DailySkew Baseball, Reviews, Buzz, and Opinion

AJ Burnett beats Blue Jays, Mariano Rivera #503

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:04:00 +0000

The 2009 Yankees have more confidence and better chemistry than the 2008 Yankees, not to mention better pitching and injury luck. A.J. Burnett was dominant for the 4th start in a row, Coke and Hughes pitched the 8th, and Mariano Rivera was 1-2-3 in the 9th once again. The Yanks won a close game against the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 thanks to Cano and A-Rod's HR.

Mariners beat CC Sabathia

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:13:00 +0000

CC just didn't have it last night. It happens to everybody. The Yanks' winning streak stops at 7. Hideki Matsui hit a double and HR, had a 10-pitch at-bat in the 9th before flying out. He cursed himself in Japanese in the dugout; his family was there, and I'm glad they don't allow swords in the dugout because he probably would have ran the blade through his stomach for failing in the 9th.

Mark Teixeira's slump has now affected his fielding for the first time all year.

Anyway, the Yanks still win the series even though they lost 8-4 last night.

This game had a yet another rain delay before the start, and it may have messed up CC Sabathia, I''m not sure. CC had already warmed up and was ready to pitch before the rain delay.

Jim Leyritz arrested again

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:43:00 +0000

It's official- ex-Yankees catcher Jim Leyritz was arrested in Davie, Florida for attacking his ex-wife Karrie Leyritz. This comes on the heels of Leyritz being buddy-buddy with his former Yankees teammates in Miami when the Yanks were playing the Marlins. (Jim bought a ticket.) Their stories contradict each other, so I hesitate to judge. Besides, Jim may sue me. If I'm not mistaken his ex-wife or someone posing as her already posted on my blog the last time Jim was in trouble, so somebody is reading this.

But I must ask: how can a judge let him walk around for the next two months before his DUI trial?

Anyway, if Jim didn't accidentally kill Fredia Ann Veitch I would joking say that the Leyritz family would have a great chance to be on a reality TV show on cable. Instead we have another typical dysfunctional situation down here in Broward County, South Florida.

A-Rod Hot, Mariano Rivera #502

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Andy Pettitte finally pitched great at New Yankees Stadium, A-Rod is back to normal (2-run HR), and Mariano Rivera was 1-2-3 again, showing no signs of shoulder fatigue or age which WFAN's Mike Francesca's ranted about for a month straight on the radio.

Melky and Damon had solo shots, and the Yanks beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2. Aceves and Coke handled the 8th.

The Yanks have won 7 in a row since the Florida nightmare and the first game in Atlanta.

Yankees 2009 pitching rotation and Yankees bullpen

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:55:00 +0000

Once again, another month has passed and we are in July. So let's take a look at the 2009 Yankees starting rotation and Yankees bullpen.

Going into the season, the starting rotation was:

1. CC Sabathia
2. Chien-Ming Wang
3. A.J. Burnett
4. Andy Pettitte
5. Joba Chamberlian

After April, it was:

1. Andy Pettitte
2. A.J. Burnett
3. C.C. Sabathia
4. Joba Chamberlain
5. Phil Hughes
6. Chien-Ming Wang

And after May (cumulative):

1. CC Sabathia
2. Andy Pettitte
3. A.J. Burnett
4. Joba Chamberlain
5. Phil Hughes

And after June (cumulative):

1. CC Sabathia

2. A.J. Burnett
3. Andy Pettitte * he has the innings and Wins edge over Joba- that's it.

4. Joba Chamberlain
5. Chien-Ming Wang

Here's what I thought Joe Girardi's bullpen confidence level looked like after May:

1. Mariano Rivera
2. Alfredo Alceves
3. Wang
4. Coke
5. Brett Tomko
6. Dave Robertson
7. Jose Veras

Now after June:

1. Mariano Rivera
2. Alfredo Alceves
3. Phil Hughes

4. Brian Bruney
5. Phil Coke
6. Dave Robertson

7. Brett Tomko

Mariano Rivera #501

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:37:00 +0000

The Yankees held on to defeat the Seattle Mariners thanks to Mariano Rivera and some late inning clutch hitting by Melky Cabrera and Derek Jeter after Brian Bruney blew the 8th inning.

