Where's Kernan?

Where's Kernan?

CC admits 'I was terrible' in loss to Pirates

March 09, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

TAMPA -- What’s up with CC?Sabathia struggled again today at Steinbrenner Field in a 12-7 loss to the Pirates and doesn’t look right. Perhaps he just needs to build up arm strength, he certainly... Read on

TAMPA -- What’s up with CC?
	 
Sabathia struggled again today at Steinbrenner Field in a 12-7 loss to the Pirates and doesn’t look right. Perhaps he just needs to build up arm strength, he certainly needs to keep his front side closed, and not collapse on his back leg, something he has not done too much in his first two starts. But this is why they have six weeks of spring training. In this Twitter World, that can be forgotten.
	 
Everyone wants instant analysis and an instant fix. Spring training is still run the old fashioned way. Results don’t matter. It is a time to get in game shape, get your legs under you, have some fun with your teammates and then work into a groove.
	 
“I was terrible, location was just bad, I was collapsing on my backside, and everything is up. I guess it’s going to take a while,’’ Sabathia said after allowing seven hits, five runs and a long home run to Garrett Jones. “I got to get my secondary pitches going.’’
	 
Sabathia struggled at this time last spring, too. People were in a state of panic. Then came the regular season and he went out and won 19 games, pitched 230 innings in the regular season and won a World Championship.
	 
Everybody can’t be Roy Halladay, 21 strikes his first 24 pitches of the spring. Speaking of Halladay, one Yankee told me he could win 30 games this year, playing in the National League, where pitchers get a huge break, facing the opposing pitcher, a natural breather.
	 
Sabathia said he would be getting a call from his mom, Margie, wondering what went wrong.
	 
“I’m sure she will call me,’’ Sabathia said. “Right now my delivery is not right. My mom thinks that every time I get two strikes on somebody, they should be struck out. That’s all she worries about. It’s fun and it keeps you humble. It’s always good.’’
	 
Nick Johnson had a pretty good day today, smashing two home runs against the Pirates. Yes, it seems the Yankees are always playing the Pirates. Johnson is working with hitting coach Kevin Long on turning his lower half to generate power. Looks good so far.
	 
Johnson got his feet wet on Monday and Tuesday he got his stroke going, lashing a long home run to right-center his first time up and then another one to right into the Party Deck in the third inning.
	 
Also, Brian Cashman doesn’t seem overly concerned about the A-Rod hysteria. Asked about all this Alex Rodriguez-Dr. Tony Galea affects this camp, which was quiet at the start, he said, “I’ve got no comment on any of that. No comment on anything. Our statement still fits. No matter what revelations have occurred, it still fits.’’
	 
The Yankees are sitting back and seeing what happens with A-Rod. A-Rod said he was not concerned about it one bit and was extremely relaxed.

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Aceves throws four perfect innings, tightens Yankees' fifth-starter race

March 08, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

BRADENTON, Fla. – Alfredo Aceves is giving the Yankees something to think about in the Race for 5. The right-hander was perfect over four innings today in a 6-0 win over the Pirates, striking out... Read on

BRADENTON, Fla. – Alfredo Aceves is giving the Yankees something to think about in the Race for 5.
	 
The right-hander was perfect over four innings today in a 6-0 win over the Pirates, striking out three, allowing only two balls out of the infield here at McKechnie Field.
	 
This was a split-squad day with the Yankees also playing the Phils in Tampa, which they also won 7-4.
	 
It’s still early in the decision-making process, but Aceves could wind up in the rotation with Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes in the bullpen. Now that would be interesting.
	 
“I’d like to start, honestly,’’ Aceves said after his impressive performance against Pittsburgh, a forever-rebuilding team that managed just one hit on the day, “but I will do whatever the team wants. It’s not my decision, it’s early yet, it’s a long spring training, we’ll see.’’
	 
Aceves threw only 34 pitches, 22 for strikes. He was scheduled to go three innings, but went four and was still so fresh that after he was done, he threw another 16 pitches in the bullpen, outside the visiting clubhouse.
	 
“My changeup was really working today,’’ Aceves said.
	 
