Bruney's Legend

The '09 New York Yankees are in a familiar place. A star-studded roster, featuring a legendary closer is gasping for late-inning relief. The list of suspects mushrooms as runs pile up on the board. An old theme develops: "If what's his name wasn't hurt, they'd be really good."--(Media choir.)

This season's savior in waiting is Brian Bruney, whose legend grows with each passing day on the disabled list. Rumors of Brian's potent prowess spread from the YES booth, to the reporter's beat, to FOX Sports' Game of the week. The talking points are intact: "Bruney is the man, if only he wasn't hurt, things would be different. Yada Yada Yada.

Time for a history lesson: 2005--46 IP for AZ, WHIP 1.98, ERA 7.43. 2006--The Yanks pick him up from the Diamondbacks' discard rack. Brian's live arm produces: 20 IP, WHIP 1.40, ERA 0.87. What was Arizona thinking? 2007 delivers 50 IP, WHIP 1.60, ERA 4.68.

What's the story? "Bruney did the Yankeees a major service last year (2007) by pitching so badly in July that the team was forced to rush Joba Chamberlain up in his place...wildness made the Yankees reluctant to trust him with a lead."--(Baseball Prospectus/2008 Guide.)

2008 arrived and a svelte Bruney was primed for redemption: "Sometimes, you do all the right things and the universe still bites you in the buttocks. Bruney came to camp determined to conquer weight and control problems, and he made major progress in both but a Lisfranc fracture knocked him out in late April."--(BP 2009 Guide.) Bruney pitched a potent 34 innings in an injury plagued year: WHIP 0.99, ERA 1.84.

That was then, this is now: "Bruney has appeared in one game since April 21 because of a strained flexor muscle in his elbow."--(Peter Abraham/Gannett.) Bruney is about to return from his second stint on the DL in the young '09 season.

Legend collides with reality. "I don't even know who that guy is."--(Mets' elite closer Francisco Rodriquez on Bruney's identity.)

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