Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Better

Better

2005-04-21 09:50

by Alex Belth

Carl Pavano earned his first win as a Yankee last night, as the Bombers breezed past Ted Lilly and the Jays, 11-2. Pavano worked quickly and pitched efficiently. In an e-mail exchange this morning, Cliff and I talked about how Pavano reminds us of Andy Pettitte. For me, it's a physical thing. Pavano is a big boy like Pettitte, with a big ass and strong legs. Curiously, he has narrow shoulders and his uniform top hangs in a funny, schlubby way. He's also got strong facial features, a sturdy chin, and a fine Roman nose. Pavano would look just fine in a toga. Cliff noted that he is a good, but not great pitcher, who has fine control and who may share Pettitte's ability to pitch well when the team really needs a win. We aren't alone in making the comparision--which to be honest, isn't such a stretch. Steve Lombardi, who has just launched his own Yankee blog, "Was Watching" is on to it too:

Carl Pavano is starting to remind me of a right-handed version of Andy Pettitte. Both of them have that Betty Davis eyes thing going at times. Both of them are big body pitchers that you would expect to throw harder than they really do chuck. Their uni numbers are close - 45 now for Carl, 46 then for Andy. And, it seems like they be alike in the sense that they're capable of throwing a great game or a hosting Tee-ball session. I know many were down on the signing of Pavano based on the "one-year wonder" theory. But, I think I'm going to like him--as I did Pettitte.

Lombardi's site should prove to be a must-read for Yankee fans as the season unfolds. I especially like how he came up with the name of his blog:

Talking about some long-term baseball announcer, someone once said (and I think it was Bob Costas but I could be wrong) that the announcer's voice was the male voice that was most heard in their house after his father. Listening to Phil for nearly a quarter-century, it was something like that for myself as well.

Phil was always entertaining to me. And, one of the items (with respect to his coverage) that always stayed with me was his habit of scrawling "WW" on his scorecard for plate appearances where he "wasn't watching."

As a result, when I decided to start a Yankees-focused Weblog, almost out of the chute, I thought that WasWatching.com would be an appropriate handle. After all, my intent for this blog is to provide running commentary, personal musings, and the like, on the Yankees. In order to do this, I will have to do the opposite of "WW"–-meaning that I have to watch what is going on.

Ken Singleton and Bobby Murcer mentioned "WW"--or as Murcer called it "Wasn't Looking"--on the YES broadcast last night in the ninth inning when Gary Sheffield came to bat. Hey, stop on over and wish Steve the best of luck. While you are bouncing around, be sure and check out Tom Lederer's terrific piece for his baby brother's site. Lederer bares a slight resemblance to Leo Decaprio. Just has a little more meat on him. It's a wonderful bit of personal history, another compelling chapter from the Lederer family baseball scrapbook.

Meanwhile, speaking of Sheff--who, after going 0-4, ripped a double and slapped a single in his final two at bats, the Yankee right fielder will not be fined or suspended for his part in the altercation in Boston last week.

Finally, both Bernie Williams (sore left knee) and Ruben, Ruben (strained right bicep) had to leave the game last night. Tony Womack took a pitch off his left knee but he seemed to be okay. Bernie expects to be in the line up tonight, but Sierra could miss some time.

Comments

2005-04-21 10:57:29

1. Cliff Corcoran

If the Yankees were truly lucky, Ruben would land on the DL and his righty platoon ABs (which as Steve Goldman points out in the latest Pinstriped Bible, are misguided judging by his inability to hit lefties over the past several seasons despite early success against them this year) would go to . . . (as Springsteen would say) do I even have to say his name? (If I do, it's Andy Phillips.)

Bernie's barking knee may not keep him out, but it could be bad news as Bubba Crosby has looked over matched since a respectable 1 for 3 in his first start. Other options include a healthy Sierra in left and Matsui in center or, if Sierra's out, Womack in the outfield and Rey Sanchez at second. Bad news all around.

2005-04-21 11:22:46

2. rbj

I'd keep Bernie on the bench or DHing tonight. It's the last game of the set, and it's artificial turf. Bubba can roam CF for the night.

2005-04-21 11:25:24

3. Jen

//Pavano is a big boy like Pettitte, with a big ass and strong legs.//

I thought the same thing last night (most notably the big ass). They have that hockey players ass thing going.

