GaryMrMets
07-16-2003, 01:37 PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/101332p-91660c.html
Yankees mid-term report card
By SAM BORDEN
With one semester in the books, the Yankees have plenty of honor-roll students. The New York baseball curriculum is demanding, so much so that many players - particularly those in Queens - struggle to keep pace.
But the Bombers have been diligent in their preparation, making the necessary adaptations when times get tough and they go into the second semester with the inside track on giving the valedictory speech in October.
It's no secret that mid-semester grades don't mean anything at St. George's Academy, since classes there are heavily weighted toward the October exams. Still, the boys wearing the pinstriped uniforms are in good form - as usual.
Alfonso Soriano: A
Makes opposing pitchers sweat from the very beginning and is doing (a little) better at waiting for a good pitch. Can you believe the Yanks almost traded him a few years ago?
Hideki Matsui: A
A fundamentally sound fielder, Matsui is patient at the plate and knows what to do with a good pitch. The best left fielder the Yanks have had in years.
Jorge Posada: A
One of three Yankee All-Stars, Posada's bat sets him apart from most catchers. Has improved his defense, too, particularly his arm.
Mike Mussina: A
Won seven in a row to start the season before cooling, but has shown electric stuff. Command isn't in David Wells' category, but 21 walks in 18 games is pretty good.
David Wells: A
Impeccable control (four walks) and 11 wins should have sent him to All-Star game. Crazy thought for a 40-year old, but Yanks should pick up his option for next year.
Mariano Rivera: A
If he hadn't missed almost a month, Sandman would've closed out All-Star game last night. No matter, since he's hit his stride and is dominating (16 of 17 saves converted) as usual.
Brian Cashman: A-
Gets high marks for not going crazy when The Boss was on a rampage in May, as well as for signing Matsui. Still searching for bullpen help, however.
Jason Giambi: A-
Early struggles gave way to massive power numbers late in the first half, and Giambi figures to keep pounding all summer.
Joe Torre: B+
Usually every move he makes is golden, but it's been a little harder this year. Some of those calls to the bullpen haven't had usual Torre touch.
Roger Clemens: B+
Could've had 300 wins sooner if not for a balky bullpen. Even at 41, Rocket doesn't look to be breaking down. Could he hang around one more season? Not likely.
Ruben Sierra: B+
Has done a lot more than anyone expected, and attitude hasn't been a problem. Filled Bernie Williams' spot well and gives Torre legit threat off bench.
Derek Jeter: B
The new captain missed six weeks with a bum shoulder at the start of the season, so it wasn't surprising he struggled when he returned. Rust is wearing off lately, particularly at the plate.
Chris Hammond: B
Has worked 40 games in first half, proving to be Torre's best setup option. Isn't intimidating, but mixes pitches well and keeps hitters off balance.
Antonio Osuna: B-
Has been reliable when healthy, but that isn't often. Two DL stints make it hard to believe he'll hold up all the way through October.
Jason Anderson: B-
Has good stuff but doesn't get regular work, which hurts him. Had his number retired by S.I. Yanks, though, which is worth extra credit. Could be across town soon.
John Flaherty: B-
Has done his job well, which means flying under the radar. Yanks don't lose much when he plays in place of Posada, particularly since he handles pitchers well.
Karim Garcia: B-
Nice addition who has shown some surprising pop. With Raul Mondesi in limbo, Garcia could be key player for Yanks in second half.
Raul Mondesi: C+
Started strong but has slumped over past month. Mouthed off when Torre moved him out of the lineup. Yanks are showcasing him for a trade now, so he won't be around much longer.
Andy Pettitte: C+
Lefty's likely last season in Bronx has been a roller-coaster ride. Was 4-5, but is now 11-6. Yanks need more consistency from him.
Bernie Williams: C
Was on fire during Yanks early run, but was in a 0-for-20 slump before he had knee surgery. Should be back in form soon enough.
Sterling Hitchcock: C-
Shocking he's still in pinstripes, since Yanks had for-sale sign on him all year. Ex-starter has been Okay in pen, but 4.78 ERA and .298 average against are woeful.
Enrique Wilson: C-
Great glove, no bat, though pair of July 7 doubles off Pedro Martinez were huge. Can play all around the infield, which gives Torre lots of options.
Todd Zeile: D
Is supposed to be a go-to pinch-hitter for Yanks, but .195 average makes that a tough sell. Spells Giambi and Ventura, but needs to produce more to earn his keep.
Robin Ventura: D
Has given Yanks nothing offensively and has lost a step in the field. Torre wanted to rest him more, but injuries got in the way, forcing Ventura to play through his slump. That hasn't worked.
Juan Rivera: D
Up and down to minors, he hasn't done anything to make Yanks keep him in Bronx. If he did anything to earn a higher grade, he'd have more than 114 AB.
Jeff Weaver: F
Was supposed to be an aging rotation's bridge to future, but might not even be around much longer.
Jose Contreras: F
Injuries could make this an incomplete, but let's be real: Anything short of greatness is a failure in Boss' mind.
Bubba Trammell: F
Where is he? Did the dog eat his homework? Alarm clock not go off? Car get a flat tire?
Curtis Pride: Inc.
Hasn't been picked off yet, which means he's a step in front of former pinch-runner Charles Gipson.
Dan Miceli: Inc.
Not a bad idea to pick him up and could be helpful, but isn't a big-time stopper.
Al Reyes: Inc.
Up and down from Triple-A, Reyes is mostly a fill-in guy when injuries hit. Hasn't been bad in limited work.
Nick Johnson: Inc.
Got only 36 games in before wrist injury, but was hitting .308 when he left. Yanks hope for Aug. 1 return.