The Yankees hitters choked all night with runners in scoring position, but finally blew it open in the 8th.

Joba Chamberlain was OK again. We saw a typical Joba game: 5.1 innings, 3 runs, 96 pitches. That's OK for a 5th starter, and that's what his role was pencilled in as this year anyway...time to lower expectations before each start, folks.

Phul Hughes looked fantastic in the 7th.

Anyway, A-Rod had a great HR, and it was cool seeing Ken Griffey, Jr. back in a Mariners uniform. He sure aged...but that's life.

Ichiro was in vintage form last night- he got cheap infield hits and stole 2nd, 3rd, and came home. He makes baseball look so easy.

Mariano Rivera threw out the first pitch- he didn't want to, but he was coerced. The fans gave him a great tribute and he was embrassed, but he was touched on the inside. He told his friends that it would be funny if he threw out the first pitch and the last pitch; his prediction came true with a 1-2-3 9th for his 501st save.

Yankes trade 2 minor leagers for ERIC HINKSE

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:46:00 +0000

The New York Yankees traded two minor leaguers to get 3B/RF/1B/LF Eric Hinkse today. He will be put on the roster before the game tonight.

Rumor mill says fan favorite Ramiro Pena will be sent down to grow in AAA by playing every day. The only other option would be to send Cody Ransom down, but he was never given a 2nd shot this time since coming off the DL. Plus, Cody has no upside, and Pena can get valuable experience by playing every day in the minors. At least that's what conventional wisdom says.

Since Xavier Nady will not be coming back any time soon, Hinske gives a "veteran presence" in multiple positions.

Who is Eric Hinkse? He's a former 2002 Rookie of the Year. Whoopee. Actually, I shouldn't be too hard on him- he's been exactly league average for 8 years, and he was overpaid by the Blue Jays, of all teams. He bounced around, picked up a 2007 Red Sox World Championship, and found himself in Pittsburgh, where he was traded today to the Yanks.

Keep your expectations low: he's a .254 career hitter, with a pedestrian career OB% of .337. In his career he averaged 18 HR per 162 games, but only has 1HR this year. Last year he hit 20 with the Rays.

But just for the record, yes, TECHNICALLY he is an offensive upgrade to Ramiro Pena and/or Cody Ransom. This is purely a stats head computer move, and he will probably wind up producing more runs than Pena.

It's just than Pena rocked even though he was a light-hitting defensive backup shortstop. The veterans fed off him in the clubhouse. I know that doesn't matter to Brian Cashman. Can't really say what I would have done as GM. I'd probably send Cody Ransom down instead.

Who did the Yankees trade?

Casey Erickson- right handed pitcher, drafted in 2006. Had good numbers, good strikeout-to-walk ratio but for some reason was kept at Rookie League and Single-A even though he 23. Maybe they didn't like his stuff?

Eric Flyer- Catcher/outfielder. Yanks traded marginal pitcher Chase Wright for him. So that tells you where he was at. But some scouts said he has talent. Had a couple of good minor league years.

Would these guys ever be promoted?

Mariano Rivera 500 saves, RBI, Yanks SWEEP Mets

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:45:00 +0000

Mariano Rivera outclassed the Mets last night; it could be argued he outclasses MLB all the time anyway. The Baseball Gods rewarded baseball's most humble closer last night at New Shea Stadium to earn his 500th save and his 1st RBI, when he worked a 3-2 count against his cross-town cocky mirror image, K-Rod.

If I wrote a Hollywood script like this, it would have been rejected for being too unrealistic.

ESPN was praying to broadcast Mo's 500th save; not only did they get their wish, but the drama of the event was better than they could have imagined.

