What if Carl Pavano had succeeded in New York ?

Earlier today a friend sent me a text that said "I cant believe Carl Pavano has a chance at 20 wins this season". Hard to imagine for Yankees fans after Pavano picked up just nine wins over four seasons. But what would have happened had Pavano come into the Bronx and had some success ? Especially success similar to his 2004 season (18-8 3.00) ? Well lets take a look...

The 2004/2005 off season was a rough one for the Yankees looking back on it, they had just blew a 3-0 series lead over the Boston Red Sox and needed major re-tooling. The bombers went out and spent money as always too bad the money spent was used as well as CC Sabathia wearing a medium sized jersey. Randy Johnson was brought upon to be the ace of the staff, but got off to a rough start with the New York media by shoving a camera man on his way to taking his team physical. Johnson would win 38 games in his two seasons in the Bronx but was considered a bust, for his poor postseason pitching and bad attitude. Jaret Wright was also signed, and got hurt in the his first month in pinstripes. Wright would eventually be traded to the Orioles for Chris Britton after the 2006 season. Even though both those signings were flawed and a waste of money the biggest bust had to be "American Idle" Carl Pavano.

Pavano had signed a four year $39.95 million contract with the Yanks after having a career season with the Marlins. Pavano struggled at the start of the season and then would get hurt. Pavano would go down with a shoulder injury and never return that season. This would be the down fall of Pavano since at the time many of his team mates felt that he could have pitched, but didn't want too. Had Pavano had success during the season and stayed healthy Shawn Chacon and/or Aaron Small would have never gotten a shot in the rotation. Both players were large parts on the 2005 Yankees making the playoffs.

Pavano would miss the entire 2006 season with embarrassing injuries such as a bruised buttock, and injuring his ribs in a car accident. Carl would make manage to find his way into a total of nine games in 2007 AND 2008. Had Pavano had some success in the Bronx, Brian Cashman would have continued to throw money at players such as Pavano. Over paying for them but losing out on draft picks.

The 2009 Yankees would have never been possible with out such failed signings. So what I'm trying to say is that had Pavano played up to expectations, would Cashman had bothered to go after CC Sabathia ? Would Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain gotten the chance to be in the rotation or would a player of Jaret Wrights stature still be their? Would the Yanks be dreaming of a new dynasty at this moment? The answer to that last one in my opinion is no. The Yanks would have continued to make poor signings and never rebuild the farm system.

So thank you Carl Pavano for the lack of memories, other then being the biggest bust of the past decade. Also best of luck on winning 20 games, since while you may be winning games, you are the reason the Yankees are now winning rings.

My Thoughts on the Yankees Catching Rotation

When the season opened up Jorge Posada was going to be asked to shoulder the load at the catchers spot, even though he would be turning 39. So far this season it has not worked out that way. Posada has had a few injuries including a broken bone in his foot from a foul ball, along with two separate knee injuries, one from getting hit by a pitch and the more recent was a cyst behind the knee. With all the injuries Francisco Cervelli has played alot more then expected.

Early in the season Cervelli was on fire, especially with runners in scoring position. Many called for Cervelli to become the everyday catcher and for Posada to DH every day. Well since mid-May Cervelli has been hitting under .200 and has only thrown at 14% of base stealer's.

Posada on the other hand hasn't thrown many more runners out (17%) but has hit much better then Cervelli. Posada this season just hasn't stayed healthy enough to catch every day, and has been streaky with the bat.

Girardi recently announced that he was going to have a catching rotation. At first I liked the idea for the main fact that it would give Posada rest and he could heal all his nagging injuries, and he could still DH when he wasn't catching because Posada's bat is useful in the line up. It also meant that Cervelli would play less, I firmly believe that Cervelli is a great asset to the club for his emotion and enthusiasm he brings but when he plays often the league figures him out. This season once the league figured out Cervelli it was down hill.

During a session with the media, Joe Girardi announced that he planned to have Cervelli catch A.J Burnett and Javier Vazquez. Posada would catch Dustin Moseley,(Andy Pettitte when he comes back),Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia. That would be how the catching rotation would work, based on rotating on what pitcher was pitching.

Sure the rotation may help the Yankees at this  time but come October this could be a disaster. I'm sure most remember last postseason when Burnett had to have Jose Molina as his personal catcher, and Posada had to sit. Well the same thing this season, in the postseason what will Girardi do ? It doesn't make any sense to have Cervelli in the line up if he cant hit, and isn't a huge defensive upgrade over Posada. With this catching rotation, it is creating personal catchers for the pitching staff. Then come playoff time and Burnett or Vazquez are pitching to Posada and getting lit up because they had not gotten to work with him during the regular season, who/what is to blame? It would have to be Girardi and his catching rotation.

