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Why Sunday Was Little Relief With Tanaka

If Sunday was Tanaka injured, who can wait to see him when he is healthy again? Don’t wait up.

For what it is worth, Tanaka’s start on Sunday afternoon against Toronto was still perplexing. The only value it produced was a first hand look for the Yankees to see exactly what they have in Tanaka. Examining what MIGHT be manageable regarding his partial UCL tear next season. It is true that as an organization you can never know exactly what condition a player is really in until they’re in the heat of Major League competition. For reasons that are largely inexplicable, no throwing program, bullpen session, or Minor league rehab start can fully simulate that experience. So it was on Sunday afternoon, with 5.1 innings pitched, 1 earned run, five hits, no walks, five strike outs, and a lone hit batsman. Not bad for a man walking a path few have traveled. A path that will still end in the same place, the operating room.  

With fortune on their side Sunday, the Yankees breathed a sigh of relief. Tanaka over 70 pitches reported no unexpected discomfort, nor displayed any abnormalities in his pitching mechanics. In truth given his prognosis, Tanaka's outing Sunday did not provide any comfort. In modern baseball there is exactly ONE pitcher that has managed to endure this injury over multiple seasons successfully, the formidable Adam Wainwright. The cost for Waino was missing the end of 2010, and all of the Cardinals 2011 Championship season. Tanaka is walking the same high wirer, and the Yankees do not have much of an insurance policy to fall back upon. It is the reality of a partial UCL tear.

At present, the Yankees anticipate the strong possibility for a second Tanaka outing before the seasons ends on Sunday in Boston. By definition this plan exemplifies the Yankees pressing their luck. No different than one stretching their fortune by telling their dealer to “hit me” after drawing 20 in Black Jack. Tanaka’s injury makes one clear demand: It is not a matter of IF he will have surgery, but WHEN. If the Yankees manage to hit 21 going forward, they will cobble together an additional two seasons of very protected starts. If the club busts, they will be looking for Tanaka’s replacement by the spring. With Tanaka having only limited ammunition in his arsenal before surgery is necessary, which all superior medical knowledge corroborates, wasting him on games that do not translate into a championship is an utter waste.

*Image product of Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News

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Reflections of a 15 Year Old Umpire, Ejecting An Adult

         When I was 14, I became a little league umpire. Throughout high school, it provided the perfect employment for a young baseball fan, with a desire to work hard, use their extensive knowledge of the game, and take advantage of having no fear of crowds. Looking back it was an awesome experience, and definitely NOT without its growing pains. Its fair to say that a little league coach or parent can make Billy Martin look like Buddha. No matter how little you fear crowds, or extensive your purview of the game may be at that age, nothing properly prepares you to face an adult aggressor. Especially one who is aggravated over an outside strike.
         Over those years, players, parents, and coaches entered and left the league regularly, as did the umpires. Yet over four years, there were always a few special cases. A select few individuals that developed an infamous reputation for crossing the line from genuine dedication, to aggravated assault. These folks were known by everybody, you simply could not miss them. Rather, you could never truly be out of ear shot. Unfortunate for every wonderful coach, parent, or league official, there were occasionally those who flirted with court issued restraining orders. These are the people that force politicians to write and pass legislation on adult conduct at youth sporting events.
        One afternoon, as part of the standard operating two-man umpiring team, I was covering the second of a Sunday afternoon triple-header on the bases. My fellow umpire that afternoon, whom we will call Matt, had this game behind the plate. In attendance we had one of the aforementioned infamous characters, who had developed an astounding reputation for umpire abuse. I had never really let him get to me during my time as blue. There were definite benefits to a booming voice, and consistent strike zone (not that it always helped). Though that afternoon this gentleman, whom we will call Mr. X, was in vintage form. As an assistant coach, he always had a favorable vantage point to ride an umpire. With all the courage and bravery it takes to bully a teenage umpire, that afternoon Mr. X tangoed over the line. While I do not clearly recall exactly what the magic words were, Matt in command of the plate called for time. He rose from his crouch, removed the mask from his face, took once step to his right to where Mr. X was standing on the other side of the batting cage, and emphatically motioned for his ejection. I can only describe Mr. X’s description as stunned. Perfectly, honestly, totally stunned. Matt had just ejected an adult coach, at least 30 years his senior from a little league baseball game. To my knowledge, it was the first time Mr. X was politely asked to leave. After that moment of shock wore from Mr. X’s face, as well as everyone else’s in attendance, protocol took over. X stood back, picking up his personal belongings, and left the complex. Should he not have complied, league protocol would have dictated that he receive a police escort (they really didn’t mess around with any ambiguity in these matters). 
        Later that day at the conclusion of the triple header marathon, the league commissioner came to Matt and myself to hear our report of the incident. Once we had informed of our version of events, Matt walked off to discard his gear. The commissioner (who looked and acted like a far more wholesome version of Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone) took a deep breath, and in words that I may never forget said to himself, “Man, that kid’s got...” Yes Mr. Commissioner, he certainly did.
        I suppose what was most important about that afternoon was that Mr. X’s reputation had finally caught up with him. I don’t really ever remember seeing him again, except perhaps providing transportation for his son. The league did the right thing, they addressed an unacceptable situation, and trusted the judgment of their young umpire. This experience is one of the most poignant reasons I believe all ball players should umpire at some point. Not simply to learn the game further, but to truly understand and appreciate the challenge making the right call, AND the reality of maintaining proper order, while maintaining a positive playing environment. Atop all of those wonderful and high quality experiences, it does provide the occasional opportunity to gather your courage, and dispatch an overgrown bully. THAT is an experience that is truly invaluable in the development of an individual, despite how unpleasant it is at the time. 
       With the departure of Derek Jeter, I, like many, find themselves reflecting on their best baseball memories over a lifetime. This Friday, a beautiful Fall Ball afternoon, I felt the need to share this one with you. I haven’t seen Matt in many years, but I can bet my last dollar on one fact, he’s got….

