Mussina passed the test last night. Obviously I am unconvinced, but hey if I'm wrong the Yankees will do well so I can't complain. Unless they give him another contract.
Solid wins the last couple of days. Yanks played clean good baseball. Finished the opening home stand 4-3. The way they hit it could have been worse. So we'll take it.
The last few days showed some more "tests" for the Yanks.
Girardi. He passed the bullpen test on Sunday brining in Joba to the high leverage situation in the 7th inning. Torre may, or may not have done that. But if Torre was manager, Farnsworth would have been in the game at some point, or Mo would have gone 2 innings. So the same point, Joba passed the test. He realized that he doesn't HAVE to strike everyone out. Obviously coming into the 7th with 1st and 3rd he needed a strike out and get got it, then went for another one and got a double play.
The next inning he went to throwing 2 and 4 seamers, letting the hitters make contact and trusting his fielders, he ended up only throwing 16 pitches for the two innings. Now if this 23 year old can think like that and trust his stuff while pitching in the 8th inning of a 2 run game, imagine what he'll do as a starter. I can't wait.
Girardi has another test coming up. The injured Jeter test. If Jeter is out for more than a game or two or three best team the Yankees can field is, Ensberg at third and Giambi at first. And yes, with A-Rod at short stop. Now Torre wouldn't do this, but Giardi can and he should. I hope it doesn't come to that, because we need the Captain healthy and contributing. But, man that would be interesting.
Johnny Damon. Damon's test is coming up. Is he washed up? Can he have a decent season? I'd give him another two weeks, but if Johnny's not producing then he needs to be dropped in the lineup. Jeter or Melky can lead off.
It's off to KC for the Bombers. They should win this series. Bummed I'm not going to see Phil's start today in the glory of HD, I'll have to settle for the SlingBox again.
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