Yanks Youth Strategy Paying Dividends (Or Not)

Kennedy Prepares Another Juicy Meatball

It's no secret. We're not Yankee lovers here. In fact, it's quite the opposite. So their recent struggles have tickled us pink. What makes us even happier? To see their young guns, those gifted prospects, falling on their respective faces (in various manners).

Why we take such pleasure in their pitching pain? Well, it's a much deeper Yankee hatred discussion that we'll refrain from breaking down in any depth here. Let's just say their fans have a lot to do with it. Brash, dumb, absurd in their complaints and obstinate in their opinions (no matter how ludicrous).

So, after an offseason of hearing Yankees fans clamor for management to let those young guns of Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlian loose...following call after call of Yankees fans touting Kennedy, Hughes and Joba as the next Maddux or Peavy or Clemens...they can now say they've got what they asked for. How do you like it so far Yanks fans?

Just because it's fun, let's review how this youthful experiment is progressing.

Chamberlain: Joba is filthy. End of story. He reminds me of a young Rocket, and he might be that good one day. I would not be surprised. For now, though, he's on the DL. Should it be anything serious, fans can then play Monday morning quarterback debating whether it was spurred by a premature move from the 'pen to the starting rotation.

Hughes: We think Phil has good stuff. He could be OK. Right now, the numbers are slightly less than what Yankees fans were boldly predicting back at the start of 2008. Hughes, currently on the 60-day DL, has started six games. He's 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA. Maybe the first-round pick wasn't quite ready yet.

Kennedy: This one gives me the most excitement. Sure, it's a little twisted. But there's a reason for my disproportionate pleasure in Yankees fans misery on this one. It's because the hype around this guy, the crap coming out of people's mouths about what Ian Kennedy was and could be was out of control. I've watched him pitch now half a dozen times. I'm not seeing anything. Where's the stuff? What is it? Instead, it's his performances that have been out of control. Out of control bad.

Kennedy is sporting an 0-4 record with a 8.17 ERA. Last night, he went out and managed to make it through two innings, giving up five earned and nine hits in the process. But what makes him so immensely likeable is his competitiveness and sense of responsibility to the team. Perhaps he's been drinking the Kool-Aid others have been pouring in abundance. Following last night's abomination, here's what Ian had to say:

“It’s the first bad outing I’ve had in a long time, since the All-Star break,” Kennedy said. “I’m not going to look much into it. I felt like I made some good pitches. I’m just not too upset about it.”

He continued with more pearls later:

“What was it, a bunch of singles and three doubles or so?” Kennedy said. “I’m just not real upset about it. I’m going to move on. I already have done that.”

Here's the thing. Yes, it's just a game. Sure, maybe Ian is just a mature man with the right perspective on the importance of one start in a game that is of little import in the broader scope of life. Or maybe he's a moron.

Learn from Tom Glavine. You don't even have to be "devastated" but how about "disappointed?" I'm sure your teammates might have some thoughts on the matter. Your start sucked. First bad start since the All-Star break? Congrats on killing it in AAA. This is the big leagues, son. A degree of accountability might be something to consider.

Maybe the Yankees and their fans can start talking about the youth movement again this offseason. It should start in a month or so, because October ain't looking likely. And, yes, that brings a big, fat grin to our faces.