The Yankees' Opening Day game against the Toronto Blue Jays -- their final one at this Yankee Stadium -- was postponed due to rain and has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, at 7:05 p.m.
Fans holding paid tickets for the postponed game may use them for the rescheduled game between the Yankees and Blue Jays to be played tomorrow, or exchange their paid tickets for any regular season game at Yankee Stadium.
Due to limited ticket availability for Yankees home games during the 2008 season, fans are highly encouraged to use their tickets for tomorrow night's rescheduled game.
Tickets can be exchanged at Yankee Stadium Advance Ticket Windows only (open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and until the seventh inning of any regularly scheduled home game).
For complete information about the Yankees' rainout policy, please visit www.yankees.com/rainout.
Sheppard, the Yankees' public address announcer since 1951, will not be able to attend the game as he recovers from health issues that have limited his workload. But shortstop Derek Jeter plans to have Sheppard introduce him for his at-bats, the first of which will come in the bottom of the first inning against the Blue Jays' Roy Halladay. Jeter has had Shepard's introduction recorded on tape.
Regular Season Game 1 - Opening DayA new digital board installed in right-center field at Yankee Stadium is set to count off the remaining number of home games to be played. On Sunday, as the Yankees dashed around the diamond and renewed acquaintances, the digits "81" watched on from beyond the bleachers.
It is a number that will tick down as the 2008 All-Star Summer approaches, and then one the Yankees will try to reset in small increments for playoff series that have been the ballpark's staple. Those games, of course, are not guaranteed.
The clock really is being turned back. Sitting on the blue padded bench in the dugout, about three great Alex Rodriguez pokes from the building site, Yankees GM Brian Cashman reflected on the transition period, calling it "a great experience to be a part of."
"So many wonderful things have happened in this ballpark," Cashman said, "and at the same time, every day you look across the street at what's going on over there."
"It limits the sadness of closing this place down, because that place is going to be more old school than this place -- but with all the new amenities. I look forward to seeing that thing open more than I get sad about closing this one down."
In Cashman's words, the Yankees are "trying to rock the house here for one more season" -- a goal that begins on Monday, welcoming the Blue Jays to the Bronx for Games 81, 80 and 79 in the grand countdown.
"I'm proud to be a part of it," Johnny Damon said. "The longer I spend in pinstripes, it really makes you appreciate how great an organization this is and how they do everything first class. Hopefully, we can close out this stadium with the 27th world championship."
Jeter has said that his fondest memories of Yankee Stadium have come when the club celebrated World Series titles on the field -- 1996 and '99, both vs. Atlanta -- so there seems to be little sense in asking what the ideal sendoff would be.
For the purposes of opening up the ballpark's final season, though, braving a little chill is a small price for Jeter and his club.
"Opening Day every year is special, but this year, it'll probably be emotional, being the last Opening Day at Yankee Stadium," Jeter said. "I'm sure people will let it soak in a little more.
"I really don't know what to expect, but I'm sure you'll take a look around and try to remember as many things as you can. It's going to be a special year."
Q: Since you decided to continue your recovery at home in Oklahoma, what would your message be to Yankees fans on Opening Day?
A: The message is I'm sorry I can't be there. I'd love to be there and be part of the ceremony like I have been for so many years. I'm just not as strong as I was last year.
Q: You'll be missed.
A: I won't be missed more than what I'm going to be missing myself. It's been many years since I missed Opening Day. I'll be there next year for sure.
Q: You'll watch this one from home?
A: I'll definitely be watching.
Q: You like this Yankees team?
A: I think it's very interesting, especially with the young pitchers. I'm very excited about that. It can be a great year for the Yankees if those kids are ready to go, which I think they are.
Q: First time you saw Yankee Stadium?
A: I just was mind-boggled by how big it was when I walked out on the field. I thought to myself, "Oh my goodness, how am I ever gonna catch a fly ball in this place?"
Q: Toughest pitcher?
A: Mickey Lolich.
Q: Funniest teammate?
