What's the Bigger Issue Posada or Pitching?

In the world of Michael Kay, the Yankees are in trouble because Jorge Posada is on the disabled list for the yet undiagnosed cause of his arm trouble. According to Kay if Posada is out for an extended time, specifically if he needs surgery, the Yankees are doomed. Obviously Kay has not been paying attention to games he calls. The Yankees are already in trouble.

Never mind Posada, and yes, Kay is correct, Posada's bat is a loss at time when offense is the key to shaky starting pitching. The real issue is pitching. Posada's bat lost or temporarily set aside for a while won't matter if the kids can't pitch through 7.

Sunday, April 27, 2008, a memorable news flash......Three Complete Games in MLB. What drugs must the managers have been on? Or are they just rebels?

• Scott Shields (26 yrs.old) threw for 9.0 innings against Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Soxs. Shield's line score included: 2 hits, no runs, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts. Shields is now 3-1 with a 2.54 ERA.
• The Texas Rangers' Vicente Padilla , 31 years old, also tossed 9.0, with 7 hits, no runs, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts against the Minnesota Twins. Padilla's ERA is now 3.79
• And finally in the National League, Paul Maholm (26 yrs old) of the Pittsburgh Pirates also tossed 9.0 , his line score was 2 hits, 1 run (earned), 4 walks, 2 strikeouts earned him an ERA of 3.26.

In the world of baseball, this is sacrilegious. In the world of NYY pitching it is unheard of and considered heresy. Could you imagine if the Yankees had let Chien-Ming Wang finish yesterday? Could he have?

Well we may never know because the Yankees would rather tax the bullpen then get 8 or 9 from a solid starter. Of Wang, Pettitte and Mussina, only Wang could go 9.0, but until he gets a No-No or the elusive perfect game, no one in the NY Yankees will allow him to go 9.0.

Babe Ruth will have to rise from his grave before the Yankees allow a pitcher to finish; unless special circumstances prevail. Gone are the good old days.