Markusen: Jim, first off, I know that I speak for a lot of Yankee fans who are glad that you’re back broadcasting, not on the YES Network [as before], but on the MLB Network. What went into your decision to come back after essentially retiring for three years?

Kaat: Well, my wife, who had been battling cancer for a couple of years, passed away last year. I retired because we wanted to get a little more time together. She was doing pretty well, but her cancer came back. She couldn’t survive that, so a lot of my friends and family said to me, maybe you ought to go back to work. So that’s what I did, starting this year just on a part-time basis. I just reached out to some people, and if they wanted me to do it, I said fine. So MLB hired me to do ten games, I did the World Baseball Classic, and I’ll do a little stuff for XM Radio. So that sort of motivated me to do it.

Markusen: Did it take a lot of convincing?

Kaat: Not a lot. There was a period of time there where I didn’t know if I wanted to do that [come back], but toward the end of the year in December, I thought, yeah, it might be a good idea for me to do that.

Markusen: Jim, do you still keep close tabs on the Yankees, a team that you followed so closely for so long? Do you still follow them on a regular basis?

Kaat: Oh, very much so. Two of the three games I’ve done so far have been the Yankees. I did the home opener, and I did the Yankee-Red Sox game on June 11. I keep up with all of the teams, and I’ll have another Yankee game—the Yankees and White Sox—at the end of July, so that gives me good reason to keep up with them. I have a Mets-Dodgers game coming up, too. I still follow the Yankees through the newspapers, the box scores, and of course, nowadays on television you can get about all the highlights you want.

Markusen: It’s been a very uneven year for the Yankees. A very poor April, a lot of injuries early, then they had that nine-game winning streak, and now they seem to be struggling a little bit. As you look at the team, what do you think has been the problem?

Kaat: Well, I still think, and I think that with any team, you really need to have quality guys in the seventh and eighth innings to set up whoever your closer is, in this case Mariano. And I always think that’s a determining factor. I mean, hitting comes and goes, guys will go into slumps. The Yankees have played well in the field, in the infield—I don’t know about their range—but they aren’t making any errors. But I’ve always liked teams, as Tampa Bay did last year and the Red Sox this year, that have good guys down in the pen at the end of the game. You know, when Bruney’s been healthy, Aceves has been in and out of the [late-inning] role, Coke, the lefty, has done pretty well, but they haven’t been able to find that solid seventh and eighth-inning guy.

Of course, Brian Cashman knows, and I always chide him about it, I think Chamberlain should be in the bullpen. I think he’d be a perfect eighth-inning guy, but that’s not my decision. But I think that [the bullpen] will determine how well they do.

Markusen: When you look at the intangibles and more subtle areas with this team, you sometimes hear criticism that they play a little too tense, maybe they don’t have a killer instinct, and they continue to struggle with runners in scoring position. Do you give a lot of merit to any of that?

Kaat: Well, the runners in scoring position I do, because the more years go by, the more we’re aware of how great the 1998 team was and the teams in that era, the team that had Tino Martinez and Paul O’Neill, Knoblauch, Jeter was a younger player, Bernie Williams, Girardi was still playing, guys that made contact, advanced runners, manufactured runs. And they had a great bullpen. I think their offense this year is the kind of explosive offense—they’re like a team of really DHs—they can crush mediocre pitching, but until they do those kinds of things against good pitching like the teams in the late nineties, that’s probably where they’re lacking.

Markusen: Let’s talk about yourself. You mentioned the passing of your previous wife, MaryAnn. But this is a great week for you. You’re now newly married [as of earlier this week] and I guess this is your honeymoon here in Cooperstown.