                                           (It was dramatic, but perhaps not THIS dramatic)

*Photo product and courtesy of AP H. Rumph, Jr.

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Bean Balls And The Baseball Just War Doctrine

       Yankees batters have taken a considerable beating this week, with five hit batters in total. It is frustrating to watch, and truly infuriating, though not entirely for the reasons many would think. It is most frustrating when umpires issue warnings, and handcuff players from handling the issue properly, among themselves. From the beginning of baseball history, teams have taken it upon themselves to protect their hit batters, often by throwing at the other team in retaliation. Despite how some perceive this act, the rules which dictate intentionally throwing at batters is universal understood, and accepted among players. It is the Just War Doctrine of Baseball, the vaunted unwritten rules of the game which dictate a teams response, that can be equal to, and never exceed what they absorbed. It is a limitation that allows teams to respond, but not escalate confrontation. In short, it is an eye for an eye. Largely these rules have worked well, and teams are scrupulous in upholding them. The problem is when umpires decide to insert themselves prematurely into the situation.

        Most times when a batter is hit, a player from the pitchers team is hit shortly thereafter, and the situation is resolved. Then there are those times when an umpire is compelled to begin issuing warnings, and preemptively declare that the next pitcher to hit a batter will be ejected. Umpire warnings are often grossly misused, and seriously degrade the ability of pitchers to pitch effectively. To pitch effectively, pitchers MUST be able to throw on the inside corner of home plate. Warnings almost entirely rip that ability from them.

                           (Yankees third baseman Chase Headley taking one for the team.)

       The art of pitching is deeply psychological. It is the great battle of dominance between hitter and pitcher to establish who controls the plate, struggling for the power to approach the at-bat as they wish. Pitchers want to keep a batter from standing too close to the dish, so they can pitch to the outside corner effectively. A batter will want to stand closer to plate so their swing can better reach the outside corner. Then there are those times when a pitcher WANTS the baseball to either hit, or just miss the batter to create discomfort. As a pitcher, the LAST thing you want a batter to feel in the box is COMFORTABLE. When a batter is comfortable, they stand a far greater probability of getting on base. Roger Clemens called this inside pitch a “bow-tie,” a pitch thrown up and inside, yet missing. It is a time honored approach for pitchers because the results are undeniable. No matter how outwardly tough and un phased a hitter may appear, they NEVER forget a baseball narrowly missing their upper body. No one EVER wants to repeat it, and will make clear adjustments to avoid it. When a warning is issued, pitchers are far more hesitant to pitch on the inside corner, because accidents happen. Even without any intent of harm, a pitch can hit a batter. It is an occupational hazard. Regardless of intent, after a warning is issued a pitcher who hits a batter is ejected. It is a major advantage to the batter, who can anticipate almost every pitch for the remainder of the game focusing on the outside corner.

