[1] I think the really worst part of this thing is that Tex is not mouthing the usual athlete's patter about being ahead of schedule, or 100%. That means it's either worse than we fear, or that he's an unusually honest pro athlete.
This can't be a surprise, right? The Yankees have suffered from player's wrist injuries before (e.g. Sheffield) and they have always (it seems) proven to be worse than initially thought or revealed. Plus, Teix is on the wrong side of thirty and almost certainly already in his decline phase. There was very little chance that this would turn out well once he went down. But that 2009 flag flies forever.
[4] I'd be really happy with 15-20 dingers and 60-70 rbi if he can still play something close to the defense he used to do (esp. with unknown or aging arms in the infield).
I think it was Casey Stengel who said, "If you don't know who your first baseman is, you don't have a first baseman."
HOWEVER, we have had the luxury for the past 5 years of knowing who our first baseman is. And he's a REAL first baseman.
It's usually not like that in NYC. As a fan since 1970, I have only really experienced 3 true first basemen, IMHO. Chamblis, Mattingly and Tino. Not churning DHs or journeyman Jim Spencer or Bob Watson types. I am not counting Giambi. He's a DH to me. Remember Orestes Destrada? Didn't think so.
If he really is in decline, who's gonna replace our Tex?
10) Olerud was another true first basemen. Even though he was at the end of his career he could still pick it. Giambi had a decent glove, but no range, and no arm.
Tex's wrist was a mess. Very tough to come back from. I'm hoping he can be a high percentage gap hitter, and still play solid d.
[10] I agree wholeheartedly with your post with one possible quibble. Even though he didn't get to play much in New York, Jim Spencer was a very fine first baseman, second only to Mattingly among the names you mention - and even though he was in the twilight of his career by the time the Yanks got him (his physique morphing into that of a beer-league softball player), he could still flash the leather when he got the chance (78 WS, for example.)
One cool thing (to me, anyway) that we never see anymore - he manned the first sack two-handed.
this injury terrifies me, it really does.
[1] I think the really worst part of this thing is that Tex is not mouthing the usual athlete's patter about being ahead of schedule, or 100%. That means it's either worse than we fear, or that he's an unusually honest pro athlete.
This can't be a surprise, right? The Yankees have suffered from player's wrist injuries before (e.g. Sheffield) and they have always (it seems) proven to be worse than initially thought or revealed. Plus, Teix is on the wrong side of thirty and almost certainly already in his decline phase. There was very little chance that this would turn out well once he went down. But that 2009 flag flies forever.
all this being said, he doesn't need to be 2009 Tex. If he can be some approximation of 2012 Tex, I'd probably take it.
[4] I'd be really happy with 15-20 dingers and 60-70 rbi if he can still play something close to the defense he used to do (esp. with unknown or aging arms in the infield).
By the way, who is the backup first baseman?
[6] They should have resigned Overbay! (Running around like a headless chicken!)
[6] Yes, he is.
[4] They'll be very lucky if 34 y.o. post-wrist surgery Teixera comes close to 2012 production.
[6] No worries about the BU1B. I'm sure the Yankees are grooming an exciting young slugger in AAA.
I think it was Casey Stengel who said, "If you don't know who your first baseman is, you don't have a first baseman."
HOWEVER, we have had the luxury for the past 5 years of knowing who our first baseman is. And he's a REAL first baseman.
It's usually not like that in NYC. As a fan since 1970, I have only really experienced 3 true first basemen, IMHO. Chamblis, Mattingly and Tino. Not churning DHs or journeyman Jim Spencer or Bob Watson types. I am not counting Giambi. He's a DH to me. Remember Orestes Destrada? Didn't think so.
If he really is in decline, who's gonna replace our Tex?
10) Olerud was another true first basemen. Even though he was at the end of his career he could still pick it. Giambi had a decent glove, but no range, and no arm.
Tex's wrist was a mess. Very tough to come back from. I'm hoping he can be a high percentage gap hitter, and still play solid d.
11) Olerud's "Bruised Right InStep" was the beginning of the end for the 2004 Yanks, I will always believe that.
[10] I agree wholeheartedly with your post with one possible quibble. Even though he didn't get to play much in New York, Jim Spencer was a very fine first baseman, second only to Mattingly among the names you mention - and even though he was in the twilight of his career by the time the Yanks got him (his physique morphing into that of a beer-league softball player), he could still flash the leather when he got the chance (78 WS, for example.)
One cool thing (to me, anyway) that we never see anymore - he manned the first sack two-handed.