Boone Logan really fit in with the Yanks as the “left-handed specialist” after Damaso Marte got injured. I mean, Marte was amazing for the Yanks in the 2009 playoffs and I thought no one could really replace him. I was pleasantly surprised by Logan in 2010 and I’m glad that he will be “teaming up” with Pedro Feliciano to be a one-two punch against lefties. It will really help Girardi mix and match against teams that are heavy with lefties, COUGH RED SOX COUGH.
Seriously, what’s not to love about David Robertson? This man has such a unique pitching style, and he’s like a magician every time he throws that “inviso-ball”. If you remember, Robertson escaped two MAJOR jams in both the 2009 ALDS and ALCS. In both games he pitched amazingly to help the Yanks win, and he fit in nicely to the 8th inning role before Kerry Wood came in 2010 and Joba wasn’t pitching that well. Also, the high socks just give him a bonus in the rankings. :)
I loved Justin Louis Heath “Joba” Chamberlain from the minute he stepped on the mound for the first time as a Major League pitcher. I remember thinking back in 2007 that this man was going to be big for the Yankees, and he really should have been. As much as I hate to say it, the Yanks ruined his pitching. Bouncing from reliever to starter back to reliever with “Joba Rules” really didn’t do Joba any favors. Back in 2007, he had an ERA of 0.00 until a lone homerun off of Mike Lowell towards the end of the season. His slider was faster than most people’s fastballs, and he brought the best kind of emotion to the game. The Joba “Fist Pump” was seriously the greatest thing that could happen when Joba was pitching, because you knew that either he just struck someone out or just got out of a jam. I seriously was head-over-heels for this man, buying both a “Joba Rules” shirt and an “In Joba We Trust” shirt. I still love him like I used to, and I even have a Tumblr specifically for him. My hope for Joba this year is to prove why he belongs in pinstripes and why he shouldn’t be used as trade bait. SO LET’S DO THIS SHIT JOBA!
Oh lord. Although Allan James Burnett really had an inconsistent 2010, you really can’t forget about what he did in 2009. First of all, if he hadn’t pitched well in the playoffs, the Yankees would not have their 27th ring. They had a three-man rotation! If one guy screwed up then everything would not go the Yankees way. Also, I love the fight that he brings to the game. Yes, he does always look pissed when he’s on the mound, and he may get in a lot of “fights” with Jorgie on what to throw, etc., but you have to admit you love to see his curveball strike out hitters left and right. Oh, and may you not forget who is the Yankee who started the whole “walk-off pie” ritual. I really think AJ will bounce back and have another 2009-like season in 2011. Let’s hope for the best!…and more pies :)
Philip Joseph Hughes has really grown as a pitcher. I remember in one of his first ever starts in the Majors back in 2007, he was throwing a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers. He ended up getting injured during that game and was out for what felt like a long time. In 2008, I have to admit, I didn’t like him because I felt like every time he or Ian Kennedy would take the mound it was an automatic loss. He was also hurt for more than half of that season too. 2009 was really his breakout year. He turned into such a great set-up guy for Mo, getting people out with that nasty knucklecurve of his. Then in 2010, I actually wanted him to be a starter over Joba Chamberlain because I thought he had a better repertoire of pitches than Joba. Phil proved me right, throwing up 18 wins in the season. In my opinion, Hughes can only get better. The only thing that ticks me off a little about Phil is the fact that he was a Red Sox fan growing up and sometimes his hair, is a bit scary. :)
Talk about a big game pitcher. CC is an absolute HORSE on the mound and I’m confident the Yankees will win every single time he takes the hill. I am honestly still in shock that this man is actually a Yank, even though this will be his third year in pinstripes. I love CC Sabathia, and I’m hoping he stays in the Bronx ‘til the day he takes a uniform off for good.
each day i will select ONE yankee player to talk about what i love about them…first one coming tomorrow. we’ll start with…starters. lol
