Joe Girardi Is Learning from the Tom Coughlin Instruction Manual

Two seasons ago, Tom Coughlin sat in a dark office, wondering what he could possibly do to save his job.

He had ultimately lost his locker room, and the veteran presence was beginning to shut him out.

The implementation of a leadership council, coupled with the brightening of a stern personality only a soldier could love, eventually paved the Giants path to a Superbowl title.

After similarly losing touch with the countless stars in the Yankee dugout, Girardi watched as his team finished six games out of the AL Wildcard race.

Even more concerning were reports of Derek Jeter’s displeasure with the locker room and coaching situation in the Bronx.

Permanently stuck within the league’s strongest division, Girardi knew that cosmic changes were necessary during this past offseason.

While $423.5 million of expenditure seems cosmic enough in itself, it has been the changes Girardi has made with his own attitude that may loom even larger.

Enter Tom Coughlin playing the role of Socrates, and Joe Girardi trying out for the role of his finest pupil Plato.

Actually, with as much talent as is present within the Giants and Yankees locker rooms, it is more so a revised copy of Coaching for Dummies.

Girardi’s job is even more simplistic than Coughlin’s. Coughlin needed to show a team’s core how to win, while Girardi needs to remind his core how to win.

Girardi’s “leadership council” has already been in power for fourteen years. By allowing Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera to handle their business, the Yankees will be far better off.

This is what Joe Torre always did best. He knew that he had the keys to a Ferrari, and he set it on cruise control. He never belittled his players, nor attempted to fix the unbroken.

Girardi has cancelled practices for team social gatherings, attempting to create a unified dugout. His relaxed demeanor has also been very well received by his players.

Aside from Girardi’s own behavioral changes, the Yankees have brought in an excellent compliment of personalities to the clubhouse.

Nick Swisher has already been dubbed the Yankee jester, making sure there is never stale air in the room.

He also works as hard as anyone on and off the field, showing a normally businesslike roster how to work and play. Damon will finally have a partner in crime.

CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira are two of the true fun-loving players in the league as well, and will deliver as many smiles and laughs in the dugout as they will victories on the field.

Even AJ Burnett has already made an impact on the Yankee roster. His relentless recruitment of Andy Pettitte during his contract negotiations made him realize how important he could become as one of the final pieces to the puzzle.

The likes of Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom will bring a toughness and gritty intensity from its role players that have been missing since the dynasty years.

The Yankees are a long way from following the Giants road to a championship. However, it appears Girardi has learned some important lessons in dealing with a big market sports franchise.

Beasts from the Far East: Wang and Matsui Revive Yankee Confidence

After a tumultuous 2009 season that saw the Yankees finish six games out of the Wild Card race, the Bronx called for change.

It is well documented that Brian Cashman gave $423.5 million in commitments to just three players in hopes of revitalizing the roster.

On Friday night, one of those investments gave a glimpse into the kind of performance that is to be expected of him this season.

CC Sabathia pitched two strong innings in his Yankee debut, and virtually went the entire outing without throwing a pitch outside of the strike zone. He also collected two strikeouts.

The “three-headed blank check” of Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira will undoubtedly play a major role in the success or failure of the Yankees this season. The uncertainties surrounding Alex Rodriguez have only added to the pressures they face.

Meanwhile, two players used to being at the center of the team’s core have gone somewhat unnoticed this spring.

The recent comebacks of Chien-Ming Wang and Hideki Matsui will be as important to the 2009 Yankees as the health of Alex Rodriguez.

Wang is a pitcher that has compiled a 46-15 record over the past three seasons, which represents a winning percentage of 75 percent. His heavy sinker is the perfect compliment to the flame-throwing of Sabathia and Burnett.

Matsui is a patient and disciplined hitting machine, collecting 100 RBI seasons in his sleep when healthy. He has arguably been the best clutch Yankee over the last six years.

Yankee supporters can find an excellent silver lining in Saturday’s spring training loss to the Braves. Wang and Matsui were a part of the same game for the first time since June 15 of last season.

Wang looked fantastic is his second start of the spring. His fastball had great life, and it was on a sharp downward plane all game long. Seven of the nine outs that he recorded were via a groundout or strikeout.

More importantly, Wang bounced off of the mound to field a bunt from the first batter of the game. He showed solid mobility, and shoveled the ball with his glove to Teixeira for the out.

Matsui’s day could be considered a success simply by his participation. However, he did show signs of his improving health.

With a runner on first in the fourth inning, Matsui was able to drive the ball through the right side of the infield. Though seemingly routine, this is a great sign for Yankee fans.

To drive an inside pitch to right field, Matsui is forced to rotate his hips and apply large amounts of torque to his knees.