“He’s giving us something to think about,’’ said Brian Cashman, who came to this game, which tells you something, too. “Believe me; I feel we have five guys competing for one spot right now. We’re going to have tough decisions to make. Guys can open your eyes, early or late. Ace can read the hitter, he has a feel for it.’’
	 
Aceves is opening eyes, and he wears No. 91, a tribute to Dennis Rodman. “I like how he worked.’’
	 
The Yankees may be stronger with Hughes and Chamberlain in the bullpen, “Could be,’’ Cashman said, “assuming Joba throws like he does or Hughes threw like he did last year. You have to have depth.’’
	 
Alex Rodriguez’ first at-bat was an interesting one. On an 0-2 breaking ball A-Rod started to take off for first base as if he had been hit. A minor league umpire, Justin Vogel, was working the plate but he didn’t buy it.
	 
“I got hit right in the foot,’’ A-Rod said later.
	 
A-Rod then worked the count to 3-2 and drilled a two-run single.
	 
Derek Jeter singled up the middle to lead off the game and Curtis Granderson followed with his walk. Hitting coach Kevin Long told me before the game that Granderson is making progress against the lefties.
	 
“He’s really hanging in there,’’ Long said. “He’s putting some good swings together and seeing the ball well.’’

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Phillies' Halladay shuts down Yankees in spring debut

March 04, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Yankees got a spring preview of what the Mets will have to deal with this season. The Yankees squared off against the Phillies and their new ace Roy Halladay today at... Read on

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Yankees got a spring preview of what the Mets will have to deal with this season.
	 
The Yankees squared off against the Phillies and their new ace Roy Halladay today at Brighthouse Field. Halladay cruised through two innings against the Yankees, much the way he did when he was on the Blue Jays. Halladay threw two scoreless innings, striking out three: Jorge Posada, Nick Swisher and Randy Winn.
	 
The only batter to reach base was Jamie Hoffman,
	 who was filling in for an injured Nick Johnson, and that was an error by Philles new third baseman Placido Polanco. Halladay threw 29 pitches, 24 were strikes (not bad for the first time out) in a game the Phillies would win 3-2.
	 
CC Sabathia, who started for the Yankees, said he believes Halladay can even be better in the National League.
	 
“He’s filthy. Switching leagues will definitely make him more effective,” said Sabathia, who also threw two shutout innings in his spring debut.
	 
“He’s going to face a lot of 7-8-9 hitters in the National League and that’s definitely going to help him. They’re definitely the team to beat. I don’t think they lost anything by trading Cliff Lee. It’s fun to match up with a guy like that.”
	 
The World Series rematch and the two aces brought a standing-room-only crowd to the Phillies’ spring training facility and press box.
	 
Sabathia allowed a one-out walk and a single to Brian Bocock in the second inning, but got out of trouble when Carlos Ruiz popped to second and Jimmy Rollins grounded to third. Both pitchers were done after two innings.
	 
“I threw all my pitches,” Sabathia said. “It went real well for the first time out.”
	 
Sabathia said he believes this is the first step toward the Yankees winning another World Series.
	 
“I want to have that feeling again,” Sabathia said.

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Bernie takes in Yankees spring training opener

March 03, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

Bernie Williams stopped by Tampa today and was as entertaining as ever. And just a little bit Bernie goofy.His new career is going great, “I’m sort of reinventing myself,’’ Bernie the Guitarist said.... Read on

Bernie Williams stopped by Tampa today and was as entertaining as ever. And just a little bit Bernie goofy.
	 
His new career is going great, “I’m sort of reinventing myself,’’ Bernie the Guitarist said. “It’s a totally new ballgame. I’m happy where I’m at right now.’’
	 
Williams watched his old buddies win the World Series and was happy for them, especially Derek Jeter. He said, “He’s been good his whole career. It's amazing.’’ Williams said he can’t consider Jeter old. That would make Bernie old, of course.
	 
“I had a lot of fun and did it the right way,’’ Williams said of his own career. As for the steroid and HGH stain on the game, he added: “Who knows who did what?’’ Williams said he can look in the mirror and know he did it the right way, though. He would not admit to being baseball retired, but he is. He said it was "awkward'' picking up a bat the other day during a clinic with Curt Schilling in Orlando.
	 