After the Yankees capitalized on fielding mistakes by the Mets in the 1st inning to make the score 3-0, it looked like another blowout. But Wang was just OK again and showed some improvement, but made it 3-2 in the 6th, but the Yanks' bats were silent against Livan Hernandez.

The Mets had the momentum the whole night, and it looked their luck was about to change after Phil Coke and Phil Hughes came out of the game after shutting them down, and Brian Bruney was running a Walk-a-Thon.

Rivera came out and battled a Mets scrub for a long time before getting him out, so he threw a lot of pitches. In the top of the 9th, Luis Castillo and the "super professional" Alex Cora let a popout drop between them, and that's when I knew the Old Gods of Shea had returned.

K-Rod sucked, and for some reason he and Mets manager Jerry Manuel started to pitch to Derek Jeter with 2 outs even though Mariano was on-deck. Jeter broke character and cracked up- kinda like when Clark Kent would wink at us. Did they fall for Joe Girardi's decoy of Fransisco Cervelli stretching on the on-deck circle? After getting behind the count with Derek, they intellionally walked him. Rivera came up, showed he has a great eye, took a nice swing, ran the count full, and took the walk and RBI. 4-2 Yanks.

He came out for the 9th, and picked up his 500th save. It was a true Subway Series game because the atmosphere was ecstatic, jubilant, and it felt like a World Series game. It was a celebration of Mariano.

This is why baseball is a living history and part-mythology. Games like this make you appreciate the game, makes you feel the drama, makes you think that the game is much more than stats, projections, and peaks and valleys.

Rivera's post game interview was telling: he just focuses on his work and doesn't worry or compare himself to historic closers or his peers, and gives them more credit than himself.

A.J. Burnett 1 hits Mets

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:38:00 +0000

A.J. Burnett has been hot in his last 3 starts, and it culminated in him almost no-hitting the Mets at Citi Field last night. His fastball and curveball were nasty and vintage A.J. He had 10 K, 1 hit, and 3 walks in 7 innings. Brian Bruney and Dave Robertson didn't give up a hit in the last two innings against the lowly Mets.

Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada hit HR, and A-Rod got an RBI. It seemed as if the Mets have up after Jorge's HR. 5-0 looked like 10-0 to them.

This was a game that was totally dominated by the Yankees to win this Subway Series. Wang on ESPN sounds scary tonight, but we'll see what happens.

Darryl Strawberry interview video and comments

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:59:00 +0000

GUEST BLOGGER: Dr. Richard Hoffman, sports psychologist

Michael Kay interviewed former New York icon darryl strawberry on YES Network's Centerstage.

Watching this interview, if you don't know the man's history or personality type (Enneagram Type 3), you may get inspired or feel happiness that someone beat an addiction.

At the risk of being a cynic, Strawberry didn't pass my smell test. I've seen other athletes or celebrities talk about how they are clean now, and how convincing they are. Part of the embarrassment of messing up is that everyone gets to know your personal life, your sins, and the gossip. Numerous books, newspaper articles, peer interviews, and court records lend a lot of insight into guys like Strawberry or former WWF Champion Superstar Billy Graham or Boy George or the dozens of former idols that threw their life down the toilet like they did with cocaine when the cops bust the door down.

Yes, I sympathize with my fellow humans. Yes, I hope they really are passed their addictions and patterns of lies. But it's a struggle each and every day. That's not something Strawberry admits to anymore.

Before I list the comments Straw made, let me give a full disclosure: 1) yes, I did have preconceived notions in my head about Straw. Some who don't really know the grim details about his life would be much more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. 2) Dwight Gooden in his own way- has some issues with Straw in his own book, Dwight Gooden: Heat. I tend to side with Gooden. 3) Strawberry actually handled this interview VERY well, and seemed genuine, honest, physically healthy, had a great sense of humor, humble, and self-aware. I don't expect most readers to see what I saw. If you wanna think I'm skewed...well, more power to ya.