A: Sparky Lyle.
Q: You sang with Willie Nelson?
A: It was terrific for me. I'm not sure what it was like for anybody else (chuckles).
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Jesus Christ ... I don't need a conversation with anybody else (chuckles).
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Pinto beans, cornbread, and okra.
Q: Favorite singer?
A: Ray Charles.
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Jack Nicholson.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Julia Roberts.
Q: You have a book coming out: "Yankee For Life: My 40-Year Journey in Pinstripes."
A: I feel so fortunate to have been able to be a part of that championship tradition for so many years. ... If you're gonna be in baseball, you might as well be with the greatest. ... If you were drawing up a script, how would you draw it up any better?
Q: Favorite movie?
A: "Pride of the Yankees."
Just saw this picture over at Sliding Into Home. As always, Greg has the best stadium construction photo's on the net. Check 'em out here.
Andy Pettitte: 6 1 0 0 1 6. He threw 77 pitches.
Ian Kennedy: 5 4 0 0 1 5. No word on the pitch count. But he was supposed to be dialed back to 75 or so today.
“I threw 77 pitches, and that’s what I needed,” Pettitte said. “It’s exactly what I wanted to do. I feel great. Everything felt good today. Got a lot of work in. Did I have to get to 77 pitches today because I’m a little short and behind everybody? Yeah. I’m ready for my start and just looking forward to continuing to build my strength up.”
Legend: IP/Hits/Runs/Earned Runs/Walks/Strikeouts
Tyler Kepner of the New York Time's has an amazing narrated slideshow of the lesser known secrets of "The House That Ruth Built".
Tyler Kepner/New York Times:“I thought I was in,” Patterson said Saturday before the Yankees played the Florida Marlins in their final exhibition game. “I’m lucky if I slept one hour last night.”
Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, who gave the final bullpen spots to Jonathan Albaladejo, Brian Bruney and Ross Ohlendorf, cited Patterson’s inexperience as the major contributing factor .
“I talked about how the hardest part about going down to Scranton is to stay focused on the job at hand,” Girardi said. “He said, ‘All I’m going to do is get people out down there and wait for The Call.’ I’m very proud of his attitude and the way he pitched. I told him I believe we’ll see him.”
Patterson said he believed he proved to the Yankees that his success at Trenton was not a fluke. Patterson had a 1.09 earned run average in 43 games there last season.
With similar results at Scranton, he may finally get the call he wants.
**Read even more on Scott Patterson and why he deserves to be a New York Yankee**
Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News:Lineup
Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Bench
Jose Molina C
Shelley Duncan 1B-RF-LF
Morgan Ensberg 1B-3B
Wilson Betemit 1B-2B-3B-SS
Starters
RHP Chien-Ming Wang
RHP Mike Mussina
RHP Phil Hughes
RHP Ian Kennedy
Relievers
RHP Mariano Rivera
RHP Joba Chamberlain
RHP LaTroy Hawkins’
RHP Kyle Farnsworth
LHP Billy Traber
RHP Ross Ohlendorf
RHP Brian Bruney
RHP Jon Albaladejo
————-
60-day disabled list
RHP Andrew Brackman
RHP Humberto Sanchez
RHP Carl Pavano
15-day disabled list
LHP Andy Pettitte
RHP Jeff Karstens
LHP Sean Henn
Roster list courtesy of Peter Abraham and his LoHud Yankee's Blog
And the NY papers picks;
I will update later as I expert a couple more released today but not an optimist outlook for your 2008 Yankees.
Update: Add XM radio to those picking the Yanks to miss the playoffs and Craig Carton of WFAN.
It's actually kind of nice to be the underdog for once.
Okay it's not really an exclusive but Hideki Matsui was married in New York city recently."I cannot bet my life on it … that Alex Rodriguez ever used steroids," he told Bashir, "but in my opinion, I suspect he has, yes." When challenged by Bashir to identify "Max" or to provide other evidence to support his claims, Canseco said "the timing's not right."
