In his 18th and perhaps final big-league season, Mike Mussina finally reached the 20-win plateau he so clearly deserved.  I couldn’t root for it to happen while he wore Yankee Pinstripes, but Mussina’s first-ever 20-win season was long overdue.  He deserved it more than once as a member of the Orioles but didn’t get enough offensive support.  For those of you unfamiliar with Mike Mussina prior to his signing with the Yankees eight years ago, check out these stats:

1992 – 18-5 with a 2.54 E.R.A. with eight complete games and four shutouts in 32 starts.

1995 – 19-9 with a 3.29 E.R.A. and a WHIP of just 1.069 to go with seven complete games, including four shutouts, in 31 starts.

1997 – 15-8 in 33 starts with a 3.20 E.R.A.

Continue reading "20 wins for Moose"

While Red Sox Nation is surely disappointed in Boston’s A.L.C.S. loss, the rest of the baseball world can enjoy knowing that this year’s champion will be the eighth different team to win it all in the last nine years, as the 2008 Fall Classic features one team that hasn’t been to the World Series in 15 years playing against a team that is playing in its first-ever postseason.

Give that man a raise

Matt Garza deserves a significant bonus from his bosses.  Not only was he responsible for half of the Rays’ A.L.C.S. wins, but he pitched his heart out in the biggest game in the franchise’s history.  The Red Sox had the momentum going into Game 7, having won the previous two games including the huge comeback from seven runs down in Game 5, but Garza shut down their offense for 7+ innings, throwing 118 pitches.  But let’s not forget about Dioner Navarro, either.  He may not have the experience of Jason Varitek, but he calls a hell of a game.

Continue reading "A new kind of World Series"