYOFFS GO JUMP OM THAT 86' TRAIN!!

Moe's era was 3.15 and we got beat by a guy whos era was in the 5's.

Yanks 08' starting roster (plus randoms just haning out with big time salaries):
SP's:

Wang

Mussina

Hughes

Pavano (if healthy, come on he's getting paid $10million/yr)

Igawa(a $50million dollar OOPS on the part of Cashman, but hey, let's pitch him)

LR:

Ian Kennedy

MR:

Farnsworth (he'll hopefully come around)

Linebrink(hoping)

Villone (lefty 'specialist')

Setup:

Joba

Close:

Joe Nathan?

1B, Nick Johnson/Giambi

2B, Cano

SS, Jeter

3B, Rodriguez(Cashman will resign him for $500million if he has to, anything to keep A-Rod away from the Bosox & LAD's.)

LF: Platoon Matsui & Damon

CF: Andruw Jones

RF: Melky

DH: Rotate Giambi/Matsui/Damon

backups:

Dougy Mient.

Jose Molina (batted .315 for the Yankees, come on, we all now we need Jorge for a few more years so Joe Mauer can opt out of his contract and come over to NY).

Shelley Duncan (versatile @ 1B and outfield if need be)

Miguel Cairo?!

There is it ladies & gents...

redsunkktt,

I know what chaz was saying, but what I was saying is that this team is not but for that type of game, this current team is built more around power, and that if it were to change over to "small ball", it would have to make quite a few changes in the ucrrent roster to fit that type of game.

This team was built to win a championship above are a few reasons why they didn't Igawa-Pavano things happen mistakes were made. Credit to Cash for being pressured to make moves here and there. It just didn't go the way anyone planned.

yanksrox,

Intriguing roster, just a couple of things though. First I think this team will make Chamberlain a starter. It didn't spend a 1st Rd. pick on a set up man, but rather a starter. Like I said this team can maximize his value if it made him a starter. Igawawful doesn't have the talent to hang with guys like Hughes, Chamberlain Pettitte, Wang or Kennedy. Same goes for Mussina, his best days are behind him, if he's lucky he may have one more decent ( not good ) year in his arm, at best use him in middle relief he just doesn't bring anything that the other guys can't. Pavano??? UUUUGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! 'nuff said there. Even when he was healthy he was very average. Farnsworth, well everything that can be said has been said about him, try to limit his appearances to zero. I would go with Veras over Linebrink, he has better stuff, and Linebrink is coming off a bad year, no sense in taking the chance of getting stuck with a veteran who may struggle with this team as well. I would dump Meintkiewicz as well, his better days are behind him. This team does need a first baseman with a good glove, but a bat as well, and nick Johnson fits that bill just worried about history with injuries. Like I said it's an intriguing lineup, but what worries me is that you are starting players just because they have large contracts, and you are relegating the better players to lesser roles. My point is don't sacrifice the good of this team just because you want to play players who have large contracts, this team will not succeed that way. This team will only succeed if you put the best players on the field.

There is all-stars at every position. Most of are players are the best at there position respectably. We need a major upgrade in the pitching department indisputable. What constant variable went wrong? Wang twice. A newly aquired asset Wang has been consistant since his arrival. He blew his post season starts. What kind of affect do you think this had on the rest of the team? blame the guys that have been getting it done for ten years unfair. Well your the Yankees score ten runs per game. I don't think so, did you see other team score ten runs a game? They faced CY Young candidate pitchers, and came up short.

Let me be the defender Mike would have won game four periode. 4.2 innings 2 earned runs, 4 hits, 3 strikeouts. Thats one more strikeout then Wang in two starts. The only problem Moose was fatigued at the end of the year and had horrible consecutive starts. If he would had the same rst as Roger coming in mid season he would have posted better numbers. Moose has given the Yankees great post season numbers and they have gone to waste. Isn't not what this is about the post season?

The best players have better contracts. Andrew Jones is being let go for a reason, speaking of better days. I hope Pavano does make have a steller season we all hoped it would be this one. I admit it I mean he can't go any lower then this.

I didn't say small ball. I said "smaller" ball. LOL. I posted the free agent list on the last blog. Joe Nathan is NOT on the list. NO TRADES!!!!!!!!! We get what we can get in free agency and go with the young talent and vets we already have.

redsunkktt,

First of all, lets stay with reality, not go into hypotheticals which doesn't do anyone any good at this time and point. Ther's no indication at all that he would have won game four at all, at best it was an o.k. appearance by him. Who the heck cares how many strikeouts he had compared to Wang? That doesn't say anything. If Mussina were "fatigued" that's even more reason not to have started him in a life-or-death game like game four was especially if he were struggling like he did in his last start. It would have made more sense to have a pitcher like Wang who was a Cy Young candidate for most of the season, nad basically outpitched Mussina all season to start the game. Another thing, even though Mussina has made quite a few decent starts in the post-season is overall record (which is all that counts) is mixed. In the previous three playoff series he appeared in he has been very mediocre. Being fatigued isn't much of an excuse, every itcher in the playoffs has pitched just as much if not more than Mussina himself, actually Mussina hadn't pitched all that many innings, and did get some rest after he was benched when he put together that string of horrible outings he had, so every starter is in the same boat. It's just another sign that he is getting old, and nearing the end of his career. These are all excellent reasons why Mussina shouldn't have started game four.

But if you want to stay with hypotheticals her's one for you:

what if Clemens were able to stay healthy through the end of the season, and was healthy for Game 3 of the series? He could have possibly gone 6 or 7 innings which would have meant that the Yanks wouldn't have had to use Hughes who actually outpitched both Clemens, and Messina. The Yanks could have used Hughes in relief of Wang when he started to struggle, or as a possible starter, and the outcome might have been different. But that's not what happened so why bother thinking about it?

Roger didn't pitch a complete season! What I meant was that Moose showed that all he needed was rest. I only mentioned the srikeout because Mike isn't a strikeout pitcher. It was just to make a comparison to Wangs performence. I haven't yet seen not one post about Wang. Who in my opinion was the biggest factor in a early exit. Yet I see down with Moe, down with Alex! Mariano played his role. I'm not making excuses see just facts. Moose couldn't have started even if he was stellar. If Moose has a good start and the Yankees lost Torres is in the doghouse. Why didn't you pitch your number one starter? This isn't completely fictional. If Moose started and goes 1 1/2 innings more then thats the best we could have asked. Look everyone gave Roger the ok to start. I might say due to loyalty. I think Mike should have been given the go with Wang out of pen. It's all rambling I understand but when your ace blows both games with a team that has a weak pen what do you expect? Your what if is just fantasy mine is a little more sensible. Being Fatigued is a factor you expect older players to tire quickly. They want Mariano pitching two and Joba pitching one with rest? You dont need a sign of him getting old he is old. So is Andy, also near the end of his career but you know what post season numbers contrubite Andy went 6.1 no earned runs. I'm not arguing just defending my players... while they still wear those pinstripes/

I'm not taking shots at Roger or Wang there heros. If moose becomes a reliever I fair him to do well, even though he does give up homers often. If Joba rules goes starter which I believe he will expect him to be great.

Responding to earlier comments about the Yankees 08 roster..
Andruw Jones is the worst thing for this ballclub and if Alex demands 30 mil +, tell his see ya later. Look at the Rockies-- not high priced vets there...not even a "Moneyball" theory for that team... It was all about home grown talent during our run in the late 90s and the same goes for the Rockies in 2007.