"That's just not a good enough answer," Bashir said. "Why don't you produce the evidence?"
"Let's see how Alex reacts to this," Canseco said. "Let's see how Alex reacts. Let's see if they call me a liar again. How's that for ya? Let's see if all of a sudden they're gonna call me a liar again."
You can watch Martin Bashir and Jose "The Clown" Canseco's interview tonight (3/27/08) on ABC's "Nightline" at 11:35 p.m. ET."And No. 2, if Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth were playing today, with the 550-foot home runs they hit, everybody'd be saying they were on something. They didn't even lift weights in those days. They played on alcohol and hot dogs.
"There are certain naturals. There are guys who can just do it, and Alex is one of those guys," Steinbrenner said. "He's just friggin' great."
"It's a shame, because Canseco is preying on a player that everyone's attention is on," said Hank, who emphasized A-Rod's comparison to a modern-day Mantle regarding his natural ability.
"Without injuries," Steinbrenner said, "[Mantle] would've broken every record in the book.
"[Rodriguez] is not only one of the greatest hitters ever, he's one of the best shortstops ever, and one of the best third basemen," Steinbrenner said. "He is just a natural. People have to come to grips with that."
Article courtesy of John Harper for the New York Daily News (Click Here To Read Full Story):As A-Rod looked back on the events of this past offseason, he seemed haunted by the idea that in breaking free of the Yankees he could have made another decision like the one he made in 2000 when he shunned the Met's for the big contract in Texas and wound up being unhappy for three long years.
The three-time MVP says that at some point after his opt-out decision this October, he realized he could have been heading for a similar scenario, with Boras dictating his next destination.
"So to make the right decision just feels really good," Rodriguez said, "versus being taken down a road where I'm like, 'Oh, my God, where am I? Oh, $400 million to play in some place I hate? Great, I'll blow my --- head off.'
"I wanted to remain a Yankee and for once I put my money where my mouth was. It felt good to make a decision on my own and execute it - to deal with Hank and Hal (Steinbrenner) on a one-on-one basis and get a deal done.
"If people want to question why I did it, I don't care because it made me happy. If I had gone to Team X, Y or Z, it wouldn't have made me happy. It would have been because Scott wanted me to go - it would have been for the most money. And then I'm always going to be known as a guy who always wanted the most money."
A-Rod said he was motivated to break free from Boras partly because of his fear that Hank Steinbrenner was serious about closing the door on his possible return to the Bronx, and because he was simply at a different stage of his life compared to when he had signed with the Rangers.
"My wife and daughter both love New York," said A-Rod. "Four days after I opted out (and was living in Miami), my daughter says, 'I really miss my bedroom and my toys in New York.' I wanted to shoot myself. I said to my wife, 'What the --- are we doing?' "
The Yankees have held spring training at Legends Field since 1996. The facility is also used by the Class-A Tampa Yankees.
The Steinbrenner family will unveil a new scoreboard sign in left field. Joan Steinbrenner, wife of the 77-year-old owner, is to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The decision to rename the stadium following resolutions supporting the change from the Hillsborough County Commission and the Tampa City Council.
In Other News:
The Yankees also announced Monday that ticket sales for the final season at Yankee Stadium have topped 3.8 million, leaving about 600,000 unsold tickets remaining. New York is 400,000 ahead of the pace it set last year, when the Yankees drew a team-record 4.27 million at home and sold out 50 of 81 games.
Kat O'Brien (Via Sliding Into Home):
The Yankees added Morgan Ensberg to their 40-man roster on Saturday. Since he has no minor league options remaining, he is almost a lock to make the team. He is set to make $1.75 million for his one year contract.
Now that he has made the team, Ensberg plans to ask to change from his current jersey No. 21 because he doesn't think he should take Paul O'Neill's number. He said he didn't ask before because he thought it would be presumptuous to ask for a different number if he hadn't made the roster yet. He plans to make Wilson Betemit an offer for No. 14, which was his number in Houston.
