Saturday, April 19, 2008

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Now Pitching for New York, Number 22, Scott Proc-- No, sorry, wait . . .

It used to be that the worst job in baseball was being Joe Torre's favorite reliever. It appears that MJ2 has inherited the disquieting habit of having a favorite guy out there and for now it's LaTroi (Poor Bastard) Hawkins' turn in the barrel.

How else to explain MJ2's use of him last night? They sent down Albaladejo (now christened "INeedADayJob" in Lenora-World) and brought up Ramirez. For what, exactly -- to pitch in a game that's out of reach? Ramirez hadn't pitched in three days . . . obviously he was capable of giving the necessary length.

Oh well, that other reliever in Scranton with a 0.00 ERA, Chris Britton, can't get a whiff of the big club. I have to think that Ohlendorf's next bad outing earns him an "Explore Pennsylvania" gift certificate, and if Britton isn't the one promoted then there really is some organizational bias against the guy.


Is It As Complicated As Hughes Is Making It?

Watching Phil (The Answer) Hughes struggle early on and thinking that this is one of those times when a baseball cliche actually gets to the heart of the matter.

Trust your stuff.

It seems every young pitcher has to learn this lesson. But The Answer has made enough starts that he should realize that not every mistake gets hit hard, and some mistakes get hit hard right at people. This incessant, Mussina-like nibbling at corners and ending up with 70 pitches in the fourth inning won't cut it.

You can be the right-handed Al Leiter when you're 38, Phil. You're 21, with very good stuff. Pitch like it and see what happens. The Yankees are constantly getting beaten by 88 mph guys who just throw strikes. Hello?


Brother, Can You Spare A Catcher?

Is Posada or Molina coming back any time soon? Chad Moeller is already starting to get exposed and at some point even he is going to need a day off.

Any word? Encouraging long toss session by Posada? Molina seen stretching? Anything?

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