        Given how well players usually uphold their unwritten rules, and how much umpire warnings hamper the remainder of the games, it is inexcusable that umpires interject their authority in most scenarios. Clearly there are times when an umpire must become involved when he feels a dangerous situation is developing, and no one is suggesting otherwise. Yet, you cannot remove a pitchers ability to pitch inside. Pitching inside is directly correlated to Major League success, and no one should have it taken away from them. Even after a week in which Chase Headley was hit twice, the Yankees in all candor would still say they would rather take care of the situation between teams, and would be confident they could resolve it to their mutual satisfaction, without escalating the problem. 

* Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

For more stories and insights on ALL things Yankees baseball, follow us on Twitter @Section_422.

Sunday Should NOT Be Tanaka Time

    It is inexplicable that on Sunday Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is tentatively scheduled to start against the Toronto Blue Jays. It is his first start since July 8th against Cleveland, when after his start an MRI revealed a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right arm. He was placed on the disabled list on July 9th, and has remained there since. When you consider the reality of where the Yankees are in the standings, and the medical prognosis of pitchers with a UCL tear, there is no way to justify his throwing a meaningful pitch until spring training next year.
    Following his diagnosis in July, Tanaka began his rehabilitation in the middle of August, following his initial prescribed period of rest, the first step of his non-surgical treatment. After nearly a month of rehab activities, including a throwing program, bullpen sessions, and a recent rehab start against Yankees minor leaguer's, Tanaka’s return is set for Sunday. Even with a minor tear in his UCL, Tanaka and the Yankees have avoided surgery thus far. Surgery has not been recommended, but largely thought inevitable considering the average reaction of pitchers with similar injuries. Throughout the rehab process, Tanaka has not reported any unusual pain or discomfort in his pitching arm. Nor has he been observed in any unexpected discomfort, nor displaying abnormalities in his pitching mechanics. That being said, the foremost medical authorities do not give him much hope of avoiding surgery indefinitely.
    According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, UCL repair surgery, best known to baseball fans as “Tommy John Surgery,” pitchers with a UCL tear choosing rehabilitation instead of surgery do not often produce a favorable outcome for sufficient healing in the long term. Most times exercising the non-surgical option are for patients who are not constantly using their arm for strenuous purposes. Those patients goals are generally limited to regaining functional mobility, and pain relief. Clearly Tanaka requires a healing outcome that vastly surpasses standard functionality.
    Should Tanaka be forced to undertake Tommy John surgery, the process of post surgical rehabilitation for pitchers averages seven months before they’re cleared to return to the mound, and resume full pitching activity. Once a pitcher is cleared to return to mound throwing, Major League pitchers average an additional three to five months of throwing programs and minor league rehab starts. All told, most clubs envision a full 12 month period of recovery before a pitcher will return to the trenches. 
    What is most troubling about the future of Tanaka's throwing arm is how he developed the injury initially. Most UCL tears are the product of the repeated motion necessary for pitching. During surgery, it is often revealed that the tear being repaired shows damage indicative of a wear and tear on the tendon. As opposed to a clean and complete separation, often the product of a single event. This is problematic given Tanaka’s reputation for endurance. During his time in Japan, Tanaka was legendary for his endurance on the mound, often pitching deep into games. One of the major changes he has undergone in his workload while pitching for the Yankees is his transition from pitching once a week (in his case, every Tuesday) in Japan, to a five man rotation, with four days rest in the U.S. Over the course of a full regular season, Tanaka will go from making roughly 24 starts, to a projected 35. If averaging his seven innings per start from 2014, Tanaka would pitch nearly an additional 80 regular season innings. If you consider a potential full World Series run, consisting of 5 to 7 additional starts, the tally may run as high as 115 to 130 additional innings overall. Such an increase is a profound change from a physiological perspective, and has clear ramifications for his remaining time in the Bronx. If Tanaka’s prognosis suggests eventual surgery, and his injury was most likely caused by a repeated pitching motion which further exacerbates his tear, would it not make the most sense to save as many bullets in his arm as possible? Is it really worth throwing ANY innings during a start in September that will not contribute to a playoff birth? It begs the question of why the Yankees are allowing his return now.
    It is difficult to fathom why the Yankees are so supportive of Tanaka’s return to the mound at this time, given the Yankees appear destined to miss the playoffs in 2014. It is also contrary to their usual organizational stance to protect their pitchers under all circumstances, let alone when the games being played will not result in their ultimate goal of a championship. Without a doubt, Tanaka was the Yankees best pitcher prior to being sidelined. In 2014, Tanaka’s first MLB season, he was both a leading AL Cy Yong Award candidate, and potential AL Rookie of the Year candidate. In 18 starts, Tanaka pitched 129.1 innings, producing a 12-4 record, with a 2.51 ERA. He allowed 111 hits, 19 walks, 135 strike outs, and an outstanding 1.0005 WHIP. It is impossible to deny the lure of having such a dominant pitcher return for the Yankees, but not given the aforementioned circumstances, where his number of pitches appear finite before surgery becomes necessary. While the Yankees motives are bizarre regarding his return this season, Tanaka’s are hardly an enigma.
    Tanaka’s desire to return this season is far easier to gauge. As a highly successful competitor, it has been torture for him being away from the game. As a young man of 25 years, he is entering the prime of his career, and clearly wants to take advantage of being the ace for New York. Though since it appears that at some point surgery will be necessary for Tanaka, he must be protected from himself. Should Tanaka re-injure himself, the Yankees are fully culpable for the folly. The Yankees are proceeding with the belief that if his tear is not greatly exacerbated over time, and he has nominal strength and range of motion for pitching, Tanaka’s greatest obstacle will be his ability to manage the discomfort associated with a UCL tear. They’re proceeding on the assumption of the best-case scenario, and it is unusually cavalier decision making for the Yankees, as they’re are otherwise shrewd in these matters (Joba Rules anyone?).
    Tanaka turns 26 on November 1st, and is emerging into the prime of his career. The Yankees are planning on many strong years ahead for Tanaka as their ace. Tanaka must be protected in all respects, and primarily from himself. In all pragmatism, 2015 and beyond are far more important than the remainder of 2014, which makes the logic of his return so unusual. It is impossible to conceive that the Yankees genuinely believe Tanaka is healthy. The best medical research available suggests that surgery at some point will become necessary, and that there is a limit to how much longer he can endure without it. Even though it is not known exactly how long it may be before surgery will be necessary, there is absolutely no reason to risk the encounter at all this season. Avoid holding your breath on Sunday, over five or six innings you may pass out.