In addition to being a larger-than-life rock star, an actor who appeared in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and a searing stage presence to this day, the man who calls himself "Meat" is a bona fide fantasy baseball freak and New York Yankees fanatic.
"I do so much fantasy baseball that it's ridiculous," he says. "So what I do is I root for the Yankees, and on any given night, my pitcher might be pitching against the Yankees, so I root for the Yankees to win, 1-0.
"In that situation, I don't want my starter to give up runs. I want the middle reliever to give up that run. Or I want any hitters I have going against the Yankees to get four hits but never score."
Meat Loaf's love for the Yankees began when he was a kid growing up in Dallas. The Metroplex area didn't yet have the Rangers, but CBS owned the Yankees and they were on television every Saturday.
"We didn't have any other team, so it had to be the Yankees," Meat Loaf says. "I mean, Dallas-Fort Worth had the Rangers Triple-A team, but Mickey Mantle was living in Dallas. That kind of sealed the deal for me."
When it comes to fantasy baseball, Meat Loaf offered a few opinions and tips. He said he'd much prefer to pick in the middle of a draft and not have the overall first selection.
"I prefer to be fifth or sixth in a draft of 10 teams or so because you'll get a really top guy in the first round, like a David Wright or a Matt Holliday, and then you can get a decent player coming back. Even 10th is OK. You get two picks at once.
Meat Loaf's baseball fandom goes far beyond the fantasy world, though.
He enlisted the late Yankees great Phil Rizzuto to narrate the spoken-word bridge in "Paradise By The Dashboard Light," in which Rizzuto "announces" a baseball play that metaphorically details the travails of adolescent love.
He's friends with Yogi Berra.
And he says he'll occasionally go to the ballpark when he's on the road touring - if he can find the time and it's convenient.
"Every once in a while, if we have a day off, like in Cleveland or Baltimore, somewhere where the hotel is like two blocks away, I'll do it," he says. "I love Camden Yards, just love the aesthetics of it. And you gotta love Yankee Stadium for the history.
The Captain was named April's "Hottie Of The Month" By Women's Health Magazine. Considering he was the Cover Man for Men's Health for April-- this doesn't come as much of a surprise. 1. Always do your prep work
Before each training session, Jeter performs a thorough warmup that emphasizes dynamic stretches -- a.k.a. calisthenics. The benefit: Researchers at the United States Military Academy found that this approach helps you sprint faster, jump higher, and throw harder immediately afterward. For a quick routine, simply do 30 seconds each of jumping jacks, arm circles, pushups, lunges, and body-weight squats.
2. Balance your workout
Jeter does a similar number of sets for exercises that require pushing (squats, lunges, presses) and ones that call for pulling (deadlifts, rows, pullups). This not only helps prevent the muscle imbalances that can lead to injuries, it also helps him build a symmetrical physique.
3. Sprint, jump, skip
On days between weight workouts, Jeter does a series of drills designed to improve his conditioning, speed, and agility. And for good reason: Running and bounding train your fast-twitch muscles. These are the fibers that are most important for sports, and they're also the ones you lose the fastest as you age. Playing sports such as basketball and racquetball regularly will help you keep your muscle for the long run.
In America, you can tell just how wealthy a neighborhood is by the number of speed bumps on its streets. Derek Jeter's neighborhood is lousy with them. He resides behind guarded gates in a top Tampa development, but the house, a good-sized tan stucco job, is no vulgar display.The 33-year-old Jeter answers the door himself. He's wearing jeans and a T-shirt. "Did you have trouble finding the place?" he asks, referring to the dozen or so turns (and 30 or so speed bumps) on the way to this place.
"Nope, Mapquest has you pegged pretty good," I say.
"Aw, that's cheating," he replies, and I think he means it. He's taller and leaner in person than he looks on TV, and I remember that as good as he is, he's still five homers shy of a 200-homer career. With speculation about steroids and human growth hormone use at wildfire levels in baseball, it's refreshing to stand next to a future Hall of Famer who looks like a normal guy.
