Last night’s Yankee win was all about the Baby Bombers. While Damon kept up his torrid hitting, another Yank who’s been late to the party had a big night, and Andy Pettitte was solid, it was Brett Gardner and Francisco Cervelli that stole the show. In his week of action since being called up Francisco Cervelli has shown that he’s a capable big league backup Catcher right now, and Brett Gardner made his case for more playing time. Having Gardner pushing Melky all year can only be a good thing after the Melkman’s lost season last year. Mark Feinsand agrees, and adds this:
Cervelli made an interesting comment after the game, praising Girardi for the way he treats the young players in a very veteran clubhouse.
“The manager trusts everybody and he gives you confidence all the time,” Cervelli said. “He always says, ‘You can do it, just don’t try to be a hero or try to do too much.’”
Pena put it in different terms.
“It feels great what is happening now,” the shortstop said. “Every day is like the best day of my career.”
Jeter and Matsui will be back in the lineup in the next day or two, while Posada, Jose Molina, Xavier Nady and Cody Ransom will return eventually as well. But what these kids are showing right now is the ability to handle the pressure and contribute to wins. What more can you ask for if you’re the Yankees?
That doesn’t surprise me. The Yanks are a team that is still in the process of transitioning away from an aging core to a younger team with a more flexible roster. For the four remaining Yanks with rings (Mo, Jeter, Posada, Pettitte) Girardi will always be an ex-teammate and the guy who managed the team after Torre. But they are all getting to ages where we should view them less and less as the center of the team. Still key contributors, but with each passing year their impact on the team wanes. There is a new core being built around starting pitching and position players like Cano, Tex and Swisher with regular injections of youth from the farm system. Whether these new Yanks can match the success of the old Yanks remains to be seen, but if you view the Yanks as an aging team of fading veterans, you’re missing the most important thing Brian Cashman has been doing since he took control of the Baseball Ops in 2006.
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TIQ IQ
Cervelli nailing Scutaro on that pickoff was nice – and really shows his confidence. All 3 of these kids may have low ceilings but they also have low floors. They’re great defensively, smart, Gardy and Pena have wheels, Gardy and Cervelli both know how to take pitches, and they all have great personalities/ makeups. They may not ever be superstars or even regular starters but they’re really nice players to have on your team.
Exactly, agree 100% Tom.
A little luck has to swing our way sometimes. Nick Green was off to a good start for the RedSox… and we had Cody “can jump high” Ransom… just stinking up games.
Players go through streaks so perhaps that crappy start the Cervelli began the season with in the minors is leading into a period where he can see the ball. Good for us.
I also think if Melky and Gardner can keep pushing each other that we’ll see decent results. On the flipside, it would be nice if Nady was going a little bit for Swisher at the moment as we have seen Nick’s hot streak turn to ice. Wonder how that ligament is?
Last, the thing I was most encouraged about from last night’s game is Tex hitting, and A-Rod being patient (which will lead to hits). Those two and the pitching will be the driving force.
By the way, has Joel Sherman just completely stopped paying any attention at all? This is what he writes after a night where the young kids step it up big time and deliver a big win:
It is not just that the Yankee roster is too old and brittle, and that years of horrible drafting and developing have left them without even suitable reserves to turn to in a time of crisis. It is that the fans sense that this is just not a mentally tough club.
Admit it, Joel. You don’t even WATCH the games anymore, do you?
I read that Joel Sherman article earlier, and it just confirmed my beliefs that even when the Yankees win there is someone somewhere that will find something to complain about.
In fairness though, Bill Madden wrote a story complaining about the Mets, who just came off a hot winning streak. New York, gotta love it.
Steve has a point about the older players getting to the point of replaceability…sooner rather then later but, not yet.
Brett is one of my favorite players but, Melky is out doing him at this point in time…therefor, he should be playing. I still think Brett has much more to offer the team then Melky (all around). With Swisher being so cold, play Brett, Melky and Johnny. Will Swisher be benched for long…No, he is a good hitter, he’ll be back. Will Johnny and Melky hit like this all year…No but, we have people to give them a rest, when needed.
Hopefully, Jeff G is right with Tex and A-Rod coming into their own. Those two guys (with help) can carry the team, if they get on track.
We must never forget Pena, Melky, Brett and Cervelli are all young and have little major league experience (except Melky), give the guys a chance to show if they can be Yankees…even Mickey was sent down once.