Okay here we go:

1) Firstly, Strawberry was on the YESNetwork to promote his new book. 'nuff said.
2) Strawberry had explanations (or excuses?) for his downfall. Such explanations included a) Being from the hood; b) Not having guidance in the majors; and c) Having a dad that told him he'd never amount to anything.
3) When asked about his first wife, Lisa, you know the one according to most accounts he got into fights all the time with (maybe even physical fights)- he didn't hesitate to say the marriage was a mistake, and that they never got along. He said it was a forced relationship due to her pregnancy. In a joking way, he assassinated her character.
4) During Michael Kay's Hit-and-Run segment, where Kay throws names at the guest for a quick response- Straw was unable to make a statement on Doc Gooden. Why? Guilt? Negative feelings? He didn't hold back to take a shot at Gary Carter, however.
5) His current state of happiness and enlightenment is tied to his new wife. What happens if she leaves?
6) Probably the most telling statement Straw made, however, was telling Michael Kay that he has NO temptations anymore to fall back into his addictions. None. Zero. Nada. He's CURED.

In closing, I hope Darryl stays clean and healthy. It is possible. People do change. People can overcome addiction. I've seen it. But it seemed as if his answers were programmed. He's been through dozens of rehab programs and church counseling- he knows what to say, he knows the routine. He never had a high IQ..he's a jock, kinda like A-Rod.

You can call me a doubter, but realize I do hope he proves me wrong. He is in a good environment now with a supportive wife. He does charity work with here, so he feels giving. I believe in forgiveness, and he shouldn't be tied down to his past. But...I just got bad vibes. He's a preacher now?
**

DAMIAN SAYS: Here is video from that interview (can be viewed in Internet Explorer or Google Chrome, not certain under most conditions in Mozilla Firefox).

Strawberry Interview 1
Strawberry Interview 2
Strawberry Interview 3

Whatever happened to Dave Mlicki

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:33:00 +0000

Dave Mlicki...his name always comes up during the Subway Series because the greatest game in his career was shutout against the Yankees. He was an underdog in that June 16, 1997 game vs Andy Pettitte, but he won.

Now that I think of it, it's amazing how long interleague play has been around.

Dave's had a slightly below average major league career, if not an uneventful one. In typical Mets history fashion, of course it would have been someone like him to shine in a Subway Series.

Mike still has memories of his big game: "...like it was yesterday. I remember the excitement in the Stadium, all the Met fans chanting, ‘Let's go, Mets' in Yankee Stadium. I thought that was really cool."

So what is he doing now at only 41 years old? Besides being on Facebook.com, he seems like an all-around nice humble nice guy. He's pretty much into his golf club and his wife and kids. He is very active in his kids' athletics. Mets fans who see him always bring up the one game he is famous for, and ask for his autograph.
****
The 1997 Mets, managed by Bobby Valentine had this pitching staff:

Rick Reed
Bobby Jones
Mark Clark
Dave Mlicki
Brian Bohanon and Armando Reynoso

The sad part was, as a Mets fan in 1997, I was sold on that staff and thought "they had a chance". Mets fans of 2009 should take heed.

CC Sabathia, Yanks bats destroy Mets

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:27:00 +0000

When Derek Jeter was interviewed last week amidst the Yankees National League slump, he said a baseball season has its peaks and valleys, and the Yanks are just playing through a bad stretch, but thing will start to pick up.

Things have picked up.

Watching the ineptitude of the Mets last night made me feel happy. Not because I "hate" the Mets, but because the Baseball Gods of Flushing were in full force last night. It made me feel that baseball was more than stats, peaks, and valleys. Made me believe the Mets curse was still alive.

Three errors at the beginning of the game, Mike Pelfrey's high pitch count, allowing CC Sabathia to get an RBI single, a double-A first baseman who had seen a psychologist after getting sent down from Spring Training, a screen graphic showing that the Mets have half the team on the DL, a rain delay...yeah...welcome to Queens, NY.