Here are some other sights and sounds of the first day as the Yankees took on the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner field, with George in his suite along the first base line. You can’t expect much in early spring training games, especially when the weather is bad. Tampa is still not experiencing any Florida weather this year. It’s windy and cold here today, so windy that the Carrabba’s sign in left field blew off the wall in left.
	 
But at least the sun came out by game time.
	 
Curtis Granderson caught the first ball hit to him in center, going to his left and snagging Garrett Jones fly to shallow right-center.
	 
It was a good day to be tested because the wind was howling to right field. He grounded to first his first at-bat, after taking a strike and swinging and missing, against lefty Paul Maholm, sending the Twitter world atwitter that he still is overmatched against lefties.
	 
Chad Gaudin breezed through his two innings and is determined to make a run in the five-man fifth-starter race. The Yankees were punchless from the start as Jeter grounded to short. A-Rod struck out swinging his first time up, but got the Yankees first hit in the fifth inning with a single up hte middle. Remember, it’s going to take time for the older Yankees to get rolling. This time last season Jeter was looking terrible in the WBC.
	 
The Yankees are knocking off the rust, though, and that’s what this day is all about.

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Yankees insist it's a five-man race for final rotation spot

March 01, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

Here in Tampa, it’s a sunny day. The rain is coming tomorrow, though. Still, this is Disneyworld for Yankee fans.Every day is a vacation from the real world when they come to visit. When fans are... Read on

Here in Tampa, it’s a sunny day. The rain is coming tomorrow, though. Still, this is Disneyworld for Yankee fans.
	 
Every day is a vacation from the real world when they come to visit. When fans are allowed into George M. Steinbrenner Field, they play Queen’s “We Are The Champions’’ as the Yankees stretch in the outfield. They play it loud.
	 
“That’s pretty cool,’’ CC Sabathia told me this morning.
	 
There are not a lot of question marks around the Yankees, but pitching coach Dave Eiland insists there are five pitchers fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation. It’s not just a two-man battle between Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain.
	 
“Don’t count out the other three,’’ Eiland insisted this morning about Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfred Aceves.
	 
I still don’t know about that. I think it’s Phil Hughes’ job to lose. The Yankees feel they are strongest with Joba in the bullpen. But maybe it is a five-man fight. Maybe one of the three long shots will emerge and then the Yankees will have Joba and Hughes in the pen. That would be interesting.
	 
Mariano Rivera would welcome the extra help. But the Yankees really need Joba or Hughes to step up and win the job because it will show that the young pitchers are coming around in a big way. The battle begins this week. It will be fun to watch all spring. Eiland says it’s a five-horse race.
	 
We’ll see about that.

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Mets won't rush Escobar after making that mistake with Garcia

February 24, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

The eighth-inning is a puzzle for the Mets and will be for most of the spring. Japanese pitcher Ryota Igarashi is in the mix. The Mets like his splitter with Jerry Manuel saying today it’s a bit... Read on

The eighth-inning is a puzzle for the Mets and will be for most of the spring.
	 
Japanese pitcher Ryota Igarashi is in the mix. The Mets like his splitter with Jerry Manuel saying today it’s a bit “different.’’ Eventually, the job will belong to Kelvim Escobar.
	 
Here’s the real story on Escobar and what’s going on with him.
	 
Despite the hysteria of last week, he is right on time in his rehab, according to the Mets and, more importantly, according to his representatives. The plan from the beginning was not to rush Escobar. The Mets made that mistake with Freddy Garcia last year. If they had taken their time with Garcia, he would still be a Met. The Mets just didn’t make their Escobar plan clear, which happens with the Mets.
	 
The Garcia mess was a Tony Bernazard special. Once the Mets had pitching woes early in the season last year, they panicked and pushed Garcia north when Bernazard was pushing those buttons. The plan was for Garcia to take his time in Florida, rehab slowly, next thing you knew he was shuffled off to AAA Buffalo, which is a bit cooler than here in Port St. Lucie. Garcia never came around as a Met.
	 
Escobar insists he will be ready by the start of the season, but the Mets are not counting on that and are taking it slow with his rehabbing shoulder. That is why there is so much emphasis now on trying to find an eighth-inning pitcher. Sean Green threw against hitters today and is dropping down in an almost submarine-like fashion. Igarashi drew a lot of media and team attention today, but as one Mets coach told me, the plan today was simply to “just throw the ball down the middle.’’
	 
