Maybe this bottle of Life Water hasn't yet replaced all the lost electrolytes from last night's 90-minute cardio bonanza at the gym.
Perhaps my brain dried out a bit during the 20-minute post-workout schvitz.
Or maybe it's just the "hope springs eternal" theory.
Call me crazy, infirmed or anything else you choose, but I think Carl Pavano will have a productive season for the Yankees.
Huh?
Call me crazy, infirmed or anything else you choose, but I think Carl Pavano will have a productive season for the Yankees.
I know, I know. Pavano's been a favorite target for chiding, bashing, mockery and more not-so-nice stuff. In this space and in every other inch of New York sports media space.
But he's just about of injuries to keep him out, except for the blister he'll get in late April and the dead arm that will land him on the 15-day DL just before the All-Star break. Sooner or later, he'll have to pitch. As Hokies fan Lloyd says, "2007, why not?"
Mike Mussina's calling out of Pavano at the start of spring training was perhaps the best performance from Mussina since his three shutout innings in relief of Roger Clemens against the Red Sox in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. He basically said what every Yankee player, official and fan has been thinking since June 27, 2005, Pavano's last start in pinstripes.
Nothing like a good chest-emptying to restart the motor.
So, with all the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, what makes me think Pavano will be productive this season? Call it a hunch. Besides, can he really be any less effective than he has been the last 18 months? He makes one start, he's already ahead of last year. Two starts? He could make the all-star team. Ten starts? Hello, Monument Park!
Kidding, of course, but not joking when I say I think Pavano will be productive this year. Here's my prediction for Pavano during the 2007 regular season:
Starts: 27
Record: 12-8
ERA: 4.30
IP: 150
K: 98
Quality starts: 14
Complete games: 1
Not bad at all for the No. 4 starter. Of course, I could be wrong with that prediction.
How do you think Pavano will perform this season?
Comments (3)
Pavano will do well. A solid dose of humilation and a long look at what trash talent like Meche are getting on FA deals have awoken this deadbeat. He'll be no lower than #3 in the rotation by Sept.
I hope Pavano does well. My point and I have made this several times is only to give back some of the money. I mean where is his shame. I was just down in Mississippi and in New Orleans. Even now they are struggling to rebuild after Katrina. So many show heroism with so little. Pavano could go a long way towards a better image by giving back some of they money he "earned."
Three starts, DL, two more starts, DL, traded after he clears waivers. Some guys can't hack it in the City. Pavano's one of them.
2-1
5.60 ERA
20 IP
8 K
6 BB
25 H