Suffice to say the Yanks really shined last night- Brett Gardner 5-6 (triple, HR, 3 singles, stolen base)! Pretty ironic because I was reading a stats head forum where they ripped Joe Girardi for benching Nick Swisher a a few games and playing Gardner.

A-Rod now has more homeruns than Reggie Jackson, and he seems more mobile at 3B.

Ramiro Pena- subbing for Derek- had a great game with the bat and the glove.

CC Sabathia was dominant- actually was throwing a perfect game for a while. Heck, the Mets made BRETT TOMKO look great for 2 shut-out innings!

Final score 9-1. Doesn't necessarily mean the Yanks are going to bully the Mets all weekend, but it does give us a glimpse into the two teams when one team has all cylinders on, and another team looks like a lost submarine with no one at the helm.

Yanks Mets Subway Series Rain Delay

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:56:00 +0000

...And it's raining here at Citi Field as CC Sabathia was set to face Mike Pelfrey in the battle of the aces. Ahh...nothing like a New York Mets rain delay. At least back during the 1980's on WWOR, we had Kiner's Korner, fan interviews, live updates, Godzilla movies joined in progess, Son of Kong, kung-fu movies, Morton Downey, Jr. reruns, The Odd Couple, and other goodies.

Ceramic tile

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:50:00 +0000

So a ceramic tile in my bathroom shower fell out, and I tried to paste it back. You know that did not work. I tried sanding it down and getting some adhesive and that didn't work either. You know showers- they are usually moist and humid- it is a pretty bad scenario. Thankfully ceramic tile is now sold online at discount prices.

Milton Bradley Lou Pinella fight

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Milton Bradley, one of the most misunderstood baseball players (not to mention controversial and hated by the MEDIA) hit the water cooler in the Wrigley Field Cubs dugout, and was seen having a heated exchange with his manager Lou Pinella. Bradly was removed from the game and seen walking out of the Stadium in street clothes. As much as I defend Milton, he really needs an(other) anger management course. Black rage (Milton will admit it) gets tired after a while, you know?

Office furniture

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:38:00 +0000

The office building where I work is leased, and the new owners stopped by to check out their new property (I work in a strip mall, and there are many small offices). I have to say that the new owners were very impressed with the layout, cleanliness, artwork, and office furniture. Our desks, computer furniture, and workcenters were all top-notch and modern.

Yankees bash Braves, take 2 out of 3

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:38:00 +0000

A-Rod has his best game since he went 5-5 exactly a month ago, and it will be hard for Joe Girardi to give him days off now. A-Rod powered the offense last night to win the Braves series, but Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Brett Gardner, and Cody Ransom (bye, bye Angel Berroa) helped create 11 runs.

Things seem to be back to normal with the offense if one examines the last two games. We'll see if the Yanks can keep up the offense with the Subway Series starting tonight at Citi Field.

In bad news, Andy Pettitte couldn't take the Atlanta heat and couldn't get out of the 4th. A game that was supposed to be a laugher instead lasted 4 hours and had a close final score: 11-7, even though the outcome was never truly in danger.

Joba, bats come to life

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:51:00 +0000

It seemed like same old, same old, and the Yanks were getting no-hit through 5 innings vs the Braves. It looked like Joba Chamberlain was going to be a tough-luck loser. Then in the 6th Joe Girardi got ejected when he yelled at the umpires when the blew a Brett Gardner pickoff.

The newspapers are saying Girardi's ejection sparked the team.

Fransisco Cervelli got his 1st HR, and things got rolling into a real game. Nick Swisher and Johnny Damon did great, and the Braves made some errors and miscues.

Although A-Rod gets all the press for his 2-RBI single, the truth is he barely got his bat on the ball- it was the cheapest hit. He's far from breaking out of his lethargy, but the result was good.

Brian Bruney kinda blew the 8th, but Mariano Rivera- on 8 days rest- got 4 K. In a humourous moment he also batted and made contact.