Kaat: Yeah, it really is. It kind of came out of the blue, it was such a surprise to Margie and I. She’s a golf pro—I met her five or six years ago and used to say hello to her occasionally at this breakfast spot, and I would see her at some golf functions—but I never saw any kind of a romantic interest there. But we had mutual friends in Philadelphia who said, ‘We think we have the perfect match for you.’ And they were right. It was a whirlwind romance, and we’re both just thrilled. And, you know, I continue to honor MaryAnn. I’ve started a fund and we’ve put lights on a little league field back in my hometown in her memory. Margie had a similar experience in her life. So we honor [those we’ve lost]. But we’re just very happy together.

Markusen: So Margie’s at the Otesaga Hotel with you this weekend. That’s a good place to be.

Kaat: Yes, it is. We got married in Bedington, Vermont, which is her hometown. She and her dad and her brother were at the game [the Hall of Fame Classic] today. And that’s, of course, a short drive from Cooperstown. So, the Otesaga is not a bad place to hang out.

Markusen: Years ago, I used to work here at the Hall of Fame and I interviewed you a couple of times over at the Otesaga golf course. I know that you like to come back here. What is particularly special about this place, this setting, for an old ballplayer like yourself?

Kaat: Well, I guess it started as a kid because my dad was such a baseball historian and a baseball fan. I have a picture of him on my desk standing in front of the old museum in 1947; you can imagine what it looked like then, and that was the year of Lefty Grove’s induction to the Hall of Fame. So that was my start, where the attraction began. And then I was here playing the Hall of Fame Game in 1966, when Stengel and Williams got inducted, Casey Stengel and Ted Williams. The Cardinals brought up a skinny young left-hander to pitch against us, a pitcher from Triple-A named Steve Carlton. Since then, we [the White Sox] played the Hall of Fame Game in the seventies, when Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford got inducted, and then I was here as a supporter to [former teammate] Harmon Killebrew. Then along came Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt and Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn [whom Kaat came to know from his days with the Phillies], and a few years ago Bruce Sutter. If my schedule allows, I always enjoy coming back to Cooperstown.

Bruce Markusen, a resident of Cooperstown, also writes for The Hardball Times.

Nearly 30 retired major leaguers will congregate at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown on Sunday for the first Hall of Fame Classic. The list of ex-Yankees who will participate includes Mike Pagliarulo, Kevin Maas, Phil Niekro, Jim Kaat, and Lee Smith. In the latest installment of “Card Corner,” we take a closer look at the man known as “Knucksie.”

Like fellow Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew, Brooks Robinson and Billy Williams, Phil Niekro exudes gentlemanly class. Frankly, Leo “The Lip” Durocher was wrong when he said, “Nice guys finish last.” Some guys, like Niekro, might have played for a lot of last-place teams, but 318 career wins and a permanent residence in Cooperstown hardly qualify as “finishing last.”

During my tenure as a full-time employee at the Hall of Fame, I had the privilege of engaging Phil Niekro in several casual conversations and a few formal interviews. Whether Phil was in front of a microphone or not, he always behaved the same way. He didn’t like talking about himself—I never heard him brag about anything—but preferred steering credit in other directions.

On a Saturday night in Cooperstown in 2006, I watched Niekro behave in his typically dignified fashion. Along with several other retired ballplayers, Niekro was taking part in a roundtable discussion about the game in the Hall of Fame’s Grandstand Theater. As he sat next to his beloved brother Joe, who would pass away unexpectedly only three weeks later, Phil expressed only words of fond praise for his two-time teammate with the Braves and Yankees. “To get to play with your best friend, that’s an experience,” Phil said that evening. “I wish all brothers would get a chance to have that experience.”

The Niekros also faced each other as opponents a number of times, mostly while Phil pitched for the Braves and Joe toiled for the Astros. “I won the first game against Joe,” Phil said in recalling that first matchup. “Mom said to me, ‘You’re the older brother. Joe’s got to win the next one.’ ‘Well, Mom it doesn’t work that way.’ ”

Nonetheless, Joe came back to win five of the next eight decisions against Phil, giving him a 5-4 advantage in head-to-head matchups. Joe also gained the upper hand at the plate, in spite of a reputation as a notoriously poor hitter. Phil remembered Joe’s circuit clout all too well. “I saw [Ralph] Garr going back in left field. I said, ‘No, this can’t be happening!’ Joe was so excited that he missed first base and came back to touch it.”

