The Yanks season is in the hands of Chacon, Small and Wang.

I find that very appropriate since they would not be in this position if it wasn’t for them. RJ and Moose’s performance may be moot if we these 3 guys do not deliver.

True, but I’d put him in the same league as Timlin: important to the team, great to have in the game, but not necessarily a guarantee (like Mo or 2004 Foulke).

re 37: that’s not the magic number, the magic number is 6, but as two of those wins would have to come against the Sox (or Yanks from your perspective), that would tally six toward the magic number, so it’s easier to just say “four wins = playoffs.” It’s also 6 for the Wild Card, but that’s more complicated and, really, is there’s no excuse not to win the division as it’s there for the taking for both teams.

So here’s the deal. Gary Sheffield looks a lot more menacing than A-Rod. A-Rod out produces Sheff like crazy.

Anyhow, on his determination, I wasn’t talking about lollygagging after a fly ball like Sheff – a crime in an of itself. I was referring more to when you want that big hit, that big blow, he seems to fail more than someone like Sheff – not comparing him to Ortiz either because my point was not because of the entire MVP debate. I don’t think he tries any less or any more than anyone, that was not my point, you can see that failure bothers him and he’s not able to brush it off as easy as Sheff and Jeter. That’s a trait you want of your best player – no holds barred, I’m going to get you and I will stomp on your neck if I sense that you are bleeding. There’s no disputing that ARod is probably the best player in baseball – five tool guy – but he’s not the most feared. Reminds me of a line in the Bronx tale, would you rather be feared or respected? Would you rather ARod be feared or respected? He has the respect – though some Sux fans would debate that point too – but I’d rather he be feared.

>>And probably next Yankee manager Piniella is on record that Ortiz is the MVP.< <

Uh, wrong, but another nice example of your way of arguing your points, which amounts to baiting.

Piniella is on record as supporting Ortiz deserving “serious consideration” for MVP, and for not having the DH be a disadvantage. This is hardly the same as “being on record” in naming him the MVP.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/09/23/ortiz_receives_some_backing/

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/otherMLB/view.bg?articleid=103713

(And I can’t believe that with this weekend series coming up that anybody gives a rat’s ass about the MVP…)

Hey Debris, news flash, Ortiz is not a ‘lousy’ fielder – HE’S JUST PLAIN NOT A FIELDER! Unless the numbers are that dramatically different, it’s always better to get the offensive numbers from a guy that can contribute in the field as well.

We all know that A-Rod is probably one of the best players ever and Ortiz is simply a great and feared hitter – I’d take A-Rod any day, though I wouldn’t mind having both!

I really don’t know how to respond to the perception that ARod doesn’t get big hits.

The game-tying hr off Wickman comes to mind, ninth inning, about to get swept by the Indians. Does that loom kinda large now that you look at the WC standings?

Walk-off single against the Royals. (Ha ha, “walk-off single.”)

Ninth-inning double against the Mets, setting up Giambi.

It goes on and on. Plus, all the big hits in the first eight innings that apparently didn’t capture your imagination.

See, you’re looking at a player who’s going to score 120 and drive in 130. No Yankee has done that since 1961. How is it even possible that this production is skewed towards the “meaningless” or “un-clutch”? Have you seen this team play? I wish more of ARod’s RBIs were meaningless tack-on runs. That would imply lots of Yankee blowout victories. We could use a few more of those. In all the recent one-run victories, all of the runs seemed kinda meaningful to me.

Also, what happened to pitching a SP whose “throw day” it was for a couple of innings? Might the game not have gotten out of hand if we had pitched another SP for two innings and remained ahead going into the 6th??

Re: 29, #2 – Do the Yankees need 4 wins or is the magic number (combination of NYY wins and BOS losses) 4?

(And yes I know the condition is also true for BOS, whatever the answer is)

He doesn’t have the confidence of Jeter. Ok well,News Flash, nobody on the planet has the confidence of Jeter.

He doesn’t have the determination of Sheffield? Prove that statement and then show how it’s germane because I don’t even know what it means. Sheff tries harder than A-Rod? Well I’ve never seen A-Rod lollygag after a ball in the corner, and I’ve definitely seen Sheff do that.

All these jabs at A-Rod are really pretty sickening. The guy is an AMAZING baseball player. Probably the all around best baseball player we’ll ever see in our lifetime and instead of enjoying that, people need to question his determination?

Grow up people, this whole debate is pretty juvenile. If Ortiz wins the MVP it will just prove how subjective and silly the whole award process is. That’s why the results on the field are really the only things that matter. They are completely statistcally measurable and not subject to how much you like the cut of someone’s jib.

This is going to be such a long weekend, I really hope Chacon pitches a nice quick game tonight – I don’t know about everyone else, but I need sleep!

Finally, on the MVP debate, I say again:

WARP1 (wins above replacement player – includes hitting, baserunning, and defense, adjusted for league and park):
A-Rod: 10.2
Ortiz: 7.7

There is no question who the MVP should be. I’m sure the voters will pick whoever’s team wins the AL East.