Yanks vs Rangers 8/10/10 wrap up : Yanks don't play big in Texas

Other then the heat here in New York you would have though that tonight's game in Texas was game 1 of the playoffs. In what could end up being a playoff match up this October, the Rangers won the game in walk off fashion in the 10th inning with a David Murphy single off Mariano Rivera.

Truth be told I had never expected the Yankees to compete in this game with a line up that included Marcus Thames hitting third, Austin Kearns hitting fifth and A.J Burnett making his first start since experiencing back spasms.Burnett pitched well giving up three runs over seven innings and was saved from getting a loss when Alex Rodriguez hit a clutch solo homer to tie the score at three in the eighth.

The game would go into extra innings and Joe Girardi would summon the great Mariano Rivera to keep the Yanks in the game, but something surprising happened. Rivera would give up the walk off hit. If you are looking in the box score it will show that Rivera gave up three hits. But two of the hits were hit so soft that the Yanks could not get the runners out.

Yankees Player of the Game: Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod hit the game tying home run, and had this been pre-2009 Postseason it would have lead to a debate over if he was clutch or not. Alex also had a brilliant diving play in the tenth inning on a Vlad Guerrero ground ball that was ticketed to left field. At the time the play saved the Rangers from winning the game, but was over shadowed once Daniel Murphy got the base hit to win it.

Second Guess Move of the Game :

Sadly their are a few moves to choose from, starting with why didn't Girardi pinch hit Posada for Cervelli in the eight inning when the go ahead run was on third base. Girardi said following the game that Posada's shoulder was sore and he would not have been able to catch. If that really is the case then I think that it may be time to bring up Jesus Montero and give him a shot. I know that Montero is not much better then Posada defensively but at least he has hit in the minors, and in the spot tonight would have been able to catch had Posada been used as a pinch hitter. Cervelli hit a weak jam shot to the first baseman, and Brett Gardner continued to slump by not getting the run in.

Honorable Mention : The timing on when Girardi was going to use Mariano Rivera.

Currently the Yankee universe is in panic, the Yanks have now lost two games in a row in heart breaking fashion and Wednesdays game does not get much better with the Rangers throwing Cliff Lee. Javier Vazquez will go for the Bronx Bombers, last time out Vazquez struggled with his command and his fastball lacked velocity. If there is any consolation it is that following the Rangers series the Yanks head to Kansas City to take on the lowly Royals for four games and then head back to the stadium for games against the Tigers and Mariners.

Yankee Stadium Experience : August 9th 2010 Yankees vs Red Sox

It had been 3 years since I had attended a Yankees vs Red Sox game at the stadium. I have realized alot has changed since when I saw them play on a cold April 2007 night. The Yankees hadn't won a World Series since 2000, still played in the old Yankee Stadium and at the time Doug Mientkiewicz and Kei Igawa were part of the roster. For the Red Sox, Manny Ramirez was still loved for "Manny being Manny" , David Ortiz was still beating up on the bombers and Dice-K had just come over from Japan. Of all the things I listed the only thing that is still somewhat possible is Ortiz beating up on the Yanks and even that, we now find out was performance enhanced.

So about the stadium experience. In my last trip to the stadium, I wanted to grab a Lobel's steak sandwich but the line was way too long. This time with a 2:05 pm start time, and myself arriving at the stadium an hour and a half early, the line was reasonable. Its different how they do it at the small Lobel's stand in left field compared to all the other concessions in the stadium. You tell the cashier what you plan to order, pay them and they give u a receipt. You then move along, show your receipt to another worker and they grab your food and put it in a Lobel's bag, even if it is just one sandwich.

The sandwich runs $15, but compared to a $5 crappy hot dog it suddenly seems like a bargain. Part of me believes that after eating the sandwich that for only $15 it is a bargain. The meat was tender and juicy, and they piled a lot of it on the bun. So in case you don't get my point, next time your at the stadium and you got some extra cash to spend and don't mind spending some time on line, head to Lobel's. Trust me you will thank me once your mouth is in heaven.