Hisanori Takahasi, the little lefty, could wind up as the second left-hander in the bullpen.
	 
Escobar told me after lunch that, “Things are coming along, I feel good, but I am not going to rush myself. It’s more important to be ready later in the season.’’
	 
That’s a smart move. That's the right move.

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Where's Kernan: Bay looking to grow into leadership role

February 23, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

The New Mets are beginning to take shape as the final position players filtered into camp today. Jason Bay came here to Port St. Lucie following a short Disney World vacation with his family. Bay is a solid person and will be a leader on these Mets.
	 
Bay said his plan right now is to “figure out his place with the Mets.’’
	 
Bay said he is a “lead by example’’ guy.
	 
“You won’t see me on the top step waving a towel,’’ he said. “But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to be a leader. I’ll kind of feel my way around, but I think by the time that we leave here, I’ll be pretty comfortable in that role.’’
	 
He needs to lead by hitting some home runs. The Mets hit only 95 last season. Bay hit 36 for the Red Sox. He said he is not intimidated by big, big Citi Field and that he will not change his swing to fit the ballpark. Bay has averaged 30.1 home runs the past six seasons.
	 
Bay heard a lot of criticism over the winter and said he was only upset by one thing.
	 
“Peter Gammons’ Beirut comment didn’t really sit well with me only because I never talked to Peter Gammons,’’ Bay noted. “If that was his opinion, fine by me, but it was portrayed as he had some inside scoop and I didn’t think that was fair.’’
	 
Gammons had said on WEEI radio in December “Jason Bay would rather play in Beirut than Queens,’ pointing out that Bay should have accepted Boston’s four-year, $60 million offer earlier in the offseason. The Mets gave him $66 million for four years.
	 
Extra bases:Alex Cora is going to figure out a new way to slide this spring. He had to have ligament surgery on both thumbs because of headfirst slides. He said he will still slide head first but that he will grip something in his hands to keep that out of danger.
	 
“I still haven’t figured out how I’m going to do that,’’ Cora said.

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Koufax works with Perez at Mets spring training

February 22, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

PORT ST. LUCIE -- If these guys can’t fix Oliver Perez, who can?Sandy Koufax showed up in Port St. Lucie today, and along with Mets ace Johan Santana, worked with Perez during his long toss and... Read on

PORT ST. LUCIE -- If these guys can’t fix Oliver Perez, who can?
	 
Sandy Koufax showed up in Port St. Lucie today, and along with Mets ace Johan Santana, worked with Perez during his long toss and bullpen session. I asked Koufax is there is one point he was trying to make to Perez and he said: "You can't control the ball unless you can control your body.’’
	 
But the legendary Dodgers pitcher cautioned that Perez should not go through a complete overhaul in his wild throwing motion.
	 
“People pay too much attention to delivery," Koufax said. "Pitching is throwing. It’s precision throwing. Sometimes delivery is overrated. You don’t want to change what you do. Delivery shouldn’t interfere with your ability to throw. You make it a simple situation so you can retain it. You don’t want it to be something different every time you throw.’’
	 
Perez was awful in 14 starts last season going 3-4 with a 6.82 ERA while walking 58 batters in 66 innings. Koufax struggled with control problems early in his career, but overcame that on his way to the Hall of Fame.
	 
“When you are not successful, you tend to try to be more successful and put more pressure on yourself,’’ Koufax said.
	 
Koufax kept a close eye on Perez and discussed the inconsistent lefty’s stride with Santana, who has been monitoring Perez closely this spring. Pitching coach Dan Warthen eventually joined the pow-wow.
	 
“If I can help somebody I’m happy to," Koufax said. "I don’t have all the answers, nothing works for everybody. It’s a question of trying."
	 
Perez, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract last offseason, will hopefully learn from Koufax and Santana, a pair of southpaws who have combined for 287 career wins. Koufax, who lives in nearby Vero Beach, talked with Perez for a couple of minutes after he finished the throwing session.
	 
“Even before I started talking to Oliver today he looked different than he did last year, and I’m sure that was Johan," Koufax said. "Warren Spahn used to say the plate is 17 inches wide and 15 belong to the hitter. Santana doesn’t use that 15 that belong to the hitter very often.’’
	 