Originally published on July 16, 2003
Yankees mid-term report card
By SAM BORDEN
With one semester in the books, the Yankees have plenty of honor-roll students. The New York baseball curriculum is demanding, so much so that many players - particularly those in Queens - struggle to keep pace.
But the Bombers have been diligent in their preparation, making the necessary adaptations when times get tough and they go into the second semester with the inside track on giving the valedictory speech in October.
It's no secret that mid-semester grades don't mean anything at St. George's Academy, since classes there are heavily weighted toward the October exams. Still, the boys wearing the pinstriped uniforms are in good form - as usual.
Alfonso Soriano: A
Makes opposing pitchers sweat from the very beginning and is doing (a little) better at waiting for a good pitch. Can you believe the Yanks almost traded him a few years ago?
Hideki Matsui: A
A fundamentally sound fielder, Matsui is patient at the plate and knows what to do with a good pitch. The best left fielder the Yanks have had in years.
Jorge Posada: A
One of three Yankee All-Stars, Posada's bat sets him apart from most catchers. Has improved his defense, too, particularly his arm.
Mike Mussina: A
Won seven in a row to start the season before cooling, but has shown electric stuff. Command isn't in David Wells' category, but 21 walks in 18 games is pretty good.
David Wells: A
Impeccable control (four walks) and 11 wins should have sent him to All-Star game. Crazy thought for a 40-year old, but Yanks should pick up his option for next year.
Mariano Rivera: A
If he hadn't missed almost a month, Sandman would've closed out All-Star game last night. No matter, since he's hit his stride and is dominating (16 of 17 saves converted) as usual.
Brian Cashman: A-
Gets high marks for not going crazy when The Boss was on a rampage in May, as well as for signing Matsui. Still searching for bullpen help, however.
Jason Giambi: A-
Early struggles gave way to massive power numbers late in the first half, and Giambi figures to keep pounding all summer.
Joe Torre: B+
Usually every move he makes is golden, but it's been a little harder this year. Some of those calls to the bullpen haven't had usual Torre touch.
Roger Clemens: B+
Could've had 300 wins sooner if not for a balky bullpen. Even at 41, Rocket doesn't look to be breaking down. Could he hang around one more season? Not likely.
Ruben Sierra: B+
Has done a lot more than anyone expected, and attitude hasn't been a problem. Filled Bernie Williams' spot well and gives Torre legit threat off bench.
Derek Jeter: B
The new captain missed six weeks with a bum shoulder at the start of the season, so it wasn't surprising he struggled when he returned. Rust is wearing off lately, particularly at the plate.
Chris Hammond: B
Has worked 40 games in first half, proving to be Torre's best setup option. Isn't intimidating, but mixes pitches well and keeps hitters off balance.
Antonio Osuna: B-
Has been reliable when healthy, but that isn't often. Two DL stints make it hard to believe he'll hold up all the way through October.
Jason Anderson: B-
Has good stuff but doesn't get regular work, which hurts him. Had his number retired by S.I. Yanks, though, which is worth extra credit. Could be across town soon.
John Flaherty: B-
Has done his job well, which means flying under the radar. Yanks don't lose much when he plays in place of Posada, particularly since he handles pitchers well.
Karim Garcia: B-
Nice addition who has shown some surprising pop. With Raul Mondesi in limbo, Garcia could be key player for Yanks in second half.
Raul Mondesi: C+
Started strong but has slumped over past month. Mouthed off when Torre moved him out of the lineup. Yanks are showcasing him for a trade now, so he won't be around much longer.
Andy Pettitte: C+
Lefty's likely last season in Bronx has been a roller-coaster ride. Was 4-5, but is now 11-6. Yanks need more consistency from him.
Bernie Williams: C
Was on fire during Yanks early run, but was in a 0-for-20 slump before he had knee surgery. Should be back in form soon enough.
Sterling Hitchcock: C-
Shocking he's still in pinstripes, since Yanks had for-sale sign on him all year. Ex-starter has been Okay in pen, but 4.78 ERA and .298 average against are woeful.
Enrique Wilson: C-
Great glove, no bat, though pair of July 7 doubles off Pedro Martinez were huge. Can play all around the infield, which gives Torre lots of options.
Todd Zeile: D
Is supposed to be a go-to pinch-hitter for Yanks, but .195 average makes that a tough sell. Spells Giambi and Ventura, but needs to produce more to earn his keep.
Robin Ventura: D
Has given Yanks nothing offensively and has lost a step in the field. Torre wanted to rest him more, but injuries got in the way, forcing Ventura to play through his slump. That hasn't worked.
Juan Rivera: D
Up and down to minors, he hasn't done anything to make Yanks keep him in Bronx. If he did anything to earn a higher grade, he'd have more than 114 AB.
Jeff Weaver: F
Was supposed to be an aging rotation's bridge to future, but might not even be around much longer.
Jose Contreras: F
Injuries could make this an incomplete, but let's be real: Anything short of greatness is a failure in Boss' mind.
Bubba Trammell: F
Where is he? Did the dog eat his homework? Alarm clock not go off? Car get a flat tire?
Curtis Pride: Inc.
Hasn't been picked off yet, which means he's a step in front of former pinch-runner Charles Gipson.
Dan Miceli: Inc.
Not a bad idea to pick him up and could be helpful, but isn't a big-time stopper.
Al Reyes: Inc.
Up and down from Triple-A, Reyes is mostly a fill-in guy when injuries hit. Hasn't been bad in limited work.
Nick Johnson: Inc.
Got only 36 games in before wrist injury, but was hitting .308 when he left. Yanks hope for Aug. 1 return.
Originally published on July 16, 2003