While walking around before the first pitch I noticed that the Yankees have added one of those machines in which you put a penny into it along with a dollar and an imprint of your choice will come out on the penny. Maybe it has been there for a while and I hadn't noticed. Anyways if you would like to make a penny yourself , the machine is located outside the team store behind home plate.

Finally 20 minutes before first pitch, I ventured to my partial plan seats in section 235 of the bleachers. Lucky for me, I am the last row so a cement wall is behind me that i can use as a back rest. Last row or not it was not going to save me from the heat on this warm August day. I was surprised by how sparse the crowd leading up to first pitch, eventually the seats would fill in and the Yanks drew another crowd over 49,000.

Through the first few innings the crowd never really seemed into the game. Maybe it was because it was hot or it was a day game during the week, maybe the rowdy people had work, also maybe because for this Monday matinee I did not spot many Red Sox fans. Either way for a Yanks - Sox game it was very calm.

Here are some of my thoughts on the game while it was happening :

• Why in the world is Curtis Granderson playing against a tough lefty like Jon Lester
• Great, Lester is having trouble throwing strikes and we cant get a hit off this guy
• Um Yankees can you not get no hit by Lester here in the Bronx ?
• Alright now I'm getting annoyed. The worlds most annoying voice over guy is doing the Zales marquee message board and the Yankees still don't have a hit. I hope the Zales marquee guy gets laryngitis and had to miss the next 25 seasons.
• Marcus Thames almost saved the Yankees with a ball that hit off the top of the wall. Had the ball gone over it would have tied the game. At the time I wasn't too worried since the Yanks had no outs and I was feeling confident.
• Following strike outs from Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher to leave the bases loaded suddenly my confidence turns into frustration.
• Also it should be known Jorge Posada and the Yankees pitchers could not contain Jacoby Ellsbury on the base path.

When Jonathan Papelbon struck out Mark Teixiera ( who will miss the next game,due to his wife having a child) it meant that the Red Sox had come away with a 2-1 victory and a series split. As i mentioned earlier the game didn't really feel like a game against the Red Sox. Mostly because I didn't notice any fights in the stands and only once heard a "Boston Sucks" chant.

Following the game, it took forever to leave out of the 161st street parking garage, as my friend and I stood outside his car and chatted I took a few pictures from the top level. Certainly a nice view of Yankee Stadium.

In case you have not noticed the Yanks have lost the last four games that I have attended. I hope to change that trend next Wednesday August 18th when I head back to the Bronx to see Johnny Damon return. I will be sitting in my usual section 235 in the left field bleachers, should be interesting to see how the fans respond to Damon's return.

I leave you with some pictures from the game

The mess in the parking lot trying to leave.

The view from 235

Nobody cheering or standing as Phil Hughes had two strikes on a batter with two outs and runners on.

The crowd following Tex hitting a solo blast

Odd looking picture of Gate 2 following the game. It looks like the stadium is bending.

The gorgous Yankee Stadium following the bombers 2-1 loss against the Red Sox

Sunday Preview : A.J Burnett vs Josh Beckett

It seems that every time the Yanks and Sox get together, A.J Burnett and Josh Beckett face off. Well once again tonight on ESPN sunday night baseball the two former Marlin teammates will face each other at the stadium. Its always a good match up on paper but when its game time it turns into a slug fest. Burnett was brought to the Bronx for many reasons, one was for his dominance over the Red Sox. Well since coming to the Bronx, Burnett has had his struggles with the Sox. The same could be said about Josh Beckett, the pitcher that dominated the Yanks in the 2003 World Series. Outside of the 2003 World Series, Beckett has had his struggles against the bombers, although his record is 9-6 he has an ERA of 5.95.  So with that all said lets take a look at what tonight's game could be like, from past times that Burnett and Beckett have faced off.

April 25,2009 Fenway Park

It would be the first time that A.J Burnett would face the Red Sox wearing the pinstripes. The Yankees jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first off Beckett and didn't stop their, tacking on 4 more runs, giving Burnett a 6-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth is when Burnett would run into some trouble giving up 5 runs, and then gave up another three in the bottom of the fifth. That would be all for A.J for the day and he would leave with a line of 5 innings pitched , 8 hits, 3 walks and 8 earned runs. Lucky for A.J although he blew a 6-0 lead the Yanks would get him off the hook with a 2 run homer by Johnny Damon off Josh Beckett. Beckett would also only pitch 5 innings and gave up 8 earned runs. The Yankees managed to let this game slip away from them when the bullpen blew up just as bad as Burnett. The final was Boston 16 New York 11.