Koufax's advice for Santana was a little more basic.
	 
"Stay healthy," Koufax said from one ace to the other.

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Where's Kernan: Mets find Citi Field size in Florida

February 19, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

Citi Field never leaves the Mets’ sight in spring training even here in Port St. Lucie. The Citi never sleeps.Mets regulars who have reported early hold their daily batting practice session on... Read on

Citi Field never leaves the Mets’ sight in spring training even here in Port St. Lucie. The Citi never sleeps.
	 
Mets regulars who have reported early hold their daily batting practice session on practice field in this complex that has the exact same dimensions as Citi Field. That is a change from last year when they often hit on the field closest to the clubhouse. The field looks big here too as you stare down the 335 foot left field line, 408 in dead center, no Home Run Apple, though, and 330 down the right field line.
	 
Mets players were joking today that they finally had some new baseballs to hit with in BP so they could show their true power. Jeff Francouer arrived today and immediately lit up the room and batting practice, joking with David Wright, Daniel Murphy, Jose Reyes and Mike Jacobs.
	 
As for starting off the season against big Josh Johnson and the Marlins, Francoeur cracked to his teammates during the first round of BP, “It could be worse, we could be starting off in Seattle.’’
	 
Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee do pose problems. Johnson struck out 191 batters last year, Hernandez K’d 217. The Mets need to be ready for fastballs right from the start.
	 
As for the minor Citi Field adjustment the Mets made, dropping a portion of the home run line in dead center down eight feet, Francouer said with a smile, “The ball’s really going to be flying out of there now.’’
	 
The Mets joke about the humongous size of Citi Field but they also know there are no bailouts heading their way with their home ballpark. They have to learn to hit there and it has to start now. Jerry Manuel watched the entire session of BP today and was having fun with the players when they were driving the ball.
	 
Driving the ball is a big part of this spring training. Last year it was all about going the opposite way, remember the 80-swing plan, but the game plan now is all about driving the baseball.
	 
When your team hits only 95 home runs, driving the baseball better be job No. 1.

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For Mets it's all about Prevention & Recovery

February 18, 2010 , ι By KEVIN KERNAN

The Mets are making it perfectly clear that last year is behind them and that they have learned their injury lesson the hard way.All you have to do is look at the new Prevention & Recovery logo that... Read on

The Mets are making it perfectly clear that last year is behind them and that they have learned their injury lesson the hard way.
	 
All you have to do is look at the new Prevention & Recovery logo that they’ve posted in several key spots in the clubhouse here in Port St. Lucie.
	 
Not only that, but they also are putting the logo on some team gear like jackets. No kidding.
	 
The words Prevention & Recovery sit on a blue background at the top of a shield. Below it is the Mets interlocking NY in front of a Manhattan skyline.
	 
It’s all about staying healthy because if the Mets are healthy they will contend. At least that’s what the players are saying. Johan Santana lent his voice to the chorus today saying, “My plan is to win the World Series.’’ When asked: Who is the best pitcher in the NL East, he responded, “Santana.’’
	 
Good for him. Just as David Wright and Jose Reyes spoke of big plans, Santana is doing the same.
	 
This sets up a great first duel between Roy Halladay and Santana when the Mets and Phillies meet. The Mets are talking a good game once again, but need to prove it on the field.
	 
Santana also said he played catch with Kelvim Escobar Friday in Ft. Myers and said he has no idea about reports that have surfaced that say Escobar can’t grip a baseball.
	 
Escobar will not be ready for a while, the Mets know that, but that was never the plan. He pitched only five innings last year due to shoulder issues that followed his 2007 shoulder surgery. The Mets have him on a slow-return program.
	 
Remember, it’s all about Prevention & Recovery.

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About the Author

KEVIN KERNAN A Post writer from 1981-88 who returned in 1997, Kevin Kernan has been covering baseball since 1999. He also covered the Knicks, Nets, Giants, college basketball and boxing. An author of five books, he’s won the Excellence in Journalism Award presented by the New Jersey Sportswriters Association. A member of the Ramapo College Hall of Fame, he was presented with a Distinguished Achievement in RV Journalism Award for his RV journey to Super Bowl XLII. Columnist Archives

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