And who has a normal guy's house: The foyer is dominated by an indoor putting green, the kind you can adjust for break. Stacks of DVDs flank a big-screen TV tuned to ESPN. The only item that reminds you of the home's owner is the replica 1996 World Series trophy on a nearby shelf...
Continue reading the rest of the four page article at Men's Health Magazine Online.
Every time I see the New York Yankees’ pinstriped uniforms, I think how lucky we are that this long-ago fashion experiment caught on instead of the one conducted simultaneously by the New York Giants. While the Yanks were first fooling around with pinstripes, the Giants trotted out a set of windowpane-patterned unis. In purple.
Sports uniforms rarely influence civilian clothing, and that’s a damn good thing. Before they adopted the pinstripes for good in 1915, the Yanks tried blue turnup collars; striped socks; an “NY” logo that, unlike their now-famous insignia, did not interlock; and another that did, though it looked as if the letters had been crushed together.
But then, 90 years ago, the Yankees settled on a uniform that remains essentially the same today. You can select a black-and-white photo of a Yankee from the Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig era and put it alongside a black-and-white photo from the Derek Jeter/Alex Rodriguez era and not notice much of a difference. Which raises a chicken-and-egg kind of question: Have Yankee pinstripes spanned the decades because they have an intrinsic timelessness, or are they timeless simply because they’ve been around for so many years?
One thing is certain: Yankee pinstripes contributed to the success of another classic fashion statement, the pinstriped suit. On the field or in the office, those long, thin lines have evolved into an enduring symbol of status and style. Windowpane chic, on the other hand, proved as popular as blue turnup collars.
The Yankees’ pinstripes continue to transcend time. And thanks to HDTV, more people are beginning to realize something that always catches my eye when I see the team in person: These famous pinstripes aren’t black, but, rather, a very deep blue. And the line itself--in the best tradition of the pinstripe--is not perfectly solid; it has a mottled quality.
All of which makes it even more unthinkable that the Yankees almost blew it. In the winter of 1975–76, the team announced that it would commemorate the nation’s Bicentennial by wearing road uniforms that were the exact opposite of those legendary home outfits--dark blue, with white pinstripes and lettering. To this day, we don’t know if owner George Steinbrenner was the one who dreamed up that idea--or the one who ordered it canceled.
Article courtesy of Steve Hofstetter of the New York Times:
I’ve always wanted to own a baseball team. Ten years ago, I even purchased one share of the Cleveland Indians for $16. It was either buy the stock or buy a commemorative cup of soda.
But fans, even those who own a novelty share of stock, do not control their teams. If we did, Isiah Thomas would be collecting unemployment, Yankee Stadium bleachers would still serve beer, and the Dodgers would have never left Flatbush.
Instead, Thomas received a contract extension, Bleacher Creatures have to start slurring before the game, and the only rivalry the Dodgers inspire is between fans who leave in the sixth inning and fans who leave in the seventh.
Enter Joe Scura, the mind behind Project Franchise, a group with a mission to buy a sports team and let the fans vote on every decision.
Yes, every decision. Next time Fox wants to advertise its hilarious new cop-and-dog buddy flick behind home plate, it may have to poll the fans.
“Something like this has been a long time coming, but the Internet has finally made it feasible,” Scura said. “Fans are more than just piggy banks/hot dog receptacles.”
For $5, fans can buy a vote and act as the collective general manager, deciding on everything from personnel to team colors. That could have helped the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when they decided that pastels belonged in a logo. The Rays have since rebranded in dark green and dropped the devil from their name. Word has it the devil himself no longer wanted to be associated with the team.
This isn’t merely some “leave Britney alone” Internet lark. The leadership of Project Franchise consists of lawyers, Web gurus and business school graduates who probably have more sports skill than, say, a shipbuilder.
Although the group has some allegiance toward its base in Miami, it is not considering the Dolphins, the Heat, the Marlins or the Panthers. The members are, after all, in the market for a professional sports team. The closest thing Miami has to a professional team is the Hurricanes, and not only because 13 of them were suspended for brawling.
