| | ESPN.com
Manager Joe Torre is fond of saying that starting pitching has been the key to the New York Yankees' success the last three years. Anyone who's watched the Yanks steamroll the American League wouldn't argue the point.
|
YANKEES LOWDOWN |
|
|  | | Mariano Rivera was virtually unhittable in 1999. |
1999: 98-64
Runs: 900, 3rd in AL
Allowed: 731, 2nd in AL
Key facts
The Yankees went 9-9 against the Red Sox last year -- 4-8 in the regular season, 4-1 in the ALCS.
Bernie Williams drove in a career high 115 runs and drew a career high 100 walks in '99.
David Cone's 3.44 ERA a year ago was second-best in the AL, behind only Pedro Martinez (2.07).
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: The starting pitching doesn't break down, and the Bombers roll to their third straight World Championship.
Worst-case: The starting pitching breaks down, the bullpen get overworked and the Yankees limp into the playoffs.
Prediction: First in AL East
|
But the brilliance of Orlando Hernandez, Roger Clemens, David Cone, et al, sometimes serves to overshadow the man who usually lost at back end of the pitching staff until October rolls around.
While the case could certainly be made that Pedro Martinez enjoyed the finest season of any starting pitcher in recent memory, the same could also be said of Yankee closer Mariano Rivera.
Consider: Rivera converted almost 92 percent of his save opportunities; allowed only two homers in 69 innings; held opposing hitters to a meager .176 average; and yielded first batters just three hits in 62 at-bats for a stunning .048 average.
Most amazing of all, however, may be the fact that Rivera did not allow a run in the final nine weeks of the season, covering his last 28 appearances. On a team which resembles a machine because of their efficiency, Rivera was nearly automatic on the mound, especially in the second half of the season.
Put into historical perspective, Rivera's scoreless streak may not rival those of Don Drysdale or Orel Hershiser, but it is nonetheless stunning.
Credit Torre, too, for keeping Rivera's workload in check. He made only 17 non-save opportunity appearances and his 69 innings over 66 games indicates that he almost never was asked to get more than three outs.
Rivera's performance last year was all the more remarkable when you consider that the Yankees' set-up work was suspect at times. Both lefty Mike Stanton and right-hander Jeff Nelson compiled ERAs of more than 4.00. But in the ninth, with the game on the line, Rivera was nearly unbeatable.
As consistent as he's been in the regular season, Rivera saves -- you should pardon the pun -- his best for the postseason. Like his predecessor John Wetteland did in 1996, Rivera earned World Series MVP honors. His postseason career ERA stands at a microscopic 0.38.
-- Sean McAdam
|
Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
|
|
Player
|
Comment
|
Grade
|
|
C. Knoblauch, 2B
|
Back in greyhound shape. Look for 50-SB season
|
B
|
|
Derek Jeter, SS
|
10 ... 19 ... 24: his HR totals 1997-99. See where we're going with this?
|
A
|
|
Paul O'Neill, RF
|
Working to stay back on ball, recover from .190 season vs. lefties
|
B
|
|
B. Williams, CF
|
Added muscle over winter. New strength could produce .340/35/140 season
|
A
|
|
Tino Martinez, 1B
|
Opposing teams got him to think pull at home -- hence, .227 BA at Stadium
|
C
|
|
Ricky Ledee, LF
|
Slasher who needs 500 ABs to feel comfortable using whole field
|
D
|
|
Jorge Posada, C
|
Second half (.285) quit trying too hard to hit home runs. They will come, easily
|
C
|
|
S. Spencer, DH
|
Still trying to be McGwire. Has to relax, get ABs, see if he can hit RHP for power
|
D
|
|
Scott Brosius, 3B
|
Cone, Pettitte, rookie Eddie Yarnall benefit most from best IF left side in game
|
B
|
|
Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
|
|
Pitcher
|
Comment
|
Grade
|
|
R. Clemens, SP
|
Cardio'd down his body, regained arm angle, because he's obsessed with history
|
A
|
|
O. Hernandez, SP
|
Turns it up when it counts -- opponents slugged paltry .314 in close/late situations
|
A
|
|
David Cone, SP
|
Use with caution: 4.95 ERA on four days' rest, 2.26 on five
|
A
|
|
Andy Pettitte, SP
|
Looks looser. Stuff crisper. Easy to forget he's averaged 16 wins the last five years
|
B
|
|
R. Mendoza, RP
|
More valuable to Yanks than any other team because he's a fallback in three roles
|
A
|
|
M. Rivera, RP
|
Key to postseason dominance: Joe Torre holds him back (55 IP entering Sept.)
|
A
|
| |
ALSO SEE
Red Sox preview
Baltimore Orioles preview
Tampa Bay Devil Rays preview
Blue Jays preview
 |