Even in pointing out the shortcomings of others, Phil does it with humor and good nature. That night at the Hall of Fame, Niekro discussed some of the catchers who struggled to handle his knuckleball, none more so than Earl Williams, a notoriously poor defensive catcher who did not enjoy wearing the tools of ignorance. “Earl missed my first [of the game] and it hit the umpire,” said Niekro, setting the scene. “He missed the second pitch and it also hit the umpire. The umpire said, ‘I’m not gonna make nine innings.’ ”

Niekro’s career lasted more than nine innings. Even after the Braves released Phil in October of 1983, he soon found work in the Bronx pitching for Yogi Berra’s Yankees. In two seasons, he would win 32 games for New York. Yet, a stigma remained with Niekro. Throughout his career, Niekro’s accomplishments had been minimized because of the knuckleball. It was as if some fans (and even members of the media) didn’t think his records had legitimacy because of his dependence on the knuckler. I never understood that way of thinking. The knuckleball has always been a legal pitch, never outlawed like the spitter or the emery ball. It’s also a very difficult pitch to master. If it were so easy to throw the knuckleball, then why have so few pitchers relied on it heavily during their careers?

On the final day of the 1985 regular season, Niekro seemed to make a statement to the knuckleball naysayers. Just one day after the Yankees’ elimination from the American League East race, Niekro took to the mound against the Blue Jays at Exhibition Stadium. The game meant nothing in the standings, but meant everything to the 46-year-old Niekro, who was taking aim at his 300th career victory. In shutting out the Jays on a meager four hits, Phil did not throw a single knuckleball—not until the final pitch of the game. With two outs in the ninth and two strikes against Toronto DH Jeff Burroughs, Niekro unleashed his trademark pitch, resulting in a swing and a miss. The final pitch represented an exclamation point to a game in which Niekro had otherwise discarded the knuckleball. It seemed to be his way of telling those critics who frowned on the knuckleball that he could handle opposing batters with conventional pitches, too.

As it turned out, Niekro’s 300th win would represent his final appearance as a Yankee. The following spring, in a decision that mystifies me to this day, the Yankees released Niekro. Given Niekro’s 16 wins in 1985 and the Yankees’ need for starting pitching throughout the decade, the move made little sense—then or now.

It was also an ill-conceived parting for a Hall of Famer and easygoing gentleman. I hope that Phil wears his Yankee uniform on Sunday. Even if it’s only an old-timers game, Phil Niekro deserves a better sendoff in pinstripes.

Bruce Markusen writes “Cooperstown Confidential” for The Hardball Times.

In just over a week, nearly 30 retired major leaguers will come to Cooperstown to participate in the inaugural Hall of Fame Classic. The group will feature several former Yankees, including a fairly prominent and well-traveled pitcher from the mid-1980s.

One of my favorite old ballplayers, the late Pat Dobson, liked to invent new baseball jargon and give out quirky nicknames. He labeled former Yankee Dennis Rasmussen as “Count Full Count,” a reference to the tall left-hander’s tendency to throw too many pitches to each batter. The words “three and two” often accompanied Rasmussen’s struggles with opposing hitters.

Like many of those full counts, Rasmussen took a twisted career path to the Bronx. At one time a top prospect in the California Angels’ organization, Rasmussen came to the Yankees as the player to be named later in the deal that sent Tommy John to the West Coast. The deal, which took place after a dismal 1982 season, made good sense for the Yankees. Firmly in rebuilding mode, the Yankees had unloaded an aging John in exchange for a young left-hander of considerable promise. In the 1980s, however, the Yankees often turned their back on rebuilding at a moment’s notice, reverting back to a win-now philosophy whenever possible. So less than a year later, the Yankees sent Rasmussen to the Padres as the player to be named later for veteran right-hander John “The Count” Montefusco. In other words, they acquired “The Count” for “Count Full Count.”