“Any fan could have done a better job than the Dolphin front office,” Scura said before expanding his grief. “Every generation has their own Isiah Thomas or Matt Millen.”
Scura’s Isiah Thomas is Randy Mueller. My Isiah Thomas is Isiah Thomas.
The collective general manager would not technically own the team, as public offering laws would make that prohibitively expensive. But fans would be the deciders. And to borrow another term from President Bush, that is virtuably incomprehensifying.
The main difference between fans and owners is that fans care more about the bottom of the ninth than the bottom line. Occasionally, a fan is rich enough to become an owner, but the N.B.A. fines him until he quiets down.
Some owners know they can sell tickets regardless of whom they sign. The reason the Chicago Cubs routinely disappoint fans is because they would still sell out even if it had been decades since they won anything. Wait a minute. ...
Owners who are in it only to turn a profit (I’m looking at you, Carl Pohlad) can ruin the game. But so can some fans. (I’m looking at you, Steve Bartman.) Fans touched off the Pistons-Pacers brawl, and fans attacked an opposing coach and an umpire in two incidents in Chicago. I would love to run a team, because then any fan who left the seats would be immediately punished — perhaps with a public flogging, or a trade to the Timberwolves.
And fans are not immune to front-office mistakes, either. Most Mets fans were excited when they signed Bobby Bonilla. The team would have been better off spending that money on a bag of magic beans. At least the beans would not have struck out 100 times in a season.
What if fans made the calls? No one would ever be reprimanded for failing to shave sideburns. Players would sign autographs for hours at every game, lest they be traded because “the bum didn’t sign a ball for my kid.” Most important, no one at the game could complain.
That could cut into attendance a bit because some fans go to games only to complain. If fans went to games solely to enjoy the experience, no one would ever watch the Detroit Lions.
The Green Bay Packers would be celebrating Brett Favre’s unretirement.
Steroids would be legal in San Francisco. The Baseball Hall of Fame would unveil its new Pete Rose Wing, just outside of Cooperstown (in Cincinnati). I don’t know how things would be different in Kansas City, because it has been a while since sports fans lived there.
But Project Franchise will probably have to settle for a minor, development, arena or junior league team. Unless this idea becomes bigger than Britney (which these days is pretty big), Project Franchise does not have a realistic chance of buying a major club.
So maybe it will buy the Dolphins after all.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PROJECT FRANCHISE AT THEIR WEBSITE:
Joe Girardi said just a few minutes ago that RHP Joba Chamberlain would open the season in the bullpen.
He left open the possibility that Chamberlain will move into the rotation later this season. “His future will be as a starter,” Girardi said.
Chamberlain will pitch in relief against Toronto tomorrow and again on Saturday. Ian Kennedy will start against the Blue Jays, a sign that he has nailed down the No. 5 starter job.
Girardi did not define Chamberlain’s role in the bullpen other than to say that he will be used in the “back end of games.”
There will be no Joba Rules. Chamberlain can be used for multiple innings and on consecutive days. “It will be common sense,” Girardi said.
The Yankees are not laying out their entire plan. But it seems fairly obvious that Chamberlain will be used as a reliever for half the season then make the transition to become a starter. If all five starters are healthy and productive, than the decision could be difficult.
But if all five starters are healthy and productive, that’s a problem the Yankees would be happy to have.
Chien Ming-Wang has a very in-depth (to say the least) trivia challenge on his official website.
There are thirty (yes, thirty) multiple choice questions on the man they call Wanger. To put those thirty questions in perspective-- my last college exam in a 400 level class was thirty multiple choice questions. In fact, I'm pretty sure this test on Wang was actually harder!
I only managed to get through the first ten and of those I got four wrong. Whoever writes Wang's tests is not kidding around!!!
Here are some examples of some of the questions (pretty tough stuff!!!):
2.) Wang's .719 career winning percentage is the highest in Yankees history among pitchers with at least 60 decisions.
