Back To The Future

Remember the 80's? I'm in a 80'S Strato-League right now and it's amazing all these sub-four ERA's and players with 50 plus stolen bases. It was the time where parity ruled. Where you had a different World Series winner every year (5-5 split between leagues). It was a time where almost every team thought they had a chance to win it all.

It was a time before expansion, steroids diluted the game. The league was the perfect size. Not to big to dilute the pitching and not too small that you had dynasties.

Fundamentals were king. You pitched well and played solid defense. On offense, a runner got on base, he tried to steal a base. Or you tried to move him over via hit and run or sacrifice. No waiting for the three run homer. You were on offense so you initiated the action.

Nice to see the Yankees go back to the future last night.

Wang was amazing last night. Ground ball after ground ball. I wonder if it had something to with the wet conditions from earlier and maybe the air was a little heavier. Who cares. I just hope he can keep it up. A-Rod and Bernie with homers to provide the difference. Very nice. This is how A-Rod can show Yankee fans what he's made of. If he can help carry the team while Sheff and Matsui are gone, it will do a lot to get them off his back and to quiet the boo-birds.

This could be a blessing in disguise for the Yankees these injuries. I've always wanted to see the team run more and hit and run. To generate runs at times now, they'll have to do just those things.

Pavano's a little closer to coming back to the team as he had another good outing in the minors. Funny how we'll have a surplus of starting pitchers as our offense is without one of its stars. The Baseball Gods have a strange sense of humor.

John Harper in the Daily News today wrote a column defending Sheffield. For the record, I have no problem with Sheff not wanting to take a cortisone shot. The long term health concerns for him outweigh the short-term issues with the team's offense. I just hate the way he came off. It was veiled threat that was totally unnecessary. I'm in agreement with Francessa for once. This is my team, but Sheff will never be my guy.

I'm glad Cashman is looking internal solutions to the team's problems. But the one person who I wouldn't be adverse to trading for if he were available would be Torii Hunter. Put him in center and your defense up the middle becomes a huge strength. He's not Andruw Jones, but he also gives you a guy who can hit 20 plus homers and steal 20 plus bases. He's also a great clubhouse guy. If you can get him for a reasonable price, it's a deal that would make the team better for the forseeable future.