A Nice Win, But...

Torre really cannot manage a lick. One deficiency we have barely touched on here is his inability to use his bull pen. He is more likely to yank a reliever for no good reason, one that hasn't been touched, than he is to yank one that is in the midst of getting roughed up. I guerss he believes he's really managing when he forces certain match ups, but when you have relievers as precarious as his, you should ride every hot hand you have. On Thursday, he took out Resner, who had retired 5 in a row, to put in Meyers against the lefy, who promptly doubled. Then he put Farnsworth out there in the ninth, even though Proctor was having one of his rare lights-out performances, and he warmed up noone (Villone was available) just in case Farnsworth was off. Well we know what happened, but more important than the result was that one could predict the result from the very first batter, whom F. actually retired. Granderson fouled off pitch after pitch, indicating that F.'s fastball was straightening out as it sometimes does. The parade of hits thatr followed should have come as no surprise to Joe. They didn't to me. If he had Villone ready, he might well have salvaged the game or at least sent it into extras, where the Yanks would have stood a good chance.

Still, you have to enjoy last night's win, without Sheff, Matsui, Posada, AROD, Rivera. It's like the whole damn team was missing. But Phillips is finally showing he can play, Cabrera always gets his hits, ditto Cano, and when Giambi and Jeter are hot that's enough. They just completed thier ninth consecutive game with 10 or more hits--a contact team at last--a feat they haven's accomplished since the 1950's, when Berra and Mantle were carrying the load. By the way at 346 this late in the season, and with 3 hits last night in the 3 hole, should Jeter be left there? How about: Damon, Cabrera, Jeter, Giambi, AROD, Posada, Cano, Phillips, Crosby (when he returns--wrap around, baby).

But Joe--don't push your luck. Rivera said he was fine yesterday; pitch him today if need be. He's not being a "hero" your being the marshmallow you always are. He's the one player they really can't do without. The leads keep disappearing late, and if you lose too many of these games, you risk demoralization.