Yankees notes & quotes

The Seattle Mariners are the tonic the Yankees needed to ease their pain. Yesterday's 6-1 victory featured effective pitching from a revived Moose plus a rejuvenated offense, combine that with a sloppy Seattle squad, it adds up to a two game winning streak. Here's a few notes:

• A preview of the Mariners from the Baseball Prospectus 2008 Guide:"As befits a team of such mediocrity, the Mariners will face the challenge this year of balancing the development of their prospects against the organization's desire to contend...Development or damned the torpedoes? It's a tough call." This sounds eerily familiar.
• More cogent analysis from BP: "If you're going to have a pitching staff that relies on defense, it would follow that you would assemble an excellent defense. Instead, the Mariners ranked second to last in the American league." The beat goes on as Seattle commits six errors in two games against the Bombers.
• It doesn't add up: " 2002-2003 Giambi hit .339 and .327 in clutch situations, with an OPS both years over 1.000. Since 2004 he has hit .217 .229 .203 and .222 in clutch situations."--Bill James Gold Mine. Michael Kay recently noted that the Yanks are a .666 team with Giambi on the bench and .500 with him in the lineup. Since 8/10/07 he has the second lowest batting average in MLB to Sheffield. This season he is hitting .154 despite showing up in shape and having the added incentive of pending free agency. Here's a report from Susan Waldman yesterday: "Giambi thinks he is hitting the ball well, it's just bad luck." No it's not. His bloated contract has him anchored in the lineup. He is the most expensive mistake in Yankees history. Face facts, end the charade.
• Mel Stottlemyre, pitching coach of five World Champions now presides over an impressive Mariners staff as Gator's replacement Dave Eiland is mired in transition. Good guys don't always finish last.
• Class Act: Jeter requesting that venerable PA announcer, Bob Sheppard's recorded voice introduce him for the rest of his career illustrates what the captain is all about.

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