The New York Yankees 2005 Chatter

[Dave's PA Rental]

Originally posted by EVH FANATIC
10/11/2005 1:59 PM ET
Statement by George M. Steinbrenner, Principal Owner, New York Yankees

"I congratulate the Angels and their manager on the great job they've done. Our team played hard, but we let our fans down. Our fans are the greatest in the world and I want to thank them for their amazing support throughout the season. We will do better."

"...and their manager"...wow. Bye bye Joe Torre. You guys don't know what you got till its gone...

[Dave's PA Rental]

heh...

[Dave's PA Rental]

yeah, I took out the picture that someone photoshopped of A-rod getting a facial...

[Dave's PA Rental]

no dick pics...

[Bob_R]

Originally posted by Dave's PA Rental
"...and their manager"...wow. Bye bye Joe Torre. You guys don't know what you got till its gone...

I don't think Torre should be fired but I don't get to make that decision.

[ALinChainz]

Joe is still owed $13.1 million and I certainly don't think he was the problem.

All those multi-million dollar starting pitchers ... sucked.

[Bob_R]

Here's some great news!


10/11/2005 9:24 PM ET
Leiter pondering retirement
After 19 years, lefty ready to hang up his spikes


NEW YORK -- Al Leiter had an interesting 2005 season, returning to an organization with which he once won a World Series ring, only to end up with the club that drafted him back in 1984.
Leiter returned to New York on Tuesday, one day after he and the Yankees lost Game 5 of the American League Division Series to the Angels.

"There wasn't a person in that room who didn't think we would be in Chicago today," Leiter said. "But we're not. We didn't do it. I think it was a big shock, a surprise for everybody. Certainly Derek [Jeter] and Jorge [Posada] and Tino [Martinez] and guys who have been here for a while took this really hard."

Leiter, who was acquired in mid-July to plug a hole in an injury-riddled rotation, finished the season as New York's primary left-handed specialist -- a role in which he thrived.

Despite his success out of the bullpen, Leiter, who will turn 40 on Oct. 23, will likely retire this winter after a successful 19-year Major League career.

"There would have to be a lot of talking to convince me to come back," he said. "Joe [Torre] had mentioned a few days ago, joking that, 'I think you've found a niche' or that I have a niche if this is something I want to do as far as coming in and flipping a few curveballs and getting a couple of lefties out.

"The last couple of weeks, knowing that that was the role, it became more enjoyable, as opposed to sitting in the bullpen and being told to be ready from the first pitch to maybe the seventh," he added, referring to his role as a long reliever. "When you're not really sure when you're supposed to get up, that's not fun when you sit out in the bullpen."

Leiter, who said it was more than a 50-50 chance that he would hang up his spikes, will consult with his wife, Lori, and their children. His two older daughters -- Lindsay, 10, and Carly, 8 -- as well as his 5-year-old son, Jack, will have their chance to weigh in on his future.

"When you've got kids old enough to respond and tell you what they think, that plays a big part," Leiter said. "My son's thinking it's pretty cool, playing with A-Rod and Jeter and all these guys, so he'd probably vote to stay."

Leiter, who began his career in pinstripes and lives in the area, hinted that the only way he would continue playing would be to re-sign with the Yankees as a left-handed specialist.

"It's been good for me, this circle," he said. "Eighteen years ago, I was able to pitch my first game here. I like the area. There wouldn't be too many other places."

Torre called on Leiter in each of the first four games of the Division Series, including a crucial spot in Game 4, when Leiter got Darin Erstad to hit into an inning-ending double play.

Though he played for Torre for less than three months, Leiter was pleased to earn the manager's confidence in his new role in the bullpen.

"Any time your boss shows faith and confidence in you, you don't want to let him down," Leiter said. "And he did, and it meant a lot."

After going 3-7 with a 6.64 ERA with the Marlins in the first half of the season, Leiter was dealt to the Yankees on July 16. He started at Fenway Park the next day, defeating the Red Sox. He appeared in 16 games for New York (10 starts), going 4-5 with a 5.49 ERA.

"It made for a very exciting second half," he said. "Certainly, my first half with the Marlins was miserable. It's certainly not the way I anticipated the end for me, and I say 'the end' because I'm pretty sure that was it."

[Bob_R]

Mel Stottlemyre just resigned after 10 years as the Yanks pitching coach.

[Dave's PA Rental]

wow!...

[guitarboy5150]

there are gonna be a lot of changes to the yanks and sox this offseason...for one i think the yankees will get rid of wright, matsui, bernie, posada(maybe) and kevin brown...

the sox will probably ship off damon or ramirez which i am thinking the yanks will pick up one of them...nomar might return to the sox i think also

[Bob_R]

I'm not sure if the Yanks will get rid of Wright. He signed a big contract. Brown I believe was in the last year of his contract he's a goner. He's terrible as is Leiter who will retire I believe. I don't know about Bernie. I think much of it will depend on who they pick up this winter. Damon may be coming to the Yanks but he'll need a haircut and a shave.

[Igosplut]

Originally posted by guitarboy5150


the sox will probably ship off damon or ramirez which i am thinking the yanks will pick up one of them...nomar might return to the sox i think also

Nomar will never be back to Boston. Ramerez contract is still too big to move, and yes Damon very well might end up in NY but I would be its the Mets, not the Yanks...

[Igosplut]

Originally posted by EVH FANATIC
Mel Stottlemyre just resigned after 10 years as the Yanks pitching coach.

Torre's not far behind, either quitting or getting fired. He said he was saving some choice words for after the season's over, after one of Stein's rants about him.....

It'll be interesting to see whats said at his post-season summary (thats been strangely late in coming)

[guitarboy5150]

damon might very well go to the mets with only beltran and floyd in the outfield but i think with the abscense of bernie and maybe matsui they would put up bigger bucks for damon...

..and yes he must get rid of that caveman look

[Igosplut]

Wheres Matsui going?? I missed that...