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Major Leauge Roster:

Infielders:
J. Giambi BR BP E MLB
R. Cano BR BP E MLB
D. Jeter BR BP E MLB
A. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
W. Betemit BR BP E MLB mi
C. Ransom BR BP E MLB mi
J. Miranda BR BC mi

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B. Abreu BR BP E MLB
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F. Cervelli BR BC mi

Starting Pitchers:
M. Mussina BR BP BC E
A. Pettitte (L) BR BP BC E
P. Hughes BR BP BC E mi
C. Pavano BR BP BC E mi
A. Aceves BR E mi

Relief Pitchers:
M. Rivera BR BP BC E
J. Chamberlain BR BP BC E
D. Marte (L) BR BP BC E
J. Veras BR BP BC E mi
E. Ramirez BR BP BC E mi
B. Bruney BR BP BC E mi
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S. Ponson BR BP BC E mi
D. Robertson BR BC E mi
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A. Brackman BC

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R. Thomson (Bench) BC
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B. Meacham (3B) BR BP BC
T. Peña (1B) BR BP BC
M. Harkey (Pen) BR BP BC

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AAA
S. Duncan BR BP E MLB mi
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J. Marquez BR BC mi

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J.B. Cox BC mi
S. Strickland BR BC mi
S. Jackson BC mi
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V. Zambrano BR BC mi DL

AA Trenton Thunder:
K. Russo BR mi
R. Peña BC mi DL
C. Malec BC mi
M. Vechionacci BC mi DL
A. Jackson BC mi
C. Curtis BC mi
E. Gonzalez BR mi
P.J. Pilittere BC mi
J. Jones BC mi
G. Kontos BC mi
J. Nuñez BC mi
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O. Perez BR BC mi
M. Gardner BC mi
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A Tampa Yankees:
E. Nuñez BC mi
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J. Heredia BC mi
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C. Heyer BC mi

Low-A Staten Island Yankees:
D. Adams mi
P. Venditte mi

Rookie Gulf Coast Yankees:
C. Joseph mi
C. Smith mi
K. Higashioka mi

Key:
BR = Baseball-Reference
BP = Baseball Prospectus
BC = Baseball Cube (past mL stats)
mi = MiLB.com (current mL stats)
E = ESPN (current splits, game logs)
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The Recently Departed

2008 Yankees:
R. Sexson BR BP E MLB
M. Ensberg BR BP E MLB CLE mL
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L. Hawkins BR BP BC E HOU
S. Patterson BR BC mi SD

Nady/Marte Trade:
J. Tabata BC mi
J. Karstens BR BP BC E mi
R. Ohlendorf BR BP BC E
D. McCutchen BC mi

2008 Campers/mLers:
C. Woodward BR BP BC E MLB PHI mL
J. Lane BR mi BOS mL
G. Porter BC mi WAS mL
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S. Henn (L) BR BP BC E mi SD
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S. White BR BC mi

2007 Yankees:
J. Torre (Mgr) BR BP BC LAD
D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT
A. Phillips BR BP BC E MLB mi CIN
J. Phelps BR BP BC E MLB STL
M. Cairo BR BP BC E MLB SEA
K. Thompson BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT
B. Sardinha BC mi SEA mL
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R. Clemens BR BP BC E mi
T. Clippard BR BP BC E mi WAS
L. Vizcaino BR BP BC E COL $7.5m/2yrs
M. DeSalvo BR BP BC E mi ATL mL
M. Myers (L) BR BP BC E LAD mL
R. Villone (L) BR BP BC E mi STL
S. Proctor BR BP BC E LAD
J. Brower BR BP BC E mi CIN mL
C. Bean BR BP BC E mi ATL mL

2007 Campers and mLers:
E. Durazo BR BP BC E MLB mi
A. Cannizaro BR BP BC E MLB mi TB mL
A. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi LAD mL
K. Reese BR BP BC E MLB mi
R. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT mL
O. Santos BC mi BAL mL
T. Pratt BR BP BC E MLB
T.J. Beam BR BP BC E mi PIT mL
B. Kozlowski (L) BR BP BC E mi Japan

Molina Trade:
J. Kennard BC mi

Abreu Trade
M. Smith (L) BR BP BC E mi PHI
C. Monasterios BC mi PHI
J. Sanchez mi PHI

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When the Legend Becomes Fact, Pitch the Legend
2008-08-23 20:03
by Emma Span

Untitled

Above: Carl Pavano holds the Orioles at bay.

It was a thrilling night in Baltimore, as tens of thousands witnessed what appeared to be a live Carl Pavano on a Major League pitching mound. Long assumed to be only a hoax or legend, the Pavano was caught from multiple angles by the YES Network cameras. Not only do we now appear to have definite proof of its existence but -- perhaps most stunning of all -- the Pavano was videotaped throwing five innings for the win, as the Yankees beat Baltimore 5-3.  

Untitled

Above: Carl Pavano arrives at the ballpark before last night's game.

