2008

Well, that’s all, that’s the end of the season. The Yankees finish up strong, but their 89-73 record just wasn’t enough to overcome a solid Boston team and a stunning Rays squad. As of now, uncertainty and change are on the horizon and it will be interesting to see what happens and who returns.

I plan on writing quite a few posts that critique (not criticize) aspects of the 2008 season throughout the week (from the pitching to the managing), so check in if you’d like. Also, with the Yankees, remember, the offseason is never boring and the blog will be up and running. I actually enjoy writing about possible acquisitions, free agent dealings, speculation and trades, so, again, be sure to stop by.

For now, here are some final bits to close out the final day of our season.

1. Here’s the boxscore for the final game of the season (Ponson faced a weak lineup, in case you were wondering why he pitched well).
2. Mike Mussina’s career could be over, although I think he could return for 2009. His record certainly reflects his current abilities and it’s evident that he can still pitch, it’s just going to be up to him to figure out if he wants to return or not.
3. Joe Girardi has considered putting Joba Chamberlain in the rotation to start 2009 (they’d be careful with him, skipping starts, limiting innings, and so on and so forth).
4. Speaking of Girardi, after talking with an assortment of players and personnel, Ed Price speculates that many of the players haven’t exactly meshed well with Girardi’s personality. According to Price, Girardi’s intensity before and after games has created this very “tight” atmosphere, which has hurt the team in their attempts to remain “loose”. When you think about how poor the club was at advancing runners and hitting with RISP (A-Rod and Giambi come to mind), it makes sense.

More tomorrow…