Final score: Yankees 8, Braves 4

VIDEO: Yankees fan vs Marlins fan fight in Florida

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:06:00 +0000

All of your stereotypes are about to be validated. I don't know how long this video will be up, so watch it now. Watch the state of the world we live:

[Insert team] beat Yankees

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Hot-Lanta! Bobby Cox's latest young pitcher Tommy Hanson beat the Yankees 4-0. Wang allowed 3 runs in 5 innings before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the top of the 6th. He is now 0-6. Phil Hughes did super once again out of the bullpen.

Lemme tell ya something about the Braves #1 pick Tommy Hanson- he's 22 and he is COCKY. He didn't want to come out, Bobby Cox complained about balls and strikes, and Tommy wouldn't listen to pitching coach Roger McDowell for advice. Great Braves player.

Oh, and I can't believe Chipper Jones is 36- that man can still play (he batted .364 last year and won the batting title.)

The Yanks' offense had nothing. Nothing. Derek Jeter's grounding into a double-play is becoming as tiresome as when Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, Jim Rice, and Cal Ripken did it back in the 1980's.

South Florida Heat: Marlins beat Yanks

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:39:00 +0000

It was a bad vacation spot for the Yanks..much too hot (100 degrees field level) and humid this weekend. CC Sabathia wilted in the 2nd inning, and I felt like I took a time machine into the early 1990's...watching the Mets vs Marlins with Dallas Green at the helm.

The final score seems like a close game- 6 to 5- but that was only because Brett Gardner cleared the bases in the 9th with 2 outs. Thanks, Derek.

After CC left with a bicep injury, Alfredo Aceves shut the Marlins down but Brett Tomko, Phil Coke, and Dave Robertson coughed up the runs. The runs seemed unimportant at the time, but I knew better than that.

The Yankees hitters once again played lethargic under the sun.

The game was delayed for a while when Joe Girardi seemed to be protesting Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez's double switch error; too bad the Marlins announcers (I guess Tommy Hutton and Rich Walz- holy white bread, what school did they go to?) had no idea what was going on. I actually longed for Tim McCarver to break out the rule book. Speaking of the announcers, I thought these guys were supposed to be good. They indulged in Yankees bashing all afternoon, and really, really didn't scout the Yanks. Too bad MLB.TV blacked out these games all weekend.

I really wanted to listen to Michael Kay squirm as the Marlins embarrassed Steinbrenner's team, which is always supposed to beat these "inferior" small market teams. You know looking at the pitiful faces of the Yankees fans at Land Shark Stadium, I think Yankees fans can't understand how the Marlins always beat the Yankees. It's because the Marlins aren't even a real team; they have a handful of die-hard fans, lame marketing, the team gets disbanded every few years; no one really cares about baseball in Florida, and they have an owner who is borderline illegal. MEANWHILE, in New York people live and breath the Yankees and the Steinbrenner family puts their heart, soul, and money into making the Yanks #1. But the Marlins win the series. Life just ain't fair sometimes, huh?

Yankees are now 4 game behind the Red Sox thanks to stumbling through these National League teams. Bobby Cox is next.

The A-Rod fatigue issue will not go away. If he really shouldn't have played all those games in a row, he needs to sit out more than two games.

Anyway after listened to the announcers and seeing the fans in attendance, I wanted Godzilla to invade South Florida.

Whatever happened to Mackey Sasser?

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:54:00 +0000

New York Newsday in 2007 and the New York Daily News in 2009 caught up with fallen Mets catcher Mackey Sasser (he had some kind of OCD mental block in 1990 after a collision at the plate with Jim Presley, and was unable to consistently throw the ball back to the pitcher).

In 2006 Sasser finally received the help he needed from a psychologist, who used a method to go back into Sasser's past and relive the traumas to break the mental block. It turns out the 1990 collision was just a manifestation of a lot of childhood traumas Mackey went through.

