Clemens Can't Save the Yankees

In case you hadn't heard, Roger Clemens made his return to the Yankees yesterday. The Rocket was pretty good, especially for a 44-year old. His final stat-line was 6 IP, 3 ER, 2 BBs, 7 Ks and, of course, a win, all in 108 pitches. Okay, so it was against the Pirates who don't sport the most daunting lineup, but still for his first start back, the Yankees have to be pleased.

(By the way, isn't it about time Clemens got a new nickname that's more appropriate? "Rocket" doesn't really describe him anymore when his fastball tops out at 92-93 mph. Not to mention, he'll be making a lot more trips back to Houston than any spacecraft should. I propose changing his nickname to "Concorde." the Concorde is not quite a rocket, but it is pretty fast, overpriced, and it was retired in 2003.)

What's more significant than Clemens' return is that New York has now won 6 straight games and suddenly look like contenders again. But can does Clemens really deserve any credit for that? Sure, he gave them a quality start, but they scored 9 runs in that game. Even Matt DeSalvo could've won with that kind of support. They key to the Yankees' resurgence has been the improved hitting of Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu. They have dramatically improved the Yankees offense, which has been the main reason for their success the last few years. The Yankees will be able to slug their way to victories now, but they don't have the pitching to win the division. Obviously Clemens helps their pitching a little, just because, with all their injuries he gives them another healthy arm. But barring major injuries, Boston is just too good and their lead is too big. Clemens would have been the fourth best starter on the Red Sox, so he shouldn't be expected to dominate any Yankees-Red Sox games. New York's best hope and only hope is the wildcard. The sooner the Yankees realize that, the better off they'll be.

The real Concorde got passengers between New York and London effectively, but didn't exactly change aviation as we know it. Concorde Clemens will get the Yankees from here to there, albeit at great cost, but it will not change the final destination. That destination is, at best, a wildcard berth.

While I'm discussing pitchers who should be retired, the Phillies just signed Jose Mesa. Even if he doesn't pitch much (and he already did today for 1.1 IP and 2 ER), he scares the hell out of me. They already have Antonio Alfonseca, who is basically Jose Mesa 2.0. The two of them look alike, in body types and facial hair, and I can never feel safe with either one in to close out a game. Mesa, when he was competent, got the job done, but would always scare the hell out of his fans in the process and Alfonseca does the same exact thing.

It was bad enough that the Phillies lost 2 of 3 to the Royals, but I didn't need to see Mesa in a Phillies uniform again.