Brief Update During Sox-Yanks

So, while LaTroy Hawkins shuts down the Red Sox (wearing No. 22) and while Chad Moeller feasts on Red Sox pitching (what a nice job by our backups when we needed them), here are a couple of bits to chew on. Sorry about the lack of a game post, I had a busy day today.

1) The value of the Yankee franchise has increased to 1.3 billion dollars.

2) Harlan Chamberlain is reportedly feeling better, although he’s still on a ventilator.

3) Andy Pettitte’s rotation spot could be moved so that he’s in between IPK and Hughes.

4) Finally, Jorge Posada could be back behind the plate in a few days.

More on a win (hopefully) later. How about the Mariano Rivera, huh? Looks like the Yankees are going to get their money’s worth out of him while he’s with the team.

Just How Serious is That Shoulder Injury?

I just read this in Tyler Kepner’s piece on Joba:

Posada, who has not started at catcher since last Tuesday because of a small tear in the subscapularis muscle of his shoulder, said he felt better than he did Monday and was closer to returning to the field.

Is a “small tear in the subscapularis muscle” the technical term for “shoulder strain,” because that’s what we were told is wrong with Jorge. I mean, I don’t know anything about the subscapularis muscle, but what the ol’ Wikipedia tells me is that it’s not necessarily the shoulder (that’s sort of a generalized term) and is more a muscle that’s in the chest and in the front of the arm. It helps to raise your arm, rotate it, and it also “stabilizes the shoulder.” That sounds pretty important for a guy who has to challenge base runners and would be stealers.

Anyway, Kepner’s piece also states that Jorge is nearing a return (according to Jorge). He’ll be out longer than was expected, but he’s reportedly “close” which is the most important thing (he could possibly back up Moeller).

Joba to Miss Sox Series

From Tyler Kepner:

“His father is a little better,” Girardi said. “There still are tests that have to be done. Joba is by his side. We’re just praying he gets better quickly. He understands it’s important for him to be there, and he’s taking care of Pops.”

Girardi said he did not even bring up a timetable for returning during his conversation with Chamberlain.

“Of course he wants to be here,” Girardi said. “He understands what he needs to do as a son. Joba’s very mature. He’s been through a lot in his lifetime. You only have so many days with the people that you love. You’ve got to make sure you’re where you’re supposed to be.”

Obviously, Joba should take all the time he needs and although we might cringe a bit when we see the likes of Kyle Farnsworth running to the mound in the later innings, it’s only a temporary reality.

Hawkins Has Enough

LaTroy Hawkins has finally given up No. 21.

From Bryan Hoch:

Hawkins eagerly accepted No. 21 as a tribute to Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente but quickly learned that a pinstriped No. 21 has other meanings for Yankees fans. Unaware he was donning a number that had not been worn since O’Neill retired following the 2001 World Series, Hawkins was booed when introduced on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. Fans chanted “Paul O’Neill” during one of his appearances in the Bronx.

According to CBSSports.com, Hawkins made the decision after discussions with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and other Yankees veterans, who told Hawkins that the number is not worth the headache it’s causing.

“I figure if it’s important enough for Jeter and Mariano and some other veterans to ask me about it, it’s not worth it to keep wearing the number,” Hawkins told the Web site.

Hawkins will wear No. 22, last worn by Roger Clemens, when the Yankees take the field on Wednesday. He had said that he would be interested in wearing No. 42 on Tuesday as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, but declined to change his number for the game against the Rays. Hawkins, who is African-American, wore No. 42 last year for the Rockies, the lone player wearing that number for Colorado.

To tell you the truth, I think this entire thing is pretty dumb. Yankee fans should have embraced Hawkins for wearing the number since it allows them to think of O’Neill and the great things he did when he was with the team. Yes, it means a lot to a lot of people, but, to boo the guy until he submits and gives the number up is just wrong.

He was wearing that jersey, not to denigrate O’Neill, but to pay homage to Roberto Clemente. Well, at the end of the day, Hawkins conceded and will now wear No. 22, after Roger Clemens who is entrenched in steroid controversy. So now, whenever Hawkins steps on the mound, I’ll think of steroids and the legitimacy of one of our better pitchers. Fantastic.