                                                                   Only a fool...

                                                            Doubts his experience.

*Photo's courtesy of The New York Post, and elnuevoherald.com, respectively.

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Joe Girardi's Mandate To Lead

As a fan, it is always difficult to watch your team fade away in the standings when in the home stretch of a pennant race. What is even more difficult to digest is when that team fades away with one tough and grueling loss after the other. The Yankees in the final two months of the season have followed one hard fought, one run loss after another. The affect of losing in that manner is hard for fans, but it is even more difficult in the clubhouse. Joe Girardi, despite these demoralizing defeats, has done an overwhelming job keeping the team prepared, and completely focused for every game. Even in the face of the Yankees missing the playoffs in consecutive years, the first time in two decades, Joe Girardi has demonstrated that he is the manager of the future.

In a landscape created and molded by the late George Steinbrenner, patience with managerial failure has seldom been tolerated, regardless of the circumstances. In the case of Joe Girardi, it is impossible to believe he is part of the problem. In fact, there is every reason to believe he is part of the future solution. The past two months of the season is a perfect example of why Joe Girardi must be part of the Yankees future. The idea that he has managed to keep the club together, in the face of the most difficult losses a team can endure is proof enough. Certainly the Yankees have a strong veteran presence in their clubhouse, who take their careers, and each game seriously. Yet, it is human nature to begin taking the foot off the peddle, and allowing themselves to coast to what is the inevitable end of their 2014 campaign. Under Girardi’s leadership, the team has shown itself to give full, consistent effort every night, even though those efforts appear futile. Atop that, he has managed to squeeze every drop out of a patch-work rotation, and countless injuries at every position.