"It's not hypnosis or anything like that," Sasser said. "They find out about you personally, the trauma in your life, that kind of stuff. And they work from that. And it actually helped me, believe it or not. You find out a lot of stuff about yourself that you really didn't know. It really is kind of scary. But it brings peace to you. It opens up a lot of windows to look at your history. I think it would've helped me handle that situation a lot better."

Sasser has coached for Wallace Community College for the last 14 years, and has no problems throwing batting practice.

Mackey called the Mets when pitcher Michael Pelfrey was dealing with psychological issues, but they never called him back. Mackey is also kinda waiting for David Ortiz to give him a ring.

Anyway, Mackey's dream is to get back into pro ball in one shape or another, maybe even become a Mets roving catching instructor.

***

By the way, I just looked up Mackey's hitting stats...back in the day I thought he would have been a great successor to Gary Carter but his 1990 mental block prevented him doing that.

Looks like I was mistaken.

Don't get me wrong, he was better than most backup catchers in 1988-1990, but let's looks at Sasser's "peak" years with the Mets:

1988- 60 games, 131 Plate Appearances, 1 HR, .285 Avg, .313 On-Base Percentage. However if you adjust his stats based on era and ballpark, he was 10% better than league average (OPS+ 110), which means he was a decent backup catcher.

1989- 72 games, 191 Plate Appearances, 1 HR, .291 Avg, .316 On-Base Percentage. He was still 10% better than league average, but these stats are weak- it's just the batting average that was high.

1990 was his best year in his career before he got hurt- 100 games, 288 Plate Appearances, 6 HR, .307 Avg, .344 On-Base Percentage. He was 11% better than league average.

He finished his Mets career (5 seasons) at .283/.309, 1% better than league average.

In other words, Sasser's greatness was more mythology than reality. But that's okay because he is a good guy.

One reason why my memory must have painted Sasser in such a high light offensively is because he was competing with a has-been version of Gary Carter and...Barry Lyons.

It wasn't until 1995 when the Mets finally had a superior catcher worthy of Carter, and that's when Todd Hundley "came into his own" (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Until then, it was a revolving door of allegedly good defensive catchers who could "call a good game" but couldn't hit a lick, like Charlie O'Brien, Orlando Mercado, and Kelly Stinnett. The truth is those names I just mentioned are just like Jose Molina and Fransisco Cervelli.

Heck, I guess since Sasser was so much better than Molina and Cervelli, it's no wonder Mackey's a cult New York favorite, since most NY fans go ga-ga over Jorge Posada's backups.

J.J. beats A.J. 2-1

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:59:00 +0000

Pitching duel at Land Shark Stadium in Florida...Marlins ace Josh Johnson beat former Marlins icon A.J. Burnett 2-1 thanks to a Johnny Damon error. Marlins defense was better in this close- and very typical- Florida Marlins game.

Yankees catch Marlins

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:30:00 +0000

With WFAN and the message boards claiming the Yankees can't hit pitchers they never had seen before, the Yankees kicked Sean West's butt last night in Florida.

Andy Pettitte was finally good this month as he lasted 7 innings and scatted 3 hits, 7 K and no walks! He just gave up a solo shot. Bruney and Tomko finished.

The big news was that A-Rod is "resting" for two days, and the Sun-Sentinel implied that he was afraid of Marlins fans. Yeah, I wonder if they will get the Pulitzer Prize for that one.

A-Rod's backup, Angel Berroa- the 25th man on the roster (and mascot)- actually got an RBI double. In fact, all of the Yankees bats were on fire.

If you thought the Nationals were tough....

numbersix@dailyskew.com (DailySkewCoFounder) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:10:00 +0000

...wait until you see the Florida Marlins tonight, assuming it doesn't rain at Shark King Stadium. Whereas I didn't know how the Yankees would fare against the Nationals, I know that the Yankees are going to get swept by the Marlins this weekend.

Oh...and welcome to DailySkew Baseball post #800 (retconned after I deleted some older posts a few months ago).