2005-04-21 12:57:17

4. Dave D

I was trying to think of who Pavano reminded me of and that's exactly it. Both big Italian kids who don't throw nearly as hard as you'd expect. I did love how fast Carl was working last night. Get the ball, set and pitch it, rinse, repeat. He seems sturdy (despite his injury history), the guy took a baseball off the dome and was right back out there the next start. The Yankees should continue this trend of signing physically large pitchers, that way they can crush the Sox when the next brawl breaks out.

2005-04-21 14:17:51

5. NetShrine

AB - a million thanks for the mention, etc. It is very kind and appreciated.

I nearly fell out of my chair when Ken and Bobby mentioned "WW" last night. Perfect timing!

Thanks again for the inclusion here. You and Cliff are first class dudes.

2005-04-21 14:58:46

6. Mick S

Pavano got his first win. Wright is 2-1 with an ERA of 10. Jon Lieber? Oh, he is now 4-0. Not too shabby.

2005-04-21 15:16:52

7. Knuckles

I know who else's got a big fat ass.

Gustavo (Big Pun) Chacin.

And we gonna spank it tonight.

Go Ansky. Beat Fat Joe.

2005-04-21 15:46:22

8. Dan M

Did Ken & Bobby mention the Scooter in re: to WW? I don't think they did, but I wasn't paying full attention. Oh, man, that just wrote itself.

I'm gonna go home and bust out my "The Poetry of Phil Rizzuto" book. Best money I ever spent.

2005-04-21 22:54:44

9. Adam B

And Ruben is on the DL. Now for Phillips to be called up. Of course that means we'll get Damian Rolls instead.

Suggested Reading

Fungoes

Alex:
Ray Negron part 1 2 3 4
Dad, Reggie and Me
Slaughterhouse Five
Way Out in Brooklyn
Heat Fave
Passing
Love, Death and Baseball

Cliff:
First-Half Review
2008 Draft Roundup
June Farm Report
On the Offense
2008 Campers
All-Star Game: 1977, 2008
The Holy "Trinity": 1904 1949
Yankees by the Numbers
SportsIllustrated.com archive

Other Writing

Alex:
Strikes and Gutters: A Year with the Coen Brothers: Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
My 20 Favorite Hip Hop Albums
Greatest Singles from Hip Hop's Golden Era (1986-1994)
Ten Neglected Hip Hop Classics

Cliff:
Tin Ear
Pazz & Jop ballots: 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 (post), 2002, 2001
Clem Snide
Eminem
Sleater-Kinney

Bronx Banter Interviews

Roger Angell
Allen Barra
Jim Bouton
Howard Bryant: Part 1, Part 2
Ken Burns: Part 1, Part 2
Will Carroll
Ethan Coen
Malcom Gladwell
Bill James
Pat Jordan
Chuck Korr: Part 1 Part 2
Jane Leavy
Michael Lewis
Tim Marchman
Marvin Miller
Rob Neyer: Part 1, Part 2
Buster Olney: April 2003, Sept. 2004
Buck O'Neil
Joe Posnanski
Alan Schwarz
Joel Sherman
Tom Verducci

Excerpts

Juicing the Game by Howard Bryant Part 1 Part 2
Forging Genius by Steven Goldman Part 1 Part 2
How About That! by Stephen Borelli
The Crowd Sounds Happy by Nicholas Dawidoff
The Last Nine Innings by Charles Euchner
Clemente by David Maraniss
The Soul of Baseball by Joe Posnanaski
Glenn Stout and Richard A. Johnson:
Yankee Century: Part 1 Part 2
Red Sox Century: 1 2 3 4
The Dodgers: 120 Years of Dodgers Baseball

Players

25-man 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
R. Sexson BR BP E MLB

Outfielders:
B. Abreu BR BP E MLB
M. Cabrera BR BP E MLB
B. Gardner BR E MLB mi
J. Christian BR BP E MLB mi

Catchers:
J. Posada BR BP E MLB
J. Molina BR BP E MLB
C. Moeller BR BP E MLB mi

Starting Pitchers:
M. Mussina BR BP BC E
J. Chamberlain BR BP BC E
A. Pettitte (L) BR BP BC E
S. Ponson BR BP BC E mi
D. Rasner BR BP BC E mi