It is not mere coincidence that the Yankees have given full effort, despite the impending end of their season. Girardi is the figure leading the way every night, and clearly has the pulse and confidence of his team. Lesser managers have lost their club under less dire circumstances, and Girardi has successfully avoided that at every turn. In baseball when evaluating managers, you can never discount what is the major determining factor of the effectiveness of a manager, their unwavering, and unyielding command of the clubhouse. The Yankees could never have managed to fight so hard in this race, despite overwhelming odds, without that command. To the end, Girardi deserves far greater accolades than 2014 will produce. It is a sign that as the head of on-field operations, he is a figure that can be counted on to harvest the full effort and focus of his team, regardless of where they sit in the standings, and the time of year.

There are other points that can be made to support Girardi’s continued role with the Yankees, including, but not limited to, his undeniable ability to work with both young players, and veterans. In addition to having a strong grasp of organizational planning, and creating a strong clubhouse fabric. All of these qualities the Yankees will need in the face of major personnel changes during the upcoming off season. There will also be a player power-vacuum that will ensue with the departure of Derek Jeter. Though most importantly, he continues to motivate, and prepare his team exceptionally well, when every player in the clubhouse must know their efforts will not result in a playoff birth this year. A manager of that caliber is very rare, and the Yankees are fortunate enough to already have him sitting on their bench.

It is a law of nature that every manager looks like a genius when they’re winning. Yet, it is when those same managers consistently find a way to keep their team focused and hungry even when the chips are down, that tells a GM not to begin their search for a replacement. How could they? They’re irreplaceable.

                                               (A stern chin, and stoic look inspires confidence)

For more stories and insights on ALL things Yankees baseball, follow us on Twitter @Section_422.

Life After Jeter Starts With Michael Pineda

Today after 20 years, every Yankees fan is forced with the fact there is actually a future after Derek Jeter. For many fans, there has always been a permeating feeling that if Jeter was at shortstop, the dynasty glory will live on. That fantasy ends in only a matter of a weeks. So what's the plan? If the Yankees aren't to be doomed with a repeat of 1980's incompetency, and a future decade dominated from Queens, they need a true number one. It all starts with Michael Pineda.

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching:

If you can actually believe it, the Yankees have a future worth excitement when it comes to their guns in their projected rotation of the next few years. In 2014, the Yankees knew nothing but injury to their starting staff. It was only through the pithy, and far sighted acquisitions on the part of GM Brian Cashman that the club remained in marketable contention. This is not a sustainable practice, and the first piece to guarantee it does not continue is Michael Pineda. A situation that makes even the biggest homer hoard their season ticket deposits.

Michael Pineda is the lynch-pin to any future architecture to the Yankees. Despite missing all of 2013, and the vast majority of 2014, Pineda is the portion of the Yankees future that must be a blue-chip. Pineda is not a prospect. He is 25, and debuted brilliantly for Seattle in 2011. Standing at 6'-7”, 265 pounds, his brilliant velocity, precise command of the strike-zone, and with a clear philosophy of dominant pitching in the show, he must evolve to be the Yankees game one starter. As a pitcher entering his mid-twenties, with his cache of talent and refinement, 2015 is Pineda's time, defined. Every pitcher deals with injury, a fact made clear to every professional. Unfortunately, each players ability to remain durable is as unique as their fingerprint. Durability is Pineda's one true obstacle that will separate him between irrelevancy, and a seven year deal worth over $150 million. He and the Yankees share a fait accompli. His 50.0IP/38H/4BB/34K with a 1.80 ERA in 2014 is the clearest example of his potential career ceiling. Even in an age when pitching has roared with dominance, this sample must be taken as evidence of a talent that could contribute invaluably to future championships. It is the first true investment of the next Yankees generation. An investment for the Yankees sake, that must pay dividends.

The Difference:

The largest difference between 2014, and 1994 is the fan base. Not only has there been an entirely new generation of Yankees fans that have only known winning, the commercial infrastructure of the franchise cannot accept any other outcome. With the seats between the bases described as an experience the equivalent of a high-end socialite wedding reception, 80 wins a year is not an outcome that is fathomable. If the Yankees sustain mediocrity for any period of time, the only thing the imperial palace will attract are mosquitoes breeding in pools of water on the warning track. Needless to say, these are high stakes for the new generation of Steinbrenner ownership. While there is so much more that is required for a Yankees future worth witnessing, Michael Pineda is cornerstone one.

Next time, we venture into the wide open field of the future of the everyday player. A name that will need be the pillar of success, that even with divine providence we can only now speculate. 

For more stories and insights on ALL things Yankees baseball, follow us on Twitter @Section_422.