Wait, there’s more. In the spring of 1984, the Yankees once again reversed course on Rasmussen. Graig Nettles infuriated George Steinbrenner with revelations in his new book, Balls, which angered The Boss so much that he traded his veteran third baseman during spring training. Steinbrenner sent Nettles to the Padres for a package of two prospects: the infamous player to be named later and, you guessed it, Dennis Rasmussen.

Now firmly ensconced in New York, Rasmussen finally made his Yankee debut later that season. Rasmussen brought an amply supply of natural talent to the Bronx, including an above-average fastball, a full repertoire of four pitches, and a dandy pickoff move that foreshadowed Andy Pettitte. He showed some of that promise as a rookie, despite an elevated ERA, by striking out 110 batters in 147 innings and winning nine of 16 decisions. After an up-and-down sophomore season, Rasmussen broke through the fence completely in 1986. Emerging as the ace on a mediocre Yankee staff, Rasmussen went 18-6, logged 202 innings, and kept his ERA a respectable 3.88. At 27, he appeared to be solidifying himself as a legitimate front-of-the-rotation starter.

Rasmussen also made people take notice because of his height. At six-feet, seven inches, Rasmussen was one of the game’s tallest pitchers in the years before Randy Johnson’s arrival. He looked even taller to me, like he was about six-foot-nine, perhaps because he had a bit of awkwardness in his delivery to the plate. His height was either a blessing or a curse, depending on your perspective. Scouts love tall pitchers, especially southpaws. Yet, some scouts believe that pitchers taller than six feet, five inches can have inherent problems. With long limbs and multiple moving parts, tall pitchers sometimes have difficulty keeping their mechanics in order. Rasmussen was not immune to that concern.

Perhaps the Yankees factored his height into the equation the following season, when they decided to trade him. Rasmussen pitched poorly throughout the summer, with an ERA approaching five, causing the Yankees to wonder whether his awkward mechanics and lack of an overpowering fastball would doom him to mediocrity. Whatever the reason, the Yankees traded Rasmussen to the Reds for Bill Gullickson in late August, losing four inches of height in the transaction.

In spite of my seeming obsession with his height, that’s not necessarily the first thing to come to mind when I recall the onetime Yankee. Instead, I’ll always remember an incident from the 1980s, when Rasmussen hit Jorge Bell of the Blue Jays with a pitch. Bell was furious with Rasmussen over what he considered an intentional infraction. After the game, Bell unleashed a tirade against Rasmussen, repeatedly referring to him as “she.” Bell’s intent was clear; he was questioning Rasmussen’s manhood. Whether Rasmussen had meant to hit Bell or not, it was a stupid and chauvinistic reference to make, especially when he made it over and over. Then again, those were the kind of comments that Bell made during a career of mouthing off with the Jays and the White Sox.

With Rasmussen scheduled to come to Cooperstown in just over a week, I’m debating whether to bring up the incident with Bell and find out Rasmussen’s reaction to it. Rasmussen might look at the episode nostalgically, emphasizing the comedic nature of the often volatile Bell. Then again, Rasmussen might think I’m as big a jerk as Bell often was during his career. Perhaps I should stick to the safe side on this one.

Bruce Markusen writes “Cooperstown Confidential” for The Hardball Times and can be reached at bmarkusen@stny.rr.com.

So should the Yankees make a play for DeRosa? I’d say yes, but within reasonable limits. Let’s begin with DeRosa’s potential contribution. As well as the Yankees have played since Johnny Damon hit that three-run homer on a Sunday afternoon against the Orioles, their bench remains mediocre at best. Francisco Cervelli and Brett Gardner have been assets, but the Yankees have received precious little offense from their backup infielders and have virtually no power in reserve—at least until (or if) Xavier Nady returns. DeRosa would solve the latter two concerns. He can play third, second, or first, along with the outfield corners. He has above-average power, along with a team-first grittiness that would play well in New York.