Relief Pitchers:
M. Rivera BR BP BC E
K. Farnsworth BR BP BC E
J. Veras BR BP BC E mi
E. Ramirez BR BP BC E mi
D. Robertson BR BC E mi
D. Giese BR BP BC E mi
L. Hawkins BR BP BC E

15-day DL:
H. Matsui BR BP E MLB
J. Damon BR BP E MLB
C. Wang BR BP BC E
60-day DL:
C. Pavano BR BP BC E mi
B. Bruney BR BP BC E
P. Hughes BR BP BC E
J. Albaladejo BR BP BC E mi
A. Brackman BC
H. Sanchez BC mi

Coaches:
J. Girardi (Mgr) BR BP BC
R. Thomson (Bench) BC
Kevin Long (Hit) BR
D. Eiland (Pitch) BR BP BC
B. Meacham (3B) BR BP BC
T. Peña (1B) BR BP BC
M. Harkey (Pen) BR BP BC

40-man Roster:
AAA
S. Duncan BR BP E MLB mi DL
J. Miranda BR BC mi
A. Gonzalez BR BP E MLB mi
I. Kennedy BR BP BC E mi
R. Ohlendorf BR BP BC E
B. Traber (L) BR BP BC E mi
C. Britton BR BP BC E mi
S. Patterson BR BC mi DL
K. Igawa (L) BR BP BC E JB mi
J. Karstens BR BP BC E mi
J. Marquez BR BC mi DL
AA
C. Wright (L) BR BP BC E mi
High-A
F. Cervelli BR BC mi DL

Designated for Assignment:
O. Perez BR BC mi

Select Minor Leaguers:

AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees:
E. Duncan BC mi
B. Broussard BR mi
B. Castro BR mi DL
C. Basak BR BP BC E MLB mi
C. Ransom BR mi
N. Green BR mi
J. Lane BR mi
M. Carson BC mi
G. Porter BC mi
C. Stewart BR BP E MLB mi
J.D. Closser BR mi
J. Brown BC mi DL
A. Aceves BR mi
A. Horne BC mi DL
D. McCutchen BC mi
J.B. Cox BC mi
S. White BR BC mi
H. Phillips (L) BR BC mi
S. Strickland BR BC mi
S. Jackson BC mi
E. Milton BR BC mi DL

AA Trenton Thunder:
K. Russo BR mi DL
R. Peña BC mi
C. Malec BC mi
M. Vechionacci BC mi DL
A. Jackson BC mi
J. Tabata BC mi DL
C. Curtis BC mi
E. Gonzalez BR mi
P.J. Pilittere BC mi
J. Jones BC mi
P. Coke (L) BC mi
B. Smith BC mi DL
M. Melancon BC mi
A. Claggett BC mi
M. Gardner BC mi DL
K. Whelan BC mi DL

A Tampa Yankees:
E. Nuñez BC mi
C.J. Henry BC mi
T. Battle BC mi
K. Anson BC mi DL
J. Gil BC mi
Z. McAllister BC mi
C. Garcia BC mi DL
W. Arias (L) BC

Low-A Charleston RiverDogs:
J. Snyder BC mi
B. Suttle BC mi
A. Romine BC mi
J. Montero BC mi
J. Heredia BC mi
J. Ortiz BC mi
C. Heyer BC mi
W. De La Rosa (L) BC mi

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

Rookie Gulf Coast Yankees:
C. Joseph mi
C. Smith mi
D. Betances BC 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)
MLB = MLB.com hit charts
JB = Japanese Baseball.com

The Recently Departed

2008 Yankees:
M. Ensberg BR BP E MLB

2008 Campers/mLers:
C. Woodward BR BP BC E MLB PHI mL
S. Henn (L) BR BP BC E mi SD

2007 Yankees:
J. Torre (Mgr) BR BP BC LAD
D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT mL
A. Phillips BR BP BC E MLB mi CIN mL
J. Phelps BR BP BC E MLB STL mL
M. Cairo BR BP BC E MLB SEA
K. Thompson BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT
B. Sardinha BC mi SEA mL
W. Nieves BR BP BC E MLB WAS mL
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 mL
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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