I love Joe Torre - a great manager - my favorite of all time. But there are days he mystifies me beyond any mortal contemplation. He did it tonight and the result was what I knew was a guaranteed Yankees loss. He put Wayne Franklin, a pitcher who does not belong in the major leagues at all in to pitch the 8th inning. This guy is a terrible pitcher. He may be a nice guy, I don't know him, but I do know that he is someone who has consistently failed every single outing that I've seen him pitch for the Yankees. Every-last-one-without-exception.
The Yankees scratched out a one run lead in the 7th (1-0) in a brilliantly pitched game between Chan Ho Park and Mike Mussina. Torre brought this non-thrower into the game. I immediately told my wife - we're done. Within five or six batters he gave up three hits including a 2 run homer to Hank Blalock and we lost. End of story. End of game.
The excuse was made that the bullpen was thin, that (as Michael Kay, Yankees announcer put it) "sometimes you win the battle and lose the war" meaning that the best relievers had been used too much etc. But isn't the fact that Wayne Franklin is a terrible pitcher part of the equation? Last night, the guy gave up 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning. Isn't that a BIG hint that maybe he's not real good in "situations" (like facing major league hitters). I'm not sure I've ever seen him throw a strike and yet Joe puts this guy in during a 1-0 ballgame. Wow.
Joe, you are the best. My favorite Yankees manager ever, bar none. Really. But honestly, what in the world goes through your head in situations like this? As thin as the bullpen may be, what is the purpose of putting in a pinata? There's no point in putting someone in who can't pitch. Tell you what. When you're in that mood next time, call me. I'll pitch. I couldn't do much worse.
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