June 9, 2009 Fenway Park

The Yanks had been rolling high heading into Fenway winning 6 out of their last 8 games and managed to find themselves going into the game in first with a one game lead over the Red Sox. A.J Burnett was unable to keep the momentum going just 2.2 innings and getting knocked around for 5 runs (3 ER, 2 runs scored due to a A-Rod error). Burnett's main issue was command, walking five batters. Beckett on the other hand had no issue with command giving up just two walks and while striking out eight. Beckett had the advantage on this one and pitched like it was the 2003 World Series giving up just one hit. The final score from Fenway Park ,Boston 7 New York 0

August 7, 2009 Yankee Stadium

A year ago yesterday Burnett and Beckett faced off in a classic pitchers dual in the Bronx. Burnett pitched 7.2 scoreless innings while only allowing a single hit. Josh Beckett was also matching zero's pitching seven innings, giving up just four hits and zero runs. Many Yankees fans remember this game because the game would go on for 15 innings ! Finally the bombers prevailed when Alex Rodriguez hit a 2 run home run off Junichi Tazawa to deep left field. The final Yankees 2 Red Sox 0

August 8 , 2010 Yankee Stadium

So tonight's game could go either way. We have seen the pair toss up zero's, but also get roughed up. Some players that each pitcher has to watch out for tonight.

A.J Burnett has struggled against : Marco Scutaro is hitting .316, and David Ortiz has 3 home runs and 8 RBI

Josh Beckett has struggled against : Robinson Cano .341,3 HR, 10 RBI , Derek Jeter .314 2 HR , 4 RBI and Alex Rodriguez .279 2 HR 10 RBI.

Yanks try and trick those with who support them the most, Season Ticket Holders

Thursday morning I was going through my e-mail when I noticed one from the Yankees about a pre-sale. As a season or partial season ticket holder you get pre-sales to almost every even that is hosted at Yankee Stadium. Although I am not a big college football fan, I have been waiting for them to announce when the pre-sale would be for the Notre Dame vs Army game. So in the e-mail Thursday it says that the pre-sale would be that morning , but it came with a catch. You would have to buy tickets to the Pinstripe Bowl, which is having a hard time selling out and you had to buy one Yankees game along with the ND- Army tickets.

Well I understand that the Pinstripe Bowl has not been a big draw since tickets have gone on sale to the public, so I understand that they are trying to bundle that game in with the Notre Dame game since the ND game is going to have much more demand. What bothers me more is that you must buy a Yankees game. First off I don't want to buy any more games if I am already a plan holder (you could not purchase tickets vs Red Sox or Rays) and the way they worded it in the e-mail. In the e-mail it said " As a special bonus, each football package will also include tickets for a 2010 Yankees home game of your choice."  So at first when i read that i though the Yankees were going to throw in free Yankees tickets, but then realized the Yanks would never do such a thing ! They were forcing you to buy tickets to THREE events !

I was still thinking of purchasing tickets if I was able to keep the costs to a minimum, but when I finally was able to get onto the event page, the only Yankees tickets that were coming up were field level seats and legends seats. The lowest price per seat for the Yankees that I was able to pull up was $ 275. Right away I gave up and realized that this was all a plan by the Yanks to sell expensive tickets.I guess it was naive of myself to ever think that the Yankees would have any affordable tickets available.

I contacted my ticket representative and asked if in the future another pre-sale will take place. Of course she got back to me with a generic answer explaining that if their is going to be another I will be alerted. It wouldn't surprise me if their is another, with possibly just the Pinstripe Bowl or maybe just the ND-Army game alone. But it still bothers that the Yanks would try and trick ticket holders into buying over priced seats in one case and buying tickets to a game that not many care about in another.

153rd Street Garage Now Only Open for Special Events And Overflow

The 153rd street garage, that is next to what is left of the old Yankee Stadium will no longer be open unless it is a special event or for overflow. Pre-2009 at the old Yankee Stadium, this lot was always packed, and season ticket holders who purchased parking passes got them for this lot. I had parked in this lot a few times and can say that it was really annoying to leave the garage if you parked high up.

For this weekends set against the Red Sox, the garage will be open due to the large capacity crowds. I can say I'm surprised that they are picking this garage to close, it has the most parking spaces available according to Baseball-Parking.com. In the future I wonder if they will close the garage all together and build something else there since the new Heritage Field will be across the street.

Garage mentioned is the building all the way to the right that the "Game Day Ticket Sale " booth is against.