It is this same torque that allows a hitter to generate power, something Matsui struggled with last season while attempting to play through injuries.

Sportswriters will continue to use names like Teixeira, Sabathia, Burnett, Rivera, Jeter, and Rodriguez ad nauseum for the duration of spring training.

Do not forget about the “beasts from the far east”, as the Yankee season may hinge on their success.

2009 AL East Contenders Bullpen Analysis: Where Do The Yankees Stand?

Rays Bullpen Grade: B

Tampa Bay has unquestionable depth in the middle relief, with JP Howell and deadline acquisition Chad Bradford coming off of the best seasons of their careers. Grant Balfour also exploded onto the scene with 82 strikeouts in only 58.1 IP, as well as a 0.89 WHIP.

Even Dan Wheeler was finally able to put together a solid season in the American League. Wheeler, Bradford, and recent free agent signing Brian Shouse will provide an important veteran presence within a very young pitching staff.

Another interesting dynamic affecting the bullpen is the starting rotation’s tendency to not go deep into games. Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, and Andy Sonnanstine combined to leave 40 starts before the end of the 6th inning in 2008. Adding a rookie to the rotation in David Price will only add to this problem. That is a lot of extra innings for a bullpen to throw without breaking down.

The Rays also have no dependable option for the 9th inning. If any baseball fans question the importance of the closer role, ask the Philadelphia Phillies if they could have won it all without Brad Lidge last season.

Wheeler was exposed down the stretch in pressure situations, blowing six games from the end of August through October. He was later replaced by rookie David Price in the ALCS, and Price’s move to the starting rotation in 2009 will eliminate their best closer option.

Troy Percival’s age and recent injury history, coupled with Balfour’s nearly 5.00 ERA in the postseason, leave the Rays without a proven stopper at the end of games. Tampa Bay cannot be given a higher bullpen rating than the Sox and Yankees without this necessity. However, if a talented young flamethrower like Balfour finds a way to step up, the Rays will be in good shape.


Red Sox Bullpen Grade: A-

The Red Sox also have the luxury of dependable middle relief, especially with the emergence of Manny Delcarmen. Boston has excellent balance in its bullpen, adding two solid lefties into the equation with Okajima and Javier Lopez. Okajima further adds to their versatility with his ability to frustrate right-handers with his changeup.

The Sox were also able to add Ramon Ramirez this offseason via a trade with the Royals. He is coming off of a breakout year, but it remains to be seen if he can adapt to the daily pressures of Red Sox Nation.

Depending on how Boston fills out the fifth spot in its rotation, they could also be adding two rising stars into the bullpen mix with Masterson and Bowden. Both blessed with electric stuff, these two could become the key wildcards to watch.

What sets Boston far apart from Tampa Bay is that they also possess Jonathan Papelbon, a lights out closer with ice water in his veins. It is an incredible advantage to have the ability to shorten games, and to know that a win is secured before the 9th inning begins in most cases.

Papelbon has recorded 113 saves and only 14 blown saves in his three full seasons as closer. His intensity and mean streak, whether it irritates you or not, is what makes him so effective at his craft.


Yankees Bullpen Grade: B+

When discussing the Yankees bullpen situation, where else can you start but with Mariano Rivera? Some fans worried that he was slowing down after the worst statistical season of his career in 2007.

Rivera responded with arguably his best in 2008, and reclaimed his place atop the closer world. A remarkable 13:1 strikeout to walk ratio and 0.67 WHIP said it all. I for one am completely unconcerned about a recovery from routine arthroscopic surgery. He pitched the year of his life through pain, and will return in great shape thanks to his work ethic.

The Yankees’ issues lie in the middle relief. A strength became a question mark with Joba’s permanent switch into the starting rotation. They will have to rely heavily on Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, and the re-signed Damaso Marte.

Veras and Ramirez both have fantastic stuff, and can get out left-handed hitters as well as right-handers, which is a key to being a successful reliever. Both do have issues finding the strike zone from time to time, and will have to improve in that area to earn the setup role.

Damaso Marte is an interesting debate. Will he be able to pitch as consistently in 2009 and he did down the stretch in 2008? I am confident that Marte, now comfortable in the bright lights of New York, will build on the mere two runs he allowed in sixteen appearances to finish the season.

The emergence of Brian Bruney and Phil Coke will help to ease the burden. If they can perform anywhere near as well as they did last year, the Yankees will have excellent bullpen depth. Minor leaguers Mark Melancon and Humberto Sanchez could burst onto the scene in the second half if needed, but the winner of the setup role is the true key to the Yankees’ bullpen success in 2009.