A. True
B. False
5.) Wang pitched a road game in 2007 that drew an estimated 8,000+ Taiwanese fans to a packed stadium of 50,000+ people. In what city did that game take place?
A. Seattle
B. Boston
C. San Francisco
D. New York (Shea Stadium)
7.) The usual lineup for the Yankees in 2007 when Wang was pitching had Jorge Posada catching; Doug Mientkiewicz at first base; Robinson Cano at second base; Derek Jeter at shortstop; Alex Rodriguez at third base; Johnny Damon in left field; Melky Cabrera in center field; Bobby Abreu in right field; and Hideki Matsui as designated hitter. How many of those players have played in at least one All-Star Game in their MLB careers?
A. None
B. Three
C. Five
D. Seven
14.) In which road stadium does Wang have his most career wins?
A. Tropicana Field
B. Fenway Park
C. Safeco Field
D. Jacobs Field
30.) In what year did Wang play his first professional season for Staten Island of the New York-Penn League?
A. 1999
B. 2000
C. 2001
D. 2002
Article Courtesy of Tyler Kepner of the New York Times (edited for length):
It was not the best way to pave a path to the major leagues. It was painful, and purely accidental. But when Scott Patterson jammed his right middle finger in a door three years ago, it turned his career around.
Patterson, a 6-foot-6 right-hander with a herky-jerky motion, said he did not have enough polished pitches to thrive as a starter. But when his swollen finger forced him to the bullpen, he concentrated on his fastball and his slow curveball, which he says he has always thrown for strikes.
After posting a 1.09 E.R.A. in 43 games at Trenton, Patterson was promoted to Class AAA and pitched once in the playoffs. In the Venezuelan winter league, he did not allow a run or a walk in his first 13 appearances.
“He’s made enough of an impression that we think he’ll help us at some point this season,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “We don’t know where he’ll start, but he’s still here.”
Patterson has been summoned four times this spring training, usually in the middle of an early inning, before the regulars had been taken from the opposing lineup. In six games, he has allowed no runs or walks in six innings, and opposing hitters are 1 for 18.
In the Yankees’ 7-6 victory against Cleveland on Sunday, Patterson took over for Chien-Ming Wang with one out in the fifth. He got Victor Martínez to bounce into an inning-ending double play, then worked a 1-2-3 sixth.
“All he’s done is get everybody out,” Manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s been pretty unbelievable. He’s gotten us out of jam after jam. He has a chance.”
Ian Kennedy even calls Patterson's fastball "the InvisiBall" because "nobody can hit it".
Mediocre as a starter, Patterson has been remarkable in relief. In 70 minor league games in the Yankees organization, all but one at Class AA Trenton, he was 4-3 with a 1.47 earned run average and 136 strikeouts in 116 innings.
When it comes to where Patterson will start the season he replies, “People ask me all the time, ‘Do you think you’re going to make it?"
“I tell them I’ll get the guys out. And if the Yankees want me, they want me.”
For years, no major league team wanted Scott Patterson. Two weeks before opening day, will the New York Yankees?
The Yankees and the Red Sox will meet on Monday at Legends Field in Tampa, more than 1,150 miles south of the Bronx and a world away in terms of the intensity level. Yet it is still Boston and New York head-to-head, and that always deserves attention.
The Yankees plan on fielding their "A" lineup for the 1:15 p.m. ET affair, with Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Bobby Abreu all having rested during Sunday's exhibition tilt with the Indians.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox -- just days away from a transcontinental trek to play in Japan -- are also bringing most of their stars for the two-hour-plus bus ride from Red Sox Nation's southern headquarters in Fort Myers, Fla. Manny Ramirez is the most notable player not making the trip, but captain Jason Varitek, slugger David Ortiz and reigning American League Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia are expected to be present and accounted for.
Left-hander Andy Pettitte will get the call for his third start of the spring, scheduled to throw 60 pitches after missing his last appearance due to a mild left forearm strain, and the Yankees will get their first look at Bartolo Colon since the burly right-hander found a new uniform.