Yet, the Yankees should be conservative in what they offer for DeRosa. After a career year for the Cubs in 2008, DeRosa brought back only three mid-level prospects on the trade market. In the midst of a mediocre campaign with the Indians, DeRosa’s value has decreased further. I might be willing to give up two young pitchers—pick two from a group that includes Anthony Claggett, Jonathan Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez, and Christian Garcia—but no more. I’m not giving up Mark Melancon, or Alfredo Aceves, or even an injured Ian Kennedy. DeRosa would help, but he’s not currently worth a price tag involving any of those right-handers. If the Indians insist on any of the three, I’d suggest that Brian Cashman hang up the phone…

Alfredo Aceves is a throwback. In an age when almost every role on a pitching staff has become specialized, the Mexican League import brings a degree of versatility reminiscent of earlier eras. For younger fans, he’s the new Ramiro Mendoza. For fans of my generation, he’s the second coming of Dick Tidrow. If you go back a little further, he’s the 21st century version of Ralph Terry.

With a fastball that touches the low nineties and a full repertoire of complementary pitches that that includes a splitter, slider, and change-up, Aceves can fill any need that springs a leak on Joe Girardi’s pitching staff. If Brian Bruney’s elbow cannot stay pain free, Aceves could become the elusive eighth-inning solution. If Chien-Ming Wang continues to do a Doyle Alexander impersonation, Aceves could graduate to the rotation as the No. 5 starter.

Prior to Aceves’ arrival, the Yankees had not exactly forged a strong tradition of Mexican-born players. (Keep in mind that Lefty Gomez, though Mexican-American, was born in California.) Ruben Amaro was a light-hitting shortstop and utility infielder. Celerino Sanchez was a brilliant fielding third baseman, but he couldn’t hit as well as most modern day utility infielders. Aurelio Rodriguez had one productive season as a platoon player, but had long since seen his best days as a starting third baseman for the Tigers. Then there was Alfonso Pulido, whom George Steinbrenner briefly touted as the closer of the future in the 1980s. Of more recent vintage, Karim Garcia had a productive half-season in 2003, while Esteban Loiaza had a miserable half-season in 2004. At 27, Aceves might be on the verge of a breakthrough that would make him the best Yankee to come from south of the border…

The roster of names for the first-ever Hall of Fame Classic, scheduled for later this month here in Cooperstown, has been finalized. Former Yankee Kevin Maas, a one-year wonder in the Bronx, became one of the latest retired players to commit to the June 21st old-timers game here in Cooperstown. He will join other ex-Yankees Mike Pagliarulo, Phil Niekro, Jim Kaat, Dennis Rasmussen, and Lee Smith, who all made prior commitments to the game. Another former Yankee, outfielder Chad Curtis, had originally signed up to the play but had to cancel because of a scheduling conflict.

Most of the above group had only brief dalliances with New York, leaving Pagliarulo as the most popular name among Yankee fans. Pags made a positive impression on Cooperstown in April, when he served coffee and donuts to fans standing on line for tickets to the Hall of Fame Classic. Anyone who followed the Yankees in the 1980s won’t be surprised; Pagliarulo has always exuded a down-to-earth everyman quality that made him one of the most likeable Yankees of the decade.

In the sake of fairness, let’s mention that several retired Red Sox will also play at Doubleday Field, an eclectic group that includes Steve “Psycho” Lyons, Joe Lahoud, Ferguson Jenkins, Bill “Spaceman” Lee, and Mike Timlin. (Have Psycho and Spaceman ever been spotted together?) Only one prominent ex-Met has signed up for the game: George Foster, better known for his hitting exploits in Cincinnati.

Bruce Markusen writes “Cooperstown Confidential” for The Hardball Times.