What's new in Yankeeland? Well, they have won four straight games ... Alex Rodriguez hit his first home run in 51 at-bats ... Joe Torre is one win away from his 1,000th career victory as Yankee skipper ... and Newsday is starting a Yankee blog.
Now what more can a Yankees fan want?
I'm Jim Baumbach, Newsday's Yankees beat reporter, and I'd like to extend a personal invite to everyone out there to stop by every now and again (or more!) to share your thoughts about the Yanks. We're going to use this space every day as a place to post anything Yankee-related and bring you closer to the team you love (or love to hate).
Enough introductions. Let's get down to it.
A year ago, the Yankees were 11-17 after 28 games. Today, the Yankees wake up 17-11. Many, many reasons to feel good. But some questions remain, for sure.
Randy Johnson is still trying to find himself, his ERA now over 5.
And don't discount Gary Sheffield's left wrist bruise. Every time he talks about it he brings up 2002, when he says he tore ligaments in the same wrist and it affected his power numbers. He only hit 25 home runs that season, his lowest total since 1998.
While Sheffield is hitting .327, the average masks what has been a surprisingly silent season. He has only four homers, and just one exta-base hit in his last 47 at-bats.
Comments (4)
Since when is 4 homers in 48 at bats "surprisingly silent?" Sheff plays hard all the time, and would not use his sore wrist to further his option year desires. Personally, I would not approve his option year, and use the money on a starting pitcher.
Sturtze and Proctor are the BIG QUESTION Marks.
One word discribes them both: Inconsistant.
Think yanks should send down T. Sturtze and Aaron Small, who very well might have been a one time wonder and bring up Scott Ericson and Matt Smith. We cant seem to have enough pitching in the pen when you look at the age and innings of the starting rotation.We need another energy injection, so if Milky does well this time he should stay somewhere in the outfield and Sheff should be a every day DH. This would give us more energy, speed and balance the lineup out more.I also would send Andy Phillips down and exchange him with Carlos Pena, atleast Pena can match Phillips average wise and with more power, not hard to do! Pena's glove- solid.Any thoughts about this??
bring kevin thompson up he is a fast, hard to get out and will spark the yanks.