The Yankees, seemingly unafraid of the mysterious creature crouched in their dugout, scored  two runs in the first, on an Alex Rodriguez double and a Jason Giambi “infield hit” (he should send the official scorer a bouquet). The Pavano, however, appeared to be spooked by all the noise, crowds, and sudden movements; it allowed far too many base runners in its first two innings, and was lucky to let no more than three runs score in the second. Thereafter, however, it settled down, and went on to have -- under the remarkable circumstances -- a fairly decent outing.

Untitled

Above: A young Yankee fan in Camden Yards enjoys Pavano's pitching performance.

The Yankees retook the lead in the third on a Jason Giambi bomb and never gave it back, eventually tacking on a fifth run when Hideki Matsui homered. (According to Variety, the film rights for Godzilla vs. Pavano have already been snapped up by Universal). Brian Bruney, Jose Veras, and Mariano Rivera pitched a combined four innings to lock down the victory for the Pavano, which by then had retreated to the visitor's locker room in search of something dangerously sharp, heavy and precariously balanced, or poisoned.

Untitled  

Above: Pavano relaxes in a hot tub after the game.

[UPDATE: EDITOR'S NOTE:  The Pavano spotted by thousands in Camden Yards last night, and hailed as a real phenomenon by viewers around the world, now appears to have been an elaborate hoax. Further investigation has revealed compelling evidence suggesting that this was all a daring prank, and that "the Pavano" was, in actuality, an incredibly lifelike and realistic suit worn by Scranton pitcher Kei Igawa. We sincerely apologize for the error.]

Comments
2008-08-23 21:44:42
1.   Chyll Will
That Darn Kei!
2008-08-23 21:50:32
2.   Chyll Will
1 "They switched the samples... so Cashman-Girardi could give you Pavano!"
2008-08-23 21:58:16
3.   Just fair
Missed tonight's game due to a wedding. Heard the 2nd inning on the radio and thought, "Of course." Didn't tune in again until Mo shut it down in the 9th. Incredible. Checking out the encore right now. Nice homer, Giambi. : ) For some reason I imagine Mussina tossing and turning this eve b/c he didn't get the w last night, but "The Pavonominable Assman " got one tonight. Madness.
2008-08-23 22:09:47
4.   seattleyank
Hilarious once again, Emma.
2008-08-23 22:14:55
5.   nick
very nice, Emma--I would've posted "all aboard...for a mustache riiide!" had I known you were watching....
2008-08-23 22:30:48
6.   weeping for brunnhilde
You're killing me, Emma.

More than usual, even.

2008-08-23 22:31:47
7.   weeping for brunnhilde
3 It was a nice homer.

Right off the bat, no doubter.

2008-08-23 22:52:49
8.   Emma Span
5 And I would've appreciated that, nick!

Now if I can just somehow get "The Last Unicorn" to stick as a nickname for Pavano...

2008-08-23 22:53:41
9.   tommyl
0 Phenomenal write up Emma. May be one of the best ever.

BTW, is it sad that I actually remember the movie "The Last Unicorn"?

2008-08-24 03:18:27
10.   unmoderated
nice, ES.

oh, and i've been checking eephus for a post on Radhames Liz. i mean... Radhames Liz!

2008-08-24 05:31:38
11.   joe in boston
Brilliant Emma, I loved it.

Can we make it close in the next few weeks ?

2008-08-24 05:49:43
12.   Bagel Boy
Wow, Igawa became a passable major league pitcher by pitching with his right arm!? That Nardi Contreas is a genius!
2008-08-24 06:13:52
13.   OldYanksFan
Frankly, I gave up PS aspirations after the Monday loss to the Twins, and little since then has lead me to change my mind....
However....
There are number of small, maybe very small signs, but at least in the right direction.
1) Pavano had some dreadful innings but did settle in and get better, right before our very eyes. He might actually be an asset to us going forward in 2008.
2) Jeter appears to have awoken a bit, as has ARod and Giambi. There may have only been a few games where both ARod and Giambi were hot. If these 2 can both produce, our lineup becomes serious.
3) Might Phil help in 2008? The reviews seems mixed.
4) Methinks the Yankees are being super caution with Joba. They are in wait-and-see mode. I think it we are in the running in 10 days, hewill be back.
5) Matsui appears to be a healthy DH. His BA is way down, but his 3 hits are a double and 2 HRs. Not bad after sitting 3 months.

Maybe more importantly, the Sox seem to be having problems. There is no way to catch the Sox if they play decently, but
1) Beckett may be having problems. I don't think 'sleeping on his arm' is the problem.
2) Lowell is on the 15 day DL. He is due back soon. If we don't see him when he's available, his injury may be worse then stated.
3) JD is hurting and could go either way. He has been inportant to the Sox. If he's out, it's a big blow.
4) I like Ellsbury, but his .696 OPS is not helping the Sox much.

Man, if the Sox could tank this year, I would get to listen all winter about how trading Manny was a mistake. The sheer volumn of RSN pissing and moaning would be quite a delight.

Actually, the most dangerous player in their lineup may be Pedroia.

2008-08-24 07:52:59
14.   rbj
Bravo, Emma.
2008-08-24 11:53:37
15.   Adrian
And on the 503rd day, he rested. -- Pavano 2:2
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